The only way
It wasn't until he had completely left that Qing Yi gave me a deep look, seemingly comforting me as she said, "Xiao Tian, don't believe what your eyes are telling you. What just passed us was not your father, but something from the main tomb of the Ten Calamities Grave!"
Since only Qing Yi and I were peeking through the gap in the antechamber door, the others hadn't seen the situation outside and asked Qing Yi what was going on.
"It's Old Ge, the previous Farker General!"
Qing Yi let out a long breath before slowly explaining, "After Old Ge died in the Ten Calamities Grave, his body was taken over by something from the main tomb. You all know that the Fark Sect cultivates killing intent; their bodies are filled with violence and murderous aura. These are the perfect vessels for those evil beings. Once they successfully possess a Farker General, it's like adding wings to a tiger. I assume that the thing in the main tomb took note of Old Ge's unique characteristics, which is why it took over his body. After all, when Old Ge entered the Ten Calamities Grave, he was at the Seventh Stage of Killing Intent, equivalent to a Celestial Master. His body is极具诱惑 to that filthy thing inside the main tomb."
They whispered among themselves, but I didn't hear a word. I was like a puppet, sprawled at the entrance of the main tomb chamber, my eyes gently closed—the only part of me still capable of movement. Two warm streams trickled down my cheeks, turning into ice crystals in this cold, Yin-filled tomb.
In my twenty years of life, never had I felt so powerless and pathetic as I did now.
My father was dead, his remains still warm, yet he was controlled by someone else, turned into a tool, and all I could do was watch.
My wife faced danger alone while I cowardly hid, caring only about my own safety!
I suffered more humiliation today than in all my twenty years. What kind of man am I? I'm ashamed to even call myself a man—disgraceful!
For the first time, I began to hate this world, hate the deceit and cruelty of humanity.
What did I do wrong?
I'm just a college student, weak and unable to fight. I've never done anything wicked, yet why is my family always targeted? I don't harm others, but others harm me, and all I can do is watch. This sense of powerlessness is indescribable!
I recalled a line from the book on cultivating killing intent in the Fark Sect: "Humans, ghosts, demons, corpses—by nature, they incline towards evil. Morality and education are inferior to brute force. Kill, kill, kill!"
Ultimately, this world respects the strong. Lions and tigers gain fame by hunting, but who pities the pitiful elk? The one with the bigger fist is the boss; everything else is nonsense. The strong bully the weak, and no one criticizes how brutal or tyrannical the strong are, only mocking the weak for being pathetic.
Yes, this is a world that laughs at the poor but not the prostitute, reveres the strong but shows no pity to the weak.
Become strong, I resolved in my heart. To hell with the cycle of Samsara. Having survived this, I'll temper my killing intent amidst the wails of spirits and become a true powerhouse!
At that moment, there was movement in the main tomb chamber. I could clearly hear Hua Mulan coldly questioning Duan Lun as to why he suddenly came to her.
Then, a sharp, raspy voice sounded, "Gao Xianzhi and Helian Gui's tombs were destroyed. He's here, isn't he? You've already seen him, haven't you? The heaven, earth, and human incense was lit in the tomb chamber, and you've already married him in the netherworld... I'll kill you!"
With those words, intense fighting erupted in the main tomb chamber. I could hear Tie Zhu's roar and Xue Ru's scream—evidently, the battle was fierce.
My heart was in my throat. I had guessed this outcome. Although my time with Hua Mulan was short, I had come to understand her character. She was a fiercely resolute woman who would never play games with people. As expected, they fought upon meeting. I wished I could rush into the main tomb chamber immediately, but no matter how much I struggled, I couldn't move or even speak.
The battle lasted for over ten minutes, ending with a loud explosion. The tomb door of the main chamber burst open, rubble flying everywhere. A black light then shot out of the main tomb chamber, vanishing down the passageway in an instant.
The mist in the passageway gradually dissipated. I found that my frozen body could finally move. I pushed Qing Yi aside and rushed into the main tomb chamber.
The tomb chamber was deathly silent. The huge stone coffin in the center had been completely shattered, leaving a mess.
Tie Zhu lay at the tomb entrance, his eyes closed, his body faint, almost transparent, glowing and gradually disappearing. I knew he was dead. When a person dies, they become a ghost, and when a ghost dies, they disappear completely. He was truly gone.
Not far from Tie Zhu, Xue Ru also lay on the ground, though her body, while faint, was not dispersing, indicating she was severely injured. Seeing me, she hurriedly said, "Quickly save the master! Her corpse was destroyed, and in anger, she fought Duan Lun to the death. Duan Lun is heavily injured, but the master... she's also on the verge!"
My eyes reddened at her words, and I rushed into the main tomb chamber, finally finding the woman I was worried about amidst the wreckage of the shattered stone coffin.
Her armor was broken, her body transparent. The black veil that once covered her face was gone, revealing her exhausted face. Even her eyes, which were like cold stars, lacked luster.
When she saw me, she smiled—it was the first time I'd seen her smile. It made her seem exceptionally gentle. Softly, she said, "You're here. I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I can't accompany you any further. I hope you'll become very strong, and I hope your life will be peaceful. Someday, if you see magnolias bloom, remember there was once a woman who waited for you in this cold ancient tomb for thousands of years, hoping to be your bride for even a single day. Then, I will die without regrets!"
My nose tingled and tears flowed uncontrollably. I reached out to touch her cheek, but my hand passed right through her face. She was completely incorporeal, like a shadow. I couldn't hold back anymore. My legs went soft, and I collapsed onto the ground.
Suddenly, a calm voice came from behind me, "There's no need to be like this. There's still a way to save her, but I'm afraid her thousand-year Ghost Dao cultivation will be lost!"
These words were like music to my ears. I turned around to find Qing Yi was the one who spoke. I grabbed her sleeve and hastily asked, "What method? I don't care about her cultivation; I just want her to stay with me!"
Qing Yi paused before saying each word deliberately, "The Life-bound Ghost of the Maoshan Ghost-Rearing Technique!"
Before I could object, Hua Mulan frantically shook her head. "No! Don't save me, get lost!"
"Shut up, damn it! Who's in charge here, me or you?!"
I turned and shouted at Hua Mulan. Honestly, because she was always aloof and cold, I'd never dared to offend her. But now, with fire under my butt, I didn't care anymore. My shout stunned her, and I seized the opportunity to urge Qing Yi, "Tell me about the Maoshan Ghost-Rearing Technique!"
"I can teach you. In the Maoshan Ghost-Rearing Technique, raising a Life-bound Ghost involves feeding your heart's blood to a Yin spirit. From then on, you and the Yin spirit will share a telepathic bond. As long as you live, the Yin spirit won't dissipate, and vice versa. This is the only way to save her—by making her your Life-bound Ghost!"
Qing Yi continued slowly, "But think carefully; this method has significant drawbacks. It goes against heaven, and using it will shorten your lifespan by thirty years!"
No wonder Hua Mulan refused my attempt to save her when she heard about the Life-bound Ghost of the Maoshan Ghost-Rearing Technique—she was afraid I'd lose thirty years of my lifespan...
However, after suffering such humiliation today, if it weren't for thoughts of revenge, I wouldn't want to live anymore. Thirty years of life meant nothing to me now!
So, without hesitation, I asked, "How do I extract heart's blood?"
Qing Yi fell silent before saying, "Open your chest, pierce your heart, and the heart's blood will flow."
Without another word, I unsheathed the Hundred Solution Blade and slashed it towards my own heart.