Seeing that the attack failed, the Red-Haired Zombie roared angrily a few times, then kicked out another leg toward Xi Mo.

Although its cultivation could rival a Golden Core Stage Cultivator, and its body was exceptionally strong, fortunately, its mutation level was only red-haired, and its movements were still noticeably stiff. This bought Xi Mo time to react, meaning he might still be able to subdue this Red-Haired Zombie.

In her previous life, Yun Nian had encountered opponents from the Corpse Refining Sect and had fought several zombies, giving her some understanding of the subject.

After death, if a body is left for a long time in a place prone to nurturing Evil Spirits, it can easily undergo mutation. This is one method of mutation. The other method involves members of the Corpse Refining Sect using items they refine to accelerate the corpse's mutation, and the more precious the item, the higher the degree of mutation achieved.

The degrees of mutation, from low to high, are white, green, red, and black, identifiable by the hair color. If the mutation is natural, the first two stages are the most common. To form a Red-Haired Zombie requires thousands of years; most Red-Haired Zombies seen today are artificially mutated. The higher the degree of mutation, the better the zombie's Aptitude and continuity of action. Furthermore, above the Black-Haired Zombie, there is one highest level, which has never been discovered in the Cultivation World: the Corpse King.

The power of a Corpse King is unimaginable; its actions are indistinguishable from a normal person, and it is immortal and indestructible. However, records in Immortal History mention that its existence is fundamentally impossible.

Mutating a corpse into a Corpse King requires extremely harsh conditions, demanding all sorts of Heavenly Treasures that no one could possibly gather. Furthermore, the requirements for the corpse's body are even higher: the suitable body must withstand the effects of these Heavenly Treasures and endure the various trials during the mutation process. Such a body is hard to find; only the direct bloodline descendants of the powerful Ancient Clans from ancient times could meet the criteria. But those Ancient Clans have long since become extinct, and even if they weren't, they are beings capable of stirring up storms, so how could they be seized by members of the Corpse Refining Sect?

Additionally, legends record that if a Corpse King forms through natural mutation, it would require at least ten thousand years. But there is one point: after the Corpse King awakens, its past memories slowly return, and its actions and personality resemble its pre-death state. Aside from its immortal and indestructible body and its power to stir up calamities, the entire being is like a Regeneration.

But legends are just legends; they may contain elements of exaggeration. Such a thing has never appeared in Cultivation History.

By then, the Green-Haired Zombies had retreated like a flood. Yun Nian sighed in relief, but seeing that Xi Mo was struggling, she gritted her teeth, braced herself, and rushed toward the Red-Haired Zombie.

The most prominent characteristic of a zombie is its rock-hard, indestructible body. Moreover, the zombie before her far exceeded her capabilities. Thus, when Yun Nian's blade struck its body, it left no mark. Instead, the Red-Haired Zombie seized the opportunity, grabbed the wanghen blade in Yun Nian's hand, and forcefully flung her away.

"Who told you to come over here!" Xi Mo watched Yun Nian, who had been violently flung over ten meters, slam into a large tree trunk, blood oozing from all seven facial orifices. The light in his eyes dimmed slightly: "You can't beat it. Leave this to me!"

In front of the light screen, the Half-Faced Skeleton Man watched the situation and couldn't help but chuckle.

"With that level of cultivation, to not be smashed into meat paste—truly a good body, hahaha..."

Yun Nian's throat was already filled with clotted blood, and she coughed repeatedly. At this moment, the Bone Burying Wolf continued to pound against her rationality, making her Qi unstable and bringing her close to the verge of collapse.

Xi Mo fought the zombie again, but having already expended much stamina fighting the Tide of Corpses, he was ultimately defeated. He suddenly let out a muffled groan as the Red-Haired Zombie tightly squeezed his neck. The dense corpse qi instantly began to corrode his skin, and his face was contorted in pain.

However, when the long sword stabbed toward the zombie, it didn't dodge at all, knowing that this level of power could not cause it any injury.

"Hurry... run!" Xi Mo gritted his teeth, and although he was still struggling desperately, he forced these words out of his throat: "You must... return... alive..."

Through the hazy blood mist before her, her vision intermittently cut out, but her Sea of Consciousness was constantly throbbing with pain, as if pricked by ten thousand needles.

Who is she? Where is this place? Blood flowed from her mouth like a burst dam, and her eyelids suddenly became incredibly heavy, as if they were about to close the next second.

At the same time, the wanghen blade was thoroughly soaked in Yun Nian's fresh blood.

Xi Mo slowly lost consciousness, but even so, he still used all his strength to tightly grip the long sword in his hand.

How could a Sword Cultivator abandon his cherished sword?

Corroded by the corpse qi, he felt increasingly powerless, as if all the strength had been drained from his body.

His fingers trembled, and the long sword fell to the ground.

Xi Mo slowly closed his eyes, despair overwhelming his reason. He could only stiffly squeeze out one last word: "Go..."

"Keep this talisman with you."

"You said you trust me. I brought you here, so no matter what, I must bring you out alive."

A seemingly familiar voice echoed in her Sea of Consciousness. Yun Nian's fingertips trembled as she slowly reached for the wanghen blade nearby.

The wanghen blade was frantically absorbing Yun Nian's blood, and as her hand slowly gripped the hilt, the sanskrit on the blade suddenly erupted in golden light.

All conditioned phenomena are impermanent; they are subject to birth and cessation.

Yun Nian suddenly opened her eyes. The next moment, she shot toward the Red-Haired Zombie like an arrow released from a bow. With a swing of the long blade, golden light flashed, and the Red-Haired Zombie roared in fury as the arm clutching Xi Mo was severed.

"amitabha."

A Buddhist Invocation suddenly rang out in Yun Nian's Sea of Consciousness. Her expression changed, and she immediately looked around, but finding nothing, her gaze shifted downward to the wanghen blade in her hand.

The golden light gradually receded.

Yun Nian had no time to ponder; she immediately rescued Xi Mo from the severed arm. Although Xi Mo was still astonished by the recent events, this was a critical moment that allowed no hesitation. After forcing himself to stand, he told Yun Nian, "Flee toward the city!"

The two rode their swords toward the Inn. Since the Red-Haired Zombie was ultimately immobile, it was left far behind.

After returning to the Inn, Yun Nian's body swayed violently a few times, and Xi Mo immediately stabilized her.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Yun Nian shook her head and braced herself. "Hiding among the masses of corpses can mask the angry on us; perhaps we can fool that zombie."