Chapter 161: Bone-Seeding Secret Manual

Boom!!

The commotion from the corpse puppet and Muhaitang's duel was huge; even Yunhe, keeping such a great distance, could still feel the waves of aftershocks coming from the cloud sea.

"'Even though they are both early Golden Core, these two are not ordinary Golden Core cultivators.'"

Yunhe silently sighed.

However, after several collisions, the commotion gradually diminished.

"'Is it over?'"

Yunhe dared not extend his divine sense, fearing detection; he could only slightly shake his shoulder, and a blue-yellow intertwined dry cicada silently flew out from the crease of his clothing.

The death-sleep cicada's aura was faint, and it was fast enough; if the opponent focused on the duel, it would still be hard to notice its existence.

Just that.

What Yunhe didn't expect was that, when the death-sleep cicada quietly arrived on the surging cloud surface, he happened to see the two leave one after another from above his cloud layer.

Fortunately, their attention was indeed entirely on each other, and they did not notice this little insect, the death-sleep cicada.

In fact, even if they had noticed, having fought to this extent, they would not pay much attention, merely regarding it as a rare cloud-dwelling beast.

But upon 'seeing' their appearance, or rather 'seeing' the likeness of the 'Hanging Mirror Lake Woodcutter's descendant,' Yunhe in the cloud sea couldn't help but startle.

"'Muhaitang?'"

Although their appearance differed somewhat, he still remembered that heavy sword.

That mid Foundation Establishment cultivator who initially gave him a vague sense of threat left a deep impression on him.

However, it now seems that the opponent had concealed his cultivation base back then.

Suddenly.

Dark wind rose wildly; the corpse puppet repeatedly pinched seals with both hands, and a clump of eerie green fire condensed into a fire snake that lunged forth.

"Profound Dark Yin Flame!"

Seeing this, Muhaitang exclaimed in a low voice and immediately slapped his storage bag.

A crystal-clear bone shield appeared in his hand, and instantly a ring of glossy light encircled it.

Boom!!

The violent collision and roar erupted again, rolling up layers of cloud waves.

Taking advantage of the impact of the 'Profound Dark Yin Flame,' Muhaitang instantly distanced himself from the corpse puppet and, seizing the moment, employed an escape technique to flee swiftly.

For now she can barely hold her own, but once the Wood Flood Dragon Daoist and the two released corpses return, it's uncertain.

The corpse puppet had finally found her with great difficulty, yet she had thwarted him; evidently he would not let her go easily, and he immediately employed an escape technique to pursue.

After the two had completely left, Yunhe remained silently in the cloud sea for a while before finally revealing himself.

Watching the direction they departed, his expression was solemn, his eyes icy.

"Profound Dark Yin Flame. Bone Shield"

He then turned his head toward Horn Ravine Island.

His face showed hesitation and speculation.

Seven days later.

Horn Ravine Island.

A figure silently arrived at the chaotic island.

This person's aura was feeble, complexion pallid, even walking seemed somewhat unsteady, yet he still staggered toward a hidden cave within the island.

Just that.

Before she could approach, that pallid, weak visage suddenly tensed, her fierce gaze sweeping the surroundings, a faint unusual flush appearing on her face as she spoke in a low voice:

"Who? Come out!"

But no figure appeared.

Yet she seemed utterly convinced, and she lowly shouted again:

"If you still won't come out, are you trying to have me summon you?"

Pat—

Finally.

Footsteps sounded.

This person's body was tense, the little remaining magic power surging within, ready to strike at any moment.

But when she saw the appearing figure, she blinked slightly, her expression becoming even more solemn and earnest.

Golden Core cultivator.

"Wood Daoist, I harbor no ill intent."

The appearing figure raised his arm, revealing a pair of empty hands, showing he harbored no ill intent.

This person who had returned was naturally Muhaitang, who had just been chased and fled in panic by the Corpse Evil Sect's corpse puppet a few days prior.

And the figure that had just stepped out was Yunhe's Heavenly Capital Gu Corpse.

"Hmph, Fellow Daoist waiting for me here and claiming no ill intent?" Muhaitang snorted coldly, yet did not relax his guard.

"To be frank, I actually don't know whether you would return; I merely speculated, and I didn't expect to actually have you wait for me." The Heavenly Capital Gu Corpse spread his hands, speaking truthfully.

"Huh?"

Muhaitang furrowed his brows, sizing up the Heavenly Capital Gu Corpse from head to toe.

"I speculate that, given your caution and prudence, you must have realized your whereabouts were exposed, yet you remained on Horn Ravine Island without leaving; you likely have some purpose."

The Heavenly Capital Gu Corpse conveyed Yunhe's words.

In fact, Yunhe's speculation was not baseless.

After all, the last time he saw this person was twenty years ago at the Silver Flood Dragon Market.

At that time, the other party remained composed, freely coming and going in the market; they had not yet been hunted.

But twenty years later, the other party appeared here again, this time as a wanted individual.

Coincidence? Chance? Or done intentionally?

It's possible she merely happened to flee here by coincidence.

But it's also possible she did it for some purpose.

Actually, Yunhe cannot make an accurate judgment.

It's merely suspicion.

He has about a twenty to thirty percent confidence.

It's not high, but worth a try.

Sometimes, having suspicion is enough.

At worst, he would just spend a bit more time waiting here.

If he waits until then, he was right; if not, he was wrong, but being wrong only costs a few extra days.

The cost of trial and error is not great.

The facts proved he was correct.

Following that line of thought, Tiandu Gushi continued:

"If Fellow Daoist truly has a purpose on this island and was forced to leave due to the sudden attack of the Corpse Evil Sect, then Fellow Daoist will surely return."

"Speaking of retreating ten thousand steps, the most dangerous place is also the safest, isn't it? Before the Corpse Evil Sect reacts, this island would also be an excellent place for recuperation."

"Of course, these are merely my speculations; they may be right or wrong, but that doesn't matter. What matters is, Fellow Daoist Mu, you have indeed returned."

After hearing that, Muhaitang's expression actually returned to normal; only her continually flickering gaze revealed her inner unrest at the moment.

Although Yunhe's words were somewhat off, he actually guessed it to about eighty or ninety percent accuracy.

Muhaitang did not respond, merely pondered for a while before asking:

"Fellow Daoist, are you waiting for me here because of the bounty on the Corpse Evil Sect?"

"No, no." Tiandu Gushi waved his hand, "I have no interest in the Corpse Evil Sect's bounty, and I also lack confidence in capturing Fellow Daoist, even in his current state."

This is the truth; otherwise he wouldn't have only let Tiandu Gushi reveal himself while he remained hidden in the shadows.

"Oh? What do you mean, Fellow Daoist?" Muhaitang said, somewhat surprised.

"I wish to make a deal with Fellow Daoist."

"A deal?"

"Fellow Daoist ought to have the bones of a high-grade demonic beast on you; I wish to exchange for a piece, not large—just the size of two palms." Yunhe no longer beat around the bush, stating his purpose.

Upon hearing that, Muhaitang gave Tiandu Gushi a deep look.

"I still don't know your honorific."

Tiandu Gushi smiled.

"Would you believe me just because I give my name? Actually it has no real significance; on the contrary, my request is something you ought to consider carefully. After all." He lifted his head to look at the sky, "Time waits for no one."

Muhaitang gave him a complex look, drew a deep breath and then let out a long sigh, revealing a wry smile as she let out a bitter laugh and said:

"It seems I have no chance to consider?"

To that, Tiandu Gushi narrowed his eyes, showed a smile, and remained noncommittal.

Muhaitang pursed her lips.

"Then Fellow Daoist will probably have to do me a favor, if you truly wish to obtain those bones."

Seeing Tiandu Gushi's expression sink, Muhaitang's helplessness grew heavier.

"Just follow me, Fellow Daoist, and you'll understand."

Saying that.

She walked toward the narrow passage leading underground at this place; Tiandu Gushi hesitated slightly, then followed.

Before Muhaitang returned, Yunhe had carefully inspected this island, finding no clues; this passage and the secluded underground cave were the focus of his inspection.

But as they followed Muhaitang halfway down the passage, she suddenly stopped her steps; then, under Tiandu Gushi's surprised gaze, she cast a spell seal at the side rock wall.

The next moment.

That rock wall actually slowly melted away, revealing another passage.

"A formation?" Tiandu Gushi said, somewhat surprised.

"It's merely a formation to conceal aura, possessing no offensive capability."

Muhaitang gave a brief explanation, then entered that passage.

Although Yunhe's formation skill remains low, he could also tell that this is indeed just a qi-concealing formation; it is of a higher grade, at least a third-rank middle-grade Concealing Qi Formation—no wonder his divine sense could not detect it no matter how he scanned.

The passage beyond the formation leads deeper underground.

After walking a distance one after another,

the two arrived at a cave buried deep underground.

Immediately, Yunhe saw.

Several pieces of crystal-clear white bone, suspended in this underground cave.

Flowing light shimmered upon them, and the surrounding underground seemed to have some power slowly seeping into the bones.

"This is."

Yunhe had a guess in his heart.

"Fellow Daoist, since you already know my identity, you should also know the origin of these beast bones, right?"

"Silver Flood Dragon."

"Yes, these were left by my ancestor. Actually what my ancestor left behind is not only these; only a part I refined into the magical treasure 'Silver Flood Dragon Shield', the rest are here. I suppose you also know that the Silver Flood Dragon died over seven hundred years ago; even if it was mighty back then, after so many years the energy on its bones has dissipated more than half."

Mu Haitang continued: "For this, twenty years ago I buried these white bones here. Fellow Daoist probably doesn't know, but the deep ravine of 'Jiao Gully Island' was, hundreds of years ago, the nest of that Silver Flood Dragon, right?"

Twenty years of burying bones?

At this moment, these Silver Flood Dragon bones don't look like they've lost their energy, do they?

Seeing Yunhe's doubt, Mu Haitang smiled and explained: "This is the Bone-Seeding Technique."

"Bone-Seeding Technique?"

The technique of nurturing bone with bone. Many refined corpses have bodies as strong as gold and iron, and their bones are even comparable to magic treasures, which is cultivated using this method. Of course, this method has high requirements; I also searched for a long time to find this place, and then waited a full twenty years before barely restoring it to about its former seventh layer.

Earlier, when the corpse puppet brought people here, it was precisely when the Bone-Seeding Technique was about to be completed.

"So that's how it is."

That does make sense.

To nurture bone with bone, naturally a large amount of corpse bones is needed. This place was originally the Silver Flood Dragon's nest; underground there are many remains of what the Silver Flood Dragon ate, and it also carries the Silver Flood Dragon's aura, making it an excellent place for nurturing bone. But over time, this leads to.

"Roar——"

A low roar came from underground.

Then, a cloud beast's beast soul rushed toward Yunhe and Mu Haitang.

Seeing this, Yunhe was not panicked; with a lift of his hand, the Tiandu Gushi, under his control, easily captured that beast soul.

Immediately after, under Mu Haitang's astonished gaze, the Tiandu Gushi slightly opened its mouth, inhaled, and the beast soul was swallowed into its belly.

Corpse Soul Gu is the bane of such ghosts and beast souls.

"Indeed." Mu Haitang narrowed her eyes: "Fellow Daoist, you are not the main body, but a clone? A corpse-refining clone?"

The Tiandu Gushi looked at her and grinned.

"Just like when you asked my name, Fellow Daoist. Is this important?"

Mu Haitang was startled, then also smiled.

"Indeed. Not important."

"Then please, Fellow Daoist, dispel the beast souls; I will lift the Bone-Seeding Technique."

Her injuries are not light; using too much mana would easily leave aftereffects.

Moreover, the beast souls here are extremely numerous; Yunhe's appearance is timely, otherwise she wouldn't know if she could wait for the corpse puppet and others to return.

"I still have a request," the Tiandu Gushi suddenly said.

Before he could finish speaking, Mu Haitang had already guessed it.

"The Bone-Seeding Technique? Sure."

Yunhe very much enjoys talking with smart people.

Simple and straightforward.

Afterward.

The two divided their tasks clearly: the Tiandu Gushi dealt with the beast souls, while Mu Haitang lifted the Bone-Seeding Technique.

"These are the corpse bones you need, Fellow Daoist, and the Bone-Seeding Technique."

Mu Haitang kept her word fairly well.

After resolving the trouble, she handed over one piece of beast bone that met Yunhe's request, along with a Jade Slip inscribed with the Bone-Seeding Technique, to the Tiandu Gushi.

And the Tiandu Gushi also handed over a storage bag filled with many Spirit Stones.

"Both money and goods are settled; I take my leave."

Without lingering, the Tiandu Gushi quickly left after receiving the items.

Mu Haitang watched the departing figure, her expression thoughtful.

This person is quite reasonable; saying an exchange is an exchange, they did not take advantage of her weakness to force a buy or sell, and the exchanged items were considered sufficient.

Of course, if they came with force, Mu Haitang actually still had a trump card; she was not without the strength to fight.

She shook her head.

"This person is too cautious, not suitable as an enemy."

Little did she know, Yunhe thought the same in his heart.

Mu Haitang looked at the heavy sword in her hand and sighed wistfully.

"Finally I can complete the forging of this sword."

———

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(End of chapter)