Spirit Descent Technique

At this moment, Qing Li cautiously glanced around. Upon realizing she was no longer in the Underworld, she immediately straightened her back, her expression turning arrogant.

The great one from the Underworld had just bestowed another opportunity upon her!

She truly was a ghost favored by destiny!

Just as she was thinking this, Zheng Que’s voice came from beside her: “Qing Li, has your cultivation broken through again?”

Hearing this, Qing Li replied imperiously: “Your grandmother is a prodigy, peerless and extraordinary. How could a mediocre little human like you possibly comprehend?”

“Breaking through after merely sleeping is such an ordinary matter. Only a blockhead like you would be so astonished!”

Zheng Que’s face instantly darkened. Back in the Underworld, Qing Li had been trembling with fear, fawning and kowtowing at the slightest provocation. Yet now, as soon as she left the Underworld, she could put on such an act!

However, he still had important matters to inquire about and no mind to bicker with her. He immediately continued: “So, have you mastered any new techniques?”

Qing Li did not answer directly. Instead, her arms instantly elongated like two pale whips, swiftly circling the entire room before retracting.

After demonstrating her new ability, she promptly declared: “This is a technique your grandmother has newly comprehended.”

Zheng Que felt reassured at once. This was Old Madam Zhao’s technique of extending her limbs.

Last time, Qing Li had absorbed the Yin Qi of the Calling Ghost and inherited one of its techniques. This time, after absorbing Old Madam Zhao’s Yin Qi, she had mastered one of Old Madam Zhao’s abilities.

This was excellent!

However, Old Madam Zhao had more than just this one technique.

Thus, Zheng Que quickly asked again: “Just this one?”

Qing Li replied briefly: “Yes!”

Hearing this, Zheng Que pondered. The Calling Ghost had two techniques: one was Calling, and the other was Invisibility.

Qing Li had absorbed the Yin Qi of the Calling Ghost but only inherited its Calling technique.

This time was the same. Besides extending her limbs, Old Madam Zhao also had a technique to seal off an area, as well as the ability to separate her own Yin Qi and attach it to corpses, making them appear as if they were alive. But clearly, Qing Li had not inherited these two techniques.

Was there some pattern to how ghosts inherited techniques from one another?

Thinking this, Zheng Que said no more. He closed his eyes slightly and continued his cultivation.

Time passed slowly, and soon it was the next morning.

The eastern sky brightened, and the morning light crept over the window lattice, just beginning to fall on the compacted earthen floor. Zheng Que had already finished his cultivation, risen quickly, washed up, straightened his clothes, and as usual, took Qing Li with him as he headed out toward the dilapidated temple.

The town in the morning was quiet and deserted, as if it had not yet awakened. Thin mist lingered along the way, and the silence was so profound one could hear a pin drop.

Lonely footsteps echoed through the alleyways, steady and hollow.

Zheng Que walked for a while before spotting several young men ahead carrying hoes, rakes, and other tools, seemingly on their way to work in the fields.

He glanced at them and was about to continue on his way when he suddenly frowned and looked back.

The daylight gradually grew brighter. Those men walked ahead of him, their footsteps shuffling, but beneath their feet there was nothing. Not a single shadow.

Zheng Que immediately activated the 【Spirit Eye Technique】. In his vision, those townspeople appeared completely normal, with no trace of Yin Qi on them.

He observed carefully for a moment, confirming that aside from lacking shadows, these individuals were no different from ordinary people.

Watching this, Zheng Que felt something was amiss. He had previously seen several townspeople without shadows as well.

At that time, he had not yet cultivated the 【Spirit Eye Technique】 and had assumed he was encountering ghosts. But now, it seemed somewhat different.

As he pondered, the group had already entered a nearby alley, disappearing from sight.

Zheng Que stood in place, hesitated for a moment, then ultimately shook his head and did not pursue them. Instead, he quickened his pace and headed toward the dilapidated temple.

Before long, he arrived at the temple. After once again ensuring his attire was neat and proper, he stepped inside.

Creak.

The temple door groaned open. Daylight, accompanied by swirling dust motes, fell into the dim interior, deepening the murky gloom within like the stillness of an abyss.

Beneath the curtain-draped shrine, the gray-robed old man sat motionless on a cushion, eyes closed, utterly still like a statue.

Zheng Que hurried forward, bowed respectfully, and said reverently, “Master!”

Daoist Qu nodded slightly, opened his eyes, and looked at Zheng Que. “Today, you have only one hour.”

“Speak. What do you wish to learn?”

One hour.

Zheng Que immediately understood: the forty-nine hours his master had mentioned were nearly up.

This was his final lesson. Once taught, his master would leave the town.

Not hesitating for a moment, Zheng Que replied, “Master, this disciple wishes to learn a spell that can preserve life!”

Hearing this, Daoist Qu said in a flat tone, “This master has three self-preservation spells. You may choose one.”

“The first is called the 【Pure Yang Art】. This spell is balanced and harmonious. Once mastered, it uses Spiritual Qi to strengthen the physical body and amplify the Yang Qi within one’s blood and Qi, making one impervious to ghosts and immune to yin-based evils.”

“Its consumption of Spiritual Qi is not high, but it places certain demands on one’s blood and Qi. Ordinary cultivators find it difficult to reach the pinnacle with this art. But you are different. Your blood and Qi are vigorous, making your cultivation of this art twice as effective with half the effort.”

“However, although this spell has strong lasting power, it requires Qi Refining second layer cultivation to practice. The longer it is cultivated, the greater the spell’s potency. Conversely, if the cultivation time is insufficient, the spell’s power is difficult to unleash.”

“The second is called the 【Blood Aegis Technique】. This spell can transform blood and Qi into an aegis to defend against enemy attacks. Moreover, the more severely injured one is, the stronger the defense becomes. The closer to death, the more tenacious one’s life force.”

“This is a method that takes an unorthodox path.”

“Those who cultivate this art either die fighting in desperate situations or achieve a breakthrough amidst such extremes!”

“This spell is highly suitable for your current situation. Although it is also a Qi Refining second layer spell, a Qi Refining first layer cultivator, when gravely injured and near death, also has a chance to master it.”

“The third is called the 【Spirit Descent Technique】. This spell calls a ghost servant to possess the body. In addition to defense, both strength and speed are enhanced according to the ghost servant’s cultivation level.”

“Among the three spells, this one is the easiest to learn and can be cultivated at Qi Refining first layer. However, it is also the most perilous. During the Spirit Descent duration, if the Divine Soul is even slightly careless, the ghost servant may seize the opportunity, turning guest into host.”

“At that point, the physical body would be used by the ghost servant, and the Divine Soul would become nourishment for it, leading to eternal damnation!”

“Which one will you choose?”

Zheng Que listened intently.

It seemed his master already knew his tribulation was approaching.

Among these three spells, his master’s meaning was very clear. The 【Pure Yang Art】 was the most orthodox, but also the least recommended for him to cultivate right now — it required the longest time.

In comparison, his master seemed to more strongly suggest the 【Blood Aegis Technique】. The only difficulty was determining to what extent the “severely injured and near death” condition needed to be met.

As for the 【Spirit Descent Technique】, his master’s attitude was rather ambiguous, merely noting the risks.

He wanted to learn all three spells.

With the Book of Life and Death helping him absorb Yin Qi, both the 【Pure Yang Art】 and the 【Blood Aegis Technique】 were very suitable for him.

As for the 【Spirit Descent Technique】, his ghost servant Qing Li’s cultivation had already reached the fourth layer of the 【Tongue-Tearing Hell】. Cultivating this spell would bring the greatest boost to his strength!

Moreover, unlike ordinary cultivators, he had no need to worry at all about his ghost servant rebelling!

After a moment of hesitation, Zheng Que tentatively asked, “Master, may this disciple learn them all?”

Daoist Qu shook his head slightly. “One hour is only enough for you to learn one.”

Hearing this, Zheng Que frowned, knowing he could not waste time. He quickly said, “This disciple wishes to learn the 【Spirit Descent Technique】!”