Chapter 317: Ghost Cultivator
Celestial Spring Peak.
“A small-scale Ghost Calamity has erupted. The merchant ship is trapped on an island, and the cultivators are temporarily resisting with the formation on the Spirit Ship…”
After listening to Lu Yushu explain the cause of the incident, Lin Chang’an suddenly understood.
In recent years, small outbreaks of Ghost Calamities had occasionally occurred around the Ghost Domain. It was nothing unusual.
Moreover, judging from the area where they were trapped, it was indeed at the edge of the Ghost Domain. At the very least, they would not encounter the shape-shifting Sinister Spirit Beast King trapped on Sinister Soul Island.
“With Fellow Daoist Xu of Xuanyin Pavilion, plus the two of us, and several dozen Foundation Establishment cultivators, rescuing the trapped merchant ship will not be difficult.”
After hearing Lu Yushu’s words, Lin Chang’an did not find anything wrong.
And since it was only at the edge of the Ghost Domain, with his current strength, unless he encountered a Nascent Soul cultivator, among those of the same realm, even if he could not win, escaping would not be a problem.
“Alright.”
Lin Chang’an did not hesitate. Right now he lacked Spirit Stones and had been thinking about earning some.
Yet something like this had occurred. If the Spirit Ship were damaged, the losses would be enormous.
Moreover, he had previously heard the Sword Attendant report that merchant ships around the Ghost Domain were often destroyed by Ghost Calamities and turned into ghost ships.
“Fellow Daoist Lin, we will gather at the Five Dragon Island Dock.”
Seeing Lin Chang’an nod, Lu Yushu immediately revealed a smile.
With one more Core Formation cultivator—and even a Third-rank Spirit Beast—their combat power had practically doubled.
There would certainly be no problems this time.
For Lin Chang’an, perhaps it only meant losing some Spirit Stone revenue. But for a clan like the Lu Clan, it would be no less than a disaster.
He himself, a False Core cultivator, was not proficient in any technical arts. For all these years he had relied entirely on trade to earn Spirit Stones.
After agreeing on the meeting place, Lu Yushu hurried away to gather the cultivators.
Inside the cave abode, Lin Chang’an decided to play it safe and brought the Wind-Chirp Bird along as his trump card.
“Time to go. After being in seclusion for so long, it’s time to stretch my muscles.”
With a beckoning gesture toward the Azure-Horned Ox in the pool, the creature immediately stepped out excitedly.
“Moo!”
A deep and powerful bellow echoed.
The aura of a Third-rank Great Demon surged forth. The moment it stepped into the air outside the cave abode—
The Azure-Horned Ox’s body expanded with the wind, transforming into a gigantic beast three zhang in size.
The Sword Attendant stepped forward respectfully. Lin Chang’an descended lightly onto the ox’s back, standing with his hands behind his back.
Such a display also alarmed the cultivators on Celestial Spring Peak and the surrounding spiritual veins. They stared in shock at the sky as that powerful figure departed.
“A Third-rank Great Demon as a mount. Senior Lin truly is a model for our generation!”
Many female cultivators watched with shining eyes, revealing envy.
“Core Formation… Core Formation…”
Meanwhile, some elderly Foundation Establishment cultivators—or those who had missed their opportunities—looked at the departing figure, their eyes filled with memories and regret.
……
Five Dragon Island Dock.
“He’s here!”
Among the gathered cultivators, Xu Lingfeng possessed the strongest strength and naturally noticed it first when he sensed a powerful aura.
Turning his gaze toward the sky, his low voice caused the other cultivators to look over as well.
“Fellow Daoist Lin has arrived.”
When he saw Lin Chang’an riding the Third-rank Great Demon Azure-Horned Ox, he revealed a broad smile.
At the same time, the Foundation Establishment cultivators accompanying him visibly relaxed.
After all, with two more Core Formation combat powers joining them, the pressure was greatly reduced.
Xu Lingfeng had brought twelve Foundation Establishment cultivators from Xuanyin Pavilion.
Lu Yushu had brought two from his clan and nearly twenty more Foundation Establishment cultivators.
All of them came from families that had stakes in the merchant ship trade.
Over the years, Lu Yushu had learned to adapt in business and had drawn many families into the trade to earn Spirit Stones together.
If something happened this time, it would be a disaster for those Foundation Establishment families.
Naturally, they did not want anything to go wrong.
“Fellow Daoist Lin!”
“Greetings, Senior Lin!”
“Greetings, Elder Lin!”
As Lin Chang’an descended from the sky, Lu Yushu welcomed him with a bright smile and clasped his fists in greeting.
The other Foundation Establishment cultivators also cupped their fists respectfully.
Those calling him “Senior” were ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators, while those calling him “Elder” were disciples of Xuanyin Pavilion.
However, when Lin Chang’an landed, Xu Lingfeng—the Core Formation cultivator of Xuanyin Pavilion—had a changing expression before finally revealing a bitter smile and stepping forward to salute.
“Congratulations to Fellow Daoist Lin for advancing in cultivation.”
These words immediately shocked everyone present.
Lu Yushu even revealed a stunned expression.
Others could not see anything unusual, but Xu Lingfeng, himself a Core Formation cultivator in the early stage, could clearly sense it.
Lin Chang’an’s aura was now perfectly rounded and unfathomable.
It was obvious he had broken through to the Mid Core Formation stage.
Xu Lingfeng took a deep breath. At that moment, he finally realized the gap between them and sincerely offered his congratulations.
“Fellow Daoist Lin… congratulations on your advancement.”
Lu Yushu also reacted quickly, smiling excitedly.
Although he still addressed him as “Fellow Daoist,” his posture was clearly more respectful.
The Foundation Establishment cultivators nearby exchanged glances.
None of them were fools.
They could naturally sense something.
Mid Core Formation!
With such strength, even among Core Formation cultivators he would be considered a pillar.
“Congratulations to Senior Lin / Elder Lin for advancing in cultivation!”
A unified shout of congratulations echoed.
Lin Chang’an merely waved his hand casually with a smile.
“After ten years of seclusion, I finally broke through that bottleneck.”
His calm and relaxed demeanor confirmed that he was now a Mid Core Formation cultivator.
Everyone felt envious.
Especially the Foundation Establishment cultivators from smaller families, who were filled with admiration.
Lin Chang’an was a living legend among Drifting Cultivators.
“Haha, with Fellow Daoist Lin’s Mid Core Formation strength, this journey will surely be safe.”
Lu Yushu was overjoyed.
The stronger Lin Chang’an was, the happier he felt.
The others also smiled. With an additional Mid Core Formation senior accompanying them, the risks of this trip were greatly reduced.
Only Xu Lingfeng remained somewhat solemn.
Although he had accepted reality, as a Core Formation elder of Xuanyin Pavilion, he still felt pressure.
Senior Sister had entered the Mid Core Formation stage many years ago.
Hopefully she would break through to the late stage soon.
Though everyone had their own thoughts, the merchant ship concerned everyone’s interests.
After gathering, the group immediately set out toward the Ghost Domain.
……
The former spiritual island Secret Realm of the Sinister Soul Sect had now transformed into a sinister Ghost Domain.
A mass of dark clouds stretched across several hundred miles in the sky, perpetually covering the area.
When they were still a hundred miles away from the Ghost Domain, Lin Chang’an—standing atop the ox—had already sensed the dense and active spiritual energy in the surroundings.
The Sword Attendant knew that her master had been in seclusion for years and immediately began explaining.
“Master, this spiritual island of the Sinister Soul Sect was originally one of the most spiritually abundant islands in the surrounding seas. Because the restriction barrier was destroyed, spiritual energy leaked outward.
This caused the spiritual energy within a radius of three hundred miles to become dense, attracting many sea beasts.
At the same time, this Ghost Domain spans about a hundred miles and connects with the surrounding sea region of the Fog Sea of Tongtian…”
After hearing the report, Lin Chang’an nodded in understanding.
This was likely the method of the shape-shifting Sinister Spirit Beast King.
By deliberately letting spiritual energy leak out, it continuously attracted sea beasts and even human cultivators.
And by connecting with the Fog Sea of Tongtian, drifting Sinister Spirits would also be drawn in.
It had truly become a genuine Ghost Domain.
“Everyone be careful. Another hundred miles ahead is the outer region of the Ghost Domain and where the Spirit Ship was attacked.”
As the sky gradually darkened and the sound of waves echoed across the sea, the atmosphere became eerily chilling.
If this were a group of low-level Qi Refinement cultivators, they would likely have fled in terror long ago.
The Yin energy here was simply too dense.
Even before reaching the outer region of the Ghost Domain, they could already feel the surrounding temperature dropping.
The seawater had also grown much colder.
To accommodate the Foundation Establishment cultivators traveling with them—and to conserve mana before battle—the group slowed down.
Half an hour later, they finally reached the outer region of the Ghost Domain.
“Everyone be careful!”
As soon as they arrived, everyone became cautious.
The Foundation Establishment cultivators stopped conserving mana and drew their Magical Artifacts and Spirit Artifacts.
At the front, Lu Yushu solemnly took out a golden compass-type Magical Artifact.
Following the pointer’s direction, he shouted:
“Move!”
No one spoke.
All of them advanced silently toward the target location.
Although Lin Chang’an was the strongest among them, he had never relaxed his vigilance.
A flash of spiritual light passed through his eyes.
His Spirit Eye remained active.
Within the thin mist, he occasionally saw one or two wandering low-level ownerless Sinister Spirits.
But with his powerful perception, he did not sense any hidden enemies.
After half an incense stick’s time, the mist finally parted.
In the distance appeared a pitch-black island devoid of any life.
“The Spirit Ship is on that island!”
As the destination appeared, everyone became even more vigilant.
Even Lu Yushu took out a sword-type Magical Artifact.
The island was deathly silent.
Within the Ghost Domain, all plants and living creatures had been extinguished, leaving only black rocks and scorched soil.
“Everyone be careful. This time we are probably facing Ghost Cultivators!”
Ghost Cultivators!
For this rather unfamiliar type of cultivator, even Lin Chang’an felt curious.
He had previously heard from the Sword Attendant that under the control of the shape-shifting Sinister Spirit Beast King, not only were there Third-rank Sinister Spirit Beast Kings on Sinister Soul Island—but also Ghost Cultivators.
“It is said that one branch of cultivators within the Sinister Soul Sect practiced the Ghost Cultivator path. It is one of the very few sects in the cultivation world where this inheritance still exists.”
The Ghost Cultivator path did extend one’s lifespan.
But it also carried many drawbacks and was restrained by numerous techniques and spells.
Moreover, Ghost Cultivators did not enter reincarnation.
In other words, once a cultivator stepped onto the Ghost Cultivator path, there was only this life—no next life.
“It is said that within the Sinister Soul Sect, only a few cultivators practiced this path. Most of them did so because they carried overwhelming hatred or extremely deep obsessions.”
While everyone remained vigilant outside the island, Lin Chang’an’s mind flashed through information about Ghost Cultivators and the Sinister Soul Sect.
“If they are Ghost Cultivators, then it means the island is concealed by a formation.”
At that moment, Lin Chang’an’s calm voice echoed.
Everyone immediately showed respect.
Through perception, Spirit Eye, and divine sense, Lin Chang’an confirmed there was no ambush nearby.
Without hesitation, he smiled faintly.
“Today I truly wish to witness the methods of Ghost Cultivators.”
With a raised hand—
A sword gleam shot out instantly.
The terrifying sword gleam transformed into a gigantic sword ten zhang long in midair and struck toward the island.
Suddenly—
Crack!
A sharp sound echoed above the silent island.
The giant sword halted in midair.
“Look! It’s a barrier!”
Spiritual light flickered in the sky.
Gradually, a massive barrier was revealed.
As the giant sword clashed against the barrier, the formation flickered.
Moments later, the illusion vanished, revealing the true scene inside.
“They’re all still alive!”
Inside the island, a massive Spirit Ship was anchored in a valley.
A defensive barrier surrounded it.
Countless cultivators circulated their mana, resisting the endless assaults of Sinister Spirits.
“Moo!”
Just as the rescuing cultivators cried out in relief, a deep bellow suddenly echoed across the sky.
The Azure-Horned Ox launched a savage charge.
A Third-rank giant beast renowned for its strength—
Especially with its sharp horns—
Boom!
It slammed violently into the formation barrier.
Crack!
The already fractured barrier instantly shattered.
“Moo!”
The Azure-Horned Ox let out another thunderous bellow.
Its demon beast blood boiled with excitement.
“Kill!”
Lu Yushu did not hesitate.
With a shout, he led the Foundation Establishment cultivators charging in.
Xu Lingfeng stared with wide eyes.
You’re a Third-rank Formation Master… and this is how you break formations?
Lin Chang’an merely smiled calmly.
“For such crude concealment formations, brute-force formation breaking is sufficient.”
The moment he arrived at the island, he had already seen through the formation barrier.
With his knowledge of formations—and his cautious personality—breaking it with force was the simplest method.
Using formation techniques to dismantle it would only waste time.
“Kill!”
Lin Chang’an turned into a streak of light and charged onto the island.
With a wave of his hand, several sword gleams erupted, destroying the remaining barriers on the island.
The Sword Attendant followed closely behind.
With Late Foundation Establishment strength and cultivation of the Killing Origin Sword Art, her combat power was not weak at all.
“Human cultivators!”
On the island, a cultivator cloaked in black ghostly energy revealed lifeless gray eyes.
He stared viciously at the rescuing cultivators.
“Why can you live under the sunlight while I must become a Ghost Cultivator…”
Once a Core Formation cultivator captured alive by the Sinister Soul Sect, he had endured endless torment.
No one had come to save him.
Not his sect.
Not his family.
Not a single person.
Filled with hatred, six hundred years ago he had been forcibly refined into a Ghost Cultivator by the Sinister Soul Sect.
Who could have expected fate to turn this way?
When the Sinister Soul Sect was destroyed, he survived only because of his Ghost Cultivator body.
Yet he had become neither human nor ghost.
And worse, he was now merely a subordinate controlled by the brutal shape-shifting Sinister Spirit Beast King.
He did not even possess freedom.
“Kill all these human cultivators. Their blood essence and souls are the best nourishment for our cultivation…”
With an evil grin, he waved his hand.
Countless Sinister Spirits surged forward toward the human cultivators.
And there were even five Third-rank Sinister Spirit Beast Kings roaring as they obeyed his commands.
Author’s Note:
In the previous chapter, after the protagonist broke through to the Mid Core Formation stage, the author forgot to update his lifespan.
It has now been corrected.
His lifespan increased from 607 years to 702 years after the breakthrough (small realm breakthroughs increase lifespan).