CHAPTER 546: CHAPTER 546: THE HANGING HEART FINALLY DIED

Having been revealed the truth in one sentence, the other party did not refute but instead laughed: "The fallen world’s fragment indeed provided an opportunity to initiate a connection. Now, as long as there are mortals with greedy desires, we can grant skills."

"I advise you, fellow Daoist, not to meddle, as the world is full of cause and effect. The encounter and soul exchange with Lu Erxi and others is the eternal opportunity of our Green-eyed Fox Race."

"Think from another perspective, our encounter is fate. In the future, it is merely sacrificing a batch of mortals who contribute nothing to the world, exchanging them for powerful demon cultivators as allies. Doesn’t this seem better to you?"

"Survival is the instinct of living beings, but inducing survival through despicable means is detrimental to the Daoxin of you Daoists." Jiang Yuan truly couldn’t persuade further.

Who knows how long void refugees can survive; perhaps it is stable one moment and swallowed by a black hole the next.

When the world shattered, a meteor fell and was luckily acquired by Lu Erxi, which is a great fortune for the Green-eyed Fox Race, perhaps the only way out. A few words of persuasion can’t make them abandon possession and seek survival, surely impossible.

As expected, the other party sneered: "Daoist, talk is cheap when you’re standing, when facing extinction, a glimmer of hope must naturally be seized. Daoxin? Is it more important than life? Without life, what use is a firm Daoxin!"

Conversations bore down, Jiang Yuan then turned to Lu Erxi, "Take my advice, know when enough is enough. You were mortals without Spirit Roots who couldn’t cultivate, now, though slightly damaged, your divine soul has coincidentally acquired mana."

"Henceforth, do not further contact for skill granting. The power is still in your hands; using your current strength to conduct business among cultivators and earn silver coins is easy."

"Do not be greedy, otherwise if a believer progresses rapidly and is completely possessed, or attracts the Ghost Realm, not only are your lives jeopardized, but others might also be implicated!"

The human heart is hidden, and even more so in these nebulous ties; whether the ones behind the scenes are demon cultivators, evil cultivators, or bizarre entities is unclear to anyone.

Think about those terrifying things in the Riverfront Village instance, and the still-clearing Misty Ridge instance, polluted with monsters—shouldn’t it be a significant trouble if they invaded the human world?

Lu Erxi’s face twitched a few times, clearly struggling to make a decision.

Who would dislike having strong capabilities or lots of gold?

Moreover, the gold previously granted has been used to build "palaces" and support believers, leaving him with little left. Even if he grabs two more gold ingots, it wouldn’t ease his heart, would it?

Earning money with existing skills also invades life hazards. Isn’t it more convenient and quicker to receive genuine gold by mere wishing?

"You said before granting skills ninety-nine times allows complete soul exchange, right?" Facing immense temptation yet indecisive, Lu Erxi suddenly thought of a loophole plan, delightedly said: "I’ll strictly control the number of times!"

"Not aiming for so many—just a few more times won’t stir much trouble; we and the sect members still gain benefits. Surely, the mana gained without effort shouldn’t be wasted."

Jiang Yuan felt exasperated, scolding in hate and helpless: "What could be more important than your own safety? You’re living well now; is it that difficult to not be greedy and know when to stop?"

"Wanting a few more times? What makes you think turning into Lu Shaojie’s state would make life better?"

"Aw hoo! Aw hoo!"

Everyone’s gaze followed onto Lu Shaojie; unable to restrain the intense emptiness and hunger within, he ignored the discussion, with his left hand holding a fruit platter and his right hand constantly shoving fruits into his mouth.

He ate with such intensity, making swallowing sounds like pigs and dogs, with fruit pulp and juice smeared across his face and chest, truly unsightly.

"You disgraceful thing, how can you eat again? Make you greedy!" Lu Erxi saw this, furious, wanting to kick him twice but fearing his son’s beast-like gaze, could only curse aggressively and resentfully.

"Continuing to accept skill granting would turn you into this as well." Jiang Yuan patiently explained, "It’s not him wanting to eat wildly, he’s just hungry! With so much soul exchange, the Green-Eyed Fox’s soul requires abundant spiritual energy nourishment. Since you can’t cultivate or absorb spiritual power nor have things providing spiritual fullness, he can only relieve through constant eating."

Saying this, he withdrew 500 spirit stones from his account, stacking a small pile on the table.

"Earlier, severing the locking charm that confined the Ice-winged Eagle with a sword; within it lay matters of rights and wrongs we understand, no need to mention further, let bygones be bygones. Based on market value for similar worn magical artifacts, it’s roughly 300 spirit stones. Given your current situation... I’m offering you 500 spirit stones, advising you to dissolve the Fox Immortal Sect."

He knew persuasion had little impact, but the message must be clear, "These spirit stones aren’t much but could be startup capital, don’t spend recklessly, especially as Lu Shaojie, who received the most mana and was greatly influenced, could alleviate his hunger with one spirit stone absorbing spiritual energy."

With initial capital and extraordinary skills, you can earn spirit stones or spirit fruits through business, Lu Shaojie receiving sufficient spiritual nourishment can gradually normalize. Remember, your current mana comes from exchanged soul power, recharging immediately is essential or hunger madness might lead to damage in the divine soul, threatening life!"

The shimmering spirit stones captivated Lu Shaojie’s gaze, rushing forward to seize them into his arms.

Lu Erxi hurriedly stuffed them in his pocket, "Then, so be it. The affair with the demon beast is settled."

The father and son split the pile of spirit stones on the table, Lu Shaojie inhaling the ethereal spiritual energy, finally feeling full and content, muttering: "Damn, jealous of the Fox Immortal granting us power, while you still toil in cultivation? Humph! Only fools would trust an unseen Immortal over you, black-hearted guy!"

Jiang Yuan: ...

The other cultivators were also taken aback with wide-eyed astonishment.

Yet some voiced understanding, whispering: "Seeing is believing — on one side is skill granting and monetary wealth from Immortals, while the other is a stranger. Surely, they believe the one benefiting them."

"Indeed, with so much unearned wealth, why would anyone easily give up when a stranger suddenly appears asking to let it go?"

"Talking about soul exchange and possession, is there proof? Without evidence, and unseen at that, real gold and free magic seem more tangible..."

......

Hearing whispers, Jiang Yuan’s hanging heart finally fell.

Humans indeed differ greatly; there are cautious ones and greedily reckless ones, but given the gravity, regardless of effect, it’s better to caution nonetheless.

The Lu father and son, holding spirit stones, faced complex expressions from the crowd, making it hard to stay longer, scampering out of the main hall one after the other.

"Daoist, what did I tell you?" The raspy voice of the Green-eyed Fox laughed ferociously from afar, "Everyone has their destiny; no matter how much you say, you’re no match for their short-sightedness. Rather than let such fools live enjoying stability, better to let our race have them, at least to accomplish something. Daoist, fate may reunite us!"

Jiang Yuan ignored him, instead spoke aloud, "Fellow Daoists, whether from sects or cultivating families, as spiritual energy revives, all factions grow stronger."

"I know you each manage a region; many governments and courts treat Daoists kindly. I request all of you to return and widely disseminate notices within your jurisdiction, warning mortals against demonic deception."

"Otherwise, if another Lu Erxi emerges, it might be difficult for all to handle. If notices indeed sway one or two people away from wicked luring, it’s a good act accumulating merits."

Upon hearing this, all cultivators nodded; whether from good-natured reminder or fear for their own power being threatened, mortal reckless beliefs cannot be tolerated!

[Acting kindly daily, fortune +1; lucky draw*1]