Chapter 75: Parting Gifts and an Unexpected Invitation
Cultivation aptitude corresponded to cultivation techniques, while divine ability aptitude referred to one’s talent for cultivating divine abilities.
Previously, Luo Xue hadn’t learned any divine abilities, either relying on the characteristics of the Calamity Poison Body or imbuing her weapons with spiritual power and using her physical strength to win.
Divine abilities were essentially a more efficient way to utilize spiritual power, and clearly, Luo Xue currently lacked this talent.
Of course, since her cultivation aptitude had been improved, Luo Xue wasn’t completely incapable of learning divine abilities.
At least, she could learn some basic ones without any problems.
Considering Luo Xue’s situation, Bai Zhanying specifically chose two divine abilities for her.
Shocking Mountain Guest and Flashing Blossom.
The former was a defensive divine ability from Cold Edge Cliff, and the latter was an escape technique from Underworld Water Ravine.
They were… both for survival.
Luo Xue couldn’t help but think, Senior Sister, how afraid are you of me dying…
The basic techniques of each peak were interchangeable. Only the divine abilities of Core Formation and above were relatively secretive.
Of course, even if they weren’t kept secret, disciples from other peaks couldn’t cultivate them, as these divine abilities required corresponding cultivation techniques.
However, Luo Xue still accepted Bai Zhanying’s suggestion.
She would put aside Falling Flower Peak’s signature technique, All Day Flying Flowers, and learn these two life-saving divine abilities first.
As for Luo Xue’s other technique slot, the technique from her Heaven Stealing Sun Shifting avatar had been replaced with Falling Flower Peak’s Falling Flower Scripture.
—Nominally, Luo Xue was now an outer sect disciple of Falling Flower Peak.
However, the spiritual power of the Falling Flower Scripture was gentle and continuous, not very suitable for Luo Xue’s current domineering fighting style, but there were no better techniques available, so she could only make do with it.
“If only I could obtain the Heavenly Hub Sword Scripture of Dawn Light Peak, but inheritance techniques require the corresponding disciple status…”
Bai Zhanying said with a hint of regret.
The spiritual power of the Heavenly Hub Sword Scripture was extremely domineering, so domineering that only weapons could withstand it. If used directly, the body would collapse to varying degrees, unable to withstand the force of the spiritual power.
Senior Brother Zhang, the previous owner of the heavy sword in Luo Xue’s hand, was a disciple of Dawn Light Peak. This heavy sword was generally used with spiritual power. Someone like Luo Xue, who directly wielded it with physical strength, was a freak…
From this point of view, Luo Xue’s current physical strength was astonishing, comparable to the level of an ordinary Spirit Condensation cultivator using spiritual power.
Of course, she was still much weaker than a Spirit Condensation cultivator.
The spiritual aperture opened at the Spirit Condensation Realm could greatly increase one’s spiritual power capacity, and moreover, spiritual power could be used for various divine abilities, making it much stronger than pure physical strength.
“It’s fine, I have another technique.” Luo Xue sensed the spiritual power within her body, tinged with Yin energy and poison, and took a deep breath. “It seems to be a bit stronger than the Falling Flower Scripture…”
“Stronger than the Falling Flower Scripture?” Bai Zhanying’s expression turned serious. “By the way, Xiao Xue, tell me more about your demonic… other technique.”
Luo Xue was silent for a moment, considering whether to tell Bai Zhanying the truth.
But after a moment of thought, she gave up on the idea.
Before understanding the nature of this world, it was better not to reveal anything about the other world.
“I don’t know much either. It just… appeared in my mind one day.”
Luo Xue released a bit of the spiritual power of the Xuanyin Phoenix Transformation Scripture, and a purplish-red light flowed through her pale arm.
Bai Zhanying sensed it carefully and her heart instantly palpitated.
“This… this is Innate Realm spiritual power? Its purity is comparable to the Spirit Condensation Realm… no, even more peculiar than ordinary Spirit Condensation Realm spiritual power!”
Such pure spiritual power couldn’t be compared to those rapidly achieved demonic techniques that relied on stealing others’ cultivation or consuming flesh and blood.
It was probably… some ancient inheritance that had been lost to time, with no records remaining…
But how could such an inheritance inexplicably appear in her mind?
Could it be… like with demonic beasts, engraved deep within her bloodline, awakening under certain conditions?
Bai Zhanying pondered for a moment, then said seriously,
“Xiao Xue, no matter what, don’t tell anyone about the inheritance you possess, no one, including me.”
Luo Xue had only shown Bai Zhanying her spiritual power, not the Xuanyin Phoenix Transformation Scripture itself.
Bai Zhanying knew the value of such an inheritance. Even within the Peerless Summit Sect, those who possessed ancient inheritances could be counted on one hand.
Among them were even… Soul Transformation ancestors.
Every Soul Transformation ancestor was an unparalleled existence in their era.
Even so, very few obtained ancient inheritances.
“By the way, if you encounter the Holy Maiden of the Temple of the Nether Spirit, avoid her.” Bai Zhanying said in a deep voice. “She also possesses an ancient inheritance, a legacy that requires killing to advance. She’s extremely dangerous.”
“The concept of fate, although ethereal, is real. If she learns that you also possess an ancient inheritance, she might try to kill you and seize your fate.”
“Hiss, that dangerous?”
Luo Xue was startled and secretly took note. She would have to avoid that terrifying Holy Maiden in the Demon Abyss.
“Indeed, even within the Peerless Summit Sect, if your ancient inheritance is discovered, some disciples might have ulterior motives…”
Bai Zhanying looked at Luo Xue for a long time and sighed.
“Okay, I’ll be careful.”
Luo Xue nodded seriously.
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
“Zhanying, it’s me.”
It was Hei Pao’s voice.
“…Has this moment finally arrived?”
Bai Zhanying thought silently, and Luo Xue’s expression also turned slightly serious.
Luo Xue realized that this might be the last time she saw Senior Sister.
“Don’t worry, it’s not a farewell forever. I’ll go to the Demon Abyss to find you in the future.”
Bai Zhanying lifted Luo Xue’s bangs and gently scraped her nose.
“Senior Sister…”
Luo Xue’s nose felt a little sore.
Only she knew that this was a farewell forever.
At some point, Hei Pao had silently appeared behind them, watching this scene in silence.
“It’s time to go.”
“Okay.”
…
Hei Pao lifted Luo Xue with his spiritual power and left Falling Flower Peak.
But they didn’t go directly to the sect’s gate. Instead, he split off a gray shadow, and they concealed themselves, returning to Underworld Water Ravine.
“Uncle Hei Pao, this is…”
Luo Xue looked at the departing gray shadow, slightly stunned.
“Guixing wants to see you.” Hei Pao said concisely, then glanced at the departing shadow. “She doesn’t want others to know.”
As expected of Senior Sister Li’s style…
Perhaps, she had learned something and was worried about being associated with her…
“Also, someone wants to kill you,” Hei Pao said faintly, “Within the Peerless Summit Sect.”
Luo Xue’s eyes widened slightly, but then she relaxed.
“It’s the Grand Elder of the Law Enforcement Hall, right?” Luo Xue sighed.
Hei Pao didn’t answer, seemingly confirming it.
“So… why?” Luo Xue’s lips curled into a bitter smile. “With me leaving the Peerless Summit Sect, the matter between him and the Sect Master shouldn’t have anything to do with me anymore.”
Hei Pao hesitated for a moment, then said,
“The Grand Elder… hates demonic cultivators very much, especially demonic spies. It has something to do with his past.”
“If Kong Lianbin, who tried to assassinate you, hadn’t died and had fallen into the hands of the Law Enforcement Hall, he would have faced a fate far worse than being burned by the Bone-Eroding Demonic Flame.”
Another fanatic?
Luo Xue almost blurted it out, but changed her words at the last moment.
“Like the radicals of the Underworld Water Ravine rebellion?”
Hei Pao suddenly stopped.
Luo Xue then realized that the person in front of her was the Peak Master of Underworld Water Ravine…
She had stepped on a landmine.
But Hei Pao just paused for a moment, then continued walking towards the depths of Underworld Water Ravine.
But he didn’t say another word after that.
“Could the Grand Elder of the Law Enforcement Hall also be a radical?”
Luo Xue asked curiously.
Hei Pao didn’t seem to have any ill intentions towards her. Having the chance to learn about a potential enemy, Luo Xue wouldn’t miss it.
“Don’t speak of what happened back then,” Hei Pao said in a deep voice. “Within the Peerless Summit Sect now, that matter is absolutely forbidden.”
“I can only tell you that there’s a reason why the Grand Elder didn’t become the Sect Master.”
…He said not to speak of it, yet he spoke of it himself.
Luo Xue wanted to ask more, but Hei Pao stopped and said,
“We’re here. Guixing is inside.”
“Mmm…”
Luo Xue looked up and was almost startled.
How… was it a hole?
Surrounded by rock formations and dark forests, faint light shone from above, perfectly avoiding the hole on the ground, just big enough for one person to pass through.
“Are you sure?”
Luo Xue raised an eyebrow.
“I’m sure.”
Hei Pao’s voice was as indifferent as ever, but it seemed to carry a hint of inexplicable emotion.
Well, he also had a headache…
“And also, I’ll thank you on Guixing’s behalf for what happened on Falling Flower Peak.” Hei Pao said softly. “She has the strength to become powerful, but not the heart of a powerful cultivator.”
“If not for your encouragement, she wouldn’t have taken this step, who knows how many more years it would have taken.”
“Avoiding battles is fine, but fearing them is not.”
Luo Xue touched her nose awkwardly. She hadn’t thought that much…
“Go on.” Hei Pao took a step back, a hint of amusement in his voice. “She usually doesn’t even let me enter her cave. You’re the first guest she has ever invited.”
“…I’m honored.”
Luo Xue looked at this literal cave and twitched her lips.
She walked over and cautiously looked inside.
But the next moment, a force enveloped her, pulling her directly into the cave.
Hei Pao leaned against a nearby rock formation and watched silently.
…
Although the entrance was narrow, the inside was much more spacious.
Luo Xue’s body fell straight down. She quickly adjusted her posture mid-air to avoid landing headfirst.
After falling about fifty meters, Luo Xue’s feet landed on the ground.
“Thump!”
Her small feet landed on the marble floor without stirring up any dust.
Luo Xue looked up, intending to see what was inside this cave.
But the next moment, a loud bang rang out beside her.
“An attack?”
Caught off guard, Luo Xue instinctively bent down slightly and reached for the dagger at her waist, but felt nothing.
—She had changed her equipment. The heavy sword was still in her storage ring.
“Ah!” A girl’s startled cry followed, along with some panic. “A’Xue, I… I’m sorry…”
“Hmm?”
Luo Xue looked towards the source of the sound and saw an unfamiliar girl standing nervously beside her, holding a paper tube.
Only then did Luo Xue notice that after the bang, some colorful confetti had fallen…
Was this a welcome for her?
And who was this girl?
Wait…
“Senior Sister Li?”
Luo Xue asked tentatively.
“Just call me A’Gui,” Li Guijiao lowered her head, fidgeting nervously.
“I’m sorry, A’Xue, I heard this is a common little surprise in the mortal world to welcome guests, but I didn’t expect it to scare you…”
Luo Xue blinked and looked up.
A large banner hung on the wall, with several large characters written in childish handwriting.
“Welcome A’Xue to A’Gui’s Home”
“I’ve read many mortal stories, and it seems they all do this…”
Feeling Luo Xue’s gaze, Li Guijiao became even more nervous.
“I just didn’t expect Senior Sister… A’Gui to do this.” Luo Xue relaxed her fighting stance and said with a smile, “But I like it.”
“Really?”
Li Guijiao’s big eyes blinked.
“Really.”
Luo Xue looked around, her face filled with amazement.
What a peculiar “home” this was…
Fifty meters underground, a space of at least five hundred square meters had been carved out.
Various supplies and medicinal pills were neatly categorized. Luo Xue glanced at them briefly; they were all basic Qi Condensation Pills and the like, nothing particularly valuable.
“By the way, A’Gui, is this your true appearance?” Luo Xue asked.
The appearance Li Guijiao had shown on Falling Flower Peak was that of a ghostly girl, with a pale complexion and delicate features, easily mistaken for a wronged spirit.
But the current Li Guijiao, although also around thirteen or fourteen years old, looked completely different.
A delicate oval face, paired with beautiful phoenix eyes, although not as stunning as Su Yiyao, she was still quite a beauty.
Even though her aura was a bit gloomy, she was still pleasant to look at, like a melancholic young girl… not a wronged spirit.
“Yes,” Li Guijiao said honestly. “Because many people think that Underworld Water Ravine disciples should look like that… and I don’t want to reveal my true appearance to outsiders.”
Li Guijiao paused, then said seriously, “It’s very dangerous. There are Demon Abyss spies everywhere!”
“…”
Luo Xue’s eyelids twitched.
Senior Sister Li hadn’t changed at all…
She was very curious why Senior Sister Li had become so paranoid.
“But A’Xue, you’re the first disciple who’s willing to talk to me seriously, hehe…”
Li Guijiao smiled shyly, looking quite happy.
“I tried talking to Senior Brother Ye, Senior Brother Kong, and Senior Sister Ye before, but they… didn’t really want to talk to me.”
Luo Xue was slightly stunned.
Senior Brother Ye and Senior Brother Kong… that was understandable, but Ye Ningshuang shouldn’t be like that…
But then she thought again, Senior Sister Li had always been mistaken for a male disciple, and a difficult one at that.
Hmm… it wasn’t that surprising.
Leave a Reply