His body was restored to a state untouched by decay.
His soul was placed inside it.
The old man shot upright. First he burst into tears, then he rolled onto the floor, knelt on both knees, and bowed to Xu Yuan.
"Big brother! From now on, you're my big brother!"
"Little Zhi, don't do that..." Xu Yuan said.
It felt strange.
But he could understand.
Watching his own living body steadily decay, knowing even his mind would be replaced by a new consciousness born of that decay—that would be truly terrifying and hopeless.
"Oh, right, boss. I said I'd repay you—I have an extremely important piece of intelligence for you."
"Go on."
"There are actually quite a few traitors in the Three Realms. They pledged themselves to the Ancient God long ago!"
"...That's normal. What age has ever been free of traitors?"
"No, that's not it. The Ancient God has brought those traitors back."
Now Xu Yuan was interested.
"Hm? Traitors are most useful when they remain among the Human Race. Why bring them back?"
"To raise the team to a higher rank," Sun Zhi said.
"The Ancient God really will stoop to anything..." Xu Yuan murmured.
He grasped the gravity of the matter at once.
"Is your information reliable?"
"It's happening right now in the Flesh Devil Palace Beyond the Three Realms. Boss, you can go see for yourself."
"Good!"
Xu Yuan vanished in a flash.
Outside the Three Realms.
The Flesh Devil Palace.
A number of Human Race Cultivators arrived, excitement written across every face.
Atop the Grand Hall's high steps stood a man clad head to toe in black armor.
"Everyone," he said, "you have served the Ancient God, lending covert support and causing the Human Race's positions to collapse time and again."
"Now the time