Gateway of Immortality

Chapter 266: Secret Technique of Bloodshed Body Puppet

Di Que had gathered numerous spiritual materials in an attempt to repair the yin ring and refine the yang ring. However, he was still missing several key components, and thus, the rings remained incomplete.

Had Di Que possessed one more Primordial Unity Ring, the outcome today might have been entirely different.

At present, Qin Sang had no means to utilize astras or to collect the necessary materials for crafting. The Primordial Unity Ring held little significance for now, so he stored the yin ring and other spiritual items away, intending to study them further after forming his Golden Core.

His gaze then fell upon the vial containing Crimson Fire Gilded Gold.

It was no wonder Di Que had been so excited. The jade slip he left behind described this material in detail.

Crimson Fire Gilded Gold was a substance formed from the fruit of the Scarlet Gold Vine, which absorbed metallic fire qi from the world. If handed to an artifact refinement master, the golden peel and the liquid pulp within could be fused into genuine Crimson Fire Gilded Gold.

This made it an exceptional refined metal for artifact crafting, though it was not considered a spiritual medicine.

However, a past elder of the Yuling Sect, after acquiring an ancient beast-taming manual from the relics of an ancient cultivator, discovered that the fruit of the Scarlet Gold Vine, when left unrefined and its liquid pulp extracted to feed spirit bugs, could occasionally aid in their breakthrough.

For ordinary cultivators, the fruit of the Scarlet Gold Vine had only one known use: artifact crafting.

Yet for cultivators skilled in the beast-taming arts of the Yuling Sect, the fruit was a rare and priceless treasure.

While spirit insects could be raised using spiritual medicines to quickly enhance their power, the greatest challenge lay in their metamorphosis—an event entirely beyond a cultivator’s control.

It was akin to how some human cultivators failed to break through to the Foundation Building Realm despite their best efforts.

Many cultivators would grow old and die while their spirit bugs failed to undergo even their first metamorphosis. It was a frustrating reality.

Spirit insects possessed a variety of incredible abilities, and those that successfully underwent metamorphosis became invaluable assets. A powerful spirit bug could rival an astra in usefulness, and many cultivators would be unwilling to trade one even for the finest astra.

Although the fruit of the Scarlet Gold Vine could not guarantee a spirit bug's metamorphosis, it offered cultivators a glimmer of hope. This potential made it immensely valuable, explaining why Di Que had been so intent on obtaining it.

What a pity.

Qin Sang held the vial of Crimson Fire Gilded Gold before his eyes, carefully examining it while sighing inwardly.

Di Que, in his pursuit of the Heart-Devouring Insect, had spent thirty years lurking outside the Kuiyin Sect. It was likely that during this time, he had meticulously collected various rare spirit insects. Regrettably, in the chaos, Qin Sang had failed to retrieve Di Que's Spirit Beast Pouch. Whether it had been destroyed by the Heavenly Blade Talisman or lost in the lava remained unknown.

Given his own talents, Qin Sang found it hard to spare time for such pursuits while still focusing on cultivation. Before forming his Golden Core, there was little chance he could divert his energy to searching for spirit bugs.

Thus, possessing the Crimson Fire Gilded Gold felt like a pearl cast before swine.

The same could be said for the Primordial Unity Ring, which required the aid of a spirit beast to function effectively.

“Well, let’s see if fate allows me to encounter any spirit bugs in the future.”

Qin Sang shook his head lightly. He then stored the Crimson Fire Gilded Gold and jade slip. The jade slip contained an extensive and detailed description of various spirit bugs, ensuring he would recognize one if he ever came across it.

Afterward, he examined several more jade slips. These mostly recorded cultivation arts from various sects, likely looted from the many individuals Di Que had slain.

Though they were of excellent quality, they held no value to Qin Sang, so he casually stored them away.

When he reached the last jade slip, Qin Sang suddenly let out a soft exclamation.

The slip contained a secret technique titled Secret Technique of Bloodshed Body Puppet.

This secret technique required neither spiritual power nor spiritual consciousness to activate. Instead, it demanded the sacrifice of one limb, transforming it into a clone-like puppet.

The puppet could exist for a brief ten breaths and was identical to the original in both appearance and aura, though it lacked any comparable strength.

Upon its creation, the technique allowed the user to transfer any locked targeting or pursuit techniques onto the clone, enabling the true body to escape undetected.

Recalling the severed arm that had been sliced away by the Heavenly Blade Talisman, Qin Sang suddenly understood—Di Que must have used this very secret technique to make his escape.

The Secret Technique of Bloodshed Body Puppet was a peculiar technique that, when applied skillfully, could help the user evade many life-threatening dangers.

However, the cost of this art was far from trivial. The sacrifice of a limb was not merely a physical loss—it was almost impossible to recover from. Di Que’s moniker served as a clear testament to this. Qin Sang carefully stored the jade slip away, resolving never to use it unless absolutely necessary.

Next, his attention shifted to the iron fragment.

When he held it in his hand and examined it closely, Qin Sang realized it was actually a piece of bone. Yet, this bone was as tough as black iron. Like a jade slip, it contained recorded knowledge. Within it lay a demonic sect art titled Dutian Demonic Sound.

What others knew as the Thousand-Transformation Divine Sound was, in truth, a disguised version of Dutian Demonic Sound, reworked by Di Que to conceal its origins.

This cultivation art was extraordinary—not only did it directly point toward the path of the Divine Transformation Realm, but its inheritance was remarkably complete. Beyond the core supernatural ability, it included over a dozen accompanying spells, each of considerable power.

The profundity of Dutian Demonic Sound was such that it could serve as the foundation for an entirely new sect.

It was likely that Di Que had unearthed it from the ruins of an ancient sect; otherwise, it was impossible for the technique to have been preserved in such pristine detail.

Before reaching the Core Formation Realm, Qin Sang had no intention of switching to a different cultivation art. However, the mysterious and unpredictable demonic sound techniques of Dutian Demonic Sound made it a viable option for a backup cultivation art after he achieved Core Formation.

He carefully studied the text, including the spells it contained.

Some of these spells required mastery of Dutian Demonic Sound to be effective. Others, however, could be activated by mimicking the power of demonic sound with spiritual power, albeit with reduced potency.

One spell, in particular, caught his attention—Spirit Seizing Spell. Upon understanding its effects, Qin Sang immediately decided he had to cultivate it.

The Spirit Seizing Spell was not a combat spell. Instead, it used the power of demonic sound to assault the target’s mind. While the victim’s spirit was disoriented by the sound, the caster could interrogate them.

Unwittingly, the victim would divulge their secrets entirely.

However, the spell had its limitations.

First, the target’s cultivation level could not exceed the caster’s by too wide a margin. Additionally, the target had to be restrained beforehand, as the spell required preparation and could only take effect when cast directly upon the individual.

Moreover, the spell’s effectiveness diminished over time, eventually wearing off entirely. If the target possessed an exceptionally strong will, the duration of its effect could be significantly shortened.

Second, the Spirit Seizing Spell could only be used on the same person once. After experiencing its effects, the target’s primordial spirit would develop a natural resistance, making a second attempt nearly impossible.

The Spirit Seizing Spell bore similarities to the forbidden Soul Search Technique, but it was far less cruel. The Soul Search Technique subjected its victim to unbearable pain, and their primordial spirit would shatter and perish after the process.

Additionally, the Soul Search Technique was not subtle. The moment it was cast, the victim would sense it. If their strength was sufficient, they could self-detonate their primordial spirit, inflicting a devastating backlash on the caster.

Many cultivation arts also included methods to counter the Soul Search Technique.

The Spirit Seizing Spell, however, avoided these pitfalls, with no risk of backlash.

It must have been this incantation that gave Di Que the confidence to confront Daoist Master Xuanyu. Qin Sang speculated.

Di Que had forced Daoist Master Xuanyu to burn his Golden Core, intending to capture his primordial spirit. Even if he failed to obtain the Inner Vision Primordial Talisman, the incantation would have allowed him to extract the refinement method, ensuring he wouldn’t leave empty-handed.