"That's good!"
Upon hearing this, the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm relaxed. Moments later, it burst out of Ancient Sage Gu Yao's tomb and arrived at the mountain range outside.
"Third Elder!"
Ye Yunfei spotted Third Elder and the Ziwei Sect members waiting on a mountain peak in the distance. He emerged from the Phantom Tower, used the Spatial Teleportation Technique, and arrived in front of Third Elder in a single step.
"Su Fei, you're finally out!
It's good that you managed to come out safely!"
Third Elder was overjoyed the moment he saw Ye Yunfei.
"I'm fine.
Third Elder, we should leave quickly."
Ye Yunfei nodded.
"What happened inside Ancient Sage Gu Yao's tomb?
Just a while ago, there was a massive earthquake across this land, and the tremors seemed to come directly from the tomb!
Could it be that Ancient Sage Gu Yao really underwent Corpse-Dissolution?"
Third Elder asked curiously.
Not long ago, terrifying energy fluctuations had emanated from the tomb, causing a severe earthquake in the area.
"Yes, Ancient Sage Gu Yao most likely underwent Corpse-Dissolution.
However, Elder, you must absolutely not spread word of this event. Once news gets out, I estimate that the major forces of the Eastern Barrens will quickly dispatch experts to investigate.
Do not casually tell others about Ancient Sage Gu Yao's Corpse-Dissolution. Otherwise, many people will come seeking you for information, bringing you a lot of trouble."
Ye Yunfei cautioned.
"Alright, don't worry. I won't tell anyone."
Third Elder nodded.
*Whoosh! Whoosh!...*
While Ye Yunfei was speaking with Third Elder, terrifying auras appeared one after another on the distant horizon, swiftly traversing the sky.
Each figure radiated immense pressure that shook heaven and earth.
These were all experts from the Eastern Barrens who had caught wind of the commotion!
"Let's go!"
Third Elder's expression changed slightly as he spoke in a low voice.
He then retrieved a flying ship, and the Ziwei Sect members boarded it.
*Whoosh!*
The ship soared into the sky and vanished into the distance in an instant.
At this moment, warriors were scrambling out of Ancient Sage Gu Yao's tomb in disarray.
"Hahaha...
I'm finally out!"
"Thank the heavens and earth!
I didn't die inside! My luck held true!"
...
After escaping, many warriors cried out excitedly, elated at their narrow escape from death.
Simultaneously, within the tomb of Ancient Sage Gu Yao, in that very palace chamber.
Currently, there were no living souls left inside the hall.
Previously, over two thousand people had entered this palace. Roughly only over three hundred had managed to escape; all the others had perished within!
The hall was filled with a blood mist, the stench of blood thick and heavy.
Only the white-haired corpse hovered above the ice coffin.
The white-haired corpse hung suspended in the air, arms drooping, perfectly still.
An unknown amount of time passed.
"Did it succeed... or fail?"
Suddenly, an ancient sigh echoed from within the skull of the white-haired corpse.
"I seem to be half-human, half-corpse... half-dead, half-alive. Does this state count as Corpse-Dissolution?
Could it be that I was woken prematurely, causing me to fail?"
That voice spoke again, tinged with a hint of unwillingness.
"All the things I left behind have been taken away, including the Ice Toad Treasure Pearl.
Without the Ice Toad Treasure Pearl, this tomb I meticulously constructed has lost its guardian treasure. This tomb is practically ruined.
Whoever took my Ice Toad Treasure Pearl, I must find it. I need to reclaim it, rearrange a resting place, then fall dormant once more to see if I can salvage the process and complete a true Corpse-Dissolution!"
The voice declared.
*Swoosh! Swoosh!*
Then, the perpetually closed eyes of the white-haired corpse suddenly snapped open, spewing forth two terrifying beams of brilliant light. They instantly tore through the space before it, piercing through time and space to gaze outwards beyond the tomb.
At this moment, many experts from the Eastern Barrens had already heard news of the changes occurring to Ancient Sage Gu Yao's corpse and were rushing over to investigate.
Many were deeply intrigued by the reports that the corpse had undergone Corpse Transformation, eager to find out exactly what had happened.
"Ancient Sage Gu Yao's corpse is covered in white hair and underwent Corpse Transformation?
Could this be the legendary Corpse-Dissolution?"
Upon hearing the descriptions from the warriors who had escaped, some venerable ancient beings in the Eastern Barrens who had lived for immensely long lifespans were greatly shocked.
There were many legends from ancient times in the Eastern Barrens regarding Corpse-Dissolution.
It was said that some powerful individuals, nearing the end of their lifespans, chose to bury themselves using Corpse-Dissolution methods, hoping to one day resurrect through this process, break through realms, gain greater power, and once again obtain a long lifespan!
Of course, these were just legends.
From antiquity until now, no one knew for certain if anyone had ever succeeded in Corpse-Dissolution.
Now, Ancient Sage Gu Yao's corpse had suddenly undergone Corpse Transformation, prompting many ancient beings of the Eastern Barrens to come rushing, eager to see for themselves.
Most of these aged veterans were themselves nearing the end of their lifespans, making them the group most concerned with Corpse-Dissolution!
If Ancient Sage Gu Yao truly was undergoing Corpse-Dissolution and succeeded, its significance to these old fossils would be immeasurable!
*Boom! Boom!...*
One terrifying aura after another streaked across the sky, halting above Ancient Sage Gu Yao's tomb. The energy pressure they unleashed made the very earth and sky tremble, as if struggling to bear the weight.
The vast majority appeared to be incredibly ancient-looking elders.
"That's Nanhua Old Man!
My heavens! He was a powerhouse of the Eastern Barrens over three thousand years ago, a formidable figure even then! Wasn't the legend that he had long since died, having exhausted his lifespan?!
How is he still alive?"
"Tian Jianzi!
That elder looks like Tian Jianzi, the legendary powerhouse from the Sword World!
A peerless swordsman who once dominated the Eastern Barrens over two thousand years ago, but he suddenly vanished and was never heard from again. So he is still alive too!"
...
The onlookers in the distance recognized many of these elders' identities and were utterly astounded.
Each of these elders, without exception, had been top-tier experts who once shook the Eastern Barrens in their prime. To think they were all still alive, and had been alarmed into coming here by the news of Ancient Sage Gu Yao's Corpse Transformation.
"This place is extremely dangerous. Uninvolved parties should leave immediately."
Suddenly, an elderly woman leaning on a dragon-headed walking stick, who appeared unsteady on her feet, spoke up.
Her voice wasn't particularly loud, but it instantly spread for hundreds of miles, clearly reaching the ears of every living creature present.
Everyone felt a terrifying pressure emanating from the depths of their souls, making their hearts quiver with fear.
*Rumble!...*
As soon as she finished speaking, a hurricane-like wave of energy erupted from her body, sweeping outwards to suppress the surrounding area.
"Run!
That's the legendary Golden Flower Grandma. They say she's extremely temperamental and kills on a whim!"
Someone in the crowd recognized the old woman and was so terrified they nearly lost control of their bowels, turning to flee immediately.
*Whoosh!*
Golden Flower Grandma!
Nearby, the other warriors gasped and also retreated far away.
Very quickly, the area of land where Ancient Sage Gu Yao's tomb was located became completely empty. Even the demon beasts that originally lived there fled without a trace, turning into a region devoid of any living beings.
Only the elders with frightening auras remained, suspended high in the sky.
"Esteemed friends, what do you all say? Is Ancient Sage Gu Yao truly undergoing Corpse-Dissolution?"
The Golden Flower Grandma suddenly spoke again.
"No one can say for sure.
If he truly is, I would very much like to know if he can succeed."
An elderly man with white hair beside her said.
"It's simple. We'll just go inside and have a look."
Golden Flower Grandma declared.
"If Ancient Sage Gu Yao is truly undergoing Corpse-Dissolution and succeeds, his power will become immensely terrifying. I estimate none of us old fellows here would be a match for him."
The elderly man addressed as Tian Jianzi shook his head. Though his figure seemed slightly stooped, with each blink of his eyes, sword rays spewed forth, slicing through the space before him with a sizzling sound.
"Don't be afraid. There are so many of us. Even if we can't defeat him, our lives won't be in danger.
Let's go in and see. I won't be satisfied without seeing it for myself."
Another elder spoke up.
"Right, let's go in and see."
Many other elders voiced their agreement.
"Good! We'll all go in and look together!"
Golden Flower Grandma's figure flickered as she descended directly before the entrance to Ancient Sage Gu Yao's tomb and stepped inside.
*Whoosh! Whoosh!...*
The other elders also descended and entered.
At this moment...
The Ziwei Sect's flying ship was speeding forward, heading back towards the sect's headquarters.
Since Ancient Sage Gu Yao's tomb was located within Yan Country's borders, it wasn't far from the Ziwei Sect's headquarters.
It would take, at most, a day to return.
Inside the ship...
"Hun Lao, the Ice Demon has already entered the Heavenly Dao Tower with that Ice Toad Treasure Pearl and those dozens of spatial rings. You absolutely must lock down all aura. Not the slightest trace can be allowed to leak out.
If Ancient Sage Gu Yao senses it, it will be a big problem."
Ye Yunfei said to Hun Lao.
The moment they left Ancient Sage Gu Yao's tomb, Ye Yunfei had the Ice Demon take the treasure pearl and rings into the Heavenly Dao Tower.
This was because the Heavenly Dao Tower was a treasure left behind by a Great Emperor, capable of the most rigorous aura suppression!