Chapter 18: Chapter 17: Self-Redemption

The Ning Family cultivators in the cell were arguing.

The Dharma Transmission Bell had rung, transmitting a cultivation technique called the “Five Elements Qi Regulation Art”, but it only had the first three layers.

However, after exchanging insights, everyone found discrepancies in their understanding of these initial three layers.

For instance, in the section on condensing metal qi, someone understood it as: metal qi enters the palm, disperses through all meridians, travels from the palm to the lungs, nourishes the internal organs. Those who cultivate this must have a broad mind, breathe evenly. Metal qi is dry; used improperly, it easily harms the yin lungs.

Another person heard it as: metal qi enters the palm… the mind surges wildly, breathing becomes sharp. Metal qi is incisive, focused on decisive attacks, ascending smoothly.

The former required the cultivator to perform the technique slowly, while the latter required bold and swift progress.

Although they had all heard the same bell sound, their understandings differed, leading to endless disputes.

“It seems you still don’t quite understand what the Dharma Transmission Bell is,” Chi Dun appeared shortly, with Ning Chen and Ning Yong following behind him.

By now, he had already questioned all the Ning Family cultivators.

All the Ning Family cultivators looked over. Someone bowed and said, “We humbly ask for your guidance, Lord Chi Dun.”

Ning Zhuo looked at Ning Chen and Ning Yong, a smile appearing on his face.

However, Ning Chen and Ning Yong avoided eye contact. Just a moment ago, during their interrogation, they had confessed everything, including receiving orders from Ning Zhanji to provoke Ning Zhuo into the cave.

Chi Dun explained to everyone, “As the name suggests, the Dharma Transmission Bell is for transmitting cultivation technique.”

“The advantage of converting the bell sound into a cultivation technique is that beings of different languages and even different races can gain insight from it.”

“The Three Ancestral Masters, compassionate and kind, aimed to save all beings. Hence, the Dharma Transmission Bell was left not just to benefit humans but other beings as well.”

“There are different levels of proficiency in these bells. The ordinary ones convey the same cultivation method with their sound. The superior ones, however, transmit techniques that vary according to the individual.”

Most people were astonished, though a few showed thoughtful expressions.

Chi Dun continued, “The cultivation techniques each of you received are correct. Because these techniques are fine-tuned based on your own bodies.”

“So that’s how it is!” The cultivators suddenly realized, expressions of surprise and joy appearing on their faces.

“Any cultivation technique involves absorbing external energy, digesting, storing, and utilizing it. These techniques can be continuously modified.”

“Indeed, ancient cultivation techniques have difficulty competing with new methods because the external environment is constantly changing, creating vast differences.”

“The Three Ancestral Masters truly are compassionate, looking after each one of us.”

Chi Dun said, “This is also the way of the Buddhist Sect. The Buddhist Sect excels at conversion, refining external mana and converting it into corresponding Buddhist power. As the saying goes, ‘Put down the butcher’s knife, become a Buddha on the spot,’ meaning they can convert the mana of demon cultivators accumulated over the years into Buddhist mana.”

“However, do not overestimate the effect. The Dharma Transmission Bell has its limits; it has to cater to all beings in the city, so the degree of adjustment is limited.”

“Therefore, do not mistake this technique for being perfect. You can still try to improve it during cultivation.”

The Ning Family cultivators looked at each other.

Someone smiled bitterly, “Improving a cultivation technique is too difficult! Lord Chi Dun, you overestimate us.”

Another added, “Improving a technique requires either deep research into it or exceptional talent. We cannot do it.”

Chi Dun, of course, knew this; he was just giving a polite reminder.

“Alright, you have all been cleared of suspicion. Follow me, let’s not occupy the cell anymore.”

He intentionally released the Ning Family cultivators.

Chi Dun used this method to subtly show goodwill to the Ning Family, indicating that questioning them was not his intention but merely his duty.

The Ning Family cultivators expressed their gratitude and followed Chi Dun out of the cell.

Just as they stepped out into the dawn light, the Alert Heart Bell on Chi Dun suddenly went off, ringing piercingly.

Chi Dun’s expression changed drastically as his aura surged, following the bell’s guidance and shooting out.

The burst of air waves immediately flung surrounding Ning Family cultivators away.

Boom!

The next moment, a huge explosion shook the ground, and dust rose into the air.

A figure flew out from the dust cloud.

The Ning Family cultivators exclaimed, “It’s that Black Shadow Demon Cultivator!”

“Scoundrel, how dare you spy on the cell.” Chi Dun was furious and chased after the Black Shadow Demon Cultivator.

The Black Shadow Demon Cultivator cackled coldly, his voice hoarse as he retreated while fighting.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The two leapt between large buildings and palaces, their clashes causing structures to collapse one after another.

The city residents fled in chaos.

“Let’s hurry up and leave!” The Ning Family cultivators fled in the opposite direction.

Ning Chen and Ning Yong tried to drag Ning Zhuo along.

Ning Zhuo said, “Why are we leaving? Let’s go back to the cell; it’s safer there!”

The two were stunned.

Ning Zhuo grabbed their hands, “Trust me.”

The three returned to the cell.

Upon re-entering the cell, everything was still in place, including their seats and fruits.

Ning Zhuo and the others sat down again.

Ning Zhuo explained, “Though the Immortal City is protected by a great array that significantly weakens any cultivator’s combat power, a Golden Core Stage cultivator is still beyond our ability to resist.”

“What if they end up fighting near us?”

“Just like the situation in the Flame Demon Melting Cave!”

“Lord Chi Dun is very strong; as a body cultivator, his combat power is least suppressed in Fire Persimmon Immortal City. He stands a high chance of winning.”

“We should wait until he kills that Black Shadow Demon Cultivator before going out; that’s the safest option.”

Ning Chen and Ning Yong, hearing this, found Ning Zhuo’s words reasonable.

Boom! Boom! Boom…

The battle between the two Golden Core cultivators continued, each impact causing the entire cell to tremble and dust to fall from the ceiling.

Ning Chen and Ning Yong were restless.

Ning Zhuo, however, remained calm, eating fruit and drinking tea, appearing rather carefree.

Seeing their peer acting this way, Ning Chen and Ning Yong grew even more impressed.

Ning Zhuo explained, “Oh, I’ve come to terms with it! If those two Golden Core cultivators fight their way here, we’re definitely doomed. In such a worst-case scenario, we might as well eat more so we don’t die of hunger.”

Ning Chen was speechless.

Ning Yong slapped his forehead and gave Ning Zhuo a thumbs up, “A Zhuo, you’re right. Smart thinking!”

He grabbed a handful of grapes and stuffed them in his mouth, then urged Ning Chen, “You should eat too, hurry up.”

Ning Chen rolled his eyes, looking heavy-hearted and grim. He shook his head, “You eat; I can’t.”

The clash between the two Golden Core cultivators didn’t last much longer.

The three of them kept observing the situation, noticing the noise gradually diminishing, the explosions sounding farther away, and they started to feel at ease.

When the noise completely disappeared, a cell guard came to urge the three Ning Family youngsters out.

Chi Dun and the Black Shadow Demon Cultivator had already vanished. According to others, they had been chased out of the city.

A large number of houses had collapsed, reduced to ruins.

The ruins were littered with corpses, and the survivors’ wails made this morning feel eerily cold.

The three Ning Family youngsters were all visibly somber.

“Strange, I used to think the Immortal City was very safe!” Ning Yong said.

Ning Chen sighed, “This is already considered fortunate. With the Immortal City Great Array’s suppression, Golden Core Stage cultivators can’t exert their full power. Otherwise, if a Golden Core Level spell were cast, half the city would be destroyed.”

Ning Zhuo urged, “This isn’t something we can handle. Let’s go back. All I want to do now is fall into bed and sleep soundly.”

His words immediately reminded his peers of their fatigue and exhaustion.

After walking together for a while, Ning Zhuo parted ways with the other two.

The previous night’s experiences had been too overwhelming, and Ning Zhuo was extremely tired, falling asleep as soon as he lay down.

He slept until dusk before slowly waking up.

After a simple meal, he went to his underground workroom.

Sitting cross-legged on a mat, he began his first attempt at cultivating the “Five Elements Qi Regulation Art.”

Previously, he had been cultivating the “Snow Region Talisman Scripture,” one of the Ning Family’s three major techniques. Normally, he would need to dissipate all the “Scripture Mana” completely to start cultivating a new technique from scratch.

But Ning Zhuo didn’t need to.

Buddha Heart Demon Seal!

To the world, he was a demon, to himself, a Buddha.

Converting oneself, not just to suppress thoughts, remain emotionless, and prevent detection, but also to transfer mana.

Immediately, the Scripture Mana continued to transform, directly becoming Five Elements Mana with astonishing efficiency!

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