Cultivation: I Can Steal Lifespan from Spirit Beasts

Chapter 132: The Dao is Ever-Present, Mountain Sea Sect’s Supreme Elder

It was clearly Ye Lingyu’s voice.

Yet, in that instant, Wang Ba felt a chill crawl down his spine, his hair standing on end.

He immediately whipped his head around to look at her.

What he saw was ‘Ye Lingyu’ staring coldly at Zhao Feng. Her expression bore a vicissitude and icy detachment that was utterly inconsistent with her age, her personality, and even her gender.

Zhao Feng fell silent for a moment, offering no rebuttal.

His silence was a tacit admission of the truth.

‘Ye Lingyu’ laughed in extreme anger. “Haha, good! Good disciple! I did not waste my efforts cultivating you! You are just like this, and that scoundrel Lu Yuansheng was the same!”

Zhao Feng shook his head slightly. “Master, I am not the same as Senior Brother Lu.”

“What is the difference? One deceives his master and destroys his ancestors, the other betrays the Sect!” ‘Ye Lingyu’ sneered. “I once regarded Lu Yuansheng as the heir to my mantle. It is a pity he faked his death and fled. I turned to cultivating you, hoping that after my ascension, you would inherit my Dao lineage. Hehe…”

Hearing this, Zhao Feng sighed and asked in return, “Master, why must you deceive me? Did you nurture Senior Brother Lu simply to raise a successor?”

“Why did Senior Brother Lu fake his death and flee? Are you truly unclear on the reason?”

“Just as you cultivated Junior Sister Ye, passing your life-bound magic sword to her so early… was it truly just to investigate the Heavenly Gate Sect’s hidden agents?”

Faced with Zhao Feng’s barrage of questions, ‘Ye Lingyu’s’ expression froze momentarily. Yet, ‘she’ did not fly into a rage out of shame. Instead, ‘she’ let out a faint, ghostly sigh.

“As expected, nothing can be hidden from your Clear Sword Heart.”

“But you should also be able to sense that I… this old man… harbored no such designs toward you.”

“I truly… cultivated you as my successor.”

Zhao Feng fell silent. Suddenly, he bowed slowly, offering ‘Ye Lingyu’ a deep, respectful salute.

“Zhao Feng remains forever grateful for Master’s guidance and nurturing. However, my Dao differs from Master’s, and even from the Dao of the Eastern Sage Sect. In the end, our paths cannot align.”

“Dao?”

‘Ye Lingyu’ murmured the word, shaking ‘her’ head slightly. “The cultivators of today are nothing more than Thieves of Heaven, seizing bits and pieces from the world for their own selfish gain. What Dao is there to speak of?”

“Master, Zhao Feng dares to disagree. In my view, clinging to life and fearing death is Dao; sacrificing oneself for righteousness is Dao; advancing bravely is Dao; treading carefully is also Dao. Killing is Dao, stopping is Dao, living is Dao, dying is Dao. All things possess Dao; all matters are Dao.”

“The Dao is ever-present, but the heart is rarely still.”

Zhao Feng enunciated every word, earnestly explaining the understanding within his heart to ‘Ye Lingyu’.

Hearing these words, Wang Ba felt a faint stirring in his own heart.

‘Ye Lingyu’ also stood in a daze, staring at Zhao Feng with a complex expression. “You truly are a natural seed for cultivation!”

Soon, the emotion on ‘her’ face slowly faded, replaced by a profound stillness.

“As you said, this old man’s Dao is to protect the Sect. Even if I must bear the vile reputation of Body Seizing my own disciple, I must live on. I must assist the Sect Leader and reclaim the foundation of my Eastern Sage Sect!”

“So, this old man asks you only one thing: Will you return with me?”

The third-grade magic sword quietly drifted into ‘Ye Lingyu’s’ hand.

‘She’ stared intently at Zhao Feng.

The atmosphere instantly thickened with tension.

Zhao Feng sighed softly.

He raised his head proudly, meeting the other’s gaze, his brows and eyes filled with resolve.

Sensing the situation deteriorating, Wang Ba had long since prepared to flee.

Internally, he couldn’t help but lament. These cultivators truly had minds like honeycombs, filled with hundreds of schemes. He had thought Elder Qin Heng—the head of the Punishment Hall—had died during the night of the Eastern Sage Sect’s great upheaval. Who would have guessed he had pulled a ‘Golden Cicada Sheds its Shell’ right under everyone’s noses?

Many of his past actions, seemingly casual, now revealed hidden depths.

It made sense. Young cultivators, busy with cultivation and detached from worldly affairs, might have simpler minds. But veteran Golden Core True Persons like Elder Qin spent centuries pondering and plotting; they had all refined themselves into shrewd old foxes.

A fool who cultivated for thousands of years only to have an IQ lower than a mortal might exist, but they were certainly a rare breed.

Wang Ba suddenly recalled Ye Lingyu mentioning that Elder Qin never looked at aptitude when accepting disciples. In hindsight, Qin Heng had revealed a flaw back then.

But at the time, no one suspected a thing. They only thought Elder Qin doted on his youngest disciple, even giving her his personal magic sword for protection.

“It is just a pity for Ye Lingyu…”

Wang Ba felt a pang of sorrow.

He genuinely felt sympathy and pity for the innocent, lively girl.

But he had absolutely no intention of getting involved.

Nor did he harbor the arrogant delusion of trying to save her.

Far from it—he wanted to leave this place immediately. Right now. As fast as possible.

Just as ‘Ye Lingyu’ and Zhao Feng were about to clash, and Wang Ba was about to bolt, a change occurred in the distance.

From the direction of Water Controlling City, a terrifying collision of energy erupted, sending massive shockwaves of Magic Power rippling through the air!

“Ji Lan! You kill one of my Elders, and I will take the lives of every Golden Core in your Eastern Sage Sect as payment!”

“Hehe, Fellow Daoist Ning, do not be impatient. Look, what is this?”

Before the words fully landed.

Cluck—!

A crisp, piercing crow rang out!

A colossal purple spirit beast appeared in the sky above Water Controlling City, spreading its wings wide!

The size of this purple beast was so immense that even Wang Ba, watching from a distance, could see it clearly.

“Fan Ming?!”

“No! That’s not right!”

“The wings lack those eyes!”

Wang Ba observed carefully and noticed the differences.

Although the bird was purple, a closer look revealed that this spirit beast and the Fan Ming inside the Eastern Sage stronghold were completely different breeds of poultry.

Moreover, the spiritual aura emanating from it was far inferior to the real Fan Ming.

Yet, the resemblance was striking.

Just as this pseudo-Fan Ming appeared, a far more urgent crowing sound erupted from the distant Eastern Sage stronghold!

CROW!

A spiritual pressure far surpassing everyone present swept out from the depths of the stronghold!

“Not good!”

Inside the Eastern Sage stronghold, several cries of alarm rang out.

Simultaneously, multiple Golden Core True Persons rushed out from the main palace, joining forces to forcibly suppress the agitated, struggling Fan Ming within the mountain.

However, Fan Ming’s struggles far exceeded their expectations.

“Sect Leader!” someone shouted desperately.

Above Water Controlling City, Ning Daohuan’s gaze swept the surroundings gloomily, but a sudden sneer broke across his face.

“You calculated that I, the Sect Leader, would inevitably return to reinforce the base?”

“Ridiculous!”

“Ji Lan, I finally lured you out today. I will not let you escape again!”

Instantly, Ning Daohuan stopped concealing his aura. The power of a Nascent Soul cultivator exploded forth!

With one hand, he grabbed at the purple spirit beast; with the other, he clawed toward the Eastern Sage Sect Leader, Ji Lan.

Demonic might surged to the heavens, causing the sun and moon to dim!

Ji Lan, who had remained composed until now, finally changed expression.

He hurriedly retreated, snatching up the purple spirit poultry a split second before the attack landed.

However, Ning Daohuan’s offensive was not so easily evaded. His massive hand descended like a cloud covering the sky, enveloping the entire area!

At that critical moment.

A burly figure suddenly materialized in front of Ji Lan. His robes burst apart as he crossed his arms to block the incoming strike!

Clearly a cultivator, yet he fought like a mortal martial artist!

Ning Daohuan’s pupils abruptly contracted.

“Mountain Sea Sect’s Supreme Elder, Pang Xiao!”

The demonic palm slammed into the burly figure’s arms. After a brief stalemate, the figure was swatted away.

Pang Xiao’s clothes shattered, revealing a body that seemed cast from refined iron. Yet, he acted as if nothing had happened, striding back through the air with heavy, booming steps.

“Fellow Daoist Ning, it has been five or six years since we last met. Long time no see,” the iron-tower of a man said with a chuckle.

Looking at the Mountain Sea Sect’s Supreme Elder, Ning Daohuan’s expression turned hideous.

“With our lifespans, five or six years is but a blink of an eye. What ‘long time no see’ is there?… But for you to obstruct me, do you also intend to collude with this Eastern Sage Sect?”

“I wouldn’t dare. Fellow Daoist’s cultivation is astonishing, unparalleled in the State of Chen. My Mountain Sea Sect is small and insignificant; how would we dare contend with you?” Pang Xiao maintained his smile.

“However, while I wouldn’t dare, other Fellow Daoists might feel differently…”

Hearing this, Ning Daohuan’s heart tightened. His Divine Sense immediately swept outward.

Indeed, at the very edge of his sensory range, he detected the flickering auras of multiple Golden Core True Persons.

A rough count revealed over twenty distinct signatures.

The threat was blatant.

Ning Daohuan’s expression remained unchanged, but his heart sank.

Currently, the Golden Cores in the Eastern Sage stronghold were tied down suppressing the rioting Fan Ming. His other subordinates were scattered, guarding their respective posts.

Transferring them would take too long. Furthermore, the Heavenly Gate Sect was not actually prepared for a full-scale war with the entire cultivation world of the State of Chen.

Ning Daohuan had never expected the Eastern Sage Sect to possess such boldness. Not only did they seize the opportunity to launch a full-sect assault, but they had also formed a coalition with several other major sects in the State of Chen.

Although he was confident that the Heavenly Gate Sect’s foundation could eventually crush this alliance, the current situation completely disrupted his plans.

If his sect suffered excessive losses among its Golden Cores, his grander schemes would come to nothing.

His internal calculations happened in a flash.

“You may leave.”

He took a deep look at Ji Lan and the Eastern Sage elders. Though a thousand voices in his mind urged him to capture them, he restrained himself.

“Next time, I won’t let you escape so easily…”

His gaze shifted, lingering briefly on Pang Xiao’s iron-cast body before sweeping past.

His face was dark as stagnant water, his voice resounding for a thousand miles.

“All Heavenly Gate Sect disciples and unorthodox cultivators—return to the Sect!”

…

A war that seemed destined to erupt vanished into thin air in an instant.

Zhao Feng and ‘Ye Lingyu’ withdrew their gazes simultaneously.

After a brief silence, the battle between the two of them also failed to materialize.

However, ‘Ye Lingyu’ swept ‘her’ gaze over Wang Ba, eyes turning cold.

Before Wang Ba could react, Zhao Feng suddenly flickered into existence in front of him, raising a hand to sweep the air.

Clang!

Two streams of sword light collided and dissipated.

“Master, please give me some face,” Zhao Feng said sincerely, shielding Wang Ba.

‘Ye Lingyu’s’ face darkened. “Zhao Feng, you are a disciple I favor. I won’t kill you. But this kid knows my secret. He must die. You cannot stop me!”

Zhao Feng did not speak further. He simply formed his fingers into a sword seal, and streams of sword energy began to flow around his body.

His stance spoke for him.

“You!”

A flash of rage crossed ‘Ye Lingyu’s’ face.

Just as Wang Ba thought ‘she’ was about to attack again, ‘Ye Lingyu’ suddenly gave Zhao Feng a deep, measuring look.

“Let him keep his mouth shut. Otherwise…”

With that, ‘she’ flicked ‘her’ sleeve and flew away.

Watching the retreating figure, Wang Ba found it hard to believe.

That’s it? It’s over?

Zhao Feng also looked puzzled, but seeing ‘Ye Lingyu’ fly far into the distance allowed him to relax.

He turned to Wang Ba, his expression serious.

“Junior Brother, have you ever heard the saying, ‘Ancient cultivators must undergo the transformation of the Dragon and the Snake’?”

Wang Ba shook his head in confusion.

Zhao Feng explained, “The so-called Dragon-Snake Transformation means that when a cultivator encounters an opportunity to rise, they must act like a dragon, soaring straight into the heavens. But if they encounter natural disasters, droughts, or dire straits, they must become like a snake in the grass.”

“Even if they must dwell in muddy holes alongside earthworms and ants, they do not complain or despair. They lie dormant, waiting for the next opportunity to become a dragon.”

“Junior Brother, you are currently this snake. You must lie dormant in the mud of the Heavenly Gate Sect, accompanying insects and vermin. But never forget—one day, the time to transform into a dragon will come. When that day arrives, you shall ride the clouds and mist, inhaling and exhaling the heaven and earth.”

Listening to Zhao Feng’s words, Wang Ba froze.

To be honest, he was truly tired of the days spent scheming and scavenging in the Heavenly Gate Sect. He had long forgotten the original aspiration he held when he abandoned his home and career to join the Eastern Sage Sect.

His survival in the Heavenly Gate Sect had become nothing more than a biological instinct to cling to life.

At one point, he had even questioned if there was any meaning to struggling so hard just to breathe.

Yet at this moment, Zhao Feng’s words struck him like a wake-up call from a heavy stick.

It made him suddenly see the light.

Faintly, he felt the Yin Spirit power in his Yin Spirit Abode become much more lively. He even vaguely grasped the anchor of his own soul.

“Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother.”

Wang Ba bowed solemnly to Zhao Feng.

Seeing this, Zhao Feng nodded with relief, though a look of shame soon followed.

“Senior Brother temporarily has no way to rescue you. I can only offer words of consolation.”

“Hehe, Senior Brother, what are you saying? Hearing these words is worth more than countless treasures,” Wang Ba shook his head.

External resources were important. But without a firm will, no amount of resources would allow one to go far on the path of cultivation.

At this moment, he had vaguely grasped his direction.

Perhaps this wasn’t the Dao yet, but it was the beginning of one.

“By the way, does Junior Brother have a jade pendant?” Zhao Feng asked suddenly.

Although puzzled, Wang Ba hurriedly rummaged through his Storage Bags, finally retrieving a piece of excellent quality.

Zhao Feng took it, nodded slightly, and then formed a sword finger, slowly pouring energy into the jade.

His body, which had looked indistinguishable from a living person, suddenly flickered and turned translucent.

“Senior Brother!” Wang Ba exclaimed, wanting to stop him.

Zhao Feng had already withdrawn his finger, handing the jade pendant back with a weak smile.

“Hehe, I’m a bit drained. The sword energy inside is equivalent to half my current strength. An ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator likely cannot block this strike. But, as before, it can only be used once.”

Wang Ba took the pendant, feeling the warm undulations on the jade surface. He was moved.

He couldn’t help but remember when they first met; Zhao Feng had given him a similar jade pendant.

This moment was a perfect reflection of the past.

He offered no further words of gratitude. The bond between them had long surpassed the need for such pleasantries.

He solemnly put the pendant away.

The two then exchanged methods of contact.

Afterward, under Wang Ba’s gaze, Zhao Feng wrapped himself around the ‘Soul Nurturing Pearl’, transformed into a streak of sword light, and vanished into the horizon.

Wang Ba felt a sense of loss.

He gathered the Storage Bags and corpses of the Incense Path cultivators and strode toward the Heavenly Gate Sect.

Only now, the confusion in his heart was gone.

…

In the distance, mid-air.

‘Ye Lingyu’, standing atop her magic sword, suddenly shuddered.

Her cold, beautiful face went slack, replaced by a look of utter confusion.

“Strange… How did I get here?”