162: Master Yanqing

Immortal Master Sect Master Youquan stared at the Black Water River as it turned clear, his eyelids twitching twice.

This Myriad Corpse Pit was the Sect's Foundation and a source of constant worry for the Ancestral Masters of every generation. The corpse evil was too heavy; while beneficial for raising corpses, it easily corroded one's sanity. Every ten years, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator in the Sect would go mad and die abruptly because the Evil Qi had invaded their brain.

Even he, who remained in seclusion here year-round, had to expend ten percent of his magic power to suppress the corpse poison.

Yet the person before him, with a casual wave of his hand, had actually transformed this ten-thousand-year-old accumulation of filth into a spiritual spring that nourished one's Dao Foundation.

Such a method was practically the natural counter to the Corpse Yin Sect, yet also... a heaven-sent antidote.

Deep within his Sea of Consciousness, the system panel rippled like water, and a line of small crimson characters danced before Gu Changsheng's eyes.

[Target: Immortal Master Sect Master Youquan (Late Stage Purple Mansion).]

[Current Psychology: Greed arising.]

[Analysis: The opponent is interested in your special ability to 'transform Death Qi into life force.' He wishes to use your power to harmonize the Sect's corpse evil and delay the backlash of his own corpse poison. Killing intent has dropped to 10%.]

[Risk Assessment: Low.]

Gu Changsheng's heart settled.

As long as he had utility value, this 'Empty Fort Strategy' could be considered a success.

"Fellow Daoist, your methods are truly heaven-reaching."

Immortal Master Sect Master Youquan suddenly laughed, a few wrinkles—uglier than if he were crying—squeezing onto that perennially stiff, corpse-like Face.

He withdrew the purple-black corpse Qi swirling around him and cupped his hands toward Gu Changsheng.

"Earlier, I was blind and failed to recognize a True God. Since Fellow Daoist could comprehend the Dao in our Sect's Forbidden Ground, it must be the destiny of our Corpse Yin Sect. As for that bit of depletion to the earth veins..."

Immortal Master Sect Master Youquan paused, then waved his hand with grand magnanimity.

"They are merely worldly trifles. If Fellow Daoist likes them, feel free to take as much as you wish."

The speed at which he changed his tune was staggering.

One moment he wanted to extract the soul and refine the spirit; the next, it was all about 'destiny' and 'worldly trifles.'

Gu Changsheng remained seated atop the mound made of enemy heads, not rising to return the gesture. He simply tucked the blue-black lotus into his sleeve and said calmly, "Fellow Daoist Sect Master Youquan is quite open-minded."

"Naturally."

Immortal Master Sect Master Youquan's figure slowly descended, stopping at the same height as Gu Changsheng, his tone carrying a heartfelt sincerity.

"The world is difficult nowadays, and the situation across the Three Lands is surging with turbulence. The path of a Loose Cultivator is even more filled with thorns. Although Fellow Daoist has attained the Purple Mansion, without a Sect to rely on, cultivation resources, tribulation-warding formations, and even the Deduction of subsequent Cultivation Techniques will all be difficult problems."

The dagger was finally revealed.

Gu Changsheng sneered inwardly.

This old ghost wanted to get something for nothing and tie him to the Corpse Yin Sect's war chariot.

Yet he allowed a perfect hint of hesitation to show on his Face, as if he were truly moved by the proposal.

Seeing this, Immortal Master Sect Master Youquan struck while the iron was hot: "If Fellow Daoist is willing to deign to join us, I am willing, on behalf of the Sect, to invite you to be a 'supreme worship official.' Your status will be equal to mine and the Grand Elders in death-seclusion. You may choose freely from the Sect's treasury, and the Myriad Corpse Pit is yours to Cultivate in. Except for matters concerning the Sect's survival, I will never disturb your peaceful cultivation with worldly affairs."

The conditions were very tempting.

Status, resources, and freedom—he had given him plenty of Face.

Gu Changsheng did not agree immediately.

Things obtained too easily are often not cherished.

He remained silent for a full ten breaths. Just as the smile on Immortal Master Sect Master Youquan's Face was about to falter, he let out a sigh tinged with the vicissitudes of time.

"So be it."

Gu Changsheng slowly rose. At the moment he stood, a layer of tender green moss actually grew over the mound made of enemy heads beneath his feet, as if seeing off a monarch.

"I have just attained the Great Dao, and the cycle of Wither and Flourish still needs refining. I do indeed require a place of tranquility."

His gaze swept over Immortal Master Sect Master Youquan, his tone carrying a hint of reluctant charity.

"Since you, junior, are sincere, then I shall... stay for a few days."

The word "junior" came out of his mouth quite naturally.

Immortal Master Sect Master Youquan's Face twitched, but he forced himself to endure it, even managing a forced smile: "Excellent! May I ask for your honored title, Fellow Daoist?"

Honored title?

Gu Changsheng stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze piercing through layers of rock walls toward the sunless ceiling.

His current cultivation was half from Withered Wood Meeting Spring and half stolen from the Death Qi of the myriad corpses.

In this demon's den where corpse Qi reached the heavens and filth was everywhere, he had cultivated the purest yi wood life force.

"I Cultivate Wither and Flourish with the aim of prolonging life and purifying the heart."

Gu Changsheng turned around, speaking one word at a time.

"I shall be known as Protracting Purity."

Protracting Purity.

In the foul and filthy Corpse Yin Sect, to choose the character for 'Purity.'

How ironic, and how arrogant.

Immortal Master Sect Master Youquan was stunned for a moment, then clapped and laughed loudly, "What a fine 'Protracting Purity'! Prolonging life and purifying the heart—Fellow Daoist has great ambitions!"

He wasted no more words. With a sweep of his sleeve, a purple-black light of flight enveloped them both.

"Fellow Daoist Protracting Purity, please follow me out of seclusion. Today is the Sect's Great Celebration. It is the perfect opportunity to let those worthless Disciples and grand-Disciples admire the grace of a true cultivator."

Rumble!

The Seal of the Myriad Corpse Pit, which had been closed for three whole months, crashed open at this moment.

Two streaks of light, one purple and one green, like flood dragons emerging from the sea, instantly broke through the thick layers of earth and soared into the sky... The Dueling Platform of the Corpse Yin Sect.

Thousands of Disciples in gray and black robes surrounded the area, watching two Qi Refining cultivators on the stage control zombies to fight each other. Flesh and blood flew everywhere as cheers rose and fell.

On the high platform, several Foundation Establishment Stage Elders were boredly sipping blood wine, critiquing the quality of the Disciples.

Suddenly.

Dong—!

An ancient, heavy toll of a bell echoed from the direction of the Main Peak's Ancestral Master Hall, instantly drowning out all the noise.

This was followed by a second toll, a third... until the ninth.

Nine bells rang in succession, shaking the heavens.

Everyone stopped what they were doing. Whether they were Outer Sect Disciples or Foundation Establishment Elders, they all looked toward the sky in horror.

Nine bells were the rite for welcoming a saint.

Such a protocol was only used when a Purple Mansion True Person was born in the Sect or when the Sect Master emerged from seclusion.

"Look! It's the Sect Master!"

Someone cried out in surprise.

From the direction of the Myriad Corpse Pit, a purple Qi surged for three thousand miles, dyeing half the sky the color of ink.

And beside that purple Qi, there was actually a green light.

That green light was not overbearing, yet it was exceptionally resilient, carving out a pure land amidst the sky-filling purple corpse evil. It faintly radiated the Dao rhythm of the cycle of Wither and Flourish.

Two figures stepped through the air and hovered above the Dueling Platform.

Immortal Master Sect Master Youquan was on the left, his purple-gold Daoist robe fluttering loudly, his pressure unrivaled.

Gu Changsheng was on the right, dressed in a simple and unadorned green robe. His body was enveloped in a faint, ethereal mist of Chaos, making his true appearance unclear, yet commanding such respect that none dared look directly at him.

Sunlight pierced through the clouds and fell upon Gu Changsheng.

He stepped upon the Void Realm. Behind him was the Corpse Yin Sect's eerie and terrifying Myriad Ghost Cave, while before him was a vast, clear sky.

In this moment, he was like a banished immortal who had wandered into a demon's den—completely out of place with the gloomy surroundings, yet strangely harmonious.

"Greetings, Sect Master!"

Below, thousands of Disciples knelt in unison, their voices rising like a tide.

Several Foundation Establishment Elders hurriedly flew up and stood respectfully in mid-air, their gazes secretly sizing up the mysterious powerhouse beside Sect Master Youquan.

Purple Mansion.

Definitely Purple Mansion.

That kind of pressure from a higher level of existence could not be faked.

Immortal Master Sect Master Youquan scanned the crowd, his Face glowing with health, as he shouted loudly:

"Today is a day of great joy for our Corpse Yin Sect."

He turned slightly and gestured toward Gu Changsheng.

"This Immortal Master Protracting Purity is a close friend of mine. His mastery of the Dao of Wither and Flourish is heaven-reaching."

"Starting today, Immortal Master Protracting Purity joins our Corpse Yin Sect as a supreme worship official, becoming our Sect's third Purple Mansion Old Ancestor!"

His voice, carried by magic power, was like rolling thunder, reaching every corner within a hundred miles of the Corpse Yin Sect.

"To see Immortal Master Protracting Purity is to see me!"

Silence.

After a brief silence, an even more frenzied wave of sound erupted.

"Greetings, Old Ancestor Protracting Purity!"

"May the Old Ancestor enjoy eternal celestial blessings and live as long as the heavens!"

Thousands of people kowtowed, their voices shaking the wilderness.

The low-level Disciples were flushed with excitement. One more Purple Mansion for the Sect meant its status in the Chaotic Star Sea would be even more stable. They, as underlings, would also benefit; they could even stand a bit taller when they went out to plunder.

Gu Changsheng stood amidst the clouds, looking down at the dense crowd below that resembled ants.

This feeling of being the center of attention was indeed easy to get lost in.

[Intelligence Refresh.]

[Event: The Righteous Path Alliance's 'Demon Slaying Order' has been issued.]

[Description: Eastern Wasteland forces such as the Taiqing Sect and Qingsong Daoist Academy have joined hands, gathering three Purple Mansion cultivators to head south in three years. Immortal Master Sect Master Youquan is in urgent need of cannon fodder and enforcers.]

[Your Role: Ace Enforcer (To be determined).]

The small amount of vanity that had just risen in Gu Changsheng's heart was instantly doused by this bucket of cold water.

As expected.

There is no such thing as a free lunch in this world, and certainly no such thing as being an Old Ancestor for nothing.

This old ghost Sect Master Youquan is using him as a shield.

"Fellow Daoist Protracting Purity, please."

Immortal Master Sect Master Youquan smiled and made a welcoming gesture, pointing toward the floating black hall on the Main Peak that represented the Sect's highest authority.

Gu Changsheng's expression was calm as he nodded slightly.

"Please."

He took a step forward, and green lotuses bloomed beneath his feet, carrying him toward the black palace that symbolized power.

The sunlight cast a long shadow behind him, projecting directly onto the crowd of fanatically cheering demonic cultivators below, like a guillotine blade about to fall.