Chapter 318: The Truth! Plotting the Sinister Soul Sect Inheritance
“Five Third-rank Early-stage Sinister Spirit Beast Kings, and one Third-rank Early-stage Ghost Cultivator. Everyone be careful!”
The moment Lin Changan rushed onto the island, he sensed that on the surface there were two Third-rank Sinister Spirit Beast Kings, but several more were hidden in the shadows.
Altogether there were six powerful Third-rank auras.
Following Lin Changan’s cold warning, everyone quickly discovered the hidden Sinister Spirit Beast Kings lying in ambush.
Lu Yushu even exclaimed in alarm, “That was close!”
“Fortunately, we had suspected earlier that the Ghost Cultivators inside the Ghost Domain might be setting a trap to lure people. Otherwise we might have fallen into it today.”
At the beginning, some Ghost Cultivators had indeed used this method to bait prey, and quite a few cultivators had died because of it.
Therefore, when Lu Yushu’s merchant ship had been trapped on the island, he had already been worried about such a possibility. That was why he had gone to the Xuanyin Pavilion to ask for help—after all, everyone shared in the business.
If Lin Changan had not emerged from seclusion, he had even been prepared to spend additional Spirit Stones to invite one or two Core Formation Cultivators to assist.
Unexpectedly, Lin Changan happened to leave seclusion at that moment.
And his cautiousness truly turned out to be useful.
“Everyone be careful.”
Especially that Ghost Cultivator. When Lin Changan sensed that the opponent was only at the Third-rank Early-stage, whether by perception or spiritual sense, he secretly let out a sigh of relief.
The enemy was not strong.
However, Lin Changan’s cold remark made the hidden Ghost Cultivator furious, his eyes splitting with rage.
“Third-rank Early-stage! Third-rank Early-stage!”
This term was normally used either for body cultivators or for demon beasts.
When used for body cultivators, it meant their physical strength was comparable to demon beasts.
But using it to describe a Ghost Cultivator was essentially trampling on his dignity as a cultivator.
“Why should you people stand high above the rest!”
As several sword gleams shot out, the hidden Third-rank Sinister Spirit Beast Kings—and even the Ghost Cultivator’s position—were instantly exposed.
The Ghost Cultivator finally appeared before the crowd, surrounded by sinister ghostly aura.
In truth, Lin Changan had done it unintentionally and had no intention of insulting Ghost Cultivators.
Since the Ghost Cultivator was mixing with Sinister Spirit Beast Kings, he naturally lumped them together.
“Six Third-rank Early-stage Sinister Spirits!”
Although the Foundation Establishment Cultivators were extremely nervous, when they saw Lin Changan standing behind them, they secretly relaxed.
Including the Azure-Horned Ox, their side possessed four Core Formation-level combat forces.
One of them was even a Mid Core Formation Cultivator, and a sword cultivator renowned for offensive power.
Although Lin Changan had spent recent years cultivating in seclusion and earning Spirit Stones through formations rather than frequent combat, most cultivators still were not too worried.
Sinister Spirits were troublesome, but attribute suppression was extremely effective against them.
“Reinforcements have arrived!”
The cultivators aboard the Spirit Ship, though exhausted, all revealed excited expressions upon seeing the reinforcements.
As the chaotic battle erupted in the sky, cultivators immediately began pulling out talismans or drawing out magical artifacts and spirit artifacts that countered Yin attributes.
Others directly cast counter-type spells.
Firelight and thunder spells flashed across the sky, while Yang-attribute spirit artifacts flew rapidly through the air.
Xu Lingfeng let out a cold shout. With a wave of his hand, a magical artifact sword blazing with flames clashed against two Sinister Spirit Beast Kings.
Lu Yushu, a False Core Cultivator, restrained another.
The remaining two Sinister Spirit Beast Kings and the Ghost Cultivator charged directly toward Lin Changan and the Azure-Horned Ox.
“Moo!”
The Azure-Horned Ox released a deep roar.
However, Lin Changan had forbidden it from using its petrification ability, so it could only stomp the air with its four hooves, creating waves of rippling shock.
Raising its head and roaring wildly, the Azure-Horned Ox emitted a faint golden mana shield around its body.
Lin Changan stood upon the ox’s head, holding the magical artifact Blood Fiend Sword. With a raise of his hand, six sword gleams swept outward.
“Despicable!”
The Ghost Cultivator hidden within thick Yin energy roared angrily.
Although the demon beast was not adept at dealing with Sinister Spirits, its defensive ability was absurd.
The two Third-rank Early-stage Sinister Spirit Beast Kings roared ferociously, but they could not break through the mana shield.
They could only endure Lin Changan’s long-range attacks of sword gleams filled with soaring baleful energy.
Although the human cultivators were fewer in number, all their techniques possessed attribute suppression. For a time, countless low-rank Sinister Spirits screamed miserably and turned into ash.
“Sinister Spirits! Ghost Cultivators!”
Amid the chaotic battle, Lin Changan stood atop the Azure-Horned Ox’s head and observed the two Sinister Spirit Beast Kings circling constantly, while the Ghost Cultivator occasionally attacked from behind.
He revealed a trace of surprise.
He had hunted many Sinister Spirit Beast Kings before, but those commanded by a Ghost Cultivator were completely different from those acting alone.
“Unfortunately, the gap in strength can never be bridged.”
Lin Changan smiled faintly and formed hand seals.
Instantly, two fire dragons surged into the sky, illuminating the gloomy heavens.
“So this is the spell power of a Core Formation Cultivator!”
The distant Foundation Establishment Cultivators were shocked by the fire-element spell that illuminated the sky with a mere gesture.
Xu Lingfeng, as a Core Formation Cultivator, saw even more clearly and could not help exclaiming in astonishment.
“Elder Lin is actually so proficient in fire-element spells!”
Under the blazing flames, the low-rank Sinister Spirits instinctively showed fear, while even some high-rank spirits became restless.
The two closest Sinister Spirit Beast Kings roared violently.
“Moo!”
Within the blazing firelight, the Azure-Horned Ox suddenly charged out of the sea of flames and slammed fiercely into one Sinister Spirit Beast King.
The terrifying impact carried onward, smashing the beast into a nearby cliff.
In an instant, rocks shattered and the ground shook violently.
“Not good!”
Everything happened in an instant.
But when the Azure-Horned Ox erupted with power, the distant Ghost Cultivator’s pupils shrank—because he had not noticed the cultivator just now.
“Die!”
During the moment when the large-scale fire spell was unleashed, Lin Changan had transformed into a beam of light and escaped underground.
Then he instantly emerged from below.
The Five Elements Escape Techniques were used perfectly at this moment.
“Mid Core Formation!”
When Lin Changan appeared, a terrifying sword gleam struck upward from below.
The Ghost Cultivator was shocked.
From the very beginning, Lin Changan had concealed his cultivation, revealing only the aura of Early Core Formation.
If he had known there was a Mid Core Formation Cultivator among them, he would never have fought.
“You want me dead? Not a chance!”
Facing Lin Changan’s ambush, the Ghost Cultivator revealed a savage expression and let out a deafening ghostly howl.
“Divine Sense Attack!”
Although Lin Changan’s spiritual sense had already reached the peak of Mid Core Formation, he still felt a momentary dizziness when facing this rare attack.
Even the terrifying sword gleam he had launched began to waver.
“Roar!”
The Ghost Cultivator immediately transformed into a beam of escape light and fled.
At the same time, he commanded other Sinister Spirit Beast Kings to attack Lin Changan.
“This is not an ordinary Ghost Cultivator!”
To make him dizzy despite possessing spiritual sense comparable to Mid Core Formation peak meant the opponent’s spiritual sense was at least comparable to Late Core Formation.
“Die!”
Lin Changan raised his hand and unleashed six condensed sword gleams.
Divine Ability · Sword Shadow at Will.
The six sword gleams roared through the sky, each approaching the power of a Late Core Formation strike.
The battle situation changed in an instant.
The Ghost Cultivator fled, while Sinister Spirits desperately blocked the path.
The retreat was decisive and without hesitation.
“Roar! I will not let you go!”
A miserable howl echoed from the distant ghostly mist.
Clearly Lin Changan’s sword attacks had inflicted severe damage.
“A magical artifact!”
Through his Spiritual Eye, Lin Changan saw clearly through the ghost mist.
Although his sword attack was extremely powerful, the opponent possessed a protective magical artifact that prevented a fatal blow.
“Roar!”
A Sinister Spirit Beast King attacked.
Lin Changan did not pursue the Ghost Cultivator. Instead, the Blood Fiend Sword in his hand erupted with crimson light.
Divine Ability · Giant Sword Technique.
Under the technique’s amplification, the magical artifact transformed into a giant sword thirty meters long, stabbing directly into the beast’s abdomen.
A miserable roar echoed before the Sinister Spirit Beast King gradually turned to ash.
“Moo!”
Meanwhile, from within the cliffside rubble, stones rolled down as the Azure-Horned Ox proudly walked out.
Although it had not used petrification and thus could not suppress Sinister Spirits by attribute, its overwhelming physical power had already killed the beast with that collision.
The battle ended quickly.
Many Foundation Establishment Cultivators wiped sweat from their brows while looking at Lin Changan with admiration.
With a simple gesture, he obtained two Third-rank Early-stage Sinister Spirit Demon Cores.
One from the beast he killed, the other spit out by the Azure-Horned Ox.
The frugal Lin Changan even took out jade boxes to collect the Sinister Spirit ashes left behind.
“Quick, everyone stay alert and prepare to retreat at any moment.”
After the remaining Sinister Spirits scattered, Lu Yushu flew onto the Spirit Ship and began directing everyone to leave.
The Ghost Cultivator had escaped.
Five Sinister Spirit Beast Kings had appeared; two were killed, and the rest fled.
“Damn it. If we had waited another moment, that beast wouldn’t have escaped.”
Xu Lingfeng sighed unwillingly but did not pursue.
Chasing now meant unknown danger.
Everyone present had lived for over a hundred years; they knew priorities.
“Daoist Lin!”
After revealing Mid Core Formation cultivation, Lin Changan received admiring looks.
Lu Yushu even bowed respectfully.
His False Core cultivation was no longer on the same level as Lin Changan.
“Sinister Spirits have fled. Let us leave quickly.”
No one objected.
Soon everyone boarded the Spirit Ship and departed the island.
Standing at the bow, Lin Changan’s expression grew solemn.
Then he suddenly smiled.
“Got you.”
When entering the battlefield earlier, he had already used the Avatar Technique.
Each avatar possessed thirty percent of the original body’s strength.
With his Mid Core Formation cultivation, the avatars already had Early Core Formation power.
He had intended to keep them as a precaution.
But after seeing that Ghost Cultivator, he changed his mind.
…
Under the gloomy sky, a streak of golden light flashed.
The surrounding Sinister Spirits instinctively feared it.
“Damn it! I am unwilling!”
The fleeing Ghost Cultivator was battered and furious.
Before him stood three masked Early Core Formation Cultivators, all wielding the Sun-Piercing Divine Sword.
Meanwhile, the Sinister Spirits he commanded were being devoured by the Wind-Chirp Bird.
“Die!”
The terrifying Sun-Piercing Divine Sword emitted blazing flames of death.
The Ghost Cultivator roared unwillingly.
He had lived nearly a thousand years.
He did not want to die.
Ghost Cultivators had no reincarnation. Once dead, they vanished forever.
Just as the sword pierced his body, several golden lights flashed.
The Ghost Cultivator’s eyes widened in terror.
Several golden talismans were attached to his body and head.
Third-rank Mid-grade · Tranquil Spirit Talismans.
“Old ghost, stop struggling. Even with Late Core Formation spiritual sense, you cannot break five Third-rank Mid-grade Tranquil Spirit Talismans.”
Lin Changan’s avatar sneered.
He had spent such a heavy price—even exposing the Wind-Chirp Bird—not merely for a few demon cores.
The three avatars pressed their palms against the Ghost Cultivator’s head.
The Ghost Cultivator knew clearly that this human cultivator wanted his Ghost Cultivation Method and the secrets of Sinister Soul Island.
But the talismans sealed his soul.
Even with powerful spiritual sense, he could not speak.
“Kid, keep dreaming. My soul has a restriction placed by a Shape-shifting Sinister Spirit Beast King…”
But the next moment, his soul suddenly went blank.
The avatar formed by the Mysterious Sky Immortal Leaf possessed probing ability.
Meanwhile, the Mysterious Sky Immortal Vine ignored all such soul restrictions.
A terrifying torrent of memories appeared.
Endless darkness underground.
The brutal roars of a Shape-shifting Sinister Spirit Beast King.
Six hundred years of torment.
The avatars’ consciousness connected to Lin Changan’s main body.
The memories flooded his sea of consciousness.
Half a moment later, the Ghost Cultivator turned to ash.
The Wind-Chirp Bird let out a satisfied cry.
The three avatars’ spiritual senses were exhausted and flew back toward the original body.
…
On the Spirit Ship.
“So that’s how it was. No wonder such a powerful Sinister Soul Sect vanished so suddenly.”
Lin Changan rubbed his temples.
Reading the memories of someone with strong spiritual sense was exhausting.
From those memories, he finally understood the destruction of the Sinister Soul Sect.
Six hundred years ago, two Nascent Soul Cultivators of the Sinister Soul Sect captured a wounded Fourth-rank Late-stage Shape-shifting Sinister Spirit Beast King.
Its strength was comparable to Late Nascent Soul.
They planned to refine it into the sect’s guardian spirit.
However, during the refinement process, a traitor within the sect secretly fed the beast a Heavenly Green Fruit.
“Actually a Heavenly Green Fruit!”
Both cultivators and demon beasts who consumed it would fall into madness.
Even Heavenly Green Flowers were rare, let alone the fruit.
Lin Changan could not help feeling shocked.
The trapped beast had repeatedly cursed the two Palace Masters of Bihai Palace.
It was clear Bihai Palace had played a role.
After consuming the fruit, the beast went berserk.
The once powerful Sinister Soul Sect was destroyed.
“Whether Heavenly Green Flower or Heavenly Green Fruit, both carry severe side effects. Even if one survives, the origin is damaged and cultivation inevitably falls.”
That explained why the Ghost Cultivators in the secret realm lived such miserable lives.
After all, the Shape-shifting Sinister Spirit Beast King had been betrayed and imprisoned.
Its cultivation had fallen to Mid Fourth-rank.
Naturally it hated everything.
“But the important thing is the Sinister Soul Sect inheritance!”
Lin Changan sighed.
Obtaining it would not be easy.
When the sect was destroyed, nearly all cultivators died.
Only a few Ghost Cultivators survived.
Most were still imprisoned and tortured.
“Seems the plan to obtain the inheritance through Ghost Cultivators has failed.”
Lin Changan sighed.
But he was not completely discouraged.
The Sinister Soul Sect once had several Core Formation direct disciples.
Their cave abodes might still contain inheritance.
“Even partial inheritance from a Nascent Soul sect would be incredible.”
He desperately needed to increase his strength before the secret realm opened in less than a hundred years.
“Perhaps Bihai Palace has more advanced Ghost-control methods.”
Lin Changan smiled.
The Treasure Pavilion had granted him many privileges.
There was no reason not to use them.
And he also planned to buy some Yin Spirit Jade to refine containers for storing Demonic Energy.
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Two chapters totaling nine thousand characters. Please support with monthly votes.