After the refining of the blue-gold energy and before the arrival of the devastating wind disaster, Xu Qing distinctly sensed some unfamiliar changes in himself.
These changes lurked deep within, like parasites, dormant until the moment they launch, becoming soul-hunting demons!
Xu Qing remained as still as a mountain, pretending nothing was amiss, continuing his seclusion to solidify his foundation.
It was unknown how much time had passed when a familiar yet strange aura emerged from behind Xu Qing's mind, invading the Divine Scenery, attempting to seize his body, while also seeking vengeance for a grievance left unresolved in life!
"I am the leader of the Underworld, the ruler of the Nether Sea. If Heaven does not condemn them, then my body shall remain immortal! How can you steal my essence and achieve the Dao Fruit of Kui Ba!"
Before the words finished, Xu Qing felt overwhelming resentment enveloping him, and at the same time, impure energies surged from underground. Coupled with the voice transmitted into his mind, Xu Qing instantly understood the origin of the other party.
Corpse Ancestor Ying Gou!
Emperor Xuanyuan had exiled Ying Gou to the Underworld and Nether Sea, yet Xu Qing's soul and body were seamlessly integrated, making it impossible for anyone to easily invade his body.
The only explanation was a trace of Ying Gou's remaining will hidden within the blue-gold aura, which exploited the opportunity when Xu Qing assimilated the blue-gold energy.
Xu Qing's brow relaxed as he calmly said, "Indeed, it's said that Kui Ba is immortal and indestructible, exceedingly difficult to completely eliminate. Now it seems this claim is not false."
"Why did you not choose to escape to the past or future, but instead remain in the present?"
Constantly crashing against the gate of the Divine Scenery without moving it the slightest, Ying Gou finally realized something was amiss.
It gazed intently, only then noticing a lotus treasure lamp within Xu Qing's Divine Scenery, radiating a gentle glow.
Ying Gou remained silent for a moment before finally speaking, "The past had Xuanyuan waging war everywhere; how could I return? The future is an era of Dharma decline, severed from earthly connections, offering no benefits. I fight only for the present!"
After answering Xu Qing's question, Ying Gou's remaining true spirit felt somewhat isolated, saying, "I am defeated; who could have imagined a descendant would be such a maverick, capable of anything, no wonder the celestial maiden chose you."
"Capable of anything?" Xu Qing's eyes narrowed slightly, clearly disagreeing.
He was merely a steadfast zombie, focusing on cultivation, reluctantly swept into a tidal wave of disaster, prompting him to search everywhere for solutions.
One could say all his previous actions were aimed at grasping a piece of driftwood amidst the tide for some tranquility.
Though he had vast resources, the driftwood he clung to might be somewhat larger.
Ying Gou was unaware of Xu Qing's thoughts; otherwise, it would surely point at him to curse for his audacity.
Was that a larger piece of driftwood? It was clearly the entire mortal world!
Perhaps because it accepted fate or realized its path was cut off, Ying Gou felt somewhat weary, saying, "To achieve the Dao, you, a corpse monster, defy your nature, emulating the celestial maiden by cultivating virtue alongside; if this isn't being capable of anything, what is?"
Ying Gou couldn't imagine how the celestial maiden and the young man before it could endure the stench of benevolence to complete virtue to this degree!
How is this different from a wolf eating waste to guard, or a tiger eating grass to farm?
It was simply a different era; otherwise, both Xu Qing and the celestial maiden would have been expelled from the zombie circles, never allowed to step into a corpse society, lest they tarnish its reputation!
"I am so unwilling! A day like today; I'd rather die on the battlefield..."
Ying Gou was extremely aggrieved, charging towards the lotus treasure lamp as Kong Ren once toppled the heavenly pillar.
When the divine light blossomed, Ying Gou trembled.
"So this is the feeling of complete virtue..."
Ying Gou seemed like a royal dog first entering the latrine, realizing that boundless virtue had this kind of flavor.
Realizing the end of the path of cultivation was never just black or white.
"Solitary yang does not live, solitary yin does not grow. Such a simple truth, why couldn't I understand it..."
A complex sigh echoed in Xu Qing's mind, and then the voice was entirely swallowed by the light of the treasure lamp.
Ying Gou was fortunate, yet also unfortunate.
Fortunate in witnessing a path beyond Kui Ba in the last moment, unfortunate in experiencing warmth unbefitting a zombie in the final moment.
Xu Qing did not heed Ying Gou's sigh.
After all, he had always been enveloped in such warmth.
"Thanks to the Empress, thanks to Boss Sai!"
Xu Qing felt extremely grateful, grateful that his humanity remained intact back then, forging benevolent ties with many people and many corpses.
And now, these benevolent ties have taken root and sprouted, bearing virtuous fruits, helping him step out of dilemmas time and again, welcoming rebirth...