Chapter 402 - 201: Temptation (Part 2)
Finally, after cultivating the ’Celestial Water Returning Ruins Technique’ to the seventh realm, the upper, middle, and lower dantians will merge into one, transforming into the ’Return Ruins.’
At this point, the body becomes completely dispensable for Chu Xuan. If he encounters a true life-and-death crisis, even if his body is shattered, he can entrust his soul to the ’Return Ruins’ to escape and find any body to possess for rebirth.
If this isn’t the demon path, then what is?
It was precisely because of that earth-shattering last battle, where Shangguan Yu led a group of righteous path powerhouses who already knew about his escape method. They preemptively pursued and blocked him, using immortal artifacts to suppress and forcibly explode the Return Ruins, otherwise Chu Xuan wouldn’t even need to revive.
After reading this cultivation technique, Chu Xuan’s expression was somewhat complicated. Given his character, he shouldn’t have gone around devouring his peers back then; otherwise, what’s left at the end would hardly be considered human, more like a celestial demon wearing human skin, right?
Yet this doesn’t stop others from fearing him because of it...
Moreover, the ’Celestial Water Returning Ruins Technique’ now presented Chu Xuan with a highly tempting choice: to switch cultivation!
Generally speaking, cultivators can only focus on one cultivation technique, and attempting to switch is possible only in the first two realms, ideally during the Qi Cultivation Stage, when the cost is minimal. If you’re not worried about wasting time, you can try several techniques and feel them.
Once at the Foundation Establishment Stage, the Dao foundation has already formed. At this point, switching cultivation requires breaking the Dao foundation and starting anew, which is quite detrimental to the body.
By the third realm, switching cultivation is virtually impossible. Entering the Golden Core Stage means linking cultivation and life together, formally beginning ’dual cultivation of life and destiny.’
If the golden core shatters, under normal circumstances one will die immediately, so how can one switch?
Even if using extremely precious natural treasures, to forcibly keep oneself alive and shatter the golden core to start cultivating anew, it’s still highly unwise.
However, the ’Celestial Water Returning Ruins Technique’ is incredibly frightening; even if you are at the third realm or ninth realm, as long as you’re willing, you can gradually convert your cultivation technique.
In the book, this method has a name, called ’Deceptive Exchange.’
As the name suggests, it uses bizarre and deceitful means to stealthily replace the original magical power, cultivation, Dao foundation, and essence bit by bit.
Normally, if the original magical power is mixed with a trace of foreign power, its operation will be awkward; just think about replacing one’s Dao foundation—that would lead to immediate mental disarray.
But what makes this method intriguing is that as long as you proceed step by step, it can deceive your cultivation and even your body.
As long as you can overcome psychological resistance, hypnotize yourself into thinking everything is normal, once completely replaced, the three dantians will merge into one, and another ’Return Ruins’ will form, granting you absolute freedom from then on~
The more Chu Xuan examined this ’Deceptive Exchange’ method, the more he felt it was insidious, like some silent means of possession rather than mere preparation for switching cultivation.
Imagine someone you know being gradually replaced in front of you, until the last piece is replaced, they’re still the person you know.
But when that piece is replaced, suddenly, they become someone else...
Previously, Chu Xuan was pondering if there was any ’Empowerment Technique’ or such that could allow him to rapidly enhance his skills; now, recalling a piece of ’Demon Technique’ seems adequate.
Chu Xuan speculated that he probably destroyed it back then; otherwise, if it spread after his death, chaos would surely ensue.
"What’s the matter?" Qing Er curiously looked at Chu Xuan.
Since he finished transcribing the cultivation technique, his expression had been complicated, as if he was hesitating about something.
"Is there something you don’t understand? Let me help you take a look." She naturally reached out to take the ’manuscript.’
Chu Xuan had transcribed the cultivation technique using divine sense onto a blank jade slip to prevent others from spying. He immediately blocked her and spat out a scorching jade capital flame, burning the painstakingly transcribed technique to ashes.
"You won’t even let me see it! As if I’m really interested?" Qing Er stomped her foot, pretending to be angry.
Instinctively, she then appeared on the verge of tears: "I knew it, you’ve never truly trusted me. Ji Mingyu is the woman you truly love, isn’t she?"
Even the bored little Xue, lying aside yawning, was surprised; in its understanding, Chu Xuan shouldn’t be like this, should he?
Chu Xuan looked at Qing Er and sighed, "Don’t pretend; such a dangerous thing, how could I let you see it?"
In the past, Su Mengqing was also curious about his ’Devouring Yuan Demon Technique,’ using various soft and hard tactics, acting coquettishly, just to see it.
But Chu Xuan refused, Qing Er’s inherently extreme nature meant that if she saw this demon technique, couldn’t resist temptation and secretly cultivated it, wouldn’t there be a peerless demon in this world?
Even Chu Xuan might not be able to control her then.
But Ming Yu... Chu Xuan indeed let her see it, despite not recalling the specific scene yet, he had a general impression, indicating her status in his heart.
Seeing her feigned pity useless, Qing Er immediately sneered, "Then don’t come to me for anything in the future."
She pretended to leave, but Chu Xuan wouldn’t ignore her. He approached and held her hand, embracing her in his arms, gently coaxing her with compliments of sweetness and empathy that many women long for.
Then he said solemnly, "Dear Qing Er, I’m facing a very troubling matter now. Can you help me think it over?"
Despite feigning anger and ignoring him, unexpectedly Little Xue rushed over, eagerly extending its paw to indicate Chu Xuan should discuss it with him.
"Get out of the way," Qing Er picked up the little mink and tossed it aside, then gently looked at Chu Xuan, "Speak~"
Chu Xuan found it amusing and explained his hesitations about switching cultivation techniques.
Unexpectedly, before Qing Er could respond, Little Xue hastily exclaimed, "No!"
It suddenly turned into human form, ran over to hug Chu Xuan’s leg, and looked at him pitifully, saying, ’"Jade Capital Secrets’ has great prospects; it’s a cultivation technique directly pointing to the grand path, really not inferior to that demon technique."
"Besides, the characteristics of the demon technique are too conspicuous; if you truly switch cultivation, then aren’t you exposing your identity immediately?"
Qing Er’s mind swiftly deduced the reason behind Little Xue’s sudden tension. If Chu Xuan switches cultivation techniques, then the connection and bond between him and Ji Mingyu would be somewhat diminished...
This is great news!
Thus Qing Er immediately said, "Switch! What ’Jade Capital Secrets,’ already outdated ancient cultivation technique. If you cultivate according to it, you’ll need three to four hundred years to reach the ninth realm."
"Only the ’Celestial Water Returning Ruins Technique’ can rapidly enhance your strength; especially with your past experience, cultivating it this time would be faster."
"Also, how is this cultivation technique easy to expose? As long as you control your devouring impulse when using it, otherwise haven’t you created several identities unrecognizable back then?"
Chu Xuan thought it made sense. The Celestial Evil Demon Venerable used various disguises and aliases back then; if he was easily recognized when acting, how could he deceive others?
"No, no," Little Xue argued, "Master, didn’t you previously risk your life in the Ancient Battlefield to obtain that strand of [Qian Ming Immortal Qi]?"
"If you switch cultivation techniques now, though the immortal Qi won’t be wasted, its vast power won’t complement your techniques any longer."
Qing Er snorted coldly, "Nonsense, I say, just use the demon technique to devour the immortal Qi. It’s a phenomenal supplement, might even propel you from the fourth to the sixth realm instantly!"
"This means the Divinity Transformation Stage; free-wandering cultivators usually don’t surpass this realm, making you honored wherever you go, everyone respectfully calling you ’True Man.’
Chu Xuan felt tempted listening to Qing Er. Though her suggestion might not be as exaggerated in effect, it certainly could propel him to the fifth realm perfectly.