Han Thuong ?????, seeing the rapid progress of Vong Tran ? and Bach Ho ??, developed a competitive spirit. He frequently sought out Han Trung (who had been promoted to Inner Disciple) to request sect missions, hoping to gain more resources to quickly break through to Foundation Establishment.

  Han Trung smiled and said, "You're so diligent lately. Taking on extra missions whenever you're free, no longer lazy?"

  Han Thuong said, "Come on, don't tease me. Do you have any work for me?"

  Han Trung replied, "There's a lot of work, but someone your level can only handle E or F rank missions."

  Han Thuong said, "Anything is fine, I'll take it all."

  Han Trung gave the mission to Han Thuong and said, "This mission is to capture a Corpse Controlling Thief. He's just an apprentice, you should be able to handle it, but be careful because his master hasn't been found, so it might be dangerous. Always carry an emergency flare ??; nearby fellow disciples will come to help."

  Han Thuong replied, "Yes, I understand."

  Han Thuong immediately went to the village as directed and met the Village Elder. The Elder recounted how revived corpses walked around the cemetery, causing great fear among the residents. Han Thuong thanked the Elder and went around the village asking questions, discovering that such bizarre occurrences only happened after funerals.

  Han Thuong stayed in the village for a few weeks until a funeral occurred. He secretly hid in a tall tree near the village cemetery. After a few days, a person shrouded in a black robe appeared. His face was very young, not yet twenty. He took out a book and began drawing on the ground, then recited incantations, waving his arms and legs while chanting, which was quite funny ??. But it was effective; the newly buried corpse climbed out of its grave ??. It removed all the gold bracelets and all valuables. Immediately after, the corpse climbed back into the grave and reburied itself.

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  The young man in the black robe quickly gathered the assets and ran back to his house in the village to sleep until morning. The Elder, along with several young men, hammered on his door and dragged him outside. They quickly discovered all the burial items meant for the deceased, along with a black magic instruction book ??.

  The Elder was furious and said, "What are you doing? Why did you learn such terrifying black magic? Tell me now, before I beat you to death."

  The frightened young man cried and explained that he once went into the forest and saw two demonic cultivators fighting, with many zombies and demon beasts. After the battle was over, all the zombies and demon beasts were taken away by the winner, and he accidentally found this book, took it home, read it, and imitated what was inside. After hearing this, the Elder beat the boy and then spoke to Han Thuong.

  The Elder said, "Esteemed Immortal, I have punished this young boy. Could you please spare him? Don't take him away, please don't sell him into slavery. I beg you ??."

  Han Thuong was surprised to hear this. He then realized that the village only consisted of elderly people, women, and children. Han Thuong asked, "Where have all the men in the village gone?"

  The Elder cried and said, "They were all drafted into the army and died. We only have women and children left ??."

  Han Thuong smiled faintly and said, "I understand. I won't take this child away, but I must confiscate that book."

  The Elder immediately handed the corpse-controlling magic book to Han Thuong and said, "Yes, here it is."

  Han Thuong opened the book, scanned it, and then asked the boy, "Do you understand this? Can you read and write?"

  The boy immediately replied, "Yes, Immortal."

  Han Thuong took out a crystal ball ?? from his pouch and said, "Place your hand on this."

  After checking, Han Thuong said, "Triple Spiritual Roots: Dark, Fire, Water. You have talent. Do you want to join the Profound Ice Sect?"

  The boy's eyes lit up, and he immediately said, "Yes!" Han Thuong patted the boy's head, took out a basic internal cultivation manual, instructed the boy, and said, "Take this and study it. In one year, the Profound Ice Sect will recruit new students. I will come here to find you then, alright? What is your name?"

  The boy said, "My name is Trung Hau."

  Han Thuong smiled at the boy, said goodbye to the entire village, and returned. He gave the corpse-controlling book to Han Trung to receive his reward for the mission.