Chapter 71

Just studying the *Spirit Driving Technique* took Qin Fengming five days. Only after he memorized it without error did he carefully put it away in his bosom. Although it was difficult to use at the moment, there was no harm in understanding it.

After finishing the study of the *Spirit Driving Technique*, Qin Fengming did not stop there. He flipped his hand and took out the *Yin Devil Technique*.

A cursory glance brought great joy to Qin Fengming. Although the *Yin Devil Technique* appeared to be ancient, it was written in a language from the past few ten thousand years, which he could recognize.

What delighted Qin Fengming was that this *Yin Devil Technique* was a cultivation method of the demonic path, written by a senior cultivator named Devil Flame Senior.

Although Qin Fengming was not yet familiar with cultivation methods, from what he had heard, this method was at least a high-grade demonic cultivation technique.

A high-grade cultivation method was an extremely precious item. Even the Luoxia Sect did not have many high-grade methods.

Speaking of demonic cultivation methods, one should also mention cultivators. Cultivators are generally divided into the righteous path and the demonic path. The demonic path is a branch of cultivation, and its ultimate goal is the same as that of the righteous path: to achieve immortality and live as long as the heavens and the earth.

However, the paths they take in cultivation are different.

The righteous path believes that cultivation should be gradual and that one should harbor the righteous path of heaven and earth in their heart.

The demonic path, on the other hand, believes that cultivation should seek the greatest achievements in the shortest time, using all available means. To quickly enhance their magical power and realm, they are willing to commit heinous acts, which the righteous path cultivators despise.

But whether it is the righteous path or the demonic path, both emphasize the supremacy of the strong and the pursuit of interests, with the weak being preyed upon by the strong. As long as it benefits their cultivation, even killing fellow disciples is acceptable. For example, that Senior Liang conspired with outsiders to kill Qin Fengming for his high-grade magical tool.

The cultivation methods of the righteous path generally do not show much power in the early stages, but their power becomes evident after prolonged practice.

The cultivation methods of the demonic path, however, are powerful from the start, which is what many cultivators who seek the power of magical techniques aspire to. However, many demonic cultivation methods have hidden dangers in the later stages, especially the instability of the heart demon, which can easily lead to a mental breakdown.

Cultivation and the demonic path have existed for hundreds of thousands of years or even longer. Each generation has produced many powerful figures, and it is impossible to say which is superior.

This so-called demonic path encompasses a wide range of practices. Those who cultivate the secret techniques of the upper realms are called the demonic path, as are those who cultivate the abilities of magical beasts. Even those who cultivate ghostly techniques are classified as demonic cultivators.

Although he had obtained a high-grade cultivation method unexpectedly, Qin Fengming was extremely delighted. However, if he truly succeeded in establishing his foundation, he had little interest in practicing the *Yin Devil Technique*.

Qin Fengming had been raised in the Luoxia Valley and was very averse to the indiscriminate killing of innocents. However, he was very interested in the few demonic secret techniques introduced in the *Yin Devil Technique*. These techniques were all extremely powerful and highly effective.

*Soulsoul Technique*: A secret technique that can search the souls of other cultivators. By using this technique on other cultivators, one can obtain their memories and learn things they wish to know.

This technique can only be used by high-level cultivators on low-level cultivators; otherwise, it can harm the divine consciousness and may even be controlled by the other party. Only cultivators at the Foundation Establishment realm and above can practice this technique.

*Thousand Souls Banner*: A demonic magical tool that can be upgraded. The power of the *Thousand Souls Banner* is determined by the number and strength of the souls it contains.

If it contains a dozen souls, it is a low-grade demonic tool; if it has over fifty souls, it is a mid-grade demonic tool; if it has over a hundred souls, it is a high-grade demonic tool; if it has over two hundred souls, it becomes a top-grade demonic tool. If it has over five hundred souls, it becomes a spirit tool.

If it can collect over two thousand souls, it can be upgraded to a magical treasure, and its power will be incomparable. This is the origin of the name *Thousand Souls Banner*.

However, the power of the *Thousand Souls Banner* also varies among the same grade, depending on the strength of the souls it contains. The strength of the souls depends on their realm in life, and the realm of the souls determines the power of the demonic tool. A *Thousand Souls Banner* made from the souls of a hundred ordinary people cannot compare to one made from the souls of a hundred cultivators.

*Fusion Flame Technique*: This secret technique is extremely powerful, allowing the fusion of different flames to increase their power.

For example, the low-grade spell *Fireball* is more powerful than ordinary flames, but it is still weaker than the alchemy fire of a pill master. If the two are fused, the resulting flame will be even more powerful than the alchemy fire.

This secret technique teaches how to fuse different flames. Although the fused flame is powerful, the process is extremely dangerous and can only be practiced by those with a resolute mind. This technique can only be practiced at the Foundation Establishment realm.

*Divine Spirit Control Technique*: This technique controls a person's mind, similar to the beast control technique. It also has requirements for cultivation level and can only control cultivators of a lower level. It is not something he can practice now.

*Face Changing Technique*: This secret technique changes one's appearance through a secret method. Only cultivators with a higher realm and those who practice special cultivation methods can see through it.

*Yin Soul Thread*: This secret technique is extremely powerful, splitting a part of one's soul and refining it into a powerful magical tool. It can be used to attack enemies when they are unprepared.

Each time, only one *Yin Soul Thread* can be refined, and the process can harm the body, but it can be recovered through cultivation. The refinement process is also very time-consuming, usually taking over a year to complete.

Although the *Yin Soul Thread* is difficult to refine, its power cannot be underestimated. It can penetrate the enemy's defenses and injure them through their protective spiritual light. However, this technique can only be practiced at the Core Formation realm.

The *Yin Devil Technique* also introduced several other powerful secret techniques. Qin Fengming thought to himself that although he did not want to practice the *Yin Devil Technique*, he could practice these secret techniques. They would be a great help in future battles.

After putting away the *Yin Devil Technique*, Qin Fengming took out the thinnest booklet and opened the first page, which read "Soul Devouring Banner." It described the method of cultivating a soul devouring beast.

Qin Fengming had never heard of a soul devouring beast, but from its name, it was clear that it was a powerful spirit beast.

To cultivate a soul devouring beast, one must capture a yin soul beast, which prefers cold, damp, and heavily yin-filled places. They are extremely difficult to find and are said to be extinct.

After capturing the yin soul beast, its soul must be extracted using special methods and fused into a prepared magical tool. At the same time, the cultivator's blood must be used to nourish the soul for eighty-one days, making the banner a low-grade magical tool. If nourished for a year, it becomes a mid-grade magical tool; if nourished for two years, it becomes a high-grade magical tool.

After this, the *Soul Devouring Banner* no longer requires blood but begins to absorb souls and evolve. This is the origin of the name *Soul Devouring Banner*.

Not only is the yin soul beast extremely difficult to capture, but the process of refining the *Soul Devouring Banner* is also extremely dangerous. Any mistake can result in being counter-attacked by the yin soul beast's soul.

Looking at the small booklet in his hand, Qin Fengming suddenly thought of the small banner that the leader of the Du family had. It looked very much like the *Soul Devouring Banner* described in the booklet.

He quickly took it out and saw a small yellow beast on the banner, vividly depicted. It looked very much like the *Soul Devouring Banner* at the high-grade magical tool stage, with the small beast also being yellow.

Looking at the banner, Qin Fengming was greatly puzzled. When he read the Luoxia Sect's records, he had seen that the yin soul beast was already extinct. How could one appear now?

In fact, Qin Fengming did not know that this banner was not refined by the leader of the Du family but was obtained from the ruins of a senior cultivator's cave. Along with the *Yin Devil Technique* and the small booklet, he also obtained this *Soul Devouring Banner*.

He had just obtained it and had not yet refined it when the incident with Qin Fengming occurred, leading to his death.