I forge immortality with a pagoda.

The fog was as dark as ink, and shadowy figures swayed all around, mostly staggering, wriggling bodies.

The zombies were no longer human; their bodies were rotten, their bones exposed, and with each step they took, they left filthy trails.

Even more terrifying, many of the corpses were tearing each other apart, making strange "hoarse" noises, like a group of hungry ghosts crawling out of the underworld, wandering aimlessly in this eerie realm.

Shen Yu held his breath and was about to go around when a cold wind suddenly rose from all around, and several shadowy figures emerged from the mist and silently pounced on him.

Those shadowy figures had no physical form, and wherever they passed, even the air seemed to freeze.

Shen Yu's heart skipped a beat, and his hand seals changed rapidly. True Qi surged from his body, transforming into a barrier to protect himself.

The shadowy figures collided with the air barrier and faded by a third, retreating slightly, only to immediately regroup and charge forward one after another.

"We can't afford to waste any more time!" Shen Yu's heart skipped a beat.

He moved with incredible speed and agility, weaving through the horde of corpses and shadows, while secretly drawing the Three Lights Jade from his sleeve, holding it back without releasing it.

After shifting several times, he gradually moved away from the densest part of the horde of corpses. Just as he was about to catch his breath, the mist in front of him suddenly dissipated, revealing a half-collapsed stone pavilion.

Inside the pavilion sat a phantom figure, dressed in white, with a long beard reaching his chest. Though his face was indistinct, a faint, clear light emanated from his body, making him completely out of place in this filthy and eerie realm.

The old Taoist's remnant soul, which had been lying still with its eyes closed as if in a deep sleep, suddenly opened its eyes upon sensing the presence of a living person. However, its eyes were not clear, but rather filled with a turbid and malevolent aura.

"Trespassing on forbidden grounds... punishable by death!"

His voice was hoarse and intermittent. Before he could finish speaking, the old Taoist's remnant soul pointed his finger, and a dim flame appeared out of thin air, rushing straight towards Shen Yu.

Shen Yu was shocked. The light was clearly not at its peak, but the trace of magical power contained within it was something he could not easily block.

He dared not take the blow head-on, and instead used all his strength to push his true qi to the side. The spot where he had been standing was now blasted into a deep crater by the dim flames.

"Senior, please stop! I did not mean to intrude!" Shen Yu explained urgently.

"Demonic energy... You possess demonic energy! You must be a heretic or sorcerer!"

The old Taoist's remnant soul was confused and his memories were fragmented. He sensed the demonic aura emanating from Shen Yu and mistook him for an enemy.

Without further ado, three more bursts of light shot out, leaving trails of light and blocking Shen Yu's escape route.

Shen Yu inwardly groaned, knowing that there was no reasoning with him, and had no choice but to accept the challenge.

While using the Three-Light Jade to withstand the aftershocks of the flames, he also summoned several talisman swords to fight back. Each sword aura exploded, barely managing to hold off the attack.

In an instant, light and flames intertwined and sword energy crisscrossed around the stone pavilion, forcing back the wandering shadows.

After fighting for dozens of rounds, Shen Yu gradually felt exhausted.

This old Taoist's remnant soul was at least a Golden Core cultivator in life. Although he had lost one-tenth of his power, his Taoist techniques were exquisite. He could always defend himself against any attack. Not to mention the wisp of magic power that remained. Even if I exhausted all my true energy, I would not be able to gain the upper hand.

Knowing that a prolonged battle would be disadvantageous, he steeled his resolve and began to activate the Xuanqiong Pagoda with his divine sense.

A beam of light burst forth from between Shen Yu's brows, and a small, gray-white pagoda, about an inch tall and seemingly real yet illusory, appeared. As it spun around, a suppressive force as heavy as a mountain and as vast as the sky spread out.

The moment the old Taoist's remnant soul touched this light, its flames vanished instantly. Its own phantom trembled violently, emitting painful howls. Unable to maintain its attack any longer, it was pinned to the stone pavilion's base by the dissipating immortal power, unable to move.

Shen Yu repeatedly activated the pagoda, and although he did not use the Nine Constant Transformation Source Refining Light, he still consumed most of his true qi. Taking advantage of the power of the restrictions in this place, he hurriedly began to regulate his breathing.

"This, this is..."

As he was about to perish, the old Taoist's eyes cleared slightly, revealing a blank look, which was then overwhelmed by immense pain.

His figure grew increasingly faint, as if he might vanish with the wind at any moment.

"I had no choice but to do this, please forgive me, senior."

Shen Yu put away the pagoda, let his breathing gradually stabilize, then stepped forward and cupped his hands in greeting.

He realized that the old Taoist's remnant soul meant no harm, but was merely haunted by obsession, and felt a little apologetic.

"Heh...cough cough, what a treasure! It can easily suppress my magic power."

"Senior is merely a remnant soul. It is already quite remarkable that you were able to maintain your physical form under the suppression of my immortal treasure. You must have been a genius who dominated a region in your previous life."

Shen Yu sincerely praised him, then inquired, "May I ask your esteemed name, senior? How did you perish here? And what is the origin of the power of the restrictions here?"

The old Taoist's remnant soul suddenly lost focus, struggling to recall, and saw that his expression was ferocious, as if he were in great pain.

After a long while, he shook his head, his voice faint and ethereal, "Han Miaotian... the Wu family of Luzhuo Prefecture... Later, then all that followed was darkness. When I awoke again, I was a dazed and confused remnant soul, trapped here. Deep within this place, something seems to be faintly beckoning me, yet I have never dared, nor been able to, venture deeper."

He gave a bitter laugh and said, "I never thought that I, Wu Yan, who have dominated my life and possess the cultivation of a Nascent Soul cultivator, would not even be able to clearly remember how I perished or why I am here."

Upon hearing this, Shen Yu gasped, his heart trembling, startled by the old Taoist's level of cultivation in his lifetime.

He hurriedly informed him of the black fog surrounding the outside world, hoping that he could recover more of his memories.

"Black mist? Devouring living beings?"

Wu Yan's remnant soul murmured repeatedly, his face filled with immense terror, "Yes, yes, I remember now. If that thing fully awakens, it won't just be as simple as black mist. This abyss could even become a death trap. Quick, we must stop it!"

He was emotionally agitated, and his remnant soul flickered, clearly one step closer to completely dissipating.

"Senior, what exactly is that thing, and how can we stop it?"

Shen Yu hurriedly pressed for answers, her heart filled with anxiety.

Wu Yan's eyes suddenly went blank as he fell into deep thought again. He kept pounding his head with his hands, showing a pained expression, even though his head was now just a phantom and had no physical form.

"I... I really can't remember."

Shen Yu frowned deeply and said, "Senior, do you know how to resist the interference of the restrictions here on divine sense? I need to reunite with my companions as soon as possible. They have no immortal treasures to protect them, and their lives may be in danger!"

Wu Yan's remnant soul had a complex look in his eyes. "The pagoda you just used has an extraordinary origin, and it seems to have the effect of protecting the primordial spirit and suppressing the yin spirits. With it, you can easily resist the restrictions here."

"No!"

Shen Yu shook his head resolutely, his expression solemn. "The origin of this tower is unknown, and its use consumes a great deal of resources. Moreover, it may bring unpredictable consequences. I suspect it involves extremely serious matters and must not be easily revealed to others."

Wu Yan's remnant soul paused, a worried look on his face. "Your concerns may be valid. This tower is definitely not an ordinary object. I sensed a wisp of immortal energy, but resisting the restrictions here by other means is extremely difficult... However, I do have a secret technique that can resist this power, but..."

Shen Yu remained silent for a moment, then solemnly said, "Please, senior, tell me the secret technique. If you have any instructions, I will do my utmost to fulfill them."

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