The Young Clan Leader of the Immortal Remnant Clan, A-Dai

Liu Mei nodded in understanding, turned around, and returned to the courtyard to continue her cultivation, striving to break through to the Foundation Establishment Late Stage within a year.

Luo Chuan swirled the teacup in his hand, glanced at Liu Mei, and thought to himself, I remember meeting a savage in the Mist Forest years ago. Now that I think about it, that guy's talent was actually quite decent.

Zhao Kingdom, Mist Forest.

Morning mist coiled like gossamer around the Mist Forest. The branches of towering ancient trees pierced the clouds at an angle, their dark brown bark covered in a layer of damp moss.

Occasionally, dewdrops rolled off broad fern leaves, striking the leaf-littered ground and splashing into tiny, damp marks.

The forest was filled with the bitter, earthy scent of humus and vegetation. Sunlight pierced through the gaps in the canopy, weaving a mottled golden web upon the forest floor.

Unnamed birds with colorful plumage perched on the branches, their crisp chirps fleeting, leaving behind only the "rustle" of wind through the leaves.

Deep within, a natural barrier woven from vines was vaguely visible, with pale purple, bell-shaped flowers hanging between the creepers.

The morning dew clinging to the petals refracted a faint light. Now and then, a wild rabbit would dart through the grass, startling a few withered leaves and adding a touch of vitality to the tranquil forest.

Luo Chuan sat upright atop the Blood Qilin, his gaze sweeping over the scenery before him. His handsome face remained entirely expressionless.

After all, he had cultivated in this very spot years ago and was intimately familiar with the environment. Even some of the demonic beasts would show him great deference upon seeing him.

"According to the original story, that guy should be somewhere around here."

Luo Chuan slowly stood up, his Spirit Transformation realm divine sense spreading wildly to encompass the forest for a hundred miles in every direction.

After a brief moment.

Luo Chuan's divine sense landed on a humanoid creature frantically darting through the woods, its entire body covered in blue skin.

The man was deep blue, with bizarre symbols covering every inch of his skin. Beyond that, nine half-inch-long yellow paper talismans were plastered across various parts of his body.

"If I'm not mistaken, he must be the young patriarch of the Immortal Remnant Clan, A-Dai."

A-Dai's true identity was the young patriarch of the Immortal Remnant Clan, originally named Ta Shan.

The Immortal Remnant Clan was once the Rune Clan from outside the realm, specializing in the power of runes. They were left behind in this realm following a great war between the inner and outer worlds.

Years ago, A-Dai was exiled to the Immortal Locking Platform for a transgression. With incomplete memories and his power sealed, he initially presented himself as a dull-witted figure with blue skin, covered in talismans, and speaking in incoherent babble.

Later, with the help of powerful members of the Immortal Remnant Clan, A-Dai broke the seal and recovered a portion of his memories and strength.

A-Dai seemed to sense the peculiar energy fluctuation as well. He stopped abruptly, and just as he began to search for the source of this energy, he saw Luo Chuan, who had suddenly appeared before him.

Upon seeing Luo Chuan, A-Dai's eyes lit up. He immediately ran over, speaking in a language that was completely unintelligible.

"A-Dai, it has been years. I didn't expect you to still look the same, though your cultivation has reached the Foundation Establishment Late Stage."

Luo Chuan naturally sensed the energy radiating from the other's body. He nodded in satisfaction, his hand clasped behind his back.

A-Dai poked Luo Chuan's chest with his finger, gesturing wildly with his hands. Clearly, he did not understand what was being said, but because he recognized him, A-Dai felt no wariness or fear toward Luo Chuan.

Luo Chuan's fingers danced quickly, and a special medicinal pill appeared before him. He said softly, "Consume this, and you will be able to speak the human tongue."

A-Dai stepped forward, subconsciously glancing at the pill in Luo Chuan's hand. After a long moment of hesitation, he took it and placed it in his mouth.

As the pill went down, A-Dai felt no discomfort at all; instead, he felt a sense of refreshing clarity.

A-Dai cleared his throat and spoke cautiously, "I meant, why have you returned?"

Seeing that he could speak, A-Dai's eyes brightened, and he immediately laughed out loud, "Hahaha, I can finally speak! I can finally speak!"

"You are a good person, you really are a good person."

A-Dai turned toward Luo Chuan and, imitating a gesture he had once learned from humans, bowed respectfully.

Luo Chuan kept one hand behind his back, nodded slightly, and smiled, "A-Dai, This Seat has returned to the Mist Forest today primarily to find you."

"Find me?" A-Dai asked, full of confusion and curiosity, "I don't understand what you mean."

"This Seat is the ancestor of the Hengyue Sect. I have come specifically to take you as my disciple. Do you have any interest in becoming a disciple of This Seat?"

Hearing that the other wanted to take him as a disciple, A-Dai scratched his head, looking troubled, "I know you have great strength, but I cannot agree... I still have someone to look after."

Luo Chuan understood perfectly well in his heart that the person A-Dai needed to look after was Wu Yu, the junior brother of the former Corpse Yin Sect's Nascent Soul realm powerhouse, Ye Zizai.

Wu Yu was now at the end of his rope. His Nascent Soul had left his physical body; if he could not possess another, he would never survive, and his Nascent Soul would eventually dissipate, vanishing between heaven and earth.

"Take me to him. This Seat will naturally make him agree to let you leave this place."

A-Dai did not refuse after hearing this. He nodded and immediately led Luo Chuan running toward the distance.

However, not long after they left, a crack suddenly split the ground. A pair of withered hands instantly tore through the opening, revealing an endless surge of corpse energy.

As all the corpse energy was absorbed, a middle-aged man reeking of death appeared out of thin air. The trees on either side seemed unable to withstand the chilling energy, crumbling into fine powder and vanishing on the spot.

The middle-aged man kept one hand behind his back and waved his right hand forward, causing a corpse—neither human nor ghost—to appear before him.

"It has been a hundred years. I didn't expect the master's physical body to have cultivated into a Corpse Charm. Since you have gained sentience, you can be considered one of my kind. I can spare your life, but you must use your subtle connection to the master to help me find his Nascent Soul."

"If you dare to play any tricks, This Seat will crush you alive and leave you without a place to be buried!"

The Corpse Charm nodded repeatedly, looking at the corpse-like man with terror.

The middle-aged man waved his hand, and the surrounding cage instantly dissipated. He stared at the Corpse Charm and said grimly:

"Go, lead the way. If you can find the master's Nascent Soul, then after I consume it and gain my freedom, I might consider helping you evolve into a Corpse Demon."

The Corpse Charm froze, then immediately beamed with joy. It nodded fiercely, stood up, and ran toward the depths of the jungle.

The middle-aged man remained expressionless as he followed, intent only on eradicating Wu Yu as quickly as possible. Only then could he truly regain his freedom.