Chapter 77

At the headquarters of the DR organization, Howard calmly listened to the report from his secretary, Catherine, and frowned slightly, saying, "I'm not surprised that a killer of Raul's caliber failed. What's strange is that the Oriental man, Su Yang, has completely disappeared because of this."

Catherine responded, "Sir, our people have been investigating for over three months. We've even staged several accidents involving Su Yang's acquaintances to force him to show up. The conclusion is that he is not in Shanghai, and it's 95% likely that he is not within any contactable range."

"Additionally, regarding the hostile takeover of the Xu Family Group, we are now in the final stages. It must be said that the Xu Family is indeed wealthy, managing to withstand the combined pressure of three of the world's top ten conglomerates for nearly four months, and even causing us to suffer a five percent higher loss than them."

After listening to Catherine's report, Howard said with a hint of excitement, "For any enemy who dares to challenge the organization, bankruptcy and disappearance are far too naive outcomes."

"Contact my nephew Edward in London. Make a list of all the people in Shanghai who have connections with Su Yang, especially the women, who should be placed at the top of the list. This is his greatest interest besides killing. As his uncle, I can't let him do the job without giving him some rewards. Tell him to handle these people."

Upon hearing Edward's name, Catherine's expression changed slightly, recalling a pale and cold figure. A few years ago, under Howard's instructions, Edward had gone to Dubai alone and killed nearly a hundred people in the Burj Al Arab hotel, sending back numerous videos of the killings to the headquarters.

Catherine had seen those video clips, and the scenes were so bloody that anyone with a weak mental constitution would likely suffer a mental breakdown after witnessing them.

Howard, as if reading her thoughts, looked at Catherine and said, "Edward is a good boy, but you just don't appreciate his art of killing. If you ever change your mind, considering how long you've been by my side, I can make you one of my descendants, granting you eternal youth, immortality, and superhuman abilities..."

"Sir, I didn't mean that," Catherine said in alarm.

Howard bared his fangs and waved his hand, "If you had other intentions, would you still be standing here in front of me? Don't overthink it. You can go now."

Inside the Spirit Realm, after a few days, Su Yang, who had inherited the legacy of the Four Poles Holy Sect, slowly stood up, his eyes gleaming with a strange light. He couldn't help but sigh, "So that's how it is!"

At this moment, Yu Ji also stood up, looking extremely exhausted. Despite his late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, he showed signs of breathing difficulties, clearly having consumed a great deal of energy during the inheritance process.

However, from Yu Ji's relieved expression, it was evident that he was genuinely happy.

"Senior, the only thing I still don't understand is what this Ancestor Mark is."

Su Yang opened his right hand, revealing a strange mark glowing with a faint golden light in his palm.

Yu Ji shook his head with a smile, "I don't know either, but I do know that the Ancestor Mark has been considered the most important thing in the Four Poles Holy Sect since its founding, and is the foundation of the legacy."

"Perhaps one day, if you have the opportunity to visit the Great Cultivation Realm and find the sect's former disciples, you might learn more from them."

Su Yang nodded, his brow furrowing slightly, "Senior, you've consumed too much energy. You need more time to recover."

Yu Ji said calmly, "There's no need. While I still have some time left, I'll take you on a tour."

Over the next three days, Yu Ji took Su Yang to every inch of the Spirit Realm, gathering countless spirit herbs and rare fruits, including the "Climbing Heaven Fruit" needed for Su Yang's alchemy, all of which were stored in the "Cang Jian."

On a platform at the mountain peak, Yu Ji pointed to a dilapidated teleportation array and said with a bitter smile, "If you want to go to the Great Cultivation Realm to find Xiang Yutian and Nie Lingbo, when your cultivation reaches the late-stage Golden Core, you can come here and try to activate the array. Although I can't be sure if it still works, it's at least a glimmer of hope."

"Besides, there are two other Spirit Realms, one in Kunlun and the other in the East Sea. Over a hundred years ago, I explored both, and they were already empty. The spiritual energy in these realms has dissipated much more severely than here, and they are likely to have completely collapsed and disappeared."

"Even in this Spirit Realm, we won't escape the same fate within a hundred years. When that happens, there will be no more Spirit Realms on Earth. If you achieve great success in your cultivation, don't forget to come back and recreate a Spirit Realm to preserve the legacy of the Yanhuang Dao."

Every time Yu Ji spoke, Su Yang responded earnestly. Over the past few days, their relationship had become both teacher and friend. If asked who Su Yang respected the most besides Xiang Yutian since his nine reincarnations, it would undoubtedly be Yu Ji.

"Senior, in the past few days, I found a pill formula in the 'Cang Jian' that, if successfully refined, could extend your life by a hundred years. Although two ingredients are missing, the effect might be slightly reduced. Give me ten days, and I..."

Before Su Yang could finish, Yu Ji waved his hand and smiled, "If I wanted to use a spirit pill to extend my life, I wouldn't have so readily passed on the sect's legacy to you. Dying and fading away is a wonderful thing for me, especially since you have inherited the Four Poles Holy Sect and can ensure the continuation of the Yanhuang Dao. Isn't that right?"

"Senior..." Su Yang tried to argue.

"There's no need to say more. Let's take one last look at the Spirit Realm together."

Su Yang keenly sensed the strong aura of death emanating from Yu Ji and felt a sense of liberation and freedom in his words. He, too, felt a sense of peace.

"You're right. Such beautiful scenery deserves to be seen more often."

As they spoke, the two of them sat on the mountain peak, gazing into the distance, smiling at each other as if in silent agreement.

After an unknown amount of time, Yu Ji suddenly said, "Su Yang, I never stepped foot in the Great Cultivation Realm in my lifetime, which is my greatest regret. If you can, fulfill my wish for me."

As soon as he finished speaking, a purple aura appeared from the east, and Su Yang suddenly stood up, emitting a heart-wrenching howl.

At that moment, Yu Ji was surrounded by a faint green glow, which slowly dissipated, merging with the earth. In a short while, he was lifeless, passing away with a smile.

Yu Ji's departure was calm and composed. Although they had known each other for a short time, Su Yang felt a deep sense of loss, as if he had lost a close friend.

For seven days, Su Yang remained on the mountain peak, guarding Yu Ji's body. He then moved it into the cave where the Nine Emptiness Spirit Marrow was born.

This place, with the most abundant spiritual energy in the vast Spirit Realm, would ensure that Yu Ji's body would remain uncorrupted for thousands of years as long as the Spirit Realm existed.

Sealing the cave, Su Yang finally composed himself, took out a pill furnace from the Cang Jian, and began refining pills.

With his initial Foundation Establishment cultivation, and with sufficient materials, refining this level of pill was effortless for Su Yang.

Three days later, he successfully refined a "Primordial Marvel Pill." With this, Su Yang had no more reason to stay.

He descended the mountain to meet Black Diamond, taking the spirit herbs and rare fruits that Bai Mai had previously collected. He helped Black Diamond advance further, laying the foundation for his complete transformation into a dragon.

Following Su Yang's instructions, Black Diamond, who had grown larger and whose black scales now shimmered with a strange light, seemed ready for another evolution.

"Boss, you want me to stay here and watch over?"

"Yes, I want you to guard the Holy Sect's base. No demon or spirit should cross the line."

"With me here, who dares to show their face? One comes, I eat one; two come, I eat both," Black Diamond said proudly, his nostrils flaring.

He knew about Su Yang's experiences on the mountain and, with no one left in the Spirit Realm, his confidence had grown. Honestly, even a Foundation Establishment cultivator might not dare to challenge him, let alone the lesser demons in the Spirit Realm.

"I will complete Senior's unfinished wish after I deal with some matters in the secular world."

As Su Yang said this, he recalled Yu Ji's last words, "Su Yang, I never stepped foot in the Great Cultivation Realm in my lifetime, which is my greatest regret. If you can, fulfill my wish for me."

Yu Ji had opened a new path of cultivation for Su Yang and given him a higher goal in life, something that had never happened in his nine reincarnations. He had become a true source of motivation.

Su Yang had so much respect and gratitude for this last cultivator on Earth that he had yet to express.

"Your wish is my wish..."

PS: Three updates yesterday, this is the second update today. I'll try for three more. Please support with favorites, recommendations, and 5-star reviews. Many thanks!