Chapter 345: Stranger

The cultivation world operates on the principle of the strong preying on the weak. Only cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage can truly establish themselves in the cultivation world and possess the self-preservation ability needed for venturing out.

If Tan Hao couldn't break through to Foundation Establishment, everything else would be futile. Otherwise, it was far more likely that Tan Hao would die on the way to saving Tan Jie, making all this effort in vain.

Qin Sang had only intended to ask Wanderer Yun to offer some guidance to Tan Hao. Qin Sang himself had managed to break through to Foundation Establishment thanks to the Dragon Ginseng and the Sect Master's personal protection; he was still somewhat muddled about the process himself and wouldn't know how to properly guide Tan Hao. He didn't expect Wanderer Yun to be so generous as to directly give him a Verdant Glaze Pill.

Tan Hao looked at the two spirit pills before him, and even this imposing man felt a bit flustered. Refusing them was something he couldn't bear to do, but he couldn't simply accept them for free. At that moment, Tan Hao's mind was filled with the thought: "What have I done to deserve this?" Which rogue cultivator dared to hope for a Foundation Establishment Pill? Even disciples of cultivation sects didn't all possess one. What's more, most of Tan Hao's savings had been spent on treating Tan Jie, making it no exaggeration to describe his home as utterly destitute. Tan Hao knew well that even if he sold himself, he couldn't earn these two spirit pills. He couldn't think of anything he could do to repay Qin Sang and the others for such generosity.

"Take them!" Wanderer Yun pressed the Verdant Glaze Pill firmly into Tan Hao's palm and spoke with emotion. "Brother Qin mentioned your righteous deeds earlier, and they deeply moved this old man. Even without Brother Qin's connection, this old man would still be willing to do whatever he could to help. The bond of kinship between you brothers... this old man cannot fully empathize. But the fact that you, fellow Daoist, have maintained this for decades, shows how astonishing the power contained within this familial affection is. The Verdant Glaze Pill isn't particularly valuable; its worth is far less than a Foundation Establishment Pill. Besides, this old man isn't giving it to you for free. Witnessing your experience has made this old man ponder some things, and he has gained a faint understanding. In the future, perhaps this experience will allow this old man's Dao heart to advance further. Consider this pill as payment!"

Qin Sang also tucked the Foundation Establishment Pill into Tan Hao's hand, pointing to the crystal coffin and saying, "Don't just think about yourself. Think about Tan Jie, think about your obsession. If you can't establish your foundation, how will you travel the world, cooped up in a cave dwelling for a lifetime? How will you cure Tan Jie? Do you want him to lie in that coffin, half-dead, for the rest of his life?"

Wanderer Yun echoed his words. "Brother Qin is right. Brother Qin and I appreciate this quality in you, which is why we are willing to help. You can consider this a stroke of good fortune, a fortuitous encounter earned through your decades of hardship and perseverance. Since we're talking about obsession, this old man will add a few more words. These are some insights this old man gained on his cultivation path, which provided considerable help when he established his foundation. Fellow Daoist, you may listen if you wish. Some have said that cultivating immortality is for attaining freedom and requires tempering one's state of mind. If one harbors an obsession that cannot be comprehended, one will surely be disturbed by inner demons. Being stuck at a bottleneck is a minor issue; what's more terrifying is the proliferation of inner demons, leading to qi deviation. But every person has their own Dao; how can they all be alike? In this old man's view, having an obsession isn't necessarily a bad thing. It is precisely because this old man harbors an obsession that he has consistently refused to give up, feared no hardships, and advanced steadfastly, pursuing his own Dao. Fellow Daoist Tan, your experiences are complex, so you should also have similar insights. Before you prepare for Foundation Establishment, you might want to carefully reflect on all your past experiences. Whether you ultimately choose to let go or become even more resolute, it will be a unique understanding belonging solely to you. Perhaps it will be helpful for your Foundation Establishment."

Hearing Wanderer Yun's words, Qin Sang became thoughtful. Wanderer Yun's words were for Tan Hao, but perhaps also for himself. Tan Hao seemed to have grasped something and stared blankly into space.

Wanderer Yun walked over to the crystal coffin. Upon seeing Tan Jie's condition, he suddenly let out a soft exclamation of surprise, leaned in to observe for a moment, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. He glanced at Tan Hao nearby but said nothing.

That night.

Qin Sang was cultivating when he sensed that the restriction had been touched, realizing it was Wanderer Yun.

"I hope I haven't disturbed Brother Qin's cultivation?"

"Senior, please come in..."

Qin Sang invited Wanderer Yun in, his expression slightly puzzled, unsure why Wanderer Yun was visiting so late.

Wanderer Yun entered and spoke directly, "Brother Qin, this old man wishes to consult you about that wondrous technique used to seal Tan Jie..."

"Senior is interested?"

Qin Sang thought, Wanderer Yun might have seen something. However, he wasn't flustered. Demonic Corpse Refinement Arts weren't considered rare, and it would be easy to find an excuse, such as having obtained one from a demonic cultivator. He had been cautious previously because he didn't want to stir up trouble. Corpse refinement was merely a means, and his goal was to save someone. As long as he didn't openly use corpse refinement to harm people like demonic cultivators did, righteous cultivators wouldn't eradicate him simply for knowing such a technique.

Wanderer Yun shook his head. "This old man felt that Fellow Daoist Tan Jie's current aura is somewhat familiar, very similar to that of a strange person I once encountered. I have a faint feeling it might be related to Brother Qin's wondrous technique. I know of a place where spiritual medicine for treating hidden soul injuries might exist. However, that place is fraught with danger. This old man originally planned to only venture inside after reaching at least the late Foundation Establishment stage. A large part of that reason is the existence of this strange person. If Brother Qin has a way to deal with that strange person, this old man is prepared to go and try now. If successful, I won't have to be busy again until I reach the Core Formation stage, at least."

"Strange person?" Qin Sang secretly thought, the aura Wanderer Yun sensed must be the change that occurred after Tan Jie's nascent soul merged with the Heavenly Corpse Talisman. Could it be that he had previously seen a living corpse sealed by the Heavenly Corpse Talisman? If it was a living corpse, why describe it as a strange person?

Qin Sang didn't intend to primarily cultivate the *Heavenly Yin Corpse Art*; he merely used corpse refinement as a means of combat. However, he was very interested in some of its secret arts, especially the secret method for elevating living corpses into Flying Yakshas. A Flying Yaksha possessed combat strength equivalent to a Core Formation stage cultivator. Perhaps it wouldn't be as powerful as a true Core Formation cultivator, but it would certainly be stronger than a Foundation Establishment cultivator. If he could refine one, he could move unimpeded among Foundation Establishment cultivators. What was truly astonishing was that the *Heavenly Yin Corpse Art* could refine a Flying Yaksha without needing a Golden Core corpse, instead elevating it from a living corpse. Unfortunately, the *Heavenly Yin Corpse Art* he obtained was only the incomplete first half.

After returning from the Heavenly Corpse Cave, Qin Sang had also investigated the Heavenly Corpse Sect. He found that this sect actually had little renown; it was only occasionally mentioned due to its unique corpse refinement method using terrestrial qi, unlike other corpse refinement techniques. Records in ancient texts were scarce, with only a few vague sentences. This indicated that the Heavenly Corpse Sect was either not strong, or its existence was very brief; in short, it never gained much influence. As he consistently failed to find any clues about the latter half of the *Heavenly Yin Corpse Art*, Qin Sang later gave up.

If the strange person Wanderer Yun mentioned was a living corpse, it might be related to the Heavenly Corpse Sect. Thinking of this, Qin Sang also developed considerable interest.

"Senior, please elaborate. What kind of strange person are we talking about?"