Free Web NovelChapter 25: Chapter 25: Black Coffin and Nine Flames Spirit Devouring Technique
There were three items in the Storage Bag: a palm-sized black token, a golden Communication Jade Talisman, and, surprisingly, a Black Coffin.
The Identity Token was Xiao Yunhong’s.
It looked similar to a Mine Guard Token, but the details, material, inscriptions, and design were completely different.
The front bore the words "Profound Yin," and the back read: "Xiao Yunhong."
Zhang Chi didn’t take it out. Merely inspecting it with his Divine Sense made him feel a wave of dizziness and vertigo.
However, the Jade Pendant in his mind flashed, and the negative sensation vanished in an instant.
There wasn’t much to say about the golden Communication Jade Talisman, other than that its level was probably a bit high.
Next, he began to examine the Black Coffin.
He discovered that even inside the Storage Bag, an eerie black mist was slowly swirling around its surface.
’So there really is an Identity Token and a Communication Jade Talisman, but what the hell is with this coffin? It can’t have an Evil Spirit, a Zombie, or some other evil creature sealed inside, can it?’
’When I asked Xiao Yunhong what was in this Storage Bag, he just smiled without a word, only saying I’d be able to use it after I reached Foundation Establishment. So he was just trying to scare me with this thing!’
’Still, the coffin looks extraordinary, so it must be some kind of treasure. With this and the Identity Token, I’ve definitely made a profit.’
A smile touched Zhang Chi’s lips at the thought.
Xiao Yunhong hadn’t lied.
There really weren’t many things in the backup Storage Bag!
Fortunately, as long as he could trade for an Immortal Ascension Order, the trip would be worthwhile even if there was nothing else. freewebnøvel.com
"Is there anything else you need, sir?"
He then opened the door and walked out. The young female attendant immediately approached with a smile.
"Take me to your Shopkeeper. I need to discuss something with him," Zhang Chi said.
"Of course, sir. Please follow me!"
The young attendant was taken aback for a moment, but seeing Zhang Chi’s serious expression, she quickly nodded in agreement. freeωebnovēl.c૦m
"Fellow Daoist, you’re looking for an Immortal Ascension Order? We have them, more than one in fact, but the price is a bit steep! And to be honest, in most cases, they’re not really worth it. So, are you sure?"
A moment later, in an elegant room, Zhang Chi met a chubby middle-aged man.
The middle-aged man was indeed the Shopkeeper. He had an amiable demeanor and a perfectly harmless smile on his face. But upon hearing Zhang Chi’s request, he couldn’t help but raise his voice in surprise.
His meaning was simple: those with good Spirit Roots didn’t need one, and for those with poor Spirit Roots, it was a waste. Therefore, the item was of dubious value.
"You’re very upfront, Shopkeeper, but I do need one. I don’t have enough Spirit Stones, but I can use this as payment. What do you think?"
Delighted, Zhang Chi waved his hand, and Xiao Yunhong’s Identity Token appeared on the tea table.
"The Identity Token of the Young Master of the Profound Yin Sect? This will certainly do for a trade!"
The Shopkeeper frowned slightly as he picked up the Token for a closer look, but then his eyes lit up, and he nodded readily.
"There are quite a few types of Immortal Ascension Orders. Which one would you like?" The Shopkeeper asked, waving his hand to lay out several differently styled Orders.
"I don’t know much about them. Could you explain them in detail, Shopkeeper?"
Zhang Chi breathed a sigh of relief. He grew quite excited upon seeing so many Immortal Ascension Orders before him, but he didn’t rush to make a choice.
"A wise decision, Fellow Daoist," the Shopkeeper praised.
"You’re too kind," Zhang Chi replied with a cupped-fist salute.
"Not at all. Let me tell you about these Immortal Ascension Orders..."
The Shopkeeper nodded and began his explanation.
It turned out that Yuan South had Ten Top Sects, all of them behemoths presided over by Nascent Soul Cultivators. The Cyan Cloud Sect was one of them.
Countless Immortal Cultivation Clans and minor Sects were affiliated with these Top Ten Sects.
Many of these Immortal Cultivation Clans and Sects possessed considerable power themselves.
The medium and large-sized clans in particular each controlled a Mortal Realm, though they varied in size.
The Chen Family of the Chen Kingdom was one such mid-tier Immortal Cultivation Clan affiliated with the Cyan Cloud Sect.
The Top Ten Immortal Sects issued Immortal Ascension Orders, but some Immortal Cultivation Clans and minor Sects had them as well.
Thus, while they were all called Immortal Ascension Orders, their values varied greatly.
Even within the same Immortal Sect, different Orders corresponded to different tiers of treatment upon entry.
Of course, an Immortal Ascension Order wasn’t necessarily a token; it could be some other form of credential.
"Immortal Ascension Order" was just a general term.
The specifics of these different Immortal Ascension Orders were difficult for the average Cultivator to grasp.
But this Shopkeeper was a man of business—well-traveled and knowledgeable.
Of course, the Shopkeeper didn’t reveal everything; his explanation focused mainly on the Immortal Ascension Orders he had on display.
"Thank you for clearing up my confusion, Shopkeeper. I’ll choose the Immortal Ascension Order from the Golden Sun Sect."
Zhang Chi made his decision as soon as the explanation was over.
In truth, it wasn’t a difficult choice. The selection of Immortal Ascension Orders was limited, with most coming from Immortal Cultivation Clans and small or mid-sized Sects.
There were only three from the top Immortal Sects: one each from the Cyan Cloud Sect, the Divine Sword Valley, and the Golden Sun Sect.
And none of them were of a particularly high grade.
He had a feud with the upper echelons of the Cyan Cloud Sect, so going there would be suicide.
The Divine Sword Valley wasn’t a bad choice—it was full of Sword Cultivators—but it was a neighbor of the Cyan Cloud Sect, and the two had always maintained a close and friendly relationship.
Only the Golden Sun Sect was far from the Cyan Cloud Sect, and rumor had it there was some friction between them.
Moreover, compared to the other top Immortal Sects, the Golden Sun Sect was also relatively far from the Demon Abyss.
If a war between the Righteous and Demon Dao were to break out, or if a major event like an eruption from the Demon Abyss were to occur, the Golden Sun Sect would be a safer place.
"Very well. Here is the Golden Sun Sect’s Immortal Ascension Order; keep it safe. With this, even if you’ve practiced Cultivation before, you can go directly to the Golden Sun Sect and participate in their next disciple recruitment ceremony."
"Unless you have a Pseudo-Spirit Root, you’ll at least be able to become a servant disciple."
"However, it’s best if you have a clean background. Otherwise, while you can still join, you won’t be prioritized for training, and you’ll be subject to a probation period."
"Furthermore, it’s better to claim you’re an orphan than to fake an identity. A fake identity will inevitably be exposed, and the consequences will be severe. After all, it’s far too easy for one of the Top Ten Sects to investigate someone."
"And if you’ve cultivated a Demon Technique, you must first dissipate your Cultivation."
The Shopkeeper smiled and nodded as he spoke, pushing a golden Immortal Ascension Order across the table to Zhang Chi.
Then, as if afraid Zhang Chi might change his mind, he quickly waved his hand and collected the Identity Token of the Young Master of Profound Yin.
"Thank you."
Zhang Chi coated his hands in Spiritual Power before picking up the Immortal Ascension Order. It felt heavy, made of a material that was neither gold nor iron. The front was inscribed with the words "Golden Sun," and the back with "Immortal Ascension."
He then put the Token away, a great weight finally lifting from his heart.
"Excuse me, Shopkeeper," Zhang Chi then asked, "if someone has practiced a Demon Technique, must they really dissipate their Cultivation? Are there no other options?"
"You don’t necessarily have to dissipate your Cultivation. It would also work if you have a treasure or a Secret Technique to conceal your Cultivation. But I’d still recommend dissipating it to be on the safe side. After all, the Top Ten Sects detest Demon Cultivators above all else."
The Shopkeeper stood to make a good profit from this deal, so he was in a fine mood and advised him patiently.
"I’m not a Demon Cultivator," Zhang Chi explained. "I just happened to come across the Blood Flame Technique and managed to build up some Cultivation with great difficulty. I can’t bear to just give it up."
"Blood Flame Technique? You mean the simplified version of that Top Grade Demon Technique, the Nine Flames Spirit Devouring Technique? You actually managed to reach the Entry Level with it?" the Shopkeeper couldn’t help but exclaim.
"Nine Flames Spirit Devouring Technique? A Top Grade Cultivation Technique? Are you sure you’re not mistaken, Shopkeeper?"
Zhang Chi was just as surprised.
"That’s right," the Shopkeeper said with a smile. "That technique is one of the Sect’s Main Techniques from the Blood Evil Sect of Yuan Bei. It’s said that back in the day, it was renowned throughout the Great Abyss. But the Blood Evil Sect later went through a major upheaval, and the core tenets of the technique were lost. No one could cultivate it to its peak anymore, so it gradually faded into obscurity."
