Not far from Jueyun Karst, in the dense forest.
Crisp bell chimes echoed, accompanied by a line of neatly synchronized footsteps.
From time to time, a flat-toned loli voice called out slogans.
In the twilight glow as the sun set and the moon rose, the whole scene took on an eerie air.
Ever since the Mount Shu Sect revealed itself, even though the General Affairs Bureau had issued strict decrees forbidding anyone from approaching Jueyun Karst—warning of the dangers here, and that the area was guarded by the Millelith, forbidding climbing—their orders still couldn't stop countless people from sneaking in to seek adventure.
Especially the Treasure Hoarders.
Unable to pass Liyue's initial screening, yet unwilling to give up on the temptation of cultivation, they chose instead to take the risk of venturing here.
Rumors in the streets said that Baizhu of Bubu Pharmacy had performed three kneels and nine kowtows, moved an immortal with his sincerity, and was admitted to Mount Shu despite the rules.
If even a sickly physician like Baizhu could succeed, then why not them?
So the Treasure Hoarders took their chances.
They seemed to forget that, sickly or not, Baizhu was still a Vision holder, his heart steadfast in the pursuit of longevity. He had long roamed Liyue healing the sick, and while he might have his own ambitions, his character was upright.
The Treasure Hoarders? … Best left without comment.
Only when they arrived at Jueyun Karst did they realize the General Affairs Bureau had not lied.
The beasts and monsters here, under the nourishment of spiritual energy, had grown abnormally strong.
Even a simple wild boar might be enough to kill them.
And although true ferocious beasts were few, there were still some around.
For example—right now.
"Hey-ho! One-two, Qiqi… Two-two, Qiqi…"
In the moonlight, a short figure hopped cheerfully at the front.
She shook the little bell in her hand, her movements seemingly slow, yet each bound carried her dozens of meters.
The talisman stuck to her forehead made clear what she was—a little zombie.
In the eerie forest, her presence was already unsettling.
But what truly terrified, was the dozen-odd figures trailing behind her in unison.
Some missing an arm, some a leg. One even missing half its head.
These things, which were unmistakably corpses at a glance, were lined up in perfect formation, hopping behind Qiqi.
"Yin souls walk the road, yang souls make way.
Three souls and seven spirits, return to the shade."
"Mm…"
"Everyone, stay close to Qiqi, don't get lost. Qiqi will send you home…"
Qiqi turned her head, face serious as she gave instructions.
Her delicate, doll-like features should have been reassuring—but matched with the corpses behind her, the sight only made one's blood run cold.
Fortunately, out here in the wilderness, there weren't many witnesses.
Except, of course, for one person whose business was literally corpses.
"Sun comes out, I sunbathe. Moon comes out, I moonbathe~"
Humming her self-made jingle, Hu Tao hopped cheerily toward Jueyun Karst, her family's Staff of Homa in hand.
Walking these desolate mountains, Hu Tao felt no fear.
This was her element—she had grown far too used to such places.
She had already encountered ferocious beasts today and seen their might firsthand.
And with Mount Shu now rising in Jueyun Karst, she was sure plenty of fools would come blundering in to try their luck.
Human greed was always the same.
What if I'm lucky? What if I'm the one exception?
But nobody thought about the 9,999 in 10,000 chance they'd end up dead.
For such people, Hu Tao could only sigh. She wouldn't stop them.
Kind words can't dissuade a ghost who insists on dying.
As the current master of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Hu Tao understood that all too well.
She would not interfere with another's fate.
What she could do was ensure that, when the unlucky ones fell, they at least rested in dignity.
And clearly, Jueyun Karst had already accumulated plenty of "customers."
Today, Hu Tao had come to tidy things up.
Confident in her skills, she feared no beast—even if she couldn't beat one, she could still escape.
Unlike those courting death, she was here on business.
If a body had family, she could return it and pitch her caskets and services.
If not, she didn't mind either—she would handle the burial herself.
To her, the Funeral Parlor's work was solemn, dignified, and sacred.
It dealt with the order of yin and yang, with the cycle of life and death.
It was never simply about Mora.
Plainly put: those who could pay, paid.
Those who couldn't, were still sent off.
And those who had money but refused? They especially had to be sent off!
That was Hu Tao's rule.
But when she finally arrived at Jueyun Karst, expecting plenty of customers to collect, she was dumbfounded.
Signs of battle were everywhere, the lingering aura of death unmistakable.
Yet… there were no bodies.
Even if beasts had eaten them, there should've been remains.
But the tracks here—
They were of corpses moving on their own.
Had they all just gotten up and walked away?
Hu Tao frowned, crouched down, and studied carefully.
Soon, she spotted another set of footprints mixed in.
Small and light, but she could still tell.
Her eyes narrowed, and she burst out laughing angrily.
"Well, well! I never thought little Liyue would produce someone bold enough to steal my clients!"
With a snap, the Staff of Homa flared with fire.
"Let's see who dares poach Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's business! Don't they know we're the official mortuary of Liyue?!"
"You came to collect bodies without our permission?!"
"Outrageous! Even this kind of business you'd steal? Do you have no conscience?!"
"If I catch you, I'll make sure you learn all about our second-tomb-half-off promotion!"
"And if you dare desecrate the dead, I'll handle your funeral too!"
Fuming, Hu Tao stormed off following the trail.
Far ahead, Qiqi had no idea the person she feared most was already hunting her down.
Though now at mid-stage Refining Essence into Qi, and armed with life-saving artifacts gifted by Jiang Yan—enough that even a top-tier Archon would be in danger against her—Hu Tao remained Qiqi's primal terror.
The little zombie shook her bell, moonlight cloaking her in a gauzy radiance.
Behind her, the corpses moved in perfect order, their faint yin aura flowing into Qiqi's body under her guidance.
Though weak, this yin energy, refined together with moonlight, was constantly tempering her physique.
Her face, usually pale and bloodless, now carried a faint rosy glow, making her look adorably cute.
Hopping along, Qiqi passed through a clearing littered with fallen trees, some smashed, some frozen.
Clearly, a fierce battle had been fought here.
Qiqi's eyes widened, and in her soft, vacant tone, she murmured:
"Ferocious beasts… Sect Master said… Mount Shu disciples must slay demons and subdue monsters."
Her gaze sharpened, a faint azure light glinting in her eyes.
Her divine sense rippled outward—and instantly locked onto a familiar presence several kilometers away.
Someone she knew… locked in bitter combat.
"Everyone, don't get lost! Stay with Qiqi!"
She gave her corpses a serious little reminder, then sped toward the battlefield.
And the embattled person?
It was none other than Liyue's own famous exorcist—Chongyun.
At the moment, however, he looked far from composed.
His once-neat clothes were shredded, fresh wounds marked his body, and even his expensive claymore bore deep claw marks.
Back pressed against a cliff wall, gasping for breath, Chongyun stared at the pack of ferocious beasts before him, cold sweat dripping down his face.
Today was the unluckiest day of his life.
He had come to Jueyun Karst thinking: if ferocious beasts had appeared here, then surely, just like in cultivation novels, there would also be rare spiritual herbs.
Maybe he'd even find a cure for his Pure-Yang constitution.
But instead of medicine, he'd run into danger.
A pack of wolves. Dozens of them.
Each one a Foundation Establishment–stage beast, with the wolf king at mid-stage.
Though he fought hard and cut down over a dozen, he was now exhausted.
And the wolf king hadn't even moved yet.
He had no way out.
So this is it…
Chongyun gave a bitter smile.
He'd die here, likely without even Hu Tao to bury him.
These wolves were hungry, and they wanted him as prey.
"…Should've brought Xingqiu and Xiangling…" he sighed weakly, gripping his claymore tighter.
His Vision's power was completely spent.
Without elemental energy, his mortal body couldn't match these beasts.
The wolves circled, ready to pounce.
Gritting his teeth, Chongyun prepared one final charge, determined to at least drag a few with him.
But just then, a crisp bell rang in his ears.
"With Heaven above and Nine Nether Secret Realm below, a guiding lamp, a crane's flight.
Walk unseen, sit unknown. Spirits move, shadows follow. Command: by law!"
A familiar loli voice. Chongyun froze.
The next instant, countless shadows surged from the forest.
They crashed into the wolf pack with ferocity—fast as wind, bodies hard as iron, strength overwhelming.
The wolves, once so fierce, were scattered like leaves.
When they hit the ground, they were already dead.
And then, as the bell chimed again, those very wolf corpses rose.
Eyes empty, movements grotesque, yet stronger than before, they joined the fight—turning on their former kin.
"…I'm saved…"
Chongyun sagged in relief, collapsing to the ground, ready to thank his rescuer.
But when he actually saw those figures, his breath caught in his throat.
Armless. Headless. Mutilated.
All… corpses.
A horde of corpses had saved him?!
Chongyun rubbed his eyes, stunned by the grotesque sight.
Then, in disbelief, he slapped himself hard.
No… this must be an illusion before death. How else could corpses be fighting for me?!
Especially as the dead wolves joined the ranks, fighting alongside the zombies.
Chongyun's mind reeled.
At last, only the wolf king remained.
It tried to flee, but was swarmed by the undead and quickly torn apart—its corpse promptly standing back up to join the ranks.
From the shadows, Qiqi emerged, bell jingling softly.
She approached Chongyun, her procession of corpses neatly lining up behind her.
Chongyun stared blankly at the little zombie.
Bathed in moonlight, she almost looked… sacred.
Trembling, he pinched himself again, a bitter laugh escaping his lips.
"…This must be a dream.
Qiqi… how could Qiqi be… herding corpses?!"
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