Shushan Earthly Immortal

Chapter 360 Fairy Maiden of Wuxi, Shooting the Lonely Seed of the Demon Realm (5.1K words, requesting monthly votes at the beginning of the month~)

The sound was like rolling thunder, spreading throughout the four seas.

Cheng Xinzhan stopped and listened attentively, not missing a single word.

Once the thunder subsided, he resumed his steps.

one two three,……

He counted silently, and before he had taken ten steps, he heard a buzzing sound, and the entire Fire Dragon Island resounded with a drumming noise like the chirping of cicadas in midsummer, as if it were about to overturn the island.

He smiled slightly, and with another step, he rose into the air and flew towards his cave.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Back in the cave, Cheng Xinzhan released the two newly acquired corpses.

He first looked at the female corpse. It was a living corpse, and once unsealed, it possessed the combat power of the third realm. Moreover, it was a third-realm sword cultivator who required the personal intervention of the Grand Elder of the Elder Council to subdue.

Without any hesitation, Cheng Xinzhan stepped forward and removed the corpse-locking talisman from the woman's forehead.

The moment he peeled off the talisman, the female corpse immediately opened her eyes and looked at Cheng Xinzhan.

Her eyes were as white as snow.

"Zheng!"

Immediately following was a clear, resonant sword cry.

The long sword at the woman's waist suddenly unsheathed, transforming into a streak of blue and white light that swept towards Cheng Xinzhan's head.

"Go!"

Cheng Xinzhan pointed at the sword light and chanted a spell. Immediately, five-colored light burst forth from his fingertips, condensing into a circle that encircled the flying ribbon.

Then, a series of clanging sounds rang out from the cave, and divine light shone everywhere.

The Yin-Yang Five Elements binding tightened continuously, forcing the sword light to reveal its true form: a longsword with a green sheath and a snow-white blade.

However, the longsword was clearly unwilling to surrender. A dazzling, cold light emanated from its blade as it attempted to sever the spirit band, illuminating the cave brightly in the process. Furthermore, the longsword continued its relentless thrusting, rubbing against the spirit band and emitting a piercing shriek.

"Fellow Daoist, please calm down and hear me out."

Cheng Xinzhan said.

The female corpse looked at Cheng Xinzhan, at his Fire Dragon Cult attire, then at herself, covered in corpse-locking talismans, unable to move her limbs, her entire magical power locked away. She then glanced at the Pure Five Elements Light that had imprisoned the flying sword, her delicate brows furrowing slightly as she spoke.

"who are you?"

At the same time, the long sword in the air also stopped, but it was not sheathed.

Seeing this, Cheng Xinzhan voluntarily dispersed the Yin-Yang Five Elements Entanglement before speaking.
"I am not a member of the demonic sect as you think, fellow Daoist."

"An undercover agent? How can you prove it?"

The female corpse's path.

Cheng Xinzhan did not answer immediately, but instead asked a question in return.
"And who are you, fellow Daoist? You have been suppressed by the demonic sect and imprisoned in the Corpse House. I only know that you have a grudge against the Three Corpses Sect, but I do not know your background."

The female corpse spoke without any restraint.
“A native of Yixian County, Qingzhou, a reclusive cultivator in the countryside.”

"Yixian County?"

Cheng Xinzhan's expression changed, and she exclaimed in surprise,
"Are you He Xiangu from Wuxi Mountain in Yixian County?"

Now it was the female corpse's turn to change her expression. She looked at Cheng Xinzhan in astonishment.
"Who exactly are you, and how do you know my identity?"

Upon hearing the female corpse's reply, Cheng Xinzhan immediately smiled, recalling an event from over forty years ago—it must have been the 426th year of the Ming Dynasty, his third year as a disciple, when he and his master, Jianxian, came to Mount Huang and, under Zhou Qingyun's guidance, searched for the Yin-transformation veins around Mount Huang:
Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Huangshan truly deserves its reputation as a wonder of the world. Fellow Daoist Qingyun, look over there, another magnificent mountain. Its shape resembles a tortoise raising its head and a black snake coiling its body. The mountain is full and rounded, descending gently from the high ridge, like a curtain bowing down. The lines of the ridge are smooth as waves, without any jagged or abrupt features, or steep and dangerous breaks. This is called 'Xuanwu Bowing its Head,' or 'Xuanwu Leaning Against the Mountain.'"

"Look at the foot of that mountain. The mountain slopes down, forming a hollow under the chin of the Black Tortoise. It is slightly raised on all sides and flat in the center, which is exactly the place where the wind is 'hidden in a crouch.' If you settle down here and build a hermitage for cultivation, the spiritual energy from all directions will become peaceful and gentle after being guided by the mountain's shape, making it more suitable for beginners who are just beginning to learn Qi cultivation. If you are buried here and a burial site is chosen here, your descendants will be blessed with prosperity and the family business will be passed down in an orderly manner."

"However, you must carefully observe the back and head of the Black Tortoise. If the mountain is steep and upright, and the Black Tortoise stands with its back straight and head held high, then the mountain becomes a 'Black Tortoise Rejects Corpses,' where neither the living nor the dead can remain."

Cheng Xinzhan pointed to a mountain path.

Zhou Qingyun looked at the mountain. She had grown up in Huangshan and had seen countless strange rocks, some of which resembled birds or beasts as if they were carved by man, lifelike. But she had never looked at a mountain or a ridge from such a distance, imagining them as dragons, tigers, phoenixes, or turtles.

But after he pointed and said that, the rounded mountain in the distance really did look like a drooping tortoise, which was truly amazing.

As she listened to his eloquent speech, she turned her head to look at him, and, struck by his youth, asked,
"Fellow Daoist Xinzhan, you know so much, how long have you been cultivating the Dao?"

"I am but a drop in the ocean, how dare I claim to be much? I became a disciple of your master two years ago, and this is my third year of cultivation."

Cheng Xinzhan replied.

Zhou Qingyun was taken aback. Only three years?

Where is Fellow Daoist Qingyun?

Cheng Xinzhan countered with a question.

Zhou Qingyun then answered,
“I went up to Huangshan when I was eight years old, and I have been practicing Taoism for eleven years now.”

Upon hearing this, Cheng Xinzhan turned his gaze from the distance and happened to see a fledgling crane take flight. He couldn't help but say,
"Though the crane's shadow is high on the mountaintop, the clouds are cold and the dew is chilly, unlike the warmth of its nest and the comfort of its feathers."

He looked at Zhou Qingyun and said,

"I'm not afraid of your laughter, fellow Daoist. I sought the Dao at the age of fifteen and only then did I see the celestial scenery. Although I was captivated by the celestial landscape, even now, I often miss my old home in the mortal world and find it hard to sleep at night. Fellow Daoist, you went up the mountain to cultivate the Dao at such a young age, which shows your firm resolve in seeking immortality. I wonder if you have this problem?"

Zhou Qingyun was taken aback when she heard this. In the past, everyone had envied her when they heard that she had gone up the mountain to cultivate at the age of eight, saying that she was very lucky. Today was the first time that someone had asked her if she had any worries about leaving her hometown.

She thought for a moment, then replied in a low voice.
"My mother passed away early, and my father was a wandering knight-errant. Before I was eight years old, I followed my father and wandered the mountains and forests, without a fixed place to live, and I did not know what a warm nest was."

“When I was eight years old, my father traveled to Huangshan and died of a cold. At that time, my master went out to collect herbs. He saw me, an orphan girl, crying alone. He couldn’t bear it, so he took me in as his disciple and treated me as his own daughter. From then on, I lived in Huangshan and learned that my feathers were warm and my nest was cozy.”

At this point, Zhou Qingyun recalled his journey to Western Shu to seek the Dao, having been away from Huangshan, which he considered his home, for three long years, and the fact that he had to change schools and masters. He couldn't help but feel sad and his eyes filled with tears.

Upon seeing this, Cheng Xinzhan was caught off guard, never expecting that his momentary sentimentality would cause the woman to shed tears.

Fortunately, Zhou Qingyun had wandered with her father since childhood and then spent three years cultivating at Mount Shu, so her mind was far from that of an ordinary girl. With just a blink, the tears and sorrow vanished, and she smiled again, saying...
"Fellow Daoist, please continue watching."

As he spoke, he led the way.

After walking several dozen miles, Cheng Xinzhan stopped again, following the energy from the ground, and pointed to a distant hill, asking,

"Fellow Daoist Qingyun, what mountain is that?"

Upon seeing this, Zhou Qingyun said,

"That is Wuxi Mountain in Yixian County, which is also a spur of Huangshan Mountain."

Cheng Xinzhan frowned slightly.
"Why is the yin energy so heavy there? Are there evil spirits causing trouble at the foot of Huangshan Mountain?"

Zhou Qingyun explained,
"It's not a demon. There's a corpse cultivator there, a righteous rogue cultivator who lives in seclusion."

"Has never done anything wrong?"

Zhou Qingyun shook her head.
"No, that senior has already survived five heavenly tribulations. She is a renowned swordsman far and wide, and she is also devoted to good deeds, taking care of the villagers in Yixian County, subduing demons and monsters, and driving away ghosts and beasts. The senior's surname is He, and the people of Yixian County respectfully call her He Xiangu."

Cheng Xinzhan nodded, then withdrew his gaze and continued his search. ————

With his early memories still vivid in his mind, Cheng Xinzhan now knew that Zhou Qingyun's tearful eyes at that time were not due to reminiscing about her childhood wandering life, but because she had already been sent to Emei by Master Canxia and was simply missing her hometown of Huangshan.

Moreover, at that time, he never imagined that one day he would meet the kind-hearted corpse cultivator that Zhou Qingyun had mentioned on the overseas demon island.

However, Cheng Xinzhan still had questions, and he said,

“I’ve heard that Fellow Daoist He was a Fifth-Level Corpse Immortal decades ago. Why was he captured alive by the Grand Elder of Fire Dragon Island? As far as I know, the Grand Elder is a Seventh-Level Immortal, which is certainly high, but he shouldn’t have been captured alive.”

He Xiangu then replied,
"At that time, I had just survived the Sixth Tribulation of the Golden Core, and my vital energy was greatly damaged. My golden core was also damaged, and I was unable to use my supernatural powers and dharma forms."

After answering, the woman repeated herself.
"Fellow Daoist, please tell me your true identity."

Cheng Xinzhan was pleasantly surprised to hear this. It turned out to be a high-level cultivator at the sixth level of the Daoist cultivation, and a righteous Yin Corpse at that. This was exactly the kind of person the Ximing Sect needed when it was first established!
He dispelled the transformation spell, reverting to his original appearance. He formed the Three Pure Ones Mountain Seal with his hands, and a clear light appeared in his palms. Between his three raised fingers, a talisman of light was formed, bearing four characters:
Three gives birth to all things.

He nodded and bowed, saying...

"Greetings, Fellow Daoist. I am Cheng Xinzhan, a Daoist from Sanqing Mountain in Yuzhang. My Ling Mountain is indeed a close neighbor of yours."

He Xiangu looked surprised and said,

"Is the Daoist Master the newly appointed Master of Ten Thousand Laws of the Three Pure Ones Immortal Sect? The Daoist Master Cheng who has enlightened the entire Tianqiao Mountain?"

Cheng Xinzhan was also a little surprised to hear this, as this person had actually heard of him. Then he calculated the time and remembered that it had been more than twenty years since he was appointed Master of Ten Thousand Laws. This person had been captured more than ten years ago, and since Qingzhou and Yuzhang were close by, it was indeed possible that he had heard of him.

So he nodded and said...

"It's Pindao."

Having confirmed her identity, Cheng Xinzhan waved his sleeve, summoning a gust of wind that blew all the talismans off He Xiangu's body.

He Xiangu also sheathed her sword, bowed, and said,

“He Lingfu of Wuxi Mountain greets the Master. I thank the Master for his kindness in relieving my distress.”

Then she added,

"How could a revered master like him submit to such a humiliation?"

Cheng Xinzhan then said,
"It's a long story."

However, Cheng Xinzhan happened to have some free time at this moment, so he recounted the Three Corpses' scourge along the coast and the excavation of corpses everywhere. Then he briefly explained the current situation of the conflict between good and evil in the world, and only then did he say...

"The calamity of demons is worrying. I am ambitious but incompetent. I have the heart to eliminate demons and protect the righteous path, but I lack the ability to sweep away the filth of the world. Therefore, I can only hide in the demon's lair, seek ways to break through from within, and do treacherous things."

He Lingfu smiled upon hearing this.
"Master, you are too modest. The orthodox sects are very careful in accepting disciples. They require that the disciples have a clean background, examine their genealogy, and observe their character. Although it may take generations to achieve success, within the sect, only pure white jade will not attract any flies, and the family business can be passed down for thousands of years."

"On the other hand, the evil sect is easy to enter and easy to leave. Those who come are not traced back to their origins, and those who leave are not questioned. It is also just a formality, without careful examination. Although it can gather thousands in the blink of an eye and suddenly become powerful, tall buildings are easy to build and easy to collapse."

"Therefore, since ancient times, the righteous path has always been the most effective way to eliminate evil, and cooperation from within and without has always been the most effective method. How can it be called treacherous?"

Cheng Xinzhan nodded with a smile.

"Since I am also trapped in the demon's lair, I might as well keep the scripture master company. Is there anything I can do to help with the exorcism?"

He Xiangu said again.

Cheng Xinzhan then said,
"Fellow Daoist is right. The Demonic Sect is easy to enter and easy to leave, and its examinations are merely formalities. Therefore, at this moment, there are not only you and me among the righteous people on the island. Right now, the Three Corpses Sect is fighting fiercely with the overseas demons. What we are doing is taking over high positions, secretly killing the evil demons in the chaos, preserving the good corpses, accumulating strength, and waiting for the right time to act."

"In addition, there is something else that you may not know. Just now, my elder, Tong Xuanxuan, has established a sect in Langshan, Sanxiang, and founded the Yin Corpse Sect. There should be far fewer Yin Corpses coming from the shore to join the Demon Sea."

He Lingfu's eyes lit up upon hearing this.
"Such a good deed?"

Cheng Xinzhan nodded and then said,
"Once the Demon Island is destroyed, you can go to Langshan to take a look. Establishing the orthodox lineage of Yin Corpses is a rare thing in history. Educating the Yin Clan is also facing a shortage of manpower, and we urgently need experts like you. While living a carefree life is certainly comfortable, it is also a great thing to work together on a great cause and make a difference. You can give it a good consideration."

He Lingfu smiled upon hearing this.
"Such a good deed, I must go and see it."

Cheng Xinzhan smiled and agreed, then led He Lingfu to another cave room—his cave dwelling had been renovated after advancing to the third realm, and it was very spacious with many rooms.

"For the foreseeable future, I will have to trouble you to cultivate here."

After saying that, he took out a wooden box and handed it to He Lingfu.
"Fellow Daoist, this is a yin-nourishing substance that can help you recover your vital energy as quickly as possible."

He Lingfu wasn't one to be pretentious; she accepted it without hesitation, saying,
"Since the master has condescended to be here, how can I feel wronged? Moreover, the yin energy here is abundant, so I should be able to recover my strength quickly."

Cheng Xinzhan nodded and then returned to his cave.

After sitting down cross-legged again, he waved his hand, and the corpse-locking talismans that had been blown off He Lingfu flew into his hand. There was a thick stack of them. Looking at the talismans, he suddenly remembered something: how to contact Uncle Bao with his mind.
"Uncle Bao, do you think the Yin Corpses that were captured and sealed in the east wing of the several corpse houses on Fire Dragon Island can be roughly divided into two categories: one is righteous and benevolent corpses like He Lingfu, and the other is land-based demonic corpses that do not submit to the rule of Fire Dragon Island?"

The insect thought for a moment, then said,

"There is another type, which is when the corpse raiser dies and his yin corpse goes mad, unwilling to work for Fire Dragon Island or to recognize a new master. Such corpses will also be sealed and placed in the Yin House, waiting for a destined person to subdue them. Some of these yin corpses are captured from the mainland, and some are disciples on the island. It is difficult to distinguish whether they are benevolent or demonic corpses."

Cheng Xinzhan nodded, and then said,

“In that case, Uncle Bao, tell me first which ones can be basically identified as righteous and benevolent corpses like He Lingfu, only those in the third realm.”

The insect agreed and began to list them one by one.

Cheng Xinzhan listened attentively and took notes, because he suddenly realized that, given the way the demonic path operated, the fact that they were willing to go through all the trouble and expense to refine the Corpse-Locking Talisman, and even risk the chaos caused by the escape of the Yin Corpses, in order to seal and imprison these high-level Yin Corpses in the hope of subduing them, meant that they must have their eyes on the strength and potential of these Yin Corpses.

Cultivating as a Yin Corpse is not easy. Opening the mind is difficult, cultivating is difficult, and transcending tribulations is even more difficult. If the Three Corpses truly have a grand ambition, they should first establish a Corpse Kingdom like Mount Beiman. Then, high-level Corpse Cultivators would certainly not be willing to kill them easily.

But now, the guardians of each corpse house are all our own people. So as long as we communicate in advance, when the time comes, we can release all the righteous and benevolent corpses in the corpse houses, which would be a tremendous help.

The Three Corpses' idea is actually quite good. Given enough time, if they truly build a formidable corpse kingdom at sea, many benevolent corpses will likely submit. This is because the benevolent corpses on land are mostly from unorthodox sects or are independent cultivators, lacking the long-term guidance and sense of belonging of a sect. They are very likely to join this land-based, interconnected corpse kingdom.

The plan for claiming corpses devised by the Three Corpses was sound: the head of the hall had to approve it, one corpse at a time, and one could only claim the next after waking up one. There were guards at the gate to register the corpses, as well as sniffer dogs to track them. More importantly, they were all within the island's protective array, so nothing could cause a ripple.

However, the Three Corpses could never have imagined that there would be variables like the Ming Dynasty Sect and the Golden Horned Rhinoceros.

While communicating with Shubao telepathically, Cheng Xinzhan also released Sheyu.

This beast is extremely rare and nearly extinct, but its stomach pouch contains the supernatural power of "hiding sand and shooting shadows," which is widely known and has even become a phrase often on people's lips.

This beast can swallow water, then turn it into sand and pebbles inside its belly, and then spit it out—this is the ability to alter the five elements.

And that's not all. This beast is venomous; if it so desires, it can infuse sand with the poisonous energy from its stomach, spitting out a highly toxic substance that can spread for miles like a divine sand magic weapon. And what's most unbelievable is that if this sand falls on a shadow, it can still poison a person!

As long as this beast is in the water, it is virtually invincible in the same realm. Moreover, its attack methods are extremely covert, making it a master of sneak attacks.

However, the great way is impartial, and all extraordinary beasts with exceptional talents are either short-lived or unable to reproduce. This has always been the case throughout history.

The Sheyu were no exception; over the long course of time, their numbers gradually decreased. Now, they have vanished from land, and it is unknown whether they still exist at sea.

Of course, it wasn't just the *Sheyu* (射蜮); in Cheng Xinzhan's hands, the *Heliotropium* (蛍虫) was the same. And if you look at the people around him, there were even more: the *Lüchi* (绿螭), the *Qingqiu* (青虬), and the *Keshuichong* (睡睡虫) were all like this.

Furthermore, it is well known that the resurrected Yin race, such as the walking corpses, although they can live a second life, resume their cultivation path, inherit their previous supernatural powers, and even awaken complete memories of their past lives if they cultivate to the level of ghost immortals, are unable to reproduce. The sole source of the Yin race is the death of living people.

Therefore, even if Cheng Xinzhan now has the Hercules Beetle and the Shooting Jade, he cannot use them to make these endangered strange insects and beasts multiply.

Cheng Xinzhan felt it was a pity, but also felt it was only natural and beyond reproach.

Sensing the intense obsession emanating from the corpse of the demon, Cheng Xinzhan used his magic accordingly, setting up the "Mysterious Netherworld Consciousness" array and the Taiyi Salvation Altar to awaken the Yin Corpse.

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(End of this chapter)