Chapter 18 Evil Cultivation Methods

"Back then, when my elder brother and I had our Spiritual Roots tested together, we both clearly had Heaven-grade Spiritual Roots. I am not inferior to him!

Even if he had better resources in Zhongzhou, it's impossible for such a massive gap to open up. On what basis could he reach the Void Refining stage!?"

Seeing Wang Teng's grief-stricken appearance, the Clan Elder sighed and gave a meaningful smile.

"Teng'er, do you think Young Master Aotian took an ordinary path?"

"What do you mean?" Wang Teng was stunned.

The Clan Elder placed his hands behind his back. "The reason the Zhongzhou Wang Family can stand tall is not only due to its deep foundations but because... we dare to break the rules."

"The technique Young Master Aotian Cultivates is the clan's secret inheritance, the 'Yin-Yang Creation Great Compassion Ode'."

"This Cultivation Technique is overbearing and peerless, with extremely rapid progress. Its only flaw is that it is a bit... improper."

"Improper?"

"Indeed. This technique requires an Extreme Yin Body as a Cauldron to perform the art of 'plucking and supplementing'. For every minor Realm Breakthrough, one must... ahem, sacrifice the Primordial Yin of a hundred female cultivators, and even refine their essence blood to fuse into one's own body."

"To let Young Master Aotian Breakthrough to Void Refining, the main branch spent a total of three thousand female cultivators at the Foundation Establishment Stage, and even ten Golden Core Stage Cauldrons..."

Hiss—

Hearing these numbers, Wang Teng's scalp went numb.

Three thousand Foundation Establishments! Ten Golden Cores! All just to fulfill one person's Great Dao of Void Refining?

"...This is simply the method of an evil cultivator!" Wang Teng cried out in shock. "If this gets out, the Righteous Path Alliance will surely rise up and attack us..."

"Shh!"

The Clan Elder's expression changed, and he laid down a Restriction nearby, shouting sternly, "Watch your words! What evil cultivator? This is the Great Dao! This is the price that must be paid for the prosperity of the Family!"

The Clan Elder chuckled and walked forward to pat his shoulder. "Teng'er, tell me."

"Does the process matter?"

"Those female cultivators are dead, like ants. But Young Master Aotian is now a genuine Void Refining powerhouse!"

"Besides, you tell me... is he Void Refining or not?"

"..."

Wang Teng stood dazed, but thinking from another perspective, if he were his elder brother, he would probably have been even more ruthless.

At this thought, a look of ruthlessness flashed in his eyes. "As long as I can become stronger... what does it matter if some outsiders are sacrificed?"

"Hahaha! Good! The fact that you can understand this shows that you have truly grown up!"

The Clan Elder laughed with relief. "He who achieves great things does not bother with trifles! Teng'er, your Heart-Nature finally resembles someone from our Wang Family."

Wang Teng lowered his head, looking at his hands, secretly delighted.

Since the Family had such a shortcut, did that mean... he would also have a chance in the future?

Thinking of this, his dejection was swept away.

"Clan Elder!"

Wang Teng looked up. "Since my elder brother is here, do I still need to continue my three months of reflection?"

"Reflection? Reflect on my ass!"

The Clan Elder sneered. "That was just for the Qingyun Sect to see! Did you really think we would let you suffer here for three months?"

"Don't worry, the Family has already settled things with that Vice Sect Master of the Qingyun Sect. That Vice Sect Master has always been at odds with Ye Wentian. Having taken our benefits, he will naturally turn a blind eye."

"Starting tonight, you can leave the Cliff of Reflection."

The Clan Elder instructed, "However, for the sake of the big picture, do not show your face in front of Sect Master Ye Wentian or that Old Ancestor Qingxuan for the time being. After all, they are currently favoring that Gu Heng, so we should avoid the brunt of it."

"Then I..."

"Go to the North Province!"

A smile appeared in the Clan Elder's eyes. "The good place I've arranged for you is in the North Province."

"Recently, because of the heaven-reaching tower, the East Province will surely be turbulent and unsettled. Staying here won't help, and you'll likely invite trouble."

"It's better to go to the North Province to lie low."

Wang Teng was taken aback. "North Province? Isn't that a desolate, cold land? It's all Yao Beasts and barbarians, what good place could there be?"

"Hehe, you don't understand."

The Clan Elder stroked his beard and smiled. "Although the environment in the North Province is harsh, precisely because it is far from the central authority, it has bred many 'pleasures' that the East Province lacks."

"The Family has some connections with the top power of the North Province, the 'Paradise Demon Sect'. They have built a 'Xiaoyao City' on the edge of the Far North Ice Field."

"That place... is a man's paradise."

The Clan Elder winked. "Wine, meat, and stunning enchantresses—everything you could want. Moreover... there are many 'special cultivation resources' prepared for you by the Family. You only need to have fun there for a few months. Once the heat dies down or Young Master Aotian comes out of the tower, you can return."

Special cultivation resources?

Wang Teng understood instantly, and his breathing became rapid.

"Thank you, Clan Elder! Thank you for the Family's cultivation!

Teng'er will surely 'Cultivate' well and not fail the Family's high expectations!"

"Mhm, go then."

The Clan Elder nodded with satisfaction and tossed him a teleportation talisman. "This is a targeted teleportation talisman that can send you directly outside Xiaoyao City. Remember, keep a low profile and don't disappoint your elder brother."

...

At the same time.

Qingyun Sect, Handyman Peak.

Moonlight like water spilled before the small hut.

Inside, the oil lamp flickered silently.

Gu Heng was packing his things.

"This broom... throw it away."

"This tattered bedding... throw it away."

"This 'Utility Disciple Code of Conduct'... burn it."

"Phew..."

Gu Heng looked around the empty room and stretched.

"Finally, I don't have to live this miserable life of waking up early to sweep floors and watching people's faces."

"Next, I'll go to the North Province, find some big monsters to grind, raise my cultivation, and then..."

A look of anticipation flashed in Gu Heng's eyes.

Then he could live freely and leisurely in this world of immortal cultivation.

Whatever heaven-reaching tower, whatever powerhouses, or the Five Saints of Zhongzhou—as long as his fists were hard enough, they were all just scenery.

"That's about it, time to go."

Gu Heng was about to blow out the oil lamp.

Suddenly!

He seemed to sense something, and his brows furrowed slightly.

In his Divine Sense, a familiar figure was pacing back and forth outside the door.

They seemed to be holding something in their hand, looking very conflicted.

Gu Heng shook his head. "Stop wandering outside and come in."

Creak—

As the wooden door pushed open, a cold wind mixed with moonlight poured in.

Ma Datou crept into the room and gently closed the door behind him.

He lowered his head, his hands rubbing nervously against his clothes, his eyes wandering, not daring to look directly at Gu Heng.

"Sen... Senior."

Ma Datou's voice trembled slightly. "Um... this little one knew that with Senior's methods, going to the banquet at the Guest Welcoming Hall would definitely make you stand out and gain the favor of the Old Ancestor and the Sect Master..."

Gu Heng tossed the tattered clothes in his hand aside, turned around, and looked at him with a half-smile.

"Enough."

Gu Heng shook his head and sat on the edge of the bed. "Stop sucking up. In the middle of the night, instead of counting Spirit Stones in your blankets, what are you doing here? Speak your mind."

Ma Datou let out two awkward laughs.

"Senior... to tell you the truth, I'm here to deliver a message."

Ma Datou swallowed. "Just a short while ago, in the mountains near Baihua City, a terrifying Soul Transformation Qi fluctuation was detected."

Saying so,

He cautiously glanced at Gu Heng. "If I'm not mistaken... someone must have been sent to assassinate you, right?"

Gu Heng's eyebrows raised slightly.

Interesting.

This Ma Datou was just a Qi Refining Middle Stage outer sect manager who usually just managed handymen and embezzled some Spirit Stones. How could he be so sensitive to that level of combat fluctuation?

And how did he find out so quickly?

"For a manager, your news is quite well-informed. You can even track the movements of the Soul Transformation Stage?"

Thud!

Ma Datou knelt directly on the ground.

"Senior, please forgive me! I have no intention of prying into Senior's secrets!"

"I... I'm just here to repay your kindness! If Senior wanted to kill me, it would be as simple as crushing an ant. But Senior chose not to, and that kindness is enough for Ma Datou to never forget!"

"Also, although my cultivation is low and I'm not good at it, I have... planted a few informants."

Ma Datou looked up, his eyes firm. "I venture to say that those assassins come from the 'Blood Fiend Sect'. And the one who hired them is the East Province Wang Family branch! That is... the Family behind Wang Teng!"

A flash of surprise appeared in Gu Heng's eyes, then returned to calm.

He spoke casually, "I naturally know who sent them. Wang Teng's little schemes aren't worth my concern."

"However, you ran over here in the middle of the night; surely it wasn't just to tell me this nonsense I already know?"

"Yes... yes!"

Ma Datou scrambled up and pulled out a crumpled piece of cloth from his chest. "Besides the message, I... have something else to offer to Senior."

"Oh?"

Gu Heng became interested. "What is it?"

Ma Datou did not hesitate and lifted the cloth.

"Senior, look."

The moonlight fell, reflecting on the object in his palm.

Gu Heng glanced at it casually.

It was just that one glance.

His pupils suddenly shrank as if struck by lightning, and his leg-shaking motion froze in place.