Chapter 27: The Yin Body of the Moon

"Lady He's constitution is unique, so you must not harbor any intentions toward her," the elder said, sitting in the chair vacated by the burly, bald man. His eyes glimmered with a strange, sinister green, and his voice was hoarse, as if shards of glass were lodged in his throat.

"Since the Master has spoken, I shall obey. After all, everything I have achieved today is thanks to your guidance," Chen Sanpao replied. Despite his dissatisfaction, he dared not show the slightest sign of it in front of the elder.

Though he appeared coarse on the surface, in truth he was wise and shrewd. If he were truly useless, no amount of help from the elder would have allowed him to rise to his current position. He understood the elder's means better than anyone. Despite commanding a formidable army, with countless firearms, in the elder's eyes, they were mere clay chickens and straw dogs. If he wished to accomplish great things, he could not do so without the support of such extraordinary figures.

Sensing Chen Sanpao’s discontent, the elder slowly raised his head and said, "I have perused ancient texts, and Lady He's situation is extremely rare. It resembles the legendary Lunar Yin constitution, yet something seems amiss. If handled carelessly, it could invite great trouble." At this, the elder’s eyes shone a vivid green, and his tone grew grave.

"Oh? What kind of matter could trouble even you, Master?" Having spent years with the elder, Chen Sanpao knew his temperament well. Never before had he seen the elder speak with such gravity.

"You are not versed in cultivation, so you cannot grasp its mysteries. The Lunar Yin constitution has only ever been acquired through cultivation. Those who possess it are either high-ranking spirits in the underworld or ghost immortals with profound cultivation. No one else in all creation can possess such a constitution. If my guess is correct, Lady He must have been an advanced cultivator in her previous life; otherwise, she could never have such a body. Normally, these beings, having achieved their status, rarely reincarnate. But with the world in upheaval, even those who have attained immortal bodies may face the Five Declines of Heaven and Man. Only such a calamity would compel beings of legend to re-enter the cycle of reincarnation." The elder's tone grew complex, mingling envy, fear, and excitement.

"This constitution is exceptionally rare, a legendary immortal body. In ancient times, when the Dao flourished and spiritual energy abounded, cultivators were as numerous as fish in a river. Yet, those able to achieve the immortal body were exceedingly few. Among the five great Daoist sects of old, the Path of Spirits and Ghosts was the hardest to attain, making the Lunar Yin body extraordinarily scarce."

"But once attained, it brings endless benefits. Earth immortals may create their own blessed lands, but when the earth's energy dries up, their sanctuaries collapse, and they perish all the same. Heavenly immortals, even after forging their primordial spirit, must endure celestial thunder and earthly fire every five hundred years to survive. Human immortals, for all their battles and undying golden bodies, can only live for three hundred years before they dissolve into the Dao. Only the Path of Spirits and Ghosts endures with the world, unless struck by the Five Declines of Heaven and Man, which poses a threat of demise." The elder grew animated, gesturing wildly as he spoke.

"I thought immortals lived forever, existing with heaven, earth, sun, and moon," Chen Sanpao remarked, intrigued by these ancient secrets. Usually, the elder would not divulge such things, but now, caught up in his enthusiasm, Chen Sanpao voiced his long-standing curiosity.

"Ha... Immortality? You dare to dream. Since the dawn of time, have there not been many legendary immortals? Yet, have you seen any still alive today? Only those who have attained the legendary Dao Fruit, comprehended the way of heaven, and acted as its executor, transcending the three realms and escaping the five elements—only a Daoist Patriarch can achieve this." The elder sneered.

"So that's the truth. Today I finally learn these mysteries. But tell me, Master, what makes the Lunar Yin constitution so different?" Seeing the elder in such rare spirits, Chen Sanpao grew all the more curious.

"The Lunar Yin constitution is a natural furnace, the very source of ghost immortals and Yin spirits. Its Yin energy is pure to the extreme, just a step away from transforming Yin into Yang. It is like a powerful tonic, but its potency is so great that ordinary people cannot withstand it. Not only can one not absorb its essence through union, but merely approaching her will see one’s own Yang energy suppressed by her Yin. Only those born with pure Yang bodies or those with profound cultivation and abundant vitality can get close to her."

"Unfortunately, my lineage is that of sorcery and witchcraft, and my powers are mixed and impure. Otherwise, I might attempt to absorb her essence." The elder sighed with regret.

"Even so, the Lunar Yin constitution is a rare spiritual material. With the essence of a ghost immortal, forging a corpse would yield the legendary imperishable bone, its Yin energy so pure it could cultivate a drought demon. Refining a spirit ghost would grant the innate body of a ghost king, born to command legions of spirits. If I could obtain either, I could dominate the world. Even the current leaders of the Daoist sects, Mount Mao and the Celestial Master’s School, would be powerless against me. Your great enterprise would surely succeed." The elder spread his arms wide, his face filled with longing and a peculiar madness.

...

Inside the ruined temple, upon hearing the news of Xiao Liuzi’s death, Li Yang felt the world spinning, his mind blank for a long moment before he regained himself. Murderous intent boiled within him, his eyes flushed red.

"Li, let's leave. Let's get out of Nuqing County. Madam sent me out to wait for you, to take care of you, to lead you away from this place of trouble," Jin Ling said, her eyes brimming with tears, her voice choked with sobs.

"Sister Jin Ling, do you not want to save Madam?" Li Yang’s face was expressionless.

"I grew up in poverty. My father was addicted to gambling, and when I was twelve, he tried to sell me to a brothel. Madam saved me then, just after she married into the He family. Though we are called mistress and servant, we are closer than sisters. If my life could buy her safety, I would gladly give it. But Marshal Chen has powerful forces, and I don't want to fail Madam's trust by letting you die in vain," Jin Ling said, gripping Li Yang’s arm desperately, weeping.

"Sister Jin Ling, believe me. Xiao Liuzi and Old He will not have died in vain, nor will anything happen to Madam. I promise you, if Madam truly dies, I will make every living thing within a hundred miles of Nuqing County die with her." Helping the weary Jin Ling lie down, Li Yang’s face was eerily calm, but the murderous aura in his heart soared skyward.