Chapter 445: Overturning the Reversal

"How is it?"

Seeing the pale-faced Yunhe fly out from the Tianchong Sect, the outer avatar guarding the entrance rushed to welcome him.

He was here to prevent a Heavenly Corpse Gu attack, but it never came.

"Go!"

Yunhe said little else, merely letting out a low shout.

Hearing that, the outer avatar's expression shifted slightly; without a moment's hesitation, it folded away the formation set here, rolled up the Beast Soul Banner in its hand with force, and then wrapped Yunhe and flew toward the distance.

All the way, Yunhe kept his eyes tightly shut.

Although he successfully destroyed the Heavenly Gu Ancestor's possession, being possessed is certainly not a comfortable experience.

Just the massive, domineering divine soul invading his sea of consciousness, plus the huge, redundant memories left after erasing the opponent's soul, is not a pleasant matter.

That spirit herb was uncommon even in the ancient cultivation world, let alone in today's cultivation world.

If the Corpse Soul Gu cannot use this to complete its metamorphosis and fully digest the Heavenly Corpse Gu and its effects, he must eradicate it before any signs of the Corpse Soul Gu losing control appear.

This time Yunhe's seclusion did not last long.

"Given the value of this herb, there's no need to risk one's life," Yunhe exhaled lightly and said slowly.

As a Fourth Level Alchemist, Yunhe has a certain understanding of the spirit herbs in the Eastern Realm cultivation world; this 'Three-Headed Insect Gu Herb' is indeed very rare.

The value of the 'Three-Headed Insect Gu Herb' isn't very high, so the required contribution is modest; he estimates that slaying a few or a dozen Third Level Sea Clan members would be enough to trade for it.

This is the benefit of today's human cultivators' multi‑faction integration; abundant resources have been consolidated.

His speed in dealing with the Heavenly Gu Ancestor and his decisiveness against the remnants of the Heavenly Corpse Gu exceeded the latter's expectations; the opponent apparently hadn't arrived at Heaven Ridge Mountain in time, so Yunhe's departure faced little obstruction.

The premise is to be swift.

The Ice Laurel Immortal, whose cultivation had already reached the Late Jie Dan Stage, wore an elegant snow‑white palace attire and sat regally upon the main seat.

This gave him confidence that, with the Gu furnace combined, the Corpse Soul Gu and the Heavenly Corpse Gu would be completely under his control.

The outer avatar escorted Yunhe back to the Wood Nation, then slipped into the cave dwelling in Stacked Peaks Mountain.

It wasn't merely to advance his own Gu insects; if the Corpse Soul Gu could truly metamorphose again and suppress or even digest the Heavenly Corpse Gu, it would mean Yunhe had the means to confront the enigmatic Heavenly Corpse Gu and truly eradicate it.

Moreover, Yunhe still had to forcefully rally his spirit to deal with the deeper‑seated Heavenly Corpse Gu.

And to aid the Corpse Soul Gu's metamorphosis, one of the things he can now do is to refine the 'Nurturing Gu Pill'.

He recalled that the contribution exchange list given to him by Ji Liuyun originally included the 'Three-Headed Insect Gu Herb'.

Fortunately.

However.

However, the difficulty of refining this pill is not low, especially for crafting a Fourth Level 'Nurturing Gu Pill', which requires a special spirit herb called the 'Three-Headed Insect Gu Herb'.

After restoring his own condition and briefly 'browsing' the memories left by the Heavenly Gu Ancestor, he chose to exit seclusion.

After emerging, Yunhe left a brief message for Feng Qingdan and then headed east, rushing to the Sea Clan battlefield.

Without time to give any orders, Yunhe entered the cultivation chamber and announced his seclusion.

Thus.

This herb isn't particularly valuable, but it is rare; cultivators not specializing in pest‑driving Gu cultivation basically can't use it.

For him, it is equally important.

After stripping away the extraneous and keeping the essence, what the Heavenly Gu Ancestor left is of great help to Yunhe.

Especially the memories concerning the cultivation and nurturing of Gu insects.

Fortunately.

Therefore, assisting the Corpse Soul Gu's metamorphosis is the most important task for him now.

When the time comes, it's not only Yunhe who will have to personally eradicate it; his hard‑won Fourth Level Primary Gu won't be that simple either.

The Corpse Soul Gu is at the critical moment of devouring the Heavenly Corpse Gu; if it cannot complete evolution and metamorphosis now, it will inevitably be affected by the Heavenly Corpse Gu.

And the Upper Realm Mother Gu can influence the Heavenly Corpse Gu, causing it to lose control over the Heavenly Corpse Gu, which indicates that the Upper Realm Mother Gu may also affect the Heavenly Corpse Gu existing in the Yao Shou Shijie!

At that time, it might even expose his greatest secret of possessing two bodies!

However, from the Heavenly Gu Ancestor's memories, besides gaining knowledge on nurturing Gu insects, his greatest gain is the Ancestor's years of experience battling the Heavenly Corpse Gu.

The Great Hall of the Ice Immortal Pavilion.

According to the Heavenly Gu Ancestor's understanding, the Heavenly Corpse Gu originally comes from the Upper Realm.

Nevertheless, to be safe, he still hopes to exchange a few more specimens.

"In that case, a trip to the Sea Clan battlefield becomes necessary,"

Seeing him finish his cultivation, the outer avatar, having completed assimilation again, also rose to his feet.

It must be said, as a Yuan Ying Cultivator in the Late Stage who has lived for thousands of years, even though most of his time was confined in a stone chamber and much of his memory has long faded, it still constitutes an enormous reservoir of recollection.

Yunhe knows where to find it.

Thereafter, together with his outer avatar, he will 'digest' the Heavenly Gu Ancestor's memories.

Wu Nation.

She, with her gently smiling demeanor, scanned the seats below and sighed inwardly.

Below, several Yuan Ying Cultivators were seated!

The Cold Sword True Lord of the Snow Sword Sect, the Hidden Dragon Venerable of the Nine Dragon Gate, and Wan Hai Lin of the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect, accompanied by the Vast Sea Spirit Turtle.

This made her, a Late Jie Dan Cultivator, feel immense pressure.

Yet, as merely a Late Jie Dan Cultivator, she could still sit high on the main seat, relying naturally on the Ice Snow Pavilion's Supreme Elder, the name of Yunhe 'Yun Lao Mo'.

However, Yunhe's name, though it commands respect among those below,

In the end, Yunhe was not there; facing so many Yuan Ying Cultivators, he had hardly any initiative.

Especially.

Because the sea clan's previous uprising caused the Yuan, Yue and other neighboring coastal countries to be completely overrun, the powerful sects entrenched within those countries all withdrew to defend, resulting in the current situation within Wu Kingdom's borders being quite delicate.

(maybe "Sea Clan" we have.)

The Yuan Kingdom's Nine Dragon Sect and Ten Thousand Beasts Sect retreated to Wu Kingdom, but where are the disciples of those sects who escaped staying?

(maybe "Yue Kingdom" we have.)

(maybe "Wu Kingdom" we have.)

Moreover, it's not only the Nine Dragon Sect and Ten Thousand Beasts Sect; the cultivation clans and forces within Wu Kingdom that originally submitted to the Ice Immortal Pavilion, seeking refuge, have also flooded into the Ice Immortal Pavilion or its vicinity in large numbers.

(maybe "Binding Tiger Daoist" we have.)

(maybe "Cold Sword True Lord" we have.)

(maybe "Ice Cassia Immortal" we have.)

(maybe "Crouching Dragon Elder" we have.)

Wan Hailin, sitting below, suddenly drew a special talisman from his storage bag; after a slight sense of it, his expression changed, and he quickly sank down.

(maybe "Spirit Talisman" we have.)

(maybe "Storage Bag" we have.)

The cultivators of the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect, along with their spiritual beasts, are still quite good as some outposts at this moment.

(maybe "Escape Light" we have.)

Wan Hailin, hearing that, pondered briefly and said: "My sect's disciples, within Wu Kingdom's borders, have discovered traces of sea clan cultivators."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's faces changed.

Sea Clan!

After the previous battle, due to the Sea Clan's sudden assault and their deployment of 108 pearls forming the 'Dragon Fish Vast Sea Grand Formation', the human cultivators suffered heavy losses; now these Yuan Ying Cultivators, more or less, harbor some fear toward the Sea Clan.

There's nothing we can do.

The formation appeared abruptly, directly causing the loss of three Yuan Ying Cultivators on the human side, one of whom was a mid-stage Yuan Ying Cultivator; not to mention the casualties among cultivators below Yuan Ying.

Even the late-stage Yuan Ying great cultivator Formless Sword Lord suffered a loss, injured and disappeared, not yet returned, resulting in no one overseeing the overall situation among cultivators temporarily within the Wu Kingdom.

Now, Sea Clan cultivators have silently appeared within the borders of the Wu Kingdom, making it hard not to wonder whether they have already digested the gains from the previous battle or are plotting against the Wu Kingdom.

Although we had long anticipated this situation, it is still occurring much earlier than expected.

Just as everyone felt a heavy heart, a figure suddenly shot in from outside; the Ice Gui Immortal seated in the chief seat was startled in her heart, and before she could react, that escape light flew into the main hall.

When the escape light faded and the newcomer's appearance became clear, the expressions of those present varied.

On the contrary, Wan Hai Lin showed great delight, being the first to rise, step forward, and salute, saying: 'Greetings, Fellow Daoist Zhang!'

From the escape light stepped out a middle-aged Daoist wearing a dark blue Daoist robe, with a black beard reaching his chest.

'Supreme Elder of the Four Great Merchant Alliances, Binding Tiger Daoist, Zhang Ding Tian!'

Ice Gui Immortal and the others also recognized the newcomer, and immediately dared not be negligent, all rising to pay their respects.

'Greetings, Fellow Daoist Zhang (Senior).'

Zhang Ding Tian's face bore a stern expression; he forced out a slight smile and immediately returned the salute, saying: 'Fellow Daoists, please stand on ceremony.'

The Four Great Merchant Alliances, once renowned on par with the Hundred Dawn Tower in the Eastern Territories, like the Hundred Dawn Tower, were famed as neutral parties, focusing on trade and profit.

Unlike the Hundred Dawn Tower, which under Yunhe's guidance ultimately chose to 'join' the Implement Alliance, the Four Great Merchant Alliances, upon learning that the Three Great Sects intended to unify all human cultivators of the Eastern Territories' cultivation world, immediately opted to join the Dao Alliance led by the Grand Mystery Orthodox One Gate.

This Binding Tiger Daoist, Zhang Ding Tian, can be said to be one of the main reasons the Four Great Merchant Alliances joined the Dao Alliance, and his status within the Four Great Merchant Alliances is also exceedingly transcendent.

Everyone certainly did not expect that Zhang Ding Tian would actually come here to rush to their aid.

'With Fellow Daoist Zhang here, we now have a mainstay.' Wan Hai Lin let out a long breath, appearing to have set his mind at ease.

It seems that Wan Hai Lin and this Zhang Ding Tian are on quite good terms.

'Fellow Daoist Wan, you're too polite.'

Upon seeing Wan Hai Lin, the stiffness on Zhang Ding Tian's face eased somewhat, and he performed another salute.

Next, Zhang Ding Tian's expression became even more solemn than before; his piercing gaze swept over those present, and he spoke in a deep voice:

'I, your humble Daoist, have come for only one matter.'

'I don't know, Fellow Daoist Zhang, what matter do you refer to?' the Cold Sword True Lord beside him couldn't help but ask.

He could sense that Zhang Ding Tian's attitude toward those present seemed not very friendly.

'Eliminate the rebels!'

Zhang Ding Tian said coldly.

Upon hearing this, everyone's faces changed.

'Eliminate the rebels?!'

'Traitor!'

The reason the Sea Clan's 'Dragon Fish Vast Sea Grand Formation' dealt such a heavy blow to our human cultivators is precisely because Sea Clan cultivators actually appeared silently in our rear, and with a front-and-back pincer attack, that caused the situation at that time!

Zhang Ding Tian's heart seemed very heavy, but his words grew ever more chilling.

'Therefore, there must be someone colluding with the Sea Clan, secretly placing them in our rear. I have come for this very purpose!'

Saying this, his gaze finally settled upon Ice Gui Immortal, Cold Sword True Lord, Crouching Dragon Esteemed Person, and Wan Hai Lin.

Quite evident.

Although some other Yuan Ying Cultivators present also possess such ability, compared to the Ice Gui Immortal quartet, these four are more like local bullies, thus the likelihood is greatest.

Upon these words being spoken, coupled with Zhang Ding Tian's gaze, Ice Gui Immortal, Cold Sword True Lord, etc., could not help but feel a jolt in their hearts.

Ice Gui Immortal squeezed out a smile and slowly said: 'Senior Zhang, we are all cultivators of the Yuan Kingdom and Wu Kingdom; why should we abandon our clan's foundation for the Sea Clan?'

'Indeed.' The Crouching Dragon Esteemed Person echoed: 'Fellow Daoist Zhang, there must surely be a misunderstanding.'

Hearing their words, Zhang Ding Tian's expression eased somewhat, and he reassured: 'You need not worry; I will handle matters by speaking of one person's guilt and obtaining, and will absolutely not wrong any fellow Daoist.'

This, in turn, caused the cultivators present to relax a little.

After all, Zhang Dingtian's reputation is still quite good.

At that moment, Wan Hailin narrowed his eyes slightly and his lips twitched.

It seemed as if he were saying something.

Meanwhile, Zhang Dingtian suddenly looked at Bing Gui Xianzi and said, "Bing Gui Xianzi, I have heard that within your residence there is a Sea‑clan cultivator?"

Bing Gui Xianzi's complexion changed dramatically, and she hurriedly replied, "Senior Zhang, that is—"

Before she could finish, Zhang Dingtian raised his hand to interrupt, gave Bing Gui Xianzi a sideways glance, and said, "I am merely asking; there is no need for you to be nervous. Where is this woman now? I wonder whether I may see her?"

"Daoist Zhang, this woman is the concubine of Yunhe, Daoist Yunhe, and she is certainly not connected with the Sea clan." Han Jian Zhenjun stepped forward without hesitation, his tone absolutely certain.

Han Jian Zhenjun invoked Yunhe's name, and Zhang Dingtian felt a bit hesitant, his tone softening, "Daoist Jiang, I only wish to meet once and ask a few questions."

Bing Gui Xianzi and Han Jian Zhenjun were just about to speak again when a light, floating remark reached the ears of everyone present.

"Daoist Zhang, what doubts do you have? Perhaps you should ask me directly."

(End of chapter)