Dragon-Trapping Ascension Formation

"You came..."

Above the main hall, the throne carved from immortal jade radiated a gentle white glow. The corpse seated upon it stared at the redwood coffin drifting in through the doors, its murmured words echoing throughout the hall.

The redwood coffin did not stop. It floated all the way toward the throne at the very top, as though it had come here specifically to find that corpse.

Amber eyes fixed on the coffin until it stood upright. Then, a handsome youth in a black cloak patterned with red clouds stepped out from within.

The two stood facing one another: one corpse, one youth.

Both possessed clear amber eyes and handsome features, carrying an aloof arrogance that placed them above all others. Most importantly, they looked very much alike.

"What... state are you in now?" Ling Hong asked as he gazed at the corpse on the throne, his expression complicated.

"Death is death. I am merely a lingering obsession, guarding the Bright God Sect that was once unmatched beneath the heavens!" the corpse replied.

"But... I'm alive..." Ling Hong said.

"That is good!" the corpse answered.

"You arranged all of this, didn't you? You sealed me within the Nine-Mystic Construction Coffin, then used twelve Cosmic Pillars to set up the Dragon-Trapping Ascension Formation, making everything in the entire Immortal Mansion serve me!" Ling Hong's breathing grew hurried.

There were things that he could not recall after having just awakened. Yet after spending a year in Yin-Yang Heaven, many distant memories had gradually resurfaced.

"Everything was for our Bright God Sect!" the corpse replied. If it could still control its expression, it would probably have slowly smiled.

"Earlier, there was a youth wearing the same clothes as you. He carried your aura, and the lid of the Nine-Mystic Construction Coffin was