Hunyuan Immortal Sect

Chapter 396 Exploring the Way Home
In the desolate mountains and forests, Song Xian descended in a flash of light, the eerie green bead in his hand still continuously absorbing the power contained within the ghost's crystal core.

For three whole days, he observed the eerie green bead until it absorbed the ghostly crystal core. Its surface remained unchanged, except that the intricate patterns that resembled swimming fish stopped moving, and the light emitted by the bead disappeared.

The ghostly crystal core that had been drained was originally black, shiny, and bright, but now it not only lost its luster, but also looked wrinkled and pale.

Like a person whose vitality has been drained, he went from a strong man to a withered old man. With a little force, Song Xian squeezed the ghost crystal core, which turned into a pile of powder like a pile of white flour. With a gust of wind, it scattered into powder.

He channeled his spiritual energy into the bead, but as before, there was no reaction. He also probed the bead's internal structure with his divine sense, but received no response.

It seemed like just an ordinary glass bead. If it weren't for the coincidence that this bead absorbed the crystal core of the ghost, Song Xian would never have discovered its secret in his entire life.

What exactly is it used for? He pinched the eerie green bead between two fingers, examining it carefully, but he couldn't find anything different about it after absorbing the ghost's crystal core.

His mind raced. The black crystal core was the crystallization of a ghost's cultivation, containing a vast amount of Yin energy. This bead must be absorbing Yin energy.

In that case, could we simply find something containing yin energy and let it absorb it?

Furthermore, if this bead can absorb the crystal cores of ghosts, what about low-level ghosts? Although they don't have crystal cores, can we directly absorb their yin energy?
……

After putting the bead into his pocket, Song Xian left the area and headed towards the cave he had just left.

Before he even got there, he saw several ghostly figures below. He was looking for these low-level ghosts to test the bead's effectiveness, so he used his escape light to head straight for them and attacked them without saying a word.

With just one Flame Meteor spell, several ghostly figures were destroyed, and the thick black aura surrounding them dissipated.

Song Xian took out the emerald green bead and went into the dissipating black mist, but the bead did not change at all.

He then came to a ghostly figure that was severely injured but not quite dead; this was one he had deliberately left alive.

He first asked the ghost a question to see if it could understand him. Obviously, the ghost did not know what he meant, and only the empty flames in its eyes flickered a few times.

These ghostly figures were originally minotaurs who had cultivated themselves. Strangely, minotaurs could communicate with language, but the ghostly figures could not.

Song Xian had observed many ghosts and discovered that they could communicate with each other in a strange way. It seemed that they could transmit their consciousness directly into each other's minds through the flames flashing between their eyes, somewhat similar to the divine sense transmission technique of a Nascent Soul level cultivator.

Seeing that he couldn't communicate with the ghost directly, Song Xian placed the eerie green bead in front of it again, but there was still no reaction. So he gave the ghost a quick death.

As the black aura surrounding it dissipated, the skeleton of a minotaur was revealed; its flesh and blood had vanished, leaving only the skeleton.

It seems the bead cannot absorb the power within low-level ghosts.

Song Xian rose into the air and continued towards the cave. When he arrived there, he encountered a ghost general emerging from within.

It turned out that there was more than one ghost general guarding the city. Fortunately, he did not cause any trouble within the city's barrier, otherwise, being trapped inside would have been disastrous.

It is unclear whether this ghost general was there to perform the sacrificial ceremony or to investigate the whereabouts of the ghost general he killed.

After waiting for a while, the ghost general gave some orders to the ghosts guarding the cave. The ghosts then split into several teams and went in different directions. The ghost general also turned into a black whirlwind and headed towards the city.

Song Xian did not chase after the ghost general. Although killing the ghost general would allow him to 'feed' the crystal core to the green bead, it was clearly not worth the risk.

The ghost general was at least at the Foundation Establishment stage, and he wasn't absolutely certain he could defeat him. Besides, the dark green bead hadn't changed after consuming the ghost's crystal core.

If he doesn't know its purpose, why would he take the risk?

Killing one ghost general has already attracted another. If we kill another one, we might even attract a Core Formation stage ghost king.

The fact that the emerald bead could devour the crystal core of the ghost was an unexpected bonus, but it couldn't help him escape his current predicament.

The most important thing now is to find a way back to the South China Sea.

Seeing that the ghost general had completely left, he sneaked into the cave. Inside, there was a building that looked like a magic array, and on the array altar, there was a huge pattern.

Those were eerie eyes, carved with lifelike detail, their pupils blood red, occupying most of the eye sockets.

The eye pattern is surrounded by dense, blood-red lines that resemble ghostly scribbles.

Around the altar, there are many stone pillars of different colors, and many strange and scribbled patterns are engraved on them.

When Song Xian sneaked in last time, he didn't pay much attention to the situation in the inner room. Now, seeing the strange blood-red eyes engraved on the altar, he became even more curious.

Although I don't understand what these ghosts are doing with this magic array, the fact that the ghost general is here shows that they must value this thing very much.

It's just unclear why they would build such a thing outside the city instead of inside. Judging from the previous actions of those ghosts, it seems they were worshipping this altar.

Song Xian looked at the eerie blood-red eyes engraved on the altar and felt a vague sense of familiarity, as if he had seen them somewhere before.

The cave was empty, except for the magic circle and some items that looked like they were used for rituals.

He returned only to look for some clues, since so many ghosts had gathered there, and even the ghost general had come in person, which showed that it was an important location for them.

Finding no clues about the deep-sea whale or its return to the South China Sea, they quietly left the area.

The world was vast and boundless. High in the sky, the blood moon had already risen. Song Xian stared blankly at this strange and unfamiliar world, a feeling of loneliness and helplessness welling up in his heart.

He truly didn't know what to do. He had killed that ghost general, and now the ghost city must be under heavy guard. If he were to return to the city's protective barrier, the risk would be too great.

There is more than one ghost general in that city. If we are besieged, our lives will be in danger!

After much deliberation, he decided to continue exploring the island to the west, and so he took off on a beam of light.

.........

Under a clear blue sky, in the spacious and bright main hall of Bianxi City, Luoyun Mountain, a slender man entered from outside.

Upon his arrival, Zhang Yanqing, who was waiting inside, rose and bowed, addressing him as Senior Brother Fan. This man was none other than Fan Cheng, the Deputy Hall Master of the Personnel Hall. As one of the few remaining elders of the Qingyun Sect who had initially joined the sect, he was promoted to Deputy Hall Master by Song Xian after returning to Bianxi City.

Fan Chengxing took his seat at the head of the table and waved his hand, gesturing for him to sit as well. “Junior Brother Zhang, I’ve summoned you here today to inform you of something. The sect has decided to cancel the array flag refining industry, so you no longer need to worry about it.”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yanqing's expression changed slightly. He had vaguely guessed that the reason for his sudden summons was this matter.

These days, he keeps traveling back and forth to Tianshan, hoping to climb up to Hu Xiaobao in order to preserve this industry.

For this reason, he spared no expense, giving a gift of nearly ten thousand spirit stones. Just a few days ago, he finally received a personal promise from Hu Xiaobao that he would put in a good word for them after understanding the situation.

Unexpectedly, just a few days later, they were summoned and formally notified to cancel the business.

He was furious to receive such a result after sending out a large amount of spirit stones.

It's unclear whether Hu Xiaobao tricked him or Lu Yuan simply didn't take his words seriously.

"The Sect Leader personally agreed to let us take charge of the array pole refining industry. Senior Brother Fan, whose decision was it to cancel this industry? Does the Sect Leader know about this?" Zhang Yanqing stared at him with a livid face and questioned him.

"This is the cabinet's decision," Fan Cheng said, his expression remaining calm.

"why?"

"You are in charge of the flag manufacturing industry, which has been losing money for years. The cabinet's decision to cancel it is not targeted at you, but is just an adjustment based on revenue."

"Adjustment? I heard that the sect is going to add a flag industry and make the flags independently in the future. Why are they canceling the flagpole making that we are responsible for? Do they think we are outsiders and don't want us to participate?"

"I don't know where Junior Brother Zhang got this news, but I haven't received any notification about it. If this is true, the sect will definitely consider your situation and rearrange things."

Zhang Yanqing suddenly stood up: "I'm going to find the sect leader."

Fan Cheng's expression instantly turned cold, and he gave him a cold look: "I advise you not to do this. Let me tell you the truth! The sect has clear regulations that the operation of all industries below 20,000 spirit stones is decided by the inner cabinet itself, without needing to consult the sect leader. The sect leader will not interfere with the inner cabinet's decisions. Going to the sect leader to make trouble will not do you any good."

Zhang Yanqing snorted coldly and turned to leave. At this moment, a fat man with big ears walked in. It was Yu Lian, the deputy hall master of the Internal Affairs Hall. He glanced at Zhang Yanqing and greeted Fan Cheng with a smile: "Junior Brother Fan, I have something to discuss with you."

"What is it, Senior Brother Yu?" Fan Cheng was a little puzzled, wondering why he had come here directly. This was the Human Affairs Hall, and generally speaking, outsiders had to announce their presence before entering, especially since he was dealing with official business. Even if the two were good friends, he couldn't just barge in like that.

"Regarding the array pole forging industry, Junior Brother Zhang Yanqing will continue to be in charge. I know you are discussing this matter with Junior Brother Zhang, so I came to inform you."

"What?" Fan Cheng looked surprised. "Senior Brother Yu, are you sure? Canceling the array pole refining industry is a decision made by the Cabinet."

"I know, but this matter is still open to discussion."

"Discuss?" Fan Cheng glanced at Zhang Yanqing, seeing his overjoyed expression, and became even more puzzled: "What exactly is going on, Senior Brother Yu?"

Yu Lian did not respond, but turned to Zhang Yanqing with a smile: "Junior Brother Zhang, you go first! As for the array pole refining industry, everything is as usual for now. If there are any new developments, the sect will notify you."

"Alright, then I'll take my leave." Knowing that Hu Xiaobao must have put in the effort, Zhang Yanqing's anger turned to joy, and he left in response.

“The current sect leader is not at the mountain gate. Without Senior Brother Lu’s approval, who can change the cabinet’s decision? Senior Brother Yu, whose orders are you following?” Fan Cheng asked impatiently as he watched him leave.

"It was the intention of my Martial Aunt Su Zhirou."

"How could she?" Fan Cheng was even more surprised. Su Zhirou never paid attention to sect affairs, so why would she specifically order the cabinet to change its decision for such a trivial matter?

“I don’t know the specifics either. Perhaps someone pleaded on her behalf. She thought the flagpole forging was the responsibility of the Internal Affairs Hall. Since Senior Brother Qi wasn’t at the mountain gate today, he summoned me. After clarifying the situation, he instructed that the project should not be canceled and should still be handled by the original Qingxuan Sect. I knew you summoned Zhang Yanqing, so I came here to avoid any misunderstandings.”

"Does Senior Brother Lu know about this?"

"I don't know yet, I'll let him know later."

Fan Cheng frowned: "How can the cabinet's decision be changed so easily? Senior Brother Yu, didn't you try to persuade her?"

"Hey! It's just a small matter, why take it so seriously? I believe Senior Brother Lu won't say anything after he finds out."

Fan Cheng frowned even more: "It's not a matter of the size of the matter. If the cabinet's decisions can be changed at will, what prestige will it have? How will it manage the sect's affairs in the future? Even the sect leader won't easily interfere with matters decided by the cabinet. Although she is a sect elder, according to the sect's rules, she has no right to change the cabinet's decisions. Senior Brother Yu, you should advise her against it."

Yu Lian's smile faded, and his expression turned serious: "Junior Brother Fan, this is only between you and me. Don't tell anyone else. Don't forget, Martial Aunt Su Zhirou is not only an elder of the sect, but also in charge of all affairs in Bianxi City. Just because she doesn't usually interfere doesn't mean she doesn't have the right to. Besides, do you think the sect leader wouldn't support what she wants to do?"

Fan Cheng was speechless. After a moment of silence, he said, "Why is she suddenly getting involved in such a trivial matter? Who exactly is pleading on her behalf? Does Senior Brother Yu know?"

Yu Lian smiled and shook his head: "Junior Brother Fan, you are really stubborn. Does it really matter who pleads for you? Why do you have to dig into it? Whoever it is, it has nothing to do with us. We should mind our own business and not meddle in things that are not our concern. It won't do us any good. Alright, I'm going to find Senior Brother Lu."

.........

Dark clouds obscured the moon, and the sea was turbulent, with waves crashing against the cliffs.

In the distance, a group of minotaurs were singing, dancing, and howling around a campfire, as if they were holding some kind of celebration ceremony.

Beside the campfire, there were baskets of various kinds of fish. After the minotaurs finished dancing and singing, they skewered the fish in the bamboo baskets with wooden sticks and placed them on the fire to roast. Just as they were enjoying their meal, a figure suddenly appeared beside them. It was none other than Song Xian.

The beastmen who were gnawing on fish cried out in alarm when they saw him. Before they could do anything, Song Xian unleashed his immense spiritual power, and more than a dozen beastmen collapsed and fainted, leaving only the leader of the beastmen in the middle unharmed.

Upon seeing this, the unharmed orc was terrified and knelt down repeatedly, begging for mercy.

Song Xian ignored it and took out a plump fish from the bamboo basket.

The fish was two feet long, with a bluish-green body, a white tail, and a golden head. Its body was covered with patterns resembling peony flowers, making it look like sashimi.

Song Xian looked at the fish, his eyes revealing an undisguised joy.

He was not pleased by the fish's plumpness and appearance, nor was he tempted by its delicious taste.

He was happy because he recognized the fish.

This was the only thing he recognized in this world. The fish was called the Three-Colored Peony Fish, a specialty fish of the Muhe Grassland.

(End of this chapter)