Cultivating Immortality from the Book of Life and Death

Chapter 368 Crane's Cry Tower. (Second Update!)

A ghost servant possessing ten different abilities...

Easier to control than ordinary ghost servants...

Upon hearing Zheng Que's introduction, Lu Maohong quickly laughed and immediately said loudly, "The development of intelligence in ghosts has always been a difficult problem."

"This flaw is difficult for even the Xuanyuan Pavilion to detect."

"As long as we don't say anything, no one will know."

Do you have time now?

"The auction is still three days away. We can take these ghost servants to Heming Tower in Xuanyuanfang now."

"If the inspection goes smoothly, I will be able to attend the auction."

"At that time, even if you don't have enough spirit stones for what you want, you can use ghost servants as collateral."

After a moment's thought, Zheng Que said, "Senior Lu, to be honest, this group of ghost servants is related to an opportunity I obtained."

"I don't want anyone to know about this opportunity."

Upon hearing this, Lu Maohong was not surprised at all.

For an ordinary rogue cultivator to encounter even one ghost servant of this quality is already incredibly lucky. To be able to produce ten at once—who would believe it without a special stroke of luck?

Under normal circumstances, even a Foundation Establishment cultivator might not be able to acquire so many high-grade ghost servants at once!

Thinking of this, Lu Maohong nodded and said, "If you are still just a rogue cultivator, this is indeed a big problem."

"However, you have now joined the imperial court and have even gained the favor of the prefect..."

As he spoke, he put the "starving corpse" into his soul-nourishing bag and continued, "How about this, let's go to the Crane Cry Tower in Xuanyuanfang together."

"When we get there, you don't need to say a word."

"Just consider him an ordinary junior who is learning from me."

"I will handle this matter, and I guarantee that no one will suspect that these ghost servants are yours!"

Upon hearing this, Zheng Que felt reassured and immediately replied, "Alright!"

So the two of them didn't delay and got up to go out and head towards Xuanyuanfang.

Xuanyuan Ward is known as the wealthiest ward in Qingrao Prefecture. Its streets are wider and cleaner than those of other wards, with many flower beds on both sides and springs channeled around the houses, showcasing luxury and refinement everywhere. The shops along the way are vying for attention, trying every means to attract the attention of cultivators.

The place was bustling with activity all day long, and Zheng Que and Lu Maohong had to dodge oncoming crowds from time to time as they walked.

As Lu Maohong led the way, he whispered to Zheng Que, "...There are four Core Formation cultivators in the prefectural city."

"There are two officials on the imperial side: one is the Vice Prefect, and the other is the Prefectural Magistrate."

"However, it is said that the prefect has been engrossed in cultivation in recent years and rarely appears in public. Therefore, the affairs of Qingrao Prefecture are almost all entrusted to the vice prefect."

"The other two are from the Xuanyuan Pavilion."

“A Taoist named ‘Qiyan’ is the chief island master of Xuanyuanfang’s floating island cave in Qingrao Prefecture. He has been stationed on the floating island for many years and basically does not participate in other affairs.”

"The other one is the owner of Crane Cry Tower, Fairy Yanluo."

"Fairy Yanluo is an outer sect steward of Xuanyuan Pavilion, in charge of all affairs of Xuanyuan Pavilion in Qingrao Prefecture except for the floating island."

"Apart from this Fairy Yanluo, everyone else in the entire Crane Cry Tower is a rogue cultivator recruited by Xuanyuan Pavilion."

"However, although they are all rogue cultivators, they are not ordinary people who have been chosen by the Xuanyuan Pavilion."

"This time we are going to deal with the Ghost Servant, so the person we will meet later is Manager Ren Duanwen from Crane Cry Tower."

"This Manager Ren is at the Foundation Establishment stage and follows the path of 'Ghost Control.' He is taciturn by nature and has been working in Crane Cry Tower for decades..." As they spoke, the two had already passed through streets and alleys and arrived in front of a tall building with flying eaves and colorful embroidery.

This building occupies a vast area and is seven stories high. It is decorated with carved beams and painted rafters, and has double eaves and animal-shaped ridges. It is extremely elaborate and gorgeous. The entire building shines brightly under the sunlight, as if it were cast from the same piece.

Most strikingly, a giant crane stands prominently on the rooftop, poised to sing a song. Its graceful form, abundant plumage, and outstretched wings, like a crown, completely obscure the Crane Cry Tower.

Right now, the main gate of Heming Tower is wide open, revealing a jade throne screen with a spirit wood base and inlaid with flowers.

Two cultivators at the ninth level of Qi Refining stood guard outside the door, both dressed as servants, with warm expressions, exuding an air of harmony and prosperity.

Lu Maohong led Zheng Que forward and said directly to them, "May I ask if Manager Ren is here? We have a group of outstanding ghost servants and would like Manager Ren to take a look at them."

Upon hearing that they had come to see Manager Ren, the two monks dressed as servants immediately gestured for them to enter, saying, "Manager Ren is currently busy. If you two have some free time, please come in and have a seat."

Watching this scene, Zheng Que nodded to himself.

Compared to the constables at the yamen, the guards at Heming Tower were much more polite; at least they didn't make them wait outside...

Soon, the two were led into the building.

Turning past the screen, a pure spiritual aura rushed towards me, as if I had returned to the Spirit Sea Cave. Before my eyes was a magnificent hall, luxurious and exquisite in every detail. Colorful maids in colorful skirts moved about, their soft voices mingling with the swaying of their robes, creating a scene that seemed like heaven on earth.

Upon seeing Zheng Que and Lu Maohong enter, a young maidservant in her early twenties, whose aura indicated she was at the seventh level of the Qi Refining stage, immediately came forward to greet them and softly inquired about their purpose.

After Lu Maohong explained in a few words, the maid led them into a private room, served tea and spiritual fruits, and after confirming that there were no other instructions, she bowed and took her leave. Her demeanor and speech were as gentle as a spring breeze and drizzle, without the slightest impatience or perfunctoriness, which showed that she had been well trained.

After the maid left, the two had time to examine the private room, which was about the size of a room and furnished in a luxurious style consistent with the exterior of the Crane Cry Tower.

The walls, ceiling, and floor are decorated with jade and patterns that form an array, exuding an aura of sound insulation, privacy, and reinforcement.

Lu Maohong and Zheng Que waited for a moment before a knock came at the door of the private room.

Lu Maohong immediately said, "Please come in."

Soon, a gaunt, middle-aged monk with a goatee walked in.

Upon seeing the newcomer, Lu Maohong immediately stood up, cupped his hands, and said, "Manager Ren!"

Ren Duanwen glanced at Lu Maohong and his companion, clearly not recognizing them much, but still nodded and returned the greeting, saying, "May I ask what you two need?"

"I wouldn't dare." Lu Maohong handed over the soul-nourishing bag in his hand directly. "Manager Ren, there is a batch of ghost servants in here with good appearance. Please take a look."

Upon hearing this, Ren Duanwen took the Soul-Nourishing Bag and, with a wave of his hand, instantly summoned all ten ghost servants inside.

These ten ghost servants had different appearances and were surrounded by yin energy, but their aura was strangely peaceful, without any sign of ferocity or tyranny.

Seeing that these ghost servants were of decent cultivation but had no ferocity, Ren Duanwen couldn't help but frown slightly.

However, he said nothing, but took out an old bronze mirror, pointed it at one of the ghost servants with one hand, and made a complicated hand seal with the other.

The next moment, ten intense black flames appeared in the bronze mirror, slowly leaping as if they were alive.

Upon seeing this scene, Ren Duanwen was taken aback and blurted out, "The [Tongue-Pulling Prison] has ten talents, ghost skills, and Yin arts?"

Seeing that the steward could immediately see through his ghost servant's true nature, Zheng Que immediately looked at the bronze mirror in his hand.

That magical artifact has the ability to detect ghosts?
At this moment, Lu Maohong clapped his hands and laughed, saying, "Manager Ren, you have a good eye!"

"These ten ghost servants are all like that."

“If it weren’t for this quality, there would be no need to bring it here specifically.”

"Moreover, these ghost servants are from my imperial court... cough cough! These ghost servants are easier to control than ordinary ghost servants!"

At this point, Lu Maohong looked at Zheng Que beside him and said calmly, "Zheng Que, why don't you quickly dispel the [Ghost Control Technique] and let Steward Ren give it a good test!"

(End of this chapter)