117: Cultivating both the inner and outer realms, the ultimate soul (large chapter)

(PS: After thinking about it, I still can't stop updating. Even if I have something to do, I have to squeeze out time to type. This chapter is 6,000 words.)

Noon the next day.

【Ding】

【Panel optimization successful】

Two messages suddenly popped into Chu Jiang's mind, and he looked at the panel.

【Realm: Peak Great Grandmaster Limit】

【Talent: Prodigy (Second-rate)】

【Concept: Saber Intent (Two Transformations), Mountain Sea Concept (Two Transformations)】

Internal Skill:

【None】

External Skill:

【Peak Martial Skill (Pseudo) · True Astral Heavenly Thunder Body (Transcendent)】

Martial Skill:

【Peak Martial Skill (Pseudo) · Netherworld Blood God Manual (Transcendent)】

【Peak Martial Skill (Pseudo) · Thunderclap Void (Transcendent)】

【Supreme Martial Skill · Mountain Sea Suppressing Demon Seal Upper Chapter (Minor Achievement)】

【Soul Secret Technique · Star lead Soul (Third Layer)】

【Vajra Martial Skill · Vajra Divine Palm (Transcendent)】

【demon life essence: Two thousand four hundred twenty-eight years】

【Own Lifespan: Three hundred years】

… …

It was indeed an optimization.

A talent and Concept column were added.

The panel division was more detailed, with Cultivation Technique and Martial Skill displayed separately.

Chu Jiang saw the blank section for Internal Skill, it was time to consider Cultivating an Internal Skill Mind-Cultivation Technique.

Previously, his talent was poor, and learning Internal Skill would consume a lot of Lifespan with little effect.

Now it was different.

His talent had already surpassed ordinary people, allowing him to Cultivate Internal Skill.

With internal and external unity, his combat power would soar even higher.

And this palm technique, used from the Innate Realm to the Great Grandmaster, it was time for it to evolve.

He opened the Martial Skill Fusion panel.

When he destroyed the Sword King Sect, he had already projected the forty Xiantian Martial Skills, fifteen Vajra Martial Skills, and seven Grandmaster Martial Skills from the Sword King Sect onto the panel, selecting those that might be useful later.

It was just that he lacked demon life essence for Fusion at the time, so he could only put it aside for now.

The Sword King Sect was a Sect that used swords, so there weren't many Martial Skills suitable for him.

Seven Grandmaster-level Martial Skills.

Four were Martial Skills, and only three were Cultivation Techniques; one was an external skill, Sword King Body, and the other two were Internal Skill Mind-Cultivation Techniques.

They were:

《Longevity Muscle-Changing Skill》 and 《Jade Dragon Heart Sutra》

“Fuse Longevity Muscle-Changing Skill and Jade Dragon Heart Sutra!”

【Fusing Martial Skills: Longevity Muscle-Changing Skill (Uninitiated), Jade Dragon Heart Sutra (Uninitiated)】

【Martial Skill Fusion successful: Peak Martial Skill (Pseudo) · Bright Jade Longevity Skill (Uninitiated), consuming forty years of Lifespan】

【Bright Jade Longevity Skill: Cultivating this skill can make the skin maintain youthful vitality, with powerful effects of strengthening muscles and bones, and healing injuries. The true essence becomes purer, and Lifespan is longer than those of the same Realm. However, this skill is easy to get started with but difficult to achieve Major Achievement. It also consumes a lot of Cultivation time and belongs to a supplementary Cultivation Technique, suitable for those who are content with the world.】

Chu Jiang's eyes lit up. This Cultivation Technique perfectly complemented his True Astral Heavenly Thunder Body.

“Time?”

The one thing he had in abundance now was time.

Aside from keeping a thousand years of backup Lifespan, he now had thirteen hundred years to spend freely.

He immediately started.

【In the first year, you began Cultivating the Bright Jade Longevity Skill. You easily mastered this Martial Skill and formally initiated it, which seemed to pose no great difficulty.】

【In the seventh year, you reached Minor Achievement.】

【In the eighteenth year, the Bright Jade Longevity Skill's progress significantly slowed after reaching Minor Achievement. You have yet to sense any Bottleneck, indicating that long-term accumulation is still needed.】

【In the forty-ninth year, under your tireless efforts, the Bright Jade Longevity Skill achieved Major Achievement. You felt that some hidden ailments from the past, caused by the violent use of your Physical Body, were being eliminated.】

【In the eighty-fifth year, you continued to Cultivate. This Cultivation Technique showed progress every day. The only downside was that it was a bit too boring, just sitting quietly every day, absorbing the special energy between heaven and earth.】

【In the one hundred fiftieth year, you sensed a Breakthrough Bottleneck. You pushed through in one go, sitting for seven days and seven nights straight. The Bright Jade Longevity Skill reached Perfection, and with internal and external unity, you felt more powerful than ever before.】

【Unlocked: Rejuvenating True Essence, Lifespan Transfer】

【Rejuvenating True Essence: Your true essence can heal your own injuries and also treat others.】

【Lifespan Transfer: This technique carries significant risk and is a Heaven-Defying act. It can transfer one's own Lifespan to others, effective only for those whose Lifespan is nearing its end, and the conversion rate is only one-twentieth. The higher the Realm of the recipient, the lower the conversion rate. The practitioner cannot use it if their own Lifespan is low, otherwise they will die suddenly (Note: This technique can only use one's own Lifespan).】

Rejuvenating True Essence combined with his True Astral Heavenly Thunder Body was simply a perfect match.

A powerful unity, combat power soaring directly.

Lifespan Transfer, this ability was even more Heaven-Defying, a divine skill that could reverse life and death, so the extremely low conversion rate was understandable.

Even living just one more year was enough to drive people crazy.

It was worth it.

Continue.

He would push it directly to the Transcendent Realm.

【In the two hundred seventieth year, you underestimated the difficulty of the Bright Jade Longevity Skill breaking through to the Transcendent Realm, but after a hundred years, this Cultivation Technique made your body increasingly perfect.】

【In the three hundred fiftieth year, you touched the threshold of the Transcendent Realm. You were greatly excited and continued your arduous Cultivation.】

【In the three hundred ninety-eighth year, the Bright Jade Longevity Skill advanced to the Transcendent Realm. Your Rejuvenating True Essence improved again, becoming no different from healing Medicinal Pills. Lifespan Transfer, being a fate-altering technique, remained unchanged.】

【The Transcendent Bright Jade Longevity Skill cleansed your marrow and body, removing bodily Impurities, making all your physical indicators nearly perfect.】

【Because you possess both the True Astral Heavenly Thunder Body and the Bright Jade Longevity Skill, both at the Transcendent Realm, with internal and external unity, mixed Dual Cultivation, you have broken through the limit and unlocked the Supreme Soul Realm.】

【Supreme Soul Realm: Instantly kills those of the same Realm. At peak burst, it can instantly kill those in the Early Stage of the Peerless Grandmaster Realm, but you will fall into a period of weakness.】

【demon life essence: One thousand nine hundred ninety years】

【Own Lifespan: Four hundred fifty years】

… …

Chu Jiang looked at the panel, his expression excited. This internal and external Dual Cultivation was indeed extraordinary.

Supreme Soul Realm.

It reminded him of a certain old friend.

It was an existence that could almost kill gods and slay Buddhas.

He carefully felt the changes in his body; his true essence was even more profound, and with every breath, he could feel the true essence flowing within him like a vast, surging ocean.

His strength surged again.

“Hmm, what’s that smell?”

Chu Jiang frowned, sniffed hard, and found that black Impurities were continuously emerging from his body, and his whole person emitted a strange odor.

He quickly went to the bathhouse for a wash, cleaned off all the Impurities, and changed into a brand new kirin uniform.

He looked completely refreshed.

“Is this still me?”

Chu Jiang looked at himself in the mirror. Even standing still, he exuded an extraordinary and refined aura. His brows held a hint of heroism, making him appear even more radiant, and every movement was filled with a sense of power.

Chu Jiang couldn't help but sigh, “No wonder those cultivators, by the time they finish Cultivating, none of them are ugly. Every time they advance a major Realm, they change more or less.”

Although this world was not a cultivation world, he did not feel that he was weaker than cultivators. A mere Great Grandmaster could tread on the Void Realm.

In cultivation, one would need to be at least at the Nascent Soul Stage.

His Lifespan also increased by one hundred fifty years, bringing his total Lifespan to four hundred fifty years. A Great Grandmaster has three major Realms, and each Breakthrough increases Lifespan by a hundred years.

His Lifespan was almost the same as a Peerless Grandmaster.

Just then.

Sikong Miaoyin slowly woke up and immediately saw Chu Jiang still in her boudoir.

“Were you here all night?”

She shook her head, trying to clear her mind. In her hazy memory, she only remembered drinking a lot of wine last night.

Later, she vaguely felt Chu Jiang holding her and putting her on the bed, after which she had no memory at all.

“What do you think?”

“My innocence was ruined by you last night. Look at what you’ve done. You must take responsibility for me!”

A playful smile played on Chu Jiang’s lips as he decided to tease her.

“Ah… how could this be!”

A hint of panic flashed in Sikong Miaoyin's eyes. She subconsciously touched her body and found that her clothes had been changed, causing a sudden surge of panic in her heart.

But why did she feel nothing at all?

Didn't the books say it would hurt a lot?

Even if she was drunk, she should have reacted!

She quickly circulated the Bright Moon Jade Heart Sutra and found that her Cultivation had not been broken, which made her sigh in relief.

“You tricked me again!” Sikong Miaoyin gave Chu Jiang a reproachful look and said coquettishly.

Otherwise, if it had really happened last night.

She would have been the active party.

The responsibility would not lie with Chu Jiang.

Compared to losing her virginity, Chu Jiang changing her clothes last night was a minor matter, after all, he had already seen her entire body.

“Hey, you…”

“How did you change so much overnight?”

Sikong Miaoyin got up from the bed. She had been flustered a moment ago and hadn't paid attention to Chu Jiang's face, but now, looking closely, she found that Chu Jiang's temperament had undergone a great change.

He had an indescribable aura about him.

His appearance also became more handsome, his features so delicate they were almost flawless, yet without losing a man's sense of strength, truly a masterpiece.

The former Chu Jiang could only be considered handsome, not strikingly so, belonging to the upper-middle tier in looks, but combined with his inherent courage and boldness, his overall temperament was extraordinary.

Now, his attractiveness was even stronger.

“Don’t change the subject. Tell me how you’re going to take responsibility. First, call me husband and let me hear it.” Chu Jiang sat on the stool, calmly poured himself a cup of tea, took a light sip, and continued shamelessly.

“You… I don’t remember, it doesn’t count!”

Sikong Miaoyin saw that familiar mischievous look, it was definitely Chu Jiang. No matter how his appearance changed, he still bullied her.

“Your husband is very sad. My innocence was ruined by you, and you won’t even call me husband. I’m leaving!”

Chu Jiang put down his teacup, sighed, and then turned to leave.

In reality, Chu Jiang had taken all the advantages, and then he teased her, making Sikong Miaoyin responsible for him. Where was the justice? Where was the conscience?

“He just left like that?”

Sikong Miaoyin looked at the empty room, feeling a sense of loss.

But calling him husband was too embarrassing.

She was a relatively conservative person. Since she now recognized Chu Jiang, she could only change her address and do those things after marriage.

How about?

Next time, she would give him some compensation.

… …

Wangyue Residence.

“My Lord, the Yunzhou Demon Suppression Division sent a message, saying they want you to release Young Master Ling Xiao.” Fu Yunxuan said to Chu Jiang, not quite understanding why this order was given.

“Release him?”

“What’s the reason?”

Chu Jiang frowned. What were those Qianhus thinking? This man was a menace. Had the Purple Flame Demon Sect put pressure on the Yunzhou Demon Suppression Division?

Even so, the Yunzhou Demon Suppression Division shouldn't bow to a Jianghu force.

“They said that your action would violate the demon defense treaty signed between Pacification Envoy Ye and the Seven Great Sects, and they urge you to consider carefully to avoid making enemies.”

“The attitude is rather subtle, with no substantive command, only a suggestion.”

After listening, Chu Jiang felt this reason was somewhat far-fetched; how could Lord Zhenfu, who was now stationed in Yun Province, issue such an order?

Commander Zuo and Shen Commander, needless to say, were firmly on his side and would not let him release Young Master Ling Xiao.

“Who is in charge of the Yunzhou Demon Suppression Division now?”

“Liu, Commander. This letter was initiated by Liu, Commander. Sun Commander and others opposed it, but they were one vote short in the ballot.”

“Originally, this letter was a command for us to release him. The people who voted in favor said it shouldn't be too blunt and suggested changing it to a suggestion, but the meaning is pretty much the same.”

It was to make Chu Jiang release him.

One was direct.

The other was more subtle.

“Liu, Commander?”

This was the second time Chu Jiang had heard this name. The first time was at the Refinement Hall, from Elder Shi, when he heard this name and the hai lan crystal was taken away.

Moreover, for the past six months, whenever there were high-grade water attribute Materials, he would always exchange them first.

Now, he was even colluding with other Qianhu, ostensibly showing concern for him, but in reality, suppressing him.

He learned from Shen Commander that when he was promoted to Vice Qianhu, during the meeting of the Qianhu, he was the only one who stood up to object, even leading other Qianhu in opposition.

It was Commander Zuo and Shen Commander who forcefully passed it.

He remembered that he was not familiar with him, nor were there any conflicts or disputes between them, so why would he target him repeatedly? He had a premonition.

This Liu, Commander seemed a bit off.

Although on the surface there was nothing wrong, everything seemed to be for the benefit of the Yunzhou Demon Suppression Division, leaving no room for fault-finding.

In reality, it might not be the case.

He shook his head. After he dealt with the Ghost Moon Cave, he would return to the Yunzhou Demon Suppression Division and discuss it with Commander Zuo and the others, secretly investigating Liu, Commander’s movements.

This matter must be discussed in person.

The letter said it was easy to leak and would cause a negative impact internally.

Besides.

There were only ten days left until the Ghost Moon Cave opened, so it was not advisable to leave.

“Let’s go, let’s see Young Master Ling Xiao!”

Chu Jiang said indifferently. Releasing Young Master Ling Xiao was naturally impossible.

He would first wring out his last bit of value.

“Yes!”

Fu Yunxuan nodded.

Outside the Hundred Flowers Sect.

Zhang Huan and Shui Yunji had already changed into the Demon Suppression Guard uniform, the kirin uniform and Demon Suppression Blade. They looked quite the part, full of spirit and energy.

Each of them rode a Chasing Wind Horse, with long Soul-Locking Chains hooking two constantly screaming figures, who were none other than Young Master Ling Xiao and Ye Tianshi, the remnant of Qingfeng Stronghold, as they circled around.

This had become a daily training exercise for the Demon Suppression Guard, a peculiar sight.

The two saw Chu Jiang arrive.

They quickly dismounted to greet him.

“Your subordinate Zhang Huan greets Commander Chu!”

“Your subordinate Shui Yunji greets Commander Chu!”

Chu Jiang smiled faintly and said, “How is it, are you adapting?”

Both of them said they were adapting.

The treatment for the Demon Suppression Guard was exceptionally good. Both of them regretted not joining earlier.

Chu Jiang turned his head to look at Young Master Ling Xiao, the Young Sect Master of the Purple Flame Demon Sect, “The Purple Flame Demon Sect has come to ransom you. Write down the Purple Flame Demon Sect’s palm techniques for me, at least two Vajra Realm ones and one Grandmaster Realm one!”

“When you finish writing them, this Qianhu will let you go.”

The Purple Flame Demon Sect was famous for its palm techniques, hailed as the top palm Sect in Yun Province. Integrating his palm techniques would surely form a powerful palm technique.

He no longer held any hope that the Purple Flame Demon Sect would come to ransom him.

The Purple Flame Demon Sect had already regarded him as a discarded pawn.

Now, he only needed to wring out his last bit of value before executing him.

Young Master Ling Xiao, whose pipa bone had been pierced, showed great joy upon hearing the words “Purple Flame Demon Sect.” “The Sect really hasn't forgotten me. Now that they’ve gathered enough ransom, they’ve finally come to save me.”

“I am the Young Sect Master of the Purple Flame Demon Sect; the Sect definitely won't abandon me. It must be Revered Master who overruled all objections and decided to use the ransom to save me.”

Ever since he was captured by Chu Jiang, he had been living a life worse than pigs and dogs. The next day he woke up, all that awaited him was endless torment.

He was on the verge of collapse.

Fortunately, the Sect hadn't forgotten him.

He decided that after he returned, he would properly repay the Sect and his Revered Master for their life-saving grace.

“Starting today, you will no longer suffer. When you finish writing, you can leave!”

Chu Jiang said expressionlessly.

“Give me a pen, I’ll write immediately!”

“However, I need to recover. My body is really too painful; I’m afraid I can’t hold the pen!”

Young Master Ling Xiao shouted. The Purple Flame Demon Sect must have reached an agreement with Chu Jiang.

Him writing down the Sect’s profound martial arts for Chu Jiang was also part of the exchange.

It wasn't considered betraying the Sect.

He didn't want to stay in this wretched place for another moment.

Chu Jiang gave a look, and someone immediately went to prepare paper and a pen.

“Commander Chu, did the Sect say anything about saving me? I am also a Named Disciple of the Purple Flame Demon Sect Revered Master. They wouldn’t forget me.”

Ye Tianshi cried out miserably. He was only in the Innate Realm and his pipa bone had been pierced. He didn’t have the strong Physical Body of the Vajra Realm. He felt that in two more days,

He would die here.

“You? The Purple Flame Demon Sect says they have no such Disciple. Give up.”

“They only said they’d save Young Master Ling Xiao, not you.”

Chu Jiang said disdainfully, not forgetting to kill with his words as he spoke.

“What?”

Ye Tianshi heard these words like a bolt from the blue. His eyes instantly went black, and he nearly fainted on the ground. He could not accept this cruel reality.

“Young Lord, save me!”

“Young Lord, weren’t your twenty-seven concubines introduced by me?”

Ye Tianshi looked at Young Master Ling Xiao, no longer calling him Senior Brother, but Young Lord.

He began to claim kinship.

“Scram!”

“The Sect’s resources are only enough to save me alone. As for you, are you even worthy?”

Young Master Ling Xiao said fiercely. If he saved him, wouldn’t he die instead?

Are you crazy, or am I crazy?

It was just one concubine. As long as he returned alive, he could have as many as he wanted.

“You…”

Hearing Young Master Ling Xiao’s heartless words.

He knew he had no chance of survival.

Ye Tianshi’s face turned ashen, like a sheet of paper. His body swayed a few times, like a flickering candle in the wind, ready to extinguish at any moment. His eyes were filled with despair and pain, as if the entire world was collapsing before him.

“Pfft!”

A mouthful of vital blood spurted out, and his last breath dissipated.

Ye Tianshi, deceased.

“Good riddance, saves me the trouble of seeing him every day!”

Young Master Ling Xiao said with a sneer, without the slightest hint of regret.

“Your adopted son died, and you have no reaction?” Jin Rilun, the elder brother among the pipa army, said indifferently, looking at Xiao Tianxiong with some surprise.

“Man is the butcher, I am the fish!”

“Early death is a release!”

“If he died, he died. Would yelling, ‘My son, don’t die,’ make him not die?”

Xiao Tianxiong said softly.

“By the way, Big Brother, do you think this fiend really intends to let him go?”

“Perhaps!”

Jin Rilun did not say it explicitly. From his understanding of Chu Jiang, Young Master Ling Xiao was already a dead man. The moment he finished writing the Purple Flame Demon Sect’s martial arts was the moment of his demise.

So he couldn't say it.

If he ruined that fiend’s plan, he would suffer again.

Xiao Tianxiong lowered his gaze and said nothing more.

…

Seven days later.

The stars twinkled, sprinkling light upon the earth.

Shining on Qingya Residence.

“I will leave tomorrow morning.”

“I’ve left you some Cultivation resources. Refine them as soon as possible. I don’t want my future wife to be a weak woman.”

Chu Jiang left her several Vajra Realm True Essence Medicinal Pills and over a dozen Spirit Medicines.

“Won’t you stay a few more days?”

As soon as Sikong Miaoyin spoke, she felt she had said something useless.

Chu Jiang said he was leaving, so he naturally had a mission.

It was just that after spending so much time with him, she suddenly felt an emptiness beside her.

She was still a little unaccustomed to it.

These days, they had done everything short of breaking through the final layer of the window paper.

Her whole body had been seen, her whole body had been touched.

Once, she was even massaged by Chu Jiang while half-naked.

This was something only a married couple would do.

“No, I, this Lord, still have to save the common people from suffering. How can I indulge in beauty?”

Chu Jiang said solemnly.

“Come here…”

Sikong Miaoyin’s face flushed as she spoke to Chu Jiang.

“Closer!”

“What are you doing? Are you going to molest this Lord? This Lord vows to never…”

Before Chu Jiang could finish his sentence, his head was embraced by a pair of hands as white as jade, pulling him closer to her. Soon, his lips were sealed by a fragrant pair of lips.

The gentle touch made him lose himself for a moment.

But how could a man let a woman take the initiative? He extended an arm, wrapped it around Sikong Miaoyin’s waist, and actively kissed her.

Their skin touched intimately, almost merging into one.

Sorry, saving the common people can wait a few more minutes.

Sikong Miaoyin’s delicate body trembled, but she did not resist.

This kiss lasted for a long time.

After a while, the two separated.

Sikong Miaoyin, her face flushed like a ripe apple, lowered her head and said, “My lord, please go; do not worry about me!”

“Is this a parting gift?”

Chu Jiang looked at Sikong Miaoyin in his arms and said.

Sikong Miaoyin nodded shyly. This was her first time kissing a man.

And he was her only man.

“I haven’t tasted it yet. Shall we do it again?”

Chu Jiang said with a mischievous smile.

“Don’t push your luck. We’ll talk about it later!” Sikong Miaoyin said coquettishly.

“If you say so…”

“Don’t mess around… I gave you my first kiss!” Sikong Miaoyin’s delicate body trembled, thinking Chu Jiang was going to do something bad again.

In reality, he didn’t.

Chu Jiang simply held her, enjoying the lingering warmth.

Sikong Miaoyin soon fell asleep in Chu Jiang’s arms.

The next morning.

When Sikong Miaoyin awoke from the bed, she looked around and found that Chu Jiang had indeed left. The sense of loss in her heart deepened a few points.

A letter was left on the table.

After opening it:

“Do what you want boldly. I’ve got your back. If there’s danger, remember to send a message!”

It was a simple sentence, yet it couldn't help but warm one's heart.

Sikong Miaoyin’s lips unconsciously curved into a faint smile, and she murmured, “This guy, it’s rare for him to be so serious for once.”

Her gaze passed through the window, looking into the distance, and she whispered, “May we both be completely renewed and even more splendid when we meet again.”

...