Chapter 261

Upon hearing this secret, Lu Yuan immediately felt that the situation facing the Xiyanzhou was not optimistic.

One must know that in the Yuanling Heaven cultivation world, a Return to Void Great Ability is the pinnacle of cultivation, an existence like a pillar supporting the sky; the reason the Xiyanzhou has not fallen under the catastrophe is precisely because they resisted the terrifying Heavenly Corpse Emperor, propping up a piece of heaven.

There are only two Return to Void Great Abilities in the Xiyanzhou, and now one has actually developed such a major problem; once the news spreads, it will instantly cause huge panic and turmoil, directly affecting the stability of the front line.

The Huanglong Cloning could not help but frown and ask:

"Then, is there any lead on the diluted spirit medicine that can eradicate the Heavenly Corpse Emperor's poison?"

Kong Linsen said: "As far as I know, it seems one main ingredient is still missing, and it hasn't been found even after searching for decades."

The Huanglong Cloning asked: "Then can that Phantom Sea Daoist still...?"

Kong Linsen said:

"Phantom Sea Daoist is, after all, a Void Immortal with heaven-reaching means; even if the Primordial Spirit is contaminated by the Heavenly Corpse Poison, there are ways to delay it, at least enough to sustain for hundreds of years. Presumably, such a long time is enough to find the last main ingredient."

The Huanglong Cloning could not help but nod: "Hundreds of years, that is fine then."

Across the entire Yuanling Heaven's five continents and four seas, the area is a thousand times larger than the lower realms. For ordinary people, searching for a spirit medicine in such a vast and boundless region is naturally more difficult than finding a needle in the ocean. However, the Immortal Alliance has many cultivators, and a Transformation Deity Heavenly Monarch can cross tens of thousands of miles in a day; there is still a not-insignificant chance and possibility to collect it over several hundred years.

"Huanglong, you know this and I know this; remember not to spread it."

Kong Linsen said with extra caution:

"It concerns a Return to Void Great Ability; the slightest leak of information could cause panic in the Xiyanzhou's cultivation world. If it makes everyone feel insecure, then we would be guilty of a great crime."

The Huanglong Cloning nodded and smiled:

"Rest assured, I understand the stakes. This conversation is limited to the ears of you and me; no third person will ever know."

Kong Linsen laughed: "That is good. Let us drop this topic. We haven't seen each other for many years; it is a rare opportunity to discuss cultivation and sit and talk about the Dao."

The Huanglong Cloning naturally had no objections. Whether it was the cultivation memories of True Monarch Huanglong himself or Lu Yuan's own Dao-seeking experience, it was enough to handle the other party, so he began to talk freely with him in the cave dwelling.

Of course, due to the apparent difference in cultivation level, most of the time it was Kong Linsen expounding on his insights into cultivation at the Nascent Soul Mid Stage and even breaking through to the Nascent Soul Late Stage, clearly intended specifically for the Huanglong Cloning to hear.

Such insights and experiences are extremely rare for any cultivator below the Nascent Soul Late Stage and possess high reference value, which also shows that Kong Linsen and True Monarch Huanglong are indeed close friends.

The two sat and discussed the Dao for three whole days and nights. When Kong Linsen finally took the initiative to end the discussion, the Huanglong Cloning could not help but exclaim:

"As expected of a high disciple of Zhulong Heavenly Monarch, Fellow Daoist Kong's profound understanding of the Great Dao has truly benefited me greatly. Many thanks."

"We have known each other for many years, what is there to thank?"

Kong Linsen stood up and smiled:

"Let us go. We shall go to the front line to take a look, just the two of us will suffice. I have also received an order from the Immortal Alliance this time to inspect the status of all front-line positions; I am afraid I cannot stay in Longshan Immortal City for long."

The Huanglong Cloning also stood up: "Good, let us go together."

After saying this.

Without summoning subordinates, the two left the cave dwelling, released a Flying Boat, and then turned into swift rainbow lights, flying away from the Immortal City toward the direction of the front-line positions.

A distance of two or three thousand miles is nothing to a Nascent Soul True Monarch. The two arrived at the front line in just a moment. The War Hall Master and the many Golden Core Cultivators stationed there received the report and immediately came out of the base to respectfully welcome them.

Gazing at the Yin Corpse Mountain Range in the distance, Kong Linsen could not help but smile:

"It has been more than three hundred years, and this Yin Corpse Mountain Range is still the same. Fellow Daoist Huanglong, do you remember the scene when you and I were stationed here together?"

More than three hundred years ago, True Monarch Huanglong and Kong Linsen were only Golden Core Real Persons, and they had fought side by side at this front-line position for quite a few years, thus forming a deep friendship. The Huanglong Cloning naturally knew this memory like the back of his hand, so he could not help but smile:

"Of course. I still remember the most dangerous time was when a Heavenly Corpse appeared, leading a group of corpses that almost broke through the defense line. You and I circled for a long time and almost perished, finally waiting for reinforcements from the Immortal City."

Kong Linsen laughed aloud:

"Exactly. I remember you even self-detonated a Dharma Artifact to save my life under the claws of the Heavenly Corpse. If not for that, I would have perished on the spot, or at the very least, I would have been infected by the corpse poison and turned into something neither human nor ghost. This scene is still vivid in my mind."

The Huanglong Cloning echoed with a smile:

"That is nothing. Didn't Fellow Daoist Kong also save me back then? A Corpse Demon transformed by the Shadow Demon Sect ambushed me; if it weren't for you noticing it in advance and stepping in to block it, I would be nothing but dry bones in a grave now."

Revisiting the old place, Kong Linsen was clearly in high spirits and said:

"How is the situation at the front-line positions now? Is the pressure still as great as it used to be?"

The Huanglong Cloning smiled:

"Ever since the Spirit Fire Cannon was mass-produced and popularized, the pressure on the front-line positions has been greatly reduced. Even large-scale Corpse Tides find it difficult to shake the defense line. Aside from Four-Tier Heavenly Corpses, there is no longer much threat."

War Hall Master Xing Tian-ding also said:

"Although the Spirit Fire Cannon is difficult to hit Corpse Kings and those above that level, it can form large-scale strikes against low-level Corpse Demons. In the past, most of the Corpse Tides could retreat calmly, but now with the artillery formation composed of hundreds of Spirit Fire Cannons, the kill rate for low-level Corpse Demons still exceeds sixty percent. In these few years, the Corpse Demons in the Yin Corpse Mountain Range have almost been slaughtered by us!"

"Oh?"

Kong Linsen's gaze flickered as he looked at the distant mountain range.

"That is indeed a happy event. Fellow Daoist Huanglong, shall we go inside and take a look?"

The Huanglong Cloning naturally had no reason to refuse, so he immediately nodded and flew toward the Yin Corpse Mountain Range with him, while the other Golden Core Cultivators followed behind to accompany them.

In a moment, the many cultivators drove straight in, entered the Yin Corpse Mountain Range, and arrived at an area close to the inner perimeter.

At this moment, although the Yin Corpse Mountain Range was still filled with gloomy winds and deathly aura, the atmosphere that used to be like the underworld had faded a lot.

"The evil aura has indeed greatly diminished."

Because it was a sunny day, under the sunlight, one could not see the situation of Corpse Demons covering the mountains and plains. Kong Linsen looked around and smiled:

"Fellow Daoist Huanglong, if I said that without using divine sense, I could tell at a glance how many Corpse Demons are left within a hundred miles, would you believe it?"

"Oh?"

The Huanglong Cloning remembered something and said:

"Could it be that you have already cultivated that Supernatural Power?"

"Hahaha, Fellow Daoist Huanglong knows me well!"

Kong Linsen smiled with a hint of pride:

"Speaking of which, my greatest gain under my master's tutelage over these years is not stepping into the Nascent Soul Late Stage, but cultivating this Supernatural Power."

"It is naturally my master's Sun Moon Profound Pupil, which is famous in the cultivation world. Of course, as a disciple, I am far from reaching the great success of his old man's Supernatural Power, but I have achieved some small success."

Sun Moon Profound Pupil

(Traces and Clues, Closing in on the Truth!)

The Huanglong Cloning's gaze shifted slightly.

Kong Linsen's master is titled Zhulong Heavenly Monarch; the Zhulong is an ancient True Spirit that creates day when it opens its eyes and night when it closes them, and being able to possess such a title is clearly in large part thanks to this Supernatural Power.

According to rumors, this Supernatural Power can see through mysteries and dispel evil, invert yin and yang, and has inexhaustible wondrous uses.

However, correspondingly, its cultivation requirements are extremely harsh; not just anyone can cultivate it, as one must possess a type of extremely special yin-yang eyes to be qualified to cultivate it.

Without a doubt, the reason Kong Linsen was taken as a disciple by Zhulong Heavenly Monarch is precisely because he possesses these rare yin-yang eyes, such that even though he lacks extremely superior aptitudes like an Earth Spiritual Root or Heavenly Spirit Root, he could still be taken into the sect by a Transformation Deity Heavenly Monarch.

And before the Huanglong Cloning could even speak, Kong Linsen tapped his glabella, and immediately his pupils transformed into a sun and a moon; everyone instantly felt an invisible ripple surge through the void, causing one to inexplicably feel a strange sensation of void disorder and yin-yang inversion.

And as Kong Linsen's pupils transformed into the sun and moon, he scanned with his gaze and smiled lightly:

"Within this two-hundred-mile radius, there are no Heavenly Corpses, though there are three Corpse Kings, located respectively one hundred and twenty miles to the southeast, over ninety miles to the northwest, and another one hiding on another mountain peak just ten miles away; as for Corpse Generals, there are hundreds, but all in all, the number of Corpse Demons in this mountain range has indeed decreased much compared to the past."

Having said this, he looked at the Huanglong Cloning with an emotional expression:

"To have such a change, it seems..."

Before he finished speaking, his tone and gaze both froze slightly.

Kong Linsen, who was manifesting the Sun-Moon True Pupil Supernatural Power, had mysterious and chaotic eyes, as if he could see through everything; the Huanglong Cloning's heart jolted suddenly, but on the surface, he remained calm and said:

"Fellow Daoist Kong?"

Kong Linsen quickly returned to normal and smiled:

"To have such a change, it seems the invention and popularization of War Artifacts like the Spirit Fire Cannon have contributed significantly, but more importantly, it is due to Fellow Daoist Huanglong's effective governance. The Immortal Alliance sent Elder Fan from the Divine Machine Tower this time firstly to observe, and secondly to evaluate; if the evaluation is correct, I fear there will be immense merit bestowed."

The Huanglong Cloning shook his head and said:

"It was just a coincidence; it mainly relied on the intelligence and wisdom of those young juniors. An old man like me will not steal the credit."

"Fellow Daoist Huanglong is joking; as the Immortal City Lord, you naturally hold the primary merit, so how can there be any talk of stealing? Just wait for the Immortal Alliance's judgment; as for the merits and rewards for those juniors, they will certainly not be lacking."

Kong Linsen laughed:

"Alright, I have seen the situation here, and I can return now."

The Huanglong Cloning naturally would not say anything more, and immediately led everyone to return to the frontline base with him, and after patrolling and exchanging pleasantries for a while, he returned to the Immortal City.

After returning, the Huanglong Cloning personally escorted Kong Linsen to a prepared lodging cave dwelling, then left.

And after the Huanglong Cloning left, Kong Linsen's gaze turned cold.

He thought for a moment, took out a communication talisman unique to the Immortal Alliance, and then whispered a few words.

Before long, outside the cave dwelling, a tall figure arrived from the horizon.

It was none other than the Guest Monarch of Longshan Immortal City, Wei Bufan.

A Patrol Domain Envoy has a very high status in the Immortal Alliance, and all Stationed Immortal Officials are under their jurisdiction; if there is a situation, it must be reported immediately, so after Wei Bufan landed in front of the cave dwelling, he bowed in a very respectful posture and said:

"Stationed Immortal Official Wei Bufan, pays respects to the Patrol Domain Envoy!"

"Come in."

A low voice sounded, and the formation covering the cave dwelling automatically opened a passage; Wei Bufan immediately stepped inside, passed through the plaza and garden, and then saw Kong Linsen sitting in a pavilion.

However, what startled him was that at this moment, Kong Linsen's eyes had already transformed into the sun and moon, and his gaze was like a peerless sharp sword piercing straight over, as if it were about to pierce into his heart and see through his very soul.

This was clearly the other party's signature Supernatural Power; Wei Bufan, not understanding the reason, changed his expression and immediately assumed a defensive posture:

"Immortal Envoy Kong, what is the meaning of this?"

Staring at Wei Bufan for a full few breaths.

In Kong Linsen's eyes, the shapes of the sun, moon, yin, and yang rapidly dissipated; he first took out a small formation disk and activated it, completely isolating this space, and then said in a low voice:

"Fellow Daoist Wei, do not mind it; I manifested the Sun-Moon True Pupil just to confirm that you have no problems."

Wei Bufan was even more suspicious:

"What is Immortal Envoy Kong referring to? Wei does not quite understand."

Kong Linsen did not answer directly, but asked slowly:

"I will explain the specific situation later; I want to ask you, in the years you have been stationed at Longshan Immortal City, has anything unusual happened in the city?"

"Anything unusual?"

Wei Bufan did not know what Kong Linsen was trying to ask, but he still patiently thought and said:

"In recent years, apart from the Century Impact ten years ago, everything in Longshan Immortal City has been very normal; Wei has not heard of anything unusual."

Kong Linsen stared:

"What about the City Lord, True Monarch Huanglong? Has his behavior in these years shown any abnormalities?"

"True Monarch Huanglong?"

Wei Bufan said in surprise:

"Fellow Daoist Huanglong and I each perform our own duties, and we do not have much interaction on a daily basis; we only occasionally meet when there are special situations on the front line or major activities in the Immortal City, and I have never noticed any abnormalities in him... I wonder why Immortal Envoy Kong asks this?"

Kong Linsen was silent for a moment, his eyes cold, and he said straight to the point:

"I suspect that True Monarch Huanglong has been possessed."

Upon hearing this.

Even as a fellow Nascent Soul True Monarch, Wei Bufan was suddenly startled, his expression changing drastically:

"True Monarch Huanglong was possessed? How is this possible? Why would Immortal Envoy Kong say this? Could it be a mistake?"

Three questions in a row revealed immense shock and disbelief.

One must know that the method of possession is a taboo in the world of immortal cultivation and can only be performed by high-level cultivators on low-level cultivators; even so, the success rate is quite low.

For a Nascent Soul True Monarch, how resilient is their divine sense? What kind of realm and what kind of means would it take to possess such a figure?

Theoretically speaking, only an existence at the level of a Transformation Deity Heavenly Monarch could possibly possess a Nascent Soul True Monarch, but the Immortal Alliance of the Xiyanzhou currently has only eleven Transformation Deity Heavenly Monarchs in total, and each one has achieved great success and is highly respected; how could they possibly possess others?

Even taking a step back, even if some Transformation Deity Heavenly Monarch needed to possess someone due to their lifespan ending or a serious injury, they would only secretly choose those young potential seeds with high spiritual root aptitudes; how could they travel thousands of miles to this border defense line to possess a Nascent Soul True Monarch whose potential is exhausted and whose lifespan is mostly consumed?