Uncle Nine's Return

After repelling the malevolent cultivator, the mortuary temporarily regained its peace. Mo Yuan meticulously inspected the morgue, ensuring there were no other hidden dangers, and then properly dealt with the manipulated walking corpse. The bloodstains and malevolent energy left by the shadowy figure became the only clue.

"This malevolent cultivator was injured by the lightning-struck wood, and the malevolent energy entered its body. It will definitely suffer a backlash in a short period, but it won't give up so easily," Mo Yuan knew this clearly in his heart.

The other party's target was the zombie formed by Ren Weiyong. This time, they had alerted the enemy. If they came again, it would likely be even more troublesome.

Uncle Nine had not yet returned, so the heavy responsibility of guarding the mortuary fell upon him and his two senior brothers. Wen Cai and Qiu Sheng, after learning about last night's events, were terrified and even more impressed by Mo Yuan's abilities, obeying him completely.

Mo Yuan did not waste time, dedicating more energy to cultivation and digesting the system's rewards. The Minor Five Elements Spell: Geng Metal Sword Qi Technique was key to improving his offensive capabilities at the moment.

With the experience of repelling the malevolent cultivator, he gained a deeper understanding of "sharpness" and "condensation." No longer content with merely simulating with his mind, he began to try and compress and refine the spiritual energy within him, nurtured by the Innate Spiritual Energy, along the path of the secret art, at his fingertips.

Initially, only a faint, flickering white-gold light could be seen, making it difficult to form. But Mo Yuan was patient, repeatedly deducing the subtle differences in spiritual energy flow with his Primordial Comprehension, constantly adjusting.

Several days later, he finally managed to stably condense a white-gold sword qi, about an inch long and appearing substantial, at his fingertips! Although the sword qi was small, it exuded an incomparably sharp aura. A light sweep across the bluestone floor left a clear scratch!

"It's done! This is Geng Metal Sword Qi!" Mo Yuan rejoiced in his heart. This was just the entry level. According to the secret art's description, at a profound level, the sword qi could leave the body to injure enemies, travel a hundred paces, and be indestructible. In this era of declining magic, this was undoubtedly a powerful trump card.

At the same time, he also began to study the Basic Formation Diagram. The art of formations was vast and profound, involving the circulation of heavenly and earthly elemental energy, and the interaction of Yin and Yang and the Five Elements. He started with the simplest "Minor Spirit Gathering Formation" and "Warning Formation."

He used the Minor Spirit Gathering Formation to gather the sparse spiritual energy around him to aid his cultivation, and set up a hidden warning formation around the mortuary. Once any malevolent spirits or strangers intruded, he could sense it immediately.

One day, Mo Yuan felt his condition had reached its peak and decided to attempt to sign in again. He came to the side of the ancient "Dragon Locking Well" in the mortuary's backyard.

This well was said to be bottomless, and a faint, chilling aura permeated it year-round. Even Uncle Nine had warned his disciples not to approach it lightly.

Mo Yuan sensed that some ancient and powerful aura seemed to linger within this well, perhaps related to legends. It was an excellent location for signing in.

"System, sign in at the Dragon Locking Well!"

[Ding! Sign-in successful! Congratulations to the host for obtaining: High-Grade Spirit Stone x1, Thousand-Year Dark Wood (small piece) x1, Object Control Art (Basic) x1, Remnant Aura of the Primordial World: True Dragon Evil Qi (a wisp)!]

[True Dragon Evil Qi (a wisp)]: The malevolent dragon qi left behind after the fall of an ancient true dragon. It is extremely potent and can erode the mind, or be used to temper the body and cultivate special evil weapons (Warning: Use with caution during the Qi Refining stage; requires powerful willpower or pure Yang energy to resolve)!

The rewards this time once again startled Mo Yuan! The spiritual energy contained in the High-Grade Spirit Stone far surpassed that of lower grades, enough to support his long-term cultivation! The Thousand-Year Dark Wood was a more precious and chilling refining material than lightning-struck wood, usable for refining soul-nourishing magical artifacts or special talismans. The Object Control Art was a basic method for controlling magical artifacts, exactly what he urgently needed!

The most astonishing was the [wisp of True Dragon Evil Qi]! Although the system had issued a warning, the ancient, overbearing, and majestic aura contained within it made the Innate Spiritual Energy in Mo Yuan's Dantian stir slightly.

"Danger and opportunity coexist... Could this item help me cultivate the Geng Metal Sword Qi Technique? Geng Metal emphasizes killing and offense. It might not be incompatible with evil qi; the key lies in control!" A bold idea sprouted in his mind.

He didn't immediately deal with the True Dragon Evil Qi but first began to study the Object Control Art. After mastering the basic method of controlling artifacts, he attempted to control the lightning-struck wood sword embryo.

At first, the flying sword wobbled like a drunkard, but it soon stabilized under the envelopment of his pure spiritual energy. Although it couldn't be controlled as precisely as an arm, it could already leave his body by several feet and perform simple stabbing and slashing movements. This greatly increased his combat effectiveness.

Two more days passed, and Uncle Nine returned, dusty and weary, with an unshakeable worry etched on his brow.

Upon hearing that Mo Yuan had repelled the malevolent cultivator, preliminarily mastered sword qi, and even begun setting up formations, he remained silent for a long time. Finally, he patted Mo Yuan's shoulder and sighed, "Your growth rate truly exceeds my imagination as a teacher. It seems some things are perhaps destined for you to face."

Uncle Nine brought back important news: after discussing with several other fellow Daoists, they discovered that in recent times, similar signs of "Yin Corpse" (i.e., un-decayed corpses) activity had appeared in several nearby towns. Behind this seemed to be a hidden malevolent cultivator organization operating with the intention of collecting powerful zombies for nefarious purposes. Ren Family Town was likely just a link in their plan.

"The opponent's methods are strange. They can remotely control corpses and may even understand evil arts of raising corpses. We must quickly handle Ren Weiyong's zombie properly and find the mastermind behind this."

Uncle Nine said gravely, "Mo Yuan, although you are young, your strength is already not to be underestimated. For this mission, you must accompany me. Perhaps your... fortuitous encounter can play a crucial role."

"Your disciple will not refuse!" Mo Yuan agreed without hesitation. This was exactly the experience he had been looking forward to: confronting true evil, verifying his learning, and tempering his Dao heart!

Uncle Nine decided not to wait for an auspicious date. Three days later, they would move Ren Weiyong's grave and cremate his body to eliminate future trouble. At the same time, they would set a trap to lure out the mastermind.

During these three days, the atmosphere in the mortuary was tense. Uncle Nine personally set up the "Eight Trigrams Yin Locking Formation" at the chosen new burial site and drew numerous high-level talismans.

Mo Yuan, meanwhile, focused on consolidating his cultivation, practicing the Object Control Art and Geng Metal Sword Qi, and carefully drew out a wisp of the True Dragon Evil Qi. He attempted to use his own spiritual energy and Innate Spiritual Energy as a guide to integrate it into the Geng Metal Sword Qi.

The process was extremely dangerous. The moment the evil qi entered his body, its violent will almost overwhelmed his mind, and his meridians felt as if they were being sliced by knives! But his will was firm, he maintained clarity of mind, and guided by his Primordial Comprehension, he slowly refined and assimilated that wisp of evil qi.

Finally, the Geng Metal Sword Qi condensed at his fingertips changed from pure white to a very faint dark gold pattern. Its aura became even sharper and more domineering, carrying a dragon-like oppressive force!

On the day of the grave relocation, Ren Fa was reluctant, but faced with Uncle Nine's insistence and the safety of the family, he had no choice but to agree. The new grave was chosen in a sunny, open area. Workers dug open the tomb, and Uncle Nine personally presided over the ritual. Mo Yuan acted as a protector nearby, while Wen Cai and Qiu Sheng were responsible for outer perimeter security.

Just as the coffin was about to be placed in the new grave and prepared for cremation!

"Wuwuwu--"

A series of mournful ghost cries suddenly erupted from all directions! A strong, eerie wind blew, kicking up sand and stones! In the distant mountain forest, dozens of walking corpses and skeletons surged forward like a tide! Among them were even a few Black-Furred Zombies with noticeably stronger auras!

And behind these malevolent creatures, three malevolent cultivators in black robes with sinister expressions appeared! The one in the lead was the shadowy figure Mo Yuan had injured that night.

He stared at Mo Yuan with venomous eyes and shouted, "Brat! Today I will tear you to shreds! And Lin Jiu, if you know what's good for you, hand over that top-grade Yin Corpse!"

"They've come as expected!" Uncle Nine snorted coldly, pointing his Peach Wood Sword, "Activate the formation!"

The Eight Trigrams Yin Locking Formation instantly activated, and golden light flared, blocking the incoming low-level walking corpses and skeletons. However, the few Black-Furred Zombies, possessing immense strength, continuously battered the formation's light barrier, causing it to shake violently.

"Mo Yuan, you deal with the injured malevolent cultivator and the Black Zombie on the left! The rest are mine!" Uncle Nine quickly assigned tasks and flashed forward, heading towards the other two malevolent cultivators and the strongest Black Zombie.

"Yes!" Mo Yuan's eyes sharpened as he locked onto his targets. He knew the principle of capturing the leader first. His footwork shifted, avoiding the entanglement of ordinary walking corpses, and he lunged directly at the injured malevolent cultivator!

Seeing Mo Yuan charge, the malevolent cultivator sneered, conjured a black banner, and shook it, emitting ghostly cries. Several shadowy figures lunged at Mo Yuan! At the same time, the Black-Furred Zombie beside him roared and charged at Mo Yuan!

"A mere glowworm dares to shine?" Mo Yuan coldly shouted, dark gold sword qi spewing from his fingertips!

"Geng Metal Sword Qi, slash!"

A condensed dark gold sword qi left his body, moving as fast as lightning! With a few puchi sounds, it easily severed those ghostly figures! Its momentum undiminished, it flew straight towards the Black-Furred Zombie's forehead!

The Black-Furred Zombie instinctively felt the threat and crossed its arms to block!

"Screech!"

The sword qi grazed past. The Black-Furred Zombie's arm, as tough as iron, was actually cut open with a wound deep enough to see bone, and black blood flowed! The sharp Geng Metal energy and True Dragon Evil Qi contained within the sword qi had a strong restraining effect on Yin and evil entities!

"What?!" The malevolent cultivator was greatly shocked. He hadn't expected Mo Yuan's sword qi to be so powerful! He hastily urged his black banner, releasing more ghosts, while retreating himself.

How could Mo Yuan let him escape? He used the Object Control Art, and the lightning-struck wood sword embryo transformed into a bolt of lightning, heading straight for the malevolent cultivator's back! At the same time, he flicked his fingers, and weakened versions of Geng Metal sword qi rained down like a storm, shooting towards the malevolent cultivator and the Black-Furred Zombie!

For a time, sword qi crisscrossed, talismans flew, and Mo Yuan, fighting two opponents, actually held the upper hand! His combat style was agile and sharp, far exceeding that of ordinary Qi Refining stage cultivators, fully utilizing the combat intuition brought by his Primordial Comprehension!

On the other side, Uncle Nine was also locked in a fierce battle with his opponents, and the Eight Trigrams Formation was on the verge of collapse under the assault of numerous malevolent creatures.