Chapter 126 – Eternal Body, The Cruel Eternal Light Formation

Seeing that Lu Chen hadn’t responded for a long time, the brightness in Ji Ling’er’s eyes noticeably dimmed.

Her pitiful appearance instantly captivated Lu Chen, who had little experience in matters of the heart.

Guilt—why was he feeling this inexplicable guilt?

Though these thoughts raced through Lu Chen’s mind, he cautiously probed, “Um, what exactly did I say before?”

Hearing this, Ji Ling’er immediately lowered her head.

Her previously dim eyes now flickered with cunning.

Then, feigning a dejected tone, she whispered, “You said that if Ling’er properly guarded the Great Yan Dragon Vein, then when you returned… you would agree to become what you Immortals call Dao Companions with Ling’er.”

“Wha?!Though sharp in other areas, Lu Chen was surprisingly dull when it came to matters of romance.

But this couldn’t really be blamed on him.

Even with two lifetimes of experience, he had always been all talk when it came to relationships.

A classic case of being a giant in theory but a dwarf in practice.

When discussing romantic theories, he could speak eloquently with endless reasoning.

But when faced with actual situations in reality,

He would simply draw a blank, completely at a loss for words.

Of course, the main reason for his current flustered state was that he genuinely couldn’t tell whether Ji Ling’er was speaking the truth.

What if he really had made some promise to Ji Ling’er back then?

Sweating profusely—Lu Chen was literally sweating buckets now.

Perhaps not wanting to give Lu Chen too much time to think, Ji Ling’er immediately spoke up: “Green Lotus Brother, so this time you…”

Before Ji Ling’er could finish her sentence, Lan Yan suddenly pushed open the palace doors.

Seeing her cunning plan about to succeed only to be interrupted by Lan Yan,

Ji Ling’er was furious!

Her gaze toward Lan Yan went beyond mere coldness—

it was filled with murderous intent.

Because at this moment, she genuinely wanted to kill Lan Yan.

“Lan Yan, did I not say that no one is allowed to enter without my command?”

Facing Ji Ling’er’s overwhelming oppressive aura, Lan Yan responded with a grave expression: “But Your Majesty… the Immortal Fiends have returned.”

Hearing this, Ji Ling’er’s already gloomy expression darkened further.

As if the words “Immortal Fiends” had touched a raw nerve.

Looking toward the direction outside the Imperial Palace, she said coldly: “If they dare come, then we’ll make sure they never return again.”

“Understood.”

Hearing Ji Ling’er’s words, Lan Yan immediately withdrew.

Then Ji Ling’er turned to Lu Chen, apologetically saying: “Green Lotus Brother, please wait a moment. This matter will be resolved quickly…”

As she spoke, though it was unclear what Ji Ling’er did,

The previously calm blood pool beneath the Undying Longevity Coffin suddenly began churning.

Then the blood from this pool flowed along the four massive chains, spreading outward in all directions.

Soon transforming into special lamp oil that ignited the four massive Eternal Lamps outside the palace.

It was only at this point that Lu Chen belatedly looked at Ji Ling’er’s status panel.

[Name: Ji Ling’er]

[Cultivation: Mortal]

[Special Talent: Longevity Physique]

[Description: ???]

Mortal? Longevity Physique?Looking at Ji Ling’er’s status panel, Lu Chen found it hard to connect her with the last empress who commanded countless ghost soldiers and generals.

After all, he never expected the person lying in the Undying Longevity Coffin to actually be a mortal.

Just as Lu Chen was about to gather more information,

the previously calm Imperial Mausoleum suddenly began to tremble violently.

Without hesitation, Lu Chen spread out his Divine Sense.

Soon, he clearly witnessed what was happening outside the Great Yan Imperial Mausoleum.

Thick black mist had suddenly emerged around the mausoleum’s perimeter.

This black mist was bizarre—not only could it devour the Spiritual Power Lu Chen used for detection, but it also contaminated the surrounding environment.

However, when four massive Eternal Lamps beneath the mausoleum lit up,

the black mist halted at the boundary of the lamplight, forming a clear dividing line.

It was as if the light from these Eternal Lamps was the natural enemy of this black mist.

Inside the lamplight stood the ghost soldiers and generals of the Great Yan Imperial City.

Beyond the light, countless eerie entities writhed within the black mist.

Soon, Lu Chen saw numerous Immortal Abominations emerging from the mist.

They appeared nearly identical to ordinary Cultivators.

If not for the black aura emanating from them, Lu Chen might have mistaken them for common Cultivators from the Divine Land.

Alongside these Cultivator-like Immortal Fiends, hordes of half-dead monsters emerged from the mist.

Their faces were gaunt, their clothes tattered,

resembling rotting corpses clawing their way out of graves.

[Black Lotus Walking Corpse]

[Cultivation: Qi Condensation Stage Level 1]

[Traits: Ordinary people infected by the World-Ending Black Lotus, fearless of death, bloodthirsty by nature]

[Black Lotus Sect Ordinary Cultist (Immortal Fiend)]

[Cultivation: Qi Condensation Stage Levels 1-9]

[Traits: Ordinary followers devoted to the Great Merciful Black Lotus Buddha Mother, capable of controlling common Black Lotus Walking Corpses]

[Black Lotus Sect Agent (Immortal Fiend) 100]

[Cultivation: Foundation Establishment Stage Levels 1-9]

[Traits: Black Lotus Cultists who have received certain blessings, able to perform basic Black Lotus arts]

[Black Lotus Altar Lord (Immortal Fiend) 4]

[Cultivation: Golden Core Stage Levels 1-3]

[Traits: Devotees who have received multiple Black Lotus blessings, capable of borrowing fragments of the Black Lotus Buddha Mother’s power]

[Black Lotus Protector (Immortal Fiend)]

[Cultivation: Golden Core Stage Level 5]

[Traits: Entities personally blessed by the Black Lotus Buddha Mother, granted partial power of the Black Lotus Buddha Mother]

The Black Lotus Sect…

Lu Chen never imagined he would encounter the Black Lotus Sect—previously seen only in reality—within an Instance.

Even more surprising was that there were four Black Lotus Altar Lords invading the Great Yan Imperial Mausoleum,

each a genuine Golden Core Stage Immortal Fiend.

Seeing this, Lu Chen couldn’t fathom how Ji Ling’er’s side could possibly resist.

Although Ji Ling’er had five Ghost Core Stage ghost generals under her command,

only Lan Yan among them had reached Ghost Core Stage Level 5.

The remaining four ghost generals were merely at Ghost Core Stage Level 1.

Against four Golden Core Stage Level 1-3 Black Lotus Altar Lords, their strength was clearly insufficient.

The reality aligned with Lu Chen’s expectations. When Lan Yan and the others clashed with these Black Lotus Sect Immortal Fiends,

the battle quickly became one-sided.

The four ghost generals were utterly suppressed by the Black Lotus Altar Lords.Even Lan Yan could do little against the Black Lotus Protector across from her.

Dangerous situations arose instantly.

But soon, the dynamics between the two sides shifted.

Lan Yan and the other Great Yan ghost generals seemed utterly fearless, each attack trading injury for injury.

Moreover, they appeared from the very beginning intent on exchanging their lives for those of the Black Lotus Sect’s Immortal Fiends.

Every move was a desperate, life-risking strike.

Under this frenzied combat style, the Black Lotus Sect’s Immortal Fiends instead grew somewhat hesitant and restrained.

For a time, the battle between the two sides fell into an eerie stalemate.

Beyond these high-level clashes.

The fighting between the ordinary Great Yan ghost soldiers and the Black Lotus Walking Corpses on the ground was equally brutal.

Both sides seemed oblivious to the concept of death, adopting the most reckless combat methods.

Every minute, every second, vast numbers of Black Lotus Walking Corpses and Great Yan ghost soldiers perished.

However, when these Great Yan ghost soldiers died, their bodies would transform into wisps of black smoke, flying into the Eternal Lamps at the rear.

Soon after, they would resurrect beneath the Eternal Lamps and rejoin the battle.

If a Black Lotus Walking Corpse died, it was truly dead.

If only the ordinary Great Yan ghost soldiers possessed this trait, Ji Ling’er’s side still wouldn’t be able to halt the Black Lotus Sect’s offensive.

But when this infinite resurrection characteristic also manifested in Lan Yan and the other Great Yan ghost generals, the situation changed entirely.

A Ghost Core stage ghost general capable of infinite resurrection possessed combat power beyond ordinary imagination.

Although Lan Yan and the others were slightly inferior in cultivation to the Black Lotus Sect’s Immortal Fiends.

Relying on the infinite resurrection provided by the Eternal Lamps behind them, they stubbornly held back the Black Lotus Sect’s forces.

Perhaps realizing they couldn’t capture the Great Yan Imperial Mausoleum for now, the black mist that had suddenly appeared around the mausoleum eventually receded slowly.

When it was all over, Lu Chen turned to look at Ji Ling’er inside the coffin.

He saw that her aura had become extremely weak.

Her originally rosy complexion had grown noticeably paler.

Recalling the chains connecting the four massive Eternal Lamps to the Undying Longevity Coffin, Lu Chen suddenly guessed the reason behind Lan Yan and the others’ infinite resurrection.

If he wasn’t mistaken, their ability to resurrect infinitely via those four giant Eternal Lamps.

Relied on Ji Ling’er’s Longevity Physique.

At this thought, Lu Chen’s gaze toward Ji Ling’er grew complex.

Because if everything was as he suspected, the price Ji Ling’er was paying… was far too heavy.

Perhaps sensing Lu Chen’s concerned look, Ji Ling’er forced her weakened body to appear relaxed and said, “It’s alright, Brother Qinglian, Ling’er is used to it.” I’ll be fine after some rest…”

Hearing her noticeably weaker tone, Lu Chen said softly, “Their ability to keep resurrecting… it’s because of you, isn’t it?”

Leaning weakly against the Undying Longevity Coffin, Ji Ling’er nodded and said listlessly, “Yes, I am the focal point of this Eternal Lamp formation.”

“As a Longevity Physique holder, my Lifespan can recover by absorbing the world’s Spiritual Power. Aside from being unable to cultivate, I’m nearly immortal and indestructible.”Plus, with this Longevity Coffin you crafted for me, Brother Qinglian, even Spiritual Power tainted by Immortal Fiends can be easily absorbed by Ling’er to restore Lifespan. That’s how we’ve managed to hold on for so long.”

“This Longevity Coffin… I crafted it?”Lu Chen looked somewhat surprised at the Undying Longevity Coffin beside Ji Ling’er, never expecting he could possess such capability.

Meanwhile, Ji Ling’er seemed to have just remembered that Lu Chen currently had no recollection of the past. After a moment’s thought, she said, “Brother Azure Lotus, you once instructed that when we meet again, I must never tell you too much about the past.”

“But if you truly wish to know, Ling’er could…”

Before Ji Ling’er could finish, Lu Chen interrupted, “It’s fine. Since I said so back then, there must have been a reason. Please don’t force yourself.”

Ji Ling’er nodded and said no more.

After a brief silence, Lu Chen spoke up, “Then… what do you need me to do?”

Hearing this, Ji Ling’er seemed hesitant, unsure whether to speak.

But at that moment, Lan Yan, who had revived once more, walked in again.

“Azure Lotus Daoist, we need you to destroy the statue of the Black Lotus Buddha Mother on the surface.”

“Lan Yan!”

Ji Ling’er rebuked Lan Yan angrily, clearly displeased with her acting on her own.

Before Ji Ling’er could say more, she suddenly began coughing.

Seeing this, Lu Chen instinctively reached out to support her.

From his angle, Lu Chen could clearly see deep inside the coffin.

Inside, Ji Ling’er’s body was pierced by four chains.

Blood not only stained her clothes but also continuously flowed along the four chains.

Only now did Lu Chen truly understand how cruel the so-called Eternal Light Array was.

Recalling Lan Yan’s earlier words, Lu Chen couldn’t believe that Ji Ling’er had maintained this state for a full five thousand years.

Nor could he imagine how she had endured such pain all this time, conversing with him for so long without showing any sign of distress.

Perhaps not wanting Lu Chen to see her in such a wretched state, Ji Ling’er instinctively covered the chains with her clothes.

Then she smiled and said, “It’s alright. I chose this willingly. It has nothing to do with anyone else.”

Hearing this, Lu Chen said no more.

Only his gaze toward Ji Ling’er grew even more complex.

He dared not imagine whether, if he were in her place, he could endure as long as she had.

For her, the Longevity Physique was not a blessing but more like a curse.

What kind of conviction had kept her going all this time?

With this thought, Lu Chen turned to Lan Yan and said, “General Lan, please tell me what I need to do.”

Hearing this, Lan Yan was overjoyed and earnestly explained the situation.

“Azure Lotus Daoist, these Black Lotus Sect Immortal Fiends rely on the Buddha Mother Statue. Even after death, they can revive near the statue after some time.”

“But unlike us, who can revive immediately thanks to Your Majesty’s Longevity Physique, Golden Core Stage Immortal Fiends can only revive once every five hundred years.”

“At first, unaware of the Eternal Light Array’s existence, they were slain by us many times.”

“But over the past thousand years, they have figured out our situation and no longer engage us in decisive battles. Instead, they’ve switched to a war of attrition.”

“Although Your Majesty has the Undying Longevity Coffin, her Lifespan recovery rate can no longer keep up with the consumption from our repeated battles.”

“If this continues, we fear Your Majesty may fall into temporary unconsciousness due to insufficient Lifespan.””And once Your Majesty’s Longevity Physique is gone, the Eternal Lamps within the Imperial Mausoleum will undoubtedly become mere decorations.”

“At that point, forget about the Black Lotus Sect’s Immortal Fiends, we won’t even be able to withstand the black mist.”

“After realizing this, it’s not like we haven’t considered taking the initiative to destroy the Black Lotus statue on the surface.”

“However, we can only explore the black mist slightly when holding the Eternal Lamps, and if we die on the surface, we can only revive underground, making it impossible to approach the Buddha Mother Statue.”

“So we need someone to help us locate the Buddha Mother Statue and find a way to destroy it.”

“And in this world, the only person who can traverse the black mist alone without relying on external aids… is you, Azure Lotus Daoist.”

Hearing this, Lu Chen finally understood why he had appeared here.

He also understood the predicament Ji Ling’er and the others were facing.

Ji Ling’er and the others were like trapped beasts surrounded underground.

Although the Black Lotus Sect’s Immortal Fiends couldn’t capture them in the short term,

they could gradually erode Ji Ling’er’s Lifespan through a war of attrition.

As long as the rate at which Ji Ling’er’s Lifespan depletes outpaces its recovery,

the Eternal Lamp formation within the Imperial Mausoleum will inevitably become unsustainable one day.

When that time comes, it will be the moment the Black Lotus Sect breaches the Great Yan Imperial Mausoleum.

Thinking of this, Lu Chen gently set Ji Ling’er down, letting her lean against the Undying Longevity Coffin.

He then stood up.

But before he could take any action, he saw Ji Ling’er grab the corner of his robe.

It seemed she didn’t want him to go to the surface.

After all, Ji Ling’er didn’t know that Lu Chen was currently in an Instance, nor did she know he could revive infinitely.

Thus, she didn’t want Lu Chen to take the risk.

Considering this, Lu Chen patted the back of her hand and calmly said, “Don’t worry, it’ll be fine.”

Looking at Lu Chen’s calm demeanor,

Ji Ling’er suddenly recalled the words he had spoken to her in her moment of despair years ago.

‘Daoist, what are you going to do on this journey? Will there be any danger?’

‘Don’t worry, I’m just going to… change the emperor of Great Yan.’

And everything turned out exactly as Lu Chen had said.

The heavens of Great Yan… completely transformed after that night.

And from that day on, her life gained light.

Remembering this, Ji Ling’er immediately released her grip and said earnestly, “…Then Ling’er will wait here for the Daoist’s return.”

“Alright.”

Lu Chen nodded and walked straight out of the palace…

(End of Chapter)