Chapter 1255: Taiyin Corpse
After the detour, Qi Xuansu and Qi Jiaoyao returned to the proper path toward Lingshan, though the road remained difficult. In Qi Xuansu’s eyes, Elder Yao resembled a careless craftsman who had left tools, raw materials, finished goods, half-finished experiments, and scraps scattered everywhere without tidying up. Anyone other than the craftsman herself would inevitably stumble upon entering.
The Lingshan Paradise was like a workshop. Not only were there battlefield remnants from the great war between the Ancient Witches and the Heavenly Sect, but also various creations left behind by Elder Yao. The closer one got to Lingshan, the more creations appeared, many bearing the early stylistic hallmarks of the creation project, primarily focused on corpse refinement.
According to Qi Jiaoyao, when she first came here, these creations were still dormant, and one only needed to avoid waking them. But now, things were different. Perhaps due to the collapse of the underground city, Lingshan’s defensive mechanisms had been triggered. All these creations had been activated, and they were no longer subject to the Jianxiu Mountain system, creating significant obstacles for them.
When the blood moon appeared, Qi Xuansu and Qi Jiaoyao sought shelter within a ruined temple. A stone coffin was placed there, either by Elder Yao or the successive Earthly Preceptors. At midnight, the coffin lid slid open, and the corpse inside awoke.
Given Qi Xuansu and Qi Jiaoyao’s cultivation levels, they could deal with any ordinary undead effortlessly. However, this corpse was clearly extraordinary. Its entire body looked as though it had been burned by intense fire, charred black throughout. Its iron-like skin was covered in cracks, from which eerie green flames emerged.
The corpse walked toward them, each step leaving a clear imprint on the ground, with faint traces of fire lingering within the footprints.
This flame was corpse fire.
Daoist texts recorded that among zombies, the Bronze Armored Corpse was the most renowned, impervious to blades, water, and fire. Even ordinary magical artifacts could not harm it, as it was nearly comparable to the Buddhist Golden Body. Above the Bronze Armored Corpse was the legendary Drought Demon, beyond the Five Elements and transcending the Three Realms. When it appeared, corpse fire would fill the sky, scorching everything within a thousand-kilometer radius, inevitably drawing heavenly thunder punishment.
The creation project had once attempted to replicate the Drought Demon but failed. This corpse was likely one such failed imitation.
At first glance, what little intelligence it possessed seemed to have been burned away by the corpse fire, leaving only instinct.
Given Qi Xuansu’s current cultivation, he could not kill it outright with a single sword strike, but a few more blows would suffice. However, after he attacked, he discovered that the creature still retained some intelligence. Realizing it was outmatched, it immediately turned and fled deeper into the temple.
Qi Xuansu followed closely behind.