CH 55

C55 – Blood Sacrifice Soul Summoning Grand Formation

“Spirit Forest Palace? Summoning a ghost servant? That’s a forbidden technique from ancient legends involving reincarnation! Cultivators of our generation are already defying the heavens, risking their lives to survive. Each step is a matter of life and death. The more we delve into taboos, the greater the danger. Breaking the mysteries of the soul and the fetus is an endeavor only accomplished by a few mighty experts, Elder Zou. How can you…”

Ning Tingshan furrowed his brows and paused. He gazed at the determined Zou Wenrui and suddenly had a thought. He hesitated and said, “Unless…”

Before Zou Wenrui could utter a word, Zou Zishi, who stood beside him, respectfully interjected, “It’s the Blood Offering Formation.”

Ning Tingshan’s expression instantly changed. He exclaimed in shock, “Absolutely not! The Blood Offering Formation is detrimental to one’s spiritual foundation. Moreover, the Forbidden Reincarnation Technique has long been lost. Though I don’t know where you obtained it, it is far too perilous…”

Zou Wenrui explained, “In my younger years, I stumbled upon remnants of a ghost cultivator’s scripture. Later, I studied it together with the Old Master. We managed to partially decipher it, though it’s not enough to fully open the door to the Spirit Forest Palace. Yue Longzhang, this child, I’ve watched him grow up. He and Zishi are like siblings. I can’t bear to see him unjustly suffer!”

His face contorted with anguish, resembling a righteous figure who still burned with fervor and hadn’t yet grown old.

Liu Yuan’s eyes twitched. When it came to acting skills, he admitted he was far inferior to Ma Su of the Cult of Devils. However, Ma Su was a professional spy, so it was to be expected.

But these so-called righteous individuals, could their acting skills truly surpass Ma Su’s?

Zou Zishi hastily chimed in, lending support. “Yes! I grew up with Senior Brother Yue. I know his character well. Despite being the leader, he spends most of his time living and interacting with ordinary disciples. How could he possibly be a spy for the Devil Cult?”

He stared at Liu Yuan, his eyes clearly accusing him of being the murderer. He confidently stated, “I believe that once the soul summoning is complete, the truth will naturally be revealed. Even if Senior Brother Yue was framed and his body was never found, he can find peace under the nine springs.”

Liu Yuan let out a cold laugh. “Finding peace under the nine springs? Yet here you are summoning his soul again. Doesn’t that mean you’re digging his grave? It seems like you hold a deep grudge against him.”

Zou Zishi was taken aback, his face turning red. “You?!”

Zou Wenrui pulled him back, preventing Liu Yuan from attacking him, giving Liu Yuan a motive to kill him.

Zou Wenrui had cultivated for hundreds of years, accumulating vast experience and wisdom. He had become like a sly fox.

He knew well that they could only rely on the high moral ground and public opinion. After all, Liu Yuan had come to the Wide Ocean Sect as a son-in-law, making it impossible for him to directly commit murder.

Just like when he had dealt with Ma Wei, he had merely sealed Zou Wenrui’s Dantian. If he had truly killed Zou Wenrui, the Wide Ocean Sect would have fallen into immediate chaos.

However, Zou Wenrui now seemed unafraid, like a dead pig unafraid of boiling water. Even for the sake of the blood sacrifice formation, Liu Yuan had to remove the restriction on him.

Ning Tingshan wore an unpleasant expression as he spoke, “The matter is not yet settled. Elder Zou and Zishi, your words seem rather excessive.”

Zou Wenrui stood upright and stated, “Master’s words are indeed true. With the grand blood sacrifice formation that calls upon the souls of the ghosts… I already have an 80% chance of success, as long as the process goes smoothly. Within the next two days, we can resolve all conflicts in the dock in one fell swoop.”

Speaking slowly, he added, “I believe Master does not wish for the Wide Ocean Sect to remain in such a chaotic state any longer, am I right?”

This old scoundrel! Ultimately, isn’t the disorderly Wide Ocean Sect under your leadership?!

For a while, even Ning Tingshan almost couldn’t resist cursing.

However, it was difficult to discern what was truly transpiring behind the scenes. Furthermore, this old man had a thick skin and had been in the Wide Ocean Sect for quite some time…

Ning Tingshan could only nod and say, “In that case, you may begin your preparations.”

Zou Wenrui displayed a smile. “Thank you for your understanding, Master. I will require approximately seven days to prepare the grand formation. It will be carried out at the Water Moon Lake outside the dock. I hope the disciples in the dock can bear witness to it.”

Although Liu Yuan wanted to stop him, his current words were highly suspicious. He could only blame his insufficient cultivation at that time. He was unable to destroy Yue Longzhang’s body and soul.

Nevertheless, it did not mean that he had no other alternatives.

The Soaring, Scroll of the Burning Sun in the Jade Void Dao Canon was a technique specifically designed to counter the ghost race. After all, it originated from a legitimate Dao sect’s inheritance.

Even if it couldn’t be directly utilized, there would be no issue with interfering in some way.

The Reincarnation Forbidden Art… Liu Yuan had a strong suspicion that the claim “Zou Wenrui is lying” was probably an attempt to confuse him.

However, considering Zou Wenrui’s confidence, there was a considerable chance that his confidence was not unfounded.

“Now that Pi Huanluo has left, we’ll resolve the spy matter tomorrow. I’ll visit the back mountain of Shadow Street and consult Yin Fen about the Blood Sacrifice Soul Summoning Formation. Then I’ll seek a solution and obtain the next cultivation technique.”

Liu Yuan furrowed his brows. In the Upper Central Realm, apart from the Heaven Opening, Human, and Devil Worlds, there were three other realms. It seemed there was indeed a Spirit and Soul Realm that Zou Wenrui had mentioned in his background, perhaps referred to as the Samsara and Spirit Forest Palace. It was said to lie on the border between the Devil Realm and the Human Realm.

There existed an invisible ocean called the Turbulent Burial River, concealing the entrance to the Spirit and Soul Realm.

In any case, it was a realm filled with mystery and enigma.

“But in this manner, the marriage cannot be avoided…”

Liu Yuan was genuinely considering proposing marriage. Even though he was already married to Ning Xiangrong, Gu Siyin could also get married. After all, there was no crime in marrying multiple people in another world.

Otherwise, he was at a loss as to how to make a choice. If he favored one over the other, it would drive him crazy.

He had already experienced the consequences of being torn between them once before.

“But as the saying goes, familiarity breeds contempt… No, I don’t want it to be like this either. Once their fondness reaches its peak, they will surely want to marry me. However, if I deliberately sabotage their relationship, it might put my own life in danger. I’m in a dilemma, both inside and outside. What can I do?”

Liu Yuan shook his head and sighed inwardly.

When returning to the courtyard, they encountered Ning Xiangrong and informed her about Zou Wenrui. Miss Ning was furious, but there was little she could do. She had no choice but to trust Liu Yuan.

“I’ll figure something out within the next two days.”

Liu Yuan offered her reassurance, but Ning Xiangrong was still filled with anger. She clung to Liu Yuan intimately as they walked together, showcasing her ownership and protesting.

Liu Yuan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He could only accompany Ning Xiangrong and endure the curious gazes of others once again.

——

With a somber expression, the frail old man walked forward along the corridor, followed closely by a young man dressed in a flowing white robe.

Zou Wenrui commanded in a low voice, “Prepare all the necessary materials. I want it to be a complete forgery. Apart from lacking any actual effect, it must be identical in every other aspect.”

“Yes, father.”

Zou Zishi expressed his concerns, saying, “But… Father, he didn’t hesitate to give the genuine work of the saint to someone else. Could it be that he acquired it through some stroke of luck?”

Zou Wenrui waved his sleeve dismissively. “What do you understand? A Nascent Soul lacking the power of Dao Nascent Soul is worthless. How can someone like that be a disciple of a Sage? It’s akin to making a coat from a tiger’s skin!”

He sneered and declared, “When the day comes for the blood sacrifice to summon the soul, I will expose his true nature!”

Zou Wenrui narrowed his eyes and gazed out at the tranquil lake beyond the dock.

He had indeed been a member of the Wide Ocean Sect for a considerable length of time, so long that he possessed knowledge unknown even to Ning Tingshan.