Chapter 79: Searching for the Formation Core
The situation in the morgue of Ren'ai Hospital was only getting worse. If not for the talismans sealing it, the resentment and yin energy inside would surely leak out, affecting both human health and temperament.
The two elderly men appeared to be in their sixties or seventies, but upon closer inspection, their faces bore few wrinkles. Apart from their white hair, their eyes were exceptionally calm, carrying a faint trace of vicissitude.
"Fellow cultivator, you're quite impressive, you recognized our purpose here at a glance," the brown-robed elder said with a hearty laugh, his face showing a hint of admiration. "Each generation surpasses the last. We old folks are truly outdated. At such a young age, you've already reached the Foundation Establishment stage."
Their cultivation far surpassed Mu Lichuan's, so they could immediately discern the young man's level.
"Thank you for your undeserved praise, but it’s merely luck," Mu Lichuan replied humbly. In his eyes, he was still a novice, incomparable to other cultivators.
Arrogance often led to an early demise, even the most talented geniuses were no exception.
"Good. If you don’t mind, fellow cultivator, may we address you as 'young friend'?" Among cultivators, age mattered little, only cultivation strength did.
"I’m honored by your regard, seniors," Mu Lichuan replied with a respectful smile.
He knew these two were likely reclusive cultivators hidden deep within the nation. Their emergence now must be due to the severe situation at Ren'ai Hospital’s morgue.
"Young friend, since you’re straightforward, we’ll speak plainly. There’s a formation core in the morgue. Our cultivation is too high, if we enter, the space will collapse. We hope you can assist." As fellow countrymen, they naturally didn’t want the capital to face disaster.
Mu Lichuan was surprised. "Do you two know what kind of formation it is? And where the core is located?"
To him, aside from corpses, he saw nothing els, let alone a formation core.
"The Yin-Yang Spatial Formation spans two realms, one side is filled with yin energy, specifically the morgue. Young friend, do you possess the Yin-Yang Eyes? You shouldn’t be heavily affected inside. As for the endless corpses, with this, you can conceal your aura. Though it only lasts ten to fifteen minutes. Please act quickly," the brown-robed elder said gravely.
Mu Lichuan chuckled. "Senior, I’m afraid of death too." Finding the formation core in such a short time would be difficult. He wondered if they were toying with his life.
The two elders hesitated. "We’ll do our best to ensure your safety." If they could suppress their cultivation to enter, they wouldn’t risk a young man’s life.
"I’ll go." Mu Lichuan felt a little guilty for teasing these honest elders.
Mi Rong smiled. "Good, good! As expected of the guardian chosen by the Mi family!" In his excitement, he inadvertently revealed some information.
The gray-robed elder shook his head, the young man’s expression showed he would demand answers.
Mu Lichuan knew things weren’t so simple. "May I ask, what is a 'guardian of the Mi family'?" Since when had he become one?
"Young friend, the Mi family carries the nation’s fortune. You must know this. The golden light surrounding you, it’s Mi Shen protecting you, right?" Mi Rong smiled. "The troubles caused by the Mi family’s descendants must be resolved by the Mi family."
Mu Lichuan’s head spun. Weren’t cultivators forbidden from interfering in mortal affairs? Yet these two seemed to suggest otherwise.
Mi Rong explained, "We don’t interfere in worldly matters, but every national leader has guardians. You, young friend, are one of them."
"The incident at Ren'ai Hospital involves evil and demonic paths. We can’t stand by as the nation falls into chaos. This is permitted by Heaven’s Will." His tone was gentle, showing his trust in Mu Lichuan.
"Thank you for clarifying, seniors." Mu Lichuan valued freedom. Since he planned to ascend to the cultivation world someday, the title of "guardian" didn’t worry him, especially since he likely wasn’t the only one.
Mi Rong and his companion imparted much cultivation knowledge, giving Mu Lichuan a more systematic understanding. However, they knew nothing of higher realms, their cultivation wasn’t sufficient, and Earth’s spiritual energy was too sparse. Their progress was due to rare opportunities or Heaven’s favor.
They agreed to carry out the mission in three days. By then, Mu Lichuan’s exam results would be out, and his homeroom teacher insisted he attend.
He knew this was his chance, future absences would go unpunished.
When Mu Lichuan arrived in class, everyone stared at him. "What’s wrong?"
"Classmate Mu, haven’t you checked your final scores?" With today’s technology, a quick login to the school’s website would show his results.
Mu Lichuan shook his head. He was confident - full marks in every subject, except perhaps some deduction in essay scoring.
Class Monitor Xie Dong’s expression was complicated. They’d assumed this rich kid was all brawn and no brains, yet his results crushed even the top students from the elite class, making them feel like utter failures.
"Classmate Mu, you scored full marks in every subject," Ouyang Xing said, his earlier disdain gone. Someone this outstanding clearly didn’t need wealth to secure his place.
"Oh." Mu Lichuan nodded.
His classmates gaped at his indifference. "That’s all you have to say?!"
Mu Lichuan found their reactions amusing. "What else? Full marks were expected."
The class realized communication with a genius was impossible. They could only stare until the homeroom teacher arrived.
The teacher simply wanted him to give a speech at the closing ceremony, motivating the underachievers.
"Teacher, can I just say I’m naturally smart? Also, I might not attend the ceremony." Mu Lichuan couldn’t back out of the hospital mission.
The teacher’s eye twitched. "Classmate Mu, this is a great opportunity—"
"Teacher, I really can’t. If there’s an issue, have the principal or higher-ups approve my absence." His implication was clear.
The teacher frowned but said nothing, this was beyond her authority.
At home, Mu Lichuan prepared for the night’s mission. "Master, master! Take Xiao Xue with you! I love that kind of energy!" The Bloodvine had been confined to the villa long enough.
Before, it couldn’t leave. Now, if its master went somewhere, it wanted to follow—otherwise, it would never grow stronger.
"You?" Mu Lichuan frowned. His great-grandfather’s safety was at stake.
"Master, you can ask Young Master Mi to protect the old master," the Bloodvine persisted. "I thrive on that energy. I can absorb it and shield you." Finally, it could be useful.
"You like yin energy and…" Mu Lichuan considered. As an ancient malevolent vine, of course it would relish such an environment.
"Yes, Master! It’ll help me grow stronger!" Without seizing opportunities, it would remain stagnant.
After a moment, Mu Lichuan agreed. Even with powerful escorts, they couldn’t enter. The protective talisman only lasted minutes, and locating the formation core in such a vast space would be difficult—especially without flight or formation knowledge.
Night fell swiftly. Aside from the two elders, only Mu Lichuan and Mi Shen remained - the latter refusing to leave.
"Be careful," Mi Shen said tersely.
Without a word, Mu Lichuan leaped into the opened passage.
"Wow! So many delicious things!" The Bloodvine emerged from Mu Lichuan’s body, greedily devouring the corpses’ energy.
"Won’t you get indigestion?" Mu Lichuan muttered. The Bloodvine was supposed to crave blood, yet it feasted on this instead. But when he saw the sea of standing corpses, his scalp prickled.
"Stop eating and look for anything unusual." Aside from overwhelming yin energy, resentment, and corpse aura, he sensed nothing else.
"There’s a bronze corpse here, it has rudimentary intelligence," the Bloodvine warned gravely.
No comments:
Post a Comment