Chapter Ninety-Six: Rumors

“Let’s go, we’ll head back first!”

Without saying much, Zhao Fifteen turned and walked toward the elevator. Normally, countless restless spirits flickered within this building, but at this moment, I could sense not even a trace of their presence. It seemed that our previous battle with the Corpse King Li Lina had instilled such fear in the spirits that they all hid away.

Holding Zhang Ningning in my arms, Zhao Fifteen and I returned to the Changsheng Office. As soon as we arrived, Xiyue and Nie Xiaoke came out of the room.

Tonight’s moonlight wasn’t very bright, but a faint, chilly glow still shimmered. We gently placed the still-unconscious Zhang Ningning on the sofa.

I introduced Nie Xiaoke to Zhao Fifteen, who nodded in acknowledgment. When I recounted the strange encounter, he was visibly shocked.

However, Zhao Fifteen insisted we must hurry to Huamei Village, though there were matters here that needed immediate attention.

The corpse-burial man had escaped last time, and there was no guarantee he wouldn’t strike again. This dangerous being had to be eliminated as soon as possible. Otherwise, as his power continued to grow, it would become much harder to deal with him later.

“Grandpa Zhao, but we can’t find this corpse-burial man now, and like Xiyue, he’s an ancient corpse—undying and immortal!”

Zhao Fifteen let out a slow chuckle before saying, “That’s not a problem for me. As long as he hasn’t degenerated into a Corpse God, even if he is a Corpse Emperor, I can still track him down!”

I was deeply shocked in my heart. I hadn’t expected Zhao Fifteen to be so powerful—far stronger than Chen Chuyi before. But then I realized Zhao Fifteen was originally adept at combat, while Chen Chuyi specialized more in divination and yin-yang arts.

“I can feel that too, but completely destroying him might take some effort. After all, the corpse-burial man’s remnant soul is attached to an ancient corpse. He’s still trying to fully merge with it. Once he gains complete control over that ancient corpse, we might not stand a chance!”

Xiyue stood by the window, radiating a faint silver-white glow.

“Those ancient corpses from prehistoric times that did not decay are indeed terrifying. Within their bodies lies a concentration of sinister yin energy, sealed underground for ages, eventually transforming into a spiritual crystal. Not every ancient corpse has one, but if they do, once fully merged, that corpse becomes a Corpse Emperor, breaking through countless cultivation barriers.”

Zhao Fifteen spoke softly from the side.

A chill ran down my spine as I listened.

“So, that means the corpse-burial man we fought before is a terrifying existence, even scarier than I imagined. He’s already a Corpse Emperor?”

“No, not yet. But if left unchecked, he will inevitably merge with the corpse and become a true Corpse Emperor.”

Xiyue said slowly.

At that moment, I recalled the call I had made to Zhao Wen earlier, and the ancient corpse he had mentioned.

---

“Oh right, Grandpa Zhao, I forgot to tell you—before, I encountered Zhao Wen, the deputy leader of the Evil Spirit Sect. Zhao Wen told me he’s currently at a coal mine in Shanxi, where they unearthed an ancient corpse wrapped entirely in copper coins.”

“What!”

As soon as I finished speaking, I heard Xiyue’s voice, sounding very shocked. Looking at her now, I couldn’t help but feel puzzled.

Zhao Fifteen’s expression also turned grim.

“What… what’s going on?”

Seeing their reactions, my face darkened. Why were both Xiyue and Zhao Fifteen so disturbed?

“Could it be that the elders’ talk about a celestial anomaly refers to this?”

“What must come will come.”

...

Zhao Fifteen and Xiyue’s words left me utterly confused.

“What exactly is happening?”

I asked cautiously.

“Ah, Xiao Dong, you don’t know—there’s an ancient prophecy in our yin-yang realm. Where the three corpses gather, there will be a great upheaval. The world will descend into chaos, yin and yang will be reversed, all the dead will rise again, and those still alive will become the dead—restless spirits!”

“What? Is there really such a thing?”

I was stunned by this claim. It sounded like a fairy tale, something I would have dismissed as nonsense before. But after everything that had happened, I was starting to feel anxious.

Xiyue looked up at the moonlight in the sky and nodded slowly.

“The place where the three corpses converge is the gate of yin-yang reincarnation, though no one knows its location. Once this gate opens, yin and yang will overturn, and the cycle of fate will turn upside down—essentially swapping the underworld with the human world.”

“But…”

Suddenly, a realization struck me.

---

“Xiyue, do you mean…”

Xiyue nodded, her beauty accentuated beneath the moonlight.

“Yes, I am one of the three corpses. The corpse-burial man is the second, and the third is the ancient corpse wrapped in copper coins that was unearthed in Shanxi, which you just mentioned. I didn’t expect all three to emerge so soon. According to my calculations, that third ancient corpse shouldn’t have appeared until at least a year after we go to Huamei Village. Could it be…”

Xiyue’s words trailed off, her face filled with worry as she looked at me.

“That’s what I’m afraid of. If all three corpses have truly appeared, then our mission to Huamei Village is completely out of our control. This situation likely isn’t as the elders of Canglong Mountain predicted, and the elders stationed in Huamei Village may be in grave danger.”

“Huamei Village is the center of a grand formation. The simultaneous emergence of the three corpses can only mean one thing—the seal protecting Huamei Village has been compromised.”

At that moment, a voice sounded outside the door.

It was none other than Chen Chuyi.

As Chen Chuyi entered, my phone rang.

I wondered who would be calling so late.

Seeing that it was Zhao Wen, a wave of unease swept over me. Could there be trouble with the ancient corpse wrapped in copper coins in Shanxi?

I immediately answered and switched to speaker.

“Xiao Dong, there’s a major problem. Around nine o’clock tonight, the ancient corpse suddenly woke up and has vanished without a trace. I even encountered people from the Shanxi Changsheng Office, but…”

“But what?”

“They were all killed by this ancient corpse. Their souls were drained completely, yet their bodies bore no wounds at all!”

“Ah?”