Chapter 510: The First Sect Master
Chapter 510: The First Sect Master
"The Sky Corpses..."
A faint light flashed across Chen Mu's eyes.
For him now, with his thoughts intertwined with heaven and earth, a mere sense of awareness was enough to confirm that this stronghold was the current headquarters of the Sky Corpse Sect. They had fled here all the way from the Cold North.
What was slightly unexpected was that the foundation of the Sky Corpse Sect was far stronger than he had initially anticipated. Within this headquarters, the aura of Sky Corpses was not limited to just one, but a total of six!
If one were to compare Sky Corpses to Blood Transformation Realm experts, then this would mean there were six Blood Transformation Realm experts!
Of course, this comparison wasn't entirely accurate. Just like Celestial Demon Ancestor Yuwen Hao, who had stepped into the Celestial Demon realm, his strength was still inferior to a true Blood Transformation expert. These Sky Corpses were similar; although they possessed the physical strength of the Blood Transformation Realm and the Sky Corpse power that could rival the primal force of the Blood Transformation Realm, they would undoubtedly lose in a one-on-one confrontation.
Even so, with six Sky Corpses, their overall strength was still superior to that of the Profound Mechanism Pavilion and the Harmony Sect, which dominated a province. It was no wonder that they could calmly respond when they were besieged by various sects like the Heavenly Sword Sect and the Seven Profound Sect in the Cold North.
Moreover, Chen Mu's perception revealed that besides the six Sky Corpses, there was a seventh Sky Corpse with an even deeper and more profound aura. If a typical Sky Corpse was comparable to a 9th-tier Celestial Demon, then this seventh one had undoubtedly reached the 10th-tier, rivaling a Heaven Man!
With one 10th-tier Sky Corpse and six 9th-tier Sky Corpses, their overall strength was indeed far superior to that of the Sky Demon Sect. However, upon reflection, this wasn't surprising. After all, the cultivation method of the Sky Demon Sect was created by an ancient ancestor of the sect hundreds of years ago. In the hundreds of years that followed, only the original ancestor and Yuwen Hao had successfully cultivated the Celestial Demon body.
But the Sky Corpse Sect was different. Chen Mu had learned earlier that this secret technique originated from the Great Wilderness, and its essence was one of the cultivation systems from another world. In terms of depth, it was probably no less profound than the current Martial Dao. Initially, it was hidden in the secret treasury of the Great Xuan Dynasty, but somehow, it was leaked, leading to the emergence of the Sky Corpse Sect.
In Chen Mu's opinion, this was likely related to internal conflicts within the royal family.
Chen Mu, in his current state, didn't have much interest in these old stories. He only intended to uproot the Sky Corpse Sect entirely, exterminating everyone involved to eradicate this unorthodox path from the world.
Chen Mu didn't take immediate action against the Sky Corpse Sect's headquarters. Instead, he strolled towards its direction, as the secret techniques of the Sky Corpse Sect originated from the Great Wilderness and weren't native to this world. Moreover, there was a 10th-tier Sky Corpse, which was worth his personal visit to understand the essence of the Corpse Refinement technique.
For the current Chen Mu, a journey of thousands of miles was merely a moment's effort.
In an instant, his figure appeared above a desolate hill. Looking down, he saw that beneath these hills, an area spanning dozens of miles was covered by dense Malevolent Qi. Especially in the center, the Malevolent Qi was so concentrated that it had condensed into a liquid, forming a grayish Malevolent Water. This substance was extremely terrifying; without a trained Martial Body, contact with it was almost certainly fatal. Even a Martial Saint who had cultivated a Martial Body might suffer severe consequences if they accidentally absorbed it, and it could take years to recover.
All seven Sky Corpses were currently immersed in this Malevolent Pool at the center of the Sky Corpse Sect's headquarters, absorbing the Yin Malevolent Qi.
However, Chen Mu's gaze wasn't focused on the seven Sky Corpses but on a specific area located on the outskirts of the Sky Corpse Sect's headquarters. It was a treasury of the Sky Corpse Sect, sealed with a unique array, isolating the interior from the Malevolent Qi. Nonetheless, Chen Mu could still see through it with a glance.
"The Sky Corpse Sect has quite a collection of resources."
After scanning the treasury, Chen Mu couldn't help but shake his head slightly.
Compared to the impoverished Borderland Tribes, the Sky Corpse Sect's treasury was surprisingly abundant, filled with various resources, including a large number of Organ Nourishing and Warming Spirit Materials, and even some rare Body Tempering Spirit Materials.
Although in terms of quantity, the Sky Corpse Sect still couldn't compare to the entire Alien Race, it wasn't surprising upon reflection. The resources used by the Sky Corpse Sect for Corpse Refinement were entirely different from those used by ordinary Martial Cultivators.
Most of these Warming and Nourishing Spirit Materials were of little use to the Sky Corpse Sect.
Even the Body Tempering Spirit Materials were not very applicable.
The Sky Corpse Sect had developed in the northwestern region of Great Xuan, with branches scattered everywhere. Over hundreds of years, they had accumulated a vast collection of resources, most of which they couldn't use, so they slowly stored them. Only occasionally, they would secretly trade them in chaotic areas for the resources they needed for Corpse Refinement, but most of the time, it was challenging to trade these resources.
(End)
After Chen Mu swept through the capital, establishing the Nine Divisions of the World and setting the tone for the division of the empire, the Sky Corpse Sect became even more cautious, relocating all their branches and influences within Great Xuan to the border regions.
Step.
With a single step, Chen Mu seemed to fade into the void, effortlessly passing through thick mountains and hills, heading straight for the depths of the Sky Corpse Sect's headquarters and reaching the treasury.
Along the way, none of the Sky Corpse Sect's stewards, guardians, or others noticed Chen Mu's arrival. Even as he walked right in front of them, they remained unaware, continuing their tasks as if nothing had happened.
Swish.
Chen Mu glanced at the sealing formation outside the Sky Corpse Sect's treasury, then averted his gaze, still indifferent, and continued walking forward. As he made contact with the formation, he passed through it silently.
Upon entering the inner treasury of the Sky Corpse Sect, Chen Mu didn't bother to look around. With a casual wave of his sleeve, a whirlwind gathered, and piles of spirit materials flew in from all directions, each piece being sucked into the Heaven Earth Flask.
In a short while.
Centuries of accumulation by the Sky Corpse Sect were now in Chen Mu's hands.
Compared to the Great Xuan imperial treasury, it was far inferior, not even one-tenth as vast. But compared to any major sect's treasury, it was likely no less impressive, especially in resources with high consumption rates like organ-nourishing and warming spirit materials. These were accumulated in large quantities here, while in major sects, they were often used up as soon as they were acquired, making it difficult to store many. Only a heretical sect like the Sky Corpse Sect, with no use for such resources, could have accumulated so much.
Among these resources were several top-tier spirit materials that could be useful to Chen Mu, even if they weren't abundant. But to cultivate to the peak of Blood Transformation Realm and form an Immortal Body, he needed every bit of accumulation.
After emptying the Sky Corpse Sect's treasury, Chen Mu stepped out and headed towards the sect's central forbidden ground.
...
Central area of the Sky Corpse Sect.
Beside the Malevolent Pool.
Six Sky Corpses surrounded a top-tier Sky Corpse, all of them immersed in the pool, their entire bodies, including their heads, submerged. The six weaker Sky Corpses had pale skin, bald heads, and an extremely dense aura of Yin Malevolent Qi, with a surging Sky Corpse power brewing within.
The top-tier Sky Corpse in the center was even more peculiar. Its entire body was also immersed in the pool, but strangely, its head had some black-red hair growing on it!
Corpse Regrowth Hair! Normally, during Corpse Refinement, the first step is to refine away all body hair. Whether it's a Gold Corpse, Silver Corpse, Copper Corpse, or Iron Corpse, or even higher-level Malevolent Qi Corpses or Mystic Malevolent Qi Corpses, they are all hairless.
But this top-tier Sky Corpse seemed to have reached a state where extreme Yin gives birth to Yang, and extreme death leads to rebirth, causing hair to grow on its head. The hair was only an inch long, but it represented a completely different realm.
At this moment.
In front of these seven Sky Corpses stood a figure in a black robe. Under the robe was a skull-like face, with almost dried-up flesh, skin seemingly glued to the bones, and a terrifying appearance.
"Sect Master."
Suddenly, a gray-robed figure approached, a Sky Corpse Sect elder. He came near the Malevolent Pool and slightly bowed to the black-robed figure, saying, "It seems a major event is happening in Central Land. It's said that Profound Heaven Sovereign and Martial Saint Chen Mu spoke together, predicting an impending calamity that will affect the entire world. All factions are making their moves."
"Oh?"
The black-robed figure's deep-set, extremely dry eyes emitted a black light, looking at the gray-robed elder, "Isn't Chen Mu invincible, unmatched in the world? What kind of calamity could affect him?"
His voice was dull and hoarse, sounding extremely eerie. If spoken at midnight, it would be enough to stop a child's crying.
The gray-robed elder whispered, "It's said to be a Demon Disaster. The ancient Demon Tribe from another Heavenly World is said to be returning to invade this world..."
Upon hearing this.
The Sky Corpse Sect's Sect Master fell silent for a moment.
In a 1619 book, there's not a single mistake!
"A Demon Disaster?"
"That's indeed a possibility."
As the Sky Corpse Sect's Sect Master, he knew many secrets, including their Corpse Refinement technique, which he was certain wasn't born in the Great Xuan World but originated from the Great Wilderness.
This corpse refinement technique is truly extraordinary, far from being a common secret art. The world that could develop such a method must be at least as advanced as the Great Xuan World. Therefore, he is different from the many narrow-minded individuals who believe that the Great Xuan World is the center of the universe. He knows that this world is far more vast than anyone can imagine.
If the Ancient Demon Tribe did not originate from this world but came from another, then their world is likely not some mere 'Heavenly Grotto.' It must be a vast and immense world, perhaps even larger than the Great Xuan World. Otherwise, Chen Mu would not treat it as a significant threat.
Moreover,
He has studied and understood some of the demon tribe's methods, even concluding long ago that the demons are probably not native to this world. Their techniques, like corpse refinement, are entirely out of place in this world.
"Master, should we make preparations early?"
The gray-robed elder asked softly.
The Sky Corpse Sect Master did not respond immediately. Instead, he looked up and suddenly let out a chuckle. "Martial Saints rise, and the Demon Disaster descends... It truly is a time of great turmoil. This cataclysm will also be an opportunity for us."
This world has never been so chaotic, and it is often during such chaos that great changes and opportunities arise.
Now,
The world's top martial artists almost all know that the Martial Dao can lead to divinity, but perhaps they do not know that the Corpse Dao also has the potential to achieve divinity! Although this secret art does not specify how to achieve divinity through the Corpse Dao, it records a significant event: in a certain world, a corpse remained uncorrupted for a thousand years, developed consciousness, and practiced by absorbing the malevolent qi of heaven and earth. In the end, it transcended the mortal realm and entered the Divine Realm through the Corpse Dao!
Before the Divine Realm, all methods ultimately lead to the same path. If the Martial Dao can lead to divinity, the Corpse Dao can as well. Although he has no idea how to refine a divine corpse, perhaps this upcoming great calamity will bring such an opportunity!
However,
Just as a glint of excitement flashed in the Sky Corpse Sect Master's sunken eyes, he suddenly trembled and sharply looked forward, shouting, "Who?!"
This sudden outburst startled the gray-robed elder, who immediately turned to look. He then saw a figure leisurely stepping out of the dimness behind them.
The man wore a long robe, revealing his young face, which looked to be in his twenties. However, his eyes carried an indescribable aura of authority, making anyone who looked at him feel a sense of pressure and awe.
"You... you are..."
The gray-robed elder froze, his pupils contracting sharply, and his face showing shock. Despite the newcomer not displaying any aura, his mere presence was enough to instill fear and reverence. The face before them was known to all in the world, and his name alone could make any martial artist tremble and be spoken of by millions.
Martial Saint, Chen Mu!
Bang.
The gray-robed elder couldn't finish his sentence.
He watched in shock as Chen Mu walked past him, and then, in an instant, his entire body collapsed from the head down, as if crushed by a massive boulder, turning into a thin, flat pancake on the ground, indistinguishable from the earth.
Chen Mu didn't even glance at the crushed and flattened gray-robed elder. After taking a few steps forward, he cast a calm gaze at the black-robed Sky Corpse Sect Master and said, "I've heard that the Sky Corpse Sect's corpse refinement secret art comes from the Great Wilderness, from another world. Do you have the complete secret art? Hand it over, and I'll spare you a full body."
The Sky Corpse Sect Master remained silent.
He stared at Chen Mu for a long time before slowly speaking, "You've finally found me. But you, who are known as the Martial Saint, still covet my sect's secret art. It seems that..."
Splat.
Before he could finish, the Sky Corpse Sect Master's entire body froze, his limbs retracting inward. In an instant, he was crushed by an invisible force from all sides, forming a small, bloody ball of flesh and bone, about the size of a fist, which then fell to the ground and rolled a few times.
Chen Mu slowly lowered his raised right hand and turned his gaze to the Malevolent Pool, focusing on the Sky Corpse at the center, whose head was covered in regrowth hair. He said calmly, "He was too noisy. What about you?"
"At the pinnacle of the Martial Dao, one achieves harmony with heaven and man. You've achieved human-corpse unity at the pinnacle of corpse refinement. It's quite an achievement. Should I call you the Ancestor of the Sky Corpse Sect, or the First Sect Master of the Sky Corpse Sect?"
(End of Chapter)
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