Chapter 111: Chapter 111 - 82: The Three Evil Corpses Appear, Two Divisions Compete
A few moments later, the rules were conveyed through Divine Sense Communication into Wen Jiu’s ear, still insisting on a hundred breaths of time.
But the puppet was no ordinary puppet; it was a special puppet with the strength of a Body Refining Fifth Layer and a Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer.
To persist for a hundred breaths of time under such circumstances, one must reveal part of the Three Evil Corpses’ power.
"Then let’s reveal it."
Wen Jiu took out the Corpse Nurturing Coffin.
Hide seven-tenths and reveal three-tenths, keeping the Three Evil Corpses at the lower realm, and a Quadruple Blood Body should easily withstand a hundred breaths of time. But merely enduring a hundred breaths might not be enough; Wen Jiu felt the best choice was to strike a balance.
In this way, it would be a display.
Yet not overly so.
After making the decision, Wen Jiu opened the Corpse Nurturing Coffin, and the humanoid puppet followed, slowly raising its hand to form a seal, with flames flickering at its fingertips. In the next moment, the humanoid puppet, accompanied by a hot wave and fiery illusion snake, rushed forward.
From within the Corpse Nurturing Coffin, the legs of the Three Evil Corpses bent, and it leapt out, sprinting forward, its hands suddenly forming cold corpse qi into iron chains sweeping toward the fiery illusion snake, but it was caught in the snake’s fiery jaws.
The fiery illusion snake attempted to pull, seemingly trying to drag the Three Evil Corpses over, but the Three Evil Corpses yanked forcefully with one hand, shattering the snake’s head. Next, the humanoid puppet formed another seal.
The fiery snake grew three heads.
All three heads spewed flames.
Instantly, the ninth layer turned into a sea of fire, the fiery snake thriving like a fish in water, rolling with fiery waves toward the Three Evil Corpses.
The momentum was overwhelming.
Unstoppable.
But the Three Evil Corpses did not retreat, standing before Wen Jiu, its body suddenly erupting with Three Evil Corpse Qi, pressing the flames into retreat, then the Three Evil Corpses lunged forward, the Three Evil Corpse Qi transforming into two massive corpse hands grabbing the fiery snake, while the snake coiled around the Three Evil Corpses, and the two were thoroughly entangled in combat.
Seeing this, Ye Chen, who was originally quarreling and preparing to act, froze, his Thousand-Pound Tyrant Axe halting in mid-air.
Xiang Wenlong, worried Ye Chen might actually strike, paused too, his gaze fixed intently on the scene in the light curtain.
Xun Jiangxing, in contrast, showed ecstasy, his resolve growing even stronger, visibly different from Bai Jianxin who twitched the corner of his mouth.
At this moment.
The elders were silent.
Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer and Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer were merely akin to children in their eyes, but the black corpse raised by a Qi Cultivation Third Layer was able to fiercely match a puppet on par with dual cultivation of body and technique at Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer, truly opened their eyes.
At this moment.
What Top-Grade Single-Attribute Spirit Root?
What Wang Xianzhi?
All seemed to pale in comparison.
They focused intently on the black corpse.
No, it should be said on the Three Evil Corpses.
They focused on the struggle between the Three Evil Corpses and the fiery snake, evenly matched, unable to decide, and for a while did not know what to say.
Words seemed insufficient to express their astonishment within.
Simultaneously, in the Black Spirit Tower, the puppet, seeing the fiery snake unable to resolve the Three Evil Corpses, immediately fixed its gaze on Wen Jiu.
But before it could move, the Three Evil Corpses forcibly tore the fiery snake apart, roared, and lunged forward. In haste, the humanoid puppet could only engage in combat, meeting the Three Evil Corpses’ grasp with a single hand.
The puppet did not retreat.
Nor did the Three Evil Corpses retreat.
After a stalemate for three breaths, both sides engaged in close combat, fighting fiercely and relentlessly on the ninth floor of the Black Spirit Tower.
Blows landed solidly, causing the elders to be deeply astonished.
Dozens of breaths later.
Someone recognized it.
"Three Evil Corpses, so it’s the Three Evil Corpse Nurturing Technique." An elder was suddenly enlightened, yet his face deepened with surprise.
Because the Three Evil Corpses were products of his era.
During his time, the Three Evil Corpses had shone brilliantly on the main peak, nurtured by a disciple of the Night Patrol Department, surnamed Mu, with a Middle-Grade Spirit Root, yet had then overwhelmed a group of Top-Grade Spirit Roots.
Back then, he could only look up to its renown.
Unfortunately, that Mu surnamed disciple eventually succumbed to the backlash of Yin and corpse qi, ultimately halting at the Middle Stage of Qi Cultivation.
In the end, reluctantly choosing to leave the main peak and retire to a side peak.
Ye Chen also naturally recognized the Three Evil Corpses, although he did not doubt the origin of the Three Evil Corpse Nurturing Technique.
Because Mu Canglong was that man’s son, and the favor of passing on the technique Wen Jiu referred to seemed to indicate Mu Canglong had handed it down to him.
At this moment, Ye Chen’s joy and satisfaction had already turned into shock; he never expected this kid had been hiding such a tactic before. In three months’ time, cultivating the black corpse into a powerful Three Evil Corpses.
This kid.
The Heterodox Talent is truly terrifying.
Moreover, from examining Wen Jiu’s body, the intrusion of Yin qi was not very severe, and with some effort, it could be alleviated.
Hence, the Middle Stage of Qi Cultivation definitely wouldn’t be his endpoint, might even only be a beginning.
This kid.
He’s a sure recruit!
Even if Wen Jiu couldn’t break through the tenth layer, shattering that person’s record.
...
A hundred breaths later.
The puppet gradually withdrew, retreating calmly.
Upon closer inspection, one could see various ghastly scars on its body, though the puppet essentially restrained its power to the Body Refining Fifth Layer, so despite the Three Evil Corpses’ ferocious and relentless assault, it was unable to inflict substantial harm.
Nonetheless, the ghastly wounds on it were testament to the ferocity and brutality of the Three Evil Corpses’ attacking power.
"Perfect."
After the Three Evil Corpses withdrew, Wen Jiu returned it to the Corpse Nurturing Coffin, then proceeded toward the tenth layer.
As for the condition on the tenth layer, Wen Jiu decided to assess before proceeding. If it were still combat, he certainly wouldn’t continue.
Exposing the Three Evil Corpses and the Quadruple Blood Body was already his limit, further exposure might be overreaching.
Upon reaching the tenth layer, what came into view were three humanoid demons, bound by massive golden talismanic patterns. As Wen Jiu arrived, they began to struggle frantically, unleashing a series of furious roars at him.
The approaching fierce demonic aura prompted Wen Jiu to immediately reconsider the challenge.
Capable of overcoming.
But unnecessary.
The three Tier One Middle demons, comparable to Fifth-Stage Body Refining Cultivators, with the rule to proceed being to kill one.
To kill one, simply revealing the Quintuple Blood Body wouldn’t suffice; Middle-Grade Three Evil Corpses’ realm must be exposed too.
There’s no need.
If reaching this stage still couldn’t appease Ye Chen, despite any reluctance, Wen Jiu could only accept it, opting for another elder as a fallback. Regardless, being a personally accepted disciple by an elder was a certainty.
From now on, he could cultivate on Deadman Peak with peace of mind. No one would cause him trouble, and no one would seek him out due to hatred for the Heterodox Dao.
After all, he was a personal disciple of the Elders.
"I give up."
Wen Jiu spoke.
The next moment.
The Black Spirit Tower opened a staircase outside, and Wen Jiu flew out along the staircase.
After flying out of the Black Spirit Tower, Wen Jiu did not linger but directly headed towards the light curtain where disciples were leaving one after another. Unexpectedly, he encountered three main peak disciples rushing towards him halfway through.
"Junior Brother Wen!"
"Junior Brother Wen!"
"Junior Brother Wen, wait!"
Accompanied by the shouts of the three, all the disciples raised their eyes towards them, then saw the three landing in front of Wen Jiu.
The next moment.
Several exclamations erupted.
"Senior Brother Chen!"
"Senior Brother Li!"
"Senior Brother Wang!"
From the Inspection Hall, Spirit Suppression Department, and Earth Treasure Department, the personal disciples of three Elders showed up together for this person.
Who is this person?
Junior Brother Wen?
Why have I never heard of him?
"Three Senior Brothers." Wen Jiu saluted.
The middle-aged cultivator with the highest cultivation spoke, "Junior Brother Wen, don’t rush to leave. My master wants to see you."
"My master too."
"So do I."
The other two hurriedly spoke.
As soon as they finished speaking.
The three glared at each other angrily.
Seeing this, Wen Jiu felt reassured. It seems his performance at the Black Spirit Tower has attracted the Elders’ attention.
It wasn’t a waste of effort after all.
"Please, three senior brothers, lead the way." Wen Jiu responded.
"Please!"
"Please!"
"Please!"
The three immediately ascended with their magical artifacts.
Wen Jiu promptly followed.
As they traveled, Wen Jiu took the opportunity to ask who their masters were.
The answer surprised Wen Jiu: Inspector Hall Main Peak Elder Ye Chen, Earth Treasure Department Main Peak Elder Xun Jiangxing, and Spirit Suppression Department Main Peak Elder Xiang Wenlong. This result delighted Wen Jiu.
Ye Chen.
And the Spirit Suppression Department.
He wanted both.
But he wasn’t sure if his recent performance would allow him to have both of them.
If not possible, Wen Jiu would prioritize choosing Ye Chen, as that was his original intention.
Soon.
After crossing the plains, a majestic mountain appeared, and on the edge of the mountain stood a gigantic building like a palace, over thirty meters high. However, this massive structure seemed to have been forcibly carved in half.
As they got closer, Wen Jiu saw the surroundings clearly. Compared to the grand hall, the devastation was even more severe. Ruins and debris covered the ten-mile road. One could imagine what catastrophe this place endured back then.
Wen Jiu speculated that this should be the former headquarters of the Cloud Sect.
Such a large sect was completely erased from history for offending a legendary Golden Core Zhenren.
Truly tragic.
And lamentable.
After passing through the ruins, Wen Jiu and the three others crossed a corridor heavily guarded by Inspection Hall disciples and finally saw the numerous Elders of Deadman Peak sitting before the Cloud Sect’s main hall.
At first glance, they were all at the Late Stage of Qi Cultivation.
As many as dozens.
The Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer, who was the Peak Master of a side peak, could only stand obediently on the edge as a guard.
Dozens of them, even without releasing any oppressive aura, when their gazes turned towards Wen Jiu, he couldn’t help but feel secretly alarmed and almost forgot to bow in greeting.
At this moment, one of them spoke first and floated over to Wen Jiu.
"I am Xun Jiangxing, the Main Peak Elder of the Earth Treasure Department... Young man, are you willing to join my Earth Treasure Department?"
Ye Chen’s face darkened, and the Thousand-Pound Tyrant Axe plunged into the ground with a thud beside Xun Jiangxing.
"You dare to poach from me!" Ye Chen said angrily.
Xun Jiangxing spoke in a deep voice, stepping towards Ye Chen defiantly, "Elder Ye, according to sect rules, accepting disciples is a fair competition. Are you going to defy the Peak Master?"
Xun Jiangxing immediately turned and looked at Wen Jiu, speaking directly, "Young man, if you join my Earth Treasure Department, I’ll first give you three thousand Low-grade Spirit Stones as a greeting gift, along with a top tier Tier One Middle-grade Magical Artifact. You can choose any of the ten secret techniques of the Earth Treasure Department to cultivate!"
Wen Jiu’s expression froze.
Wow.
Such wealth and generosity!
Truly deserving of the Main Peak Elder of the Earth Treasure Department!
Three thousand Low-grade Spirit Stones, probably even the Side Peak Master doesn’t have such wealth.
However.
This was only the greeting gift.
At this moment.
Wen Jiu was immensely satisfied.
Of course.
He wasn’t pleased with Xun Jiangxing’s promises but was satisfied with the cause and effect of reaping rewards by showing off in the sect.
Isn’t this more comfortable than being a Loose Cultivator, always having to hide?