Chapter 448: Memory Recovery
Among the Thirteen Great Clans, the Xia Family's ancestral home was in Beilai City. Although the sun had been extinguished for four years and chaos reigned outside, everything in Beilai remained orderly.
The destruction of the Upper Realm seemed not to have dealt much of a blow to this great clan. Before and after the calamity, the Xia Family had gathered an endless supply of grain and provisions, living a life of plenty. The surrounding commoners also benefited from the Xia Family's kindness and did not become homeless.
Beilai City's commerce flourished. The vegetable markets, taverns, and inns remained bustling, and the schools operated normally.
Chen Shi walked barefoot through these places, thinking to himself, "These great clans at least care about face in their own front yards. It's not as disgraceful as other places."
He crossed Sheep Street and saw some cultivators leading underworld beasts like the Shen Beasts for sale, bound by iron chains. Beside them were male and female slaves, their hands and feet tied with ox sinew, placed next to the Shen Beasts.
A Shen Beast looked around, and when it noticed no one was watching, it stretched out its long tongue, coiled it around a nearby female slave, and prepared to feast.
The cultivator rushed over and slapped a immobilization talisman on its forehead.
Nowadays, catching evil spirits was a decent business. Captured spirits could be sold for a lot of money, especially Shen Beasts, because their flesh and blood could nourish the soul. This kind of spirit's flesh could also serve as medicine to treat illness. Many people had been invaded by Yin energy, damaging their Yang energy, leaving them weak and sickly. Consuming Shen Beast flesh could raise their Yang.
Therefore, many cultivators banded together to capture Shen Beasts, making a living from it.
—As for the trade of male and female slaves beside them, that too was common practice. Many male and female slaves had been kidnapped from other places, while others couldn't survive and simply sold themselves, leaving a bowl of rice for their families.
Chen Shi took in all the sights of the mortal world, feeling a mix of emotions.
He bought a pair of cloth shoes at a stall, tried them on, and found they fit well enough. Just as he was about to pay and leave, a voice chuckled, "Top Scholar Chen, it's been five or six years since we parted at the Western Capital. The Top Scholar's aura is even more impressive than before."
Chen Shi followed the sound and saw Xia Canghai, the Minister of Rites, walking toward him, accompanied by several Xia Family experts who pushed aside the others on the street.
"So it's the Minister."
Chen Shi greeted him, saying, "When did you return to Beilai from the Western Capital, Lord Xia?"
"It's been a while."
Xia Canghai came to his side and said with emotion, "Back when the sun went out, the Western Capital also experienced a great upheaval. Without the suppression of the Nine Halls of the True King, the Western Capital was invaded by ghost gods, with heavy casualties. I too was a refugee. I had to flee with my family, wandering in fear and anxiety for over a year before I found my way to Beilai. Many of my family members died during the long journey."
His expression darkened, and he spoke with feeling: "When disaster strikes, even if you're from the Thirteen Great Clans or the Minister of Rites, you're no different from commoners."
Chen Shi's heart stirred. "When the Upper Realm collapsed, you left the Western Capital. What about the people of the Western Capital?"
"Each to their own fate."
"Each to their own fate?"
Chen Shi smiled wryly. "Lord Xia, you are the Minister of Rites. At a time of crisis, you tell me 'each to their own fate'? Are you worthy of that official robe?"
Xia Canghai's face darkened. "At the time of crisis, what did you do, Lord Chen?"
"I saved people."
Xia Canghai sneered. "Then how many people did you save?"
Chen Shi shook his head. "Not many. Of the people in the fifty provinces, only two or three out of ten were saved because of me."
Xia Canghai burst out laughing, shaking his head repeatedly. "Lord Chen, you really know how to joke!"
His face turned stern as he changed the subject. "When you entered the city, someone recognized you and told me. Lord Chen, I have a clan member named Xia Tianjie, who died in Gongzhou. Are you aware of this?"
"I killed him."
Chen Shi admitted openly. "I went to raze Fengyang Villa and killed several hundred ghost gods from your Xia Family. Xia Tianjie attacked me and died by my hand."
Xia Canghai's eyelids twitched. Suddenly, the gray clouds in the sky were compressed by an invisible force, scattering in all directions. A void realm spanning hundreds of li emerged, with a Primordial Spirit hundreds of feet tall, like a heavenly god sitting within the realm, looking down from above.
In Beilai City, the cultivators suddenly felt an overwhelming pressure bearing down on them. They all looked up, staring dumbfounded at this Primordial Spirit, shocked by its power, barely able to breathe.
Chen Shi, accustomed to the Primordial Spirits of Return to Emptiness realm experts, didn't find it particularly impressive. But for other cultivators and commoners, a Primordial Spirit of the Return to Emptiness realm was simply too powerful, too terrifying!
"Lord Fengyang died by my hand, and Underworld Marshal Xia Xiude also died because of me."
Chen Shi stated frankly, "The ghost gods of the Xia Family were committing evil in the region, so I killed them."
Xia Canghai's oppressive aura grew heavier and heavier, his face grim. "Do you know that Xia Tianjie was the next Sect Leader of our Xia Family?"
Chen Shi seemed unfazed. "Lord Fengyang committed evil, so I killed him. Xia Tianjie tried to kill me, so I killed him too. Lord Xia, if you want to avenge him, you will also die. We serve as officials in the same court. You don't want today to be your death day, do you?"
Black Pot looked around uneasily. On the street, powerful Xia Family cultivators were approaching from all directions. Some stood on rooftops, others hovered in the air, and still more brought heavy magic treasures, sealing off Sheep Street from every direction.
Xia Canghai said coldly, "Chen Shi, tell me the truth. What are you doing in Beilai City?"
"Buying shoes."
Chen Shi wiggled his big toe inside his new shoes, rubbing against the fabric, and smiled. "My shoes were worn out, so I came to buy a new pair."
Xia Canghai stared at the cloth shoes on his feet and sneered, "Chen Shi, you'd better really be here to buy shoes!"
Chen Shi laughed. "What do you think I came here for, Lord Xia?"
Xia Canghai snorted. "Chen Shi, Beilai City is after all my Xia Family's territory. For the sake of the city's people, we won't make a move against you here. But once you leave Beilai City, life and death are up to fate. This time, my Xia Family will not hold back!"
He withdrew his void realm and turned to leave Sheep Street.
The surrounding Xia Family cultivators remained murderous, their eyes locked on Chen Shi, not dispersing.
Chen Shi called Black Pot and headed out of the city.
As he passed a teahouse, an old man inside stood up, cupping his hands, and said with a smile, "This young friend faced the Xia Family's strongmen without the slightest panic. Your courage is extraordinary. Would you do me the honor of sitting for a moment?"
Chen Shi looked at the old man. His hair was graying, his clothing quite refined, wearing a tall hat adorned with phoenix feathers, not in the style of the Ming Dynasty.
The old man had already laid out tea utensils before him, smiling as he waited for Chen Shi.
"Could this be an ancestor-level figure from the Xia Family?"
Chen Shi showed no fear, walking straight into the teahouse. It was already full of people, each holding a tea cup, yet none were drinking. They all turned their heads in unison to look at him.
Some had their backs to him, yet without moving their bodies, they twisted their heads around to face backward, the backs of their skulls facing their teacups.
They wore strange smiles, staring at him without blinking, their gazes somewhat fervent.
Chen Shi's heart tightened. He walked straight toward the old man in the tall hat and said, "I intrude."
The old man smiled. "Not at all. Please sit, Child Prodigy."
The two sat down. The old man poured tea for Chen Shi and noticed that the tea drinkers in the teahouse were still staring at him, so he coughed.
The tea drinkers all turned back and sipped their tea.
Chen Shi observed this without changing expression.
The old man smiled. "These people are brothers from my hometown. They've long heard of the Child Prodigy's reputation and were eager to see you. They are rough men with odd temperaments. Please don't take offense."
Chen Shi drank his tea and said with a smile, "I have a blood feud with the Xia Family. Your words just now will likely bring you trouble."
The old man said seriously, "I am not afraid of trouble. In fact, I have an impertinent request."
He carefully took out a piece of paper, pushed it in front of Chen Shi, and said, "I have here a fragment of a cultivation technique. I have heard of the Top Scholar's unparalleled talent and vast knowledge. I wonder if you could help me fill in the missing parts of this technique?"
Chen Shi read it carefully, growing more and more surprised. "This is a method for cultivating with Demonic Energy! Old sir, where did you get this technique?"
The old man smiled. "Family heirloom, family heirloom."
Chen Shi glanced at him. "Your father gave it to you?"
The old man's face stiffened slightly, and his hand trembled a little.
He was none other than the Grand Sacrificial Officer of the Divine Capital. This time, when the Divine Capital's people located Chen Shi, he had rushed over as quickly as possible, all to get Chen Shi to complete this demonic technique.
Chen Shi pondered it over and over, musing, "This is a demonic technique, but extremely profound. There was once a county magistrate in Xinxiang County who cultivated the demonic path. He cultivated using moonlight essence, refining Demonic Energy, and ended up becoming an evil spirit. That magistrate was demonized and lost his reason..."
A tea drinker in the teahouse said, "I know this method. It's not really true demonic cultivation. This method involves cultivating on moonlit nights, absorbing the Demonic Energy in the moonlight, causing one's own demonic transformation. This kind of cultivation has nothing to do with the technique itself."
Chen Shi's gaze swept over. "Your insight is extraordinary. May I ask your name?"
The tea drinker stood up and bowed. "Humble. Yunxu Hermit, paying respects to the Top, Top Scholar Chen!"
Chen Shi thought for a moment but had never heard of this title. He said, "What you call demonic transformation involves using Demonic Energy for reckless advancement. The technique itself is not a demonic technique. What I'm talking about is walking the demonic path; they are not in conflict. As for this fragment, it refines Demonic Energy to the extreme, turning righteous energy into Demonic Energy, cultivating the demonic path. It is indeed a demonic technique."
He couldn't help but admire it, feeling that the person who created this technique was truly a genius, thinking what others could not conceive. He praised, "Old sir, your ancestor was truly extraordinary! After a rough deduction, I can see that although cultivating this technique will lead to demonization, one can still retain some reason. What is this technique called?"
When the Grand Sacrificial Officer heard the words "your ancestor," a strand of his white hair trembled slightly. Even when Creation Little Five had used the Cangcuo Seven-Killing Demon Melody, it could only make that strand of white hair tremble seven times. Chen Shi's few words seemed to have even greater destructive power.
"This technique is called the Profound Yin Nine Heaven Art. Can you fill in the gaps, Top Scholar Chen?"
Chen Shi fell into thought, deducing the technique's operation. "I can fill it in..."
The Grand Sacrificial Officer's heart pounded violently. He steadied himself. "How long will it take?"
Chen Shi deliberated repeatedly, pondering the operation of the Profound Yin Nine Heaven Art, and said with difficulty, "It will take a bit of time... at least four or five days!"
The Grand Sacrificial Officer frowned. "Four or five days? Not four or five months? Or four or five years?"
Chen Shi laughed. "Although the Profound Yin Nine Heaven Art is a demonic technique, it's only missing a few realms. Filling them in isn't that hard. Why would it take four or five years? However, I'm in a hurry to return home these days, and there's also the Xia Family matter, so I'm afraid I won't have the time to help you."
The Grand Sacrificial Officer smiled faintly. "As long as you can fill in this technique, we should show our gratitude and help you clear away your troubles."
Chen Shi shook his head. "The Profound Yin Nine Heaven Art has opened my eyes. By completing it, I also gain great benefits. No need for you to repay me. The Xia Family has immense power, but I have my ways of dealing with them. I won't drag you into this."
"A flick of the finger levels mountains and clears a thousand obstacles! A glance over heaven and earth scorns ten thousand troops!"
One of the tea drinkers grew excited and shouted, "Facing a great clan and still unfazed! Worthy of the Child Prodigy blessed by the True God! Such boldness is unmatched in the world!"
Chen Shi looked over in surprise. All the tea drinkers were quite excited, looking at him with fervent, almost worshipful eyes.
"Where did these people come from? I was just boasting, why are they so respectful to me? And this Yunxu Hermit is so worked up, he looks like a shill I hired!"
He suppressed his doubts and said with a smile, "Old sir, rest assured. I'll stay here in the teahouse and fill in the technique for you. After that, we'll each go our separate ways."
"Then I'll trouble you!" The Grand Sacrificial Officer rose and bowed deeply.
Chen Shi stood up and returned the bow. "For these few days, please ensure that nothing else disturbs me."
The Grand Sacrificial Officer smiled. "With us here, nothing will disturb you."
His heart was filled with joy. It had been fourteen years since he first encountered Chen Shi in the underworld.
Fourteen years of waiting, all for this demonic technique to break the Celestial True God!
With this demonic technique, first, they could break the Celestial True God, and second, they could break Despair Slope!
He had thought he might have to wait even longer, but it was going so smoothly!
The Grand Sacrificial Officer waved his hand, signaling everyone to leave the teahouse and not disturb Chen Shi.
Everyone quickly rose and filed out.
Chen Shi calmed his mind, carefully pondering the Profound Yin Nine Heaven Art.
Black Pot said, "Woof."
Chen Shi nodded slightly. "I know. These people have a strange origin and dubious intentions."
Black Pot asked suspiciously, "Woof?"
Chen Shi revealed a smile. "But this technique is truly exquisite and extremely important to me. It happens to compensate for my shortcomings, perhaps allowing me to break free from the control of the Blood-Transforming Divine Blade."
He read through the Profound Yin Nine Heaven Art once and immediately sensed the overwhelming demonic intent within it—a hatred for heaven, earth, and all living things. It was extremely domineering and utterly mad.
But the way this technique refined the Demonic Energy between heaven and earth made him realize that Yin and Yang are the Dao, and righteousness and demonic may also be the Dao.
Perhaps the Profound Yin Nine Heaven Art could allow him to take another step forward and truly master the Blood-Transforming Divine Blade!
"Filling in this technique isn't hard, but if I cultivate it, will the Celestial True God bestow a demonic Divine Embryo upon me?"
Without realizing it, Chen Shi activated the Profound Yin Nine Heaven Art. The seal that Chen Yindu had left in his Sea of Consciousness began to glow. As the demonic technique circulated, Chen Yindu's seal gradually dissolved, and countless fragments of memory, like a trickling stream, poured into Chen Shi's mind.
Chen Shi froze, his eyes wide, lost in thought.
"Black Pot, I suddenly remember something from my childhood."
Chen Shi exclaimed, "I remember once when Fifth Uncle took me out to play. He picked me up, and his mouth opened as wide as a bathtub, about to put me inside! He really wanted to eat me back then!"
He couldn't help but shiver in fear.
Black Pot asked in confusion, "Woof?"
"I don't know how, but I suddenly remembered that memory."
Chen Shi was also a bit puzzled. In his mind, there were many other scattered memories, all from his childhood, but they stopped abruptly around age five or six.
He continued cultivating the Profound Yin Nine Heaven Art, and more memory fragments surged in. Suddenly, Chen Shi remembered the day he had taken the County-level Imperial Examination.
In the sky, purple energy stretched across the heavens. The Innate Dao Embryo descended from the purple light, with exotic fragrances spreading everywhere, accompanied by a grand, earth-shaking Dao sound. It slowly fell into his miniature shrine.
"This technique is a bit off!"
Just as Chen Shi was about to stop cultivating, another memory flooded into his mind.
Many tall people, along with some children around his age, arrived at Xinxiang County.
"Brother Chen Shi, my name is Wen Wuyu!"
A little girl ran behind him, panting, "Brother Chen Shi, wait for me!"
"Stop following me! Annoying!"
Chen Shi turned back and said fiercely, "If you follow me again, I'll pull down my pants and pee!"