Starting Cultivation During a Trip

Chapter 260: Chapter 153: Zhang Fan, You Little Brat! Long Time No See, Three Corpses Daoist (Part 2)

”Brother, he...”

Liu Xingyu’s face twitched as he stared at Zhang Fan, leaning in close to Liu Xingtui’s ear.

”Don’t say a word.”

Liu Xingtui’s expression was grave, and he barked, ”If it weren’t for him today, we’d all be dead here.”

As he spoke, Liu Xingtui’s gaze fell on what remained of Meng Qingtong—a puddle of flesh.

Having awakened his Daoist Divine Techniques, Meng Qingtong was nearly impossible to kill. With just the few of them, if Zhang Fan hadn’t acted in time, in the span of one cigarette, no one alive would be left here.

”Good thing you didn’t go head-to-head with him that day.” Thinking back on it, Liu Xingtui was still terrified—what kind of good outcome ever comes from butting heads with someone like that?

Luckily, Liu Xingyu was at least somewhat worldly. The day he saw Zhang Fan show his hand, he realized there are always mountains beyond mountains, people beyond people. He didn’t keep posturing, or he’d have been flattened long ago.

”Zhang Fan... No wonder Ma Buting didn’t last two moves against him.”

At this moment, in the distance, the gravely wounded He Ningyan struggled to raise her eyelids, glancing at Zhang Fan.

With that kind of power, even if Ma Buting had advanced to the High Skill rank, he’d still be no match for Zhang Fan. Laughably, after his breakthrough, he thought of regaining his dignity by having a rematch.

”Ma Buting... Shidi... Shidi...”

Suddenly, as if recalling something, He Ningyan turned to look for him, only to see Ma Buting lying in a pool of blood, barely breathing, a gaping wound in his chest.

”Help! Someone save him, hurry!”

At this moment, Sui Chunsheng had already taken out his phone, dialed a number, and then strode over to help Zhang Fan up.

”You’re incredible... You can handle even something like this,” Sui Chunsheng couldn’t help but sigh.

Tonight really was unexpected. What was supposed to be a simple call turned into an ambush when Meng Qingtong, suddenly rejuvenated, struck without warning, catching everyone off guard.

If Zhang Fan hadn’t been here, the Daoist Alliance would have suffered total annihilation tonight. With a disaster this big, Chairman Lou would have to shoulder all the blame.

Thinking back on all of it made Sui Chunsheng break out in a cold sweat.

”When you get back, tell your Chairman Lou that I can’t keep risking my life for the Daoist Alliance for nothing,” Zhang Fan said calmly.

”Don’t worry, you’ll definitely be recognized for this when we get back. Just wait for your reward.”

A short while later, members of the Jiangnan Province Daoist Alliance finally arrived. The scene was quickly sealed off, with staff in Daoist-issue protective gear carrying all kinds of instruments and cases, starting to gather evidence.

The fragment holding the Three Corpses Primordial Pill was placed into a crystal container, then sealed with mercury.

For the Jiangnan Province Daoist Alliance, that was what mattered most.

Meng Qingtong’s remains were gathered into a metal coffin, sealed with Talismans—no less than nine were attached.

Sui Chunsheng explained that anyone awakened to Daoist Divine Techniques had a body markedly different from ordinary Daoists, holding immense research value.

The moment he said this, Zhang Fan’s expression grew extremely odd; he instinctively glanced at himself.

”Don’t worry, we only dissect those who awakened Daoist Divine Techniques. Normal Daoists—we still show some respect to their corpses,” Sui Chunsheng patted Zhang Fan’s shoulder, trying to reassure him.

”You guys are really humane,” Zhang Fan replied with an awkward laugh.

”Sorry, but you’ll need to come with us for a bit.”

Just then, two Jiangnan Province Daoist Alliance staff members approached and, without discussion, escorted Zhang Fan away.

”Wait—I’m from the righteous side!”

Zhang Fan turned to look at Sui Chunsheng, waving his hand and shouting.

”Routine procedure, just a statement, that’s all,”

Sui Chunsheng looked a bit embarrassed, but followed along closely.

...

Tonight, sleep would not come.

The Jiangnan Province Daoist Alliance was ablaze with light, working through the night. By the time Zhang Fan finished his statement and was released, it was already past two in the morning.

”Chairman, it’s been checked—that Three Corpses Primordial Pill has already been destroyed.”

Inside a small building, Lou Hechuan stood at the window, watching Zhang Fan depart. Beside him, a middle-aged Daoist reported with respect.

”The Three Corpses Primordial Pill was just a backup for the Primordial Spirit of the Three Corpses Daoist. Once only partially awakened, it has no real power of its own...” Lou Hechuan murmured, his voice low.

”Meng Qingtong’s Primordial Spirit was destroyed, so of course, it couldn’t remain... In a way, it’s better that way.”

”There’s another possibility,” the middle-aged Daoist said, glancing at Zhang Fan’s receding figure.

”It found a new host!?” Lou Hechuan said, voice tense.

”That young man is highly suspicious. Meng Qingtong died by his hand. By regulation, we should have checked his Primordial Spirit before releasing him.”

”Check his Primordial Spirit!?”

Lou Hechuan gave a wry laugh; the wrinkles on his aged face pulled tight. ”Do you know who he is?”

”If you try to check his Primordial Spirit, Zhenwu Mountain will be here in force tomorrow.”

”I know he’s a disciple of Zhenwu Mountain, but...” the middle-aged Daoist said in a low voice.

”He’s more than just a disciple of Zhenwu Mountain.”

Lou Hechuan shook his head. There weren’t many who knew Chu Chaoran’s closed-door disciple’s identity; even Zhenwu Mountain hadn’t officially stated his status.

But Lou Hechuan knew that this young man was exceptional, deeply significant to Zhenwu Mountain.

”Chairman, if we don’t check, and by some chance—”

The middle-aged Daoist hesitated. The Three Corpses Primordial Pill could transfer, and if it had entered this young man’s body, disaster would follow.

”There won’t be such a chance...” Lou Hechuan’s eyes narrowed, his tone resolute.

”No chance!?” The middle-aged Daoist froze, then looked puzzled.

Lou Hechuan’s expression remained cryptic, but he said no more. Just minutes ago, he’d received a call—from Zhenwu Mountain.

The caller was Liu Nanxu, one of the three Celestial Masters of Zhenwu Mountain. She’d given him only one message—one that even shocked Lou Hechuan.

Zhang Fan was not just a disciple of Zhenwu Mountain; he had also fused the Zhenwu Jade Scroll.

With the Zhenwu Jade Scroll for protection, the Three Corpses Primordial Pill could not take root within him, so there was no such risk.

Had this incident happened before he’d merged with the Zhenwu Jade Scroll, the threat of being possessed by the Three Corpses Primordial Pill would have been real—Lou Hechuan himself would have insisted on a check.

But now, that was no longer a concern.

”Zhang Fan... just who is this kid really?”

Lou Hechuan’s face was grave, but inside, waves of emotion churned.

...

The moon hung low in the west; night winds howled.

In autumn’s chill, Yujing City already carried a hint of cold. Zhang Fan returned to Hongfu Garden—it was past three, but he didn’t feel sleepy at all.

The old apartment block was shrouded in darkness, just a few stray cats overturning garbage bins, making a ruckus.

In the distance, beneath Building 73, several blood-smeared, wandering vagrant ghosts drifted aimlessly. They gazed up at the rooftop, as if searching for their next scapegoat sacrifice.

Anyone used to seeing spirits would understand—this was nothing unusual.

Back home, Zhang Fan firmly locked the door, sat cross-legged in meditation, and activated his Primordial Spirit.

Rumble, rumble...

Within the Primordial Spirit Inner Scenery, it was still an endless haze—eternal night, with only a few faint glimmers. It was as if this world would never see daylight again.

At this moment, Zhang Fan had yet to truly break free of the Great Night.

For his Primordial Spirit, all of this was long familiar; but for others, it would be a terror and calamity beyond imagination.

Buzz...

Zhang Fan’s Primordial Spirit delved deeper into the Inner Scenery, finally reaching the deepest depths.

Clang... Clang... Clang...

In the darkness, the heavy clash of chains echoed out faintly. Before him, as if a mysterious and unknown colossal being lurked, hidden in the hazy shadows.

”Ten years... You’ve finally come back here again.”

Just then, a mysterious voice sounded, accompanied by the importunate chewing of flesh—as if his feast wasn’t yet over.

A surging wave of spiritual power followed, like a tsunami flooding every corner of the darkness, battering Zhang Fan’s Primordial Spirit as well.

”Long time no see, Three Corpses Daoist.”

In that very instant, as if greeting an old acquaintance, Zhang Fan’s Primordial Spirit spoke in a low, solemn voice.