Chapter Seventy-Eight: The Art of Possession and the Soul-Searching Technique

The Transformation Stage is a pivotal realm for cultivators—a true leap in their cultivation journey. Before reaching this stage, the difference in power between realms isn’t very pronounced. If a cultivator possesses superior strength or magical treasures, it’s not uncommon for them to challenge and defeat others above their own level. The gap between the Nascent Soul Stage and the Transformation Stage, however, is vast. Crossing this chasm brings about a qualitative transformation in both power and lifespan.

Once a cultivator attains the Transformation Stage, they gain the ability to manipulate the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to attack their enemies. All Nascent Soul cultivators, faced with this absolute suppression, are rendered powerless, unable to resist in the slightest. To give an example, a hundred Core Formation cultivators might be able to band together to kill a single Nascent Soul cultivator, but a hundred Nascent Soul cultivators, under normal circumstances, would stand no chance against a single Transformation Stage cultivator. The manipulation of heaven and earth’s spiritual energy is a technique unique to those at the Transformation Stage and above.

Upon reaching the Transformation Stage, the speed at which one absorbs spiritual energy becomes astonishing, and their lifespan is extended several times over. In ancient times, cultivators at this stage were already considered immortals, able to ascend to the ancient immortal realms, absorb immortal energy, transform their mortal bodies, and practice immortal techniques. However, if the ancient immortal clan has perished and the immortal realms no longer exist, cultivators cannot turn from mortals to immortals. Later, some prodigies forged a new path, seeking to comprehend the Heavenly Dao and discover their own unique way of cultivation.

Beyond the Transformation Stage lies the Spirit Void Stage. Spirit Void refers to spiritual energy becoming intangible, gradually evolving into primal energy. When this primal energy reaches a point where it can condense into a primal crystal, this is called the Crystal of Ascendancy. At this point, one’s cultivation transcends the Spirit Void Stage, reaching the Ascendancy Stage—the pinnacle of the first step of cultivation.

Above the Transformation Stage, each minor realm is like a vast ravine, nearly impossible to cross. The difference in strength between levels is stark, and it becomes rare for someone to challenge higher realms. In truth, reaching the Nascent Soul Stage is equivalent to gaining a second life—the Nascent Soul. The difference between Core Formation and Nascent Soul is precisely this: while Core Formation cultivators have a golden core within, Nascent Soul cultivators have a Nascent Soul, another self within their bodies. If one likens the golden core in a Core Formation cultivator to an egg, then the Nascent Soul Stage is when the egg cracks, and another life emerges from within.

The most obvious distinction between cultivators and mortals is the possession of divine sense—a unique ability exclusive to cultivators. Divine sense can be used in many ways, as you already know. But let me tell you of an application you may not yet be aware of—Soul Possession.

Nangong Li’s words paused abruptly, as if waiting for Qiuhan to speak, sensing that he must have questions upon hearing this.

“Soul Possession?” Qiuhan’s eyes were filled with confusion. After pondering for a moment, he asked.

“That’s right, Soul Possession. It refers to a cultivator, when their physical body is on the verge of death, whose divine sense remains intact. By entering another cultivator’s body with their own divine sense, they consume the other’s consciousness, causing their death, and then seize the body for their own use. This technique is extremely sinister, and thus is restricted by the laws of the Heavenly Dao.”

“A cultivator can only perform Soul Possession on other cultivators; it has no effect on mortals. Moreover, it’s not without risk. If the divine sense of the target is stronger than one’s own, one might instead be consumed and perish. Therefore, cultivators seeking Soul Possession usually select those far weaker than themselves to ensure absolute safety.”

“Another use for divine sense is the Soul Search technique. Soul Search is even more sinister than Soul Possession. By probing another’s soul, one can obtain the information they desire. Those subjected to Soul Search may suffer different fates: at best, they lose their cultivation and consciousness, becoming a fool; at worst, their soul is destroyed and they die instantly. High-level cultivators possess an even more refined technique called Divine Search, which allows one to examine another’s memories through their divine sense. This causes little harm and can be used when one does not wish to kill.”

“Both Soul Possession and Soul Search are easy to learn, though Soul Search requires at least Foundation Establishment cultivation. However, if a cultivator below the Nascent Soul Stage uses divine sense for Soul Possession, all their previous cultivation is lost and must be rebuilt from scratch. If one reaches the Nascent Soul Stage or higher and uses their Nascent Soul for Soul Possession, recovery of all cultivation requires only a short time.”

Qiuhan nodded, committing all this knowledge to memory. He then took several bottles of healing pills from his storage pouch, sat in meditation to recover, and, with the healing effects of the Celestial Compass, his wounds were completely healed within a day.

Rising, he circulated his spiritual energy throughout his body, restoring himself to peak condition. Then, his divine sense entered the spirit beast pouch at his waist.

The unicorn was still in deep slumber, shrouded in a sky-blue aura. Sensing nothing amiss, Qiuhan withdrew his divine sense and turned his gaze once more to the small cave.

“Senior Nangong, that giant’s body…”

“Your cultivation is too low to enter at present. Focus first on finding a way out, and remember this place well. When your cultivation is sufficient, return here.”

Qiuhan fell silent for a moment, then nodded slowly. He took out a stack of talismans and a low-grade defensive spiritual shield from his storage pouch, turned, and strode toward the passage.

Outside the passage, the swarm of jellyfish beasts was nowhere to be seen; they had evidently departed. Qiuhan proceeded cautiously toward the exit. Now fully healed, even if he encountered the jellyfish beasts again within the passage, he could safely escape.

He traversed passage after passage for several hours, retracing his steps to the place where he had once been surrounded by the jellyfish and water beasts. Now, it had returned to its former tranquility. Qiuhan cast Water Escape and sped through the tunnels.

Before long, in a small pond within the misty marshes, bubbles began to rise from the water. Suddenly, splashes burst outward, and a figure shot from the water, landing on the grassy bank.

It was a young man, about twenty years old, with sword-like brows and star-bright eyes, handsome and extraordinary, clad in white. It was Qiuhan, now safely returned to the marshlands.

His face no longer bore the sharp, youthful arrogance of before. After months of sect trials, no longer sheltered beneath protective wings, repeated brushes with life and death had tempered his character. He had learned to think calmly in the face of adversity, shedding his former naivety.

He spread his divine sense, surveying the surroundings. The mist now seemed much thinner than when he first entered; within fifty yards, everything was clearly visible. Looking around, Qiuhan found a patch of empty ground and sat down. Perhaps the events of recent days had left him a little weary, and now he simply wished to rest.