When Wu Bufan and Chao Chen returned to their cultivation room, they immediately noticed someone lingering at the entrance.
Wu Bufan recognized the man as the steward in charge of the cultivation rooms. His expression held a faint trace of displeasure. “What is it?”
Disturbing someone during cultivation was strictly taboo and the steward here should be the first to understand the rule of not interrupting without necessity.
The steward cupped his hands when he saw them, a polite smile on his face. “Fellow Daoists, did either of you notice anything unusual during your cultivation last night?”
Chao Chen looked confused, while Wu Bufan’s gaze flickered. “The concentration of spiritual energy suddenly dropped.”
The steward let out a long sigh. “Exactly. Starting from noon yesterday, the spiritual energy within the entire cultivation chamber complex began to decline. Such an abnormal situation has never happened before. After conducting an internal investigation, we concluded that the problem lies with one of the earth grade cultivation rooms. But as for which one, we could not determine. It might be a formation malfunction causing one room to draw in excess spiritual energy, which then resulted in reduced spiritual energy in the other rooms.”
After talking at great length, he finally revealed his true purpose. “I have already inspected the other rooms and discovered nothing suspicious. May I request permission to enter your room for examination?”
It was possible for a formation master to secretly alter the gathering formation and divert more spiritual energy into their own room. However, no formation master had ever done such a thing. Not only did they not lack spirit pearls but they also valued their reputation.
“You may.” Wu Bufan opened the door himself. “Please go in.”
Although they had rented the room and the steward required their consent to enter, he easily could have sneaked in while they were not present. Yet he had not done so.
Just for that, Wu Bufan was willing to let him investigate. Besides, all the other earth grade rooms had been checked. If they did not allow inspection, would that not make them look guilty?
The steward was momentarily puzzled by his calm demeanor. Could it be that he had guessed wrong? Perhaps this room was not the source of the anomaly after all.
He stepped inside and examined the gathering formation with great care.
There were no traces of tampering. The spiritual energy concentration inside the room was completely normal.
His confusion deepened. He had already inspected every earth grade formation in the complex. None of them showed signs of alteration. If the formations were not at fault, then what was causing the problem?
The reason he had initially suspected these two was simply that the time when the spiritual energy began fluctuating coincided perfectly with the time they moved in.
Wu Bufan asked gently, “Did you find anything unusual?”
The steward shook his head. Before leaving, he even produced one hundred spirit pearls and respectfully offered them to Wu Bufan as an apology gift.
Once the door closed, Chao Chen blinked. “Was it because of me?”
He could clearly feel how fiercely he had absorbed spiritual energy.
Wu Bufan gave a helpless chuckle. “The total amount of spiritual energy in a cultivation room is supposed to be stable. If you absorb more, naturally others will absorb less.”
They were fortunate this time. The steward had never encountered such a case before, so he did not think to suspect a person. If it happened again, things might not go so smoothly.
“Oh.” Chao Chen sat cross legged on the stone bed. “Then I will stop cultivating. I will study puppet techniques instead.”
Wu Bufan sat beside him. “Puppet techniques?”
He had never heard of such a method. Apparently, no one in the Northern Continent practiced anything like this. That only proved the extraordinary nature of such a technique.
“Yes, it is one of the trick arts.”
Chao Chen muttered softly, “Sometimes I feel like everything I learned from the trick arts is so strange and unconventional. There is nothing from the proper orthodox paths, only bizarre techniques one after another. For example, this puppet technique even includes corpse refinement. It means turning a corpse into a puppet. If there is no corpse available, I can make one myself. Puppets also have different ranks. The stronger I am, the higher the rank of the puppet I can refine. For example, since I am now at the Foundation Establishment stage, the strongest puppet I can refine would only be at the Foundation Establishment level.”
He lifted his eyelids and sneaked a mischievous glance at Wu Bufan. “With techniques this suspicious, I sometimes think I am destined to become a villain everyone in the world wants to beat up.”
Only now did Wu Bufan understand why the light spirit had repeatedly emphasized that the Chaos Trick Body must never become an enemy.
There was a reason behind the saying that one would rather offend a gentleman than offend a petty villain.
The Chaos Trick Body seemed born to master nothing but all kinds of unpredictable, sinister moves.
Chao Chen looked at him with eyes that sparkled faintly. “I also have some formulas for trick pills. Do you want to learn them?”
Normal pills were beneficial to cultivators but trick pills existed purely to sabotage people. Even he did not understand why the Chaos Trick Arts contained such formulas.
At the moment, however, his cultivation was still too low, so he could only view the yellow grade formulas.
Wu Bufan looked at him, taking in the completely unguarded expression on his face and sighed. “Are you not afraid I would sell you out? You tell me everything without hesitation.”
Puppet techniques and trick pills sounded exactly like the kind of methods used by demonic cultivators. If the self-proclaimed righteous saw Chao Chen using them, he would be in great danger.
Chao Chen waved a hand dismissively. “What is there to be afraid of? You are my Dao partner. Besides, you have not hidden anything from me either. Did you not say yesterday that you disappeared because you needed to?”
Wu Bufan paused, slightly surprised. “You noticed?”
Chao Chen promptly pounced on him, pushing him down onto the stone bed and pinching his earlobe with dissatisfaction. “I am cultivating, not dead. You, a big living person, vanish without a trace. Of course I would notice.”
He knew Wu Bufan had secrets and trusted him enough not to pry. When Wu Bufan disappeared, he did not panic. When he returned, he did not question him. Whatever needed to be said, Wu Bufan would say when the time was right.
Wu Bufan laughed and wrapped an arm around Chao Chen’s waist. “Do you want to come inside and take a look?”
Chao Chen answered with complete honesty, “Yes.”
Wu Bufan ruffled his hair. A moment later, the two appeared together inside the inner space.
Chao Chen stared wide eyed at the world before him, a vast space with sky and earth and an incredibly dense flow of spiritual energy. Then his gaze fell upon the small pool of spiritual spring water. He could not hold back a cry of excitement.
“A natural spiritual spring space! This is a treasure beyond treasures! Where did you get this?”
Even the Chaos Trick Arts described spiritual spring spaces as supreme treasures.
Wu Bufan explained the origin of the space. Chao Chen murmured, “You are rich. No, I am rich now.”
His Dao partner was simply too powerful. He acquired such a grand treasure so effortlessly.
Wu Bufan chuckled. “Speaking of treasures, who could compare to you?”
The Chaos Trick Body was a treasure and Chao Chen himself was his greatest treasure.
Chao Chen realized what he meant and his cheeks reddened. He guessed, “Chen Lingyue did not want to return the earring to you because she knew it was a treasure, right?”
Wu Bufan’s eyes darkened. “Perhaps. But she will never know what the earring truly is.”
“That is true.” Chao Chen grinned with delight. “So do you want to learn trick pills?”
Wu Bufan was interested but replied, “Another time. I already have plenty to study.”
Only a small portion of the Book of Origin Techniques was accessible to him. Even within the Waste Pill chapter, he could only view yellow grade formulas. He suspected that viewing higher grade formulas required certain conditions.
As he thought of this, he summoned the small light. “This is the spirit of space. I call it Dian Dian.”
Chao Chen stared at the obedient little sphere of light floating before him, his eyes brightening instantly. “Hello, Xiao Dian!”
Wu Bufan was speechless. The light spirit hesitated, then said quietly, “Hello.”
This name was certainly better than Glow light.
Wu Bufan’s eyes curved with amusement. Xiao Dian’s attitude toward Chao Chen was far gentler than it had been when facing him at the beginning.
✦ ✧ ✦
[Translator]
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ChaptersChapter 1 · Dream to RealityChapter 2 · Those who survive a great calamity are destined for good fortuneChapter 3 · Retrieve the tokenChapter 4 · Top-tier alchemistChapter 5 · A cooperative treasure hunt?Chapter 6 · Thousand mile Thundercloud LeopardChapter 7 · Chaotic Strange EntityChapter 8 · Back to Xichuan TownChapter 9 · How could Wu Bufan be stronger than him!Chapter 10 · Wu Bufan possess so many top-grade pills?Chapter 11 · This time, she will not let anyone take what is hers away againChapter 12 · Seize the luckChapter 13 · Mutant Purple Thunder BeastChapter 14 · I’m afraid he’ll get angryChapter 15 · PumiceChapter 16 · Enemies meet on a narrow roadChapter 17 · Becoming Daoist CouplesChapter 18 · Top-grade Calamity-Breaking PillChapter 19 · The amazing effects of top-grade pillsChapter 20 · Basic Body ForgingChapter 21 · One world cannot contain two chosen ones.Chapter 22 · PuppetChapter 23 · AuctionChapter 24 · Space FoundationChapter 25 · Top-grade Foundation Building PillChapter 26 · Increased space areaChapter 27 · The competition BeginChapter 28 · RobbedChapter 29 · Turn Defeat into Victory!Chapter 30 · The Death of Wu KeyuanChapter 31 · BetChapter 32 · Even the way Chao Chen talks is so cuteChapter 33 · Avenge Wu KeyuanChapter 34 · Finding Bodhi Wood at a BargainChapter 35 · Little PuppetChapter 36 · Explosive PillsChapter 37 · I’ll concedeChapter 38 · You are a genius, so your Daoist partner must also be a genius.Chapter 39 · The Third Elder was refused a disciple.Chapter 40 · Has the floating marrow stone secret been exposed?Chapter 41 · How Could There Be Such a Sinister Human!Chapter 42 · The Mutated Mugwort FoxChapter 43 · Wandering the JianghuChapter 44 · Ancient ElixirChapter 45 · I feel like I’m about to be struck by lightning!Chapter 46 · Earth-level Secret RealmChapter 47 · The spot is practically yours.Chapter 48 · His Daoist partner is truly amazing!Chapter 49 · The legacy in the libraryChapter 50 · Dual cultivation techniquesChapter 51 · First genius Ji Pu RanChapter 52 · Shifting the blame eastwardChapter 53 · The little puppet went to run errandsChapter 54 · The Explosive Pill once again demonstrated its power.Chapter 55 · Chao Lingyue’s cultivation levelChapter 56 · Little Money-GrubberChapter 57 · What a venomous mouth!Chapter 58 · Enter the secret realmChapter 59 · A huge windfall fell from the sky.Chapter 60 · The birth of a rare treasureChapter 61 · This alchemy furnace is quite uniqueChapter 62 · The alchemy furnace that walked right into the trapChapter 63 · Xiao Zi’s Self-Rescue GuideChapter 64 · Spirit Field Micro RealmChapter 65 · Someone Planning to Reap the Benefits?Chapter 66 · Are You Lost?Chapter 67 · Chao Chen, Corrupted by the Big Handsome PotChapter 68 · Is Your phoenix Fish Sect Collecting Trash?Chapter 69 · The Death of Hui SipingChapter 70 · No, Junior Brother Chao, Where’s Your Backbone…Chapter 71 · Has His Identity Been Exposed?Chapter 72 · This Child Is Far Too ShrewdChapter 73 · Young people are wonderful. They fall asleep the moment they lie downChapter 74 · Sparrow Alchemist Chao Lingyue?Chapter 75 · The Silver Tongued Chao ChenChapter 76 · What’s the rush? I have moreChapter 77 · Leave the sectChapter 78 · Showing Off on a Grand ScaleChapter 79 · The Sparrow Alchemist Returns to the Martial WorldChapter 80 · Does Junior Brother Chao know about this?Chapter 81 · The Mantis Stalks the Cicada, Unaware of the Oriole BehindChapter 82 · So FierceChapter 83 · They’ve been targeted by the local bulliesChapter 84 · The Kid Is Missing?Chapter 85 · A Thing from the Void: SilkChapter 86 · Chao Chen became famousChapter 87 · The Devil MentorChapter 88 · The four little ones went out to gain experienceChapter 89 · The Students Who Were Truly ConvincedChapter 90 · What a Bountiful Harvest!Chapter 91 · No Random KissingChapter 92 · Detoxification PillChapter 93 · Master Wu, your Daoist partner has disappearedChapter 94 · The Demonic ThiefChapter 95 · Fellow Daoist, are you selling this sparrow?Chapter 96 · Unexpected disaster, nothing moreChapter 97 · My Daoist partner was born in the Year of the PigChapter 98 · The Undying Devil ChildChapter 99 · Exotic Treasure! Buddha Flame Glazed Light!Chapter 100 · We stole the Beast Taming Sect’s treasure vaultChapter 101 · Waaaaah… Why is this strange fire so gay?Chapter 102 · The Mysterious Pill – Flower in the MirrorChapter 103 Part 1 · As Expected, You Can’t Produce Different Dreams from the Same Bed…Chapter 103 Part 2 · As Expected, You Can’t Produce Different Dreams from the Same Bed…Chapter 104 Part 1 · Separation and ReunionChapter 104 Part 2 · Separation and ReunionChapter 105 Part 1 · Renowned throughout the continent!Chapter 105 Part 2 · Renowned throughout the continent!Chapter 106 · Chao Chen’s RevengeChapter 107 · The Death of Chao LingyueChapter 108 · A Narcissistic Man or a Great Beauty?Chapter 109 · This Person Has No MannersChapter 110 · The Ancient Spirit Botanical GardenChapter 111 · Thousand-Thread Poison WomanChapter 112 · I am not kindChapter 113 · Are you the most handsome man here?Chapter 114 Part 1 · ReunionChapter 114 Part 2 · ReunionChapter 115 Part 1 · Diandian said that you got it into someone’s stomach yourselfChapter 115 Part 2 · Diandian said that you got it into someone’s stomach yourselfChapter 116 · Central ContinentChapter 116 Part 1 · Central ContinentChapter 117 Part 1 · The Ancient Dao Companion ContractChapter 117 Part 2 · The Ancient Dao Companion ContractChapter 118 · Heaven Above, Dust BelowChapter 118 Part 1 · Heaven Above, Dust BelowChapter 119 · Xiao Chen will also be embarrassedChapter 120 · The moon is so bright tonightChapter 121 Part 1 · Treasure ArrayChapter 121 Part 2 · Treasure ArrayChapter 122 Part 1 · Poisonous MushroomChapter 122 Part 2 · Poisonous MushroomChapter 123 Part 1 · Turmoil at the AuctionChapter 123 Part 2 · Turmoil at the AuctionChapter 124 Part 1 · Advancement! A Nascent Soul Cultivator Reaches the Divine Transformation Realm!…Chapter 124 Part 2 · Advancement! A Nascent Soul Cultivator Reaches the Divine Transformation Realm!…Chapter 125 Part 1 · Xiao Chen Displays His Great Divine Might: Wu Bufan…Chapter 125 Part 2 · Xiao Chen Displays His Great Divine Might: Wu Bufan…Chapter 126 · Ice spirit tower has explodedChapter 127 Part 1 · Meeting an Old Acquaintance AgainChapter 127 Part 2 · Meeting an Old Acquaintance AgainChapter 127 Part 3 · Meeting an Old Acquaintance AgainChapter 128 Part 1 · Being Followed?Chapter 128 Part 2 · Being Followed?Chapter 129 · Magical ArtifactChapter 131 · A Declaration of WarChapter 132 · A chaotic war of words: Friend or foe indistinguishable…Chapter 133 Part 1 · The Royal Grand CompetitionChapter 133 Part 2 · The Royal Grand CompetitionChapter 134 Part 1 · Adults Don’t Make Choices, I’ll Take Them All…Chapter 134 Part 2 · Adults Don’t Make Choices, I’ll Take Them All…Chapter 135 Part 1 · Little Daddy Takes a Bite, Big Daddy’s Form…Chapter 135 Part 2 · Little Daddy Takes a Bite, Big Daddy’s Form…Chapter 136 Part 1 · Where the Wild Geese Fly, Not a Single Feather Left BehindChapter 136 Part 2 · Where the Wild Geese Fly, Not a Single Feather Left BehindChapter 136 Part 3 · Where the Wild Geese Fly, Not a Single Feather Left Behind