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修真世界 World of Cultivation Chapter Two Hundred and Twenty Three “Another Transaction”

This chapter has been brought to you by me, WanderingGummiOfDoom, and warlord212.

Chapter Two Hundred and Twenty Three – Another Transaction

“From today onwards, I do not need earth energy.”

Pu Yao’s words were like a pardon. Zuo Mo felt a heavy weight had come off. The damned drawing out of earth energy finally ended! Thinking that he didn’t have to endure the pain of the earth energy being drawn out, he felt very good!

He suddenly thought about the scene in the sea of consciousness. Was it connected? He remembered that Pu Yao’s face had been very terrible then.

Then he noticed a rare hint of hesitation in Pu Yao’s voice. Zuo Mo did not speak, waiting for Pu Yao’s next words. Unexpectedly, Pu Yao did not immediately speak, but remained silent for a long time.

Just as Zuo Mo almost couldn’t bear it, Pu Yao finally spoke, “Let’s do a business.”

“What business?” Zuo Mo’s guard rose up, the shock in his heart growing stronger. Pu Yao’s voice was full of sternness. The more Pu Yao acted out of the ordinary, the more careful he was. He needed to be careful every time he talked business with Pu Yao.

“Help me analyze mo matrixes.” Pu Yao’s tone was light.

“Mo matrixes?”

“Yes,” Pu Yao looked at Zuo Mo, “I have a use for them.”

“What mo matrixes?” Zuo Mo asked in puzzlement.

Pu Yao thought and then said, “Higher level mo matrixes, I’ll provide you with specimens.”

This was too general. Zuo Mo warily shook his head. “You understand mo matrixes better than I do, I can’t help you.”

Even the mo matrix on his body had been carved by Pu Yao. In terms of understanding of mo matrixes, Zuo Mo thought that he couldn’t compare to Pu Yao. Zuo Mo found it strange that Pu Yao had turned and asked him to analyze mo matrixes.

Pu Yao was not angry. Glancing at Zuo Mo, he said, “You are not wrong, but this only shows that I’ve lived longer than you. Even though I do not want to admit it, but you are the most talented person I’ve seen with formations. Right now, you cannot overcome me, but you have the potential, this is heaven given talent.”

Seeing Zuo Mo keeping his silence, Pu Yao continued, “I am not in a rush. I have enough patience. This can only be good for you. I can supply countless types of mo matrixes. What you have to do is very simple, just study them. [Copper Rhinoceros Mo Matrix] is one of the lowest mo matrixes. The effects of those high level mo matrixes are not things you can imagine.”

Zuo Mo’s heart moved. Pu yao had not lied about this. Of the three formations he had gained from the [Copper Rhinoceros Mo Matrix], all of them were very useful, but were not high grade. Take for example the body tempering formation. No matter how strong the ling energy was, the effect of its tempering would have a limit.

If he could receive even higher level mo matrixes, he could find even higher grade formations that were more complete. Even more importantly, the process of analysis was a cultivation progress, and he could increase his understanding of formations.

Pu Yao had not finished his pitch. He understood Zuo Mo’s personality. To get this guy to agree to something, it was not hard. He only needed to give something that the other could not refuse!

That was what he was doing now.

“No matter if it is xiuzhe, or yaomo, I know at least a bit about all kinds of cultivation methods. I can guide you in your cultivation. Your cultivation is not pure. Ling power, spiritual power, body, you cultivate all of it. If you receive accurate guidance, you might be a miracle. However, if you keep going like this, it would only become more heterogeneous, and in the end, you will achieve nothing.”

Zuo Mo knew that Pu Yao’s words were not empty threats. Truthfully, he himself had already felt that his strength was too heterogeneous, yet he lacked true understanding of each kind of power.

“Or maybe I can help you solve the secret in your body.”

The last bomb that Pu Yao lightly threw down was like a bolt of lightning!

“Changing features and erasing the mind, not many yaomo use these. Only the cruelest of people would do such things.” He glanced at Zuo Mo. “Changing features and erasing the mind, it basically cannot be undone.”

Zuo Mo’s heart sunk. The temperature of the room was not low, but his body felt cold.

“Your body has something else.” Pu Yao’s words were shocking.

“What?” The words jumped out of Zuo Mo’s mouth.

“A very rare five element glass bead.” Pu Yao said, “Sealed inside it is another person’s power, or maybe something else. There may also be a clue.”

Pu Yao continued, “If there is no trace inside, then use Reverse Shadow Spirit Silkgrass. It is very hard for memories to be completely erased. There would always be some fragments left. If you use Reverse Shadow Spirit Silkgrass, you can find these pieces. I know of a place you can find Reverse Shadow Spirit Silkgrass.”

Zuo Mo was silent.

Pu Yao looked at Zuo Mo and knew he needed time to digest this, closed his mouth and patiently waited.

A long time later, Zuo Mo felt his mind start to move. Staring at Pu Yao, his voice was raspy as he asked Pu Yao, “How do you break the jinzhi on the five element glass bead?”

“You to reach jindan, or for me to recover my power.”

“How long would it take me to reach jindan?”

Pu Yao had a careful expression. “I cannot guarantee this.”

“Okay,” Unexpected to Pu Yao, Zuo Mo agreed.

Originally, he had wanted to ask Pu Yao why the other wanted him to analyze mo matrixes, but thinking about it, that didn’t have anything to do with him.

“It seems that we will be in business in the long term.” Pu Yao’s bloody pupil was a patch of peace, his gaze holding none of the underestimation and arrogance he held previously. The three formations Zuo Mo had discovered from the [Copper Rhinoceros Mo Matrix] had been an enormous blow to him. What had blown Pu Yao away wasn’t how exquisite the three formations were but Zuo Mo’s efficiency.

The time that Pu Yao had spent on pondering mo matrixes was longer than Zuo Mo’s lifetime, but he found that his pace was that of a turtle climbing compared to Zuo Mo. The astounding talent that Zuo Mo displayed in formations shocked him, and allowed him to see a thread of hope.

The effect of the Nether Pool was not as good as he had imagined. His situation was not good at the moment. Even more, he didn’t have many choices.

A series of factors forced him into a position of cooperation.

 

———

 

Zuo Mo didn’t know these reasons. He didn’t need to know. Just the “secret in your body” that Pu Yao had said was enough for him to agree to this transaction. This matter had always been an illness plaguing his heart. Zuo Mo was very practical, and he did not have high ambitions. He liked a peaceful life. Even if he knew that his consciousness had been erased, in the depths of his heart, he unconsciously did not hope for himself to enter a life of revenge. Adding on that he had no clues, this matter had been deeply buried inside his heart.

His hard work and labors were not for revenge, but to survive. This was his reality.

Yet no one could disregard their past, especially when he was told that there was a five element glass bead inside his body. His heart was instantly struck.

Who put it there? What connection did the person have to him?

He wanted to know!

 

———

 

Pu Yao was very satisfied with the transaction this time. He was very clear to Zuo Mo’s situation. To an expert who was able to massacre Gongsun Cha in the wargames, and having experienced the thousand year battle, Pu Yao’s line of thinking was more far-sighted than Zuo Mo.

What did Zuo Mo need most right now?

Strength!

The troop that Gongsun Cha had made could only be considered distant water, and distant water could not resolve nearby thirst.

The growth of strength had its necessary patterns. Pu Yao knew this, but he naturally had his own reasons to dare to say such worlds. What he was relying on was not anything other than Zuo Mo himself. Zuo Mo’s cultivation, due to different reasons, had been constantly suppressed by Pu Yao, and it was this suppression that caused him to be on the precipice of a boundary.

His own situation made Pu Yao realize he had to change his strategy.

“You are at the doorway of a breakthrough,” Pu Yao said straightforwardly, “Your body cultivation is in Mountain Physique. Even though it is only one mountain, it is one step away from an abhinna.”

“One mountain? Abhinna?” Zuo Mo became alert.

“The mountain physique is divided into three strata, one mountain is the first stratum. You have cultivated to mountain physique, absorbed earth energy, your body cultivation has truly made it into the gate. Now that you have reached mountain physique, you are not far from an abhinna.” Pu Yao said a little lie right there. Originally, Zuo Mo should have been able to achieve an abhinna a long time ago. However, he had deliberately stopped it, and so, even now, he still hadn’t formed an abhinna.

Pu Yao’s face didn’t blush as he said, “Abhinna is the term used by dhyana xiu. When cultivation of the body reaches a certain level, the self becomes enlightened, and the abhinna forms from the self. The abhinna is born of the self, and so everyone’s abhinna is naturally different.”

Zuo Mo didn’t really understand.

“Oh, dhyana likes talking so mystically. You can understand it like this. What is body cultivation? It is to forge the body as though it is a talisman. When it reaches a certain stage, some abilities would naturally form. Each person’s blood and flesh is different, so the abilities are varied.”

After Pu Yao’s explanation, Zuo Mo felt he understood much more. Talismans, and flying swords, after they were tempered for a long time, they would naturally become more powerful.

“I can form an abhinna?” Zuo Mo was slightly excited. He was very curious what his own abhinna was.

“Oh, pretty much,” Pu Yao muddled, “absorb more earth energy these next days. That stuff is very useful.”

In order not to have his lie seen through, he quickly changed the topic. “Other than an abhinna, there is something else that can dramatically increase your strength.”

As expected, Zuo Mo was guided by his words. He was slightly shocked. “What is it?”

He never knew that he had anything on his body that could greatly increase his strength.

“That five element glass bead,” Pu Yao said. “Five element glass beads are somewhat rare talismans, it can store ling power, and turn ling power into five element base source.”

“Turn ling power to five element base source?” Zuo Mo was slightly shocked. He was reminded of Lil’ Pagoda. Lil’ Pagoda was able to deconstruct talismans and materials into five element energy, but compared to five element base source, five element energy was the lesser variant. Five element energy could form marrow, forming five element marrow. The little gourds hanging on Lil’ Pagoda’s eaves were five element marrow. Five element base source was the finest and best part of five element marrow.

“Yes, five element base source is something very good. When you were injured last time, it was this bead that repaired your body. Five element base source is very easy to absorb, and suitable for body cultivation. I wonder who put it in, they were really extravagant,” Pu Yao said with a smile.

Strangely, Zuo Mo suddenly felt his heart move.

This movement was very suddenly. He suddenly had a feeling this five element glass bead was very important to him!

He could not say why he would have this feeling, but this feeling was strong, so strong to the point that he could not disregard it. He did not know who this five element glass bead belonged to, but the person who put this five element glass bead in him, it must be one of his closest people.

Was it his parents?

He raised his head, his tone decisive. “Don’t use it. Let’s cultivate an abhinna.”

Translator Ramblings: Pu has plans within plans. Even if the gravestone had Zuo Mo take advantage, Pu still spun this to his advantage.

Pets in the real world usually are domesticated and do as they are told most of the time. However, when these “pets” have human-level intelligence, where is the line between treating them like they are individuals or as though they cannot decide for themselves? A lot of “pets” in fantasy novels are just as intelligent as other individuals but they are not acknowledged properly. Many times, they are just transportation, or a deus ex machina. What is frequently seen is the main character will spare the life of an animal, and this animal will follow them for the rest of their life. In fact, these animals seem to have better conduct than the humans frequently. They aren’t greedy and they are loyal and intelligent. But if they are so intelligent, why aren’t they allowed to have a personality? The “pet” doesn’t have to do what the main character or “owner” wants. If it is an exchange of services between individuals, why can’t the other side be selfish and look out for their own best interest? Think of Zuo Mo’s little zoo as individuals and you may find their actions more understandable.

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46 thoughts on “修真世界 World of Cultivation Chapter Two Hundred and Twenty Three “Another Transaction””

  10. Zuo Mo’s pets kinda remind me of my cats. Even though they aren’t at human level of intelligence, they shouldn’t be treated as objects, they are living beings and have their own personalities, feelings and thoughts 😉
    Thanks for the chapter =^^=

    Reply

    2. Lil’ Pagoda is able to act independently on its own, feel affection for others, and in terms of pure functioning, it can control formations accurately which even Zuo Mo cannot do. Silly Bird knows beauty, understands how to show off and can judge Zuo Mo’s actions. They might not have “human level intelligence” which is already hard to categorize, but are more intelligent than the average steed/animal.

      Reply

      1. Even though they are more intelligent than regular beasts their actions still piss me off since they wouldn’t even be intelligent if not for Zuo Mo. Had Mo not given the Stone Milk to what was originally a giant goose then there would be no silly bird. Even more so for the pagoda. Mo injected his own conscienceness into the pagoda. The other even said the pagoda was like an extra arm to him. I can’t speak for everyone but if my arm of its own volition gave my wallet to someone else words cannot describe the rage I would have. For Mo to not have punished the bird and to not we the seriousness in the pagoda’s betrayal… Alas, on many occasions Mo has no backbone.

  12. Is this a road for our mc to finally be op? A way for our ghost to follow like every other old man ghost and seriously help in cultivation and alchemy (formation here)?

    Reply

  13. Thanks for the chapter
    I agree with your ramble about pets, but I think Silly Bird could still be a bit less like that as the only reason she is so beautiful is because of Zuo Mo ~
    But otherwise I like his pets x)

    Reply

  14. Thanks for the chapter!

    More mysteries! Where does Zuo Mo’s knack with formations come from? Who put the crystal bead in him? What does Pu Yao really want? The answers in the next chapter… NOT! Came back in a few hundreds and lets see then! 😛

    Reply

  15. You said intelligent “pet” can have its own personality and act on their own interest. But Lil Pagoda is not just any “pet”, it is a part of Zou Mo’s consciousness and thus should prioritize his own benefits above anyone else. The crane and worm didn’t feed it, Zou Mo did, and it should be a mutual relationship.

    Anyway, Thanks for the everyday chapters from a lurker.

    Reply

    1. It’s a bit blurry but Zuo Mo is more like Lil’ Pagoda’s parent/ consciousness donator. The primary abilities that Lil’ Pagoda has was made by that roaming xiu that made the pagoda. Even Zuo Mo admits he is akin to Lil’ Pagoda’s daddy. So this is a parental-child relationship.

      Reply

      1. That is a very good analogy. I just remembered the classic situation of the child who hides his doggy under the table at dinner time, and feeds him morsels when the parents aren’t looking. Lil’ Pagoda was behaving the same way! 🙂

  16. Enlightening translator ramblings 🙂 I think you might even be able to write a top novel or help someone create a very good one 🙂

    Reply

    1. Thank you for the compliment. My ramblings are a mixture of things people focus on in the comments as well as what Fang Xiang does in his storytelling. I can comment but I’m actually terrible at writing anything.

      Reply

  17. Pu is starting to go from business transactions to being greedy of Zuo’s abilities and items. From the start until now it was fine as Pu have never stepped over the line, but i feel like he soon will do exactly that!

    Reply

  21. Meatbun Delivery~
    Thank you for the chapter 🙂

    pu finally got desperate enough to acknowledge Zuo Mo huh..
    … i’m kinda confused whether which of the two got the better side of the trade.. and which is the real offer and cost..
    help Pu Learn Mo Matrix = Zuo Mo got an instructor on Formation
    help Zuo Mo solve his body problem(which Pu suppressed) = instant Power Up

    so, for short term Zuo mo got a lot or even everything from the trade.. while Pu got.. trust(?) and a dedicated Researcher..
    …meatbun is still suspicious.. this just doesn’t add up..

    Reply

    1. Meatbun has a lot of distrust in Pu, why can’t Pu be nice? Yes, it doesn’t add up on Pu’s end in the short term, but Pu is making a long term investment. If everyone was good enough to study mo matrixes, why hasn’t the xiuzhe all gotten them on their bodies yet? What Zuo Mo has done and has the potential to do is something that hasn’t been done in thousands of years.

      Reply

    2. i’d say at this point its mutal benefit, Pu Yao is getting hope of a future and long term benefits if(it will obviously) this investment pans out, while Zuo Mo gets everything he needs for the short and long term.

      Reply

  22. Things are moving lone nicely. I have alot of questions, but will wait for now._.

    Reply

  23. Your speed at translating is amazing. It really helps soften the blow of having finally caught up to have a new chapter come out daily. Something to look forward to.

    Reply

  24. thanks for the chapter,
    very good chapter as it expanded and explained many things which have been left unclear up to now

    Reply

  25. I’m surprised that Pu Yao didn’t think that the formations gained from the various matrices would be reward enough. Its not like Zuo Mo has any less to gain from there study than Pu Yao. Heck, he may be able to gain even more.

    I knew the mo matrix was slowing down his cultivation, but I thought it was just because Pu liked screwing Zu Mo over. I didn’t realize he’d been suppressing him across the board.

    I wonder if this means that he could use ling energy to feed Lil’ Pagoda? Also wondering if he can study the bead and develop a talisman that can transform ling energy into five element base source. Most cultivators wouldn’t find it very useful, but Lil’ Pagoda and most crafters probably would.

    Reply

    1. The bead … .. the bead is very special and um … … yeah. Let’s leave the bead alone. So Pu did use the mo matrix to screw with Zuo Mo, but he also hoped to benefit from it since he saw what went on with the gravestone. Feeding pure ling power doesn’t work. It needs to turn to five element power first and it would have to be huge amounts of it. Lil’ Pagoda has been eating a lot of high quality stuff in order to level up. Just feeding ling power isn’t enough.

      Reply

      1. Right, but I meant after filtering it through the bead or after studying the bead and figuring out how it manages the transformation so that he could copy the effect somehow.

  30. Zuo Mo’s little zoo is amusing. I dont’ mind it. Its nice seeing pets having their own personalities and behaviors. Besides he treats them all as Jingshi and expects obedience. Yeah right. Though that would kinda put the fear of god in you if you were treated as money, it would be rather distant and cold and feeling given by the person looking at you would be rather disgusting.

    Reply

  32. Darn it so it was really Pu’s doing huh 🤣
    No way he didn’t intentionally arrange the mo matrix to cross Zuo Mo’s dantian. And he also draw the earth energy hence hamper his body cultivation.
    I know everythin that’s happened now wouldn’t happen without Pu but I hope Zuo Mo can get strong enough later to teach him a lil lesson haha.
    I hope they didn’t become enemies tho

    Thanks for the chapter!🍀

    Reply

  33. Oh, pu yao seems really engaged now. He trust zuo mo abilities very much. I’m so happy to see them getting closer

    Reply

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