Chapter 89: Death

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

To put it simply, the [Withering Heart Technique] was a way to fake death.

After mastering it, one could fake death for half an hour.

During this period, he would look no different from a real corpse. Of course, he did not need to worry about being stabbed in the back.

The disadvantage was that it could only be used once every two hours. If it was used too frequently, it would be fine at first. It was just that his bloodline would not be smooth, and his muscles and bones would be slow. He would be fine after recovering for a few days.

However, if it was frequent to a certain extent, it would cause partial necrosis of the body.

If he did not control himself, this necrosis would become more and more serious. In the end, he might become a half-dead zombie.

Which one should I choose? Pei Ling counted the spirit stones on him and eliminated the [Blood Boiling Art]. After all, he really could not afford it.

He could only think about it later.

As for the [Life Absorption Technique], the price of cultivating it was too high.

Moreover, based on Pei Ling’s understanding of the retarded system, if it felt that the vitality around its residence was not dense enough and forcefully ‘gifted’ a cultivation place with rich vitality, controlling him to run to a place that he should not go, he would die without even knowing how it happened!

There were no restrictions on the cultivation of the [Withering Heart Technique]. Its essence was the exquisite control of spiritual power, aura, vitality, and organs. However, it was precisely because there was no need for external help like medicinal pills that there were no shortcuts to the cultivation of the [Withering Heart Technique]. As a result, it was extremely difficult to get started and difficult for Qi Refinement realm cultivators to learn.

However, this was not a problem for Pei Ling, who had the system.

Of course, what tempted Pei Ling the most was that the [Withering Heart Technique] only cost 800 spirit stones.

After Pei Ling thought it through, he quickly made a decision. He took out 800 spirit stones and stuffed them into the right eye of the skull. “This is it!”

Two breaths had passed. He took back his nameplate from the left eye of the skull and saw that there was indeed an additional cultivation method for the [Withering Heart Art].

At the same time, the system went online. “Ding Dong! An unknown spell from the outside world has been detected. It is being recorded…”

“Ding-Dong! Recording complete. Host, please name it!”

“It’s called the [Withering Heart Technique].” What made Pei Ling heave a sigh of relief was that this cultivation technique was indeed purely for the use of spiritual power and did not require any external help.

Dog system, you can’t cheat me of this cultivation technique, right?

Pei Ling put away the nameplate and looked around fearfully. Back then, when Wu Tingxi had just taken out the jade slip, the system had immediately taken the initiative to record the nameless cultivation technique. He did not expect that he could only record and exchange cultivation techniques in the Dharma Pavilion… It seemed that this place was not simple.

He did not dare to stay any longer and quickly walked downstairs.

When he reached the hall downstairs, he saw that there were no doors on the four walls. According to the inscription, he went forward to touch the stone tablet and felt dazed.

When he came back to his senses, he was already standing outside the Dharma Pavilion.

He identified the direction and found a deserted corner on this mountain. After checking his surroundings and confirming that there were no problems, he asked the system, “System, I want to cultivate the [Withering Heart Art].”

System: “Ding-Dong! Smart Cultivation System is sincerely at your service…”

At this moment, in a small courtyard surrounded by flowers on Shady Sophora Peak.

Sun Yinglan frowned slightly as she heard a male cultivator in front of her report respectfully, “Junior Sister Sun, I’ve found out about the current situation of Chen Huan and the others. A few days ago, they received a few missions from Spiraling Mountain City, but they were unlucky and died in the hands of a Man-Faced Spider that appeared unexpectedly.

On the other hand, the new disciple who was tricked by them into refining the Soul Summoning Banner, Pei Hongnian’s younger brother, Pei Ling, was lucky to survive.

After Pei Ling returned to the sect, he reported this matter to the Disciplinary Hall. The Disciplinary Hall specially sent people to investigate this matter. They will probably be back in two days.

If Junior Sister wants to know more details, I’ll go then…”

“What did you say?” A strange look flashed across Sun Yinglan’s eyes as she interrupted him. “Chen Huan and the others are dead? Then how did Pei Ling survive?”

The male cultivator said, “Junior Sister, I’m not too sure about that. I heard that he was lucky and ran into Spiraling Mountain City first, obtaining the protection of the City Lord.”

Sun Yinglan thought quickly and suddenly asked, “What about the Soul Summoning Banner? Did Pei Ling obtain it?”

“I don’t think so.” The male cultivator shook his head and said, “It’s said that after Spiraling Mountain City Lord saved Pei Ling, he wanted to continue saving Chen Huan and the others. However, he was a step too late and only managed to snatch back the Soul Summoning Banner and other items… That Soul Summoning Banner is now in the hands of the City Lord of Spiraling Mountain City. He said that he wanted to wait for the Disciplinary Hall to investigate thoroughly before making a decision.”

Too late? Sun Yinglan’s gaze flickered as she sneered slightly. She thought to herself that he would have gone at the right time. It was probably not that the Spiraling Mountain City Lord could not save Chen Huan and the others, but that he used the Man-Faced Spider to send those people to their deaths.

In fact, the reason why Chen Huan and the others encountered the Man-Faced Spider probably had something to do with this City Lord!

“I see.”

She knew it. Pei Ling had been brought out by Chen Huan and the others. How could he come back alive?

It must have been Spiraling Mountain City’s City Lord’s plan to kill and steal the treasures, luring the Man-Faced Spider to destroy Chen Huan and the others. However, he was afraid that under the sect’s investigation, he would have to pay a huge fine for plotting against a Qi Refinement Stage disciple with his Foundation Establishment cultivation. Therefore, he left Pei Ling as the scapegoat.

Sun Yinglan felt enlightened.

However, after thinking about it carefully, she felt that there seemed to be some other inside information. “I’ve never heard that the City Lord of Spiraling Mountain City is related to the Clear River Faction… Moreover, the deacon who went to Spiraling Mountain City to investigate will be back soon. Why did he ask me to sow discord between Pei Hongnian and Pei Ling at a time like this?”

She lowered her head and thought for a moment before telling the male cultivator in front of her, “Go find Pei Hongnian and get him to meet me quickly.”

A moment later, Pei Hongnian jogged into the courtyard. When he saw Sun Yinglan’s cold expression, he did not care at all and smiled apologetically. “Junior Sister, I…”

“Where is your younger brother, Pei Ling?” Sun Yinglan interrupted him impatiently.

Pei Hongnian was stunned and hurriedly said, “Junior Sister, have you forgotten? You said that you didn’t like him last time and told me to ignore him. So I haven’t seen him these days. He went to look for me once and I chased him away.”

“Do you think I don’t remember what I said?” Sun Yinglan said angrily. “Do I need you to remind me? I suddenly want to see him now. Hurry up and go!”

“Junior Sister, why are you…” Pei Hongnian was puzzled. However, before he could finish his sentence, Sun Yinglan grabbed the teacup and threw it at him. “What are you waiting for? Get lost! ”

Pei Hongnian was shocked and did not dare to ask further. He hurriedly comforted her. “Yes, yes, yes. I’ll go and find it now. Junior Sister, don’t be angry… I’ll go now!”

Seeing his flustered look, Sun Yinglan felt even more disgusted. She raised her chin at the male cultivator who was running errands. “You go too!”

Seeing that she was alone in the courtyard, her expression softened. She narrowed her eyes in thought.

At this moment, in a secluded place on an unknown mountain, the system’s management cultivation had just ended. “Ding Dong! This cultivation session is over. Thank you for using the smart cultivation system. You have ascended without a worry with a single click! I look forward to you sharing your cultivation evaluation. If you are satisfied, please give me a five-star rating!”

He casually clicked on a three-star rating. Pei Ling stretched his limbs and circulated his spiritual power on the spot to test the effect of the Withered Heart Art. His aura quickly converged, and all the vitality in his body surged into his heart. His limbs and face began to turn abnormally pale.

After a while, Pei Ling fell to the ground with a thud. His entire body was cold, and he was no longer breathing!

He savored the feeling of using this technique for a while and felt that when he fell into a false death, his heart seemed to be exceptionally calm. He even felt that everything in the world was meaningless.

As the saying goes, ‘What joy is there in life? What fear is there in death?’

None of the spells in this netherworld sect are easy to deal with. Pei Ling realized this and frowned slightly. He undid the spell and thought to himself, The Withered Heart Art seems to be cheap, but it seems to affect one’s will…

He, who wanted to hide so much, was actually not afraid of death when he used the Withered Heart Technique!

This was freaking scary.

In any case, after mastering the Withered Heart Technique, Pei Ling had nothing else to do on this mountain. Hence, he rented a Corpse Cloud and arrived at Elixir Peak with ease.