Chapter Twenty-Two: Crimson Radiance of the Spirit

As Liu Chen raised his fist to its highest point, Lu Changcheng finally could not bear it any longer and loudly addressed Liu Chen.

"Why aren't you speaking yet!"

Seeing this, Liu Chen understood that his suspicions were correct: his Nether Spirit Flame was indeed capable of interfering with Lu Changcheng's plans for the Rebirth Cavern, and in a rather severe manner. Seizing the moment, Liu Chen intended to press for the answers he sought while Lu Changcheng was distracted and unsettled.

Under such circumstances, even if Lu Changcheng wished to conceal some matters, without sufficient time, he would be unable to hide anything truly crucial.

"But could you please put your fist down first? Otherwise, speaking in constant fear, my words might come out muddled!"

Lu Changcheng pleaded, his face contorted with distress.

"That’s fine. If you speak unclearly, I’ll use my fist to help you regain your senses."

Liu Chen coldly replied, shaking his fist.

Lu Changcheng realized Liu Chen was determined not to give him any time to think, so he stopped stalling and began to answer, his voice measured:

"If you intend to set up the Grand Celestial Net Array, all thirty-two altars are indispensable. However, destroying one does not render the rest entirely useless; they simply cannot achieve the array's seamless, expansive coverage. Individually, each can still protect a city or fortress. But it’s a pity for my cousin—years of preparation, undone by your interference, almost all wasted."

Liu Chen listened, weighing every word, searching for the information he truly needed. Yet Lu Changcheng's explanation was too broad, lacking the detail Liu Chen demanded.

"Don’t talk about usefulness or not. Your cousin must be the Realman Changming that Lu Qingzong mentioned, right? He hardly needs your concern. Just answer exactly what I ask."

Liu Chen interrupted, cutting short Lu Changcheng’s indifferent lament, and pressed for specifics.

Lu Changcheng was perceptive. He answered whatever Liu Chen questioned, and soon Liu Chen had a clear grasp of the changes that would occur elsewhere following the destruction of this altar.

The good news was that when Liu Chen headed to Xin City next, there would certainly be no spectacle of gods and ghosts descending as with the Grand Celestial Net Array. The bad news, however, was that at the main altar in Xin City, Realman Changming could still call upon a few ghosts, empowered by the incomplete array.

More importantly, Lu Qingcai was now assisting Realman Changming. If Liu Chen sought revenge on Lu Qingcai, he would inevitably have to confront those summoned spirits.

Having understood the situation, Liu Chen felt trouble looming. Though he had recently faced a ghost’s wrath without concern, if the ghost was summoned by a Daoist Realman, he doubted he could match it.

For a Realman fully grasped the mysteries of vital energy, and through Daoist arts could manipulate yin and yang, temporarily allowing a ghost, whose essence was pure yin, to ignore his Nether Spirit Flame.

In such a scenario, Liu Chen could only rely on the brute strength of his zombie body, making him little different from an ordinary martial artist. If other Daoist arts were involved, it would be difficult to even achieve mutual destruction.

"Well, I’ve told you all I know. Is there anything else you wish to ask?"

Having finished, Lu Changcheng became calmer, regarding Liu Chen with composure.

At that moment, Liu Chen was preoccupied with the perilous situation in Xin City described by Lu Changcheng, and had no mind to respond. He waved his hand dismissively, indicating he had no further questions.

"In that case, I have a favor to ask of you."

Despite being a captive, Lu Changcheng boldly uttered the word “favor.” Liu Chen was momentarily unsure how to feel—should he be amused or annoyed? He withdrew from his earlier worries, looked impatiently at Lu Changcheng, and asked:

"A favor? Are you hoping I’ll grant you a swift death?"

"No need for that. I’ll handle my own demise. What I ask is for the safety of the He family. This is the He family’s treasury seal, containing the key. If you find yourself lacking anything, please help yourself, but I ask you not to act on murderous impulse."

Lu Changcheng seemed unconcerned by Liu Chen’s expression. He took out a small box from his robe, and inside was the treasury seal entrusted to him by He An, the head of the He family. Standing, he handed it to Liu Chen, his tone akin to someone making final arrangements.

Taking the small box, Liu Chen regarded Lu Changcheng. He sensed Lu Changcheng had resolved himself to die, though it struck him as odd—this man had seemed so attached to life before, why the sudden change?

Perhaps perceiving Liu Chen’s confusion, Lu Changcheng, possibly wanting to exchange a few words before death, kindly explained:

"My conversation with you has revealed all my family’s arrangements in Xuzhou. Even if you spared me, family law would not. If I take my own life, the Rebirth Cavern severs all mortal ties, granting me three hundred years of longevity. But alas, I’ll never see these splendid lands again!"

As he spoke, Lu Changcheng cast his gaze far and wide, finally sighing deeply and closing his eyes.

Soon after, Liu Chen sensed that Lu Changcheng had employed some special method to end his life, and through his spiritual sight, saw a crimson glow rise from Lu Changcheng’s body and speed southward.

Witnessing this, Liu Chen realized his earlier estimation had been correct: the so-called Rebirth Cavern was inseparable from the soul, and his Nether Spirit Flame could indeed disrupt the process. Yet, Lu Changcheng had answered all his questions, and to utterly destroy his soul would be too ruthless, so Liu Chen let him go.

Watching in silence as the crimson light, Lu Changcheng’s soul, faded into the distance, Liu Chen felt it was time to depart. Yet, holding the He family treasury seal, he hesitated.

His character, shaped in the twenty-first century on Earth, made him deeply curious about the treasures of wealthy families. Yet he also understood that as a zombie, he neither ate nor drank, and earthly riches were useless to him.

After a moment’s thought, Liu Chen pocketed the seal as a keepsake, then leapt out of the He family’s rear courtyard and left directly.