Chapter 59: Escape and Retreat

Wang Yu had obtained what he sought, but at the cost of a powerful corpse arm. He wasn't sure if the trade was worth it, but there was no point regretting what was already done. He could only hope the jade slip would prove to be worth the loss.

A slight smile touched his lips. He didn't care if the corpse demon understood, as he declared, "Want it back? Come find me at Ningyue Palace!"

With that, he shot out of the Scripture Pavilion.

The Night Concealment Spell was in full effect. Like a gecko scuttling along a wall, he scaled the vermilion pillars and clung to the ceiling, his aura completely suppressed.

Below the staircase, eight or nine illusions of Wang Yu fled, drawing the main attention.

The corpse demon burst out in a rage, shattering the large doors.

It instantly discerned the illusions from reality, but their number was vast and they were dispersed. By the time it scanned from left to right, they had already vanished, obscured by the palace walls.

It stood for a moment, with no inclination to look upwards. Instead, it charged towards the top of the staircase, in the direction of Ningyue Palace, its corpse aura surging powerfully—truly a sight akin to a monstrous birth.

Seeing this, Wang Yu let out a sigh of relief.

He was unsure if the Night Concealment Spell would hold up, but so far, his aura was well-hidden. He wondered if he would be exposed in a direct confrontation.

Tiptoeing, he gently landed on the ground.

Wang Yu slowly straightened his twisted left arm inch by inch. Though still immobile, it now appeared normal.

This disabled state would likely persist for some time.

The Corpse Demon Secret Art could slowly heal it, and "Yin Blood Pills" cultivated using the secret art would accelerate recovery. However, this process required maintaining a balance of 'death energy' to prevent it from invading his bone marrow and diminishing his lifespan.

By a conservative estimate, full recovery would take at least a year.

Given his condition, Wang Yu no longer intended to visit Ningyue Palace. He decided to let the other three contend with the corpse demon; the underground palace was right beneath Mount Xuangu.

The five-year guarding period had only just begun, so there was no rush to fully explore it.

Moreover, he had already encountered a Foundation Establishment corpse demon in the Scripture Pavilion. Who knew what dangers awaited him at Ningyue Palace? That place was clearly more significant, and Qi Refining cultivators should avoid unnecessary battles there.

A strategic retreat was undoubtedly a good idea.

He rapidly retreated.

Many Gu Poison Peak disciples were gathered in small groups. Upon seeing Wang Yu's blood-soaked chest wound, some mocked him, others ignored him, but none attempted to stop him.

Their discussions only grew louder after they watched him retreat into the cave leading to the underground palace.

A short while later.

Before exiting the underground pit, three cultivators who had been guarding the rear were wiping their magic artifacts. Nearby lay several dead Ferocious Bone Lions, clear evidence of a fierce battle.

Seeing Wang Yu approach, they all paused, and one immediately stepped forward to intercept him. "Stop, Wang Yu," he demanded, "why have you suddenly retreated? Has something changed up ahead?"

"Not at all."

Wang Yu paused and patiently explained:

"At the end of the cave passage lies the ruins of an ancient sect's underground palace. Everyone is exploring it, searching for opportunities and forgotten treasures."

"I was unexpectedly injured and no longer possess the strength to contend, so I retreated to inform the three of you. If you desire opportunities, I suggest you head into the underground palace as soon as possible."

After speaking, he prepared to depart on his flying magic artifact.

The three exchanged glances, their eyes all revealing greed. The leader sternly yelled, "I suspect you've acquired a valuable treasure and are feigning injury to escape. Hand it over, and I might spare your life."

"How presumptuous!"

Wang Yu flicked his sleeve dismissively, then mounted his black silk flying artifact and ascended into the air.

Below, three heads, impaled together by ice shards, hung neatly on the rock wall. Their mangled bodies were completely intertwined, rendered useless for any further purpose.

Even without the powerful corpse arm, his mastery of magic far exceeded that of these ordinary late-stage Qi Refining disciples. Killing them was akin to crushing ants.

Five breaths later.

At the top of the pit, Wang Yu's expression remained cold. Spiritual energy gathered in his throat, and he exhaled downwards, instantly generating a vast expanse of low-temperature, chilling mist.

Ice crystals formed on the rock wall, and countless ice shards grew out diagonally. Wielding the high-grade magic artifact, the Ice-Patterned Sword, he activated it once more in its greatsword form, utterly destroying the pit.

When they first descended, Liu Jinxian had eighteen formidable subordinates. Wang Yu first eliminated four, then three, then another three, totaling ten. This act had completely severed their ties, and he knew she would undoubtedly seek revenge once they left.

It was better to be decisive and completely seal off their retreat.

Perhaps there were other ways to ascend, but they certainly wouldn't be able to escape quickly. Furthermore, for some unknown reason, the passage leading to the underground palace had been devoid of rotting poison bees and ferocious bone lions.

This was highly unusual.

Having completed his task, Wang Yu left the small hill and returned to Mount Xuangu.

Meanwhile.

At the base of Mount Xuangu Number Three, Gu Zhengshun and Situ Hong, along with their gathered subordinates, leaped into the deep crevice. In total, there were twelve individuals, all in the late stage of Qi Refining.

According to them, the underground geomagnetism was chaotic, making it difficult to orient oneself. It was best to follow a single path to avoid becoming lost in the environment.

However, upon landing, they found themselves not in the underground palace ruins but in a lower cavern beneath the same location.

Here, burial mounds dotted the landscape, with an occasional more elaborately repaired tomb. The cavern stretched over four *zhang* high, and a gigantic, putrid beehive occupied nearly a hundred *mu*.

The incessant buzzing filled the air, and a foul stench assaulted their nostrils.

Looking further out, they observed a network of underground passages extending in all directions. Numerous Ferocious Bone Lions roamed the area, actively digging up burial mounds to unearth the skeletal remains of cultivators.

They either chewed and swallowed the bones or directly attached them to their own bodies.

At first glance, these creatures exhibited bizarre features, appearing to have human bone arms, legs, or even skulls integrated into their forms. This explained why the bee swarms and bone beasts on Mount Xuangu could never be fully eradicated.

The underground was the true nesting ground for both factions.

The true strength of the bone beasts remained unclear, but the sheer size of the putrid bee swarm strongly suggested the presence of a Foundation Establishment-level Queen Bee.

Seeing this, Situ Hong couldn't help but quip:

"I think we've taken the wrong path. It would be far more appropriate for that woman, Liu Jinxian, to be here instead."

Gu Zhengshun cast a sidelong glance, then remarked with self-deprecation:

"Liu Jinxian is a true favored daughter of heaven, with a Core Formation father. You and I are merely distantly connected, but she is of the same direct bloodline."

"I understand what you mean."

Situ Hong spread his hands and sighed, "Our own people know our own affairs." The Peach Blossom Ghost Mother cultivated the path of Yin-Yang Harmonization. She hailed from a prominent family within the Joyful Union Sect and later married a Core Formation cultivator from the Reverse Spirit Blood Sect.

After her marriage, both her cultivation and the practice of her unique Peach Blossom divine ability required a great number of handsome men. This was far less convenient than within the Joyful Union Sect, which explained why her husband tolerated her practice of taking "adopted sons."

Even though he might be favored for a time, he would eventually be cast aside.

His status was entirely different from Liu Jinxian's direct lineage.

"Enough of this talk. Let's set up the formation."

"Alright."

Gu Zhengshun patted the corpse-refining pouch at his waist. Coffins rose sequentially, their lids falling open, revealing twelve copper-armored corpses. Each had a "Corpse Suppressing Talisman" affixed to its forehead and held a black command flag, before swiftly dispersing.

Controlling twelve copper-armored corpses with a seventh-level Qi Refining cultivation vastly exceeded his limits, necessitating the use of talismans and magic artifacts for assistance, which significantly reduced their flexibility.

However, for setting up a formation, it was perfectly suitable.

The formation they were setting up was none other than the Earth Yin Corpse Puppet Formation!