Chapter 4, Oath

At this moment, Chu Youcai's gaze was resolute, his eyes like lightning. In this world that belonged solely to him, he shouted in a deep voice: "I, Chu Youcai, will definitely protect everyone around me. I must become strong, master the way of heaven, and reverse yin and yang. Within three years, I will find a way to extend Yun Cui Xian's lifespan. If I break this oath, I shall descend to the eighteen layers of hell after death and suffer the most severe punishments"

This spirit claims to be a sovereign, which indicates its uniqueness; the more unique it is, the higher the difficulty of the trial. If one does not accept the trial, it is equivalent to giving up the inheritance of the Toad Dragon Mountain River Pearl. What level is the Jin Zhen grade?

The ghostly technique, after transforming into a vengeful spirit, absorbs the essence of heaven, earth, sun, and moon through the practice of breathing and meditation, making it even more impossible for Chu Youcai.

As soon as he had a thought, it seemed as if the stone tablet responded to his inner contemplation, and a line of text immediately appeared: "That is because there is yang energy to compensate for lifespan"

It is said that only high-level cursed artifacts can generate inner worlds and also produce spirit beings, but at the same time, they will present some extremely challenging trials. I wonder if this is truly the case

After gaining a general understanding of the usage of the Toad Dragon Mountain River Pearl, Chu Youcai had a thought: "Ordinary people cannot replenish their lifespan; if they use it excessively, their lifespan will inevitably be exhausted, leading to death. But how is it that I have heard of some ordinary people who, after obtaining cursed treasures, can continuously wield them?"

Chu Youcai's gaze was fierce and intense, his entire being exuded a tiger-like ferocity, as he declared in a commanding voice: "I am the master of my own fate, I accept the trial"

The Dragon Mountain and River Pearl

Then he quickly noticed that deep in the ocean, there was a towering stone tablet, shimmering with golden light, prominently displaying many characters.

In addition to the imperial examination, there is only one way to achieve literary prestige, which is to compose poetry and prose that resonates with a hundred schools of thought, elevating poetry and prose to a position of singular honor, and spreading it throughout the world. Only then can one gain recognition in the literary realm and be granted literary prestige. To resonate with a hundred schools of thought, one can refer to the earlier work "Jinse" by Chu Yucai, which accomplished this. However, to achieve singular honor in poetry and prose, without widespread fame, a high position, or the backing of a prominent family, how could others regard this poetry as singularly honored? Furthermore, to spread it throughout the world, it must possess an extremely high level of popularity and recognition, which requires a significant amount of time to accumulate.

Toad Dragon Technique? It seems this is indeed the attack technique of the Toad Dragon Mountain River Pearl

Even if I only have three years to live, I will not let you down

The so-called arts and techniques encompass Daoism, Buddhism, talismans, and so forth. Daoists represent the Daoist arts, Buddhists represent the Buddhist arts, and talisman practitioners represent the talismanic arts. A decade of diligent practice is essential, requiring unwavering effort and dedication.

"Is the Yang energy replenished?" Chu Youcai felt a stir in his heart and asked.

The Dragon Mountain River Pearl is an object used to drive away evil spirits. If one kills a demon or ghost and absorbs its ghostly energy, it can replenish one's yang energy. Every ten years of ghostly energy is equivalent to one inch of yang energy

But what shocked Chu Youcai was the first half of the sentence

Upon hearing this, Chu Youcai felt a sudden clarity in his heart

Cui Xian, I will protect you and reclaim the ten years of life that belong to you

Chu Youcai suddenly recalled the first time he met Yun Cuixian, seeing the expression of sorrow and fatigue on her face, and observing her frail figure; at that moment, he suddenly understood everything

I unexpectedly obtained an extraordinary cursed artifact

Chu Youcai's voice was like gold and stone, and as he made this vow, it suddenly caused the entire sea to roar and surge, with countless flashes of lightning and thunder. The stone tablet also trembled slightly, and even a line of text appeared: "Your vow has been accepted by me! In three years, do not regret!"

Chu Youcai felt clear-headed and, at that moment, attentively surveyed his surroundings, carefully observing everything around him

Using the Toad Dragon Mountain River Pearl requires the expenditure of one inch of yang energy, but if one can seize ten years of ghostly energy, it can restore one inch of yang energy, balancing the consumption; if one can seize more ghostly energy at once, it can additionally extend one's lifespan

He rasped, "This is impossible! This is impossible! How could I possibly have only three years left?"

Chu Youcai now bears a stain on his reputation; even with his remarkable literary talent, it is impossible for others to hold his poetry in esteem, let alone spread it across the world. This is also the reason why, after writing "Jinse," Chu Youcai did not receive even a hint of literary recognition.

What exactly is the inch of sunlight that can drive the Toad Dragon Mountain River Pearl once?

Very well, as you wish, one year of your lifespan will be deducted, and the trial begins! If you die in the trial, you will also perish! Tsk tsk, there has never been a precedent of a mortal passing my trial! The blood-written words on the stone tablet are grotesque and eye-catching

So it is like this! So it is like this!

It should be noted that ordinary cursed artifacts do not possess such an inner world

The inscription on the stone tablet continues: "Ten years of magical arts, ten inches of literary spirit, ten years of ghostly energy, and one year of lifespan, all can counterbalance one inch of yang energy"

Upon reading the subsequent passage, Chu Youcai could not help but feel a chill in his heart

Chu Youcai was aware that many people on the Loulan continent were abusing cursed artifacts, resulting in being backfired by these artifacts and subsequently becoming mere walking corpses. He firmly remembered the limitation of three uses per day. If the limit is set at the midpoint of the Zi hour, then if three uses are performed before midnight, it would be possible to continue using them three more times after midnight, thereby maximizing the number of uses.

Upon thinking of this, Chu Youcai was filled with a sense of grandeur; if other mortals could achieve it, so could he

Chu Youcai, you now have only three years of life left

What a joke? I have to go find my sister, protect her, and at the same time protect my wife, Yun Cuixian, but I only have three years of life left?

At that moment, the inscription on the stone tablet revealed the following words: "Chu Youcai, your lifespan has come to an end. However, considering that Yun Cui Xian prayed for ten years of lifespan, you have been granted an additional three years of life."

It seems that I must wield this Toad Dragon Mountain River Pearl, but each time it can only consume a year of my lifespan. However, this cost is extremely great; one must understand that whether it is Daoist techniques, literary energy, or ghostly energy, they can all be restored in just a few days after being depleted, but lifespan cannot be restored.

He actually has only three years of life left

I must become powerful; only by becoming powerful can I master the way of heaven, reverse the yin and yang, and extend your lifespan

His entire body tensed up, his heart was roaring, yet a sense of helplessness surged within him

After the true blood recognizes its master, each inch of yang energy can be used to invoke the Toad Dragon Technique once! A maximum of three invocations can be performed daily, limited to the interval of the Zi hour. If the limit of three is exceeded, the curse of the Toad Dragon Mountain River Pearl will backfire, and demonic creatures will emerge

Chu Youcai could hardly believe his eyes; after taking a closer look, he was instantly rendered speechless.

At that moment, a striking line of text appeared on the stone tablet: "Chu Youcai, you now have only three years to live. Will you accept the trial? The Toad Dragon Mountain River Pearl is of the brocade treasure level, and I do not wish for the incapable to obtain this item!"

As if struck by lightning, his body began to tremble

If it were not for her, I fear that this body of mine would have long since turned to ashes.