50. An Aura of Evil

The strength of the four individuals varied greatly. Among them, Ye Linchuan was the strongest, with Chu Wangshu and Ye Mingfu on par, and Feng Tianbao being the weakest. Yet, when Chen Fengyun lightly waved his hand, the force he released effortlessly lifted all of them into the air, leaving them utterly shocked.

Especially Feng Tianbao, who had previously sparred with Chen Fengyun—only now did he realize that during their match, Chen Fengyun had not truly used the power of a cultivator. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to withstand even a single move.

"Very well. After all, your Grandmaster Uncle is still very young. When you’re outside, you may address each other as you wish, but here, rules must be observed," said Thirteenth Uncle, a reasonable man who, while upholding the sect’s rules, understood that beyond these walls his influence was limited.

"Brother, I embarked on the path of cultivation by chance, but my method of practice is not suitable for others. After all, we live in the Age of the End of Dharma. But I wonder, how did you begin your journey?" After sitting opposite Thirteenth Uncle, Chen Fengyun asked earnestly.

At this, Feng Tianbao, Ye Mingfu, Chu Wangshu, and Ye Linchuan remained standing to the side. There was simply no seat for them before Thirteenth Uncle. However, Chen Fengyun, being open-minded and carefree, did not mind; he was, after all, a cultivator, and his outlook had changed.

"I suppose I must be extremely gifted in cultivation. In my early twenties, I encountered the path through some relics in an ancient tomb. With the aid of a few pills and spirit stones, I set out on this journey. Yet, this is the Age of the End of Dharma, and the spiritual energy in the world is insufficient to sustain my practice. When my pills and spirit stones were exhausted, it took me thirty years to painstakingly reach the fifth level of Qi Refinement.

"Still, though my cultivation is not high, it greatly facilitated my progress in the ancient martial arts, so my strength is formidable—if not unrivaled, then at least rarely challenged. I have traveled most of the world yet found no kindred spirit, and only then did I realize I am the sole Qi Cultivator left. But my path for further progress has been severed.

"Little brother, I sense your aura is even more profound than mine. Surely, you have surpassed the fifth level of Qi Refinement?" Thirteenth Uncle did not conceal anything, simply recounting his own path to cultivation.

"I have just reached the seventh level of Qi Refinement, but due to a lack of advanced techniques, I cannot progress further for now," Chen Fengyun replied, likewise candid.

"So your cultivation technique is only an ordinary one, and its grade is not high?" Thirteenth Uncle immediately understood.

"Exactly. My technique is only of Mortal Grade, seventh rank, allowing me to reach my current stage, but I will need to find another technique to continue advancing."

"Then, see if this technique of mine is of any use to you." After some thought, Thirteenth Uncle produced a jade slip and handed it to Chen Fengyun, offering him his own cultivation method.

"Brother, a cultivation technique is a precious thing. I cannot accept it without giving something in return," Chen Fengyun replied, eyes filled with longing but still pushing it back.

"Since you call me brother, why refuse a cultivation technique? Besides, for decades, many disciples of our Southern School have tried but failed to cultivate the Qi Refinement method. If it is useful to you, that is as it should be," Thirteenth Uncle said sincerely.

"Thank you, Thirteenth Uncle." Chen Fengyun took the jade slip, and as his divine sense entered it, he discovered it contained the Six Yang Cosmos Technique, a cultivation method of Mortal Grade, ninth rank.

"Brother, this technique is indeed useful to me, but what can I offer you in exchange?" Chen Fengyun asked joyfully.

"If it’s useful to you, just accept it. There’s no need to give anything in return," Thirteenth Uncle replied, shaking his head.

"Brother, just now I sensed that aside from your spiritual energy, you seem to carry a faint trace of evil energy within. Would you allow me to take a look?" Chen Fengyun suggested, thinking to repay Thirteenth Uncle in another way since he refused any exchange.

"That’s correct. All these years I’ve lived here not only because of the beautiful surroundings and the relatively dense spiritual energy but also because this place is close to the ruins of Jinshan Temple, which has long been haunted by an evil presence.

"About thirty years ago, I tried to suppress that evil energy, but due to my limited cultivation, I was instead invaded by it. Since then, I must constantly divert a portion of my spiritual energy to suppress the evil within me," Thirteenth Uncle explained as he drew out a wisp of evil energy.

Immediately, before Thirteenth Uncle, the evil energy formed a wisp of black smoke, which took the shape of a fiendish creature. Sensing Chen Fengyun, it bared its fangs and claws and lunged at him.

Chen Fengyun’s expression grew grave. He released a surge of spiritual power to envelop the evil energy, and then his cultivation system began to vibrate slightly, indicating that this was energy it could absorb.

"Brother, I can help you refine the evil energy within, though it may damage your cultivation. But after refining it, I have ways to help restore your strength," Chen Fengyun said solemnly.

"Truly? That would be wonderful! Grandmaster Uncle, please, help him," Feng Tianbao and Ye Mingfu exclaimed before Thirteenth Uncle could reply. If Thirteenth Uncle could recover, he might live many more years, which would be a great boon for the Southern School.

"Little brother, is it difficult to refine? Will it put you in danger?" Thirteenth Uncle was, however, more concerned about Chen Fengyun.

"Rest assured, brother, I am fully confident," Chen Fengyun replied. The reason Thirteenth Uncle’s cultivation might be harmed was that the evil energy had become entangled with his own spiritual power.

"Then I will trouble you," Thirteenth Uncle said, placing his hand on the table. Chen Fengyun placed two fingers on his wrist, and immediately, his cultivation system vibrated, startling him. Could it be that his system could absorb the spiritual energy of other cultivators as well?

Though he could have quickly absorbed all of Thirteenth Uncle’s spiritual power and evil energy, Chen Fengyun instead carefully controlled the system, drawing out the mingled energies thread by thread over the course of half an hour.

By the end, Thirteenth Uncle’s spiritual power had dropped to roughly the first level of Qi Refinement, but with the evil energy gone, he seemed more spirited. As for Chen Fengyun, he found six new attribute points had appeared on his cultivation system’s panel.

"Thirteenth Uncle, have some water," Chen Fengyun offered, not stingy with his spiritual spring water after receiving such a great benefit. He produced a cup and handed it to Thirteenth Uncle.