Translator: CinderTL
The scorching sun beat down on the parched, yellowed earth.
Yet amidst the sweltering heat, a chilling mountain ravine lay hidden.
The ravine, nestled between two towering peaks, was dark and deep.
Song Wen hovered above the ravine, sensing the waves of corpse qi and dense Spiritual Qi emanating from within. A faint smile curled his lips.
This ravine, known as Corpse Soul Ravine, had once been the stronghold of a cultivation clan. It was later seized by a Nascent Soul Stage corpse cultivator, transforming it into its current eerie state.
While the Spiritual Qi here was considered dense, it was only relative. In truth, the concentration was barely sufficient for a Divine Transformation Stage cultivator to cultivate.
It fell at least a tier below Wu Yuan Island in the Withered Desolation Marsh.
Still, within a million-mile radius, this location ranked among the top ten in Spiritual Qi density.
Had it not been for its proximity to the Primordial Qi Death Zone, where overall Spiritual Qi was scarce and Spirit Herbs struggled to grow, driving cultivators away, a peak Nascent Soul Stage rogue cultivator would never have had the chance to claim this place.
"Fellow Daoist Wu Yue," Song Wen's voice boomed like a bell, echoing endlessly through the ravine, "I am Yang Yu, here to pay my respects. I request your presence."
After a few breaths, a figure shot out from the depths of the ravine, but instead of flying out recklessly, it hovered in mid-air between the two mountain peaks, gazing up at Song Wen with wary eyes.
"Who are you? What brings you here?" the figure asked, its voice cautious.
Song Wen glanced down at the figure below, a warm smile immediately spreading across his face.
The person was gaunt, with pale gray skin, slender, withered fingers, and faint black qi swirling around their fingertips.
Based on Song Wen's prior intelligence, this was undoubtedly Wu Yue.
Song Wen descended, landing on the mountain slope beside the ravine.
His position was roughly level with Wu Yue, but the two were separated by a semi-transparent black barrier—the defensive formation of Corpse Soul Ravine.
"I have long admired Fellow Daoist Wu Yue's renowned name," Song Wen said, clasping his hands in a respectful bow, his tone sincere and humble. "Knowing your profound insights into corpse cultivation, I have always yearned to pay you a personal visit. Alas, my cultivation was previously too meager, merely at the golden core stage, and I dared not disturb you. Recently, I was fortunate enough to break through to the nascent soul stage, finally emboldening me to come. Having cultivated in solitude all my life, I have many lingering doubts about my practice. I humbly request your guidance to illuminate my path."
As Song Wen spoke, Wu Yue scrutinized him intently.
The sudden arrival of a complete stranger instinctively put Wu Yue on guard.
However, upon realizing that Song Wen was a corpse cultivator with only an early-stage nascent soul cultivation, Wu Yue's tense demeanor relaxed slightly.
"We have never met before," Wu Yue said coldly. "Why would I instruct you in cultivation?"
Song Wen replied, "If Fellow Daoist Wu Yue is willing to guide my cultivation, I would gladly serve you and be at your command."
"Oh? You wish to follow me?" Wu Yue's tone carried a hint of surprise.
It was common for rogue cultivators to seek to join established factions, but it was rare for one to pledge allegiance to another rogue cultivator, especially one of the same cultivation level.
"Yes!" Song Wen's expression was sincere, his voice resolute.
"Since you are so sincere, I shall grant your wish."
As Wu Yue spoke, a ten-foot-wide opening tore through the barrier before Song Wen.
"Then come in," Wu Yue said, a playful smile flickering across his ashen face, his voice tinged with mockery.
As a rogue cultivator who had reached the peak nascent soul stage, Wu Yue naturally acted with caution and meticulous planning.
Wu Yue didn't believe a word of what the man calling himself "Yang Yu" said, convinced he had ulterior motives.
Yang Yu's audacity to come alone suggested he had some kind of backing.
Wu Yue suspected Yang Yu wasn't truly alone; his accomplices were likely hiding nearby, waiting for an opportunity to strike.
But if he could lure Yang Yu into the formation, the situation would change dramatically.
After all, Yang Yu was only an early-stage nascent soul cultivator. Once trapped within the formation, no matter what backing he had, he would be no match for Wu Yue.
Capturing Yang Yu would be a simple matter.
Then, Wu Yue could interrogate him to uncover his true intentions.
Wu Yue's eyes remained fixed on Song Wen, monitoring his every move. He was ready to react instantly to any suspicious behavior. At the same time, he fully extended his divine sense, scanning the surroundings for any signs of movement, just in case.
To Wu Yue's surprise, Yang Yu reacted with extreme excitement to his invitation. Without the slightest hesitation, he stepped through the fissure and entered the formation.
"Many thanks, Fellow Daoist Wu Yue," Song Wen said. "I will serve you with utmost loyalty and follow you to the death."
Wu Yue eyed Song Wen with suspicion. The man had actually entered the formation without hesitation, appearing completely defenseless. Even after Wu Yue sealed the rift in the barrier, Song Wen showed no sign of unease, not even glancing back.
Could he truly be sincere in his defection? Wu Yue wondered inwardly, suddenly doubting his earlier judgment.
Despite his uncertainty, Wu Yue acted without hesitation.
A dense surge of corpse qi erupted from his body, coiling like a colossal serpent as it lunged fiercely at Song Wen.
"Fellow Daoist Wu Yue, this is hardly the way to treat a guest," Song Wen said with a smile.
A matching torrent of corpse qi surged from his own body, meeting Wu Yue's attack head-on.
The two streams of corpse qi collided with a thunderous crash.
Wu Yue's corpse qi shattered instantly, offering no resistance.
"This..." Wu Yue's expression twisted in disbelief, his eyes wide with shock.
Before he could react, Song Wen's surging corpse qi coiled around him, binding him completely immobile.
"You... you're a Divine Transformation Stage cultivator!" Wu Yue exclaimed, his voice trembling as he felt the mountain-like pressure emanating from the corpse qi.
He quickly regained his composure and hastily added, "This junior's eyes were blind to your presence, Senior. I failed to recognize you and have been disrespectful. Please forgive my offense. What brings you here, Senior? If it's within my power, I'll do anything you ask, even if it means braving fire and water."
Song Wen chuckled. "You're quite the pragmatist. Rest assured, as long as you obey, I won't make things difficult for you. Now, show me around your Corpse Soul Ravine."
The reason Song Wen had used clever words to trick Wu Yue into letting him into the Corpse Soul Ravine, rather than resorting to brute force, was to keep the change of ownership secret from outsiders.
He planned to cultivate here in secret, aiming to break through to the Void Refinement Stage in one swift move, without attracting undue attention.
(End of the Chapter)
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