Within the roofless side hall, a chaotic dance of demons filled the air, thick with the stench of decay.
Tao Qian exchanged a wide-eyed stare with a Wild Leek Demon, whose slender eyes brimd with anticipation.
Clearly, this green-haired youth hoped to strike a deal with Tao Qian.
For this "leek" who sought eagerly to offer itself, Tao Qian felt dubious in his heart.
In his mind's eye, he continued to peruse the subsequent record information.
The Record triggered by the "Exotic Fire Elixir Scroll" was undoubtedly tempting to Tao Qian, but more crucial were the annotations.
[Annotation 1: To cultivate this scroll, one must first send their Divine Soul out of body to the Outer Realm to gain recognition from the "Outer Heaven Fla Essence" within. Only then can one beckon the Exotic Fire. However, not all Cultivators are compatible with the Fla Essence. If not recognized, the Divine Soul will be incinerated instantly, resulting in death on the spot. Since the creation of this scroll, few have mastered it, with most Cultivators perishing in the Outer Realm.]
[Annotation 2: The power of this scroll lies entirely in the "Fla Essence Strange Fire." However, each summoning might not call forth the sa Fla Essence, resulting in Elixirs of varying quality and, at tis, effects. Many Cultivators have died from consuming the wrong Elixirs; this was one of the causes for the destruction of that clan.]
[Annotation 3: This scroll originally contained over a thousand Elixir recipes, but they all share one common trait: each contains a poison. So poisons are temporary, while others are permanent.]
[Annotation 4: Only five pages of this scroll remain. The first page outlines the thod to summon the Exotic Fire, the next three pages serve as a table of contents, and the last page lists ten Elixir recipes.]
[Annotation 5: The price of death can be exempted!]
…
As Tao Qian pondered the information revealed to his mind, he fell into a silence.
With a complicated gaze, he looked at the green-haired youth, Shan Jiu, and thought: "Indeed, there are no pies falling from the sky, nor do leeks truly present themselves willingly."
Were it not for the annotations, anyone would consider this ancient scroll's recipes to be top-notch Cultivation Techniques.
However, with the annotations, the value of the ancient scroll plumted.
The costs were many and severe.
Even if Tao Qian acquired it, he would only be exempt from the "sudden death price."
In other words, he would still face other consequences like subduing the Fla Essence, summoning the Exotic Fire, and the poison, among others.
Nevertheless, not all was lost.
When Tao Qian casually flipped through to the fifth page and saw two of the recipes, he couldn't help but beco imdiately intrigued.
What Shan Jiu referred to as "ghost talismans" were actually an ancient variant script.
Tao Qian, guessing and deducing, could recognize them.
The two recipes that caught his interest were nad "Breakthrough Elixir" and "Life Extension Elixir."
The effects of the Elixirs were as straightforward as their nas suggested.
One was for Breakthrough, increasing the chances of a Cultivator moving on to the next realm, effective up until the Foundation Establishnt Realm.
The other was for Life Extension, increasing a Cultivator's lifespan. Depending on the quality, the number of years could vary, but its utility also ended at the Foundation Establishnt Realm.
"Whether it's for Breakthrough or Life Extension, both Elixirs are exceedingly rare and precious."
"At certain monts, they can save a life."
"So this Elixir Scroll need not be cultivated imdiately, but it can be taken into possession first, as long as this Wild Leek Demon brother doesn't trick ."
With his mind settled, Tao Qian then seriously addressed the green-haired youth, asking, "Mr. Shan, what do you want to exchange for this scroll?"
Shan Jiu, who had been anxious until now, suddenly brightened up.
The words at the tip of his tongue now ca forth, "I wish for Daoist to spend a few days with !"
As this sentence rang out, everyone around, whether it was Tao Qian or the other surrounding Cultivators and demons,
All were stunned, with faces full of surprise.
Just as Tao Qian was about to refuse coldly, the green-haired youth continued with a pained expression on his face:
"Daoist might not know this, but Shan Jiu cos from Wild Man Mountain, where the mountain breezes are pure and the people live in harmony and friendship. Since I descended from the mountain, I have continued to uphold the ways of Wild Man Mountain and make friends, whether with humans or Alien Species. Shan Jiu doesn't discriminate, treating all equally."
"Yet, for so reason, I always end up making a ss like I did with that good sister earlier. It's been so long since I descended from the mountain, and not a single friend have I made, which is very embarrassing."
"If Daoist is willing to spend a few days with Shan Jiu to explain so common knowledge of the Human World, regardless of whether we beco friends in the end, this 'Fire Plate' is yours."
The sincerity in the green-haired youth's words was apparent on his face.
Based on intuition alone, most people would believe him.
Tao Qian indeed did not sense any malice, but the encounter with the female cultivator still lingered in his mind.
After so thought, Tao Qian suddenly extended a hand, informing the green-haired youth that it was a new handshake greeting popular in the Mortal World.
The latter's wide mouth broke into a grin, amiable and radiant as he reached forward to grasp Tao Qian's hand.
In an instant, Tao Qian's mind was flooded with new perceptions.
[Record Na: Shan Jiu.]
[Record Type: Abnormality.]
[Record: Initially a Wild Leek in Wild Man Mountain who entered the Dao for an unknown reason, becoming so sort of Abnormality, genderless by nature, with a simple and straightforward personality. Possessing an extrely powerful life force, to so extent nearing the "Undying." There is a special fortune about this being, always mysteriously stumbling upon treasures…]
…
With limited information, Tao Qian grew even more puzzled after seeing it.
The things this individual had said earlier, which everyone thought were to mock the female cultivator, were, in fact, all true.
He truly was a Wild Leek who had entered the Dao, without a gender, his treasures all found rather than obtained.
After a quick feel, Tao Qian confird so things, but there were still many questions.
However, it gave Tao Qian so assurance, and after a few monts of reflection, he quickly ford a plan.
Withdrawing his hand, he then smiled at the green-haired youth:
"Daoist Shan Jiu's request is known to , and I can agree, even make it better," Tao Qian said.
"After the banquet is over, Daoist can co back with . Although I am too busy to accompany Daoist myself, I have six disciples, all of whom are paragons of virtue and knowledge, past and present. I trust they can certainly beco friends with Daoist Shan."
"How does this arrangent sound?"
"Good, too good," Tao Qian had barely finished speaking when the young man with green hair excitedly responded.
Looking at the expression on his face, he was obviously very happy and pleased.
It was understandable, after all. Originally, he had only thought of making one friend, but now it had turned into six, feeling as if he had made a fortune.
The young man was laughing. Tao Qian put the Elixir Scroll in his bosom and also revealed a brilliant smile.
Just at the mont when the atmosphere was harmonious and beautiful, the familiar bell on Iron Buddha Temple Mountain suddenly echoed again.
Following that, a voice rose that excited all the Evil Cultivators and Alien Species.
"The banquet is temporarily over; the Beautiful Corpse Dharma Assembly officially begins."
"The teachings on the first day will be given by a senior expert, the Naked Saintess. The Saintess is not skilled with words, so I will pass this information to everyone on her behalf. What she will talk about are 'Parasite' and 'Qi Eating' techniques—it will not involve True Scripture Skills, only essential techniques for the gates. It is our hope that all guests will combine their own Cultivation with the teachings to gain so insight, so enlightennt."
As the announcent finished, all the Evil Cultivators witnessed what seed to be the most beautiful silhouette in the world.
It was a female cultivator!
Her entire body was naked, her skin white as snow, glistening like jade, truly deserving of the title "Saintess."
However, when Tao Qian saw that beautiful body, he imdiately did not feel well. His pupils contracted, and an intense desire to flee back to his dwelling arose.
Just as Tao Qian was about to do so, the incredibly holy female cultivator...
She exploded.
Literally exploded—her snow-white naked body burst apart, accompanied by blinding red light, and countless elongated, magnified versions of pork tapeworms poured down like a red and white waterfall.
They were extrely vivid, with sticky blisters on their flat bodies, but their heads were spherical with four suction-cup-like mouths, emitting a creepy "hiss" that made one feel physically ill and one's Divine Soul disordered.
Their speed was too fast, covering nearly half of Iron Buddha Mountain in an instant.
All the nooks and crannies, all the side halls.
Without exception, were filled with these red and white at worms.
They road at will, secreting fluids, making a hissing noise, turning Iron Buddha Mountain into so kind of creepy insect nest.
Their spherical heads squird and gnawed at the brows of the Evil Cultivators.
Those who were gnawed on imdiately rolled their eyes back, and their bodies shook wildly.
Afterwards, they all entered a special state with smiles on their faces, as if they had really grasped the Dao, or were comprehending so Subli Dharma Techniques.
The side hall where Tao Qian was, experienced the sa scene.
Weird!
Disgusting!
Clearly, this was the unique teaching thod of the not-so-eloquent "Naked Saintess."
Nevertheless, Tao Qian was slightly comforted to know that these red and white at worms seed to have a keen perception, and they would not gnaw on you if you were unwilling.
Aside from him, there were still seven or eight Cultivators and Demons who refused.
Like Old Ghost, like the Devil Monk who ca riding the Elephant Demon, or Shan Jiu.
The handso Devil Monk looked around and said indifferently, "Poor Monk has cultivated the true law and should not comprehend the Parasitic Arts of the lady Saintess. I shall go and rest first."
Having said this, he spurred the Elephant Demon to carry him away, the first to leave the assembly.
Seeing this, Tao Qian gave Shan Jiu a aningful look and then said with a respectful tone, "I already have a beloved Master and should not cultivate other techniques. I ask for the Saintess's understanding."
Then, he, too, stood up to leave. Following behind him was Shan Jiu, who seed to have an unexpectedly high resistance to the terrifying scene before him.
Still with an honest smile on his face, he quickly followed Tao Qian's departure.
The two carefully circumvented the red and white at worms, avoiding soiling their clothes with the fluid, enduring the hissing sound, and quickly returned to the courtyard assigned to them in Peach Blossom Immortal Valley.
Soone was already there. It was Tao Qian's handso and strong disciples.
But there were not six, only three, all with faces full of terror, trembling together.
Apparently, they were quite frightened.
Seeing Tao Qian appear, the three hurried over as if they had seen a savior, murmuring in low voices:
"Eldest disciple brother, it was... it was terrifying."
"The third, fifth, and seventh disciples couldn't get out. They were gnawed on the head by those horrifying worms."
"What should we do? Eldest brother, shall we ask for Master's help?"
As the three kept talking, Tao Qian sowhat impatiently gestured for them to stop.
He then pointed at the large quantity of red and white at worms wriggling and twisting above Iron Buddha Mountain and said directly:
"Don't spout nonsense. This is the unique way of teaching by the senior Naked Saintess. If you three are also willing to receive it, you may surely comprehend so Parasite and Qi Eating techniques."
"Now it's too late for you; you've all missed the chance."
"But there is another opportunity. This Daoist Shan Jiu is a new friend I have made, and he possesses an abundance of Magical Treasures and Techniques."
"I've just been struck by inspiration and am going to go into seclusion to Cultivate. The responsibility of hosting falls upon you three."
"Don't neglect Daoist Shan Jiu, otherwise, don't bla for being heartless."
After saying this, Tao Qian didn't pay any more attention to the green-haired Shan Jiu or the three unlucky disciples.
Flipping his robe sleeve, he headed straight for the quiet room to retreat.
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