Chapter 18: The Hell Cave (Part Five)

Yao Qian had considered pausing her practice of the Solar Qi Gathering Technique, but because she cultivated Yin-Yang True Qi rather than pure Taiyin True Qi, she knew she would never successfully reach the Foundation Establishment stage if she practiced only the latter. She opened the manual of Daoist arts that Pei Changqing had provided, hoping to find a solution within.

The very first entry in the directory was a technique called the "Asura Spike." It was noted as being both a technique for spiritual objects—allowing one to manipulate items with their spirit—and a method for refining magical artifacts. Because of this dual utility, the merit cost to learn it was significantly higher than others.

Is the "Asura Spike" that same sharp needle I found? Yao Qian wondered. The one she had confiscated seemed quite ordinary in quality; perhaps the previous owner had failed to refine it to its peak potential? Having spent so much time in the cultivation world, she felt a deep longing for the conveniences of modern society. At least back then, knowledge was open, and most information could be found with a simple online search. Here, knowledge was strictly monopolized; she couldn't even find basic details about these arts, let alone their specific focuses, strengths, or weaknesses.

Yao Qian stroked her chin, a sudden thought occurring to her. She hurriedly changed her clothes and rushed to the marketplace. While the sect forbade them from going to the markets at the foot of the mountain, the internal sect market still existed. Perhaps she could find someone there to clear up her confusion.

Using her transformation technique to enter the market, she noticed it was far more crowded than before. Many of those present were clearly disciples who had just emerged from the Yama Cave. As soon as they entered, they were met with enthusiastic shouts: "Magical artifacts! Would you like to buy high-quality artifacts?"

"Talismans! I have top-grade Soul-Severing Talismans here—one talisman, one spirit-beast soul!"

"Yin Spirit Pills! Take one and instantly recover all your spiritual energy..."

The constant barrage of sales pitches made Yao Qian feel as though she had the words "fat sheep" stamped on her forehead. Unfazed, she cast a subtle glance at the high-level cultivators walking by and noticed that the most common artifact people carried was the Three-Yin Flying Fork, with only a few opting for the Asura Spike.

Is the Asura Spike too difficult to master, or is the merit cost simply too high for everyone to afford? Pondering this, she pulled a few Three-Yang Talismans from her storage pouch, only to hear a familiar voice at her ear: "Junior Sister, how much for these Three-Yang Talismans?"

Yao Qian looked up to see the young boy who had traded with her before. She gave a cold smile. "Seventy spirit pearls each."

Seeing her unwelcoming expression, the boy gave a sheepish grin. "Junior Sister, we’re old acquaintances. Can’t you give me a discount?"

Yao Qian replied flatly, "Are you trying to trade your 'family secret technique' for my Three-Yang Talismans again?"

The boy rubbed his nose. "The Blood Demon Body Refining Technique really is my family's legacy." Of course, it was a legacy that just about anyone who had practiced it possessed. He added, "If you’re willing to buy my Blood Demon Body Refining Technique, I’ll teach you how to cultivate it."

Yao Qian sneered internally: I don't believe a word of it! However, she was so starved for information that she relented. "Do you know much about the sect's Daoist arts? Why do more people practice the Three-Yin Flying Fork than the Asura Spike? If you can answer this, I’ll give you five Three-Yang Talismans."

The boy looked around. "Let’s go somewhere quieter to talk."

Yao Qian followed him out of the market without committing to anything. When she saw him leading her toward a secluded area, she stopped cautiously. "Where are you taking me?"

The boy pointed ahead. "There’s a small stream; let's talk by the water." He glanced at her, amused. "Your cultivation is higher than mine. Are you worried I’ll ambush you?"

"You said it yourself—an ambush," Yao Qian replied. "Who knows if you have accomplices?"

The boy rubbed his nose again. "Then you pick a spot?"

Yao Qian raised her chin slightly. "No need, that spot of yours is fine." She figured that with his temperament for swindling, he was lucky not to have been beaten to death; he likely had no accomplices to speak of.

The boy grumbled to himself: Are all women fickle? Even little girls? He led her to the stream, and they sat by the bank. "Where are the Three-Yang Talismans?"

Yao Qian handed him one. "That’s your deposit."

The boy took it without hesitation. "The Asura Spike is the best Daoist art available to us outer disciples. Have you been to the market to buy talisman paper? Have you seen a Soul-Severing Talisman?"

Yao Qian nodded.

"The Asura Spike is the foundational technique for the Soul-Severing Talisman," the boy explained.

Yao Qian was stunned. "The Asura Spike is a soul-attack technique?" Soul-based arts were rare, and offensive ones even more so.

"Yes," the boy said. "It’s not just an offensive art; it’s a defensive one that protects the soul. If you master it, you can attack with your spirit even at the Opening Aperture stage. Once you reach Foundation Establishment, with a little further practice, you can forge a Soul-Severing Blade."

The boy, hoping to trick a few more talismans out of her, spilled everything he knew. "However, the talent requirements are extremely high. Many people can't master it even after reaching Foundation Establishment or Golden Core. It also costs a lot of contribution points, so most outer disciples don’t bother."

Yao Qian asked, "Besides that, what other good arts are there for outer disciples?"

"The Three-Yin Flying Fork," the boy replied instantly. "It’s a combination of a technique and artifact forging. You gather pure Yin energy to condense the forks and then use your spiritual sense to control them. The more forks you condense and the stronger your sense, the higher the attack power."

"Are you planning to learn the Three-Yin Flying Fork?" Yao Qian asked.

"Yes, it's easier to get started with than the Asura Spike."

Yao Qian thought to herself that her own spiritual sense attacks were just wild, self-taught methods. If she learned the Asura Spike, could she deepen her own techniques? "Are those the only two outstanding arts for outer disciples?"

"There’s also the Yin-Sha Ghost Fire, which is good and well-suited for cultivation in the Yama Cave," he said, pausing. "But don't try to learn too much. Three years is only enough for us to master one art. Don't bite off more than you can chew."

Yao Qian remained silent. You have to eat one bite at a time and take it one step at a time in cultivation. She definitely intended to master one before moving to the next. "Does the sect have any good body-refining techniques?"

"You could practice my body-refining technique!" the boy blurted out. Yao Qian eyed him dangerously, her small fists clenched. Seeing this, he gave a forced laugh. "The Blood Demon Body Refining Technique is actually quite good. It’s suitable for women, too—at least it won't leave you deformed."

Yao Qian scoffed. "Your technique requires Blood Demon Qi. We can't even leave the sect right now; how are we supposed to gather that?"

The boy hesitated. "I can tell you a way to gather it, but it will cost you five more Three-Yang Talismans."

Yao Qian glanced at him and tossed him ten talismans. "What's the method?"

The boy was overjoyed. After stashing the talismans, he said, "There are two ways to cultivate the Blood Demon Body Refining Technique. One is killing living beings to gather the Qi; the other is the Heavenly Demon Dao-Seizure."

Yao Qian was startled. "Heavenly Demon Dao-Seizure?"

"Once you reach Foundation Establishment," the boy said concisely, "you can ask the sect to guide you into the Asura Path, where you can refine Blood Demon Qi using the infinite sea of blood within."

Yao Qian was furious. "If I can reach Foundation Establishment, why would I need to practice the Blood Demon Body Refining Technique?"

The boy coughed. "The better body-refining techniques are meant to be practiced after Foundation Establishment." Seeing her bright eyes sparkling with anger, he felt a rare pang of guilt. Is it really right to keep lying to this naive girl?

For the sake of future gains, he said seriously, "If I were you, I wouldn't waste time on so many arts. Focus on cultivating your state of mind. You'll learn soon enough: the Wuji Sect doesn't lack cultivation methods; what it lacks is the mindset to master them." With that, he hurried away, fearing that Yao Qian might try to take the talismans back—he knew he couldn't beat her in a fight.

Once he was gone, Yao Qian dropped her angry act. The ten talismans were her spoils of war, and the information was well worth it. Cultivating the state of mind? She pondered this. It seemed strange for a demonic sect to focus on inner peace, but he probably wasn't lying; otherwise, those senior cultivators wouldn't each have their own method for cultivating the heart.

Yao Qian walked to the Dharma Transmission Hall. Only one young male cultivator sat in the courtyard reading. It had been fifteen days since they left the Yama Cave; most had exchanged their arts within the first three days. Very few people like Yao Qian came this late.

She bowed respectfully. "Senior, I would like to exchange for the Asura Spike."

The cultivator put down his book. "The Asura Spike counts as two arts and costs five thousand contribution points. As an entry-level disciple, you get one for free; you must pay two thousand five hundred for the rest."

Yao Qian said, "Senior Pei said that since I am in the top ten of the new disciples, I am entitled to two arts. Can that cover the cost?"

"It can," the man replied. He took her jade token, tapped it twice, and handed her a page made of gold. "Take this."

Yao Qian was surprised that the Asura Spike was transmitted via a golden page. Her eyes lit up with joy. The Tianyan Stele would surely be able to refine the Asura Spike to its optimal state! Pei Changqing was truly generous—giving away an art worth five thousand points so casually. Being in the top ten was definitely a huge advantage!

The man watched her leave and shook his head slightly. "Another one with too much self-importance. I wonder if she can actually master it." Everyone knew the Asura Spike was powerful, but few in the outer sect ever mastered it. Usually, only those with extraordinary talent succeeded; it was just another way for the sect to identify elite disciples.

Yao Qian returned to her cave dwelling and laid the golden page on her desk. She focused her intent on it. She only practiced during the day now, spending her nights drawing talismans. Her Taiyin Qi was already sufficient; she couldn't practice more without falling into imbalance.

She had successfully learned the Five-Thunder Talisman and had accumulated a large stack. She planned to pause her talisman work to focus on the Asura Spike. Fifteen days would be enough to get a grasp of it, and then she could return to the Yama Cave to collect more soul crystals. It was a rare chance to fleece the sect—might as well make the most of it!