Gateway of Immortality-Chapter 948: Searching for the Heavenly Corpse Sect

"You think so too?" Qin Sang’s gaze sharpened. Bai’s thought aligned perfectly with what he had suspected earlier.

Since entering the world of immortal cultivation, and especially after coming to Canglang Sea, Qin Sang’s perspective had far surpassed what it once was.

After obtaining the Heavenly Demon Transformation, the Yin-Yang Tiandou Secret Technique, and the Lightning Control Technique, he realized that none of these ancient top-tier arts and secret techniques were complete. Later generations who acquired them could only patch them together or devise ways to resolve the hidden dangers before they could be cultivated.

The Heavenly Yin Corpse Art was very unique, utterly different from other corpse refinement arts. Refining living corpses was only one aspect. By using Earth Malevolent Qi, and simply gathering the necessary spiritual materials, one could refine powerful corpses without consuming years of time and energy. Other corpse refinement arts, however, could not skip the step of corpse nurturing.

Had Qin Sang obtained one of those types, with his pitifully poor innate talent, even dedicating himself fully to cultivation would not have left him enough time. He would never have had the energy to spare for corpse refinement.

Such a strange secret art clearly had an extraordinary origin. Perhaps it was no inferior to the likes of the Primordial Spirit Sword Nourishment.

After exchanging views with many corpse path cultivators, Qin Sang speculated that perhaps the grandmaster of the Heavenly Corpse Sect had obtained some ancient secret art and then adapted it into corpse refinement, thereby creating the Heavenly Yin Corpse Art. Or, perhaps, the art itself was inherently special, bridging both the corpse path and other Great Dao.

Bai’s thought happened to coincide with Qin Sang’s. "Which sect did you obtain the Heavenly Yin Corpse Art from? If you had access to that sect’s records, perhaps something could be discovered." Bai followed with this question.

Qin Sang hesitated briefly, then said, "To be frank, the Heavenly Yin Corpse Art did not originate from Canglang Sea. I obtained it by chance in another place. The sect was called the Heavenly Corpse Sect, which has long since fallen. Some fellow cultivators and I accidentally trespassed into its ruins. Aside from the Heavenly Corpse Token, I found no other texts there. To trace the true origin of the Heavenly Corpse Sect, I’ll have to return. Whether I will find anything or not, I cannot say..."

"I see..." Bai lowered his head, his face contemplative, as if deep in thought.

"Do you have a way to temporarily suppress the Heavenly Corpse Talisman?" Qin Sang pressed further.

Bai lifted his eyes and glanced at Mute Girl. "You're worried about her, aren't you? What you need to do comes down to two things: preserve her bodily vitality and keep her mind intact. Her body is brimming with vitality. To suppress corpse qi to the lowest point would likely require a top-grade pill. If not for this body of mine being beyond any external salvation, I too would ask you for one."

Qin Sang studied Bai carefully. Apart from the portion reserved for the Nine-Illusion Heavenly Orchid, his remaining Jade Liquid of Three Radiances could only serve as spiritual medicine for replenishing true essence. He had not used it in past perils, but that did not diminish its value.

After casting the Lightning Control Technique, when his true essence was almost exhausted, consuming the Jade Liquid of Three Radiances could instantly restore his battle power. That was his greatest trump card at present.

Of course, if Bai were willing to trade the Soul-Nourishing Wood for the Jade Liquid of Three Radiances, Qin Sang would not refuse.

"With this vitality nourishing her body, she should remain unharmed. As for her primordial spirit, you already have the Soul-Nourishing Wood. What is there to fear? Simply carve a small plaque from it and keep it on her person. You will surely find a solution someday." Bai’s voice was calm.

Qin Sang reflected silently. It seemed like this matter could only be dealt with slowly. After a moment of silence, Bai sighed. "Without a complete secret art, I can only search for another method to unravel this problem. If in the end the Heavenly Corpse Talisman cannot be undone, I ask that you take me with you to seek out the Heavenly Corpse Sect. Helping me is helping yourself. What do you think?"

Qin Sang’s heart stirred. "You mean..."

Bai nodded. "With my refined corpse body, it would be difficult for me to blend into the world. Moreover, I know nothing of the outside. Following you for now, seeking to restore my strength while familiarizing myself with the world, seems a fitting choice. Of course, we must make another oath."

Qin Sang smiled faintly. "You planned this all along, didn’t you? Quite the scheme. Back in the ghostly land, you even wanted to make this demand as a bargaining chip."

"Who would have thought you were so shrewd? I had no choice but to offer the Soul-Nourishing Wood before you yielded." Bai countered with a mocking tone, then changed to a steadier voice. "Since you went to such lengths to save this woman, it shows you are not wholly ruthless. Otherwise, I would not consider this path. Let me make it clear first that if I follow you, I will act when danger arises and help you through crises. But if you deliberately seek peril, or intend to use me as bait, I will not oblige. And you must also promise me to search for the Heavenly Corpse Sect without delay."

Qin Sang replied, "You don't need to worry. I am more eager to return than you are. What I have to do next is tied directly to that."

That Bai was willing to follow him was something Qin Sang welcomed wholeheartedly. Bai’s strength was secondary. What truly mattered to Qin Sang was his mysterious origin and his lost memories.

"Good!" Bai’s expression softened. "I will first retreat back to the Corpse Puppet Pouch. You would do well to consider carefully how to leave Seven-Kill Hall safely..."

Qin Sang interrupted in surprise. "Wait, you don’t intend to walk around Seven-Kill Hall? Perhaps something here might stir your memories. You and so many spirits were trapped here; there must be a reason. Perhaps you once had a deep connection with this place."

Bai looked around. "Clearly, Seven-Kill Hall is restless, filled with dangers. With my strength not yet restored, wandering could be fatal. As long as you don’t seal the Corpse Puppet Pouch, I can sense the outside. Once I recover, we can revisit this matter."

"Very well." Qin Sang thought it over and nodded.

After placing Mute Girl and Bai into the Corpse Puppet Pouch, Qin Sang cast one last glance toward the barren plain before turning into the deep mountains. He planned to return to the Sky Tower and brave the path of swords once more. He wanted to see what lay beyond the path, whether the ancient teleportation array was there.

Along the way, Qin Sang pulled out the geomantic map, walked through the mountains for a while to confirm his position, then deliberately veered off course. He intended to circle back to the crevice where the Tyrant Blood Fruit grew.

The Tyrant Blood Fruit was a top-grade body-refinement spiritual herb; one could never have too much of it.

Once he left this place, it would not be long before both his cultivation and physique broke through together. By then, with top-grade astras and secret arts in hand, would he not even have the power to contend with Spiritual Infant grandmasters? The thought made Qin Sang’s heart burn with anticipation.

Last time, he had not stripped the vine bare, only picking the five that were nearly ripe. A string of azure fruits had remained. After decades, perhaps new ones had matured.

Guarding the Tyrant Blood Fruit was a flock of Red-Tailed Cranes. Qin Sang had already tested their strength last time. So long as no beast king had arisen among them, stealing the fruits would be effortless.

Qin Sang moved cautiously through the mountains. Though his strength had far surpassed what it once was, he remained extremely vigilant. Whenever he sensed anything unusual, he immediately detoured to avoid it.