Painting of the Nine Immortals

Chapter 530: Blackmail

Translator:?_Tat_??Editor:?Rundi

The night was jet black, and the moon hung high in the sky.

Ling Xian’s face was pale, and his breathing was weak. It was obvious that he sustained major injuries.

This inflicted the mind of the demon to start to work, hesitating whether or not he should take advantage of this rare opportunity to kill Ling Xian.

Without a doubt, the opportunity before him was a great one. He could easily use his spiritual energy to kill Ling Xian from a distance.

However, the bad memories Ling Xian left him had imprinted so deeply into him to a point where he wasn’t quite sure if he could kill Ling Xian in one strike. If he would fail, then more likely or not, his life would be over.

Therefore, the demon hesitated for a long while.

“Not good!”

Ling Xian frowned. How sharp was he at sensing his surroundings? Even though the demon had not revealed any killer’s intent, Ling Xian still noticed the strangeness around him. At this moment, the demon’s unkind intentions were the elephant in the room.

“It appears that he wants to take this opportunity to kill me.”

Ling Xian’s heart dropped but the corner of his lips lifted. He smiled, “Demon, here, a heaven-given opportunity is before you, don’t you want to make a move?”

“Hmm?”

Seeing Ling Xian’s relaxed look, the demon was now even more uncertain. He wasn’t sure if Ling Xian was faking it, or if he was truly fearless and didn’t care.

After all, Ling Xian left a bad taste in his mouth. After the agony he experienced through the liquification process, he was full of fear and uncertainty. If he failed, then his soul would completely evaporate, and he would disappear from this world for good.

But if he succeeded, then he would no longer be under Ling Xian’s control. He would be able to fly to anywhere he wants to go and live with pure freedom.

At this moment, the demon couldn’t make a decision for himself, and he found himself stuck between a rock and a hard place.

At this, Ling Xian’s heart dropped again. His injuries were severe, not only did half of his bones and his meridians break into pieces, even his Golden Dan was cracked.

What’s even more critical was that currently, it would take all of his energy to even move a finger, let alone call out to the Demon Defending Monument. Therefore, what power did he have to stop the demon from doing whatever he wanted?

“Adding fuel to my fire.”

Sighing, Ling Xian silently cautioned himself not to reveal any sign of weakness. Forcing himself, he flapped around his sleeve and summoned the Demon Defending Monument.

“Demon, you are hesitating and debating whether or not you should make a move and kill me, aren’t you? Don’t be so uncertain, you are very dominating, and I am heavily injured with no strength left in me to defend against you.”

Ling Xian looked up to the demon, who was standing on a tree branch, and he revealed a faint smile, “Perhaps, with the move of your finger, I will be dead.”

“Hmmph!”

The demon coldly hissed. He was born to be cautious and suspicious, the more encouraging Ling Xian was being, the less decisive he was. Plus, the Demon Defending Monument was unmatchable in prowess. Therefore, he really didn’t have the guts to simply attack.

“Whatever, it’s just three favors. There’s no need for me to risk this.”

Silently sighing, the demon let go of the devious energy he was brewing within. Then, he announced, “I am someone who weighs promises heavily. Why would I ever sneak attack someone.”

“Weighs promises heavily? That’s true. You are a demon who always keeps all your words because you are a person of noble character.”

Ling Xian sarcastically commented, knowing very well that the demon was simply too afraid of him and this whole thing had nothing to do with him weighing promises heavily. However, Ling Xian did not unveil the truth, in case the demon got embarrassed or angry. He would have nothing to gain from that happening.

After all, he had achieved his goal, and he was happy with it.

“Hmmph, of course.”

The demon’s face was faintly red. As someone who walked on the demonic path, he didn’t necessarily commit all evil, but he definitely was not a noble man.

“If that’s the case, then can you please apply some medicine on me? It will speed up my healing.” Ling Xian gently smiled, taking advantage of this opportunity to blackmail the demon.

Don’t forget, the demon was a superpower cultivator who once surpassed the fifth level of Taoism. How couldn’t he have some valuable treasures?

“Hmmph, I have been trapped inside the Demon Defending Monument for thousands of years. All the medicine I had on me are now useless.” The demon snickered, “Why didn’t you just ask me to fight on your behalf? Why did you battle by yourself and hurt yourself so badly?”

“How could I have done that? The price of asking you to fight for me is very very high. I can only afford that at the most crucial times.” Ling Xian continued his teasing. The reason why he didn’t ask the demon to step in was for two reasons.

One, he had a deal with the demon – three tasks only. If he was up against enemies he could handle himself but he asked the demon to fight for him instead, then what will he do when enemies he can’t handle show up?

Two, Ling Xian didn’t want himself to rely on anyone. After all, one day, the demon will leave his side. Therefore, of course, he would personally fight against the enemies he could deal with. It’s also a great opportunity for him to sharpen his battling skills.

“Nice thoughts. But the price you had to pay was paid with your severely injured body.”

Seeing Ling Xian sustaining such heavy injuries, the demon revealed a taunting smile. He felt somewhat happy about it and somewhat satisfied.

In the next second, however, all his positive emotions disappeared.

“It’s not a big deal. I have you, the demon, after all. I truly believe that these small injuries are nothing to you.” Ling Xian grinned.

The demon frowned and responded in a cold voice, “Like I have said, after thousands of years, my medicinal Dans have lost their effects. Giving them to you will be utterly useless.”

“In this world, medicinal Dans are not the only method of curing.”

The corner of Ling Xian’s lips curled up as he stared at the demon before him, “With your capabilities, you must not lack techniques that help with healing. I wonder if you can teach me one of them?”

“You sure are not shy.” The demon’s expression was cold and somewhat angry.

In the Taoism community, all techniques that are not widely known by everyone on the streets are considered to be immensely valuable. They represent a legacy, a complete inheritance, a treasure that all Clans view as their lifeline.

Yet right here and now, Ling Xian opened his lips and asked for him to reveal a technique. Naturally, the demon was furious.

“What is it? Since you have once ruled the world, what is a technique to you?” Ling Xian teased and carelessly glanced at the Demon Defending Monument.

This careless glance poured cold water all over the demon’s anger and made him tremble.

“Whatever. I will give it to you.”

Remembering the agony of being trapped inside, the demon exhaled very deeply. He flapped around his sleeve, and a simple jade scroll appeared before Ling Xian.

“The name of this technique is the ‘Blood Dissolving Technique’. It can be used to convert any spiritual blood into spiritual energy, nourish the body and strengthen the cultivator. The stronger the blood, the better the effect. Whether it’s to heal or to cultivate, it can greatly aid both purposes.”

Ling Xian frowned slightly, “A demonic technique?”

“What else do you think it is?” The demon coldly snickered, “I am a demon after all. I have no techniques designed for those on the righteous path.”

“There are no absolute evil or absolute righteousness in this world. I do not shoo away all those on the demonic path. However, this technique is a little… too evil.” Ling Xian frowned, not very willing to try.

“How is this technique evil? It doesn’t require you to suck other people’s blood. It simply converts your spiritual blood into energy, that’s all.”

The demon laughed in disdain, “I have given you the technique you asked. If you want to use it, then use it. If you don’t want to use it, it’s up to you as well. However, you better decide soon. There is fresh blood right now that can be used. In a while, there won’t be any.”

Ling Xian frowned and pondered if he should use this technique for a speedy recovery or if he should rely on the heaven and earth’s spiritual energy to restore his health slowly.

Just as he debated, a series of crisp footsteps from the trees afar interrupted his thoughts.

Then, he saw a girl in white appear right before him.

This girl was roughly 28 years of age. She had the features that could make fish sink and birds alight, and the looks that could outshine the moon and put the flowers to shame. Her figure was curvy and alluring – truly a beauty that could cause a nation to succumb.

The moment this lady emerged, Ling Xian’s brows tightly furrowed. Something about her was familiar.