Chapter 22 Demon Corpse
A demon carcass?
What is this thing?
If I choose to fuse with it, will I become a monster like the Water Ghost?
Glancing at the heavy poison sack in his hand, a host of doubts rapidly flickered through Su Heng's mind.
It seemed to understand his thoughts.
A series of gray-white subtitles appeared before Su Heng's eyes.
[Demon Carcass: The residual remains left behind after a demon dies]
[After fusing with a demon carcass, one can acquire some of the demon's innate talents]
[After fully integrating a demon carcass, it can be extracted from the body and fused with again]
[Currently, you can fuse with 1 demon carcass. Upon advancing to the next realm, an additional fusion slot can be obtained]
"..."
As he studied the series of explanations in front of him, Su Heng fell into contemplation.
The demon carcass gave him an impression somewhat akin to a type of special equipment.
Or rather,
To use a more vivid comparison,
It's like the metallic prosthetics in the cyber world where by implanting external objects, one can directly increase one's talents and strength.
[Fusion]
Since it was possible to choose to fuse and also to extract it from within,
Su Heng didn't harbor too many concerns.
Hiss!
After choosing to fuse,
The temperature of the poison sack surged, transforming into a puddle of purple viscous liquid.
It clung tightly to Su Heng's skin as it slowly seeped into his body, the blue-purple venom visible following his veins and spreading into his internal organs.
A tingling sensation emanated from his abdomen.
Countless vessels pulsed and wove into a sphere, enveloped by a layer of flesh and glands.
In an instant,
Su Heng could clearly feel.
An entirely new organ had formed within him, connecting seamlessly with his other organs.
"Sigh..."
Su Heng opened his eyes and exhaled a long breath of stale air.
He stretched his five fingers and then slowly clenched his fist, making a crackling noise.
Yang Extreme True Qi circulated within him, his body elongated, with thick veins emerging on his body's surface, Su Heng threw two punches into the air.
Very good,
There were no signs of discomfort in his body.
On the contrary, due to the integration of the poison sack, his physical condition had slightly improved.
Su Heng did not immediately investigate the specific effects of the poison sack but tried to extract it from within his body.
Under the guidance of Su Heng's will,
The newly-formed organ within him split apart, and a large number of purple filaments slowly covered the skin of his abdomen.
Gradually, the outline of the Water Ghost Poison Sack took shape on Su Heng's abdomen.
Once it fully solidified,
Rip!
Su Heng reached out and tore it off, a ripping sound emanating from his skin.
The poison sack was completely removed from within his body, the whole process not causing much discomfort.
Just a dark red mark remained on the skin of his abdomen, which faded and vanished quickly with the passing of time.
The poison sack was, after all, from a demon.
Even if the attribute panel confirmed no significant negative impacts,
Su Heng still repeatedly tested and confirmed before he slowly let go of the worries he had suspended.
After investing some time, he fused with the poison sack once more.
Su Heng opened his attribute panel.
[Demon Carcass: Water Ghost Poison Sack (Special Effects: Corpse Control, Plague Transmission, Water's Grace)]
"The few abilities of the Water Ghost have basically all appeared here," Su Heng mused, "Compared to the original, the effects are definitely diminished."
"After all, it's the power of a demon. If used properly, it can have extraordinary effects in special situations."
The most profound impression the Water Ghost left on Su Heng
Was not the plague nor the manipulation of corpses but that formidable regenerative capability.
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That was a formidable innate talent, one that allowed for a swift recovery of mobility through rainwater, even after suffering heavy damage.
If it weren't for such vigorous life force, the water ghost would have been killed on the spot with a slap by Su Heng back in the Su Family's mansion courtyard.
There would have been no subsequent chase.
"If this kind of recovery power could be used by me... Even if it requires a specific environment, it would have great effects," a glint of light flashed in Su Heng's eyes.
"No time to delay, let's first try out what exactly the water ghost's abilities are!"
Whoosh!
A flash of firelight.
Su Heng's figure suddenly disappeared from the basement.
*
*
*
A night with a clear moon and sparse stars.
Flap flap!
As the pitch-black branches swung back and forth, a dark shadow fell from the sky.
It was several bald vultures pecking at the corpses on the ground.
In the distant wilderness.
A few green lights could still be seen.
They were packs of wild wolves, attracted by the stench of blood here, feasting to their hearts' content.
This was an uncared-for burial ground outside the city, where most of the bodies dealt with in Changqing County were carelessly discarded.
Whoosh—
A yin wind blew by.
The tree branches swayed back and forth, their friction creating noise.
The vigilant vultures lifted their heads, scanning the surroundings to ensure there was no movement, before lowering their heads to continue pecking at the corpses.
However, out of the corner of their eyes, they suddenly noticed an imposing dark shadow appearing behind them.
The vultures were startled.
They squawked unpleasantly, beat their wings, and quickly flew away from the mass burial site.
Su Heng's gaze lingered on the vultures for a moment before withdrawing it and focusing on the indistinct, disfigured corpse in front of him.
"This corpse is decomposed a bit too severely."
Su Heng shook his head.
He continued to search for a suitable target amidst the burial ground.
Dragging out some robust corpses, he piled them up and fetched water from a nearby river using a wooden bucket.
Su Heng extended his finger.
Fluid secreted from the poison sack mixed into the water.
As his finger gently stirred, the originally clear and transparent liquid gradually clouded over with a strange dark yellow tint, accompanied by an unpleasant odor. The texture of the liquid also became thick and murky, resembling a poisonous colloid.
"The water ghost... relies on this method to create rotting corpses, truly amazing."
After integrating the poison sack.
These methods appeared in his memory as if instinctual.
Although it was his first time, Su Heng quickly mixed a whole bucket of the poison fluid and poured it all over the gathered decaying corpses.
"Next… it's time to witness the miracle."
Su Heng closed his eyes.
He felt a breath, like fine threads, extending from himself to the decaying corpses in front of him.
A rustling sound came through, and the decaying corpses clumsily stood up.
The first one, the second one, the third one…
It was not until over a hundred decaying corpses appeared in front of Su Heng that he gradually felt he had reached his limit.
"Conducting corpse control is more a drain on the spirit level," Su Heng reached out to rub his temples, his bloodshot eyes betraying his weariness.
"Moreover, these corpses can't hold up for too long. Once decomposed to a certain degree, they can no longer be controlled."
Su Heng quickly realized the limitations of this ability.
"For combat, it's fine against ordinary people, but against true powerhouses, it's somewhat lackluster. However, using corpse control for some other tasks seems pretty good."
"Now for the second trial…"
Su Heng noted down his findings, waved his hand, and the decaying corpses bent over to dig large pits for themselves, then buried themselves alive, quieting down eventually.
"Clap clap!"
Watching the scene unfold before him, Su Heng clapped his hands, a satisfied smile appearing on his face.
"Not bad…" He casually tossed aside the wooden bucket in his hand, "I borrow your bodies for a bit and in turn, help you to be put to rest. I'm taking a loss, so you don't need to thank me. We're even, very good, very good."
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