``` Mo Hua communicated with the Spiritual Pivot Formation using Divine Sense, manipulating the Corpse King, and he instantly felt three forces of domination, co-existing yet disparate, within the body of the Corpse King. One was the Corpse control method commonly used by corpse cultivators, mediated by the Corpse Controlling Bell. Another was the Corpse control method of the Evil Formation, with the Spirit Pivot as its core. The last one was the orthodox Soul Pivot Ultimate Formation Spirit Controlling Method, which Mo Hua himself had set up, of the first rank and twelve Patterns. These three forces, forming a mutually restraining triangle, opposed each other, and in a short time, none could fully control the Corpse King. Discover hidden tales at empire Mo Hua felt a bit disappointed. He had wanted to fully control the Corpse King, manipulate all the Iron Corpses, join forces with Zhang Quan to slaughter Lu Chengyun, then turn around and kill Zhang Quan as well. To use a borrowed knife to kill someone, "one corpse, two lives". But now with the power divided, Mo Hua was uncertain if he could overcome the Corpse Controlling Bell and the Spirit Pivot Evil Formation, to completely dominate the Corpse King within a short period. However, this was also within his expectations. Mo Hua did not forcefully activate the Formation to dominate the Corpse King. This way, if his strike didn’t succeed, he could avoid startling the prey and revealing his own methods left on the Corpse King. The Corpse King could not be controlled, but the Iron Corpses could. Like Lu Chengyun, he began to control the Iron Corpses indirectly through the Corpse King. Within the altar, there were a total of twenty-four Iron Corpses. Zhang Quan controlled eleven, and Lu Chengyun controlled thirteen. Mo Hua, by taking advantage of the Spiritual Pivot Formation on the Corpse King’s Heart Pulse, surreptitiously transformed a portion of the Iron Corpses that Zhang Quan and Lu Chengyun controlled into his own forces. Mo Hua was subtle in his methods. Lu Chengyun and Zhang Quan were engaged in a fierce battle and thus completely unaware that some of their Iron Corpses had already "defected". Below the altar, within the Formation of Ten Thousand Corpses. Lu Chengyun had the upper hand, pushing Zhang Quan back step by step. Zhang Quan struggled desperately, his injuries growing more severe, and his controlled Iron Corpses also began to falter. Lu Chengyun let out a cold sneer and began to manipulate the Iron Corpses, together with himself, surrounding Zhang Quan, determined to kill Zhang Quan to eliminate future troubles! Zhang Quan must die! In this world, the only one who could control the Corpse King was himself! In Lu Chengyun’s eyes, a cold light surged, and the power of his Sword Qi soared. Zhang Quan, after undergoing Corpse Transformation, had a body hard as bronze and iron and managed to block several blows, but he was still pierced through the left shoulder by a sword. In pain, he exposed a weakness and was then sent flying by a punch from an Iron Corpse, crashing to the ground. With a distant gesture, Lu Chengyun manipulated the Iron Corpses to converge on Zhang Quan. Zhang Quan struggled to rise, but it was too late, and he could only weakly ring the bell, calling a few Iron Corpses to protect himself. But with his Blood Qi depleted and his injuries severe, he only summoned four Iron Corpses, completely unable to block the onslaught from Lu Chengyun’s more than ten Iron Corpses. In Lu Chengyun’s calm eyes, a murderous intent was brewing. His Iron Corpses, driven by bloodlust, charged straight for Zhang Quan. Some were intercepted by Zhang Quan’s Iron Corpses and tangled up in a struggle, but the rest reached Zhang Quan, their faces ferocious, opening their bloodied maws towards him. "I’m going to die!" Zhang Quan was terrified. As death loomed, he used all his strength to push away one Iron Corpse and then kicked another flying. But the other Iron Corpses had already pounced close, seizing his limbs with their long sharp claws embedded deep into his flesh, holding him tightly in place. Another Iron Corpse, its claws swelling, radiated sinister Corpse Poison, aiming straight for Zhang Quan’s heart. If this claw struck, his heart would be pierced, and certain death was guaranteed! Zhang Quan’s eyes bulged with rage, yet no matter how he struggled, it was to no avail. Just as he was engulfed by terror, the lethal claws of the Iron Corpse about to take his life suddenly stopped. The sharp tips of the claws were merely a hair’s breadth from his chest. He could even feel the sharp, cold, ancient intent to kill. Zhang Quan was stunned. Lu Chengyun was also taken aback. What happened? Was there a loss of control? Zhang Quan, narrowly escaping death, heaved a sigh of relief and then noticed that not only the Iron Corpse in front of him but also several nearby Iron Corpses had stopped moving. Though unsure why, Zhang Quan still felt a tremendous sense of relief. He immediately stood up, retreated several strides, and left the encirclement of Iron Corpses. Lu Chengyun frowned. His Divine Thought moved, and he began to control the Iron Corpses again. This time the Iron Corpses still moved according to his will, showing no abnormalities. "What’s going on..." Was it a control conflict, or was there a flaw in the Formation? Lu Chengyun couldn’t figure it out, so he suppressed the doubts in his heart. The priority was to kill Zhang Quan first. Lu Chengyun once again manipulated the Iron Corpses, resuming the attack on Zhang Quan. But the subsequent events still defied his expectations. Every time an Iron Corpse was about to claim Zhang Quan’s life, there would be a slight delay, allowing Zhang Quan to escape. After several instances, Zhang Quan realized what was happening. These Iron Corpses were showing mercy! Why? Why was it that whenever he was on the verge of death, they would spare his life? Zhang Quan furrowed his brow in thought, then suddenly it dawned on him. He understood! The reason the Iron Corpses spared his life at the critical moment was for only one reason: ``` It’s the ancestors! In the depths of the unseen, the ancestors are aiding me! Zhang Quan’s thoughts raced urgently. This Corpse King was cultivated from the bronze coffin of the Zhang Family and the ancestral Corpse Refinement technique, nurtured day and night. Now, this Lu Chengyun intends to use the corpse of the Zhang Family to kill him, the heir of the Zhang Family. The spirit of the ancestor in heaven couldn’t bear to watch this, thus lending a helping hand in his most perilous moment, leaving behind a glimmer of hope for the Zhang Family. Zhang Quan was extremely grateful and immediately knelt down to the sky, knocking his head several times, and loudly said, "Disciple Zhang Quan thanks the ancestors!" This kneeling stunned Mo Hua as well. After pondering for a moment and getting over the shock, he couldn’t help but snidely think to himself, You shouldn’t thank your ancestors; you should be thanking your "junior" ancestor. Witnessing this, Lu Chengyun also showed a wary look, his heart slightly chilled: The Zhang Family truly is a family of corpse refiners with unthinkable methods, to be able to borrow the power of an ancestor to control an Iron Corpse. He had never heard of such a thing! Since that’s the case, Zhang Quan must not be left alive! Lu Chengyun raised the thin sword in his hand, the sword light shimmering like water, sweeping across like a curtain, filled with relentless Spiritual Power, striking towards Zhang Quan once again. Zhang Quan, though still being forced back repeatedly, was now greatly invigorated. "The ancestors are aiding me! I will not die!" Indeed, the spirit of his "ancestors" in heaven was protecting him. Whenever his life hung by a thread, the Iron Corpse attempting to kill him would "fall ill," stuttering in place for a while. Zhang Quan’s face showed even greater joy. Yet, Lu Chengyun grew more anxious and was even more wary of Zhang Quan’s "ancestors." He decided not to rely on the Iron Corpse but to use his own Taoist Skill and the superior Sword Weapon in his hand to slowly wear down Zhang Quan, intent on slaying him! But he was so focused on killing Zhang Quan that he unwittingly revealed a large vulnerable spot on his back. Mo Hua’s eyes lit up. Now is the time! With a move of his Divine Sense, he pulled the Formation Pivot. At the same time, one of the Iron Corpses controlled by Lu Chengyun suddenly "defected," its pupils contracting, emitting a blue light, and its claws, swift as the wind, fiercely struck towards Lu Chengyun’s back. This attack was swift, accurate, ruthless, and extremely sinister. The timing of the opportunity was also just perfect. Caught completely off guard, Lu Chengyun had no way to defend himself in time! The Iron Corpse’s claw pierced straight through his back, thrusting violently, and after one swift motion, tore his robe to shreds. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺 Mo Hua’s plot was successful, and he smiled slyly, but halfway through his laugh, he heaved a sigh and was filled with disappointment. Lu Chengyun, ambushed by the Iron Corpse, coughed up fresh blood from his mouth, but there were no injuries on his body. His robe in tatters, he revealed the silver chainmail underneath. This chainmail was clearly also a superior Spiritual Artifact. The Iron Corpse’s claws could not penetrate the chainmail, thus failing to injure Lu Chengyun’s vitals; they only managed to shake him violently. Lu Chengyun, being at the Foundation Establishment stage, considered such an injury trivial, not to speak of a fatal blow. Mo Hua felt it was a pity. Lu Chengyun wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his heart still trembling with fear. He almost capsized in the gutter! Without the silver chainmail on his body, the Iron Corpse’s claw would have penetrated his back, the Corpse Poison invading his body, then facing the combined assault from Zhang Quan and the Iron Corpse, his odds today would have been slim! An eye for an eye, a vile and lethal attack! This Zhang Family ancestor was either a person, a corpse, or a ghost, but he certainly was a vicious character! Or could it be that the Zhang Family’s Corpse control technique possesses some strange and unpredictable magical power? Lu Chengyun felt an icy chill in his heart. He must fight quickly and decisively to avoid further complications! Lu Chengyun’s expression turned serious, putting his all into the fight, his sword light abruptly changed, the Spiritual Power darkening to a shade of light black-gray. Zhang Quan heard this and paled, "The Lu Family’s Opening The Mountain Sword Method! You’ve actually cultivated it to such an extent?" Lu Chengyun gave a faint smile, "You recognize this Swordsmanship?" Zhang Quan’s expression was grave. Lu Chengyun spoke indifferently, "Opening The Mountain Sword Method... I found this superior Taoist Skill in a Jade Slip buried with one of the Lu Family elders when I dug up the Lu Family ancestral tomb. I have diligently practiced it for decades..." Lu Chengyun raised the long sword in his hand, the Sword Qi dividing, sweeping outward to both sides, imposing as if splitting mountains and levelling plains. Lu Chengyun said coldly, "I never use this Swordsmanship on ordinary days to prevent others from noticing. Today, being able to die by this Swordsmanship is a favor I bestow upon you." Zhang Quan’s gaze turned cold, and he gritted his teeth, "Fine, let’s see today whether your Swordsmanship is stronger or my Corpse Technique is mightier!" The enmity between the two was like fire and water, deciding both their fates and the outcome of their battle. But Mo Hua couldn’t stand listening any longer, cursing Zhang Quan in his heart: "Idiot, his Swordsmanship is obviously stronger. Your Corpse Technique is shit in comparison; you can’t even beat my Junior Brother..." "Facing death and you still don’t think of running, insisting on fighting to the death here." "He’s using his trump card, and you still have no clue, still wanting to compare strengths, you’re really beyond help!" "When he was gathering strength for his attack, you should have run already, what are you putting on airs for?" "Spending all day refining corpses, you must have refined your brain into stiffness too..." Mo Hua, this "junior ancestor," detested Zhang Quan’s lack of competitiveness and internally showered him with scorn.