Chapter 58: Has Deacon Wang Been Possessed by an Evil Spirit?

"I never expected this manual called the *Ancient Tome of the Illusory Demon* could be practiced by cultivators of any spiritual root attribute. It is truly marvelous." Jiang Fan was overjoyed.

In truth, what he did not know was that the vast majority of cultivation manuals had no attribute requirements whatsoever and could be practiced regardless of one's spiritual root.

Only a small minority of special manuals demanded matching attributes. Such techniques tended to be extreme: they were either terrifyingly powerful or utterly useless.

Take the *Evergreen Art of Azure Wood* that Jiang Fan was currently practicing, for instance. It was nothing more than a subpar, mediocre technique. Not only was its attribute singular, but it also offered zero enhancement to spiritual power. Practicing the *Evergreen Art of Azure Wood* for long periods could practically cripple a cultivator.

As for the Illusory Demon Sect—one of the great Demonic Dao sects—the foundational cultivation manuals they distributed to their disciples were naturally techniques that the overwhelming majority of cultivators could practice.

However, his joy lasted less than three seconds before Jiang Fan's gaze locked onto the final page, and his expression instantly darkened.

"Why are there only the cultivation methods for the first three levels?" Jiang Fan furrowed his brows slightly and directly summoned Old Devil Xu.

"Greetings, Master! What instructions do you have for this subordinate?" Old Devil Xu hurriedly bowed respectfully.

Having devoured hundreds of soul entities, the aura currently radiating from Old Devil Xu was formidable indeed. Jiang Fan knew that in his present state, he was definitely no match for Old Devil Xu.

Just how strong Old Devil Xu's current strength was, Jiang Fan could not even predict.

Nevertheless, since Old Devil Xu's name had been recorded in the *Grand Dao Heavenly Book* and he was controlled by the Soul-Control Bell, Jiang Fan had no need to worry about him rebelling.

"Let me ask you, how does one acquire cultivation manuals for realms above the early Qi Refining stage within the Illusory Demon Sect?" Jiang Fan asked straight to the point.

"Reporting to Master, there are many ways to obtain manuals above the early Qi Refining stage. Generally, handyman disciples who are valued by the sect can receive them directly once their cultivation reaches the early Qi Refining stage. However, for miner handymen of the lowest status like Master, obtaining manuals beyond the early Qi Refining stage is not possible through direct distribution; one must purchase them with spiritual stones or exchange them for Fiery Flame Stones," Old Devil Xu explained. "Aside from that, Master can also become a follower of someone else and receive rewards in return. Back then, because my talent was too poor and I only reached the third level of Qi Refining at an advanced age without any powerful figures taking notice of me, I naturally could not obtain higher-level cultivation techniques."

"How many spiritual stones are required to purchase the *Ancient Tome of the Illusory Demon* for the middle Qi Refining stage? You should know this, right?" Jiang Fan asked with a frown. As for becoming someone else's follower, he had zero desire to stoop to being a bootlicker.

"Reporting to Master, it requires one hundred low-grade spiritual stones. If converted into miscellaneous-grade spiritual stones, it amounts to a full twelve thousand of them," Old Devil Xu said with a trace of melancholy.

It was not that he hadn't wanted to purchase cultivation manuals for the middle Qi Refining stage and above; he simply couldn't afford them.

As for the *Evergreen Art of Azure Wood*, it was merely the most basic foundational technique, whereas what Old Devil Xu had actually practiced was the Illusory Demon Sect's *Ancient Tome of the Illusory Demon*.

"Twelve thousand miscellaneous-grade spiritual stones? That many?" Jiang Fan couldn't help asking.

"Indeed, Master! Back then, it wasn't that this subordinate didn't want to acquire the subsequent cultivation methods of the *Ancient Tome of the Illusory Demon*; I simply couldn't afford them! Twelve thousand miscellaneous-grade spiritual stones are enough to supply all the spiritual power needed for a dozen mortals to cultivate all the way to the third level of Qi Refining," Old Devil Xu sighed. "However, if Master can mine a sufficient quantity of Fiery Flame Stones, gathering one hundred low-grade spiritual stones shouldn't be too difficult!"

"Oh? How much can a single Fiery Flame Stone be sold for?" Jiang Fan instantly grew interested.

"Reporting to Master, if sold to the mine overseer, a single stone fetches at most seven or eight low-grade spiritual stones. But if sold to places like the sect's Precious Pill Pavilion, one can get around ten low-grade spiritual stones for it. If the quantity is large enough, the price might even be slightly higher," Old Devil Xu hurriedly replied.

"Very well! It seems if I want to obtain the subsequent cultivation methods, I can only pin my hopes on the Fiery Flame Stones." Suddenly remembering something, Jiang Fan asked, "By the way, what is the origin of the *Evergreen Art of Azure Wood* I'm currently practicing? How does its grade compare to the *Ancient Tome of the Illusory Demon*?"

"Ahem... Well... the *Evergreen Art of Azure Wood* that Master is currently practicing is merely the most common and ordinary cultivation technique. Compared to the *Ancient Tome of the Illusory Demon*, it is naturally far inferior—you could say one is in the heavens and the other in the mud, completely incomparable..." Old Devil Xu said somewhat awkwardly. Yet, he dared not conceal the truth, knowing that Jiang Fan would find out sooner or later, and if he dared to deceive Jiang Fan, he likely wouldn't come to a good end.

"No wonder, no wonder you were able to execute spells of several attributes back then. It seems what you practiced was not the *Evergreen Art of Azure Wood*, but the *Ancient Tome of the Illusory Demon*." Realization dawned on Jiang Fan.

"Yes, Master. This subordinate dares not hide it from you. Actually, the main reason I had you and the others practice the *Evergreen Art of Azure Wood* back then was to keep the spiritual power within your bodies single-attributed. Wood-attribute spiritual power is, in fact, one of the gentlest forms of spiritual power and serves as the absolute best medicinal catalyst for refining Human Blood Precious Pills.

This subordinate was muddle-headed for a moment, and I hope Master can forgive me!

If Master has any need to refine Human Blood Precious Pills, this subordinate is willing to handle it for you." Old Devil Xu spilled everything without reservation, realizing that since Jiang Fan would figure it out eventually, it was better to confess it all at once.

"You certainly know how to read the situation. Since you've confessed everything, I'll temporarily spare you! As for refining Human Blood Precious Pills, forget it! Very well, you may piss off now," Jiang Fan said coldly.

"Yes, Master!" Old Devil Xu hastily vanished.

Jiang Fan, on the other hand, pulled out the *Ancient Tome of the Illusory Demon* and began to study it intently. This cultivation manual was not particularly difficult; after spending an entire night, Jiang Fan finally memorized it completely and began attempting to practice it.

During this process, whenever Jiang Fan felt exhausted, he would unhesitatingly transfer all the fatigue straight to Overseer Wang.

"There's no rush to go mine for now. I should first recultivate using the *Ancient Tome of the Illusory Demon*, then thoroughly study the spells, arrays, and talisman-crafting arts within the *Complete Compendium of Basic Five Elements Spells*. Once I push my strength to its peak, it won't be too late to head down to the mine shafts." With this thought, Jiang Fan crossed his legs and silently began his cultivation.

As he circulated the *Ancient Tome of the Illusory Demon*, the wood-attribute spiritual power within his body slowly began to be purified and strengthened. Jiang Fan could clearly sense himself growing stronger by the degree.

The process of spiritual power transformation lasted a full three days and three nights before finally concluding.

Over these past three days, because Jiang Fan continuously transferred his fatigue, Overseer Wang inexplicably began to be overcome with sleepiness. He simply lay down and slept straight for three days, only rising impatiently when someone came to him with official business midway, after which he immediately resumed his heavy slumber.

"What in the world is this damn bad luck? Why has this overseer been so drowsy these past few days? Could I have been poisoned? Or perhaps cursed by an evil spirit?" Overseer Wang let out a long yawn, preparing to make a trip back to the sect to seek proper treatment for this recent strange ailment.

After Overseer Wang quietly slipped away from the mine, Jiang Fan began studying the spells inside the *Complete Compendium of Basic Five Elements Spells*, preparing to master all four basic spells he was capable of practicing first...