Translator: Cinder Translations
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"Recently, near East Huafang Market, there have been sightings of corpse cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage, and there are no fewer than three. The sudden appearance of multiple corpse cultivators can only mean they are from the Corpse Demon Sect."
"We suspect that these individuals have been sent by the Corpse Demon Sect to hunt down traitors within their ranks."
"Your master's death was likely caused by a traitor from the Corpse Demon Sect," Wang Ming transmitted to Song Wen.
Then, he handed a note to Song Wen and continued speaking.
"I've given you the information. As for the alchemy matter, I believe Elder Wu won't refuse, right?"
Song Wen took the note, glanced at it, and couldn't help but show an expression of shock.
Wang Ming needed three types of items: the Fire Cloud Pill, the Beast Essence Pill, and Silver Horn Grass.
The first two were manageable; Song Wen could refine them with some time.
However, Silver Horn Grass was not so easily obtained.
"Elder Wang, Silver Horn Grass is a regulated item by the sect. As a first-tier elder deacon, how could I possibly acquire it so easily? If it were only three to five stalks, I might find a way. But you need a whole batch, and even a first-tier sect elder might not be able to obtain it."
Wang Ming replied, "I believe Elder Wu will find a way."
Song Wen's voice turned cold.
"Elder Wang, you're putting me in a difficult position. Considering the information you've provided, I can help you refine the Fire Cloud Pill and the Beast Essence Pill, but as for Silver Horn Grass, I cannot get that at all."
Wang Ming's expression gradually grew sinister.
"Elder Wu, you should think carefully before answering me."
"You come from a rogue cultivator background and go to great lengths to gather information on demonic corpse cultivators; it raises questions about your true identity."
"Actually, I'm a member of the Law Enforcement Hall, responsible for investigating whether there are demonic spies lurking in the sect."
"I wonder, Elder Wu, if your past can withstand scrutiny."
Faced with Wang Ming's threat, a surge of murderous intent rose within Song Wen.
His thoughts raced, and soon an idea for using a knife to kill came to mind.
Having made up his mind, Song Wen began to lead Wang Ming on.
It was as if Wang Ming's words had unearthed the secrets buried deep within Song Wen's heart, causing a flicker of panic to flash in his eyes.
Suddenly, a trace of faint, almost imperceptible corpse aura appeared around Song Wen, but it vanished in an instant.
Song Wen's expression turned somewhat flustered; gripping the note, he quickly turned to leave, not even saying goodbye to Wang Ming.
Watching Song Wen's panicked demeanor, a cold smile appeared at the corners of Wang Ming's mouth.
He believed he had grasped the greatest leverage over Song Wen, enough to make him comply.
"Elder Wu, three months from now, I want to see everything listed on this note. If even one item is missing, certain secrets of yours will reach the Law Enforcement Hall."
Wang Ming sneered, speaking to Song Wen's retreating figure.
Just as Song Wen was about to rise on his sword, he froze slightly upon hearing those words.
Then, his flying sword suddenly sped away and disappeared.
...
The next day.
While cultivating in his cave, Song Wen received news from the Sacred Gu.
Outside the cave, at a crevice in the cliff about ten meters high, a gray mouse had appeared.
The gray mouse was very small, less than half a foot long; its strength was also weak, only at the late stage of the first level, but it was extremely good at concealing its presence.
If it weren't for the conflict with Wang Ming, and if Song Wen hadn't released the Sacred Gu to keep constant watch outside the cave, he probably wouldn't have noticed the gray mouse's presence.
"This gray mouse is most likely Wang Ming's spirit beast, used to monitor me."
"Wang Ming probably suspects that I am a corpse cultivator. He is worried that I might act out of desperation, choose to betray the Beastmaster Sect, and escape in secret."
"Just right, I can use this to my advantage."
Thinking of this, Song Wen's eyes brightened.
He opened the array and stepped out of the cave.
Outside the cave, he stretched his limbs.
At the moment he exited the cave, a faint aura of corpse energy drifted out.
The corpse energy was caught by the wind at the edge of the cliff and quickly dispersed into nothingness.
After a moment, Song Wen, having stretched his body, returned to the cave.
Above, in the crevice of the cliff, the gray mouse that had been feigning sleep suddenly opened its eyes, shook its limbs, and crawled out of the crack.
Then, it swiftly climbed up the steep cliff, quickly disappearing without a trace.
Twenty Days Later!
Song Wen once again began refining corpses from two human-snake hybrids.
This was already the fourth time refining these two human-snake corpses.
After the refining process ended, the two human-snake bodies were surrounded by swirling corpse energy and rolling death energy.
Their originally vibrant and lively flesh had withered significantly.
The once smooth, mirror-like scales of the snakes were now covered with cracks, as if they might shatter at any moment.
The current condition of the human-snake hybrids was somewhat similar to when Song Wen practiced the "Corpse King Blood Refinement Technique," where his body excessively absorbed corpse energy without truly refining it, leading to a state of corpseification.
After completing the refining of the human-snake corpses, Song Wen opened the cave's restrictions, exposing the cave.
After a few breaths, he closed the cave's restrictions again.
The whole process seemed as though he had accidentally opened the cave's restrictions without realizing it, exposing the cave and the existence of the two human-snake hybrids.
...
Time flew by.
In the blink of an eye, the three-month period agreed upon with Wang Ming had passed.
At this point, the two human-snake hybrids had undergone the refining process multiple times.
Now, their vigorous life force and strong physical recovery began to show.
If it were a mortal or cultivator, having undergone the refining process multiple times in just five months, their bodies would have already been transformed into true zombies due to the absorption of large amounts of corpse energy and corpse-path spiritual materials.
But the life fire within the human-snake hybrids remained strong.
Corpse energy and life energy coexisted in their bodies, showing initial signs of fusion.
Initially, Zhao Dapeng had taken several years to achieve the fusion of corpse energy and life energy in his brother.
However, in the case of the human-snake hybrids, Song Wen had achieved this in just five months.
This was due to two reasons: Song Wen's corpse-refining skills and understanding of corpse techniques far surpassed those of Zhao Dapeng, and the powerful recovery and life force of the human-snake hybrids allowed them to endure more corpse energy and quickly adapt and recover after each refining session.
As soon as Song Wen placed the human-snake hybrids back into the snake pit, the Sacred Gu outside the cave transmitted a message.
Wang Ming had arrived.
"Elder Wu, three months have passed. I wonder if you have prepared the elixirs and spiritual herbs I need."
Wang Ming shouted loudly outside Song Wen's cave.
After waiting for a moment and seeing no movement from inside the cave, he continued, "Elder Wu, don't hide; I know you're in there. Come out to see me quickly. Otherwise, don't blame me for forcefully breaking through the array. If that happens and other sect members come, your secrets will be exposed, and you can't blame me for that."
As soon as his voice fell, Song Wen opened the cave's restrictions and stepped out.
"Elder Wang, what do you mean by this? What secrets could I possibly have that shouldn't be known to others?"
While speaking, Song Wen's demeanor was evasive, appearing lacking in confidence.
TL: Song Wen could be a genius actor if he wasn't a cultivator...
(End of the Chapter)
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