Chapter Sixty-Six: Soul-Calming Incantation

After returning to the newly constructed New Vengeance City, Wang Li did not immediately let Ling Xiao attempt a breakthrough to the Golden Core stage. Instead, he proposed a trade: he would exchange the advanced version of “Purple Qi from the East” and the “Thunderous Justice Chapter” for the cultivation technique Ling Xiao practiced.

If they were in the Sutra Pavilion, Wang Li would never have made such a request, as he could synthesize a spiritual technique more suitable for himself. But within this Chosen Relic, there were no relevant technique copies or fragments for him to complete and combine. Lately, he had sensed his cultivation progress slowing. Given his current persona as a senior expert, having lackluster strength would not fit his role, so he sought to practice techniques of other attributes to hasten his cultivation.

Moreover, his offensive repertoire was rather limited. Apart from the “Furious Vajra Palm” and the two ranged attacks from the “Thunderous Justice Chapter,” the rest were merely a few combat skills he had gleaned from simulated battle scenarios. He didn’t even have a proper sword-controlling method or an offensive sword technique—the Exploding Flame Sword, a top-grade Earth-level spiritual artifact, served merely as transportation in his hands.

His current strength and attacks sufficed for low-intensity skirmishes, but should he face a formidable enemy, his expert persona would surely collapse. Thus, to quickly improve his cultivation pace and master more offensive techniques, he set his sights on the other candidates.

After grinding through thousands of simulated battles, he could counter the attacks of hundreds of opponents, yet he found no effective way to deal with Ling Xiao’s spiritual attacks. Though with Master Sheng’s protection almost all spiritual assaults were useless against him, this form of attack nonetheless piqued his curiosity.

Wang Li knew that cultivating techniques of different attributes could speed up his progress, but he worried that the other five-element techniques might conflict with his own fire-based methods. He preferred, like the “Thunderous Justice Chapter,” techniques that lay outside the five elements.

Naturally, spiritual attack techniques became one of the skills he desired.

Upon Wang Li proposing the technique exchange, Ling Xiao hesitated.

“Steward Wang, the technique I practice is called the ‘Soul Suppression Art.’ I acquired it during my wanderings. Though it is only a top-grade Yellow-level technique, it has very unique requirements for the practitioner. To date, I have never encountered another suitable candidate for it.”

Seeing Wang Li’s impassive expression, Ling Xiao quickly explained, “You know as well as I do that techniques choose their practitioners, and vice versa. It’s not that I’m reluctant to part with the ‘Soul Suppression Art,’ but I fear you might be at a disadvantage. You’re offering two top-grade Yellow-level techniques for just one of mine—I am… rather uneasy about that…”

Wang Li found his concern amusing.

Ling Xiao’s reasoning was sound, but he hadn’t gotten to the heart of the matter, or perhaps he simply didn’t dare say it aloud.

“Haha, as I said, young people overthink things. I value your potential; you needn’t hide anything when speaking with me.”

Wang Li smiled. “You’re worried that your constitution won’t allow you to practice my techniques, so you think you’d be losing out in the exchange, is that it?”

Ling Xiao, a bit embarrassed, didn’t deny it.

“In that case, let’s not trade. But I have a better idea,” Wang Li said.

“You’ve likely heard I can complete cultivation techniques, haven’t you?” Wang Li asked.

Ling Xiao nodded. “That’s what I’ve heard.”

“Then do you know that there are two incomplete mid-grade Black-level spiritual techniques in the Sutra Pavilion?”

“Are you saying you’d help me complete those two technique fragments?” Ling Xiao immediately understood Wang Li’s meaning and asked with anticipation.

Spiritual techniques were a rare and specialized branch of cultivation, with very few practitioners, and even fewer techniques—complete ones were especially scarce. The “Soul Suppression Art,” as a top-grade Yellow-level technique, could at most support his cultivation to the peak of the Nascent Soul stage, but not beyond. That was why he’d risked leaving Vengeance City in search of a higher-grade technique suitable for himself.

Unfortunately, his luck seemed to have run out during that period—not only did he find nothing, but he was even beset by ferocious beasts.

Who would have thought that luck would turn at this moment, and Wang Li would offer to help complete his technique?

It was like manna from heaven!

He had no reason to refuse.

Wang Li nodded. “If you can find a better technique, just forget what I said.”

“My gratitude, Steward Wang. Here is the inheritance jade slip for the ‘Soul Suppression Art.’” Ling Xiao handed the technique over without hesitation, worried that Wang Li might change his mind and he’d miss this opportunity.

“The spiritual explanation within is missing, but I can explain it to you,” he offered.

“No need. The core formula is enough. Once we return to the sect, come see me at the Sutra Pavilion,” Wang Li declined, taking the chance to showcase his abilities and earn Ling Xiao’s confidence.

“Ah… I was being overly cautious,” Ling Xiao said, recalling Wang Li’s reputation for completing techniques and realizing he’d been too excited.

Wang Li, having obtained the technique, didn’t shortchange Ling Xiao. He handed over a crystal card inscribed with the “Thunderous Justice Chapter” and a player device.

“This is the ‘Thunderous Justice Chapter.’ Study it—it will help you through the Golden Core tribulation.”

As Master Sheng said, when helping someone, see them through to the end. Since Wang Li had decided to support Ling Xiao, he would do so thoroughly. Forming the Golden Core and passing the tribulation held risks; Wang Li didn’t want Ling Xiao to fall under the lightning. Even with the world’s will favoring Ling Xiao, it was best to be prepared.

Ling Xiao, clutching the somewhat heavy player, was moved almost to tears.

“Steward Wang… truly a good man!”

Wang Li then entered a newly built stone house to begin his seclusion and complete the “Soul Suppression Art.” In just a day, he had reached the introductory stage.

“Spiritual attacks directly target the sea of consciousness and the soul. They can even influence thoughts and senses. It’s really hard to defend against!” Wang Li marveled at the mysteriousness of such attacks.

“It's not much, really. In the end, it’s just another attack method. Defending against it isn’t hard—just buff your soul and consciousness a bit and that’s that,” Master Sheng said with disdain, unimpressed by such trickery.

“What’s a buff?” Wang Li asked.

Master Sheng didn’t bother explaining. “Spiritual attacks work on those at your level or weaker, but if you face someone with an abnormally strong soul, they’re useless. Be careful when using them, or you might suffer backlash.”

“With you here, what do I have to fear?” Wang Li laughed.

“Hey, don’t get cocky. There’s always someone better out there. I’m not invincible, nor am I omnipotent. If we run into a truly troublesome foe, even I may be powerless. Don’t think you can do whatever you want just because I’m around—you could get yourself killed!”

“All right, all right. I’ll listen to you. Once the Chosen trials are over, I’ll hide out in the Pure Yang Temple and never leave. Happy now?”

“I’ll be satisfied as long as you stop giving me headaches!”