The yellow paper burned.

Yin Meng was stunned.

Although she had grown used to crossing boundaries when facing her own ancestors, this time the extent was so great and successful that it left her breathless and her mind dizzy.

At this point, the effects of all her previous frequent practices began to show. Although she was stunned, her hand movements were unaffected.

The hardest part had already started, and whatever needed to be done next would be done accordingly. Sometimes, purely relying on instinct could yield even better results for Yin Meng.

Zhao Yi yawned, clapped his hands, and intentionally glanced at Tan Wenbin with a relaxed expression.

Tan Wenbin's provocation tactic—how could Zhao Yi not see through it?

But to him, it didn't really matter.

Firstly, it seemed that members of the Yu Family had appeared above, so he needed to intervene with new tactics as soon as possible while ensuring Run Sheng's condition, to accelerate the resolution of the battle.

Secondly, Zhao Yi knew he might have been tricked by Tan Wenbin, but the Jiujiang Zhao Family didn't care.

Such sacrifices are not uncommon. The local Earth God temples and undocumented lewd temples are countless, with many peculiar entities that do not count as Evil or divine eagerly adopting this method of "equitable exchange."

It's a kind of unspoken rule—a way of playing loosely by the rules, serving each other's needs.

Zhao Yi believed that the one chosen by Li Zhiyuan for the sacrifice must not be simple, but no matter how impressive… the ceiling is just that high, how much higher can it go?

In fact, when Zhao Yi pointed at those two fleshy spheres asking Yin Meng if they could be sacrificed earlier, Yin Meng was shocked, and Tan Wenbin was also impressed by Mr. Zhao's low standards.

The operation that even those involved had never imagined—suggested by Zhao Yi, who dug the hole himself, jumped into it, and buried himself alive. Tan Wenbin, at best, lent a hand to pile some earth alongside.

To put it bluntly, Zhao Yi had great confidence in his low standards, yet didn't expect that Li Zhiyuan would go so far as to create a secret technique to raise this ceiling to such an absurd height!

The two fleshy spheres began to rapidly expand, growing larger and larger. When they reached a certain critical point, they sprouted a dense array of small holes before quickly shriveling.

A viscous black fluid started to ooze out without any odor, instead spreading a refreshing fragrance.

Yin Meng hooked her finger, and the Gu Worm that served as the "medicinal primer" flew out. Following that, small, crystal-clear white insects the size and shape of fingernails scrambled out frantically.

The quantity was enormous, and the quality was alarmingly high.

Cold sweat poured down Yin Meng's face, her chest heaving, as the seals she made with her hands grew slower and slower.

This was just the beginning, and without giving specific directives, she already felt overwhelmed.

This sacrifice was difficult to control with her current level.

Zhao Yi: "The effect is quite impressive. Who created this secret technique, Li Zhiyuan?"

Tan Wenbin: "Yes, Brother Xiao Yuan specifically created it for Meng Meng. As you know, aside from poison-making and culinary skills, Meng Meng lacks direct combat methods. This secret technique fills that gap nicely."

Zhao Yi: "Honestly, Li Zhiyuan is genuinely good to you all."

While creating a secret technique isn't difficult for Li Zhiyuan, tailoring one specifically isn't easy at all.

Sometimes Zhao Yi wondered why Li Zhiyuan even needed to walk on the river; he could stay in the ancestral homes of the Qin and Liu Families, perusing secret manuals, studying the oddities sealed inside; and if bored, bring his followers in to design and tailor cultivation techniques and secret skills phase by phase.

In twenty years, whether he lights the lamp or not, upon emerging, the Jianghu wouldn't dare underestimate them.

But Li Zhiyuan didn't do that; at a tender age he ventured onto the river, understandable if it were out of boundless arrogance. Yet, though he's walked the river for so long, the Jianghu remains silent, knowing "Jiujiang Zhao Yi" has made a name for himself by now, alongside Li Zhiyuan's "poor" reputation…

Sometimes Zhao Yi couldn't help but wonder if Li Zhiyuan was forced by some accident to light the lamp prematurely?

But lighting the lamp and walking on the river must be out of genuine recognition and petition; what kind of existence could cause an accident here?

Whenever he thought of this, Zhao Yi dared not ponder further.

"Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!"

The insects began vibrating their wings, moving like headless flies in both inner and outer circles, and several had already flown off on their own.

Their wing color shimmered with a haunting white light, the fragrance growing stronger.

Zhao Yi finally recognized what these insects were, muttering in surprise: "Corpse Essence?"

Corpse Essence is an advanced variant of Corpse Moth, typically bred only within high-grade burial arrangements, while the requirements for birthing Corpse Essence are even stricter; the Tomb Master must at least exude authentic royal energy to enlighten it.

Zhao Yi glanced at the wolfhound being attacked by Lin Shuyou, thinking: It seems this dog has followed the Dragon King long enough, its body absorbed considerable Dragon King Qi and karma, elevating its style so high.

Yin Meng: "I'm about to lose control of them!"

Yin Meng's body began shaking violently.

The consequence of failing to suppress them would be the Corpse Essences scattering to immediately attack all surrounding living beings, with Yin Meng, as the original handler, bearing the brunt.

Tan Wenbin: "Point them at a target, then let go!"