Chapter 326: Drunken Immortal Lake, Call for Help Message

Estimating the journey, it would take a few days at most. After leaving the Demon Cave region and returning to the Desolate Blood Plains, they would still need to pass through an area called Ghost Razor Mountain before reaching Drunken Immortal Lake, a popular exploration spot for disciples of Five Yin Peak.

This area is abundant in a unique type of yin ghost called a Razor Ghost, which excels in combat and shadow stealth. With luck, one might even capture a Blood Razor Ghost, infected by the power of blood demons.

Similar to a variant among zombies, they can easily overpower ordinary cultivators of the same realm. Ghost cultivators typically follow two paths: specialization or commanding hordes of ghosts.

The former involves refining one ghost creature at each major realm. Their minds are connected, similar to a natal magic treasure, and they can form arrays to fight enemies, making them quite formidable.

The latter uses the Myriad Soul Banner as its core to command the power of ghost hordes. This path has a vast range in power. The most powerful can become an army of one, and the higher the cultivator's realm, the stronger they become in this path. However, at lower realms, they are much weaker than cultivators of other paths, making it difficult to develop.

Wang Yu planned to bypass this area, not wanting to cause trouble.

Speaking of which, he also possessed a unique ghost cultivation art called the Ghoul Transformation Curse, which could refine living souls into ghost creatures.

If he were on the verge of death, he could even abandon his physical body to focus on the ghost path.

Although he had mastered it, he lacked a complete ghost path inheritance. After some thought, he decided against it; he already had an overwhelming number of divine abilities to cultivate.

After exchanging for the Ten Directions Frozen Demon Path, an entire queue of divine abilities and secret arts awaited enhancement.

After completing the Killing Fist, he began focusing on the Underworld Grand Seal. This technique was already at a great mastery level, not far from completion, only slightly behind Killing Fist.

After all, it was a divine ability he began cultivating during his time in Guiling City, having spent a long time comprehending it.

Ultimately, it all came down to the six cultivation slots not being enough.

He estimated that only by reaching the peak of Core Formation would he be able to master a complete system of divine abilities. In the end, he was simply too young, and his cultivation years were insufficient.

Otherwise, if he were to reach 300 years old, he would be invincible at the Core Formation stage.

Of course, improving his realm was the most cost-effective approach.

The realm is the foundation of cultivation; divine abilities and spell arts are merely methods to protect one's path. One must not focus on the trivial while neglecting the essential.

He had already been selectively cultivating some divine abilities.

A few days later.

After successfully bypassing the Ghost Razor Mountain area, and with Drunken Immortal Lake visible in the distance, the communication jade slip in Wang Yu's Sea Heart Ring suddenly vibrated.

This was truly unexpected. He wasn't exactly a suitable contact in the Blood Abyss Sacred Land, and it was widely known that Zhuo Shouyun wanted him dead.

No one wanted to interfere in the conflict between the two Zhuos!

“Which fellow Daoist is contacting me?”

“It’s me—Ding Ming!”

Hearing the identity of the caller, Wang Yu was even more surprised. If he remembered correctly, they had only met in the ruins of Dongji Capital.

This person had obtained the latter half of the True Rakshasa Demonic Scripture, a Soul Transformation inheritance. Based on what was known about the Asura Venerable, the True Rakshasa Demonic Scripture was likely an inheritance that involved simultaneous cultivation of both soul and mind paths.

“What business does Fellow Daoist Ding have with me?”

The other party was quite direct, proposing a transaction with Wang Yu.

“Brother Wang, let’s be straightforward. I know you and Zhuo Shouyun will eventually clash. There’s a female cultivator in his team named Ding Xiang, who is my biological sister. Her natal yin beast excels in stealth techniques. If my predictions are correct, Zhuo Shouyun will likely use her as a core component in a trap to lure you in. Brother Wang, you must not fall for it.”

Ding Ming clearly stated his terms and also gave him a favorable warning.

Although Wang Yu wasn't planning to rush in recklessly, he could certainly see the various benefits. This spy... was quite impressive!

After a moment of silence, Wang Yu spoke proactively.

“Fellow Daoist Ding, tell me, what do you need my help with?”

“Hahaha, dealing with intelligent people is easy. To make a long story short, I possess half of the Rakshasa Scripture inheritance, and also a fifth-tier spiritual treasure left by the Rakshasa Demon Venerable—the Rakshasa Demonic Sky Bell.”

“During the trip to Dongji Capital back then, Xie Xiean was thwarted by my schemes and failed. In recent years, he has constantly targeted me, trying to seize the partial demonic scripture and the spiritual treasure.”

Wang Yu didn't expect Ding Ming to drop such a bombshell right away.

The inheritance itself was one thing. The Nascent Soul old monsters weren't tempted because they had absorbed demonic energy from different demons during their Nascent Soul formation and could no longer change their cultivation path.

They could only follow one path to the end.

An additional Soul Transformation inheritance didn't mean much, but this wasn't why they abandoned the demonic scripture. Wang Yu's judgment was that there was something wrong with this demonic scripture.

The Nascent Soul ancestors didn't even want to touch it, hence their unanimous abandonment, with no one making a move. This clearly showed how deep the waters were.

However, this Soul Transformation spiritual treasure… its value was immense.

If its existence were revealed, even Nascent Soul ancestors would abandon their dignity to seize it, right? The information Ding Ming provided to gain his trust seemed excessive.

As if he knew what Wang Yu was thinking, Ding Ming quickly said,

“The Rakshasa Demonic Sky Bell is relatively well-preserved, but its artifact spirit only recognizes users who have cultivated the True Rakshasa Demonic Scripture. Therefore, I cannot activate it. However, Xie Xiean can. The upper part of the demonic scripture he cultivates contains the complete four-tier cultivation methods from Qi Condensation to Nascent Soul. I only have the Soul Transformation chapter, which I cannot cultivate at all. I need Brother Wang's help to kill this scoundrel with me. At that time, my sister, Ding Xiang, will provide you with detailed information about Zhuo Shouyun's whereabouts and schemes.”

Wang Yu remained silent.

Something wasn't right…

Surrounding and killing Xie Xiean was secondary. Even if he gathered many cultivators from Evil God Peak, there were plenty of ways to deal with them in the Blood Abyss Sacred Land.

The problem was, why wasn't Ding Ming afraid of him developing covetous desires? He asked without hesitation.

“Fellow Daoist Ding, aren't you afraid I'll attack you and seize that Soul Transformation spiritual treasure?”

To his surprise, the other party chuckled strangely.

“Hahaha, if Brother Wang isn't afraid, I would be delighted if you tried to seize this treasure. The Rakshasa Demonic Sky Bell's artifact spirit is too powerful; I am completely no match for it. It resides in my sea of qi, constantly threatening me to do its bidding. It even deliberately exposed itself to Xie Xiean, wanting me to fight him to the death to complete the inheritance. It can even control my body, forcing me to go to the Desolate Ancient Plains.”

Upon hearing this, Wang Yu was even more baffled.

Having his body controlled by a spiritual treasure? Forced to go to the Desolate Ancient Plains?!

Legend has it that the Slaughter Demon was sealed on the Desolate Ancient Plains, and both the Asura Scripture and the Rakshasa Scripture are cultivation inheritances passed down by the Slaughter Demon.

The reason the Rakshasa Demonic Sky Bell wanted to go there was self-evident—it definitely wouldn't be for anything good.

At this moment, Wang Yu vaguely understood.

Perhaps the Nascent Soul ancestors of the Rebellious Spirit Blood Sect were also aware of this. It wasn't that they weren't tempted, but rather that this Soul Transformation spiritual treasure was too perfectly preserved.

It was likely that even Nascent Soul cultivators would find it difficult to escape its control.

If this line of reasoning was correct, Ding Ming was very likely being monitored by numerous late-stage Nascent Soul grand cultivators, which was why nothing had happened to him since the Dongji Capital trip ended.

Xie Xiean was also still actively causing trouble for Ding Ming.

This might be a tacitly approved outcome from the higher-ups!

So what did they want to see? Since both of them had been placed in the Blood Abyss Sacred Land, it meant they wanted to leverage the unique properties of this place.

To attempt to make the True Rakshasa Demonic Scripture whole again?

In that case.

Even if something truly went wrong, it would still be under control, like meat stewing in a pot…

Thinking of this, Wang Yu couldn't help but look up at the thick blood clouds in the sky. When the Cold Blood Mountain Master explained the rules of this place, he never said that Nascent Soul cultivators couldn't enter.

This time, the silence was too long.

Ding Ming couldn't help but urge, “Brother Wang, are you still there? After much thought, only you can help me.”

Wang Yu suddenly grinned, “What about Wei Shanze? I heard he also formed his core. Won't he help?”

Hearing this, Ding Ming sighed helplessly.

“Shanze and I are only at the second and third layers of Core Formation, respectively. Xie Xiean has five or six late-stage Core Formation cultivators with him. We dare not contend with him, so after entering, Shanze went to join his cousin.”

Is that so…

Wang Yu rubbed his chin, quickly pondering.

“One year from now, come to the Demon Cave area. I will be seeking opportunities elsewhere and will be heading in that direction. Contact me when you arrive.”

Hearing this, Ding Ming hesitated slightly.

“Very well… a year from now, then.”

Wang Yu couldn't help but feel suspicious again. Given Ding Ming's earlier urgent tone, he thought Ding Ming was being hunted, but to his surprise, he accepted meeting a year later.

“Hmph—”

“I still feel like something isn’t right.”

With a splitting headache, Wang Yu decided to focus on cultivation first. There was no immediate rush, and Drunken Immortal Lake was almost in sight.

Meanwhile.

Ding Ming's hurried breathing quickly settled. He put down the communication jade slip and looked with utter helplessness at the terrifying figure who controlled minds before him.

It was—Zhuo Shouyun!

“You did well, but the Demon Cave has arrangements made by the Feng clan of Quiet Valley, Feipeng.”

“Young Master Yun.”

“Go contact the Feng Twin Beauties and see if they have any news of Wang Yu.”

Zhuo Shouyun was certain.

Wang Yu must be active in that area. Since they agreed to meet in a year, he shouldn't be too far away, and might even be there recently.

When he first entered the Blood Abyss Sacred Land, to prevent Wang Yu from doing the opposite, he immediately initiated a fishing tactic.

But there had been no response for a while.

So he immediately activated Plan B.

His control over Zhuo Shouqing and his investigation into Wang Yu had begun much earlier. Naturally, he first captured Ding Xiang's body and mind, thus creating the current trap.

At this moment.

Ding Xiang, Ding Ming's biological sister, was looking at Zhuo Shouyun with admiration, actively leaning into his embrace, as if she wanted to merge into him.

This made Ding Ming's eyes red, causing him great pain.

This was completely different from his original plan of using his sister to get information about Zhuo Shouyun. Heaven knew what went wrong to turn things into this state.

Zhuo Shouyun's methods had already traumatized him.

It was too terrifying.

As for the Rakshasa Demonic Sky Bell, the information was both true and false. The treasure indeed existed but had always been in a dormant state.

After Ding Ming unexpectedly obtained it, he couldn't identify the true form of the valuable treasure and merely used it as a tougher ordinary ancient treasure. After Zhuo Shouyun caught him, it became his spoils of war.

All the statements just now were taught to Ding Ming by him.

All the information within them was true, but it described the Demonic Sky Bell's behavior after being awakened by Rakshasa magic power, which was also a top secret in the Zhuo clan's archives.