Chapter 226: The Value of the Heart Sutra of Prajna

Jin Miaoshan took a deep breath, suppressing all her favorable feelings towards Wang Yu. Indeed, he was a mercenary individual who only helped when it directly benefited him, rather than out of genuine goodwill.

This was, in fact, normal. The Chi Yuan sect prioritized its own interests.

Any action would first be weighed for its worth. Jin Miaoshan, currently vulnerable after her recent dramatic ups and downs, couldn't help but develop some positive feelings towards Wang Yu.

These feelings were not romantic, but rather the supportive bond found between friends. Such affection exists not only between lovers but also between parents, siblings, children, and friends.

After watching the images from the recording stone, Jin Miaoshan nodded.

"I understand your meaning, Fellow Daoist. I will make compensation and express my gratitude.

"However... I want to ask, Fellow Daoist, why do you harbor such strong animosity towards Jinman Tower?"

"I harbor animosity?"

Wang Yu raised an eyebrow, knowing Jin Miaoshan was referring to Ye Qing's betrayal and his own seemingly underhanded move of introducing Tianbao Pavilion. He already had his response prepared.

"Introducing Tianbao Pavilion is for the development of Guiling City. As the City Lord, I am obligated to do this. The benefits of having two major trade associations in Guiling should be self-evident.

"Lodge Master Ye Qing was merely a casualty in this matter. You can only blame yourself for suddenly going into seclusion and being unable to protect or support him. His betrayal was a result of real-world factors, and you are responsible, not I.

"Jin Lin has plotted against you not once or twice. I myself have experienced it twice. Even if your seclusion was urgent, you should have anticipated Jin Lin's reaction. Your inaction is the true cause of this."

Wang Yu's three-part explanation left Jin Miaoshan bewildered, yet it seemed to hold some truth.

Jin Miaoshan sat on the chair to her right, gently rubbing her temples. She felt as though something was amiss with the entire situation.

However, failing to make arrangements against Jin Lin was indeed her mistake. At the time, she had been consumed by killing intent and was unable to maintain her sanity.

Even now, she relied on spiritual artifacts to keep her mind clear.

A large portion of her thoughts had been invaded by killing intent, which was why her hair had turned mixed black and white. If her hair became completely white, she would lose herself entirely.

She would become a demon controlled by killing intent. Thinking of this, Jin Miaoshan lost interest in discussing such trivial matters. It was just a matter of some spiritual artifact compensation, which she could afford.

Most importantly, she recalled Wang Yu's words that had reached her during her seclusion.

She suddenly looked up at Wang Yu.

He was looking at her.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, we can discuss right and wrong later. Miaoshan wishes to know what method you spoke of that can save me."

Wang Yu, however, didn't answer directly. Instead, he asked a question he had long been curious about.

"Fellow Daoist Jin, is the Asura Killing Saint Scripture a Spirit Transformation inheritance of the Heart Dao? And do you know who obtained the other scripture, the Rakshasa True Demon Scripture?"

Jin Miaoshan frowned. Given the Heavenly Soul Sect's cultivation method transaction, it was normal for him to guess her condition, but... if Wang Yu were to ask for it...

How could she refuse?

Top-tier Spirit Transformation inheritances are almost always unique; it's difficult to cultivate two. This is determined by the nature of the ancient demonic power behind them. Most cultivators choose their path after breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage.

Only the Heart Dao is different; it can be cultivated alongside others!

To preserve the Asura Killing Saint Scripture, Jinman Tower paid a certain price. Since she already possessed a profound inheritance, cultivating this scripture was for even greater power.

The scripture had already been etched into her mind. Unless she was killed, even soul-searching would barely reveal anything.

As if sensing her thoughts, Wang Yu said, "I don't want your inheritance. Answer my question first."

Jin Miaoshan finally exhaled in relief.

"Yes, the Asura Killing Saint Scripture is indeed a Heart Dao inheritance. As for the other true scripture, although Miaoshan didn't see it with her own eyes, it should have been obtained by Ding Ming, a true disciple of your sect's Fiend Eyes Peak."

"It was him!"

This result was both unexpected and reasonable. He had thought Xie Xie'an, who possessed half of the Rakshasa True Demon Scripture, would have an advantage.

As for Ding Ming, with Wei Shanzhe's help, success was certainly possible, not to mention Wang Yu providing him with information and the correct entry token.

Xie Xie'an's failure in the competition would surely lead him to seek justice from the sect, but... the Evil God Peak was too weak, unable to even produce a single Nascent Soul cultivator, with its strongest member only at the peak of Core Formation.

The disparity with other peaks was too great. Let alone obtaining the other half of the Rakshasa True Demon Scripture, they might even have to surrender the half they already possessed.

How tragic!

The Evil God Peak might be completely abolished, and the Fiend Eyes Peak would usher in a new wave of development. He secretly mused about the situation within the sect.

Any change in the sect could affect him, so he had to be cautious, especially since he had interactions with both Ding Ming and Wei Shanzhe.

Jin Miaoshan waited for him for a while before pressing again.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, can you now tell me what it is that can help me?"

"Ah, that... we'll have to start from the beginning."

Wang Yu began to recount events after the exploration surge ended.

"In short, after you all left, I went into the Eastern Capital Imperial Ruins alone and gained many clues and discoveries.

"The Asura Venerable and Rakshasa Venerable, the original recipients of these two inheritances, should both have been affected, their minds twisted.

"The two scriptures might even have originally been one. Based on my speculation, in the later part of his life, the Asura Venerable was also twisted by this cultivation method and had to try every means to calm this state.

"He tried self-torture, self-restraint, heart-refining, Buddhist methods... these were used to maintain his sanity. Judging by your situation, the inheritance you received is very likely the original version. Otherwise, you should also possess the methods the Asura Venerable used for self-control, but the reality is that you are completely out of control, relying on Jinman Tower to maintain your current state."

With the conversation at this point, the conclusion was very clear.

After Jin Miaoshan and her companions obtained the inheritance, they used special means to withdraw to avoid being besieged and killed, so they had no time to explore more secrets.

Her eyes widened, and she suddenly spoke.

"After you went in alone, you obtained the Asura Venerable's mind-control method?!!"

"Yes and no."

Wang Yu sighed regretfully.

"Perhaps you damaged the Imperial Capital Evil Suppressing Prison too much. I only obtained one Buddhist Heart Sutra, which should be one of the Asura Venerable's many mind-control methods.

"I'm not sure how effective it will be, as no one knows if the Asura Venerable ultimately lost control."

Even so, to Jin Miaoshan, it was like a lifeline. Since cultivating the Asura Killing Saint Scripture, the surging killing intent compelled her to kill every living being she encountered.

This was clearly not normal. At first, she thought it was because her cultivation was insufficient, making it difficult to control herself.

So she went into seclusion to condense her Golden Core. After breaking through to the Core Formation stage, this disturbance became even more terrifying, completely shattering her pride. Thus, she began seeking help from within the tower.

She utilized various spiritual items for calming the mind and clearing the spiritual platform.

This matter inevitably leaked to other inheritance candidates.

And then came Jin Lin's conspiracy.

Buddhist inheritances had long been extinct; even within Jinman Tower, there were very few, and none related to the Heart Dao.

Such inheritances were rare even in ancient times, let alone in this cultivation world, which had suffered multiple breaks in its lineage due to demonic scourges. Excavating ancient history was one way for current cultivators to grow stronger.

But situations like Jin Miaoshan's often occurred.

Inheritances given by ancient demons were indeed too dangerous... It should be said that demonic cultivation methods, in their later stages, were all dangerous. No one knew the origins of those sealed places.

Contact must be approached with extreme caution.

The lifeline Wang Yu offered at this moment was too important. Jin Miaoshan, without thinking, offered the highest price she could.

"How about I exchange it for a top-grade Core Formation spiritual item of yin-ice attribute?"

Although Wang Yu already possessed top-grade Core Formation spiritual items of fire and wood attributes—the Lava Earth Core Fruit and the Ten-Thousand-Year Tree Heart—he still lacked those of yin and ice attributes.

After the Scented Gathering's reputation was ruined, he had originally planned to exchange for them from Tianbao Pavilion. With Han Jia's connection, he figured he would eventually get the chance if he waited a few more years.

Now that Jin Miaoshan had proposed it, he feigned displeasure: "Fellow Daoist Jin, are you perhaps making fun of me? Last time, when I asked for compensation, you said you didn't have any yin-ice attribute Core Formation spiritual items."

His meaning was clear.

Only a little over a decade has passed, and you had none before, but now you do? Are you playing games with me?

Jin Miaoshan also realized her slip of the tongue and apologized.

"I didn't mean that. Of course, I don't have it now, but Miaoshan is willing to mobilize everyone in my lineage to find such a spiritual item for you, no matter the cost."

"No, no, no."

Wang Yu shook his head, indicating he wasn't interested in empty promises. He proposed the conditions he had long prepared.

"Miaoshan, I am not an unreasonable person. If you can provide a treasure that can significantly increase a Core Formation cultivator's cultivation speed, I can teach you the Prajna Heart Sutra.

"Note that this item must be usable by me, effective until the peak of Core Formation, and I also want a top-grade yin-ice attribute Core Formation spiritual item."

Jin Miaoshan clenched her teeth, feeling Wang Yu's expression at that moment resembled his past extortion.

"Within Jinman Tower, we have Spirit Refining Talismans, supreme-grade cultivation pills, and the Grand Thousand Spirit Refining Array. All can meet your needs. Which one do you want?"

Wang Yu's interest was piqued. He had searched extensively for treasures that could enhance cultivation speed, but apart from readily available natural treasures, he had found almost nothing.

He preferred something with a continuous effect, similar to supreme-grade elixirs. He said, "Forget the pills for now. Tell me about the other two."

"A Spirit Refining Talisman, when worn, can increase a cultivator's speed of refining spiritual energy. It's suitable for Qi Condensation and Foundation Establishment cultivators, boosting efficiency by about 50%. It's ineffective for cultivators with Heavenly Spiritual Roots.

"The Grand Thousand Spirit Refining Array has an effect similar to the Spirit Refining Talisman, but it's more suitable for Core Formation and Nascent Soul cultivators, also increasing the efficiency of refining spiritual energy by about 50%.

"These two can solve the problem of insufficient spiritual root aptitude. If not for Heavenly Spiritual Roots, whose efficiency in refining heaven and earth spiritual energy is already at its peak, these methods should also be effective for Heavenly Spiritual Roots."

After listening, Wang Yu unexpectedly shook his head.

"No, no, these won't do."

Jin Miaoshan was helpless.

"Not this, not that. What exactly do you want?"

"As I said..."