novelraw Chapter 206 : Foundation Establishment-Stage Corpse Servant
Chapter 206 : Foundation Establishment-Stage Corpse Servant
Chapter 206: Foundation Establishment-Stage Corpse Servant
“What?!”
“Senior Brother Liu is seriously injured? When, and how did it happen?”
Ji Yuan asked several questions in one breath, astonished.
He didn’t have many friends to begin with. Liu Yuan was one of the rare few he genuinely got along with, so naturally, upon hearing that he had been seriously injured, he became deeply concerned.
“I don’t know the details either. I just got back after receiving a message from Master.”
Rou Yi paused slightly after speaking, but still transmitted a message to Ji Yuan.
“I heard it’s related to Liancheng Mountain, so if you don’t have anything urgent to attend to, Junior Brother, it’s best not to go out for now.”
Related to Liancheng Mountain… wasn’t that making me the scapegoat?
Ji Yuan's heart skipped a beat. He quickly said, “Come on, I’ll go with you, Senior Sister. Let’s go see Senior Brother Liu first.”
“All right.”
Rou Yi glanced down at Ji Yuan’s flying boat.
Ji Yuan explained awkwardly, “I got into a fight on this trip, and the flying boat was smashed. I’m temporarily using this one to get around.”
“Come on mine. I’m faster.”
“Sure.”
Ji Yuan leapt onto Rou Yi’s flying sword and stored away his own Red Dawn Boat.
Although they had already reached the Yunyu Marshlands, the Water Dragon Sect was still a distance away. If they had taken Ji Yuan’s Red Dawn Boat and traveled slowly, it would have taken at least a few days.
Now, with Rou Yi’s flying sword, they arrived at Liu Yuan’s island in just half a day.
Ji Yuan had visited here before, so it wasn’t unfamiliar.
Rou Yi’s flying sword landed directly at the entrance of Liu Yuan’s cave dwelling. Perhaps it had been a few days, but Liu Yuan could now sit up on his own and was reading at the table.
“Senior Sister, Brother Ji, why are you two here together?”
Liu Yuan slowly stood up—his injury was clearly serious.
“We met on the way and came over together. How are you doing?”
Rou Yi sat down directly across from Liu Yuan, unreserved.
“I’ve taken the pills Master gave me. I’m much better now,” Liu Yuan said with a strained smile.
“As long as your foundation wasn’t harmed.”
“It wasn’t. I made sure to avoid that.”
After examining Liu Yuan briefly, Ji Yuan retrieved a healing pill from his storage pouch… a Qi-Blood Pill enhanced with a Tempering Aperture Pearl.
This pill could even open apertures; the vital energy contained within it was beyond potent.
Not only was it a miracle medicine for body cultivators, it was also top-tier for healing.
“Brother Liu, try this pill I made.”
Ji Yuan pushed it forward, and it landed in Liu Yuan’s hand.
“Eh?”
Liu Yuan naturally recognized it as a Qi-Blood Pill—he had taken quite a few of them in recent days. But this one from Ji Yuan… the vital energy seemed… unusually strong?
Since it came from Ji Yuan, he didn’t question it. He swallowed it in one gulp and immediately began refining it.
At first, he didn’t feel much. But once the medicine’s effects spread, it was a different story. His previously pale complexion gained a rosy hue, and the intense flow of vital energy began rapidly mending his damaged body. The pain eased, replaced with a wave of comfort that made even him let out a few low grunts.
Seeing this, Rou Yi looked at Ji Yuan with surprise.
“I’m an alchemist. I added a few rare earthly treasures to this Qi-Blood Pill. Its effects are above average.”
Ji Yuan smiled truthfully—he never lied.
Rou Yi thought for a moment, then spoke up:
“Do you have any more, Junior Brother? I’m willing to buy a few.”
The pill was excellent—it could save lives.
Otherwise, Rou Yi wouldn’t have made such a request.
“I don’t have many left. Those ingredients are rare. After using them once, I ran out. Since Senior Sister needs one, I’ll gift you one.”
Ji Yuan handed over another improved Qi-Blood Pill.
To him, this wasn’t worth much—one Spiritual Pig could produce one pill.
Rou Yi didn’t ask for many. Rather than selling them for a few dozen Spirit Stones, it was better to earn some favor.
The goodwill from someone suspected of being a pseudo-Core Formation cultivator was far more valuable than a few dozen Spirit Stones.
“Th-this…”
Rou Yi looked at the pill, contained in a jade bottle.
“I really don’t have many left. Just keep it, Senior Sister—and don’t mention it to others,” Ji Yuan reminded her.
“All right. Thank you, Junior Brother.”
Rou Yi hadn’t expected such a gain from this trip. After storing the pill, she cupped her fists toward Ji Yuan.
While the two spoke, Liu Yuan had finished refining the Qi-Blood Pill’s medicinal power. Although he wasn’t fully healed, most of the injuries were resolved. The rest would require slow recovery.
He expelled a mouthful of stagnant blood. Before it could hit the ground, he swept it into ashes with a wave of his hand. Then, he rinsed his mouth with spiritual spring water, and his overall aura significantly improved.
“Thank you for the help, Junior Brother.”
Liu Yuan stood and bowed toward Ji Yuan, speaking softly.
“No need for courtesy, Brother Liu.”
Ji Yuan glanced at Rou Yi again. All three of them had returned from Liancheng Mountain. They were all disciples of Golden Core Real Persons—especially Liu Yuan and Rou Yi, who were disciples of the Grand Elder. So, they must know some of what happened.
“Besides, this whole matter started because of me.”
Ji Yuan shook his head bitterly. “I even dragged Brother Liu into it.”
Liu Yuan seemed a bit displeased. “Brother Ji, aren’t you thinking too little of me by saying that? Besides, if it were me who had encountered such a thing, I would have reported it to the sect too. Are you saying you’d blame me then?”
“All right.”
Rou Yi knocked on the table, interrupting the two’s heartfelt exchange.
“Let’s first talk about what exactly happened.”
Liu Yuan withdrew his gaze. After a brief moment of recollection, he finally spoke: “The ambush happened outside Heishan City. I was just about to return to the sect from there, when that person suddenly emerged from who-knows-where and launched a vicious assault, every strike aiming to kill. The killing power was immense.”
“If I hadn’t had the treasure bestowed by the sect, I might’ve died from the first surprise attack.”
Even now, recalling it made Liu Yuan break out in a cold sweat.
“Golden Core?”
Ji Yuan asked tentatively.
“No. If it had been a Golden Core cultivator, I wouldn’t have made it back alive,” Liu Yuan shook his head slowly. “Foundation Establishment… but their strength was strange.”
“How so?”
“His cultivation looked about the same as mine—mid-stage Foundation Establishment. But when he fought, he showed strength at the peak of Foundation Establishment. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been beaten so badly.”
Ji Yuan frowned slightly.
Was this the level of someone from Shang Court?
The Shang Court that could stir up chaos among the Six Immortal Sects of Eastern Shang—even after being destroyed for nearly ten thousand years, still unyielding in death—and they only sent a mid-stage Foundation Establishment assassin?
Even if they couldn’t send a Golden Core Real Person, at least a solid peak Foundation Establishment should’ve been possible, right?
But now, sending only a mid-stage one for an assassination…
If Ji Yuan could think of this, surely Rou Yi and the others could too.
“Could it be someone else with a grudge against you?”
“Impossible.”
Liu Yuan shook his head slowly. “You know my nature, Senior Sister. I rarely make enemies. And if I do, I make sure to crush them completely, to the point they couldn’t possibly retaliate.”
“...Honestly, I’m also starting to suspect it wasn’t someone from Shang Court. If it really was them, they wouldn’t have let me live.”
“Then how did you manage to escape in the end?” Ji Yuan asked curiously.
“I stalled long enough,” Liu Yuan said in a deep voice. “The moment I used that sect treasure, the Sect Master was alerted. Then, my Master came and saved me.”
“Is that person dead?”
“No. It was like he knew our sect’s protocols. When half an incense stick’s time passed and he hadn’t killed me, he fled.”
“This complicates things.”
Ji Yuan rubbed his temples.
Rou Yi beside him added, “Didn’t Master tell us not to run around unless necessary?
Especially you—you’re only mid-stage Foundation Establishment. What were you doing in Heishan City?”
“It was an urgent matter, all right?”
Liu Yuan spread his hands, speaking helplessly.
Ji Yuan listened to this and gave Liu Yuan several more glances. Familiar with him, he could vaguely guess what he had gone to do.
“The sect will definitely continue investigating this matter. If there’s nothing urgent, don’t go running around. Just stay in the sect. That goes for you too, Junior Brother Ji—don’t think that just because your First Senior Brother isn’t around, no one’s keeping an eye on you!”
Rou Yi took out the authority of a senior sister, and Ji Yuan and Liu Yuan could only nod repeatedly in agreement.
After confirming Liu Yuan was all right, Rou Yi departed from the place.
Ji Yuan had nothing urgent, so he didn’t leave in a hurry.
Seeing no outsiders around, he sighed, “Next time you run out of wine, just send me a message. No need to take such risks.”
Liu Yuan smiled bitterly and spread his hands.
“I didn’t think stepping out on a whim would lead to this.”
Liu Yuan and Rou Yi hadn’t told the full truth, afraid they’d get scolded if they did.
But Ji Yuan, who knew Liu Yuan well, understood that whether it was during his time stationed in Linshui City, or when they were at Liancheng Mountain, Liu Yuan had often said he loved drinking the Black Grape Wine from Heishan City.
Now that he had deliberately gone there, it was likely for that wine and no other reason.
Ji Yuan raised his head suddenly. “You said you went to Heishan City on a whim?”
“Yeah… wait, no. That person ambushing me outside the city couldn’t have been a coincidence. He knows me!”
Liu Yuan instantly understood what Ji Yuan meant. His eyes flickered as thoughts raced in his mind.
Shang Court… there are remnants within the sect… someone who knows me, even knows I like Black Grape Wine… waited outside Heishan City… Foundation Establishment mid-stage… cultivation level can’t be trusted… because the person may not have been a friend…
The more Liu Yuan thought about it, the more it added up.
Ji Yuan didn’t speak further, silently waiting.
ㄴ After a while.
Liu Yuan raised his head doubtfully. “Brother Ji, don’t worry. If I find any clues, you’ll be the first to know. If you don’t have anything urgent, don’t go out either. My master has already spoken with the Sect Master Martial Uncle. We won’t be assigned any more tasks for now—just focus on cultivating within the sect.”
“Good, many thanks to the Grand Elder.”
Ji Yuan stood up. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll be heading back.”
“Mm, I’ll see you off.”
……
Not long after, Liu Yuan watched Ji Yuan’s figure leave on his flying boat, a somewhat complicated expression on his face.
Why?
Because as he followed that earlier line of thought, he realized the most likely assassin was… Ji Yuan!
Knew he loved Black Grape Wine. Knew what had happened at Liancheng Mountain. As for cultivation and strength… Liu Yuan had seen Ji Yuan fight in Linshui City—his power was terrifying.
Though he now appeared to be Foundation Establishment early-stage, he had previously killed two Foundation Establishment mid-stage cultivators in the spirit vein without injury.
Just like Fang Jie, Ji Yuan came from the Yunyu Marshlands. But Fang Jie was still a Qi Refining cultivator, while Ji Yuan had already been in Foundation Establishment for years.
And that was without even entering the Nine Nether Grotto-Heaven—he succeeded just outside.
If there wasn’t some fortuitous opportunity behind that, who would believe it?
And it must’ve been a strong one too. Shang Court’s opportunities—could they not be strong?
Liu Yuan also noticed: Ji Yuan now looked travel-worn, clearly just returning from a trip.
Doesn’t that line up with everything?
Ji Yuan is a Shang Court remnant. He’s the one who tried to assassinate me.
At first glance—it made perfect sense.
But Liu Yuan still felt—it was unlikely to be him. If it really were Ji Yuan, there was no need to go to such lengths. If he wanted to kill him, it wouldn’t have to be this complicated.
He could’ve just sent a message, lured him to Wuyou Island.
Poison, ambush, anything could’ve worked. Just like that Qi-Blood Pill he just took.
But if not Ji Yuan—then who?
Liu Yuan was still thinking.
▢ On the other side, after leaving Liu Yuan’s island, Ji Yuan’s expression turned somewhat complex...
‘Damn it, listening to Liu Yuan’s description, why does it sound like I tried to kill him? Foundation Establishment mid-stage… knew he loved Black Grape Wine… even knew he went to Liancheng Mountain.’
It was exactly because Ji Yuan had realized that, he had chosen to leave early.
He knew he hadn’t tried to kill Liu Yuan. And he believed Liu Yuan wouldn’t suspect him.
But staying there under such circumstances—no matter how you thought about it, it would’ve been weird. Better to leave early…
Still, judging from Liu Yuan’s description, even if the assailant wasn’t from the Water Dragon Sect, they were clearly connected to someone inside.
Seems like from now on, he not only needed to be careful when going out—even inside the sect, he had to be cautious.
Because he was flying on the Red Dawn Boat, his speed was slower than usual.
Just returning to Wuyou Island took over a day. By the time he reached Misty Island, three days had passed.
During this time, Ji Yuan had sent messages to Feng Zhi Tao and Hua Yaoyue—no reply. They probably hadn’t returned yet. With many questions in his mind, Ji Yuan had no one to ask.
He could only wait.
At Misty Island, inside the 【Cave Dwelling】, Ji Yuan moved his mind—and three flying sword embryos emerged from his body, spinning around him.
The first two went without saying, but the third one was the reward from this trip:
Cloud Palace Sword.
It looked much like the other two, but its entire body had a hint of white. Now floating before him, it seemed supported by drifting clouds.
As for the effects—when Ji Yuan moved his mind, he immediately felt as if he were standing in the clouds.
Another shift—and it felt like he was in a vast ocean.
Cloud Palace: lures others into illusion and delusion.
After examining the gains of this trip, Ji Yuan stored the three sword embryos in his dantian. Forming another sword embryo meant his cultivation could improve again.
Unfortunately, to break through to Foundation Establishment late-stage, he needed to refine five sword embryos.
Which meant—two more.
▶ No rush. Ji Yuan planned to improve his current cultivation level first before worrying about that.
In the days that followed, he truly didn’t leave the sect. He rarely even left his 【Cave Dwelling】, hiding away in the 【Spirit Vein】 to cultivate.
If he was making talismans or refining pills and got tired, he’d rest in the 【Meditation Room】. He’d quickly recover his energy.
■ A month passed in a blink.
Ji Yuan was once again called out of the 【Cave Dwelling】 by Tu Yue—she thought the 【Spiritual Field】 had produced another harvest.
Unknowingly, another year had passed.
The Spiritual Field yielded another Millennium Illusory Spirit Grass.
Ji Yuan harvested it as usual—sadly, no critical hit this time. Still, one plant was fine.
One Millennium Illusory Spirit Grass meant two to three thousand middle-grade Spirit Stones.
Currently, Ji Yuan had two such plants stored in his pouch. He could now try refining Foundation Establishment Pills. And he no longer needed to travel to Four Directions Island for it.
He could now summon Earthfire to refine pills right here on Wuyou Island.
That was a great convenience.
Since he rarely left the 【Cave Dwelling】, Ji Yuan decided to take the Ice Flood Dragon coiled on his arm and toss it into the Yunyu Marshlands—for some fresh air. He also fed the Great Toad.
Lastly, he arrived at the 【Fish Pond】.
Still no Ice Flood Dragon output.
That probability… was just too damn low. Ji Yuan even wondered—if he hadn’t gotten that wisp of Dragon Energy from the bottom of Pear Blossom River, maybe not even a single Ice Flood Dragon would’ve appeared by now.
Should he go check the bottom of Pear Blossom River again?
The thought was instantly suppressed by Ji Yuan. Risking his life for a few Ice Flood Dragons… wasn’t worth it.
Unless you give me a true dragon hatchling I can contract!
Sitting at the edge of the 【Fish Pond】, Ji Yuan casually tossed in a drop of Ice Soul Cold Dew. The large pond instantly took on a chill. The previously sluggish Spiritual Fish stirred wildly, trying to absorb more of the cold dew.
‘If I keep raising them with Ice Soul Cold Dew, maybe one or two Ice Flood Dragons will be born.’
‘Pity this stuff is so rare. Not only does the current Ice Flood Dragon need it—I also need it for my own cultivation.’
Just as he was about to return to the 【Cave Dwelling】, Ji Yuan suddenly sensed something.
A surge of intense Yin Energy flickered briefly in the western part of Misty Island.
Demonic cultivator?!
Ji Yuan’s Divine Sense extended instantly, enveloping the entire island.
He saw everything clearly—at the source of the Yin Energy.
A child stood vacantly atop the 【Grave Mound】. From the disturbed earth beside him, it seemed he had just crawled out from underground.
His clothes were in tatters. His face pale as a corpse… because he was a corpse.
And his cultivation—Foundation Establishment mid-stage!
Ji Yuan had personally buried that corpse—how could he not recognize who it was?
Demonic cultivator, Yin Child!
He had truly transformed into a Corpse Servant!
A Foundation Establishment-stage Corpse Servant—finally complete!
Ji Yuan sensed slightly, and connected with Yin Child through the 【Grave Mound】, gaining control over him. With a thought, the little ghost cheerfully skipped through the forest and came to his side.
‘Marvelous!’
Ji Yuan had him spin in a circle—the hole in his brow, pierced by Ji Yuan’s flying sword, had fully healed. He looked completely unharmed.
Just without the breath of a living person.
‘With this thing, I’ll have an extra layer of protection when traveling. Basically, a fearless bodyguard!’
“Here, this is yours. Keep it.”
Now that he had a Foundation Establishment-stage Corpse Servant, how could he be without good Spiritual Artifacts?
Ji Yuan returned Yin Child’s bell, and his skull-shaped flying artifact.
At the end, Ji Yuan also discovered that this Corpse Servant seemed to have gained the ability to speak—but couldn’t actually do so unless controlled.
He thought for a moment—then used Divine Will to control it.
Yin Child opened his mouth. A voice echoed from his throat—it was his own, from before.
“Tha…nk…you.”
Ji Yuan grinned widely.
‘Right—what are the conditions to raise a Corpse Servant from Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment? Should I try upgrading Tu Yue as well?’