Killing Dao Fruit
Chapter 177 - 174: Showing Off in Front of an Expert!

Chapter 177: Chapter 174: Showing Off in Front of an Expert!

Wang Yuan, performing a ritual and cursing at Xue Yan in the Yinyue Building, was not the only one busy atop the building. Huang Wu was busy too.

There was a bright moon in the sky, and above her head was another "bright moon."

Outside the "Heavenly Gate", strands of Taiyin Moonlight drawn from the moon were pulled down, not for her to absorb but for a large black dog lying at her feet.

As Old Black eagerly absorbed the moonlight, his glossy black fur flickered between light and dark.

Aided by the Taiyin Moonlight Technique, this represented the power of yin in the world.

In the early stages of Receiving the Talisman, it primarily served a supportive role.

The first ability, called Taiyin Refining Form, could support the growth of ghosts and demons and could even prompt the transformation of ordinary animals into spirits on a large scale.

The second ability, Moon in the Water and Flower in the Mirror, could invade dreamscapes, manipulating a person’s dreams and senses at will, weaving nightmares or beautiful dreams, and mirror the damage back into reality.

Since receiving the talisman, Huang Wu hadn’t had a chance to battle, but the big black dog that followed her all day took this opportunity to benefit greatly.

And finally, on this night, it was met with a transformative leap.

Crackling...

As strands of moonlight seeped into Old Black’s body, his form swiftly expanded, gradually resembling a fierce black wolf.

When his form expanded to ten feet in length, the outline of the black wolf began to change ceaselessly.

The surface of its body was covered in a hazy mist, appearing as if it was being constantly reshaped.

A moment later.

Old Black suddenly opened his green eyes, bared his sharp teeth, and, tilting his head towards the moon in the sky, tore a large silver swath of light from it.

He devoured the moonlight in just a few bites.

Lifting his head high, he howled at the night sky, speaking in human tongue:

"Woof woof! I, Old Black, have finally become a spirit!"

Though he appeared imposing, the voice that came from his mouth was that of a young child.

Cocking his head, he stared at his own paws for a moment before carefully taking a step.

His figure vanished instantly as if carried away by the wind, only to reappear from another corner of the rooftop.

This was the hallmark of an ordinary animal fully turning into a spirit—Innate Divine Ability!

The divine skill awakened by the Black Dog Spirit was named "Listening to Heaven and Earth".

It could traverse yin and yang, shrink spaces, discern loyalty and deceit, understand benefits and harms; once targeted by it, escape was futile even to the ends of the earth.

Indeed, a dream partner for any enforcer!

Old Black turned to see Huang Wu, who looked as radiant as the Moon God after his successful transformation, as she redirected the moonlight to another lamp inhabited by the "Wet Nurse."

Not wanting to disturb her, he bowed three times and was about to sneak away.

But suddenly a flash of water-green fabric appeared, and in front of him stood a pair of delicate lotus embroidered shoes.

His body involuntarily shuddered.

He then saw Lady Peach Fairy holding a... porcelain basin, smiling as she placed it in front of him, and gently stroked his head.

"Congratulations, Old Black! To celebrate such a great day, how can we not have some festive colors, right?

Fill it up, thank you!"

It was evident.

With her current nature as a shrewd merchant, how could she possibly pass up a chance to utilize the blood of a spirit-turned black dog, a highly sought-after commodity in all major ghost markets?

Hearing this,

Old Black froze instantly, his round dog eyes widening as he looked at the large basin on the ground, then at Lady Peach Fairy’s smiling beautiful face.

Cold sweat trickled down his back.

After a long while, he managed an innocent look and tentatively let out a sound from his throat:

"Woof?"

I am just a dog; I really don’t understand what you’re talking about.

Just as he was about to run away, he suddenly twitched his wet nose, looked toward a corner of the ghost market, and said subconsciously,

"Huh? It’s our master, and there seems to be... the scent of a Fox Spirit!"

Hearing this, Lady Peach Fairy’s eyes narrowed, and her tone shot up an octave:

"A Fox Spirit?!"

...

Wang Yuan and his companions wandered around the ghost market without finding anything of value.

Even though the rules of the Deceit Market had eliminated those deadly tricks, finding a suitable root skill was not an easy task.

At that moment,

an old man dressed as a farmer came up, mysteriously offering them a family heirloom.

"A family heirloom? What kind of item dares to ask for five hundred taels of silver?"

The phrase "family heirloom" ultimately piqued their curiosity, and they felt it was worth a look.

The old man quickly unwrapped a long cloth roll, revealing an ancient iron sword with tiny characters etched all over its scabbard.

Although he was timid in the Ghost Market, he was very confident in his family heirloom, thumping his chest and saying,

"Although this old man can’t recognize the characters on it, before my ancestor passed away, he said it couldn’t be sold for less than five hundred silver pieces, not even one less!

If it weren’t for my son’s wedding needing money, I would never sell this family treasure."

Curious, Wang Yuan reached out and took the ancient sword, discovering that the sword itself was nothing special, but the characters carved on the scabbard were from among the three kinds of seal scripts—a "Jade Word Red Book."

It recorded a top-grade Yellow Department Taoist Skill that could cultivate up to the "Yin God" realm—the "Vajra Spirit Sword."

Cultivation method: On the Yellow Path day of the Shen month, start fasting and bathing seven days in advance.

After chanting for three days and nights, choose a three-and-a-half pound iron incense burner that has been offered incense in an ancient temple for a hundred years.

Have a blacksmith refine it into steel, then forge it into a precious sword without a blade guard, two feet and four inches long.

During this period, the magician must hold the "Golden Jade Seal" without interruption.

After the precious sword is forged, it is to be inserted into the incense burner of the old temple, where one must chant and burn talismans morning and evening for forty-nine consecutive days.

During this time, one must not prevent incense-offering pilgrims; if the flying sword’s blade embryo is damaged or stolen, it is considered doomed by the heavens, and one cannot practice this technique again within three years.

The "Precept Taboos" are also clearly stated:

[1. The best practitioners of this technique are male and female monks, or lay practitioners who are well-versed in Buddhist scriptures and devoutly offer to the Buddha.

Only those with profound Buddhist cultivation can resolve the malicious and ominous energy carried by this sword.]

[2. The Buddha has a merciful heart but also a Vajra’s wrathful eyes; this sword technique is a Vajra’s killing method, and drawing the sword must result in killing.

If the sword is drawn but does not kill, it will surely backlash against the owner.]

[3. During the Upper Yuan Festival, Middle Yuan Festival, and Lower Yuan Festival, one must purify with herbal medicines and offer fruits each year to gradually nourish the artifact spirit’s nature.

If it is kept sheathed and unused for many years, it will gradually return to ordinary iron, no longer possessing the divine sword’s sharpness.]

The keys to cultivation are all clearly explained, but the crucial incantations and secrets were hidden, presumably inscribed upon the blade of the sword in the scabbard.

"Vajra Spirit Sword? This is indeed a true flying sword technique!"

By his side, Qiu Shaobai and Jin Shengshui, who came from extraordinary backgrounds, also saw the clue, and excitement couldn’t help but show in their eyes.

Even Wang Yuan himself was thrilled.

Whether it was Nie Renxiong’s "Taiyin Split Light Sword" or Senior Brother Song’s "Money Communicating God Sword," the power displayed during their Yin God Sword Control had left a deep impression on him.

Cultivating this "Vajra Spirit Sword" to the extreme, reaching the level of Nie Renxiong and Senior Brother Song, was definitely possible, ranking among the most powerful within the Red Seal.

The rarity was that the entire Taoist Skill contained no traps, the precept taboos were not severe, and the cultivation conditions were very lenient.

Anyone wishing to cultivate could completely train themselves later.

Many Loose Cultivators spend their lives seeking just such a Taoist Skill.

Consider that even a problematic "Sumeru Pot Heaven Skill," simply used for cultivating materials for "Talismanic Treasure Bags," could be sold for as much as two hundred silver.

This flying sword technique that could cultivate up to the "Yin God" realm was only five hundred silver.

Even though it was priced as a typical top-grade Yellow Department Taoist Skill, how could such a flying sword secret simply be defined by grade?

Its value probably exceeded many strictly conditioned Mystical Department Taoist Skills.

Even if priced at three thousand silver, there would be many takers.

"What a steal, we’ve picked up a great bargain!"

Qiu Shaobai and Jin Shengshui couldn’t help but exchange a knowing look.

Goods like Taoist books, once bought, could be freely copied, and everyone could share a bit of the spoils.

Even if one did not practice it, submitting it to enrich one’s sect’s library was extremely beneficial.

In their excitement, without further thought, they were about to pay for the iron sword under the expectant gazes of two colorful-eyed beauties.

But Wang Yuan, who knew the rules of the Deceit Market like the back of his hand, suddenly felt a familiar sense of déjà vu about this scene.

He seemed to hear the words Lady Peach Fairy once said ringing in his ears:

"Dharma Master! With obvious disproportionate gains, such as money and treasures, lure those merchants and customers here to violate taboos.

Then extract heavy taxes from them, use them for goods reserves, and make a fortune!

The more conscience you lose, the more you earn!"

The so-called "obvious disproportionate gain" is where the transaction result is excessively favorable for one party in the transaction and overly unfavorable for the other.

This restriction applies not only to merchants but also to customers.

If an unknowing merchant sells a valuable item for cheap, and the customer, fully aware of its true value, chooses not to reveal it and buys it at a low price,

while it might be considered a steal, it is also an "obvious disproportionate gain" behavior, subject to penalties by the Deceit Market.

A profit exceeding sixfold could cost one most of their lives or even be directly devoured by the Deceit Market!

After realizing this,

a Ghost Baby, which had just been spellbound in Yinyue Building, immediately flew to Huang Wu’s side and placed its hand on her slender leg.

The environment above the old farmer’s head suddenly changed, swirling in black and red, with ghostly cries and wolf howls.

"Goodness, dare to flaunt minor tricks in front of me?!"

Initially, he did not adopt the strategy proposed by Lady Peach Fairy, but he had not expected someone to discover this loophole that wasn’t considered a loophole and even turn it against him?