Chapter 413: Falling into Demonic Deviation
“Let me see, let me see!” Sun Lingtong was full of curiosity.
Ning Zhuo told him that the Fetal Breath Spirit Vessel could not be burned for now. Instead, because the cremation failed, he obtained a cultivation method from it. This greatly astonished Sun Lingtong.
Seeing with his own eyes the moment the technique was activated within the flames, Sun Lingtong sighed.
“From the information we gathered in the Myriad Medicines Sect, this Fetal Breath Spirit Vessel is a treasure passed down through many generations.”
“Never thought that once it fell into your hands, you actually managed to awaken the complete cultivation method.”
“This technique is formidable. If one succeeds in cultivating it actively, everyone could temporarily enter a state of fetal breath. For tempering the body or in combat, it grants immense enhancement.”
“You’ve had some really good luck lately.”
Sun Lingtong now regarded Ning Zhuo with newfound respect.
Then he asked, “So, what do you plan to do next?”
Standing beside him, Ning Zhuo stopped operating the Fire Burial Prajna Spirit-Resolving Sutra, and the flames gradually died out. His brows furrowed in distress as he gazed at the unscathed Fetal Breath Spirit Vessel.
“I was thinking of returning to the Myriad Medicines Sect to borrow the power of the Lingyin Willow to comprehend this Innate Nourishment Fetal Breath Grand Method.”
After failing to burn it, Ning Zhuo began studying the technique.
However, this cultivation art was purely a body-refinement method. His profound mastery of the Five Elements realm was of no help. He could only rely on his own experience, insight, and understanding to explore and comprehend it.
As such, the progress was painfully slow!
If only there were a mentor skilled in this art to guide him, things would be much easier.
Yet, the Fetal Breath Spirit Vessel was clearly an ancient treasure. Who knew from what source the Myriad Medicines Sect had obtained it and how it had been passed down?
As for the Innate Nourishment Fetal Breath Grand Method, from Ning Zhuo’s research so far, he speculated that it wasn’t a recent creation. It was likely older than the Three Sects Great Laws, but far later than the Divine Spirit Art of the Five Viscera Temple.
Sun Lingtong looked at him in surprise and blurted, “The Lingyin Willow was already tormented to such a state—it probably can’t endure assisting you in comprehending this method again!”
“Last time you nearly exhausted it to death. It just barely recovered its life. If you overuse its power again, you might truly drive it to its end.”
“After all, neither you nor I can precisely control the Lingyin Willow, nor limit how much aid it provides.”
Ning Zhuo sighed deeply, his expression dim. “That’s what worries me too, Boss.”
After further discussion, the two decided to continue with their original plan. During their journey, Ning Zhuo would rely on his own strength to study and comprehend the method.
Sun Lingtong would assist where possible.
As for the Lingyin Willow, it would be allowed to recuperate properly. Once Ning Zhuo made no progress or hit a bottleneck in his comprehension, they could ride the Wanli Dragon back to the Myriad Medicines Sect to borrow its power again.
“The Lingyin Willow is too weak right now. Even if I return and use it to study, I could only gain a tiny bit of insight.”
“It needs intervals of rest to preserve vitality.”
“In that case, my comprehension will be fragmented and inconsistent.”
“It’s better to let it fully recover, reach a complete state, and then use it to assist my study. That would be much more efficient!”
Having made up his mind, Ning Zhuo entrusted Sun Lingtong with managing the Wanli Dragon, while he devoted himself wholeheartedly to studying the Innate Nourishment Fetal Breath Grand Method.
Although this unexpected event had brought him tangible gains, deep down he was reluctant.
What cultivation method could compare to healing Buddhist Doctor Meng Yaoyin?
Now, though he had cleverly obtained the Fetal Breath Spirit Vessel, the cultivation method bound to it prevented him from burning the vessel as he had intended.
“If I’d known this earlier, who would’ve wasted so much time in the Myriad Medicines Sect?”
“Mother… your son has failed you!”
With that bitter thought, he began studying the Innate Nourishment Fetal Breath Grand Method filled with resentment and frustration.
One passage read: “At the beginning of breath regulation, one must think of the qi—let it flow out through the navel, and fade through the navel. Regulate until it becomes exceedingly subtle.”
Suddenly, moved by instinct, Ning Zhuo began to practice it.
Holding his breath, he tried to breathe through his navel, counting to eighty-one. Yet, the qi inside his body ran wild and uncontrollable.
A sharp pain surged from his abdomen—his inner qi rampaged like a wild stallion breaking free of reins.
Cold sweat beaded on his forehead, yet he stubbornly refused to give up. Gritting his teeth, he forced his qi toward the Dantian. But instead of calming, it grew even more violent, as if tearing him apart from within.
His face turned pale, lips purple, and the wild qi within him felt like an invisible web wrapping him tight. He tried to breathe through his mouth and nose—but the qi blocked his channels, suffocating him!
“Ah—!” He screamed as the chaotic qi finally erupted.
A burst of agony pierced his chest, and a mouthful of blood gushed out, staining the floor crimson.
His body convulsed violently, his strength utterly drained, collapsing helplessly to the ground.
His vision blurred, and his consciousness faded. A thunderous roar echoed in his ears as if the world itself were receding into the distance.
Though his eyes remained open, all light had vanished from them—he was engulfed in endless darkness, surrounded by silence, hearing only his frail, shallow breathing.
The chaotic qi within him had quieted, but the pain lingered like countless blades slicing through every fiber of his flesh.
It was so excruciating he nearly fainted.
“Hold on… must… hold on.” Ning Zhuo forced himself to stay awake.
He knew clearly—he had to take medicine immediately. If not, his condition would worsen exponentially, and the future cost of healing would be unimaginable.
Yet, he couldn’t move—not even a finger.
His sight regained a faint shimmer, though still blurry.
The dizziness only intensified.
Just as he was about to black out completely, a familiar, comforting figure burst into view.
“Bo… Boss…” he croaked weakly.
Sun Lingtong’s expression changed drastically. In the dragon-head cabin, he suddenly felt his heart throb violently—a sense of dread surging. Thinking swiftly, he tried to locate the source of his unease.
He checked the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit within the clam pearl—it was still in slumber.
“Xiao Zhuo!”
Shouting, Sun Lingtong left the cabin immediately and rushed to the cultivation chamber.
As the door slid open, he saw Ning Zhuo lying motionless on the floor.
The blood on the ground, his golden-pale face, and sweat-soaked body made Sun Lingtong’s heart ache.
He hurried forward, examined Ning Zhuo’s condition, took out a pill, and infused spiritual power to help him absorb the medicine.
Feeling secure in his presence, Ning Zhuo drifted into deep sleep.
When he awoke, a full day and night had passed.
He felt much better!
Though still weak, the severe pain had faded to a mere fraction. His head remained dizzy, and he felt unsteady when walking—but it was far better than the demonic deviation earlier.
“Boss.” Ning Zhuo walked slowly toward the dragon-head cabin.
Sun Lingtong sensed him emerging from his chamber before Ning Zhuo even reached the door.
When Ning Zhuo entered, Sun Lingtong didn’t turn around—he just snorted coldly.
“Boss, I was wrong.” Ning Zhuo stood behind him, smiling awkwardly, bowing his head.
Only then did Sun Lingtong turn around, his face stern and brows tightly furrowed, scolding sharply.
“Xiao Zhuo, you fool—you actually tried cultivating the Innate Nourishment Fetal Breath Grand Method?”
“This time you’ve tripped—and it serves you right!”
“The feeling of falling into demonic deviation—take it as your best lesson.”
“You’ve already cultivated the Demonic Blood Tendon Technique and formed your Lower Dantian, yet you dared to practice another art?”
“Even beginner cultivators at the Qi Refining stage know this rule—how could you make such a mistake!”
Ning Zhuo scratched his head. “Now that I think about it, it truly was foolish. I was too absorbed in studying the Innate Nourishment Fetal Breath Grand Method, and before I realized it, I had begun circulating it subconsciously.”
“When I met resistance, I should’ve stopped. But I was in a foul mood then, so I tried to force my way through.”
“If not for you saving me in time, I wouldn’t have recovered this fast. Boss, you’re really the best!”
Being praised like that only made Sun Lingtong angrier. Floating up, he raised his tiny fist and gave Ning Zhuo’s head a firm knock.
“You brat! Still grinning like that!”
“Seven days of confinement! Reflect on your mistake. No cultivation during this period.”
Ning Zhuo’s face changed, turning pale. “Boss, what about my daily assignments?”
Sun Lingtong’s cheeks flushed with anger, hands on his hips, scolding loudly. “Didn’t you hear what I just said?”
“I heard! I heard!” Ning Zhuo quickly nodded.
“Then get out and go to your confinement!” Sun Lingtong pointed toward the cabin.
Dejected and crestfallen, Ning Zhuo left the dragon-head cabin after bowing.
Through the ship’s image projection, Sun Lingtong watched Ning Zhuo walk down the corridor and enter his quarters. Only then did he sigh quietly.
“Xiao Zhuo…”
A deep, worried expression crossed his face.
He understood Ning Zhuo’s state of mind all too well.
Looking at him now was like looking at his own past self.
There was a time when his master had vanished within the Lava Immortal Palace. Even as a mere Qi Refining cultivator, Sun Lingtong had repeatedly ventured deep into Mount Huoshi, entering the palace time and again, risking his life each time.
Did he not know it was dangerous?
Did he not know that his master was likely already dead?
Recalling it now, he realized—back then, he truly hadn’t known.
Because his heart clung to that one hope—to bring his master back.
Even when reason told him the chances were slim to none, he buried that truth deep within his heart.
For a long time, that hope alone sustained him—driving him forward recklessly, again and again.
Now, Ning Zhuo’s situation was exactly the same.
“So then… how did I come out of it back then?”