Chapter 132: The Insider Story

“Ning’er, what exactly is going on here?”

After Liu An closed the door, Elder Yu’s gaze suddenly fixed on Hu San. Seeing his dazed expression, his face finally relaxed, then he turned sharply to glare at Yu Ning, whose cheeks still bore a deep flush.

With Elder Yu’s seasoned insight, he immediately sensed the abnormal color in his daughter’s face and knew the housekeeper’s report was true.

“Father, when I was conducting the ritual on Hu San, I discovered his body was quite unique, with great potential to be tapped. Therefore, I did not want to leave any obvious flaws and impulsively handed myself over to him. I acted rashly and ask for your punishment.”

Hu San controlled Yu Ning’s graceful form to bow slightly. The benefit of experience from an elite spiritual corpse was evident here—Yu Ning’s words and actions were perfectly natural, almost indistinguishable from her usual self.

“Oh? Quite unique, you say?”

Elder Yu’s sharp eyes scanned Yu Ning’s face once more. Although something felt off, the dim light and the circumstances prevented him from discerning the anomaly clearly. So, he merely asked and then turned his attention back to Hu San. Taking a few steps forward, he examined Hu San as if inspecting merchandise—lifting his eyelids, feeling his pulse and chest, even pulling his tongue.

Thanks to Hu San’s physical strength already reaching the terrifying level of sixteen men, every movement was precisely controlled, fully embodying the appearance of a freshly ritualized living corpse, barely revealing any flaws.

“His vitality is quite strong, muscle elasticity excellent, and the degree of zombification very low. Indeed, he has great cultivation value. But with this, your path ahead will be much more difficult!”

Elder Yu turned away, looking at Yu Ning with pity as he spoke these words.

Upon hearing this, Hu San felt a heavy weight lift from his heart.

“Thank heavens, that was close. Looks like I managed to bluff my way through.”

He sighed inwardly. Just moments ago, he was prepared to strike suddenly. When Elder Yu was flipping his eyelids, Hu San was genuinely sweating bullets; after all, his pupils contained no trace of red light. Had the old man examined more closely, his secret would have been exposed.

Yet, Elder Yu never suspected that direction, letting him escape danger this time.

In Hu San’s entire plan, this moment was the most perilous. Passing this phase meant a 70-80% chance of success for his entire scheme; even if he ultimately failed, it wouldn’t bring much harm.

After the crisis, Hu San’s mind gradually became more alert. Although he did not fully understand Elder Yu’s words, he guessed they meant relying on family or allies when marrying. So, controlling Yu Ning, he replied, “The path of cultivation is arduous at every step. Ning’er only wishes to grasp the present and does not want to rely on others for the future.”

---

“You, huh!”

Elder Yu sighed and then chuckled, “You have a temperament much like mine—unyielding and stubborn. Such a nature is best suited for cultivation, though it brings many hardships. Had it been otherwise, the story of your mother and me might have turned out differently.”

“Enough of that; talking too much only disturbs the mind. Think of me, Yu Zhongtian, with a three-colored spiritual root, rising from the third to the peak of the sixth tier of the Law Gathering Realm all on my own in just over twenty years. Though, compared to your mother, I was far behind—she’s probably completed Foundation Establishment by now.”

“I had planned to send you to the Wuling Sect once you reached the first tier of the Realm. With your mother’s care, your cultivation path would have been much smoother. But your aptitude only has two colors, worse than mine. Such a spiritual root, even with your mother’s care, would make life in the sect extremely difficult. Now that you have reached the peak of the second tier, I will wait until you advance to the third before sending you to Wuling Sect.”

“What about you, Father? Will you go see Mother?”

Although Hu San was shaken to his core by these revelations, he controlled Yu Ning to continue the charade.

“Of course, I will go. After all these years, some things must be settled. Besides, the lotus soil your mother stole from your grandfather back then should be returned.”

“Only now do I understand that the lotus soil wasn’t your grandfather’s property but was entrusted to him by Elder Ge before his seclusion. If it isn’t returned before Elder Ge emerges, it might cause immense trouble for your grandfather. Recently, I inquired and learned Elder Ge’s seclusion lasts thirty years and is nearly over, so we cannot delay any longer.”

Elder Yu smiled faintly, showing rare warmth. “Don’t worry. After so many years of cultivation, the lotus soil’s quality has improved greatly. Once Elder Ge knows the truth, as long as it’s returned promptly, he won’t hold your grandfather accountable.”

“Moreover, using the lotus soil’s power, I have refined many Wuling Pills over the years. With these, your cultivation in the Wuling Sect will be easier. Although the sect is powerful, competition is fierce, especially for these pills. Without the lotus soil, I likely wouldn’t have been able to produce a single one.”

“Tonight at midnight is the peak Yin hour. The blood energy accumulated for over twenty years will finally erupt. Only then will the rare Nether Spirit Herb fully mature. Gifting this herb to your grandfather could extend his life by thirty years. With his protection, your position in the Wuling Sect will be higher. Then, the matters between your mother and me will likely face no more obstacles. So, you needn’t worry about me.”

Before Hu San could figure out how to respond through Yu Ning, Elder Yu glanced outside the window and said softly, “The time is nearly here. After tonight, this estate will be handed over to your two older brothers. Though they are not your mother’s sons and lack spiritual roots, they are still your brothers by blood. Let the past be forgotten; after this, you will have no dealings with them.”

“Ning’er understands. Please rest assured, Father.”

Hu San seized the opportunity to speak.

“Good.”

Elder Yu nodded, seemingly uninterested in continuing, then sat down and sipped his tea, awaiting midnight.

Seeing this, Hu San relaxed and guided Yu Ning to sit nearby, adopting a contemplative expression while he stood silently behind her, pondering his own affairs.

---

During the conversation, besides discovering Elder Yu’s formidable background, Hu San also learned of something that piqued his interest—the lotus soil, one of two crucial components needed to repair the Black Wind Formation Array.

Having never heard of the lotus soil before, Hu San had expected it would take a long time to learn anything about it, yet here he was hearing about it so soon. Not only that, but the lotus soil was nearby, guarded by someone with power only at the peak of the sixth tier of the Law Gathering Realm.

Although Hu San’s current condition made him seemingly incapable of defeating this guard, compared to such a precious treasure’s defense, the sixth tier was practically defenseless.

After hearing this, Hu San had even more reason to stay. Heaven gives blessings that one must seize; if he passed up this chance, there might be no other.

Moreover, Elder Yu mentioned a rare Nether Spirit Herb capable of extending a cultivator’s lifespan by thirty years. Though Hu San didn’t know its exact value, it was undoubtedly worth far more than his Bone War Slave—perhaps even rivaling the Black Sword.

Additionally, the Wuling Pills Elder Yu spoke of were likely common medicinal pills given by sects to their disciples. For Hu San, who was currently penniless and survived by reckless consumption, the temptation of these pills was as strong as a celestial boon.

All these reasons combined meant that despite knowing Elder Yu’s powerful backing, Hu San had no qualms about having ritually transformed someone else’s daughter into a living corpse and thus making an indelible enemy. As the saying goes, with many debts, one ceases to worry; with many fleas, one no longer feels itchy. Trouble was always in the future; for now, he must focus on securing his immediate survival.

The three waited in the room for a while longer until the moon reached its zenith. Elder Yu finally stood without a word, pushed open the door, and walked ahead. Naturally, Hu San did not cause trouble, silently controlling Yu Ning to follow, perfectly playing the role of her newly ritualized living corpse.

They walked along the winding paths of the estate for about fifteen minutes until Elder Yu stopped at a different corner.

Whether because of the night or some other reason, the small courtyard before them seemed cloaked in mist, filled with an oppressive black aura. Faintly, Hu San sensed the shape of black energy taking the form of snarling skeletons, but upon closer inspection, there was nothing—only darkness.

One thing was certain: this courtyard was much darker than outside, as if moonlight could not penetrate. A swirling, elusive shadow hovered in midair.

Elder Yu stood before the door, lightly clapping his hands. The crisp sound echoed as the tightly closed door suddenly creaked open. A figure cloaked in black robes stomped out slowly.

Hu San noticed the black-robed figure was enormous—his body nearly twice the width of an average man and standing at least nine feet tall.

As the figure approached, a strong stench of decay assaulted Hu San’s senses, growing more intense until it seemed to coalesce into wisps of black mist. Suddenly, the figure raised his head, and in the moonlight, Hu San caught a clear glimpse of his face, causing his heart to leap wildly.