Chapter 25: Overlord Scroll
Over a year had passed, and during that time, Lin Jiang had attended four exchange meetings. He was no longer a newbie like he was at his first meeting. Among the customers at Duobao Pavilion, he had gained a bit of fame.
Many people befriended Lin Jiang, wanting to collaborate with him on various things such as missions or treasure hunting, but Lin Jiang turned down all of these requests.
He only exchanged for things he needed at the exchange meetings, such as spiritual medicines and insights into drawing talismans. This also greatly improved his talisman-drawing skills. A month ago, he successfully drew his first first-grade premium spiritual talisman.
Lin Jiang realized that he knew very little about the cultivation world, so he spent this past year strengthening his understanding. He deliberately collected a lot of information.
As Lin Jiang read through the whole thing, he saw the words "class" everywhere. In the world of cultivation, everything was classified into different classes. Cultivators were divided based on their Spiritual Root, and techniques were categorized as heaven, earth, xuan, yellow. Pills, talismans, items, and formations also had different grades.
And these distinctions were ultimately made to differentiate people. It was extremely difficult for lower-level cultivators to advance. For example, to improve their cultivation level, they must have a Spiritual Root, preferably a good one. Otherwise, they needed to make up for it in other ways, such as acquiring advanced techniques or plenty of spiritual herbs.
However, for the majority of lower-level cultivators, they lacked all of these, including a Spiritual Root. Once they possessed an outstanding Spiritual Root, they were no longer considered lower-level and might be recruited by major families and sects, instantly elevating their social standing.
Based on this information, Lin Jiang adjusted his plans. The first thing he needed to do was find a powerful technique. The technique he practiced was called the Profound Illumination Art. According to its grade, it should be of a high yellow grade. In terms of small factions or independent cultivators, it would be considered very good. Most cultivators in Yunzhong City had techniques of a low yellow grade.
However, Lin Jiang was still very dissatisfied. It wss said that the law was the foundation of cultivation resources. A top-tier technique not only allowed cultivators to progress faster, but also raised their potential. The Profound Illumination Art that Lin Jiang currently practiced could only be cultivated up to the Golden Core Period. On the market, any heavenly level cultivation method could reach the level of Soul Changing or above.
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"Taoist Friend Jiang wants advanced techniques but doesn't know what level or if there are any specific requirements."
When the steward at the Duobao Pavilion, who was acquainted with Lin Jiang, heard about his visit, he instinctively asked in response.
"I prefer techniques without any restrictions based on Spiritual Roots. I have Five Spiritual Roots. As for the grade, do you have any heavenly level techniques?"
"There are many cultivation techniques without the restriction of Spiritual Roots, but to say that it's a heavenly level cultivation method, Taoist Friend Jiang is joking. A heavenly level cultivation method without an owner can attract the attention of any prestigious sect, causing a fierce battle in the cultivation world. It can lead to chaos and bloodshed. Even if we consider the situation from a different perspective, if there were truly trades for heavenly level cultivation methods, they cannot be purchased with spirit stones. They must be exchanged for valuable items, and at a high price."
The steward shook his head. He didn't laugh at Lin Jiang because there were many cultivators who believed that heavenly level cultivation methods were easy to obtain. Even the Cloud Sword Sect, to which he belonged, only had one heavenly level cultivation method, which was exclusive to their inner disciples.
"So, where can one have the opportunity to obtain a heavenly level cultivation method?"
"Joining a prestigious sect. As far as I know, in Yun State, only the Zhonghang Sect, the Cloud Sword Sect, and another major sect called the Five Star Sect possess heavenly level cultivation methods. By joining a sect, entering the inner sect, and being accepted as a disciple by a senior elder, one can almost certainly learn a heavenly level cultivation method."
"I see."
Lin Jiang felt a sense of despair. He knew that this path was not for him. To join a major sect and obtain the title of a true disciple was no longer within his reach. He had been eliminated because of his lack of a Heavenly Spiritual Root. Without this qualification, he couldn't even dream of it.
"Yes, Taoist Friend Jiang, do you have any other requests?"
"Can you provide me with a list of heavenly level cultivation methods? I will strive and work hard. After all, a person should have dreams. Without dreams, what's the difference between us and a salted fish?"
"Haha, Taoist Friend Jiang, you are right. If you have a strong desire for heavenly level cultivation methods, why not let me gift you one?"
"Um, are you joking with me?"
"No, Jiang, my Taoist friend, please don't misunderstand, I'm serious. Have you ever heard of the Overlord Scroll?"
"Nope."
"Then let me tell Taoist Friend Jiang, the Overlord Scroll has been passed down since ancient times. It is said to have been created by a cultivator named Huangtu."
Huangtu was originally from a family that was destroyed by enemies. He was the only survivor and seeking revenge became his obsession. However, Huangtu had average talent and slow progress in cultivation. Under immense pressure, he fell into the path of darkness and explored many dark cultivation techniques.
Dark cultivation techniques were known for their fast progress, low obstacles, and minimal resource requirements. However, they also came with great drawbacks. Each technique had significant advantages and disadvantages.
Even after practicing these dark techniques, Huangtu still believed they were not powerful enough to sustain him. So, he combined various dark techniques to create the Overlord Scroll.
The Overlord Scroll incorporated the best aspects of all the dark techniques imaginable, but it had one fatal flaw—it significantly shortened one's lifespan.
"As we all know, the Foundation Building Period lasts around 200 years, Golden Core lasts 500 years, Nascent Soul lasts 1,000 years, and Soul Changing lasts 2,000 years. After creating and seeking revenge with the Overlord Scroll, Huangtu only lived for less than 50 years. At that time, he was in the Soul Changing stage. According to people's estimates, he might have lived for less than 400 years."
"After that, many people also learned this Overlord Scroll. Each practitioner had a very short life span, less than a third of the usual lifespan. So the Overlord Scroll is also known as the "short-lived cultivation method". When I was young, just like my Taoist friend Jiang, I also wanted to find a heavenly level cultivation method. I managed to get my hands on this Overlord Scroll, but after practicing for less than a month, I didn't dare to continue practicing."
The steward slowly explained that no one had practiced this Overlord Scroll for many years. The major sects even considered it a forbidden technique. Even the sect's Library Pavilion didn't allow it to be included, for fear that some disciples would be tempted by its fast cultivation speed and ignore its dangers.
Lin Jiang beside them was stunned, thinking to himself, "What the heck, isn't this technique tailor-made for me?"
"Jiang, my Taoist friend... Jiang, my Taoist friend..."
"Ahem, sorry for spacing out. So, about this technique..."
"If you want it, I'll give it to you. But please think carefully, this technique is really bizarre. Many predecessors have tried to overcome its drawbacks, but all failed. Those who cultivate this technique all die in their prime."
"We cultivate immortality to live forever, not to seek death. If there is no deep enmity to the point of wanting to die together with an enemy, it's best not to practice it."
"I understand. I'll just take a look. I'm still young and don't have any enemies to the point of losing hope."
"That's good. If my Taoist friend is talented, perhaps you can learn something useful from it."
"I wonder how this technique is sold?"
"I said it's a gift for my taoist friend. You have taken care of me for many years, so I won't ask for money."
Lin Jiang spent more than ten thousand spirit stones on things. This helped him achieve great success. The steward wanted to keep this customer, otherwise he wouldn't have told Lin Jiang about it.
"Thank you so much, taoist friend."
"This is the technique. Let me repeat it again, don't practice it casually, and don't have any illusions. If you do practice it, stop as soon as possible. It will only shorten your lifespan a little. If you wait until you master the technique, it will be too late."
"Understood. Thank you, taoist friend. I'll leave now, nothing urgent."
Lin Jiang pretended to casually pick up the technique, but he couldn't contain his excitement. He couldn't believe his luck to come across such a technique. He was eager to go back and practice it.
Translator: Volume 4 has been published on Amazon (https://amzn.to/4c1Rlq1)! Volume 5 will be translated and published within two weeks.
