Chapter 385: Have Fate, Meet Again

This Flying Yaksha perfectly matched the description in the "Heavenly Yin Corpse Art," indicating it had evolved from a Foundation Establishment stage living corpse.

The ghostly hand's sudden halt earlier was Qin Sang's attempt to influence its movements using the Heavenly Corpse Talisman.

A Flying Yaksha is a refined corpse equivalent to a Core Formation stage cultivator. Naturally, a Flying Yaksha's strength is undoubtedly inferior to that of a genuine Core Formation stage cultivator. The "Heavenly Yin Corpse Art" forcibly elevates Foundation Establishment cultivators into Flying Yakshas, which results in inherent deficiencies. However, it can certainly suppress pseudo-Core Formation stage cultivators. The previous confrontation also demonstrated this point; Qin Sang and Yun Youzi's combined sword strike was effortlessly shattered by a single punch from the Flying Yaksha, revealing a vast disparity in power.

Despite their preparations, their escape remained fraught with peril, as the Flying Yaksha nearly knocked them off their flying boat multiple times within the passage. Confronted with a refined corpse of this caliber, Qin Sang was uncertain whether the Heavenly Corpse Talisman could still exert any influence over it.

After conducting a test, Qin Sang discovered that by fully activating his spiritual sense to control the Heavenly Corpse Talisman, he could indeed cause a slight impediment to the Flying Yaksha's actions. While this influence was very limited and Qin Sang couldn't sustain its continuous use, it proved to be a remarkable tactic during intense combat, offering substantial utility.

Once the Spirit Bamboo flying boat reached a safe location, the Flying Yaksha, as expected, did not pursue them further. Yun Youzi's gaze was filled with anticipation, and he refrained from interrupting Qin Sang's contemplation.

After a moment of contemplation, Qin Sang had formulated a plan. "Senior," he began, "this entity is indeed somewhat connected to the secret art I wield, and I can influence it. However, I need to conduct a few more tests..."

"Excellent!"

Yun Youzi, completely deferential to Qin Sang, naturally raised no objections. After a brief period of recuperation, the two returned to the entrance of the ice palace.

Following several more trials, Qin Sang gained a deeper understanding of the Flying Yaksha. The Flying Yaksha's most renowned attribute was its exceptional mastery of Five Elements Evasion techniques, enabling it to appear and vanish like a phantom. Yet, due to the Heavenly Corpse Talisman, Qin Sang could detect its movements whenever it drew near.

Moreover, its physical body was incredibly robust, exceptionally tough, and possessed formidable regenerative capabilities. The Ebony Sword could only inflict minor sword wounds, which were instantly healed by the rapidly gushing Earth Fiend Qi. Qin Sang realized it was impossible to deplete the Flying Yaksha's reserves of Earth Fiend Qi. However, since his objective was not to slay the Flying Yaksha, these factors were not significant obstacles. The most terrifying aspect was the Flying Yaksha's corpse poison; Qin Sang was resolute in ensuring he would not be harmed by it.

Qin Sang mentally rehearsed the plan countless times, concluding that he might be able to delay the creature for fifteen breaths. However, attempting to bypass the Flying Yaksha to delve into the side chamber in search of the corpse and relics would undoubtedly lead to certain death. The side chamber containing the Flying Yaksha was situated in the deepest part of the ice palace, and its internal depth was unknown. Over such a considerable distance, it would be impossible for Qin Sang to simultaneously fend off the Flying Yaksha while using the Nine Dragon Heavenly Chariot Talisman to escape. Even if he managed to break in, he would be trapped and ultimately perish within the ice palace at the hands of the Flying Yaksha.

Unless another method could be devised...

Qin Sang's thoughts immediately turned to the two remaining refined corpses in his Corpse Puppet Bag. There was one Fiend Corpse and one Living Corpse. Within a certain range, his spiritual imprint allowed him to perceive the environment around the refined corpses, meaning he could send them in as substitutes. However, by doing so, the refined corpses would undoubtedly perish, unable to escape the Flying Yaksha's deadly clutches. The Fiend Corpse was expendable, but Living Corpses were exceedingly difficult to refine, and losing even one would be a painful blow. This action amounted to gambling with his precious refined corpses.

Qin Sang did not hesitate for long. He understood that one must make sacrifices to gain something, and acquiring the secret method for refining Flying Yakshas would be worth the loss of a Living Corpse. If this still proved insufficient, he would have no choice but to return another day.

With this thought, Qin Sang made his decision and nodded to Yun Youzi, indicating his readiness. Yun Youzi, despite his firm resolve, displayed a hint of unease at that moment. He cupped his hands and spoke gravely, "Brother Qin, I have already left a message with my sect. If I do not return, please take this token to the Taiyi Pill Sect. I bestow upon you a few of my personal effects as a small gesture of my gratitude, hoping you will not disdain them... My destiny, Brother, now rests in your hands!"

"Senior, rest assured, I shall exert my utmost effort!"

Qin Sang's expression turned solemn as he suddenly felt an immense weight pressing down on his shoulders. Yun Youzi turned, his gaze fixed on the end of the passage where the desolate ice palace lay. It resembled a beast's cavernous maw, wide open, waiting to devour any intruder. He seemed lost in thought.

After a moment of reverie, Yun Youzi suddenly revealed a relieved smile. He raised his hand, and the Flawless Pearl soared from his palm, radiating a brilliant light. Qin Sang immediately sensed the immense demonic energy emanating from the Flawless Pearl, pondering silently if this peculiar artifact possessed additional capabilities.

Noticing Qin Sang's curiosity, Yun Youzi explained, "The Nine Splendor Azure Frost Grass wasn't entirely without effect. As my cultivation has advanced, I can now manifest more divine abilities from the Flawless Pearl. With its aid, combined with these other magical artifacts, I should be able to elude that peculiar entity's perception for a brief period." As he spoke, Yun Youzi produced two more peculiar silver, cone-shaped magical artifacts.

"Brother Qin, I shall proceed first! May fate allow us to meet again!"

Before his words fully faded, Yun Youzi vanished from his position.

Qin Sang silently calculated the time. Moments later, dark energy surged in his palm, and ten ghostly banners slowly materialized. As Qin Sang changed his hand seals, the Ten Directions Yama Banners unfurled and spun rapidly around him, emitting wailing ghostly cries. They ultimately formed a formation, which Qin Sang then consolidated before him, ready for immediate deployment.

To confine the Flying Yaksha, only the Ten Directions Yama Formation would suffice. Qin Sang had previously tested this in the Heavenly Corpse Cave, where Yin Soul Silk proved highly effective against Living Corpses. Now, with all ten Yama Banners assembled, the Ten Directions Yama Formation's power was vastly amplified, promising an even more significant effect. This formation, coupled with the Heavenly Corpse Talisman, was the wellspring of Qin Sang's confidence.

Next, Qin Sang slapped his Corpse Puppet Bag, and the Fiend Corpse and Living Corpse emerged, standing side-by-side behind him and following his every move. In the presence of the Flying Yaksha, they were utterly fragile. Qin Sang did not plan to use them to engage the creature directly, but instead intended to dispatch them to search for the Heavenly Corpse Sect cultivator's corpse and relics once a suitable opportunity presented itself.

By the time Qin Sang completed setting up the Ten Directions Yama Formation, silence still reigned ahead. This timeframe was sufficient for Yun Youzi to infiltrate the ice palace, enter the side chamber, and prepare himself. It was clear that Yun Youzi's methods had succeeded, as the Flying Yaksha had not detected his presence.

Now was the moment!

Qin Sang stamped his foot firmly, then, without a moment's hesitation, he dashed towards the ice palace, reaching its entrance in mere flashes. Before he could even steady himself, Qin Sang's expression abruptly tightened, and a powerful sense of warning surged within him. Though he couldn't discern the Flying Yaksha's evasion technique, he could sense its imminent presence through the faint aura emitted by the Heavenly Corpse Talisman. His deliberate creation of a commotion to attract the Flying Yaksha had indeed worked.

"It's coming!"

Qin Sang suddenly let out a long, piercing whistle, signaling to Yun Youzi that he had engaged the Flying Yaksha. They both had to act together, racing against the clock!