Longevity through Upgrading Buildings Chapter 798 - 332: Level 3 [Chaotic Burial Mound]

The fallen have all been interred, encompassing those from the Core Formation Realm down to the Foundation Establishment Stage. Ji Yuan kept in mind the inherent trait of guaranteed critical hits during building upgrades. With Celestial Silkworm Zhenren having already self-destructed, Ji Yuan had an immediate requirement for a Core Formation Realm corpse puppet to serve as a protector. He proceeded to bury the Thousand Souls Banner, Yin Ghost Banner, and various other Demon Dao spiritual artifacts, holding onto the hope of encountering some good fortune during the upgrade process. Once all arrangements were finalized, Ji Yuan made the decision to upgrade the Chaotic Burial Mound. The moment his intention was formed, a potent wave of Yin energy surged forth from the Chaotic Burial Mound before him, so dense that it seemed to have solidified. The immediate consequence was the Chaotic Burial Mound becoming enveloped in a thick mist, accompanied by the distinct sound of spectral wailing that reached Ji Yuan's ears. A strong Yin wind began to blow, accompanied by hovering ghost fire, and as his eyes scanned the surroundings, he could even discern corpse puppets emerging from the sandy earth. "They have arrived!" Ji Yuan swiftly deployed his Divine Sense to survey the Chaotic Burial Mound. The corpse puppets... five from the Foundation Establishment Stage began to emerge! A complete count of five! A Core Formation Realm corpse puppet... there was indeed one. Ji Yuan recognized him instantly; it was an old adversary, his most troublesome opponent from before, the one notoriously associated with peculiar insects – Hundred Insects Old Immortal! Upon his appearance, Ji Yuan experienced a moment of bewildered recollection. He distinctly remembered having disintegrated this old immortal, obliterating everything from the knees down. Yet, now, his legs had regenerated, albeit into a skeletal form that possessed a rather eerie appearance. Nevertheless, with the pervasive Yin energy and the robust aura of early-stage Core Formation emanating from him, the sight was not entirely unsettling. In comparison to the previous Celestial Silkworm Zhenren, this Hundred Insects Old Immortal surpassed him in every aspect. For Ji Yuan, this was akin to obtaining an SSR-tier subordinate! Witnessing him approach, Ji Yuan promptly offered him his Golden Light Mirror. With the retrieval of his Lifebound Magical Treasure, the aura of Hundred Insects Old Immortal immediately intensified significantly. As for the remaining Foundation Establishment Stage corpse puppets, Ji Yuan paid them little mind. Given his current cultivation level, should a conflict arise, these corpse puppets would merely serve as disposable cannon fodder. It would be more practical to assign them to menial tasks. Thus, with a mere thought, he gathered these newly manifested corpse puppets and then focused his consciousness into his Sea of Consciousness. During a previous upgrade, a peculiar memory had surfaced in his mind, accompanied by the appearance of the green ghost fire within his Dantian. This was the second spirit-effect of a Level 3 Chaotic Burial Mound: the Yin Corpse Demon Fire. Ji Yuan had extensively researched this Yin Corpse Demon Fire previously and possessed considerable knowledge about it. In essence, its capabilities could be summarized concisely. Once mastered, claiming absolute invincibility among peers might be an overstatement. However, finding an opponent at the same cultivation tier would become exceedingly difficult. Even when facing two or three cultivators of the same level simultaneously, breaking free would likely be a manageable feat. Theoretical contemplation is no substitute for practical experience. Ji Yuan raised his right hand, forming a sword-like gesture with his index and middle fingers, and executed a slight turn before him, conjuring a cluster of spectral green flames between his hands. Despite the ignition of flames in his hand, Ji Yuan perceived no warmth, only a pronounced chill. First, he employed his mental intent to conceal the external appearance of the Level 3 Chaotic Burial Mound. Once the surrounding spectral mist and wails subsided, he observed the two Frost Serpents opposite him exhibiting signs of apprehension. Notably, Tuesday had retracted behind Monday, visibly frightened. "Hehehe." Ji Yuan emitted a chuckle and advanced towards them. The Yin Corpse Demon Fire continued to burn in his hand, and as he took a step forward, the two Frost Serpents cautiously retreated. Observing Monday's palpable fear, Ji Yuan could readily infer the formidable power of the Yin Corpse Demon Fire. Furthermore, it would be impractical to test its true might on these two Frost Serpents. Turning around, he directed the Yin Corpse Demon Fire towards a patch of barren ground in the distance. Upon impact, Ji Yuan manipulated its effects, causing the entire area of land to erupt in ghostly green flames. Under the influence of the Demon Fire, the stones strewn across the ground gradually turned to ash. The Demon Fire possessed the capability to consume stone. Even after its destructive burn, the Demon Fire showed no signs of diminishing. Ji Yuan narrowed his eyes slightly, observing the inferno before him, and recalled the complex process of condensing the Yin Corpse Demon Fire. To legitimately refine this Yin Corpse Demon Fire... its methods could only be described as exceptionally cruel! Previously, Ji Yuan had considered the act of slaughtering an entire city's cultivators to refine a Demon Skill to be sufficiently malevolent.

However, compared to the cultivation methods for the Yin Corpse Demon Fire, that was a trifling matter.

Ji Yuan didn't even dare to examine the techniques too closely, such as utilizing the bloodline of the same clan as a conduit, refining one's offspring, or extracting the Lifebound Fire from their parents. All these methods underscored the malevolent nature of this cultivation art.

Ji Yuan began contemplating whether, in his next encounter with an adversary, unleashing this Yin Corpse Demon Fire would lead them to mistake him for a paramount demonic figure like Qiu Qianhai, whose notoriety spanned centuries.

Upon this thought, Ji Yuan's smile widened with contentment once again.

"Hehehe."

Having gauged the formidable power of the Yin Corpse Demon Fire, Ji Yuan extinguished the raging inferno before him, causing it to condense back into a wisp of ghostly flame before he reabsorbed it into his being.

Nonetheless, due to its prolonged combustion, the Cave Mansion remained saturated with potent Yin energy.

This posed no issue.

Ji Yuan retrieved the Thousand Souls Banner from the Chaotic Burial Mound.

With a single incantation uttered by hand, the Soul Banner swept outwards, effectively gathering all the lingering Yin energy within the Cave Mansion.

As he admired the Thousand Souls Banner in his grasp, a sense of dissatisfaction washed over Ji Yuan.

Despite the considerable fortune he had acquired, the Soul Banner had not seen any substantial advancement.

It had, at the very least, failed to attain the status of a Magical Treasure.

In Ji Yuan's estimation, once the Thousand Souls Banner successfully evolved into a Magical Treasure, its name should be altered to the Ten Thousand Souls Banner.

At that juncture, if an opponent were to challenge him to a duel, it would genuinely lead to the question: "Why not seek refuge within my Human Emperor Banner, fellow Daoist?"

"Hehe."

The more Ji Yuan's thoughts meandered, the more his spirits lifted. Yet, just as he prepared to summon the interface to inspect the spiritual effects of the Level 4 Chaotic Burial Mound,

he detected a subtle anomaly emanating from within the Chaotic Burial Mound.

"Could it be... the Yin Ghost Banner is showing activity?!"