When night came, Chen Changsheng summoned the Black Pagoda.

“If we go back to Mangxue City again, could you find that Blood Cultivator’s clone?”

“It would be hard. And even if we found it, there wouldn’t be much we could do. He definitely has other clones hidden away. Definitely more than this one.”

The Black Pagoda said: “Besides their ability for rebirth from a drop of blood, Blood Cultivators also have exceptional skill regarding Soul Spirits. That’s why they can have more than one self.” 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

“Is that like an External Incarnation?” Chen Changsheng asked.

“Yes, but there are limits. Usually, a Blood Cultivator hides a fragment of their Soul Spirit inside another person long beforehand. If their main soul loses contact, that hidden fragment will take over the host through Soul Possession, creating a new self.”

“Because it was a split fragment of Soul Spirit, however, such an incarnation would be flawed in Cultivation methods. Even practicing evil arts, it would struggle to reach its former power.”

“The External Incarnation of that Blood Cultivator probably won’t make an appearance any time soon.”

Chen Changsheng asked: “Such External Incarnations must have a limit too?”

“They must,” the Black Pagoda replied. “The Soul Spirit is tied to one’s life. Splitting it too much is dangerous.”

Chen Changsheng thought for a moment and asked: “Since contact between the primary and the clone is severed, will this new Blood Immortal inevitably turn to evil?”

The Black Pagoda paused. “The Soul Spirit fragment comes from that evil source. It’s very likely it will still choose evil.”

“Does that mean there’s a chance it could follow the righteous path?”

If the main body was sealed, this External Incarnation could do as it pleased, as if it had truly become a different person entirely.

“That…”

The Black Pagoda thought for a moment. “It is… possible.”

“That is a bit strange.”

Chen Changsheng considered this. “So then how is it a survival method? If the original perishes, this clone might no longer be him.”

“So what?” the Black Pagoda retorted. “Those on the evil path don’t care about such things. It carries my soul; therefore, it is me.”

It seemed unconventional to Chen Changsheng, this Blood Cultivator’s way of thinking.

“We still need to go back. We need to pull his External Incarnation out to prevent more trouble.”

“One night should be enough.”

Chen Changsheng didn’t want it to take too long, lest Ruyi lecture him endlessly.

He performed Sword Flight and headed straight for Mangxue City.

Chen Changsheng said: “If you had told me earlier, I wouldn’t have had to make this extra trip.”

The Black Pagoda offered an apologetic smile. “I didn’t dare at the time. And afterwards, you didn’t ask.”

“It seems I overlooked that.”

Chen Changsheng quickly returned to Mangxue City.

Traces of the Blood Immortal’s Evil Qi lingered in the Black Pagoda. If they got close to another clone, this Evil Qi would become agitated.

Looking down from above, the Black Pagoda said: “It’s probably somewhere in this area. You’ll have to search carefully.”

It paused, suddenly noticing something else moving.

“There’s another Evil Qi approaching.”

The Black Pagoda said: “It seems headed for me.”

Chen Changsheng asked: “What kind of Qi?”

“Yin Energy!”

…

Chen Changsheng looked up at the building before him – a brothel.

The madam at the entrance was greeting customers. Seeing Chen Changsheng’s handsome face, she eagerly tried to pull him inside.

“I am looking for someone.”

Chen Changsheng walked straight in.

He began searching through the brothel.

Business seemed slow, likely because of the recent troubles in the Northern Frontier.

Chen Changsheng saw nothing out of the ordinary.

But the Black Pagoda in his sleeve spoke up.

“It’s getting closer.”

The Evil Qi inside it was growing more agitated.

Chen Changsheng said: “This remnant soul of the blood demon might not have completed the possession yet.”

“Possibly.”

Chen Changsheng went floor by floor, occasionally pausing to let the Black Pagoda sense their surroundings.

“Almost… almost…”

Finally, when they reached one door, the Black Pagoda spoke: “Here! This is it!”

Chen Changsheng looked at the tightly shut door before him.

After a moment’s thought, he knocked.

Knock, knock.

“Sister He, didn’t we agree I wouldn’t see guests today?”

A voice came from inside the room.

The door opened, revealing a graceful woman to Chen Changsheng.

She also froze momentarily.

“Who are you?”

Chen Changsheng answered: “Apologies for disturbing, miss. I am here looking for someone.”

The woman frowned. “The person you’re looking for isn’t here.”

She started to close the door.

“Please, wait.”

As he spoke, the Black Pagoda warned: “Hurry! That Yin Energy is almost upon us!”

Chen Changsheng acted immediately. “Forgive my rudeness, miss.”

Chun Xiu was startled, then suddenly felt weak. Before she could cry out, she fainted.

Chen Changsheng pointed a finger. A surge of Magical Power entered Chun Xiu’s Sea of Consciousness. There, indeed, he saw a fragment of Soul Spirit lurking, clearly intending to start the Soul Possession.

“You dare!”

Chen Changsheng shouted. The remnant soul immediately lunged towards Chun Xiu’s Soul.

At that moment, a hand grabbed the remnant soul firmly, forcibly tearing it out.

The remnant soul transformed into a wisp of black smoke, trying to flee.

“Capture!”

With a gesture of his palm, Chen Changsheng seized the Soul Spirit fragment in his hand, rendering it immobile.

“You will die horribly!!”

The remnant soul screamed and cursed, struggling futilely.

Chen Changsheng glanced at the unconscious girl on the floor.

He then leapt up, landing on the brothel’s rooftop.

Lifting his gaze, a chilling Yin wind suddenly swept towards him.

Whoosh…

Chen Changsheng turned and saw a figure standing just over three meters away.

It shouldn’t be called a person, but a Ghost Cultivator. It radiated Yin Energy, had a deathly pale face, and held a long sword. It possessed a male body but a face like a woman’s, with exceptionally captivating eyes and brows.

“My name is Jian Shenghua. Greetings, Your Excellency.” The Ghost Cultivator spoke.

Its voice was also strangely similar to a woman’s.

Chen Changsheng looked at it. “Here to meet your death?”

Jian Shenghua shook his head. “Your Excellency may be mistaken. I came to seek your assistance. I wish to borrow that ancient pagoda.”

Chen Changsheng replied: “Then it seems I was not mistaken.”

Jian Shenghua continued: “I do not covet the Yin Energy within the Black Pagoda. I seek only freedom. Because I struggle to be… truly myself. The Remnant Soul in your grasp is my original form.”

Chen Changsheng sensed something. “You are an External Incarnation?”

“Precisely.”

Jian Shenghua said: “Since you captured that fragment, does that mean White Hair has been vanquished? To be frank, Your Excellency, White Hair and I originated from the same person’s Soul Spirit. Does that make things clearer?”

Chen Changsheng glanced towards the hidden Black Pagoda.

The Black Pagoda said: “I can’t tell. Don’t ask me.”

Jian Shenghua clasped his hands. “Your Excellency, since I became this External Incarnation, I have not committed evil. My Ghost Cultivation was achieved through my own efforts. But because I am an incarnation, I was unjustly punished. I was also imprisoned within the Spirit Cage. Coming here now is my last resort.”