Folk customs begin with the entire funeral procession

Chapter 209 Ghost Patterns, Ghost Face, Ghostly Fiend
Just by looking at the name, Chen Miao knew what it contained.

Compared to those black magic spells, Chen Miao was more interested in the Ghost Scorpion.

He immediately checked the contents.

Sure enough, it was the same method used by Suokun to make those Gu scorpions—no, it should be called Ghost Scorpions.

When Chen Miao finished reading, he realized that he might have underestimated Ghost Scorpion, the leader of Sokun.

The Ghost Scorpion Breeding Manual divides ghost scorpions into three levels.

First level, Ghost Mark.

This level of Ghost Scorpion is the same Ghost Scorpion Chen Miao saw in that jar, with a gray stripe on its body.

Aside from being able to be controlled by their owners, these ghost scorpions are only stronger than ordinary scorpions in terms of venom and physical strength; otherwise, they are the same.

The second level, Ghost Face.

This level of ghost scorpion has absolute dominance over ghost pattern ghost scorpions. In a group, there can only be one ghost face ghost scorpion. If there are two or more, they will inevitably fight to determine the last survivor.

This level of ghost scorpion far surpasses the physical strength of ordinary scorpions, and its venom is so potent that humans would die within a few breaths after contact.

The most amazing thing is that this toxin reacts when it comes into contact with yin energy, so even ghosts will be harmed if they are stung by the ghost scorpion.

In addition, the biggest change in the Ghost-Faced Scorpion is that it develops some special abilities after it is born.

Examples include mimicry, toxin spraying, and growing wings.

The type of ability that is born is beyond the control of the cultivator; it is controlled by a certain substance within the Ghost Scorpion's own body.

This substance is not purified by factors such as genetics; the proportion of this mysterious factor in each generation of Ghost Scorpions seems to be constant.

Therefore, no one knows what kind of abilities will be developed.

However, there is no doubt that the higher the quality of the food fed to the ghost scorpion, the better the effect of its birth.

Some perfectly trained scorpions can even develop multiple abilities.

Upon seeing this level of ghost scorpion, Chen Miao was reminded of Suo Kun's scorpion.

The book never described the scorpion's special abilities, so if Chen Miao were to accidentally kill Suo Kun, he himself would also be in danger.

The third level of Ghost Scorpion is called Ghost Fiend.

If the first two levels of ghost scorpions are still scorpions, they are just some special scorpions.

That ghost scorpion of the Ghost Fiend level can no longer be considered a scorpion; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it a ghost!
To cultivate a Ghost-Faced Scorpion into a Demonic Scorpion, the food it is fed includes ghosts!
Only by consuming the demon scorpion can one enter the third level.

And it wasn't a ghost!

With each ghost it eats, the ghost scorpion's color changes towards blood red.

Regardless of the species, all scorpions that eventually evolve to the level of the Ghostly Fiend are blood-red.

As for how to eat ghosts?

There are naturally corresponding methods to refine ghosts into an edible form like ghost scorpions.

If that were all there was to it, it wouldn't be a big problem for Sokun to raise a Ghost Scorpion.

The problem is that not all Ghost-Faced Scorpions can withstand so much ghostly power; those that cannot will die.

Therefore, to obtain a ghost scorpion of the Ghostly Fiend level, in addition to the breeder having considerable strength and being able to continuously catch ghosts, one must also choose a scorpion with better aptitude.

How to obtain high-quality scorpions?

The initial nurturing stage is crucial. If it is not nurtured properly from the beginning, although its aptitude can be improved later by consuming other Ghost-Faced Scorpions of the same level, the consumption of such resources will be enormous.

After all, raising a Ghost-Faced Scorpion takes not only time but also money.

Therefore, training Ghost Scorpion is not difficult in the first two levels, but the last level is very difficult.

If it's so difficult to obtain, what abilities does the Ghostly Scorpion possess?
The book contains no references, only stating that after mastering the Ghostly Scorpion, one can act with impunity.

Chen Miao initially thought this statement was somewhat exaggerated, but then he thought about the region where Suokun was located and felt relieved.

This phrase, "running rampant without restraint," likely refers to the small place where Sokun was located.

Judging from the fact that Old Ghost crushed Suo Kun's Ghost-Faced Scorpion with his bare hands, even if Ghost Fiend Scorpion is strong, it shouldn't be too outrageous. At least in Great Xia, it can't run rampant.

Based on this speculation, Chen Miao could rank it third among the highest combat forces he knew.

The first one is Old Ghost.

The second one is the flying zombie.

The Ghost Scorpion should be ranked third, alongside the unfinished Flying Zombie.

In fact, Chen Miao had considered the order of first and second place, since both could kill him instantly, but he couldn't sense which one was stronger.

The reason I put Old Ghost first is simply because Old Ghost is a human.

To be able to cultivate to this level while still in human form is naturally better than someone who can only turn themselves into a zombie, at least in terms of potential.

Because no matter what, as long as it's a zombie, it will naturally be restrained by something.

Moreover, judging from the way Lao Gui tattooed him, Lao Gui himself should be a tattoo artist.

What kind of Yin Mark Master would have on their body, and what abilities would those Yin Mark Masters possess?
These are all reasons why Chen Miao ranked it first.

"Looking at it this way, training the second stage of the Ghost Face Scorpion is actually the most cost-effective for me."

"If I were to cultivate a third-stage Ghost Scorpion, I might not need it as much by the time it's ready."

Chen Miao thought to himself.

Actually, the most important reason why it's not worthwhile to cultivate Ghost Scorpions is that they cannot be transferred.

Even if Chen Miao didn't want to use it anymore and wanted to transfer the Ghost Scorpion he had cultivated to someone else, such as an apprentice or a descendant, it would be impossible.

Because during the breeding process, one of the food sources for the ghost scorpion is the blood of its breeder. No matter what stage the ghost scorpion is in, it cannot do without the blood of its breeder. Moreover, the further it goes, the more dependent the ghost scorpion becomes on the blood of its breeder, and naturally it cannot accept other people.

This dependence creates a very close relationship between the ghost scorpion and its keeper.

However, similarly, when the keeper loses control of the ghost scorpions, he becomes their most coveted food. Just like in the book, after Sokun's death, the ghost scorpions immediately crawled onto his corpse.

After making a decision in mind, Chen Miao began to study how to raise ghost scorpions.

After that, Chen Miao stayed in the hotel.

By 10 p.m., the yin lines on his arm finally stopped absorbing his yin energy.

Looking at the yin pattern, Chen Miao tried to mobilize yin energy to communicate with the ghost infant located at the feet of the headless Taoist.

Suddenly, a wisp of white mist seeped from his arm, sliding down to the ground like smoke flowing backwards, piecing together a dark blue-black infant whose height reached Chen Miao's knees.

As soon as the ghost baby appeared, it turned its eyes to Chen Miao.

As their eyes met, a strange feeling of blood connection surged through Chen Miao's heart.

Looking at the ghost infant at his feet and feeling the connection between him and the child, Chen Miao remained silent for a long time.

It must be said that the ability of the Yin Wen (a type of yin energy) is very strong.

It can not only turn the nine-headed ghost infant into one head, but also establish a connection between humans and ghosts.

Even the former Zhong Fa controlled ghosts primarily through sealing and commanding them, not in the way it is now.

The moment Chen Miao had a thought, the ghost infant immediately understood his idea.

He leaped up and landed on the hotel table.

But looking at the ghost baby that he could control at will, Chen Miao felt no joy.

Although the old ghost described the Yin pattern and the ghost baby as something that would be helpful to him, Chen Miao did not believe that the old ghost would be so kind.

Could the old ghost have left some hidden tricks in the shadows?
The ghost baby was said to have been left to him by the old ghost, but what if the old ghost, like Sokun, only treated him as a host and nurtured the ghost baby for him?
What will happen to the ghost baby when it grows up, or when the old ghost decides to have it?

Furthermore, even without those hidden tricks, what is he if he doesn't possess the sinister appearance of a human infant?
If he accepts this, then in the future, could he also try those black magic spells to increase his strength?
Then, step by step, they lose their moral compass and degenerate into true heretical cultists?
This won't work!
Having made up his mind, Chen Miao got up and walked to the ghost infant.

Under the watchful eye of the ghost infant, he took out four incense sticks from the book.

Light it, then shake it out.

Chen Miao held an incense stick, looked at the somewhat bewildered ghost infant in front of him, and sighed.

"May you never encounter these things again in your next life."

Chen Miao slowly recited the incantation:

"Fragrant clouds drift to the lotus throne, little infant spirit, do not grieve. May you be reborn into a family that has accumulated good deeds, and not fall into the underworld to suffer calamities."

This time, Chen Miao recited the mnemonic very slowly.

This time, Chen Miao read it with the most seriousness of all the times he had ever read it.

The more Chen Miao recited, the clearer his mind became, and everything in sight seemed to be covered with a layer of light.

As the incantation ended, the incense smoke headed towards the ghost infant and swirled around it.

Wisps of black energy emerged from the ghost infant's body, only to be dissipated by the incense smoke.

At the same time, the baby tattoo on Chen Miao's left arm suddenly turned red, and a searing heat, like a branding iron, came from his arm.

Chen Miao grabbed his left arm and activated his Ice Heart state to alleviate the pain.

"It will be over soon, very soon!"

Chen Miao didn't know whether he was comforting the ghost baby or himself.

Five minutes later, the pain in Chen Miao's arm disappeared.

The blackness on the ghost baby faded, revealing clear black and white eyes.

After exchanging a glance with Chen Miao, the transparent baby smiled, a very happy smile.

Chen Miao looked at that smile and smiled too.

The baby disappeared, and the room returned to its original state.

Chen Miao looked down at the yin marks on his left arm. Now, only the headless Taoist remained there; the spot where the ghost infant had been was now empty.

Under Chen Miao's gaze, the dark lines faded and disappeared into his arm.

Sitting in the chair, Chen Miao wiped the fine sweat from his forehead.

"Looking at it this way, it seems that the yin lines are not impossible to get rid of. As long as I find the right method, these yin lines will not stay with me for the rest of my life."

Chen Miao suddenly felt much more relaxed.

Then, as if remembering something, he picked up the book and opened it.

Sure enough, new content appeared, but this time it wasn't a new chapter, but a side story.

Chapter 8 - Side Story: The Infant Spirit

"I performed a ritual to release the ghost infant from the shadows."

He smiled at me.

The entire chapter consists of just two short lines.

Chen Miao lowered his gaze and looked at the settlement details behind him.

[Chapter 8 - Side Story - Infant Spirit (Completed), gained Yin Virtue (two coins), obtained "Status: Infant Spirit Affinity"]

Without any memory fragments, the state was obtained directly.

"Status: Affinity with Infant Spirits": All infant spirits will have a natural affinity for you and will instinctively not harm you.

Seeing this, Chen Miao smiled, a very happy smile.

……

(End of this chapter)