Chapter 302: The Mysterious and Eerie Path Seizure

Xu Qing’s unblushing and composed demeanor as he naturally stated his intention to study at a poison-dao sect only increased Grandmaster Seven’s admiration. He chuckled and nodded.

"Of course, there is. Come, your master will take you," Grandmaster Seven said, leading Xu Qing away from the sect.

In the sky, without needing to be told, Xu Qing turned and bowed respectfully towards the sect below.

Grandmaster Seven was even more pleased. After also bowing, he led Xu Qing onto the Dharma Boat.

Ding Xue, meanwhile, was still cultivating. Her aptitude was clearly ordinary, so even with the help of the Soul Pearl, opening the Dharma Apertures remained a significant challenge.

A month slowly passed as Xu Qing and Grandmaster Seven continued their studies. As the Dharma Boat ventured deeper into the western region of Yinghuang Province, and Grandmaster Seven’s created cultivation technique for Xu Qing reached completion, this period of learning finally concluded. Xu Qing had gained immense knowledge in plant lore, which significantly aided his understanding of poison-dao. In particular, the poison scriptures he encountered at several wicked poison-dao sects during this time had a considerable impact on him.

One such technique was the art of 'Poison Cultivation', which involved transforming flesh and blood into an alchemical furnace and using one's bloodline as a curse to refine potent toxins.

However, none of this was the main focus for Xu Qing at this moment. His eyes burned with intensity as he gazed at a small black orb levitating in Grandmaster Seven’s palm.

Composed of countless runes, the orb contained terrifying fluctuations. More mysteriously, merely looking at it felt as though countless pieces of information were surging into his mind through his gaze.

"Fourth, give me Sima Ru's Ghostly Heart," Grandmaster Seven said slowly, his expression solemn.

Xu Qing’s eyes narrowed. He recalled what his master had told him that day.

That heart was of great use, so he immediately retrieved Sima Ru's Ghostly Heart from his storage pouch and handed it to Grandmaster Seven.

Grandmaster Seven flicked his sleeve, integrating the Ghostly Heart into the black orb. Instantly, the orb boiled as if alive, emitting continuous, soul-stirring roars.

"Fourth, the cultivation technique your master created for you is entirely based on your unique characteristics. It will form a brand within your mind."

"This method of inheritance was devised by your master, drawing inspiration from imperial-grade cultivation techniques!" As he spoke, the black orb in Grandmaster Seven's hand ceased its roars, dissipating into a mass of black liquid that floated towards Xu Qing with a wave of his hand.

"Look up!" Grandmaster Seven's voice echoed as Xu Qing watched the black liquid float closer.

He lifted his head. The next instant, the liquid touched Xu Qing's glabella. A piercing pain erupted as the liquid seeping into his skin, merging with his bones, and continuously volatilized as it penetrated deeper. Finally, it transformed into wisps of peculiar energy that converged within Xu Qing’s spiritual consciousness, intertwining to form a distinct black mark. The moment this mark appeared, Xu Qing’s mind rumbled as if with thunder, and his body vibrated as if colossal waves were raging, tossing him like a lone boat on a furious sea.

What was more, this mark was not inanimate; it was pulsating, like a heart, and its rhythm synchronized with Xu Qing’s own heartbeat.

As the thumping echoes reverberated, a vast amount of information erupted from the runic mark, filling Xu Qing’s spiritual sea. Xu Qing instinctively closed his eyes, immersing himself fully in the comprehension.

Simultaneously, Grandmaster Seven's ancient yet proud voice resonated within his spiritual sea.

"This Golden Core cultivation method of yours was created by your master based on the Ghostly Heart, after studying hundreds of Golden Core techniques, especially those passed down by the Profound Nether Ancient Emperor."

"This technique is exceedingly domineering, matching the aura of your attacks; it's utterly sinister, aligning with your combat style; and its ruthlessness perfectly suits your bloodthirsty nature."

"This technique is named the 'Ghostly Dao-Seizing Art'! It can transform one of your hands from solid to ethereal, becoming a 'Ghostly Hand'. With this hand, you can directly penetrate an enemy’s soul, spiritual sea, and Celestial Palace, seizing their Golden Core from within."

"You can then refine and retain its essence, nurturing it within your own Celestial Palace. By accumulating such seizures, you can accelerate the formation of your own Golden Core! This way, once you reach the Golden Core stage, you will become stronger the more you fight, and more powerful the more you kill!"

"Your future path is to cultivate through slaughter and affirm your journey with blood!"

"And upon reaching its pinnacle, your entire body can transform into a ghostly state, granting you some characteristics of the Ghostly race. Although the art of immortal possession is a talent and hard to acquire, this technique will allow you to ignore certain spell energies and exist in a state of shifting between reality and illusion!"

As Grandmaster Seven's words boomed like muffled thunder in Xu Qing's mind, the runic mark also erupted with brilliant light, and a deluge of information about the Ghostly Dao-Seizing Art flooded Xu Qing's consciousness.

It was as if it had been directly branded into his mind, much like when he learned the imperial-grade technique, the Golden Crow Devouring All Spirits.

That mark was like a seed of inheritance, imbuing Xu Qing's technique with a certain unplunderable quality. Though not as profound as an imperial-grade technique, it was still astonishing.

Xu Qing’s closed eyes suddenly snapped open. His breathing grew rapid. When he looked at Grandmaster Seven, his eyes shone with intense light. After a moment, he rose, clasped his fists, and bowed deeply.

"Thank you, Master!"

After experiencing the technique, Xu Qing fully realized its astonishing power, especially its high compatibility with his own nature. It meant he wouldn't need to change his combat style; instead, it represented a qualitative transformation in the same direction, built upon his existing foundation.

Once he reached the Golden Core stage, he could instantly master this technique.

It was deep night now. The celestial wind ruffled some of Grandmaster Seven’s white hair as he stood there, watching Xu Qing with a faint smile.

"Don't rejoice too soon. This technique is exceedingly domineering, and practicing it can easily lead you astray. The massive amount of divine sense contained within the Golden Cores you seize will overwhelm your mind, turning you into a madman who knows only slaughter."

"Therefore, to cultivate this method, you need a pillar of support for your soul, ensuring that the various mental distractions within the Golden Cores you seize in the future cannot shake you in the slightest."

"So, next, I will take you to a place I once mentioned to you: Mount Nanyue Ghost," Grandmaster Seven said calmly.

Xu Qing immediately recalled the humanoid drawing on the map his master had drawn when he sought to learn spells from him, representing Mount Nanyue Ghost.

At that time, his master had said that Mount Nanyue Ghost might be his place of destiny.

He instantly understood now that what his master had said that day was referring to this very matter.

Even then, Grandmaster Seven had already begun contemplating Xu Qing’s cultivation technique. Realizing this, Xu Qing felt even deeper gratitude in his heart.

"Let's go. We'll go to Mount Nanyue Ghost and plant a god in your heart!"

Grandmaster Seven's words held deep meaning. Without waiting for Xu Qing to ask, he flicked his sleeve, and the Dharma Boat roared, soaring straight towards Mount Nanyue Ghost. Their current location was already in the west, not far from the mountain.

Along the way, Ding Xue awoke. She had finally opened thirty Dharma Apertures and successfully ignited a wisp of Life Fire. Excitedly, she activated her Profound Radiance state on the Dharma Boat, continuously marveling at the speed and explosive power that far surpassed anything she had felt before.

Watching Ding Xue, Xu Qing felt a pang of emotion. He thought of the difficulty he had faced with his own single wisp of Life Fire, especially seeing Grandmaster Seven gaze at Ding Xue with doting affection, even producing another Soul Pearl and handing it to her. Xu Qing remained silent.

He understood the feelings Captain had once expressed.

"Girls should be raised richly; boys should be raised poorly!" Grandmaster Seven glanced at Xu Qing.

Ding Xue, hearing this, covered her mouth and chuckled. She took out small boxes of pastries, obediently offering one to Grandmaster Seven, who was very pleased. Then, she discreetly handed a larger pastry to Xu Qing.

Xu Qing took it and looked at Grandmaster Seven.

Grandmaster Seven glared.

Xu Qing said nothing. He took a bite, then closed his eyes to meditate and comprehend the cultivation technique, while also pondering the matter of his 121 Dharma Apertures.

Perhaps due to Grandmaster Seven's presence, Ding Xue was noticeably more reserved. She didn't offer Xu Qing spirit tickets or ask questions as she used to, but instead maintained a cheerful demeanor, filling the Dharma Boat with her lark-like clear voice and Grandmaster Seven's hearty laughter.

However, as they approached Mount Nanyue Ghost, Ding Xue's chatter gradually faded, and Grandmaster Seven's laughter slowly died down. This was because the land here was utterly desolate.

The ground was strewn with countless ruins and decay, and skeletons alongside carrion-eating birds and beasts were ubiquitous. A strange, eerie, and chilling sensation grew increasingly dense throughout the area.

The essence of human suffering, imbued with a suppressive aura, melded into the heavens and earth, pervading the Dharma Boat as it flew into this region. Eventually, from afar, Xu Qing saw an awe-inspiring mountain.

That mountain stood supremely tall between heaven and earth. Upon closer inspection, it was astonishingly shaped like a human figure meditating cross-legged! Its features were obscured by dust, yet its ferocious intent remained undeniable. It wore dark armor, wielded a massive blade, and carried two worlds upon its shoulders.

It appeared as if the spirit of an evil god sat cross-legged in the distance.

With just one glance, Xu Qing's mind rumbled. He no longer saw a mere mountain; he perceived the cross-legged ghostly figure as possessing astonishing power, capable of devouring eons.

The higher one's cultivation, the deeper this feeling became. Conversely, ordinary mortals would still see it as just a mountain, without much mental disturbance.

In Xu Qing's eyes, this figure exuded terrifying, earth-shattering pressure. It seemed as though every inch of its armor contained the power to devastate all directions.

The two worlds on its shoulders were vividly lifelike, brimming with countless demons, ghosts, monsters, and malevolent entities. The surging evil intent was shocking to behold.

This was Mount Nanyue Ghost of Yinghuang Province.

As for the spirit of the evil god, also referred to by the two worlds on its shoulders, its past glory was unknown. But now, it was home to fierce beings of various races, led by the Seven Fiends of Ghost Mountain, making it one of the six major powers in Yinghuang Province.

"Fourth, your task is to enshrine this deity within your heart, making it the pillar that will suppress the mental distractions from the Golden Cores you seize in the future!"

"If you can achieve this, I will permit you to cultivate this technique. If you cannot, I can only teach you a secondary Golden Core cultivation method."