: The Path Ahead!

2025-05-28 Author: Gu Zhenren

: The Path Ahead!

In the next moment, the paper figure's movements became even more pronounced.

Then, immediately after, a sinister wind arose around them, swirling numerous paper figures, causing their bodies to sway.

The wind dissipated.

All the paper figures stilled.

Sun Lingtong dropped to his knees on the ground. The paper body he inhabited had reverted, his soul was dim and nearly extinguished, extremely weak. He almost fainted on the spot.

After recovering for a good while, he finally came to, saying with lingering fear, "It's no use, Xiao Zhuo."

"Controlling this paper army requires far too much foundational skill in mechanisms."

"I'm not as good as you in this area; you have to do it!"

Sun Lingtong had tried but couldn't even accomplish the first step of activating the paper army.

Ning Zhuo, who had been observing Sun Lingtong's situation through the Life Thread at all times, pondered and said, "Boss, you're separated from your body and soul; this isn't your complete state. It's normal that you can't do it."

"Of course, the standards set by my mother here are indeed very high."

"Even if I were to do it myself, I might not be able to activate it fully."

"So, see if you can only command a portion of it?"

Sun Lingtong, having caught his breath, tried again. This time, he started small, building up steadily and expanding quickly.

Ning Zhuo's suggestion indeed worked.

At first, Sun Lingtong quickly controlled three spear-and-shield soldier paper figures.

Once activated, these soldier paper figures, like the paper shell Sun Lingtong had previously inhabited, immediately turned into ghostly entities, vivid and lifelike. Neither Sun nor Ning could detect any flaws.

Ning Zhuo timely suggested, "Boss, prioritize the cavalry."

Sun Lingtong readily agreed.

There was only one type of cavalry in the paper army, leaving Sun and Ning no other choice.

A short while later, Sun Lingtong, riding a ghost ox himself, led twelve ox cavalrymen out from their hiding place.

The ghost ox was enormous, its black fur as dark as ink, resembling the deep night sky of the underworld. Its horns were sharp as blades, its eyes gleaming with a cold, eerie light, and each step of its hooves emitted a low, rumbling sound.

Sun Lingtong gripped the ghost ox's reins tightly. As the ox ran, his body naturally synced with its rhythm. He could clearly feel the immense power of his mount beneath him, making his heart grow steadier.

The speed of the ghost ox's charge was much faster than his own walking pace.

A sinister wind brushed against his face, carrying the uniquely damp, cold, and decaying scent of the underworld.

The land of the underworld was vast and boundless, desolate, with occasional faint remnants of souls and shadows drifting about.

The ground was hard and slippery. The ghost ox's hooves didn't need to avoid anything, directly crushing protruding rocks as it steadily moved forward.

Each hoofbeat landing caused vibrations, as if the entire earth was responding to this powerful force.

Sun Lingtong's mount was part of the set with his paper body, so controlling it felt seamless and perfectly coordinated.

The ghost ox could almost instantly sense his intentions, whether to turn, accelerate, or even jump.

"My connection with the other cavalrymen isn't very strong, though."

Sun Lingtong looked back; these twelve ox cavalrymen were the maximum he had managed to bring along.

Ning Zhuo timely reminded him, "Boss, why not practice your control while traveling? See what you can manage, so you're not caught off guard in battle."

Sun Lingtong had the same idea. After trying, he found the situation much better than he had expected.

Mainly, these paper figures transformed into ghostly entities were fully spirited and very obedient to Sun Lingtong's commands.

"If it were you, Xiao Zhuo, you could probably command over ten times more troops than me!"

"No, the underworld is dangerous; better not let Xiao Zhuo take the risk."

Thinking this, Sun Lingtong shifted his focus to the Heaven-bestowed Talisman in his embrace. While traveling, he activated this talisman to continue enhancing his soul's foundation.

Cultivating on an ox's back was a first for Sun Lingtong in his life.

But it wasn't difficult.

On one hand, the ox's back was much steadier than a horse's; on the other hand, Sun Lingtong wasn't practicing his童子功 (Child's Foundation Art), but rather activating the talisman to nourish his soul, which was much easier.

Ning Zhuo suggested again, "Boss, why not send a few ox cavalrymen out as scouts?"

Sun Lingtong readily agreed once more.

After the cavalry squad had been running for a while, a scout returned to the main group with the latest intelligence.

Hearing that there was a small pack of Cyan Corpse Wolves hunting nearby, Sun Lingtong's eyes lit up.

Ning Zhuo directly suggested that Sun Lingtong lead the troops to engage and test their combat strength.

That was exactly what Sun Lingtong wanted to do!

He immediately ordered a change in direction, heading towards the wolf pack's hunting ground.

The wolf king stood on a hillside, overlooking the battlefield while occasionally howling to issue commands and direct the pack's positions.

The skeletal white deer herd struggled desperately; their lead stag king was already severely injured.

The wolf king seized the opportunity and leaped out suddenly!

Its sharp claws cut through the air like blades, and its fangs gleamed with an underworldly light.

The stag king, at the end of its strength and ambushed by the wolf king, had its neck bitten directly.

It fought back desperately, its crown-like antlers stabbing into the wolf king's abdomen, even piercing through so the tips protruded slightly from the wolf's back.

"Perfect timing!" Sun Lingtong, arriving at the edge of the battlefield, saw this scene and immediately ordered, "Charge!"

He led the charge out first, with the cavalrymen behind him whipping their mounts to follow closely.

The wolf king's pupils contracted sharply. It struggled with all its might, trying to break free from the antlers quickly while letting out a furious and alarmed howl, commanding the pack to counterattack the cavalry.

The wolf pack had to abandon the nearly captured deer herd and charge towards the ox cavalry.

The ghost oxen let out low roars, their hooves thundering like drums. With Sun Lingtong at the tip, they formed a wedge formation, increasing their speed further.

At the moment of impact, the ghost oxen lowered their heads, pointing their horns forward, while the cavalrymen leveled their spears.

Thud, thud, thud...

One after another, Cyan Corpse Wolves were directly smashed into pieces, splattering in all directions.

The wolf pack's formation was torn apart instantly; the ox cavalry crushed them like rotten weeds!

In the blink of an eye, the wolf pack was almost completely annihilated, leaving only the severely injured wolf king.

The wolf king let out a mournful cry, broke free, but instead of seeking revenge, it turned and fled.

"Hahaha, after it!" Sun Lingtong shouted.

The ox cavalry gave chase relentlessly.

But although the wolf king was severely injured, it still had speed on its side. As it fled, it used ghost arts, tucking its tail, and its speed astonished even Sun Lingtong.

"Ah, what a pity, a wolf king lost!" In the end, Sun Lingtong could only sigh with regret, unable to catch up.

Sun Lingtong's first battle yielded considerable gains.

Both Sun and Ning were quite satisfied with the combat strength of the ox cavalry, but they also identified a drawback: the ox cavalry were heavy cavalry, strong in charging power and forceful, but over long distances, their charge speed dropped sharply, and their combat effectiveness decreased significantly.

Having tested the ox cavalry's combat strength, Sun Lingtong continued on his way.

His destination was only one: the Water Burial Valley!

Meng Yaoxin had only set things up without providing Ning Zhuo with specific methods. But she mentioned a key figure: the Grey Bone Elder.

Since the other party was skilled in divination, and considering Luo Si and Sun Lingtong's previous contact with him, both Sun and Ning decided to visit him first to seek a solution.

White Paper Immortal City.

Virility Enhancement Courtyard.

Sun Tiesheng was led by a paper puppet into a small courtyard.

"Your junior pays respects to Lord Li!" Sun Tiesheng respectfully saluted Li Xiangshang.

Then, he greeted another cultivator sitting to the side, "Dean Zhao."

Dean Zhao, who managed the Virility Enhancement Courtyard, smiled at Sun Tiesheng, then pointed at him and introduced him to Li Xiangshang, "Lord Li, this Sun Tiesheng can be considered the most outstanding talent currently in our Virility Enhancement Courtyard."

"Your vision is truly excellent to pick him out immediately!"

Li Xiangshang nodded, most of his face hidden under a bamboo hat, making it hard to see his exact expression.

Upon hearing this, Sun Tiesheng couldn't help but feel his heart beat a little faster: "Could it be that my opportunity has come?!"

Li Xiangshang first silently assessed Sun Tiesheng.

He had come to the Virility Enhancement Courtyard, requested the files of all members, and carefully selected from them.

In the end, he chose Sun Tiesheng.

Li Xiangshang took out a treasure from his storage pouch and showed it to the other two present.

Sun Tiesheng immediately looked over, his heart burning with anticipation.

He saw that the treasure was only palm-sized, resembling a bird's nest. Each golden thread shimmered with a five-colored halo. Deep within the nest was a crimson object, like a small heart or a seed.

The entire golden nest exuded a demonic aura.

Li Xiangshang introduced, "As you both can see, this is a Golden Nest Demon Seed, possessing the Golden Swallow bloodline."

"As long as you, Sun Tiesheng, follow the secret method and integrate this demon seed into your body, not only will your yang energy surge, but you will also gain the Golden Swallow demon blood!"

"This way, the possibility of obtaining the Golden Swallow Fork will be at least seventy percent."

Dean Zheng was overjoyed, clapping his hands and laughing, "Excellent! Sun Tiesheng, your luck is truly good to receive such support. Why not accept it quickly?"

However, Sun Tiesheng's face changed dramatically, turning cold. His heart was no longer burning but icy.

He slowly shook his head, his expression grave, "I'm sorry, but I cannot accept this."

Li Xiangshang made a sound of surprise, not expecting Sun Tiesheng to react this way, and felt astonished.

Dean Zheng exclaimed and was about to persuade him, but Sun Tiesheng preemptively cut him off, directly clasping his hands in salute, "If this is the only method, then I, your junior, cannot accept it. I take my leave now."

After speaking, he looked up at Li Xiangshang, who wore a puzzled expression.

Sun Tiesheng cupped his hands again, turned, and left.

He walked out of the room without looking back, leaving Li Xiangshang and Dean Zheng behind.

"This..." Li Xiangshang asked Dean Zhao, "Does Sun Tiesheng have some unspeakable difficulty?"

Dean Zhao smiled awkwardly.

Li Xiangshang: "Sun Tiesheng is the most suitable candidate. Why did he refuse?"

Dean Zhao forced a bitter smile, "I'm afraid it's precisely because of the demon seed."

Li Xiangshang made a sound of understanding, "Why wouldn't he want it?"

Dean Zhao said, "Lord Li, you are a dedicated cultivator, single-mindedly pursuing the Dao, so you might not be aware of the internal reasons. Sun Tiesheng is of pure human descent. If he absorbs an external demon seed and becomes half-human, half-demon, it will inevitably diminish his future prospects."

Li Xiangshang then understood, "Humans are the spirits of all things! As a pure demon myself, I've spent almost my entire life in arduous cultivation, only recently being appointed by my master to actively handle affairs. I truly didn't realize this point."

"If Sun Tiesheng is unwilling, do I have to choose someone else?"

"I've already looked at your list; his cultivation is the closest to the Golden Core stage."

Dean Zhao chuckled, waved his hand, and said, "Sun Tiesheng's attitude is just personal, not the key issue. Lord Li, why don't we approach the Sun family instead?"

Li Xiangshang blinked, "What do you mean by that?"

Dean Zhao hadn't expected such an obvious scheme to need further explanation.

However, due to Li Xiangshang's status, he patiently explained, "The Sun family is a cultivation clan within the Immortal City. The entire clan hopes that Sun Tiesheng can obtain the Golden Swallow Fork to consolidate their family's position in the city."

"Sun Tiesheng was selected and supported by the Sun family. He originally came from a lowly background, just the illegitimate son of a blacksmith."

"We can contact the Sun family, explain the pros and cons, and have them persuade their own son."

Li Xiangshang slapped his thigh, "Excellent! This method won't make us offend anyone and is very convenient. My master sent me to handle affairs; indeed, there's learning in everything. I've learned something, thank you, Brother Zheng."

Dean Zheng, only at the Foundation Establishment stage, quickly clasped his hands, "I dare not, I dare not."

Having agreed on the plan, the two immediately arranged a banquet and invited the Sun family head to attend.

The Sun family head, upon receiving an invitation from Dean Zheng and even the Golden Core level Li Xiangshang, gladly attended the banquet.

During the feast, upon learning the details, he immediately, under the influence of alcohol, patted his chest and assured the two that he would definitely compel Sun Tiesheng to accept the matter!

"He's just a mere illegitimate son; being able to get to where he is today is all thanks to our family's nurturing, disregarding his origins!"

"If he refuses, in the future, he won't be listed in the family register, and he won't have a tablet in the ancestral hall after death!!"

The Sun family head made such declarations at the banquet.

Returning to the clan, he immediately summoned Sun Tiesheng's father.

Sun Tiesheng's father promptly called Sun Tiesheng back to the clan territory to confess his fault.

However, in front of the family head and his father, Sun Tiesheng, contrary to his usual reticent nature, had a stern expression and firmly refused on the spot.

His attitude was very resolute: "This is impossible!"

"Using a demon seed is seeking quick success. It might benefit the family, that's true! It might benefit the overall situation of White Paper Immortal City, also true! But it solely disadvantages me."

"It reduces my future potential; I'd rather not have this opportunity!"

The Sun family head and Sun's father, being refused like this for the first time, felt somewhat embarrassed and angry.

Sun's father berated him.

As a result, Sun Tiesheng stood straight, hands behind his back, and retorted coldly with a proud laugh, "This is a matter of contention over the path of cultivation; I will never compromise!"

Seeing his son's imposing and awe-inspiring manner, Sun's father couldn't continue berating him and was somewhat dumbfounded.

The Sun family head, as if seeing Sun Tiesheng for the first time, felt he had lost face but had to wave his hand, letting Sun Tiesheng leave first.

Left alone with Sun's father, they fell into silence.

After a long while, the family head finally spoke, "I never thought our Sun family would produce such an outstanding talent!"

His face flushed red, and he actively cupped his hands, apologizing to Sun's father, "This matter was my mistake, handled improperly. I hope you can forgive me."

Sun's father quickly waved his hand, "To be honest, this is the first time I've seen this brat's true nature too."

The Sun family head praised, "His true nature is excellent!"

"Thinking about our Sun family's current generation, he is the only one with such determination."

"The future pillar of the Sun family must be him."

Sun's father hurriedly modestly declined, saying the family head valued his son too highly.

The Sun family head strategized, "Based on the current trend, Chen Sui and Shen Bing are both dead. Tiesheng has no rivals in the Virility Enhancement Courtyard."

"Even if Li Xiangshang wants to give it to someone else, who else can he give the Golden Nest Demon Seed to?"

"There's no one else."

"This gives us room to maneuver and negotiate."

"To be honest, I also don't want the future pillar of our Sun family to be half-human, half-demon!"

Underworld.

Water Burial Valley.

Sun Lingtong and his squad of ox cavalry arrived near the area when they were suddenly ambushed by埋伏 troops.

"Capture these suspicious individuals!" the ambush leader loudly ordered.

Sun Lingtong was shocked; these people were hidden too deeply, and he hadn't detected them at all. By the time he realized, it was too late.

In desperation, Sun Lingtong shouted质问, "Who are you people? How dare you ambush me!?"

The ambush leader sneered, "Asking us? Telling you would scare you to death! We are the personal guards of the River of Forgetfulness Prefect. Our master has issued strict orders: no one is allowed to approach the Water Burial Valley!"

"Anyone daring to contact the Grey Bone Elder will be captured immediately!!"

River of Forgetfulness Immortal City.

The River of Forgetfulness Prefect sat cross-legged, gazing at the Heavenly Ghost skull before him, his eyes deep and profound.

A hundred years of planning were about to bear fruit today.

He had to nip any不利 changes in the bud.

Deploying troops to surround the Water Burial Valley and isolate the Grey Bone Elder was part of the preparations.

After all, the Grey Bone Elder knew the inside story well.

Even if this move offended this divination cultivator, the River of Forgetfulness Prefect was determined to proceed regardless.

"This is my path of cultivation, after all."

(End of )