Chapter Nine, The Corpse Dissection Formation

"Formation? Mr. Yang, what formation is there in this empty space?" I covered my neck with one hand, looking around in confusion, only to see scattered flying debris, there was nothing else at all...

After a long time, I was astonished to see a figure appear on a hillside across from me. Due to the darkness of the night, I could not make out the person's appearance, but I heard a voice that was extremely cold: "Hehe! Yang Yuanshan, all this talk you’ve been doing is merely an attempt to provoke me into revealing myself. You and I have been in conflict between the Exoteric and Esoteric schools for many years; how could I not be aware of your little tricks? You are correct; I do wish to gather the Eight Treasures that have been lost for many years. But you wish for the same. However, I know even better that in order to collect the Eight Treasures, one must first obtain one of two things: the Exoteric and Esoteric Compass of the Maoshan Sect, and... hehe, we both know that the Exoteric and Esoteric Compass is a person, not an object. Now that you have taken that boy as your disciple, I, as the head of the Maoshan Sect, cannot legitimately retrieve this item. Do you think this means you can rest easy? Hehe, we both know that the Exoteric and Esoteric Compass is a person, not an object. Now that you have taken that boy as your disciple, I, as the head of the Maoshan Sect, cannot legitimately retrieve this item. Do you think this means you can rest easy? How foolish!"

But the only response to him was the flying sand and rolling stones, along with the raging winds; nothing else, except for myself, who was a few meters away, and no one else.

The Heavenly Secret Mirror is the foundational treasure of the Maoshan sect. If this object were to appear in the world, the two major sects would inevitably be unified, and the eight treasures that have been lost to the world would also be gathered. Gu Tan, have you ever considered why our two major sects have been in conflict for hundreds of years, yet the Heavenly Secret Mirror has still not manifested? Have you thought about it?" Yang Yuanshan sighed deeply and continued, "This is due to the protection of our ancestral master, who is concerned that this object might fall into the hands of those with ill intentions, thereby jeopardizing the thousand-year foundation of our Maoshan sect! Have you ever thought about it?" Yang Yuanshan sighed deeply again and continued, "This is due to the protection of our ancestral master, who is concerned that this object might fall into the hands of those with ill intentions, thereby jeopardizing the thousand-year foundation of our Maoshan sect! Therefore, it is very difficult for the Heavenly Secret Mirror to be found. Why are you still so obsessed and unaware?

"Not right..." Yang Yuanshan suddenly stopped in his tracks, looking around in bewilderment. I quickly halted as well. I naturally listened intently to the conversation between the two great masters of Maoshan, although I did not understand what they meant by the Eight Treasures of the Mountain and the Secret Compass, nor did I grasp the significance of the Heavenly and Earthly Secret Mirror or the foundation of Maoshan. I was completely in the dark. However, I knew that the shadowy figure was already prepared to deal with Yang Yuanshan, just waiting for him to walk into his own demise. At this moment, I found myself somewhat worried for Yang Yuanshan. In contrast, Yang Yuanshan quietly surveyed his surroundings. After a long while, he muttered to himself, "Gu Tan is also seriously injured; how could he recover so quickly? Moreover, he was able to set up a formation here in advance to wait for me. Could it be that he... Hmm, there must be something suspicious about this!"

Corpse Dispersal Formation? Could it be related to corpses? What on earth is this? I am completely terrified and at a loss, never expected that those who practice the Dao would also understand how to use formations to kill!

I am fine and can still hold on. Er Gou, remember that your task is to form a shadow marriage with the deceased fox woman of the fox clan, helping her regain her true form to continue her cultivation. From then on, your two families will have no further ties with the fox clan. However, resolving this calamity is not so easy. As the saying goes, a drop of kindness should be repaid with a fountain of gratitude. Your family has done me, Yang Yuanshan, a favor, and I will not stand by and watch you perish. Leave the rest to me!" As Yang Yuanshan spoke, he suddenly pushed me forward and shouted loudly, "Hurry to the Yin Cliff! No matter what you encounter along the way, do not be afraid. Just make sure to arrive at the Yin Cliff by the third watch of the night!" He suddenly pushed me forward and shouted loudly, "Hurry to the Yin Cliff! No matter what you encounter along the way, do not be afraid. Just make sure to arrive at the Yin Cliff by the third watch of the night!"

With me here, you can confidently walk towards the abyss; no one will harm you. Yet, he, as a righteous person, has gone to great lengths, first by exploiting the immortal beasts, and then by using the villagers of your mountain village as bait for a trap, step by step leading me into the game. Such scheming truly chills my heart... Sigh! Yang Yuanshan waved his hand to flick away a piece of rubble, gazing forlornly at the vast night sky. It was evident that he was now physically and mentally exhausted, his thoughts in disarray... Sigh! Yang Yuanshan waved his hand to flick away a piece of rubble, gazing forlornly at the vast night sky. It was evident that he was now physically and mentally exhausted, his thoughts in disarray.

Gu Tan, you merely wish to obtain the Eight Treasures of the Maoshan Sect, so why do you not seek them out yourself? Instead, you resort to such despicable means to deal with me. You should know that I am injured, and you are not in a much better position!

Enough! Yang Yuanshan, I, Gu Tan, do not need your interference. I have already set up the formation, and it is not aimed specifically at you. However, if you force your way in, you will be seeking your own death, and you cannot blame me for that. Even with the ancestral master, I have my reasons to speak. When you die, I will then seek the Heavenly Secret Mirror and the Eight Treasures of the Mountain. If possible, I will also find a way to extract the hidden compass from your disciple's body, hahahaha..." After Gu Tan finished speaking, he suddenly burst into a cold, maniacal laugh, and the surrounding winds grew stronger, threatening to lift people off the ground!

"Mr. Yang, you... what is wrong with you?" I did not know how to ask Yang Yuanshan, as I was completely at a loss regarding everything that Gu Tan had mentioned, and I could not interject. However, seeing Yang Yuanshan in a state of anxiety left me feeling uncertain as well.

What just injured you was indeed caused by the formation, but it can certainly be described as a sharp blade, for this formation is the Corpse Disintegration Formation known to all practitioners of the Dao

"Mr. Yang, but you..." I watched as Yang Yuanshan swung a peach tree branch to flick away a piece of rubble. His body trembled slightly, and he struggled to take a few steps forward. I couldn't help but feel a bit worried, but what could I do at this moment?

Yang Yuanshan! Do not always adopt an attitude of lecturing me. I am now the head of the Maoshan sect, and I can represent the entire Maoshan school, while you can only represent a branch of the Maoshan Esoteric Sect. You have no right to lecture me. You speak of seeking the second treasure of Maoshan, but you know better that the second treasure, the 'Heaven and Earth Secret Mirror,' can only be obtained if one of three conditions is met. The first is the unification of the two major sects of Esoteric and Exoteric. The second is to retrieve the Esoteric Compass, which will reveal the truth. However, neither of these conditions can be met at present. Therefore, we are left with the third condition: either you die or I perish. As long as our two major sects do not continue to fight, the Heaven and Earth Secret Mirror will surely appear. Yang Yuanshan, you are currently severely injured, and it is truly difficult to find an opportunity to deal with you!

You wish to obtain the Eight Treasures of the Town Mountain, commanding both the Esoteric and Exoteric sects, yet your intentions are not pure. How could my Esoteric sect be coerced by you? You will not acquire the Esoteric-Exoteric compass now. But why do you not seek the second treasure of Maoshan? Why must you press me so hard here?

To this day, I still do not understand why Yang Yuanshan fainted in the deep mountains, nor why he was covered in injuries, and I am even more perplexed about who the person trying to frame him is. The conflicts within their sect have opened my eyes and made me realize how small and ignorant I am as an ordinary person

With a loud crash, the rocks in front suddenly collapsed. Upon witnessing this scene, before I could react, I was pulled aside by Yang Yuanshan. What it means for the sky to fall and the earth to sink, I only now truly understand; real subsidence is terrifying. Yang Yuanshan's face appeared slightly pale, and his breathing gradually became rapid. I hurriedly asked, 'Mr. Yang, how are you? Your injuries have not yet healed, and now you are exerting yourself so much; you must be struggling to cope'

As I was listening to Yang Yuanshan speak, I suddenly heard a sharp "hiss" sound coming from my neck, followed by a faint stinging sensation. I quickly reached up to touch it, and when I looked down, I was immediately shocked: "Mr. Yang, there is blood... I have been cut by something! It seems like a sharp blade!"

Gu Tan! Both you and I are disciples of the Maoshan sect, why must you continuously plot against me?" Yang Yuanshan suddenly shouted loudly into the empty night.

But listening to their conversation, could this person be the Master Gu Tan of the Maoshan Xianzong, who stands in opposition to Yang Yuanshan?

Ah?" Yang Yuanshan suddenly frowned, quickly walking up to me, waving his hand to swat away the peach tree branch. To his surprise, a sharp sound rang out, and the peach tree branch was cleanly severed. Seeing this scene, Yang Yuanshan hurriedly exclaimed, "Quick, retreat behind me. I never expected Gu Tan to devise such a vicious formation; it truly is impressive of him!