63: Chapter 63: Exposed

"Ah——!"

Awakened by the excruciating pain, the Cultivator let out a miserable shriek, but after just one cry, there was no more sound—because the Yinsha Sect Leader's right hand was already pressed against his head.

Hiss!

A wisp of blood-colored mist rose from the Cultivator's body, turning into a blood-red current that surged into his body along the Yinsha Sect Leader's arm!

The Cultivator's body shriveled at a speed visible to the naked eye—his skin wrinkled, muscles atrophied, and eyeballs sank...

Three breaths later.

A dried corpse fell to the ground, shattering into several pieces.

And the Yinsha Sect Leader's Qi rose slightly by a fraction.

Xiao Yuan's pupils constricted slightly.

Sucking human vital blood? Digging out people's Spiritual Roots?

This fucking thing is a complete and utter Demonic Technique!

He forcefully suppressed the killing intent in his heart and continued to watch.

Following the same procedure, the Yinsha Sect Leader dug out the Spiritual Roots and sucked dry the vital blood of all four Cultivators.

Four balls of Spiritual Root light hovered in front of him, and with a casual wave of his hand, he stored them into the black cauldron.

The sound of smelting faintly came from inside the cauldron.

Then came the second Protector, the third...

Dried corpses fell to the ground one after another, and clusters of Spiritual Roots entered the cauldron.

Xiao Yuan stood in the front row with a calm expression, but his heart was churned up.

These captured Cultivators numbered at least thirty!

All of them were brutally killed this way!

Those Spiritual Roots... the ones with good quality were collected into the cauldron, and the ones with poor quality...

After finishing the eighth batch of Cultivators, the Yinsha Sect Leader waved his hand casually, shattering a cluster of lower-quality Spiritual Root light, turning it into specks of spiritual light that he absorbed.

At the same time, he did not absorb all the vital blood he extracted; instead, he condensed it into several fist-sized blood balls that hovered beside him.

"These blood balls," he spoke hoarsely, "are a reward for the Protector who performed best this month."

The Bald Man immediately stepped forward, his voice trembling with excitement: "Thank you, Sect Leader!"

The Yinsha Sect Leader threw him a blood ball.

The Bald Man swallowed it on the spot, his Qi instantly rising by a section, a look of intoxication appearing on his face.

Two more Protectors stepped forward to claim their rewards.

Xiao Yuan watched silently, sneering in his heart.

Elevating cultivation with the vital blood of living people?

What difference does this make from eating people?

Finally, it was his turn.

The Yinsha Sect Leader looked at him, a trace of doubt flashing in his crimson eyes: "Protector Zhou, where are your offerings?"

Xiao Yuan's thoughts raced like lightning, but his face revealed a flattering smile: "Sect Leader, this subordinate... caught a top-grade one this time.

But that girl is too fierce, and this subordinate feared accidents on the way, so she is temporarily locked up in a secret place.

Once the gathering ends, I will personally deliver her to you."

The Yinsha Sect Leader stared at him for a few seconds and slowly nodded: "Good.

If she truly is top-grade, this seat will reward you handsomely."

Xiao Yuan breathed a sigh of relief.

Damn it, I finally fooled him.

Next was the rewarding of merits.

The Yinsha Sect Leader took out a few jade bottles from his bosom and threw them to the well-performing Protectors and cult members.

Inside were Medicinal Pills to elevate cultivation and consolidate the Foundation.

Those Protectors trembled all over with excitement, kowtowing and thanking him repeatedly.

What surprised them even more was—

"In addition," the Yinsha Sect Leader said, "this seat is in a good mood today, so I will bestow upon you another Cultivation Technique—the first three levels of the 《Yinsha Demonic Technique.

Cultivating this technique allows one to absorb Yinsha Qi to elevate cultivation, yielding twice the result with half the effort!"

He raised his hand and waved, and several streaks of black light flew into the glabella of those well-performing Protectors.

Those people froze for a moment, then went wild with joy: "Thank you, Sect Leader! Thank you, Sect Leader!"

Xiao Yuan saw it clearly—that Cultivation Technique was indeed a Demonic Technique, and its grade was not low.

If these Protectors really cultivated it, their strength would definitely rise to another level.

Xiao Yuan lowered his eyelids, concealing the killing intent in his eyes.

The gathering ended, and the black-robed people dispersed one after another.

Xiao Yuan mixed in the crowd, preparing to slip away.

There were too many people now, making it inconvenient for him to make a move.

His perception had been locked onto the Yinsha Sect Leader; as long as the other party left, it would not be too late for him to follow up and strike.

"Protector Zhou, stay your steps."

The Yinsha Sect Leader's hoarse voice came from behind.

Xiao Yuan's footsteps paused.

His heart skipped a beat.

He turned around, his face piling up with Zhou Yuansheng's iconic flattering smile: "Does the Sect Leader have any other instructions?"

The Yinsha Sect Leader stood at the entrance of the Stone Hall, his crimson eyes staring at him, the corners of his mouth curling into an ambiguous arc.

That look...

Xiao Yuan's heart grew slightly cold.

Something was wrong.

"Come in."

The Yinsha Sect Leader turned around and walked back into the hall.

Xiao Yuan hesitated for a split second, but still followed him in.

Inside the Stone Hall, eerie green ghost fires flickered, casting reflections on the surrounding runes as if they were living things.

The Yinsha Sect Leader stood with his hands behind his back, with his back facing him.

Xiao Yuan stood at the entrance, his hands already slightly forming hand seals.

"Brat," the Yinsha Sect Leader suddenly spoke, his voice carrying playfulness, "you certainly have some nerve."

Xiao Yuan's pupils constricted.

"A mere Qi Realm Cultivator actually dared to barge into the Yinsha Cult alone."

The Yinsha Sect Leader turned around, his crimson eyes full of banter, "And this disguise technique of yours... tsk tsk, being able to even change your appearance is truly marvelous."

He took a step forward, staring into Xiao Yuan's eyes: "What a pity, what a pity—"

"On your body, there is no aura of a Demonic Technique."

Xiao Yuan's heart sank.

Damn it, I've been exposed!

"Zhou Yuansheng has cultivated the 《Yinsha Demonic Technique bestowed by this seat for three years, and the Devilish Qi in his body has long penetrated his bone marrow.

Even if he usually conceals his Cultivation Technique, in front of this seat, the aura of his Demonic Technique can never be concealed."

The Yinsha Sect Leader sneered, "And you, no matter how well you disguise yourself, this aura cannot be faked."

He tilted his head, a cruel light flashing in his eyes: "Come to think of it, Zhou Yuansheng is already dead, right?"

Xiao Yuan was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled.

"The Sect Leader truly possesses a Wisdom Eye."

He simply stopped pretending, straightened his back, and the flattering smile on his face vanished, replaced by calmness and sharpness.

Since he had already been exposed, there was no need for him to pretend anymore.

He just hadn't expected that, despite all his calculations, he had missed the fact that Zhou Yuansheng actually cultivated a Demonic Technique.

Moreover, that Demonic Technique actually had a bizarre connection with the Yinsha Sect Leader.

If he had known Soul Search, such an oversight wouldn't have happened!

However, he was not worried; exposed was exposed, and wanting to fight his way out was not difficult for him!

Hearing this, the Yinsha Sect Leader was slightly stunned.

He hadn't expected Xiao Yuan to have such nerve.

Facing him, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, he could still remain so calm.

But cruelty soon appeared on his face, and he smiled coldly.

"You sure are confident.

However, since you're here, you... you can stay!

This seat wants to see what kind of person you really are!"

With that said, he waved his hand and said coldly: "Take him down... keep him alive!"

As his voice fell, dozens of black-robed figures suddenly poured out from the shadows around the Stone Hall!

They were precisely those Yinsha Cult members who had just left!

They hadn't gone far at all, but were instead lying in ambush around!

It seemed that as soon as the Yinsha Sect Leader saw him, the other party probably already knew he was fake and had made arrangements.

Inside the Stone Hall of the Black Wind Stronghold, the atmosphere instantly tightened.

More than thirty Yinsha Cult members surrounded Xiao Yuan tightly, with five Half-step Foundation Establishment Protectors standing at the very front, eyeing him covetously.

The Yinsha Sect Leader stood with his hands behind his back, his crimson eyes full of the playfulness of a cat playing with a mouse.

"Charge!"

He waved a hand.

More than thirty figures lunged forward at the same time!

The flashing of blades and swords, along with the lights of Spells, instantly engulfed Xiao Yuan!