Cultivating Immortality: I Have a High-Martial World

Chapter 120 Jade Ghost Steals Souls, Dog Skin Puppet!

Lin Chen walked to the pile of raw jade stones in the corner of the yard.

Several huge raw stones, each taller than a person, were piled together, with weeds growing in the gaps between them.

"Hmm, the raw stone is enormous and indeed difficult to move... But why not sell it before leaving Jade Belt City?"

Lin Chen had some doubts.

In the mortal world, jade can be quite expensive.

Even an uncut jade stone is worth a fortune.

Even if the Zheng family left in a hurry, they should have sold these rough stones or cut them open to extract the jade before leaving...

Something's not right...

Lin Chen frowned slightly, released his protective true essence with a wave of his hand, and slowly approached the several huge jade stones.

He extended his divine sense and could see every detail of the jade. He prepared to examine it carefully.

However, judging from their appearance, these pieces are just ordinary jade stones, without any abnormalities.

So, Lin Chen probed his divine sense into the jade...

Divine sense can amplify a cultivator's five senses and also allow them to see things that cannot be seen outside of the five senses.

For example, his divine sense can directly pass through the ordinary stones outside the raw stone and see the beautiful jade inside.

"Hmm? The Zheng family certainly has a good eye... all of these rough stones contain beautiful jade..."

Lin Chen nodded silently. If measured by worldly values, these jade pieces would be worth a fortune.

Even among cultivators, this jade is quite valuable.

Lin Chen scanned the several raw stones with his divine sense and quickly detected the one at the very innermost.

After his divine sense penetrated the stone, Lin Chen was stunned by the beautiful jade encased within it.

"Hiss...this jade is way too big!"

Lin Chen was stunned. This raw stone, which was taller than a person, had most of its interior made of beautiful jade.

Moreover, the jade is naturally formed, with a clear, bright green color... truly a once-in-a-millennium find.

"The jade in this rough stone... can truly be called the king of jade!"

Lin Chen sighed.

But then he suddenly remembered something, and his expression changed...

"Wait, this exquisite jade has already given birth to chalcedony... Could it possibly give birth to a jade ghost?"

Lin Chen's eyes were filled with surprise and uncertainty.

The Sutra Repository at Changchun Gate contains tens of thousands of ancient books.

Lin Chen spent two years recording all of these and bringing them back to Earth.

During the recording process, Lin Chen would naturally read carefully any content that interested him.

Among these is a record of the Jade Demon!

In the common understanding, jade can nourish people, but it can also harm them...

Wearing jade correctly can prolong life, cultivate one's character, and has many other benefits...

However, if worn incorrectly, it can even be harmful to the body.

For cultivators, jade is also an extremely valuable item.

Jade may be used in both formations and alchemy...

Among these is one item called chalcedony!

Chalcedony is a byproduct that forms on jade after millions of years of nurturing.

It is as clear and translucent as jade, yet it is in a liquid state.

It is beneficial to cultivators' practice, and can also be used in medicine and array formations, with many wonderful uses.

Even Core Formation cultivators covet jade marrow.

However, if a large amount of chalcedony gathers together, another kind of phenomenon may easily emerge...

Jade Demon!

Jade can gather and nourish the soul, but it can also harm people!

If there is too much chalcedony, it will attract the remnants of wronged souls and spirits, and they can gather together to form the legendary Jade Ghost!

According to legend, the Jade Demon's nature is unpredictable; some are benevolent, while others are malevolent...

However, Jade Ghosts are extremely rare, being one in ten thousand cultivation prodigies in the path of ghost cultivation...

If a powerful Jade Ghost cultivates to a certain level, it can even condense a physical body using jade marrow.

Various rumors flashed through Lin Chen's mind.

Just as he was filled with doubt and surprise, the jade in front of him suddenly began to move.

A strange green light flashed across the raw stone, and then the entire Zheng mansion was shrouded in dark clouds, and the sky suddenly darkened.

After a gust of wind swept up the fallen leaves...

A strange sound came from behind.

"Heh heh, you actually found out about the little guy..."

Upon hearing this, Lin Chen's expression changed.

However, a terrifying energy surge rushed towards Lin Chen.

This fluctuation completely ignored the protective true essence...

It's a soul attack!

Lin Chen immediately felt a jolt throughout his body, and his head spun...

"As expected, there's a Jade Demon..."

Caught off guard, Lin Chen immediately sat cross-legged and focused his mind.

He used his own spiritual power to resist this spiritual attack.

Lin Chen's expression kept changing; he seemed to see a black ghostly mist swirling around him.

And it continuously devours its own soul.

"Good lad, impressive physical aptitude... I'll take him!"

The jade ghost grinned maliciously, frantically attacking Lin Chen's soul.

He would occasionally say things that disturbed Lin Chen's concentration.

But Lin Chen remained calm. He simply continued to use the Heavenly Evolution Technique to fight back with his divine soul.

After a brief stalemate, the Jade Demon let out a startled cry.

"No, how is this possible?"

"Your soul strength... is far beyond what a Foundation Establishment cultivator should have!"

"You...you're a Core Formation cultivator?"

The jade ghost rushed into Lin Chen's body, intending to possess him.

But when he couldn't break through Lin Chen's soul, he panicked.

He tried to escape from Lin Chen's body, but was firmly suppressed by Lin Chen's divine sense.

"Heh, the balance of power has shifted!"

"If you had been hiding inside that jade, I truly wouldn't have been able to do anything to you... but now, you've brought this upon yourself!"

Lin Chen sneered and continued to circulate the Heavenly Evolution Technique, relentlessly attacking the Jade Ghost's soul.

This jade ghost has only been born with consciousness for a few years, yet it has followed the path of ghost cultivation.

He has cultivated to the late stage of Soul Condensation in ghost cultivation, which is equivalent to the late stage of Foundation Establishment in ordinary cultivators.

Moreover, the ghost cultivator's soul is of great strength, and its soul power is in no way weaker than that of a Foundation Establishment Perfection cultivator...

Unfortunately, he encountered Lin Chen!

With his soul strength at the ninth level of Foundation Establishment, coupled with his cultivation of the Heavenly Evolution Technique, Lin Chen's soul far surpassed that of a fully established Foundation Establishment cultivator.

It's even comparable to the Pseudo-Core Formation Realm...

Now that the ghost cultivator's soul has delivered itself to his doorstep, Lin Chen gradually launched a counterattack after stabilizing his position.

About half an hour later.

Jade Ghost's soul was getting weaker and weaker, and it had been beaten to a pulp by Lin Chen. It was almost falling from the Condensed Soul realm to the Gathering Soul (Qi Refining) realm.

Only then did the jade ghost begin to beg for mercy.

"Spare me! Fellow Daoist, spare me!"

"This brat lost his mind for a moment and made a mistake... I beg you, fellow Daoist, to spare my life. This brat is willing to offer up all the jade marrow..."

Lin Chen remained unmoved and continued to suppress the Jade Ghost's soul.

Only after his cultivation level had completely plummeted to the Soul Condensation Realm did Lin Chen slowly speak:

"You jade demon, what is your background? Why did you attack me... Speak quickly!"

Knowing that his life or death was in Lin Chen's hands, the Jade Ghost quickly said:

"I was originally a jade ghost nurtured by jade marrow... As for my appearance at the Zheng residence, it's because my current identity is also Zheng Sanyuan..."

Soon, the jade ghost revealed its origins in detail.

Just as described in the story Lin Chen had seen.

This jade ghost is formed from the fragmented souls and remnants of a wandering human being, and is naturally nurtured by jade marrow.

After the Zheng family unearthed the jade, it remained in the Zheng residence for several years.

Until one day, he harbored evil intentions, killed the young master of the Zheng family (Zheng Sanyuan), and devoured his soul.

Since the Jade Ghost originally had no physical body, after devouring Young Master Zheng's soul, it essentially merged into one, becoming one person.

From then on, he called himself Zheng Sanyuan.

After hearing Yu Gui's introduction, Lin Chen had a general idea of ​​what was going on.

So he asked:

"Hmph, the Jade Ghost is originally a spirit nurtured by heaven and earth, yet you commit such a soul-stealing act, truly ruining your own cultivation!"

"Tell me, was the nightmare spell that befell Nan Lingling of the Mu Fang that day cast by you?"

Although this jade ghost possessed some cultivation, he was still quite young, so he obediently nodded and said:

"Yes, it was that brat who did it... After I devoured Zheng Sanyuan's soul, I was influenced by him and naturally developed feelings for Nan Lingling, wanting to be with her in my dreams..."

Lin Chen sneered upon hearing this, and was about to ask another question.

Unexpectedly, the jade ghost continued:

"Of course, that's only one reason... More importantly, Nan Lingling is a born Yin-meridian ghost body, an unparalleled physique for ghost cultivators!"

"For the past three years, every time I've met her in my dreams, my cultivation level has steadily improved... If I don't seize this golden opportunity to condense my Ghost Core, wouldn't I be wasting such a precious resource?!"

The jade ghost spoke with such conviction that there was even a hint of grievance in his tone.

Lin Chen was stunned after hearing this, not expecting the kid to be so straightforward.

"Well, Nan Lingling's matter is resolved... but what does that strange skinning incident have to do with this brat?"

"The path of ghost cultivation... doesn't seem to require skinning and blood sacrifice..."

Lin Chen frowned in thought, then asked:

"Then let me ask you again, the strange skinning incidents in the city... were you the one who did it!"

The jade ghost nodded and admitted:

"It was that brat who did it..."

Lin Chen frowned slightly.

But then the jade ghost continued:

"But it wasn't entirely the little devil's doing..."

"..." Lin Chen raised an eyebrow, and after teaching the jade ghost a lesson by striking it with his divine soul, he reprimanded it:

"Are you still keeping me in suspense? Just say it all at once!"

The Jade Ghost, in pain and fright, immediately begged for mercy:

"You little devil, you've confessed everything... Fellow Daoist, spare my life!"

"Actually, for a brat, skinning someone is of no use whatsoever..."

"But a few years ago, the kid met someone who ordered me to skin people and use their skin?"

"Who is it?" Lin Chen asked, frowning.

"I don't know either... but from what he said, it seems to come from a force called the Puppet Hall..." Jade Ghost honestly confessed.

Puppet Hall! ?

One of the four major demonic forces!

Lin Chen's heart skipped a beat, guessing that they had probably found the real culprit.

Then he asked, "Why does the Puppet Hall skin people?"

Jade Ghost did not hide anything and confessed:

"Naturally, it's for creating puppets..."

"That person told me that they had a secret method to destroy the soul of a mortal, leaving only the physical body... and then peel off the mortal's skin, leaving only flesh and bones."

"Then the black dog's skin is removed and worn on the bodies of the dead. The resulting dog-skin puppets are incredibly strong, impervious to water and fire, and difficult to harm by swords and blades. Even ordinary Qi Refining stage cultivators are no match for them..."

Upon hearing this, Lin Chen had already roughly guessed the whole story.

The Puppet Hall members came to Jade Belt City years ago, originally to refine these dog-skin puppets, and happened to encounter Jade Ghost.

Thus, the Jade Demon was forced to kill and steal souls for him...

Then, the black dog skin was draped over the dead body, and finally, a dog skin puppet was created.

This led to the second strange occurrence in the city.

It's also clear that someone in the south of the city saw a monster with a dog's head staring at it wandering around the city...

Perhaps it's not a dog's head, but just a person in dog skin.

But as it got dark, it was understandable that passersby might have mistaken it for something else...

"Let me ask you another question. Since the black dogs are used to skin and make puppets... what about the Black Dog Gang in the south of the city?"

"The Black Dog Gang is just a stronghold of the Puppet Hall... They raise black dogs just to skin them! Tsk tsk, fellow Daoist, you have no idea how bloody the skinning scene is... It takes several dog skins to make one puppet!"

Before Lin Chen could finish asking, the Jade Ghost confessed everything in one breath.

Lin Chen frowned slightly after hearing this.

According to what the blind fortune teller had said, the Black Dog Gang also helped Jade Belt City drive away the vengeful ghosts.

Why then are the cemeteries outside the city haunted and causing harm to people?

Thinking of this, Lin Chen asked again:

"Then let me ask you another question... about the haunted cemetery outside the city?"

Upon hearing this, Jade Ghost hurriedly said:

"Fellow Daoist, I know about this! But after I've confessed everything, could you please let me go?"

Lin Chen nodded and said, "It depends on your performance."

Jade Ghost then said:

"The cemetery outside the city—no… that was originally a mass grave!"

"Lonely ghosts and spirits have been gathering there for years... until two years ago, a few people came there, claiming to be from the Ghost Exorcism Sect."

"They raised and fought ghosts in that mass grave, saying they wanted to raise the most vengeful ghosts..."

"Actually, I didn't know about this at first, but I was born a Jade Ghost, which gave me a unique advantage. The people from the Ghost Exorcism Sect came to me and wanted to recruit me!"

Lin Chen raised an eyebrow after hearing this; there was actually a hint of smugness in the Jade Ghost's words.

"The Ghost Exorcism Sect and the Puppet Hall... two of the four major demonic forces have actually come!"

"It seems the demonic path indeed has grand ambitions..."

Lin Chen thought to himself.

"Let me ask you again, what are the approximate cultivation levels and strengths of the people from the Ghost Exorcism Sect and the Puppet Hall?"

After hearing this, the Jade Ghost flattered:

"They're similar to little brats, both at the Foundation Establishment or Soul Condensation stage... far inferior to your cultivation level, fellow Daoist!"

Jade Ghost probably mistook Lin Chen for a Core Formation cultivator.

But this only made Lin Chen more puzzled.

"How could a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator possibly seal off a city?"

"The vast Jade Belt City, with its array spanning dozens of miles... it would take several Core Formation cultivators working together to set it up!"

Lin Chen was very puzzled and asked the Jade Ghost again, but he still didn't know the answer.

After all, he had never left Jade Belt City.

"Alright, is there anything else you'd like to say?"

"The kid has said everything he needed to say."

"Fine, since that's how it is, then you can die!"

"Wait...wait! The kid has something else to say!"

Lin Chen, who was about to make a move with the Jade Ghost Sword, was instantly terrified.

He felt a little resentful. Why were human cultivators so untrustworthy?

But in order to save his life, he still said:

"Fellow Daoist, if you spare my life... I will tell you about a place where there are countless jade marrow! It is the birthplace of this lowly person..."

Lin Chen raised an eyebrow upon hearing this, unsure whether the Jade Ghost was lying or telling the truth.

However, he lacked the means to control the jade demon, so he still prepared to kill it.

Seeing this, the jade ghost quickly said:

"Fellow Daoist, Fellow Daoist, spare my life! This lowly devil will serve you like a slave, at your beck and call!"

"Ha! How can I guarantee your sincerity? It would be easier to just kill you!" Lin Chen sneered.

"I can entrust my life essence to you, fellow Daoist... From now on, my life and death will be in your hands! I only beg you to spare my life..." the jade ghost pleaded.

The natal soul...

Lin Chen narrowed his eyes. He had heard that ghost cultivators used unpredictable and strange methods.

It can split into countless souls... but there is only one natal soul. As long as the natal soul does not dissipate, the ghost cultivator will not die.

At the same time, having control over a ghost cultivator's life essence is equivalent to having control over that ghost cultivator's life and death!

Thinking of this, Lin Chen said:

"Alright, hand over your life essence first!"

Jade Ghost nodded, reluctantly parting his soul.

He separated a green wisp of his soul, which entered Lin Chen's hand and transformed into a piece of jade.

The jade was crystal clear, but it seemed to contain a miniature ghost face.

"The soul of the Jade Demon condensed into jade..."

"But this Jade Demon has revealed so much; is he just pretending to be stupid or is he truly stupid...?"

Lin Chen nodded slightly, thinking to himself.

Then he asked, "How will you stay by my side?"

"The little ghost was born from the nurturing of jasper and can reside in any jade artifact!" the jade ghost honestly confessed.

Lin Chen nodded, took out his throwing knife, and sliced ​​open all the jade stones.

They took out several tons of jade, casually polished it into a jade pendant, and let the jade ghost reside in it.

After that, he took out the chalcedony from the innermost jade stone.

First, they took out the purple jade gourd, which was a natural treasure for holding liquid.

Then, he used a knife to make a very deep cut in the rough stone.

Immediately afterwards, the emerald green, crystal-clear chalcedony flowed out like liquid and was collected by Lin Chen into the purple jade gourd.

Lin Chen estimated that the chalcedony weighed at least a ton.

"Tsk tsk, chalcedony is worth tens of thousands of kilograms... This ton of chalcedony is probably worth more than hundreds of thousands of spirit stones, right?" he thought to himself.

However, there are many wonderful varieties of chalcedony.

It can be used for healing, alchemy, accelerating cultivation, and even for crafting weapons and setting up formations...

Lin Chen naturally wanted to keep such a treasure for himself.

At the same time, he was also a little curious.

"Is it true or false that the Jade Demon spoke of a place where many jade marrows are hidden?"

Looking at Yu Gui's mysterious appearance, Lin Chen could believe it to some extent.

However, Lin Chen didn't need to ask him about the location of the chalcedony.

If we just find out where the Zheng family dug up these jade stones, we'll know the answer.

After erasing all traces from the Zheng residence, Lin Chen turned and left.

After returning to the inn, Lin Chen silently made plans in his mind.

According to Jade Demon, he skins people almost every day.

But now that he's been captured, it means that by tomorrow at the latest, the Puppet Hall cultivators in the city will know about it...

"However, I'm currently operating in the shadows... as long as I'm careful, the Puppet Hall might not know it was me!"

Lin Chen murmured.

In addition, Yu Gui said that he was not the only one in the city skinning people.

Several other Foundation Establishment heretical cultivators from the Puppet Hall were also subjected to further skinning.

"If we can capture the cultivators from the Puppet Hall... we might be able to figure out the strength of the person behind it all."

"And the mass graves outside the city... perhaps we could also go and investigate them."

Lin Chen rubbed his fingers, pondering deeply.

Although Yu Gui said that those evil cultivators were not yet at the Core Formation stage, it was still best to be cautious.

"Let's send Long Ba and Feng Jiu to test the waters tonight..."

(End of this chapter)