116: Chapter 115 A Pair of Rascals [Subscribe for Monthly Ticket] 116: Chapter 115 A Pair of Rascals [Subscribe for Monthly Ticket] Sated with food and drink, Hou Niao began to assess his injuries.
The attacking power of the ghost’s techniques was divided into two parts, the main part being the simulation of various technique damages by the chilling spiritual power.
These damages, more essential in nature, would eventually be absorbed by the Purple Mansion Vortex, but this absorption was not instantaneous; it was a process that first required his body to endure before being absorbed.
During the endurance period, it would cause damage to various parts of his body.
The Purple Mansion Vortex could absorb the cold power, but it could not remove the damages that had already been inflicted, which was why his back was battered.
This meant that the essential damage left no trace, but the external physical damage was startling, especially considering that along the way, he had endured a hundred or so technique bursts head-on.
This highlighted the importance of Energy Induction phase in body tempering.
What might be insurmountable damage for a mortal was just another bodily reconstitution and renewal for a cultivator.
Theoretically, more renewals were better, the more one was battered, the stronger one became, but nobody would want to try such a training method, because while physical damage can be restructured, not everyone possesses a Purple Mansion Vortex to heal internal injuries.
In this process, Hou Niao clearly saw that the benefits of strengthening the Soul Realm structure were not merely a faster cultivation speed, but also an increased capacity to endure certain special strikes.
If his Soul Realm were strong enough, he could even directly absorb the opponent’s attacks without his body having to endure them first.
Of course, achieving this was still a long process.
The Purple Mansion Vortex could now only absorb energies of spiritual nature; if the opponent was a Daoist or a monk, he likely could not absorb their magic power.
Being able to withstand a ghost’s attack didn’t mean he could also comfortably withstand an attack from a Tongxuan Realm cultivator; these were two different matters.
“Why is mine meat soup while yours is lotus seed porridge?
These people of Yinyue Castle are truly distasteful, discriminating , and even favoring outsiders.”
The Tideng Monk thought this person was quite petty, already a cultivator, yet still caring about these trivial matters,
“You asked for it yourself!
If you like, take the lotus seed soup.
I am fine with just water.”
Of course, Hou Niao wasn’t dissatisfied with the food; to speak the truth, the meat soup was delicious, freshly hunted.
The female captain had prejudices against him, but others did not, even more so after they knew he was a disciple of Quanzhen.
After all, the monk would eventually leave, but a disciple of Quanzhen would not.
“No, this is a special meal of affection Ruan Yuanyuan prepared for you, it’s not suitable for me.”
Ruan Yuanyuan, the strong and beautiful female Guard Captain, even towering a size larger than the Tideng Monk, her name quite mismatched with her physique.
He just thought this was very interesting; being able to watch this male and female soap drama while recuperating brought him great pleasure.
It would be even more perfect if this woman was a female king.
The Buddhist Sect does not prohibit marriage, and in fact, does not even restrict dietary habits.
Apart from a shaved head to represent their identity, their rules and precepts are not that strict.
Of course, a current of stricter discipline was emerging within the Buddhist Sect, pushing monks towards more stringent practices, but this would take time.
In the Yinling Wilderness, with few people and many monsters, the special environment cultivated the bold and straightforward character of Yinling people, both men and women alike; men, seeing a woman they fancied, might even carry her off the street back home, and the women were no different.
They had limited time, and life was full of uncertainties.
There was no time for slowly courting or whispering sweet nothings.
“Monk, I just think you two look quite compatible together, Sister Ruan carrying you, you carrying the lantern, the lantern leading a group of Soul Ghosts, don’t think this scene is too beautiful…”
Tideng turned his head away, not wanting to deal with him, as nothing good could come from his mouth.
But Hou Niao was relentless, “Your internal injury isn’t minor, is it?
Is it because that cold energy hasn’t been completely expelled?
I can’t help you since our methods diverge from those of your Buddhist Sect.
If you wish to return to your monastery but the journey is too long, then perhaps a woman is actually a good solution?”
That was his true purpose!
The situation for this monk wasn’t good.
He didn’t have the same Purple Mansion abilities as he did, because he had overexerted his lantern’s power in battle.
Although he had endured less beating along the way, each one was substantial.
To remove such cold energy, cultivators have many methods, including elixirs, help from senior sect members, resolving it through their own cultivation, or using Dual Cultivation techniques to transfer the misfortune to someone else.
The monk had used up all his elixirs, and his seniors were not around.
Resolving it through his own cultivation would take a long time .
Dual Cultivation techniques aren’t considered heterodox in the Cultivation World; they are an essential part of the path for couples.
The Demon Sect does not care, even specializing in this study.
In fact, both the Daoist Sect and Buddhist Sect are equally adept, not to be outdone.
The misconception about Dual Cultivation arises from the few who harm the majority.
In reality, all cultivation techniques have their potential harms, it’s just that this technique is particularly sensitive, easily stirring the nerves of the general public.
Dual Cultivation is not merely about absorbing yin to supplement yang, or vice versa.
It is actually a means of mutual aid and mutual advancement.
Essentially, compared to sect siblings practicing swordplay to enhance each other’s strengths, it’s no different at its core.
When Hou Niao said this, it seemed like instigation, but it was actually prevention!
He didn’t believe this cunning monk couldn’t see through this, but he was unwilling for a brave female Energy Induction cultivator to sacrifice everything for this.
The monk was an outsider, while Sister Ruan was one of their own; it was that simple.
The danger was, Sister Ruan might have rarely seen such a handsome figure.
From their first encounter, it seemed she was already struggling to control herself.
Men chasing women over lofty mountains, women chasing men through mere paper.
He couldn’t stop a woman whose heart was fluttering with affection, but he could stop this damned monk!
Because two months of interaction made it very clear to him the monk’s cunning and ruthless nature— it would end badly.
So, by hinting in advance, even letting the monk know: “I’m watching you, don’t play tricks!”
Of course, his actions were merely a warning.
If the two were genuinely in love, what right did he have to interfere in their private matters?
All he could hope for was that the monk still retained some pride!
This was why he kept on talking endlessly, and it was the best he could do, somewhat like a dog meddling in the affairs of mice.
The next day, using the excuse that it was inconvenient for two people to recuperate in the same room, the Guard Captain decided to separate them; Hou Niao remained here, while Tideng Monk was moved elsewhere.
As to exactly where that elsewhere was, only heaven knew.
This was a reason none of them could refuse, because, as cultivators, what they needed most was independent space, especially being from the Demon Sect and Buddhist Sect.
It would be difficult to ensure they didn’t affect each other during cultivation.
He just hoped this wasn’t the start of something uncontrollable.
Hou Niao shook his head with a bitter smile; things were already slowly slipping out of his control.