Demonic Cultivator: Immune To Common Side Effects - Chapter 5

Chapter 5: Retrieving a Cultivation Technique, The Bizarre Scripture Repository

The Old Daoist suddenly called Li Yan forward.

This can’t be good…

Now that Li Yan had reached the first layer of the Blood Qi Realm, he could sense the immense power emanating from the old man before him with far greater clarity.

Don’t be fooled by his hunched back and gaunt frame.

Within this seemingly frail elder dwelled a fierce aura.

Without a doubt, the old man could send Li Yan flying with a mere flick of his wrist.

When under someone else’s eaves, you have to bow your head. Li Yan approached the Old Daoist, cupped his hands in a respectful salute, and said, “Master, did you summon me?”

“Did you witness Ming Che’s fate?” The old man stroked his long beard, a sinister grin spreading across his face.

“Yes, Master,” Li Yan replied. “Senior Brother Ming Che defied the Night Curfew and left the mountain without permission, causing a great disaster. He brought this misfortune upon himself.”

The Old Daoist let out a series of eerie chuckles at Li Yan’s answer, then patted him approvingly on the shoulder.

The moment those two pats landed, a system notification echoed in Li Yan’s mind:

Daoist Xuanwang has placed a Tracking Restriction on you. The System has identified this enchantment as a side effect.

Converting side effect… You have acquired [Reverse Tracking Lv. 1].

Reverse Tracking Lv. 1: When an opponent places a Tracking Restriction on you, you can activate Reverse Tracking to lure them into pursuing a false trail in the opposite direction (duration: one shichen).

Huh?

This counts as a side effect?

Could it be that the definition of “side effect” is incredibly broad? Does it apply not only to ingested substances but also to curses cast upon one?

Li Yan’s heart leaped with joy, though he betrayed no outward emotion, his face remaining as calm as ever.

After patting Li Yan on the shoulder and imbuing him with a Tracking Restriction, the Old Daoist flicked his wrist with a magician’s flourish, magically drawing Senior Brother Ming Che’s wooden plaque toward him.

“Ming Che is dead. You will now manage the Stone Workshop Hall.”

“Your name is Li Yan. I hereby bestow upon you the Daoist name Mingyan. May the ‘Ming’ illuminate your path through delusion, and the ‘Yan’ forge your heart in its flames.”

“Always keep the three sacred fires within your heart burning brightly, for only then can you cultivate the Great Dao.”

With those words, the Old Daoist erased the name “Ming Che” from the plaque and swiftly inscribed “Mingyan” in bold characters.

Li Yan had ascended from a mere diner to a Servant Disciple, now entrusted with managing the Stone Workshop Hall.

As he accepted the plaque from the Old Daoist, Li Yan secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Could this be a blessing in disguise? Having indirectly caused Ming Che’s death, he had caught the Old Daoist’s eye and been appointed to oversee the Stone Workshop Hall.

For now, as long as he made no mistakes, he wouldn’t share Senior Brother Ming Che’s fate.

Just keep lying low and surviving!

“My Daoist name is Xuan Qing, though those outside Mount Gui often call me Daoist Xuanwang.”

“Manage the Stone Workshop Hall well for me, and I won’t let you go unrewarded.”

Li Yan clasped his hands in a fist and bowed respectfully. “Thank you, Master.”

“Mm. From today onward, you’ll move out of the Stone Workshop Hall and live with your Senior Brothers.”

“If you have any questions, ask Senior Brother Ming Zhe. He’ll explain the rules of the Tranquil Void Temple to you.”

“I have other matters to attend to. I must depart now.”

The Old Daoist flicked his horsetail whisk impatiently and hurried toward the Alchemy Hall, his eagerness evident.

It was clear he intended to refine Ming Che’s corpse into an alchemical pill.

Li Yan dared not protest. “Respectful farewell, Master!”

After watching the Old Daoist depart, Li Yan narrowed his eyes in contemplation.

Living with the Senior Brothers?

Doesn’t that mean… I can steal their Blood Qi?

Compared to the tasteless mortals, the Senior Brothers within the Tranquil Void Temple must possess far more vigorous Blood Qi.

His change in status now granted him the freedom to move freely within the Tranquil Void Temple.

He glanced back at the dilapidated Stone Workshop Hall, then at the black-haired girl hiding under the eaves.

That girl, Xin Zhi, must be stunned.

Li Yan had suddenly transformed from a mere guest into a servant disciple managing the Stone Workshop Hall.

As their eyes met across the doorway, a voice interrupted Li Yan’s thoughts.

“Are you Junior Brother Ming Yan?”

“Master instructed me to show you around the Tranquil Void Temple so you can familiarize yourself with the grounds.”

A low voice echoed in Li Yan’s ear. As he sized up the newcomer, the man gazed down at him with undisguised arrogance.

The newcomer was lean and tall, resembling a bamboo pole. His waist token identified him as “Inner Sect – Ming Zhe.”

“Then I’ll trouble Senior Brother Ming Zhe,” Li Yan said.

He knew he needed to keep a low profile here, avoiding trouble lest the Old Daoist mark him for alchemy fodder.

Senior Brother Ming Zhe glanced at Li Yan, a smirk playing on his lips. “I can tell you were a pampered young master. Soft hands, not a callus in sight. Clearly never done a day’s hard work.”

Li Yan forced a dry laugh, unsure how to respond.

As a modern man who had transmigrated into this body, Li Yan’s physique naturally surpassed those of the ancients. Standing in a crowd, his refined aura made him stand out like a crane among chickens.

Senior Brother Ming Zhe chuckled and clapped Li Yan on the shoulder. “Junior Brother, according to the rules, you’re now a servant disciple. Though their status is humble, it still means you’ve officially entered the Tranquil Void Temple.”

“Every new disciple gets to choose a cultivation technique from the Scripture Repository. Come with me.”

Senior Brother Ming Zhe draped an arm around Li Yan’s shoulder, acting as if they were old friends, and steered him toward the Scripture Repository.

As they walked, Li Yan couldn’t shake the feeling that Senior Brother Ming Zhe had ulterior motives. Why was this senior brother, normally aloof, suddenly so warm toward a newcomer? He just didn’t trust the man’s excessive friendliness.

Along the way, they passed other disciples of the Tranquil Void Temple, most of whom watched with cold indifference, seemingly aware that Li Yan had replaced Ming Che as the manager of the Stone Workshop Hall.

After brushing past several disciples, Senior Brother Ming Zhe led Li Yan into the Scripture Repository.

Ming Zhe smiled at the female disciple guarding the entrance. “This is our new Junior Brother Ming Yan. I’m here to help him retrieve a cultivation technique.”

The female disciple behind the counter asked indifferently, “Which floor?”

“Fourth floor,” Ming Zhe replied.

When Senior Brother Ming Zhe mentioned the fourth floor, the female disciple’s eyelids twitched. A fleeting look of pity flashed in her eyes as she silently produced the key. “Go quickly and return promptly. Register here after you’ve retrieved your technique.”

Something about the fourth floor of the Scripture Repository seemed ominous. The fleeting expression on the key-keeper’s face put Li Yan on alert. What exactly is Senior Brother Ming Zhe planning? A sliver of suspicion crept into Li Yan’s heart, and his fist slowly tightened inside his sleeve.

They ascended to the fourth floor, where Senior Brother Ming Zhe handed Li Yan the key. “Junior Brother Li Yan, go in and choose for yourself. I guarantee, the cultivation techniques on this floor are the most potent in the entire Tranquil Void Temple!”

Seeing Ming Zhe’s sly grin, Li Yan knew this senior brother was up to no good.

As the door to the fourth floor of the Scripture Repository creaked open, a gust of demonic wind rushed out to greet them.