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Chapter 437 "Fire Irrigation Method" (Seeking monthly votes)
The most precious part of the few sheets of paper that the old man left for Liao Zhixian was a "fire irrigation method" for Xu Yuan.

It is neither the "Dharma" of Fa Xiu nor a cultivation method.

Rather, it is a method used to strengthen one's destiny.

A cultivator's destiny will be strengthened as their skill level improves.

Apart from that, one's destiny is "fixed".

However, this "fire-irrigation method" can continuously improve one's destiny.

Mission-driven capabilities are constantly being enhanced.

However, this method has many limitations.

First of all, you need to use "internal fire" of level five or above.

Secondly, the control over fire must be extremely precise; the slightest carelessness could damage one's destiny.

After carefully studying this "fire-infusion method," Xu Yuan came to a conclusion: this method is similar to the tradition in some martial arts practitioners where, after daily body training, the master would use medicinal oil to massage the disciple's entire body.

The technique and the force used need to be just right.

If you use too little, it won't be effective, and all your hard work and the precious medicinal oil will be wasted.

If it's too heavy, it might injure the disciple.

Liao Zhixian said, "Bai Huahun also knows this method, but he has never been able to use it. It's not easy to find fifth-rate alchemists, and even if there are fifth-rate alchemists in the demon-slaying army, he doesn't trust them."

This method is equivalent to completely opening up one's destiny to the other party, allowing them to do whatever they want.

If that fifth-rate alchemist harbors ill intentions, and his inner fire fails, he will be doomed.

Bai Huahun came up with a plan: he wanted to marry a female alchemist and then nurture her with all his might, helping her advance to the fifth rank as soon as possible.

Even with the fifth-rate internal fire, there's no guarantee that the control over the flames will meet Bai Huahun's requirements.

Furthermore, female alchemists with the potential to advance to the fifth rank might not necessarily be interested in Bai Huahun. Therefore, although Bai Huahun had always coveted the Fire Infusion Technique, she was never able to use it.

Liao Zhixian only gave a casual explanation.

I don't think Xu Yuan is a good candidate either.

But Xu Yuan actually met this condition!
The control of the fire in the abdomen in "Five Cauldrons Cooking" is very subtle and can definitely meet the requirements.

"This is truly a huge unexpected gain!" Xu Yuan was overjoyed.

Nowadays, the "Ghost Doctor Steals Life" and "Mountain Top Firestorm" astrological configurations are much inferior compared to other astrological configurations.

We can use the "fire-irrigation method" to strengthen it.

In addition, those few sheets of paper also recorded the cultivation and advancement methods before reaching the sixth level of life cultivation.

The foundation of cultivation methods is "continuously using one's destiny".

But the last three categories are all passive.

However, according to the old man, this basic cultivation method has evolved into several "schools".

The school of thought passed down by the elderly uses the "intervention method".

Simply put, it means using one's own destiny to interfere in the fate of others.

They will search among the vast sea of ​​people for those who need the help of their destiny.

Approach the other party and make an effort to befriend them.

Then one's destiny will come into play.

Complete one training session after another.

For ordinary people, the causal relationship is less severe, and the risk is the lowest.

The corresponding returns are low, but at least there is progress.

At the same time, the old man also emphasized that the karma of ordinary people is also karma, so when practicing spiritual cultivation, try to choose those "victims" and help them with the power of their destiny. They will be involved in karma, but they will also accumulate merit.

In addition, there are many precautions to take to ensure that no accidents occur during each practice session.

However, if you cultivate in this way, you will always be looking for a suitable "object", and you will not have the energy to do other things.

For Xu Yuan, this "intervention method" was of little value.

However, besides the "intervention method," the old man also knew a method that wasn't considered a cultivation method, which he called the "Star and Moon Method."

The more family members, friends, and subordinates around a person with a specific destiny pattern, the faster that person will progress.

If it is impossible to recruit people with a certain destiny, then the more "precious" their destiny, the better.

This creates a situation where the star is surrounded by admirers.

Xu Yuan recalled that the people around him who possessed destiny were his stepmother, Fu Jingyu, and Qin Ze.

The fates of Shi Bading and others were also blue.

Unintentionally, it has already created a situation where "everyone is surrounding the moon".

No wonder my cultivation progressed so quickly.

Once you reach the sixth level, you can use life techniques.

The old man left behind a method for concentrating life force.

However, this method is very cruel and is called the "flesh-cutting method".

The goal is to extract a portion of power from one's destiny to condense it into a life technique.

When using a condensed life technique against a target, one can choose whether to use the entire technique at once or to use only 30% of its power and save the remaining 70% for later use.

Once the destiny is severed, the destiny will naturally lose this part of its power forever.

Therefore, this method should not be used frequently.

If used too much, a originally strong destiny will fall to an average destiny.

It may even eventually be completely annihilated.

Knowledge above the sixth rank was not recorded on those few sheets of paper.

It seems that the old man back then only reached the sixth level of cultivation at most.

Liao Zhixian told Lord Xu everything he knew.

Xu Yuan couldn't help but frown.

The few sheets of paper left by the old man can indeed be considered a lineage, capable of being cultivated to the sixth level, and also possessing corresponding "fate techniques".

But Xu Yuan felt that... this lineage, how should he put it, was very "strapped for resources".

Not "generous" enough.

In all aspects, it barely met the standards.

For example, if the flesh-cutting method were used to condense life techniques, Xu Yuan would rather not use life techniques and continue to simply activate the power of his destiny as before.

It is not as powerful as fate-telling, but it has the advantage of a stable destiny.

"Does Bai Huahun even know about your method of cutting off his own flesh?"

"Of course I know, but Bai Huahun is a member of the Demon Extermination Army. He has the Demon Extermination Army's legacy and looks down on the flesh-cutting method. What he covets is my destiny."

Xu Yuan breathed a sigh of relief and took out the earthenware jar containing Bai Huahun's soul.

At the same time, with his other hand, he released the "Six-Eyed Nethermoth Demon Pill".

Peel off the mulberry paper covering the mouth of the earthenware jar, and a soul, turning into wisps of gray smoke, quickly emerged, seizing any opportunity to escape.

However, it was directly captured by the Six-Eyed Nethermoth and transformed into a ghostly soldier.

In terms of skill level, this is nothing more than a fifth-rate Yin soldier, but it is a Yin soldier that cultivates destiny—Xu Yuan was only slightly pleased… Oh, I've already taken away its destiny?

A Yin soldier who has no destiny?

I immediately felt that these ghost soldiers were useless.

There's nothing to be excited about anymore.

Xu Yuan then discovered that Bai Huahun, who had transformed into a ghost soldier, appeared extremely slow and dull.

Xu Yuan's mind stirred, and he began to peruse Bai Huahun's memories...

A large number of gaps were found in the memory.

"What's going on?" Xu Yuan wondered, but he quickly found the answer from the memories that Bai Huahun still retained.

All the missing memories are related to the "secrets" of the Demon Extermination Army.

Not only Bai Huahun, but also He Jingchuan and others.

In the military, once you reach a certain rank, you will be subject to "military law".

There are military practitioners who specialize in studying "military law".

Although the souls of Bai Huahun and the others did not contain the "Thread-Connecting Technique," this military law ensured that after their deaths in battle, all confidential memories of the Demon Extermination Army in their souls would be automatically erased.

To prevent leaks.

"I see." Xu Yuan thought to himself, then began searching through Bai Huahun's memories for information related to destiny cultivation: "This shouldn't involve any secrets, right?"

But Xu Yuan was soon disappointed.

Bai Huahun was a member of the Demon Extermination Army, and his cultivation method was also taught to him by the Demon Extermination Army.

It was also cancelled along with it.

"Fortunately, we found a 'branding technique' that can also be used to condense life force."

In Bai Huahun's memory, the only part related to life cultivation is this "branding method".

This method was obtained by him through an exchange with a prominent family in Nandu, not from the demon-slaying army.

The principle of the "branding method" is to imprint the abilities of one's destiny.

To use this method, one needs to be "born with fire," meaning that if Bai Huahun does not have the "Mountain Fire Mist" destiny, he cannot use this method.

Both the branding method and the flesh-cutting method have the same drawback: once the branding technique is condensed, it will be consumed every time it is used, and after a certain number of times, it must be branded again.

After acquiring the "branding method," Xu Yuan felt disgusted with Bai Huahun, a sixth-rate Yin soldier, and wanted to scatter him with a wave of his hand.

But after thinking about it, I decided to keep it.

So it was given to the six-eyed moth.

They then released the souls of He Jingchuan and the others, transformed them into ghost soldiers, and examined them. Sure enough, all memories related to the demon-slaying army were erased.

However, He Jingchuan and his two companions are now more "useful" than Bai Huahun.

The two eyes on the Six-Eyed Demon Moth can hold twenty low-ranking demons.

Two small eyes on its wings can hide two low-level demons.

Two large eyes on its wings can hide two low-level demons.

Old Zhang's bet is that of a sixth-rate person.

I also acquired a three-headed demon before, which was also a sixth-rate demon.

Xu Yuan thought for a moment, then waved his hand and fed Bai Huahun to the three-headed demon.

Then he fed He Jingchuan and Wu Xiu as well.

Only the old craftsman, Lao Jing, remained.

The three-headed demon devoured three low-ranking Yin soldiers, including one of them, Bai Huahun.

Even though Bai Huahun has lost his destiny, he is still a cultivator of destiny.

Each one was of a higher quality than the three-headed demons; if Xu Yuan hadn't controlled them, someone else would have eaten them.

The three-headed demon twisted and changed, advancing to the fifth rank!

Then it burrowed into the large eyes on the wings.

It will take some time for it to fully digest the three or five mediocre individuals and complete this promotion.

Then, Xu Yuan used the Six-Eyed Nether Moth to capture Lao Jing.

Liao Zhixian watched from the sidelines the whole time, trembling with fear.

I'm terrified that Xu Yuan might just casually wave his hand and feed himself to the three-headed demon.

Fortunately, Xu Yuan then put away the Six-Eyed Nethermoth Demon Pill.

Then Xu Yuan looked at Liao Zhixian, a sense of curiosity rising in his heart: "Where is your hometown? If I have the opportunity, I would like to visit the grave of the old man you mentioned." "I am from Beizuo Township, Yuanhu City, Beijiaozhi."

Liao Zhixian immediately replied that as long as Lord Xu still needed him to lead the way, he would still be useful and should not be fed to those three great demons for the time being.

"Alright, you should go back to the guqin for now."

Xu Yuan then returned the zither to him, and kept the zither himself.

Xu Yuan originally wanted to finish this "Victory Slow" move, but he wasn't in a hurry.

It would be best to combine this fate with other similar fates.

Since Xu Yuan doesn't currently have a suitable destiny chart, he's temporarily entrusted to Liao Zhixian.

Liao Zhixian originally held onto this destiny, fantasizing about being able to reincarnate in the next life and then seek revenge on Bai Huahun.

Xu Yuan has already avenged him; Bai Huahun's soul has been eaten by the three-headed demon.

But Liao Zhixian needs to be given some arrangements, and Xu Yuan hasn't figured out how to arrange it yet.

It was still early before dawn. After hesitating between the "branding method" and the "fire-irrigation method", Xu Yuan ultimately chose the "branding method".

For his first attempt at condensing life techniques, Xu Yuan chose "Ghost Doctor Steals Life".

Destiny analysis is actually a kind of "enhancement" of destiny-related abilities.

For example, this time, Xu Yuan chose to brand "Ghost Doctor Stealing Life". After succeeding, in the next battle, Xu Yuan secretly placed this life-saving technique on a certain enemy. For this person, the loss of lifespan will be greatly increased, far exceeding the effect of fate.

Other enemies, on the other hand, are merely suppressed by fate.

Furthermore, when imprinting a destiny, one can choose a single ability of the destiny, instead of imprinting all abilities.

After nearly two hours, Xu Yuan finally condensed his first life technique.

Because I'm not skilled enough, this fortune-telling technique can only be used once.

It was almost dawn, but Xu Yuan was so excited that he decided not to sleep and began to try the "fire irrigation method".

Thanks to the exquisite "Five Cauldrons Cooking Technique," Xu Yuan succeeded on his first attempt, even more smoothly than the previous "Imprinting Fate Technique."

However, practicing the "Fire Infusion Method" once does not significantly enhance one's destiny.

This method requires a long and gradual process of practice.

But as long as you have this "fire-irrigation method", your future destiny will not be bad.

Xu Yuan lay down fully clothed, still wide awake and excited.

Looking back on this "fated showdown" with Bai Huahun, the gains after winning were enormous.

But as he thought about it, Xu Yuan calmed down.

The gains are enormous, but so are the hidden dangers.

Bian Lü and the demon-slaying army will not retaliate against him openly.

At least not in the short term.

But Bian Lü must have held a grudge.

Even someone of Bian Lü's caliber would feel a real pain if he were to lose a sixth-rate cultivator.

But Xu Yuan had no regrets and was not afraid; he would meet force with force and water with water.

The conflict between Bai Huahun and Bai Huahun is a struggle over the "path" of the Dao.

It cannot be avoided.

Xu Yuan's real worries stemmed precisely from this.

If Bai Huahun can devour the life essence of wild cultivators, then don't the powerful families and government offices in Beidu and Nandu have similar methods to support the life essence of cultivators?
Leaving aside others, even for myself, I didn't have the corresponding means before, but now that I have the "destiny of heaven," even when faced with "slow and steady wins the race" that I feel is not good enough, I still can't bear to let go.

We are all worldly people; who doesn't have some degree of greed?
When faced with a destiny chart, a cultivator will become incredibly greedy!
Don't think too badly of others, but don't fantasize that things will be great either.

Therefore, you should be extra careful when you encounter other cultivators in the future!
A rooster crowed outside the window, its call not as melodious and loud as Ah Hua's, but it was dawn after all.

The restaurant prepares a sumptuous breakfast.

He didn't dare come himself, so he urged several of his employees to deliver it.

After having breakfast and settling their bills, the members of the Exorcism Division prepared to leave.

Their mounts had been led outside by the staff, and they had been carefully fed both last night and this morning.

Several extra bushels of soybean feed were added.

The mounts looked very energetic.

Just as Xu Yuan mounted his horse and was about to leave, the shopkeeper suddenly came running out, panting, carrying a small bamboo basket. He grabbed Xu Yuan's reins, held the basket in both hands, and handed it to Xu Yuan, saying, "Sir, these are some of the snacks that my shop specializes in. Please take them with you and try them on your journey."

Xu Yuan was a little surprised, but he still accepted it and thanked him, saying, "Thank you for your kindness."

Then he rode away.

After leaving the town, the original plan was to hang up the calligraphy today and rush back to Champa as soon as possible.

Xu Yuan picked up the small bamboo basket on horseback, rummaged through it, and found that the snacks inside were very ordinary.

I've already eaten this morning.

But there was a piece of paper under the snack.

Lang Xiaoba, who was standing next to him, leaned over and asked, "Sir, what is it?"

Xu Yuan unfolded it, and it turned out to be a hand-drawn map, which looked very simple, but it was clear that it was the official road they were walking on, connecting Luocheng and Zhancheng.

The map specifically marks out which evil spirits lurk on which mountain and which bandit group hides on which ridge.

If it is an evil spirit, then the time of day is specified as a safe time to pass through.

If they are robbers, it means they will let you go if you pay a certain amount of money.

Lang Xiaoba was stunned for a moment, then couldn't help but ask, "Is this to repay the master's kindness in forgiving you?"

Xu Yuan nodded, folded it neatly, and put it in his pocket.

According to the shopkeeper, the officials of the Exorcism Bureau were certainly not afraid of robbers.

The highway robbers, seeing the official robes of the Exorcism Bureau, dared not come out.

But evil spirits are different.

We still need to take precautions in advance... or rather, avoid it in advance.

Otherwise, if they encounter such a situation and are not eliminated, it will be a disgrace to the "Department of Purification".

Xu Yuan certainly didn't have such a "need," but after glancing at the map, he saw a place called "Luoshi Bay." Occasionally, passing merchants would be walking along the official road when they would suddenly enter a magnificent and grand mansion.

The host family claimed to be surnamed Long and were very hospitable. Everyone in the caravan, regardless of gender, was treated to a feast of fine wine and delicacies.

After a hearty meal and drinks, the host would arrange for singers and handsome men to entertain them throughout the night.

On the second day, if they wanted to leave, the host would not stop them; if they wanted to stay, they would be warmly entertained for another day.

But no matter how many days I stay, after leaving I always feel like I've "lost" something, but I can't quite put my finger on what it is.

These people will have extremely bad luck in the future.

People then speculated that the evil spirit had used some unknown means to steal those people's "luck".

However, this evil spirit usually only appears once every five days.

Xu Yuan was interested not because this evil spirit was unique and could steal fortune, but because it claimed to be "surnamed Long".

The shopkeeper wanted to repay the kindness, so he gave Xu Yuan this map.

This was clearly not something the shopkeeper drew on the spot; there were so many things on it that it couldn't have been drawn in a short time.

Someone must have made them and is secretly selling them along this road.

The shop owner might be one of the sellers.

An unexpected discovery led Xu Yuan to a clue about an evil spirit with the surname Long.

Xu Yuan waved to Lang Xiaoba: "Tell the brothers to hang up the calligraphy scrolls and head home at full speed."

"Yes!"

The procession sped away, the thunderous sound of hooves echoing along the official road.

……

Unfortunately, the evil spirit did not appear when we passed through Luoshi Bay; perhaps the day was wrong.

Xu Yuan was in a hurry to return to Zhancheng and did not linger in Luoshiwan. He would deal with it later when he had time.

After a full day of traveling at full speed, they arrived at the west gate of Champa with half an hour to go before nightfall.

After successfully entering the city, everyone was exhausted, not to mention eating and resting.

The next day, Xu Yuan took Master Ma's letter and went to visit the prefect of Champa.

They took over the charitable estate in Champa from the government.

The prefect was unwilling.

With the mortuary in hand, if disputes arise with the city's exorcism bureau or the river and mountain bureau, there's still some leverage to deal with them.

But no one knows what Ma Tianshou said in the letter, yet the prefect still handed it over.

The charitable shrine in Champa was located in the northeast corner of the city.

Xu Yuan led his men to take over the area. On the way, they passed a pond. Xu Yuan felt something was wrong. The pond was eerie and there were no houses within a hundred feet.

Xu Yuan couldn't help but take a second look and asked, "What place is that?"

The men looked at each other.

The last and most senior captain, steeling himself, came out and replied, "Sir, this place is called Chenshuitang (Sinking Pond)."

This place is a bit eerie, but... as long as you don't provoke it, nothing in the water will come out.

"Heh." Xu Yuan sneered.

The old captain lowered his head in shame.

In fact, there are several such places in Champa.

There are similar places even within Luo City.

Just when the old captain thought that his superior was "intolerant of any wrongdoing," Xu Yuan waved his hand and ordered, "Let's go."

The old captain breathed a sigh of relief.

Before long, the group arrived at the mortuary.

But when the gates of the mortuary opened, a young man in his early twenties, with a scholarly air and handsome features, walked out.

Xu Yuan was taken aback: "Are you the guardian of this place?"

Upon seeing Xu Yuan's official robes, the young man clasped his hands and bowed slightly: "I am Jia Zongdao, greetings, Your Excellency. I am the guardian of this place."

Jia Zongdao smiled slightly and said, "I may be somewhat different from the guardian of the spirit in your impression, sir."

“Indeed, it’s different.” Xu Yuan noticed his extraordinary demeanor and asked, “It’s said that the profession of guardian of spirits requires being born with five deficiencies and three lacks. You… you seem to have none of these deficiencies or lacks. Why do you want to be a guardian of spirits?”

Xu Yuan spoke as he walked inside—but Jia Zongdao blocked his way with his body.

Lang Xiaoba handed the handover document issued by the Champa government to Jia Zongdao.

After Jia Zongdao carefully examined the document, he made way for Qing Xuyuan to enter.

"It's a helpless situation," Jia Zongdao said as he accompanied Xu Yuan inside. "I fainted from hunger at the entrance of the mortuary half a year ago. Old Uncle Jiu of the mortuary took pity on me and carried me in, giving me a few days of good food."

Unexpectedly, two months ago, Uncle Jiu suddenly couldn't hold on any longer, but the government couldn't find a new person to keep vigil.

Having nothing of value and nowhere to stay, I simply took on the job of guarding the tomb, receiving a monthly stipend of rice from the imperial court to support myself.

Xu Yuan looked around; the mortuary was very clean.

Some coffins were also neatly arranged.

It is clear that Jia Zongdao is very diligent.

Why did you faint from hunger at the entrance of the mortuary?

Jia Zongdao smiled bitterly and said, "I... don't remember at all. I suspect that I was already dead at that time, and was later rescued by Uncle Jiu, but all my memories have disappeared. The only thing I remember is my name: Jia Zongdao."

(End of this chapter)