Chapter 26: Who Is the Fisherman?

"This boy is quite lucky—he’s already sensed his spirit and cultivated the Lu Family’s Primordial Sphere Soul Refining Method," thought Wan Gu Xiao. "Thankfully, he’s only just begun training, his spiritual cultivation is shallow. Otherwise, when the Heart-Control Gu manipulates his mind, it would truly be dangerous."

Wan Gu Xiao felt the Heart-Control Gu had seized Lu Sheng’s mind, and mused to himself. Though his Heart-Control Gu was wondrous, it could only control those whose spiritual power was weaker. If used against someone with greater spiritual strength, not only would it fail, but it might also backfire.

Moreover, after repeated use, other sects and clans had gradually learned of the Gu’s traits and developed defensive and even offensive methods against it. Now, most who had refined the Heart-Control Gu in the Yuan Gu Sect focused on controlling weak-minded beasts, seldom risking its use on people.

"Controlling a person's mind is truly difficult!"

"This boy’s spiritual power is just over half of mine, but because he’s cultivated the Primordial Sphere Soul Refining Method, his spirit is fully consolidated, and protected by the arcane patterns granted by the method."

"If not for this arcane defense, his spirit would be like those beasts without soul-refining inheritance—once controlled by the Gu, I would sense everything in his memory."

"But with this layer of defense, although I can force his actions through the Gu, I cannot fully invade his mind, nor extract memories."

"The Primordial Sphere Soul Refining Method truly lives up to its reputation!"

---

Over a thousand years since the creation of Primordial Arts, countless derivative techniques have emerged, as well as many methods for refining the soul. Among them, three soul-refining methods are most renowned: the Primordial Furnace Soul Refining Method, the Primordial Sword Soul Refining Method, and the Primordial Sphere Soul Refining Method.

The Primordial Furnace Soul Refining Method was created by Emperor Jing—it is the soul-refining method of the Primordial Classic. Not only is it most suited for Primordial Arts, it also combines offense and defense. Spirits cultivated by this method are not only highly condensed, but can even form a Primordial Furnace, refining others’ spirits and intents. It is among the very finest soul-refining techniques in the land.

The Primordial Sword Soul Refining Method was invented by Emperor Jing’s sixth son, Duke Wei Lu Xiaozong, as part of the derivative Primordial Sword Classic. The spirits cultivated here are fiercely aggressive, though not especially compatible with Primordial Arts. Aside from those who practice the Primordial Sword Classic, few choose this soul-refining path.

As for the Primordial Sphere Soul Refining Method, it was created by Emperor Jing’s twelfth-generation descendant, the renowned Pill King, Grandmaster Lu Ninghua. It is the soul-refining method of the Primordial Pill Classic. The spirits cultivated by this method have virtually no offensive power, but their defense is formidable, their nature harmonious and natural, and its compatibility with Primordial Arts rivals even the Primordial Furnace Method.

Because it is easy to learn, simple to train, and not among the most guarded secrets, most Lu clan members who practice Primordial Arts now use the Primordial Sphere Soul Refining Method.

---

"Luckily this boy cultivates the Primordial Sphere Soul Refining Method. Its defense is strong, but it lacks offensive power—"

"I need not worry about my spirit being harmed!"

"If he used the Primordial Sword Soul Refining Method, my Heart-Control Gu might suffer some damage."

"Or worse, if he practiced the Primordial Furnace Soul Refining Method and condensed a spiritual furnace, my Gu might even be refined away!" Wan Gu Xiao rejoiced internally.

He regretted not being able to fully control Lu Sheng's mind and completely uncover the secrets of the Lu Family on Blackstone Isle.

But for now, manipulating Lu Sheng’s actions and having him help seize the treasure was the more urgent need.

"Once this matter is settled, if the boy survives, there will be plenty of time to dig out his secrets!"

The Yuan Gu Sect’s ancient legacy boasts countless strange Gu insects. As long as Lu Sheng lives, Wan Gu Xiao is confident he can extract the man’s secrets.

"Now, all that remains is to wait for the Dragon Pearl to take shape and see what the Ma brothers plan!"

He thought this over. Although he didn’t know the Ma brothers’ secret, their fervor for the Dragon Pearl was oddly intense in his eyes.

Now, with Lu Sheng’s mind controlled and the Hun Tian Extinction Array indirectly in his grasp, Wan Gu Xiao felt he had the strength to play the fisherman, and began to covet the Ma brothers’ secret as well.

---

"A Grandmaster’s spirit isn’t so impressive after all!"

Within the sea of consciousness, aided by the Three Treasures Wishful Technique’s sensitivity to essence, energy, and spirit, Lu Sheng vaguely sensed the spiritual traits within the Heart-Control Gu, and deduced Wan Gu Xiao’s total spiritual strength.

"Wan Gu Xiao’s spiritual power is about six or seven units, a bit below my own 7.26—"

"I can break free from the Heart-Control Gu without even amplifying my spirit!"

Thinking this, Lu Sheng relaxed slightly.

"It seems my current essence, energy, and spirit are fully on par with a Grandmaster!"

This was not unexpected. Although he had only recently become a martial master, his cultivation of soul-refining methods and opening of four spiritual apertures meant his spirit was stronger and more condensed than many early Grandmasters.

In this world, martial cultivation also stresses the triad of essence, energy, and spirit. For Grandmasters who have nourished their spirits with arcane energy, the gap in these attributes isn’t great.

After coordinating his essence, energy, and spirit with the Three Treasures Wishful Technique, Lu Sheng’s essence and energy are nearly equal to a Grandmaster’s.

"In other words, my constitution now rivals that of many Grandmasters."

"What I lack is only arcane energy cultivation!"

Grandmasters, aside from opening at least four spiritual apertures, must also refine at least one dantian to the limit. The total arcane energy they possess far surpasses Lu Sheng’s current capacity.

"Still, though my total arcane energy is insufficient, I have achieved unity of spirit and energy."

"In manipulating arcane energy, I can even match martial sovereigns."

"And I can use the Three Treasures Wishful Technique’s triple amplification to greatly enhance my strength, speed, and recovery."

"With all this, I should be able to handle a Grandmaster."

"Thus, I now have the ability to play the fisherman!"

Though “controlled” by the Heart-Control Gu, Lu Sheng’s subsequent actions would obey Wan Gu Xiao’s orders, yet he too could hide himself in the shadows—

Wan Gu Xiao would no longer see him as a threat, and if the Ma brothers “noticed” he was “controlled” by Wan Gu Xiao, as long as he didn’t court death, they would naturally target Wan Gu Xiao first.

Thus, leveraging his own strength and mastery of the Hun Tian Extinction Array, Lu Sheng could seize advantage when the Ma brothers and Wan Gu Xiao clashed like the clam and the snipe, and profit as the fisherman.

---

"Good thing I halved my spiritual power just now—"

"Otherwise, even if I feigned being controlled by the Heart-Control Gu, Wan Gu Xiao wouldn’t necessarily trust me!"

Lu Sheng was grateful. Upon sensing Wan Gu Xiao’s spiritual manipulation, not only did he refrain from amplifying his spirit, he even cut it in half—

His purpose, naturally, was to play the pig to eat the tiger, catching Wan Gu Xiao off guard.

By accident, this situation had arisen—a pleasant surprise!

"Now, let me sense Wan Gu Xiao’s essence and energy traits, and perfect my Three Treasures Wishful Technique!"

Feeling the Heart-Control Gu’s fluctuations, Lu Sheng pondered silently.