Am I powerful?

The “Gluttonous Devouring Calamity Record” was a cultivation technique still under development.

Some had tried to improve it, but the results were always unsatisfactory because one more step in modification would trigger a backlash of retribution.

Logically, as long as a cultivation technique could be practiced, it shouldn’t be touched.

Gong Ning didn’t consider herself a scholar and lacked the ability to change or create something unknown.

But she did have the ability to innovate.

“The secret to why the ‘Gluttonous Devouring Calamity Record’ doesn’t cause a backlash is that it prevents the souls of the dead from dissipating. They can neither be reincarnated nor return to heaven and earth, only wandering the world as mindless, resentful spirits. The heavens receive no karma, and the underworld receives no complaints, so naturally, there is no retribution.”

“But there’s one thing your Master doesn’t understand. After a person dies, even if they become a resentful spirit, the cause and effect still exist. Retribution will follow the cause and effect to find its source. Yet, the cultivators of the ‘Gluttonous Devouring Calamity Record’ have never suffered retribution. I think there must be some existence that has taken on the karma for the cultivators.”

So one could only absorb lifespan, not cultivation.
Lifespan belonged to people, but spiritual energy belonged to the heavens.
If the heavens found out, the karma would fall back on the cultivator.

As for the existence that bore the karma, judging from the name, it might be the ancient beast, Taotie.

“But this also works in your favor. Although this ‘Spirit Refining Art’ doesn’t rely on talent, not many people would still cultivate it, because enslaving the dead is the most despised act in heaven and earth, and its retribution is even more severe than that of ordinary demonic cultivators.”

Tao Lingling understood.

It meant that the karma from cultivating the “Spirit Refining Art” would not fall on her.

‘Isn’t this invincible? Beating Lu Yunling to a pulp is no longer a dream!’

“Unfortunately, your Master doesn’t have another technique that can lock spiritual energy onto a soul…”

“Sob sob, Master, you’re so good to me…”

Before she could finish her sentence, Gong Ning was suddenly embraced by her disciple.
Her head started rubbing against her chest again, her jade-like nose brushing against her chest, causing Gong Ning to subconsciously arch her back in discomfort.

“Alright, alright, stop messing around, eek… rebellious disciple, don’t be too presumptuous.”

Her new body couldn’t withstand too much touching.
At least, Gong Ning was unwilling to experience those strange feelings of shame.

“What’s the big deal, we’re all girls anyway…”

Seeing her Master’s embarrassment and anger, Tao Lingling became even more spirited, unable to resist teasing her further.

“Let go, let go of my hand…”

“I won’t let go, Master smells so good, I can’t bear to let go…”

Tao Lingling wasn’t pretending anymore, she was showing her cards!

“Your Master will persuade you one last time…”

‘So what? Master has no cultivation anyway, she should get used to being bullied by her disciple at times like this!’

But a sudden chill descended, and Tao Lingling shivered all over.

She instinctively turned her head and found that the Sword Immortal Jiang Yuyao was standing at the door at some point, her eyes fixed on her prey like a hawk.

She watched as Tao Lingling reluctantly let go and stood obediently to the side, then shifted her gaze to Gong Ning.

“Gong Ning, this disciple of yours seems to lack manners. Your temperament will only make her push her luck. Do you need me to teach her a lesson for you?”

Gong Ning composed herself and straightened her slightly disheveled clothes.

“Yuyao, your words are a bit hurtful. She’s just a child, how would she know so much? She’s just being a little spoiled. But you, why are you back so soon?”

Jiang Yuyao glanced at Tao Lingling again.

Gong Ning was always one to think the best of people.
Before seeing someone do evil, she wouldn’t speculate on whether they had done anything wrong.

This was not good.

Now that she was a weak woman, and she was keeping such a person by her side… she had to be well protected.

Gong Ning saw the dangerous intent in Jiang Yuyao’s eyes and waved to her disciple, “Take these techniques and have a look. I’ll be there to teach you in a moment.”

Tao Lingling nodded and quickly slipped away.

Jiang Yuyao said, “I caught that she-devil on my way to Flower Islet. I fought with her for a bit and learned that she was also looking for you.”

Gong Ning asked curiously, “What does she want with me?”

“She said that everyone who has been reflected in the Heart-Reflecting Mirror has turned into strangely shaped beasts. You are the only exception.”

“Then can I be changed back?”

At this point, Jiang Yuyao took out a mirror from her storage bag.

“I fought with her for about ten rounds. She was no match for me and eventually threw this thing down and fled.”

Gong Ning took the Heart-Reflecting Mirror, but the only thing that appeared on its surface was this devastatingly beautiful face.

Jiang Yuyao continued, “I’ve also looked into this thing, but there’s no image on it. It seems only special people are reflected in it.”

So… she couldn’t be changed back.

Gong Ning sighed.

“It seems I have to accept my identity as a woman.”

“So what? Your beauty is already unparalleled in the world. Putting aside the matter of cultivation, you should be the one who has benefited.”

“You know I don’t like to hear these things.”

“Is it that you don’t like it? Or are you just embarrassed?”

Jiang Yuyao stepped forward and patted her shoulder.

“It’s time to let go of those boring thoughts. It’s more important to look forward. But I see you haven’t been sitting around waiting to die. How is this disciple?”

Gong Ning couldn’t help but sigh again, “Although it’s hurtful to say so, she’s really not suitable…”

[Tao Lingling has learned the ‘Burning Gold Technique’!]

‘?’

Seeing the sudden look of astonishment on her face, Jiang Yuyao quickly asked, “What’s wrong?”

“This disciple of mine seems to have a rather high comprehension… follow me.”

Gong Ning quickly walked into the room and saw her disciple already sitting in meditation.
Her posture for meditation and cultivation was as standard as it could be.

How much time had passed?
Just a moment of distraction, and she had already mastered it?

Tao Lingling knew her Master had arrived.
She immediately opened her eyes and said with a grin, “Master, I’ve learned it. Am I amazing? Praise me quickly!”

Her Master had taught her too much in her previous life.
She might not have had innate comprehension, but her acquired understanding was not bad.

Wasn’t it perfect to use it now to please her Master?

Before Gong Ning could speak, Jiang Yuyao spoke first, “What you’ve cultivated is an entry-level technique required for those with mixed metal-fire spiritual roots. Anyone above the Foundation Establishment stage can master it in an instant.”

She really didn’t like to see a good-for-nothing being so smug, but then she was gently elbowed in the waist by Gong Ning.

“Of course you’re amazing. To be able to do this, you’ve already surpassed many people.”

As an elder, if one only knew how to scold, it was a great failure.
Praise was the one thing in the world that should not be spared.

She didn’t know if it was her imagination, but Jiang Yuyao could see a faint trace of mockery in Tao Lingling’s eyes.

“Gong Ning, do not slack off in matters of cultivation. Since she has such high comprehension, let her consolidate her foundation first, to lay the groundwork for practicing sword techniques.”

This stage was the most painful for new disciples.
It involved holding a horse stance from morning to night, running all over the mountain, and after getting used to it, they had to do it with weights.

Jiang Yuyao didn’t care if Tao Lingling was mocking her.
As long as she was displeased, she had to return the feeling in full.