Volume 2 Chapter 5

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Volume 2 Chapter 5: Speculation

Over the years on Jiuhua Mountain, Xu Qingfan had read extensively, so he knew a bit about the ‘Six-winged Golden Beetle.’

Speaking of the "Six-winged Golden Beetle," one must mention a mysterious sect in the Cultivation World called the "Spirit Purging Cult." This sect has a long history, and its origins have become untraceable over the years. Due to its long-term seclusion and infrequent participation in the conflicts of the Cultivation World, it has only been active on a few isolated islands deep in the East Sea for thousands of years, making it relatively unknown in the Cultivation World. However, any cultivator who knows of this sect does not underestimate its strength.

The founder of the "Spirit Purging Cult" was truly a genius. Unlike the current trend in the Cultivation World of absorbing the energies of the five elements to transform oneself, this "Spirit Purging Cult" focuses on absorbing these energies to transform external objects. Then, practitioners engage in Double Cultivation by merging themselves with these transformed objects, which subtly weakens the importance of a cultivator’s natural talent and opens up a new path.

Every disciple of this sect, once they achieve a small success in their cultivation, must first seek out a ‘Spirit Control Object.’ This could be a demon beast, bird, insect, or even the corpse of a powerful individual. They then refine, alter, and upgrade these objects using the essence of all things and the energies of the five elements, erasing their intelligence and gaining control. When a cultivator and their ‘Spirit Control Object’ reach a state of perfect unity, they undergo secluded Double Cultivation, ultimately gaining the powerful abilities and traits of their object.

It is said that thousands of years ago, the "Spirit Purging Cult" was once at its height. In order to find more powerful "Spirit Control Objects" to enhance their strength, the cultivators of the "Spirit Purging Cult," who possessed the powerful abilities of these "Spirit Control Objects," engaged in rampant plunder throughout the cultivation world. They even launched large-scale attacks on various cultivation sects to acquire the bodies of cultivators as "Spirit Control Objects."

This behavior finally incited the wrath of the cultivation world, forcing the major sects to unite and attack the "Spirit Purging Cult’s" main base, "Spirit Purging Mountain." Unfortunately, due to years of tolerance from the major sects, the strength of the "Spirit Purging Cult," which had collected many "Spirit Control Objects," had become unrivaled. Although they were eventually driven out beyond the East Sea, the major sects suffered heavy losses and could not completely eradicate them. Meanwhile, the "Spirit Purging Cult," having lost many of its skilled members in battle and with their gathered "Spirit Control Objects" wiped out, became unable to recover and could no longer return to the Middle-earth continent.

The ‘Six-winged Golden Beetle’ mentioned by Immortal Master Li is among the most commonly used ‘Spirit Control Objects’ by the sect’s junior disciples.

"Could it be that the ‘Spirit Purging Cult’ is planning to return to Middle-earth? If that’s the case, it’s a significant matter that must be reported to the sect immediately. But it doesn’t make sense, does it? If the ‘Spirit Purging Cult’ intended to secretly infiltrate Middle-earth, they wouldn’t send disciples with only Qi Refining Stage skills. And even if they came to Middle-earth, these disciples wouldn’t go through all the trouble just to raise a ‘Six-winged Golden Beetle’." Xu Qingfan mused to himself while strolling through Gushan Town.

"Master, where are we going next?" Zhang Long asked cautiously, noticing the frown on Xu Qingfan’s face.

Seeing Zhang Long cautiously calling him Master, Xu Qingfan couldn’t help but chuckle and said, "I haven’t agreed to take you as my disciple, so why are you calling me Master?"

Hearing Xu Qingfan’s words, Zhang Long became anxious and said, "Master, I truly want to become your disciple. If you accept me, I promise to serve you loyally without any complaints."

Observing Zhang Long’s earnestness, Xu Qingfan shook his head slightly and said, "It’s impossible for me to take you as a disciple now; I have no intention of accepting disciples. However, if I verify that what you’ve told me is true, I will personally avenge you."

"Thank you, kind sir." Upon hearing Xu Qingfan’s words, Zhang Long initially felt joy but then turned resigned, realizing the impossibility of becoming Xu Qingfan’s disciple. He then said, "If you can help me seek vengeance, I am still willing to serve you faithfully to repay you."

Noticing Zhang Long’s gratitude mixed with disappointment, Xu Qingfan asked, "What’s wrong? I’ve already agreed to help you get revenge, so why aren’t you happy?"

"It’s not that I’m unhappy; I just wish I could avenge myself." Zhang Long said gloomily.

"Even if you train hard, you can’t match a cultivator’s skills. So, it’s best to forget about avenging yourself." Xu Qingfan said calmly.

"But even you can’t do it, young master?" Zhang Long said.

Hearing Zhang Long’s doubt, Xu Qingfan just smiled, thought for a moment, and then said, "If I can help you get revenge this time, you won’t need to repay me by working tirelessly. However, I may ask you to help take care of some people for me in the future, so I hope you won’t refuse then."

"I will do my best to fulfill your request, young master. But could you tell me who they are?"

"They are kind of like my kin, though I’m not sure if they can be found," Xu Qingfan said, looking up at the sky with a nostalgic expression.

"With your great abilities, young master, you’ll surely find them," Zhang Long quickly comforted him, seeing Xu Qingfan’s somber look.

"I hope so," Xu Qingfan said calmly. Yet, even as he spoke, he knew how difficult it would be to find his long-lost clan. After all these years, who knew if those who escaped with him from the Xu Family Village were still alive? And even if they were, where in the vast Southern Wasteland could they possibly be found?

"Let’s not talk about this now. We should discuss your situation first." Xu Qingfan said to Zhang Long, setting aside his inexplicable emotions.

"Me? What about me?" Zhang Long asked, somewhat bewildered.

"Let’s talk more when we reach outside the town." Xu Qingfan said with a slight smile, casting a glance at the Zhang family’s servants who were trailing them.

As he spoke, Xu Qingfan led Zhang Long out of town. Several members of the Zhang family, who were following them, were about to do the same when they suddenly felt dizzy. By the time they recovered and tried to find Xu Qingfan and Zhang Long again, they were nowhere to be seen.

Outside the town, in a small grove, Xu Qingfan and Zhang Long sat on the ground.

"Give me your right hand," Xu Qingfan said calmly.

Zhang Long obediently extended his right hand, and Xu Qingfan gently placed his fingers on the Hegu Point of Zhang Long’s hand. Then, the Wood-type Spirit Qi within Xu Qingfan slowly flowed into Zhang Long’s body. Zhang Long felt a surge of powerful, life-filled energy entering through the Hegu Point and circulating within him. He was amazed at this young gentleman’s extraordinary skill and was even more confident in Xu Qingfan’s promise to help him seek revenge.

"Just as I thought," Xu Qingfan said quietly, sensing that his Spirit Qi encountered resistance at the "Great Tiger Point" within Zhang Long. It seemed like something was hidden there.

"Sir, what’s the matter?" Zhang Long asked nervously, noticing Xu Qingfan’s serious expression.

"Zhang Long, did you often take medicinal herbs when you were younger?" Xu Qingfan inquired.

"Yes, I was often sick as a child, so my father frequently found ginseng, Polygonum, and other such herbs to strengthen my body," Zhang Long nodded.

"I see, it seems Immortal Master Li used you as a ‘vessel’," Xu Qingfan said slowly.

"A ‘container’? What kind of container?" Zhang Long asked curiously.

"You don’t need to worry about it, it’s nothing important. I’ll take care of it for you," Xu Qingfan said casually.

"Alright, I will listen to you," Zhang Long replied, not daring to say more. He simply asked, "So, what should we do now?"

"Wait," Xu Qingfan replied.

"Wait? Wait for what?" Zhang Long asked.

"Wait until it’s dark. Then, I will go to Li Mansion to investigate Immortal Master Li," Xu Qingfan said calmly.

"Investigate Immortal Master Li?" Zhang Long exclaimed. "Sir, Immortal Master Li is a cultivator. It would be too dangerous for you to probe into him."

Hearing Zhang Long’s words, Xu Qingfan smiled slightly. He felt that although Zhang Long had always mingled with rascals, he was not a naturally cold-hearted person, so he smiled lightly and said, "You don’t need to worry, I have my own ways to handle it."

According to Xu Qingfan’s estimation, this Immortal Master Li should be a low-level disciple of the ‘Spirit Purging Cult’. After coming to Middle-earth, he wanted to raise a ‘Six-winged Golden Beetle’ to use as his ‘Spirit Control Object.’ However, cultivating this ‘Six-winged Golden Beetle’ is extremely difficult; the larva needs to be nourished with the blood of pure yang constantly and will only emerge from its cocoon after three hundred days.

The person with the blood of pure yang is called a "vessel." However, the fate of such a "vessel" is often tragic, as the ‘Six-winged Golden Beetle’ is a bloodthirsty creature. Once it emerges, it devours all the flesh and blood of the "vessel," causing them to die in unbearable agony.

Zhang Long, having consumed many spiritual herbs from a young age, had a strong yang energy in his blood. Immortal Master Li noticed this and chose him to be the "vessel" for his ‘Six-winged Golden Beetle’ larva. That is why there was a greedy glint in his eyes when he looked at Zhang Long. From the Spirit Qi detected earlier, it seems the ‘Six-winged Golden Beetle’ inside Zhang Long was about to emerge.

Therefore, Xu Qingfan did not plan to tell these things to Zhang Long. Firstly, Xu Qingfan thought it was too complicated and troublesome to explain and worried Zhang Long might guess his identity as a cultivator. Secondly, he feared that if he explained everything to Zhang Long, it would cause panic.

Time always seems to pass slowly while waiting. However, Xu Qingfan, being calm and composed, did not find it unbearable as he meditated calmly. On the other hand, Zhang Long appeared restless since hearing Xu Qingfan’s plan to sneak into the Li Mansion at night; he had been pacing nonstop.

Amid Zhang Long’s restlessness, the sky unknowingly turned a deep inky color, adorned with twinkling stars.

"The time has come." Xu Qingfan stopped meditating, slowly opened his eyes, and said calmly, "Now tell me in detail the location of Zhang Mansion and where Immortal Master Li resides."

"Aren’t you taking me with you?" Zhang Long asked in surprise.

"Bringing you along would make it easier to be noticed."

"Alright." Zhang Long knew that going along would only be a burden, so he reluctantly described the location of Zhang Mansion and where Immortal Master Li lived to Xu Qingfan in detail.

"Don’t worry too much, I’ll be back soon," Xu Qingfan said before leaving.

With that, Xu Qingfan stood up and walked out of the forest. Once he was out of Zhang Long’s sight, Xu Qingfan used the "Three Meters Green Silk" technique and turned into a cloud of green mist, swiftly carrying him towards the town.