Chapter 193: Taiyin Evil Corpse, Qingyang Zhenren

It was midnight, the hour when the moon's baleful energy was most potent across the land.

Wang Yu sat cross-legged before the corpse, continuously casting corpse-refining incantations that deeply imprinted themselves into the living corpse. His tongue flicked over the sharp fangs on his upper palate, and he swiftly sprayed out a mouthful of blood mist.

"Grand Yin refines the form, Moon Baleful Energy refines the soul."

"Earth's Foul Curse, return to the corpse's body."

"The heavens are dark, the earth is spirited; the Yin fate is long, living souls are hard to bring down; all evil spirits transform into malevolence; stabilize the zombie, release the form."

"By command—Rise, Corpse!!!"

In an instant, the Grand Yin Moon Baleful Energy, like boiling, thick white smoke, was swiftly absorbed by the zombie into its belly. The last wisp of vitality, akin to a flickering candle in the wind, instantly transformed into monstrous corpse energy.

"Roar—"

A roar, like that of a demonic beast, reverberated, causing a painful ringing in one's ears. Wang Yu quickly felt a backlash to his spiritual sense. This Grand Yin Baleful Corpse, even with his full exertion, due to his cultivation and mastery of secret arts, it was almost impossible to perfectly manifest the corpse's strength from its living state. By his estimation, it would reach at most the early third rank.

This outcome was not incorrect. However, its ferocity was even greater than described in the Yin Baleful Corpse Refining Art. Even with his spiritual sense, which was comparable to a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator, suppressing it was quite strenuous.

"This shouldn't be. The corpse-controlling seal should be able to control a refined corpse one realm higher than one's own spiritual sense. Could it be that this Grand Yin Baleful Corpse is a variant zombie?"

Wang Yu performed a mystic step, pressing one foot onto the Grand Yin Baleful Corpse's chest, once again forcing down the creature that had just stiffly risen. He sat cross-legged, settling down to suppress the corpse. His right hand, with fingers pressed together, pointed at the baleful corpse's glabella, while his left hand rested against its armpit, and his spiritual sense surged forth.

Perfected Realm · Spiritual Sense Secret Art · Soul Shattering Finger!

This operation was brutal; it directly shattered the Grand Yin Baleful Corpse's nascent bloodthirsty consciousness into a pulp. With a spiritual sense agitation that felt substantial, he once again imprinted a set of corpse-controlling seals.

Finally, the struggling baleful corpse stabilized.

Wang Yu let out a sigh of relief, wiping away non-existent sweat, and began to examine the refined corpse before him.

Baleful corpses are classified into four ranks: Hairy Zombie, Green Zombie, Flying Zombie, and Yaksha, which correspond to the four cultivation realms: Qi Condensation, Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, and Nascent Soul, respectively!

A Flying Zombie-tier baleful corpse does not possess the golden armored corpse-robe of an Armored Corpse. However, it still possesses the fundamental traits inherent to its rank, such as immense strength, impenetrable skin and bones, the ability to fly and burrow, and immunity to the scorching sun. Moreover, Flying Zombies possess unique mystical abilities specific to baleful corpses. Like the golden armored corpse-robe, these are fundamental abilities, and their power depends entirely on the specific Corpse Baleful Divine Ability they manifest. The ability bestowed by the Grand Yin Moon Baleful Energy is like an innate talent, known from birth, akin to instinct.

It is called—

"Yin Corpse Baleful Curse!"

Wang Yu murmured aloud. If Armored Corpses were considered fierce and battle-hardened body cultivators, then baleful corpses were spellcasters highly proficient in arcane arts. Though their physical bodies are not weak, they are more adept at fighting using corpse-dao techniques. The so-called Yin Corpse Baleful Curse is akin to a curse art. Wherever the caster's gaze falls, there is almost no chance of dodging; it can inflict Grand Yin Moon Baleful Energy upon the target. It weakens true essence, negates magic artifacts, diminishes divine abilities, and defiles the physical body. It is a truly versatile ability. Without a superior defensive technique, anyone struck by the Baleful Curse would have their strength reduced by at least fifty percent.

"What a fine Yin Corpse, what a fine divine ability!"

Wang Yu couldn't help but grin broadly. With this corpse in hand, and perhaps finding another helper, he could even contend with two early Core Formation rogue cultivators alone. Furthermore, due to the high level of the Grand Yin Moon Baleful Energy, the Flying Zombie's corpse-dao techniques—such as remote bloodsucking, baleful energy control, and corpse stomp—were all significantly enhanced. Within the early third-rank baleful corpse category, it was undoubtedly a top-tier specimen, the kind that would even captivate the true disciples of Heavenly Corpse Peak!

"You old fellow, your appearance is far too ominous. This City Lord will give you a makeover."

Wang Yu performed a technique from his corpse-refining art. The Grand Yin Baleful Corpse, once thin and aged, now had the wrinkles on its skin filled with corpse energy, eliminating the unsightly creases. Its face was further altered by him, leaving only a pair of eerie green eyes. No one would be able to recognize the original owner's appearance, a measure taken to prevent encountering the corpse's relatives or friends. Such disguises and modifications were essential. Corpse-dao cultivators were particularly adept at this, and the existence of such traditions was born from bloody lessons.

Wang Yu retrieved a first-rank magical black robe, which had the effect of concealing auras, and dressed the Grand Yin Baleful Corpse in it. At this point, the initial raising of the corpse was considered complete. He then patted his storage bag and took out a jade bottle. Inside was precisely Snow Jade's demonic blood. Newborn zombies always needed blood, and drinking his own blood would be inauspicious. The blood of the Three-tailed Snow Fox, potent and plentiful, was perfectly suitable.

Once finished, Wang Yu used a Corpse Suppressing Talisman to put it into a dormant state, then left it to bask under the moonlight filtering through the secret chamber's star-painted ceiling.

"I still need to find a coffin for you to live in."

Wang Yu did not possess magical artifacts like corpse storage bags. Furthermore, storing a third-rank baleful corpse would necessitate a third-rank corpse storage bag. It would be better to acquire a coffin with the ability to shrink. Filled with Grand Yin Moon Baleful Energy, it could be shrunk and worn on his waist like an ornament, or simply hung anywhere for convenience.

The next day, Wang Yu arranged for someone to visit Golden Abundance Tower with his requirements, specifying that if the item wasn't available there, it should be procured from a branch in another city. Internal space, shrinking, and aura concealment were the fundamental requirements. The more additional functions, the better. A third-rank item was preferred, but a top-grade second-rank was the minimum acceptable. City Lord Wang's purse had always been quite full; he certainly wasn't short on spirit stones.

Just then, Xu Ruozhou swiftly approached: "Lord City Master, True Man Qingyang is here to visit."

"True Man?" Wang Yu keenly sensed the change. He had just been considering inviting Senior Jin from the Wenxiang Sect, but perhaps True Man Qingyang would be more suitable. It had been four years since their last meeting; had he broken through so quickly? Wang Yu recalled that Wei Chong had spent ten years breaking through to Core Formation, with another year or two spent stabilizing his realm. Qingyang's breakthrough was simply too fast.

"Yes, Lord City Master. Senior Qingyang recently achieved Core Formation, and he is likely here to invite you to his Core Formation celebration. He is the only one who has come from the Inkstone Sect."

"Where is he?"

"Your subordinate has invited him to the reception hall."

"I understand. You may go."

"Yes."

When Wang Yu stepped into the reception hall, True Man Qingyang still rose to greet him, showing none of the reservations other Inkstone Sect members held towards him. Indeed. After all, his interests had not been harmed; it even seemed he had gained a great deal. From Foundation Establishment to Core Formation, that was a major realm breakthrough. In the cultivation world, countless people are stuck at this step.

"Daoist Brother Qingyang, congratulations, congratulations."

The slender and handsome painter-cultivator, who had seemingly regained his youth, also wore a broad smile.

"My success is also thanks to you, Brother Wang. The information from Golden Abundance Tower was an immense help to me. On this journey, I not only recovered my patriarch's corpse and obtained his relics, but also acquired Core Formation spiritual items within the ancient ruin's royal palace. How incredibly fortunate!"

"So that's how it is—This was simply your destiny, Daoist Brother. As long as it didn't cause you any trouble, there's no need to attribute such good fortune to me."

Hearing this, Wang Yu's smile grew more sincere, the change in address indicating a deeper sense of intimacy. He asked curiously, "After four years apart, Daoist Brother, you must have endured many trials to successfully achieve Core Formation in such a short time. Would you be willing to share a bit of your experience with your humble younger brother?"

"That's exactly what I intended."

Speaking of his experiences over the past few years, True Man Qingyang also wore a look of profound emotion. When he left the City Lord's Mansion, he had originally intended to go directly to Dongji Capital. At that time, the anomaly had only recently appeared, and no disciples from major sects had yet arrived to reap the benefits. However, as soon as he entered the ruins, he was targeted by a Corpse Demon and barely escaped with his life. Upon returning to Guiling City, he immediately saw Wang Yu's stele erected in the East City Plaza. After reading it in detail, he felt a mix of displeasure and relief. Combining information from three sources, he swiftly planned a new route.

He was able to obtain Core Formation spiritual items within the royal palace, thanks to Golden Abundance Tower's intelligence. That very location was one Jin Miaoshan had originally intended to explore, but she became entangled with internal tower affairs, allowing Qingyang to proceed first. Such a grand opportunity and other gains immediately turned his displeasure toward Wang Yu into gratitude. After all, while Wang Yu had disclosed information, he had still withheld some crucial details. He was just one step ahead, and subsequently, he very fortunately found the remains of the Inkstone Sect's patriarch, taking all the items there.

Among them was a special treasure for averting tribulations, called the Heavenly Thunder Descent Diagram! This was a treasure the Inkstone Patriarch had once used to survive his Golden Core lightning tribulation, and it was perfectly suited for Qingyang's use. The so-called 'tribulation-averting treasure' is an artifact specifically refined for lightning tribulations. It has no other functions and is only usable during a tribulation, enhancing its effectiveness against tribulation lightning to the extreme. Some can resist the lightning, some can disperse it, and others can enhance one's resistance to it. The Heavenly Thunder Descent Diagram is a rare type; its effect is to absorb lightning tribulations until it reaches its limit. In this state, the thunder diagram transforms into a 'tribulation lightning bomb.' Its area of effect is extremely vast; deploying it would mean mutual destruction, as it has accumulated the tribulation lightning of countless individuals.

The secret to Qingyang's rapid breakthrough also lies here. He had been stuck at the peak of Foundation Establishment for several years, his cultivation long perfected. All he lacked was a Core Formation spiritual item, and this fortuitous encounter brought all the necessary conditions together. He traveled to another city, renting a third-rank grotto-heaven for his breakthrough. Everything unfolded seamlessly, and the Golden Core lightning tribulation was entirely absorbed by the Heavenly Thunder Descent Diagram. He ultimately spent another year stabilizing his realm, only returning to the Inkstone Sect in the past few days.

Comparing this with Wei Chong, the difference becomes clear. Wei Chong's preparation had been hastily arranged. He had accidentally discovered a suitable Core Formation spiritual item among his subordinates' offerings and had merely applied to the sect for a grotto-heaven and a tribulation-averting treasure before rushing into secluded cultivation. His own state had not yet reached perfection, which was why it took him over a decade to successfully break through; he had been far too impatient.

Currently, as Qingyang recounted his experiences in detail, Wang Yu displayed an envious expression. "Daoist Brother, with such fortune, it's only fitting that you broke through to Core Formation. You were destined for this blessing. I wonder about that Thunder Diagram..."

"Hahaha, Brother Wang, there's no need for further praise," Qingyang said, habitually placing his hand on his chin, intending to stroke his handsome beard. However, he realized that after his lifespan had increased by five hundred years, the signs of middle age had vanished, and he couldn't help but sigh. "Golden Core True Men live for eight hundred years; I'm still a bit unaccustomed... As for the Thunder Diagram, Brother Wang, there's no need to worry; it's still far from its limit. If you ever need to use it in the future, simply ask me to borrow it, and I will certainly agree."

"Daoist Brother is generous!"