Chương 1280: Chapter 71: Departing the Ancient Tomb, Restless Ambitions

Reyn took a deep breath, and as his turbulent emotions finally settled into a calm pool, his brow furrowed slightly in deep contemplation.

"At this moment, I hold three Mu Jade Swords in my possession. If I can secure just one more, I will meet the requirements to remain by the side of the Mu Family's Nascent Soul ancestor for three years! However, if I can somehow gather all six remaining swords, the Dao-grade artifact, the Azure Jade Palace, will automatically recognize me as its true master!"

"The probability of such a feat is infinitesimally low, but if there is even a shred of opportunity, I must strike with everything I have! A Dao-grade artifact... such a treasure would incite even Nascent Soul experts to a murderous frenzy. If I can claim it, it will undoubtedly be a monumental destiny!" With a swift tap on his storage bag, he produced the other two Mu Jade Swords.

"The material of this dark green box is truly peculiar; it can actually sever the spiritual resonance between the Mu Jade Swords. Had I not physically touched the storage bag, I wouldn't have sensed it. Placing the swords inside will certainly save me a great deal of trouble." With that thought, Reyn waved his hand, placing all three Mu Jade Swords into the box before stowing it back into his storage bag.

After collecting the various storage bags left upon the stone altar, he turned and strode toward the weapon rack.... Half a day later, at the site where Yang Dawei and his companions had slain the Seven-Colored Venomous Spider, a flash of azure light suddenly erupted. Within that radiance, the phantom image of a teleportation array materialized, and the figure of a green-robed cultivator gradually solidified. A few breaths later, the azure glow and the array vanished.

The teleported cultivator raised his head, his Divine Sense sweeping outward like a tide, and a look of profound relief washed over his face. This man was, of course, Reyn. Standing his ground, Reyn glanced at the nearby remains of the Seven-Colored Venomous Spider—now nothing more than a massive, hollowed-out skeleton. After a moment of silent reflection, his body flickered with light, transforming into a streak of azure that vanished into the distant horizon.

"Entering this Yunluo Cemetery was an entirely accidental endeavor, yet the harvest has been staggering!" Flying within the streak of light, Reyn could not suppress the smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. The Shura Secret Bone had advanced, its combat strength now rivaling a Mid-stage Golden Core cultivator, providing him with another formidable trump card.

By obtaining the jade plate for the Yunluo Cemetery, he had secured a future of endless possibilities; once his cultivation reached the necessary heights, returning to explore its depths might yield even greater fortunes. Most importantly, he had recovered the Mu Jade Swords lost for a millennium, making the unification of the nine swords and the acquisition of the Azure Jade Palace a tangible possibility.

Finally, from the weapon rack in the treasure chamber, he had claimed several Ancient Treasures of terrifying power! At this thought, Reyn patted his storage bag, and a palm-sized, pitch-black bow appeared in his hand. It was unremarkable, with a sharp spike at its base, appearing utterly mundane even under the scrutiny of Divine Sense. However, having learned the method of its use, Reyn had stowed it away with the utmost gravity as a life-saving ultimate weapon! This bow was named the Extinction Bow.

Its physical material was not particularly durable, reaching only the level of a Low-grade Magic Treasure. However, its most heaven-defying trait was its mechanism: as long as the spiked end was plunged into a cultivator's body, it could forcibly devour their spiritual power, essence blood, and Primordial Soul, sealing them within the weapon. It would then erase all their memories, condensing their entire being into a single Extinction Pagoda Arrow.

The arrow's destructive power was determined by the victim's cultivation level; launched as a sudden, explosive strike, it was a peerless tool for slaying enemies. In addition to the Extinction Bow, he had acquired the Eight-Treasure Lotus Platform. Its base form was no larger than an adult's palm, but when infused with spiritual power, it could transform into a massive lotus platform three zhang in diameter.

This was a specialized transport artifact, possessing a speed that could rival the full flight of a Mid-stage Golden Core expert. Lastly, there was the Earth-Shaking Bell, a pure Earth-attribute magic treasure. When activated, it could manifest into a colossal form forty zhang wide, crashing down with enough force to shake the heavens and earth, its power firmly in the rank of a High-grade Magic Treasure.

Although its immediate lethality surpassed the Heaven-Turning Seal, Reyn decided after some thought to set it aside. He intended to melt it down after leaving this place, integrating its essence into the Heaven-Turning Seal to bolster its power. After all, the Heaven-Turning Seal could be continuously refined and upgraded. According to the legacy records, with enough fortune, it could even be forged into a Heaven-Reaching Spirit Treasure—a single strike of which could annihilate an entire world!

While its current power was inferior to the Earth-Shaking Bell, its future potential was vast, allowing Reyn to make the correct choice for his long-term path.

"I have been within this ancient tomb for several days now; I wonder how the situation in the outside world has shifted?" Reyn mused aloud, his voice echoing softly against the cold stone walls as he stowed the Extinction Bow into his storage bag. A look of deep contemplation settled upon his features.

"Regardless of the external chaos, the Trial Stone has yet to provide any indication of an exit. This signifies that there is still a significant window of time before my journey through this Trial Realm reaches its conclusion."

"Currently, I have three Mu Jade Swords in my possession. When placed within that specialized square box, their spiritual signatures are completely masked, preventing any outsider from sensing them. Conversely, I retain the unique ability to perceive the resonant aura of the Mu Jade Swords held by others. With such a tactical advantage, I have a prime opportunity to launch surprise attacks and seize the remaining blades from my competitors." Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road.

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"Furthermore, as I press onward, I should make a concerted effort to locate the Ghost-Corpse Honghua." This particular herb was a critical component for the Demon Corpse Art, a sinister and profound manual for refining puppet corpses that Yu Meiren had bestowed upon Reyn. By utilizing the physical remains of a Golden Core cultivator and augmenting them with various rare treasures and secret incantations, one could forge a Demon Corpse.

Once perfected, these entities possessed bodies harder than tempered gold or primordial stone, rendering them impervious to both mundane and spiritual fires and floods. Most impressively, their combat prowess could potentially match the original cultivation level of the body's host, serving as a devastatingly powerful guardian. However, the refinement process was notoriously arduous. It required not only a perfectly preserved Golden Core physique but also a collection of exceedingly rare materials.

Among these, the Ghost-Corpse Honghua and the Golden Demon Diamond were so elusive that even with Reyn's considerable accumulated wealth, he had previously found it impossible to gather them all. If not for the serendipitous discovery of a fragment of Golden Demon Diamond within Yang Dawei's storage bag, Reyn might have abandoned his ambitions to refine this demonic guardian altogether. But now, his interest was reignited with a burning intensity.

After all, the late Tiandaozi had reached the absolute peak of the Mid-stage Golden Core realm. If he could successfully refine that body into a Demon Corpse, it would provide Reyn with an unparalleled boost in power. With the Shura Secret Bone and a high-level Demon Corpse at his disposal, Reyn would possess the confidence to engage even a Late-stage Golden Core expert in a life-or-death struggle.

"The Ghost-Corpse Honghua thrives in environments of extreme Yin-chill, typically manifesting in desolate places where the energies of the dead congregate in abundance. While such a plant is virtually extinct in the outside world, this uninhabited and ancient Trial Realm might just harbor its presence."

"Even if my personal search proves fruitless, it is highly probable that among the many cultivators returning to the Mu Family, someone has stumbled upon it. Once I depart this realm, I can simply negotiate a trade or purchase it from them; it will not be too late." With his resolve hardened, Reyn's eyes flickered with a sharp, calculating light.

Following the faint spiritual resonance between the Mu Jade Swords, his body transformed into a streak of azure light, hurtling toward the nearest detected aura at a blistering speed.

"Help! Someone, please help me!" Near a secluded mountain stream, a woman with skin as pale as fine porcelain and a tantalizingly curvaceous figure lay collapsed against a weathered bluestone. Her voice, a melodic yet desperate plea, drifted through the air. Her eyes were like shimmering pools of starlight, filled with a watery vulnerability, and her slightly furrowed brow exuded an aura of helpless elegance—she was truly a peerless beauty of the highest order.

Several hundred zhang away, a black-robed cultivator paused, his brow knitting in suspicion. However, as the faint, fragile cries of the woman reached his ears, his hesitation wavered. Driven by a mixture of curiosity and a darker, burgeoning impulse, he altered his course and sped directly toward the source of the distress. Ten breaths later, the black-robed man arrived at the stream. His gaze fell upon the woman's reclining back, and for a moment, he stood frozen in a daze.

Deep within his pupils, a flicker of intense, hidden heat ignited.

"What has happened, Fellow Daoist? Do you require my assistance?" He descended from his flight, landing a short distance from her. As the subtle, intoxicating fragrance emanating from her body wafted into his nostrils, his Adam's apple bobbed uncontrollably, and he forced himself to swallow a mouthful of dry saliva.

"Ah!" The woman let out a startled gasp at the sound of his voice, turning her head to reveal a face filled with sudden, desperate hope.

"I... I was unfortunately struck by the venom of a demon beast. My internal magic power has been forcibly scattered, leaving me without a shred of strength. I have been waiting here in agony for over half a day... I thank the heavens that I have finally encountered a kind soul like you."

"I beg of you, could you assist me in treating my wounds? If you do, I shall certainly reward you with a heavy bounty in the future." As the black-robed cultivator finally took in the full splendor of her countenance, the lustful fire in his eyes became nearly impossible to suppress. His breathing grew heavy and ragged. After a long silence, he managed to stammer out a response: "Do not worry, Daoist. I am not a man who stands idly by while a beauty suffers. I will certainly help you heal your injuries."

"Thank you so much, Daoist." Under the man's predatory and heated gaze, the woman's pale face was instantly flooded with a rosy blush. She averted her eyes shyly, looking for all the world like a frightened, adorable rabbit. This display of bashfulness only served to make the cultivator's heart race faster, his mouth growing increasingly parched.

"Could you... could you perhaps give me a hand? My limbs are entirely limp and soft; I truly lack the strength to even stand on my own," she whispered, her head bowing low in a display of exquisite maidenly shame after two failed attempts to rise.

"Of course! Of course!" The black-robed man rushed forward with unseemly haste, his hands reaching out to grasp her delicate, slender shoulders as he slowly hoisted her up. In her weakened state, the woman slumped helplessly into his embrace. Whether due to her injury or her overwhelming shyness, her face burned a deep crimson, and her breathing became hurried and shallow against his chest. The man felt a surge of adrenaline, his voice coming out in a dry rasp.

"Where do you wish to go to begin your treatment?" She hesitated for a moment, her voice trembling with modesty.

"This Trial Realm is teeming with dangerous demon beasts, and there are many cultivators from various sects roaming about. We should find a truly hidden location to avoid any unwanted complications or interruptions."

"There is a secluded cave roughly three li from here where I had previously taken a brief rest. If you are willing, perhaps we could head there?"

"Very well, I shall follow your lead in everything." The man's eyes were now ablaze with an undeniable hunger. He pulled her tighter into his arms, and with a flash of spiritual light, the two of them vanished into the distance. Moments later, the light faded as they landed before the mouth of a hidden cavern. The black-robed cultivator, supporting the woman's weight, hurried inside.

"Rest here for a moment. I will go to the entrance and establish a protective restriction to ensure we aren't discovered," he said, placing her gently onto a bluestone that had been cushioned with the white pelt of some unknown demon beast. He swallowed hard once more before turning to head back toward the mouth of the cave. She nodded weakly, leaning her fragile frame against the cold stone wall, looking utterly defenseless and pitiable.

The man hurriedly reached the entrance, casting a sound-isolating restriction with a flick of his wrist before rushing back into the depths of the cave with ill-concealed impatience.

"I cannot thank you enough for your kindness today. My magic power is in such disarray that I cannot even open my own storage bag to retrieve my medicine. Please, I beg you to help me... take out a Heart-Clearing Detox Pill and assist me in refining its medicinal essence." She reached down to untie the storage bag at her waist, but for some reason, the silk cord had been pulled into a stubborn dead knot.

As she tugged at it with her trembling fingers, the bag remained fixed, but the force of her pull caused the neckline of her dress to slip significantly. In an instant, her flat, porcelain-smooth belly and a charmingly delicate navel were exposed to the black-robed man's wide-eyed stare. This sudden accident caused the woman's face to turn a violent shade of red. She gasped, hurriedly pulling her garments back into place as she lowered her head in a paroxysm of embarrassment.