Eternal Life: I Can Control My Essence Qi-Chapter 140 - 129: Blood Curse Skill and the Demon Cultivator Plot

Chapter 140: Chapter 129: Blood Curse Skill and the Demon Cultivator Plot

Zhang Yao noticed something was off when Luo He mentioned this woman.

Only now did he understand the true reason.

"I dare not deceive you, Lord."

Li Shuixian knelt on the ground, her face slightly pale, speaking in fear:

"I did indeed say... but Lord Luo was focused on his cultivation and avoided women, so he sternly rejected me."

As she spoke, tears welled up, and her voice choked as she continued:

"Lord, please see clearly, my Primordial Yin remains intact, and to this day, I am still a virgin."

"Now, offering myself to you is merely a desperate plea for a little sympathy, Lord..."

As she finished, Li Shuixian pulled up her sleeve, revealing a hint of bright red Guardian Sand marked on her white, jade-like arm.

Zhang Yao frowned, looking her up and down before slowly speaking:

"You are also a cultivator at Qi Refining Perfection, only a step away from the Foundation Establishment Stage."

"I, upon reflection, am merely of average appearance, certainly not worth you humbling yourself so..."

He fixed his gaze on Li Shuixian, his tone revealing no emotion:

"Tell me, what exactly do you want?"

Zhang Yao was always wary of something too good to be true.

A beautiful female cultivator at Qi Refining Perfection throwing herself at him was surely with a hidden agenda, wanting something from him.

Li Shuixian’s face paled, and after a moment of silence, she spoke softly:

"I dare not deceive you, Lord. I am afflicted by the Blood Curse Technique and won’t live past sixty."

"I only reached Qi Refining Perfection three years ago. This year, I am already forty-seven, with only a few years left to live..."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yao was slightly shocked:

"Blood Curse Technique? What is your ancestor’s origin?"

The Blood Curse Technique is a notorious Evil Secret Technique, capable of passing down through generations within bloodlines. As long as the bloodline remains, the curse persists, making it extremely malevolent.

However, the cost of casting such a curse is significant, often resulting in a fate worse than death for the caster. Even Evil Cultivators, not to mention Demon Cultivators, seldom resort to such measures.

"... I don’t know."

Upon hearing this, Li Shuixian displayed a trace of bitter sorrow:

"Since birth, I have been afflicted by the Blood Curse Skill. Growing up, I watched my grandfather, my father, and my second uncle... one by one, their bodies turned to bloody pus before they died."

"Fortunately, I am gifted and had the opportunity to join the Haihe Association. I’ve been desperately cultivating without daring to slacken for a moment."

"The only solution to break the Blood Curse Skill is during the breakthrough to Foundation Establishment, using Celestial and Earthly Spiritual Qi to undergo Washing Marrow and Cutting Veins, thus breaking the shackle of the curse."

"But three years ago, I offended a Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator within the Association, angered him, and was sent to this mine because of it..."

Zhang Yao frowned slightly and spoke slowly:

"You offended a Foundation Establishment Cultivator in the association? Who was it?"

Li Shuixian answered softly:

"Peng Yue Xian, Lord Peng."

"So, it was Old Man Peng."

Zhang Yao, now understanding, thought to himself.

Old Man Peng was the oldest among the Foundation Establishment cultivators in the Haihe Association, older than Lord Haihe by two years, and one of only two Middle Stage Foundation Establishment cultivators under Lord Haihe.

He was fine with everything else, but his biggest flaw was his greed for women. Coupled with his cultivation technique which included a Replenishing Technique, he loved using beautiful young female cultivators as Furnace Cauldrons.

However, he never used force with the female cultivators he selected; it was mostly consensual, so the other Foundation Establishment cultivators turned a blind eye.

"Did he set his eyes on you? You refused him?"

Zhang Yao raised an eyebrow and asked.

"Yes."

Li Shuixian bit her lower lip and spoke softly:

"He wanted me to be his Furnace Cauldron, and of course, I couldn’t agree."

"After being repeatedly rejected, he became angry out of humiliation and reassigned me to this mine, intending to force me into submission..."

Hearing this, Zhang Yao confirmed his suspicion.

Being used as a Furnace Cauldron to replenish Yin for Yang would undoubtedly harm one’s cultivation. With minor damage, one could find ways to recover afterward; more severe damage could affect the foundation or even shorten lifespan.

Under normal circumstances, Old Man Peng was generous, offering ample compensation, and the chance to associate with a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Most female cultivators found it hard to refuse.

But Li Shuixian, bearing the Blood Curse, with a lifespan that could not exceed sixty years, could never accept being used for replenishment—it would cost her life.

"Lord!"

Li Shuixian, saying this, bowed deeply and cried softly:

"As long as the Lord does not treat me as a Furnace Cauldron, I am willing to warm your bed, only begging the Lord to have mercy on Shuixian."

Like Zhang Yao, cultivators who immediately reached Foundation Establishment upon achieving Qi Refining Perfection are rare.

Most Qi Refining Perfection cultivators must temper magical power, nurture the divine soul, and refine their control over magical power. Only when confident in achieving magical power’s vaporization do they attempt to reach Foundation Establishment.

Li Shuixian dared not hope for a Foundation Establishment Pill or any Foundation Establishment Spiritual Objects. Her greatest wish was to remain by Zhang Yao’s side, benefiting from the abundant spiritual qi in his cave dwelling and occasionally receiving guidance.

"Alas..."

Zhang Yao shook his head and sighed:

"You’re also a person destined for hardship."

If not driven to despair, Li Shuixian likely would not have resorted to offering herself in such a manner.

He once again examined Li Shuixian for a few moments, and after a brief contemplation, he instructed:

"Raise your head."

"My lord..."

Li Shuixian lifted her head, cautiously looking at him, with a trace of hope in her eyes.

Zhang Yao reached out a hand and lifted her chin.

Li Shuixian’s body trembled slightly, but she did not evade, her cheeks blushing, and her ears turning a bit hot.

"...For the next ten years, you shall follow me."

Zhang Yao withdrew his hand and suddenly spoke:

"As for whether you achieve anything or resolve the Blood Curse Technique within these ten years, it depends on your own fortune."

Li Shuixian wanted to directly break through to the Foundation Establishment, but without the aid of Spirit Pills or Spiritual Objects, the probability was very low.

However, if she persists in dedicated cultivation for the next ten years, there is still a chance to qualify for a breakthrough in the Foundation Establishment Realm before reaching the end of her lifespan, attempting to break the shackles of the Blood Curse Technique.

"Thank you, my lord!"

Hearing this, Li Shuixian’s face immediately lit up with a trace of surprise and gratitude, and she repeatedly thanked him.

"Rise."

Zhang Yao waved his hand and said:

"You may leave first, pack your things, and move them to my cave dwelling."

"Yes, thank you for your kindness, my lord."

Li Shuixian stood up, bowed deeply, and left with a light heart.

After she left, Zhang Yao withdrew his gaze, pondered silently, and tapped the armrest with his right hand.

Faced with a beautiful woman throwing herself at him, few men could resist, but Zhang Yao could manage; however, he saw no need to resist.

The reason he accepted Li Shuixian was not just due to a slight impulse but primarily a desire to study the Blood Curse Technique and see if a similar method could be developed.

"A curse that can affect Primordial Energy seems quite suitable for me..."

"My sensitivity to Primordial Energy is exceptionally keen, and if I can obtain a similar magic, my cultivation would advance by leaps and bounds."

Thoughts flashed constantly in Zhang Yao’s mind:

"Moreover, the Blood Curse Technique has offered me an entirely new perspective in dealing with Demon Cultivators!"

His two great talents were further strengthened after advancing to the Foundation Establishment.

With the increase in Primordial Energy limit, his sensitivity to it became even more acute, allowing him to perceive others’ Primordial Energy through physical contact.

A moment ago, when he held Li Shuixian’s chin, he used his innate talent to sense the Primordial Energy in her body.

Li Shuixian’s total Primordial Energy was no different from a normal cultivator.

But about half of her Primordial Energy appeared lifeless, lacking vitality, preventing her from mobilizing this portion of energy, effectively locking her lifespan limit.

"It’s like a dam, cutting a river in half."

"More accurately, like a lock, capable of locking the Primordial Energy limit."

Such a method is exceedingly terrifying, enough to make anyone tremble with fear.

Divine Communication Skills that can influence lifespan are invariably great divine techniques, even if Zhang Yao could only grasp a hint, it would be enough to make him influential for a time.

However, due to his current limited knowledge about the Blood Curse Technique inside Li Shuixian, he had no leads, only a vague idea.

"Once I engage in deeper interactions, I’ll look for opportunities to explore it gradually, attempting a reverse deduction."

"Ten years is enough."

Zhang Yao soon shelved these thoughts temporarily and turned his attention to the matters concerning Demon Cultivators.

While sensing the Blood Curse Technique within Li Shuixian, a sudden flash of insight revealed to him a significant advantage he possessed.

The lifespan of Demon Cultivators is generally longer than that of human cultivators, and his ability to determine lifespan limits through energy sensing means he can identify Demon Cultivators through physical contact.

"This is a huge advantage, but it could also be the source of misfortune."

Zhang Yao knew this fact profoundly and decided to lock this secret deep within his heart.

In the Da Li Cultivation Realm, there may be many high-ranking Demon Cultivators, and even some Golden Core Ancestors may be concealed among them, something Zhang Yao would not find surprising.

After all, the temptation of extending one’s lifespan is something few can resist.

If news of his ability to identify Demon Cultivators were to spread, it would threaten these individuals’ lifelines, and he might meet his end by the next day.

"Though I cannot expose it openly, using it secretly poses no significant issue."

"For instance, the Demon Cultivators among the Suiyu Mountain Miner Slaves would make the best test subjects..."

Zhang Yao considered and gradually outlined a full-fledged plan in his mind.

Among Demon Cultivators, bloodlines are revered; the higher the bloodline, the more powerful the abilities, and the longer the lifespan.

True Dragons have longer lifespans than Flood Dragons, and Flood Dragons outlive lower dragon species like Dragon Carps and Serpents; this is the iron rule of bloodline inheritance.

By sensing the Primordial Energy limit and considering the realm of a Demon Cultivator, the level of bloodline can also be roughly judged.

Thinking of this, Zhang Yao focused his Divine Thought, penetrating the cave dwelling’s Array to issue a decree to the Qi Refining Disciple guarding the gate.

Moments later.

"Greetings, Lord Qingxu."

Lao Zhou, the supervisor of the miner slaves, hurried over from the mining area and respectfully paid his respects to Zhang Yao.

"Hmm, you may dispense with formalities."

Zhang Yao nodded slightly and said:

"Lao Zhou, you should have a roster of the miner slaves, correct?"