Chapter 304: No-Face Ghost Mountain

"Oh well, the Fourth Disciple is young; it's good for him to make a few mistakes and learn."

"How could the true essence of the Ghost Emperor be replicated so easily? This Fourth Disciple... his ambition is too great." The Seventh Master glanced at Xu Qing a few times, then turned to leave with his hands clasped behind his back.

At this moment, Xu Qing had forgotten everything around him, forgotten the passage of time. Only one thought occupied his mind: to fully transfer the image of the Ghost Emperor into his spiritual sea.

Because his master had told him that only by doing so could he cultivate the Guǐ Yōu Duó Dào Gōng technique.

And Xu Qing felt this cultivation technique was very suitable for him. He wanted to practice it the moment he achieved the Golden Core stage, so he believed he had to perfectly complete the transfer.

Furthermore, Xu Qing worried that merely transferring the outline wouldn't be enough. He delved deeper and became more immersed, striving to comprehend every detail of the Southern Mountain Ghost Emperor.

Xu Qing didn't know what "true essence" meant. His goal was simple: to make the deity in his spiritual sea as lifelike as possible, resembling the Ghost Emperor on the mountain to the greatest extent.

It was like replicating an original painting, drawing it completely in his mind.

So, after the outline appeared, he began to enrich it with details and colors. However, the difficulty of this process far exceeded anything before.

It was similar to someone with no artistic skill being able to sketch an outline, but making many mistakes when trying to fill in the details.

Xu Qing made a mistake in replicating the details. This error occurred while filling in the body; although he had tried his best to copy it, the replicated body still felt strange and distorted.

The next moment, Xu Qing instinctively erased it and started over.

This scene unfolded within Xu Qing's spiritual sea, stemming from his comprehension. Outsiders would find it difficult to perceive, but the Seventh Master's cultivation allowed him to discern some clues.

It was precisely these clues that made the Seventh Master, who was about to leave, suddenly halt his steps. He sharply turned his head, staring intently at Xu Qing once more. "What's happening?"

"Just now, for a fleeting moment, I felt a hint of true essence emerging!" The Seventh Master examined him carefully, his expression perplexed.

"The true essence is gone? And the outline he just transferred into his mind... that's gone too?"

"What is the Fourth Disciple doing?"

The Seventh Master was curious. After observing for a long time and seeing that Xu Qing had fallen silent, he walked out in confusion. Despite having enjoyed some familial warmth with Ding Xue by his side throughout the day's stroll, he remained curious about Xu Qing's state. So, upon returning at dusk, he immediately looked toward Xu Qing.

Upon seeing him, the Seventh Master was somewhat bewildered.

"The outline has appeared again! So quickly?"

"And that hint of true essence too... huh? It's gone again!" The Seventh Master glared at Xu Qing, wanting to wake him up and ask questions, but he had to restrain himself.

And so, days passed, and the second month drew to a close.

By the end of this second month, the Seventh Master's patience was wearing thin due to Xu Qing's changes. He could feel Xu Qing successfully transferring the form almost every day, only for it to dissipate again.

Eventually, he naturally discerned the underlying pattern.

"I merely asked you to transfer an outline, Fourth Disciple. There's no need for all this."

"What are you doing? Showing off your comprehension?" The Seventh Master gave a wry smile. However, the appreciation in his eyes grew stronger over the month, and he gained a more comprehensive understanding of his Fourth Disciple's comprehension.

"This boy is actually most suited for the Daoist techniques of the Taisi Immortal Sect. And since the Taisi Immortal Sect's heritage comes from this Ghost Emperor, to some extent, this boy is perfectly suited for cultivating the path of the Southern Mountain Ghost Emperor."

"Perhaps this is also why he can comprehend things so astonishingly."

As the Seventh Master pondered, Xu Qing's comprehension reached a critical point. He used his spiritual sea as a canvas and his comprehension as a brush, drawing the Ghost Emperor Mountain again and again, only to erase it and start anew each time.

Gradually, the Ghost Emperor Mountain within his spiritual sea became increasingly lifelike. Some details also grew richer as Xu Qing repeatedly adjusted and re-replicated them. However, the body of this Ghost Emperor had no face.

Xu Qing was never satisfied with the face. In fact, he wasn't even very satisfied with the body he had drawn.

However, if an outsider were to know about this, they would surely be shocked, as achieving this with a Foundation Establishment cultivation base was itself a rare feat.

This demanded an immense level of comprehension.

But Xu Qing felt that he was far from even achieving ten percent of his goal. Although the Ghost Emperor Mountain in his spiritual sea appeared lifelike, he knew clearly that it was just an empty shell.

At best, it was a very exquisite empty shell.

Compared to a truly perfect transfer, Xu Qing estimated he had probably only completed one-millionth of it.

He wanted to replicate it more diligently, but his mental energy could no longer sustain it. His spiritual sea, having fully expanded after the Ghost Emperor Mountain appeared, found it difficult to retain more information.

So, on the sixty-seventh day, Xu Qing opened his eyes. A profound, deep essence permeated his gaze, containing a sharpness that surpassed anything before.

But Xu Qing let out a soft sigh.

Then, sensing something, he turned his head and saw the Seventh Master sitting behind him, looking calm and unconcerned.

"Master, I can no longer continue my comprehension."

"Don't be disheartened. Although you couldn't complete the transfer in three days like my own master did back then, I know you've done your best."

The Seventh Master spoke indifferently, feigning an expression of "you're still alright." Yet, inwardly, a considerable stir was brewing. From Xu Qing, he felt a trace of the true essence of the Ghost Emperor Mountain.

Though it was only a trace, if word got out, it would be enough to drive the Taisi Immortal Sect wild with excitement.

"Master, it's just that my comprehension is limited and has reached its peak."

Xu Qing lowered his head. He knew he couldn't compare himself to his master. In his heart, his master's power was like a profound, dark abyss, its depth forever unseen.

He only regretted that he had only comprehended for just over sixty days before being unable to continue.

Though the Ghost Emperor Mountain that appeared in his mind now emitted a dense black light and astonishing fluctuations, it was still a world apart from what Xu Qing considered perfect.

He could only express its outline form to the best of his ability.

The Seventh Master looked at Xu Qing and sighed inwardly. In his eyes, the moment Xu Qing awoke, he not only possessed a trace of true essence, but his aura also differed greatly from before, carrying a wisp of ghostly qi.

This ghostly qi was not of death, but rather a sense of profound mystery. While it meant little to the Seventh Master's cultivation level, he knew very well its profound significance for cultivators below his own.

It could even subtly deter strange entities, and if Xu Qing met someone's gaze, anyone with an unstable mind would feel their thoughts roar.

Not only did the Seventh Master notice this, but Little Shadow's perception was even stronger.

With the Seventh Master nearby, it dared not show any reaction, but the terror in its heart, as Xu Qing awoke, spread throughout its body.

It subtly felt that Xu Qing, at this moment, seemed capable of devouring it.

The Seventh Master's facial muscles twitched slightly, but he instantly regained his composure and spoke with a smile.

"Understanding your shortcomings is the first step toward progress. Fourth Disciple, while your comprehension may be ordinary compared to mine, it is quite good among our human race."

"Master, I wonder if my current state of comprehension allows me to cultivate the Guǐ Yōu Duó Dào Gōng technique?" Xu Qing asked nervously, looking up at the Seventh Master.

The Seventh Master looked at Xu Qing, observing his anxious expression, and suddenly didn't want to speak. He felt a little weary, so he stood up and spoke indifferently.

"Barely."

Upon hearing this, Xu Qing breathed a sigh of relief. However, he also mused that in his future daily cultivation, he should include replicating the Ghost Emperor Mountain, attempting to comprehend it day and night, striving to truly transfer it completely into his spiritual sea one day.

With this thought, Xu Qing quickly stood up. Just as he was about to leave the room, Ding Xue entered with some pastries. Her eyes lit up when she saw Xu Qing.

"Brother Xu Qing, you're finally awake!"

Ding Xue quickly ran to Xu Qing and offered him the pastries. Seeing the pastries, Xu Qing felt a pang of hunger. Although his cultivation had reached a level where he no longer needed to consume mortal food, Xu Qing still enjoyed eating.

Because when he ate, a sense of satisfaction would arise in him. For someone who grew up in the slums, enduring hardships, it was an instinct deeply ingrained in his bones. So, Xu Qing picked up a pastry and ate it, then, after a moment's thought, picked up another.

The joy in Ding Xue's eyes was almost overflowing, and she was in an incredibly good mood. She then took out a bottle of medicinal liquid, brewed from fruits and herbs, and thoughtfully placed it before Xu Qing.

Xu Qing looked at Ding Xue and smiled. "Thank you."

These two words made Ding Xue's entire being light up with excitement. Just as she was about to speak, the Seventh Master's hum came from outside the door.

"Since you can't comprehend anymore, we should be going."

Ding Xue pouted, a little displeased, but dared not say more. Xu Qing, hearing this, also walked out of the room with Ding Xue.

Outside, it was already dusk. The lingering sunlight spilled onto the outside of the house and also fell upon the Seventh Master, who stood in the courtyard with his hands behind his back, clearly illuminating the displeasure on his face.

Ding Xue blinked, then quickly ran over with another box of pastries and playfully cajoled him. Only then did the Seventh Master's expression soften, revealing satisfaction.

That expression struck Xu Qing as familiar. After reminiscing, he thought of the old man from the inn on Banquan Road.

Then Xu Qing recalled the small white snake from the inn.

As Xu Qing reminisced, the Seventh Master took a bite of pastry, then took out a white token and tossed it to Xu Qing.

"Go give this token to the little boy next door who's almost home from school."

"It's rare for us to venture out. On our way back this time, I plan to cast a wide net and see if I can find Little Fifth in Yinghuang Prefecture."

"I'll wait for you outside the town," the Seventh Master said, beckoning Ding Xue. With Ding Xue's reluctance, they left the area and headed out of town.

The sun was setting, casting an orange glow across the land. Xu Qing swayed slightly, then sat on a nearby low wall, looking up at the evening clouds. He waited quietly.

From this spot, one side overlooked the neighbor's house, and the other, the street that led back to this area.

Not long after, down the street, a small boy with a schoolbag, dressed in clean clothes, bounced his way back. He politely bowed to every neighbor he met along the way, his face beaming with joy and contentment when he looked up.

As he was about to reach his doorstep, he saw Xu Qing sitting on the low wall and paused.

"Big Brother," the little boy hesitated, his smile somewhat forced, concealing a hint of fear.

But in Xu Qing's perception, while the fear was genuine, a barely suppressed fierceness lurked deeper within him.