Chapter 235: Magic Corpse, Thunder Corpse, I Am the True Successor of Heavenly Corpse Peak

"Second Brother Zhuo is busy. I'll take his place guarding Guiling for you. Let Yu Xing do as he pleases; everyone has their own responsibilities."

Zuoqiu Ming spoke with deep melancholy, as if he had instantly transformed from a young master into a mature middle-aged man. The carefree days of the three young masters of Nilu had vanished forever.

Wang Yu fell silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "How confident are you?"

"I don't know. Second Brother Zhuo has always been cunning. We'll do our best and leave the rest to fate. Time for bed, though. Are there any beauties?"

Wang Yu replied, "…They're in your room."

Zuoqiu Ming said, "As expected, Fourth Brother is the most thoughtful. I'm off. Just make sure everything in the manor is arranged before you leave; no need to inform me."

"—Alright!"

After the banquet dispersed, Wang Yu had the servants clear up, then sat on the Profound Ice Bed to accelerate his cultivation using the Cold Absorption Technique.

In recent years, the feedback from placing the Netherworld Palm Imprint, combined with the extreme cold power of the Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Ice Bed, had significantly increased the quality of his True Essence. The chill, in particular, was several times more potent than before.

Consequently, the power of his Yin and Ice-attributed spells had also greatly improved. He was undeniably growing stronger!

After that night's conversation, Wang Yu began arranging the preparations for his departure from Guiling, focusing mainly on the arrangements for Qingyang and Xu Ruozhou.

Additionally, the Heaven's Heart Dispersing Thunder Calamity-Warding Treasure Formation had been successfully refined. This third-tier formation artifact consisted of twelve sky-blue small flags, designed solely for calamity avoidance.

The refinement of another calamity-warding artifact was entrusted to Jin Miaoshan, with Grandmaster Tianshui taking charge. Wang Yu planned to pay the final balance upon his return. During their discussion, he unexpectedly learned about a top-grade ice-attributed Core Formation spiritual item and naturally agreed to reserve the Ten-Thousand-Year Tree Heart for her. Meanwhile, at the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion, Han Jia had also secured a third-tier breakthrough spiritual item suitable for body refiners.

Named the Glazed Lotus Heart Treasure Fluid, it was reportedly another body-refining spiritual item linked to Buddhism. Its origin was unclear, but it was definitely suitable for Wang Yu.

After handling these matters, Wang Yu's fortune was once again more than halved, yet everything was perfectly prepared. His purpose in staying in Guiling was to wait.

After several years of nurturing in the blood pool, augmented by the Yin-Yang Counterbalance Corpse Refining Array, two exotic zombies were finally completely refined.

However, because their raw materials were only second-tier Corpse Wraiths and Corpse Demons, even after being infused with a large amount of spiritual items, they still hadn't reached the third tier after transforming into zombies.

In their current state, they could actually be awakened. With the aptitude of these exotic zombies, they would reach the third tier within a few years of their emergence.

However, they differed from the Grand Yin Fiend Corpse.

The third tier was a major transformative realm; regardless of race, demonic beast, wraith, or evil creature… all needed to undergo a lightning tribulation upon reaching it!

The Grand Yin Fiend Corpse's raw material was already a living corpse at the late Core Formation stage, having already endured a lightning tribulation in its lifetime. These two, however, had not.

The Thunder Corpse would be relatively easy to get through the tribulation, but the Demon Corpse was a bit uncertain.

This was why Wang Yu wanted to wait longer. Nurturing them to the point where they could be awakened at any time was sufficient; they could then be stored in the Grand Yin Corpse Nurturing Coffin. The Demon Corpse's process would be paused, while the Thunder Corpse's would continue!

He felt that with his current spiritual sense, controlling two third-tier zombies was not an issue, but they couldn't fight simultaneously. During combat, it was best to control only one to avoid the risk of losing control.

If this trip could resolve the issue with his spiritual sense cultivation method, with the Grand Yin Fiend Corpse, the Demon Corpse, and the Thunder Corpse—three formidable zombies—at his disposal, if he were to put on the true disciple attire of Heavenly Corpse Peak, no one would suspect him of being an imposter.

—The True Lineage of Heavenly Corpse was in Guiling!

Lord's Manor, cultivation chamber.

In front of the blood pool, Wang Yu had purchased a set of corpse-controlling artifacts with spirit stones: a Corpse Suppressing Bell, a Yin Lotus Lamp, and a Corpse Suppressing Talisman Bag. These three, when used together, would assist him in controlling his refined corpses.

They also had some effect on the refining of zombies.

At this moment, within the Yin-Yang opposing blood pool, the two Yin-Yang fish ponds displayed completely contrasting scenes.

On one side, black mist steamed, icy and biting, a single glance at which would cause unease and an urge to destroy everything.

On the other side, lightning flashed intensely, hot like the sun, and a single glance would sting the eyes. The closer one got, the higher the temperature, which was not the power of fire but rather the manifestation of extreme Yang and supreme Rigidity.

That a zombie could wield such power made Wang Yu suspect that this Corpse Demon might have had a special constitution in ancient times, though perhaps not as mystical as a Thunder Spirit Corpse.

However, it had also given birth to a demon spirit, which was rare for a corpse to gain sentience.

It was only one grade below a Thunder Spirit Corpse.

With all three corpses deployed, he was confident he could crush the outer sect Core Formation cultivators of the Nilu Blood Sect. As for the inner sect Core Formation cultivators, he would only be able to judge after engaging them in combat.

"Ding-a-ling—"

Accompanied by the sound of the Corpse Suppressing Bell, the two corpses slowly floated up from the blood pool, their fierce aura almost reaching the peak of the second tier.

Leveraging the characteristics of their living corpse materials, they would fully transform into zombies once the last trace of vitality within them was reversed. Wang Yu dipped his fingers into the Yin Lotus Lamp, using its oil as a guide, and one Corpse Suppressing Talisman after another flew out from the talisman bag.

He meticulously wrapped both corpses, which had reached their limits, and placed them entirely into the Corpse Nurturing Coffin.

The location wasn't suitable. Otherwise, he could have activated the Thunder Corpse first to test it out. After cleaning the area, he went to the second basement level to dismantle the Killing Intent Cultivation Chamber. He intended to carry these killing intent slabs with him.

It wasn't easy to acquire such "divine ability acceleration cultivators" outside, and besides, his placement slots weren't enough, so carrying them along was better.

Finally, he arrived at the insect chamber.

As the Myriad Spirit Poison Marrow was digested, the vital blood within Wang Yu's dragon spine had reached a scale of nearly seven thousand drops, equivalent to a True Essence cultivation level of around Foundation Establishment Layer Eight.

A small portion of the poison marrow remained, enough for one last use.

As for the Immaculate Jade Toad, because he occasionally procured highly toxic spiritual items for it to consume, combined with the effects of the Myriad Spirit Poison Marrow, it had entered its mature phase faster than anticipated. It was now palm-sized, with a final stage of cocooning ahead, though this would not be completed overnight.

In its mature form, the Immaculate Jade Toad could already immune to more than 80% of all poisons in the world. Only extremely high-grade and rare exotic poisons could not be rapidly digested.

It couldn't be poisoned to death; at most, it would be overstuffed.

This level was sufficient for him to take it into the Heavenly Demon Bone Forest, where it would certainly play a significant role.

Late at night, outside Guiling City, Wang Yu quickly reviewed the new True Essence pill formula in his hand. A blue flame flickered and vanished in his palm as he stepped onto the Flying Cloud Boat, the same one that had carried him into Cloud Ridge years ago, and his figure disappeared into the darkness.

A month later, in an unfamiliar place.

Wang Yu wore a mask inscribed with the ancient character "Di" (Earth) on his face. This was compensation from Jin Miaoshan for the destruction of Guiling's central district.

It was a third-tier mid-grade artifact: the Earthnet Ghost Mask.

It originated from a defunct assassin organization in Chiyuan called the Mo Luo Sect, which was rumored to possess thirty-six such masks. Each mask specialized in concealing one's aura, making it difficult for even Nascent Soul spiritual sense to penetrate.

There were also rumors that the thirty-six masks formed a set of fourth-tier concealment array treasures, capable of deceiving any cultivator below the late Nascent Soul stage. All this information came from Jin Miaoshan; Wang Yu only needed its concealment effect.

After more than a month of long-distance travel, Wang Yu arrived at a small town outside the Heavenly Demon Bone Forest: Myriad Poisons Town!

This place, formed by a gathering of rogue cultivators, had a history of several millennia.

Not only did it offer extensive information and the latest changes regarding the Heavenly Demon Bone Forest, but cultivators entering the mountains to hunt beasts, gather herbs, or capture insects would also stop here.

It was a mixed bag, with all sorts of people.

Strictly speaking, this was Wang Yu's first foray into Chiyuan, and his experience was not extensive. However, having served as City Lord in Guiling for over thirty years, he had a clear understanding of the ecology of low-level cultivators.

For example, when he was at the Nilu Blood Sect's mountain gate, he often encountered fellow disciples fighting in dark alleys; outside, such behavior was even more rampant.

Myriad Poisons Town also had the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion and the Golden Full Tower.

Apart from the areas around these two establishments, which were relatively clean and orderly, every other shop on the street carried a strong scent of blood. Doing business here was impossible without sufficient strength.

Wang Yu had barely arrived when he encountered twelve incidents of murder and treasure seizure. Some weren't even about treasure; people would brazenly resort to violence for just a few thousand spirit stones.

It was like another world, or perhaps this was the true nature of Chiyuan, why it was called a demonic domain? Otherwise… with its beautiful mountains and clear waters, there was no need to call it a demonic domain, aside from the malevolent people.

—Wind-Listening Tower. Wang Yu looked up at the sign and stepped inside.

This was an intelligence-selling force, operating only in the northern part of Cloud Ridge Province. At best, it was a third-rate power, comparable to the Inkwater Sect.

Still, it was somewhat of a local tyrant.

Inside the building, arrays partitioned off soundproof and aura-concealing rooms. There was no need for guidance; one simply chose an empty room, entered, and spoke directly.

"I need the latest map of the Heavenly Demon Bone Forest and information on the strong cultivators here."

"One thousand spirit stones."

Inside the room, there was only a square table, and the voice emanated from it. After Wang Yu poured spirit stones onto the tabletop, presumably reaching the required amount, some mechanism was activated.

The table sank, and a jade slip shot out. It contained the information he desired.

Convenient, fast… and most importantly, no human service. Intelligence agents, after doing the job for too long, risked having their identities exposed and being taken advantage of.

After reading, the jade slip had to be left in the room; after all, it could be reused, and a third-rate force would save every bit it could.

As his spiritual sense swept over it, imprinting the latest map and dangerous coordinates into his mind, Wang Yu began to review the information on strong cultivators.

This intelligence was highly current. Besides the powerful cultivators long residing in Myriad Poisons Town, there were many unknown strong individuals from all corners of the world, all identified by codenames.

Some would be active for a few months to several years before leaving.

Others would disappear within Myriad Poisons Town or the Heavenly Demon Bone Forest—all normal occurrences.

Venerable Wind Listener, Core Formation Layer Seven, Master of the Wind-Listening Tower. Other information: None. "Interesting, a deliberate deterrent then."

Old Demon of Five Poisons, Core Formation Layer Seven, a poison cultivator who had resided in Myriad Poisons Town for three hundred years. He was proficient in Five Poisons Divine Abilities, skilled in using Gu worms, and also cultivated curses. He once single-handedly annihilated the Ghost Lamp Sect… His most powerful divine ability, the "Five Poisons Revolving Art," was potent enough to threaten even a Saint Sect Core Formation cultivator.

Evil Centipede Daoist, Core Formation Layer Five, suspected to be an elder of the Saint Sect's "Gu Poison Peak." He had cultivated in the Myriad Demon Bone Forest for over sixty years, preferring to act alone. None who crossed paths with him had survived.

Red and White Shuangsha, Core Formation Layer Three, a man and a woman. One cultivated the Corpse Dao, the other the Ghost Dao. Together, they could fight late Core Formation cultivators, practicing the "Corpse-Ghost Evil Art." They were insane, killing anyone they encountered upon entering the Heavenly Demon Bone Forest. Retreat was advised.

Tiger Demon (codename), Foundation Establishment Peak. Skilled in a set of body-refining fist techniques, extremely fast, with a soul-shaking roar. Suspected to also cultivate soul arts.

Mysterious Array Cultivator (codename), Foundation Establishment Peak. Frequently active deep within the Heavenly Demon Bone Forest. Other information unknown.

Insect Girl (codename), Foundation Establishment Layer Four. Suspected to be a genius inner disciple of the Saint Sect, skilled in using a blood Gu…

Liu Yidao (codename), Foundation Establishment Layer Two…

"Hmm?"

Wang Yu's eyes narrowed.

Looking at the spiritual energy phantom of this Liu Yidao, an exaggerated grin spread across his face.

(End of Chapter)