In a corner of the Ancestral Space, the Seven Ironclads looked at each other in dismay.
Every so often, the other clansmen would cast eager, itching glances their way.
"Third Brother, this is bad. We are undying and indestructible, so I'm afraid they're planning to test it out on us. Just look at the way that kid Tianyi is eyeing us..."
"No... surely not? No matter how unfilial my son is, he wouldn't... Hmph, surely he wouldn't."
"Third Brother, have you forgotten the Shaman Bone incident from back then? Even if we're hard to kill, that stuff hurts like hell."
Just as they were speaking.
Li Tianyi wore a sincere expression, looking incredibly obedient. "Dad..."
"Oh no! Run!"
Li Tianyi looked on with sorrow written all over his face as his father, uncles, and aunts fled the Ancestral Space in a panic.
He sighed deeply toward the heavens.
"The greatest tragedy in this world is the distrust of one's elders.
It truly is a case of 'the child desires to be filial, yet the parents are unwilling to accept it.'"
......
"Hey, hey, hey? Boss Qi, are you there?"
Accelerate!
Flying back to the edge of Earth, Li Wei instantly transmitted a message to Boss Qi!
This technique from the Mountain of Esoteric Stratagems reminded him of the genetic engineering and human augmentation technologies back on Earth.
There had once been a certain, somewhat twisted nation that loved using such technologies, but they were later explicitly banned for being too extreme and cruel.
That was valuable experience.
....
At this moment.
In the sewers beneath the villa district—a location previously searched by the National Security Department—Boss Qi had returned.
He was currently enjoying a cup of milk tea served by an AI robot modeled as an old woman, watching a video with a look of utter contentment.
"Yours truly is a genius! The most dangerous place is indeed the safest place!
Those people trying to catch me would never imagine that criminals often return to the scene of the crime..."
But the more he spoke, the more Boss Qi felt something was off.
"Wait, no. I am just a poor, miserable soul working hard to earn Spirit Stones. I am a model, law-abiding citizen."
Just as he mumbled these words...
The ringtone sounded, and Boss Qi's eyes lit up. The Big Boss was calling.
He had complained to high heaven while being hunted, but only he knew exactly how many Spirit Stones he had raked in.
Just two more deals, and he could head to the reclusive Nangong family in that distant star domain to purchase spirit pills.
Breaking through his cultivation realm was right around the corner!
But just as he was about to pat the horse's rear, the horse farted in his face.
"Boss Qi, I need data on genetic modification and human augmentation technologies!"
"..."
Boss Qi's lips twitched.
He vaguely recalled that stuff having been all the rage for over a century back in the day.
At first, it involved simply stitching humans and demon beasts together.
Later, through a blend of science and cultivation arts, it was progressively refined by tens of thousands of biologists, integrating techniques with extraterrestrial technology.
In the end, however, because it was simply too cruel, those twisted scientists stopped at nothing in their attempt to create a "God."
Eventually, they faced the wrath of the entire nation and met their ruin.
"Young Master Li, isn't this... a bit much? You and I have already strayed far down the path of criminality. It's not too late to turn back now," Boss Qi said with a serious expression.
"Hmm? I was only asking casually. To think you actually have connections for that sort of thing? I knew I didn't misjudge you!"
"I..."
Boss Qi's lips twitched.
"I have Spirit Stones!"
"Young Master Li, I can also get my hands on biochemical weapons. Do you want those? I'm talking about plague sources that even cultivators can't resist."
"Old Qi, Old Qi... business is business, but a man should still have a conscience and a basic moral bottom line."
...
Two years passed.
[Your family has received your Bestowal: Documents for Artificial Aberration Modification Project Nos. 28, 38, 91...]
[Your descendants Li Yaotie, Li Yaoqing, and numerous other clansmen, utilizing the corpse-stitching methods of the Mountain of Esoteric Stratagems alongside your Bestowal, have begun to gradually explore the Path of Corpse Stitching.
Your clansmen Li Yaotie, Li Yaoqing, the Seven Ironclads, Li Tianqi, and Li Kuanghua have acquired the Profession: Corpse Stitcher.]
[After two years of forging—combining Corpse Driving Arts, Spirit Puppetry, Corpse Stitching Arts, and Medicine Refining Arts—they have successfully refined the first special creature at the Golden Core stage:]
[Dabao (Generation I)]
[Refined using five types of evil ghosts from the Hell Layer I: The Silence Maw.
Its eyes can seize souls, its legs move like the wind, its strength can shake mountains, its ears can listen in all directions, and its body is as tough as a Spirit Artifact.]
At this moment.
In Merit City, the clansmen gazed at the eight-foot-tall, faceless creature lying in the spiritual pool prepared by Li Yaoqing, every face revealing a look of delight.
"This is merely the first living creature we have refined."
Li Yaotie's eyes shone brightly.
"If we continue to refine it in secret, adding further improvements, who is to say we cannot reach the same heights as the Mountain of Esoteric Stratagems in the future?"
"In terms of fine details, our methods of refining Divine Corpses have already surpassed the techniques recorded in the scripture Tianyi sent back."
Li Yaoqing grinned.
"Brother, you're selling yourself short. With the secret tomes bestowed by the Old Ancestor, as soon as we acquire the experience of those White-Robed Elders, we can ascend to an even higher level!"
Off to the side.
Li Changyao looked at Dabao in the spiritual pool and nodded with satisfaction.
Her contribution to Dabao's birth was undeniable.
"Hmph. Why did they want to give it such an ugly name like 'Moon Immortal'? Doesn't 'Dabao' sound so much nicer?"
---
Donate on Ko-fi ➡️ [https://ko-fi.com/darktea] ⬅️
Get Early Access to 90 Chapters: Search for "Dark Tea" on Ko-fi (Explore tab) and join my membership to read ahead!