Mortal: Supreme Being of the Ghost Path

As Qingyi Jushi stepped aside, Jin Yun, without any hesitation, strode inside.

The cave was small and its layout was extremely simple.

The entrance leads to a small hall with a few stone tables and chairs, and a tea set on the table; nothing else is there.

There is a passageway on each side of the hall, but it is unclear where it leads.

There were no murals or decorations on the walls, not even anything to light them up. Only a fist-sized moonstone was embedded in the corner, emitting a faint white halo that barely illuminated the entire hall.

Jin Yun glanced around and muttered to himself, "This doesn't look like the cave dwelling of a Nascent Soul cultivator at all."

Even the residences of ordinary Core Formation cultivators are far more elaborate than this place.

However, upon further reflection, this place is probably just a temporary stop. Qingyi Jushi's real residence is still on Nanhe Island in the inner island, so such a simple dwelling is understandable.

"Brother Qing, your cave dwelling is quite... elegant and refined," Jin Yun said with a smile as he sat down on the stone chair.

Qingyi Jushi remained noncommittal, sat down opposite him, picked up the teapot and poured two cups of spiritual tea, pushing one of them over, "A cup of clear tea, Fellow Daoist Jin, please don't find it offensive."

Jin Yunyun picked up his teacup, took a sip, and glanced at Qingyi Jushi's face before casually asking:

"I've heard that tensions have been high between the Star Palace and the Reverse Star Alliance lately. Brother Qing, you've come from the Inner Sea; I wonder what the situation is now?"

Master Qingyi picked up his teacup, slowly blew away the foam, and said calmly:

"What else can we do? We're just testing each other. You take a few islands from me, I kill a few of your disciples, and there hasn't been any major conflict yet."

Jin Yun said "Oh," seemingly unsurprised by the answer.

Qingyi Jushi put down his teacup, his gaze falling on Jin Yun. He then changed the subject, saying, "Fellow Daoist Jin, what brings you here? I don't believe you really came all this way just to visit this old man."

Jin Yun chuckled and stroked his gray beard: "As expected, you can't hide anything from Brother Qing. To be honest, I've come here with a great opportunity, and I'd like to invite Brother Qing to go with me."

"A stroke of luck?" Master Qingyi picked up his teacup dismissively, his tone flat. "What stroke of luck?"

Jin Yun put down his teacup, leaned forward slightly, and lowered his voice: "Brother Qing, have you ever heard the rumors about the 'Demon Corpse Palace'?"

Qingyi Jushi paused slightly in his teacup, glanced at Jin Yun, and remained unconvinced: "Is this the lineage passed down by that ancient cultivator 'Heavenly Corpse Master,' whose teachings are widely circulated in your ghost path?"

Jin Yun nodded, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes: "Exactly."

Master Qingyi picked up his teacup and took a slow sip: "I've heard of it. Although I don't cultivate the path of ghosts, I do have a few old friends who do. They often mention this rumor among themselves."

He set down his teacup and calmly looked at Jin Yun. "I just wonder, what does this rumor have to do with your visit, fellow Daoist?"

Jin Yun chuckled, but didn't answer immediately. Instead, he picked up his teacup and slowly took a sip.

Qingyi Jushi did not urge him, but waited quietly.

After a moment, Jin Yun put down his teacup and stared intently at Qingyi Jushi: "Just now, you said that your lifespan is coming to an end and you plan to spend your remaining years peacefully like this?"

Qingyi Jushi raised an eyebrow slightly but remained silent.

Jin Yun continued, "Fellow Daoist, don't you want to break through to another realm and gain another hundred years of lifespan? Wouldn't it be a waste to pass away like this, given your extraordinary cultivation?"

His words were sincere and earnest, and he even praised Qingyi Jushi at the end.

Qingyi Jushi could naturally understand the implied meaning in this person's words, but he just smiled, picked up his teacup, and remained silent.

Seeing his expression, Jin Yun stopped smiling and said seriously, "To be honest, I would like to invite Brother Qing to join forces with me and venture into the Demon Corpse Palace."

Qingyi Jushi's expression tightened slightly, as if he was pondering something.

After a moment, he put down his teacup, a look of suspicion on his face: "Isn't the Demon Corpse Palace just a rumor? Could it be... that this place actually exists?"

Jin Yun stroked his beard and chuckled, "It's normal that Brother Qing is unaware of this fact. This rumor is merely a rather sophisticated cover-up within our Ghost Path. The real Demon Corpse Palace was indeed left behind by that Ghost Path master, 'Heavenly Corpse Master,' without a doubt."

Qingyi Jushi frowned slightly and did not respond.

Jin Yun continued, "Although you are not a ghost cultivator, that palace contains more than just ghost-related treasures. As far as I know, the Demon Corpse Palace also contains items that can extend lifespan."

He paused, then looked directly at Qingyi Jushi: "I heard that Brother Qing previously obtained a fragment of the Void Heaven Map and entered the Void Heaven Palace. I wonder how it went? I also heard that the Void Heaven Palace contains the Heaven-Mending Pill, which can extend lifespan..."

Qingyi Jushi's expression remained unchanged, but a slight thought stirred in his heart, as if he had thought of something.

However, Jin Yun's tone shifted abruptly the next moment, becoming extremely confident: "The Demon Corpse Palace also possesses such heaven-defying elixirs. I wonder if Brother Qing has ever heard of the 'Ghost Essence Pill'?"

Qingyi Jushi pondered for a moment, his brows furrowing slightly, as if he were recalling something.

After a moment, he slowly spoke: "Ghost Essence Pill... I seem to remember it. Legend has it that this is a very famous elixir from ancient times, capable of instantly breaking through cultivation realms and dramatically increasing lifespan. However..."

He looked up at Jin Yun, his tone tinged with doubt: "Does such a heaven-defying elixir really exist in the world? This sounds even more outrageous than the Heaven-Mending Pill. Don't let it turn out to be nothing more than a rumor."

Upon hearing this, Jin Yun chuckled, stroked his beard, and said unhurriedly, "Brother Qing, rest assured, since I dared to invite you, I am naturally absolutely certain. This Ghost Essence Pill truly exists and is not some mere rumor circulating in the streets."

He paused, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and continued, "Moreover, this pill is not exclusive to ghost cultivators. Although Brother Qing is not a ghost cultivator, demonic cultivators can also take it. I, Jin, can guarantee this with my life."

Qingyi Jushi remained silent, his gaze lowered, fixed on the teacup in his hand.

But the tea soup was clear and fragrant, reflecting his thin face.

He certainly didn't want to just die like that.

He cultivated for hundreds of years, rising step by step from a rogue cultivator to the Nascent Soul realm. Only he knows how many hardships and dangers he endured along the way.

Now that my lifespan is coming to an end and my time is drawing near, it would be a lie to say I'm not resigned to it.

If he really had the chance to break through to another realm and extend his lifespan, he would naturally try to seize it.

only……

Qingyi Jushi raised his head, his gaze sweeping over Jin Yun's face, and said in a calm tone, "Fellow Daoist Jin, I have another question."

Jin Yun gestured for him to speak: "Brother Qing, please go ahead."

"Such an incredible opportunity," Qingyi Jushi asked, enunciating each word clearly, "why did you seek me out, fellow Daoist? With your status and position in the Ghost Path, it wouldn't be difficult for you to bring along a few Nascent Soul stage ghost cultivators, would it?"

Upon hearing this, Jin Yun burst into laughter, the sound echoing through the simple hall for quite some time before gradually subsiding.

He shook his head, his tone sincere: "Brother Qing, you are unaware of this. Although the Demon Corpse Palace was left behind by an ancient ghost cultivator, not all of its restrictions are ghost-based techniques. Although I am proficient in ghost techniques, I am helpless against restrictions of other attributes. Brother Qing, with your profound cultivation and extensive knowledge, is the most ideal partner for me."

"I entered the palace once two hundred years ago, so I am quite familiar with it. There are some secret rooms in the palace, and many of the restrictions inside are set up with demonic arts. That is why I invited Brother Qing to go with me."

He paused, then added, "After all, I have known Brother Qing for many years, so I can trust him."

Upon hearing this, Qingyi Jushi pondered for a long time before finally nodding slowly.

"In that case... I will accompany you on this journey, fellow Daoist, as a way to give myself closure."

Upon hearing this, Jin Yun's face immediately lit up with a smile, and he picked up his teacup: "Brother Qing is so generous. I, Jin, will offer you a cup of tea instead of wine."

After saying this, he tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp.