65: Take in Nie Xiaoqian and obtain the Ksitigarbha Dharma

The verdant tree heart entered his hand, and a rich vitality permeated his heart and lungs.

The refined Wood Qi contained within it far surpassed the essence of the five qi gathering tree heart he obtained from Lake Heart Island back then.

"However, in terms of quality, it's far inferior..."

Gu Changsheng silently compared the two.

The tree demon's main body was likely a vine-type demon plant, at most a Profound-grade.

The five qi gathering tree, on the other hand, was Earth-grade.

Heaven and Earth have their own rules.

The higher the grade of plants, rocks, and rivers, the harder it is for them to gain sentience and cultivate into demons.

Therefore, the five qi gathering tree on Lake Heart Island, despite being planted for over a thousand years, still couldn't take human form.

"The quality of this demon core is also a bit poor... barely eighth-grade.

No wonder its methods were mediocre.

Among those of the same rank, it was at the bottom tier."

Gu Changsheng was a bit disdainful.

True Cores are divided into three grades: upper, middle, and lower, with every three grades.

It is rumored that above the first-grade, there are even supreme-grade True Cores.

However, for a True Core to advance from first-grade to supreme-grade, not to mention the massive resources consumed, it also requires a stroke of Opportunity.

"Fortunately, my lotus root Incarnation inherently possesses high quality.

After refining this demon core, and slowly tempering and nurturing it, its grade still has a chance to improve..."

Putting the two items into his pouch, Gu Changsheng began to copy the demon tree's image.

"I wonder what kind of secret art or cultivation method a True Core Realm great demon can grant me..."

Gu Changsheng's eyes showed a hint of anticipation.

Possessing two Heaven-grade cultivation methods,

He no longer cared for ordinary cultivation methods or secret arts.

His paintings were no longer confined to specific subjects.

Peddlers, beggars on the street, courtesans... whatever caught his interest, he would illustrate into a scroll.

Although he didn't gain any useful secret arts, the speed at which he acquired Lifespan greatly accelerated.

Therefore, in ten years, his Lifespan exceeded ten thousand years.

This was even under the premise of consuming his essence to condense blood essence pearls and improve the grade of his techniques.

Otherwise, his Lifespan would have been far greater.

As the last stroke was completed, a vivid depiction of a 'Demon Vine Covering the World' appeared on the scroll.

At the same time, a flash of spiritual light surged into his glabella.

A new technique immediately appeared on his panel.

【Rapid Growth Technique: By feeding plants and spiritual herbs with blood, flesh, and essence, their growth can be accelerated. (Spiritually abundant flesh and blood are preferred)】

"No wonder that tree demon had been luring and devouring living people for hundreds of years..."

To demons, Mortals were just talking two-legged sheep.

They reproduced extremely quickly; one crop harvested, another grew.

As long as they didn't slaughter entire cities or villages, they would hardly attract the attention of high-level Human Race Cultivators.

"This technique... could be used on the five qi gathering tree..."

Gu Changsheng's eyes flickered slightly.

He vaguely had a plan in mind.

Leaving aside the quality of flesh and blood essence,

There were quite a few species with reproductive capabilities that surpassed the Human Race.

Descending to the ground.

Li Fuchen and the others immediately came forward and respectfully bowed.

"Li Fuchen (Wu Mingyue, Zuo Sansi) thanks Senior for saving us."

"No matter, this seat is Dan Chenzi.

This demon was originally prey that this seat had set his sights on.

Whether you appeared or not, this seat would have acted."

Gu Changsheng waved his hand and turned to Li Fuchen, saying, "It's you, Youngster... in a time of crisis, you didn't forget to save others... such Cultivators are very rare.

Very good... this seat has never liked to owe Karma.

Your intention to save this seat is the cause, so this seat shall bestow upon you a good result."

Before Li Fuchen could respond, a finger tapped his glabella.

In a daze, Li Fuchen felt a gray, ethereal Sword Qi emerge in his Soul Sea.

Just a slight feeling made him tremble with fear.

"Senior, this is..."

Li Fuchen said in surprise.

"A life for a life... in a moment of crisis, this Divine Ability can save your life."

So it was a Divine Ability!

That was a technique that only True Core Realm Old Ancestors could condense.

Its heavenly might was vast, far beyond what Mortals could fathom.

The Imperial Princess and Left Commander exchanged glances, both revealing expressions of envy.

After a pause, Imperial Princess Wu Mingyue, with a struggling expression, stepped forward: "Senior is a Loose Cultivator, right...?"

"What if I am? What if I'm not?"

'He didn't directly deny it...'

A hint of surprise flashed in Wu Mingyue's eyes: "Senior's cultivation is heaven-reaching, rarely seen in the world.

Why not come to my Great Shang?

With Senior's Divine Ability, you would be among the top five enshrined.

At that time, cultivation methods, rare treasures, resources, and even... Ancestor Yin's hidden records, might not be inaccessible to you."

Gu Changsheng narrowed his eyes and scrutinized Wu Mingyue.

'This little girl is not simple... her skill at 'drawing a pie' is definitely not inferior to my painting.

Too bad... I, the Daoist, am not falling for that.'

"This seat is accustomed to being a free spirit, and I'm not used to staying in the Dragon Court, so I'm afraid I cannot enjoy such fortune..."

Gu Changsheng decisively refused.

Wu Mingyue sighed inwardly.

But she also knew that Cultivators who reached the True Core Realm had resolute personalities, and their decisions would not easily change.

To pester him further would be counterproductive.

The group soon bowed and departed.

Watching Wu Mingyue's retreating figure, Gu Changsheng's face showed a playful smile.

Under his Qi Observation Technique,

Her original golden Luck had actually given birth to a trace of Qi, connecting with his own body, transforming into the appearance of a purple heart fire.

In an instant, his Luck became even more intense.

"Burning Heart Fire... enhancing Luck..."

Gu Changsheng silently calculated.

This technique was a secret art from the Heart Fire chapter of the Five Viscera Method.

With the destruction of the Five Viscera Temple, the Heart Fire lineage suffered heavy casualties, and fewer and fewer people knew this secret art.

Yet, this Heart Fire was subtly resonating with his own body... "Is it that Disciple of mine...?"

The image of a young boatman appeared in Gu Changsheng's mind.

He shook his head.

It was just a casual move, after all.

His gaze turned to the dilapidated Lanruo Temple in the distance.

He still remembered that the divination had subtly revealed an Opportunity for a Buddhist sect there.

A flash of light, and he stepped inside.

What met his eyes was a scene of dead travelers, and the female ghosts and vengeful spirits had also dissipated.

Suddenly, a groan reached his ears.

His gaze shifted.

It was Nie Xiaoqian, on the verge of death.

At this moment, she lay on the ground, her body gradually becoming transparent, and Yin Qi constantly escaping from her.

She was just waiting for dawn, for the rooster's crow, before her Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering.

"Immortal Senior, save me..."

When Nie Xiaoqian saw Gu Changsheng, it was as if a drowning person had grasped the last straw.

"Save you?

You helped the tree demon lure and harm countless living people. How many have you killed?"

Gu Changsheng's eyes were indifferent.

"It was all against my will... that old demon held my urn, and used a secret demonic fire to burn my soul.

The pain was unbearable... Moreover, although I lured people, I specifically chose the wicked and the depraved... If Immortal Senior can save me, I am willing to turn over a new leaf and serve as your slave forever."

After a moment of thought, Gu Changsheng nodded slightly.

'Just right, I'm still missing a trusted person by my side... and... the upcoming breeding plan also needs a helper.'

Gu Changsheng sent out a black Qi, which submerged into Nie Xiaoqian's body, immediately stabilizing her soul.

"Thank you, Master."

"From now on, call me Young Master."

"Yes, Young Master."

Soon, a blue-patterned white porcelain urn was dug out.

Nie Xiaoqian's aura emanated from it.

With a movement of his palm, it was placed into his yin toad pouch.

Gu Changsheng arrived at the main hall.

In the center of the main hall, the gilded Buddha statue was enshrined, its eyes rolling, strangely eerie.

Under his Spirit Eye Technique, the gilded Buddha statue faded its light, transforming into a fierce, fleshy Buddha.

Its body was covered in maggots, wriggling.

In a trance, a golden light flickered in its abdomen.

"It's inside, as expected..."

Gu Changsheng's eyes sharpened, and he activated the purple heart fire on his fingertip.

In a few swift moves, he incinerated and evaporated the entire fleshy Buddha, revealing a brilliant golden body in its abdomen.

As the ancient saying goes, before an enlightened eminent monk passed away, if he felt an omen, he would instruct his Disciples to bathe and cleanse him, paint him with gold powder, and seal him in an earthen jar.

The bottom of the jar would be layered with fine charcoal, sulfur powder, sandalwood... and various medicinal herbs and spices.

After a hundred days, the jar would be opened, and the eminent monk would see the light of day again.

His body would transform into a golden Buddha, his Physical Body uncorrupted, as if alive.

A Physical Body golden Buddha presiding over a temple could ward off ghosts and command spirits.

"The Opportunity was here after all..."

Gu Changsheng smiled slightly, took out his sketchbook, and began to draw.

A moment later, a new contemplation method appeared on his panel.

【Deliverance Earth Store Method (Earth)】