Chapter 504: Demonic Ghost Forbidden Book and Summoning Demons

The old woman in the golden robe spoke solemnly, enunciating each word.

Wang Changsheng's pupils constricted slightly upon hearing this, his gaze becoming eager.

The Infant Spirit Fruit is one of the rare spiritual fruits that aid in Nascent Soul formation, capable of increasing the success rate by twenty percent. However, it requires specific growing conditions and a long maturation period, making it completely unavailable on the market, let alone in the outside world.

A twenty percent increase in Nascent Soul formation chance is incredibly significant, enough to drive any Core Formation cultivator to madness.

Upon hearing the words 'Infant Spirit Fruit,' Guangdong Ren's breathing quickened. He was already a seventh-level Core Formation cultivator. After their expedition to the Golden Sun Sect ruins, Ye Tong had brought back many millennium-old spirit herbs, meaning it was only a matter of time before he reached the ninth level of Core Formation. Who wouldn't aspire to form a Nascent Soul?

"The Infant Spirit Fruit! Madam Jin, are you telling the truth?"

He stared intently at the old woman in the golden robe, his tone stern.

The old woman in the golden robe rolled her eyes and retorted, "Nonsense! At this stage, why would I lie to you? I don't know the exact number of Infant Spirit Fruits, but there are two mutated third-tier Four-winged Golden Roaring Centipedes inside. Three hundred years ago, they were low-grade third-tier, and the Infant Spirit Fruits were not yet ripe. By now, they should have advanced to high-grade third-tier, and it's even highly possible they've reached the fourth tier."

Wang Changsheng's expression shifted. "Fourth-tier? I thought the Heavenly Wolf Secret Realm was not supposed to have fourth-tier demonic beasts?"

He would dare attempt to pick the Infant Spirit Fruit if the beasts were third-tier, but if they were fourth-tier, he wouldn't dare, not even with a hundred times his courage.

The old woman in the golden robe's expression remained indifferent. "Always prepare for the worst," she stated. "Though the Heavenly Wolf Secret Realm is indeed protected by restrictions, what if a fourth-tier Four-winged Golden Roaring Centipede still appears?"

Guangdong Ren narrowed his eyes. "Mutated Four-winged Golden Roaring Centipedes," he mused. "Who will lure them away?"

With any other spirit fruit, this wouldn't be a major issue, but this is the Infant Spirit Fruit, capable of boosting Nascent Soul formation. What if the person who picks it decides to keep it all?

The old woman in the golden robe understood that if she didn't disclose the truth to Guangdong Ren and Wang Changsheng, they would never willingly distract the Four-winged Golden Roaring Centipedes once they saw the Infant Spirit Fruit. Hence, she chose to be completely forthright.

"You two will distract the Four-winged Golden Roaring Centipedes, and I will harvest the Infant Spirit Fruit. Afterward, we'll rendezvous in the bamboo forest five hundred *li* away."

Guangdong Ren smiled faintly. "Madam Jin," he began, "Fellow Daoist Wang is only at the first level of Core Formation. Sending him to distract the Four-winged Golden Roaring Centipedes would surely be sending him to his death, rendering our efforts fruitless. How about this: you and I will lure them away, and Fellow Daoist Wang will be responsible for picking the Infant Spirit Fruit?"

"No problem," she agreed. "However, he must swear an Inner Demon Oath not to monopolize the Infant Spirit Fruit. Furthermore, he must record his vow on this Cursed Ghost Forbidden Scroll; should he violate it, the cursed ghost will consume his body, leading to his demise."

The old woman in the golden robe raised a hand, and a blood-colored page, approximately a foot long and two inches wide, shot out. Its surface bore a fierce ghost pattern, and the ghost's eyes darted about, appearing eerily lifelike.

"The Cursed Ghost Forbidden Scroll!"

Wang Changsheng's brows furrowed. Wang Mingren had brought back a collection of ancient texts from the South Sea, one of which described the Cursed Ghost Forbidden Scroll.

The Cursed Ghost Forbidden Scroll is a rather peculiar magical artifact. Legend has it that any cultivator who violates an oath made upon it will be consumed by a cursed ghost, leading to their death, making it far more effective than a mere Inner Demon Oath.

The predicament was that Wang Changsheng had only read about such an artifact and never seen the real thing. If this blood-colored page turned out to be something other than the Cursed Ghost Forbidden Scroll, they would be in serious trouble.

Guangdong Ren picked up the blood-colored page, scrutinizing it intently, his brow furrowed.

Many ancient texts documented artifacts similar to the Cursed Ghost Forbidden Scroll, designed to bind high-level cultivators. However, very few individuals had ever seen the real items. The cultivation world abounds with rare and peculiar treasures, and some have remarkably similar appearances, meaning relying solely on written descriptions carries a significant risk of deception.

"Madam Jin," Guangdong Ren stated, "I will guarantee Fellow Daoist Wang won't conceal the Infant Spirit Fruit. If you truly cannot trust him, I'll put up three first-tier magical artifacts as collateral."

The old woman in the golden robe let out a cold, mocking laugh. "So, I'll put up four first-tier magical artifacts as collateral, and you two will go distract the Four-winged Golden Roaring Centipedes?"

If not for the key required to enter the Heavenly Wolf Secret Realm, she would have no need to cooperate with Guangdong Ren; she could easily find others to assist her.

Guangdong Ren's brows were tightly knit, while Wang Changsheng's expression showed hesitation.

"If there are three Infant Spirit Fruits inside, how will they be divided? What about two? Or just one?" Wang Changsheng finally spoke up.

"If there are three, we'll each take one. If there are two, I'll take one, and the two of you will share the other—how you divide it is up to you. If there's only one, it belongs to me, and I will compensate you with a sum of valuables." The old woman in the golden robe spoke unhurriedly, her tone sincere.

Wang Changsheng mused for a moment, then transmitted a message to Guangdong Ren: "Fellow Daoist Guang, I am willing to swear an oath on the Cursed Ghost Forbidden Scroll. However, once this is done, in addition to our agreed-upon compensation, you must give me ten Foundation Establishment Pills. Should I not return, please ensure these ten pills are sent to our Green Lotus Mountain Villa."

Wang Changsheng wouldn't risk his life for just anything, but the Infant Spirit Fruit was different. A twenty percent increase in Nascent Soul formation chance was an opportunity he couldn't miss; who knew when such a chance would arise again? As a precaution, he requested additional valuables. If anything went awry, having ten Foundation Establishment Pills would allow his clan to cultivate more Foundation Establishment cultivators, and Wang Qingshan could then shoulder the family's responsibilities.

"Very well, no problem," Guangdong Ren affirmed. "Should the Cursed Ghost Forbidden Scroll cause you any unforeseen harm, I will personally look after your clan members. And once I reach the Nascent Soul stage, I will immediately avenge you. You have my word."

Guangdong Ren's expression was grave. If Wang Changsheng was unwilling, he couldn't force him; a coerced outcome would not be beneficial.

Upon receiving Guangdong Ren's assurance, Wang Changsheng exhaled softly. "Alright," he said. "I will use my essence blood to record my vow on the Cursed Ghost Forbidden Scroll."

Wang Changsheng bit his fingertip, then inscribed his vow upon the Cursed Ghost Forbidden Scroll.

A series of ghostly wails, like mournful whimpers, filled the air. The fierce ghost on the Cursed Ghost Forbidden Scroll's surface stirred to life, its mouth ceaselessly chewing, as though savoring some delectable feast.

A moment later, the fierce ghost opened its maw and spat out a beam of blood-red light, which flew directly towards Wang Changsheng. He made no attempt to evade, allowing the blood light to merge into his body.

He felt a sudden warmth in his chest. Lifting his clothes, he discovered a blood-red fierce ghost emblem on his chest, its maw wide open in a predatory manner, as if ready to consume.

The old woman in the golden robe put away the Cursed Ghost Forbidden Scroll, then nodded. "Fellow Daoist Guang," she said, "let's go lure away the Four-winged Golden Roaring Centipedes together!"

"Wait," Wang Changsheng interjected. "What if there are three Four-winged Golden Roaring Centipedes? Two might pursue you, but one could remain to guard the cave!"

Wang Changsheng's concern was not unfounded; they had previously encountered an unforeseen incident while harvesting the Poria cocos fruit. This time, it was equally unpredictable.

"Madam Jin, you are a third-tier talisman master. Please give Fellow Daoist Wang a few third-tier talismans! This is for everyone's benefit, as what he suggests is not impossible."

The old woman in the golden robe hesitated for a moment before producing a pale golden talisman. "This is a low-grade third-tier Earth Confinement Talisman," she explained. "An ordinary third-tier demonic beast trapped by this talisman won't escape for at least a quarter of an hour. However, the Four-winged Golden Roaring Centipede is a mutated demonic insect, so use it judiciously. This is the only one I have."

Wang Changsheng expressed his gratitude and accepted the golden talisman.

Guangdong Ren and the old woman in the golden robe transformed into two streaks of light and flew towards the cave. Wang Changsheng found a hiding spot.

Shortly after, a tremendous roar echoed from within the cave. Two streaks of light burst forth from it, shooting directly towards the horizon.

Two peculiar hissing sounds followed, as two massive centipedes, each with four wings on its back and appearing as if forged from shattered gold, soared out of the cave. They were undoubtedly high-grade third-tier demonic insects, moving with incredible speed.

Once the two Four-winged Golden Roaring Centipedes vanished into the distance, Wang Changsheng transformed into a streak of light and flew into the cave.