Chapter 21: Pursuit in the Night

Corpse Remains Death Land.

Amidst the mist of Yin energy.

Two men and one woman, dressed in the Night Patrol Department’s nocturnal attire. One held an Exorcism Talisman to disperse the chilling Yin energy surrounding them, another held a Yin Soul Talisman to avoid attacks from Yin Souls, while the woman wielded a black Ghost Head.

The black Ghost Head continuously released ghostly energy, spreading across the ground as if searching for something.

Soon enough.

The female cultivator halted her steps.

In the night, her stern face suddenly revealed a hint of delight.

The two beside her looked at her, eagerly asking, "Did you find what the Tower Master wanted?"

"No," the female cultivator’s response brought disappointment, but her next words cheered the two, "Although I didn’t find what the Tower Master wanted, I discovered a newly formed Black Corpse... Its corpse energy is extremely dense and thick, truly rare. It seems that Corpse Nurturer did a lot of work. If we take it, it could fetch at least fifty low-grade Spirit Stones, a huge profit!"

"Fifty..."

The two men exchanged glances.

Indeed.

Tempted.

Because working for the Night Patrol Department and doing tasks for the Tower Master only earned them five low-grade Spirit Stones a month.

Five low-grade Spirit Stones, after daily cultivation and renting a cave residence, left them with very little, being quite tight.

Seeing the two still pondering, the female cultivator hurriedly spoke, pointing to the Ghost Head in her palm. The Ghost Head suddenly opened its mouth frantically, spewing a large amount of ghostly energy to tightly envelop the Black Corpse underground.

"Don’t worry, I have a ghost technique, the Spirit Destruction Technique, specifically restraining Corpse Nurturers. It can block the spirit communication between the Corpse Nurturer and the Black Corpse... Although this Black Corpse is remarkably dense in corpse energy, it is only newly formed, merely comparable to Qi Cultivation First Layer... As long as the Corpse Nurturer isn’t by its side, a few Corpse-Suppression Talismans can resolve it!"

With those words.

The female cultivator took out three Corpse-Suppression Talismans.

The two men exchanged glances and immediately started digging for the corpse.

"Dig it out and then retreat."

"Alright, alright."

Suddenly.

A roar erupted from underground.

It was the Black Corpse!

As the two dug down a foot to see the corpse body, the Black Corpse burst forth furiously from its burial ground, unleashing a surge of corpse energy.

Its aura also surged suddenly.

From newly formed to Middle Realm.

In an instant!

"How did it suddenly reach the Middle Realm?" The female cultivator quickly threw the three Corpse-Suppression Talismans, but they were shattered by the Black Corpse’s energy.

The other two also panicked and retreated quickly.

The female cultivator urgently said, "Don’t retreat! A Middle Realm Black Corpse is worth at least a hundred Spirit Stones. We’ve struck it rich... I still have a top-quality Tier One Lower Grade Corpse-Suppression Talisman, but you’ll have to compensate for my loss later!"

The two men’s expressions changed again.

Overjoyed.

Over a hundred low-grade Spirit Stones!

This venture is truly profitable!

...

Meanwhile.

Wen Jiu could clearly feel the spirit communication between himself and the Black Corpse being tightly obstructed by a thick layer of ghostly energy.

Like clouds covering the moon.

But fortunately, the Black Corpse was still an aberrant Black Corpse, bound to his Corpse Nurturer panel, so Wen Jiu could still sense the presence of the Black Corpse.

He could also sense the surroundings of the Black Corpse.

Three people.

Two men and one woman.

All at Qi Cultivation Second Layer.

Two were normal Qi Refining Cultivators.

The last one was a Ghost Cultivator.

"Three people..." When the Black Corpse was immobilized by the Corpse-Suppression Talisman, Wen Jiu didn’t hesitate and directly crushed a Signal Talisman.

He hurried to the nearest Night Patrol Department disciple’s stationed area.

Although the Three Rivers Ghost Concealment could break free from the Corpse-Suppression Talisman and escape, unless absolutely necessary, Wen Jiu wouldn’t let the Black Corpse use the Three Rivers Ghost Concealment.

Just as Wen Jiu explained the situation, Wang Nian came rushing.

Clothes disheveled.

Clearly awoken from sleep by Wen Jiu’s Signal Talisman.

Before Wang Nian could ask, Wen Jiu quickly said, "Brother Wang, someone is looking for something in the Corpse Remains Death Land at night."

"Uh-huh!"

Wang Nian was startled.

The thought of two words immediately popped into his mind — spy!

He quickly asked, "How do you know?"

"The Black Corpse I buried in the Corpse Remains Death Land discovered them." Wen Jiu changed the angle, mentioning the theft of the Black Corpse.

Because reporting the theft of the Black Corpse and seeking help from the Night Patrol Department and Wang Nian would be incurring a favor.

But if he had discovered the culprits of ill-intent himself, it would be a great achievement for the Night Patrol Department.

Wang Nian’s expression shifted slightly, "Could it be the spies causing a stir recently? Let’s go! We’ll check it out."

The nearby Night Patrol Department disciple quickly said, "I’ll immediately send a message to the nearest Night Patrol Department disciples for support."

Quickly.

Wang Nian then used sword control to take the two towards the Corpse Remains Death Land.

As they were about to reach the Corpse Remains Death Land, seven or eight black shadows emerged again in the night, their auras restrained but extremely robust.

They were disciples of the Night Patrol Department.

Among them was a Qi Cultivation Third Layer steward of the Night Patrol Department.

Name unknown.

But referred to as Steward Liu.

His aura far superior to Wang Nian’s.

Wen Jiu remembered him because a few days ago, he had come to the Corpse Remains Death Land to question them, and he was not of the same group as Li Ye.

"I have already understood the situation... So, can you still sense their presence through the Black Corpse?" Steward Liu’s gaze fell on Wen Jiu.

When he saw Wen Jiu, he was a bit surprised.

Because Wen Jiu was known. Recently, some disciples in the Night Patrol Department had spoken about him.

Practicing Heterodox Dao.

But had achieved Qi Cultivation First Layer in just a month.

However, he didn’t find it particularly impressive. Practicing Heterodox Dao traded longevity, foundation, and future for cultivation.

Achieving Qi Cultivation First Layer in a month wasn’t a big deal.

Rather, it was short-sighted.

Hardly promising for the future.

But he didn’t expect that by sheer coincidence, this kid discovered the spies they couldn’t find traces of.

Wen Jiu nodded, "I can!"

"Lead the way!" Steward Liu reluctantly gave Wen Jiu a satisfied look. However, he still maintained his view of short-sightedness towards the Heterodox Dao. Yet, the next moment, evaluating Wen Jiu, his expression changed.

"Qi Cultivation Second Layer!"

Wang Nian, seeing Steward Liu’s astonishment, asked curiously, "Fellow Daoist Liu, what do you mean by Qi Cultivation Second Layer?"

Seeing Steward Liu looking at Wen Jiu, Wang Nian’s gaze followed, and his Divine Sense immediately extended.

Qi Cultivation Second Layer!

My goodness!

He was referring to Wen Jiu.

"Wen, when did this happen?" Good lad, advancing to Qi Cultivation Second Layer so quickly.

This practically sets a new record for the minor peak.

Indeed the person he had his eyes on!

Wen Jiu hurriedly replied, "I was fortunate to break through tonight."

But he wasn’t in the mood to hear everyone’s compliments. He quickly pointed to the left of the group, "Brother Wang, in that direction! They’re trying to escape towards the direction of the Valley of the Dead!"

"Behind the Valley of the Dead is the Hundred Li Dense Forest; if they escape into it, it’ll be tough to find them again."

Wang Nian, disregarding shock and delight, hurriedly used sword control to pursue.

The Night Patrol Department quickly followed.

But they couldn’t help but glance at Wen Jiu.

Qi Cultivation Second Layer.

Impressive fellow.

Not even an apprentice disciple yet, and already at Qi Cultivation Second Layer.

The steward of the Night Patrol Department is only at Qi Cultivation Third Layer!

This at the minor peak is unprecedented.

Though just a Heterodox Dao, it’s impressive enough. After all, the minor peak has had Heterodox Dao cultivators before.

Meanwhile, the three ran wildly through the Yin mist, already hearing the sound of sword control breaking through the air in the night sky.

Heading their way.

"What’s going on?"

"Their Divine Sense shouldn’t reach this far, and they shouldn’t be able to track us. Why are they still following us?"

The female cultivator was also bewildered, instinctively looking at the Black Corpse on the male cultivator’s back, then shaking her head.

Impossible.

He had already used ghost techniques to sever the spirit communication between the Corpse Nurturer and the Black Corpse.

They shouldn’t be able to sense each other anymore.

But if not the Black Corpse.

Then what could be the reason?

"Don’t worry about it, give me the Black Corpse, we’ll run separately!" The female cultivator reached out to grab the Black Corpse from the male cultivator’s back.

The two exchanged glances and eventually decided to hand over the Black Corpse to the female cultivator. After all, they hadn’t cultivated the techniques to suppress the Black Corpse.

If the Black Corpse broke free from the Corpse-Suppression Talismans, they’d be in great trouble.

The female cultivator spoke again, "Quickly pass through the Valley of the Dead into the mountains!"

Having said that.

The female cultivator carried the Black Corpse and dashed in another direction.

Seeing this scene, Wen Jiu’s expression tightened, preparing to speak, but a thought popped into his mind.

Perhaps tonight is an opportunity.

An opportunity to become an apprentice early!

[I’d like to request some recommendation votes.

Yesterday’s increase was 200.

You guys are truly amazing!

The second update will be at 5 PM.]