Chapter Seventy-Four: Jiuquan Town

“Knock, knock…”
Arriving at the gate of the mortuary, Li Yang knocked on the door.
“Who is it?”
With footsteps approaching and Wen Cai’s voice echoing, the door slowly creaked open.
“It’s me, Li Yang. I’m looking for Uncle Nine. I wonder if he’s here?”
Gazing at Wen Cai’s slightly gaunt face, Li Yang spoke.
“Oh, it’s Young Master Li. It’s been a long time.”
“My master isn’t here today; he’s gone to Jiuquan Town to inspect some feng shui.”
Seeing Li Yang, Wen Cai smiled and responded.
He had no clue that Uncle Nine’s recent strictness toward him and Qiu Sheng was all because Li Yang had complained about them to Uncle Nine.
Had he known that Li Yang was the reason Uncle Nine had been drilling him and Qiu Sheng so relentlessly lately, he wouldn’t have been so courteous.
“Jiuquan Town…”
Hearing the name, Li Yang frowned slightly. If he remembered correctly, Uncle Nine had a temple in Jiuquan Town and had taken in two other disciples there.
“Since Uncle Nine isn’t here, I won’t disturb you further.”
He had intended to say farewell before leaving, uncertain when he might see Uncle Nine again. He hoped to persuade him to move to Hong Kong for safety if possible.
As his cultivation deepened, Li Yang’s memories of his past life not only refused to fade but grew ever clearer. In Jiuquan Town, there was said to be a location of triple evil, within which lay a being that was half-zombie, half-vampire.
Li Yang had always been curious about vampires. He had once considered taming a zombie as his spiritual beast, but after some research, he had to abandon the idea.
Ancient beasts were at least living creatures, but zombies were neither alive nor dead, their bodies infused with corpse qi, utterly incompatible with living beings. If forced into a blood sacrifice, it might backfire, clashing with his own vital energy.
Unless one cultivated to the realm of turning yin into yang, death into life—becoming a drought demon—it would be detrimental rather than beneficial to Li Yang, hindering his progress.

The Five Paths of antiquity, though their practices varied early on, all led to immortality after overcoming the three calamities. Heaven, Earth, Humanity, Divinity, and Ghost—each took a different route, but ultimately arrived at the same destination.
All involved creatures evolving to their utmost, forging an immortal body, with no true distinction among their realms.
The drought demon, however, was in no way inferior to the Five Immortals, and in terms of power, may even surpass them. Whether such beings still existed, Li Yang dared not provoke one even if they did.
Though Li Yang’s cultivation method centered on the secrets of the Human Immortal, it couldn’t be judged by ordinary standards. Technically, his current realm wasn’t high—barely the first step in his family’s practice—but because he had fused the Six-Winged Golden Centipede, a being that had already survived a lightning tribulation, his combat strength far exceeded that of typical cultivators.
Vampires, though similar to zombies, differed in that zombies were neither alive nor dead, while vampires, though creatures of darkness, were undeniably within the bounds of life.
In recent years, he had searched for a suitable spiritual beast, but most he encountered were ordinary creatures who had cultivated into spirits, or had bloodlines too diluted.
With the Six-Winged Golden Centipede, the Fury Fowl, and the Three-Legged Golden Toad, Li Yang had little interest in such monsters. Moreover, raising these three beasts would take a long time, so he was in no hurry. After all, his future potential depended on this choice, so he would rather have none than settle for less.
Now, the Six-Winged Golden Centipede had been successfully fused, the Fury Fowl was on the verge of transformation—only needing to break its shell—and the Three-Legged Golden Toad, with the bloodline hormones left by Dr. Rick, could also transform quickly, provided it had ample nutritious meat.
Finding a new spiritual beast had become Li Yang’s next critical task.
With this in mind, Li Yang activated his powers, his figure flickering as he headed toward Jiuquan Town.
...
“Uncle Nine, it’s good to see you!”
In a temple in Jiuquan Town, Li Yang greeted Uncle Nine, who was busy inside.
“So that’s why I heard magpies singing this morning—it was a sign you were coming, my young friend. It’s been days since we last met. How have you been?”
Looking up to see Li Yang at the entrance, Uncle Nine beamed and approached.
“A Xing, Xiao Yue, we have a guest! Bring some tea!”
Calling into the temple, Uncle Nine turned to invite Li Yang to sit, asking, “You’re a busy man, my friend. What brings you to Jiuquan Town today?”
“Haha… Uncle Nine, you flatter me. Can’t I simply visit you without any reason? And let me congratulate you on your progress in cultivation!”
Li Yang laughed, glancing at Uncle Nine’s hair, which had turned from white to black, and clasped his hands in congratulation.
“What progress? Don’t mock me, young friend. This small improvement is thanks to the blessings of my elders in the sect and a divine title from the underworld. It’s nothing compared to your own fortune!”

Though his words were modest, the brief flicker of pride in his eyes did not escape Li Yang’s notice.
“Master, the tea is ready!”
“Oh, is there business today?”
At that moment, a young man and woman emerged from the temple. The man, about twenty, resembled Qiu Sheng, with a refined appearance and balanced build. The woman was also young, not unattractive, but dressed like a village girl, rustic to the core.
Both gazed at Li Yang, asking Uncle Nine,
“Is there business? He’s my lifelong friend—you should greet him as your uncle!”
Seeing his two disciples eyeing Li Yang like a benefactor, Uncle Nine glared and scolded them.
“What? He’s so young. He might not even be older than me. Why should I call him uncle?”
A Xing sized up Li Yang, shook his hand, and protested.
“So handsome! With looks like that, calling him uncle is no loss!”
Beside him, Xiao Yue cupped her face in her hands, starstruck.
“Ahem… Enough, you two. Go inside and stop embarrassing yourselves!”
Watching his disciples, Uncle Nine’s face turned red with shame. He loudly scolded them and turned to Li Yang with embarrassment,
“My teaching is clearly lacking. Forgive me for letting you witness this.”
Though Uncle Nine looked uneasy, Li Yang silently remarked: This isn’t poor teaching—it’s simply not teaching at all. Are these disciples, or are they sons and daughters?
Of course, Li Yang wouldn’t say such things aloud. Some things were best left unsaid; any more and even Uncle Nine’s patience might run out.
“No need to be formal, Uncle Nine. I’m not an outsider. Let’s just be ourselves.”
Raising his cup and taking a sip, Li Yang replied with a relaxed smile.