Chapter 167: Engaging in Battle

Chen Luo began recalling the Elementary Corpse Cultivation Method acquired from the dried-up old ghost. He had not extensively studied corpse cultivation; it was only due to experts on this subject within his external brain that he could manage with relative ease. Otherwise, even if he obtained a Core Formation body, he would be unable to truly create an undead.

“First, perform a blood sacrifice, then inscribe the Corpse Control Talisman and implant the soul.”

Following the method described, Chen Luo bit his fingertip and let drops of blood fall onto the forehead of the Core Formation corpse. Next, he condensed a tiny Corpse Control Talisman at the tip of his index finger, placing both the talisman and blood together on the corpse’s brow.

As these forces merged, a faint connection indeed formed between Chen Luo and the Core Formation corpse. However, since the corpse had not yet transformed into a full-fledged corpse fiend, it remained immobile.

“Descend now.”

Chen Luo lifted the Core Formation cultivator’s body and tossed it into the corpse pit.

The corpse gradually sank beneath the surface, as if the swirling malevolent qi found its master, starting to flow into the corpse’s heart.

The most crucial part of a corpse fiend is the corpse core, located in the heart. Once the heart solidifies with the malevolent qi, the corpse will have successfully transformed.

After submerging the corpse within the Fiendish Ground, Chen Luo finally let out a sigh of relief. The entire process had gone even smoother than anticipated. Now, all that remained was finding a way to break through to the Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment, and the three medicinal pills from Elder An’s obsessions seemed perfect for this purpose.

Additionally, he needed to start searching for suitable cultivation techniques.

Having experienced the breakthrough to Foundation Establishment, Chen Luo naturally wouldn’t settle for the inferior blood core; his goal was to form the superior Gold Core!

Stepping outside the formation, Chen Luo once again performed a hand seal.

Under the influence of this technique, the formation gradually vanished until it blended seamlessly with the surrounding wetlands.

‘It’s unfortunate that I currently only know three formations, all at the first rank. Otherwise, incorporating some second-rank formations would have been ideal.’

As he watched the formation slowly disappear, a hint of regret flashed in Chen Luo’s eyes.

Formation knowledge was prohibitively expensive, and so far, he hadn’t systematically acquired any. His sole gain was the array master legacy from Elder An, which he had already fully inherited. The array flags used earlier were refined by that very same array master.

Chen Luo stayed on guard for two days at the site.

After confirming that the corpse breeding process had officially begun, Chen Luo felt reassured and departed.

This location served as the boundary between the Yin Fiend Forest and the corpse breeding ground. Neither side considered it favorable territory, ensuring no one would pay attention to it. Even if someone accidentally stumbled upon this place, they wouldn’t detect the formation, let alone the refined corpse puppet hidden within.

The scent of dead bodies blended seamlessly with the marshy atmosphere.

Upon leaving the corpse breeding ground, Chen Luo returned to the Yin Fiend Forest and followed his original path outwards. His initial plan was to head towards the first gathering place of evil cultivators to inquire about the third-rank spirit vein and purchase the necessary spirit materials for refining three second-tier spirit pills.

However, fate had other plans.

Half a day later, Chen Luo found himself once again facing the Present Life Inn.

This time, the inn directly obstructed his route.

Its wooden doors stood wide open, lanterns swaying gently on either side, almost beckoning him inside.

“Blocking my way?”

Chen Luo’s expression darkened.

His decision to leave earlier clearly indicated his unwillingness to get involved in such trouble. Yet unexpectedly, the woman from the inn seemed to have taken an interest in him, wanting to gauge his true capabilities.

“Guest, would you like to dine or stay overnight?”

At the entrance, the innkeeper, a painted demon, suddenly appeared with a welcoming smile.

With a swift motion, Chen Luo summoned a worn-out magical sword into his hand. The Foundation Establishment cultivator’s mind from Tian Jian Peak within his external brain sprang into action.

Sword qi coalesced, sweeping forward in a single strike.

Against such fiends and monsters, a sword cultivator’s approach was always straightforward.

Thunk!

The sword qi cleaved through the door, instantly splitting the painted demon innkeeper in two. Her round head tumbled outwards. Stepping forward, Chen Luo formed his fingers into a claw and seized the innkeeper’s skull.

‘Unable to read.’

Yet another one without a brain!

With a squeeze, aided by the Iron Body Art, the painted demon innkeeper’s head burst open, scattering fragments of torn canvas everywhere.

Chen Luo no longer hesitated; since they had come after him directly, there was nothing left to ponder.

Exterminating demons and monsters was also within his capabilities.

He strode up and kicked forcefully at the door.

With a loud ‘bang,’ the door shattered as Chen Luo stepped inside the inn.

The once bustling establishment had transformed completely. Now it was cold and dark, filled with decayed wooden tables. Spider webs and rodents infested the broken dishes, while the once appetizing food had turned into mud and stones. A group of motionless skeletons sat at the tables, resembling patrons enjoying their meal.

Spiderwebs draped over the elevated platform in the corner, shedding clouds of dust with the slightest movement.

Chen Luo approached the spot where he and Ning Chenye had sat earlier.

This area remained relatively clean amidst the inn’s decay. There, Ning Chenye lay slumped against the table, a lingering content smile still on his face. Chen Luo reached out to touch him, finding the scholar’s body already stiff and cold as ice.

“It seems you weren’t following Nie Xiaoqian’s script after all.”

Spiritual energy flowed through Chen Luo’s hand, ready to incinerate Ning Chenye. The scholar had been dead for countless years, repeatedly falling victim to the inn’s women each time he awakened, doomed to follow the same tragic path.

In Chen Luo’s view, any grudge should have been settled by now.

Moreover, this woman had also crossed him.

“Such impatience, sir. We haven’t even opened yet,” a faint voice echoed.

A chill ran down Chen Luo’s neck, as if a frost-covered woman were standing close behind him, her icy breath chilling his body with each word.

“Flame Incantation!”

Blazing flames erupted from Chen Luo, releasing a potent burst of pure yang fire that spread relentlessly in all directions without missing a single spot.

Boom!

The terrifying divine flames instantly reduced nearby tables and chairs to ash, igniting spider webs and skeletal patrons alike. The force shattered the floor beneath his feet, creating a massive crater amidst the debris.

The speaking woman vanished once more from behind him, along with Ning Chenye, the unfortunate scholar.

Chen Luo hovered within the inn, allowing his nearly late Foundation Establishment divine sense to sweep unchecked throughout the entire establishment.

Below!

A wave of malevolent qi surged upward, and without hesitation, Chen Luo grabbed Elder An’s arcane cultivation seal and slammed it down.

The magical seal expanded upon release, infused with Foundation Establishment-level magical power, striking fiercely against the shadow below.

With a deafening explosion, a shockwave swept outward, reducing the basement to rubble. Countless ancient wine jars shattered, releasing a foul-smelling liquid from within.

Unexpectedly, beneath the main hall lay a wine cellar.

With a single gesture, Chen Luo shrank the magical seal back into his hand. Looking down, he saw nothing but a massive crater left by the impact.

Did it escape?

Chen Luo swiftly descended into the ruined cellar.

He picked up a fragment from the debris, sensing faint traces of malevolent qi on it. His strike had indeed hit the target earlier, but due to their differing divine abilities, the magical seal could not inflict significant harm as the opponent cultivated differently.

‘Solar lightning can break it.’

From the external brains, both the Core Formation and mummified minds provided immediate feedback. In life, they had encountered similar entities, instinctively prompting these thoughts upon seeing this one.

However, Chen Luo had yet to learn solar lightning or any such divine ability.

Even within the Divine Lake Immortal Sect, there were no authentic solar lightning techniques. He had inquired about that particular method costing thousands of spirit stones; it was the Lightning Diversion Technique, highly dependent on weather conditions and thus somewhat impractical due to its limitations.

As Chen Luo descended back to the ground, he noticed that the areas he previously destroyed were beginning to restore themselves.

The power of his Flame Incantation, now infiltrated by coldness, started to extinguish.

After probing him once, the woman in hiding departed, leaving uncertain whether she feared his strength or harbored other intentions. Their brief test encounter yielded no further action from either side.

Chen Luo approached the table and lifted Ning Chenye’s corpse.

This scholar was peculiar, almost as if fused with the inn itself. The sections he had burned earlier were also starting to regenerate alongside the rest of the establishment.

Contemplating for a moment, Chen Luo placed his right hand on Ning Chenye’s head.

‘Unable to read.’

This result made Chen Luo give Ning Chenye an extra glance.

There was only one type of brain he could not read: those belonging to living beings. Since Ning Chenye’s mind was still active, it naturally couldn’t be ‘shut down’ and taken away by Chen Luo.

“Intriguing.”

Chen Luo stepped out of the inn, noticing that the wooden door he had previously destroyed was now restored. Even the deceased innkeeper stood by the entrance, smiling and greeting him warmly.

“Please remember to visit again next time, honored guest.”

With these words, the innkeeper pulled open the wooden door.

Understanding her intent, she was ready to let him leave.

He paused at the doorway, glancing back one more time. The ‘lanterns’ inside the inn lit up once again, with everything burnt by the Flame Incantation returning to normal. The patrons resumed their drinking games, and even Scholar Ning Chenye seemed to come back to life.

Everything returned to its original state, except for the zither player seated on the platform, who continued watching him intently.

The white veil fluttered, revealing the woman’s face beneath.

A ghastly pale countenance, black hair draped over her shoulders, and icy scarlet eyes fixed coldly upon him.

Chen Luo narrowed his eyes, retrieving a handful of spirit talismans from his bag of holding. The aura of thunder talismans began to emanate from them.

“Why feign reluctance, dear husband? Could it be I fail to please?”

Once again, mournful singing echoed amidst the chilling wind.

Outside the inn, lanterns creaked as they swayed. Without wasting any words, Chen Luo swiftly threw ten Thunderbolt Talismans forward.

“Punish!”

Boom!!

Ten Thunderfire Talismans detonated simultaneously, unleashing a fierce barrage of lightning and flames. However, as the attacks struck, it felt like hitting mere illusions. After a wave akin to ripples on water, both the inn and the woman inside vanished.

All that remained was a massive crater at the site.

“Not bad, escaping so swiftly.”

Chen Luo approached and picked up a bone from the pit, the only remnant left behind—cut directly from his opponent’s body.

‘The aura of evil is dissipating, the influence of divine soul power has faded.’

The Core Formation-stage consciousness provided its feedback.

“Divine soul power…”

Chen Luo noted this information, intending to find a place after leaving here to enhance his abilities in this aspect. Many techniques employed by evil cultivators involved divine soul power; without sufficient strength, one might fail to even detect their presence.

Storing the bone in his bag of holding, Chen Luo turned and headed away from the Demonic Evil Forest. As he neared the edge, the eerie singing once again echoed behind him.

‘Speak not of riches barring poverty, For gold may be priced, but love knows no value.’

At the foot of a nearby mountain, another scholar carrying a book chest began walking towards the forest.