Chapter 44: Corpse Refinement Technique

Xu Daoyan saw Tian Tian's tear-streaked face, her tears falling rapidly, and her mood was very low. After pondering for a moment, he slowly said, "Perhaps there is a way to let them live in another form!"

"What method is there?" Upon hearing this, Tian Tian wiped her tears and hurriedly asked.

"This has to wait until tonight; I can't be certain right now!" Xu Daoyan turned around, first searching Zhang Feng's body and putting the valuables into his bag. Then he searched the Heavenly Ghost Sect envoy's belongings, even taking the ghost-binding bag. He imagined that inside this person's ghost-binding bag, there must be a ghost immortal-level entity. When Qin Han, Bai Shi, and Zhang Chao break through to the ghost immortal realm, he would have them refine it.

He checked the poison skeleton and found it undamaged, which meant it could fetch a good price. Additionally, the Heavenly Ghost Sect envoy had astonishing wealth, but Xu Daoyan was not in the mood to count it at the moment.

"Do you still have the heart to loot the dead?" Tian Tian was repulsed by Xu Daoyan's behavior, as if not showing sorrow for her Lightning Wind Horse was a great disrespect.

"I was born with nothing, unlike you who had everything from the start. If I don't loot the dead, how can I make myself stronger? What difference does it make whether I have the heart to loot or not? The fact is, what's the point of a grown man crying?" Xu Daoyan coldly rebuked. His mood was also bad; the death of the Wind Horse filled him with guilt.

"You!" Tian Tian, who had been pampered all her life, had never encountered such a situation. She was so embarrassed. In Youzhou City, even if her Lightning Wind Horse was not of high breed, everyone treated it like an ancestor because it belonged to Lady Tian. How could she endure such humiliation?

Xu Daoyan ignored Tian Tian's hysterics and took out a book of Corpse Refinement Technique from the Heavenly Ghost Sect envoy. Indeed, he found a method to refine any dead being into a corpse puppet. The horses had run far away, and it would take them who knows how long to run back on foot. If they wanted to return, they had to refine the two horses into corpse puppets. For Xu Daoyan, this was all he could do.

Xu Daoyan got up and walked away. Tian Tian suddenly felt a growing sense of panic. In this desolate battlefield, the broken armor and scattered bones that had once seemed interesting now appeared eerie. She quickly asked, "Where are you going?"

"To gather firewood. It will be very cold here at night, and we need a fire to keep warm. I also need to scout the area!" Xu Daoyan's words reassured Tian Tian.

"Then go quickly and come back quickly!" Tian Tian watched Xu Daoyan's retreating back and looked at the two dead horses, feeling a deep sorrow.

She had always thought this would be a fun adventure, but she never imagined it would turn out like this. For the first time, she felt regret, wishing she hadn't been so capricious!

Time passed, and Tian Tian still couldn't see Xu Daoyan. She became increasingly anxious. Although she could immediately call for her family to rescue her, she would inevitably be scolded and feel humiliated. She couldn't bear the shame, so she had to rely on Xu Daoyan.

Two hours later, Xu Daoyan returned. He had explored the area and was grateful that they both had human essence pills. Otherwise, they would have starved to death on this desolate battlefield without the horses.

"Follow me. This place is too open, and the wind blows from all directions. It might be hard to start a fire, and it would attract attention without any cover!" Xu Daoyan had already stored the dry wood in his spatial ring. He had been gone for so long to scout the area, a common practice for someone raised on the border.

Tian Tian, at a loss, could only follow Xu Daoyan. He put the two dead horses into his spatial ring and headed northeast.

After an hour's journey, the sky grew dark, and they finally saw a small, desolate hill. Xu Daoyan led Tian Tian through a narrow stone crevice, surrounded by mountain walls. Only through the crevice could they enter. This place finally gave Tian Tian a sense of security.

Xu Daoyan found a corner, set up the wood, and used the Sun Seal to start a fire. This flame could dispel the cold wind and keep ghosts away.

"Alright, we just need to wait until it's completely dark!" Xu Daoyan looked at Tian Tian's dispirited face, understanding her deep bond with her horse and the sorrow of its death.

Night fell quickly. As soon as it was dark, they could hear the cold wind howling outside the hill. Tian Tian instinctively moved closer to the fire.

The firelight illuminated their faces. Xu Daoyan looked serious, remembering Shi Yun's father, who, despite his high status, still built a stable for his Wind Horse to practice in.

This horse had accompanied Shi Yun's father in his youth, and they had a deep bond. Now it had died in his hands. How could he explain this?

"Whatever it takes, I'll do my best." Xu Daoyan took a deep breath, knowing there was no other way.

Tian Tian's mood was at an all-time low. The firelight brought some comfort, and although Xu Daoyan seemed cold-blooded, he made her feel secure in this situation.

"It's all my fault. You clearly told me not to go so far. The Heavenly Ghost Sect has never dared to attack us because we are in the territory of the Nine Provinces Divine Dynasty. If they acted openly, it would be a declaration of war against the Nine Provinces Divine Dynasty..." Tian Tian reflected on everything, realizing her capriciousness had led to this outcome. She should apologize to Xu Daoyan.

"Since it has happened, self-blame won't help. Come out!" Xu Daoyan released Qin Han, Bai Shi, and Zhang Chao from the ghost-binding bag.

He then handed them the Corpse Refinement Technique and said solemnly, "We were attacked by the Heavenly Ghost Sect, and the horses are dead. Use this method to refine the horse into a corpse puppet."

"Yes!" Qin Han, Bai Shi, and Zhang Chao began setting up a small altar centered around the Lightning Wind Horse's body, following the instructions in the Corpse Refinement Technique.

Xu Daoyan held a yellow talisman and said to Tian Tian, "Use your blood to draw the corpse control talisman on it. This way, it will obey your commands!"

Tian Tian felt a pang of pain and looked at Xu Daoyan. "Is this really the only way?"

"It's the only way. Since it's already dead, this is the only way to continue its existence. Whether to do it or not is up to you!" Xu Daoyan was also helpless but saw no other option.

Tian Tian thought for a moment, bit her index finger, and, following the instructions in the Corpse Refinement Technique, infused her will into her blood and drew the corpse control talisman.

Xu Daoyan placed the corpse control talisman on the Lightning Wind Horse's forehead, and Qin Han, Bai Shi, and Zhang Chao activated the small altar.

Moonlight shone down, and obscure ghostly incantations flowed. They were all about to reach the ghost immortal realm, and together, they possessed the power of a ghost immortal!

"Fragmented soul, return to the spirit platform!" Tiny points of light gathered on the Lightning Wind Horse's forehead, merging with the corpse control talisman. After three hours, the refinement was complete.

The Lightning Wind Horse, lying on the altar, slowly stood up, its eyes glowing coldly. Corpse qi and blood qi intertwined within it, forming yin and yang. Tian Tian, watching this, felt both sorrow and joy.

"Lord Tian, we have done our best to gather the fragmented soul of the Lightning Wind Horse onto the corpse control talisman. Although it is a corpse puppet, as long as you communicate your will, it can understand some commands!" Qin Han knew that Lord Tian was kind to Xu Daoyan, so they had done their best without any slack.

"Thank you, no matter what." Tian Tian felt grateful and looked at Xu Daoyan.

After a pause, she added, "What about the Wind Horse? What do you plan to do with it?"

"This is Shi Yun's father's horse. I have no right to turn it into a corpse puppet. We will return tomorrow, and I will apologize to them!" Xu Daoyan said seriously.

Tian Tian was speechless, not knowing what to say!

Qin Han, Bai Shi, and Zhang Chao sighed and left the valley to practice, absorbing moonlight. They were just one step away from the ghost immortal realm. Once they reached it, they could practice the soul-snatching technique and become normal guards, always following Xu Daoyan.

Tian Tian gently stroked the Lightning Wind Horse and then sat down next to Xu Daoyan, softly saying, "Thank you. I was wrong earlier."

Xu Daoyan was taken aback and smiled. "You are the high and mighty Lord Tian. To be honest, I am just a servant. There's no right or wrong, and any punishment for failing to protect you is deserved."

Tian Tian was speechless by Xu Daoyan's words. She realized she no longer saw him as a servant.

"Here, consider it a small compensation." Xu Daoyan took out a packet of candy from his pocket and placed it in Tian Tian's hand. It was from his home.

Seeing Xu Daoyan's cheerful smile, Tian Tian's mood improved. "Alright, since you are so sincere, I won't hold it against you."

Xu Daoyan shrugged. "Today's battle was intense, and we gained a lot. I need to reflect on it."

With that, he sat down to meditate, recalling everything that had happened. Without the two human immortal-level horses, he and Tian Tian would have died long ago.

Tian Tian didn't respond, just watching Xu Daoyan meditate in silence. Feeling the warmth of the fire, she no longer paid attention to the howling wind outside the hill, feeling an unprecedented sense of peace.