Scripture of Days Past

Even with Yi Shuang and Han Ying temporarily incapacitated, the undying divine general contitto pursue Chu Qiguang. As a living corpse, it was unaffected by demonic tainting, and it clearly had some level of autonomy even if it wasn’t under Yi Shuang’s control.

Left with no other options, Chu Qiguang could only resort to the Demon Refinement Technique.

Normal living corpses didn’t have blood flowing in their bodies, so they were immune to the effects of the Demonic Refinement Technique. However, the undying divine general was a special living corpse created by Layman Evergreen, and it required blood circulation to perform martial arts.

Initially, Chu Qiguang hadn’t wanted to reveal his ability to control living demonic creatures to others. However, with the Ring of Ignorance proving ineffective, the Demon Refinement Technique was his only remaining option.

The undying divine general instantly stopped in its tracks, but instead of falling under Chu Qiguang’s control, it began trembling violently as an even more fearsome aura erupted from its body.

Yi Shuang gritted his teeth against the excruciating pain in his head as he frantically shook his bell, but the undying divine general didn’t react at all.

”What have you done?!” he asked in horror as he turned to Chu Qiguang.

However, Chu Qiguang was just as perplexed as he was.

This is the first time my Demon Refinement Technique has failed. Did Layman Evergreen do something to this living corpse?

Given that Layman Evergreen was a Dao Comprehension-state cultivator, it wouldn’t be too much of a stretch to consider the possibility that he may have done something to the living corpse to prevent it from falling under someone else’s control.

All of a sudden, a hint of lucidity appeared in the undying divine general’s previously lifeless eyes.

”Who has awakened me?”

The undying divine general’s gaze fell upon Chu Qiguang, and it asked, ”Oh? Are you trying to take control of my undying divine general?”

Yi Shuang immediately realized what was happening.

It’s Layman Evergreen! He’s possessed his own living corpse!

Chu Qiguang quickly arrived at the same realization.

Could it be that Layman Evergreen planted a part of his consciousness in this living corpse? If that’s the case, then right now, I’m facing a Dao Comprehension-state opponent in the body of this living corpse.

A powerful sense of foreboding instantly welled up in Chu Qiguang’s heart, and he hurriedly retreated.

”Don’t let him get away, Layman Evergreen!” Yi Shuang yelled. ”We’re on the second floor of the Demon Vanquishing Department right now! That kid’s from the Demon Vanquishing Department, and he’s trying to call for reinforcements!”

By the time Yi Shuang finished speaking, Chu Qiguang had already sped out of the twenty-one gates of the second floor. However, in the next instant, he was overcome by an overwhelming sense of danger.

He immediately spun around and unleashed a palm strike while releasing high-school-level mathematics through his Ring of Ignorance, but the undying divine general remained completely unaffected by demonic tainting.

It gently extended a hand that glided past Chu Qiguang’s palm strike before landing on his chest, displaying a level of martial arts ability far beyond anything the undying divine general had previously shown.

Chu Qiguang threw up a large mouthful of blood, but he took advantage of the force behind the undying divine general’s palm strike to accelerate his retreat, reaching the stairwell in an instant.

However, under Layman Evergreen’s control, the undying divine general’s speed had increased significantly. It caught up to Chu Qiguang in the blink of an eye and swiped a vicious claw at him.

Chu Qiguang attempted to use the Undying Seal to redirect the force of the paw swipe, but a large chunk of flesh was still torn from his leg.

Blood sprayed from the wound as Chu Qiguang fell to one knee.

”I’m going to kill you if you keep running,” the undying divine general threatened.

I’m in a real pickle here, but it should still be manageable, Chu Qiguang thought. This thing may have been possessed by Layman Evergreen, but it’s still not comparable to a true Dao Comprehension-state cultivator. I should be able to get away, then meet up with Qiao—

All of a sudden, Qiao Zhi’s frantic voice rang out in his mind.

Let me take over your body! Hurry!

Master Qiao? Didn’t I tell you to stay outside? What are you doing here? Chu Qiguang asked in surprise.

How could I not come in after hearing such a massive commotion? Hurry up and switch with me! Qiao Zhi urged.

This living corpse is currently being controlled by a part of Layman Evergreen’s consciousness, so it won’t be easy to beat, Chu Qiguang warned.

It’s fine, Qiao Zhi replied confidently. Layman Evergreen reached the Dao Comprehension state through Dao arts, so martial arts isn’t his strong suit. Besides, this is only a fragment of his consciousness. I need you to turn into a cat, then let me take over.

”Who are you?” the undying divine general asked coldy, oblivious to Chu Qiguang’s telepathic communication with Qiao Zhi. ”Since when was there someone like you in the Demon Vanquishing Department?”

A peculiar grin appeared on Chu Qiguang’s face, and tufts of silver fur suddenly began to spread across his body.

In the blink of an eye, he had transformed into a giant silver cat.

”My goodness, you really have grown strong, Chu Qiguang! This body is already far more powerful than it was the last time I used it!”

The giant silver cat’s tail whipped back and forth through the air, stirring up powerful gusts of wind.

”How long has it been since I last used a body this strong? This is what a cat should be!” Qiao Zhi said excitedly.

An intrigued look appeared on the undying divine general’s face.

”So you were a cat fiend all along? How did you manage to infiltrate the Demon Vanquishing Department?”

Qiao Zhi didn’t bother answering the question.

Instead, a cold grin appeared on his feline face as he asked in a taunting voice, ”Do you know how far behind me you are as a martial artist?”

Layman Evergreen faltered slightly at the question, and an intense sense of fear suddenly welled up in his heart.

No, I’m not the one who’s afraid. This is my undying divine general’s instinctive fear!

In the next instant, his pupils contracted drastically.

A beating heart had appeared in Qiao Zhi’s paw. Qiao Zhi casually licked his lips as he continued, ”Let me put it this way: your martial arts is about a hundred years behind mine.”

A loud thump rang out as a burst of gale force tore the heart in his paw to shreds.