novelAlta Chapter 449: Ten-Thousand-Year Yin Corpses, Return to the Hehuan Sect
Chapter 449: Ten-Thousand-Year Yin Corpses, Return to the Hehuan Sect
If it were just an ordinary Blood Escape Technique, Ancestor Liuyu would’ve only been shocked and angry—nothing too serious.But the key was, the technique Wei Tu used wasn’t some low-level escape art. It was the advanced Curse Ghost Blood Escape Technique. Ancestor Liuyu had seen it once, hundreds of years ago, used by a top-tier expert he dared not offend.
"Ten Thousand Yin Gate… Ancestor Chìlóng!" A flicker of fear passed through Ancestor Liuyu’s eyes as old memories surged up.
Over 400 years ago, he and a group of fellow Nascent Soul cultivators from his sect had entered the Zunwang Palace. There, they’d encountered the cultivators of the Chìlóng Alliance, led by Ancestor Chìlóng himself.
At that time, Ancestor Chìlóng had fought a powerful enemy and had used a blood escape technique exactly like the one Wei Tu just used.
The two techniques clearly came from the same origin.
That much, Ancestor Liuyu could tell without a doubt.
'What’s the connection between this kid and Ancestor Chìlóng?' His heart trembled with suspicion, and for once, he hesitated to strike recklessly.
Not that he had the chance to do so now.
Even though he could see Wei Tu’s figure clearly just moments ago, by the time his eyes locked on, Wei Tu had already vanished, leaving behind only a fading blood-red afterimage.
In this situation, even if he tried to attack, he wouldn’t so much as graze Wei Tu’s sleeve—let alone gain anything from it.
Still, Ancestor Liuyu wasn’t ready to give up. His eyes narrowed as he locked his divine sense onto Wei Tu’s escape path and immediately shot off in pursuit.
The chase began.
In just a blink, they’d already covered hundreds of li.
But Wei Tu’s blood escape technique was simply too fast. Less than half an hour in, he had already dashed beyond Ancestor Liuyu’s sensing range.
…
Meanwhile—
Having broken free from danger, Wei Tu was headed toward the agreed meeting place to regroup with Fu Zhizhou and his son.
Thanks to his strong physique, the blood loss from using the Curse Ghost Blood Escape Technique wasn’t that severe. He still looked calm and collected.
"Fellow Daoist Wei, don’t be so quick to leave Zheng Kingdom. My advice? Go back to the Hehuan Sect and kill Ningyan before fleeing again." Just then, Ancestor Chìlóng’s voice echoed in Wei Tu’s mind.
"Kill Ancestor Ningyan?"
Wei Tu paused at those words.
Back at the Hehuan Sect branch, he hadn’t tried to kill Ancestor Ningyan—not because of hesitation or mercy, but simply because there hadn’t been time. The timing wasn’t right.
His first priority had been making sure Fu Zhizhou could get away. If he’d attacked Ningyan then, he would’ve missed the best chance to save him.
And besides, Ningyan was at peak Golden Core. Not someone he could take down in just a move or two.
As for now…
Sure, he could double back and catch her while Ancestor Liuyu was away from the branch. But was it worth the risk?
He’d escaped this time by banking on the fact that Ancestor Liuyu didn’t know his trump cards—like the Barrier-Breaking Treasure Mirror, the mid-grade fourth-rank artifact Huoyun Shield, and the high-tier Curse Ghost Blood Escape Technique.
Going back now would just pile on more danger.
Wei Tu couldn’t guarantee he’d get away again under another pursuit.
"Hah! Fellow Daoist Wei, if you don’t kill her now, she’ll come after your friends and family for sure. Don’t say I didn’t warn you." Ancestor Chìlóng chuckled coldly.
Those words made something click in Wei Tu’s mind. The hesitation vanished from his face. With a twist of blood light, he turned instantly and raced back toward the Hehuan Sect branch.
He wasn’t stupid. Now that Ancestor Chìlóng reminded him, he remembered just how dangerous Ningyan really was.
She was even more threatening than Ancestor Liuyu.
Why?
Because unlike Ancestor Liuyu, Ningyan didn’t have long to live.
Someone nearing the end of their lifespan had nothing to lose—just like Shen Yunqiu had back then. They’d throw everything aside for revenge.
She wouldn’t hesitate to travel alone into Kang Kingdom and strike at his family and descendants if given the chance.
So now that he’d made an enemy of her, the best move was to eliminate the threat completely. Wipe her off the map.
"Old Demon Zhu, your advice isn’t just about killing Ningyan, is it? Come on, what else are you after?"
As Wei Tu flew through the air, he asked Ancestor Chìlóng’s spirit, which was hidden inside his sleeve.
After so long working with him, Wei Tu had a pretty good grasp of Ancestor Chìlóng’s character.
Like many demonic cultivators, the old man didn’t care about trivial things like family bonds or sentiment.
In other words, even if he did realize that sparing Ningyan would be risky, he probably wouldn’t bother to warn Wei Tu about it.
Not when they were bound by an equal soul pact. He had no need to flatter or please him like Bai Zhi used to.
"Hmph. That Liuyu brat who was chasing you—this old man happens to know him. I also know some of his secrets." Ancestor Chìlóng let out a low laugh.
Just like Ancestor Liuyu recognized the Curse Ghost Blood Escape Technique, Ancestor Chìlóng had recognized Ancestor Liuyu the moment he saw him.
"What secrets?" Wei Tu’s eyes lit up. 'Just as I thought.' He pressed for more.
"Back in the day, that brat Liuyu found two ten-thousand-year-old Yin corpses in the Spirit Soaking Pool inside the Zunwang Palace."
"Back then, to us Nascent Soul cultivators, those things weren’t worth much. I didn’t care, so I let him keep them."
"But now... well, even a fallen phoenix isn’t as good as a chicken. If you can get your hands on those two ten-thousand-year-old Yin corpses, you might finally have a few real counters against a mid-stage Nascent Soul."
"You wouldn’t be so helpless like today."
"This time, when that brat Liuyu chased you, he didn’t use the ten-thousand-year Yin corpses. I’m guessing he left them in his cave dwelling to nourish and refine. He didn’t bring them out," Ancestor Chìlóng said slowly.
According to the equal soul contract between him and Wei Tu, he would only be set free once Wei Tu reached the late Nascent Soul stage. Only then would he decide whether to help him take revenge.
So before Wei Tu reached that stage, he naturally didn’t want him to die so easily.
And those two ten-thousand-year Yin corpses were what Ancestor Chìlóng valued most right now—two temporary “bodyguards” to keep Wei Tu alive.
"Ten-thousand-year Yin corpses?"
Wei Tu’s heart stirred the moment he heard that.
He could guess why Ancestor Liuyu hadn’t used them in battle.
Most likely, seeing that Wei Tu was just an early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, newly promoted, and given that the Hehuan Sect branch was his home ground, Liuyu had underestimated him… That was why he hadn’t gone all-out.
It probably also had to do with the fact that those Yin corpses needed to be nourished. Taking them out prematurely could damage their essence.
"Of course, if you didn’t have the Barrier-Breaking Treasure Mirror, I wouldn’t have told you to return to the Hehuan Sect for them," Ancestor Chìlóng added.
That settled it for Wei Tu.
Right now, stealing the two ten-thousand-year Yin corpses from Ancestor Liuyu’s cave was a perfect storm—timing, location, and opportunity all aligned.
If it were anyone else, no matter how strong, Ancestor Liuyu would’ve never left his base so far behind.
But thanks to a series of lucky coincidences, Wei Tu had stumbled upon the perfect chance.
"If Heaven gives and you don’t take it, you’ll pay the price."
At that thought, Wei Tu stopped hesitating. He formed a hand seal, burned his blood essence at full power, and increased his escape speed by 30%, flying straight back toward the Hehuan Sect.
…
At that same moment—
Outside the Hehuan Sect branch.
Ancestor Ningyan and several other Hehuan Sect cultivators were hovering in the air in a row, ready to welcome Ancestor Liuyu back.
Although Ningyan had been confused about why Wei Tu had foolishly stayed behind to cover their retreat, she’d never once doubted that Ancestor Liuyu would return victorious.
Why? Because cultivation realm and strength were the best proof in the cultivation world for millions of years.
Faced with such a clear gap in power, it was nothing for a veteran mid-stage Nascent Soul demonic cultivator to wipe out a newly advanced Nascent Soul.
"Still, Ancestor Liuyu let Fu Zhizhou and Qiao Gao escape! Both of them slipped away!" Ningyan couldn’t help but feel indignant.
She’d waited decades to catch Fu Zhizhou and his son.
And now, because of Wei Tu’s interference and Ancestor Liuyu’s arrogance, she’d lost everything.
No way she wasn’t bitter about it.
'Once Ancestor Liuyu captures Wei Tu, I must ask him to force out the whereabouts of Fu Zhizhou and his son.'
As she was silently planning her next move, a figure in a blue robe suddenly appeared right in front of her.
At the same time, a massive iron fist rushed toward her eyes.
Ningyan could clearly see the iron fist was covered in layered jade-like fish scales. Blood qi rolled off of it, along with terrifying Nascent Soul pressure.
"Wei Tu?!" Ningyan shrieked in shock, hurriedly retreating to avoid the deadly strike.
She started hurling talismans, magic tools, and secret treasures wildly to block him.
The other Hehuan Sect disciples were caught off guard by the sudden attack.
But none of them tried to help.
Like startled birds, they scattered in all directions, fleeing far away.
Some even ran straight out of the sect gates without looking back.
And this, actually helped Wei Tu a lot.
If the Hehuan Sect disciples had joined forces to form a formation, even as a Nascent Soul cultivator, it would’ve taken him some effort to break through and kill Ningyan in just a few moves.
Now, he only had to deal with her alone.
"Petty tricks," Wei Tu scoffed at Ningyan’s desperate defense. With one step, he dodged her attacks and reappeared right in front of her.
He raised his arm and struck downward.
In less than a breath, all of Ningyan’s defensive talismans and protective artifacts shattered into powder.
"Koi Dragon Yin Blade!"
Wei Tu muttered the name of the technique. A black, icy blade shot out from between his eyebrows. The moment her defenses broke, the blade pierced straight into Ningyan’s sea of consciousness.
"No—!" Ningyan screamed in pain. Her spiritual power surged out of her body uncontrollably.
In just an instant, her youthful appearance—like a woman in her forties or fifties—turned into an old hag with white hair and deep wrinkles.
Wei Tu didn’t let her soul continue disintegrating.
He frowned slightly, then reached out with clawed fingers. He plucked her soul out and sealed it inside his Soul Restraining Talisman.
Done with that, Wei Tu didn’t waste another second. His body lit up with light and he shot straight toward the rear mountain of the Hehuan Sect branch.
About half a cup of tea’s time later, his escape light burst out from the rear mountain, soared over the sect’s main gate, and vanished without a trace.
Once Wei Tu was gone, the disciples who had been hiding finally came out, looking relieved. They regrouped in the outer square.
"Where’s Ningyan?" A quarter of an hour later, Ancestor Liuyu finally returned from chasing Wei Tu. He glanced at the scene and raised a brow.
"Reporting to Old Ancestor..."
"Ningyan… was killed by Wei Tu."
The Hehuan Sect disciples glanced up at Ancestor Liuyu, who stood cold-faced, and murmured in low voices.
"What? Ningyan is dead?"
Ancestor Liuyu froze. He clearly remembered that when he left earlier, she had still been perfectly fine. How could she suddenly be dead?
"Not good!"
He realized something in an instant. His expression shifted, and with a flash of light, he rushed toward his cave dwelling at top speed.
Even if he were a fool, he would have figured it out by now—Wei Tu must have returned to the Hehuan Sect while he was gone. And likely, his goal wasn’t just to kill Ningyan.
Moments later, a thunderous crash echoed from the rear mountain.
Half a quarter of an hour passed.
Ancestor Liuyu returned to the outer sect with a dark, stormy face. He swept a cold glance across the gathered cultivators and said flatly, "Ningyan is dead. Where are her disciples and kin? Bring them all before me!"
"Yes, Old Ancestor!"
Immediately, the Hehuan Sect elders sprang into action. Without hesitation, they dove into the crowd and dragged out one low-level disciple after another.
What followed were gut-wrenching screams from the square.
In less than half a day, those captured disciples had their organs ripped out, their skin peeled, and were hung from the jade pillars in the square to await a slow, agonizing death.
"Wei Tu… Ancestor Chìlóng..."
Back in his cave, Ancestor Liuyu’s eyes burned with hatred. He slowly uttered those two names and clenched his fists.
The two ten-thousand-year Yin corpses he’d obtained from the Spirit Soaking Pool in the Zunwang Palace were, without question, the greatest opportunity he’d found in over 1,000 years.
And now, they’d been snatched by some junior far beneath him.
How could he not hate? How could he not be consumed by rage?
"This grudge—I, Liuyu, will never forget!"
Ancestor Liuyu swore to himself.
But words aside, he didn’t have any effective way to get revenge on Wei Tu now.
Unlike the porous borderlands of the three outer kingdoms, the four inner kingdoms under the orthodox sects were heavily guarded. For someone like him—a Nascent Soul demonic cultivator—entering was incredibly risky.
If he went to Kang Kingdom to retaliate against Wei Tu, the slightest misstep could draw a siege by the orthodox cultivators.
The orthodox path was never as accommodating as the demonic path. They were known for their exclusivity.
Any demonic cultivators bold enough to roam the inner kingdoms were always late-stage Nascent Soul elites. Only such beings had the qualifications to sit and speak as equals with orthodox cultivators.
…
Ancestor Liuyu’s thoughts were unknown to Wei Tu.
But Wei Tu clearly had no intention of trusting his enemies’ mercy when it came to protecting his loved ones.
On the way back from the Hehuan Sect, he’d already decided—once he returned to Kang Kingdom, he’d send Wei Yan and his close friends overseas to the foreign cultivation realm.
A gentleman does not stand under a crumbling wall.
It was only because he had this backup plan that he dared to risk turning Ancestor Liuyu into a sworn enemy and steal the man’s ten-thousand-year Yin corpses.
"What a shame! That little brat Liuyu actually refined these two Yin corpses into Yin-Yang Devil Corpses. If they were both of the same attribute, they'd be much easier to control. But now… with mixed attributes, they’re a lot harder to handle."
After fleeing the Hehuan Sect branch, Ancestor Chìlóng examined the two Yin corpses and sighed in disappointment.
"You mean my divine sense isn’t strong enough to control these Yin-Yang Devil Corpses?" Wei Tu frowned, somewhat surprised.
Even back during his Golden Core stage, his soul had been solid due to merging with Shen Tu Shangren’s Ghost Infant. Later, when he broke through to Nascent Soul, the spiritual item he used was one with sentience, giving him an even stronger divine sense than his peers.
At this point, even if he couldn’t match a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, he should still be near the peak of the early stage.
"Not enough!" Ancestor Chìlóng cut him off without hesitation.
"Ancestor Liuyu refined that pair of Yin-Yang Devil Corpses with the intent of using them at the mid-to-late Nascent Soul level."
"Even if your divine sense were at mid-stage Nascent Soul, you’d still have a hard time controlling them."
"To control them properly, you’ll either have to reach the late Nascent Soul stage or switch to practicing the Hehuan Sect’s dual cultivation techniques, becoming both yin and yang like Ancestor Liuyu."
Ancestor Chìlóng laid out the requirements for taming the Yin-Yang Devil Corpses.
"But…"
He paused, his tone growing thoughtful.
"But what?" Wei Tu raised an eyebrow and asked.
Ancestor Chìlóng didn’t answer right away. He glanced at Wei Tu, then said in a deep voice, "If Fellow Daoist Wei is willing to share control of the Yin-Yang Devil Corpses, you might be able to use their full power."
"After all, this thing is meant to safeguard your cultivation path. It’s not your ultimate trump card."
"What do you mean by that?"
Wei Tu narrowed his eyes.
He’d stolen the two ten-thousand-year Yin corpses for his own path. If Ancestor Chìlóng was trying to seize them for himself, Wei Tu wouldn’t just let it go.
"You're misunderstanding me," Ancestor Chìlóng laughed, instantly catching on to Wei Tu’s suspicion.
"What I mean is, find a suitable female cultivator and control the Yin-Yang Devil Corpses together."