However, that cadaver was extremely cautious, laying down layer upon layer of restrictions, even luring vengeful spirits and ghosts, attempting to poison people with corpse toxins. What kind of wisdom and patience was this?
Zhou Yan did not believe that the cadaver would be foolish enough to push itself into a burning pit.
"That cadaver definitely has another plan," the system analyzed.
"Heh heh, boy, you are very smart."
At this moment, a faint voice reached Zhou Yan's ears.
Zhou Yan was startled and looked towards the source of the sound. He saw the cadaver slowly rising from the coffin, its face contorted into a ferocious expression, its pair of crimson eyes fixed on Zhou Yan, exuding ferocity, violence, and bloodlust.
"Heh heh heh... Little fellow, you are indeed interesting."
The cadaver grinned chillingly, its gaze growing colder, killing intent sharpening. "You are the only human I have ever seen capable of bearing my physical body!"
As soon as the words fell, the cadaver strode forward, its speed astonishing. In an instant, it was beside Zhou Yan, extending a claw and snatching at Zhou Yan's throat like lightning.
"Be careful!"
Zhou Yan exclaimed and struggled with all his might.
Bang!
However, the cadaver's strength was too terrifying for Zhou Yan to resist.
In an instant, Zhou Yan's chest caved in, his bones shattered. He was sent flying backward, crashing to the ground. His face turned red, his body convulsed, and he nearly suffocated to death.
"Hmph!"
Seeing this, the cadaver sneered and took another step forward, closing in again.
"Boy, I will refine you into a puppet to guard this place forever!" the cadaver said sinisterly, its gaze fierce like a demon's.
Swish!
The next moment, Zhou Yan's hair stood on end, his body stiffened, and his mind went blank, as if he had lost the ability to move.
Boom!
The cadaver extended a finger and pressed it fiercely against Zhou Yan's brow.
Buzz~
In an instant, Zhou Yan felt the world spin, as if he had entered an boundless chaos, surrounded by endless black mist.
"Where is this?"
Zhou Yan's heart trembled. He looked around blankly, his heart pounding.
"Little fellow, don't be afraid, we meet again."
Suddenly, a familiar voice quietly echoed in his ear.
The next moment, a golden light flickered, hovering in mid-air, transforming into a tall, sturdy man clad in golden armor, his cape fluttering behind him like a war god descending to earth.
"You are... the Emperor!"
Zhou Yan's eyes widened as he recognized the other's identity.
"Yes."
The Emperor nodded, his voice majestic. "Little fellow, I didn't expect you to know me."
The Emperor was a renowned existence on the Emperor Continent, having once suppressed the eight directions and ruled the world, making billions of beings submit.
In that era, the Emperor's might deterred the Nine Provinces, swept across the eight directions and four seas, unchallenged, invincible throughout the world, commanding all races and making nations bow their heads.
Alas...
Time flowed, and the seas turned into mulberry fields. The Emperor's fame gradually faded, and he became even more reclusive now.
However, with the Emperor's cultivation and realm, he could still maintain his peak state, capable of crushing most sect saints in the present world.
Furthermore, the Emperor's strength had reached the level of a innate grandmaster.
It was just that, due to the constraints of heaven and earth and the limitations of lifespan, the Emperor could not live too long.
"Lord Emperor, why are you here?"
Zhou Yan's heart tightened, and he couldn't help but ask, feeling utterly bewildered.
"I have been sleeping here for a hundred years, waiting for a new physical body to appear..."
The Emperor sighed, his voice low. "But I did not wait for a new physical body."
"Those vengeful spirits and ghosts actually disturbed the coffin, forcing me to awaken."
The Emperor's voice was filled with sorrow. By the end, he even began to weep. "It is hateful! My physical body is sealed and I cannot leave. I can only linger on, watching the vengeful spirits and ghosts occupy the shell and act wildly..."
"Alas!"
"I should have been the common ruler of the world, yet I have fallen into such a miserable state!"
The Emperor became more agitated as he spoke, his anger growing. His body trembled, and he gritted his teeth, wishing he could rush out of the coffin and annihilate all those vengeful spirits.
Unfortunately, his current state made it impossible.
Therefore, those vengeful spirits and ghosts dared to intrude into the tomb at this time, seeking an opportunity to seize his physical body.
After all, the aura of that cadaver was far inferior to that of a corpse demon, and its strength was weak, not enough to pose a threat to them.
"Little fellow, help me..."
At this moment, the Emperor suddenly spoke, pleading for help, full of anticipation.
"Uh..."
Hearing this, Zhou Yan was stunned.
He was merely a wisp of Yin soul. How could he know any methods? He could not help the Emperor at all.
"You little fellow, truly ungrateful."
The Emperor frowned, his face filled with annoyance, and said coldly, "Since you cannot save me, then I will take matters into my own hands and take your memory fragments..."
Whoosh!
The next moment, the Emperor extended his emaciated hand and reached directly for Zhou Yan.
Instantly, Zhou Yan felt excruciating pain, as if he were being sliced by a thousand knives, his heart tearing apart, nearly fainting.
"Roar~"
Zhou Yan resisted with all his might, fighting back frantically.
Unfortunately, against the absolute disparity in strength, it was utterly insignificant.
Pfft—
In just a few seconds, Zhou Yan was torn apart, covered in blood, letting out a tragic howl.
As the memory fragments were stripped away, Zhou Yan's soul suddenly dissipated.
And within Zhou Yan's memories, the secret concerning the "Netherworld Ghost Art" was finally revealed...
"This is... the Ancient Netherworld Hall!"
At the same time, Zhou Yan suddenly awoke, his face as pale as paper.
Zhou Yan's heart was filled with terror.
The Ancient Netherworld Hall was left behind by ancient immortals, containing world-shattering secrets. Within it were buried immortal destinies, heaven-defying cultivation techniques, and various treasures.
Legend had it that every powerhouse who inherited the Ancient Netherworld Hall became a hegemon-level existence.
"So that's how it is!"
Zhou Yan suddenly understood. "This cadaver actually came from the Ancient Netherworld Hall."
"No wonder he could control these vengeful spirits and ghosts, and also manipulate that cadaver."
Zhou Yan's eyes cleared, and he vaguely understood how the Emperor had escaped.
"These vengeful spirits and ghosts seem to have no intelligence," Zhou Yan muttered to himself. "Perhaps it was arranged by some senior great power."
These vengeful spirits and ghosts should have been sealed in the tomb, released by the Emperor, and were now looking for new hosts.
As for the Emperor, he had managed to barely survive by taking advantage of the special environment of the Emperor Continent, waiting for a new physical body to descend.
"Eh?"
Suddenly, Zhou Yan noticed that embedded in the abdomen of that dried corpse was a fist-sized crystal stone, which was radiant and emitted a soft glow.
This crystal stone was extremely extraordinary.
"What is this..."
Zhou Yan's gaze focused, and he examined it closely, discovering that within the crystal stone, there was a drop of vivid, juicy essence blood, which was shining brightly, exuding vitality, as if it had a life of its own.
"Could it be..." Zhou Yan's pupils contracted, and he thought of a terrifying possibility. "That is... the Emperor's Blood!"