Gateway of Immortality

Chapter 165: The Eerie Malevolent Corpse

Although malevolent corpses were stronger than zombies, they were still lifeless entities without intelligence. The ones they encountered earlier were all grotesque in appearance, with stiff expressions, driven by nothing but a primal instinct for bloodlust and slaughter.

Can it be that this malevolent corpse has remained in the cave dwelling for so long, absorbing spiritual power, that it has developed intelligence?

Not fully reassured, Qin Sang preemptively activated the Heavenly Star Tear to protect himself. He also grabbed a large handful of talismans from his Mustard Seed Pouch, secretly holding the Essence-Devouring Spike and Profound Yin Thunderbolts in his hand.

These two artifacts were one-time-use items and extremely valuable, but compared to his life, what did their cost matter?

…

The vast hall in front of them was even more majestic than the two Qin Sang had encountered earlier. The massive, towering black iron doors were adorned with even fiercer images of ancient corpses, their ferocious eyes glaring menacingly at anyone approaching, sending chills down the spine.

Upon entering the hall, the three of them felt an overwhelming sense of pressure and unease as they cautiously surveyed their surroundings. The hall was in complete disarray, with shattered stone pillars and debris scattered everywhere. The ground and walls were crisscrossed with deep cracks, clearly remnants of an intense battle. However, there were far fewer bones, and no other malevolent corpses in sight.

In the left corner of the hall lay a peculiar skeleton. The white bones were leaning against the wall, with a clear blade wound on its chest, especially where the heart was, as the ribs had been completely cleaved—this was likely the fatal injury.

In front of the skeleton was a black iron stake embedded in the ground. The stake was covered in dust, but faint dragon and cloud motifs could still be discerned, along with numerous fine cracks. It appeared to be an artifact, though it had been damaged to the point that it was unclear whether it was still usable.

Surrounding the stake were dozens of broken, pale spirit stones, drained of their spiritual power. These stones were arranged in a meticulous pattern, resembling some sort of array.

The skeleton was the only complete one in the entire hall, making it particularly eye-catching.

As Qin Sang's gaze swept over the skeleton, he noticed a small black pouch, the size of a palm, beneath its waist. The pouch was wide open, revealing that it was empty, and clearly not a Mustard Seed Pouch.

In its left hand, the skeleton was tightly gripping an ancient token, identical to the black iron token Hermit Baiyun had found, except this one was silver. Thick dust couldn't hide the gleaming silver surface, and on the back, the same three characters were engraved: Heavenly Corpse Sect. Even the writing was identical.

However, this silver token was clearly of higher status.

On Shaohua Mountain, foundation-building disciples had different waist tokens compared to those in the Qi Refining Realm, serving as symbols of rank. This skeleton’s status in the Heavenly Corpse Sect must have been far above those outside. Qin Sang took a brief glance and paid it no further mind.

Hermit Baiyun and Wu Yuesheng did the same, as they soon found Liu Jiang.

"Daoist Liu!"

Hermit Baiyun cried out in anguish, his gaze fixed on a corner of the hall.

Qin Sang followed his line of sight and froze.

The malevolent corpse was standing behind a broken stone pillar, hiding in the shadows, with its hand thrust deep into Liu Jiang’s chest, gripping his heart. It had lifted his entire body off the ground, its fangs buried deep in Liu Jiang’s neck, greedily devouring his blood and vitality. Crimson blood dripped from the corners of its mouth.

Drip... drip...

The stench of blood filled the air, and the scene was beyond horrific.

Liu Jiang’s eyes were still wide with terror and shock, unable to find peace in death. In just this brief moment, the malevolent corpse had already drained him of all his vitality, leaving his body visibly shriveled, transforming into a dried corpse.

From the wounds on his chest and neck, dark green corpse poison was rapidly spreading throughout his body, corroding his bones and emitting a nauseating stench.

Someone who had been alive moments ago had been reduced to such a tragic state in the blink of an eye.

Snap!

A crisp sound echoed through the air.

After the malevolent corpse finished draining Liu Jiang of his vitality, it flung his lifeless body far away. It extended its crimson tongue, licking the blood from the corners of its mouth, and stared greedily at the trio, as if eyeing three delectable blood sacrifices. R??????

When Qin Sang was finally able to get a clear look at the malevolent corpse, he felt a sinking feeling in his heart. His earlier observations had been correct—this one was indeed different from the other malevolent corpses.

It was similarly surrounded by dense Earth Malevolent Qi, but through that qi, its true appearance was revealed. Aside from its claws, fangs, and blood-red eyes, it bore little resemblance to a typical malevolent corpse.

Most malevolent corpses, after being refined by the Earth Malevolent Qi, had their flesh and blood tempered to be as hard as metal, greatly enhancing their defense. However, this process would render their bodies grotesque, making them look like hideous evil spirits.

Yet, this malevolent corpse still retained its appearance from life. Though its face was deathly pale, its features sunken and its expression twisted, it was clear that in life, it had been a rather handsome young man.

After devouring Liu Jiang's blood and vitality, a flush of red appeared on its skin, and its once sunken flesh slowly filled out. Its appearance gradually restored, making it almost indistinguishable from a living person.

This eerie scene left Qin Sang in shock. He couldn't help but wonder. Can this still be called a malevolent corpse? Has this refined corpse gained intelligence over time, or is this some special refinement method of the Heavenly Corpse Sect?

Hurrr… hurrr…

The malevolent corpse licked the blood clean from its hands, emitting a series of eerie chuckles. Its blood-red eyes fixated on the trio, its greed intensifying.

Upon seeing Liu Jiang’s tragic corpse, Hermit Baiyun’s face was filled with sorrow. He quickly pulled out his wooden staff, glaring fiercely at the malevolent corpse as he roared in anger, "Kill it!"

Raising his wooden staff, Hermit Baiyun channeled spiritual power into the artifact. The tip of the staff pointed toward the malevolent corpse, and in an instant, a lush array of plants and trees sprouted from thin air.

Whoosh!

In the next moment, the grass and leaves withered and transformed into countless flying blades and sharp swords, raining down on the malevolent corpse. For cultivators with weaker abilities, failing to dodge this attack would result in them being pierced through like a sieve.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

A series of sharp sounds rang out as the grass and leaves shattered into countless green lights, scattering into the air. When the chaos subsided, the malevolent corpse had vanished.

Qin Sang narrowed his eyes and quickly warned, "Be careful, Daoist Baiyun!"

Before his words had even finished, a thunderous crash erupted. Hermit Baiyun's figure was sent flying backward, his wooden staff raised just in time to block the malevolent corpse’s claw. However, the force of the attack was too great, and he was knocked back several steps.

Despite enduring Hermit Baiyun's strike, the malevolent corpse remained completely unscathed.

Its claws were coated in corpse poison, glowing with a black-green hue, and it relentlessly pursued Hermit Baiyun. In a blur of motion, one of its claws slipped past the wooden staff, nearly piercing Hermit Baiyun’s chest.

Cold sweat broke out on Hermit Baiyun’s forehead as he hurriedly swung his staff to deflect the claw, retreating once more.

Yet, this maneuver turned the situation to their advantage.

Qin Sang and Wu Yuesheng exchanged a glance but did not rush to rescue Hermit Baiyun. Instead, they quickly split to the sides, flanking Hermit Baiyun. In an instant, their formation shifted, the three of them forming the Three-Talent Formation, surrounding the malevolent corpse in the center.