SWDnovel Chapter 31: This is all my potential for cultivating immortality!
Chapter 31: This is all my potential for cultivating immortality!
"Sigh, he's hopeless."
Zhuang Duyou walked out of the cave dwelling, looking displeased.
I thought this guy could withstand a few more rounds of drug trials, but I didn't expect him to succumb to the effects of just one pill. What a useless good-for-nothing.
He looked up at Cao Xing and Wu Peng beside him.
"My two junior brothers, please don't take it to heart. Yesterday, when he was testing the pills, I reminded him to be calm and not to drink alcohol or eat meat. But he ignored me. The inferior wine amplified the medicinal properties, and the meat further stimulated them. The medicine was too strong, causing his qi and blood to be imbalanced and his heart to be blocked, which is why he is in this predicament."
Zhuang Duyou's explanation sounded reasonable, and Cao Xing felt the bracelet on his wrist tremble slightly. It was obviously Bixia reminding him that this guy wasn't telling the truth.
Even without Bixia's reminder, Cao Xing knew that Zhuang Duyou was talking nonsense.
Wang Kaixuan's body was completely red, with black blood seeping from his ears; it didn't look like the myocardial infarction he had claimed.
However, Cao Xing naturally wouldn't point out what this matter had to do with him.
Wu Peng nodded in agreement, saying, "Senior Brother Zhuang is right. I tried to persuade him to stop drinking last night, but he was probably too happy to take it to heart since he had just joined the sect."
"Sigh, I'll leave the body to you two junior brothers. Take it to the small house at the foot of the back mountain and hand it over to Uncle Gu Su."
After Zhuang Du finished his persuasion, he left in a hurry.
After Zhuang Du left, Wu Peng walked up to Cao Xing and quietly handed him ten taels of silver.
Before Cao Xing could speak, Wu Peng said with a smile, "Don't refuse, this is all from Junior Brother Wang's heartfelt wishes."
Cao Xing nodded: "Since it is Junior Brother Wang's kind intention, I will accept it without hesitation."
After receiving the money, Wu Peng found a frame, and the two of them carried the corpse towards the back mountain.
When they reached the foot of the back mountain, Cao Xing could smell a peculiar scent in the air from afar. He had smelled this scent before when he was at the crematorium before his rebirth.
Upon closer inspection, a forest could be seen at the foot of the mountain. This forest was unlike any other forest; while the other forests were teeming with life, this forest was barren and lifeless.
Even after entering the woods, Wu Peng couldn't stop trembling.
He looked up at the sky. The sun was shining brightly, but instead of warming him, the sunlight made him feel cold all over, and even the wound in his groin began to ache.
After taking two more steps, Wu Peng couldn't take it anymore and hurriedly called out to Cao Xing, "Senior Brother Cao, I...I...this place is weird, I...can't stand it."
As he spoke, Wu Peng took out another ten taels of silver from his pocket and tossed it to Cao Xing: "I'll have to trouble Senior Brother Cao with this corpse."
Cao Xing took the silver and casually tossed it back; "No need to be so polite, it was just a small favor, you can go back now."
He could tell that Wu Peng was genuinely uncomfortable. After all, they lived under the same roof and would see each other all the time. Cao Xing wouldn't risk ruining his reputation for ten taels of silver.
Wu Peng was stunned for a moment when he saw the silver in his arms. He bowed to Cao Xing and then quickly left.
Only after Wu Peng left did Cao Xing speak up, saying, "You've been watching for quite a while now, why don't you lend a hand if you're free?"
As Cao Xing finished speaking, the air around the bushes distorted, and a figure silently appeared in mid-air, looking at Cao Xing in surprise: "Huh??"
Cao Xing squinted and looked at her: "A female Daoist?"
The gray-white Taoist robe outlined the contours of her chest, and her long hair, interspersed with a few white strands, was draped over her shoulders. However, there was no trace of aging on her face; her skin was even better than that of a young girl. Cao Xing really couldn't tell her age for a moment.
Cao Xing cupped his hands and said, "Is this Uncle-Master Gu? This disciple Cao Xing has come to..."
"They've come to deliver a corpse."
Before Cao Xing could finish speaking, Gu Su interrupted him, walked to his side, and circled around him.
"To be able to detect me at the sixth level of Qi Refining, it seems that the Upper Temple has attracted quite a few talented individuals this year."
Cao Xing was startled upon hearing this, not expecting that the other party could see through his cultivation level, indicating that their strength was far above his own.
In fact, he didn't know that the person hiding there was Gu Su.
It was only because of the Jiamu Qingling Talisman that his eyes were able to see through ordinary illusions, and he vaguely saw a figure hiding there, which is why he spoke up to expose it.
Fortunately, Gu Su didn't hold it against Cao Xing for exposing her illusion. Instead, she circled around Cao Xing with great interest, saying, "Good, good, you're really in good health."
Gu Su stared intently at Cao Xing's body, wishing she could strip off his clothes and see him through.
"This place is filled with resentment and heavy yin energy. Ordinary people who come here will inevitably fall seriously ill. The fact that you have made it this far shows that you are a good candidate for cultivation."
Despite Gu Su's praise, Cao Xing remained vigilant, clasping his hands in a fist and bowing, saying, "Uncle-Master, you flatter me."
Gu Su then changed the subject, continuing, "However, the fact that I sent you here to deliver corpses shows that your potential for immortality isn't very high. In that case, I have a task for you. Would you be willing to do it?"
A job?
Cao Xing's heart tightened, and he turned slightly, maintaining his posture facing Gu Su, and said, "This disciple has just entered the sect and is not yet familiar with the rules here. I'm afraid I've delayed Master Uncle's important matter."
"Hmm, afraid I'll hurt you?"
Gu Su directly exposed Cao Xing's ulterior motives.
"I wouldn't dare!" Cao Xing stared intently at Gu Su.
Noticing Cao Xing's wary gaze, Gu Su stopped trying to persuade him and glanced at the corpse on the ground: "Then take the corpse and come with me."
After saying that, he turned back and glanced at Cao Xing: "It's just a corpse. I don't need to lend a hand, do I?"
"No need," Cao Xing quickly replied.
After Gu Su strode forward a few steps, Cao Xing breathed a sigh of relief. He turned around, picked up Wang Kaixuan's body, and held it in his arms, feeling its weight. Not bad, he thought:
"Brother Wang, if this woman gives us any trouble, we'll have to trouble you to help me fend for ourselves."
"Shhh..."
The forest was full of dead leaves, which rustled underfoot.
When they reached the bottom, even Cao Xing, who came from a terrible place like Boyue Cave, couldn't help but wrinkle his nose.
A strong stench of corpses filled the air. Upon closer inspection, Cao Xing saw a huge, deep pit. To his shock, the pit was filled with countless corpses, layer upon layer.
Below the deep pit, there is a huge stone cave, the bottom of which is unknown. You can vaguely see what looks like several coffins at the entrance.
So many corpses?
Were they all people who died at Shangfang Temple?
If these corpses were to undergo the [Netherworld Enlightenment Technique], wouldn't they generate an endless stream of Yin virtue? At that time, I wouldn't have to worry about cultivation resources; I could simply use Yin virtue to cultivate.
Thinking of this, Cao Xing's gaze towards the corpses changed, as if what he saw before him were not cold, stinking corpses, but his own potential for immortality.
These are all my potential for future cultivation.
It's out! It's out! This time it's really out!
Cao Xing's heart began to race uncontrollably.
"What's wrong! Are you scared?"
At this moment, Gu Su saw that Cao Xing was not speaking but staring blankly at the corpses, so she asked.
Cao Xing nodded slightly, then took two more steps forward, feigning hesitation: "It's alright, but... why are there so many corpses here?"
Gu Su did not answer Cao Xing, but said meaningfully:
"The path of cultivation is one of no retreat; retreat is an abyss. It's not that easy. Don't think that fighting desperately can change anything. If you fight at the wrong time, you'll only die faster."
Gu Su was referring to Wang Kaixuan in Cao Xing's arms, but Cao Xing felt that she was referring to him.
"Just put the body there," Gu Su pointed to a corner.
Cao Xing put the body down, then bowed and turned to leave.
Seeing that the boy was really about to leave, Gu Su frowned.
One step, two steps...
Cao Xing walked very slowly, taking two steps instead of one.
Aren't you going to call out to yourself?
Is this kid really leaving?
At this moment, both of them were feeling anxious.
Seeing that Cao Xing was about to walk away, Gu Su finally couldn't help but call out, "Kid!"
Cao Xing nimbly turned around, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said, "Present!"
Gu Su was stunned, and couldn't help but curse inwardly, "That bastard!"
"Sigh." Gu Su sighed, knowing that she was at a disadvantage.
She softened her tone and said, "There's a job here, five hundred taels a month, plus two Spirit Essence Pills. Would you like to take it?"
Five hundred taels a month is no small sum.
Wang Kaixuan had to take so many medicines that he almost died, and he only earned fifty taels of silver. Of that, thirty taels had to be used to pay off his debts. What kind of job would pay five hundred taels of silver directly? Plus two Spirit Essence Pills?
Cao Xing didn't answer, but just continued to look at Gu Su.
Seeing this, Gu Su didn't keep her in suspense any longer: "The corpse energy here is too heavy, and the yin energy is pervasive. You saw it just now. Your junior brother couldn't even stand it before he came in. As a woman cultivating here, there are always inconveniences. I'm missing a helper. Ordinary disciples are unwilling to come, and registered disciples can't stand it. I haven't been able to find a suitable candidate. If you are willing to come, I will definitely not treat you unfairly."
Cao Xing lowered his head and pondered inwardly, but actually looked at Bixia on his wrist and found that Bixia did not react, which meant that the other party was not lying.
Even so, five hundred taels is still an outrageous price.
Cao Xing remained silent, simply continuing to stare at Gu Su.
Hey, how come this kid is so slippery? Is he a mudfish?
Gu Su could only continue, "I won't lie to you, this place isn't a good place. There's too much resentment, which breeds some ghosts and evil spirits. Sometimes it's quite dangerous, but as long as you listen to me, I'll guarantee your safety."
After confirming once again that Gu Su had not lied to him, Cao Xing did not rush to agree. After considering for a moment, he said, "May I have time to think about it?"
"Of course." Gu Su nodded.
"I'll take my leave now."
Cao Xing bowed again and slowly retreated, disappearing from Gu Su's sight in a moment. After Cao Xing left, Gu Su took out a communication talisman from her sleeve and it appeared in her hand.
A man's voice came through the communication talisman: "Junior sister, how's that kid?"
"Indeed, his blood energy is indeed vigorous. No wonder your Rakshasa Thousand Maidens Painting couldn't do anything to him. Senior Brother Jin Yuan, consider this a favor I owe you. I'll send you 30,000 taels of silver later."
"Hahaha, you're too kind."
Putting away the communication talisman, Gu Su glanced at Wang Kaixuan's corpse on the ground: "You can be said to have died a worthy death."