The Immortal Ascension

Chapter 64: Qu Hun

Han Li ran his fingers over the giant man's icy skin, staring into those dull, lifeless eyes, while his mind raced to piece together what must have happened to Zhang Tie.

Nine times out of ten, Doctor Mo must have conspired with Yu Zitong to abduct Zhang Tie after he had made some progress in the Elephant Armor Skill. They then faked his disappearance, deceiving the many eyes and ears of the Seven Mysteries Sect. In secret, they used some kind of spell to strip Zhang Tie of his soul, transforming his body into this bizarre state—one that bore a striking resemblance to the Major Achievement stage of the Elephant Armor Skill.

Han Li’s conjecture was accurate; the truth wasn’t far off.

Back then, Doctor Mo had a sudden whim to combine the Elephant Armor Skill with the corpse-refining technique provided by Yu Zitong, intending to create a group of powerful corpse puppets that would obey his every command and dominate the Jianghu. However, in such a short time, he only managed to complete this one giant man, whom he treasured like a priceless gem. Usually hidden in a secret location at the foot of the mountain, he had only brought it back during his last return.

But Yu Zitong had no interest whatsoever in such a half-baked corpse puppet, even scoffing at it. When his true form was still intact, he had countless ways to subdue such an incomplete corpse puppet. Moreover, compared to the advanced iron-armored corpses of true Cultivators, this thing’s power was far inferior—only capable of showing off in the mortal world. Its sole merit was probably the simplicity of materials and ease of refinement, something even someone with a modicum of magical power could produce.

After a long silence, Han Li suddenly withdrew his hand from the giant man’s face and averted his uneasy gaze, staring blankly at the broken stone door instead.

In that moment, he felt a chill in his heart—not from sympathy for Zhang Tie’s tragic fate, but from unease at his own cold indifference.

He had thought that upon learning of his friend’s miserable end, he would raise his head in fury and shout the names “Mo Juren” and “Yu Zitong” with venomous hatred.

But in reality, apart from a slight melancholy, he felt no great sorrow or rage, as if the one who had fallen into this state wasn’t his former friend “Zhang Tie,” but some unrelated passerby.

Was it because he knew this Zhang Tie was merely an empty shell, not the man himself? Or had his heart grown utterly ruthless?

This selfish, detached reaction frightened even Han Li. Only now did he realize how much he had changed—when had he become so unrecognizable?

Finally snapping out of his daze, Han Li looked at the giant man with a complicated expression, unsure how to address “him.”

Recalling Doctor Mo’s words about “lost soul” and “mindless puppet,” Han Li tilted his head toward the sky and murmured softly:

“Brother Zhang, I suppose you’ve already been reincarnated. Since your abandoned body is of no use now, let your little brother borrow it for a while! I’ll use it with care—I hope you won’t blame me.”

After this prayer-like utterance, Han Li felt somewhat comforted, as if he had hypnotized himself into peace. Then, turning back to the giant man, he said:

“Since you’re the shell Brother Zhang left behind, with no soul of your own, I’ll call you ‘Qu Hun.’ May you lend me your strength in the days to come.”Hearing Han Li's words, the giant man stood there motionless, showing no reaction other than his usual submissive expression. It seemed he truly lacked autonomous intelligence and could only passively follow orders.

"I actually spoke such words to a physical body without consciousness—how foolish of me!" Han Li shook his head self-deprecatingly, then strode leisurely toward the stone house.

"Qu Hun, follow me."

Han Li had completely recovered from his low spirits, his expression calm as if nothing had happened. It appeared he had indeed become as cold-blooded and rational as he believed, no longer easily troubled by emotions.

Whether this astonishing transformation would prove a blessing or a curse for Han Li, who was about to embark on the path of a Cultivator, remained to be seen.

For the next while, Han Li busied himself meticulously tying up loose ends. He not only buried Doctor Mo's body beneath a large tree but also destroyed and discarded all remaining items in the stone house. He even ordered Qu Hun to demolish the entire structure, reducing it to a scattered pile of rubble that bore no resemblance to its original form before finally stopping.

By the time he finished, evening had fallen, and the sun had begun to set.

Standing before what was once a stone house and now a heap of broken rocks, Han Li surveyed the area carefully. Finding no oversights, he nodded in satisfaction.

"Qu Hun, let's go!"

"There's still a mountain of things to deal with tomorrow. It's a shame you lack consciousness and can't speak—having someone to discuss things with would make me feel more at ease."

Bathed in the fiery glow of the setting sun, Han Li dragged his elongated shadow behind him, muttering incessantly to the giant man now renamed "Qu Hun." It seemed he had finally found a good listener—one who wouldn't complain—to confide in. At this moment, not a trace of his usual cold indifference remained; he looked just like a boy next door.

After settling Qu Hun, Han Li returned to his own dwelling. Inside, he moved about like a stranger who hadn't been home in ages, touching the tables and chairs, examining everything while murmuring to himself:

"What a long day! It feels longer than all the years I've lived before combined."

Then, with a sudden thud, he collapsed onto the bed and fell into a deep sleep.

He was exhausted—both mentally and physically.

"But it's good to be alive," he thought with a smile on his lips as he drifted off to sleep.

(End of Chapter)