Chapter Fifty-Five: The Divine Plunder Technique

Upon hearing this, the old man’s face bloomed with a gratified smile. He nodded and said, “I am the Marauding Dao Sovereign. When you ascend to the Spirit Realm, you will hear of my renown. As my primordial spirit is suppressed, I have no treasures to bestow upon you, but I can point out the errors in your cultivation. Your aptitude is mediocre, in fact, exceedingly poor, and you chose the dual cultivation of the physical and magical arts out of necessity. You practice a technique that binds your foundation and restrains your essence, making your spiritual power three times that of an ordinary cultivator. Though progress is slow, there remains a sliver of hope for advancement. It seems your dedication to the Dao is unshakable. Am I right?”

Ge Qian was startled. All his secrets were laid bare before this man, as if he were transparent—a true testament to the prowess of a Spirit Realm master. Yet, judging by the old man’s demeanor, he had not perceived the tender sprout in his dantian; otherwise, he would hardly be so verbose and would have already slain him for his treasures.

Since there remained a thread of hope, Ge Qian spoke with cautious reverence, “I beseech you, Senior, to illuminate the path for me.”

“Very well. Are you cultivating the ‘Mountain-shifting Art’?” The Marauding Dao Sovereign asked with inscrutable depth.

Ge Qian was thoroughly awed by the old man’s perception. “Senior, you truly have discerning eyes. Indeed, I practice the Mountain-shifting Art and have even reached the pinnacle of the Mortal Shedding stage, yet I cannot break through to the Law-cultivating stage.”

The Marauding Dao Sovereign sneered contemptuously. “The Mountain-shifting Art you practice has been tampered with. Even if you master it, you will only serve as a stepping stone for another. The genuine Mountain-shifting Art does not mix spiritual, demonic, and beastly auras from the outset. It is meant to be gradual: at the Mortal Shedding stage, you cultivate spiritual aura; only upon advancing to the Law-cultivating stage do you introduce demonic aura; and after reaching the next stage, you then cultivate all three auras together. This solid foundation allows one to go further. Your current method is a deviation and, in the end, you will become fodder for the true practitioner of the Mountain-shifting Art. Should that person refine you, their power will soar.”

A chill ran through Ge Qian’s heart. The old man’s explanation made sense, but it was too early to accept it outright. He needed to probe further before making any judgment.

He asked, “Senior, have you also cultivated the Mountain-shifting Art?”

The Marauding Dao Sovereign replied with disdain, “No technique in this world compares to my Marauding God Art. In former times, I slew a master of the Wu tribe and obtained the Mountain-shifting Art, extracting its essence to complement my own Marauding God Art, making it even more formidable.

“Disperse your current cultivation immediately and begin anew with my Marauding God Art, integrating the true Mountain-shifting Art within. Then, should you encounter the one who altered the Mountain-shifting Art, you will turn the tables—he will become your stepping stone. Moreover, the Mountain-shifting Art has no fixed form; every practitioner must forge their own understanding and path.”

Ge Qian mused inwardly at the coincidence, but he was not so naïve as to believe the old man wholly. Remaining vigilant, he feigned delight and said, “Very well, I am willing to take you as my master. Please accept my bow, Master.”

With that, Ge Qian performed a deep ceremonial bow.

The Marauding Dao Sovereign smirked inwardly and said, “Rise. I care little for such formalities. If you cultivate diligently and free me from this predicament one day, that will be the greatest repayment.”

Ge Qian rose and, producing a blank jade slip, respectfully requested, “I ask Master to inscribe the complete technique upon this slip, that I might study it in detail. Should I find anything unclear, please instruct me thoroughly, so I may master it swiftly and free you sooner.”

The Marauding Dao Sovereign nodded, thinking, This boy is sly—he wants my technique first. No matter, I will win his trust and deal with him at my leisure. With that, he transmitted a vast quantity of densely packed information into the jade slip.

At his direction, Ge Qian handed over three jade slips in total, each one filled to capacity—such was the volume of information. The three slips contained the Marauding God Art, the Marauding Demon Body, and the Sovereign’s personal insights on cultivation.

A sweep of his divine sense revealed to Ge Qian the profound and rare nature of these techniques. Now was not the time to study them; escaping this place took precedence. He put away the slips and bowed. “For the sake of your early freedom, Master, I will return at once to cultivate. Please bear with the delay.”

The Marauding Dao Sovereign smiled faintly. “Very well. There is one crucial matter: besides myself, no one in all the heavens and earth can cultivate the Marauding God Art, for it requires the essence of the Nine Nether Origin from the Nine Nether Rift. I have already refined this essence, and though we are now inseparable, you can still cultivate the art.”

Ge Qian was slightly taken aback. “Why is that?”

“In a moment, I will perform a supreme technique to break through the formation and transmit a strand of the origin essence to you. Once you refine it, you may learn the Marauding God Art. Afterward, I will fall into slumber to preserve my strength. When your skills reach fruition, awaken me; together, we will shatter the formation, and I will be free.” Excitement colored the Sovereign’s words.

No wonder—a person suppressed for ten thousand years, his power drained day and night, would find this prospect exhilarating.

Ge Qian nodded, smiling slightly. “Master, are you not afraid that once I succeed, I will ascend to the Spirit Realm and leave you behind?”

The Marauding Dao Sovereign laughed heartily. “As you see, I am sealed in this realm. To prevent future troubles, those three old monsters have already destroyed the path from this world to the Spirit Realm. No spirit-cultivator here can ascend; in the end, they will all become dust. If you desire true immortality, you must free me, for only I have the means to break through to the higher realm. Once you reach the Spirit-cultivation stage, you will surely rescue me—unless you wish to remain here forever.” He spoke unhurriedly.

Ge Qian reflected—indeed, the logic was sound. Still, he dared not trust the old man completely. Once he reached the Spirit-cultivation stage, all would become clear.

But that was a distant concern. For now, he needed to survive the present crisis.

With a resolute expression, Ge Qian said, “Rest assured, Master. I will not fail your expectations.”

The Marauding Dao Sovereign nodded in satisfaction. “Let us begin. I will now divide a thread of the Marauding God Origin and send it to you.”

Without another word, the Marauding Dao Sovereign’s face transformed, erupting with an unparalleled aura. His primordial spirit blazed like a crimson sun, hurtling toward the suppressing formation.

Fortunately, the formation was exquisitely mysterious, capable of sealing any aura or magical fluctuation. Otherwise, Ge Qian would have been annihilated instantly by the shockwaves of this supernatural clash.

Sensing the eruption within, the formation’s nine silver pillars shifted positions, conjuring above the array a colossal silver ape. Its muscles bulged, every hair bristling, four huge fangs jutting outward. In an instant, it grew to thirty feet tall, exuding murderous intent so dense it seemed tangible, lightning flickering in its eyes. With a long, piercing howl, it raised its fists, wreathed in silver electricity, and brought them crashing down.

The Marauding Dao Sovereign roared in fury, “Wretched beast, wake up! You have been turned into a formation spirit and puppet by those three old monsters—an accomplice to their evil!”

The silver ape’s arms thickened as it pressed down savagely, its thunderous fists colliding with the Sovereign’s blazing spirit.

The ape’s arms began to crumble, yet it remained oblivious, suppressing downward without pause. Just as the Sovereign seemed about to break free, the giant ape opened its mouth and spat out a spirit talisman.

The talisman transformed into a blade of sword energy, ancient and desolate in its aura, as if evoking the boundless primordial chaos. In a flash, it shattered the Sovereign’s blazing primordial spirit.