The Choice

The Heavenly Corpse Talisman could harm people, yet it could also save them. Only, that word "save" had to come with a massive question mark. Based on his experience refining a corpse a few days prior, the Heavenly Corpse Talisman could indeed seal Tan Jie's origin soul. Tan Jie's cultivation was low and his origin soul fragile, but with careful control, Qin Sang was confident nothing untoward would occur. However, once the Heavenly Corpse Talisman entered the body, it would merge completely into one with the origin soul, undergoing an eerie transformation until neither could be distinguished from the other. At that point, it perhaps could no longer be called an origin soul. Tan Jie possessed no jade Buddha to shield his origin soul; once merged, separation was impossible. The process was irreversible, with no known remedy. At least, none was found within the Heavenly Yin Corpse Art. Even if Tan Hao truly could find a method to undo the Heavenly Corpse Talisman, whether Tan Jie would awaken then, or whether something far more horrifying than death would manifest, was completely unknown. Perhaps he would never find release for the rest of eternity, and it might even affect the legendary cycle of reincarnation. It could only be said that in the vast, boundless world, nothing was too strange to exist. Perhaps a miracle might occur in the future. Yet the chance was exceedingly slim. Should he let Tan Jie be laid to rest in peace? Or should he cling stubbornly to his obsession, persevering without relent to grasp at a hopelessly distant sliver of hope? Only Tan Hao himself could decide. It was not convenient for Qin Sang to explain everything outright. Claiming the Heavenly Corpse Talisman was an esoteric art, he drew analogies using the demonic corpse refining arts, laying out the pros and cons clearly for Tan Hao, especially the consequences of using the talisman. He trusted Tan Hao would understand. After listening, Tan Hao wore a dazed expression, standing frozen in place, unable to utter a single word. "Think it over carefully before making your decision. But do not take too long—if Tan Jie's origin soul dissipates too much, it could affect the outcome." Qin Sang patted Tan Hao's shoulder and walked out of the cave dwelling. If it were himself, what choice would he make? Qin Sang shook his head, brushing the thought aside. After returning to his own cave dwelling, Qin Sang organized his magic tools while awaiting Tan Hao's reply. Regardless of Tan Hao's decision, in a few days he had to set out for the Ancient Immortal Battlefield to rescue Shi Hong. He had his own matters to attend to; he could not remain at Yinshan Pass for too long. Liang Yan operated in the vicinity of Yinshan Pass and the Fengcang Cultivation Market, mostly using pseudonyms. His movements were secretive and his profile low; it would take some discreet investigating to uncover his trail. Liang Yan's true strength was unknown. Out of caution, Qin Sang provisionally treated him as a middle Foundation Establishment stage cultivator. Qin Sang possessed an arsenal of top-grade magic tools and did not fear any opponent of the same realm. However, how to eliminate Liang Yan without endangering Shi Hong required meticulous planning. If he could lay a trap in advance and wait for Liang Yan to walk into it willingly, that would naturally be best. Qin Sang was confident Liang Yan would not escape his grasp. Capturing him alive was not impossible either. While Qin Sang was pondering how to root Liang Yan out without alerting him, someone suddenly knocked at the cave dwelling's entrance. Qin Sang opened the cave dwelling's restrictions to find Tan Hao standing outside. Seeing the expression on Tan Hao's face, Qin Sang guessed his decision before he even spoke. He had not expected Tan Hao to make up his mind so quickly. Qin Sang's expression was conflicted as he asked in a low voice, "Brother Tan, have you truly thought this through?" Tan Hao's eyes were red-rimmed. A flicker of inner struggle flashed across his gaze, followed by a deep breath as he said resolutely, "Brother Qin, from the moment Tan Jie fell unconscious, I abandoned all dreams of attaining immortality! "In this life, only a single thought has sustained me to this point: to cure Tan Jie! Even trading my life for his, I would do so willingly! "If he dies, I wouldn't know what meaning there is in living. "As long as there is a sliver of hope, I will never give up! "Brother Qin, what materials does that esoteric art require? I will go exchange for them immediately!" Qin Sang said no more. Shaking his head, he replied, "I have everything needed right here. As long as you agree, we can begin immediately. Wait outside a moment; it won't take long..." He sealed the cave dwelling. Qin Sang walked over to the crystal coffin and opened it, exposing Tan Jie's physical body. Qin Sang had no desire to pass judgment on Tan Hao's choice, nor could he say whether it was good or bad. After all, in this world, reincarnation was likewise something that existed only in legends; no one knew if it was real, whereas death was something tangible every person could truly witness. Although he had already used a Heavenly Corpse Talisman once before, Qin Sang remained extremely cautious. After all, Tan Jie's cultivation was low and his soul exceptionally fragile; he could not afford the slightest mistake. When he sensed the Heavenly Corpse Talisman establish a connection with Tan Jie's origin soul, he drove the talisman into the space between his brows. Feeling virtually no resistance, the Heavenly Corpse Talisman sealed Tan Jie with ease and merged into his origin soul. Aside from the necessary restrictions, Qin Sang made no superfluous movements, afraid of causing unforeseen consequences. He then carefully placed Tan Jie back into the crystal coffin. Besides, Tan Hao would never treat Tan Jie like a refined corpse to order around. After merging with the Heavenly Corpse Talisman, Tan Jie's origin soul indeed ceased dissipating. As for what fate held in store for the Tan brothers, it could only be left to the heavens. Qin Sang made a final inspection and deactivated the restrictions. Tan Hao rushed inside, and upon checking Tan Jie's current state, his face was a mix of grief and joy, his eyes profoundly conflicted. Yunyouzi had also arrived at some point. Stepping in behind him, he nodded to Qin Sang. Moved by a sudden thought, Qin Sang retrieved a jade bottle from his mustard seed bag and handed it to Tan Hao. Inside lay a Foundation Establishment Pill. "Take this Foundation Establishment Pill." He had obtained three Foundation Establishment Pills in total: one as a sect reward, and two from Sun De's belongings. Later, he had consumed one himself, and to fulfill a promise, given another to Song Ying. The remaining pill had originally been kept to trade for something else, but it had never found a use. A Foundation Establishment Pill was useless to a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and since Qin Sang had no intention of taking disciples, it was not particularly precious to him. Yet to a cultivator in the Qi Refinement stage, it was an invaluable treasure they could only dream of obtaining. Qin Sang had been moved by Tan Hao's resolve and decided to lend him a hand one last time. That Tan Hao had failed to reach Foundation Establishment to this day was not due to a lack of talent, but because he had been held back by caring for Tan Jie. His talent was far superior to Qin Sang's. Though he was already over fifty years old, with the aid of a Foundation Establishment Pill, there might still be a glimmer of hope. Looking at the brilliant blue pill inside the jade bottle, Tan Hao was completely stunned. Noticing Qin Sang's sideways glance, Yunyouzi couldn't help but chuckle. Pointing at him with a helpless look, he said, "You rascal... to think you would plot against this old Daoist..." Qin Sang smiled faintly. When it came to how to achieve Foundation Establishment at the advanced age of a hundred with waning vitality, no one had more experience than Yunyouzi. With his guidance, Tan Hao would surely benefit immensely. Yunyouzi took no offense. After a moment's thought, he also brought out a jade bottle containing a jade-green medicinal pill. "This Biying Pill was concocted back when this old Daoist was in the Qi Refinement stage to compensate for declining vitality and break through to Foundation Establishment. It is of no use to me now, so Fellow Daoist Tan, you may have it. Your condition is far better than mine was back then. After taking it, spend three days refining its medicinal efficacy, and along with Brother Qin's Foundation Establishment Pill, your chances of reaching Foundation Establishment are not small."