A silvery wisp with a haunting chill appeared above Daoyi's fingertips. Like a worm, the silvery wisp wriggled grotesquely, and if one looked closely, they could see a face on it. And if one stared for even longer, the terror-ridden howls would penetrate their ears.
Soul Technique - Will-O-Wisp
Daoyi extinguished the wispy flame with a thought. Inside of Daoyi's dantian existed a translucent Spiritual Core that exuded a violet-gold shine. In the next moment, a silvery wisp appeared within the Spiritual Core and swam within it, like a fish in water. The light took on a ghastly tone as if it originated from pure malice.
Cultivating the East Flowing Nether River Scripture, Daoyi's Immortal path had long deviated from a regular cultivator's. Normal cultivators took in the spiritual qi of heaven and earth in order to transform their body to be a suitable vessel for Immortality. Daoyi could also absorb spiritual qi like normal cultivators, but her way of progress lay in refining souls.
It was one of the many paths that a soul cultivator could choose to walk, but more often than not, it was seen as an unorthodox way of cultivating. Refining others' souls to increase the strength of the user's soul could even be seen as an 'evil' method. Many devilish cultivators would take refine the souls of countless innocents to increase their own strength. But Daoyi's method was to refine ghosts, souls who became malevolent spirits due to the lingering negative emotion.
Ghosts were rare in the Huang Realm due to the cycle of samsara whisking away the souls of the dead, but those with enough lingering attachment or special reasons could stay behind. Their souls either dissipate, or they became ghosts. If left for too long, they could become calamities, so local sects or forces exterminated them.
Daoyi refined these malicious spirits' ghost qi for her use, allowing her to increase cultivation depending on her attainments and amount of ghost qi absorbed. There was a high risk of her undergoing cultivation deviation if she absorbed more ghost qi than she could withstand, but everything carried risks.
At the same time, the ghosts she refined the ghost qi from did not disappear and were refined into her spectral servants, her ghost servants. Right now, she only had one, but the more ghosts she refined, the stronger her battle prowess would rise. Daoyi gave a ridiculing smile as she sensed the vestiges of the ghosts within the imperial palace. Sure enough, the imperial palace was the dirtiest place in the world, producing the greatest grudges.
She shook her head, with a Nascent Soul Grandmaster like the Xi Emperor holding the fort, those ghosts were extinguished before they had the chance to develop. Daoyi took out a gourd-shaped container, the material appeared to be organic, but it was ice cold to the touch. This was the Hundred Ghost Dwelling Gourd, an artifact created to store soul-type beings.
Daoyi uncorked the Hundred Ghost Dwelling Gourd, and hundreds of grieving wails erupted from the opening. She calmly performed a hand seal pointing at the gourd. Daoyi moved her arm in an arc, and as if a string was attached to her fingers, a chilling blue wisp was pulled out from within the gourd. Once outside, the ghost immediately expanded and returned to its original form, revealing its hideous features.
The ghost had only begun to revel in its newfound freedom for but a mere moment before Daoyi opened her mouth, and a large suction force dragged the ghost into her mouth. The ghost screamed in unwillingness as he was dragged into Daoyi's dantian and chained in place from the ghost qi emanating from her Spiritual Core. Daoyi corked the Hundred Ghost Dwelling Gourd before assuming a cultivating position to absorb the qi of the ghost in her dantian. This method had its own dangers, as placing a ghost near her Spiritual Core was akin to inviting a wolf into one's home.
The ghost screamed inside Daoyi's dantian as she continuously refined the ghost qi from it. Daoyi's forehead creased as sweat started to drip down her face. At her side, the Artifact that Tianyi had crafted for her, which she named the Cloudless Crest Link Earring, emitted a gentle warmth as it eased the pain she underwent.
Originally, Daoyi planned to refine a few more ghosts before leaving the sect to temper herself. At least, that was the excuse she would give for leaving the sect. She had always planned to return to the Xi Dynasty, but she never expected Tianyi to also drop by on his way. Hence she took the chance.
Daoyi didn't initially plan to cultivate such a method, as refining ghost was highly dangerous. But her talent in other areas was lacking compared to her talent with ghosts and spirits. According to her master, if she cultivated normally, the chances of her becoming an Immortal was at least fifty percent less than if she cultivated the East Flowing Nether River Scripture.
She had been still pondering on which path to take as once she entered the Core Formation Realm, it would be too late to regret her decision without harming her potential. But living with Tianyi placed a significant burden on her. She had a few contacts with others not on Jade Peak, and they would speak of how difficult it was to cultivate. But Tianyi seemed to advance in cultivation by doing absolutely nothing.
Daoyi didn't believe Tianyi wasn't hardworking, but his hard work made a mockery of other people's efforts compared to others. Each time he advanced, Daoyi would begin to question herself and whether she was suitable to receive such a treatment from her master and Tianyi. She would be lying if she said she wasn't envious.
Sometimes she would think it would be better to have been forced to have been Tianyi's concubine. At least that way, she didn't have to feel guilty for her jealousy towards Tianyi. She would have a faultless excuse to hate him. She wasn't the only one. Daoyi could see the changes in Xia Yushan's attitude towards Tianyi as well. Before, it was that of a senior's care towards a junior, but now it was attention towards a rival.
Xia Yushan was actually worse than her. She could practically feel the jealously roll off him in waves the last time he met Tianyi, although Daoyi didn't think Tianyi could see it. She tried warning him once, especially after the fiasco with Redseal, but Tianyi didn't believe her and even made excuses for Xia Yushan. Sometimes she worried for Tianyi despite him being the stronger of the two.
Did her master protect him too much?
Daoyi gave a helpless smile. Humans were strange creatures. Towards the target of their jealousy, as long as they perceived an area where they were superior, that jealousy would tremendously lessen. They might even develop a protective streak. But before she could even think about protecting Tianyi, she had to resolve her own problems first. Daoyi's eyes sharpened once more and fully concentrated on refining the ghost inside her dantian.
Tianyi frowned as he sensed Daoyi's struggle inside her room. Beside him was his mother. "Mother, this method seems a bit dangerous."
"Everything carries its risks, but I believe Daoyi will be able to overcome it. She is steady in her conduct and knows how to pace herself. Nothing will happen to her." Mengfei said in complete confidence.
"Elder Meng said that Daoyi's greatest talent lies in soul cultivation, but I didn't think she meant it like this," Tianyi said.
"Young Master, Miss Jiang's soul is incredibly firm compared to others. Disciple Xi Ri's soul is strong, but it isn't as strong as Miss Jiang's. In addition, there is a slight chink in his mentality, so soul cultivation isn't suited for him. Soul cultivation is incredibly dangerous and requires a steady and a certain understanding of the six desires and seven emotions like Miss Jiang." Elder Meng supplemented from behind.
"Wait, but I also cultivate a soul method," Tianyi said as he pointed to himself.
"Your soul is powerful, more powerful than Miss Jiang's. But the soul cultivation method you cultivate, although I cannot fully discern, is connected to your spiritual cultivation technique, right?" Elder Meng continued when Tianyi nodded. "Your soul cultivation method is unique and forms a cycle with your spiritual cultivation. If you were to cultivate a pure soul method, then Young Master would need to temper yourself some more and understand the darkest depths of human emotions."
Tianyi nodded and looked back into the room where Daoyi was cultivating before fully processing what Elder Meng had said. "Are you saying I'm immature!?"
"Not at all. Soul cultivation is simply an esoteric path that few are able to embark on. Even Grand Elder Xi, with all her attainments, will find it hard." Elder Meng comforted Tianyi.
Tianyi didn't feel happy at all. Not to look down on his mother, but he was pretty sure her emotions had been emotionally stunted due to her early years in the imperial palace. And did Elder Meng know that he was a person with two life experiences!? He was mentally reaching fifty years of age. In the end, Tianyi could comfort himself by telling him that others were even less suited than him. For a brief moment, a grandmotherly smile appeared on Elder Meng's face before it was replaced by her usual stoicism.
Three days later, Daoyi was still diligently cultivating. And there was only so much Tianyi could do in the palace with his mother. He didn't want to count how many cups of tea he drank while they stared at each other. So he asked his Emperor-Uncle to have a prince show him around the capital.
"Mother, I'm just touring the capital with Older Cousin Chen. It's boring, nothing you probably haven't seen in the past." Tianyi said when his mother attempted to follow him. He felt bad for denying her, but the place he was going to would be too embarrassing to visit with his mother.
After much convincing, Tianyi left the palace with Xi Chen, Xi Ri's sixth elder brother. He left Elder Meng to watch over Daoyi's progress as she was the soul expert. At least, that's the excuse Tianyi gave.
"Younger Cousin Tianyi, where do you want to go? If I claim to be the second-best in knowing all the best spots in the capital, no one would claim number one!" Xi Chen boasted as he slapped his chest.
Xi Chen wasn't outstanding among his brothers and sister. His talent for cultivation was subpar, with him having stuck at the peak of the Qi Gathering Realm. But he had excellent people skills, able to please both the Xi Emperor and the crown prince despite his mother being of low birth. Hence he led the most idyllic and carefree life of all the imperial children.
Tianyi coughed into his fist, his cheeks slightly flushed. "What's the most famous place to drink wine and watch beauties dance and sing?"
"Drink wine and watch beauties...?" Xi Chen repeated before a look of understanding appeared on his face, and he gave a sly look towards Tianyi.
Tianyi's face reddened even more. "Not those vulgar types of place. I want a high-class establishment, high-class, got it?"
He had wanted to visit one last time he visited. Tianyi had remembered reading countless novels back on earth and how they described these high-class brothels as paradise on earth, so he wanted to experience it himself. For scientific reasons, obviously. He wasn't hoping to lay in bed with a courtesan. He still very much was wary of sexually transmitted diseases, thank you very much. However, Tianyi wondered if it was still possible for his current self. Could he even have children?
Putting the thought into the back of his mind, Tianyi rode on a carriage with Xi Chen to the capital's most famous brothel, One Jade Flower Pavillion.
It was named so because of the establishment's calling card, Beauty Yu Hua, was called the most beautiful woman in all of the Xi. According to rumor, she cultivated a unique cultivation method that emphasized her youth and beauty. Naturally, One Jade Flower Pavillion didn't only have Beauty Yu Hua propping up their reputation; she was just the most famous one. When others mentioned One Jade Flower Pavillion, they thought of Beauty Yu Hua.
Upon hearing of the sixth prince's arrival, the head matron immediately came to receive him personally.
"Welcome, your highness hasn't visited us in such a long time. The girls already terribly missed your handsome visage." The head matron flattered. She then turned towards the youth that accompanied the sixth prince.
A crescent-shaped mask covered Tianyi's face and only exposed his eyes. But paired with his bedeviling pair of eyes, it caused an air of mystery to surround him and catch even more attention than if he hadn't worn it.
Seeing the matron's attention on Tianyi, Xi Chen smiled ruefully before introducing. "This is this prince's important guest. You must not displease him in any way. Otherwise, even I won't be able to save you."
"Of course, of course." The matron said while bowing. Those words she had numerous times in the past. But since it was a prince's important guest, she'll just have to treat the mysterious guest a bite more carefully.
The matron initially wanted to bring the two to a private room on the third floor, but Tianyi wanted to experience the atmosphere and excitement. So the two were led to a private booth with a view of the giant stage at the center of the building on the second floor. And then Xi Chen ordered for Beauty Yu Hua to dance for them.
The matron made an apologetic expression. "Beauty Yu Hua has already been chosen by someone else for the day. Honored guests, how about Beauty Liluo?"
Xi Chen frowned. "Go talk to them and say that this prince will owe them a favor."
The matron was still unwilling and said. "That customer is an exalted Core Formation Master, and he is offering an extremely high price. Even if it's your highness, I'm afraid the other party isn't willing."
"Core Formation Master?" Normally Xi Chen wouldn't squabble anymore and could only swallow the bitter pill. But so what if the other party was a Core Formation Master? The person behind him was a Nascent Soul Grandmaster. Just that, the money he brought couldn't compare to a Core Formation Master. He looked at Tianyi with some embarrassment on his face, originally it was supposed to be him who was treating Tianyi, but now it seemed that it wasn't possible.
Tianyi waved his hand and searched inside his ring, and ran into a dilemma. Everything inside was the pinnacle, and some materials were priceless. He didn't lack these materials but spending them to see a courtesan dance didn't seem worth it. In the end, he did what he did best, brute force. "Tell him to name his price in middle-quality spirit stones."
The matron paused, then looked at Xi Chen, who motioned for her to due ask. Inwardly bitter, the matron left. When she returned, she showed a helpless face. "Honor guests, that customer is unwilling."
Tianyi frowned. Middle-quality spirit stones were suitable for Core Formation Masters, only some Nascent Soul Grandmasters and above used high-quality spirit stones. "Tell him I'm willing to pay a hundred high-quality spirit stones."
The matron revealed a hint of shock, wondering who this important guest of the sixth prince was. She had only handled a high-quality spirit stone once in her life. With more confidence this time, the matron left to negotiate with the Core Formation Master.
Tianyi and Xi Chen didn't wait for the matron's return, and instead, an unfamiliar voice was heard outside the door of the private booth. "Junior is a Liu Lang, is Senior willing to meet this junior?"
Liu Lang didn't hide his Core Formation Realm aura at all, so even Xi Chen was able to sense him. Tianyi gave his permission for Liu Lang to enter, wondering what he wanted to meet for. There were hardly any Core Formation Masters within Xi Dynasty, but he had never heard of Liu Lang. So Tianyi concluded he wasn't a native to the Xi Dynasty.
When Liu Lang walked in, he immediately sensed Tianyi. Or rather, he couldn't sense Tianyi as anything but an ordinary mortal, but the instincts he developed in his long years screamed that Tianyi was far more powerful than him. After Liu Ling entered, the matron entered with a hesitant expression.
Tianyi, for his part, was wearing a ring-shaped Artifact that helped him hide his cultivation. He could perfectly reign his aura in, but he could not hide the pressure of his Nascent Soul Realm. So he had to use an Artifact to prevent him from accidentally harming his Emperor-Uncle's family. Had he not worn it, a Qi Gathering Pupil like Xi Chen would be struggling to breathe at this very moment.
"Speak, why did you wish for an audience?" Tianyi said, surprisingly Xi Chen with his sudden majesty.
"I wish to make up for this junior's earlier mistake. I will pay Beauty Yu Hua's price as an apology." Liu Lang said.
Off by the side, the matron had already felt her head go dizzy from the conversation. She had thought that Xi Chen's important guest was only slightly special, but he turned out to be a major figure! Heavens, she hadn't offended him in any way, right?
"No need. We're both customers. Neither is higher than the other. I will reimburse you with one hundred high-quality spirit stones." Tianyi said.
"No, no, no." Liu Lang said. "I can't accept such a high price from Senior. just see it as this junior offering an apology for having eyes and not seeing Mount Tai."
Tianyi tilted his head for a moment before speaking. "You're an alchemist, I assume?"
Liu Lang froze at how sharp Tianyi's perception was before nodding.
"I won't give the hundred spirit stones. But letting you take a loss doesn't sit well with me. Instead, I'll give you a Core Formation Pill recipe. You won't reject me a third time, right?" Tianyi said.
Liu Lang froze once more. Although the pill recipe wasn't as valuable as the one hundred high-quality spirit stones, it was priceless to an alchemist like him. "Junior will thicken his face and accept Senior's generosity."
The pill recipe wasn't anything of value to Tianyi. It was something he memorized from Ironword's inheritance grotto. Compared to the pills from the Buzhou Immortal Sect, the pill described in the recipe wasn't anything special.
Xi Chen would only later find out that Liu Lang would become the fifth duke of the Xi Dynasty thanks to Tianyi's action, bringing the Xi Dynasty's prosperity to another level.