Shushan Earthly Immortal

Chapter 349 The Three Corpses Separate, Three Courtyards and Three Halls (5K words presented, please support with monthly tickets at the end of the month~)

Fire Dragon Island, Bird's Nest Mountain.

Kong Jufu changed into a brand new outfit: a long black robe with gold mountain patterns and a dark blue rattan hat. He was looking at himself in the bronze mirror, extremely satisfied.

"Boss Lai, we've really become disciples of Fire Dragon Island!"

He shouted with joy.

Beside him, Cheng Xinzhan had also changed into his robes. The Yin Clan was intolerant of the sun, and the cultivators who raised the Yin Clan generally disliked true yang, so they mostly dressed like this to shield themselves from the sun. Tianqiao Mountain was the same, and he was already used to it.

"Let's go. Today is the first day. Let's pay our respects to the hall master and not delay."

Cheng Xinzhan greeted them, and then the two left Bird's Nest Mountain. This was the accommodation arranged for them by Fire Dragon Island, and it was also the residence of the true disciples of Fire Dragon Island.

Half a month ago, the battle between the Crimson Corpse and the Alligator King determined the ownership of Yellow Sulfur Island. Immediately afterwards, all the people who originally belonged to the waters of Yellow Sulfur Island were transferred to Fire Dragon Island and its subordinate islands, and were completely dispersed and reorganized. Then, the elders of Fire Dragon Island took over Yellow Sulfur Island.

During the process of the people who surrendered from Huangliu Island being transferred to Huolong Island, Tang Yusheng secretly exerted his influence to keep Cheng Xinzhan and Kong Jufu on Huolong Island and brought them under his command, giving them the opportunity to become his disciples.

This was a huge help to Cheng Xinzhan. If he had been assigned to one of the subordinate islands, or only given the status of a nominal disciple, it would have wasted a lot of time.

The two left Bird's Nest Mountain and arrived at Funiu Hill, which was two or three miles away. This was Tang Yusheng's territory.

After spending half a month on Fire Dragon Island, Cheng Xinzhan has now figured out the basic structure of Fire Dragon Island and the Three Corpse Cult.

The Three Corpses split up under pressure from the Great Sage of the Overturning Sea, without choosing a specific date or advertising it to the world. The Crimson Corpse Wu Lao and the Beautiful Corpse Cui Ying each led a group of people away. Therefore, many outsiders still believed that this was an action by the Three Corpses Island to continue expanding into the outer seas, and that Wu Lao and Cui Ying had gone out to conquer new territory. Thus, the three forces were still referred to collectively as the Sea of ​​Ten Thousand Corpses and the Three Corpses Sect.

However, according to what Cheng Xinzhan knew, the Great Sage of the Overturning Sea was very dissatisfied with the Three Corpses forming a sect. At first, perhaps to show his conciliatory side, or to give face to the Three Corpses and the Blood God, he basically let the Three Corpses Sect develop and tacitly approved of the Three Corpses Sect's encroachment on the surrounding sea areas, thus establishing the great name of the Sea of ​​Ten Thousand Corpses.

However, half a century has passed, and the fangs of the Great Sage Who Overturns the Seas have been revealed. This time, he demands that the Three Corpses completely separate and that the religion be abolished.

When they lived together on Three Corpse Island, Gu Chen was the leader, with Wu Lao and Cui Ying as the left and right vice leaders, respectively. All three carried considerable influence and each led their own faction and faction. This made it easier for the Great Sage of the Overturning Sea to dismantle the Three Corpse Sect. With a single command, the Three Corpse Sect split up, its manpower essentially divided into three, completely separating them.

The Great Sage of the Overturning Sea ordered Gu Chen's lineage to remain on the original Three Corpse Island and renamed it Earth Yin Island; Wu Lao was sent to Stone Forest Island and renamed it Fire Dragon Island; Cui Ying was sent to Shell Leaf Island and renamed it Long Qingdao Island.

Of course, the Demon Saint didn't just use the stick; he also offered sweet treats.

Gu Chen was bestowed the title of "King of Yin." At the same time, the Great Sage Overturning the Sea renamed the "Sea of ​​Ten Thousand Corpses," which had been destroyed by the Three Corpses, to "Sea of ​​Absolute Yang," and made it all Gu Chen's property. Furthermore, the Demon Saint fully supported Gu Chen's efforts to reclaim land from the sea and expand his islands, even assisting in the management of the underwater mountain ranges, providing him with whatever manpower and resources he needed, so that Gu Chen could quickly reunite with the Dao and stabilize his realm.

Furthermore, Wu Lao was bestowed the title of "King of Li" and granted the title of "Li Huo Hai" (Sea of ​​Li Fire), while Cui Ying was bestowed the title of "King of Qing" and granted the title of "Chang Qing Hai" (Sea of ​​Everlasting Azure). Moreover, the Demon Saint promised the two Corpse Kings that they could freely expand their territory to the surrounding seas, using Fire Dragon Island and Chang Qing Island as their core. The extent of their conquered territories would determine the size of "Li Huo Hai" and "Chang Qing Hai," and he would not interfere. He also guaranteed that the Corpse King and Demon King would receive absolutely equal treatment in the Cang Hai Sea, showing no favoritism and granting them maximum autonomy within their respective seas.

With the Demon Saint's arrangement, the Three Corpses had nothing to say.

However, this meant that the Three Corpses could only rule the seas and be kings from then on, and could no longer establish a sect or become its founders. The Three Corpses Island, the Three Corpses Sect, the Sea of ​​Ten Thousand Corpses, and even all marks related to the word "corpse," such as the Demon Corpse, the Crimson Corpse, and the Glamorous Corpse, all disappeared from the Azure Sea. It was as if the Azure Sea had only gained three more demon kings.

Currently, the Lihuo Sea is still quite small, consisting only of a few scattered islands around Huolong Island. However, the Lihuo Sea's maritime territory is rapidly expanding, and the inclusion of the Huangliu Island waters this time is a significant step forward.

As for how the Three Corpses govern their respective sea territories after the division, the Demon Saint indeed refrained from interfering. Therefore, to this day, the Three Corpses are still managing according to the original Three Corpses Sect's structure.

Unlike the long-standing system of bestowing titles and offerings by the maritime demonic sects, the Three Corpses Sect has always retained the traditions of land-based sects. The sect has a clear structure and hierarchy. Although it is still far inferior to the major sects on land, it is already somewhat complicated at sea.

Taking Fire Dragon Island as an example, under King Wu Lao, it is divided into three academies: the Protectorate, the Managerate, and the Elders' Academy. The Protectorate is in charge of external martial arts affairs, the Managerate is in charge of internal affairs, and the Elders' Academy supports some idle people who do not want to be restrained but have some skills.

Fire Dragon Island has now divided the Protectorate into four guards, each guard's leader also called a Protector. So the Protectorate currently has a total of four Protectors, with the Grand Protector Wei Liyang at the head, and Tang Yusheng ranking third, leading the Funiu Guard.

Each guard unit has its own team, divided into three halls: the Tomb Raiders, the Attendants, and the True Yin Hall. The names of these three halls are very straightforward, making them easy to remember.

The Faqiu Hall, as the name suggests, is engaged in the business of excavating graves. The Three Corpses Sect has grown so powerful in just over thirty years, not simply because of the followers from all directions. The Three Corpses established the Faqiu Hall, teaching them the arts of observing qi and smelling corpses, and specifically sent them to dig up graves on land, exhuming coffins that are prone to reanimation.

In recent years, vigilance has been heightened on land. Righteous disciples, equally skilled in astral reading, have been lying in wait at strategically important locations, specifically to ambush members of the Faqiu Hall. Therefore, these individuals have gradually reduced their presence on land and have recently begun turning their attention to the sea, diving to search islands and excavating ancient corpses.

The term "Hucong Hall" refers to the attendants of the Yin Clan's walking corpses, which is the hall where corpse raisers enter.

The corpses brought back by the Tomb Raiders Hall were either already transformed into zombies but had not yet developed sentience, or newly developed but still dazed and confused walking corpses. Both types of corpses had difficulty even moving, let alone cultivating. Therefore, it was necessary to have someone skilled in corpse-raising techniques to guide them; this would greatly accelerate the walking corpses' cultivation and ensure their safety.

Here's the interesting part: human sects practice corpse-raising techniques, calling the corpses they raise "corpse friends," "corpse servants," "corpse puppets," and "corpse slaves," among other names. In the Yin Clan sects, those who practice corpse-raising techniques are called "corpse attendants."

As for the True Yin Hall, only the Yin Clan of the dead can enter, and it holds the highest status among the three halls.

The tomb raiders searched for corpses and their entourage nurtured them. Once the corpse was complete, it was sent to the true underworld, where secret methods were imparted to prepare it for promotion.

This is the most basic rule governing the operation of the Three Corpses Cult.

These three halls each have a hall master, whose disciples are further divided into true disciples and nominal disciples.

The hierarchy of the Council of Affairs is basically the same as that of the Council of Protectors, only the names are different. As for the Council of Elders, there are not many people in it, only one Grand Elder as the head, and no hierarchy among the subordinates. At present, it is still in a very disorganized state. Basically, the Council of Protectors will only ask the Council of Elders for help when they encounter a difficult situation.

So this is roughly how the internal organization of Fire Dragon Island works. The islands and aquatic creatures throughout the Fire Sea are also under the control of the heads of various departments. For example, Huang Laosan is currently a newly promoted head of the Department of Affairs, responsible for managing the sulfur harvesting in the Yellow Sulfur Island area.

However, after personally experiencing the maritime enfeoffment and tribute system represented by Daduhai and the land-based academy and guard system represented by Lihuohai, Cheng Xinzhan had to admit that the enfeoffment system was indeed more suitable for the sea.

Because the sea is too vast, and the spiritual islands, spiritual eyes, and spiritual springs in the sea are ultimately few and extremely scattered, it would be too much trouble to manage them using the same methods as land-based sects. The academy system is more suitable for the densely populated blessed lands and grotto-heavens on land.

Even in the Yellow Sea, Qingyang Dragon Lord, though born a land dragon and influenced by Taoism, still governed the Yellow Sea using a feudal system.

Perhaps the Great Sage Who Overturns the Seas saw through this, which is why he didn't interfere in the management of the Three Corpses' Sea Territory. He knew that given enough time, the Three Corpses would naturally recognize the difference between the sea and the land, and would naturally be assimilated by the sea's atmosphere.

However, at present, Cheng Xinzhan and Kong Jufu are still two true disciples of the Fire Dragon Island—Protective Court—Funiu Guard—Hucong Hall. Today is the day they officially enter the sect and pay their respects to the hall master.

The two traversed the Funiu Mountains and soon found the entrance to the Hucong Hall. It was a vast palace complex, but most of the buildings were dark blue-black, and the decorative patterns were rather eerie and strange, making it look like a huge above-ground tomb.

There are quite a few people here, and quite a few corpses as well. It is worth mentioning that the corpse raisers in the Hu Cong Hall are not only people, but also corpses, and in considerable proportion, because the leader of the Fire Dragon Sect, the Crimson Corpse God, is skilled in raising corpses.

Today is the registration day for the Attendant Hall. It's not just the two of them who have come; there are also rogue cultivators and walking corpses who have come from land or sea over this period of time, lining up to register their names.

The two entered, asked several passersby for directions, and after several twists and turns, they saw a long queue and joined the end of the line.

The line was very quiet, and no one in line seemed inclined to talk; they just stood there silently, waiting. After quite a while, it was finally Cheng Xinzhan's turn.

Cheng Xinzhan entered the room and saw a person sitting behind the table. He knew that this was his hall master, Qi Xiuyuan.

"What's your name? Where are you from?"

The hall master appeared to be a rather thin old man, seemingly in his sixties or seventies. His beard, hair, and eyebrows were all gone, and when he opened his mouth to speak, Cheng Xinzhan noticed he had also lost all his teeth—quite strange. Although the old man was a demonic cult corpse, his face was surprisingly kind, and he smiled as he looked at Cheng Xinzhan. Although this person didn't have exposed corpse teeth, Cheng Xinzhan, relying on his familiarity with corpse energy and his Azure Eyes of Truth, easily discerned that the person before him was actually a third-realm walking corpse, with a cultivation level of approximately one or two washes.

"Greetings, Master. I am Lai Youde, a surrendered man from Huangliu Island."

Cheng Xinzhan bowed in response.

"You're Lai Youde?"

The old master's eyes lit up, and his smile became even more amiable.

"It's my subordinate."

Cheng Xinzhan answered.

"Alright, alright, General Tang has already told me to take care of you."

The old master picked up his pen and began writing in a booklet, while asking,

"You should know what our Attendant Hall does. Each person must raise at least one corpse. The more corpses you raise, the faster the intelligence and realm of the Yin Corpse grow, the greater your merit and the more rewards you will receive."

The old hall master glanced at the coffin behind Cheng Xinzhan and continued...
"I heard from the general that you are skilled in the art of raising corpses and possess a walking corpse. According to the rules, this walking corpse you possess is now a disciple of the sect. If you release it, I will register its name. Also, would you like to continue raising Yin corpses?"

Cheng Xinzhan looked embarrassed upon hearing this and whispered,

"Master, please forgive me, but actually, I no longer have any zombies on me."

"Oh? What's going on?"

Cheng Xinzhan smiled bitterly.

"Master, I wonder if you are aware that before Huangliu Island was incorporated into Lihuo Sea, our Huangliu Island had a poor relationship with Qinghao Island, which was also in Dadu Sea?"

"Have heard a little bit."

The old master said.

Cheng Xinzhan then continued,
"Actually, when the general was conquering Huangliu Island, Qinghao Island was also harassing us. Just two days before we submitted to Huolong Island, Qinghao Island came to cause trouble for us again. During that battle, my subordinate's walking corpse was gone, but I myself managed to escape with my life. However, no one saw this, and my subordinate did not want others to know, so I kept it a secret."

Cheng Xinzhan told a lie. He killed Lai Youde, and the walking corpse of Lai Youde was cultivated from scratch by this demon. He could deceive everyone else, but he could not deceive this walking corpse. Therefore, he did not leave any walking corpse when he killed Lai Youde.

The old hall master nodded upon hearing this and then said,
"Human nature."

Then he asked,

"So, how many new Yin Corpses are you planning to adopt now?"

After hearing this, Cheng Xinzhan asked in return,
"I wonder what the maximum amount I can receive is?"

The old hall master was surprised to hear this, and looked at Cheng Xinzhan, saying...

"There are no restrictions on that, but I didn't finish my sentence. Once you take over the corpse, you have to raise it well. If the Yin Corpse grows too slowly, you will be punished. Also, if the Yin Corpse doesn't perish in a sect-approved battle, and it happens too often, you will also be punished."

Cheng Xinzhan smiled. He could tell that this old hall master was not bad; he spoke slowly and calmly, and there was no bloodthirsty aura about him, so he didn't seem like someone who had been in the Demon Cave for a long time. He guessed that he was probably a wandering cultivator from the land who had come to seek refuge, and that he hadn't been there long. He smiled and said...
"Reporting to the Hall Master, I was originally a member of the Xiangxi Lu Gang. I consider myself quite skilled in corpse raising and have some talent. Before, on land, I was unable to raise many due to gang rules. Later, when I joined Huangliu Island, there were no good corpses to raise either. Now, I have finally become a disciple of our Fire Dragon Island Attendant Hall and entered the Yin Family Holy Land. I can't help but want to raise more Yin corpses, which can be considered as contributing to the Hall Master, the General, and the Divine Lord."

The old hall master laughed heartily upon hearing this.

"Hahaha, alright, alright, then you wait outside first. After the name registration is complete, I will personally take you to the corpse house of the Faqiu Hall to choose a corpse!"

Cheng Xinzhan clasped his hands in agreement.

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Each guard has its own corpse storage. Most of the corpses in the corpse storage are found by the guard's tomb raiding hall, or by the guard's disciples who happen to obtain good corpses and send them over. There is a reward for sending a corpse into the storage.

Another source is the bestowal from above. Here, "above" naturally refers only to the Crimson Corpse and the Demon Corpse. These two powerful beings are skilled at finding corpses, and after killing an enemy, they habitually process the enemy's body into a fine corpse for future use; the Crimson Corpse is particularly adept at this.

Therefore, sometimes, when these two accumulate too many corpses, they will bestow some good corpses upon them, placing them in the Corpse House, where they will be adopted and raised by the people of the Escort Hall. After being raised, they will enter the True Yin Hall to cultivate secret techniques and become a top-tier combatant.

After the old hall master finished registering the people who had joined the Hucong Hall during this period, he personally led Cheng Xinzhan to the corpse house located in the Faqiu Hall.

The old master had a good relationship with the Faqiu Hall. After exchanging greetings, he led Cheng Xinzhan through the tunnel to the underground of Funiu Hill without needing anyone to accompany or guide him.

There was someone on guard in front of the corpse house, which surprised Cheng Xinzhan. The guard was also a Yin Corpse, but he actually had the cultivation of the Golden Core Stage 3. The old hall master introduced him, saying that he was from the Elder Council, had a reclusive personality, and usually guarded the corpse house and was unwilling to go out.

After verifying their identities, the old hall master led Cheng Xinzhan inside.

The house was somewhat cold and eerie, with white fluorite used as lamps, and it was built like an underground mansion.

The old hall master explained,

"Our Funiu Guard's Corpse House is divided into four sections. The corpses in the first to third sections represent the limits of their future achievements. For example, a corpse in the first section, after developing intelligence, will most likely only reach the first realm in cultivation, while a corpse in the third section means that it may become a third-realm corpse cultivator in the future. The Faqiu Hall has specialized coroners who examine corpses. Before a corpse is sent to the Corpse House, it is examined by the coroner. Moreover, it is not only to assess the potential of the corpse, but also because many young Faqiu disciples bring back corpses that are not even considered walking corpses and cannot enter the Corpse House."

Cheng Xinzhan nodded. Of course, not every corpse could turn into a walking corpse. Generally speaking, in terms of ease of birth and group size, Yin Ghosts are the easiest to be born, and ghosts are also the most numerous among the Yin race, followed by Yin Corpses, and then Yin Bones.

Basically, only the corpses of high-level cultivators are prone to turning into zombies. However, the higher the level of a cultivator, the more carefully they will arrange their affairs before death, whether it's ascension to immortality or rainbow body transformation. In addition, they also have the care of their sect, so the possibility of turning into a zombie is almost non-existent. Unless they are outside the mountains, or wandering cultivators, and suddenly encounter a major change, such as being ambushed and killed or suffering a qi deviation.

However, the probability of such an event is very small, therefore, Gao Xiu's corpse is not common to begin with.

The lower one's cultivation level, the lower the possibility of becoming a zombie. As for mortals, unless their resentment is too great, or the place of burial is too filled with evil energy, and they also need some good fortune from heaven and earth, it is possible for them to become zombies and turn into walking corpses.

Therefore, working in the tomb raiding hall was not an easy task.

"And what about the fourth entry?"

Cheng Xinzhan asked.

The old hall master then replied,
"Inside are all strange corpses, of high or low origin, or even of unknown origin. A few were found by the Tomb Raiders Hall from all over the world, but most were bestowed by the Divine Lord and the King of the Underworld. It is difficult to judge the cultivation limit of the corpses in the fourth courtyard, but it is certain that it is difficult for them to develop intelligence."

"As a true disciple who has reached the second realm of perfection, according to the rules, you can choose any Yin Corpse from the first and second realms, and there is no limit to the number. You can also choose from the Yin Corpses from the third and fourth realms, but you can only take one Yin Corpse from each of these two realms at most. However, if you raise the Yin Corpses from the third and fourth realms to have intelligence, you can come in and continue to collect corpses."

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(End of this chapter)