Chapter 389: Long-Awaited Person

In his notes, Wu Shang described all his attempts as being made under the circumstances where, after transforming into a Flying Yaksha, he still found himself unable to remove the Sky Corpse Talisman despite exhausting all methods, thus being forced to commit to the path of corpses.

What if someone, unafraid of the Sky Corpse Talisman's spiritual binding, could remove the talisman and abandon the path of corpses after becoming a Flying Yaksha?

What would become of the Corpse Core?

Would they… regress in cultivation?

Qin Sang pondered this, then ultimately shook his head.

Qin Sang controlled the living corpse, bending to bow to 'Wu Shang'.

Wu Shang was the second person Qin Sang had met, after Yun Youzi, who possessed such an unwavering devotion to the Dao, exhibiting indomitable spirit and never giving up.

He was willing to endure the fate of becoming a Flying Yaksha, losing his sanity, and having his soul forever trapped within the refined corpse, condemned to wander alone in the silent ice cave.

Such extreme dedication is vital for achievement.

He truly deserved the title of a Dao Seeker.

Coincidentally, both Yun Youzi and Wu Shang arrived at this very place in pursuit of the Night Bloom Lily, reaching the same destination through different paths.

One might not like such individuals, but it's impossible not to admire them.

The living corpse slowly retreated from the side chamber, casting a final glance at 'Wu Shang'.

'Wu Shang', seated cross-legged on the ice, perceived the living corpse's movement. He looked up, his gaze meeting that of the corpse, his dark pupils reflecting only coldness, before he closed his eyes and returned to stillness.

In the faint azure glow, only a solitary figure remained.

The living corpse returned to Qin Sang's side.

Qin Sang opened the Corpse Puppet Bag and stored the living corpse. His injuries had mostly recovered. Once Yun Youzi was sent inside, his mission would be complete, allowing him to leave this place and proceed to Qingyang Market to await the results.

From Wu Shang's notes, Qin Sang learned that the spiritual herb Night Bloom Lily grew here. This was a heaven-and-earth treasure capable of purifying the soul and nourishing the spirit.

He only hoped Yun Youzi could obtain this medicine to heal his hidden injuries.

Next, Qin Sang summoned the Ebony Sword, the Ten Directions Yama Banner, and the Nine Dragon Heavenly Chariot Talisman.

His entanglement with the Flying Yaksha this time had relied entirely on these three treasures.

The Flood Dragon's essence spirit was unharmed by the Flying Yaksha, and the Nine Dragon Heavenly Chariot Talisman remained intact.

The Ebony Sword had taken a direct punch, its luster somewhat dimmed. Qin Sang activated his spiritual sense and meticulously examined it; there was no damage to the sword body itself, and it would easily recover by being nourished by his soul.

The Ten Directions Yama Banner had exerted the most power and was likely the most severely damaged.

The Yin Soul Threads had been forcefully torn apart by the Flying Yaksha, and its primary soul had been directly shattered by a heavy punch. Qin Sang hadn't yet had time to check its condition.

Qin Sang unfurled the Ten Directions Yama Banner and, after a thorough inspection, breathed a sigh of relief.

The formation was even more powerful than he had imagined. Although its primary soul had indeed been weakened for a time after the battle, the banner contained countless living souls. After retreating into the banner to recuperate, the primary soul had now fully recovered.

It was truly worthy of being a treasure derived from a Nascent Soul Dharma treasure.

Qin Sang secretly praised it, putting each item away. He cast a final glance at the empty ice palace, then his figure flickered and vanished, moving swiftly toward the exit.

As he flew, Qin Sang maintained a thoughtful expression.

Not long after, as he neared the abyssal pool where the Horned Fish-Dragons resided, Qin Sang suddenly halted, gazing ahead with surprise and uncertainty.

At that moment, faint rumbles of thunder and sharp, peculiar cries subtly echoed from ahead.

This location was deep within the ice plain, where the ice layers were thousands of *zhang* thick. No natural lightning could possibly reach this depth. There was only one explanation: it was the power of lightning discharged from the Horned Fish-Dragons' single horns.

Were they… merely playing?

Qin Sang frowned inwardly, regretting that he hadn't inquired more about the Horned Fish-Dragons' habits from Yun Youzi.

These ancient beasts possessed incredibly powerful innate abilities; even their playful actions could not be regarded as normal. Approaching them now could easily lead to being caught in the crossfire.

It would be best to wait until they calmed down before releasing the Drunken Demon Saliva.

The further he advanced, the deeper Qin Sang's frown became. The commotion caused by the Horned Fish-Dragons' play was simply too immense; not only did it sound extraordinarily violent, but it had also rendered the surrounding spiritual energy chaotic, and the ice cave itself was trembling.

Were they perhaps engaged in a fierce battle with other ancient beasts?

A thought struck Qin Sang: the abyssal pool was bottomless, and it might not solely harbor Horned Fish-Dragons.

It wasn't that Qin Sang hadn't considered the possibility of other intruders, but this place was simply too remote. To reach it, one first had to navigate the inner valley's restrictions, then bypass countless dangerous formations, locate this specific spot, and finally break through the illusion.

Yun Youzi had previously stated that no one had set foot here since his last visit. It seemed too much of a coincidence for them to have just arrived and encountered others.

Pondering these thoughts, Qin Sang slowed his pace.

The Horned Fish-Dragons possessed acute spiritual senses, so he dared not rashly expose his spiritual consciousness lest he invite trouble upon himself. He could only conceal his presence, take out his magical artifact, and quietly approach the abyssal pool.

After rounding a corner and seeing the abyssal pool at the end of the passage, Qin Sang's expression abruptly changed. He dismissed his previous conjecture—there really were people here!

Before Qin Sang could clearly discern the newcomers, a sudden warning surged through him. He stomped his foot hard, his figure flashed, and he instantly darted to the other side of the passage.

Almost simultaneously, a blinding bolt of lightning shot from the abyssal pool, striking precisely where he had just stood. It cleaved a large hole in the incredibly hard profound ice, leaving countless cracks.

Qin Sang gazed at the large hole with lingering fear, his expression grim. He had not anticipated being discovered the moment he arrived, or being forcibly driven from his concealment.

Not only had he proceeded cautiously, but he had also continuously activated the Spirit Evasion Art to conceal his aura. How had the other party possibly discovered him?

Unless the opponent's strength vastly exceeded his own, rendering the Spirit Evasion Art useless.

"Boom!"

Without a word, the opponent released another bolt of lightning.

Qin Sang, having witnessed the lightning's power, dared not directly confront it and quickly dodged. Unexpectedly, just as he was about to move, the Soul-Eating Worm Gu on his soul suddenly stirred, opening its fanged mouth and biting at his soul, only to be blocked by the Jade Buddha.

A Soul-Eating Worm!

The Kuiyin Sect!

Thoughts flashed through Qin Sang's mind, and he suddenly understood the entire situation.

In that instant, almost instinctively, and with masterful acting, he let out a pained cry. Then, he staggered and lunged to his right front, appearing to exert his utmost effort, narrowly dodging the lightning strike, seemingly hampered by the Soul-Eating Worm Gu's attack.

The next moment, Qin Sang heard the opponent let out a soft exclamation; the voice sounded somewhat familiar.

He raised his head.

Their eyes met.

"Oh? Qin Sang? You're still alive?"

"Yu Hua!"

As he saw the face beneath the bamboo hat, long-forgotten memories surged into his mind. Qin Sang instantly recognized him, gritting his teeth as he uttered the name, utterly shocked.

Yu Hua was still alive!

It was none other than Yu Hua!

The internal mole of the Yuanzhao Sect—the Foundation Establishment cultivator who had controlled them alongside Zhao Yan within the sect!

On the night the Kuiyin Sect ambushed the Yuanzhao Sect, the Yuanzhao Sect Master detonated the sect-protecting formation and spirit veins, taking down high-ranking members of the Kuiyin Sect with him. Yu Hua, who was acting as an inside agent, had surprisingly survived that night and was still alive.

Furthermore, the Yu Hua before him was no longer the ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator he had been decades ago, when he first broke through.

His cultivation was astonishingly high; his aura was no weaker than that of Senior Brother Qi Yuanshou. He was at the False Core stage!