Chapter 140: The Frenzied Assist!
This jade pendant exuded a warmth tinged with a faint chill.
Regrettably, it was only half of the whole, so it lacked any spiritual aura.
Yet, even without the spiritual energy, Ling Qiu recognized it immediately!
This artifact…
was a Ghost Head Relic!
What is a Ghost Head Relic?
Simply put, it’s akin to the sarira left behind when a Buddhist master attains nirvana after converting to the Western Paradise.
This item was like a sarira left behind by a powerful ghost cultivator!
At first glance, it appeared to be a jade pendant… but in truth, it was not made of jade; rather, it was transformed from the essence and bones of a mighty ghost cultivator!
Wow…
a treasure indeed!
If Ling Qiu could refine this Ghost Head Relic for his own use, his power would increase dramatically!
At present, Ling Qiu had just established his foundation.
But this foundation was not the usual one in cultivation realms, because Ling Qiu practiced the Ghost Path.
Phantom souls, wild ghosts, malevolent ghosts, fierce ghosts…
These four stages of ghost cultivation, strictly speaking, were not true entry points into the Ghost Path.
Only when one advanced from the fierce ghost state to the next level would one enter a state akin to foundation establishment, where deep in the soul, a “Yellow Springs Blood Sea” would open.
The Yellow Springs Blood Sea was like the dantian in a cultivator’s body.
In essence, foundation establishment in ghost cultivation referred to opening the Yellow Springs Blood Sea within, laying the groundwork for the Ghost Path.
Once the Yellow Springs Blood Sea was forged, foundation establishment was complete, and one entered the “Ghost Fiend” realm!
Therefore, Ling Qiu’s current strength was at the Ghost Fiend level!
Ling Qiu squinted, gently playing with the Ghost Head Relic in his hand.
If… he could find the other half of this relic… merge it into a complete piece and then swallow and refine it…
Ling Qiu was confident… he would have a chance to leap directly into the “Ghost Spirit” realm!!
“Xiao Ling?”
Seeing Ling Qiu silent for a long time, Qin Haishan could not help but call out.
Ling Qiu came back to his senses and smiled faintly. “Good stuff.—Where’s the other half?”
At these words, Qin Haishan laughed bitterly. “I’d like to know too… When that other half appeared at the auction, I fainted on the spot. Later, it was bought by a mysterious buyer. I searched for a long time but never found out who that buyer was.”
Ling Qiu pondered briefly. “Perhaps it was the mysterious person who used tricks on you?”
“Maybe.”
Qin Haishan said, “But… I don’t know who that mysterious person is.”
“Didn’t you meet him back then?”
“Heh. Back then he wore sunglasses and a hat, and I have a vague impression of his face… I don’t remember his appearance at all. Finding out who he is would be nearly impossible!”
Ling Qiu smiled. “That’s not difficult.”
“Oh?”
Qin Haishan’s eyes brightened. “Do you have a lead on investigating him?”
“No need to investigate.”
Ling Qiu smiled slightly. “Just lure him out.”
“How to lure him out?”
“Simple.”
Ling Qiu glanced at Qin Haishan. “Take off your clothes.”
“Huh… huh???”
Qin Haishan was stunned. “Take off my clothes?”
Ling Qiu nodded. “The soul parasite has been planted inside you. This method is a hundred times more vicious than the evil ghost that once clung to you! Judging by how the soul parasite is developing, if it’s not removed now, neither you nor your granddaughter Qin Siyao will survive the night!—So take off your clothes quickly; the longer you wait, the harder it will be to remove.”
Qin Haishan’s expression shifted. “When was this soul parasite implanted?”
“There are many methods, all possibilities exist. But none of that matters now. The important thing is to remove the soul parasite and lure the other party out!”
“…Alright, I understand.”
Qin Haishan was a man of great stature. Once he chose to trust, he trusted completely and without fuss, began removing his clothes right before Ling Qiu.
Ling Qiu watched him calmly.
Frankly, the scene was quite strange…
An elderly man in his sixties undressing in front of a young man in his teens or twenties…
Anyone unaware might think they shared some odd penchant.
Within moments, the dignified Qin family patriarch stood before Ling Qiu in nothing but his undergarments, looking quite dry and bare.
“Take off the underwear too.”
Ling Qiu said impatiently, “I said, take it all off.”
“…Alright…”
Even Qin Haishan’s seasoned mind flushed red as he complied.
Then…
Ling Qiu suddenly twisted the Yama Ring, releasing surging energies that gathered in his palms.
He carefully examined Qin Haishan, finally locating the core concentration point of the soul parasite at the base of his coccyx.
“Turn around.”
Ling Qiu said lightly.
“…Alright…”
Qin Haishan’s face turned bright red as he awkwardly turned away…
Ling Qiu said, “Why stand so straight? Bend over.”
“…”
Qin Haishan said nothing, hesitating for a long time before finally, at his age, struggling to bow his waist…
Ling Qiu laughed helplessly. If he didn’t mind, this old man certainly did.
“Mr. Qin… why be so shy? Even if you worry about my orientation, you can’t doubt my tastes, right?”
Ling Qiu’s thick skin was a result of countless years of cultivation; such words came easily from his mouth.
Qin Haishan, an old man who had enjoyed a life of comfort and prestige, was naturally embarrassed.
After a few seconds’ hesitation, Qin Haishan complied.
Behind him, Ling Qiu swiftly inscribed several talismans in midair, recited an incantation, and then slapped his hands through the air!
Buzz, buzz, buzz!—
Several waves of energy rippled, one after another plunging into the soul parasite’s core at Qin Haishan’s coccyx!
…
After a while, the soul parasite was removed.
Ling Qiu wiped the sweat from his brow and chuckled to himself.
He hadn’t expected that at his current strength, even removing a single soul parasite would leave him somewhat fatigued.
At this moment, Qin Haishan had already dressed, a bit embarrassed, and asked, “I suddenly feel… so light… I wonder if it’s because…”
“Yes, it’s gone.”
Ling Qiu responded with a hum.
“Good, good, good!”
Qin Haishan clasped his fists repeatedly in thanks. “Thank you, young… thank you, Mr. Ling!”
At this point, Qin Haishan had changed the way he addressed Ling Qiu.
Truthfully…
This was already the second time Ling Qiu had saved him, and he could no longer call him “Xiao Ling.”
“Alright, you go out, and let your granddaughter come in.”
Ling Qiu waved his hand.
“Good!”
Qin Haishan strode toward the study’s door, but after a few steps, suddenly stopped.
Wait!
Something wasn’t right…
Thinking back to his earlier situation…
If Ling Qiu intended to remove the soul parasite from his granddaughter Yao Yao in the same manner…
Wouldn’t that mean…
Yao Yao would also have to strip completely in front of Ling Qiu?!!!