Chapter 185

He swallowed with a tight throat. “Brother, don’t scare me. Is he really about to form a Nascent Soul?”

“How could that be false?!”

Zhuo Shouqing’s eyes widened. Just as he was about to continue speaking, the maid who had gone out to order food returned. A group of attendants quickly carried in a large table and chairs.

Bowls, chopsticks, handkerchiefs, wine… all were placed neatly.

The fresh spiritual dishes from the grand restaurant were soon brought in. Zhuo Shouqing’s mouth watered. He had always been a man of indulgence, and after ten years apart, his cultivation still remained at the third layer of Foundation Establishment.

The first time Wang Yu met him, he was already at this realm, while Wang Yu himself was still only in Qi Refining.

“Let’s eat while we talk. Come! Fourth Brother, let me toast you first.”

Perhaps because of the hardships of travel, Zhuo Shouqing let his true nature loose, exuberant and unrestrained.

Seeing this, Wang Yu could only instruct the maid to have Cloud Dream Pavilion send over a few virgin cauldrons that evening.

Meanwhile, his mind was turning.

About to form a Nascent Soul… qualifications probably did not matter much anymore. Anyone able to reach Core Formation was already a peerless talent.

Even if a few fortunate ones, with their initially inferior aptitudes, undergo continuous transformation and reach a level comparable to a Heavenly Spiritual Root.

To be of use in advancing Nascent Soul cultivation, one had to possess a special constitution. At that stage, the Demonic Embryo Mysterious Origin Curse might no longer be of much effect.

So Wang Yu thought inwardly, and he voiced this question aloud as well.

But Zhuo Shouqing glared at him.

“You think we never considered that? If it were that simple, we wouldn’t have come all this way just to find you. Nearly bored me to death on the road.”

He tore off a piece of leg meat from a Flying Crane beast, chewing as he spoke indistinctly.

“I secretly asked True Lord Nine Evils. On account of the Ghostfang Zhuo Clan, and knowing my Blood Spring evil method had failed, he told me the true secret of the Demonic Embryo Mysterious Origin Curse.”

Zhuo Shouqing had once been poisoned and sabotaged, causing his innate blood spiritual root to fail. That incident had caused a great uproar, but Wang Yu was unaware, for it had happened nearly a hundred years ago.

“He said: if the Mysterious Origin Curse is cultivated to perfection, it can forge a special constitution called the Acquired Demonic Embryo Body. Practicing demonic techniques with it brings wondrous results, and even at the Nascent Soul stage, it provides great support.

“Of course, perfection is not true perfection. One must devour another Mysterious Origin Demonic Embryo to complete oneself. The more mature the embryo, the greater the effect.”

Wang Yu was suddenly enlightened.

He remembered records of four cultivators who had practiced this curse. Two died in Foundation Establishment, one perished in Core Formation, and only one survived.

Thinking of the worst, that survivor had long known the hidden truth, and the three others had all fallen by his hand. If he learned Wang Yu had also practiced the method… it would indeed be a disaster.

“Alas.”

Zhuo Shouqing sighed.

“Even True Lord Nine Evils himself never practiced this art. By passing it out, perhaps he never verified its authenticity at all.”

A thought stirred in Wang Yu’s heart.

“You mean, that survivor was deliberately left behind by True Lord Nine Evils.”

“Only a possibility. Secret methods that forge special constitutions after birth are exceedingly rare. I do not believe True Lord Nine Evils was never tempted. Since he never cultivated it, there must be a hidden danger.”

“These words… carry some truth.”

The malice of heavenly demons was not to be trifled with. Even Wang Yu, relying on the function of his Idle Slot to avoid various side effects, still heard faint whispers when casting the curse to seize spiritual roots.

The Acquired Demonic Embryo Body.

He pondered for a moment, then regained his focus. A little difficulty was nothing. Back when he was a Spirit Slave, he had no allies, no information, and relied only on gambling.

At that time, gambling was the only way to escape the abyss of slavery.

Now, conditions were far better. His opponent was only at Core Formation peak, not yet in Nascent Soul. He could prepare against him.

Moreover, this was only a hypothetical enemy. The man might not even know of Wang Yu’s existence. He still had time to accumulate trump cards.

“Brother Zhuo, tell me of this man’s identity, background, and experiences. Where is he now?”

Setting down his chopsticks, Zhuo Shouqing pulled out an intelligence scroll from his storage ring and tossed it to Wang Yu.

“It is all inside. See for yourself.”

Wang Yu immediately opened it.

Fu Xiao. 523 years old. Peak Core Formation cultivation. Native of Three Mountain Village, Peach Blossom Township, Liuguang County, Night Jade Prefecture. At twenty years of age, with mixed spiritual roots, he was taken into Night Jade Prefecture as a menial servant…

At thirty, he was favored by Young Master Duan of Elephant Mountain and taken as a close attendant. His eloquence and debating ability won him resources. At fifty, he broke through to mid Qi Refining… but later fell from favor.

At sixty, he killed Young Master Duan with Stone Scorpion Poison, seizing his storage bag filled with countless resources… and Demonic Embryo Mysterious Origin Curse.

At one hundred, in his later years, he broke through to Foundation Establishment. By means of the curse, he devoured part of his clan in Three Mountain Village and formally joined the Blood Reversal Sect as an outer sect Deacon.

His cultivation grew ever faster. Before three hundred, he reached Core Formation, and in just two hundred years, had advanced to Core Formation peak. At present, he is traveling through Vermilion Bird Sacred Mountain, seeking the chance to form a Nascent Soul.

The level of detail left Wang Yu speechless.

Not only his past experiences, but also Fu Xiao’s usual methods, every mission carried out, his behavior… all were recorded.

The Ghostfang Zhuo Clan’s intelligence gathering ability was far beyond Wang Yu’s expectations.

“Thank you. This intelligence helps me greatly.”

“It is nothing. Since I acknowledge you as my Fourth Brother, your troubles are naturally mine to share.”

Whether truth or not, this went beyond the binding of the Nether River contract. To speak so at this time meant it was genuine, and Wang Yu had to accept the favor.

He remembered Zhuo Shouqing’s greed and cruelty, but he would also remember this help. Whatever hidden motives might exist, favor was favor, unrelated to character.

Even if it is a heinous villain who has killed countless people, if he raised you or saved your life, you still must acknowledge that debt of gratitude.

Wang Yu feared nothing more than this kind of situation.

An open scheme truly is the most insoluble strategy in the world.

“Sigh.”

After Wang Yu calmed his state of mind, Zhuo Shouqing continued speaking.

“At present, I have two possible solutions. First, you can go deep into the territory of the Ghostfang Clan and not show yourself for a hundred years. This is the most secure method, though you may encounter some troubles that originally belonged to me.

“Second, you can continue spreading the news that you used the Foundation Seizing Great Method to build your Foundation, thereby concealing the abnormal speed of your cultivation. Doing so will last only until you break through to Core Formation. If Fu Xiao pays even a little attention to your experiences, he will certainly discover the problem.”

To be honest, both of these options were garbage. Wang Yu asked with confusion.

“Can’t you just mobilize experts of the Zhuo clan in the Ghostfang Clan and directly kill him?”

Zhuo Shouqing rolled his eyes.

“I am a wasted young master, while Fu Xiao is a peak Core Formation cultivator. If I could mobilize people to kill him, why would I need to sign the Nether River Pact with you? Do you think this is a game?

“Besides, I am not sure whether he has ties to the True Lord Nine Evils. We cannot take such a risk.”

That made sense.

Wang Yu pondered.

“Sometimes inaction is better than reckless action. Since you have such strong intelligence-gathering ability, just have someone keep an eye on Fu Xiao. Is he not seeking opportunities at Vermilion Bird Sacred Mountain? He definitely will not return anytime soon. Until then, we just stay vigilant. There is no need for deliberate concealment.”

Hearing this, Zhuo Shouqing nodded.

“Fourth Brother is indeed perceptive. But within the family’s intelligence network, I can only see a portion and mobilize some minor figures. You see…”

“Hehe, Brother Zhuo certainly has other methods.”

Wang Yu rubbed his hands, stood up to pour wine and serve dishes, acting like a dutiful junior, which immediately made Zhuo Shouqing narrow his eyes in comfort.

After thirty rounds of wine and countless dishes.

They no longer discussed serious matters, but idly chatted while the night fell outside the window.

Outside the door.

“Master, Madam Chaoyun sent people to deliver four beauties.”

“Let them in. You may leave.”

“Yes.”

Upon hearing this, Zhuo Shouqing grinned.

“As expected, Fourth Brother understands me. Do you know how stifled I have been on this journey?”

“Go, go, do not pull me into this.”

“Why not together?”

When Wang Yu tried to leave, Zhuo Shouqing pulled him back with a mischievous grin. “It was one thing back in the sect, but you still have never joined your brother before.”

“You are drunk. I—”

Wang Yu had intended to refuse, but when he saw the four delicate beauties push the door open, his body trembled violently.

How long had it been.

Indeed, just today his Corpse Demon Secret Technique had been completed to the second rank, along with his physique further integrated. Though some minor side effects still lingered, they were not serious.

For a moment, his desire surged uncontrollably. With a sideways glance at Zhuo Shouqing, he thought it really was the perfect timing.

“Brother Zhuo, do not say I am unwilling. I just fear it might hit your pride.”

“What nonsense. I am a Foundation Establishment cultivator.”

“Very well.”

Clap.

As the great hall doors closed, shadows under the lamplight overlapped, carrying a hazy charm, perfectly one man with two companions.

“My lord, please cherish Wanwan to your heart’s content.”

The next morning.

At dawn’s first light.

Refreshed and clear-headed, Wang Yu instructed maids to look after Zhuo Shouqing, then left the main hall alone and returned to his secret chamber to continue what had been left unfinished yesterday.

Regrowing his severed limb.

He had awaited this day for so long. Counting the years, since entering the Dao at sixteen, he was now already fifty-four, having passed two-thirds of an ordinary mortal’s lifespan.

He had long forgotten what it felt like to move his left arm.

“I must try it.”

Sinking his consciousness inward, the Corpse Demon Secret Technique began circulating. The two Yin Blood Pills that had been nurtured within his marrow blood were guided to the severed left shoulder.

Wang Yu tapped with his right hand, shattering both secret pills.

A surge of rich yin qi and corpse qi mixed with his special blood essence erupted.

“Urgh—”

An unprecedented itching sensation gathered at the stump of his left shoulder. First, oddly hued bones began to grow, followed by meridians, muscles, and blood vessels.

When the power of the two Yin Blood Pills was fully consumed.

What appeared was only a bloodied arm without skin. Wang Yu gave a helpless smile.

“As expected, still lacking a little. But as long as I continue condensing Yin Blood Pills, it will succeed.”

He temporarily replaced all five Idle Slots with the Corpse Demon Secret Art.

At once, endless power feedback surged, accelerating the condensation of Yin Blood Pills.

In only a single day, a new secret pill was successfully born.

Repeating the previous process.

Tender new flesh began to grow, and soon Wang Yu felt the sensation of having a complete limb once again.