Chapter 132: Evil Spirit

The five individuals settled down at a table inside the tavern, arranging chairs and tables, before calmly beginning their conversation.

Chen Luo and the dried-up old ghost introduced themselves, followed by the trio across from them sharing their identities as well. The solo cultivator was named Sun Ji, a fellow native of Guo Mountain County and Lu Zhaotian’s compatriot.

During the calamity that struck Guo Mountain County, nearly everyone perished.

Only these three managed to escape.

As for the dried-up old ghost’s fortune, he joined the Corpse-Raising Sect, becoming a disciple of a major sect. Meanwhile, Lu Zhaotian and Sun Ji encountered a rare opportunity within an arcane realm, successfully embarking on the cultivation path and now reaching the Perfection realm.

Since all three hailed from Guo Mountain County, they naturally knew about the Mind-Focusing Grass there.

“As we’re all from the same place, let’s skip the pleasantries. There’s enough Mind-Focusing Grass in Guo Mountain County for us five to share. Let’s discuss how to enter the medicinal garden together,” Lu Zhaotian suggested.

“Entering the medicinal garden won’t be easy. Since you two are also from Guo Mountain County, you should know its origins,” the dried-up old ghost remarked.

Upon hearing this, both Lu Zhaotian and Sun Ji fell silent.

Once upon a time, Guo Mountain County had only a small mineral vein, and there was no medicinal garden within its borders. The garden appeared after the arrival of the five evil cultivators. They used their nefarious secret techniques to hasten the growth of the spirit medicines inside, drawing sustenance from the flesh and blood of the county’s inhabitants.

These were herbs nurtured with human lives!

“Having reached this stage in our cultivation, let’s skip the pointless talk. I am determined to achieve Foundation Establishment. Although the origins of these spiritual plants may be tainted with bloodshed, they remain spirit medicines nonetheless. As long as it helps us reach Foundation Establishment, who cares about how they came to be?” Sun Ji stated firmly.

“I’m not referring to the spirit medicines but rather what those five individuals left behind. The Gold Core patriarchs from the three great sects didn’t fully address those ghostly entities,” Lu Zhaotian countered.

Wang Tianji, who had remained silent until now, interrupted them, “Gentlemen.”

“I don’t know what concerns you all have, but allow me to remind you: we are solo cultivators with limited choices. At sixty-nine years old, my vital energies decline each year. If I cannot break through to Foundation Establishment by next year, I will forever miss that opportunity. Regardless of the dangers ahead, I will not abandon the chance for Mind-Focusing Grass.” His gaze then settled on Lu Zhaotian.

“I mentioned this when helping you leave Jing City,” Lu Zhaotian nodded.

Wang Tianji’s age had surpassed the optimal window for Foundation Establishment; any further delay would truly deprive him of any chance. Sun Ji and Lu Zhaotian faced similar constraints; despite their youthful appearances, they were both well over fifty years old. With each passing year, their blood qi declined slightly. Although cultivating body refinement techniques could somewhat slow this process, human energy is limited. Who has the spare capacity to cultivate methods unrelated to their chosen path?

The time spent on such endeavors not only fails to provide benefits but also exacerbates the decline, ultimately leading to missed opportunities for Foundation Establishment.

“Then let’s proceed.”

Lu Zhaotian stood up.

None of them were newcomers to the cultivation world; subtle hints were enough. They understood the inherent risks involved.

The cultivation path inherently involves contending against the heavens.

Chen Luo remained silent as well.

He had prepared over a hundred different spirit talismans, with even more medicinal pills at his disposal, along with over a hundred external brain aids. Among the group, he felt most confident, thus harboring little concern.

Having made their decision, the group swiftly left the tavern and followed Guo Mountain County’s streets towards the rear mountainside.

The wind grew stronger on the street.

Faintly, one could hear the weeping of vengeful souls. The tragedy experienced by Guo Mountain County was so profound that it inevitably gave rise to such entities. However, all five individuals were cultivators at the peak of Qi Refinement, naturally unfazed by these malevolent spirits. Should they pose any threat, extinguishing them would be a mere trivial task.

Soon, they reached the end of the street where a three-story wooden building stood before them—the once most prosperous restaurant in Guo Mountain County.

Creaking softly under the cold wind, the signboard above its entrance swayed gently. The writing on it had completely faded, replaced by dried, dark-red blood, adding to the desolate atmosphere.

Lu Zhaotian, leading the way, paused and retrieved a circular magical navigation disk from his robe. After determining the direction, he headed towards the left side of the restaurant.

“Isn’t the medicinal garden at the back located to the right?” Sun Ji questioned.

“There’s a formation here; the person who set it inverted Guo Mountain County’s yin and yang energies. Following your memory will only lead you astray,” Wang Tianji warned as he followed Lu Zhaotian to the left.

The dried-up old ghost and Sun Ji hesitated momentarily before also choosing the left path.

Each person had their own method of determining direction, trusting themselves more than anyone else.

‘In places where evil spirits converge, there is a distinct aura. By dispersing these spirits, extracting their souls, and refining them, one can create Soul Beads - a favorite trinket among Core Formation stage evil cultivators, albeit not publicly acknowledged.’

As Chen Luo prepared to follow, a sudden thought emerged in his mind.

Just one thought.

It originated from the mummified brain found within the Yue Tomb.

“Core Formation… evil cultivators?!”

Chen Luo’s eyelids involuntarily twitched, feeling suddenly hesitant to proceed.

Was this leap too great? He hadn’t even touched the threshold of Foundation Establishment yet, and now he was encountering artifacts crafted by Core Formation ancestors. What might be considered mere trinkets for Core Formation evil cultivators could potentially be deadly horrors for him and his companions.

Glancing ahead at the four figures growing distant, Chen Luo gritted his teeth and chose to catch up.

Having come this far, without securing at least one Mind-Focusing Grass, he knew he would struggle with regret.

Sensing Chen Luo catching up from behind, the dried-up old ghost glanced over his shoulder, a hint of confusion flickering in his eyes.

He couldn’t tell if Chen Luo had stopped due to discovering something unusual. Based on his understanding of Chen Luo, it seemed likely that he had noticed something they hadn’t.

“Fellow Daoist Shi, have you ever heard of evil spirits?”

“Evil spirits?” The dried-up old ghost hesitated for a moment before shaking his head. He genuinely had no knowledge of such entities; Corpse-Raising Sect disciples primarily focused on corpse fiends.

“What did you sense?”

“Nothing specific, just a feeling that something might be watching us from the shadows.”

Following the mummified brain’s warning, Lu Zhaotian also began sensing a subtle unease. Recalling the formation outside Guo Mountain County, an ominous suspicion arose in his mind.

Could this formation have been set by that evil spirit?

“We’re here.” Suddenly, Lu Zhaotian announced from the front.

Sun Ji and Wang Tianji remained silent, their expressions solemn as they gazed ahead at the narrow path.

The main road ended abruptly, giving way to a small trail leading uphill. According to their recollections, once they traversed this path, they would reach the medicinal garden where the Mind-Focusing Grass was grown.