Chapter 10, The Seven Methods of Resolution (Part One)
Thinking of how Yang Yuanshan risked his life to help our family escape misfortune, I could not back down. People from the mountains may not value much, but they place great importance on relationships. Yang Yuanshan has become so weak for our family's sake; how could I let him take risks again? However, before I could rush into the last formation, Yang Yuanshan noticed me in advance, grabbing me and sternly saying: "Do not act recklessly! This Corpse Dissolution Formation can take a life in an instant; it must not be taken lightly. You just accidentally stumbled into the Staff Dissolution Formation. Let me handle this last formation!"
However, Mr. Yang, you ... ...
As he spoke, Yang Yuanshan bent down to pick up a few small stones and threw them in different directions. In an instant, the air was filled with various explosive sounds. If I had not witnessed it with my own eyes, I would find it hard to imagine that the seemingly empty air could actually ignite. Soon, Yang Yuanshan identified four methods of corpse dissolution: fire dissolution, earth dissolution, disease dissolution, and wood dissolution. Together with the previously discovered method of soldier dissolution, a total of five methods of corpse dissolution emerged. There were still two more methods that Yang Yuanshan searched for for a long time but could not find.
"Mr. Yang, what is the Evil-Repelling Sword? From what you say, that sword must be very powerful!" I asked in astonishment.
Mr. Yang... I am fine, you need not worry, I can hold on. My jaw is aching painfully, almost to the point of bleeding. Every time I open my mouth to speak, it seems to pull on all the nerves in my body, causing me to grimace in pain, my vision blurring. I do not know if Yang Yuanshan has found a way to break the spell, but seeing the emptiness ahead, I can hardly resist taking a step forward and say: "Mr. Yang, you are also very weak right now, let me try the formation ahead!"
Upon hearing Yang Yuanshan's words, I did not expect that this Corpse Dissolution Formation had such a significant background. The thin blade that just appeared nearly cost me my life, which illustrates the formidable nature of this formation. It has only revealed the tip of the iceberg; if all seven methods of Corpse Dissolution were to manifest simultaneously, I would undoubtedly meet my demise
Yang Yuanshan did not answer my question; he merely stood in place, quietly surveying his surroundings. What was he looking at? I inadvertently glanced at the sky, calculating that the hour of the Rat was approaching. If the time passed and I could not fulfill my promise to form a spiritual union with the deceased fox woman of the fox clan, I did not know how severe the consequences would be. Alas, what should I do now...! What else can I do? I can only place all my hopes on Yang Yuanshan, hoping that he can successfully break the formation and allow me to complete my unfinished business!
Yang Yuanshan took a deep breath and couldn't help but shake his head and sigh: "I never expected it to be the method of Lei Jie. This Gu Tan has truly exerted all his efforts to arrange this Corpse Dissolution Formation, each one more ruthless and tricky than the last"
Ah! That is... I looked in astonishment at the peach wood stick that had fallen to the ground in the distance, staring blankly at Yang Yuanshan
I dared not say much, and nodded vigorously, closely following Yang Yuanshan
No need to say more, I have my own ways! Yang Yuanshan stopped me from continuing, then lowered his head and stared at the peach wood stick in his hand in silence for a while. After a long time, he suddenly extended his right index finger and forcefully cut his left palm, watching the drops of fresh blood flow out. I was so shocked that I couldn't speak, not knowing what Yang Yuanshan was about to do, and was astonished that he did not cherish his own body, easily cutting his own palm.
fell to the ground
Bang
I could feel the real sensation of that thin blade cutting my neck, as if a knife had truly wounded me. It was utterly astonishing, but seeing Yang Yuanshan's serious expression, I began to understand that the corpse dissolution formation set up by the master Gu Tan of the Maoshan Sect was not as simple as an ordinary person could imagine. I then quietly asked Yang Yuanshan what the trouble was. If we delayed and could not reach the Yin Cliff in time to establish a yin marriage, it would mean a complete break with the fox clan, and my family and Zhao Liushun's family would truly be in trouble.
Mr. Yang, if you do that, will you be trapped here and unable to leave? Even... I wanted to say whether Yang Yuanshan would die in here, but I hesitated and still did not say it. At that moment, even if I did not believe in the supernatural, I did not want to utter a single ominous word. I just hoped that everything would go smoothly, and Yang Yuanshan, you must not encounter any trouble...
The so-called corpse dissolution is a shortcut for practitioners to shed their physical forms and attain immortality. However, this can only occur when the timing and conditions are fully ripe. The "Xianjing" states: "The upper-level practitioner ascends to the void, known as a heavenly immortal; the middle-level practitioner roams the famous mountains, known as an earthly immortal; the lower-level practitioner dies first and then transforms, known as a corpse-dissolving immortal." The corpse-dissolving immortal cannot be compared to the heavenly immortal's ascension; one must shed their physical form to achieve immortality. There are more than ten methods of shedding the physical form, including methods of fire dissolution, water dissolution, staff dissolution, and weapon dissolution, among others. The trouble I mentioned lies here: to break this formation, we must understand how many methods of corpse dissolution are concealed within it, and then break them one by one. I suspect that Gu Tan set up this formation to delay our journey and, seeing my weakened state, intends to force me to recklessly charge through it, leading to my demise here..." Yang Yuanshan sighed lightly and continued, "What you just encountered can be determined as weapon dissolution, and the corpse dissolution formation can conceal up to seven methods of corpse dissolution. We must quickly clarify the other six methods. Stay closely behind me, no more than three feet away, or I fear I may not be able to take care of you!"
Unfortunately, we haven't even caught a glimpse of their front yet. We should first find a way to break this deadly formation.
Er Gou! Yang Yuanshan hurriedly tried to stop me, but he was unable to catch me. Perhaps it was because I truly wanted to test the formation plate, or perhaps I could no longer endure such extreme torment. I dashed forward in a single stride.
Hmm, that sword contains an extremely sinister and malevolent energy, which ordinary people cannot wield at all. Even for me, using it would cost me ten years of my lifespan. Such a magical artifact can counter all other magical items, regardless of their nature, good or evil. To prevent it from falling into the hands of those with ulterior motives, I carry it with me at all times. However, it has another significant use and is no longer by my side, so this array disk must be left to be deciphered last!" Yang Yuanshan furrowed his brow and slowly turned his head to look in another direction, where the last array disk was located. Having confirmed the last array disk, it must be time to break the formation.
All the formations in this array are extremely powerful. If one inadvertently touches two types of formations, it will trigger a backlash from the entire array, making the situation even more complicated. Fortunately, we have not acted rashly. Er Gou, I have thought of a method, though it is somewhat risky, it will allow you to escape this array. Once you manage to break through, do not look back at me; just make your way to the Yin Cliff to accomplish your great task. Leave this to me!" After observing the surroundings several times, Yang Yuanshan looked at me earnestly and said.
Mr. Yang, what should we do now? Wasn't it said that finding all the array disks of the Corpse Dispersal Formation would allow us to break the formation? I swallowed hard and asked noncommittally.
The Water Dissolution Array is not far from the Fire Dissolution Array. You can rush from the Fire Dissolution Array into the Water Dissolution Array, using the power of water dissolution to break through a gap and escape this formation. Perhaps this process will be somewhat difficult, but in order to save the lives of both your families, you must endure it, do you understand? Yang Yuanshan seemed not to have heard what I just said, nor did he seem to take my words to heart, as he continued to explain the plan he had thought out for me.
Yang Yuanshan immediately clenched his left hand, raised his right hand, and struck the last empty formation plate with the peach wood stick. The stick, utilizing its spinning momentum, suddenly rotated for about ten feet. However, at the same moment it returned, I was shocked to see a lightning flash, as thick as a finger, strike the peach wood stick with a "crack" sound, instantly turning it into something resembling charcoal.
Mr. Yang, there are still two places, the southwest corner and the northeast corner, where we have not been able to find results. Can we find a gap to break through from those two places? The other types of corpse dissolution formations are all life-threatening in an instant. Right now, I can only stand on the formation of disease dissolution, and all the old ailments and inexplicable pains within my body suddenly surged forth, making me feel faint and weak, with one hand tremblingly supporting Yang Yuanshan.
Yang Yuanshan turned his head to examine the wound on my neck closely, then cautiously positioned himself behind me and said solemnly: "It seems that unless this formation is broken, it will be quite difficult for you to take another step forward. However, this corpse dissolution formation is somewhat troublesome..."
Before I could think much, I saw Yang Yuanshan gripping the peach wood stick tightly with his bloodied palm, swiftly slicing downwards, and the entire peach wood stick, enveloped in blood, exuded a faint scent of bloodiness
Yang Yuanshan is not in a much better condition; his complexion has worsened. His body was already quite weak, and with inadequate recuperation, he is now also facing the perilous situation of deciphering such a deadly formation. I can understand the extent of Yang Yuanshan's predicament and the difficulties he is enduring
"Er Gou, we are currently on the battlefield of illness, where serious diseases loom like mountains. However, you must use your willpower to hold on; this is merely a temporary illusion. As long as we can break through the formation, those pains will vanish in an instant, and your body will return to its original state. You must stay alert!" Yang Yuanshan turned back, shook my body vigorously, and called out in a deep voice.
Little did I know that before I could steady myself, a heavy blow struck my chest, causing stars to dance before my eyes. My whole body convulsed, and I was sent flying backward, crashing heavily to the ground. My knees hit the ground in unison, and the pain was excruciating, tearing at my heart. I gasped for air, yet I could not utter a single word. However, Yang Yuanshan stood in front of me and coldly said: "Indeed, it is the staff's解, but to break this formation, it must be forcefully shattered with a powerful evil-repelling artifact to cause the formation to collapse. Yet, I only have a peach wood stick in my hand. If only... if only the evil-repelling sword were still here!"
That scoundrel Gu Tan, after all, is from the same school as Yang Yuanshan; they are merely two different branches. When it comes down to it, they are still part of the same family. It is outrageous that he would resort to such heavy-handed tactics against a fellow disciple. If we were to act according to the temperament of us mountain folk, we should go and give Gu Tan a good beating; it would not be a loss even if we left him crippled.