Ascending to Immortality by Slaying Spirits

Chapter 2: The White Ape's Back
'A lotus incarnation? I've become Nezha?' Lin Le was astonished.

After killing the two brothers, Lin Le felt a strange change in himself, but he didn't expect this change to give him such a big surprise.

Those who can use the lotus incarnation technique are all highly skilled. As far as Lin Le knows, two of them became saints, and one was known as the number one killing god in the Three Realms.

However, after carefully considering some of the information, Lin Le pondered: 'It seems to be a lower-spec, more advanced version.'

If he were the incarnation of a lotus in mythology, his current physical constitution would be considered a naturally divine body, and he would already be immortal and free from reincarnation, making it easy for him to become an immortal or a saint.

Unfortunately, that's not the case. His physical constitution is still the same, but his soul has been greatly enhanced due to the supernatural powers that have been implanted into it.

Even though this is a low-end version, it is still an opportunity for him to defy fate.

If you perform good deeds, the lotus can produce lotus seeds, which can lead to enlightenment when swallowed; if you perform acts of killing, the lotus whip can produce lotus roots, which can transform your physical constitution when eaten; if you perform acts of spiritual merit, the lotus leaves can gather flowing sap, which can increase your spiritual cultivation when consumed.

'But those lotus seeds, why do they look so familiar?' Lin Le suddenly recalled the lotus seeds he had just seen, and his mind suddenly sharpened. He realized where he had seen them before.

In his previous life, he was frail and sickly as a child. Hearing that the Na Tcha Temple in Macau was efficacious, his mother specially prayed to the Prince Na Tcha of the Thirty-Three Heavens for a cure to ward off disasters and illnesses.

Strangely enough, after he obtained the red lotus seed, his health improved day by day. So his whole family believed that Prince Nezha had appeared to him, and they made him wear it until his death.

Unexpectedly, even after reincarnation, this lotus seed still protected him.

'When I have money, I'll build a temple for that person as a way of fulfilling my vow,' Lin Le thought to himself.

After cleaning up the murder scene and finding another place, Lin Le fell asleep again, filled with hope for tomorrow.

Boom boom boom!
The sound of drums rang out, and Lin Le suddenly woke up, looking around warily. What was going on? Had the cavalry of the Great Yan attacked?

Looking around, Lin Le noticed that some people were just as wary as he was, but most people weren't too alarmed.

Lin Le looked in the direction of the drumbeat and discovered that the sound came from a military camp.

As the drumbeats began, figures could be vaguely seen moving about.

Training troops, huh?

Lin Le breathed a sigh of relief, then narrowed his eyes slightly. According to his plan, he would rest in this city for a day and then continue westward. The demonic calamity had not yet subsided, and monsters might roam over at any time. This place was not very safe.

However, after gaining supernatural powers, his thoughts subtly changed, and he wanted to fight his way back.

It's not just about gaining merit and good karma through killing, but also about avenging their parents.

Even if we can't kill many now, we'll kill as many as we can!
However, before that, he needs to obtain a key—the key to unlock the treasure trove of supernatural powers.

After paying the ten-cent entrance fee, Lin Le entered Baishan County.

Having found an inn, Lin Le reached into his pocket and pulled out five silver notes.

These five silver notes, worth a total of fifty taels, are now his entire fortune and the starting capital for his revenge.

Upon seeing Lin Le enter, dressed in a coarse linen shirt stained with blood, the innkeeper immediately waved his hand, preparing to shoo him away.

However, with a flick of Lin Le's wrist, the white paper shone brightly in the light, and the innkeeper's disdainful expression instantly blossomed into a radiant smile:

"Guest, what do you need?"

"Get me a room, something clean, I'll be staying for three days," Lin Le said, placing the silver notes on the table. "Also, have the waiter buy me a couple of sets of clothes, nothing too fancy, just linen will do."

"Prepare a basin of hot water and some food for me, one meat dish, one vegetable dish, and two bowls of rice. Don't make it too expensive."

"A cleaner room costs 300 coins a night. Is that acceptable to the guests?" the innkeeper asked.

"Okay." Lin Le nodded; he didn't want anyone sneaking in at night.

The innkeeper tapped the abacus, muttering the price: "Three hundred coins for three nights... totaling two taels and five mace. Is that acceptable to you, sir?"

"I won't accept it." Lin Le said with a forced smile, "Shopkeeper, don't think I can't do math. All of this adds up to only one tael and five mace. Aren't you being too greedy to take one tael from me?"

Tsk, turns out he wasn't a lucky peasant, but a down-on-his-luck fellow.

The innkeeper cursed his bad luck, thinking he could make a quick buck, but instead a down-on-his-luck fellow came.

He didn't dare to have any more crooked thoughts. These down-on-their-luck people were down-on-their-luck, but they had been rich before. Who knew what important figures they might have connected with?

Seeing that he couldn't make a lot of money, the innkeeper's expression remained unchanged. He simply calculated it again and then said:
"I'm so sorry, I accidentally moved an extra bead with my finger, so I miscalculated. Please forgive me, sir." "Give me my change." Lin Le didn't say much, but simply released his hand from the silver note.

He wandered around the city, but there were only a few inns, and he was unfamiliar with the place and didn't know anything about it.

This place is next to the county government office, so at least on the surface the security is better.

After the innkeeper gave him the change, he had the waiter lead Lin Le to his room.

After taking a shower and putting on new clothes, Lin Le finally felt alive again.

At this moment, the waiter also brought in the food.

"Sir, your meal is ready." The waiter placed the food down and was about to leave when Lin Le called him back.

"Wait, I have a question for you." Lin Le held out a ten-coin coin. "Which martial arts school around here is the best?"

Seeing that there was money to be made, the waiter thought for a moment and said, "I'm not too sure which martial arts school is the best, but the White Ape Martial Arts School is the most powerful in fighting, which is recognized throughout the county."

"Okay, thank you." Lin Le handed the large coin to the waiter and then began to eat.

The vegetarian dish was stir-fried bok choy, and the meat dish was stewed pig's trotters with soybeans. Although the taste wasn't great, Lin Le was still very satisfied with his meal.

It just needs to taste better than fried rice.

After taking a sip of tea, Lin Le went to take a nap.

After his afternoon nap, Lin Le set off for the White Ape Martial Arts School.

In this world, the path of immortality is flourishing, and all living beings strive to cross over to the other shore. However, the vast majority of them cannot even cross the threshold—the Qi Refining Realm.

Only a few people with innate spiritual roots can draw the energy of heaven and earth into their bodies and begin the hundred-day foundation building process.

After a hundred days of foundation building and the opening of the secret realm, one can be considered to have entered the first stage of cultivation—the Qi Refining Realm.

But what about those without spiritual roots? There is another path: martial arts.

Cultivating the ultimate physique, one can generate powerful blood and energy, shattering the barrier between immortals and mortals.

Lin Le was diagnosed with no spiritual root at birth, so the only way for him to cultivate was through martial arts.

His family had already arranged for him to learn some martial arts, but before he could officially start practicing, a calamity struck.

So Lin Le now has to choose for himself.

In front of a grand gate, Lin Le walked up to the gatekeeper and said, "Hello, I want to learn martial arts. How much is the tuition?"

The gatekeeper glanced at Lin Le and, seeing his fair skin, knew he could afford the tuition. He said, "Five taels a month for training and instruction only. If you want to learn fighting techniques, add another five taels a month for each subject. And if you want secret medicines, you'll have to pay extra."

"Let's add another technique," Lin Le said, taking out a silver note.

The gatekeeper didn't answer, but instead shouted loudly inside, "Senior Brother Hou, we have a new apprentice."

"Okay," someone responded.

Soon, a tall, bald man with a scar near his eye came out:

"Which one?"

"This one," the gatekeeper pointed at Lin Le.

The bald man glanced at Lin Le, who was short and fair-skinned, and asked, "What are you learning? For how many months?"

Lin Le handed over the silver note: "Nurture, train, plus a fighting technique, one month."

Hou Guang took the money and asked, "What fighting style should I learn? Hammer, sword, or spear?"

"A gun," Lin Le said without much hesitation.

An inch longer, an inch stronger; in a life-or-death battle, a gun is naturally a safer choice.

"Okay, come with me." Hou Guang turned around, and Lin Le quickly followed.

(End of this chapter)