The paper card contained information about me such as my name and my place of work, and it even had a precise drawing of my face on it, as if it were a personal photograph.
"How did they do it?"
I marvel quietly at how accurate the image is.
"Well then, it's time to return to cultivation."
I set aside the card and the leather pouch that contains two spirit stones and return to training in the "Sea of Corpses."
"Senior brother said he would tell me the good news when I reach five corpses and enter the minor stage of Qi Gathering."
Motivating myself with Wei Wang's vague promise, I immerse myself seriously in cultivation.
After two days of grueling cultivation, five rotten, featureless corpses appear at the center of my dantian.
"Finally."
I smile excitedly as I watch the fifth corpse form inside my dantian.
Forming five corpses means officially entering the world of cultivators, and a person can consider himself a cultivator and is able to use spells.
"All right, let me try the feeling of possessing supernatural power."
I extend my hand forward and draw out some diluted corpse qi from my dantian.
An emerald-green skull, as if made of emerald, appears above my hand, burning with flames of a dark green color.
"Amazing."
I stare at the emerald skull in fascination, like a man seeing a million dollars lying in front of him.
I can't take my eyes off the charming spectacle before me, but as the seconds pass, the burning skull begins to become illusory and dissipates.
"I can't maintain it for more than half a minute at most."
I don't feel much disappointment about this; instead, I feel excited about experiencing my very first spell.
The spell I used was the basic spell of the Sea of Corpses technique, "Skull of Decay." The requirement to use this spell was very low, as it only required five corpses to cast. It also possessed the ability to grow along with the Sea of Corpses technique, becoming stronger as the user's cultivation increased.
It was mentioned that the Skull of Decay had many uses; however, its primary use was attack.
After replenishing my spiritual energy from using it, I go out in search of Wei Wang, who was cultivating in one of the adjacent rooms.
"It seems you've completed what I asked of you?"
Wei Wang opens his eyes upon sensing my entry into his room.
"That's correct. I have officially entered the minor stage of Qi Condensation."
As proof of my words, I use the Skull of Decay spell in front of Wei Wang.
"Good. Now come with me."
I follow Wei Wang outside the wooden house.
"Where are we going?"
"To the farm."
"…"
I feel my body tremble as I remember that my duty was to inspect those nightmare worms every three days.
"Take this."
While I am seriously considering escaping from the Sect of Seekers of the Secrets of Life and Death, Wei Wang throws a leather scroll toward me.
"What is this?"
"It's a gift from Elder Shu. You should be grateful that there is a powerful person supporting you."
I feel jealousy emanating from Wei Wang's words, but I don't care about it. Instead, I focus on the scroll in my hands.
The scroll depicted the process of creating something called "Flesh Puppets."
Flesh Puppets were the strongest combat force of the Sect of Seekers of the Secrets of Life and Death.
Flesh Puppets were puppets made from the flesh or bones of a dead giant. By injecting the Sea of Corpses technique into the puppets' bodies, they could be controlled and manipulated.
The puppets possessed bodies stronger than metal and extremely flexible, because they were made from the flesh of a dead giant.
"I don't understand what this has to do with going to the farm?"
Despite my extreme excitement at the idea of having powerful puppets serving me, and even forming a massive army like the protagonists of necromancy stories, I am still searching for any excuse not to go to that nightmarish farm.
"Not all flesh of a dead giant is suitable for making Flesh Puppets—especially for someone like you who has only recently entered Qi Gathering. Some parts are so tough that it's impossible to cut them."
Wei Wang speaks without caring about my lack of desire to go to the worm farm.
"But fortunately for you, the places where farms are established contain the best flesh for making puppets."
As he speaks, Wei Wang points his hand toward the ground, causing the familiar flesh tunnel to appear.
"So, as Elder Shu requested, you will have to enter seclusion inside the farm to improve your cultivation and create your first puppet."
"You mean I have to remain in seclusion inside the farm without leaving until I make my puppet?"
"Yes."
"…"
I feel the urge to escape from the Sect of Seekers of the Secrets of Life and Death as I stare at the tunnel that leads to the land of nightmares.
"Come on, hurry."
I grit my teeth in frustration and follow Wei Wang into the worm farm.
'All of this for the sake of the dream of immortality and ruling the world.'
Upon entering the familiar worm farm, Wei Wang pauses slightly and extends his hand toward empty air.
From Wei Wang's outstretched hand emerge dozens of Skulls of Decay, burning with dark green flames.
"Amazing."
I feel stunned as I watch the skulls scatter throughout the flesh cave like glowing fireflies.
"There."
After a few seconds, once all the flying skulls disappear, Wei Wang heads toward one corner of the cave.
"Here—carve this wall to make your puppet."
Wei Wang points toward a flesh wall free of blisters and ulcers while handing me a gigantic knife and a set of carving tools.
"And don't forget—don't focus only on carving the puppet. The farm environment is very suitable for practicing the Sea of Corpses, so take advantage of this period to increase your cultivation level."
"Elder Shu said that you must become strong as quickly as possible."
After saying this, Wei Wang bids me farewell with an encouraging smile.
"What a miserable life."
After Wei Wang leaves, I remain standing alone, staring at the dark bluish-black flesh wall.
"All right, let's start carving"