There are no ancestors at all; I made them all up.

Chapter 143 Devouring Spirits [Third Update]

The flying boat moved like lightning, tearing through the sky, covering 270 miles in the blink of an eye!
After Chen Qing reassembled the flying boat, he looked around and was taken aback.

The expected secluded and tranquil mountain gate, relying on a spiritual vein, was nowhere to be seen. Instead, a three-story pavilion stood before them, with a large, dark plaque hanging above the main entrance bearing three large characters—

Devouring Spirit Pavilion!
The area in front of the pavilion was teeming with people, all of whom were cultivators with high levels of cultivation!
They entered in single file, their faces filled with respect, even a hint of humility, as they were guided by several cultivators dressed in standard blue robes.

Those who went in were listless, while those who came out were mostly radiant, though their brows betrayed their exhaustion and heartache.

Chen Qing looked around again and saw that the area around the Devouring Spirit Pavilion had actually formed the beginnings of a small town. Although the houses were sparse, they were full of life and were out of place in this gathering place of cultivators.

"Under the rule of the Celestial Dynasty, the land of spiritual veins has actually become a bustling city?"

Chen Qing was filled with doubts and stopped an elderly cultivator with a pale face who was walking towards the pavilion.

This person should be at the second realm of cultivation, with a weak and unstable aura. Seeing Chen Qing's composed demeanor, he dared not be negligent. However, after listening to Chen Qing's question, he showed a look of doubt.

"Fellow Daoist, are you a disciple of a great sect?" The old cultivator looked Chen Qing up and down and said with a sudden realization, "You must have lived in a famous mountain sect for a long time, with spiritual veins and treasures everywhere you look, so you don't know the hardships of us rogue cultivators."

"The suffering of rogue cultivators?" Chen Qing raised an eyebrow. There are also rogue cultivators in the world. Most of them seek the legacy of their predecessors or compete for some opportunities. The founding ancestor of the Hidden Star Sect was actually a rogue cultivator, but he hid in the mountains and forests, far away from the confusion of the mortal world. Why would he cultivate in a place where people come and go?

"Alas!" The old cultivator noticed Chen Qing's confusion and sighed deeply, as if he had been holding back for a long time. He then said, "Since the current Holy Emperor ascended the throne and issued the 'Equalization of Spiritual Land Expansion Order,' the nobles and powerful clans of the Five Capitals have seized every inch of the blessed land of the Spiritual Mountain! The Immortal Dynasty oversees the world. Even if a cave dwelling of a predecessor occasionally appears in the world, it will immediately be marked by a nobleman from the Jade Capital, and then registered and recorded to clarify its ownership. How can we, rootless duckweed, have any chance?"

He spoke with resentment, then lowered his voice: "Not to mention that since the implementation of the 'Spirit Reduction Strategy,' seven or eight out of ten spiritual veins in the world have been brought under the control and management of the Central Spiritual Pavilion, making the remaining ones even more precious. Small sects were already struggling to make ends meet, and in recent years, they've had to pay that damned 'Robbery Tax' per capita, so they're already running a deficit! A large number of small sects have already disbanded, and their disciples have lost their places to cultivate and achieve merit, without even a place to practice breathing exercises!"

"Tell me, who among those who have cultivated this path would willingly return to farming and trading? Naturally, they still want to take a gamble." He pointed to the entrance of the Spirit Devouring Pavilion, full of helplessness: "The Immortal Dynasty, out of compassion, has opened up some spiritual veins and established the Spirit Devouring Pavilion, with clearly marked prices, allowing users to take only what they need. It's outrageously expensive, even more ruthless than the calamity donation! But what can we do? Without spiritual veins to absorb, cultivation will regress instead of advance! Those without money can only sign contracts, running errands for the Immortal Dynasty and risking their lives to pay off their debts!"

Chen Qing frowned and said, "Won't this situation only lead to a deeper and deeper stagnation?"

“Who says otherwise!” the cultivator sighed. “This pavilion is like a leech that sucks blood! Without it, everyone’s even the slightest hope will be cut off!”

After the old monk finished his rambling, he shook his head and sighed as he walked away. But after a few steps, he suddenly stopped, pondered for a moment, and then quickened his pace.

Chen Qing stood there, his brows furrowed.

"What is this? Sharing spiritual veins? This move by the Immortal Dynasty has scattered sects, and disciples of minor sects, as well as those who have fallen on hard times, have all become rogue cultivators. They are no longer organized. Not to mention that their cultivation is completely controlled by the Immortal Dynasty, even if it weren't, each individual facing the Immortal Dynasty would be at the mercy of the Immortal Dynasty, with their life, death, honor, and disgrace entirely in their hands!"

He shook his head, trying to clear his mind, but then became annoyed again.

"This Spirit Devouring Pavilion was established by the Immortal Dynasty, and Chen Xinghen is an envoy of the Immortal Dynasty. If I go in to practice breathing exercises, I'm afraid I'll be exposed in an instant."

With this thought in mind, Chen Qing's divine sense sank into the earth's veins and sensed the scorching spiritual vein deep within the pavilion, which was the perfect place to cultivate the "Pure Yang Primordial Chapter"!

However, the jade pendants hanging from the waists of the green-robed cultivators outside the pavilion were faintly connected to the monitoring array, exuding a solemn aura.

Time is running out!

Chen Xinghen could track him down at any moment!
"I can't worry about anything else!" After thinking it over, Chen Qing realized that he might be exposed either way, so he decided to go in and take a breath first. Without further hesitation, he strode towards the main entrance of the Spirit Devouring Pavilion!

Just as he was about to go in, a figure approached like an eel.

This was a boy of about fifteen or sixteen years old, wearing a coarse cloth short jacket that had been washed until it was faded. His face was rough and grimy from shaving. He lowered his voice and said, "Immortal, do you look unfamiliar? Are you new to our Wind Gravel Plain?"

Chen Qing glanced at the boy's appraising expression and a word came to mind.

cattle?

Sure enough, the young man glanced around, then leaned closer, lowering his voice even further: "Immortal Master, are you looking for a place to practice your spiritual breathing exercises? The Spirit Devouring Pavilion is crowded and noisy, and waiting in line takes a long time. I know a good place, a secluded spot where a spiritual vein leaks! You can come and absorb spiritual energy as you please, until you're satisfied, and I guarantee no one will disturb you! As for the price..."

"More expensive than here? Give me a price." Chen Qing said calmly.

The young man was delighted upon hearing this and held up two fingers: "Twice! Ten low-grade spirit marrows in one hour! Absolutely great value for money! The spiritual energy there is pure and plentiful, and the time saved..."

"Lead the way," Chen Qing interrupted his sales pitch.

"Huh?" The long speech the boy had prepared got stuck in his throat, and he quickly said, "Alright! Immortal Master, you're so generous! This way please!" He thought to himself: I've really hit the jackpot today, I've met someone who's not short of money!
He turned and led the way, his steps light and quick.

Chen Qing followed him a few steps and casually asked, "How far?"

"It's just a few miles ahead, after you turn two sand dunes!" the boy pointed to the undulating wasteland ahead.

"You're walking too slowly." Chen Qing was pressed for time and had no time to waste with this boy. He immediately grabbed the boy by the back of his collar, much to the boy's astonishment.

"Show the way!"

"Ouch!" the boy exclaimed, his body dangling in mid-air. Regaining his senses, he quickly pointed to a rocky slope to the southeast: "There...over there! Behind the slope!"

Then, he felt the wind whistling past his ears and the scenery rushing past his feet. When Chen Qing landed, he pointed to an inconspicuous crack in the mound: "Right, right there!"

The crack was only wide enough for one person to squeeze through sideways, and a scorching heat seeped out, mixed with volatile fire poison.

Chen Qing had already scanned the area with his divine sense and confirmed that there was indeed a tributary of the Devouring Spirit Pavilion's spiritual vein gushing forth here.

His gaze returned to the boy. When he flew past, there seemed to be a faint suction force within the boy's body, quietly drawing away his dissipated pure yang energy. Although it was so subtle as to be imperceptible, it did not escape his notice.

"It's interesting that such a place has a leak point, as if it was deliberately left there." Chen Qing stepped into the crack.

The boy followed closely behind, remaining calm amidst the scorching heat and poison, though a slight sweat trickled down his forehead.

He quickened his pace and led Chen Qing down the narrow passage.

The temperature rose higher and higher, the rock walls were baked red, and the air was filled with the smell of sulfur and burnt stone.

"Rest assured, Immortal Master, it's very spacious inside, and the spiritual energy is plentiful. I guarantee you..." The young man's words were cut short.

brush!
A chilling sword light burst forth from his side and rear, aiming straight for Chen Qing's back!

Chen Qing did not move, but his protective true energy flowed spontaneously.

"Ding!"

With a crisp sound, the sword tip stopped about a foot behind Chen Qing in the void, as if it had hit an invisible iron wall, and could not advance any further!
"What are you doing!" the boy shouted in alarm, yelling into the shadows, "Didn't we agree that we'd only take money and not harm anyone?"

From the shadows, a cultivator dressed in the green robe uniform of the Devouring Spirit Pavilion slowly stepped out, a thin sword in his hand humming softly.

His face was harsh, and his eyes swept over Chen Qing with a sinister look, ignoring the boy's shouts.

"Only take money?" The green-robed cultivator sneered, pointing his sword at Chen Qing. "Boy, what do you know? Cultivators who try to bypass the Immortal Dynasty's regulations and take advantage of it should be taught a lesson!"

He turned his gaze to Chen Qing and sneered, "You've got some skill, able to block one of my swords. But once you're inside this fiery pit, you won't have a choice!"

With a flick of his wrist, a rune-covered array plate appeared in his palm, which he then slammed onto the ground!
"Om-"

An immense pressure descended upon Chen Qing, binding him firmly!
"Earth Fire Binding Spirit Array! Even a Yin Spirit cultivator can suppress it!" The green-robed cultivator's face showed smugness. He raised his dark blue slender sword again, the tip of which gleamed coldly. "Don't say I didn't give you a chance! Hand over all the spiritual essence and magic artifacts you possess! Then sign this IOU and serve me... serve the Immortal Dynasty for three years to pay off your debt, and I will spare your life today!"

Chen Qing laughed and said, "The double price is what I paid for this place. How did it become that I took advantage of the Immortal Dynasty in your mouth?"

The green-robed cultivator was taken aback, then said, "The rules were set by the Immortal Dynasty! If they say you've occupied it, then you've occupied it! Will you hand it over or not?" He thrust his sword forward, its chilling aura emanating from it.

Chen Qing retorted, "You say this formation can suppress Yin spirits, aren't you afraid I'm a Golden Core cultivator?"

"All Golden Core cultivators in the Immortal Dynasty are registered in a catalog. When they advance, a Heavenly Tribulation occurs, and the Heavenly Net and Earthly Net monitor them closely, immediately creating a register." The green-robed cultivator sneered, "Someone like you, hiding your head and tail, who doesn't even dare to enter the Devouring Spirit Pavilion, could you possibly be a Golden Core cultivator? Be smart, don't force me to cripple your cultivation!"

"So that's how it is. You robbed people who didn't want to enter the Devouring Spirit Pavilion openly." Chen Qing shook his head slightly. "They stole from those in charge, lining their own pockets..."

"You're courting death!" The green-robed cultivator roared in fury, his slender blue sword transforming into a streak of cold light as it pierced straight at Chen Qing's dantian!

"boom!"

A fiery aura, far purer and more domineering than that in the fiery cave, erupted from Chen Qing!

The "Earth Fire Binding Spirit Array," powerful enough to suppress Yin spirits, immediately shattered and dissolved!
The azure sword light thrust out by the green-robed cultivator was only three inches away from Chen Qing's dantian when the sword energy, along with the front half of the sword, vaporized completely!
Only half of the charred sword hilt remained!

"Ah!" His hand holding the sword was charred. "Pure...pure yang fire?! Impossible! You, you are..." He was terrified and turned to flee.

Chen Qing flicked his finger, and a point of white light flew out, instantly suppressing the person!

The boy who had been leading the way was already paralyzed with fear, his face ashen.

Chen Qing didn't even glance at him, instead turning his gaze to the deeper part of the Fire Cave.

A few breaths later, the entire earth vein began to tremble!
Deep within that fiery cave, blazing waves were everywhere!
Chen Qing sat cross-legged on the scorching rock platform, following the methods of the "Pure Yang Primordial Chapter," drawing in the scorching spiritual energy surging from the earth's veins.

Initially, spiritual energy flowed into the dantian like a trickle, and a faint but pure "pure yang energy" gradually grew, entwining around the outer core of the Great Sun True Flame, like golden threads wrapped around a pillar.

However, at the very moment that wisp of pure yang energy was fully formed!
"Om-"

The Great Sun True Flame Outer Elixir suddenly jumped!
An unimaginable, terrifying suction force suddenly erupted from Chen Qing's dantian!

The spiritual energy he absorbs is no longer a trickle!
Instead, it's like the Milky Way pouring down from above, or a whale sucking up water!
"Rumble--"

The entire branch of the Earth Fire Spirit Vein was as if it were being gripped and pulled out by a giant hand!
The pure spiritual energy was forcibly pulled out, transforming into a visible crimson torrent that surged wildly into Chen Qing's body!
The rock face groaned under the weight, and loose rocks tumbled down!

This ferocious devouring did not stop at the branch veins, but followed the connection of the earth vein's spiritual energy and crashed into the main vein controlled by the Devouring Spirit Pavilion!
The Spirit Devouring Pavilion has three floors.

The spirit-gathering array, which had been operating smoothly, suddenly emitted a piercing scream!

Qian Tong, the owner of the building, who was sitting cross-legged in the quiet room on the top floor and enjoying the nourishment of the spiritual veins, suddenly opened his eyes!
"You bastard! Who dares to touch the spiritual veins of my Devouring Spirit Pavilion?!"

His face turned ashen, and he abruptly stood up, his powerful aura of a Golden Core enveloping the entire pavilion!

Downstairs, there was complete chaos!
The cultivator who was practicing breathing exercises was horrified to discover that the spiritual energy gushing from the spiritual acupoint beneath him suddenly became violent and thin, and then it disappeared like a receding tide!

"Investigate! Find out the truth right now! How could there be a problem with the fishing spot we arranged? How could Shijing not even handle such a small matter properly!"

Qian Tong's divine sense swept out, locking onto the direction of the spiritual energy loss. His face was so gloomy it could drip water, and his eyes revealed murderous intent!
On the roof of the attic, the air rippled silently like water.

A figure appeared silently.

His dark robe was as black as ink, and his face was cold and stern; it was Chen Xinghen.

He closed his eyes to sense, then took a step forward and was already a hundred feet above the Devouring Spirit Pavilion, facing the southeast sand dunes. He opened his eyes, then raised his right hand, spread his five fingers, and grabbed at the location of the crack in the void!
"Starry Sky Great Handprint!"

In an instant, the light within a radius of a hundred feet dimmed!

Countless tiny starlight gathered from nothingness, rapidly spinning and condensing in front of his palm!
A gigantic hand, composed entirely of starlight, took shape and slammed down!

Wherever it passed, the air exploded with a sound as if it had been compressed to its limit!
The protective array of the Devouring Spirit Pavilion lit up in response, but it flickered and swayed precariously under the pressure emanating from the giant palm!

　Still, keep it low, send it first and then revise it...

　　
　
(End of this chapter)