Chapter 1248: Corpse Ancestor City, Corpse Ancestor Mountain
Although the Corpse Driving Sect could not compare to the supreme powers backed by deities, it was still one of the few great forces in the New Beginning Realm. A considerable number of people knew of its existence, and many had even dealt with this force before.
Before the world's power structure underwent its great change, the Corpse Driving Sect, like other major forces, had branches of varying sizes spread across the globe. Unlike the supreme powers with divine backing, the Corpse Driving Sect established branches worldwide not to recruit more devout followers for any deity, but simply to facilitate its own better development.
After the world's power structure underwent its monumental shift, all major forces began to consolidate their strength, each occupying a specific region. Even the supreme powers did so, and other forces were naturally no exception, including the Corpse Driving Sect.
To preserve as much strength as possible and gain more benefits in this great war, the Corpse Driving Sect withdrew its branches scattered across the world, integrated all its forces, and relocated to the Tong Continent, where it occupied a significant area. This was the very region Yang Haoran and Zhong Siyu were now observing.
Of course, the area Yang Haoran and Zhong Siyu saw was merely the tip of the iceberg; the Corpse Driving Sect's territory was so vast that it couldn't be fully encompassed by the naked eye.
Zhong Siyu had always cared little for external affairs, which was why she hadn't known the Corpse Driving Sect had relocated here. In fact, she hardly knew anything about the sect itself.
"The Corpse Driving Sect has indeed moved here, and it's been quite some time. Heh, if I had my way, I'd truly rather not deal with them, but my friend is currently within the Corpse Driving Sect's territory, so I don't have a choice but to interact with them."
Yang Haoran said with a smile, while a hint of confusion appeared on Zhong Siyu's face.
Yang Haoran smiled and shook his head, stepping towards the Corpse Driving Sect's domain as he spoke.
"It's not that I'm afraid of them, but rather that I'm worried I might lose control of my emotions and commit too much slaughter."
Upon hearing this, Zhong Siyu's eyes immediately lit up. The words "slaughter" seemed to invigorate her entirely.
"Heh heh, you're worried about that, but I'm not worried at all. If you don't want to create too much slaughter for yourself, you can ask for my help. I couldn't care less how much slaughter I cause. As long as you're willing to ask, I'll definitely help you with this."
Zhong Siyu spoke with a sinister grin, her fierce smile brimming with savagery, forming a stark contrast with her delicate and adorable face.
Yang Haoran offered a faint smile but said nothing. He then cast a Ghost Art, altering his stature and appearance. In just a few breaths, he was completely transformed. Aside from the aura he exuded, which remained unchanged, not a trace of his former self could be seen.
. . . . Although the aura he exuded remained unchanged, Yang Haoran wasn't particularly worried. After all, confirming his identity solely based on his aura would only be possible for someone very familiar with him, and even then, it would only be a possibility, not a certainty, as it wasn't uncommon for people to have similar temperaments.
If even those familiar with him couldn't directly ascertain his identity through his aura, it would naturally be even more impossible for strangers to do so. Therefore, Yang Haoran remained unworried, even with his aura unchanged.
As for why Yang Haoran needed to use a Ghost Art to alter his appearance and stature, it was, of course, to prevent his identity from being exposed. Should the high-ranking officials of the Tong Continent Yin Division learn of his arrival, his situation would become dangerous. To avoid further complications, he deemed it essential to disguise himself.
Within the Corpse Driving Sect's territory, there were sixteen cities of various sizes. Without exception, all these cities were under the Corpse Driving Sect's control. Like cities controlled by other forces, those under the Corpse Driving Sect's dominion were primarily inhabited by mortals, as the operation of a major power was impossible without them. Even without deities to worship or devout followers, a large mortal population was still one of the crucial factors determining whether a force could rapidly expand.
Besides having a large mortal population, the cities managed by the Corpse Driving Sect also contained another force, one that was external to the Corpse Driving Sect itself. This force was the Yin Division, to which Yang Haoran belonged. Apart from the Yin Division, there were no other foreign powers within the Corpse Driving Sect's territory.
Truth be told, the Corpse Driving Sect actually preferred not to have other forces within its sphere of influence. Such a presence would not only cause them numerous troubles but, over time, could even threaten their rule over these cities, which was far from beneficial to them. However, the existence of the Yin Division was a necessary evil. If they were to deny the Yin Division entry, just as they did with other forces, then the deceased within their territory would be unable to reincarnate, and newborn infants would also lack souls.
The former consequence—the inability to reincarnate after death—was largely inconsequential to the Corpse Driving Sect. At worst, the souls of these individuals could cultivate the ghost path, which would not only resolve the issue of non-reincarnation but also continuously provide the Corpse Driving Sect with new strength. It could even be considered a mutually beneficial arrangement.
The problem lay with the latter: if newborns lacked souls, they would be no different from vegetables. Not only would they be unable to contribute, but they would also become a burden. Should the number of such soulless individuals increase, it would significantly impact the Corpse Driving Sect, as they would forever be unable to select promising talents from among the newborns to cultivate.
Thus, when the Yin Division's envoy arrived at the Corpse Driving Sect and proposed establishing temples and propagating their teachings within its territory, the Corpse Driving Sect's master, after careful consideration, ultimately agreed to the Yin Division's envoy.
. . . . Because the Corpse Driving Sect had no true god and worshipped no other deities, and also because it possessed a sizable territory with a considerable mortal population under its command, the Yin Division was not the only force seeking to establish temples and propagate its teachings within the Corpse Driving Sect's domain. Other supreme powers with deities of their own also wished to spread their doctrines within the Corpse Driving Sect's territory.
. . . . However, apart from the Yin Division, all other forces were unsuccessful and were directly denied entry by the Corpse Driving Sect. These rejected forces understood why the Corpse Driving Sect had turned them away, so despite some lingering dissatisfaction, they did not make any overt moves.
Nevertheless, although the Yin Division had built temples within the Corpse Driving Sect's territory and gained the right to propagate its teachings there, it was subjected to numerous restrictions. It was precisely because of these limitations that the Yin Division's activities within the Corpse Driving Sect's domain were severely limited. This was, in essence, a means for the Corpse Driving Sect to protect itself. If the Yin Division were left unchecked, free to do as it pleased within their territory, it would undoubtedly lead to significant troubles and even directly affect the Corpse Driving Sect's rule over these cities. Therefore, imposing restrictions on the Yin Division was absolutely necessary.
Naturally, the Corpse Driving Sect also feared provoking the Yin Division, so all restrictions placed upon it remained within the Yin Division's acceptable limits.
Several days later, Yang Haoran, now thoroughly disguised, and Zhong Siyu arrived at Corpse Ancestor City. This was the largest and most important city within the Corpse Driving Sect's territory, akin to Yang Haoran's own Ninth District's Guardian District — a symbolic presence holding special status.
Previously, this city was not called Corpse Ancestor City. It was only after the Corpse Driving Sect relocated here and became its masters that the city was renamed Corpse Ancestor City. Furthermore, the Corpse Driving Sect invested considerable resources into this city, forcefully transforming it from a small settlement into the unparalleled great city within the Corpse Driving Sect's domain!
To the southwest of Corpse Ancestor City, a great mountain towered into the clouds. This mountain was named Corpse Ancestor Mountain. Like Corpse Ancestor City, this mountain was not originally called Corpse Ancestor Mountain; it was only renamed after the Corpse Driving Sect arrived here.
If Corpse Ancestor City served as a flag for all cities of the Corpse Driving Sect, then Corpse Ancestor Mountain was the sect's main lair, as the Corpse Driving Sect's headquarters was established on Corpse Ancestor Mountain itself.
Although both Corpse Ancestor Mountain and Corpse Ancestor City belonged to the Corpse Driving Sect and were extremely important to it, they differed significantly. Corpse Ancestor City was home to a large population of ordinary people, ill-fated individuals who served the Corpse Driving Sect. This so-called service wasn't just about performing tasks for the Corpse Driving Sect; it also entailed providing fresh blood for the sect. Of course, "providing blood" didn't literally mean draining their own blood for the Corpse Driving Sect, but rather offering well-talented children to join the Corpse Driving Sect and become its disciples, thereby strengthening the sect.
These ordinary people were permitted to live within Corpse Ancestor City but were forbidden from entering Corpse Ancestor Mountain unless summoned by a high-ranking member of the Corpse Driving Sect. Those who trespassed into Corpse Ancestor Mountain without permission would be immediately executed.
And it wasn't just ordinary people; the outer disciples of the Corpse Driving Sect were no exception. Although their status was far higher than that of commoners, they were similarly forbidden from freely entering Corpse Ancestor Mountain. While they wouldn't be summarily executed like ordinary people for trespassing without a summons, they would still face punishments of varying severity.
Only high-ranking members, core disciples, and inner disciples of the Corpse Driving Sect were permitted to live on Corpse Ancestor Mountain and enter or exit it freely without fear of punishment. As for Corpse Ancestor City, they could, of course, enter and exit as they pleased; since they could move freely within Corpse Ancestor Mountain, Corpse Ancestor City was naturally no exception. This was the fundamental difference between Corpse Ancestor Mountain and Corpse Ancestor City.
It was precisely because Corpse Ancestor Mountain was not a place anyone could freely enter that it became a forbidden land, spoken of with dread by some within the Corpse Driving Sect's territory, while simultaneously becoming a longed-for sacred place in the hearts of others!
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