“I see,” Fan Wentai remarked after listening to Duan Chaoyong’s fragmented account. “This scheme of yours is indeed rare. Just the fact that you managed to locate the Cauldron and devise methods to control objects to seize it and use talismans to conceal it shows great dedication and cultivation.”
Fan Wentai commented, nodding repeatedly.
It turned out that after Duan Chaoyong followed Fan Wentai back to the mountain, he had devoted himself wholeheartedly to discovering the Cauldron’s location. However, stealing the Cauldron without Fan Wentai’s knowledge was an extremely difficult task.
This was also due to special circumstances. Fan Wentai, for reasons of his own, had not sealed the Cauldron within himself, thus giving Duan Chaoyong a slight opportunity.
It wasn’t until just before the battle at Yumu Cliff that Duan finally seized his chance. Using his self-cultivated Five Ghosts Transportation Technique, he stole the Cauldron but did not bring it directly to himself. Instead, he hid it elsewhere.
Duan dared to act at that moment because he had sensed a hint of conspiracy from the rumors spread by Shao Yuanjie and Tao Zhongwen, who claimed that Zhang Yuchong was planning to cause trouble. Duan was almost certain that Shao and Tao were preparing to act against Fan Wentai, hence their actions.
If they succeeded, no one would ever know of his theft. If they failed, Fan would suspect them of being involved in the Cauldron’s disappearance, never suspecting Duan himself.
At that time, Fan was behaving quite abnormally, his temperament and nature greatly changed, so he failed to detect anything amiss. In the end, as Duan had predicted, Fan and Zhang perished together. Duan, having taken precautions, was not seriously injured. He feigned injury and fled, retrieved the Cauldron, and escaped far away.
However, the Cauldron proved difficult to refine. Duan could only have his subordinates conduct experiments while using the Cauldron to cultivate various puppets. Since the Cauldron originally contained the power of creation, it was indeed suitable for this purpose. But later, for unknown reasons, his incompetent subordinates somehow lost the Cauldron despite its heavy protections.
“I suppose the Five Ghosts Transportation Technique was also taught by me to you,” Fan shook his head. “I saw that you always had a fondness for object-controlling techniques, so I specifically taught you this method. I never expected you to use it against me. But… could it be that you already had family teachings before you followed me? Observing your recent techniques, they all stem from object control, but they are unlike ordinary puppet techniques. Among the orthodox sects, only the Maoshan sect of Shangqing was known for this method. However, since these techniques were considered unorthodox, Maoshan sealed away their secrets and forbade their disciples from cultivating them. Could it be… that you are actually sent by Maoshan?”
Duan was shocked and quickly cried out, “Master, please understand! Although I have committed wrongdoings, it was merely a momentary lapse of judgment. How could I possibly be a spy from another sect? Moreover, if I were truly from another sect, why would I continue cultivating after leaving you instead of returning to my original sect?”
“The human heart is the most unpredictable,” Fan said slowly. “Perhaps you were truly devoted to the sect in the beginning, but when your own opportunity arose, some things were suddenly forgotten. It’s not strange at all.”
Fan Wentai sighed again and shook his head. “Well, discussing this now is of no benefit. No wonder I never sensed the Cauldron’s presence in the capital, so I assumed you were indeed not involved in the rebellion back then. That’s why I recommended you to the emperor. It turns out you had hidden the Cauldron elsewhere, secretly developing your forces while coming to the capital yourself. As for that incense cult, hah! Relying on such heretical sects will never lead to success. But the way you used the Cauldron to cultivate nightmare spirits was indeed clever. I won’t hide from you that the Cauldron’s power of nurturing is extremely useful. Just now, I saw your few nightmare spirits. Although their foundations were weak, to have achieved such scale in just over a decade is truly impressive.”
After hearing this, Duan remained silent but inwardly seethed. Earlier, Fan had unexpectedly controlled his several nightmare spirits, causing them to attack wildly in all directions. Although this blocked Zhang Yuchong and others, it also destroyed all his nightmare spirits, leaving him now without his greatest means of survival, completely at Fan’s mercy. Thinking back to that moment, Duan was almost certain that Fan had seen the threat posed by those spirits and thus destroyed them to prevent him from relying on them.
“So that’s how you obtained the Cauldron,” Fan then turned to Mei Qing. “Now I understand why your origins are so closely tied to this Cauldron, making you especially sensitive to it. I know about your mission to Yongping, but I never expected such a coincidence. My useless, good-for-nothing apprentice just happened to hide the Cauldron in that place, and you just happened to come across it. Haha, indeed, life is full of fate and chance.”
Mei Qing pondered for a moment and said, “This time when we went to Gangli, we also visited the Minghai and the Fish Bone Temple. The local customs were simple and honest, though somewhat poor. Still, it’s much better than the scheming in the imperial court or the double-dealing among cultivators.”
Fan Wentai nodded repeatedly. “Indeed, to outsiders, cultivators seem to be living in serene inaction, with the appearance of sages. But in reality, their inner world is no different from the struggles of ordinary people—it’s even more sordid.”
He laughed again and said, “Gangli? Actually, my home is only about ten miles from there. My elder sister married into the Shi family in Gangli. But that was over a hundred years ago. Returning home, I wonder if the scenery of my hometown remains the same. Haha, if not for my mischief back then, sneaking out in the middle of the night to row a boat to the Fish Bone Temple to seek immortality, I wouldn’t have had all those later experiences.”
After saying this, he sighed again and said, “Since you mentioned Minghai and the Fish Bone Temple, you must have already recovered your other half. Even if you are now fully integrated, I still have no fear. Moreover,” he asked Mei Qing with a cold smile, “you’ve been talking around the issue, clearly testing me. So, it seems you still haven’t recovered those missing memories, right?”
After saying this, Fan Wentai burst into laughter.
Mei Qing shook his head and said, “I am simply Mei Qing. What does it matter to me whether Zhang Liusun’s memories are lost or not?”
“I understand your feelings,” Fan said with a somber expression. “Although when it comes to understanding the Yuan Shen, there is no one in the world to rival me, some things are indeed hard to explain. Just like when we were once united as one, we were both confused, unsure of who we were and which self we truly belonged to. However, I managed to break free and reclaim the useful parts of my spirit, while you sank into confusion and thus ended up in this state. Thinking back now, it’s not that you were incapable; the human heart is indeed too difficult to fathom.”
Mei Qing, however, smiled and said, “You always think too highly of yourself. I’m just curious—if you really believe I am Zhang Liusun, do you really think you can defeat me?”
Fan Wentai nodded. “If we were elsewhere and you were at your peak, I would naturally have no confidence. But from watching you fight just now against Zhuo Xiaoxian and Huang Guxu, your cultivation hasn’t fully recovered. The last two strikes were actually achieved through the power of your treasures. It seems that you have only recently taken over this body and are still somewhat unclear about how to fully integrate with it, thus unable to unleash your full power. Moreover, haven’t you noticed that this place actually has some binding effect on souls?”
“Binding?” Mei Qing frowned. He sent out his spiritual sense slightly and was surprised to discover that he was actually within a formation.
Upon closer inspection, Mei Qing was somewhat astonished. This formation was indeed different from any he had seen before, exerting a strong binding effect on the Yuan Shen of anyone within it.
“I see,” Mei Qing shook his head and smiled. “You must think that since my Yuan Shen has just taken over this body and the integration is not yet stable, once I entered this formation, my mind would become unstable and my true energy difficult to control. Therefore, I would certainly be no match for you, right?”
Fan Wentai laughed heartily. “Now you understand? Actually, when I drew you into my sleeve, I was greatly surprised that you managed to break free on your own. If you had immediately attacked the moment you escaped, you might have had a chance. But you insisted on playing it safe, wanting to fully recover before confronting me, thus falling right into my trap.”
Mei Qing gave a bitter smile without saying much. In fact, what Fan said had some truth. The best time to attack was indeed when he first awoke. However, first, Fan had miscalculated his cultivation level. Mei Qing was not Zhang Liusun. Even with a surprise attack, he might not necessarily harm the other party. Second, at that time, Mei Qing could barely control himself, his spiritual sense chaotic as he focused only on calming his inner turmoil. There was no room in his mind to attack others.
“So that’s how it is,” Fan Wentai murmured after listening to Duan Chaoyong’s fragmented explanation.
“This level of thoughtfulness is quite remarkable. Just the fact that you could locate the treasure cauldron and devise a method to control and conceal it with talismans shows that you’ve put a lot of effort into your cultivation,” Fan Wentai commented, nodding repeatedly.
It turned out that after returning to the mountain with Fan Wentai, Duan Chaoyong had been single-mindedly searching for the location of the cauldron. However, retrieving it without Fan Wentai’s knowledge was no easy task.
Due to certain special circumstances, Fan Wentai had not absorbed the cauldron into his body, which gave Duan Chaoyong an opportunity.
Just before the battle at Yumu Cliff, Duan Chaoyong finally seized the chance to steal the small cauldron using the Five Ghosts Transportation Technique he had cultivated. Instead of keeping it close, he hid it elsewhere.
Duan Chaoyong dared to act at this moment because he had detected a hint of conspiracy from the rumors spread by Shao Yuanjie and Tao Zhongwen, who claimed that Zhang Yuchong was planning to cause trouble. Duan Chaoyong was almost certain that Shao and Tao were preparing to move against Fan Wentai, hence their actions.
If they succeeded, his theft of the cauldron would go unnoticed. If they failed, Fan Wentai would suspect them of being involved in the cauldron’s disappearance, not him.
At that time, Fan Wentai had been acting unusually, his temperament drastically changed, which prevented him from noticing anything amiss. As Duan Chaoyong had predicted, Fan Wentai and Zhang Yuchong ended up perishing together. Duan Chaoyong, having been prepared, feigned injury and fled, taking the small cauldron with him.
However, the cauldron was difficult to refine. Duan Chaoyong had to experiment with replicas while using the cauldron to refine various puppets. The cauldron, which had a life-giving essence, was quite suitable for this purpose. But later, for some reason, his subordinates failed to protect it, and it was lost.
“I suppose the Five Ghosts Transportation Technique was something I taught you,” Fan Wentai shook his head. “I noticed your fondness for controlling objects, so I specifically taught you this method. I never expected you to use it against me. But… you must have had some family teachings before following me, right? Observing your recent methods, they all stem from controlling objects, which is not a common approach. The art of puppetry seems to be a specialty of the Shangqing Maoshan sect. However, because these methods often deviate from the orthodox path, Maoshan has sealed off these secret techniques, forbidding their disciples from practicing them. Could it be… that you are from the Maoshan sect?”
Duan Chaoyong was shocked and repeatedly exclaimed, “Master, please understand! Although I have done wrong, it was only a moment of folly. How could I be a spy from another sect? Besides, if I were truly from another sect, why would I continue refining tools and not return to my sect after you… left?”
“The human heart is the strangest thing. One might be fully committed to their sect, but when they see an opportunity for themselves, they might suddenly forget their allegiance. It’s not surprising,” Fan Wentai said leisurely, shaking his head. “But enough of this. It’s pointless now. No wonder I never sensed the cauldron’s presence in the capital. I thought you truly had no part in the rebellion back then, which is why I recommended you to the emperor. Turns out, you had hidden the cauldron elsewhere, secretly building your own power while coming to the capital. But that Wenxiang Sect… heh, relying on such heretical teachings will never lead to success. However, your idea of using the cauldron to refine nightmare spirits is quite ingenious. To be honest, the cauldron’s life-giving ability is most useful. Just now, I saw your nightmare spirits. Although their foundation was poor, they had grown significantly in just over a decade. That’s quite impressive.”
Duan Chaoyong listened in silence, seething with resentment. Fan Wentai had unexpectedly taken control of his nightmare spirits, unleashing them in a frenzy. While they had blocked Zhang Yuchong and others, they were also completely destroyed, leaving Duan Chaoyong without his greatest means of self-preservation. Now, he was entirely at Fan Wentai’s mercy. Recalling the scene, Duan Chaoyong was almost certain that Fan Wentai had seen the threat posed by the nightmare spirits and had taken the opportunity to destroy them, preventing Duan Chaoyong from relying on them.
“So that’s how you obtained the cauldron,” Fan Wentai turned to Mei Qing. “Your current body has a deep connection with this cauldron, which is why you are particularly sensitive to it. I knew about your mission to Yongping, but I never expected such a coincidence. My useless disciple had hidden the cauldron in that very place, and you happened to find it. Heh, life truly has its own ways.”
Mei Qing pondered for a moment and said, “When we went to Gangli, we also visited the Minghai and the Fishbone Temple. The local folk are simple and honest. Although life is hard, it’s much better than the scheming and duplicity in the imperial court or among cultivators.”
Fan Wentai nodded repeatedly. “Indeed, to outsiders, cultivators may seem serene and detached, with an air of immortality. But in reality, the struggles and rivalries among us are no different from those of ordinary people, and perhaps even more sordid.”
After a pause, he chuckled, “Gangli? It’s actually only a dozen or so miles from my home. My sister married into the Shi family there. But that was a hundred years ago. I wonder if the scenery of my hometown has remained the same. Heh, if it weren’t for that mischievous night when I decided to sneak out and row to the Fishbone Temple to seek immortality, I wouldn’t have had these later experiences.”
He sighed and continued, “Since you mentioned Minghai and the Fishbone Temple, it seems you’ve already reclaimed your other half. Even if you’ve fully merged now, I’m not afraid. And…” he sneered at Mei Qing, “you’ve been probing me with all this talk. It seems those lost memories still haven’t returned, have they?”
With that, Fan Wentai burst into laughter.
Mei Qing shook his head. “I am Mei Qing. Whether Zhang Liusun’s memories are lost or not has nothing to do with me.”
“I understand your feelings,” Fan Wentai said with a somber expression. “Although my understanding of the soul is unparalleled in the world, some things are truly hard to explain. Just like when we shared the same body, we were both confused, unsure of who we were or which one of us was the real self. But I managed to break free and assimilated the beneficial aspects into myself. You, on the other hand, sank into despair, leading to this state. Looking back now, it’s not that you were incompetent. The human heart is just too difficult to grasp.”
Mei Qing smiled. “You always think so highly of yourself. I’m just surprised. If you really think I’m Zhang Liusun, do you still believe you can defeat me?”
Fan Wentai nodded. “If we were elsewhere and you were at your peak, I would have no confidence. But from your recent fight with Zhuo Xiaoxian and Huang Guxu, it seems your cultivation hasn’t fully recovered. The last two strikes were both won by relying on your magical tools. It seems you haven’t had this body for long and are still unclear on how to fully integrate with it, so you can’t unleash its full potential. Besides, haven’t you noticed that this place has a certain restraining effect on the soul?”
“Restraining effect?” Mei Qing frowned, his divine sense lightly probing. Only then did he realize that he was within a formation.
Upon closer inspection, Mei Qing was surprised. This formation was indeed different from anything he had seen before, exerting a significant restraining effect on the souls of those within it.
“So that’s how it is,” Mei Qing shook his head and smiled. “You thought that since I’ve just taken over this body and the integration is unstable, once I entered this formation, my mind would be unsettled and my true essence unstable, making me no match for you, right?”
Fan Wentai laughed heartily. “Now you understand? Actually, when I captured you in my sleeve, I was surprised that you could break free from the sealing technique on your own. When you escaped and immediately attacked, you might have had a chance if I hadn’t been caught off guard. But you chose to play it safe, wanting to recover fully before dealing with me, which led you right into my trap.”
Mei Qing smiled wryly, not saying much. Fan Wentai’s words had some truth to them. Attacking him by surprise when he first woke up would have been the best opportunity. However, Fan Wentai had misjudged Mei Qing’s cultivation. Mei Qing was not Zhang Liusun, and even with a sneak attack, he might not have been able to harm Fan Wentai. Moreover, at that time, Mei Qing was in no condition to attack, his divine sense in chaos, focused solely on stabilizing his body.
Fan Wentai continued smugly, “Whether you’re Mei Qing or Zhang Liusun, you now occupy this body but can’t fully utilize it. What’s the point? Over the years, I’ve gained considerable insight into the soul and the body. Recently, I’ve even developed a secret technique that can rapidly enhance the soul and improve cultivation. If you hand over the cauldron and give me this body, I’ll impart all my knowledge and this secret technique to you. How about it?”
Mei Qing scoffed. “Your cultivation—who was it that taught you in the first place? And now you dare to say such things to me?”
“Learning has its sequence, and skills have their specialties,” Fan Wentai said indifferently. “The student often surpasses the master. How can cultivators be bound by such constraints? While I wouldn’t boast about other methods, when it comes to the understanding and research of soul possession and body snatching, I am undoubtedly the best in the world. This is a mutually beneficial arrangement. Think it over, Zhang Liusun.”
“And if I refuse?”
Fan Wentai sighed deeply. “Zhang Liusun, you’re a smart man, but if you insist on doing something foolish, I’ll have no choice but to activate the formation, restrain your soul, and forcibly separate it from the cauldron. Although this will be troublesome and may cause some damage to the body and the cauldron, and the integration will take longer… but Zhang Liusun, it’s just a bit of extra work for me. When the time comes, you’ll find yourself in a living hell, unable to escape.”
Mei Qing shook his head. “That wouldn’t be wise. If I hand over the body and the cauldron as you say, I’ll have nothing left to rely on. If you go back on your word and refuse to let me go, wouldn’t I be in an even more miserable state?”
Mei Qing scoffed. “Whose teachings gave you your cultivation? How dare you speak to me like this now?”
“So that’s how it is,” Fan Wentai murmured after listening to Duan Chaoyong’s fragmented explanation.
“Your dedication is quite commendable. Just the fact that you managed to locate the treasure cauldron and devised a method to control and conceal it shows significant effort in your cultivation,” Fan Wentai commented, nodding repeatedly.
It turned out that after returning to the mountain with Fan Wentai, Duan Chaoyong had been single-mindedly focused on finding the location of the cauldron. However, retrieving it without Fan Wentai’s knowledge was no small feat.
This was due to some special circumstances that prevented Fan Wentai from storing the cauldron within his body, giving Duan Chaoyong a slim chance.
Just before the battle at Yumu Cliff, Duan Chaoyong seized the opportunity to use his Five Ghosts Transportation Technique to steal the small cauldron. Instead of keeping it close, he hid it elsewhere.
Duan Chaoyong dared to act at this time because he had detected a hint of conspiracy from the rumors spread by Shao Yuanjie and Tao Zhongwen about Zhang Yuchong causing trouble. He was almost certain that Shao and Tao were planning to move against Fan Wentai, hence their actions.
If they succeeded, his theft of the cauldron would go unnoticed. If they failed, Fan Wentai would suspect them of being involved in the cauldron’s disappearance, not him.
At that time, Fan Wentai had been acting unusually, his temperament drastically changed, which is why he didn’t notice anything amiss. As Duan Chaoyong had predicted, Fan Wentai and Zhang Yuchong ended up perishing together. Duan Chaoyong, having been prepared, feigned injury and fled, taking the small cauldron with him.
However, the cauldron was difficult to refine. Duan Chaoyong had to experiment with replicas while using the cauldron to refine various puppets. The cauldron had a generative essence, making it suitable for such purposes. But later, for some reason, his subordinates failed to protect the cauldron, and it was lost.
“I suppose the Five Ghosts Transportation Technique was something I taught you,” Fan Wentai shook his head. “I noticed your interest in controlling objects, so I specifically taught you this method. I never expected you to use it against me. But… you must have had some prior training before following me, right? Judging by your recent methods, they all stem from object control, unlike ordinary techniques. The art of puppetry seems to be a specialty of the Shangqing Maoshan sect. However, due to the unorthodox nature of these methods, Maoshan sealed the secret arts, forbidding disciples from practicing them. Could it be… you are from Maoshan?”
Duan Chaoyong was shocked and repeatedly exclaimed, “Master, please understand! Although I have done wrong, it was only a moment of folly. How could I be a spy from another sect? Besides, if I were truly from another sect, why would I continue refining tools and not return to my sect after you… left?”
“The human heart is the strangest thing. Perhaps one might be fully dedicated to their sect at first, but when personal opportunities arise, some things are suddenly forgotten. It’s not surprising,” Fan Wentai said leisurely, shaking his head. “But these matters are now irrelevant. No wonder I never sensed the cauldron’s presence in the capital, so I thought you were indeed uninvolved in the rebellion back then. That’s why I recommended you to the emperor. Turns out, you had hidden the cauldron elsewhere, secretly building your power while coming to the capital yourself. But the Wenxiang Sect, heh, relying on such heretical paths can never achieve greatness. However, your idea to use the cauldron to refine nightmare spirits is quite ingenious. To be honest, the cauldron’s generative ability is most useful. Just now, I saw your nightmare spirits. Although their foundation was poor, to have such scale in just over a decade is quite remarkable.”
Duan Chaoyong listened in silence, seething with resentment. Fan Wentai had unexpectedly taken control of his nightmare spirits, unleashing them in a frenzy. While they managed to fend off Zhang Yuchong and others, all the nightmare spirits were destroyed, leaving Duan Chaoyong without his greatest means of self-preservation, completely at Fan Wentai’s mercy. Recalling the scene, Duan Chaoyong was almost certain that Fan Wentai had seen the threat posed by the nightmare spirits and took the opportunity to destroy them, preventing him from relying on them.
“So that’s how you obtained the cauldron,” Fan Wentai turned to Mei Qing. “Your current body has a deep connection with the cauldron, which is why you are particularly sensitive to it. I knew about your mission to Yongping, but I never expected such a coincidence—my useless disciple had hidden the cauldron in that very place, and you happened upon it. Heh, life indeed has its own ways.”
Mei Qing pondered for a moment and said, “During our trip to Gangli, we also visited the Minghai and the Fishbone Temple. The local customs are simple and honest. Although life is hard, it’s far better than the scheming and duplicity in the court or among cultivators.”
Fan Wentai nodded repeatedly. “Indeed, to outsiders, cultivators might seem serene and detached, with an air of immortality and Taoist grace. But in reality, the struggles and rivalries are no different from the mundane world, if not more sordid.”
He then chuckled, “Gangli? It’s actually only about ten miles from my home. My sister married into the Shi family in Gangli. But that was a hundred years ago. I wonder if the local scenery has remained the same. Heh, if it weren’t for that mischievous night when I suddenly decided to row a boat to the Fishbone Temple to seek immortality, I wouldn’t have had these later experiences.”
He sighed and continued, “Since you mentioned Minghai and the Fishbone Temple, it means you’ve already reclaimed your other half. Even if you are now fully integrated, I am not afraid. And…” he sneered at Mei Qing, “you were beating around the bush earlier, actually probing me. So, it seems you still haven’t recovered those lost memories, have you?”
With that, Fan Wentai burst into laughter.
Mei Qing shook his head. “I am Mei Qing. Whether Zhang Liusun’s memories are lost or not has nothing to do with me.”
“I understand your feelings,” Fan Wentai said with a somber expression. “Although my understanding of the primordial spirit is unparalleled in the world, some things are indeed hard to explain. Just like back when we coexisted in the same body, weren’t we both confused, unsure of who we were or which one of us was the real self? It’s just that I managed to break free and assimilate the beneficial aspects into myself, while you sank into oblivion. Now that I think about it, it’s not that you were incapable; the human heart is just too elusive.”
Mei Qing smiled. “You always think so highly of yourself. I’m just surprised. If you really think I’m Zhang Liusun, do you still have the confidence to defeat me?”
Fan Wentai nodded. “If we were elsewhere and you were at your peak, I would naturally have no confidence. But from your earlier fight with Zhuo Xiaoxian and Huang Guxu, it seems your cultivation hasn’t fully recovered. The last two strikes were actually won by relying on your magical tools. It seems you haven’t had this body for long and are still unclear about how to fully integrate with it, hence unable to unleash its full potential. Besides, haven’t you noticed that this place has a certain restraining effect on the soul?”
“Restraining effect?” Mei Qing frowned, his divine sense lightly probing, only to discover that he was indeed within a formation.
Upon closer inspection, Mei Qing was somewhat surprised. This formation was indeed quite different from what he had seen before, exerting a significant restraining effect on the primordial spirits of those within it.
“So that’s how it is,” Mei Qing shook his head with a smile. “You thought that since my primordial spirit has just taken over this body and the integration is unstable, once I entered this formation, my mind would be unsettled, and my true essence would be unstable, making me no match for you, right?”
Fan Wentai laughed heartily. “Now you understand? Actually, when I captured you in my sleeve, I was quite surprised that you managed to break free from the restraint. But when you escaped and immediately attacked, I was caught off guard, and you might have had a chance. But you chose to play it safe, wanting to fully recover before dealing with me, which played right into my hands.”
Mei Qing smiled wryly, not saying much. Fan Wentai did have a point. The best time to strike would have been when he first awoke and caught Fan Wentai off guard. However, Fan Wentai had underestimated his cultivation. Mei Qing was not Zhang Liusun, and even with a sneak attack, he might not have been able to harm Fan Wentai. Moreover, at that time, he was barely holding himself together, his divine sense in chaos, focused solely on stabilizing his body, with no mind to attack others.
Fan Wentai continued smugly, “Whether you’re Mei Qing or Zhang Liusun, you now occupy this body but can’t fully utilize it. What’s the point? Over the years, I’ve gained considerable insight into the primordial spirit and the body. Recently, I’ve even developed a secret technique to rapidly strengthen the primordial spirit and enhance cultivation. If you hand over the treasure cauldron and give me this body, I will impart all my knowledge and secret techniques to you. How about it?”
Mei Qing sneered. “Your cultivation, who taught it to you? And now you’re saying this to me?”
“There’s a saying: ‘The student surpasses the master,'” Fan Wentai said indifferently. “As cultivators, how can we be bound by such constraints? While I dare not boast about other methods, when it comes to the understanding and research of primordial spirit possession and body snatching, I am undoubtedly the best in the world. This is a win-win situation. Think carefully, Zhang Liusun.”
“What if I refuse?”
Fan Wentai sighed deeply. “Zhang Liusun, you’re a smart man, but if you insist on doing something foolish, I’ll have no choice but to activate the formation, restrain your primordial spirit, and forcibly separate it from the treasure cauldron. Although this will be quite troublesome, and there will be some damage to the body and the cauldron, and the integration will take longer… but Zhang Liusun, it’s just a bit of effort for me. However, you will find yourself in a living hell, unable to live or die, in utter misery!”
Mei Qing shook his head. “That wouldn’t be wise. If I comply and hand over my body and the cauldron, I would have no leverage left. If you go back on your word and refuse to release me, wouldn’t I be in an even more pitiful state?”
“And if I refuse?”
“So that’s how it is,” Fan Wentai nodded thoughtfully after listening to Duan Chaoyong’s fragmented explanation. “Your dedication is quite commendable. Just the fact that you managed to locate the treasure cauldron and devised methods to control and conceal it shows significant effort in your cultivation.”
It turned out that after returning to the mountain with Fan Wentai, Duan Chaoyong had been single-mindedly searching for the cauldron’s location. However, retrieving it without Fan Wentai’s knowledge was no easy task.
Due to some special circumstances, Fan Wentai had not absorbed the cauldron into his body, giving Duan Chaoyong a slight opportunity.
It wasn’t until before the battle at Yumu Cliff that Duan Chaoyong seized the chance to steal the small cauldron using his Five Ghosts Transportation Technique. Instead of keeping it close, he hid it elsewhere.
Duan Chaoyong dared to act at this time because he detected a hint of conspiracy from the rumors spread by Shao Yuanjie and Tao Zhongwen about Zhang Yuchong causing trouble. He was almost certain that Shao and Tao were planning to move against Fan Wentai.
If they succeeded, his theft of the cauldron would go unnoticed. If they failed, Fan Wentai would suspect them of being involved in the cauldron’s disappearance, not him.
At that time, Fan Wentai had been acting unusually, his temperament drastically changed, so he didn’t notice anything amiss. As Duan Chaoyong had predicted, Fan Wentai and Zhang Yuchong ended up perishing together. Duan Chaoyong, having been prepared, feigned injury and fled, taking the small cauldron with him.
However, the cauldron was difficult to refine. Duan Chaoyong had to experiment with replicas while using the cauldron to refine various puppets. The cauldron, with its life-giving properties, was quite suitable. But later, for some reason, his subordinates, despite heavy protection, lost the cauldron.
“It seems the Five Ghosts Transportation Technique was taught to you by me,” Fan Wentai shook his head. “I noticed your interest in controlling objects, so I specifically taught you this method. I never expected you to use it against me. But… perhaps you had some family teachings before following me? Judging by your recent methods, they all stem from controlling objects, unlike ordinary techniques. The art of puppetry seems to be a specialty of the Shangqing Maoshan sect. However, because these methods often deviate from the orthodox path, Maoshan sealed the secret arts, forbidding disciples from refining such techniques. Could it be… you are from the Maoshan sect?”
Duan Chaoyong was shocked and repeatedly exclaimed, “Master, please understand! Although I have done wrong, it was only a moment of folly. How could I be a spy from another sect? Besides, if I were truly from another sect, why would I continue refining tools and not return to my sect after you… left?”
“The human heart is the strangest thing. One might be fully dedicated to their sect, but when they see an opportunity for themselves, some things are suddenly forgotten. It’s not surprising,” Fan Wentai said leisurely, shaking his head. “But these matters are now irrelevant. No wonder I never sensed the cauldron’s presence in the capital, so I thought you were indeed uninvolved in the rebellion. That’s why I recommended you to the emperor. It turns out you had hidden the cauldron elsewhere, secretly developing your own power while coming to the capital. But the Wenxiang Sect, heh, relying on such heretical paths can never achieve greatness. However, your idea of using the cauldron to refine nightmare spirits is quite ingenious. To be honest, the cauldron’s life-giving ability is most useful. Just now, I saw your nightmare spirits. Although their foundation was poor, they had grown significantly in just over a decade. That’s quite impressive.”
Duan Chaoyong listened in silence, seething with resentment. Fan Wentai had unexpectedly taken control of his nightmare spirits, unleashing them in a frenzy. While they had blocked Zhang Yuchong and others, they were also completely destroyed, leaving Duan Chaoyong without his greatest means of self-preservation, now entirely at Fan Wentai’s mercy. Recalling the scene, Duan Chaoyong was almost certain that Fan Wentai had seen the threat posed by the nightmare spirits and had taken the opportunity to destroy them, preventing him from relying on them.
“So that’s how you obtained the cauldron,” Fan Wentai turned to Mei Qing. “Your current body’s origin is closely tied to this cauldron, so you are naturally more sensitive to it. I knew about your mission to Yongping, but I never expected such a coincidence. My worthless disciple had hidden the cauldron in that very place, and you happened to find it. Heh, life indeed has its own ways.”
Mei Qing pondered for a moment and said, “This time, we went to Gangli and also visited the Minghai and the Fishbone Temple. The local customs are simple and honest. Although life is a bit hard, it’s much better than the scheming and duplicity in the court and among cultivators.”
Fan Wentai nodded repeatedly. “Indeed, to outsiders, cultivators seem serene and detached, like immortals with a saintly demeanor. But in reality, their struggles and rivalries are no different from ordinary people’s, and often even more sordid.”
He then laughed and said, “Gangli? It’s actually only about ten miles from my home. My sister married into the Shi family in Gangli. But that was a hundred years ago. I wonder if the local scenery is still the same. Heh, if it weren’t for that mischievous night when I suddenly decided to row a boat to the Fishbone Temple to seek immortality, I wouldn’t have had these later experiences.”
After sighing, he continued, “Since you mentioned Minghai and the Fishbone Temple, it means you’ve already recovered your other half. Even if you’ve fully merged now, I’m not afraid. And…” he sneered at Mei Qing, “you were just beating around the bush, actually probing me. So, it seems you still haven’t recovered those lost memories, have you?”
With that, Fan Wentai burst into laughter.
Mei Qing shook his head. “I am Mei Qing. Whether Zhang Liusun’s memories are lost or not has nothing to do with me.”
“I understand your feelings,” Fan Wentai said with a somber expression. “Although my understanding of the primordial spirit is unparalleled in the world, some things are indeed hard to explain. Just like when we shared the same body, weren’t we both confused, not knowing who we belonged to or who we really were? It’s just that I managed to break free and assimilate the beneficial essence, while you sank into despair, leading to this. Thinking back now, it’s not that you were incompetent, but the human heart is truly hard to grasp.”
Mei Qing smiled. “You always think so highly of yourself. I’m just surprised. If you really think I’m Zhang Liusun, do you still believe you can defeat me?”
Fan Wentai nodded. “If we were elsewhere and you were at your peak, I would naturally have no confidence. But from your recent fight with Zhuo Xiaoxian and Huang Guxu, it seems your cultivation hasn’t fully recovered. The last two strikes were actually won by relying on your magical tools. It seems you haven’t had this body for long and are still unclear about how to fully integrate it, so you can’t unleash its full potential. Besides, haven’t you noticed that this place has a certain restraining effect on the soul?”
“Restraint?” Mei Qing frowned, his divine sense lightly probing, only to discover that the place was actually a formation.
Upon closer inspection, Mei Qing was somewhat surprised. This formation was indeed quite different from what he had seen before, exerting a significant restraining effect on the primordial spirit of anyone within it.
“So that’s how it is,” Mei Qing shook his head and smiled. “You thought that since my primordial spirit has just occupied this body and the integration is unstable, once I entered this formation, my mind would be unsettled and my true essence unstable, making me no match for you, right?”
Fan Wentai laughed heartily. “Now you understand? Actually, when I captured you in my sleeve, I was quite surprised that you managed to break free from the restraint. But when you escaped, you immediately launched an attack. If I hadn’t been caught off guard, you might have had a chance. But you chose to play it safe, wanting to fully recover before dealing with me, which played right into my hands.”
Mei Qing smiled wryly, not saying much. Fan Wentai’s words had some truth to them. Attacking him by surprise when he first woke up would have been the best opportunity. However, Fan Wentai had misjudged Mei Qing’s cultivation. Mei Qing was not Zhang Liusun, and even with a sneak attack, he might not have been able to harm Fan Wentai. Moreover, at that time, Mei Qing was barely holding himself together, his divine sense in chaos, focused solely on stabilizing his body, with no mind to attack others.
Fan Wentai continued smugly, “Whether you’re Mei Qing or Zhang Liusun, you now occupy this body but can’t fully utilize it. What’s the point? Over the years, I’ve gained considerable insights into the primordial spirit and the body. Recently, I even developed a secret technique to rapidly strengthen the primordial spirit and enhance cultivation. If you hand over the treasure cauldron and give me this body, I’ll impart all my knowledge and the secret technique to you. How about it?”
Mei Qing sneered, “Your cultivation, who taught it to you? And now you’re saying this to me?”
“There’s a sequence in learning, and expertise in skills,” Fan Wentai said indifferently. “The student surpasses the master—that’s how it should be. How can cultivators be bound by such constraints? While I dare not boast about other methods, my understanding and research on primordial spirit possession and body snatching are second to none. This is a win-win situation. Think carefully, Zhang Liusun.”
“What if I refuse?”
Fan Wentai sighed deeply. “Zhang Liusun, you’re a smart man, but if you insist on doing something foolish, I’ll have no choice but to activate the formation, restrain your primordial spirit, and forcibly separate it from the treasure cauldron. Although this will be quite troublesome, and there will be some damage to the body and cauldron, and the integration will take longer… but Zhang Liusun, it’s just a bit more effort for me. By then, you’ll be in a living hell, unable to die, suffering unbearably!”
Mei Qing shook his head. “That wouldn’t be wise. If I hand over the body and the cauldron as you say, I’ll have no leverage left. If you go back on your word and refuse to let me go, wouldn’t I be even more miserable?”
Mei Qing shook his head. “That would be inappropriate. If I were to hand over my body and the Cauldron as you ask, I would be left with nothing. What if you go back on your word and refuse to let me go? Wouldn’t I be in an even worse predicament?”
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