Chapter 28 - 22: It Seems the Carrot Alone Is Not Enough

’But create your own Cultivation Technique? How is that possible?!’

’Throughout the history of the Cultivation Realm, countless prodigies have tried to forge their own path.’

’But most of them, upon reaching the stage of developing their technique to Foundation Establishment and Core Formation, either had their True Essence detonate their bodies or were struck down by heavenly tribulations, meeting their demise.’

’Those who could develop a self-created Cultivation Technique to the Golden Core realm were already as rare as a phoenix feather, let alone Nascent Soul!’

’It was as if, in the unseen world, the Celestial Dao did not permit Cultivators to find a new way, forcing them to rely on the ethereal and illusory Primordial Dao Scripture.’

’And yet, the great power behind the Guixi Sect had actually blazed their own trail, creating an entirely new path and developing it to a level sufficient to reach the Nascent Soul realm?!’

’Just what kind of terrifying talent and fortuitous encounters would that require?’

’He... or they... how far did they ultimately take this path? Have they already ascended to immortality?’

’Just who is the demonic titan behind this sect?’

’But something isn’t right...’

’She could feel that this Cultivation Technique was righteous and balanced, containing a majestic aura and a dignified Dharma Aspect.’

’How could this possibly be a Demonic Cultivation Skill?’

’But how could a demonic sect that slaughters people like flies and treats lives as worthless grass create such an upright and noble technique?’

’Isn’t that as absurd as a great philanthropist suddenly appearing in a bandit’s den, helping old ladies cross mountain paths every day?!’

’Wait, I get it!’

’This must be a Cultivation Technique that the demonic titan behind the Guixi Sect stole from a great power of the righteous path!’

’How despicable!’

’I wonder which senior Cultivator suffered at the hands of this demonic sect!’

’Wait... the person in the initiation vision bore a strong resemblance to Mr. Qian... Could it be?’

’Countless clues connected in her mind... It must be, it must be so!’

’The great power of this demonic sect not only assassinated Mr. Qian, the righteous senior who created this divine technique, but also refined him into a mindless flesh-and-blood puppet!’

’Forcing him, like those tragic spirit servants from before, to serve this demonic sect for all eternity!’

’For this elder to have developed the Cultivation Technique to such a realm in life, only to fall to a villain’s treacherous plot, is truly tragic and lamentable.’

’And he couldn’t even rest in peace after death. His physical body is imprisoned within this sect, forced not only to impart the Cultivation Technique to its members but also to perform menial tasks like registering new disciples.’

’This evil demonic sect... to humiliate a great power to such an extent!’

In that moment, a complete scene materialized in Su Ling’er’s mind:

A sagely Mr. Qian, with the air of an immortal, ambushed by an insidious and cunning demonic cultivator.

The once-blurry, evil, dark figure, having succeeded in one strike, refined Mr. Qian’s remains into a puppet, enslaving him here for eternity just like those spirit beasts she had seen in the Spirit Beast Garden.

The thought of a Grandmaster of the righteous path meeting such a fate filled Su Ling’er with sorrow.

But no matter what, she had received the grace of this senior’s teachings.

Thus, she bowed deeply to the Mr. Qian before her.

’Senior, though you are no longer of this world, I will forever remember this kindness and will never use this technique for evil!’

She silently made a vow in her heart.

’Besides, if this path is truly viable...’

’Does that mean Cultivators will no longer have to be constrained by the fragmented copies of the Primordial Dao Scripture held by the major sects?’

’After all, this was a wide, open road to the Nascent Soul realm, and perhaps even to eternal life!’

’But my aptitude is abysmal; my Pseudo Spirit Root is still the greatest shackle. Even with a divine Heart Method, how far could I cultivate?’

’And why would this demonic sect give a stolen Cultivation Technique to me?’

’In any case, things were definitely not that simple.’

On one hand was the supreme temptation of attaining the Dao and eternal life; on the other, the demonic abyss of eternal damnation.

She longed to seek the Dao and immortality, to live as long as heaven and earth. This was her original aspiration for stepping onto the path of Cultivation.

But she would never be like these Evil Cultivators, devoid of all conscience, so easily snatching away the lives of others!

The jade slip in her hand suddenly felt as heavy as a mountain.

Meanwhile, Lin Qingfeng’s consciousness withdrew from the player forums.

When he opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was his little junior sister bowing to Mr. Qian, and the sight completely stunned him.

’Seriously... he’s just a non-sentient, functional NPC. Why are you bowing to him?’

Lin Qingfeng watched Su Ling’er, who wore a solemn expression, like someone who had just been enlightened by a great master.

This made the corner of Lin Qingfeng’s mouth twitch. ’Seriously, what’s the point of acting like this in front of the emotionless Qian Buyu?’

’Whatever, business first.’

So he spoke up and asked, "Junior Sister, how is your comprehension coming along?"

Su Ling’er jolted, quickly composed herself, and answered respectfully,

"R-Replying to Eldest Brother, I... I was just so grateful that Mr. Qian would personally perform the initiation and transmit the technique to me, that’s all."

’She didn’t dare show any hint of strangeness. Even if this Cultivation Technique was obtained from the hands of demon cultivators, she would definitely use it for the righteous path and never treat lives as worthless, as they did!’

Lin Qingfeng looked at his junior sister’s expression and pondered for a moment.

’Could it be she thinks it’s a waste to cultivate this technique with her level of aptitude? After all, she has a Four-Element Pseudo Spirit Root, and her innate talent is so poor.’

So he said, "Junior Sister, do you feel that with your aptitude, the path to the Great Dao is still bleak, even with this technique alone?"

Su Ling’er’s heart tightened.

She heard Lin Qingfeng continue,

"The True Understanding of Ten Thousand Transformations Returning to the Origin may be our sect’s supreme treasure, but a treasure is like a prized steed—it needs a fine saddle. The Sword Refining Skill I mentioned to you before is the only fine saddle for a thoroughbred like you!"

"Think about it. The True Understanding of Ten Thousand Transformations Returning to the Origin refines your physical foundation, which can greatly reduce the pain you’ll endure when cultivating the Sword Refining Skill."

"And the Sword Refining Skill tempers the body, turning a mortal vessel into a sharp weapon. Combining these two is the supreme path of dual body and technique cultivation. Aren’t you tempted?"

"When that time comes, even the shackles of your Pseudo Spirit Root will be shattered under the endless hammering! Reaching for the Nascent Soul realm in the future will not be difficult!"

"If you’re worried it’s not a sure thing, you can also consume a large number of pills when you’re breaking through your limits."

"In the future, you can even coordinate with the Sword Cultivators in the sect, using your body as a sword, achieving Man and Sword as One. The power... you understand."

’I understand!’

’Su Ling’er understood everything!’

’So that’s how it is! Eldest Brother brought me here to learn the senior’s True Understanding of Ten Thousand Transformations Returning to the Origin all so I would be better prepared to cultivate that inhuman Sword Refining Skill!’

’First, he uses this noble and righteous, supreme divine technique to break down my psychological defenses.’

’Then, he uses the irrefutable fact of my "limited aptitude" to force me completely onto that dead-end path of dual body and technique cultivation!’

But... the world-shaking power of the Nascent Soul Dharma Aspect from the vision still lingered in her mind.

Nascent Soul—a realm she didn’t even dare to dream of reaching.

’But to become a longsword in someone else’s hands? For my final destination to be nothing more than a magical treasure?’

She lowered her gaze, her long eyelashes trembling unceasingly, hiding the storm raging in her eyes.

Su Ling’er finally spoke, "Thank you for your guidance, Eldest Brother. Eldest Brother is... truly... truly profound. It’s just... I... can’t quite digest such a profound Daoist technique in such a short time."

"As for the Sword Refining Skill, please allow your junior sister... to consider it a little more."

His junior sister’s expression left Lin Qingfeng a little confused.

’Is it necessary to be this miserable?’

’These two Cultivation Techniques are a perfect match. It’s practically a comeback package tailor-made for people with poor aptitude!’

’This True Understanding of Ten Thousand Transformations Returning to the Origin even reduces pain. The suffering an NPC experiences from cultivating the Sword Refining Skill will be cut down by a huge chunk!’

’Without cultivating the Sword Refining Skill, do you think you can break through with your aptitude?’

’Besides, as long as you pay enough Spirit Stones, many disciples would be willing to be blood-sacrificed on the spot to help you succeed!’

Lin Qingfeng shook his head helplessly.

’Looks like just giving her the carrot isn’t enough. This little junior sister is all talk; her mental fortitude is still lacking.’

’Since the time isn’t right, it’s time to bring out the stick!’

’Perfect. The next stop is the Demon-Locking Tower. We can even kill some mobs and get some Spirit Stones.’

’I have to make her understand clearly that in the Cultivation World, weakness is the original sin! If she doesn’t cultivate the Sword Refining Skill, her future will end here, and she will have no value!’

That compassionate smile reappeared on Lin Qingfeng’s face.

"Very well. The choice of one’s path should indeed be made with care."

"Let’s go, Junior Sister. I’ll take you somewhere that might... help you make up your mind."

"That place... is called the ’Demon-Locking Tower’."