Chapter 102: Companions
Page 1 of 3
Qinghong and Liu Zimo were both swift of foot, and before long they intercepted the blood servants outside the city.
The two blood servants—a man and a woman—were fleeing together. The woman was carrying the unconscious Wang Wenbo by one arm.
“So it is Madam Zhang,” Liu Zimo said. “You should be managing the Emerald Fragrance House properly. Could it be that you have also developed an interest in male courtesans?”
At once, he understood that the two were the proprietors of the Emerald Fragrance House.
The folding fan in his hand transformed into a treasured sword, which he pointed at them. “Put Brother Wang down. I will cripple your demonic cultivation and spare your lives for the time being!”
“Spare us? Wouldn’t we still end up locked inside the Demon-Sealing Pagoda?”
The pair refused to submit and attacked Liu Zimo with all their might. But neither had achieved the Dao Fruit realm; how could they possibly stand against him? Before long, they were forced into a disadvantageous position.
Qinghong guarded the perimeter. The instant he saw an opening, he flipped both hands, and shimmering water gathered before his chest, forming a vast net that descended upon the two blood servants.
Just as they were about to rescue Wang Wenbo, a dark shadow suddenly flashed in the distance. The next moment, thunder came roaring like an enraged thunderbolt.
“Take care!”
The shout came from far away, and the two men were startled. The power exploding from that thunder was enough to slaughter immortals and exterminate demons. Without giving it a second thought, they fled beyond its range.
Unfortunately, the two blood servants were not so lucky. They were killed by a single strike of lightning, while Wang Wenbo was snatched away by the passing dark figure.
Still shaken, Weichen realized that his servant had taken the thunderbolt for him. He seized the hostage and then caught sight of Qinghong in the distance.
“Unbound Immortal Qinghong?”
His expression darkened. He immediately fled into the earth. Xiuhun arrived to provide support, and Weichen hurriedly called out to him. Together, they carried Wang Wenbo into the Blood Spirit Demon Pool.
By the time Qinghong and Liu Zimo caught up again, the two demons had vanished without a trace.
Liu Zimo reached out and caught the scattered lightning in his palm, examining it carefully. “This thunder feels strangely familiar.”
“The ultimate force of the Vermilion Firmament, the sublime mystery of the Radiant Firmament—what else could it be but the Divine Firmament Thunder Arts?”
Qinghong’s expression was grim. The thunder arts that had transformed into serpents of lightning and phoenixes of electricity were unmistakably the work of Qin Wu.
He raised his voice toward the distance. “Fellow Daoist Qin Wu, is this how you uphold justice and subdue demons against fellow cultivators?”
“Fellow Daoist Qinghong?”
A streak of azure light flashed ahead. Qin Wu arrived with Wu He.
Qinghong stood upon the clouds. Qin Wu hurried forward and bowed in apology. “My junior brother and I were pursuing Weichen of the Six-Armed Demon Sect. We failed to notice that you were here. I beg your forgiveness.”
Qinghong studied Wu He, the real person behind the imitation. In the past, Tushan had copied him so perfectly that it had been nearly impossible to distinguish the counterfeit from the original.
“There is no need for forgiveness. However, the two of us came here to rescue someone, and because of your interference, the hostage was carried away by the Blood Sea fiend. What do you propose we do now?”
Qin Wu glanced at the two charred corpses on the ground, which still gave off heat.
“Blood Spirit aura. These two belonged to Song Shaoming, didn’t they? Could he be here?”
“I fought him a few days ago.” Qinghong briefly recounted what had happened. “Last year, a spiritual egg was unearthed in Golden Turtle City, and as a result, the children there became exceptionally gifted. I suspect the Blood Sea came here specifically to abduct them.”
The Supreme Firmament Palace had always upheld the righteous path. Qin Wu and Wu He therefore joined Qinghong and Liu Zimo in proceeding to the Blood Spirit Demon Pool to rescue the hostages and, while they were at it, kill Weichen.
On the way, Qinghong asked curiously, “How did Weichen of the Six-Armed Demon Sect attract the attention of a great immortal cultivator like you? And why have you pursued him for so long when you had no particular grudge against him?”
“When my junior brother and I were returning to the mountain, we happened to find him cutting open a woman in childbirth and eating her half-formed fetus.”
After hearing this, Qinghong said no more.
“If possible, kill him as soon as you can. It will save us trouble later.”
What Qinghong detested most about the demonic path was its willingness to prey upon innocent mortals.
Matters between immortals and demons should be settled between immortals and demons. That had always been Qinghong’s principle. He would never do anything to ordinary people. Some immortals and demons might regard mortals as little more than grass, but such a worldview was utterly incompatible with his own.
The four soon arrived once more at the Blood Spirit Demon Pool.
Qin Wu looked at it with bewilderment. “This demon pool is formidable, but I cannot sense Song Shaoming within it. Surely you cannot be unable to conquer it, Fellow Daoist?”
Qinghong was renowned alongside Qin Wu. He could not possibly be that useless.
Qinghong gave a cold laugh. “Go and take a look for yourself. You will understand.”
Qin Wu pulled Wu He into the space within the blood pool. The moment they saw the river of excrement, Wu He nearly fainted.
The stench was overwhelming. Yellow and green filth flowed across the ground.
The two of them immediately fled back out.
Qin Wu’s expression was grim, and he now understood why Qinghong had been so wary.
Liu Zimo, however, had no idea what was happening. He went in as well and shook his head at the foul river.
“The people of the Blood Sea are truly something else. This river is revolting. How are we supposed to cross it?”
Qinghong and the others followed him inside.
“It is not merely disgusting,” Qin Wu explained. “This substance pollutes immortal radiance. The moment we fall into it, the evil aura within will dissolve us into pus. Even our treasured artifacts will not be spared. The method is vile, but as a defensive technique, it is truly first-rate.”
Liu Zimo pondered for a moment, then suddenly took out a verdant jade leaf and tossed it gently.
The green leaf skimmed across the river of filth and drifted lightly down on the opposite bank.
Page 2 of 3
He smiled. “This Heaven-Shuttling Jade Leaf is a secret treasure left behind by an ancient immortal. It is said to travel through the Three Realms without hindrance. This river can be crossed.”
As he spoke, the Blood Sea on the opposite side suddenly began to churn. Streaks of demonic light shot toward the jade leaf, while a killing array slowly revolved in the air.
“Fellow Daoist, withdraw your immortal power! The Blood Sea is targeting our immortal spiritual aura.”
Qin Wu acted at once and dragged the other three out of the space.
The river of filth was merely the first line of defense. Even after entering the Blood Sea, the immortal spiritual aura on their bodies would make it difficult to evade the attacks of the formations that followed. No immortal could escape them.
Qinghong’s heart stirred.
“May I borrow the jade leaf, Senior Brother? I would like to try something.”
As he spoke, the vital energy within his body shifted. He separated the pure and turbid energies within himself, allowing a trace of turbid baleful energy to emerge on the surface of his body.
He proceeded cautiously, lest anyone associate him with Ji Feichen. The trace of turbid baleful energy was slight, and its nature differed greatly from the methods of the Netherworld Sect.
Qin Wu sensed the baleful energy and suddenly understood.
“So that is it. The yin-yang arts of the Cloud Firmament Pavilion?”
The Cloud Firmament Pavilion excelled in the Way of Yin and Yang. It could transform vital energy and alter one’s body between immortal and demonic forms. This had been one of the key reasons for the calamity that once befell the pavilion.
Since the division between purity and turbidity, the two paths had stood clearly opposed. Yet the Cloud Firmament Pavilion could manipulate both yin and yang energies and reconcile the two. For that very reason, it had become a thorn in the side of certain people.
“After taking charge of the Dragon-Whisker Fan, I gradually worked out this method. Perhaps it will prove useful.”
With that, Qinghong borrowed the jade leaf and infused it with turbid baleful demonic energy.
In ancient times, there had been no division between purity and turbidity. Thus, the ancient treasure did not reject demonic energy.
Holding the green leaf, Qinghong allowed a layer of azure radiance to rise around him. He drifted calmly across the river of filth and entered the Blood Spirit Demon Pool.
…
A lotus flower rose within the demon pool, and numerous palaces stood upon it.
Xiuhun brought Weichen into one of the palaces, where the two were drinking and enjoying themselves.
“Brother, you have been pursued by people from the Supreme Firmament Palace. Your magical power must have been greatly depleted. I will have these boys and girls cooked for you. You can use them later to restore your blood energy.”
As he spoke, Xiuhun ordered the blood servants to bring in a group of children.
The children were covered in wounds, and most of the blood energy within their bodies had already been devoured by the people of the Blood Sea.
“No need.”
Weichen grabbed a young girl, opened his mouth, and bit down. He tore a piece of flesh from her neck with his bare teeth.
The girl let out a shriek and began to wail, but after only a few struggles, she died.
“Children like this are best eaten raw. Cooking them damages the quality of the flesh.”
Weichen and Xiuhun discussed the matter animatedly. Xiuhun showed no surprise and listened with a smile.
The Blood Sea cultivated by sucking blood, and its methods were scarcely less savage than those of the Six-Armed Demon Sect. The people of the demonic path had long since grown accustomed to such behavior.
“Still, much of this girl’s blood has already been drained. Her vital essence is not very abundant.”
Weichen frowned, displeased.
In this respect, the Six-Armed Demon Sect preferred cooperation with the Netherworld Sect. The former ate the flesh while the latter collected the bones—a mutually beneficial arrangement.
Finding the meat lacking in texture, Weichen grabbed the girl’s head and smashed it against the wall. He then reached inside, scooped out her brains, and ate them.
Through the mouthful, he mumbled, “Speaking of which, what are we going to do about those orthodox immortals outside? Are we just going to sit here like fools?”
“There is no need to hurry. As long as we hold the man you captured, Senior Brother Song will naturally come and rescue us.”
Weichen’s gaze fell upon Wang Wenbo. Greed appeared in his eyes, and he licked his lips.
“Senior Brother Song only uses the heart to refine treasures. In that case, may I have some of the flesh and blood?”
He began reaching for Wang Wenbo’s chest.
“Not yet, not yet.” Xiuhun stopped him. “When Senior Brother arrives, let him handle the matter himself.”
Qinghong entered the palace at that very moment. After hearing their conversation and seeing the corpse of the young girl on the ground, he frowned.
“A man from the Six-Armed Demon Sect.”
Disgust flashed across Qinghong’s face, and he silently placed Weichen on his list of those who must die.
Such a person was a menace. He could not be allowed to live.
Just as Qinghong was preparing to reveal himself and rescue the hostages, Weichen and Xiuhun settled down to cultivate while awaiting their companions’ arrival.
Before long, blood servants came forward and took the remaining children and Wang Wenbo away.
Qinghong thought for a moment.
“Rescuing them comes first.”
He followed the blood servants as they moved through the demonic palace.
The Blood Spirit Demon Pool had a completely different atmosphere from the Netherworld Sect. The Blood Lotus Demon Palace was grand and imposing, no less magnificent than the palaces of mortal emperors.
Qinghong thought to himself, At least they do not sleep in coffins and haunted dwellings all day like Grandmaster.
When he thought of the haunted residence on Nine Yin Mountain, he felt irritated.
They were perfectly healthy living people. Why on earth did they insist on living in a haunted house?
As he continued walking, Qinghong heard a series of low growls from a side hall nearby.
Two blood servants curled their lips.
“Yuan Chuping is remarkably stubborn. Even now, he still refuses to drink blood.”
The other hesitated. “Why don’t we throw a few children in there and make him drink blood once and for all?”
“Forget it. Aren’t his bones hard? We can make him kneel at our feet and beg us later.”
When everyone else had submitted to the rules of the demonic path, lowering their heads and accepting their fate, someone had actually dared to stand up and resist.
Xiuhun did not need to trouble himself. There were naturally people who found such defiance offensive and wished to shatter Yuan Chuping’s bones, forcing him to kneel obediently.
Otherwise, would his existence not make everyone else appear too spineless?
Page 3 of 3
After hearing the whole story, Qinghong’s heart stirred. He suddenly wanted to see what sort of hard-boned man Yuan Chuping truly was.
Other than himself, there was actually someone else who dared resist the rules of the demonic path?
He memorized the location where the children and Wang Wenbo were being held, then secretly made his way toward the side hall where Yuan Chuping was imprisoned.
Yuan Chuping had refused to drink human blood for several days, which showed that a trace of conscience still remained within him.
That remnant of conscience was precisely what the demonic path feared.
It meant that one day he might rebel. Therefore, they had to bind him to their cause by force, ensuring that he would never be able to leave.
People with such stubborn dispositions were usually exceptionally talented. Once they entered the demonic path and their moral boundaries collapsed, they would become even greater and more vicious fiends.
That was the only road to advancement within the demonic sects.
To rise above the others, one had to be more ruthless and more poisonous than everyone else. Only then was there even the slightest chance of breaking free.
This was the board the Blood Sea had laid out, and these were the rules it had established. No one was permitted to defy the will of the Blood Sea—least of all those belonging to its direct lineage.
Yuan Chuping was already hovering on the edge between life and death.
If he did not drink blood within three days, Xiuhun would execute him. Yet he might not last even that long. After refusing human blood for so many days, the hot blood within his body had begun to boil, gradually scorching his internal organs.
He had also gone several days without food or water, and now he could scarcely keep his eyes open.
Ding—
Suddenly, the sound of dripping water rang beside his ear.
Yuan Chuping opened his eyes hazily. Azure light shimmered before him, and it seemed that someone was extending a hand to save him from within the radiance.
The Three Radiance Divine Water nourished all things. Yuan Chuping’s consciousness gradually cleared, and he saw a cultivator before him holding a jade leaf.
“You are… an immortal?”
Yuan Chuping’s heart jolted. He looked around, uncertain whether he should call out for help.
Qinghong studied the man before him.
Yuan Chuping’s body was covered in wounds, many of them scratches he had inflicted upon himself. They were even more severe than the blood-curse punishment that Tian Chengzi had once endured.
“Why don’t you drink blood?”
“Because I am human.”
Yuan Chuping silently rose to his feet and sat cross-legged. His tone was calm and distant.
“I have already entered the demonic path. I would not dare hope that Senior would rescue me. But those children are truly innocent. If you are an immortal of great virtue, I beg you to show compassion and save them.”
“You need not say that. I will save them regardless.”
Qinghong studied Yuan Chuping with curiosity. This was the first time he had encountered such a hard-boned person within the demonic path.
Not long ago, he had tried to recruit Tian Chengzi. What had that man said?
He had not dared violate the rules of the demonic path in the slightest. He had merely pleaded with the great fiends to leave him a thread of hope.
“Do you regret entering the demonic sect?”
“Regret? Would regret be of any use?”
Yuan Chuping gave a self-mocking smile.
“One brings ruin upon oneself and cannot expect to live. I was simply too young back then.”
At the time, Yuan Chuping had possessed a deep and violent hatred because he wished to avenge his family. He believed that the demonic sects merely followed methods of cultivation different from those of the orthodox schools.
He had joined one while believing that he could remain unstained by the filth around him. He thought that once he mastered demonic arts, he could simply refrain from committing evil.
But would the demonic sects really wait foolishly for him to perfect his divine arts and then allow him to leave?
If it were truly that easy, the world would not have remained divided between immortals and demons for thousands of years.
Qinghong had held that thought from the very first day he crossed into this world. Yet it was only after meeting Tushan that he had truly begun to consider leaving the demonic path.
To cultivate an ancient Daoist lineage before reaching the Human Immortal realm—that was the step that had most impressed Tushan and Lady Chen.
It was the great perseverance and determination required to break through the walls of the demonic path that had won Lady Chen’s special favor.
Otherwise, if he had relied solely on that small debt of gratitude from saving her, then once their karmic ties were settled, Lady Chen might well have been the first person to kill him.
One must not forget that Lady Chen knew every detail of his past. She would never allow him to use his abilities to run wild outside.
At the beginning, the female immortal had offered him only one path: after reincarnation, he was to become her disciple.
The prerequisite was that he abandon the cultivation of demonic arts.
Only after Qinghong had truly changed his cultivation to that of an energy-refining cultivator did the female immortal take the trouble to consult her senior brother about a method for breaking the blood curse.
And Tushan was a cunning spirit. If he had not confirmed that Qinghong posed no threat to him, and if Lady Chen had not been present, how could he have treated Qinghong so generously?
If Lady Chen had not gone to the sacred land of the demon race that day, Qinghong would never have accepted Tushan’s invitation so readily.
Going with that fox spirit to the sacred land of the demon race was practically an invitation to be tricked.
Looking at Yuan Chuping, Qinghong seemed to see another version of himself.
“If there were a way for you to leave the demonic sect, would you be willing to take it?”
To be continued.
A nineteen-year-old woman’s masturbation livestream was exposed online! Follow the Meinvpai1 public account—press and hold for three seconds to copy—and watch it online!