Wang Yu swallowed hard. "Brother… don't scare me. He's really about to form a Nascent Soul?"
"Would I joke about that?!"
Zhuo Shouqing's eyes widened, just as the attendants returned with a flurry of movement—setting up tables, chairs, bowls, towels, and wine.
Fresh spiritual cuisine from the city's top restaurant was swiftly laid out. Zhuo Shouqing's appetite flared. He was a man of indulgence, and despite ten years passing, his cultivation remained at Foundation Establishment third layer.
In fact, when Wang Yu first met him, Zhuo was already at that stage—while Wang Yu was still in Qi Refining.
"Let's eat while we talk.
"Come, Fourth Brother—let me toast you first."
Perhaps the journey had left him pent-up. Zhuo Shouqing's carefree nature burst forth, bold and unrestrained.
Wang Yu could only instruct the attendants to have Yunmeng Pavilion send over a few virgin furnace cauldrons later that evening.
Meanwhile, his mind churned.
If that man was about to form a Nascent Soul, then spiritual root aptitude shouldn't matter anymore. Anyone capable of forming a Nascent Soul was already a prodigy.
Even those with poor roots would have refined themselves through countless transformations—reaching the level of heavenly spiritual roots.
To aid Nascent Soul cultivation, one would need a special physique. At that point, the [Demonic Embryo Profound Origin Curse] likely wouldn't help much.
Wang Yu voiced his thoughts.
But Zhuo Shouqing glared at him.
"You think we haven't considered that? If it were that simple, I wouldn't have come all this way. I was bored to death on the road."
He grabbed a chunk of flying crane beast thigh and chewed as he spoke.
"I secretly asked Nine Fiends True Lord. He respects the Zhuo Clan and knows about my failed Blood Spring technique. So he revealed the true secret of the curse."
Zhuo Shouqing had once been sabotaged, preventing him from forming a blood spiritual root. It had caused a major stir, though Wang Yu hadn't known—it was nearly a century ago.
"He said: if the curse is cultivated to perfection, it can forge a special physique called the [Postnatal Demonic Embryo Body]. It grants immense aid in cultivating demonic techniques—even at the Nascent Soul stage.
"But perfection isn't enough. One must devour another who has cultivated the same curse to truly complete it. The more mature the target, the greater the benefit."
Wang Yu's eyes lit with realization.
He remembered records of four cultivators who had practiced the curse. Two died in Foundation Establishment, one in Core Formation. Only one survived.
If that survivor had known the curse's secret early on, it was likely he'd killed the other three. If he learned Wang Yu had also cultivated it…
That would be a disaster.
"Sigh—"
Zhuo Shouqing sighed.
"Even Nine Fiends True Lord never practiced this technique himself. He passed it on, but never verified its truth."
Wang Yu's thoughts raced.
"You're saying… that man was deliberately left alive by Nine Fiends True Lord?"
"Possibly. Techniques that forge special physiques are incredibly rare. I don't believe Nine Fiends wasn't tempted. If he didn't cultivate it, there must be hidden dangers."
"That… makes sense."
The demonic embryo's whispers were no joke. Wang Yu had avoided many side effects thanks to the placement panel. Even so, when he cast the curse to seize spiritual roots, he still heard eerie murmurs.
—[Postnatal Demonic Embryo Body]!
After a moment of reflection—
Wang Yu rallied. A little danger was nothing. Back when he was a spiritual slave, he had no allies, no information—only blind gambles.
He had to gamble. Only by winning could he escape that abyss.
Now, conditions were far better. His opponent was just a peak Core Formation cultivator—not yet Nascent Soul. He could prepare.
Besides, this was only a hypothetical enemy. The man might not even know Wang Yu existed. There was still time to build his defenses.
"Brother Zhuo, tell me—who is he? Where is he now?"
Zhuo Shouqing pulled a scroll from his spatial ring and tossed it over.
"All the details are inside. See for yourself."
Wang Yu opened it eagerly.
[Fu Xiao, age 523, peak Core Formation. Origin: Three Mountains Village, Peach Blossom Township, Liuguang County, Night Qiong Province. At age 20, recruited as a menial servant in Night Qiong City due to mixed spiritual roots…]
[At 30, chosen by the Duan Clan's young master of Elephant Mountain as a personal attendant. Known for eloquence and debate. Received cultivation resources… broke through to mid Qi Refining at 50… fell out of favor.]
[At 60, poisoned Duan Yang with "Stone Scorpion Venom." Took his storage ring—inside were vast resources and… the Demonic Embryo Profound Origin Curse.]
[At 100, broke through to Foundation Establishment. Used the curse to devour blood relatives from Three Mountains Village. Officially joined Blood Reversal Sect as an outer steward…]
[Cultivation accelerated. Formed core before age 300. In just 200 years, reached peak Core Formation. Currently traveling Vermilion Bird Divine Mountain, seeking Nascent Soul opportunity.]
The level of detail stunned Wang Yu.
Not just background—but Fu Xiao's habits, tactics, past missions, and performance were all documented.
The Zhuo Clan's intelligence network was far beyond Wang Yu's expectations.
"Thank you. This intel is invaluable."
"No need. Since I've accepted you as my fourth brother, your problems are mine to solve."
Whether true or not, this went beyond the Nether River contract. Saying it aloud made it real. Wang Yu had to accept the sentiment.
He remembered Zhuo Shouqing's greed and ruthlessness—but also this act of support. Motives aside, kindness must be acknowledged.
Even a villain who raises you or saves your life deserves gratitude.
Wang Yu feared such debts.
Open schemes—truly the hardest to counter.
"Sigh—"
Once Wang Yu composed himself, Zhuo Shouqing continued.
"I have two solutions. First, you retreat to the Zhuo Clan's territory and stay hidden for a century. Safest option—but you might inherit some of my troubles.
"Second, spread the rumor that you used a foundation-stealing method to break through. It'll mask your rapid progress. But once you reach Core Formation, Fu Xiao will notice."
Frankly, both options were garbage. Wang Yu frowned.
"Can't you just send someone to kill him?"
Zhuo Shouqing rolled his eyes.
"I'm a failed heir. Fu Xiao is peak Core Formation. If I could send someone to kill him, why would I need a Nether River contract with you?
"Besides, I don't know if he's tied to Nine Fiends True Lord. Too risky."
Fair enough.
Wang Yu pondered.
"Better to stay still. Since your intel is so strong, just keep tabs on Fu Xiao. He's at Vermilion Bird Divine Mountain, right?
"He won't return soon. We stay alert—no need to hide."
Zhuo Shouqing nodded.
"Smart move, Fourth Brother. But I only have partial access to the clan's intel. I can mobilize small agents. You see…"
"Heh, I'm sure Brother Zhuo has other tricks."
Wang Yu chuckled, poured wine, and served dishes—playing the doting younger brother. Zhuo Shouqing leaned back, pleased.
After three rounds of wine and five flavors of food—
They stopped discussing serious matters and chatted idly. Outside, night fell.
At the door—
"Master, Lady Chaoyun sent four beauties."
"Let them in. You may leave."
"Yes."
Zhuo Shouqing grinned.
"You really get me, Fourth Brother. I've been pent up this whole trip."
"Go away. Don't paw at me."
"Join me?"
As Wang Yu tried to leave, Zhuo Shouqing grabbed him with a mischievous grin. "You've never shared a night with your brother."
"You're drunk. I—"
Wang Yu meant to refuse, but when the four delicate beauties entered, his body trembled.
It had been so long.
Yes—today, his Corpse Demon technique had reached tier two. His physique had further fused. Though some side effects remained, they weren't severe.
His appetite stirred. He glanced at Zhuo Shouqing—he'd picked the perfect moment.
"Brother Zhuo, don't say I'm unwilling. I just don't want to embarrass you."
"What nonsense? I'm a Foundation Establishment cultivator!"
"Very well."
Snap—
The doors closed. Shadows danced in the lamplight. A hazy beauty filled the room—two women per man.
"Master~ please cherish Wanwan…"
—
Next morning
Bathed in morning light—
Wang Yu, refreshed and clear-headed, instructed the attendants to care for Zhuo Shouqing. Then he returned to the chamber to finish yesterday's task.
Limb regeneration.
He'd waited for this day a long time. Since entering cultivation at sixteen, he was now fifty-four. In mortal terms, two-thirds of his life had passed.
He'd forgotten what it felt like to move his left arm.
He had waited long enough.
Wang Yu focused his mind inward. The [Corpse Demon Secret Art] began to circulate. The two [Yin Blood Pills] that had been gestating within his marrow were drawn toward the severed stump of his left arm.
With a flick of his right hand, he activated the process.
The two pills shattered simultaneously.
A surge of dense yin and corpse energy erupted, mingling with his unique blood vitality and flooding the severed shoulder.
"Ugh—!"
An unprecedented sensation of itching and pressure concentrated at the stump. First, bones of an unusual hue began to grow. Then came tendons, muscle fibers, and blood vessels.
When the power of the two pills was fully spent—
What remained was a raw, skinless arm of exposed flesh and sinew. Wang Yu chuckled bitterly.
"Still not quite there. But I can keep refining more [Yin Blood Pills]."
He temporarily reassigned all five placement slots to the [Corpse Demon Secret Art].
Instantly, a torrent of feedback surged into his mind, accelerating the gestation of new pills.
Within a single day, a fresh [Yin Blood Pill] was born.
Repeating the process—
Soft, pink skin began to regenerate. Before long, Wang Yu could once again feel the sensation of a complete, functional limb.
(End of Chapter)