The Quest for Immortality

This scheme included not only the Spiritual Pivot Formation but also involved the fall of the Sect and the dispersion of its disciples. It even called for the use of the Sect Leader’s and Elders’ corpses, left un-worshipped in their graves, from the Minor Hidden Spirit Sect.

To slay the master and extinguish the ancestors, to bring the Sect to ruin, and to refine corpses from the Sect’s predecessors...

In Mo Hua’s deep gaze, a cold light slowly began to gather:

”Lu Chengyun... courting death!”

...

Yang Jishan had acquired the detailed Cemetery Map and the Formation Diagram, so he began to make comprehensive plans, hoping to accomplish his task in one fell swoop by eradicating the Corpse King and putting an end to the zombie menace.

Everything was ready, and suddenly Mo Hua sought out Yang Jishan and said:

”Uncle Yang, let me come along too.”

Yang Jishan was somewhat astonished, ”What would you do there?”

”I want to help out,” said Mo Hua.

Yang Jishan was slightly taken aback, then felt warmth in his heart.

Such a good child, with great capabilities and a kind heart, no wonder my fifth brother speaks so highly of him.

But Yang Jishan still shook his head:

”I would like you to come, but this battle is a matter of life and death. We’ll be facing the Corpse King, and there are so many Iron Corpses, it’s too dangerous. Even I might be more likely to face misfortune than luck, I can’t guarantee your safety...”

Mo Hua said, ”Uncle Yang, don’t worry, my Junior Brother and Junior Sister will protect me.”

Yang Jishan hesitated, ”Your Junior Brother, Junior Sister, they are only Qi Refiners, aren’t they...?”

”Although they are Qi Refiners, their cultivation is very strong,” Mo Hua declared proudly.

Still, Yang Jishan disagreed, ”This is a fight to the death, a messy battle against zombies, it’s different...”

Mo Hua replied, ”If it really doesn’t work out, I’ll use my Concealment Technique to escape...”

Concealment...

Yang Jishan was startled by these words.

No wonder!

No wonder he was able to fish in troubled waters within the Corpse Mine, gathering intelligence. So he had a method of concealment.

This was something Mo Hua had not mentioned before, so Yang Jishan was unaware.

Yang Jishan looked at Mo Hua with shining eyes.

Concealment... what a skill... truly wonderful...

Then he was struck by a question, ”You’re only at the level of Qi Refinement, how did you manage to conceal yourself from Lu Chengyun?”

Mo Hua smiled with narrowed eyes but did not respond.

Yang Jishan then realized his impropriety.

Such sensitive details about a cultivator’s abilities should not be discussed carelessly.

Yang Jishan promptly said, ”Sorry, it was impertinent of me to ask.”

And so Mo Hua asked, ”So, can I go?”

”This...” Yang Jishan was still reluctant; he suddenly paused, then asked with suspicion:

”Your visit to the cemetery, does it have another purpose?”

Mo Hua did not hide it and nodded, asserting directly:

”I have a personal grudge with Lu Chengyun, I want to see him die!”

Yang Jishan was stunned.

A personal grudge?

Was it a grudge formed when he was locked up in the Corpse Mine, or was there another reason?

Yang Jishan’s gaze became somber.

Regardless of the reason, he was reluctant to let Mo Hua, a young cultivator of such an age, risk his life.

In fact, he was considering whether to have someone take Mo Hua out of South Yue City first, so that if the battle failed and South Yue City fell, Mo Hua would not be in danger.

Eradicating Corpse Sin was a decree from the Taoist Court and the duty of Taoist Soldiers, and it had nothing to do with Mo Hua.

Mo Hua was knowledgeable in formations and had a good nature; he was a promising young cultivator who should not be exposed to such risks!

Yang Jishan nodded to himself.

But just as Yang Jishan was resolute in his decision and about to voice his refusal, a sudden premonition shook his heart.

In his Sea of Consciousness, an image emerged out of nowhere:

The sky in the image was dyed red with blood.

Lu Chengyun was dead.

But all the cultivators present were also dead.

And he himself had lost an arm, pinned beneath the foot of a zombie with eyes full of despair.

This zombie was huge, with blood-colored pupils that faintly glimmered dark gold, and its aura was terrifying.

It raised its arm and let out a roaring howl.

All around the mountains and fields, countless zombies bowed in submission...

...

In an instant, everything disappeared.

Yang Jishan’s back was soaked with cold sweat, and he was filled with immense terror:

”Just now... what was that?”

Was it the intuition honed from many years on the battlefield?

A sign from the unseen world?

Or had someone allowed me to see this scene...

Yang Jishan’s face was pale, his eyes full of fear and uncertainty.

”Uncle Yang?”

A young voice brought Yang Jishan back to his senses.

Yang Jishan looked up to find Mo Hua’s concerned face.

”Uncle Yang, what’s wrong?” Mo Hua asked with worry.

After a moment of contemplation, Yang Jishan forced a smile, ”Nothing, I’m just a bit tired...”

Feeling apologetic, Mo Hua then said:

”Then you should rest well, Uncle Yang, I won’t bother you any longer.”

Yang Jishan nodded slightly, and just as Mo Hua was about to leave, he suddenly called Mo Hua back.

”Mo Hua.”

Mo Hua turned back with a puzzled look.

Yang Jishan’s gaze was firm as he said, ”You can go.”

Mo Hua was taken aback, then overjoyed, ”Really?”

Yang Jishan nodded, ”But be careful, stay close to me, don’t wander off, and don’t be impulsive even if you see Lu Chengyun.”

”Yes, yes,” Mo Hua nodded repeatedly and said with a smile, ”Thank you, Uncle Yang!”

Mo Hua left happily.

And ever since Yang Jishan had agreed and allowed Mo Hua to accompany them,

The bloody, terrifying, and desperate image in his Sea of Consciousness had disappeared...

The terror in Yang Jishan’s heart gradually subsided, and he no longer felt the icy chill in his limbs.

It was as if some terrifying cause and effect had been severed.

Still, Yang Jishan was unsettled for a long time.

Watching Mo Hua’s retreating figure, his eyes flickered with astonishment as he wondered to himself:

”Mo Hua... What exactly is the identity of this young cultivator?”