Exploring Immortality Cultivation
Chapter 503 - 257: The Fool and the Banished Immortal [3rd Update, Seeking Support]

After sitting opposite Du Bin, Wang Qi once again marveled at his "old classmate's" ability to navigate society. The last time he had interacted with Du Bin was at the beginning of the previous year, when Du Bin had recommended him to a group of Banished Immortals, and almost a year had gone by since then, with barely any spare moments on his part to pay attention to Du Bin. Wang Qi thought to himself that if their positions were reversed, he definitely couldn't have maintained such composure to specially find this place and then condescend to eat at this type of "commoner's food stall."

Du Bin wasn't surprised by Wang Qi's amazement. He said, "Brother Wang, you sect descendants really have preconceived notions about us clan successors. Our worldview might be different from yours, but we know what tastes good and what doesn't. The chefs at home are skilled but they can't make everything well. It's not strange for me to come out and taste something different, right? And just by chance, I bumped into you here, Brother Wang. That must be fate."

Chen Youjia gave a slight nod, finding this Ancient Method Practitioner somewhat more agreeable. She very much agreed with the principle that "tofu well seasoned is superior to bird's nest; poor quality seafood isn't as good as simple bamboo shoots."

Du Bin didn't know what Chen Youjia was nodding about, but he returned the gesture amiably. Wang Qi, however, wasn't planning to believe a single punctuation mark of what Du Bin had said.

Sure enough, after some conversation, Wang Qi realized that Du Bin was discreetly probing for details of his victory against Hu Buxue.

What on earth is this guy up to?

It turned out, the commotion caused by the battle between Wang Qi and Hu Buxue might have gone unnoticed by ordinary people, but the intense fluctuation of Spiritual Energy at the last moment didn't escape the notice of the many Cultivators in Divine Capital. Wang Qi had dispersed his Life Flame around him to protect the surrounding mortals, ensuring there were no casualties. How vast was that vitality? It was comparable to the life force of a Golden Core Perfection Cultivator! And Hu Buxue's aura was even more astonishing. The path of Innate Destiny Killing Dao had not been seen in the world for a long time, but legends of the forty-nine paths still circulated in Divine Capital. Moreover, aside from the high-order Ancient Method Practitioners who had surrendered and sealed themselves within Divine Capital, never stepping out, the strongest combat power in Divine Capital was at the Golden Core Perfection level, yet Hu Buxue was slightly above even the typical Golden Core Perfection. How could people not pay attention?

Du Bin was probably the most surprised of all. He knew Modern methods were strong, and he knew that Wang Qi was a genius, but the degree to which Wang Qi had cultivated the Modern method had him somewhat baffled.

Hadn't he been strictly following the three-year, six-year, nine-year cultivation periods? Earlier on, Wang Qi, with his right arm cultivation, had firmly reached the Late-Stage Foundation Establishment and was about to strike at achieving Foundation Establishment Perfection. Yet if faced with a Golden Core Cultivator, even if it was just an Ancient Golden Core, he was not necessarily guaranteed to win.

And Wang Qi, who had graduated from the Immortal Institute in the same year as him, was now on par with a Golden Core Cultivator?

He didn't know that a casual Ancient Golden Core could not withstand a single sword strike from Wang Qi. How could the Mysterious Indeterminate Cloud be just an empty title? That causality-defying strike could only be forcefully met and absolutely couldn't be blocked! A casual Modern Golden Core would also perish against it.

Chen Youjia didn't like to talk about this topic and interrupted Du Bin's flattery with a frown, "It's just relying on an Outer Object, not an inherent skill."

After hearing Chen Youjia's words, Du Bin's spirit visibly fluctuated. Then, he echoed her sentiment, "External forces, huh? I was wondering how Brother Wang could have progressed so quickly... Haha, haha, relying on external forces is not good, Brother Wang, you really shouldn't do that."

Wang Qi originally had an indifferent attitude. But seeing Du Bin act this way, he thought of another plan that he had been suppressing.

He reached under the table to grasp Chen Youjia's hand to prevent her from speaking out of turn. Then, with an irritated tone, he said, "What's wrong with external forces? Winning is what counts!"

Chen Youjia's body jolted, trying to pull away, but Wang Qi held on tight. The girl quickly realized what Wang Qi was planning.

Wang Qi's own strength was clearly stronger than an external Magic Foundation, stronger than Hu Buxue, yet here he was, emphasizing the importance of that "Outer Object"... He was setting a trap!

Du Bin said, "Brother Wang, this is no joke. External forces won't last long; one's own cultivation is much more important."

Wang Qi looked at Du Bin with a triumphant smile, "What if this 'Outer Object' could become a part of my own cultivation?"

Du Bin was skeptical, "Is there such a miraculous Outer Object?"

"Don't doubt it; I'll show you." With a sweep of his hand over the Storage Bag, Wang Qi took out a red object. Chen Youjia glanced curiously and saw that it wasn't the external Magic Foundation Wang Qi had called a "Memory Body," but a "Coin" crafted with a Demon Beast's Innate Divine Seal, having an unknown function.

Wang Qi released Chen Youjia's hand and asked Du Bin, "Brother Du, is there something you've always wanted to do? Tell me about your greatest aspiration."

"Probably to bring glory to my family name," Du Bin said offhandedly.

Wang Qi said, "Extend your hand."

Du Bin was perplexed but did as told. Wang Qi murmured, "Release your Spell." With a wave of his hand, the red coin traced an incomprehensible curve and melded into Du Bin's palm. The energies of two overlapping spaces fused together seamlessly. The trace of Life Flame on the coin linked with the Qi Veins already present in Du Bin's body, as if that coin was innately part of Du Bin.

Du Bing stared deathly at his palm, "Brother Wang, what is this..."

"Feel it for yourself," Wang Qi said with a smile. "You should be able to sense it."

By evening, Wang Qi had utilized this very technique to create countless Puppet Demon Soldiers capable of delivering earth-shattering blows. The technology required to embed these into human bodies was even simpler.

Du Bin squeezed his palm with curiosity, only to have a streak of red flame burst forth from the center of his hand. He quickly jerked his head back to avoid it but still got a lock of hair singed in the process.

"Brother Wang, what is this…" Du Bin looked utterly perplexed. He hadn't consciously channeled his mana, hadn't used any hand mnemonics or chants, so naturally, he shouldn't have been able to cast any spells.

This was a Divine Skill, integrated into his flesh and responsive to his will!

Apart from methods like the Heavenly Calculation Atlas that spontaneously manifest Divine Skills, acquiring one usually requires relentless effort. Was Wang Qi actually just bestowing Divine Skills upon people?

"The True Fire of the Great Wilderness Fire Crow isn't anything special; it's not very powerful, and you'll look down on it once you reach the Golden Core Stage, but it's absolutely perfect for roasting meat," Wang Qi explained. "Also, you could think of it as a one-time secret technique, pushing it out through your palm—just don't try it here, okay? Using a lethal Divine Skill in public could land you in jail."

"I understand, I understand," said Du Bin, hardly maintaining any semblance of the composed one who doesn't rely on external objects.

"Also, it will absorb the refined mana you've cultivated and gradually grow. You can treat it as exclusively cultivating a Divine Skill, or as nurturing a magical treasure, but all of this happens automatically."

Du Bin exclaimed joyfully, "What a great thing!"

Wang Qi sighed, "It's just a pity there wasn't a better innate Divine Seal from the Demon Clan to refine. After my battle with a Golden Core, I've run out of all the good stuff I had, only left with some little demon beasts."

Du Bin's eyes darted about, clearly hatching some scheme.

Wang Qi then asked, "It's been years since we parted, are Daoist Fellows Zhao Qingfeng and Lu Wan still well?"

The names Wang Qi mentioned were those of Banished Immortals he met last year.

This time, Du Bin genuinely looked flattered, "Mr. Lu often speaks of you. Mr. Zhao thinks that Brother Wang, you won't remember them until you've reached Late-Stage Golden Core..."

Wang Qi exchanged a few more pleasantries with Du Bin, then turned to walk back with Chen Youjia.

On the way, Chen Youjia asked, "Why did you deceive him?"

"I didn't tell a single lie," Wang Qi said with a smile. "Including last time, when I used up a bunch of coins during a confrontation—that was just after my Foundation Establishment."

"What I mean is...why?"

Wang Qi couldn't help but laugh, "If I really have to say, it's that coin's technology I want to develop when I have some time."

Chen Youjia frowned, "I don't get it. You don't need that slight increase in combat power that comes from an innate Divine Power of a demon beast."

"No, it's mainly the function of absorbing mana to strengthen oneself that's important for me," Wang Qi said. "Recently, my Life Flame has only been in control, with mana growing too quickly, so I need something to balance it out. But that coin technique is underdeveloped; I need some generous contributors to provide materials and help me develop it."

The Immortal Alliance values theory over technology. Except for Great Divine Powers or particularly important core technologies, ordinary spells and magical treasure development rarely get funding, leaving cultivators to fend for themselves. Nonetheless, not many cultivators need to undertake such development.

Chen Youjia asked again, "What about the Banished Immortals?"

"Suddenly remembered them, they might be of some use," Wang Qi said. "It struck me during dinner; I still need to consult them regarding some aspects of the Ancient Method."

The Immortal Alliance's stance on the Divine Tao Cultivation Method is deep and unspoken. Wang Qi felt that the perspectives and insights of the Banished Immortals might be useful—especially in constructing a new Divine Tao. However, that was something he couldn't openly discuss.

"How are you doing, Junior Sister? All clear now?"

"Yes," Chen Youjia's eyes shone like stars, "When you were holding my hand just now, what did it feel like?"

Wang Qi fixed his gaze on the girl, noticing the hint of a smile at the corner of her mouth.

"It felt pretty fleshy... hey, don't turn on me now!" (To be continued. If you like this work, please go to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation votes and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please go to m.qidian.com to read.)