The Conspiracy Begins, The Ominous Star Descends

The Wang Family Eldest Daughter-in-law had only recently advanced to the Foundation Establishment Realm, and it was clear she had paid a considerable price.

Her temperament changed, her soul unstable.

Suddenly attacked by Ge Xian, she couldn't resist even a little. Her body went limp, and the jade plate holding the strange flesh was about to fall.

Ge Huolang was quick, grabbing the jade plate with one hand and holding Sister Wang with the other as he retreated to his hiding spot.

After successfully hypnotizing her, the scoundrel didn't bother with pleasantries and directly interrogated her about secret matters.

In her state of arousal and desire, Sister Wang revealed all the secrets of the Ancient Tomb Sect to the shameless scoundrel.

Upon hearing this, Ge Xian couldn't help but show surprise, lamenting that the eight-foot Li Wa was quite skilled at playing games.

"As I suspected, my previous perception was correct. Li Wa and her so-called adopted daughter, Li Su, are one and the same."

"Or rather, Li Su is a [Spirit Embryo] split from Li Wa. She herself is the Desire Embryo. This is the core secret technique of the Eternal Life Cult, Spirit Desire Dual Cultivation. Their cultivation speed is twice that of other cultivation methods, and the divine abilities and spells they obtain are also more powerful, with only the price of some sacrifices and the development of vicious habits."

"To quickly reach Mortal Transformation Perfection and meet the conditions for Impacting the Spirit Connection Realm, Li Wa built another Spirit Pool next to the Flesh Altar. That pool was originally a Nine Nether Cold Pond, directly connected to the underground water vein. Its original owner was that Song Dynasty Remnant Cultivator named 'Yuan Niangniang'."

"Yuan Niangniang was originally a Buddhist Cultivator who survived to this day by borrowing a spirit medicine from the Eternal Life Cult. For years, she channeled the underground spiritual qi and malevolent qi into the cold pond, transforming a poisonous cold pond into a spirit pond for healing."

"Unfortunately, in the end, she paved the way for Li Wa of the Eternal Life Cult."

"As long as hundreds more types of flesh containing various Dao Qi are added to the spirit pool, with a formula identical to the Flesh Altar, the spirit pool will also transform."

"When Li Su enters the pool, and then uses her technique to capture the souls of the Young Heroes and Elites who have eaten her Jade Bee Pill, and devours them all, she will achieve Spirit Embryo Perfection and enter Mortal Transformation."

"After the Spirit Desire Union! Li Wa's advancement to the Spirit Connection Realm will only be a matter of time."

"What a brilliant plan, and a way to use influence for personal gain."

Ge Huolang marveled.

Compared to these "second-generation" cultivators who controlled vast resources, he, a rogue cultivator, was truly incomparable.

After asking these questions, Ge Xian quickly ordered the Wang Family Eldest Daughter-in-law to take the jade plate and return. The flesh in the plate was called [Rou Zhi], originating from an "enlightened Zhi Ren." It was very rare, and a single piece could increase lifespan by ten years.

Although Ge Huolang was greedy, he dared not indulge, lest he be discovered.

As soon as the Wang Family Eldest Daughter-in-law left, he squatted back in his hiding place.

Not long after, as expected, he saw the young girl Li Su, surrounded by women in white, flying like a Nine Heavens Immortal towards the mountain's interior.

This time, he was closer. After a quiet glance, Ge Xian sighed again in his heart:

"The cultivation method of the Eternal Life Cult focuses on 'Spirit Desire' and the path of 'Flesh and Blood.' Most living beings cannot resist it, especially races like humans with burgeoning desires."

"This [Spirit Embryo Li Su] split by Li Wa, by simply holding a Martial Arts Competition for Marriage, has captivated a crowd of Young Heroes and Elites, attracting both genders... If she were to descend the mountain and roam the jianghu, making friends everywhere, her effect might be even more terrifying than that 'Shi Feixuan' from the wuxia novels I read in my past life. Adding Wanwan wouldn't be enough for her to handle."

"Compared to that, my bewitching hypnosis seems rather vulgar."

"I must find an opportunity in the future to snatch a copy or two of the Eternal Life Cult's secret techniques to broaden my horizons. It's a pity Sister Wang only knows the Bone-Melting Palm, and her entry into the Foundation Establishment Realm was by luck. She hasn't learned any secret techniques yet. Otherwise, I could have gotten them now."

Ge Huolang sighed that he hadn't managed to "pluck the goose's feathers" this time, completely forgetting that much time had passed during this whole ordeal.

That deadly deadline suddenly arrived.

The martial arts discussions that had been ongoing atop Sunset Mountain abruptly ceased.

Immediately, a White Clad Female Immortal suddenly ascended into the sky. It was none other than Li Wa.

She once again displayed her Jade Transformation Dharma Body. Her height also surged from eight feet to over ten feet. Even so, she still possessed a charm that could captivate all beings. Regardless of gender, anyone who looked at her couldn't help but feel lustful thoughts stir deep within their soul.

Ge Xian hadn't understood the reason before, but now he knew she possessed the Desire Embryo Body, a mere talent.

Seeing her Manifestation, the Guǐ Wǔ Cultivators on the mountain became excited.

Especially the Beggar Sect Leader, the Shaolin Temple Elder, the Wudang Elder, the Ming Cult Protector... these high-ranking seniors from various sects had been stuck in the Foundation Establishment Realm for a long time. They thought their lives would remain that way, but unexpectedly, a great turning point had arrived.

When they first came, they had worried about the risks, thinking it might be a conspiracy or a trap.

But after interacting with "Li Wa," they all changed their minds, believing this to be a Great Opportunity. And Sect Leader Li of the Ancient Tomb Sect, the greatest Martial Arts Genius in centuries, was also an unparalleled Great Philanthropist.

Each of them eagerly anticipated hearing the Mortal Transformation Secret Technique.

The next moment, their wishes were granted.

"Fellow Daoists!"

"Li Wa senses that martial artists worldwide have been trapped in the Foundation Establishment Realm for many years. I am willing to publicly share the Mortal Transformation Secret Technique I have comprehended. Please, all of you, appraise it."

"I will only demonstrate it once. Please watch carefully."

As her voice fell, everyone's souls focused.

Then, the scene from a few days prior unfolded once more. Li Wa exhaled Immortal Qi, a spring breeze blew, and sweet dew descended, causing Sunset Mountain to be jade-ified again.

Even more astonishingly, centered around Li Wa's Dharma Body, Flesh and Blood Flowers suddenly bloomed, filling the mountains and sky.

This spectacle was shocking and enchanting, captivating the heart and soul.

As everyone was stunned by this sight, Li Wa, standing amidst the Sea of Flesh and Blood Flowers, smiled enchantingly and exhaled another breath of "Immortal Qi."

Upon colliding with the sweet dew, countless crystal-clear Ice Mirrors, as red as blood, instantly condensed.

As if held by magical power, they floated before each person.

On the mirror surfaces, lines of small Blood Characters began to appear:

"Everyone, open your hearts and minds, focus your attention, and behold the technique I have comprehended: the [Spirit Flesh Union Longevity Borrowing Method]."

Upon hearing this, the crowd instinctively looked.

The impatient ones began to examine it closely before Li Wa had even finished speaking.

One glance!

Even just touching the first line of text caused the Guǐ Wǔ Cultivators present, regardless of their cultivation level, to instantly stiffen, unable to move.

Moreover, profound and terrifying changes began to occur within each of them, starting with the most senior martial arts experts.

Take the Beggar Sect Leader, Zhuang Buxian. Initially, he was cautious, intending only a brief look, but he still fell victim. After stiffening, he involuntarily scanned the entire Secret Technique in a short time. The Cultivation Method within him became disobedient, actively circulating.

The next moment, he began to "shapeshift."

Sharp teeth and fangs, coarse dog hair, sharp limbs... and a visible, potent demonic energy permeated outwards.

Foundation Establishment Realm?

Yes and no.

Everyone could sense that the Beggar Sect Leader's cultivation and demonic energy had surged significantly, making him stronger than his original Foundation Establishment, yet far from reaching the Mortal Transformation Realm.

If this were all, the Guǐ Wǔ Cultivators would have rejoiced. Who wouldn't want a massive increase in power?

But at this moment, hearing Zhuang Buxian's agonizing howls echoing across Sunset Mountain, everyone knew he was enduring unimaginable pain.

It was like a torture where his soul was being torn apart bit by bit, shattered into countless fragments.

In fact, it was more than that.

Spirit Flesh Union was precisely what it sounded like. The torture Zhuang Buxian was enduring was the tearing of his soul, forcibly integrated into his body to become a blood puppet.

Everyone's expression changed.

From ecstatic joy, it turned to sheer terror.

At this point, even an idiot could see Li Wa's malicious intent.

What Martial Arts Competition for Marriage?

What Guǐ Wǔ Tournament?

This was clearly a trap.

Li Wa's target was the entire martial arts world, these nearly a thousand Guǐ Wǔ Cultivators. She intended to catch them all in one net.

Zhuang Buxian, while howling, struggled and roared:

"Sect Leader Li... Sect Leader Li, what did you do to me?"

"What do you intend to do?"

Within the Sea of Flesh and Blood Flowers, Li Wa, who no longer resembled a Human Woman, swayed her extremely tall and incomparably seductive Dharma Body, a smile on her face, yet the voice she uttered remained as clear and cold as ice.

"Do not panic, this is to fulfill you all."

"After you cultivate the Secret Technique, your power will all surge, and in the future, you will achieve Spirit Flesh Union. Then, by cultivating the Secret Technique I bestow upon you, your progress will be a thousand miles a day. You will not only be far stronger than those who practice martial arts, but you can even suppress other Dharma Lineage cultivators."

"The price, is merely losing some lifespan and obeying my commands."

"Sect Leader Zhuang, did you not privately promise me that my words would be an Imperial Decree to you?"

These words rang out.

All the cultivators on the mountain had distorted faces, their souls shattering.

Their knowledge was not low, and they all reacted.

This Li Wa!

She clearly intended to refine all the Guǐ Wǔ Cultivators into servants under her command.

What a good deal!

With just a guise, she easily took in dozens of cultivators in the Foundation Establishment Realm, over a hundred in the Dao Entry Realm, and hundreds of slaves with their own unique skills.

The most crucial point was that, if handled well, she could even take over their respective sects.

This was equivalent to subjugating all the Guǐ Wǔ Cultivators Under Heaven.

Looking at her business acumen, Li Wa was in no way inferior to Yelü Tianzheng.

Seeing this, Ge Xian sighed once more at the might of the Eternal Life Cult's Secret Technique.

Even though they had already dropped all pretense and revealed their true intentions, the Beggar Sect Leader still addressed Li Wa as Sect Leader Li, instead of using his usual habit of calling her a bitch or a slut.

The reason was likely that after contact, his soul had been captivated by the "desire fetus."

The others were all the same.

It was unavoidable; those who practiced martial arts were simply too weak.

This Dharma Lineage was the bottom of the bottom.

Dao Qi, Dharma Power, Divine Abilities, and Demon Arts were far inferior to the cultivation methods of the Myriad Laws Sect, the great Holy Lands, and the Evil God Dharma Lineage.

Even though they were both in the Foundation Establishment Realm, the latter could fight two opponents without losing ground. This was because Guǐ Wǔ Cultivators had little resistance to these bizarre and terrifying demon arts and divine abilities.

Of course, the Guǐ Wǔ lineage also had its advantages: it was quick to get started, with very few taboos and restrictions, allowing them to recruit widely from humanity and select freely.

"In this chaotic world, the Guǐ Wǔ lineage is perhaps the best time for development."

"Even the Eternal Life Cult could see their suitability for being refined into 'meat slaves' and 'blood soldiers', setting a trap to capture them all. Would the various rebel armies not know this?"

"With me tipping them off in advance, if the Eternal Life Cult can still succeed in this matter, then Liu Futong and Zhu Hongwu shouldn't even bother rebelling. They should just surrender and be recruited, or perhaps join the Eternal Life Cult."

As Ge Xian muttered.

On the mountain, more Guǐ Wǔ Cultivators began to mutate.

They were forced to reveal their demon bodies one after another. Although their cultivation and spiritual power surged after the Spirit Flesh Union, they could no longer return to their human form, and their lifespan would be consumed.

One after another, in a short time, the Guǐ Wǔ Tournament turned into a gathering of demons.

During the process, another bizarre change occurred:

A group of young heroes and prodigies, including the Shaolin Temple's Eight-armed Buddha, the Wudang's Guye Immortal, and the Ming Cult's Young Sect Master, did not mutate into demon bodies. Instead, they all collapsed to the ground as if their souls had been lost, leaving only empty shells.

Others were confused, but only Ge Xian knew.

These outstanding young talents were the most delicious part of the grand feast, having been pre-ordered by Li Wa's "Spirit Embryo Li Su." Their souls had been snatched away and taken to the Spirit Pool within Sunset Mountain, where they would engage in Dual Cultivation with Li Su, helping her achieve perfection and transcend the mortal realm.

As the situation reached this point, the Guǐ Wǔ Cultivators wailed and cursed, and the entire Sunset Mountain seethed with turmoil.

Meanwhile, Ge Xian frowned, pondering why the various factions had not yet made a move.

"I informed Bai Fugui last, and she had to go invite others, so a delay is understandable."

"Why is there no movement from Monk Faxian, Shi Er, and Yang Bi?"

"Behind them are rebel armies that have already occupied territories and have the investment of many forces. How could they stand by and watch the Eternal Life Cult refine the [Red Pill Army] and take a share... They should be the most anxious and would have made arrangements as soon as they received the news."

As he thought, Ge Xian accidentally glimpsed the Guǐ Wǔ Cultivators' cultivation surging one after another, their demon bodies completely solidified.

Suddenly, a terrifying guess emerged:

"I... Gan Lin Niang, this is so dirty."

"Do they have to be so insidious? Are they waiting for these Guǐ Wǔ Cultivators to completely solidify their demon bodies and be in their most desperate state before coming out to subdue them? They want to completely tie them and their backing sects to their own war chariot?"

It was at this moment, as Ge Xian was thinking this.

Seeing that all the cultivators had undergone Spirit Flesh Union.

Li Wa smiled stunningly again, then blew out another breath of Immortal Qi, which, carrying ice crystals and Blood Flowers, slammed into the heart of the mountain. All the Palace Temples along the way were annihilated. The seemingly solid mountain wall melted away in an instant, revealing an extremely terrifying and horrifying scene within.

Sunset Mountain had been completely hollowed out. Within the deep mountain caves lay flesh and blood, an uncountable amount of scarlet color, pus and blood visible enough to form waves, shattered corpses, intestines soaked in blood, internal organs, bones... It wasn't just humans, but other living species as well.

A Flesh Altar!

The entire ancient mountain, once prosperous with incense during the Song Dynasty, had been made into a complete altar.

The reason Ge Xian had no perception before was because there was a "jade-like barrier" within the mountain walls.

It was this thing that had isolated all Qi.

At this moment, the barrier was dissolving.

A laughter that made the soul unable to control itself, with desires boiling, then echoed:

"Come!"

"My sons, follow me into the altar and enjoy the pleasure of spirit desire."

"Soon the entire Jiangzhe Province will rejoice with us. The day the Red Pill Immortal Army is born will be the beginning of the Dayuan Dynasty's destruction."

Even Ge Xian.

Upon hearing this laughter, he felt his heart and soul itch, and desires surged.

The next moment, scarlet blood flames suddenly erupted from Li Wa's body, burning away her clothes. Then countless blood flowers were ignited, and she appeared like a "Fire of Desire" manifested in the human world, heading towards the Flesh Altar.

All the Guǐ Wǔ Cultivators had solidified their Demon Bodies and, involuntarily, leaped with Li Wa towards the altar.

In a moment of daze, Ge Xian, hidden in the dark.

Due to his Supernatural Perception amplified by the Outer Sky Gray Eye, he could see Li Wa's naked body, and also deep within the mountain, the "Spirit Pool" that communicated with the earth's core. He saw the so-called Spirit Embryo Li Su, who had also revealed her True Form.

Her head was still that of a naturally beautiful human girl, but from the neck down, she was a mass of sticky, blood-mud-like substance, constantly changing.

She was submerged in a cold pool filled with Spiritual Qi, wriggling and panting. Embedded in her body were red nodules like gemstones, within which were the souls of many Young Heroes and Elites.

Regardless of gender, they had all sunk into depravity, completely unaware that their souls were being devoured by Li Su.

Ge Huolang's mind roared.

He felt as if he had already seen the Flesh Altar ignited by Li Wa, and at the same time, in Jiangzhe Province, the other seventeen altars were also ignited. The Spirit Desire Blood Cloud would cover the sky and the sun, and a torrential blood rain would pour down...

"Escape!"

"Dragon Transformation, escape first is the best policy."

Just as Ge Xian couldn't suppress his impulse and was about to leap down the waterfall, enter the Qiantang River through the mountain stream tributaries, and gather momentum to transform into a dragon using the water veins.

The change he had been anticipating for a long time had finally arrived, and it came in three waves at once.

First, a familiar Buddhist chant echoed from the foot of Sunset Mountain. Turning back, they saw Monk Faxian laughing as he charged over.

He had changed his appearance. Wearing the Great Yellow Cassock and Skull Necklace, a rift appeared in the void behind him, through which Buddha Light, surging and powerful, poured into his body. With every step he took, his Dharma form expanded significantly. By the time he reached Sunset Mountain, he had transformed into a Holy Monk, as if a true Buddha had descended to the mortal realm.

His realm had also leaped from Foundation Establishment Perfection to Mortal Transformation Perfection, and was even still climbing.

With a resonant laugh, he unleashed the Buddha Light Grand Hand Seal, which swept out like half a mountain.

Buddha Light illuminated the sky, and Buddhist Chants filled the air.

"Fellow Daoist Li, slow down. Jiangzhe Province is already destined to be our Lord's territory; you Red Pill Army cannot run rampant here."

"Shaolin Temple and other fellow Daoists must not be harmed by you."

Before these words even finished, the suddenly erupting Grand Hand Seal had successfully launched a sneak attack, sweeping away the Fire of Desire that Li Wa had transformed into. It also extinguished the nascent Spirit Desire Blood Cloud and even sheared off a section of Sunset Mountain's peak.

As he retracted his hand, he casually abducted the high monks and other monks from Shaolin Temple.

Before Li Wa and the disciples and elders of the Ancient Tomb Sect could erupt in furious counterattack, Shi Er suddenly appeared from another direction at the foot of the mountain. He too had changed his attire, appearing half like a Daoist priest and half like a military officer. No one knew what price he had paid, but his cultivation and magical power had also reached the Mortal Transformation Perfection realm, just like Monk Faxian.

He chanted incantations, holding his Magic Sword aloft and pointing it at the sky.

Instantly, sand and stones flew, and clouds and mist surged. In broad daylight, streaks of Heavenly Star Light began to descend.

Each streak of starlight that landed transformed into a Fiend General, forming a formation and pressing towards Sunset Mountain. The Sky-Piercing Fiend Qi even forced back Li Wa, who was in a state of extreme rage. They then took the opportunity to rescue over seventy percent of the Guǐ Wǔ Cultivators, including those from the Beggar Sect, Emei Sect, and Qingcheng Sect.

In the shadows, Ge Xian exclaimed repeatedly in his heart, once again entertaining the thought of latching onto a powerful figure.

"Amazing!"

"One hundred and eight Fiend Generals? So magnificent, I want to learn that too."

While Ge Huolang eyed Shi Er's secret techniques with envy, the most insidious Chief Spy from Zhu Hongwu's household finally appeared.

ps: This chapter is five thousand characters long. I've made progress.