76: Chapter 76 A Great Harvest

The two first walked toward the pill room that exuded a rich medicinal scent.

Pushing open the stone door, the room was filled with bottles and jars on stone shelves, clearly the place where the Ghost King refined and stored Medicinal Pill daily.

Lin Xuan was quite knowledgeable about Medicinal Pill; he carefully identified them one by one, finding some high-quality healing Medicinal Pill and a few bottles of precious Medicinal Pill that could assist in Cultivate, which would be of great benefit for his recovery and cultivation.

"Brother Gao, these Medicinal Pill have fierce medicinal properties, but they are all items of the Righteous Path; they must have been plundered by the Ghost King from the Martial Forest Righteous Path members he killed."

Lin Xuan handed half of the Medicinal Pill to Gao Feng, his expression still somewhat weak.

Gao Feng did not stand on ceremony and took the Medicinal Pill to store them.

His gaze was drawn to a locked black iron box in the corner of the pill room.

He stepped forward, channeled his Internal Energy, and slashed down fiercely with the three-pointed, double-edged blade in his hand. With a loud "clang" and sparks flying, the seemingly sturdy iron lock snapped instantly.

The moment the lid opened, a mixture of pearlescent treasure light and cold metallic aura rushed out, brightening the already dim pill room a bit.

Inside the box were yellow gold bars and various dazzling jewelry and jade, with some rare Artifact Refining Ore neatly stacked on the side, emitting faint energy fluctuations.

Even though both of them had extraordinary Heart-Nature, seeing this full box of wealth made their breathing quicken slightly.

This windfall was enough to support a small School for several years.

After searching the pill room, the two turned their gaze to the niches in the main hall of the stone chamber.

In one of the largest niches, there were no treasures, but a bookshelf carved from a single piece of black ebony wood.

On the bookshelf, there were only a few books.

The top one was a Secret Manual with a cover made of pale human skin, exuding a rich evil aura.

On the cover, three twisted and resentful characters were written in blood: "Corpse Refining Art".

Just seeing these three words, Lin Xuan felt a sense of physical discomfort; he subconsciously took a step back, his eyes filled with disgust.

This was the fundamental Legacy of the Hundred Ghost Cave, a notorious Evil Path Cultivation Technique!

Next to the Secret Manual was a relatively thin booklet called "Corpse Control Technique", which contained detailed records on how to control zombies and methods for setting up some simple corpse formations.

For Lin Xuan, a member of a prestigious Sect, these two items were evil heresies to be avoided at all costs.

But for Gao Feng, who acted without taboos, they were undoubtedly priceless treasures!

He could completely take the essence and discard the dregs, integrating some of the Body Refining and control techniques into his own martial arts system, greatly enriching his means of dealing with enemies.

On the lower shelf were a few second- or third-rate martial arts Secret Manuals, which were likely also war trophies of the Ghost King. Although they were considered precious, they paled in comparison to these two evil techniques.

Just as Gao Feng picked up the "Corpse Refining Art" and prepared to put it into his bosom, his gaze unintentionally swept across the deep interlayer of the bookshelf, where there seemed to be a protrusion with a color slightly different from the black ebony wood.

His heart stirred, and he reached inside, feeling a cold yet warm object.

He pulled it out with force, and a hexagonal object, black all over and neither gold, iron, nor wood, appeared in his palm.

This object was heavy in the hand, and its surface was engraved with ancient and mysterious patterns like the trajectories of stars, emitting an indescribable aura of vicissitudes.

The moment he saw this hexagonal object, Gao Feng's heart began to beat violently, beyond his control!

A key!

This was one of the three keys to open the ancient ruins marked on the animal skin map!

He had never dreamed that the biggest goal of this trip would be achieved so easily!

The two collected all the trophies and began to distribute them.

They split the gold, silver, jewelry, and Ore Materials in half without hesitation.

As for the "Corpse Refining Art" and "Corpse Control Technique", Lin Xuan didn't even want to touch them and voluntarily gave them to Gao Feng.

He stated righteously that a Disciple of a prestigious Sect would never associate with such evil techniques.

As for the hexagonal object Gao Feng had just discovered, whose purpose was unknown, Lin Xuan glanced at it casually, didn't find anything mysterious about it, and assumed it was just some peculiar antique collected by the Ghost King.

Seeing that Gao Feng seemed very interested in it, he followed his lead and gave it to Gao Feng as an extra compensation for saving his life this time.

Lin Xuan only took the Medicinal Pill and Artifact Refining Materials that he could use.

Gao Feng naturally accepted this distribution plan happily.

He calmly tucked the hexagonal "key" close to his body, his heart already surging with waves.

He was the biggest winner of this deep dive into the tiger's den.

Just as Gao Feng was feeling excited about this huge harvest, Lin Xuan, who was beside him, suddenly swayed and let out a painful muffled groan after finishing the distribution of the spoils.

Immediately after, in Gao Feng's astonished gaze, he fell to the ground!

Lin Xuan's lips turned dark purple instantly, and black lines of Qi, like ferocious poisonous snakes, spread rapidly across his face.

His body twitched violently, and he had completely fallen into a coma!

Gao Feng was shocked, quickly stepped forward, grabbed Lin Xuan's wrist, and probed his body with Internal Energy.

Upon investigation, his expression turned ugly instantly.

Corpse poison!

Such a domineering corpse poison!

It turned out that Lin Xuan had been accidentally scratched on the arm by a high-Rank corpse puppet during the previous melee.

He had been relying on his own extremely rigid and masculine righteous Qi and the detoxification Secret Manual of Qingcheng Mountain to forcibly suppress it.

Now that the battle was over, the moment he relaxed, the incomparably domineering corpse poison destroyed all his internal defenses like a dam breaking!

It was crazily eroding his Meridians and internal organs at a terrifying speed!

If not treated, within half an hour, this proud son of heaven from Qingcheng Mountain would die from the poison and turn into a new zombie!

What to do?

Gao Feng's brain spun rapidly.

Watch this ally he just fought side-by-side with turn into a mindless walking corpse?

Gao Feng asked himself, he couldn't do it.

Lin Xuan was upright and had a firm Heart-Nature; more importantly, there was an unfathomable Qingcheng Mountain behind him. This good relationship had to be forged no matter what.

Ordinary detoxification Medicinal Pill were useless against this level of corpse poison.

The only solution seemed to be his biggest secret—the spirit spring space.

The water of the spirit spring contained vast life energy and had a powerful purifying effect on all negative states.

Presumably, this domineering corpse poison should also be within its purification range.

Gao Feng did not hesitate, picked up the deeply comatose Lin Xuan, and used "Phantom Steps Without a Trace" to leave the Spirit Refining secret chamber full of death and evil at the fastest speed.

He did not leave the Hundred Ghost Cave, but found a relatively remote and clean stone chamber in this huge underground karst cave.

He carefully checked the surroundings, confirmed there were no hidden dangers or spying mechanisms, and then blocked the stone door with a huge rock.

After doing all this, he laid Lin Xuan flat on the ground, pried open Lin Xuan's tightly closed teeth, and slowly fed him the spirit spring water.

A miraculous scene happened.

The moment the spirit spring water flowed down Lin Xuan's throat, the ferocious corpse poison patterns on his face, like black spider webs, seemed to meet their nemesis, making a "sizzling" sound. Like ice meeting a blazing sun, they began to recede at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Wisps of black Qi were continuously forced out from Lin Xuan's seven orifices and the wounds on his body, then dissipated into the air.

His skin, which had originally begun to turn blue and black, gradually returned to its normal bloody color.

"It works!"

Gao Feng was overjoyed in his heart, but he dared not be careless and continued to moisten Lin Xuan's chapped lips with the spirit spring water, helping him purify the residual poison in his body.

At the same time, he did not forget to use the spirit spring water to clean the deep wounds on Lin Xuan's body.

Under the powerful healing ability of the spirit spring, those ferocious wounds also began to slowly squirm and heal.

About an incense stick of time later, Lin Xuan's breathing finally became steady and strong.

His tightly furrowed brows slowly relaxed, and the last trace of black Qi on his face completely dissipated without a trace.

Gao Feng finally breathed a sigh of relief and felt a sense of exhaustion all over.

The successive battles, the extreme bursts, and the high mental tension had already left him physically and mentally exhausted.

He withdrew his mind, drank a few mouthfuls of the spirit spring water himself, and recovered his consumed physical strength and Internal Energy.

Another half an hour passed, and Lin Xuan's long eyelashes finally trembled slightly.

He slowly opened his eyes, and what came into view was Gao Feng's concerned face and the dim dome of the stone chamber.

"I... where is this?" Lin Xuan's voice was still a bit hoarse and weak, "Wasn't I... poisoned?"

He subconsciously raised his hand and looked at his body.

To his shock, the originally fatal wounds on his body had now all healed, leaving only some faint pink scars.

And the corpse poison that had caused him excruciating pain was not even a trace to be felt.

His body had not only recovered, but was even in a better state than before he was injured!

In his Meridians, his Internal Energy was full and brimming with vitality.

"You're awake." Gao Feng's voice sounded at the right time, "How do you feel?"

"Brother Gao, did you... save me?" Lin Xuan's brain was still a bit dazed, but he immediately understood.

Here, besides Gao Feng, who else could it be?

"What... divine medicine did you give me to eat?" Lin Xuan's eyes were full of shock and gratitude.

He knew very well how domineering the corpse poison he had contracted was. If it were back at their Qingcheng Mountain, even if an Elder took action, it would probably take several days of effort and various Heaven And Earth Treasure to have a chance to force the poison out.

And now, he had only been unconscious for a moment, yet he had recovered as if nothing had happened!

It was simply incredible!!

"It's a healing holy medicine passed down from my Sect. The medicinal properties are quite special, so it's not convenient to show others."

Gao Feng had long since thought of the rhetoric and explained it half-truthfully.

Upon hearing this, a look of realization appeared on Lin Xuan's face.

He knew that every powerful Sect had some exclusive secret recipes that were not known to outsiders.

It seemed reasonable that Gao Feng's School could Cultivate such a brilliant and talented Disciple and possess a holy medicine capable of bringing the dead back to life.

He did not ask any further.

Because he knew this was the best way to repay Gao Feng's trust.

Lin Xuan struggled to stand up from the ground and then bowed deeply to Gao Feng.

"Brother Gao, great kindness needs no thanks!"

"Before, you were my savior. Now, you have given me a second life! I, Lin Xuan, will never forget this kindness for the rest of my life!"

His tone was incomparably sincere and solemn.

Gao Feng helped him up, "Brother Lin, you are too kind. We are brothers who fought side by side; it is only right that we support each other."

"Brother Gao, with matters here concluded and the Hundred Ghost Cave eliminated, my poor Junior Sister... sigh..."

Lin Xuan glanced in the direction of the Spirit Refining secret chamber, his expression dim, yet carrying a hint of relief, "I should also return to the mountain gate to report."

The two returned to that Spirit Refining secret chamber.

Looking at his Junior Sister, who was still heartbreakingly beautiful inside the ice coffin, Lin Xuan's eyes revealed endless sorrow.

He ultimately decided to take the ice coffin along with his Junior Sister's remains back to Qingcheng Mountain, allowing her to return to her roots.

However, at this moment, Gao Feng made a request that surprised Lin Xuan.

"Brother Lin, this ice coffin... may I take it?"

"What?" Lin Xuan was stunned, looking at Gao Feng with some confusion.

He did not expect Gao Feng to be interested in a half-human, half-corpse body.

Gao Feng looked at his puzzled gaze, his expression becoming somewhat complex. He sighed and slowly said:

"I possess a secret technique that might be able to attempt to completely purify the corpse Qi within her."

"Of course, I don't have absolute certainty. But it is at least a hope, isn't it?"

"If you take her back to the mountain gate, I fear the only fate awaiting her is cremation."

Gao Feng's words caused Lin Xuan's body to jolt violently!

Hope!

Yes, even if there was only a one in ten thousand chance, he was willing to try!

He remembered Gao Feng's miraculous "healing holy medicine" — since that holy medicine could neutralize the corpse poison in his own body, then purifying the corpse Qi in his Junior Sister's body did not seem entirely impossible!

"Brother Gao, you... do you mean that?" Lin Xuan's voice was trembling.

"I can only say that I will try my best."

Gao Feng did not speak in absolutes, "I cannot guarantee the outcome. But I promise you that I will never do anything to desecrate your Junior Sister's remains."

Lin Xuan looked at Gao Feng's sincere eyes, struggled for a long time, and finally nodded.

"Alright!"

"I trust you, Brother Gao! I entrust my Junior Sister's remains to you!"

"If you can truly save her... then my life, Lin Xuan, will be yours from this day forward!"

He knew this was an incredibly difficult decision, but he was willing to gamble on that slim hope.

Gao Feng also breathed a sigh of relief.

The reason he wanted to take the ice coffin and the beautiful woman inside was naturally not because of any so-called "secret technique."

Rather, it was because just a moment ago, when he placed the hexagonal key into his spirit spring space, a fragmented piece of information from the animal skin map suddenly appeared in his mind.

The information mentioned that regarding opening the ancient ruins, apart from the three keys, it seemed a special "sacrifice" was also needed.

And this sacrifice had to be an "Yin and Yang Dao Body" that contained immense life energy while also perfectly merging with the aura of death.

Was this not precisely the woman in the ice coffin?!

Although he could not be completely certain yet, this was absolutely a crucial clue!

He had to firmly keep this potential "sacrifice" in his own hands.

After the two reached a consensus, Gao Feng did not delay any further.

He walked to the ice coffin, reached out to touch the cold surface, and moved his mind.

Under Lin Xuan's gaze of extreme shock, the massive ice coffin, weighing thousands of jin, along with the woman inside, vanished into thin air!

If the miraculous healing holy medicine had already shocked Lin Xuan, this act of making objects disappear into thin air, which seemed like an immortal's technique, completely overturned his worldview.

He opened his mouth wide, staring blankly at Gao Feng, unable to utter a word.

He finally understood why Gao Feng could produce such a Heaven-Defying holy medicine — it turned out that he possessed a legendary spatial storage treasure!

This level of treasure was rare even in their Qingcheng Mountain, with only the Sect Leader and a few Grand Elders qualified to possess one!

At this moment, Gao Feng's image in Lin Xuan's heart became increasingly unfathomable, mysterious, and powerful.

He very wisely did not ask anything about this secret.

"Brother Gao, take care!"

Lin Xuan bowed deeply to Gao Feng once more.

"Brother Lin, you take care as well."

The two parted ways.

Lin Xuan left the place that had buried his School's hatred, carrying the joy of revenge and a sliver of heavy hope, and returned to Qingcheng Mountain.

As for Gao Feng, after sending Lin Xuan off, he did not leave immediately.

The key and the "sacrifice" were already in hand, but... how exactly should this ruin be opened?

The animal skin map only marked the approximate locations of the three keys and the location of the ruins themselves; it did not mention a single word about the method to open it.

He had originally thought the clues would be found alongside the key, but now it seemed things were far from simple.

Since this Ghost King was able to obtain one of the keys, could he... also have mastered some of the secrets on how to open the ruins?

Thinking of this, Gao Feng's eyes became sharp again.

He no longer focused his attention on the gold and silver treasures, but instead, like the most patient hunter, began a carpet search of the entire Hundred Ghost Cave, especially the "Spirit Refining secret chamber" where the Ghost King lived daily!

He did not let go of any crack in the walls, any floor tile that might move, and even the stone bed that the Ghost King used, crafted from thousand-year-old gloomy wood, was shattered by his Internal Energy so he could carefully inspect its internal structure.

However, an hour passed, and although he had almost dismantled the entire secret chamber, he still found nothing.

"Could it be... that I thought wrong?" Gao Feng frowned, unable to help feeling a bit annoyed.

Just as he was about to give up and prepare to return to the stronghold to plan again, his gaze inadvertently fell upon the black gloomy wood bookshelf that he had emptied, which was used to store the "Corpse Refining Art".

During the previous fierce battle with the Ghost King, a wave of violent Internal Energy had struck this bookshelf hard, causing a subtle crack to appear.

Gao Feng's heart jumped!

He walked to the bookshelf, reached out his finger, and slowly stroked along that crack.

When his fingertip touched the very center of the bookshelf's back panel, he felt a faint sense of indentation!

There was a hidden compartment!

A flash of light appeared in Gao Feng's eyes; without hesitation, he channeled his Internal Energy into his fingertip and pressed inward hard!

"Click..."

A slight sound of a mechanism triggering rang out, and the back panel of the bookshelf silently recessed inward, revealing a small secret compartment that could only hold a single scroll.

Inside the secret compartment lay a yellowed, ancient scroll tanned from some unknown animal skin.

Gao Feng carefully took out the scroll and slowly unfurled it.

This was not the detailed explanation he had imagined, but a fragmented star chart!

On the chart, a strange starry sky was drawn, among which two blood-red moons appeared exceptionally striking.

And below the star chart, a line of phrases filled with a wild and mysterious aura was written in an ancient barbarian script.

Although Gao Feng did not recognize this script, he took out the animal skin map recording the information about the ancient ruins from his bosom.

He was astonished to find that the brushstrokes and style of this line of barbarian script were exactly the same as some of the annotations on the back of the animal skin map!

Through comparison and speculation, he used all his might to barely decipher the general meaning of that phrase:

"When the dual moons weep blood and shine upon Serpents Eye Peak, the gate shall open for the key holder."

"Dual moons weep blood... Serpents Eye Peak?" Gao Feng muttered, his brow furrowing even deeper.

This nonsensical phrase felt like a huge puzzle, giving him a headache.

"Dual moons weep blood" likely referred to a certain special celestial phenomenon where those two blood-colored moons appeared simultaneously on the star chart.

But what place was "Serpents Eye Peak"?

Did it refer to a mountain named "Serpents Eye"? Or was it some kind of special code name?

The clues seemed to have broken off here again.

Gao Feng pondered for a moment and decided to make one final attempt.

He released the ice coffin from the spirit spring space, then took out the hexagonal black key and slowly walked toward the ice coffin.

He wanted to verify a conjecture — since one was a "key" and the other was a "sacrifice," would there be some kind of special resonance between the two?

When his hand holding the key was three feet away from the ice coffin.

A strange change occurred suddenly!

"Hum—"

A low, deep humming sound, as if coming from the ancient past, rang out from his palm without warning!

That pitch-black key began to vibrate on its own, and the mysterious patterns on its surface, resembling the trajectories of stars, all lit up instantly with a faint, ghostly blue light!

At the same time, inside the ice coffin, those black corpse patterns on the right half of the beautiful woman's body, which were like living things, also seemed to be summoned by some mysterious power, and actually began to emit a ghostly blue light originating from the same source as the key!

A cold and vast mysterious aura erupted and spread out with the key and the woman as the center!

Between the two, it seemed as if a mysterious resonance, invisible to the naked eye, had formed!