Longevity Chronicles
Chapter 465 - 325: Six Ding and Six Jia, Spirit Coffin Treasure Lamp

Tao Qian pondered, and a scene naturally emerged in his mind:

The Yu Wenfang in question was a beautiful Daoist nun, with bright eyes and white teeth, skin as creamy and delicate as milk, a charming demeanor, and an innate grace, truly a great beauty that inspired tenderness. When Tao Qian reemployed his old trick of inviting a Heavenly Demon to seize her body, little did he expect that as soon as the demon entered her flesh, which seemed as white as milk, all the muscles beneath came to life instantaneously.

Transforming into numerous tiny, writhing yellow snakes, hissing and biting ferociously.

In an instant, the four or five invading Heavenly Demons were devoured.

Only the Joyful Demon under Tao Qian's command escaped promptly, losing only an arm in the process.

Seeing this, where could Tao Qian be oblivious to the fact that the first victim of Ying Qingdi was most likely this lady?

"The Ancestor Dragon Society always said that Ying Qingdi and Yu Wenfang were immortal companions, who encountered each other in humble beginnings. She was captivated by his idealistic notions, and despite opposition from the Mountain Gate [Nature Sect], she resolutely followed Ying Qingdi to instigate revolutionary uprisings everywhere."

"Now it seems, this lady must have met with disaster, thoroughly controlled by that Summoning Divine Spell."

"Hypocritical, secretive, ruthlessly decisive… indeed, a formidable character."

Tao Qian's expression was exceptionally grave.

He realized how terrifying an opponent Ying Qingdi was.

If he, Tao Qian, did not have such a cheat-like means of prying?

Could he stand against Ying Qingdi?

The answer was simple, no.

Tao Qian might even fail to detect the other's scheming, and end up like Zhong Ziyang, Lin Bujue, and others, deceived and becoming followers, ultimately facing a tragic fate.

"Ah?"

"That's right, Lin Bujue, must save him."

Upon recalling the key point, Tao Qian reacted immediately.

From his previous insights, he had a rough idea of the number and severity of those contaminated within the Ancestor Dragon Society.

The most severe was naturally Yu Wenfang, almost beyond salvation.

The least contaminated was Lin Bujue.

It happened because he was present and listened to the impassioned exchange between Yin Juejun and Duan Qiu. Although Lin Bujue did not engage in the argument, he deeply agreed with Ying Qingdi's philosophy.

Thus, after returning to his chambers and seeing those books, Lin Bujue chose to read them.

And thus, he was ensnared.

However, compared to others, his exposure was short and the degree minimal.

If he could awaken in time, there was still hope for salvation.

With this thought, Tao Qian could no longer afford to delay and stood up to leave his chamber.

At other times, he need not go personally, just cast the "Summoning Demon Technique" again to call forth the Invisibility Demon that spied on the scene of the Yellow Robed Slaves invading the bodies of Daoists Duan Qiu and Yin Juejun, instructing the demon to seek out Lin Bujue, and use its invisible Demon Light to reveal the secrets spied upon, instantly breaking the contamination.

But not now, a demon calamity had just occurred.

Now, the Hidden Dragon Mountain was covered with Forbidden Arrays for demon binding, suppression, and slaying, where even an Invisibility Demon would find it difficult to move an inch.

To save Lin Bujue, Tao Qian had to go himself.

Their residences were not far apart, and after walking only a few dozen steps, Tao Qian arrived at Lin Bujue's resting place.

He was located in a rather spacious courtyard, with green bricks and tiles, and lush bamboo and pine, a quiet and secluded setting.

As Tao Qian approached, he heard many lively voices from within the courtyard.

Lin Bujue was an upright person, so there were no concealment spells around the yard, and at a glance, one could see many spirit ghosts, Outer Demons, and Divine Spirits playing and frolicking inside.

Compared to the odd collection under his command, with congruent auras from Outer Realm Demons, Lin Bujue's minions, used for errands, were lively, with varied forms and auras, an interesting sight to behold.

"It seems I'm outdone ah, my subordinates of Heavenly Demons, only Red Lady and Star Zha are somewhat interesting, the rest only seek rewards from me."

"The Summoning Demon Technique of the Secret Demon Sect seems to lack the fun compared to this Outer Realm Evil Technique [Seven Secret Chapters of Mysterious Corpse] and its Demon Capturing Talisman."

Tao Qian mocked but made sure Master Yuan could hear him.

The Yuan Gong Statue in his arms trembled discontentedly and transmitted its voice:

"You should not spout nonsense, what's this laborious Demon Capturing Talisman? It's just summoning some spirit ghosts and alien species, what's the use?"

"If you find your demon subordinates boring, just look up the 'Ten Thousand Demon List' yourself, no matter what your preferences, you can find something suitable in the list."

"Creatures like the Joyful Demon are the most common."

"Know that Outer Realm Heaven Demons are born from all living beings, they are the opposing demons of this myriad of beings."

"If your cultivation is strong enough, using the Summoning Demon Technique you can even summon Demon Lords, Demon Kings, and even Demon Gods."

"How could a mere ghost summoning evil technique compare with our family's Summoning Demon Technique?"

"Alright, alright, our Secret Demon Sect's Summoning Demon Technique is the most formidable, overpowering all heavens, unmatched."

Tao Qian had just appeased Master Yuan on his end when, in the yard, an armored ghost with a horse head, one hand wielding a spear and the other a chain, his body rising on a cloud, spotted Tao Qian walking leisurely toward them.

The horse-headed ghost descended from the cloud and entered the yard.

Soon after, Lin Bujue emerged from the quiet room inside the courtyard.

He, Lin Bujue, and Zhong Ziyang had shared actions and therefore had a close relationship, bound by similar ambitions and ideals.

"Brother Lin has come to visit," said Bu Jue, "I should have hosted you well."

"However, my Taoist Body is currently afflicted, and I urgently need to erase these costs, so please don't be annoyed with me, Brother Lin."

"Why don't I have these children accompany you for a while? When I return, we can discuss the mysteries of Tao together."

Bu Jue spoke with a face full of sincere regret.

Tao Qian's gaze immediately fell on his hands, neck, and even his face, where the exposed skin had developed black and yellow rotten spots. The air in the courtyard was also filled with the stench of decay, which grew stronger as time passed.

The source of the stench was none other than Bu Jue himself.

When I first met him in Golden Sand City, he was a true practitioner who had found his way.

Now, he resembled those ground mice that burrow into graveyards and cadaverous caverns.

Tao Qian's expression grew serious, and after a brief moment of thought, he came to a realization and asked,

"Is it because of the recent demon calamity that you have suffered much loss?"

Hearing this, Bu Jue's expression turned bitter as he nodded and replied,

"My cultivation base is not strong enough, and I couldn't bear to see my fellow Daoists taken advantage of by demons. In a rash move, I summoned too many 'Six Ding and Six Jia Spirits,' which caused me to lose some of my essence. Now, the backlash has turned on myself. If I don't handle it in time, tomorrow's fierce sun will cause me great suffering."

"I've also advised Kuang Fusheng before not to practice the Summoning Demon Technique. He's not from the Secret Demon Sect, and even if he summoned a demon, without the Control Demon Technique, not only would he be unable to subdue the Heavenly Demon for his own use, but it would also bring about disaster."

"Now, it appears my words have come to pass."

As these words came out, Tao Qian's face stiffened.

Fortunately, his skin was thick, and without any change in his demeanor, he simply offered to try his hand at helping.

Clearly, he intended to seize the opportunity to intervene, secretly allowing Bu Jue to come to a realization of the truth.

However, before he could reach out, he was rejected by Bu Jue.

This young Daoist, even covered in the stench of decay, still maintained an extraordinary presence. With a wave of his hand, he said,

"Brother Lin need not worry. This mutated scene is caused by the Secret Technique I practice."

"It is part of the cost and also necessary for cultivation."

"I'm practicing an Outer Realm Evil Scripture, the 'Seven Secret Chapters of Mysterious Corpse,' with secret treasures and true skills. Although I've gained many conveniences, I must also deal with these frequently arising costs."

"To dispel these rotten spots and the stench of decay is simple. My master gave me a 'Spirit Coffin Lamp.' This treasure is one with my Divine Soul and protects my way. Holding this treasure, I can circulate the secret technique, allowing my soul to leave my body and enter a body afflicted by disaster, to endure the hardship on someone else's behalf. With each transference, the lamp flame will incinerate all this filth."

"At the same time, my cultivation will also improve."

Bu Jue had just finished speaking when both he and Tao Qian showed a look of surprise on their faces.

Tao Qian was amazed that there was such a bizarre method of cultivation in this world?

Bu Jue, on the other hand, was astonished at his own forthrightness.

Though he was a gentleman, that did not mean he was a fool.

Even the true inheritors of the Daoist and Buddhist Sects would keep their cultivation methods tightly guarded. How could they reveal them so easily?

Even if their relationship could be considered close.

But despite the surprise, Bu Jue did not react too much, merely thinking to himself quietly:

"Although Brother Lin Runiu is somewhat reticent, his good nature cannot be faked. Besides, he has also gained recognition from one of the Nine Provinces' Twelve Artifacts, 'Valley God Gui.'"

"My master once said that if such a treasure, which is closely related to the Ancestor God Forbidden Technique and Human Dao Fortune, chooses a master on its own, that master must be virtuous."

"But the real reason is still that inexplicable affinity. From the first meeting, I felt extremely comfortable with Brother Lin, and although the appearance and aura are different, it always reminds me of my deceased elder brother. It's truly strange."

Tao Qian, of course, was not aware of Bu Jue's inner thoughts.

If he were to know, it would probably be a great shock.

After hearing Bu Jue's explanation, Tao Qian seemed to take an interest and said directly,

"If I'm not mistaken, the method you are using is actually for the removal of disaster and the alleviation of hardship."

"That 'Spirit Coffin Lamp' takes your soul out of your body and transfers it into someone who is actually suffering from a disaster, for you to bear the hardship on their behalf. If you successfully resolve the disaster, the lamp can hence burn off the mutated impurities from your body and in turn aid your cultivation?"

"I didn't expect that such a wonderful method existed in this world. It's no wonder that even though you practiced the Outer Realm Evil Scriptures, you are still a true practitioner."

The more Tao Qian spoke, the more surprised he looked.

Then, in just a few words, he made a request that left Bu Jue stunned.

"Bu Jue, can you trust me?"

"Your character, Brother Lin, is beyond doubt."

"I find this method of cultivation extremely interesting and see much that could be adopted. Are you willing to let me accompany your soul's departure to observe this process, and at the same time, I could protect you?"

This statement from Tao Qian was quite abrupt.

Normally, Bu Jue would not agree.

It wasn't that he feared Tao Qian would harm him; outsiders had no idea that his master's origins were extraordinary and that the "Spirit Coffin Lamp" he was given was a precious treasure. With its protection over his Divine Soul, unless faced with a strong person from the Daoist Transformation Realm, no one could harm him during his cultivation.

He wanted to refuse because the departure of the soul was a major event, and even a cultivator of the Cavernous Mystery Realm could end up in trouble, especially since the current New Moon Province was anything but peaceful.

The Spirit Coffin Lamp could only protect him alone and not this Brother Lin.

However, just as he was about to speak, he suddenly noticed an unusual expression on Lin Runiu's face, hinting at something.

The words of polite refusal he had at the tip of his tongue were swallowed back, and instead, he laughed heartily and said,

"If Brother Lin wishes to join me in cultivation, to experience the suffering of the mundane world, that would be most excellent."