This path is called a side gate, also known as a crooked path. Practitioners are called Spirit Masters. It is not orthodox, but they can Cultivate. However, with a cursed relic, one must not only endure the curse but also constantly face backlash, and the possibility of completely refining a cursed relic is almost impossible. Most importantly, Spirit Masters cannot achieve immortality.
Because their power does not come from themselves, but from the cursed relic.
By using a cursed relic to draw in Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, because it is not a Spiritual Root awakened by oneself, the Spiritual Qi drawn in through the cursed relic contains an invisible curse power, which is harmful to the body. Moreover, because it is actively absorbed and refined by oneself, once started, it is like a bone-eating worm and is difficult to eliminate. This curse power will erode the Origin of life, and each time a Breakthrough is made, the lifespan that can be increased is far less than that of a normal Cultivator.
Spirit Masters have short lifespans, but they can obtain powerful strength. A powerful cursed relic can allow an ordinary person, after becoming a Spirit Master, to quickly possess powerful Divine Ability combat power.
Top-tier cursed relics can make a person ascend to heaven in one step.
This is something that orthodox Lianqishi (Qi Refiner) cannot do.
Moreover, cursed relics, in the hands of orthodox Cultivators, can also be used as Magic Treasure divine weapons. Of course, while using them, one must also bear the corresponding curses.
"Once this cursed relic revives, it might directly turn into something strange and evil. Many strange occurrences in the world are born from the revival of cursed relics. One must be careful and cautious," the stall owner said with a solemn expression.
"What is this bronze lamp called, what kind of abilities does it contain, and what kind of curse does it require one to bear?"
Zhuang Buzhou took a deep breath and pointed at the rusty bronze lamp, inquiring. cursed relics are terrifying, but that doesn't prevent one from gaining a corresponding understanding of them.
"This bronze lamp is called the Lamp of Hope. As long as you light it, it will guide you to the path of hope, give you the light of hope. If you are injured, the lamplight will heal you. If you are lost, it will guide you. If you encounter evil, it will turn into the light of hope, protecting you from harm. It creates hope in despair. It is a Yellow Rank seventh-grade cursed relic." The stall owner hesitated for a moment, then continued, "Once used, you will have to bear the curse. The curse of this Lamp of Hope is blindness. Using it once will cause blindness for one shichen to one day."
Hiss!!
Even though he was mentally prepared, he was still startled by the curse.
Using it once will result in blindness, and this curse will last for at least one shichen, or even a full day if it's longer. If he continues to use it, will the curse become even more severe, leading to permanent blindness?
"What kind of cursed relic is this piece of parchment?"
Zhuang Buzhou continued to point at a cursed relic that looked like a piece of parchment, inquiring.
"This one is called a Contract Paper. It's a Yellow Rank ninth-grade cursed relic. As long as a contract is written on it, that contract cannot be violated. Violators will suffer backlash and be afflicted by the curse of the book of contracts, either losing a part of their body, such as a severed finger, or even being deprived of one of their seven emotions and six desires, such as losing taste or hearing. However, using the Contract Paper also incurs a curse: it causes people to forget, forgetting a part of their memories. Forgotten memories are almost irreversible. Each use causes one instance of forgetting, and eventually, all memories in the mind will completely disappear, potentially leading to becoming an idiot. Of course, if used with restraint, it is still bearable."
The stall owner said with a chuckle.
Under certain circumstances, the binding force of a contract is quite strong.
"Contract Paper?"
A flash of inspiration flickered in Zhuang Buzhou's mind, wanting to grasp it, yet feeling very vague and unable to pinpoint its importance. However, he instinctively felt that this cursed relic should be very important to him, and he couldn't help but ask, "I wonder what the price of this cursed relic is."
"cursed relics, according to long-standing rules, have regulations for each rank and grade. A Yellow Rank cursed relic, ninth-grade, costs at least one thousand taels of silver, which is one silver talisman coin. Eighth-grade costs ten silver talisman coins. The price of each grade increases by at least tenfold. As for the highest price, it depends on the cursed relic's own abilities and the strength of the curse it incurs. The greater the curse's hidden danger, the lower the value. The smaller the curse's hidden danger, the higher the value. The evaluation varies from person to person."
The stall owner knew that Zhuang Buzhou was just a newcomer, so he explained some things very clearly, then said, "This Contract Paper, its curse backlash can make people lose memories and forget things. The hidden danger is neither great nor small. Signing a contract on the Contract Paper is a form of restraint. The price, at least, is one silver talisman coin."
An ordinary person cannot afford one silver talisman coin.
"I indeed cannot produce a thousand taels of silver, but I wonder if this can be used as a substitute."
Zhuang Buzhou took a deep breath, took out a box of qingyun tea, and handed it to him.
Crack!!
The middle-aged man opened the box and immediately saw the green tea leaves inside. A strange glint flashed in his eyes, and he clearly smelled the faint spiritual charm contained within the tea leaves.
"Half-Spiritual Tea, good stuff. Are you sure you want to trade this box of tea leaves for this cursed relic, the Contract Paper?"
The stall owner sighed with emotion. This tea was quite rare in the Cultivation world.
"Confirmed."
Zhuang Buzhou said decisively.
"Alright, then let's make the exchange."
The stall owner nodded, then handed the Contract Paper, which resembled a piece of parchment, to Zhuang Buzhou.
"You must be careful. Using a cursed relic requires a drop of blood for refinement. Once blood is dropped, it means you become the host of the cursed relic. Don't forget the curse. If you can become an orthodox Cultivator, don't walk the crooked path. Spirit Masters can gain powerful abilities for a time, but they cannot achieve immortality. Their lives are too short."
The stall owner reminded him again.
Of course, it was just a reminder; whether he listened or not was another matter.
"Thank you, I will be careful."
Zhuang Buzhou nodded and thanked him.
"Also, this book is for you. The tea is good, qingyun tea, hard to find even with a thousand gold in Qingyun City."
With that, the stall owner threw a book into Zhuang Buzhou's arms.
"Record of Cultivation World Oddities"
This is a basic ancient text introducing the Dao of Cultivation. It contains no profound Cultivation Techniques, only introductions to some basic knowledge for Cultivators. After reading this book thoroughly, one will naturally gain the most fundamental understanding of Cultivation and no longer be completely ignorant.
This book was insignificant to Cultivators, but for Zhuang Buzhou, it was a timely rain that could make up for his greatest deficiency. His heart was filled with wild joy.
After thanking him, he did not linger, turned around, and quickly left the trade fair and the manor.
"qingyun tea, Captain Zhuang Buzhou. He's usually a good person. If he can step onto the Dao of Cultivation, it might not be a bad thing. This world is becoming increasingly chaotic, with strange phenomena emerging frequently, and the frequency of side-path Cultivators losing control is growing higher. The appearance of that Red Building here truly makes things troublesome. The Three Great Seas: Chaos Sea, Guixu Sea, and Endless Sea. It is said that the situation there is not optimistic. In a while, I will also have to go there again."
The middle-aged stall owner watched Zhuang Buzhou's retreating back and muttered to himself in a low voice.
He quickly left Green Willow Manor, skillfully returning to Qingyun City, and safely arrived back at his own residence.
Entering the room, he took off his mask and arranged the items in front of him one by one.
Three hundred taels of silver, not a single cent was touched. Instead, the tea he had brought was all gone. His previous stock was almost cleared out, and only his daily consumption remained at home. If he wanted new tea, he would have to wait for some time.
The Qi Awakening Talisman, the Contract Paper, and the Record of Cultivation World Oddities, these three treasures obtained from the trade fair, were laid out before him.
He did not rush to use the Qi Awakening Talisman immediately, but instead picked up the Record of Cultivation World Oddities and began to read it. He knew too little about everything in the Cultivation world, and increasing his knowledge and enriching his experience before Awakening would certainly be beneficial.
"The Dao of Cultivation, with Spiritual Root as the Foundation, Qi Refining and Cultivation."
"Cultivation and Qi Refining are divided into: Innate, Foundation Establishment, Earth Fiend, Heavenly Gang, Gathering Soul, Condensing Soul, True Spirit, Dao Proving, and Primordial Chaos."
"The Dao of Cultivation, Innate Qi Refining, Qi Awakening and opening of orifices, condensing Innate True Qi, the Dao of Cultivation, a single Qi Guanzhi."
Zhuang Buzhou read with rapt attention, unable to help but exclaim that this Record of Cultivation World Oddities was simply an indispensable treasure for Cultivation. It contained a wealth of information, not only basic knowledge and common sense of the Cultivation world but also introductions to Spiritual Roots, cursed relics, and other items. It even included some situations one might encounter during Qi Awakening. Furthermore, there was even a basic Qi Refining Cultivation Technique within it.
This Cultivation Technique, in the Cultivation world, can be said to be the most common and has the longest Legacy. It is said to be the basic Cultivation Technique, "Congenital Qi Refining Method," passed down by the Human Race from ancient times. Regardless of who or what Spiritual Root one possesses, it can be Cultivated. The True Qi cultivated from it is neutral and peaceful, but it lacks any unique characteristics. However, if one obtains a better Cultivation Technique, they can switch to it at any time without any hidden dangers.
This is considered the most common Cultivation Technique. However, it is said that this ancient Qi Refining art possesses the unique characteristic of encompassing all rivers, making it a panacea. But top-tier Geniuses, those with exceptional Comprehension Ability, can use it as a Foundation to create their own Cultivation Techniques. This is a Cultivation Technique that can continuously improve and evolve. Many top-tier Cultivation Techniques are derived from it. However, among millions of Cultivators, such a person may not even appear.
Not to mention, its Cultivation speed is quite disheartening.
Most Cultivators, even knowing that this Cultivation Technique has the characteristic of evolution, still won't invest their efforts into it.
Because it's too difficult.
Therefore, this Cultivation Technique has long been widespread and can be seen everywhere. Becoming a Cultivator allows one to Cultivate it.
This is also a rare act of goodwill in the Cultivation world.