Feng Shigu discovered that the golden skull of the Wuyang King was intricately carved with an ancient Feng Shui map, and the artifacts plundered from the coffin—including tortoise shells, jade discs, and bronze vessels—were covered in cryptic inscriptions that defied easy understanding. These burial goods concealed the untold secrets of Coffin Gorge.

It turned out that beneath the earth of Wushan Coffin Gorge, there existed two sacred Feng Shui treasures, each resembling a mountain within the ground. One was strikingly similar to a skull, while the other was shaped like an open stone sarcophagus containing a mound resembling a headless corpse. Within the mountain mound was a black spring, foul and pitch-dark, akin to corpse blood, which no one dared approach.

The external Feng Shui configuration of Coffin Gorge could be summarized as "lofty mountains, narrow waters, and a headless dragon." The interwoven caves within the mountains rendered the dragon veins chaotic and elusive, necessitating the placement of peculiar structures across various ancient sites to stabilize the geomantic energy. The core of every dragon vein centered on those two auspicious spots: the Corpse Head and the Corpse Coffin. In the era when shamanism flourished, the initial Corpse Form Mountain was considered the Pangu Vein, a forbidden zone dedicated to the worship and sacrifice of the dead spirit shamans. Hidden in the crevices of the surrounding cliffs were suspended coffins, while beneath the earth lay various bronze and jade antiques, along with countless small stone coffins known as Shiqi (Corpse Artifacts).

Those diminutive stone coffins all contained the organs of sacrificial victims, usually sourced from people of low social standing, such as slaves or captives. These organs were interred underground to absorb the extreme Yin energy of the mountains and rivers. If left buried long enough to absorb sufficient Yin energy, organs like the heart, liver, spleen, and kidneys would gradually shrivel and petrify. Those that successfully assimilated the Yin essence would manifest human facial features or even complete physical forms, potentially becoming Huodan (Living Elixirs), though the probability was minuscule, occurring perhaps once in ten thousand attempts. Because the sheer number of Shiqi buried in the mountains was incalculable, later generations dubbed the area Coffin Mountain.

This mysterious custom was primarily influenced by Wu-Chu civilization and ancient Shu culture. When a noble was interred, a fully formed Shiqi, buried for over a thousand years within Coffin Mountain, would be excavated and placed in the deceased’s mouth like a Dan-zhu (Pill Orb) to preserve the corpse’s vigorous, majestic appearance.

Since the Wuyang King was buried without his head, the accompanying Shiqi were hidden within his abdomen. When the Guanshan Taibao (Mountain-Observing Treasure Guardian) raided the tomb and opened the sarcophagus, that Huodan had already merged with the (Zhenshi—reanimated corpse). Feng Shigu, having extensively studied ancient texts, knew of the legends of Corpse Immortals. He surmised that the Wuyang King in the stone sarcophagus was neither living nor dead, but a true Immortal who had achieved transcendence through his preserved corpse. He believed consuming a single bite of its flesh would surpass the potency of several ten-thousand-year-old Heshouwu (Fo-Ti), leading him to harbor extravagant ambitions.

Feng Shigu attempted to refine the Wuyang King’s body, stored in a bronze cauldron, into an elixir, but it proved largely ineffective. He was utterly consumed by obsession and refused to abandon his quest. He calculated that the remaining small coffins hidden in the mountain must contain Shiqi that had transformed into Corpse Immortals. He then led his men back to Coffin Mountain, repeatedly manipulating the terrestrial formations and energy lines, only then realizing that the Pangu Vein, existing since the primordial division of chaos, was, in the art of Feng Shui, literally a corpse vein surrounded by congregating dragons.

However, thousands of years prior, ancient shamans, in their relentless pursuit of Huodan, had dug and filled the earth within this region to such an extent that they severed the earth-vein. Furthermore, the dragon energy at the skull-shaped cave where the Wuyang King was originally interred had been breached during the Guanshan Taibao's tomb raiding. Both supreme geomantic arteries, one after the other, were now ruined.

Feng Shigu, confident in his occult arts capable of deceiving gods and ghosts, planned to transform Coffin Mountain into an Yinzhai (Yin Abode) where he could refine himself into an Immortal. He employed manipulative tactics, proclaiming himself the Ancestor of Earth Immortals. He declared that he had glimpsed heavenly secrets within the ancient tomb and warned the populace that a great war was imminent. He announced that a sacred immortal cave, surpassing any paradise, existed in the mountains, capable of averting disaster. Anyone who disbelieved him was deemed to possess lingering karmic debts that needed settling in the mortal world.

Given the immense prestige of the Feng family of Guanshan, and the visible signs of societal decay, many people believed him. They moved their entire clans into the mountains, launching a massive project to construct a village of Earth Immortals, layered in Yin and Yang sections. This configuration was derived from ancient Feng Shui methods, symbolizing the original chaos of Yin and Yang, specifically designed to restore the dragon energy of the earth-vein.

Concurrently, Feng Shigu led his trusted confidants to secretly excavate Shiqi within the mountains. They meticulously searched nearly every small coffin underground, spending years until they finally unearthed a lifelike Corpse Immortal. They fashioned the excavated ravines into the Yin Abode, intended as his sanctuary after achieving Immortal refinement. To safeguard the Corpse Immortal’s secret, they placed the Nine Deaths Startling Tomb Armor outside Coffin Mountain, ensuring that none of the people who accompanied him into the Earth Immortal Village would ever leave.

This ancient immortal teaching could not be selfishly hoarded; by the time the Earth Immortal entered his coffin, all followers were required to proceed into the tomb, bearing candles and lamps, to be interred as sacrificial escorts. Within the Feng family mansion of the Earth Immortal Village, there was a Blood Tomb. When corpse blood seeped from the tomb mound, it signaled the revival of Coffin Mountain’s dragon energy. All the entombed bodies would then be nourished underground, ready to receive transcendence into Immortality. Descendants destined to find this place, guided by the Guanshan Zhimi Fu (Guanshan Guide to Mysteries Manual), could then proceed to the Earth Immortal’s tomb to pay homage to the True Immortal.

The Guanshan Zhimi Fu was left behind by Feng Shigu before his death. According to the final entry in the manual, he was interred alive—having placed a Huodan in his mouth—and nailed into the stone sarcophagus by his disciples. What transpired thereafter remains unknown from the text.

Grandpa Sun finished reading and was filled with indignation: "I never imagined our Feng family of Guanshan produced someone like Feng Shigu. He was nothing short of a demon, making so many people sacrifice themselves for him. If he is not reduced to ash, how can we appease the countless wronged souls who perished unjustly?"

I couldn't comprehend the mindset of someone from a feudal clan—a person who regarded their ancestors as greater than heaven. I thought, "He’s just an old relic of the landlord class; perhaps he hasn't had a full meal since the Liberation, making him cling to the past." But I was even more bewildered by the fantastic nature of the contents in the Guanshan Zhimi Fu and those few drawings. They didn't seem like pure fabrication, yet they described such bizarre events. Could the Huodan that transformed into a Corpse Immortal be the very Elixir Crucible we were searching for? What became of the Earth Immortal Feng Shigu, nailed into the coffin? Did all those sacrificial victims perish inside the tomb?

Shirley Yang asked, puzzled, "Tens of thousands entered with Feng Shigu; with so many willingly walking into death, did not a single person among them ever doubt the Earth Immortal’s actions?"

Grandpa Sun replied, "In the long run, the eyes of the masses are sharp. But in times of chaos, people’s minds are often clouded. Any movement that gathers the masses, especially when tied to destiny or the Way of Heaven, can easily summon a great response, convincing the foolish masses through their very blood. There are far too many precedents for this..." He paused, then added, "There were those who harbored doubts, but their numbers were too small, and their words carried no weight at the time. My ancestor, Feng Shiqi, understood that the Earth Immortal was spouting deceptive nonsense, which is why he fled far away to escape the disaster, leaving a single bloodline for the Feng family of Guanshan. Now that the lineage has reached my generation, we finally have the chance to enter Coffin Mountain. It seems Feng Shigu's retribution has arrived. The most detestable people in this world, besides ingrates, are those who betray their masters and destroy their lineage."

I said to Grandpa Sun and Shirley Yang, "This Guanshan Juecang Lu (Guanshan Record of Tomb Excavation) by Feng Shigu doesn't explicitly detail what a Corpse Immortal truly is; perhaps it was a top secret only he fully understood. If we are to enter the Earth Immortal’s tomb, we must prepare ourselves psychologically beforehand; we might encounter the scenes depicted in the Guanshan Yuxian Tu (Guanshan Illustration of Meeting Immortals)."

The state of being an Immortal within the Earth Immortal’s tomb was unpredictable. By saying this, I hoped that only Professor Sun, Fatty, and I would enter the tomb to open the sarcophagus. This Feng family mansion seemed relatively safe; it might be better to leave Shirley Yang and Yaomei outside to wait. But before I could finish speaking, we heard footsteps at the staircase. Fatty and Yaomei both came running up.

As the saying goes, when you meet someone, don't ask about their fortunes, just observe their complexion to know the truth. Seeing the grim look on both their faces, I knew something was happening outside. As expected, Fatty spoke first: "Old Hu, I have a feeling this place is about to erupt. Hurry up and look outside to see what’s happening!"

I quickly pushed open the window casement, and everyone crowded around the window to look out. We were all utterly horrified. It turned out that Coffin Mountain lay compressed beneath a mountain a thousand meters high, the upper part of which resembled the earthen mound covering a burial site. The mountain’s base was hollow, containing an extremely deep cavern within the rock strata, completely enveloping Coffin Mountain. Looking up from within the Earth Immortal Village, one could see no sky, only an expanse of rock and earth. At this moment, a blood-red light flickered intermittently in the rock layer overhead, and dense, dark-red mist seeped out of the rock fissures. A cold, fishy, foul odor permeated the air, yet the surroundings remained pitch black and silent.

Fatty said, "See that? It looks like the 'liberated zone' sky above the mountain is gone. The reign of white terror, steeped in blood and wind, is about to descend. If we’re going to find treasures, we need to move fast; if we wait, we won't be able to get out."

I also sensed trouble but tried to stabilize morale: "Commander Wang, don't spread alarm. Our tomb-raiding team has soldiers, Old Ninth, and Yaomei from the mountain—a classic three-in-one combination that can handle any situation."

As we spoke, muffled thunder rolled across the sky, and foul blood began to fall like raindrops. I was greatly alarmed: "Is it raining blood underground?" Old Sun-Jiu hastily shut the window casement: "That’s the corpse blood from the Nine Deaths Startling Tomb Armor. Anyone with an open wound must avoid contact. Feng Shigu’s book details everything about Coffin Mountain; let me check if there’s another exit." With that, he moved to a corner of the wall and resumed poring over scrolls, his concentration absolute.

It is said that the Nine Deaths Startling Tomb Armor is a type of bronze corrosion formed by effused corpse blood, resembling coral spikes or plant roots. As it is buried, it grows thicker, and the substance secreted by this plant is nearly identical to corpse blood and lethally poisonous.

This blood rain came quickly and left just as fast, stopping shortly after. Only the blood mist continued to condense within the rock strata. Shirley Yang, hearing the sound abate, peered out through a gap in the window and said to me, "It seems the Startling Tomb Armor has already penetrated the rock layers and is growing inward toward Coffin Mountain. In a few years, perhaps the entire Earth Immortal Village will be swallowed by the bronze blood erosion."

I remarked that this ancient tomb-guarding technique was inherently a hard-to-control curse. Feng Shigu, in his supposed brilliance, had trapped himself. Even if we hadn't come, the ancient tomb in the Earth Immortal Village would eventually be destroyed by the Startling Tomb Armor.

Fatty exclaimed, "Doesn't that mean the burial artifacts in this tomb will all be ruined? Let me tell you in advance, Fatty won't stand by and watch such a thing! Standing by and doing nothing isn't our style. I must haul them back to support our great cause and hurry up and anger Antonioni to death!" With that, he began to eagerly scoop the porcelain vases and medicine jars into his satchel.

I had already examined the porcelain bottles; they contained none of the Corpse Pills we sought. I was about to tell Fatty to stop collecting irrelevant things when I saw Grandpa Sun slump onto the floor, his eyes fixed and unmoving, his complexion paler than a corpse.

Just as I was about to ask what was wrong, I saw Grandpa Sun close the Guanshan Juecang Lu. The despair on his face was profound. He sighed deeply, "Heaven’s will. We are clearly powerless against Feng Shigu." When I asked what he meant, Grandpa Sun said, "The Guanshan Taibao excelled at observing the stars and possessed truly uncanny, inscrutable calculations. His Guanshan Zhimi Fu has seventy-two verses, but look at the final passage in Feng Shigu’s handwritten Guanshan Juecang Lu: 'Blood mist enters the earth, legions of Immortals emerge from the mountains.' The legend from those days was true. Now that the blood mist has appeared underground, doesn't it fulfill this prophecy? It seems his calculations weren't inaccurate; he was frighteningly prescient. I fear the Corpse Immortals could break their coffins and enter the world at any moment. This is destined; we have arrived at the wrong time, and nothing can stop it..."

As the last descendant of the Feng family of Guanshan, Grandpa Sun had been reluctant to reveal the full text of the Guanshan Zhimi Fu to the group, partly because he needed the tomb raiders to find the ancient tomb, and partly out of fear of being abandoned along the way. Now that we were all inside Coffin Mountain, we paid little mind to his cryptic riddles. Yet, this final line appeared: "Blood mist enters the earth, legions of Immortals emerge from the mountains." Did Feng Shigu, this landlord leader, intend to borrow corpses to regain power? I truly couldn't fathom what Grandpa Sun was thinking. Even I, who have dealt with antiquities for years, couldn't believe such things. Why did he place such faith in superstition?

Shirley Yang pulled me aside and said, "Professor Sun has been under immense mental strain for years. He may not be mad, but he often exhibits nervous reactions. Don't provoke him further." I replied, "You mistake me. How could I possibly provoke him? He's the one provoking me! Look at him—has the fuse in his brain blown? He’s talking nonsense. We’ve seen the topography of the Coffin Gorge area with our own eyes. Even if the heavens fell and the earth split, the ancient tomb in the Earth Immortal Village could never see daylight again. Falling debris would bury it forever. How could the ancient corpse inside possibly crawl out of the mountain?"

Shirley Yang conceded, "I, too, refuse to believe the Earth Immortal possessed any genuine foresight. But I admit Feng Shigu was indeed adept at calculation. He understood the terrain and geography of Coffin Mountain intimately. Perhaps some unexpected events really will transpire in these mountains."

I understood Shirley Yang’s implication. The development of things must follow certain objective laws, most of which can be calculated. However, the crucial factors that truly determine success or failure are never accounted for by men; hence the saying, "Man calculates a thousand ways, but Heaven calculates but one." Feng Shigu's so-called immortal calculation likely existed somewhere between the human and the divine. We currently had no way to judge the extent of his foresight. At the very least, he accurately predicted that the Nine Deaths Startling Tomb Armor would penetrate the earth and cause the blood mist to appear in the Earth Immortal Village tomb, and the facts bore out his prediction. Therefore, it was difficult to definitively say whether Feng Shigu’s corpse would eventually leave the tomb and emerge from the mountain.

I told Shirley Yang, "This Coffin Mountain is a deadly nexus of corpse energy. The corpses in the Earth Immortal’s tomb likely carry virulent poisons. If they truly manage to emerge, they will cause immense calamity. We must strike first. Regardless of whether we find the True Corpse Pill, we must find a way to shatter the coffin and destroy the corpse, eliminating the threat permanently."

At that moment, the batteries in our headlamps were running low, and the light was gradually dimming. Although we had some spare batteries, we had no idea how long we would be underground in the ancient tomb, so we had to conserve usage. Grandpa Sun said, "Let's light candles. We should save the flashlights and spotlights for when they are truly necessary."

The Guanshan Taibao were masters of illusion and mist-making, largely based on esoteric arts passed down from the Tang and Five Dynasties periods, which involved creating phantoms by burning the corpses of snakes, weasels, cats, or foxes. Seeing no ritual candles or incense nearby, I asked Fatty to fetch a half-used candle stub—items purchased from Yaomei's general store before we entered the mountain—and lit one on the table for illumination.

In the candlelight, I closely examined the records in the Guanshan Juecang Lu regarding the Earth Immortal Village and Coffin Mountain, trying to devise a shortcut to the tomb where the Earth Immortal stored his corpses. The others began searching the various objects inside the building. As I was absorbed in my reading, Grandpa Sun suddenly cried out, "Blast it!" and blew out the candle he held, plunging the Bone Repository into sudden darkness.