Chapter 417: Thunder Curse Coffin, Five Years

The basis for this judgment was simple. If the Sect Master could truly break through to the Soul Transformation stage, all problems currently facing the Spirit Reversal Blood Sect would cease to exist, and they wouldn't have organized a counter-offensive war so quickly. It was precisely because they encountered more difficulties at this critical juncture that they were forced to confront this predicament head-on, besieged on all sides. At least, that's how Wang Yu understood it.

After exiting seclusion, Wang Yu immediately went to the Blood Devil Hall for a meeting. This high-level war mobilization involved participants who were at least at the Nascent Soul stage. Excluding the Nascent Soul cultivators dispatched elsewhere, the full extent of the Spirit Reversal Blood Sect's top-tier power was revealed to him for the first time.

He had secretly calculated before that, excluding the Evil God Peak, the nine peaks had at least 24 Nascent Soul cultivators, and the Blood God Guards of the Blood Devil Hall also had 5, bringing the total close to thirty. Adding the prestigious families from each peak, the number of Nascent Soul cultivators definitely exceeded fifty, perhaps far more, considering the subordinate sects, first-tier clans, and garrison forces in various prefectures and cities under the Saint Sect's command. Even though many had been dispatched due to the war, over thirty remained within the sect for cultivation, and there were also many late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators who could be called "Grand Cultivators."

Furthermore, the Yu, Zhuo, and Zuoqiu families usually avoided initiating conflicts and mostly acted as arbiters in the sect's internal struggles, revealing little of their true strength. At this critical moment, however, they revealed a significant amount of hidden power. There were so many Grand Cultivators that they were countless: the Old Ancestor of Evil Souls, a Grand Cultivator of the Zuoqiu clan and a titan of the Ghost Dao; the Ghostblade Demon Monarch, a Grand Cultivator of the Yu clan, whose demonic blade once slew two powerful experts of the same realm; and the Ghoul Maiden, a Grand Cultivator of the Zhuo clan, whose name was unknown to him. The first two had previously acted on behalf of their respective families, while the latter was a new figure whose rumors Wang Yu had never heard. All three had reached the Grand Completion of the Nascent Soul stage.

In this meeting, the Sect Master sat at the head, followed by the three representatives of the three clans. To his left were the Three Bloodfiend Demons, Immortal Ice Soul, Old Man Lanxin, and other late-stage Nascent Soul Grand Cultivators. They represented the family faction. To his right were the Three Corpse Daoists, the Nine Nether Demon Monarch (from Yin Ghost Peak), and the Five Poisons Evil Monarch (from Poison Gu Peak). These three represented the master-disciple faction, and they were also late-stage Nascent Soul Grand Cultivators. Following this order, Wang Yu, as a newly advanced Nascent Soul cultivator, sat at the very end, allowing him to observe everyone perfectly.

In terms of numbers, the master-disciple faction seemed to be at a disadvantage, but this was not actually the case. The Thunder Beast Lord, who was not present, was actually a member of the master-disciple faction and had a very good personal relationship with the Zuoqiu clan. As for the Three Bloodfiend Demons, their clans had been annihilated before they rose to prominence. After all, to be able to learn the Heaven-Defying Blood Spring Evil Arts, their original clans couldn't have been minor forces. Although their stance leaned towards the clan faction, they were closer to the Blood Devil Hall and were staunch supporters of the Sect Master. Looking at it this way, the clan faction was actually at a disadvantage. Even before the meeting began, Wang Yu had gained a lot. Being able to understand the strength of both sides at this moment was a good thing, facilitating his future actions.

Internal competition within the Spirit Reversal Blood Sect was fierce. Even during wartime, undermining opponents never ceased; while harming each other, they also ensured the overall stability of the sect. The Sect Master's lineage (Blood Devil Hall, Bloodfiend Peak), the master-disciple lineage, and the clan lineage—these were the three main factions. The Yu, Zhuo, and Zuoqiu families formed their own distinct faction. There were also neutral parties, like Wang Yu, who had not pledged allegiance to any side. They could also be called the rogue cultivators faction or the fence-sitters, but their numbers were extremely small, and the few individuals didn't constitute a party, acting purely as observers. Therefore, the main contention was among the four aforementioned factions. The clan faction acted somewhat like the pawns of the three major families, relatively independent yet subservient to them.

The Sect Master of the Spirit Reversal Blood Sect, now restored to his senses, appeared as a handsome and spirited young man. Three blood-red marks adorned his brow, two deep and and one shallow, not perfectly integrated. His eyes were long and narrow with deep shadows at the corners, giving him a slightly sinister aura. He wore snug-fitting light armor with intertwining blood-red and silver snake patterns, covered by a dark jade, purple-patterned fox fur cloak. His black hair cascaded casually down his back.

As Wang Yu observed him, the Sect Master inadvertently met his gaze and immediately offered a friendly smile. It seemed he knew that the Young Sect Master had been brought by Wang Yu. Receiving this "hint," Wang Yu immediately calmed down. Since it was a war meeting, the most important thing would be the assignment of tasks. Having such a powerful backer, he didn't have to worry about being "entrusted with heavy responsibilities," which certainly brought him much relief.

With the arrival of the five commanders of the Blood God Guards, the meeting officially began, with the Sect Master speaking first. "The times are turbulent, and our sect's cultivation has encountered issues, making us a laughingstock for too long. It's time to let the world know the might of the Spirit Reversal Blood Sect." He then asked, "Regarding the front line in Yunling State against the Yellow Springs Monastery, who is willing to take the initiative?"

At these words, everyone fell silent. The Three Bloodfiend Demons exchanged glances, then were the first to respond, showing their support for the Sect Master who had regained his senses. "Our three brothers are willing to go."

"Excellent," the Sect Master replied, clapping his hands. Someone immediately brought a tray, covered with a red silk cloth to block spiritual probing. He smiled, saying, "Years ago, during the battle in the Heavenly Demonic Bone Forest, our sect acquired four Medicine Kings. This one shall be bestowed upon you." As his words fell, everyone's breathing grew noticeably heavier. Wang Yu was no exception. A Medicine King! One of the best spirit materials naturally formed for congealing a Nascent Soul, it could also greatly boost cultivation when used for practice. The one the Sect Master bestowed was none other than the Blood Devil Ginseng King that had given Wang Yu two solid punches. This item possessed both life-saving and realm-breaking effects, making it incredibly valuable. It was an extremely rare treasure even for Nascent Soul cultivators. This reward was undoubtedly generous, perhaps also because the Three Bloodfiend Demons were considered "his own people." The Medicine King obtained from the ancient Heavenly Soul Sect ruins, though tainted by blood devil power, had less versatility, but its effects were even more outstanding for blood path cultivators.

After receiving the order, the Three Bloodfiend Demons were to gather the disciples of Bloodfiend Peak, operate the Spirit Reversal Blood Sect's war artifacts, and decide on the specific details themselves. This included who to bring, how to fight, and how to target the Yellow Springs Monastery, all of which required their private discussion and planning.

The Sect Master then issued a second command: "More manpower is needed at Qifeng Pass in Yeqiong State and along the eastern border. Two Nascent Soul Ancestors from the Feng family of Ghost Valley have gone missing, indicating that powerful individuals are hidden there. Who is willing to take action?" At this command, the atmosphere among the attendees grew much more enthusiastic. After discussion and analysis, the decision was made, and the task ultimately fell to Old Man Lanxin and Immortal Ice Soul, with each taking charge of one side. The treasures bestowed by the Sect Master this time were not as valuable as the Blood Devil Ginseng King, but they were still excellent and useful to them.

Next came the main focus of the meeting—Maple State! After the fall of Glacier Pass, Taihu gained a new route for direct access into Chiyuan. They attacked from the Northern Broken Boundary Mountains, which is to say, from the west. The Yellow Springs Monastery and the Underworld Mountain Sect attacked from the east, advancing over a thousand li into Maple State's border. Chaos erupted within Maple State, with countless minor forces taking advantage of the turmoil. Although no late-stage Nascent Soul Grand Cultivators had yet made a move, Lord Thunder Beast, who was stationed in Maple State, was stretched thin, rushing to extinguish fires everywhere. Logically, more personnel should have been deployed much earlier. This time, the Three Corpse Daoists, the Nine Nether Demon Monarch, and the Five Poisons Evil Monarch were added to the attacking force. The Zhuo clan's hidden expert, the Ghoul Maiden, also went north to Maple State. Deploying four Grand Cultivators at once showed a determination to suppress the chaos in Maple State. The Old Ancestor of Evil Souls and the Ghostblade Demon Monarch were tasked with ambushing Black Mountain Pass, while the Thunderfire Monastery could assault Qifeng Pass, attempting to seize all three passes bordering Taihu that connected with the Spirit Reversal Blood Sect. The Spirit Reversal Blood Sect could also ambush Black Mountain Pass to secure a direct route into Taihu. This aspect also involved cooperation with the Sky-Refining Demon Sect.

This high-level meeting clearly laid out the response strategies. However, the overall strategic objectives seemed somewhat concealed and weren't entirely clear. The meeting concluded at lightning speed, lasting no more than fifteen minutes. The efficiency was astonishing; this was the benefit of having a single voice, allowing for extremely decisive actions. As for private squabbles and shirking of responsibility, that was another matter entirely. Overt compliance but covert defiance was also commonplace.

Wang Yu had not yet received a task, but this was only temporary. With multiple fronts opening simultaneously, key figures like him, who were in the early Nascent Soul stage, would most likely be deployed with the army. He guessed the Sect Master had given special instructions, as none of the nominal commanders approached him. Instead, Cold Blood Peak became completely vacant. Aside from the peak master remaining inactive, a large number of Cold Blood Peak disciples, elders, and clan members followed Lanxin, Ice Soul, and Tianshuang on their expeditions. War spirit boats soared into the clouds, one after another. On this day, the horn of counter-attack officially sounded. Wang Yu was pleased that no one bothered him and continued his secluded cultivation.

With his comprehension enhanced by the Heavenly Enlightenment Dao Platform's stacking effect, he maximized the use of his placement slot. Occasionally, when free, he would guide Tantai Chan in alchemy. He also conveniently refined some potent spirit pills for Xueyu to help her quickly improve her cultivation. Tantai Chan also benefited from these elixirs, which were very advantageous for her practice. He was not stingy with giving away relatively low-grade Rank 3 resources; he, Wang, had plenty of resources and was simply rich. As long as it brought him pleasant emotions, casually giving some benefits was normal, as he didn't need them himself anyway.

As time passed, his Soul-Shattering Death Ray was completed to Rank 4, and the Pill Dao and Artifact Dao sections of the Monster Refining Art were also completed to Rank 4. Wang Yu had thought this was the limit of this ancient art, but to his surprise, it was still not complete. This was actually a Rank 5 inheritance. This meant that the Monster Refining Art held greater secrets. Inheritances granted by Immortals generally stopped at Rank 4; they wouldn't provide inheritances beyond that rank. Based on this deduction, the existence of the Monster Refining Art was puzzling. Either it was left behind by a divine general who descended with an Immortal, in violation of rules, or it was an inheritance left in the Ice Prison Realm by some other entity. Such secrets were still too far beyond his grasp. As long as he could use it, he wasn't overly curious about the secrets behind it.

The further completion of the Pill and Artifact sections allowed Wang Yu to refine a new coffin, custom-made to the standards of a thunder corpse, using three demon corpses and shed materials from some transformed great demons. He successfully refined a Rank 4 Mid-grade Thunder Fiend Coffin! This treasure could absorb lightning qi from heaven and earth, using it to grind away the pure yin portion of the ominous qi, leaving only the fiendish qi to fuse with lightning qi. It was the most nourishing supplement for thunder corpses in the world. With the addition of some high-quality blood manually, it could be slowly nurtured to cultivate and grow to the peak of the early Rank 4 stage. Moreover, unlike the Grand Yin Fiend-Nurturing Coffin, the Thunder Fiend Coffin itself possessed a certain offensive capability. Apart from his Natal Artifact, Wang Yu currently had no other suitable artifacts at hand. The Thunder Fiend Coffin could also serve its purpose for a while. Furthermore, the Heavenly Thunder Descent Map, which he had acquired from Scholar Qingyang years ago, contained a considerable amount of tribulation lightning power, enough to quickly fill the Thunder Fiend Coffin with lightning qi. This tribulation-crossing treasure map would undoubtedly be a top-tier treasure if its rank wasn't merely Rank 3. Unfortunately, its creator's strength was insufficient. Due to being refined from demon corpses, the coffin had a strong fleshy texture. Its outer layer was covered with bone fragments inscribed with lightning runes, combined with an aura of fiendish qi. It looked like a demonic treasure at first glance. After refining it, there was no need to store it in his Qi Sea for nourishment; it replaced the Grand Yin Fiend-Nurturing Coffin and became a new adornment on his hair clasp, fitting his temperament quite well.

During his subsequent seclusion, his proficiency in his main cultivation technique greatly increased. The first Grand Yin Demonic Essence Pill was fully refined, and Wang Yu immediately consumed the second. In terms of the placement slot, a cultivation method retrieved from Heavenly Corpse Peak, the "Heavenly Corpse Thunder Palm Art," was perfectly suited for the thunder corpse. Being Rank 4, it was precisely what he needed to replace the Yin Fiend Corpse Refinement Art. He quickly comprehended it to the minor accomplishment stage, then temporarily set it aside, focusing primarily on the Asura Intent and the Twelve Phases of Guanghan. The Yellow Springs Earth Resentment Puppet, after being repaired, became Wang Yu's guiding light. He began to comprehend the Yellow Springs Dao divine abilities within it. There was no other meaning; he could use it in the future. The Yellow Springs Buried Bone Curse Sword, the Yellow Springs Evil World Spear, and the Yellow Springs Ghost Mist were all powerful and usable divine abilities. Even if he didn't learn them, comprehending them would allow him to trade with others. Since they were core inheritances of the Yellow Springs Monastery, he wouldn't mind selling them to multiple parties, even if they became common goods.

Thus, his time in seclusion passed swiftly, like a fleeting white colt across a crevice. Five years quietly passed.

In the sixth month of the fifth year of Ancestor Wang Yu's cultivation, perhaps assuming he had adapted sufficiently, a transfer order sent him east to reinforce the battle at Black Mountain Pass. Accompanying him were Ancestor Wei, the Ghostly Barbarian Lord from Savage Ghost Peak, and the Underworld Tiger Demon Monarch from Fierce Shadow Peak. Including Wang Yu, the three of them were all early-stage Nascent Soul cultivators, leading fifty elite Core Formation disciples to Black Mountain Pass.

When he received the order, Wang Yu had just completed a cycle of Grand Circulation cultivation and was burying an empty top-grade spirit stone deep within a Rank 4 high-grade spirit vein. As his cultivation proficiency deepened, the circulation of top-grade spirit stones was slightly insufficient. He could actually apply to the sect for twenty more for cultivation. In this regard, the Spirit Reversal Blood Sect was quite generous; any newly advanced Nascent Soul cultivator who applied would receive them. Wang Yu was also considered well-established and, driven by the mindset of "take what you can get," had already obtained them. He now possessed exactly 130 top-grade spirit stones, making him incredibly wealthy.

Regarding his cultivation, after five years of seclusion, his progress speed had slowed considerably due to changing his cultivation method, so it wasn't as exaggerated as before, but it was still quite fast. His demonic essence increased by 990 drops, and his Grand Yin Demonic Essence Pills added 300 drops, bringing his total Qi Sea volume to 4370 drops. This was not far from the 6000 drops required for the peak of the second Nascent Soul layer. Another ten years would allow him to break through to the third Nascent Soul layer. His main body had essentially given up on active cultivation, devoting all its energy to comprehending the Laws of Intent, apart from refining medicinal pills. This was a reasonable trade-off. Effort needed to be applied in the right direction; a misdirected approach wouldn't work. It wouldn't be too late to fully commit to cultivation once all aspects of the Laws of Intent were completed.

After emerging from seclusion, he still had a month of preparation time. After meeting his two colleagues, Wang Yu prepared to first make a trip to Sky Treasure City. He had been back for so long, and someone was still waiting for him there, a fact he had almost forgotten.