Chapter 961 - 35: Taixu Illusion Mirror
Upon hearing Shen Jizi speak, Xiao Jie finally let out a sigh of relief.
Gaining immortality is what truly matters! To be honest, he wasn't particularly concerned with the schemes of the Wuming Taoist.
The existence of the other party remained hidden behind the scenes, and their plots were hard to judge as either good or bad, with no compulsion whatsoever.
The effects on him were vague and insubstantial.
How can it compare to the importance of becoming immortal? Now that Shen Jizi made such assurances, how could Xiao Jie still care about the Wuming Taoist.
"Thank you, Immortal," he said.
Shen Jizi chuckled, "Haha, no need to thank me. Although I am willing to help you, whether you can ultimately become immortal depends on your own fortune. Follow me."
Xiao Jie felt a twinge of anxiety in his heart, wondering what this meant. Was there another task to complete?
Alas, why is the path to immortality so difficult?
Seeing Shen Jizi turning toward the inner hall, Xiao Jie hurried after him.
This palace was layered and intricate, and one couldn't tell how deep it went. Xiao Jie followed Shen Jizi into the depths of the palace, the two walking in a steady pace, one in front and the other behind.
The palace was grand and magnificent, but somewhat desolate. Besides the great hall where the group of Immortals had feasted just now, most of the palaces were empty and deserted.
There was an air of hollowness and solitude.
While observing his surroundings, Xiao Jie felt apprehensive in his heart. After a while, he couldn't help but ask, "Immortal, you said earlier that becoming immortal depends on my fortune? What do you mean, could it be—"
Shen Jizi said, "Attaining immortality and enlightenment is extremely difficult. How could it be easy? As for the specific difficulty, it depends on your choice, on which path to immortality you select."
Xiao Jie hastily said, "Please, Immortal, explain further. What choices do I have?"
Shen Jizi talked eloquently, "You are practicing the Ancient Qi Refining Skill. This kind of method has been meticulously modified by us cultivators of Konglao Mountain. Its cultivation technique is considered perfect, theoretically ensuring immortality as long as you follow it faithfully.
The only problem lies in the aspect of Spiritual Energy. This Qi Refining Skill relies entirely on Spiritual Energy, and without it, it's like water without a source, useless.
Refining Spiritual Energy with a Demon Core is indeed a way, but this Demon Core contains Demon Spirit power, entangled with the Spiritual Energy. When you refine Spiritual Energy, you naturally absorb the Demon Spirit power into your body, affecting your mind and body. Although you have plenty of Spiritual Energy within you, the Demon Spirit power has also penetrated deep into your bones and blood, becoming one with you, hasn't it?"
"Exactly so."
"This is where the problem lies. The Ancient Qi Refining Skill was created for the Human Clan's immortal practices. Now, you are no longer human but resemble a demon. How can you still adhere to conventional methods and ascend to immortality?"
Xiao Jie thought, so that's why I can't ascend. "Then how should I remedy this?"
Shen Jizi held up three fingers and said, "I have three methods to assist you in becoming immortal, each with its own level of difficulty and risk. You may choose one."
Three methods! Xiao Jie's heart was filled with joy, thinking now he had options; surely one of them would work.
"I wish to hear the details," he said.
"The first method is to immerse you in the Purification Pool to wash away the Demon Spirit power on you. This will allow you to return to the Human Clan and naturally ascend to immortality. However, this method has a burden. While the Purification Pool can wash away the Demon Spirit power, it also washes away a large amount of Spiritual Energy entangled with it. If you use this method, your Qi Refining Skill may drop several levels.
By then, you will need to cultivate anew, absorbing more Spiritual Energy. If the Spiritual Energy contains Demon Spirit power again, you will need to purify it repeatedly until your Qi Refining Skill reaches the Tenth Realm without a trace of Demon Spirit power. By the way, do you still have many Monster Inner Cores at hand?"
Xiao Jie thought to himself that wouldn't be good.
He did have some Monster Inner Cores in his bag, but most were dropped by demons in the Demon Star Tower, likely with even more complex Demon Spirit power and questionable quality of Spiritual Energy.
And even if it's enough to make up for the missing Spiritual Energy now, if he drops several levels, it surely won't be enough to reach Ten Layers again.
Does he have to return to the Nine States to collect more Demon Cores?
Yet, coming to Gu Yun State took him tremendous effort, encountering many risks along the way. Going through it all again might lead to unforeseen troubles.
Could that giant turtle still send him over instantly?
Moreover, gathering enough Monster Inner Cores may be troublesome. Who knows how many demon BOSSes he has to kill to accumulate enough.
Thinking about this, he asked, "Immortal, are there other methods?"
Shen Jizi seemed to have anticipated his question and answered, "The second method is simply to stop being human. Since you have become a demon, you might as well cultivate the Demon Immortal Technique. There are two Demon Immortal friends in the Mountain and Sea Painting Realm, and I can speak on your behalf to have them teach you the demon's immortal cultivation method.
However, the method for a demon's immortality is entirely different from the Ancient Qi Refining Skill. You might have to start over.
Fortunately, with ample Spiritual Energy and a Golden Core already formed in your body, even if you start afresh, it will be twice as effective with half the effort. It won't take long; at most, you will succeed in three to five months."
Three to five months... Xiao Jie found that hard to accept. Waiting three to five months was one thing for him, but for his comrades, it was less certain.
Back when he went to the Nether River to seek someone, Ye Luo said that the soul of the deceased would be constantly washed away by the waters of the Nether River, gradually losing memories, eventually disappearing completely, or falling into the Yellow Springs, to be reincarnated.