Leaving others at the entrance of the Ge family ancestral tomb, Long Xiao entered alone, heading straight for the main tomb chamber.
Upon reaching a crossroads, Long Xiao whispered, "The refining is almost complete. Come out."
The 'Crimson Flame Worm' crawled out from Long Xiao's clothes. Smelling the miasma, it joyfully took flight, circled Long Xiao once, and then flew directly into the main tomb chamber.
The 'Crimson Flame Worm' emitted a faint red glow, bringing a touch of warmth to the cold, gloomy tomb.
Long Xiao switched off his flashlight, dispersed his five-elemental aura, and began searching for the Yin Corpse.
The Yin Corpse had not entered the coffin. It sat on the ground beside it like a pitiful creature, its eyes vacant, staring into the darkness as if contemplating life.
Sensing the pure Yang energy of the 'Crimson Flame Worm', the Yin Corpse leaped up, extending its withered, claw-like hands towards the worm.
The 'Crimson Flame Worm' fluttered in the air, evading the Yin Corpse's grasp, circled behind it, and began absorbing the Yin miasma from its body.
Unable to catch the 'Crimson Flame Worm', the Yin Corpse lunged at Long Xiao. Long Xiao did not attack. At this moment, the 'Crimson Flame Worm' needed the Yin miasma from the Yin Corpse. Long Xiao drew the Yin Corpse's attention, and the corpse pursued him, allowing the 'Crimson Flame Worm' to absorb the Yin miasma.
Executing the 'Chi Mei Xiao Yao Step', Long Xiao constantly moved around the tomb chamber, with the Yin Corpse closely following.
Supported by his five-elemental aura, Long Xiao could move swiftly for hours without tiring.
In the morning, the 'Crimson Flame Worm' became saturated after only half an hour. This time, it absorbed for an hour before showing signs of being intoxicated.
Seeing the 'Crimson Flame Worm' swaying unsteadily and moving sluggishly, Long Xiao quickly darted behind the Yin Corpse and signaled for the 'Crimson Flame Worm' to return to his clothes.
After recalling the 'Crimson Flame Worm', Long Xiao turned and rushed out of the Ge family ancestral tomb, up the nearby hillside.
The sun had not yet set, and the Yin Corpse, unable to tolerate the external Yang energy, retreated after a short pursuit.
Long Xiao sat cross-legged against a large tree, refining the pure Yang energy that had entered his body.
The lingering sunlight receded into the western mountains, and the bright moonlight emerged from behind the mountaintop. Long Xiao opened his eyes, stretched his arms with satisfaction, his depleted five-elemental energy largely replenished.
"Wake up, dinner's ready," Long Xiao called out, standing up.
The 'Crimson Flame Worm' emerged from Long Xiao's collar, hopped on his shoulder, and emitted a soft chirp.
Descending the hillside, Long Xiao prepared to re-enter the Ge family ancestral tomb to allow the 'Crimson Flame Worm' to absorb more Yin miasma from the Yin Corpse. As he reached the entrance, two pair of green, glowing eyes drifted towards him.
Long Xiao executed the 'Chi Mei Xiao Yao Step' to retreat rapidly. Simultaneously, the 'Crimson Flame Worm' flew into the air and pounced towards the charging Yin Corpse.
To lure the Yin Corpse, Long Xiao went behind it and kicked it. As the Yin Corpse pursued him, he quickly fled.
As night fell, the Yin Corpse could leave the tomb and its range of activity expanded. It became easier for Long Xiao to evade it.
He lured the Yin Corpse into chasing him through the valley, with the 'Crimson Flame Worm' following behind it, absorbing the Yin miasma.
Just as Long Xiao was running with enthusiasm, he heard Xiao Ming shouting from a distant mountain path, "Brother Long, I'm here to help!"
Xiao Ming, carrying a Xuan Tie cleaver, rushed forward and chopped the Yin Corpse on its back.
With a clang, Xiao Ming was jolted back a few steps, but his hand didn't go numb this time.
The Yin Corpse let out an owlish shriek of pain and turned to chase Xiao Ming.
Long Xiao clearly saw a scar from the chop on the Yin Corpse's back.
The Yin Corpse was no longer as robust as before; a full-powered punch should now be able to shatter it.
Long Xiao charged forward and kicked the Yin Corpse in the shoulder. The Yin Corpse stumbled back two steps, looking at Long Xiao in stunned silence, surprised that Long Xiao could make it retreat.
The Yin Corpse stood still, and the 'Crimson Flame Worm' seized the opportunity to crawl onto its back, greedily absorbing the Yin miasma.
The Yin Corpse let out another owlish shriek and lunged at Long Xiao and Xiao Ming.
The Yin Corpse's speed had significantly decreased. In the open space outside, Long Xiao and Xiao Ming constantly struck the Yin Corpse, luring it to run around.
Soon, Long Xiao and his companions lured the Yin Corpse away from the Ge family ancestral tomb. Long Xiao kicked it a few times, and Xiao Ming struck it with his cleaver again. The Yin Corpse then pursued Xiao Ming.
Long Xiao followed behind the Yin Corpse, while Xiao Ming, chuckling, led it towards a paddy field.
"Brother Long, hit it quickly, or it'll force me into the water!" Xiao Ming shouted.
Long Xiao approached the Yin Corpse and swung his left fist, hitting it on the back.
The Yin Corpse had little Yin miasma left, so Long Xiao did not dare to use his right fist.
Using his five-elemental energy with his right fist might shatter it in one blow. Without using it, he feared injuring himself.
With a full-powered strike from his left fist, the Yin Corpse was instantly smashed into countless fragments with a resounding boom. Long Xiao and Xiao Ming quickly retreated to avoid being splattered by the putrid flesh and blood.
"Brother Long, you're too cruel! Why did you shatter it with one punch? Now I have no fun," Xiao Ming complained loudly.
As Xiao Ming came to help, Ge Xin and Ge Yu also arrived shortly after. Their strength was insufficient, and they dared not approach, only watching from afar.
What surprised them was that Long Xiao had actually shattered the Yin Corpse with a single punch.
"Sister, this Long Xiao is too formidable. Even our Ge family's inner disciples might not be able to achieve this," Ge Yu whispered.
Ge Xin nodded and said, "This Long Xiao is indeed very strong. He might be an inner disciple of some prominent clan."
After shattering the Yin Corpse, Long Xiao began searching for the 'Crimson Flame Worm'. If this punch had also destroyed the worm, the loss would have been immense.
Soon, he saw a red light flying towards him in the darkness, and Long Xiao quickly reached out to catch it.
The 'Crimson Flame Worm' chirped a few times, flew back into Long Xiao's clothes, and soon fell into a deep sleep.
Relieved that the 'Crimson Flame Worm' was unharmed, Long Xiao, accompanied by Xiao Ming, returned to the Ge family ancestral tomb.
"Long Xiao, are you alright?" Ge Yu asked, having arrived later.
Long Xiao turned to look at Ge Yu and Ge Xin and said, "We're fine. I'll examine your ancestral tomb to see where it has been tampered with."
Long Xiao surveyed the Ge family ancestral tomb and found the magical artifacts left behind by the people sent by Long Nian when they set up the great formation to gather miasma.
After the inspection, Long Xiao and the others went to the tomb entrance. Long Xiao said, "Your Ge family's ancestral tomb needs to be repaired. The opened tomb chambers must be restored, and it must be kept absolutely secret, do not let any cultural relics experts know."
Ge Xin nodded and replied, "Don't worry, Long Xiao. Our Ge family has some influence in this generation. Without my grandfather's permission, no one can enter our ancestral tomb."
Long Xiao and his companions returned to the Ge family estate for a good night's rest. The next morning, they prepared to drive away.
Ge Haitian, along with the Ge family members, saw Long Xiao and his group off from the estate. The Ge family repeatedly expressed their gratitude to Long Xiao.
When parting, the Ge Xin siblings exchanged contact information with Long Xiao. They said that if they had the chance to visit Donghai in the future, they would come to see Long Xiao and the other two.
After Long Xiao and his group got into the car, a Ge family disciple ran over carrying a large bag of items.
"Long Xiao, take these with you, local specialties," Ge Haitian said as the Ge family members opened the rear door and placed the bag on the seats.
Long Xiao didn't ask what it was and replied with a smile, "Thank you, Uncle Ge."