The Soul-Shattering Finger shot forth like a relentless machine gun.
This secret art was only of the second rank, and its effect on the Lightning Spirit Corpse was limited. Yet, each strike managed to stagger it slightly, preventing it from truly closing in on Wang Yu.
The corresponding cost was the rapid depletion of Wang Yu's spiritual sense.
Earlier, during the teleportation from the cave tunnel, the Mountain-Searching Demon-Seeking secret technique had already consumed a significant amount. Now, with such frequent use again, his reserves were nearly exhausted in less than a quarter of an hour.
Fortunately, his formidable physique gradually dispelled the paralyzing state, restoring his agility.
"Moon Yin Corpse Fiend, Control of Yin Essence!"
At his mental command, rolling waves of lunar Yin essence converged, enveloping both Wang Yu and the Lightning Spirit Corpse. Within the shroud, flashes of lightning burst intermittently, and shards of ice crystals splattered.
Clearly, the two had engaged in close-quarters combat once more, locked in the most intense melee struggle. The roar of thunder, the clang of metal on metal, the tearing of cloth... a cacophony of violent sounds painted a picture of brutality.
It wasn't long before Wang Yu, battered like a sandbag, was sent flying backward out of the dense Yin essence mist. He crashed into the rock wall, embedding himself within it. His robes were in tatters, crisscrossed with claw marks from fingernails.
The corpse poison invading his body was suppressed by his innate constitution, preventing any further detrimental effects.
Extricating himself from the rock wall, Wang Yu glanced at his thoroughly depleted and wilting Corpse Fiend before stowing it back into its coffin. The thing had been completely drained and thoroughly battered by lightning. A few more strikes, and it would have been completely ruined—a loss he could not bear.
As for the Lightning Spirit Corpse...
As the saying goes: Comprehension of the Dao may come sooner or later, and skills have their specializations!
He had already thought of a solution. His earlier reckless, close-quarters brawl was precisely to lay the groundwork. Corpse-refining arts were not merely methods for cultivators to craft zombies; they could also suppress wild zombies!
After all, one couldn't expect all precious, exotic variants to originate from cultivators' hands. Heaven and Earth! They were the true source of divine craftsmanship, capable of forming all manner of unimaginable wonders.
At this moment.
The lunar Yin essence field was once again dissolved by the Lightning Spirit Corpse's thunderstorm ability. Having tangled with Wang Yu for so long, its fury burned even hotter. A violet thunder rune ignited upon its chest.
A terrifying thunder energy rapidly gathered. Within this Lightning Descending Abyss, thunder-based techniques received a significant amplification. The sense of crisis transmitted by Wang Yu's spiritual sense intensified, making the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end!
Immediately, his hand-seals flew into motion. Using a fingernail, he slit the tip of his index finger, forcing out a single drop of heart's blood. His spiritual sense resonated with the Corpse-Suppressing Seal he had imprinted upon the Lightning Spirit Corpse's surface during the earlier struggle.
Amidst the roar of thunder, the Lightning Spirit Corpse's charging movements began to slow.
Wang Yu spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, chanting under his breath.
"Yin-Yang blood, fix the stiffened spirit!"
"The Moon Yin has consciousness, the corpse form has nature."
"---Three Hun Souls, Seven Po Souls, Body-Binding Technique!!!"
This was the most profound and difficult-to-cultivate Corpse-Fixing secret art within the Yin Essence Corpse Refining Technique. Heart's blood was originally the most Yang-rich blood within a living person, yet he possessed the Trait of Heavenly Yin Blood, secretly aligning with the mysteries of Yin and Yang.
Even though this secret art had not yet reached great completion, it still unleashed considerable power.
The Lightning Spirit Corpse's action of channeling its innate divine ability halted. The gathered thunder energy around it dispersed. The lingering, inescapable sense of crisis in Wang Yu's heart finally faded.
Wang Yu also let out a sigh of relief, viciously spitting out a bloody mouthful of saliva.
"A wild zombie is just a wild zombie. Even if it gains intelligence and awareness, it can't compare to human cleverness. Once I subdue you, you'll become the first Corpse General under my command!"
"Hahaha—"
The rarity of a Lightning Spirit Corpse was already a top-tier opportunity within the corpse path. Wang Yu even suspected it might be the corpse of that legendary, lightning-struck Transformation Spirit Venerable from the tales, transformed into a zombie.
However.
Upon second thought, that seemed impossible. That was from the very early ancient era. He was more inclined to believe it was the transformed remains of some explorer with a special constitution who had ventured into the Lightning Descending Abyss.
Swallowing several medicinal pills, Wang Yu walked towards the Lightning Spirit Corpse.
He found it trembling intermittently. The blood seal he had stamped between its brows was fading. This indicated the Lightning Spirit Corpse was struggling. At this rate, it would break free in less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.
"Why is it so damn troublesome?"
Wang Yu began rummaging through his Sea Heart Ring, searching for a treasure that could restrain the Lightning Spirit Corpse, when his movements suddenly froze.
"Wang Yu?"
A faint voice carried from the distance, yet the powerful aura it carried was impossible to ignore. In less than half a second, the voice that had just been far away now seemed to be right beside his ear.
"You are Wang Yu... the Lord of Gui Ling City?"
"Yes, Wang Yu pays his respects to the senior. May I inquire as to your esteemed name?"
Before him stood an old man with jet-black hair yet a pure white beard. He held a dragon-headed walking stick that resembled mountain rock, with fragments of stone slowly revolving upon it. He was dressed in a formal robe of deep purple with golden thread and a waist sash, adorned with a hawk-feather crown. Though his face bore the marks of age, his skin was as fair and tender as a baby's. A pair of bright, perceptive eyes scrutinized the still-trembling Lightning Spirit Corpse beside them.
"What a fine treasure. It seems you are also one blessed by fortune. To encounter such an opportunity while being pursued by a Core Formation disciple from the Yellow Springs Temple... rare... truly rare!"
Without a doubt, the person before him was the reinforcement summoned from Yun Ling Prefecture City. Though he had guessed as much, truly encountering him now, Wang Yu couldn't help but feel uneasy in his heart.
This was a Nascent Soul cultivator!
His previous encounter at the Yama Ghost Market didn't really count; this was the first time he had been so close to a Nascent Soul cultivator. The aura emanating from the other party, even without deliberate release, pressed down on him with a palpable, heavy weight.
Hearing the other's non-answer, Wang Yu inwardly sighed with bitter amusement.
In this incident of the hijacked Sacred Tribute, fortune had turned to disaster, then disaster to fortune, and now back to disaster... It seemed he clearly had no chance of claiming this Lightning Spirit Corpse. Besides, he genuinely lacked any means to truly subdue it!
Refining it on the spot? Unless he abandoned control of his Moon Yin Corpse Fiend, his spiritual sense wouldn't be able to handle the strain. His mastery of the Yin Essence Corpse Refining Technique was also somewhat lacking, having only just reached minor completion.
How could he possibly refine such a ferocious and exceptional Lightning Spirit Corpse?
His thoughts spun rapidly. Without the slightest hesitation, Wang Yu declared,
"Wang Yu was merely fortunate to have subdued this Lightning Spirit Corpse. My own fortune is still somewhat lacking. Why not offer it to you, senior? For you to travel from the prefecture city in half a month must have been a taxing journey. It is only fitting you receive this as some small compensation."
Hearing this, the Nascent Soul cultivator actually seemed somewhat taken aback.
"You say... this is a Lightning *Spirit* Corpse?"
"Naturally, senior. During my struggle with it, its cunning and awareness were no less than that of a young child's intellect, and it bore no Yin corpse aura."
"I believe it to be the legendary Spirit Corpse mentioned in ancient texts. Given its control over thunder, I have been calling it a Lightning Spirit Corpse!"
The existence of Spirit Corpses was exceedingly rare even in ancient history. Wang Yu had only come to understand them more deeply after delving into the corpse path, while his foundational knowledge in other areas remained somewhat lacking.
Without having fought it, it was difficult to discern whether the Lightning Spirit Corpse possessed true intelligence. It was normal for this Nascent Soul senior to initially mistake it for a mere Lightning Corpse.
Yet, after hearing Wang Yu's explanation, the initially pleased Nascent Soul cultivator's expression became conflicted. Wang Yu could only cautiously ask,
"Senior, is there something...?"
"This old one's name is **[Elder Xuan Yan]**. You may address me as Senior Xuan Yan."
"Yes, Senior Xuan Yan."
Revealing his name indicated the other party had lowered himself, showing an intent to establish a connection with Wang Yu. He naturally wouldn't refuse.
"As for the Spirit Corpse... this object is truly exceedingly rare. In ancient history, those who obtained such an opportunity could be counted on one hand, and they all died miserable deaths. Hence, a rumor spread that Spirit Corpses, having received Heaven and Earth's creation, bring ill-omened curses upon those who rashly attempt to enslave them."
Wang Yu couldn't help but gulp.
This kind of rumor seemed far too superstitious. It was more plausible to think they were hunted down by the interpersonal networks of the Spirit Corpse's former life. From what he knew, many practitioners of the corpse path died from inexplicable vendettas precisely because the corpses they controlled still had friends and family in the world who, upon discovering this, would inevitably seek revenge to reclaim the body for proper burial.
A Spirit Corpse being so special, it seemed normal for it to possess some unique constitution. Thinking of it this way, its interpersonal network in life must have been incredibly formidable.
If enslaved and discovered by that network...
The miserable deaths of the Spirit Corpse masters in ancient history seemed rather logical.
However, regardless of whether the other wanted it or not, he certainly wouldn't try to dissuade him. He wasn't some fool who would only be satisfied if the other accepted. This was *his* opportunity! His!!
After a long, silent moment of contemplation.
Elder Xuan Yan suddenly laughed, muttering to himself,
"What is this old man worried about? Such a rare, nearly unique Lightning Spirit Corpse... why not sell it to that old fiend, Heavenly Corpse? He'd definitely be willing to pay a hefty sum of spirit stones for it, hahahaha~"
With that, he stretched out a hand. The Lightning Spirit Corpse rapidly shrank and vanished into Elder Xuan Yan's palm. Wang Yu's heart burned with longing, but his head remained respectfully lowered.
Seeing this, Elder Xuan Yan grew even more satisfied.
"Not a waste of this old man's effort to specifically descend into the Lightning Abyss to find you. Come with me. That batch of Yellow Springs Temple cultivators who hijacked the Sacred Tribute have all been captured by this old one."
"Not only can we recover all the lost tribute, this old one will surely petition the sect for a significant merit on your behalf. In the future, when you form your Golden Core, you will understand the benefits."
Wang Yu hurriedly expressed his gratitude.
"This junior offers his deepest thanks to Senior Xuan Yan!"
Clearly, this was the benefit of offering up the Lightning Spirit Corpse, and he had also established a connection with this Nascent Soul elder. No matter what, the more benefit the other derived from the Lightning Spirit Corpse, the more he would remember Wang Yu.
Perhaps this connection could be leveraged at some point in the future.
Thus, it wouldn't be a total loss to give up this opportunity.
Next, Elder Xuan Yan clasped Wang Yu's shoulder. Wang Yu only felt his vision blur. In mere dozens of breaths, they had already returned to the surface. Xu Ruozhou and the others were guarding outside.
Seeing Wang Yu safe and sound, they immediately exclaimed with joy,
"City Lord!"
"City Lord, it's truly wonderful that you are unharmed."
"Why worry about me? With Senior Xuan Yan present, what mishap could possibly occur?"
To the side, the pale-faced Qing Yang Zhenren also stood there.
He solemnly bowed towards Wang Yu.
"Wang Yu, thank you for this. Otherwise..."
"Hey, we're family; no need for such formal talk between us. The development of Guiding Spirit(spiritridge city) city still needs you. In the future, let us work together with one heart to make Gui Ling prosperous. That is more important than anything."
With the crisis resolved, Wang Yu's gracious words were delivered with grand magnanimity, moving Qing Yang even further.
After the group's relieved exchanges, Elder Xuan Yan finally spoke,
"Let's go, to Guiding Spirit city(spiritridge city). This old one will handle this incident and demand an explanation from the Yellow Springs Temple. You can think in advance about what compensation you would like."
Wang Yu's heart stirred.
"Senior Xuan Yan, you mean the Yellow Springs Temple won't choose to go to war?"
"Of course. The great war between righteous and demonic paths was only three hundred years ago. Even the Refining Heaven Demonic Sect hasn't fully recovered its strength. Why would the Yellow Springs Temple rashly initiate conflict?"
"In this old one's view, it's likely one or two individuals in high positions discovered something and wanted to stir up trouble here in Yun Ling Province. This matter will involve a lot of wrangling."
"Come, this old one will take you. It will be faster."
Half a day later, Wang Yu and the others returned to Guiding Spirit city
**(End of Chapter)**