Who Brought Him into the Cultivation World?

Chapter 434: Chapter 376: Who Would Be Interested in the True Form

”The Guardian you spoke of has responded.”

The former Guardian of Minzhou City, that unlucky fellow Fatty Zhu, was naturally found by the Inspectorate.

”But according to his account, he wasn’t really that close with Xiao Shui.”

Ling Wuce’s words startled Han Yu— not close?

Fatty Zhu helped Xiao Shui escape and even avoided the Celestial Water Sect’s pursuit, and that’s not close?

”However, the statement by that young Guardian seems to differ somewhat.”

Ling Wuce hesitated, as per Fatty Zhu’s account, he indeed warned him to leave Minzhou Prefecture. During this time, there was indeed help to evade the Celestial Water Sect.

But since he was injured, he had cut off contact and couldn’t have notified the other to return.

In other words, Fatty Zhu only had contact with Xiao Shui for that one month, and for almost half a year afterward, he really didn’t know where he went or what he did.

There’s a discrepancy between the two statements, whom to trust?

Ling Wuce naturally believed Fatty Zhu because everything about Fatty Zhu was uncovered during the investigation; after he was seriously injured, he never left the sect.

Not that the injuries were that severe, but it took about a month to recover, afraid more misfortune would strike if he stepped out.

Speaking of which, Ling Wuce gave Han Yu a sideways look. This damned bastard got a small cultivator so scared he didn’t dare to leave the house, simply outrageous.

”So, it means Xiao Shui lied.”

Ling Wuce concluded.

But what puzzled him was why Xiao Shui would lie about this?

It makes no sense!

”It does.”

Han Yu nodded earnestly.

”Minzhou City is his hometown; he comes and goes as he pleases. No need for such actions actually.”

This was something Ling Wuce couldn’t understand.

”Actually, he approached the greenhouse at night, but left without doing anything.”

This was something Ling Wuce didn’t know, and what he knew even less was.

”Using Ghost Series Cultivation Technique.”

Ling Wuce was taken aback, Ghost Series Cultivation Technique?

It was almost reflexive. Over the past year, whenever a Ghost Series Cultivation Technique appeared, it was inevitably linked to the Corpse Refining Lineage.

It’s not that other sects lack Ghost Series Cultivation Techniques, there are such in the Cultivator Realm, but the noteworthy ones are all tied to the Corpse Refining Lineage.

Ling Wuce once wondered if the Ghost Series Cultivation Technique school may have been founded by the Corpse Refining Lineage.

After all, according to records, the openly-known Corpse Refining Sect dominated the Cultivator Realm for years, wielding Ghost Series Cultivation Techniques and Corpse Control Skills.

The Ghost Series Cultivation Technique shone brilliantly during that time.

That’s beside the point. If Xiao Shui knew Ghost Series Cultivation Techniques, Ling Wuce might understand his reasoning for his actions.

”I guess his intention is to cover up his whereabouts over the past six months.”

Why hide his whereabouts for six months unless it can’t be shown in daylight?

Pulling Fatty Zhu into the cover-up wasn’t a bad choice; dealing extensively with a Guardian could unwittingly increase credibility.

”Aren’t you afraid they’ll investigate?”

Han Yu didn’t see how clever this plan was; as long as it’s verified, the truth would be uncovered.

”Maybe he only needs to cover it up for a short time.”

Ling Wuce suggested this possibility.

Considering the above information, Xiao Shui disappeared for over half a year, then suddenly returned to Minzhou City, acquiring Ghost Series Cultivation Techniques, and investigated the greenhouse at night, more than likely aiming for the Fire Spirit.

”The Young Master Xiao you know probably has many secrets.”

Han Yu seemed to remain stuck with the memory of that indignant roar from Young Master Xiao.

Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river, no one stays strong forever...

”The change is quite significant.”

”That’s not significant. The Cultivator Realm is also a big mixed pot; if everyone just quietly stayed secluded on a mountain for cultivation, institutions like the Fifth Tower wouldn’t exist.”

Ling Wuce chuckled.

Even cultivators have desires. When weak, they crave strength; when strong, they crave even greater advancement. Even cultivators in the Realm of Transcendence have desires, considering those few old men, who wouldn’t rush over after receiving a mere letter for longevity.

”Especially your pills, Quan Xiaotong once said the West River Pill indeed has significant drawbacks.”

The West River Pill has drawbacks too?

”Impossible!”

While Han Yu hesitated, the Artifact Spirit immediately retorted.

”My pills are clearly labeled, what you see is what you get. I’m not like Ping, playing word games.”

The Artifact Spirit spoke indignantly.

”Quan Xiaotong said, your West River Pill is like creating a group of lucky nouveau riches.”

Ling Wuce clearly agreed with him.

”From the perspective of cultivation, you’ve forcibly heightened a person’s abilities without giving them a correspondingly strong inner self. Indeed, such a cultivator, if not well-guided, can truly be all show and no substance.”

They have formidable cultivation but lack a correspondingly strong inner self.

People like this may either change character suddenly like a poor man who finds riches,

or be stuck at their current realm for life, unable to progress.

Because you only gave them cultivation, without teaching them how to become truly strong.

And how many can actually rise by leveraging the pills?

Ling Wuce thought Quan Xiaotong saw it clearly, the power boost from the West River Pill is immense, but its potential hazards are also great.

”Bullshit.”

The Artifact Spirit trembled with anger, but besides cursing, it had no rebuttal.

So the words Han Yu said back then turned out prophetic; the West River Pill does indeed cap a person’s potential.

”It’s all known facts, why are you getting so worked up? The most stringent condition for the West River Pill was to take it voluntarily. It’s not like anyone was forced to consume it.”

And to Ling Wuce’s words, Han Yu replied with some irritation, ”As long as my pills work, it’s not my fault if the user doesn’t turn out well, is it?”

Ultimately, good or bad depends on the person themselves.

”I can’t be responsible for someone’s life just because they took my pill.”

Ling Wuce laughed heartily at that, for this was the same conclusion Quan Xiaotong reached.

Pills provide power, and power in itself is neither right nor wrong; what’s right or wrong is the person.

”Just like what Quan said.”

”So, you should be able to understand! A Xiao Shui who suddenly gains power, enduring a clan massacre and a nomadic existence, the changes he might undergo aren’t surprising at all.”

...

This was Han Yu’s fourth visit to the Xiao Mansion.

The first time he came, the Xiao Mansion was forcing a marriage annulment by the Celestial Water Sect’s top disciple; didn’t Xiao Shui almost get killed?

On his second visit, the Xiao Mansion had been mostly destroyed; Seeking Death Taoist nearly wiped out the entire Xiao Family.

The third time he visited, Xiao Shui had morphed into a top star in the Cultivator Realm, and the Xiao Mansion was reestablished.

This fourth time...

”Are you planning to complete Seeking Death Taoist’s unfinished business?”

The Artifact Spirit suddenly spoke from the sea of consciousness.

What unfinished business could Seeking Death Taoist have, destroying the Xiao family?

”I’m not here to kill anyone.”

Han Yu rolled his eyes, speaking irritably.

”Then you’re not here for tea, are you?”

The Artifact Spirit imitated his eye roll, and both shared nearly identical expressions, making the scene comically absurd.

”Haven’t you thought about why Young Master Xiao might be looking for the Fire Spirit’s main body?”

Han Yu sighed helplessly; the Artifact Spirit’s intelligence was always a mystery— sometimes exceedingly clever, and at times, like now, slow to react.

Of course, when it practiced Turtle Fist against Ping, it was even dumber than a fool.

Who would be interested in the Fire Spirit’s main body?

Could it be someone possessing the Fire Spirit’s spirit body...