: Luo Si's Tribulation Transformation

2025-05-16 Author: Gu Zhenren

As he spoke, the ghost cultivator giant pretended to be casual but shot a glance, secretly watching Sun Lingtong.

Before Sun Lingtong could react, Ning Zhuo's thoughts transmitted through the Life Thread.

Sun Lingtong heard Ning Zhuo chuckle softly: "Boss, go ahead and look. I roughly understand this angler's habits. Just heap on the praise from here on out."

Sun Lingtong naturally knew his brother. Since the age of two, he had been studying human nature. During the struggle for the Molten Immortal Palace, he had played both the City Lord's Manor and Zhu Xuanji like fiddles, showcasing his mastery in this area.

Sun Lingtong followed the advice readily.

He craned his neck, saw the strange fish in the basket, and exclaimed openly: "Wow! Such a big fish."

The ghost cultivator giant immediately perked up.

While marveling, Sun Lingtong examined this Bone-clad Silver Carp.

The fish's skin was semi-transparent, revealing its internal organs and bones from the outside. The bones were hard, dark gray, spreading from the head, growing from the inside out, actually forming a chainmail armor that covered its entire body.

It twitched occasionally in the basket. With each movement, its organs emitted a blue-green fiery light, and the three barbs at the end of its tail would erect, fiercely stabbing around.

Sun Lingtong quickly assessed it and continued: "Marvelous! This Silver Carp has rugged bony armor, tail barbs that pierce waves, gills billowing like drums, and eyes red as if containing stars. Excellent quality!"

The ghost cultivator giant tried to maintain his composure, speaking calmly with feigned modesty: "To be honest, catching it was mostly luck."

Sun Lingtong shifted his gaze from the fish to the ghost cultivator's face: "Brother, for you to catch such a fish in the River of Forgetfulness, your chosen spot must be extraordinary. Just this discerning eye rivals Bole judging horses!"

The ghost cultivator's lips twitched upwards before he forced them down: "You've hit the nail on the head. To catch good fish, you must pick the right spot. There are distinctions between deep and shallow water – how to bait in deep water, how to fish in shallow water – it all has its specifics."

Sun Lingtong nodded repeatedly: "Although I didn't witness you catching it, I can guess that landing such a rare treasure requires immense skill complemented by superb angling technique to succeed."

The ghost cultivator could no longer suppress his smile, grinning widely: "Besides my main cultivation in military strategy, my greatest joy is fishing. Among the hundred arts of cultivation, this is what I excel at most. I've indeed invested much effort and hard work."

"It's a pity you didn't see it firsthand. When I felt a bite, I immediately cast the rod like a sword. This beast tried to escape with a tail flick, so I used the 'Headfirst Plunge' martial technique to dissipate its brute force, then employed the 'Figure-Eight Loop' method, leveraging the water's flow to sketch a Tai Chi pattern. It thrashed left and right but was ultimately trapped within a ten-foot radius."

"We struggled like this for half the time it takes to drink tea before I finally landed it."

Sun Lingtong clapped in admiration: "Amazing, truly amazing…"

Having mingled in the streets, he was silver-tongued. Under his continuous flattery, the ghost cultivator giant laughed heartily, immensely pleased.

Sun Lingtong quickly discerned his character – particularly his tendency to enjoy lecturing – and promptly asked for guidance, expressing his own interest in learning the angling techniques, spot selection, bait making, and baiting methods.

The ghost cultivator suddenly stopped smiling, looking Sun Lingtong up and down: "Little brother, have you also cultivated an Emotion-Forging technique?"

Sun Lingtong's heart skipped a beat, puzzled: "How is fishing related to some Emotion-Forging technique? There must be a connection here!"

His thoughts raced, but he steeled himself and continued expressing his desire to learn such techniques and fishing skills.

The ghost cultivator gazed at him intently: "You've already built a solid foundation. Yet you still want to change techniques? While the Golden Core stage is irreversible, changing techniques after Foundation Establishment is a huge hassle, very troublesome."

"Are you determined to change?"

Sun Lingtong didn't speak, only meeting his gaze with firm eyes.

The ghost cultivator sighed deeply: "You, too, are trapped by love."

"If you wish to cultivate the Path of Emotion-Forging, it is indeed the preferred choice."

"Forging emotions doesn't mean being emotionless. Remember, you must not go to the extreme and cultivate the Path of Severing Emotions. That is a demonic path, no longer human."

Hearing this ghost cultivator talk about being "non-human," Sun Lingtong found it somewhat amusing.

But Ning Zhuo, listening, sensed helplessness and sorrow.

The ghost cultivator began滔滔不绝: "If you switch to an Emotion-Forging technique, fishing in the River of Forgetfulness will complement your cultivation perfectly."

"The emotions and memories that trouble us can serve as bait for fishing."

"Whatever emotions or memories we use will attract corresponding fish to bite!"

Sun Lingtong suddenly understood. Looking at the Bone-clad Silver Carp, he thought this ghost cultivator must have some unfulfilled obsession, which he used for fishing to regulate himself.

"Very well, meeting is fate. Techniques aren't传授 lightly, and碍于sect rules, I cannot teach you my main cultivation method."

"But I can teach you a thing or two about fishing."

"I have spare rods, lines, and hooks here. Take them."

With that, the ghost cultivator took three treasures from his storage belt and handed them to Sun Lingtong.

They were a long spear, a ball of red thread, and a copper coin, all at the magic treasure level.

The ghost cultivator tied one end of the red thread to the spear tip and the other to the coin, then placed it in Sun Lingtong's hand.

"You need to attach your emotions to the coin and cast it out."

"The most basic casting method is the overhead cast. If there's a headwind or many obstacles, use the side cast. Sometimes, when fishing near grass holes or bridge piers, use the swing cast. There's also the skipping method, making the bait bounce several times to attract predatory fish."

"Here by the River of Forgetfulness, the river is wide, so just use the overhead cast."

"I'll teach you the overhead cast technique called 'Green Blade Parts the Waves.' This technique has a sharpness that can pierce the river surface and reach deep into the water."

The ghost cultivator then recited the口诀.

Sun Lingtong, with his astonishing comprehension, understood it after one hearing. His questions hit the core of the matter.

The ghost cultivator answered them one by one, and Sun Lingtong couldn't wait to try.

His first attempt was excellent.

The fishing line drew a long, arching bridge-like arc in the sky, then, with a sword-like hum, pierced the heavy, metal-solution-like river surface, penetrating deep into the water.

The ghost cultivator looked at Sun Lingtong in surprise: "Little brother, it seems you are very suited for fishing."

As he spoke, a Yin wind swept past, stirring the river surface, threatening to create waves.

Seeing this, the ghost cultivator frowned: "Be careful, river waves are coming."

"Although we have the embankment for protection and won't be swept in, our memories will suffer."

"Each wave crash will wash away our most recent memories, so be cautious!"

Sun Lingtong was shocked: "What?"

It was too late.

The next moment, the river wave surged forward, crashing against the black stone embankment, sending spray soaring into the sky.

The spray drenched Sun Lingtong's face. His heart tightened: "What did I forget? What did I forget?!"

The water of the River of Forgetfulness fell on living beings, then vaporized into mist, disappearing without a trace.

"Huh?" Sun Lingtong discovered a treasure seal manifesting within his soul.

The Seal of Emptiness!

The power of the River of Forgetfulness's water was illuminated by the seal and promptly dissipated.

"I... seem to have forgotten nothing?"

"Wait!"

"If I really forgot something, how would I know?"

"Xiao Zhuo, Xiao Zhuo!"

When in doubt, Sun Lingtong asked Ning Zhuo.

Connected by the Life Thread, their spiritual senses communicated with extreme ease.

Ning Zhuo, who had been monitoring all along, quickly compared notes with Sun Lingtong, confirming the latter had lost no memories.

"Is it the Seal of Emptiness?"

"Just the imprint alone can provide such protection. Truly worthy of a super sect's guardian treasure!"

Ning Zhuo sighed in amazement.

Sun Lingtong guessed: "Perhaps it's also because we accidentally absorbed the Void Evil God's marrow in the Thousand Peaks Forest, causing my Seal of Emptiness imprint to mutate."

In any case, he was safe.

Ning Zhuo timely reminded: "The River of Forgetfulness's water indeed has this effect. Boss, be careful not to show your hand. Maybe this mysterious ghost cultivator is tricking you?"

"Mm!" Sun Lingtong nodded inwardly, then turned to stare at the giant ghost cultivator.

The ghost cultivator wiped his face, clearing away the water stains.

Strangely, normally the River of Forgetfulness's water would quickly evaporate upon touching a living being, but on him, it behaved like ordinary water.

Sun Lingtong's heart stirred slightly, secretly guessing: "Is it because of his main Emotion-Forging technique?"

The ghost cultivator also saw Sun Lingtong, his face showing vigilance: "Who are you?"

Sun Lingtong smiled slightly: "Elder brother, we just met, hit it off immediately, and had a great conversation."

"You even taught me fishing skills. Like the technique 'Green Blade Parts the Waves'..."

Sun Lingtong quickly outlined the content of the technique.

The ghost cultivator laughed heartily, dropping his guard: "Correct, that's my self-created 'Green Blade Parts the Waves.' No one else knows it but me."

"It seems you truly are my friend."

"Hmm... I suppose I was lonely. Fishing alone is too boring; I wanted to recruit you as a fishing buddy."

"Did I warn you about the dangers of fishing by the River of Forgetfulness?"

Sun Lingtong nodded: "You said it makes you forget recent memories."

The ghost cultivator: "I forgot, but you, little brother, didn't. So you indeed have some reliance, daring to come to the riverbank."

Sun Lingtong's heart tightened, probing: "Elder brother, you often fish here. With your strength, can't you acquire a magic treasure or two to resist the River of Forgetfulness's power?"

"You just gave me three magic treasures outright, assembled into fishing gear!"

As he spoke, Sun Lingtong waved the fishing rod in his hand.

The ghost cultivator slapped his forehead: "Haha, I thought that spear looked familiar. I even gave you these? It really shows we hit it off!"

"No matter." He waved his hand magnanimously. "I am Luo Si, the number one general under the Lord of Forgetfulness, the Emotion-Forging Ghost General. This spear? I'll just get another one from the armory. The coin and red thread were gifts from others anyway."

"As for me being here, it's to fish while using the river water to forget memories and sentiments, aiding my cultivation. I'm here to drink this river water!"

Hearing the ghost cultivator's identity for the first time, Sun Lingtong was secretly startled.

He never expected that his first exploration of the underworld would lead to an accidental acquaintance with a high-ranking member of the Forgetfulness Netherworld!

He immediately cupped his hands: "General Luo Si, I am Sun Tong, newly arrived in your esteemed domain. I've heard your mansion is planning a major operation?"

Luo Si nodded: "You were drawn here by the black snow, right? Lately, many ghosts have indeed come from elsewhere."

"Are you referring to the ceremony personally conducted by the Mansion Lord, or the攻城之战I'm responsible for?"

Sun Lingtong顺势asked: "Your mansion seems to be attacking an immortal city in the Yang World, but has been unable to take it for a long time?"

Luo Si: "We are indeed attacking, but don't listen to rumors; we just started. What 'unable to take it for a long time'? It only counts if we can't take it after two or three years."

"After all, the target is a proper immortal city! And it's in the Yang World. Many of our mansion's strengths and methods can't be fully deployed there."

Sun Lingtong laughed lightly: "The Yang World..."

Luo Si looked at him deeply: "Little brother, if you want to take a stroll in the Yang World, the Yin Tide Black Marsh Wetlands are indeed a good place to go."

"In the past, that Nether Python had profound底蕴, possessed superior talent, and exceptional brilliance. It created the 'Yin-Yang Rotation Art,' attempting to defy heaven, transform Yin into Yang. During its tribulation, it almost succeeded, falling short by a hair's breadth, and suffered heavenly punishment."

"After its death, its supernatural power transformed a region, connecting Yin and Yang, forcibly creating a treasure land."

"Our meeting by the River of Forgetfulness is fate."

"Since that's the case, I can enlist you in the army. Though you won't hold any military rank, with my token, you won't be bound by military restrictions and can act freely."

These words made both Sun and Ning hesitate.

Ning Zhuo secretly warned: "Be careful, Boss."

Sun Lingtong索性spoke bluntly: "Elder brother, I'm merely at the Foundation Establishment stage, while you are a Nascent Soul-level existence. Why give me magic treasures and such great convenience upon our first meeting?"

If the other party blamed it on 'hitting it off,' that would be too fake.

After all, they had just been washed by the river water, erasing recent memories.

Luo Si laughed heartily: "I'm not afraid to tell you. I was framed and killed by a family enemy, couldn't even enter the ancestral hall, became a wandering ghost,极度unwilling, vowed to复仇."

"But falling into the underworld, my desire for revenge was too strong, almost turning me into a specter!"

"I was lucky. While in a daze, I met the Gray Bone Elder. With his help, I escaped danger, nearly having my consciousness completely消散."

"Naturally, I wanted to repay him. He told me saving me was also calculated, that I would be useful to him in the future."

"I agreed immediately to help him later."

"But he told me I still needed to pass three destined tribulations. Only after these three tribulations would I qualify to help him."

"My main cultivation technique and using the River of Forgetfulness for cultivation were both taught by him."

"I've received much help from him and want to repay him, but the wait is too long,遥遥无期. So I cultivated my fishing skills here, offering all the fish I catch to him."

"A few days ago, he wrote to me, saying I would face my first tribulation and told me the method to transform it."

Here, Luo Si paused slightly, recalling the letter's content – Luo Si, if you want to杀回the Yang World for revenge, the person you meet now is crucial, related to your true destined lord! If you establish a good relationship and pledge allegiance to him, it will be of great benefit to your future!

(End of )