Immortality Starts With Ignorant Heart Sword Art

Chapter 194: Xiang Ling: Even if I die, I won't become someone's concubine by jumping off from here!

The gray mist was too terrifying and eerie, which made Zhong Cang very concerned about its origin.

If it came from the Hongxuan World, it would be fine. Although it would make Zhong Cang feel that the cultivation world here was very deep.

But considering that there has been no world-ending crisis in the cultivation world for thousands of years, and the demonic sects seemingly related to the gray mist have always been suppressed by the righteous sects, it means that if the gray mist comes from the Hongxuan World, it is not terrifying. The righteous sects have methods to deal with it.

But if this thing comes from the lower realm and was accidentally found by the Perfected Being Bai Ling, then things would become complicated.

"Collisions between realms, exploration of different worlds, this is not just an opportunity, but also a crisis!"

"After all, in the dark and lawless universe, the relationship between hunter and prey can change at any time."

"And when the two realms collided, the entire Northern Abyss Sky Domain could hear the vast roar, which means that the other side of the realm not only has many small realms, but also a large world..."

The more he thought about it, the more troubled Zhong Cang became.

He always felt that in the dark universe, there were countless greedy and terrifying monsters that were indescribable, and they were slowly watching the people of the Cloud Firmament Sect invade the lower realm, watching them step by step...fall into a trap.

As a member of the Cloud Firmament Sect, Zhong Cang was well aware that this sect was his biggest reliance before he grew up. Therefore, he absolutely did not want anything to happen to the Cloud Firmament Sect.

However, apart from his own weak strength, there was also an immeasurable distance between the two sides.

Therefore, even if he worried, it was just empty worry, and he couldn't even remind anyone.

And empty worry was a kind of mental exhaustion, which was not good for his emotions. Therefore, after thinking about it, Zhong Cang let the gray mist influence him.

"Hoo..."

As the joyous feeling rose in his heart, Zhong Cang's thoughts and attitude instantly changed.

"Collisions between two realms, is this a crisis?"

"Hehe, it is indeed a crisis, but it is also my opportunity... As the one who obtained the gray mist first, I can be considered as having the best of both worlds. If I can develop both the Dao techniques and the gray mist to their limits, my achievements will surpass all those in the Hongxuan World throughout history!"

"As for the indescribable ancient divination, hehe, if they can become it, so can I, and I might even be stronger than them!"

"Weaklings fear challenges, while the strong only want to climb to the top!"

With a change in mindset, Zhong Cang no longer cared much about the crisis that the Cloud Firmament Sect was about to face.

At this moment, he only wanted to improve his own strength.

And for the current Zhong Cang, the best way to improve his strength was to fully accept the array imprints in his mind and comprehend the laws of space.

After that, he would develop the abilities of the mutated Heavenly Heart.

These three things were all within Zhong Cang, so all he had to do was lie down and slowly comprehend them.

"But lying down all the time is a bit boring... Xiang Ling, right? I have received your threat, and I sincerely hope that when you meet me next time, you can still maintain that arrogant look."

...

Zhong Cang did not take the initiative to approach Xiang Ling like a god descending to the mortal world.

This method was indeed efficient, but it also lost a lot of fun.

And now, Zhong Cang needed to lie in the courtyard, receiving the array imprints inheritance and comprehending the rules of space. Therefore, he couldn't go out and wander around for the next ten to twenty days, he could only sit there.

This required Zhong Cang to find something to pass the time, and Xiang Ling's presence became his amusement.

...

Tianxiang Tower was one of the largest brothels in Tianyun Immortal City, with countless girls inside.

And big brothels never only engaged in the flesh trade.

After all, a wife is not as good as a concubine, a concubine is not as good as a mistress, and a mistress is not as good as a stolen one. This saying is true in any world.

Selling flesh alone is far less profitable than having a few top courtesans who can entertain people and gain more benefits.

And in order to improve their status, many of the top courtesans in the brothels were still virgins, and they only talked about romance and poetry with people.

Of course, being in a brothel, their purity could never be permanent, but it could be bought with money.

If it couldn't be bought, it was just that the money given was not enough or the pressure was insufficient.

Xiang Ling's existence has been coveted by many people. Some wanted to spend spirit stones to spend a night with her, while others wanted to redeem her as a concubine. But all of these were rejected by Tianxiang Tower and Xiang Ling.

However, today, a storm was brewing.

The person in charge of a large shop came to the door, hoping to obtain Xiang Ling's contract and give it to a talisman master as a concubine.

This matter caused a great uproar in Tianxiang Tower.

"A talisman master, isn't that something that can only be achieved at the Foundation Building Stage?"

"This is not the case. Among the four auxiliary tools for cultivation in the Danfu Formation, talismans are the simplest. Therefore, there are cultivators who can become masters of talismans at the Qi Refining Stage... However, achieving such accomplishments at this level of cultivation is extremely rare. His talent is exceptional, and his status is almost on par with Foundation Building."

"If we consider the future, this master is even stronger than an ordinary Foundation Building cultivator."

Tianyun Immortal City is a gathering place for cultivators and is overseen by several Gold Core cultivators. However, even so, Foundation Building cultivators are the core and backbone of the city. Not to mention, there is a cultivator who possesses a special skill, which has piqued the curiosity of many. People wonder if this hidden master can win the heart of a beauty.

There are those who are optimistic about it, as well as those who hold opposing views.

"It's difficult. Xiangling Fairy has just become a courtesan not long ago and hasn't earned much money for the Tianxiang Tower. Even when Lin Family's young master pursued her, he couldn't bring her back. Now, it's even more difficult for this Foundation Building master."

"It's different. Although that Lin young master is a descendant of a Gold Core family, firstly, his cultivation is only at the Qi Refining stage. Secondly, there are many descendants of Gold Core families, and he is not from the direct line. The Tianxiang Tower, with its background, naturally won't give him face. But now, it's different. This is a personal invitation from the talisman master himself."

The discussions and rumors reached Xiangling's ears.

If it were an ordinary courtesan, hearing that a talisman master was taking her as a concubine would definitely make her consider it. After all, courtesans may enjoy temporary glory, but everyone knows that their glory is fleeting.

Although female cultivators in the cultivation world do not face the risk of aging, as they receive more clients, their value and status gradually decrease. In the end, the once sought-after fairy courtesans may end up selling themselves to Independent Cultivators for survival.

To avoid such a fate, becoming a concubine of a Foundation Building cultivator is definitely a good choice.

However, Xiangling is not ordinary.

As a member of the Restoration Society, she entered the brothel secretly and had no intention of selling herself. Her purpose for coming here was not to earn money through her beauty but to gather information.

Therefore, she immediately dismissed the request from the manager.

When they gathered again in the cave to discuss, those who learned about her identity mocked her.

"Hehe, congratulations, Xiangling sister. You're about to become the wife of a Foundation Building cultivator."

The person who spoke was Xinxin, a member of the Restoration Society and a rival of Xiangling's, competing for the position of the head of the Restoration Society's intelligence department.

The meaning behind Xinxin's words was naturally full of ridicule.

After all, Xiangling's cultivation was already at the eighth level of Qi Refining. At her age, it was not certain whether she could advance to Foundation Building on her own, but with the Foundation Building Pill, it was almost certain.

In this situation, she was qualified to become a real Foundation Building wife, not just a concubine.

Moreover, from the words "Restoration Society," it could be seen that these people were descendants of fallen cultivation families who had fled. They always believed that they stood at the top of the cultivation world, so becoming lowly concubines naturally displeased them.

However, despite being mocked, Xiangling did not show her anger on her face. Instead, she calmly said, "There's nothing I can do. Who made me naturally beautiful and likable? I envy my sisters who never encounter such troubles."

"You..."

Seeing the angry Xinxin, Xiangling's tone softened even more: "What's wrong, sister? Do you want this opportunity? I have no objections and am willing to help you, but I'm afraid the other side will have high demands and won't be interested in you."

"Xiangling!"

The last sentence completely set off Xinxin.

Of course, the two women didn't end up fighting in the cave.

However, this incident further intensified their conflict.

At the same time, after this incident, Xiangling used the intelligence capabilities of the organization to investigate who was interested in her.

Hmm... she was just casually checking.

In her opinion, after rejecting the offer, this matter should have ended.

However, to her surprise, something happened soon after.

The next day, when she was in the Tianxiang Tower, just finished grooming herself, a commotion could be heard from outside.

Ordering her maid to investigate, Xiangling learned a shocking piece of news.

"That talisman master from yesterday is persistent. He sent the talisman shopkeeper to redeem you."

"Hmph, such a persistent man, not many people would like him!"

Thinking it would be the same as yesterday, Xiangling didn't want to go down. But soon, the madam of this place, a Foundation Building cultivator who practiced the Yin-Yang Joyous Union Sect technique, came up to her.

After scrutinizing Xiangling for a while, she smiled and said, "Indeed, you are beautiful. No wonder that master can't forget about you."

Upon hearing this, Xiangling's eyebrows furrowed instantly.

"Mom, didn't we agree that I don't want to get married for now?"

"I think you should consider it. Today, not only the owner of Lao Bi Zhai came, but also the owners of Yun Lu Tang and Shop No. 9. To be able to invite these three people at once, the master behind them must be extraordinary."

"?!?!"

The arrival of the three people did indeed make Xiang Ling's pupils shrink, and she also felt that the person behind them was not simple.

However, Xiang Ling herself was not ordinary either.

She was not a courtesan trained in a brothel, someone who could be casually enjoyed. She was a female cultivator with aspirations and ambitions.

Therefore, she still refused.

"Even if it means death, I will not become someone else's concubine."

After hearing these words, the madam of Tian Xiang Lou pondered for a moment and agreed with Xiang Ling's opinion.

She also knew that Xiang Ling had someone backing her.

However, just when the two thought that the matter would end there, on the third day, six shop owners all came to Tian Xiang Lou.

Their arrival made the madam of the establishment, Hua Xiang, unable to remain calm.

Looking at the six shop owners who had come together, she was somewhat astonished and asked, "Who is that person? Even if he is a master of talismans, he shouldn't have been able to bring all of you here, right?"

Upon hearing this question, the six shop owners exchanged glances and pulled the madam aside into a nearby room. They cautiously said, "A simple master of talismans indeed wouldn't have been able to bring all of us here, but that person is not ordinary. According to our speculation, he has a Gold Core master behind him, and he is also the direct disciple of that Gold Core master!"

"Furthermore, we suspect that he is a true disciple of a major sect who has gone out to gain experience."

"..."

Upon hearing these words, Hua Xiang didn't know what to do.

To clarify one thing, in the Hongxuan World, the major sects were like transcendent-level countries, controlling everything within their regions.

Although Tian Xiang Lou was able to operate in Tian Yun Xian City and had some background, not to mention Tian Xiang Lou itself, even the people behind them couldn't be compared to the true disciples of major sects.

In the Cloud Firmament Sect, inner disciples were qualified to inherit the positions of mountain masters and island masters and marry the direct disciples of the Gold Core lineage.

Just like Yan Lingdie, who was close to the late stage of Gold Core and was no longer hindered by her family. She even received the family's approval.

And true disciples held an even higher status.

For cultivators like Yan Lingdie and Yan Lingwei, who were Gold Core direct descendants, it was considered a high climb to marry into a major sect.

Cultivators outside the sect were always inferior to those inside the sect. The women behind Tian Xiang Lou were not qualified to marry the direct disciples of major sects and could only become concubines.

And Xiang Ling's status was even lower.

Although she was also a family cultivator, that was in the past. Now, she had fallen and even made a trip to the brothel.

Even though she hadn't lost her virginity, it was still a stain.

Therefore, under normal circumstances, it would be difficult for her to even obtain the status of a concubine.

More likely, she would be bought by some wealthy individuals to please those direct disciples and be their plaything.

"No, now it's like this... These shop owners, in order to please that master, treat Xiang Ling as a plaything and want to give her to him..."

Thinking of this, Hua Xiang became even more helpless. If it were a normal courtesan, upon hearing this, she wouldn't have any objections.

Not only would she not object, but she would also sell one and give two, sending two more girls to that true disciple.

But now, Xiang Ling was not a courtesan under her command.

At the same time, Hua Xiang was also puzzled.

"Why are you so sure that he is a true disciple of a major sect? Did you find out his identity?"

"No, but at such a young age, to have such strong cultivation and strength, he couldn't have been cultivated by a small sect. What's more, he also learned a powerful talisman from his sect."

As they spoke, the several shop owners had a look of awe and admiration.

This made Hua Xiang even more curious.

"When did talismans become so highly praised by you? It's not like they're pills."

Among the four most common arts, alchemy, formations, artifacts, and talismans, pills were not the most difficult to refine. However, the status of a pill master was still higher than that of a formation master in some aspects.

The reason was easy to understand. Talismans, formations, and artifacts were all external objects for cultivators.

But the pills refined by a pill master could enhance a cultivator's cultivation.

In the world of cultivation, cultivation was everything, so the status of a pill master was also transcendent.

From a general perspective, Hua Xiang felt that no matter how good Zhong Cang's talismans were, they couldn't compare to pills.

However, soon she discovered that as she spoke, the other shopkeepers showed expressions of contempt and mockery.

"Dan medicine, haha, compared to the talismans of that master, dan medicine is nothing."

"That's right, if the master gave me a Foundation Building Pill, I wouldn't even exchange it!"

"To be able to design such talismans, that master's sect might even be a Nascent Soul cultivator."

The praise from the crowd made Huaxiang even more curious. She couldn't think of any talisman that could be stronger than a dan medicine that could enhance cultivation.

Her curiosity was quickly satisfied.

A talisman with the word "heart" engraved in the middle was reluctantly handed over to the old madam by the shopkeeper of Lao Bi Zhai.

"Stick it on your forehead and sense it, then you will know why this talisman is better than dan medicine."

Upon hearing this, Huaxiang was initially hesitant. It's important to be cautious.

However, the greedy looks from the others made Huaxiang understand that this talisman was definitely intact and had countless benefits.

After all, the fact that the other six people showed such attitudes indicated that they had all used it without any problems, proving the power and effectiveness of this talisman.

As for the six shopkeepers joining forces to deceive her, it was no longer in Huaxiang's consideration.

In this line of business, rivals were enemies. She was a brothel owner and the old madam in Tianyun Immortal City. A group of talisman sellers had nothing to do with her, so they wouldn't unite against her.

While she was lost in thought, the old madam stuck the talisman with the word "heart" on her forehead.

"Buzz..."

In the instant it was stuck on, the old madam felt dizzy at first, then she felt her consciousness rapidly elevate and ascend, merging with the heavens and earth during the process of ascension.

"This feeling... enlightenment!"

"No, it's slightly weaker than enlightenment, but still, just slightly weaker!"

Realizing that she had entered a state of heightened comprehension, the old madam couldn't care about anything else. Her whole being was immersed in the comprehension of all things.

This comprehension lasted only the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, and when it was all over, the old madam still felt unsatisfied.

At the same time, boundless greed arose within her.

She couldn't help but be greedy.

"A talisman that is slightly weaker than enlightenment. With enough talisman paper, I might even have a chance to elevate my cultivation to Grandmaster and then advance to Gold Core!"

"My path to Gold Core is within reach!"

Thinking of this, the old madam's eyes shone brightly.

Gold Core had boundless power and could be considered an esteemed guest wherever one went. What's more, a Gold Core cultivator had a lifespan of eight hundred years.

Longevity, immense strength, and a lofty status. Now, all of this seemed within her grasp, igniting a fire in Huaxiang's heart.

It was the fire of greed.

After the greed arose, the first thing the old madam thought of was controlling Zhong Cang and making him draw talismans every day. As the leader of a brothel, she couldn't afford to be kind-hearted.

However, this thought flashed through her mind and quickly disappeared.

Soon, she thought of the fact that someone who could produce such a talisman couldn't be ordinary.

"A major sect's direct transmission, this is definitely a major sect's direct transmission."

...

In the eyes of Huaxiang, the reason why she believed Zhong Cang would think of it as a major sect's direct transmission and not dare to act was twofold.

One reason was a rational deduction based on common sense. In their concept, major sects had countless treasures, so it was extremely reasonable for a major sect's direct disciple to produce such a talisman.

The other reason was the statements made by the six shopkeepers earlier, which had taken root in her mind, making her believe that Zhong Cang was a major sect's direct disciple.

In the cutthroat cultivation world, when ordinary cultivators obtained good things, it was like a child holding gold in a bustling market, it was a crime to be suspected. Even if righteous cultivators snatched it away, they would think that ordinary cultivators had shallow blessings and couldn't hold onto treasures, rather than thinking they were at fault.

But major sects' direct disciples, when they possessed good things, it was because they were the chosen ones, with deep blessings. There were very few people who dared to covet their treasures.

Therefore, the old madam believed that her greed disappearing was normal.

However, she didn't notice, or rather, she passively ignored one thing - within her consciousness, which was filled with pink, there were countless vivid eyeballs spinning around.

Just like the other six shopkeepers, when using the Heavenly Heart talisman, she had been contaminated!

...

(End of this chapter)