"Second Brother Zhuo is busy. I'll hold down the fort in Guiding Spirit for you. As for Yu Xing, let him be. Everyone has their own matters to attend to."
As Zuoqiu Ming spoke, a profound melancholy seemed to weigh on him, as if he had instantly transformed from a frivolous playboy into a sober, middle-aged man. The carefree days of the three young masters were gone for good.
Wang Yu also fell silent for a moment before suddenly asking, "What are the chances?"
"I don't know. Second Brother Zhuo has always been scheming and inscrutable. How far he can go... we can only do our best and leave the rest to fate. Off to bed now~ Are there any beauties?"
Wang Yu: "...In your room."
Zuoqiu Ming: "As expected, Fourth Brother is the most considerate. I'll take my leave. Just arrange things properly in the manor before you depart; no need to inform me."
"—Understood!"
The banquet concluded. Wang Yu summoned servants to clean up, then sat upon the Profound Ice Bed, using the Cold-Absorbing Technique to accelerate his cultivation.
Over the past few years.
The feedback from the Yellow Springs Great Hand Seal's placement, combined with the extreme cold energy from the Myriad-Year Profound Ice Bed, had elevated the quality of his true essence, especially its coldness, which surpassed its former level several times over.
Correspondingly, the power of his Yin and Ice attribute techniques had also seen a significant boost. He was growing stronger! This point... was beyond doubt!!
After that night's heart-to-heart, Wang Yu began arranging the aftermath of his departure from Guiding Spirit, primarily focusing on delegating tasks to Qing Yang and Xu Ruozhou.
Additionally.
The **[Heavenly Heart Scattered Thunder Tribulation-Avoidance Treasure Array]** was successfully refined—a set of twelve sky-blue formation banner treasures at the third grade, possessing solely tribulation-avoidance functions.
The refinement process for another tribulation-avoidance treasure was commissioned to Jin Miaoshan, to be handled by Master Tranquil Water. The final payment would be made upon Wang Yu's return.
During their exchanges, he unexpectedly learned about the top-grade Ice attribute Core Formation spiritual material and naturally agreed to reserve the **[Ten-Thousand-Year Tree Heart]** for her.
Over at the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion with Han Jia, a third-grade breakthrough spiritual material suitable for body-tempering cultivators had also officially arrived.
It was called **[Glazed Lotus Heart Elixir]**, said to be another body-tempering spiritual material related to Buddhism. Its origins were unclear, but it was absolutely suitable for Wang Yu.
After handling these matters, Wang Yu's personal wealth was once again halved, but everything was prepared. His reason for staying in Guiding Spirit was simply to wait!
Nurtured in the blood pools for several years, and with the assistance of the **[Yin-Yang Clash Corpse Refinement Formation]**, the two exotic variant zombies had finally completed their refinement.
However, because their raw materials were only second-grade Corpse Ghoul and Corpse Fiend, even after being infused with massive amounts of spiritual materials, they had not reached the third grade upon transformation into zombies.
In their current state, they could actually be animated. With the aptitude of exotic variant zombies, it wouldn't take many years after animation to reach the third grade.
It's just that they were different from the Moon Yin Corpse Fiend.
The third grade was a transformative major realm. Regardless of race—demon beast, ghost, evil entity—reaching the third grade required surviving a heavenly lightning tribulation!
The raw material for the Moon Yin Corpse Fiend was originally a late Core Formation living corpse, which had already survived its tribulation in life. These two had not.
The Thunder Corpse would have an easier time; the Demon Corpse was somewhat uncertain.
This was why Wang Yu wanted to wait a bit longer. Nurturing them to the point where they could be animated at any time was sufficient; they could be stored in the Yin Nurturing Coffin. The Demon Corpse would be paused; the Thunder Corpse would continue!
He felt that with his current spiritual sense, controlling two third-grade zombies shouldn't be a problem, but he couldn't fight with both simultaneously. In combat, it was best to control only one to avoid the risk of losing control.
If this journey could resolve the issue of his spiritual sense technique...
With the formidable Moon Yin Corpse Fiend, Demon Corpse, and Thunder Corpse in hand, even if he donned Heavenly Corpse Peak True Disciple robes, no one would suspect he was an imposter.
—The true lineage of Heavenly Corpse is in Guiding Spirit!
......
City Lord's Manor, Cultivation Chamber.
Before the blood pools, Wang Yu had spent spirit stones to purchase a set of corpse path magical tools: a Corpse-Suppressing Bell, a Yin Lotus Lamp, and a Corpse-Suppressing Talisman Pouch. The three combined could assist him in controlling refined corpses.
They also had some effect on refining zombies.
At this moment, within the Yin-Yang Clashing blood pools, the two fish-shaped pools presented completely opposite scenes.
One side steamed with black mist, piercingly cold. A single glance stirred unease, invoking an impulse to slaughter everything.
The other side crackled with lightning, blazing like the sun. A glance stung the eyes; the closer one got, the higher the temperature. This was not the power of flame but the manifestation of ultimate Yang and utmost Yang energy.
For a zombie to command such power, Wang Yu strongly suspected this Corpse Fiend in ancient times must have possessed some special constitution, though perhaps not as extraordinary as the Lightning Spirit Corpse.
But it had once given birth to a demonic spirit. A corpse gaining sentience was not a common sight.
It was only a tier below the Lightning Spirit Corpse.
With three zombies at his command, he was confident he could crush an outer sect Core Formation disciple of the Reverse Spirit Blood Sect. As for inner sect Core Formation disciples, he would need to test them in combat first to judge.
"Ding ling ling—"
Accompanied by the sound of the Corpse-Suppressing Bell, two corpses slowly rose from the blood pools, their auras ferocious, having almost reached the second-grade limit.
Leveraging their nature as living corpse materials...
As long as the final breath of vital energy within them was reversed, they would completely transform into zombies. Wang Yu formed a sword-finger and dipped it into the Yin Lotus Lamp. Using the lamp oil as a guide, Corpse-Suppressing Talismans flew out from the Talisman Pouch.
They wrapped the two limit-pushing corpses tightly before all were stored within the Yin Nurturing Coffin.
The location wasn't suitable.
Otherwise, he could have animated the Thunder Corpse first to test it. After cleaning the area, he went to the underground second level to dismantle the Slaughter Intent cultivation chamber. He intended to carry these Slaughter Intent Stone Slabs with him.
Such "divine ability acceleration cultivation tools" weren't easily obtained outside. Moreover, the Placement Slots weren't sufficient; it was better to carry them personally.
Finally, he arrived at the Insect Room.
With the digestion of the Ten-Thousand Poison Marrow, the essence blood within Wang Yu's Dragon Spine had reached a scale nearing six to seven thousand drops. Converted to true essence cultivation, that was roughly around the eighth layer of Foundation Establishment.
A small portion of the Poison Marrow remained, enough for one final use.
As for the Immaculate Jade Toad...
Due to his frequent procurement of highly toxic spiritual materials for its consumption, combined with the effects of the Ten-Thousand Poison Marrow, it had actually entered its mature stage faster than expected.
Now palm-sized, it still had one final metamorphosis through cocooning to reach its complete form, but that wouldn't be accomplished overnight.
At its mature stage, the Immaculate Jade Toad could already neutralize over 80% of the world's toxins. Only extremely high-grade and rare peculiar poisons could not be rapidly digested.
It couldn't be poisoned to death, at most overstuffed.
This level was sufficient for him to take it into the **[Sky Demon Bone Forest]**, where it would undoubtedly play a major role.
Late at night.
Outside Guiding Spirit City, Wang Yu swiftly reviewed the new true essence pill formula in his hand. A flash of blue flame appeared in his palm. He boarded the Cloud-Soaring Boat that had once carried him into Cloudveil, his figure vanishing into the darkness.
......
......
One month later, an unfamiliar place.
On Wang Yu's face was a mask engraved with the ancient character for "Earth." This was part of Jin Miaoshan's compensation for the destruction of Guiding Spirit's central district.
Third-grade, mid-tier magical treasure—Earth Net Ghost Mask.
It originated from a destroyed Scarlet Kite assassin organization, **[Demon Horde]**. Legend said there were thirty-six such masks, each specializing solely in the effect of concealing one's aura. It was difficult for anyone below Nascent Soul-level spiritual sense to see through.
There were also rumors that the thirty-six masks formed a set of fourth-grade concealment formation treasures, capable of deceiving any cultivator below the late Nascent Soul stage. This information all came from Jin Miaoshan; Wang Yu only needed its concealment effect.
After over a month of long travel, Wang Yu arrived at a small town outside the Sky Demon Bone Forest—Ten Thousand Poison Town!
This place was formed by a gathering of rogue cultivators and had a history of several thousand years.
Not only did it possess extensive information and the latest updates on the Sky Demon Bone Forest, but cultivators entering the mountains to hunt beasts, gather herbs, or capture insects would also rest here.
A mixed bag, with all sorts of people.
Strictly speaking, this was Wang Yu's first time venturing into the wider Scarlet Kite, and his experience wasn't rich. However, having served as City Lord of Guiding Spirit for over thirty years, his understanding of the lower-level cultivator ecosystem was quite clear.
For instance, back at the Reverse Spirit Blood Sect's mountain gate, he often encountered fellow disciples fighting in dark alleys; outside, it was even more rampant.
Ten Thousand Poison Town also had branches of the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion and the Golden Pavilion.
Apart from the relatively clean and orderly areas around these two merchant associations, random shops on the streets carried a strong scent of blood. Here, without strength, one couldn't do business.
Wang Yu had only just arrived, yet he had already witnessed twelve incidents of murder for treasure—it couldn't even be called 'for treasure'; people would brazenly attack for just a few thousand spirit stones.
It was like another world. Or perhaps this was the true face of Scarlet Kite being called a demonic domain? Otherwise... with its scenic mountains and clear waters, aside from the wicked people, there was no need to call it a demonic domain~
—**[Listening Wind Tower]**
Looking up at the signboard, Wang Yu stepped inside.
This was an intelligence-selling organization, active only in the northern part of Cloudveil Province. At best, it was a third-rate force, comparable to something like the Water Ink Sect.
But it was at least a local power.
The interior was divided by formations into soundproof, aura-concealing rooms. Without needing guidance, one chose an empty room, entered, and spoke directly.
"I want the latest map of the Sky Demon Bone Forest, as well as intelligence on the powerful individuals in this area."
"One thousand spirit stones."
The room contained only a square table. The voice came from within it. Wang Yu poured spirit stones onto the tabletop. Presumably reaching the required amount triggered some mechanism.
The table sank into the floor, and a jade slip shot out.
Inside was the intelligence he requested.
Convenient, quick... and most importantly, no personnel involved. Intelligence agents who worked too long, their identities discovered, could also be targeted.
After reading the jade slip, it had to be left in the room, as it could be reused. A third-rate force saved where it could.
As his spiritual sense swept through, imprinting the latest version of the map and danger coordinates into his mind, Wang Yu began reviewing the intelligence on powerful individuals.
The timeliness of this intelligence was strong. Aside from the resident powerful cultivators of Ten Thousand Poison Town, there were numerous unknown powerful individuals from all over, identified only by code names.
Some were active for periods ranging from months to years before leaving.
Others would disappear from Ten Thousand Poison Town or within the Sky Demon Bone Forest. These were normal occurrences.
**[Listening Wind Superior, Core Formation seventh layer, Master of Listening Wind Tower. Other information: None]**
"Interesting. A deliberate show of force."
**[Five Poison Old Fiend, Core Formation seventh layer, a poison cultivator who has entrenched himself in Ten Thousand Poison Town for three hundred years. Proficient in Five Poison divine abilities, skilled in using gu insects, also cultivates curse arts. Once annihilated the Ghost Lantern Sect in a single battle... Strongest divine ability: 「Five Poison Rotating Wheel Art」, powerful enough to threaten a Core Formation cultivator of the Sacred Sect.]**
**[Evil Centipede Daoist, Core Formation fifth layer, suspected to be a 'Poison Gu Peak' elder of the Sacred Sect. Has been cultivating in the Ten Thousand Demon Bone Forest for over sixty years. Prefers to act alone. No survivors from those who have fought him.]**
**[Red-White Twin Evils, Core Formation third layer, one male, one female. One cultivates the corpse path, the other the ghost path. Combined, they can fight a late Core Formation cultivator. Cultivate 「Corpse Ghost Evil Technique」, character deranged. Upon entering the Sky Demon Bone Forest, they kill anyone they see. Recommended to avoid.]**
**[Tiger Demon (Code Name), Foundation Establishment peak. Skilled in a set of body-tempering fist techniques, extremely fast, roar can shatter mental fortitude. Suspected to also cultivate the soul path.]**
**[Mysterious Formation Cultivator (Code Name), Foundation Establishment peak. Frequently active deep within the Sky Demon Bone Forest. Other information unknown.]**
**[Insect Girl (Code Name), Foundation Establishment fourth layer. Suspected to be an inner sect genius of the Sacred Sect. Skilled in using a Blood Gu...]**
**[Liu One-Slash (Code Name), Foundation Establishment second layer...]**
"Hmm?"
Wang Yu's gaze sharpened.
Looking at the spiritual energy projection of this 'Liu One-Slash,' the corners of his mouth stretched into an exaggerated curve.
**(End of Chapter)**