Immortal Creation.

Chapter 741 Trading Souls (Bonus Chapter for National Day Monthly Tickets Completed!)

At the bottom of the well were narrow stone steps. The two followed the steps to an underground cave.

The underground cave is not large, with many stalactites hanging from the ceiling, some of which are covered with moss that emits a faint light, making it look even more eerie.

A few figures stood either in the shadows of a corner or sat on casually placed stone stools, far apart from each other, talking in hushed tones, their voices sounding particularly indistinct in the underground.

The cave was dark and the light and shadow flickered, casting shadows on the rugged stone walls like ghosts in a shadow play.

Yu Heye led Sun Lingtong straight to a corner of the cave.

There sat a figure dressed in a wide gray robe, the hood almost completely obscuring his face, sitting cross-legged on a flat boulder. There was no stall in front of him; he sat there listlessly, like a statue.

Yu Heye and Sun Lingtong stood in front of him.

Yu Heye asked in a low voice, "Do you have any in stock?"

The gray-robed cultivator did not nod. The surrounding space slightly distorted, revealing several floating gray-white pottery jars.

"The goods are all here," he said.

Yu Heye turned his head slightly and glanced at Sun Lingtong beside him.

Sun Lingtong had naturally disguised herself; her height and build were no different from an adult's.

He immediately activated his divine sense and probed into the ash jar.

There is at least one soul in each ash jar.

There were hundreds of souls at the Qi Refining level, gathered in a tiny gray jar. Most of these souls were just blurry humanoid orbs of light, dull in color, like gray mist, writhing and colliding unconsciously inside the container, emitting silent shrieks, their faces distorted, filled with instinctive fear and pain.

Most of the ash jars contain the souls of those in the Foundation Establishment stage.

Their forms are much more solid than those of the Qi Refining stage, and their facial features and even the characteristics of their clothing in life can be clearly identified.

The colors are mostly pale white or light blue, and the expressions are either angry, desperate, or numb.

They struck the container walls more frequently, their souls fluctuating violently, leaving afterimages inside. Some seemed to retain a faint consciousness, staring blankly out of the container.

A Golden Core stage cultivator possesses only one soul.

It was sealed in the largest ash jar, its soul almost solidified, radiating a faint but clear spiritual pressure. It was crimson red, clearly indicating that it had cultivated some kind of fire-attribute technique in its lifetime.

The intense resentment in the eyes of the Golden Core level soul being was so strong that it startled Sun Lingtong.

It remained almost motionless, secretly gathering its strength, clearly attempting to break free of its cage and reclaim its freedom. However, it possessed a greater strategy and greater endurance than souls at the Foundation Establishment or Qi Refining levels.

Sun Lingtong observed for a moment, then nodded in satisfaction: "Okay, I'll take them all."

The gray-robed cultivator was slightly taken aback.

Yu Heye, standing beside him, was also surprised, not expecting the deal to be much bigger than he had imagined.

Grey-robed monk: "Are you sure?"

Sun Lingtong took out a Ghost Dao Golden Pill and handed it to the other party: "Check it and I'll refund the difference or make up the difference."

Sun Lingtong put on an air of wealth and power.

The gray-robed cultivator gasped inwardly, filled with astonishment and uncertainty: "Who is this person? I merely sell the souls of Golden Core cultivators. Yet this person has actually produced a Golden Core!"

He slowly reached out, took the Ghost Dao Golden Pill, examined it, and confirmed that it was correct. When he looked up at Sun Lingtong again, his attitude had changed drastically.

He cupped his hands in a respectful gesture and asked, "May I ask your honorable name?"

Sun Lingtong smiled slightly: "You can call me Old Master Sun."

Sun Lingtong's disguise was that of a middle-aged man. Even if someone saw through his thieving skills and realized that he was actually a child, they would still have doubts. After all, this appearance was quite different from the title "Old Master Sun".

This is precisely Sun Lingtong's cunning style—a mix of truth and deception, leaving people guessing her moves.

The gray-robed cultivator then respectfully addressed him as "Elder Sun".

Sun Lingtong nodded slightly, her brows furrowing, and then asked directly, "Are these souls... truly all heinous criminals who deserve to die?"

The gray-robed cultivator laughed heartily: "Elder Sun, you're overthinking it. We wouldn't dare buy or sell someone who isn't guilty enough to warrant execution or have their soul scattered."

"The Myriad Manifestations Sect is a reputable and righteous sect. If we were to sell innocent souls here, we would be courting death!"

"Only a small business can yield such meager profits, yet it carries the risk of being beheaded. Only a fool would do it!"

Sun Lingtong paused for a moment, accepting this explanation, his gaze sweeping over the struggling soul containers. He suddenly spoke, "Are there... the souls of Confucian cultivators?"

"A Confucian cultivator?" The gray-robed cultivator's eyebrows twitched slightly beneath his hood, and his gaze lingered on Sun Lingtong for a moment. He remained silent for a few breaths, seemingly recalling his inventory.

He hesitated for a moment, but finally uttered a single word: "Yes."

He continued, "Moreover... the quality is excellent."

"Oh?" Sun Lingtong's eyes lit up.

It is relatively rare for a Confucian cultivator to turn to the demonic path. This is because the Confucian school of cultivation naturally carries the shaping of its ideology and values.

Confucian scholars, who value benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness, have far fewer followers who have turned to demonic paths than Taoists and Buddhists.

Sun Lingtong came for Ning Zhuo, carrying Ning Zhuo's wishes.

Ning Zhuo is now diligently studying Confucianism and its magical arts, resulting in a surge in his academic abilities. He deeply understands how crucial these abilities are for him to broaden his knowledge and ultimately master mechanical arts. Naturally, he has an even stronger need for the spirit of Confucianism.

However, both Sun Ning and Sun Jing knew that demonic and Confucian cultivation were indeed quite rare. Therefore, their expectations were low.

Therefore, Sun Lingtong couldn't help but feel a little surprised after receiving a positive response from the gray-robed cultivator.

"What is the price?" Sun Lingtong asked immediately.

He had already made up his mind that he would take the deal even if the other party offered a high premium.

Sun Lingtong was extremely knowledgeable about Ning Zhuo's cultivation progress. The two never hid anything from each other in this regard. Therefore, Sun Lingtong was very clear that the significance and help that the Confucian cultivator's soul provided to Ning Zhuo was immense!

The gray-robed cultivator paused for a moment before speaking: "This person... is somewhat special. I'm not sure yet if I can get my hands on this person's soul and then sell it to you."

Sun Lingtong frowned: "What's the reason?"

At this point, he added, "The price is negotiable."

The gray-robed cultivator did not immediately respond to the price, but instead turned his gaze to Yu Heye standing to the side: "Actually, if you really want to say it, many fellow disciples of the Myriad Manifestations Sect know about him. This person has quite a reputation. His name is... Qin De."

“Qin De?!” Yu Heye clearly knew this name, and his face showed a look of realization and a hint of fear. “It’s him! That disgrace to Confucianism.”

Sun Lingtong looked puzzled this time.

Yu Heye explained in a low voice, "This person broke a taboo and caused a huge uproar back then, but the higher-ups have always suppressed it with all their might. Information that normal people seek to purchase is naturally censored and will not be recorded in this person's records."

Sun Lingtong became curious and inquired carefully about the person's background.

"The Great Thief's Scripture of the Sage?" He was hearing this for the first time, especially upon hearing the name of a cultivation technique combining demonic and Confucian elements. His heart pounded a few times, a sudden realization triggering a shiver within him. Sun Lingtong inexplicably realized, "This technique seems extremely important to me?!"

He concealed his unusual expression and quickly reviewed information about Qin De in his mind.

Qin De was a promising young Confucian scholar with a thorough understanding of all Confucian classics. He was extremely knowledgeable and talented.

But perhaps it was precisely because he had read so many classics that he created his own martial arts technique called "The Great Thief of the Sage".

This technique connects saints and great thieves. The higher a cultivator's personal character and merit, the more powerful their thieving skills will be, and the more they will receive a massive boost!
This technique is so evil that it practically leads all Confucian scholars to become thieves.

Furthermore, the ideas about Qin De revealed in "The Great Thief of the Sage" convinced the Confucian scholars led by Duanmu Zhang that Qin De had fallen into depravity, his thoughts were distorted, and he had read too much and become possessed by demons!
Therefore, after all attempts to persuade, convince, and coerce failed, Duanmu Zhang and the others had no choice but to explain the situation to their sect before defeating Qin De and imprisoning him.

Qin De has been imprisoned in Yun Prison for over thirty years.

The gray-robed cultivator recounted how Qin De, after creating his cultivation technique, committed several major thefts. This man was indeed deeply sinful.

But Sun Lingtong had a new worry: "Within the Myriad Manifestations Sect, there are many Confucian cultivators who are very united. What do they think of Qin De?"

The gray-robed cultivator chuckled: "Don't worry about that. Qin De has fallen into demonic possession and is beyond redemption. The Confucian cultivators completely abandoned him more than a decade ago."

"They even proposed several times to destroy Qin De, to nip this evil ideology in the bud and prevent it from polluting the orthodox Confucianism."

"If you can eliminate Qin De, I think it will actually evoke gratitude from the Confucian scholars."

Having considered his options, the gray-robed cultivator formally announced his price: "According to market prices, a soul at the peak of the Golden Core stage would sell for 300,000 mid-grade spirit stones."

"The characteristics of Confucian cultivation are rare and hard to find on the market. The price will be increased by 100,000 mid-grade spirit stones."

"Furthermore, this cultivator is imprisoned in the Cloud Prison, and it will cost a considerable amount to smooth things over. I will charge you a total of 400,000 mid-grade spirit stones."

Yu Heye's pupils contracted slightly.

He was also a Golden Core cultivator, and for him, this number was undoubtedly excessive.

If it were him, he would never have spent such a large sum of spirit stones just to buy a Golden Core level soul.

But Sun Lingtong smiled gently: "I bought it. This is the deposit."

He produced another Ghost Dao Golden Elixir.

The gray-robed cultivator felt a chill run down his spine, thinking to himself, "Two Golden Core cultivators in a row... this person is reminding me that I'm not someone to be trifled with! I should make a careful deal, or I'll end up like a Golden Core Master..."

He accepted the golden pill: "Then I'll trouble Elder Sun to wait a while and hear our good news."

Sun Lingtong nodded: "We can't deliberately delay. If a month or two passes and we still haven't received the goods, how will we settle the accounts? After all, we need them urgently."

The gray-robed cultivator smiled confidently: "Don't worry, Qin De has long been forgotten and has been imprisoned in the Cloud Prison. It's perfectly reasonable for him to die suddenly because he couldn't endure it."

"I've been doing business here for so many years, as Fellow Daoist Yu Heye knows. I've always been honest and trustworthy, and reputation is my top priority!"

"I can get it for you in a week at most."

Seeing the gray-robed cultivator's confidence, Sun Lingtong felt even more certain: "Alright, in that case, let's sign the contract."

The gray-robed cultivator nodded without the slightest hesitation; this was only to be expected. He was genuinely confident in this matter. He had done this kind of deal far too many times; he was very familiar with the process.

Punish evil in the hall.

The space within the formation.

Central stone platform.

The elderly cultivator looked at Ning Zhuo with satisfaction: "I have one last question."

Ning Zhuo extended his hand: "Please ask your questions, senior. I will answer to the best of my ability, and it will come from the bottom of my heart."

Within his divine sea and dantian, the Buddha's Heart Demon Seal shone brightly.

The old cultivator's voice suddenly deepened, as if carrying immense force, pressing down on Ning Zhuo: "Third question: In the struggle for the Great Dao, calamity is inescapable. If one day you must sacrifice your flesh and blood, burn away your divine soul and true essence, only then can you sever the overwhelming demonic calamity and save countless lives from imminent destruction..."

"And after this, your name, your path, and all traces of your existence may be tainted by demons, despised and misunderstood by the world, and forever plunged into the abyss of darkness, never to be redeemed... Are you willing to go?"

Silence.

After that question, the air on the stone platform seemed to freeze.

The high-ranking cultivators of the Demon Extermination Hall stared at Ning Zhuo expressionlessly, not missing the slightest change in his expression.

Ning Zhuo frowned, lowered his head, looked at the stone bricks under his feet, and fell into deep thought.

The cultivators of the Demon-Slaying Hall were filled with anticipation, but as time silently passed, they gradually became more and more nervous.

The three questions from the Demon-Slaying Hall are a hidden assessment process, only for the most outstanding individuals in the first round of the Xingyun Trial.

Among those who answered, the vast majority passed the first two questions, while very few passed the third.

This is because the third question is indeed too harsh.

To sacrifice oneself for one's life is already heroic, let alone to bear eternal infamy?

Is it really necessary to sacrifice oneself to such an extent for the sake of justice?
Why do people pursue justice?
"It doesn't matter, as long as it comes from the heart." The elderly cultivator, seeing that Ning Zhuo remained silent for a long time, couldn't help but offer a reminder.

He was worried that Ning Zhuo was lying and that the lie would be detected.

In that case, Ning Zhuo would be completely eliminated, and the entire Zhuxie Hall would be permanently closed to him, with no possibility of ever hiring him again.

What they didn't realize was that Ning Zhuo wasn't thinking about this matter, but rather about his own situation.

Ning Zhuo already had a clear perception: "I am protected by my Buddha Heart Demon Seal, so they cannot detect my true heart."

"Of course I know how to answer so that I can pass smoothly."

"But in that case, I'll most likely get first place."

First place...

This will be the third time Xingyun has won first place in the preliminary test.

In this way, Ning Zhuo will be the first to obtain the qualification and be able to exchange his wooden plaque for a stone plaque before most people.

He will stand out in this first round of Xingyun's preliminary test and become a rising star alongside Situ Xing and others!

Previously, although Ning Zhuo had passed Che Zhuzi's Xingyun preliminary test and achieved good results, Che Zhuzi did not acknowledge Ning Zhuo's first-place ranking.

Che Zhuzi was planning to use this reward to attract more people to participate in his Xingyun trial, so naturally he wouldn't announce it in advance.

The Xingyun Trial can be held in multiple rounds, but the first place can only be awarded once.

There are many branches of the Zhuxie Hall, but if Ning Zhuo is awarded first place this time, then although such Xingyun Small Tests can still be held, the honor of first place can no longer be bestowed upon a second person.

Ning Zhuo stood at the crossroads of choices.

Is it like the Fire Persimmon Immortal City, which is patient and keeps a low profile?
Or should we give up the opportunity at hand, but win first place later, even if it's not Situ Xing's first round, and take the middle path?
Or perhaps seize the opportunity before you, be the first to collect three first-place finishes, be honored, and stride confidently forward?
(End of this chapter)