Calamity

Upon hearing the word "sacrifice, "Xu Yuan instantly understood why the Yingui had obediently resided on Xia Qing's corpse.

Yin-Sealing Human Tomb

The Yingui, a monster born from the corpses of all things and composed of soul power, cannot be communicated with, but that does not mean it cannot be utilized by humans.

As long as there is profit to be made, those mad scientists from movies in my previous life are nothing compared to the cultivators in this world, and the difference between immortals and mortals allows them to be even more unscrupulous.

With the accumulation of a massive number of lives and the research of individuals with various talents and abilities, all sorts of intelligence and information about Yingui came into the hands of those in power, leading to the development of many methods for utilizing Yingui.

From the various ghost-based Cultivation Method of sects and the vast array in the Prime Minister's Estate that extracts the soul power of Yingui to refine elixirs, all are the results of research on Yingui.

The most time-consuming part of this process is the method of feeding the ghost.

Yingui indiscriminately slaughter all living beings. This is not only because the extreme negative emotions within them make them uncontrollable, but also because they can grow stronger by using the flesh and souls of various living beings.

Based on this fundamental behavioral logic, ancient cultivators naturally wanted to take advantage of this and begin raising Yingui for their own use.

However, history has proven that they failed.

The frenzied spirits of Yingui can only be controlled temporarily, and there is always the risk of being devoured by them.

Although they failed, the results of these "predecessors'" investigations have allowed some methods for dealing with Yingui to be passed down.

And this Yin-Sealing Human Tomb is one of them.

A special technique is planted within the human body to attract Yingui Yingui, drawing them into the body to devour the soul, flesh, and blood. Then, the technique is detonated to transform the human body into a tomb, sealing the Yingui within and capturing them alive.

Xia Qing was turned into a human tomb by Tianyan and Tianye.

It's likely that the sound he heard when he was on the verge of death, aided by the Lock of Shared Life, was Tianye's mischievous prank on Xia Qin before he made his move.

Silent and still, the golden talisman dazzles.

Xu Yuan slowly closed his eyes and finally shook his head gently.

There was no sadness, no sympathy, only a sense of melancholy.

If that Sword Maniac senior could successfully assassinate Tianye, perhaps he and Tianyan could become friends with them, sharing hardships and escaping the pursuit of the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion together, and traveling the world together.

But there are no "what ifs" in this world.

Xia Qing's fate was actually sealed the moment Tianye fell.

It's a pity that this beautiful auntie lived her whole life for the sect, and when she finally decided to live for herself, she already had no way out.

Moreover, the moment Sword Maniac died after his failed assassination attempt, his trust in Xia Qing completely collapsed.

Even if Tianyan and Tianye don't make a move, he will do it himself.

Thinking of this, Xu Yuan paused for a moment, then a cryptic smile appeared on his lips.

He suddenly realized that, as a modern person, he had unknowingly become accustomed to taking other people's lives.

"Giggle~"

A crisp laugh interrupted Xu Yuan's thoughts:

"You look so serious, so sentimental over someone who wants to kill you. You're quite the sentimental one~"

Xu Yuan glanced sideways at him.

Tianye leaned back, supporting himself with his hands behind him, sitting on the boulder, smiling as he gazed at him lying on the ground:

"If you can be like this with Xia Qing, I wonder if you would react the same way if I died?"

"Won't."

Composing himself, Xu Yuan interrupted the other person, "I wouldn't even blink if you died. If I could, I'd even like to do it myself."

"How heartless! I brought you to this Yin Soul Pool, which is tantamount to saving your life."

Tianye blinked, and said with a smile that showed no sign of mind, "Besides, we're now linked together by the Lock of Shared Life, so in some ways our relationship is even closer than the one next to you."

"Intimacy? But I hate crazy women."

"Is it because crazy women can't be controlled by you that you hate them?"

"You are very smart."

"If Brother Changtian, you're willing..."

"Tianye, you are 20,000 years older than me."

"..." Tianye's smile froze.

Ignoring Tianye, Xu Yuan still wanted to ask how to unlock the Lock of Shared Life, but considering the nature of this demoness, he knew there was no way she would tell him the method.

"Rustle."

With some effort, he pushed himself up from the wet ground, rubbing his temples in slight pain, and glanced sideways at Tianyan through his fingers:

"Tianyan, how many more days can this human tomb last?"

The sealing technique of the Human Tomb is not permanent against Yingui. Even with Xia Qing's body as a tomb, it should not last long against Yingui of the Mortal Shedding level or higher.

His injuries are still very serious, and the duration that the Human Tomb can sustain represents the time he can absorb Yin Soul Liquid.

Tianyan glanced at Xia Qing's corpse, and hesitated slightly:

"It should be able to hold for about ten more days."

Upon hearing the date, Xu Yuan's eyes flashed with contemplation. He carefully sensed the injuries to his Will Soul and murmured softly:

"Ten days should be enough."

"A ten-day period is just an approximate timeframe."

Suddenly, Tianye, who had been left standing aside, interjected with a smile, reminding him:

"To be on the safe side, we'd better leave here three or four days in advance. After all, if this Yingui breaks free of its seal prematurely, given Tianyan condition, by the time it emerges, there will probably be four Yin-Sealing Human Tomb in this cave."

At this point, Tianye chuckled softly, her face alluring:

"But given your current injuries, Brother Changtian, even with the Yin Soul Liquid, is ten days really enough?"

Xu Yuan turned his head, glanced up and down at the alluring curves beneath Tianye's black dress, and chuckled meaningfully:

"I don't mean healing from injuries."

Seeing that expression again, even after being tricked once, Tianye didn't show the slightest tension. Instead, he asked with interest:

"Not an injury? Then what do you mean?"

You'll find out then.

Time passed quietly.

Nourished by the Soul-Nourishing Treasure Yin Soul Liquid and other various Soul Pill, Xu Yuan's originally torn Will Soul essence gradually began to reshape and heal.

After the first day, his body, which was almost paralyzed, was able to get up and walk with difficulty.

By the third day, there were no visible signs of illness in the body.

Five days later, Xu Yuan was able to try to extend his Will Soul out of his body again, but he still experienced some pain when using his Will Soul.

Time flies like an arrow; eight days passed in the blink of an eye.

The dark cave remained as silent as ever; the only change was that the divine light on the runic prison that had trapped Tianye had dimmed considerably.

As soon as Xu Yuan opened his eyes, having retracted his Cultivation Method, before he could even make a move, he heard Tianye's smiling voice:

"How's your recovery going? Judging from the state of this Yin-Sealing Human Tomb, it's about time we left."

Xu Yuan ignored her, his Will Soul briefly scanning the cave, and found that Tianyan was not there.

"Hmm, ignoring them? It was a well-intentioned reminder, and besides, we're all in the same boat now."

"."

Listening to Tianye's rambling, Xu Yuan rubbed his temples, which felt slightly swollen from absorbing too much Yin Soul Liquid.

This was the first time he had ever met a woman who talked so much.

During those eight days, he and Tianyan barely spoke, while Tianye, imprisoned in the rune prison, talked incessantly whenever he had the chance.

Even if you ignore her, she can still giggle and chatter for ages.

She seemed like a lunatic talking to herself, but ironically, many of the topics she discussed were extremely interesting to Xu Yuan.

After all, Tianye was willing to reveal some information about the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion.

In the silence, Xu Yuan frowned slightly and asked:

"Where is Tianyan?"

Tianye pointed in the direction of the cave's exit:

"She went out half a day ago. If you want to ask me what she went to do, I don't know."

Upon hearing this, Xu Yuan swallowed back the question he wanted to ask, but at that moment, Tianye chuckled and continued:

"However, if you're willing to ask me for a favor, I can use my identity as ' Tianyan ' to help you deduce the reason she went out."

"What else could Tianyan possibly do at this time?"

As he spoke, Xu Yuan pointed to his eyes, indicating, "Your disappearance must be a major event within the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion. Tianyan's outing at this time must be to confirm the safety outside the cave, after all, your golden eyes seem to be able to see some traces that ordinary people cannot."

"Oh? She actually told you all of this?"

Tianye was slightly surprised, then chuckled and said, "I thought she was someone who strictly adhered to the duties of a saintess."

Xu Yuan stood up from the ground and casually replied:

"It was said not long ago."

"Not long ago? It seems that's all she told you. Hey, do you want to know more about the Heaven Derivation Art Technique?"

"You mean that suggestion from before?" Xu Yuan looked up at him.

"Right."

Tianye sat cross-legged on a boulder, propping her chin on her hand, and said with a charming smile, "You only need to tell me what the world will be like 20,000 years from now, and I will tell you all the top-level information from the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion. How about it?"

"Isn't this practically giving it away for free?" Xu Yuan complained.

"No, this is a deal." Tianye twirled a strand of hair between his slender fingers, speaking casually, "I want to know what the world will be like 20,000 years from now, and you want to know all sorts of information about the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion. It's a fair deal, isn't it?"

"."

Although he was very interested, Xu Yuan still did not agree to the topic.

Firstly, because their acquaintance was too shallow, he was unsure whether Tianye would deceive him.

Secondly, it's due to the Tianyan.

No matter how important the intelligence from the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion is to the Prime Minister's Estate, the people in front of him must be taken care of first.

Respect is mutual.

If the Third Young Master of the Prime Minister's Mansion had truly learned almost all the secrets of the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion from Tianye, it would become a thorn in Tianyan's side.

After all, although both are Heavenly Oversight Pavilion Holy Maiden, Tianyan is not like Tianye, who is a filial daughter.

Shrugging, Xu Yuan lightly tapped his head with his index finger, a hint of mockery in his expression:

"Stop trying to sow discord; it won't work on me."

"Tsk, have we been found out?"

Tianye's face showed a hint of displeasure, and he sighed, "You're really deeply in love with that woman."

Maybe.

Xu Yuan remained noncommittal, then asked strangely, "But Tianye, don't you have any loyalty to the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion at all?"

Upon hearing this, Tianye smiled sweetly, her beautiful eyes forming two crescent moons, her tone leisurely:

"Loyalty is certainly present."

Xu Yuan smiled sarcastically:

"Really? If you told me these things, the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion would be in a very difficult position. In reality, the power I belong to is far stronger than that of the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion."

Tianye's beautiful eyes lit up, and she blinked immediately, asking:

"Oh? There will actually be a sect stronger than the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion in 20,000 years?"

"Hehe."

Xu Yuan chuckled and stared at her without saying anything more.

Tianye pursed her red lips:

"Tsk, you're so mean, always trying to tempt others."

"Same to you."

"I'm serious. Aren't you going to reconsider? Besides, Tianyan, so this is a secret between you and me."

"Who knows if you're telling the truth or not."

"I am the heavens, of course I know it's true," Tianye laughed.

Xu Yuan rolled his eyes.

"Splash--"

With her black dress billowing, Tianye suddenly leaped down from the boulder, landing at the edge of the runic prison.

Xu Yuan glanced at the other person's actions with slight surprise.

For the past eight days, this woman's buttocks seemed to be rooted to the spot; she remained seated on that boulder without ever getting off.

They looked at each other for a few moments.

Tianye's beautiful eyes shone like stars, sparkling and captivating.

"Xu Yuan, compared to the eternal glory and everlasting existence of the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion, I now prefer to live this false life according to my own methods."

"After all, I've been dead for 20,000 years."

"As long as you give up Tianyan and be with me, I, Tianye, can promise you this."

"I refuse."

Xu Yuan interrupted the spellcasting without any hesitation, "No matter how many times you say it, my answer will be the same."

Just kidding, he's already made up his mind to adhere to a principle of Tianyan in this illusion, at least until he's completely ensnared that washboard saintess.

"." Tianye.

As he spoke, Xu Yuan sized up Tianye's girl-like figure and remarked:

"I'm really curious, what is it about me that attracts you? Why are you so obsessed with me, so determined to sow discord among the Tianyan?"

"Because you're funny."

Tianye's gaze was calm, his voice leisurely. "Moreover, you are special. In this false, illusory world, you are a unique and real being."

"And there's Tianyan," Xu Yuan tried to remind him.

But I don't like women.

Tianye winked at him, her phoenix eyes sparkling, her red lips alluring. "So, only Xu Yuan, you're special to me~"

"."

Xu Yuan felt like he was being flirted with.

Tianye always seemed to be able to read Xu Yuan's mind. His fingertips lightly traced the invisible barrier, creating ripples on it, and he smiled slyly.

"Your heart seems to be racing, but you still have some reservations."

That was an accurate guess.

But girl, if we were in another place, I could scumbag you so badly you wouldn't even have your underwear left.

Xu Yuan inwardly complained, but outwardly shook his head with a serious expression:

"Your perverse sense of humor is so boring."

"Boring?"

With a soft murmur, Tianye lowered his eyelids, a smile playing on his lips:

"I'll make you fall in love with me, and then help you return to the reality where I've been dead for ten thousand years. Don't you think that's interesting?"

Neuropathy.

He cursed under his breath, Xu Yuan shook his head and smiled again:

"You were born before I was born, and I was born after you were dead—this kind of story is indeed quite interesting."

Tianye immediately nodded:

You think so too, right?

Xu Yuan waved his hand and walked towards the cave exit.

"Then good luck! I hope you can make me fall in love with you, you old woman who's been dead for 20,000 years."

"..." Tianye's eyes twitched, and he was about to speak again when he saw that the other person's figure had already disappeared into the thick fog inside the cave.

Xu Yuan walked about a hundred feet away, and a slender figure appeared in the thick fog of the cave.

Alright, Tianyan has indeed returned and is hiding here eavesdropping.

It seems his earlier prediction was correct; if he had agreed to Tianye's request, the "washboard saintess" would have been heartbroken for a while longer.

At that moment, Xu Yuan's gaze fell upon Tianyan's delicate face, where he was suppressing a laugh.

It seems that his deliberately heartfelt words just now really made her very happy.

Compared to that crazy woman from the Tianye, my own washboard is definitely more adorable.

"You heard that?" Xu Yuan's eyes flickered, his brows furrowed, feigning ignorance.

"What did you hear?" Tianyan suppressed his smile, tilted his head, and pretended not to know.

"If you didn't hear it, then forget it."

Xu Yuan chuckled softly, not delving into the matter further, and turned to walk towards the rune prison where Tianye was imprisoned. "What's the situation outside?"

Tianyan quickly followed beside him, a sweet smile playing on his thin lips:

"No one else has been found, so you should be safe. What about your injury?"

"My injuries have healed by about 30%, and I can barely circulate my internal energy."

Xu Yuan then asked, "Tianye, what are you planning to do?"

Upon hearing Tianyan, Tianyan's face showed a hint of bitterness.

Xu Yuan frowned slightly:

"Maintaining her seal must be very taxing on you?"

Tianyan remained silent for two seconds, then shook his head:

"Not big."

Upon seeing this, Xu Yuan instantly understood.

After several fierce battles, coupled with the effects of the Charm Poison within her body, Tianyan's condition was not actually very good, and maintaining the seal on Tianye must have been a heavy burden for her.

After a moment's thought, Xu Yuan suggested:

"Can we use conventional spells like restrictions?"

Tianyan walked on the void, shook his head, and said in a very soft voice:

"No, the Heaven Derivation Art has a natural resistance to most restrictions. If we're not careful, she can break through them, and then we might not be able to stop her from transmitting information to the outside world."

Xu Yuan stroked his chin and looked up at the runic prison shimmering with golden light in the cave's mist:

"In that case, leave it to me."

"Give it to you?" Tianyan glanced sideways.

"Forgot again? You drugged him."

"." Tianyan.

Tianyan glared at the lecherous man, a smile playing on his lips, "That's all you've got."

"You agree to this?" Xu Yuan was slightly surprised. In the past, Tianyan would at least have made a sarcastic remark to him.

"What else can I do if I disagree? I still need to reserve my resources to protect you both."

"Hmm, I can use Dao Essence now. How about I remove the Charm Poison from you first?"

"There's no rush. Let's take care of Tianye's matter first."

"."

The two walked back, discussing their escape plans in hushed tones.

The sound faded into the distance, until the two people's conversation completely disappeared. Then, countless withered vines silently pierced through the hard stone slabs, engulfing and covering the entire cavern, and spreading deeper into its depths.

The deepest part of the cave.

Looking at the two men outside the cell, their gazes fixed intently on him, Tianye being manipulated, showed no worry whatsoever. Instead, he asked with a slightly flippant tone:

"It seems you've already discussed how to deal with me."

As he spoke, Tianye tapped on the rune-constructed prison in front of him. "This Four Symbols God-Sealing Seal is about to collapse. Shouldn't it be you, Xu Yuan, who takes action? Let me make it clear beforehand, ordinary methods have limited effect on me. If I call that old man surnamed Luo here, you'll have no choice but to come back with me."

"Rest assured."

Xu Yuan interrupted with a smile, "Even if a Saint-level expert came, he wouldn't have the mind to do anything else with my methods."

Tianye narrowed her beautiful eyes:

"Oh? A method that even saints and powerful beings cannot avoid."

Before the words were finished,

The sound of the Tianye abruptly stopped.

She saw Xu Yuan take out the Charm God Tree Seed.

The Charm God Dao Rhyme was quietly released, and dazzling cherry blossoms danced among the mist, creating a dreamlike and illusory scene.

Xu Yuan, carrying the Charm God Tree Seed, walked step by step towards Tianye:

"Why aren't you saying anything? Are you scared?"

"I'm not scared at all. Actually, I'd quite like to try the Daimyo Demon-Enchanting Cherry Blossom Poison. But what about you, Brother Xu Yuan?"

Tianye chuckled, crossing her arms over her ample bosom, cradling her fair chin, and licking her red lips with her delicate tongue, leaving glistening traces. "... Could you resist touching me while I'm under the Charm Poison? After all, Tianyan might not be able to stay by our side all the time."

"." Xu Yuan.

As a "rhythm master" who controls the rhythm, he felt ashamed.

I've been seduced again by an old woman who's been dead for 20,000 years.

But a pile of shards of glass and a beautiful poppy that has been dead for thousands of years can never produce any chemical reaction.

Thinking to himself, Xu Yuan smiled slightly, about to make a teasing remark, but suddenly felt a sense of unease.

As he sensed the Daoist energy, he felt that something was missing from this cave.

Looking around, I didn't find anything unusual, but the sense of unease didn't dissipate; instead, it became even stronger.

The ambiguity in my heart vanished instantly, replaced by a strange sense of panic.

Upon seeing Xu Yuan's expression, Tianyan immediately asked:

"Xu Yuan, what's wrong?"

Xu Yuan tightened his grip on the Charm God Tree Seed slightly, his gaze sweeping across the dense fog around him, and he transmitted his voice in a deep voice:

"Something's not right. I feel like something's missing from this cave. Use the Heaven Derivation Art to take a look."

"."

Tianyan frowned slightly, his golden eyes flashing as he scanned his surroundings, then his pupils suddenly contracted.

"Gone"

"What?"

Xia Qing is missing.

A moment of silence,

Tianye and Xu Yuan both subconsciously glanced at the spot where Xia Qing's body had originally been lying within the Four Symbols God-Sealing Seal.

And there,

It is now completely empty.

"." Xu Yuan.

"." Tianye.

Do dead people move?

The answer is clearly no.

Is it that Yingui?

The answer is also no.

The high-level Yingui guarding this place could not possibly have devoured Xia Qing's sealed Yin-Sealing Human Tomb without alerting them.

Only Saint-ranked Yingui can do this.

"."

As if realizing something, Tianye's lighthearted voice vanished, replaced by a serious, low, coquettish whisper:

"Tianyan, remove the Four Symbols God-Sealing Seal!"

"What?"

"If you want to live, let me immediately inform the Saint Venerable. There seems to be a Saint-level Yingui here!"

"."

Upon hearing this, Xu Yuan's pupils constricted sharply. He recalled the inexplicable attraction he had felt to those Yingui over the past few months, as well as Xia Qing's warning to him.

There might be something about them that is constantly drawing the terror from the deepest part of All Swords Valley.

"Tianyan, listen to her." Xu Yuan's voice was a little hoarse. "Right now, that Saint-level Yingui should be devouring Xia Qing and the Yingui inside her corpse. Time is running out."

Upon hearing this, without the slightest hesitation, Tianyan unleashed a spell:

"Untie."

As soon as he finished speaking, the golden runes floating in the air instantly disintegrated.

Once the Four Symbols God-Sealing Seal was broken, the stagnant Source Qi and Will Soul began to operate again. Without the slightest hesitation, Tianye immediately took out a token engraved with the character "Ye" from his Sumeru Ring, poured Source Qi into it, and squeezed it hard.

"Crack."

The token shattered, and an invisible ripple instantly appeared, spreading outwards regardless of any obstacles.

After doing all this, none of the three intended to run away.

Because there's no way to escape.

Faced with a Yingui of Saint-level power, they had absolutely no chance of escape.

The more violent the reaction, the faster the death may occur.

Now their only hope is that Xia Qing's corpse and the Yin Yingui guarding this place can hold out a little longer, and that the Saint Venerable of the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion can arrive sooner.

After a brief moment of quiet, Tianye relaxed again, after all, she had been dead for twenty thousand years.

His golden eyes swept across the surroundings, Tianye transmitted his Will Soul:

"What exactly do you two possess that could attract a ghost of this level?"

"."

Tianyan shook his head to indicate that he did not know, but then Xu Yuan's voice suddenly rang out:

"I think I know why."

Before the two women could react, he suddenly took a step and moved more than twenty feet away from them.

When the two women turned around to look, Xu Yuan raised the hand holding the Charm God Tree Seed slightly.

As far as the eye could see, his hand, along with the Charm God Tree Seed, had been quietly wrapped and entwined by countless slender and tough willow branches, with a chilling Yin Qi emanating from it.

Looking back suddenly, they saw that the caves around them had changed.

The fog was so thick that one could not see their hand in front of their face. Thousands of willow branches hung down from the tough rock walls, with countless corpses tied to them and hanging upside down. They swayed gently in the fog, like wind chimes, when the wind blew through the tunnel.

Xu Yuan coughed lightly and chuckled dryly:

"Um, I... it seems like I've always been quite popular with Thousand-Thorn Ghost Willow."

An unexpected thing happened; I stayed up all night coding but still didn't finish.

I'm taking leave today.