Cultivation: From Poor Peasant to Celestial Lord

Chapter 206: Chapter 125: Incense Fire Will Power, A New Curse Technique

Whether the Luu Family could survive that thunderstorm, or how the Evil Suppression Department would quell the fishermen’s anger—these were no longer concerns for a newly initiated Patrol Banner Inspector like himself.

What he wanted to do now was go back and properly sort out the wonderful uses of his new Fate Chart. He also wanted to see just how many Cultivation Resources he could get in exchange for the so-called ”great merit” he had earned after this shocking case was closed.

...

’Now that I’ve entered the Middle Stage of Qi Cultivation, my total Spiritual Power has increased. I can finally learn some more Magic Techniques.’

Having just broken through in his Cultivation, there were naturally many areas he needed to round out.

So, Chu Bai paid a visit to the Evil Suppression Department’s repository.

He could take any of the Basic Techniques he wanted; Zhang Cheng had made this promise as part of his employment benefits when he was appointed.

Of course, certain Secret Techniques had to be exchanged for merit, without exception.

Since just starting his new position, Chu Bai had been too busy raising his Cultivation to have time to add a new Magic Technique to his arsenal.

Now was the perfect time.

Chu Bai stepped into the heavily fortified location, which was reinforced by numerous Arrays. The air was filled with a unique aroma, a blend of old paper, ink, and Spiritual Materials.

”Banner Inspector Chu, you’ve arrived.”

The Clerk guarding the repository saw Chu Bai and immediately stood up from behind the counter. His face was wreathed in a genuine smile, and he bowed even lower than usual.

This new Banner Inspector Chu had not only achieved incredible merit recently but had also earned the high regard of Director Zhang Cheng. Any discerning person could see that this young man’s meteoric rise was only a matter of time.

”I’d like to add a new Magic Technique. The Director once promised that I could take my pick of the Basic Techniques,” Chu Bai said with a polite nod, presenting his Patrol Banner Inspector token.

”The Director has already given instructions. Please, Lord Chu, feel free. So long as it’s a technique below the Profound Tier, whichever one you set your eyes on, this humble one will register it for you directly,” the Clerk said, stepping aside to welcome him in.

Chu Bai strode deep among the bookshelves.

After entering the Middle Stage of Qi Cultivation, he could clearly feel that his Dantian Qi Sea had expanded several times over. His once somewhat strained Spiritual Power output now flowed with ease. This advancement in his Realm meant he had enough Spiritual Power to support a more complex and powerful Magic System.

He stood before the shelves, his Divine Thought sweeping like fine threads over the jade scrolls and books.

[Exorcism Array], [Spiritual Fusion Strike]...

Chu Bai skipped past these Arrays that required multiple people to coordinate. He had always followed the path of a lone elite, so these cooperative techniques were of little use to him.

’Right now, for offense, I have *Spirit Water Needle* and *Innate Geng Metal Qi*. For defense, *Guardian Shield*. For movement, *Fire Step Ascension*. For healing, *Rejuvenation Seal*. And for perception, *Golden Eye Shattering Illusion*.’

Chu Bai assessed his skills in his mind. His combat system was already becoming well-rounded, but the battle to slay the Water Monkey at the bottom of the Sanmu River had revealed a fatal weakness.

Crowd control.

Back then, if not for his senior apprentice-brother Han Xingmo using the authority of his official status as a ”River Patrol Warrior” to mobilize the power of the water veins and pin the beast in place, the Water Monkey’s slippery nature would have allowed it to escape into the deep currents the moment things looked bad. Even with Chu Bai’s powerful attacks, it would have been extremely difficult to kill it in a single strike.

’For trapping enemies, Dharma Artifacts are certainly effective. Take the Essence-Bearing Tripod, for example. Once deployed, it possesses immense power, capable of suppressing any powerful foe without fail.’

Chu Bai recalled the scene from the Immortal Official Examination, but then he shook his head.

’Dharma Artifacts are powerful, but activating them consumes a huge amount of Spiritual Power, and their effectiveness is heavily dependent on the artifact’s own grade. My financial resources are still shallow, so I won’t consider that for now. If I can learn a trapping-type Magic Technique, I can coordinate it with the throughput of my Perfection Level *Guiyuan Technique*, which would make my fighting style much more flexible.’

He lingered for a long time in front of the shelves for ”Earth Element” and ”Water Element” Magic Techniques.

Suddenly, a book with an ancient-looking binding and a slightly faded cover caught his eye.

Two large words were written on the book: *Mystic Curse*.

Chu Bai took it down, gently tracing its surface with his fingertips as he sank his Divine Thought into it.

”’Profound, for that which is deep and unfathomable. Contained, for that which is gathered and held within.’”

This *Mystic Curse* was not a simple binding-type Magic Technique. It was a peculiar Spell that used Spiritual Power resonance to change the density of Spiritual Qi in a small area for a short time.

Once cast, Spiritual Power would transform into an invisible, viscous ”Profound Qi” that would envelop the enemy like the crushing pressure of the deep sea.

Those with lower Cultivation who entered the spell’s range would feel as if they had fallen into a mire, unable to move a single step. Even those with higher Cultivation would have their movements slowed by the persistent resistance, and even the circulation of their Spiritual Power would become sluggish and heavy.

’Brilliant.’

Chu Bai’s eyes lit up.

The thing that pleased him most about this Magic Technique was that it was a mixed attribute, leaning towards the Five Elements of Earth and Water, yet it could change its characteristics according to the caster’s own Spiritual Power attribute.

If activated with [Thick Virtue Origin Earth], it would become as heavy as a mountain crashing down. If activated with [Purifying Spirit Flow], it would become as viscous and binding as a whirlpool.

For someone like him, who possessed a Five Elements cycle, it was practically tailor-made.

”This is the one.”

Chu Bai carried the book back to the counter.

The Clerk glanced at it and said with a hint of surprise, ”Lord Chu has a unique eye. This *Mystic Curse* is extremely difficult to begin, and cannot be cultivated by those without powerful Divine Thought. It also has extremely high requirements for the purity of one’s Spiritual Power. It’s been sitting in the Department for a long time, and few have ever shown interest in it.”

Chu Bai smiled faintly. ”No matter. It just seemed like a good fit.”

After completing the registration, Chu Bai walked out of the repository. He felt the cool morning breeze on his skin, and his mood was excellent.

Although the Magic Technique was currently in the ”Uninitiated” state, in the face of his panel, any evaluation of ”extremely difficult to begin” was nothing but a joke.

[Realm: Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer (1/100)]

[New Skill: Mystic Curse (Uninitiated 0/100)]

’Next, while the Department spends the next few days liquidating the Luu Family, I can take the opportunity to ’grind’ this Magic Technique.’

Chu Bai knew very well that he had already stirred the waters of Anping County. The rapids to come would be even more treacherous than the Sanmu River.

That night, torches burned bright throughout Anping County, and the sounds of crying and galloping hooves intertwined.

Meanwhile, Chu Bai closed the door to his room and sat cross-legged on his bed. His mind sank inward as his Five Elements Spiritual Power once again began to circulate slowly, flowing on and on, endlessly.