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6.48% Painting of the Nine Immortals / Chapter 65: The Tremendous Reward

Chapter 65: The Tremendous Reward

Editor: Rainystars

"Adventurer, congratulations on waking up in your final moment and escaping your fantasy – The Lost Century. "

Back inside the Hidden Territory, the Spirit’s voice broke the silence. Ling Xian opened his eyes and was greeted by an exquisite, ethereal vision.

A woman of splendid beauty floated in midair. Dressed in white, she exuded a charm that shamed any earthly woman and an allure that shamed any heavenly creature.

But her gaze was cold and her demeanor icy, as if she would freeze anything that came near.

Their eyes met. Still bewitched by her beauty, Ling Xian made a polite inquisition, "You are the Spirit of the Hidden Territory?"

"Ehem… not her, that would be me."

Another voice sounded in the vicinity. Ling Xian followed the voice and saw a middle-aged man lying beneath the beautiful woman. His face was ghostly white, his eyes deprived of life. He was lying on the floor as if physically bound by the power of the woman above.

"If you are the Spirit of the Hidden Territory, then who is she?" Ling Xian was startled. However, he suddenly recalled the news regarding the awakening of the second Immortal. Inspecting the woman once more, he carefully asked, "You… are you the Keeper of Land and Sea?

"You could call me that." The woman nodded gently, her emotion unchanged. Ling Xian felt an enormous force overcome him. The presence of this woman froze time in its tracks.

Keeper of Land and Sea – a name that defines history and not the other way around!

These four simple words came crashing down as if a violent hailstorm. The air froze.

Her presence took command and wrestled the light and life away from the Sun.

"You…you are the legendary Keeper of Land and Sea?" The Spirit trapped in the body of the man exclaimed in awe, star-struck.

The Spirit had existed for millennia. Even though he had always been confined to the Hidden Territory, he had been deeply engaged in the history of the Taoism Community. The Spirit was therefore profoundly aware of the significance of her presence above him.

The Keeper of Land and Sea was undoubtedly the most stunning of all legends.

Her wisdom celebrated as the history’s keeper;

And courage that made the mountains and valley weep;

Her beauty lit up the Cosmos as the hours and years stopped;

The life of a hero was lonely at the top.

These plain verses most brilliantly captured the impact of her existence.

The Spirit was nearly frightened to death. He could not believe his eyes and ears. A legend of mythical proportions who went to sleep over 200,000 years ago was now floating in front of him, and with whom he had just been engaged in a battle!

The Spirit no longer felt shame in his embarrassing defeat and confinement earlier, now that he knew this woman was the legendary Keeper of Land and Sea.

Naturally, there was no shame in being defeated at her hands.

The Spirit was suddenly emptied of all his pain. The Spirit forced an awkward laugh and began showering the woman with flattery, "The Queen of myth, I did not recognize you, please forgive me for the earlier disturbance."

The Keeper of Land and Sea threw him a stern glance as she faded into the air. Before entering the Painting of the Nine Immortals, she turned and said in an unforgiving voice which echoed throughout the dark universe long after her figure vanished.

"Ling Xian, show no mercy."

The Spirit froze. Ling Xian beamed in excitement.

He understood the meaning of her instruction. She was encouraging him to blackmail the Spirit for all the hardships Ling Xian had had to endure while completing his last task.

Ling Xian couldn’t help but smile at the terrified face of the man. "Tell me everything about this Fantasy Territory," he demanded.

"Of course," the Spirit relented. "This Territory was born of natural formation. It is a time-shifting dreamland. Like its title suggests, anyone who steps into it must experience a century of his life. If by the end of the century, the challenger still does not realize he is living in a fantasy, he will be parted from his soul and disappear into oblivion."

"Tssssssssss!"

Ling Xian felt a lightning of terror strike down his spine. He hadn’t realized how much danger he had been in until now."

The Territory had wiped out all memories of the Painting of Nine Immortals. He never once doubted the reality of the fantasy. If he hadn’t opened, by chance, the <An Encyclopedia of Famous People of the Nine Provinces> in the last moments before his death, he would be nothing more than a memory by now.

"You dare send me to such a dangerous place?! How do you intend to compensate me for that?" Ling Xian was overcome by anger.

"Brother, listen to me," the Spirit reacted instantly, sweat beading on his forehead.

Under normal circumstances, a young cultivator in training who dared speak to him in such manner would be long dead by now. However, he didn’t have a choice this time, not because he was afraid of Ling Xian, but because he dared not offend the Keeper of Land and Sea – The Untainted.

An hour ago, the Untainted had woken from her deep sleep and sensed that Ling Xian, the Keeper of the Painting of Nine Immortals, was in trouble. So she casually raised her hand, plucked the Spirit out of the Territory and confined him under her feet. Then, she demanded that Ling Xian was to be released at once, or she would destroy the entire Territory.

The Spirit was the Keeper of the Hidden Territory, but he could not control the Fantasy Territory, which was self-sustained. There was nothing he could do but pray that Ling Xian emerged out of his own fantasy alive.

Fortunately for the Spirit, Ling Xian succeeded in breaking out of the Fantasy.

Therefore, hatred was not the only feeling the Spirit had towards Ling Xian. He also felt a hint of gratitude.

"Speak quickly then, I don’t have time for this." Ling Xian frowned irritably.

"Yes, yes," the Spirit forced out a grin and continued, "You had experienced such darkness and pain inside the Fantasy, but think from a different angle, you have grown a hundred years. You just experienced life as no one your age has. Don’t you think that’s a blessing?"

"That is not completely out of order." Ling Xian pondered a moment and deep down, agreed wholeheartedly with what the Spirit had said. He had indeed been rewarded handsomely.

First, he accumulated a hundred years’ worth of experience. The rise and fall of fame and fortune, the warmth and pain of love and life, he had not been defeated.

Resilience is the most important quality of cultivation. A tumultuous life was exactly what Ling Xian needed to forge an iron will.

Walking away unscathed from the Lost Century had given him the test of time which cannot be bought or exchanged for anything in life.

This alone was enough to drive any cultivator mad with desire.

Secondly, nothing that occurred inside the Fantasy Territory was real except for the techniques he had acquired and perfected through this imagined life. Inside, Ling Xian was one step away from the Original Level of Alchemy. This was the equivalent of breaking out of the sixth realm of Alchemy in the outside world.

Every step of how he achieved this had been inked into his memory. The only thing he had to do now was to replicate that process.

Repeat everything he had just done, and he would become supreme.

The Ceramic Ceiling no longer applied to him!

What a defiant concept!

Unless one was willing to desecrate his body or swallow a large amount of powerful Dans, there were no shortcuts to bypassing the steps in the natural progression of alchemist training, regardless of one’s talent and ingenuity.

The Ceramic Ceiling was a limitation that has given cultivators through the generations unlimited amount of grief. After progressing to a certain point, if a Ceramic Ceiling appeared, their journey stopped. Regardless of how much Qi one absorbs, there was no breaking the Ceramic Ceiling.

Unless the cultivator possessed incredible will or was directed by a distinguished Elder.

From training to peaking, there are numerous Ceramic Ceilings along the journey. Countless cultivators have been halted in their tracks and forever defeated.

But Ling Xian will never encounter a Ceramic Ceiling.

If this news had ever gotten out, perhaps it would result in a catastrophic revolution.

There was a third, even more unbelievable, advantage Ling Xian had. However, he does not know yet, so it shan’t be revealed here.

"You have positioned it very well. Yes, it was a treacherous journey and my sufferings were immense, but this experience has indeed yielded a tremendous reward.

By now, Ling Xian had returned to his youthful appearance, no long a shattered, crippling old man. But having just experienced a century of joy and grief, his eyes no longer sparked the curiosity and naiveté of an innocent youth.

Fixing his gaze upon the Spirit of the Hidden Territory, Ling Xian smiled. "According to you, not only should I not punish you, I should actually reward you."

"Well… that is not necessary. I only ask that you spare me." The Spirit was overjoyed, believing that Ling Xian would not persist with blackmailing him.

"In your dreams!"

The words were spoken in a thunderous roar.

"I nearly died in there. You could have given me a hint that it wasn’t real. Instead, you did the opposite and lied about returning me home. I believed you wholeheartedly. Without you, I could have deduced that none of it was real and I wouldn’t have suffered so much!" Ling Xian barked at the human form.

"Spirit of the Hidden Territory, if you don’t give me a satisfactory explanation today, I’ll destroy all of this, destroy you."


Chapter 66: The Essence of the Hidden Territory

Editor: Rainystars

His voice was crispy clear. The Spirit of the Hidden Territory turned ghostly pale.

Ling Xian’s words ignited a flame of anger within the Spirit. But he had to admit that Ling Xian was right. He had been selfish and deliberate in his misinformation, not wanting to see Ling Xian emerge alive from the Fantasy.

However, even he was in the wrong, as the Spirit of the Hidden Territory, he reigned supreme inside his Territory. Aside from the legends of Alchemy, such as the Keeper of Land and Sea herself, he would fear no one. The Hidden Territory inside the City of Qing was of the lowest caliber that only admitted entry to cultivators below the Functional realm. No one should dare challenge his authority within these walls.

Yet he was being lectured mercilessly by Ling Xian. How could he tolerate such insult?

"You are merely a cultivator of the sixth realm, how dare you speak to me this way?" The middle-aged man shouted, "I am the supreme ruler inside this Hidden Territory. Inside these walls, Dragons and Tigers must wait on my hands and feet, you mere cockroach, how dare you threaten me. You wish to destroy me? How arrogant! You deserve to die!"

"It is not up to you what I deserve. It is also not up to you if I should live or die." Ling Xian curled his lip and threw him yet another insult, "you call yourself the supreme ruler, ha, tell me, have you ever seen a supreme ruler being confined at someone else’s feet?"

"You asked for it!" The Spirit was infuriated. As he spoke, a murky stream of air slithered out of his pores, circulated above him and came caving down.

"I just want to see how powerful the Spirit of the Hidden Territory actually is."

Ling Xian smirked at the challenge. Standing his ground, Ling Xian did not summon any defensive spells. Instead, he smiled as the circular streams closed down upon him.

This was not yet an attack, only an initial demonstration of threat. While inside the Fantasy, Ling Xian had nearly broke through the Original level of Alchemy. This was nothing.

There are four types of Hidden Territory, ranked in terms of their power: Heaven, Earth, Mystery and Gold. A mere Spirit of a Gold Territory has powers equivalent to a cultivator of the Foundational level. Having survived much more powerful opponents, Ling Xian knew the Spirit could not cause him serious harm.

Of course, this was only the preface of the Spirit’s true capabilities. If he wished to engage Ling Xian in a proper duel, perhaps Ling Xian could only manage to last a few rounds.

The question is… does he dare?

He did not. A quick thought of the Keeper of Land and Sea was enough to send shivers down his spine.

He knew the Keeper of Land and Sea had favored the youth standing in front of him. She left him with the freedom to what he liked without fearing the consequences. She was also warning the Spirit not to harm him.

For this reason, the Spirit had decided against killing Ling Xian. Even if he did succeed in murdering Ling Xian, that frightening woman would surely come after him.

"What are you waiting for? You rule this world, are you afraid of a lowly cultivator?" Seeing that the Spirit was hesitant, Ling Xian attempted to provoke him. Putting one arm behind his back, Ling Xian continued, "As someone of a younger generation, I’ll show you some respect. I’ll only fight you with one arm. If you are still afraid, perhaps I’ll hide both?"

He put his second arm behind his back as he spoke. The Spirit was now near eruption. There was nothing he wanted more than charging at this disrespectful bastard.

The Spirit ruled all within the Hidden Territory, every branch, every flower, every creature and every speck of dust. Even the ruling beasts of the Territory dared not challenge him.

Fight me with one arm? With no arm?

The Spirit almost spat blood in a fit of rage. Inside, he was suppressing the volcanic eruption with all his might. Do you dare tell your Keeper to stay out of this one?

The complexion of the middle-aged man turned a dark shade of purple before suddenly upgrading to a dark maroon, followed by the familiar shade of ghostly pale. He was still hesitant to strike the first flow.

His fear was legit. The Keeper of the Land and Sea was no someone he dared challenge. She could seal his fate with a flick of her finger. And she was on Ling Xian’s side.

Fighting his inner demons, the Spirit finally made his heart wrenching choice and sighed, "You win. Tell me, what kind of compensation would you like?"

"We could’ve gotten here so much earlier, why humiliate yourself?" Ling Xian grinned.

Ling Xian did not feel an ounce of pity for the middle-aged man standing in front of him. His life inside the Hidden Territory did indeed give him much knowledge, courage and hope, but he did nearly die inside. The Spirit could have warned him, or at least not misled him. But he chose poorly, and clearly, the Spirit had intended for him to die in there.

How could Ling Xian let of the hook someone who wanted him harmed?

Furthermore, the Keeper of Land and Sea had shown him favor. Regardless of what he did to the Spirit, there would be no consequences.

"Ah..." the Spirit appeared as though he had aged ten years in the blink of an eye. He whispered, in the utmost tone of defeat, "You can stop with the insults. What do you want, just say it. If I have it, I’ll give it to you."

Ling Xing pondered for a moment. The Keeper of Land and Sea shows me favor, he reminded himself. With this newfound courage, he uttered, "The Essence of the Hidden Territory."

"WHAT?"

The middle-aged man’s complexion turned shadowy. Without a single moment of hesitation he barked, "Impossible! Absolutely and unequivocally NO!"

Of course he wouldn’t. The Essence is the heart and soul of the Hidden Territory. It pilots the rotation of the entire Territory. The Essence was also the secret to his personal strength. Without it, or losing a part of it, the Hidden Territory would shrink and he would weaken and eventually waste away.

The Essence powered his life. Who would give away his own life?

But for a cultivator, the Essence of the Hidden Territory is the most natural, most powerful and a side effect-free source for growth and healing, a dream to countless cultivators.

Ling Xian decided he would make this bold request. According to his calculations, incorporating the powers of the Essence would propel him to a new level of Alchemy.

"This is not a negotiation. I only ask for 10% of the Essence. After you hand me the 10%, I’ll leave you be as if we’ve never met." Ling Xian looked at the middle-aged man hopefully, then added with a cold grin, "But if you don’t give it to me, I’ll put my hands behind my back, call the Keeper of the Land and Sea back here and be the judge of our duel."

Ling Xian emphasized the words "Keeper of the Land and Sea" to remind the Spirit whom he was actually dueling with. He believed this name would certainly keep the Spirit at bay.

Just as he had imagined, upon hearing the name, the Spirit involuntarily let out a cold shudder. In moment, the Spirit was cursing Ling Xian underneath his breath, "Damn you, if you dare, keep her out of this, and watch me kill you like I kill a fly."

Of course, the Spirit wouldn’t dare utter these words out loud.

"What do you think? Hand over the Essence of the Hidden Territory or duel to the death?" Ling Xian frowned, waving his hands impatiently. "Only 10%, not a huge loss for you, you are the ruler of a Hidden Territory, how can you be so stingy?"

Stingy?

The middle-aged man wanted to cry out but no tears came. 10% of his Essence, 10% of his Territory and 10% of his powers! The amount of Essence Ling Xian was demanding would take a few centuries to recuperate. Anyone would be stingy!

But it didn’t matter. It had become clear to the Spirit that if he didn’t hand over what Ling Xian was demanding, he may as well be dead.

Finally, he had to make that painful decision – 10% of his Essence in exchange for his life. With a long face, the Spirit handed Ling Xian what he sought and said, reluctantly, "Here, take it, let this be the end of it. We don’t owe each other anything."

He twirled his large open sleeve and summoned, a dusty, airy matter appeared in midair. The matter exuded a refreshing Qi that immediately made Ling Xian feel cleansed and alive.

"Mark my words, what happened here today stays here. I will not bother you again." Ling Xian was overjoyed, beaming at the sight of the dusty matter.

This was the Essence of the Hidden Territory, the most sought after treasure by countless cultivators throughout history, one that helps turn the cultivator who consumes it into a legend.

"That would suffice." The Spirit let out a long, deep sigh of relief.

"Then I bid you goodbye." Ling Xing let out a satisfied smile, waved his hand and captured the Essence. As he departed, Ling Xing turned to the somber looking Spirit and said mockingly, "Oh yes, if you wish to challenge me again in the future, make sure you stock up on the leftover Essence."

The Spirit was livid, but couldn’t act on his anger. Instead, he gestured at Ling Xian rudely and barked, "Get out of here, quickly, your face irks me."

"Ha ha, goodbye then" Ling Xian laughed as he walked out of the Territory and straight into the Painting of Nine Immortals.

The Spirit watched Ling Xian’s departure in awe. He simply couldn’t grasp what was happening. He was the Ruler of the Hidden Territory, and this kid was able to come and go as he pleased. What a freak of nature?!

"This kid has got some skills. First he offended every single beast in the realm, then forced me to part with my Essence. The middle-aged man sighed softly. His heart, as heavy as a rock moments ago, finally settled back into his chest. He couldn’t help but mutter to himself, "That little brat is finally gone. My good days are finally back."


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