Translator: CinderTL
Holding a palm-sized token, Song Wen deactivated the Formation guarding a Cultivation Cave halfway up Three Corpses Peak and stepped inside.
The cave, originally Yin Shuo's, was relatively small, spanning only about half a kilometer, and sparsely furnished.
However, it contained an extraordinary stone bed that constantly radiated an intense Corpse Fiend aura. For Corpse Dao cultivators, this bed was an invaluable treasure, capable of significantly accelerating their cultivation progress.
The stone bed was a crafted artifact, likely made by Yin Shuo himself. It must have cost him considerable effort, but now Song Wen would reap the benefits.
After inspecting the cave's Formation and confirming it was functioning properly, Song Wen released three ordinary Shadow Gu, instructing them to lurk around Three Corpses Peak as a precaution against anyone secretly deploying Formations nearby with malicious intent.
Although he was now the Sect Master of the Wu Ji Sect, Song Wen couldn't rule out the possibility that some within the sect might seek revenge for Yin Shuo and Ye Hua by colluding with the Cui Clan or the Liangyi Sect.
As for why he only had three Shadow Gu, it was because Song Wen had retrieved one from Zhu Yin's body after her death.
Years ago, Song Wen had gifted Zhu Yin two Shadow Gu. Nearly a century had passed since then, and the other Gu had likely perished in some unforeseen accident.
Having completed his preparations, Song Wen placed the Gu, which was undergoing its advancement, at the center of his Cultivation Cave.
The Gu continued to voraciously absorb Spiritual Qi. Song Wen activated the Spirit Gathering Formation within the cave and placed a High-Grade Spirit Stone at each of the formation's eighteen nodes to fuel its qi-drawing capabilities.
Over the next six months, Song Wen alternated between secluded cultivation to refine his own cultivation and closely monitoring the Gu's progress.
One day, the Gu's rate of Spiritual Qi absorption suddenly skyrocketed. Despite the exceptionally dense Spiritual Qi on Three Corpses Peak and the High-Grade Spirit Stones powering the Spirit Gathering Formation, the cave's supply could no longer satisfy the Gu's insatiable hunger.
Without hesitation, Song Wen produced several hundred Mid-Grade Spirit Stones and crushed them into dust, instantly boosting the cave's Spiritual Qi density severalfold.
Outside the Cultivation Cave, the Spiritual Qi throughout Shadow City erupted into chaos, violently surging towards Three Corpses Peak. Gradually, a massive vortex of qi materialized above the peak.
This sudden phenomenon immediately drew the attention of everyone in Shadow City, their gazes collectively shifting towards Three Corpses Peak.
"What major event is unfolding within the Wu Ji Sect?"
"Someone must be undergoing a breakthrough."
"What kind of breakthrough could cause such a massive disturbance?"
"It must be a breakthrough to the Nascent Soul realm! It seems the Wu Ji Sect is about to gain another Nascent Soul cultivator."
The rogue cultivators in Shadow City buzzed with speculation.
However, most disciples of the Wu Ji Sect knew exactly what was happening: Song Wen's Gu was undergoing advancement.
The turbulent surge of Spiritual Qi disrupted cultivation for all Wu Ji Sect disciples. Some Qi Refining Stage cultivators, who were using flight techniques, lost control mid-air and plummeted to the ground.
Fortunately, the phenomenon didn't last long.
Just half a month later, the vortex of Spiritual Qi over Three Corpses Peak abruptly shattered, unleashing a wave of celestial energy that swept outward in all directions.
Song Wen was astonished to see his Gu rapidly grow to a colossal ten feet in length.
Its carapace was pitch-black, gleaming with an ominous light. Its eyes burned like abyssal depths, and its massive mandibles clicked incessantly.
At the same time, its aura surged to the Early Stage of the Fourth-Tier.
The Gu remained rooted in place, its body fluctuating slightly in size as it seemed to adjust to its newfound power.
Song Wen forced out dozens of drops of his blood essence to feed the creature. Then, dismissing further observation, he resumed his tranquil cultivation to refine his own Spiritual Power.
Time passed swiftly. Eleven years vanished in the blink of an eye.
Perhaps because he had engaged in fierce combat immediately after reaching the late Nascent Soul Stage, his Spiritual Power remained unstable. Even after eleven years of diligent refinement, it still lacked cohesion.
Song Wen estimated that it would take another two to three years for his Spiritual Power to fully stabilize.
One day, Shu Niang arrived to announce that Fang Xian was requesting an audience.
"Greetings, Demon Lord," Fang Xian said, bowing deeply as he entered the Cultivation Cave.
"Sect Leader Fang, what brings you here?" Song Wen asked.
"My Lord, the eleven-year agreement with the Cui Clan has concluded. In one month, the Yin Shuo Valley secret realm will open," Fang Xian reported.
"Some time ago, I instructed you to select disciples to enter the Yin Shuo Valley. Have you made your choices?" Song Wen inquired.
"This subordinate wishes to lead the expedition personally," Fang Xian replied.
A hint of surprise flickered in Song Wen's eyes. "Is this about the Primordial Nascent Soul Pill?"
"The Demon Lord's wisdom is unmatched," Fang Xian affirmed.
Four years prior, Song Wen had ventured to Mistveil Island, descending into the subterranean lava caves to slay the Fourth-Tier Yin Humpback Turtle.
Since then, Golden Core cultivators from the Wu Ji Sect had frequently entered the lava caves in search of Yin Spring Stones, ultimately retrieving over thirty such stones.
All of these stones were now in Song Wen's possession.
Yin Spring Stones were essential for refining Fourth-Tier ghost artifacts.
Two years ago, following Song Wen's orders, Le Liang traveled to the Cui Clan and exchanged twelve Yin Spring Stones for a Primordial Nascent Soul Pill.
Song Wen had promised that anyone who successfully entered Yin Shuo Valley and returned with the Golden Spirit Seed would be rewarded with the Primordial Nascent Soul Pill.
"Think carefully," Song Wen said. "Yin Shuo Valley is fraught with peril. You'll face Fourth-Tier ghost creatures, and the Golden Spirit Seed won't be easy to obtain. Moreover, now that the Eastern and Northern Regions have been reclaimed, the Spirit Herbs needed to refine the Primordial Nascent Soul Pill will soon become less scarce. Acquiring one shouldn't be too difficult by then."
Though Song Wen's words seemed like a warning against reckless behavior, they were actually a subtle prod. The Golden Spirit Seed was crucial to him, and he didn't want Fang Xian to treat the mission as a mere gamble, half-hearted efforts leading to failure.
Fang Xian replied, "My Lord, my remaining lifespan is dwindling; I have no time to wait. I beg you to grant me permission."
"Very well," Song Wen relented. "Since you insist, I shall grant your wish."
As he spoke, several talismans suddenly appeared in his hand. "These are Third-Tier Thunder Talismans. May they aid you in Yin Shuo Valley."
"Thank you, Demon Lord," Fang Xian said hastily, accepting the talismans.
Song Wen then produced two Yin Spring Stones and handed them over. "The Cui Clan's unique Ghost Breath Talismans can conceal a cultivator's living aura, making them appear more like ghosts. These two Yin Spring Stones should be enough to exchange for two Ghost Breath Talismans from the Cui Clan. With them, your journey should proceed more smoothly."
Fang Xian took the Yin Spring Stones, expressing his gratitude. "Rest assured, Demon Lord, I will not fail you. I swear to bring back the Golden Spirit Seed."
Two months later, Fang Xian returned to face Song Wen, his face etched with shame and his body bearing fresh wounds.
"Demon Lord," he said, "your subordinate has failed in his mission and was unable to retrieve the Golden Spirit Seed."
Song Wen's expression darkened instantly, his voice turning glacial. "Sect Leader Fang, you have gravely disappointed me."
Fang Xian hastened to explain, "Demon Lord, it wasn't for lack of effort on my part. The Cui Clan deliberately interfered at every turn."
(End of the Chapter)
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