“Corpse Lotus?”

Xu Taiping was not unfamiliar with the term.

Back when his junior martial uncle and Uncle Baihong went to the northern borders, it was to eradicate the Corpse Lotus and sever the roots of demonic cultivation, a task so perilous they nearly lost their lives.

Yet, what exactly the Corpse Lotus was, Xu Taiping still only had a vague understanding.

“To advance their realm, demonic cultivators need to practice various inhumane secret methods, and for each major realm breakthrough, a specific blood medicine is required. The quality of the blood medicine determines the success of the advancement and even the potential after advancing. For example, the Heavenly Fragrance Vermilion Fruit planted within me and my disciple is the blood medicine needed by some demonic cultivators to advance from Demon Lord to demonic master. And that Corpse Lotus is the essential blood medicine for a demonic master to break through to the next level.”

“Cultivating the Corpse Lotus is extremely difficult; some demonic cultivators would even go so far as to nourish the lotus seeds with the blood and qi of an entire nation’s populace.”

“But compared to the flesh and blood of mortals, the flesh and blood of cultivators is the best nourishment for the Corpse Lotus. That’s why demonic cultivators often set traps using the ruins of immortal mansions to lure cultivators into their web, turning them into nourishment for the Corpse Lotus.”

Duan Tianya explained in great detail to Xu Taiping.

“If there really is a Corpse Lotus within the ruins of the Immortal Mansion in Cloud Dream Marsh, then among the demonic cultivators who have entered this time, there might be the presence of a demonic master, right?”

Xu Taiping said with some concern.

“That won’t happen.”

Duan Tianya shook his head.

“The ruins of Cloud Dream Marsh have been around since I was young. Although the array formations and barriers within are not as powerful as they once were, if a being of the demonic master realm were to forcefully break in, the barrier would definitely exert all its power to eliminate them.”

He explained to Xu Taiping.

Hearing this, Xu Taiping breathed a sigh of relief.

Just facing a Demon Lord had been difficult enough; encountering a demonic master would surely mean a dead end for him.

“Master Duan, there’s something about the ruins of the Immortal Mansion in Cloud Dream Marsh that puzzles me.”

Xu Taiping suddenly said, looking perplexed.

“What is it?”

Duan Tianya asked.

“Why are there only Corpse Ghosts and the like within the ruins of an immortal mansion?”

Xu Taiping inquired.

Duan Tianya laughed heartily upon hearing this, and then explained to Xu Taiping:

“Initially, these ancient immortal mansion ruins contained nothing but mechanisms and some spirit beasts guarding the ruins. But as more and more cultivators came to explore and many died within, the bodies of these cultivators, which were extraordinary, had a much higher chance of turning into Corpse Ghosts.”

“So over time, these immortal mansion ruins gradually became occupied by Corpse Ghosts.”

Upon hearing this, Xu Taiping suddenly understood.

“Regarding the Corpse Lotus, I just wanted to give you a heads-up. Once you’ve obtained what you want, find a safe place to hide as soon as possible. After all, no one can guarantee what the people from the Nine Mansions might do.”

“If possible, when you leave, also warn the cultivators outside. If a demonic master from the Nine Mansions really emerges, a great calamity will befall the Nine Mansions. By then, not to mention ordinary people, even cultivators will likely fall by the wayside.”

Duan Tianya said with a grave tone.

“Thank you for the warning, Master Duan.”

Xu Taiping earnestly took note.

“Gurgle…”

Duan Tianya then took another swig of wine, showing a contented expression as he spoke to himself:

“Having enjoyed two jars of your Dragon Gall Wine today, I must offer something in return.”

He then turned his gaze to Xu Taiping’s hand that held the Ghost-Sealing Talisman.

“Young man, the spirit sealed in your hand is that of a saber cultivator’s lingering soul.”

He asked Xu Taiping with a smile.

“How could you tell?”

Xu Taiping was surprised.

“After we came upstairs, its saber intent has been challenging me non-stop.”

Duan Tianya grinned.

“You can feel its saber intent?”

Xu Taiping was skeptical.

“Spread your palm and let me see your Ghost-Sealing Talisman.”

Duan Tianya smiled at Xu Taiping.

Hesitantly, Xu Taiping spread his palm open.

As he did, the talisman’s seal appeared, surrounded by several unhealed cracks.

Lin Buyu, who was beside them, also leaned in close to Xu Taiping, her large eyes blinking with curiosity as she stared at his palm.

“Is this the thing that’s been devouring the blood qi from your body?” she asked, staring at Xu Taiping.

“Yes.” Xu Taiping nodded.

“Does it hurt?” Lin Buyu asked again.

“A bit.” Xu Taiping answered truthfully.

Duan Tianya, watching this scene, revealed a meaningful smile.

“Girl, make some room.”

He moved his chair closer to Xu Taiping.

Lin Buyu sat up straight again, her face still emotionless.

“Master Duan, what are you planning to do?”

Seeing Duan Tianya staring at his palm, Xu Taiping couldn’t help but ask.

“It dares to challenge me, so naturally, I must respond.”

Duan Tianya took Xu Taiping’s hand.

He extended a finger and lightly traced it over the Ghost-Sealing Talisman.

As Duan Tianya’s finger moved, a surge of sharp saber intent swept through the entire Listening Wind Pavilion.

Finally, like a tide, all of the saber intent flowed into his fingertip and struck the Ghost-Sealing Talisman.

Suddenly, Xu Taiping seemed to hear an indignant roar from the saber ghost within the talisman.

“Not convinced? If you’re not, then I’ll strike again.”

Duan Tianya grinned and, to Xu Taiping’s astonishment, lightly traced his fingertip over the seal once more.

Though it was a gentle stroke, Xu Taiping distinctly heard the clashing sound of swords.

An even sharper saber intent began to flow from Duan Tianya’s fingertip.

At the same time, Xu Taiping could feel another wild saber intent trying to burst forth from his palm.

But as Duan Tianya’s finger traced over his palm, the violent saber intent was quickly dissolved.

Though it wasn’t a direct confrontation, Xu Taiping could feel that Duan Tianya’s saber intent was genuinely suppressing the saber ghost’s intent.

Once the saber ghost’s intent was suppressed, the seal in Xu Taiping’s palm retracted into his skin.

The speed at which the seal devoured blood qi also became nearly imperceptible.

“Thank you, Master Duan.”

Xu Taiping expressed his gratitude with a serious demeanor.

Clearly, Duan Tianya’s two “strikes” were meant to help him suppress the saber ghost within the talisman, thereby alleviating the talisman’s backlash against him.

“Compared to your two jars of Dragon Gall Wine, this is nothing.”

Duan Tianya shook his head and then coughed violently a few more times.