Chapter 344: Choice

The Corpse Talisman could harm people, yet it could also save them. However, whether this truly constituted 'saving' was highly questionable.

Based on his experience with corpse refinement a few days prior, Qin Sang knew the Corpse Talisman could indeed seal Tan Jie's nascent soul. Though Tan Jie's cultivation was low and his nascent soul fragile, Qin Sang was confident that with careful control, no accidents would occur.

However, once the Corpse Talisman entered the body, it would completely merge with the nascent soul, undergoing strange and inseparable changes, perhaps to the point where it could no longer be called a nascent soul.

Tan Jie didn't possess the jade Buddha that protected nascent souls, meaning that once the merger occurred, separation would be impossible. This process was irreversible and without a solution. At least, the Heavenly Yin Corpse Manual offered no such remedy.

Even if Tan Hao truly managed to find a way to undo the Corpse Talisman, whether Tan Jie would awaken, or if something more terrifying than death might occur, all remained unknown. He might never be freed in his lifetime, and it could even affect the legendary cycle of reincarnation. One could only say that in this vast world, anything was possible. Perhaps a miracle might happen in the future, but the chances were extremely slim.

Should he let Tan Jie rest in peace? Or should he persist in his obsession, never give up, and cling to an incredibly slim hope? Only Tan Hao could make that decision.

Qin Sang found it difficult to state this directly. Instead, he presented the Corpse Talisman as a miraculous art, but used demonic corpse-refinement techniques as an analogy to clearly explain its pros and cons to Tan Hao, especially its consequences. He believed Tan Hao would understand.

After listening, Tan Hao stood motionless, his expression blank, unable to utter a single word.

“Think it over carefully before you decide. But don't take too long, or Tan Jie's nascent soul might dissipate too much, which could have an impact,” Qin Sang said, patting Tan Hao's shoulder before exiting the cave dwelling.

If it were him, what would he choose? Qin Sang shook his head, pushing such thoughts away.

Back in his cave dwelling, Qin Sang tidied his magical artifacts while awaiting Tan Hao's reply. Regardless of Tan Hao's decision, he had to depart for the Ancient Immortal Battlefield in a few days to rescue Shi Hong. He had his own matters to attend to and could not stay in Yinshan Pass for too long.

Liang Yan was active near Yinshan Pass and Fengcang Market City, often using aliases. His movements were mysterious, and he kept a low profile. Further covert investigation was needed to ascertain his whereabouts. Liang Yan's strength was unknown. Out of caution, Qin Sang temporarily regarded him as a Foundation Establishment mid-stage cultivator. Equipped with top-grade magical artifacts, Qin Sang feared no opponent at the same cultivation level. However, he needed to carefully plan how to eliminate Liang Yan without implicating Shi Hong. If he could set up a trap in advance and wait for Liang Yan to fall into it, that would be ideal. Qin Sang was confident that Liang Yan wouldn't escape his grasp. Even capturing him alive wasn't impossible.

Qin Sang was currently pondering how to draw Liang Yan out without alerting him. Suddenly, there was a knock at his cave dwelling.

Qin Sang opened the dwelling's protective array and found Tan Hao standing outside. Seeing Tan Hao's expression, Qin Sang already guessed his decision before he even spoke. He hadn't expected Tan Hao to make up his mind so quickly.

Qin Sang's expression was complex as he asked in a low voice, “Brother Tan, are you truly sure...?”

Tan Hao's eyes were red, and a hint of struggle flickered in them. Then, he took a deep breath and declared resolutely, “Brother Qin, ever since Tan Jie fell into a coma, I've never once yearned for immortality or enlightenment! Throughout my life, the only thought that has sustained me until now is to cure Tan Jie! I'd willingly trade my life for his! If he dies, I don't know what meaning my life would have. As long as there's even a glimmer of hope, I will never give up! Brother Qin, what preparations are needed for that miraculous art? I'll go acquire them right away!”

Qin Sang said no more, shaking his head. “I have all the necessary items here. As long as you agree, we can begin immediately. Please wait outside for a moment; it won't take too long…”

He closed the cave dwelling's entrance. Qin Sang walked to the crystal coffin, opened it, and exposed Tan Jie's physical body.

Qin Sang refrained from extensive commentary on Tan Hao's choice, unable to determine if it was good or bad. After all, in this world, reincarnation also existed only in legends, and no one knew if it truly existed, whereas death was something everyone could truly 'see'.

Although he had used the Corpse Talisman once before, Qin Sang remained extremely cautious. After all, Tan Jie's cultivation was low, and his spirit was extremely fragile, allowing no room for error. Feeling the Corpse Talisman establish a connection with Tan Jie's nascent soul, he struck the talisman into his glabella. Feeling almost no resistance, the Corpse Talisman easily sealed Tan Jie and merged into his nascent soul. Apart from the necessary restrictions, Qin Sang made no superfluous movements, fearing unknown consequences. Then, he carefully placed Tan Jie back into the crystal coffin. Moreover, Tan Hao would certainly not use Tan Jie as a refined corpse.

After merging with the Corpse Talisman, Tan Jie's nascent soul indeed stopped dissipating. As for the future fate of the Tan brothers, only heaven knew.

Qin Sang performed a final check, then opened the cave dwelling's protective array. Tan Hao rushed in. After perceiving Tan Jie's current state, his face showed a mixture of joy and sorrow, and his gaze was unusually complex.

At some point, Yun Youzi had also arrived, and he followed Tan Hao inside, nodding to Qin Sang.

A thought stirred in Qin Sang's mind. He took out a jade bottle from his spatial pouch and handed it to Tan Hao. Inside was a Foundation Establishment Pill.

“Take this Foundation Establishment Pill.”

He had obtained a total of three Foundation Establishment Pills: one as a sect reward and two among Sun De's belongings. He had later consumed one himself, and to fulfill a promise, he had given another to Song Ying. The remaining pill he had intended to trade for something, but it had never been used. While the Foundation Establishment Pill was useless to Foundation Establishment cultivators and not particularly valuable to Qin Sang, who had no intention of taking disciples, it was an invaluable treasure coveted by Qi Condensation cultivators.

Qin Sang, moved by Tan Hao's resolve, decided to help him one last time. Tan Hao had not yet reached Foundation Establishment, not due to lack of talent, but because he had been delayed by caring for Tan Jie. His talent far surpassed Qin Sang's. Although he was already over fifty years old, if he used the Foundation Establishment Pill, there might still be a glimmer of hope.

Looking at the glistening blue pill inside the jade bottle, Tan Hao was utterly stunned.

Noticing Qin Sang's sidelong glance, Yun Youzi chuckled helplessly, pointing at him with a resigned expression. “You, you, you're even calculating against this old Daoist...”

Qin Sang smiled faintly. When it came to achieving Foundation Establishment at over a hundred years old and with declining vitality, no one had more experience than Yun Youzi. With his guidance, Tan Hao would surely benefit greatly.

Yun Youzi didn't get angry. After a moment's thought, he also took out a jade bottle containing a shimmering green pill.

“This Jade Glow Pill,” he said, “was refined by this old Daoist during his Qi Condensation phase to compensate for declining vitality and to break through to Foundation Establishment. It's useless to me now, so take it, Fellow Daoist Tan. Your situation is much better than mine was back then. After consuming it, spend three days refining its medicinal properties, and with Brother Qin's Foundation Establishment Pill, your chances of achieving Foundation Establishment are considerable.”