lín xuān kě bù rèn wéi zhè shì qiǎo hé ， zuǐ jiǎo biān liú lù chū yī sī jī fěng zhī sè ， kàn lái liú yán guǒ rán kāi shǐ qǐ zuò yòng le 。
林轩可不认为这是巧合，嘴角边流露出一丝讥讽之色，看来流言果然开始起作用了。
Lin Xuan did not believe this was a coincidence. A hint of mockery played on the corner of his mouth as it seemed that the rumors were indeed starting to take effect.
chú le liú yì zhè xiē xì wēi zhī chù ， lín xuān yě hái zuò zhe bié de gōng zuò ， biǎo miàn shàng ， tā sì hū zài yóu shān wán shuǐ ， qí shí què shì àn àn guān chá zhe líng yào shān fù jìn de dì xíng 。
除了留意这些细微之处，林轩也还做着别的工作，表面上，他似乎在游山玩水，其实却是暗暗观察着灵药山附近的地形。
While paying attention to these subtle details, Lin Xuan also had other tasks to attend to. On the surface, he appeared to be enjoying the scenery and leisurely traveling, but in reality, he was secretly observing the terrain around Spirit Herb Mountain.
zhī jǐ zhī bǐ ， cái néng bǎi zhàn bǎi shèng ， tóng yàng de dào lǐ ， dì xíng shú xī ， jiǎ rú zhēn yù jiàn shén me shì ， táo shēng de jī lǜ yě yào dà yī xiē 。
知己知彼，才能百战百胜，同样的道理，地形熟悉，假如真遇见什么事，逃生的几率也要大一些。
Knowing oneself and one's enemy is key to victory in a hundred battles. Similarly, being familiar with the landscape would increase his chances of survival if any danger did arise.
dāng rán ， zhè xiē zhǐ shì zuò zuì huài de dǎ suàn ， lín xuān xǐ huān fáng huàn yú wèi rán 。
当然，这些只是做最坏的打算，林轩喜欢防患于未然。
Of course, these were just worst-case scenarios; Lin Xuan preferred to be prepared for anything.
xiū xī le dà yuē sān tiān ， lín xuān gǎn jué shēn xīn dōu huī fù dào le zuì jiā zhuàng tài ， suī rán cóng zhǒng zhǒng jì xiàng lái kàn ， líng yào shān wèi lái kě néng yù jiàn wēi xiǎn ， dàn zàn shí yīng gāi hái shì hěn ān quán 。
休息了大约三天，林轩感觉身心都恢复到了最佳状态，虽然从种种迹象来看，灵药山未来可能遇见危险，但暂时应该还是很安全。
After about three days of rest, Lin Xuan felt that both his body and mind had recovered to their optimal state. Although various signs suggested potential dangers on Spirit Herb Mountain in the future, it was still relatively safe for now.
liú yán bì jìng shì liú yán ， zài shì qíng méi yǒu wán quán què rèn qián ， shuí yě bú huì qīng yì dé zuì liàn dān shī zǔ chéng de mén pài ， méi yǒu bì yào qǐ rén yōu tiān ， lín xuān kāi shǐ le fàng xīn dà dǎn de xiū liàn 。
流言毕竟是流言，在事情没有完全确认前，谁也不会轻易得罪炼丹师组成的门派，没有必要杞人忧天，林轩开始了放心大胆的修炼。
Rumors were just rumors. Until things were confirmed, no one would easily offend a sect composed of alchemists. There was no need to worry unnecessarily. Lin Xuan began his untroubled cultivation.
yǐ tā de zī zhì ， zì rán lí bù kāi líng dān 。
以他的资质，自然离不开灵丹。
Given his talent, he naturally could not do without spirit pills.
lín xuān jiāng zhù jī dān tí chún le chū lái ， ér qiě quán bù shì zhōng pǐn dān 。
林轩将筑基丹提纯了出来，而且全部是中品丹。
Lin Xuan refined the base foundation pill and ensured that all of them were middle-grade pills.
jì rán měi tiān fú yòng de dān yào shù liàng yǒu xiàn ， lín xuān kě bù yuàn yòng xià pǐn dān làng fèi shí jiān ， shàng pǐn dān de tí chún yòu nán le yì diǎn ， gù ér fú yòng de zhǔ yào shì zhōng pǐn dān 。
既然每天服用的丹药数量有限，林轩可不愿用下品丹浪费时间，上品丹的提纯又难了一点，故而服用的主要是中品丹。
Since the number of pills he could consume daily was limited, he did not want to waste time with lower-grade pills. The refinement of superior-grade pills was a bit more difficult, so he primarily consumed middle-grade ones.
shí jiān màn màn de liú shì zhe ……
时间慢慢的流逝着……
Time slowly passed...
lín xuān chóng fù zhe tí chún ， fú yào ， dǎ zuò de kū zào shēng huó ， lián dòng fǔ de mén dǒu méi yǒu chū guò 。
林轩重复着提纯，服药，打坐的枯燥生活，连洞府的门斗没有出过。
Lin Xuan repeated the process of refining, taking pills, and meditating in his cave, never leaving its entrance.
xiū xiān běn jiù shì nì tiān ér xíng ， wài jiè de gān rǎo shì yuè shǎo yuè hǎo ， tā yǐ jīng àn xià jué xīn ， chú fēi shì dá dào zhù jī hòu qī de jìng jiè ， fǒu zé jué bù zài tà zú wài miàn de shì jiè 。
修仙本就是逆天而行，外界的干扰是越少越好，他已经暗下决心，除非是达到筑基后期的境界，否则绝不再踏足外面的世界。
Cultivation inherently involved going against nature; the less external interference, the better. He had already made up his mind: unless he reached the late foundation establishment stage, he would not step outside this world again.
shǒu xiān xiū liàn de shì 《 yīn yáng jué 》， shì yǒu qīng zhòng huǎn jí ， tí shēng jìng jiè bì jìng bú shì yī zhāo yī xī zhī shì ， ér xiàn zài zhè zhǒng qíng xíng ， lín xuān dāng rán xuǎn zé néng gòu kuài sù tí shēng shí lì de shén tōng 。
首先修炼的是《阴阳诀》，事有轻重缓急，提升境界毕竟不是一朝一夕之事，而现在这种情形，林轩当然选择能够快速提升实力的神通。
First, he focused on practicing *Yin-Yang Art*. There was a hierarchy to matters; elevating one's cultivation level could not be achieved overnight. In this situation, Lin Xuan naturally chose techniques that could quickly enhance his strength.
zhǐ yào néng gòu jiāng tǐ nèi de líng lì zài yīn yáng jiān hù xiāng zhuǎn huà ， zì jǐ jiù kě yǐ xué xí 《 xuán mó zhēn jīng 》 zhōng de zhǒng zhǒng mì fǎ ， ér yǔ zhèng dào jiǎng jiū xún xù jiàn jìn ， jiāng hé huì hǎi bù tóng 。 mó dào yóu qí shì guǐ xiū gèng xǐ huān lìng pì xī jìng 。
只要能够将体内的灵力在阴阳间互相转化，自己就可以学习《玄魔真经》中的种种秘法，而与正道讲究循序渐进，江河汇海不同。魔道尤其是鬼修更喜欢另辟蹊径。
As long as he could convert the spirit energy within his body between yin and yang, he could learn various secret methods from *True Scripture of Profound Yin*. Unlike orthodox practitioners who followed a gradual progression like rivers merging into seas, the魔道 especially favored alternative paths.
suī rán xiū liàn tú zhōng bù miǎn liú xià zhǒng zhǒng yǐn huàn ， dàn shén tōng de wēi lì què shí yuǎn shèng zhèng dào de xiū zhēn zhě 。
虽然修炼途中不免留下种种隐患，但神通的威力确实远胜正道的修真者。
Although there were inevitably hidden dangers during cultivation, the power of these techniques far surpassed those of orthodox cultivators.
zhè jiù shì jí è mó zūn wèi shén me bèi sān jù tóu dì jǐ wèi tài shàng zhǎng lǎo jì dàn de yuán gù ， yì fāng miàn ， gù rán shì yīn wèi tā yuán yīng zhōng qī de xiū wèi ， bǐ zhèng dào de lǎo guài wù shèng shàng yī chóu ， kě hái yǒu yí gè lǐ yóu ， jiù shì tā gōng fǎ guǐ yì 。 qiě wēi lì jí dà de yuán gù 。
这就是极恶魔尊为什么被三巨头地几位太上长老忌惮的缘故，一方面，固然是因为他元婴中期的修为，比正道的老怪物胜上一筹，可还有一个理由，就是他功法诡异。且威力极大的缘故。
This was why Supreme Demon Tyrant Sovereign was feared by the three major elders. Not only did he have an advanced middle-stage core, outperforming old monsters in the orthodox sects, but his cultivation technique was also peculiar and extremely powerful.
tóng jiē xiū shì dòu fǎ ， xiū mó zhě běn lái jiù yào bǐ xiū zhēn zhě shāo qiáng ， ér guǐ dào xiū shì ， zhè zhǒng yōu shì hái yào gèng míng xiǎn 。
同阶修士斗法，修魔者本来就要比修真者稍强，而鬼道修士，这种优势还要更明显。
At the same stage, a cultivator of the魔道 naturally had a slight edge over a cultivator of 正道, and this advantage was even more pronounced for ghost cultivators.
dāng rán 。 tiān xià méi yǒu miǎn fèi de wǔ cān ， fán shì yǒu lì jiù yǒu bì ， xiū mó zhě yǔ guǐ xiū gōng fǎ zhōng de lòu dòng yǔ yǐn huàn ， bù jǐn róng yì yǐn qǐ fǎn shì ， ér qiě jìng jiè tí shēng yě huì biàn dé gèng jiā dì jiān nán ， dàn zhè yǔ lín xuān wú guān 。
当然。天下没有免费的午餐，凡事有利就有弊，修魔者与鬼修功法中的漏洞与隐患，不仅容易引起反噬，而且境界提升也会变得更加地艰难，但这与林轩无关。
Of course, there was no free lunch. Everything had its drawbacks; the flaws in the techniques of the魔道 and ghost cultivators not only made them prone to backlash but also made it harder to advance in cultivation. But this did not concern Lin Xuan.
tā zhǔ xiū de yī rán shì dǐng jiē de xiū zhēn mì fǎ jiǔ tiān xuán gōng 。 zhǐ bù guò zhǎng wò líng lì yīn yáng hù huàn de jué qiào hòu shǐ yòng 《 xuán mó zhēn jīng 》 zhōng dì mì fǎ ér yǐ 。
他主修的依然是顶阶的修真秘法九天玄功。只不过掌握灵力阴阳互换的诀窍后使用《玄魔真经》中地秘法而已。
He still primarily focused on the top-grade cultivation secret *Nine Heavens Profound Art*. However, he used the secret methods from *True Scripture of Profound Yin* after mastering the technique of converting spirit energy between yin and yang.
huàn jù huà shuō 。 jì yǒu tóng jiē guǐ dào xiū shì de wēi lì ， ér qiě hái bù yòng dān xīn yǐn huàn de wèn tí 。
换句话说。既有同阶鬼道修士的威力，而且还不用担心隐患的问题。
In other words, he could harness the power of a ghost cultivator without worrying about hidden dangers.
jiā shàng 《 jiǔ tiān xuán gōng 》 jiāng lín xuān de jī chǔ dǎ dé shí fēn zhā shí ， tā líng lì jīng chún de chéng dù yuǎn shèng tóng jiē xiū shì ， shǐ yòng chū guǐ xiū mì fǎ ， hái yào bǐ yuán bǎn de gèng shèng yī chóu dì yàng zi 。
加上《九天玄功》将林轩的基础打得十分扎实，他灵力精纯的程度远胜同阶修士，使用出鬼修秘法，还要比原版的更胜一筹地样子。
With *Nine Heavens Profound Art*, Lin Xuan's foundation was exceptionally solid. His spirit energy was far purer than that of his peers, making him better suited to use ghost techniques compared to their original versions.
hǎo chù rú cǐ zhī duō ， duì yú yīn yáng jué dì zhǎng wò 。 lín xuān zì rán shì háo bù hán hú ， rú jīn de tā yǐ jīng néng gòu bì gǔ ， měi tiān chú le bì yào de yì diǎn xiū xī shí jiān ， quán dōu zài liàn qì dǎ zuò ， tóng shí fú yòng dān yào xiāng zhù ， zhǐ qiú néng gòu jǐn kuài zhǎng wò 。
好处如此之多，对于阴阳诀地掌握。林轩自然是毫不含糊，如今的他已经能够辟谷，每天除了必要的一点休息时间，全都在练气打坐，同时服用丹药相助，只求能够尽快掌握。
The benefits were so numerous that Lin Xuan was not hesitant in mastering the Yin-Yang Art. Now he could go without food and drink, dedicating all his time to refining and meditating while taking pills to assist him, hoping to grasp it as quickly as possible.
dāng rán ， lín xuān yě qīng chǔ zì jǐ de zī zhì ， gù ér zǎo jiù yǒu xīn lǐ zhǔn bèi le ， shī bài bú shì wèn tí 。 zì jǐ yǒu de jiù shì yì lì 。
当然，林轩也清楚自己的资质，故而早就有心理准备了，失败不是问题。自己有的就是毅力。
Of course, Lin Xuan was well aware of his own talent and had prepared for failure. Failure was not a problem; what mattered was his perseverance.
rán ér dāng tā jiāng “ yīn yáng jué ” tōng dú le sān biàn 。 bìng jiāng qí zhōng de miào yì xì xì tǐ huì zhī hòu ， què mù dèng kǒu dāi 。 yòu jīng yòu xǐ 。
然而当他将“阴阳诀”通读了三遍。并将其中的妙义细细体会之后，却目瞪口呆。又惊又喜。
However, when he read through the *Yin-Yang Art* three times and deeply pondered its profound meanings, he was both astonished and delighted.
kàn lái zhè yī cì zì jǐ zhēn dì shì shí lái yùn zhuǎn ， lián lǎo tiān yé yě xiāng zhù 。
看来这一次自己真地是时来运转，连老天爷也相助。
It seemed that this time, he truly had good fortune, even heaven's assistance.
gāi mì fǎ què shí shì yī nì tiān de shén tōng ， jiāng yīn yáng líng lì hù xiāng zhuǎn huà ， kě yǐ shuō yǐ jīng wéi fǎn le xiū zhēn jiè de cháng shí 。
该秘法确实是一逆天的神通，将阴阳灵力互相转化，可以说已经违反了修真界的常识。
This secret technique indeed was an unprecedented divine power. Converting yin and yang spirit energy violated common sense in the cultivation world.
suǒ jì zǎi de fāng fǎ ， shí zài shì fěi yí suǒ sī ， dàn xì xì tǐ huì zhī hòu ， yòu zhǐ néng jī jié zàn tàn ， pèi fú bù yǐ 。
所记载的方法，实在是匪夷所思，但细细体会之后，又只能击节赞叹，佩服不已。
The methods recorded were truly unbelievable, but after careful consideration, Lin Xuan could only clap in admiration, marveling at its creation.
yě bù zhī dào nà wèi qián bèi jiū jìng dá dào le shén me jìng jiè ， cái néng chuàng zào rú cǐ nì tiān de yīn yáng jué 。
也不知道那位前辈究竟达到了什么境界，才能创造如此逆天的阴阳诀。
It remained unknown what level of cultivation the senior had reached to create such a revolutionary Yin-Yang Art.
ér zhèng yīn wèi tā yǔ xiū zhēn jiè de zhū duō cháng shí bù fú ， shèn zhì bèi dào ér chí ， gù ér duì yú xiū liàn zhě de tiáo jiàn yě yǔ yì bān de gōng fǎ wán quán bù tóng 。
而正因为它与修真界的诸多常识不符，甚至背道而驰，故而对于修炼者的条件也与一般的功法完全不同。
And because it contradicted so many established norms and even went against them, the conditions for cultivating this technique were entirely different from those of ordinary techniques.
jiǎn dān de shuō ， líng gēn rú hé ， shèn zhì yǒu wú líng gēn dōu duì xiū liàn cǐ mì fǎ méi yǒu yǐng xiǎng 。 dāng wù chū zhè yī tiáo ， jí biàn yǐ lín xuān dì chéng fǔ ， yě chà diǎn gāo xìng dé dà hǎn dà jiào ， yuán yīn wú tā ， yì bān qíng kuàng xià ， gōng fǎ yuè jīng miào ， duì zī zhì dì yāo qiú yuè gāo ， dé dào zhè yīn yáng jué hòu ， lín xuān zuì hài pà de jiù shì yǐ zì jǐ fán rén dì tiáo jiàn ， gēn běn jiù wú fǎ xiū liàn 。
简单的说，灵根如何，甚至有无灵根都对修炼此秘法没有影响。当悟出这一条，即便以林轩地城府，也差点高兴得大喊大叫，原因无他，一般情况下，功法越精妙，对资质地要求越高，得到这阴阳诀后，林轩最害怕的就是以自己凡人地条件，根本就无法修炼。
Simply put, whether one's spirit root was good or even if there was no spirit root did not affect the cultivation of this secret. Upon realizing this, Lin Xuan almost shouted with joy despite his composure. The reason? Generally speaking, the more exquisite a technique, the higher the requirements for talent. After obtaining the Yin-Yang Art, he feared that his ordinary human condition would make it impossible to cultivate.
méi xiǎng dào qíng kuàng jū rán wán quán xiāng fǎn ， tā hái shēng pà zì jǐ nòng cuò ， yòu xì xì de jiàng xiàng guān bù fèn yuè dú le jǐ biàn ， zhú zì zhú jù de tǐ huì ， hěn qiǎn xiǎn ， què shí jiù shì zhè ge yì si 。
没想到情况居然完全相反，他还生怕自己弄错，又细细的将相关部分阅读了几遍，逐字逐句的体会，很浅显，确实就是这个意思。
To his surprise, the situation was completely reversed. He even worried he might have misunderstood and carefully re-read the relevant sections, pondering each word and sentence. It was indeed as simple as that.
lín xuān xǐ xíng yú sè ， lián máng jiāng shén shí jì xù chén rù yù tǒng ……
林轩喜形于色，连忙将神识继续沉入玉筒……
Lin Xuan's joy was evident as he hurriedly sank his spirit into the jade cylinder...
kě guò le yī huì er ， tā de biǎo qíng jiù biàn dé pǒ wèi gǔ guài le 。
可过了一会儿，他的表情就变得颇为古怪了。
However, after a while, his expression became rather peculiar.
yīn yáng jué duì zī zhì què shí méi yāo qiú ， kě xiū liàn cǐ gōng ， jiāng chéng shòu nàn yǐ xiǎng xiàng de tòng kǔ ， yuán yīn wú tā ， jiāng yīn yáng líng lì zài tǐ nèi hù xiāng zhuǎn huà ， sú huà shuō shuǐ huǒ bù róng ， yīn yáng èr qì tóng yàng huì qǐ chōng tū 。
阴阳诀对资质确实没要求，可修炼此功，将承受难以想象的痛苦，原因无他，将阴阳灵力在体内互相转化，俗话说水火不容，阴阳二气同样会起冲突。
The Yin-Yang Art did not require any talent, but cultivating this technique would entail unimaginable pain. The reason? Converting yin and yang spirit energy within one’s body. As they say, water and fire do not mix; similarly, the two energies would clash.
tā men yǐ liàn gōng zhě de jīng mài wèi zhàn chǎng ， hù xiāng chán dòu ， liàn gōng zhī rén jiāng …… zěn me shuō ne ， tòng bù yù shēng dōu tài xiǎo ér kē le ， nà zhǒng tòng kǔ jué duì shì qiú shēng bù dé ， qiú sǐ bù néng ， jiù suàn shì míng jiè de shí bā céng dì yù ， shàng dāo shān ， xià yóu guō yǔ tā xiāng bǐ ， yě bù guò shì máo máo yǔ 。
它们以练功者的经脉为战场，互相缠斗，练功之人将……怎么说呢，痛不欲生都太小儿科了，那种痛苦绝对是求生不得，求死不能，就算是冥界的十八层地狱，上刀山，下油锅与它相比，也不过是毛毛雨。
They fought on the practitioner's meridians, entwining in battle. The practitioner would... well, it was too trivial to describe as unbearable pain; such agony was absolute—neither life nor death could be sought. Even the eighteen levels of hell, with its knives and boiling oil, paled in comparison.
lín xuān zhòu le zhòu méi ， bàn xìn bàn yí ， zhè xù shù yě tài kuā zhāng le yī xiē ， kě ruò shuō gōng fǎ lǐ luàn jiǎng ， yě bù tài kě néng a ， yǐ nà wèi qián bèi xiū shì de shēn fèn ， méi bì yào zhè yàng gù nòng xuán xū ， kuā dà qí cí 。
林轩皱了皱眉，半信半疑，这叙述也太夸张了一些，可若说功法里乱讲，也不太可能啊，以那位前辈修士的身份，没必要这样故弄玄虚，夸大其辞。
Lin Xuan frowned, half-believing and half-skeptical. This description seemed overly exaggerated, but if it were just about the pain, that would be one thing. The text was clear: such feelings only occurred during initial practice; once mastered, yin and yang spirit energy could be freely converted, and any discomfort would vanish.
rú guǒ jǐn jǐn shì tòng kǔ ， yě hái jiù bà le ， lǐ jiǎng dé hěn qīng chǔ ， yě jiù shì gāng gāng xiū liàn yīn yáng jué shí huì yǒu zhè yàng de gǎn jué ， yí dàn liàn chéng ， yīn yáng líng lì kě yǐ rèn yì zhuǎn huà ， qiě rèn hé bù shì dū huì xiāo shī 。
如果仅仅是痛苦，也还就罢了，里讲得很清楚，也就是刚刚修炼阴阳诀时会有这样的感觉，一旦炼成，阴阳灵力可以任意转化，且任何不适都会消失。
Compared to the terrifying pain that followed, what could eighteen levels of hell possibly matter? Any cultivator would grit their teeth and endure it.
xiāng bǐ suí zhī ér lái de hǎo chù ， bǐ shí bā céng dì yù hái kě pà de tòng kǔ yòu suàn shén me ， xiāng xìn rèn hé yí gè xiū shì dū huì yǎo yǎo yá rěn le 。
相比随之而来的好处，比十八层地狱还可怕的痛苦又算什么，相信任何一个修士都会咬咬牙忍了。
However, the subsequent description in the technique was enough to deter even the bravest cultivators...
Lin Xuan did not believe this was a coincidence. A hint of mockery played on the corner of his mouth as it seemed that the rumors were indeed starting to take effect.
While paying attention to these subtle details, Lin Xuan also had other tasks to attend to. On the surface, he appeared to be enjoying the scenery and leisurely traveling, but in reality, he was secretly observing the terrain around Spirit Herb Mountain.
Knowing oneself and one's enemy is key to victory in a hundred battles. Similarly, being familiar with the landscape would increase his chances of survival if any danger did arise.
Of course, these were just worst-case scenarios; Lin Xuan preferred to be prepared for anything.
After about three days of rest, Lin Xuan felt that both his body and mind had recovered to their optimal state. Although various signs suggested potential dangers on Spirit Herb Mountain in the future, it was still relatively safe for now.
Rumors were just rumors. Until things were confirmed, no one would easily offend a sect composed of alchemists. There was no need to worry unnecessarily. Lin Xuan began his untroubled cultivation.
Given his talent, he naturally could not do without spirit pills.
Lin Xuan refined the base foundation pill and ensured that all of them were middle-grade pills.
Since the number of pills he could consume daily was limited, he did not want to waste time with lower-grade pills. The refinement of superior-grade pills was a bit more difficult, so he primarily consumed middle-grade ones.
Time slowly passed...
Lin Xuan repeated the process of refining, taking pills, and meditating in his cave, never leaving its entrance.
Cultivation inherently involved going against nature; the less external interference, the better. He had already made up his mind: unless he reached the late foundation establishment stage, he would not step outside this world again.
First, he focused on practicing *Yin-Yang Art*. There was a hierarchy to matters; elevating one's cultivation level could not be achieved overnight. In this situation, Lin Xuan naturally chose techniques that could quickly enhance his strength.
As long as he could convert the spirit energy within his body between yin and yang, he could learn various secret methods from *True Scripture of Profound Yin*. Unlike orthodox practitioners who followed a gradual progression like rivers merging into seas, the魔道 especially favored alternative paths.
Although there were inevitably hidden dangers during cultivation, the power of these techniques far surpassed those of orthodox cultivators.
This was why Supreme Demon Tyrant Sovereign was feared by the three major elders. Not only did he have an advanced middle-stage core, outperforming old monsters in the orthodox sects, but his cultivation technique was also peculiar and extremely powerful.
At the same stage, a cultivator of the魔道 naturally had a slight edge over a cultivator of 正道, and this advantage was even more pronounced for ghost cultivators.
Of course, there was no free lunch. Everything had its drawbacks; the flaws in the techniques of the魔道 and ghost cultivators not only made them prone to backlash but also made it harder to advance in cultivation. But this did not concern Lin Xuan.
He still primarily focused on the top-grade cultivation secret *Nine Heavens Profound Art*. However, he used the secret methods from *True Scripture of Profound Yin* after mastering the technique of converting spirit energy between yin and yang.
In other words, he could harness the power of a ghost cultivator without worrying about hidden dangers.
With *Nine Heavens Profound Art*, Lin Xuan's foundation was exceptionally solid. His spirit energy was far purer than that of his peers, making him better suited to use ghost techniques compared to their original versions.
The benefits were so numerous that Lin Xuan was not hesitant in mastering the Yin-Yang Art. Now he could go without food and drink, dedicating all his time to refining and meditating while taking pills to assist him, hoping to grasp it as quickly as possible.
Of course, Lin Xuan was well aware of his own talent and had prepared for failure. Failure was not a problem; what mattered was his perseverance.
However, when he read through the *Yin-Yang Art* three times and deeply pondered its profound meanings, he was both astonished and delighted.
It seemed that this time, he truly had good fortune, even heaven's assistance.
This secret technique indeed was an unprecedented divine power. Converting yin and yang spirit energy violated common sense in the cultivation world.
The methods recorded were truly unbelievable, but after careful consideration, Lin Xuan could only clap in admiration, marveling at its creation.
It remained unknown what level of cultivation the senior had reached to create such a revolutionary Yin-Yang Art.
And because it contradicted so many established norms and even went against them, the conditions for cultivating this technique were entirely different from those of ordinary techniques.
Simply put, whether one's spirit root was good or even if there was no spirit root did not affect the cultivation of this secret. Upon realizing this, Lin Xuan almost shouted with joy despite his composure. The reason? Generally speaking, the more exquisite a technique, the higher the requirements for talent. After obtaining the Yin-Yang Art, he feared that his ordinary human condition would make it impossible to cultivate.
To his surprise, the situation was completely reversed. He even worried he might have misunderstood and carefully re-read the relevant sections, pondering each word and sentence. It was indeed as simple as that.
Lin Xuan's joy was evident as he hurriedly sank his spirit into the jade cylinder...
However, after a while, his expression became rather peculiar.
The Yin-Yang Art did not require any talent, but cultivating this technique would entail unimaginable pain. The reason? Converting yin and yang spirit energy within one’s body. As they say, water and fire do not mix; similarly, the two energies would clash.
They fought on the practitioner's meridians, entwining in battle. The practitioner would... well, it was too trivial to describe as unbearable pain; such agony was absolute—neither life nor death could be sought. Even the eighteen levels of hell, with its knives and boiling oil, paled in comparison.
Lin Xuan frowned, half-believing and half-skeptical. This description seemed overly exaggerated, but if it were just about the pain, that would be one thing. The text was clear: such feelings only occurred during initial practice; once mastered, yin and yang spirit energy could be freely converted, and any discomfort would vanish.
Compared to the terrifying pain that followed, what could eighteen levels of hell possibly matter? Any cultivator would grit their teeth and endure it.
However, the subsequent description in the technique was enough to deter even the bravest cultivators...