69: Beast Control and World-shaking Power

【Nine Refinement Iron Fir Method (Earth Grade)】

【Introduction: Created by Old Ancestor Helian, practitioners must sew their skin with iron fir bark, seal the ten major vital points of their body with iron fir wooden nails, and bury their body within an iron fir tree. After a hundred days, the bark will fuse with the body, and the method can be mastered.】

The iron fir is a Profound Grade spiritual plant.

Every thirty years, an outer layer of bark grows.

As the tree ages, the bark that grew first becomes increasingly tough.

After three nines, or two hundred and seventy years, nine layers of bark, each with a different degree of toughness, will have fully grown.

The first layer is as tough as oxhide, able to resist blunt force trauma, comparable to the Iron Shirt of mortal martial arts.

The second layer is like soft gold and precious jade... The ninth layer is both rigid and flexible, making one indestructible.

Gu Changsheng pointed into the Void Realm.

A massive amount of lifespan was consumed, and endless insights flooded his mind.

When he opened his eyes, the Nine Refinement Iron Fir Method had already advanced to the seventh stage.

“This cultivation method indeed has some ingenious ideas; it actually takes the mortal martial art Iron Shirt as its inspiration.”

“Although its name contains the character ‘iron,’ it is a genuine wood-element cultivation method…”

“This method is quite suitable for you…”

Gu Changsheng flicked his finger, and a wisp of spiritual light entered Yuan Lian Avatar’s mind.

Immediately, Yuan Lian Avatar’s Divine Soul sea became a Chaos, and a segment of memory appeared.

“This method is truly wonderful.”

“With this, my Body Refining cultivation can also improve…”

A look of pleasant surprise appeared in Yuan Lian Avatar’s eyes.

His body was a Earth Grade netherworld extinguishing lotus, inherently extraordinary.

He also cultivated the Earth Grade Five Viscera Method.

However, his cultivation years were still short, and he had no handy Magic Treasure, so facing veteran Old Ancestors, he would inevitably be at a disadvantage.

If his Body Refining cultivation improved, his combat power would undoubtedly increase significantly.

Gu Changsheng opened his feather pouch, and with a pull of black Qi, dozens of black seeds floated in his palm.

These were iron fir tree seeds.

The Helian family had accumulated these for over a hundred years, which saved him the trouble of searching.

“Tong Er, you and Yuan Lian will plant these tree seeds all over the island…”

Gu Changsheng clapped his hand, and a verdant green light shot out from the heart of the tree.

At this moment, Azure Dragon Child’s horns were prominent, and although his appearance hadn't changed, still that of a fair-skinned, stern Tong Er, his vital Qi of wood was incredibly dense.

His aura was also rapidly strengthening.

He was not far from transforming into a Magic Treasure.

“Yes, Master.”

Soon, two streaks of light shot out of the Immortal Cave.

Gu Changsheng, meanwhile, began to draw again.

This time, it was a portrait of Crane Flock Sect’s Grand Elder, Fang Pinghai.

A moment later, a Daoist Magic appeared on the panel.

【Beast Control Art】

This is a method for controlling and enslaving beasts.

When cultivated to a profound level, even Vicious Beasts and Yao Beasts can be used for one's own purposes.

“This Daoist Magic is quite interesting; the enslaved objects are not limited to cranes… Furthermore, aside from controlling beasts for combat, it also contains various techniques for raising and breeding beasts.”

“This is quite different from what I originally thought.”

“Thus, it will be quite helpful for the grand plan of future breeding…”

The Rapid Growth Art required a large amount of blood and essence.

Gu Changsheng had already planned to raise livestock, compensating for quality with quantity.

After enjoying the benefits, his gaze fell upon the feather pouch.

A moment later, a smile appeared in Gu Changsheng’s eyes.

“As expected of a True Core force with a Legacy spanning several hundred years, the spiritual Materials are so abundant… There are also many Materials for refining Magic Treasures.”

Roughly estimating, the Five Elements spiritual Materials inside were enough to sustain the five qi gathering tree for a hundred years.

In addition, it contained a massive amount of various pills and cultivation methods.

Although their grades might not be high, occasional insights could still provide a spark of inspiration.

Soon, Gu Changsheng put away the feather pouch, and with a wave of his hand, two True Core Corpse bodies flew near the roots of the five qi gathering tree.

Immediately, countless roots wriggled like pythons, their tendril-like tips piercing through the mouths of the Corpse bodies, coiling around them, and slowly devouring them.

In a trance, the five qi gathering tree emitted a joyful thought.

Under the Rapid Growth Art, its root system grew and expanded rapidly.

“Two True Core Realm Corpse bodies… one of them even a Body Cultivator, with abundant Qi and blood.”

“What a pity… Before the Profound Cave Realm, refining Corpse bodies into Incarnations carries considerable risks… they can only benefit this tree for nothing…”

Gu Changsheng silently watched the two Corpse bodies gradually turn into Ku Gu.

The Yellow Springs Free and Unfettered Wonderful Method uses all things as refining objects.

Spirits of plants, demons, Refined Corpse, Cultivators… all are acceptable.

However, at the True Core Realm, forcibly refining demons or Cultivators, even if successful, would cause the Divine Soul to be repelled by the body due to incompatible Innate attributes.

Unless it was a fetus or a Yao Beast egg.

Their Innate Divine Souls are weak and pure, not yet fully consolidated with their Physical Body.

Only then can they be refined.

At this stage, spirits of plants are still superior.

“Perhaps, in the future, I can consider a method for Puppet Refined Corpse… That way, they wouldn’t be wasted.”

Gu Changsheng flicked his finger, and a purple fireball landed on the remaining bones, burning them to ashes in an instant.

The light beneath his feet swirled, and it wasn't long before he returned to Chenping County.

At the same time, the news of the annihilation of the two major True Core forces spread, instantly shocking countless Sects.

“Two major True Core forces… all wiped out in a single day… This Old Ancestor Yuan Lian is terrifying!”

“From now on, there is another formidable figure in the world whom no one can afford to provoke.”

“It’s also Old Monster Fang and Old Ghost Helian’s fault for being so arrogant.”

“They wanted to snatch anything good they saw, but who knew they’d kick an iron plate… Indeed, who could have imagined that a mere Loose Cultivator could take on two True Core Ancestors and easily eliminate them? That Yuanlian Island is truly off-limits…”

“Greed has always moved people’s hearts.”

“That was the precious Legacy of the Five Viscera Temple—the five qi gathering tree.”

“To obtain it would ensure the continuation of a True Core Dao Legacy…”

The various Sects sighed endlessly.

They all, by unspoken agreement, began to restrain their Disciples, forbidding them from easily provoking Loose Cultivators.

At the same time, Yuanlian Island was designated a Forbidden Ground, and entry within a thousand li radius was prohibited.

Soon, this news reached Ding Province and the Carefree Scholar’s ears.

“Old Ancestor Yuan Lian… five qi gathering tree… It seems that the fragment of the tree heart from back then fell into this person’s hands… He has some Opportunity.”

“Unfortunately, I have important matters to attend to recently and cannot spare the time; otherwise, I would definitely pay him a visit…”

In the secret chamber, Carefree Scholar Guan Ping’s eyes shone brightly, and he manipulated Daoist Magic with his hands, causing countless runes on the wall to light up.

It was actually a rare Formation Dao.

In Chaoge City, a hidden stronghold.

The dim light illuminated more than a dozen Daoist figures.

They were all dressed in gray Daoist robes, but the embroidered patterns on their sleeves differed.

Some had purple heart fire, others azure kidney water… They were the remnants of the Five Viscera Temple.

In the main seat, Yan Qing looked at everyone, his face full of emotion.

He recalled how prosperous the Five Viscera Temple once was.

With tens of thousands of Daoist children, a single Pill Appreciation Assembly attracted countless Sects to seek entry, and True Dan Grandmaster Lu Taishang’s power shook the world.

But now, only a dozen Daoist children remained.

Among the Foundation Building Realm, besides him, Yan Qing, there was not a single other person.

Perhaps experience makes one grow.

Having gone through the great ascension tribulation, he had narrowly escaped death.

After more than ten years of hiding and experiencing the cold realities of human nature… The current Yan Qing had long shed his naivety and become much more mature and steady.

“Senior Brother, on that Yuanlian Island… there is a five qi gathering tree…”

A gray-robed Daoist child said with red eyes.

At these words, many Daoist children wept.

They remembered how the five qi gathering tree was once a spiritual plant exclusive to the Five Viscera Temple.

Times had changed, and their Sect’s precious tree now appeared elsewhere.

How could it not shake their hearts?

“Alas…”

Yan Qing sighed silently, then his eyes gradually sharpened, and he said loudly, “The world is bustling, all for profit.”

“Now, if our Five Viscera Temple wants to restore its Dao Legacy, we must demonstrate our value and obtain cultivation resources by relying on the Great Shang Imperial Court.”

“But now, only you, Senior Brother, are a Spirit Building Stage cultivator… We… are too weak…”

Below, someone muttered softly.

Weakness meant uselessness.

They wouldn't even be wanted as dogs.

“It’s alright, I’ve already connected with Chancellor Jia.”

“As long as we present the five minerals powder to the Emperor and win his favor, why worry about not having cultivation resources?”

“Chancellor Jia… five minerals powder…”

Everyone exchanged glances, their expressions grim.

The Imperial Court’s Chancellor Jia, named Jia Sidao, was a favorite of the current Emperor, but in the common folk, he was notorious, cursed as a traitor who brought disaster upon the nation.

The five minerals powder was even considered a type of aphrodisiac, despised by Daoists.

Even if its efficacy far surpassed the red pills concocted by Jianghu sorcerers.

If they truly resorted to this, the Five Viscera Temple’s last bit of reputation would be completely lost.

In the main seat, Yan Qing gritted his teeth, his fingernails digging deep into his flesh, drawing a trace of fresh blood.

How could he not understand the embarrassment of it all?

But reality was dire, and there was no other choice!

His expression was dazed, his gaze distant, as if returning to that ascension assembly.

Blood, severed limbs, wails… until… Xin Huo Pulse Master fell.

In a green jade box, a crimson infant tree fruit lay quietly.

‘Just endure a little longer… until I cultivate to the Peak of Foundation Building…’