Chapter 222: Immobilization Technique, Elder Xuan Yan

The Shattered Soul Finger spell continuously fired, like a machine gun. Although this secret art was only second-tier and had limited effect on the Thunder Spirit Corpse, each hit still caused it to stumble, preventing it from truly catching up to Wang Yu.

In contrast, Wang Yu's spiritual power was rapidly depleting. His spiritual power had already been significantly drained by the Mountain Search Demon Hunting secret art while moving out of the cave passage. With its frequent use again, it bottomed out in less than fifteen minutes. Fortunately, his robust physique gradually dispelled the paralyzing effect, allowing him to regain his agility.

"Lunar Corpse, Corpse Control Art!"

As he willed it, a surge of lunar malevolent energy enveloped both Wang Yu and the Thunder Spirit Corpse. Flashes of lightning and sprays of ice crystals erupted intermittently. Clearly, they were once again engaged in a fierce close-quarters battle. The sounds of booming impacts, clashing metal, and tearing fabric indicated the brutality of the fight.

Soon after.

Wang Yu was flung from the dense, malevolent fog like a sandbag, crashing headfirst into the rock wall and embedding himself in it. His body was tattered, covered in claw marks. Though the corpse poison had entered his body, his unique physique suppressed it, preventing any further adverse effects.

Pulling himself from the rock wall, Wang Yu glanced at his debilitated Lunar Corpse and returned it to its coffin. The creature had been thoroughly drained and badly battered by lightning. A few more blows would surely destroy it, and he couldn't afford to lose it.

As for the Thunder Spirit Corpse.

As the saying goes: "Knowledge has its order, and professions have their specializations!" He had already devised a plan. His earlier risky hand-to-hand combat was meant to lay the groundwork, for the Corpse Refinement Art could not only be used by cultivators to refine zombies, but also to subdue wild ones. After all, not all precious and unique beings originate from cultivators; Heaven and Earth are the true sources of creation, capable of manifesting all sorts of incredible wonders.

At this moment.

The Thunder Spirit Corpse's lightning storm ability once again dispelled the lunar malevolent energy field. After prolonged combat with Wang Yu, its rage intensified, and a purple lightning rune illuminated its chest. Frightening lightning energy rapidly converged. In this lightning-stricken pit, lightning-based techniques received a significant boost. The sense of peril transmitted through Wang Yu's spiritual consciousness intensified, making his hair stand on end!

He swiftly formed hand seals, cut the tip of his index finger with a nail to draw a drop of heart blood, and allowed his spiritual consciousness to resonate with the Corpse Suppressing Seal he had recently imprinted on the Thunder Spirit Corpse's surface. Amidst the thunder, the Thunder Spirit Corpse's accumulating movements began to slow.

Wang Yu spat out a mouthful of blood and chanted.

"Yin-Yang Blood, Stabilize the Corpse Spirit!"

"Lunar spirit, corporeal nature."

"—Three Souls and Seven Ethereal Forms Immobilization Art!!!"

This was the most profound and challenging Corpse Stabilization Secret Art within the Yin Malevolent Corpse Refinement Art. Heart blood is typically the purest Yang blood in a living body, yet Wang Yu possessed the Heavenly Yin Blood trait, aligning with the subtle mysteries of Yin and Yang. Even though this secret art had not yet reached mastery, it still exerted considerable power.

The Thunder Spirit Corpse ceased its movements to activate its innate divine ability, and the surrounding lightning energy dissipated. The lingering sense of crisis in Wang Yu's heart finally vanished. Wang Yu sighed in relief and grimly spat out a mouthful of bloody foam.

"Wild zombies are still wild zombies; even with spiritual intelligence, they're not as clever as humans. Once I've subdued you, you'll be my primary Corpse General!"

"Hahahaha—"

The rarity of the Thunder Spirit Corpse presented one of the greatest opportunities in the Corpse Path. Wang Yu even wondered if it was the legendary corpse of the Soul Transformation Venerable, said to have been struck down by Ji Meng, that had transformed into a zombie.

However.

On second thought, that was impossible, as that incident dated back to the early ancient era. He was more inclined to believe it was the transformation of an explorer with a special constitution who had ventured into this lightning-stricken pit.

After taking several pills, Wang Yu approached the Thunder Spirit Corpse. He noticed it trembled occasionally, and the blood seal he had placed on its forehead was fading. This indicated the Thunder Spirit Corpse was struggling, and at this rate, it would break free in less than the time it takes an incense stick to burn.

"Why is it so troublesome?"

Wang Yu rummaged through his Sea Heart Ring, searching for a treasure to restrain the Thunder Spirit Corpse, when his movements suddenly froze.

"Wang Yu?"

A faint voice drifted from afar, yet its powerful aura was impossible to ignore. In less than half a second, the voice that had been distant moments ago was now right beside his ear.

"Are you Wang Yu... the Lord of Guiling City?"

"Yes, I am. Wang Yu greets the senior. May I know your esteemed name?"

Before him.

An old man with black hair and a white beard stood before Wang Yu. In one hand, he held a staff with a dragon-head carved from mountain rock, small stones slowly revolving upon it. He was clad in a purple robe adorned with hawk-crown motifs and cinched at the waist with a golden silk sash. Though his face showed his age, his skin was as fair and delicate as a baby's. His bright, piercing eyes surveyed the still trembling Thunder Spirit Corpse nearby.

"What a treasure! It seems you are blessed with great fortune. To encounter such an opportunity while being pursued by an inner sect Core Formation cultivator from the Yellow Spring Pavilion is rare... truly rare!"

Undoubtedly, the person before him was the reinforcement from Yunling Prefecture City. Although Wang Yu had suspected it, seeing him in person made his heart uneasy. This was a Nascent Soul cultivator! Excluding his previous encounter in the Yama Ghost Market, this was his first time being so close to a Nascent Soul cultivator. The aura emanating from the other party, even without deliberate release, exerted immense pressure on him.

Hearing the senior's non-committal response, Wang Yu smiled bitterly to himself. This incident of the stolen sacred offering had turned from misfortune to fortune and back to misfortune. He clearly no longer had any chance of possessing this Thunder Spirit Corpse. Besides, he didn't have any reliable means to truly restrain it. To refine it on the spot would require him to abandon control of the Lunar Corpse, or his spiritual power wouldn't hold up. Furthermore, his Yin Malevolent Corpse Refinement Art was only at the minor mastery stage, a level too low. How could he possibly refine such a ferociously formidable Thunder Spirit Corpse?

With thoughts racing through his mind, Wang Yu spoke without hesitation.

"I was fortunate enough to subdue this Thunder Spirit Corpse," Wang Yu began, "but my fortune is still insufficient. Perhaps it would be better to offer it to you, Senior. You must have endured a tiring journey, arriving from the prefecture city in just half a month. It is only right that you receive this item as compensation." The Nascent Soul cultivator was somewhat taken aback by his words.

"You said... it's a Thunder Spirit Corpse?"

"Naturally. When this junior battled it, I observed it to be agile and sentient, possessing an intelligence no less than that of a child, and it carried no malevolent aura. I surmise it is the legendary Spirit Corpse. And since it can control lightning, this junior calls it the Thunder Spirit Corpse!"

The existence of Spirit Corpses is rare even in ancient records. Wang Yu had only deepened his understanding after thoroughly studying the Corpse Path, yet his fundamental knowledge was still lacking. Without engaging in combat, it was difficult to discern if the Thunder Spirit Corpse possessed intelligence, so it was natural for the Nascent Soul cultivator to mistake it for an ordinary Thunder Corpse. However, upon hearing Wang Yu's explanation, the previously delighted Nascent Soul cultivator became conflicted. He could only ask cautiously.

"Senior, is something amiss?"

"This venerable's name is Old Man Xuan Yan. You may simply call me Senior Xuan Yan."

"Understood, Senior Xuan Yan."

The senior revealing his name indicated an intention to lower himself and befriend Wang Yu, an offer Wang Yu naturally wouldn't refuse.

"As for Spirit Corpses... this item is indeed exceedingly rare. Few in ancient history have ever acquired such a fortune, and all of them met tragic ends. There are rumors that Spirit Corpses are blessed by Heaven and Earth, and those who rashly attempt to enslave them may incur an ominous curse."

Wang Yu couldn't help but swallow. This rumor seemed a bit too far-fetched. He preferred to believe it was retaliation from the Spirit Corpse's social network from its lifetime. As far as he knew, many Corpse Path cultivators had died due to inexplicable grudges. This was often because the refined corpses they controlled still had living relatives and friends who, upon discovery, would certainly seek revenge, retrieve the body, and give it a proper burial. Given the unique nature of Spirit Corpses, it seemed normal for them to possess some special constitution. Considering this, their social network during their lifetime must have been formidable. If one were enslaved and then discovered by their previous network... Then the tragic deaths of Spirit Corpse masters throughout ancient history would seem quite normal.

Regardless, he certainly wouldn't try to dissuade the senior from taking it. He wasn't so desperate that he only felt comfortable if the other party accepted his offering. This was *his* opportunity! *His*!!

After a moment of silent contemplation.

Old Man Xuan Yan suddenly smiled and muttered to himself.

"What am I worrying about? Such a rare, almost unique Thunder Spirit Corpse... why not sell it to Old Demon Heavenly Corpse? He'd surely pay a hefty sum of spirit stones for it, hahahaha~"

With that said.

With a swift motion, the Thunder Spirit Corpse rapidly shrank and vanished into Old Man Xuan Yan's palm. Wang Yu's heart yearned, but he kept his head bowed. This only increased Old Man Xuan Yan's satisfaction.

"It was not in vain that this old man specifically descended into the lightning-stricken pit to find you. Come with me. All the Yellow Spring Pavilion cultivators who seized the sacred offering have been captured by me. Not only will the lost sacred offerings be recovered, but I will also personally request a great merit for you from the sect. You will understand the full benefits when you form your Core in the future."

Wang Yu quickly expressed his gratitude.

"This junior thanks you deeply, Senior Xuan Yan!"

Clearly, this was the benefit of offering the Thunder Spirit Corpse, and it established a connection with the Nascent Soul cultivator. Regardless, the more advantages the senior gained from the Thunder Spirit Corpse, the more favorably he would remember Wang Yu. Perhaps this connection could be utilized in the future. In this way, his abandonment of this opportunity would not be in vain.

Next, Old Man Xuan Yan grabbed Wang Yu's shoulder. Wang Yu felt only a blur before his eyes, and in mere moments, they had returned to the surface, where Xu Ruozhou and others were waiting. Upon seeing Wang Yu safe and sound, they immediately exclaimed with pleasant surprise.

"Lord City Master!"

"City Master, it's wonderful that you're unharmed!"

"Why worry about me? What could possibly go wrong with Senior Xuan Yan here?"

Beside them, the pale-faced True Master Qingyang also stood. He solemnly bowed to Wang Yu.

"Wang Yu, thank you so much this time, otherwise..."

"Oh, don't mention it. We're like family here. Guiling City's development still needs you. In the future, let's work together to make Guiling prosperous; that's more important than anything."

With the crisis resolved, Wang Yu's eloquent words were generous, further touching Qingyang.

After everyone had exchanged greetings, Old Man Xuan Yan finally spoke.

"Let's go to Guiling City. This time, I will personally confront the Yellow Spring Pavilion and demand an explanation. You can start thinking about what compensation you desire."

Wang Yu's heart stirred.

"Senior Xuan Yan, do you mean the Yellow Spring Pavilion won't choose to initiate war?"

"Of course. How long has it been since the Righteous-Demonic War three hundred years ago? Even the Heaven Refining Demonic Sect hasn't fully recovered its vitality, so why would the Yellow Spring Pavilion lightly start a conflict? In my opinion, it must be one or two high-ranking individuals who discovered something and wanted to cause trouble in Yunling Province. This matter still has plenty of room for negotiation. Come, I'll take you back faster."

Half a day later, Wang Yu and the others returned to Guiling.