265: Chapter 265 Blood River!

"Boom!"

With a muffled sound, a 'tiger-shaped Evil Spirit' condensed from dark red evil energy was precisely stabbed in its core by the long spear in Qin Yan's hand!

The sharp Spear Aura and Blood Gang contained in the spear tip instantly erupted.

It tore and shredded the spirit's ferocious body, dispersing it into wisps of faint gray smoke.

A barely perceptible warmth emanated from the purification ring on his wrist.

"Points +3."

Qin Yan retracted his spear and stood, his movements crisp.

He raised his left hand and called up the points information recorded within the purification ring.

[Current Points: 541]

Looking at this number, Qin Yan's brow raised slightly.

Since leaving that strange Vine Forest, he had traveled onward, encountering and killing a large number of wandering Evil Spirits, among them individuals whose strength had reached the Third-Rank Peak.

"Over five thousand four hundred points... I wonder what level the other prodigies are at now."

Qin Yan mentally estimated.

The points themselves could not directly enhance his immediate combat power, but in the Hidden Dragon Assembly, this grand event sweeping across the star realm, they represented battle achievements and contributions.

After the assembly concluded, the points would directly relate to rewards in two aspects:

First, the internal rewards from his affiliated faction.

The higher the points, the more abundant the resources he could obtain from Her Highness Anya and even the Elf Clan.

For Qin Yan, who came from a relatively 'impoverished' background, this was crucial.

Second, were the official overall ranking rewards of the Hidden Dragon Assembly!

If he could rely on his personal points to charge into the forefront among all the participating races, or even secure a place in the upper ranks of the prestigious 'Hidden Dragon Ranking,' the rewards he could obtain would be unimaginable!

These might include legendary top-tier cultivation techniques, rare and precious spiritual medicines, or even opportunities to receive guidance from great masters of other races!

"The overall rewards..."

He was by no means someone content with mediocrity. Since he had stepped onto this star realm stage, he naturally had to strive for the highest glory and resources!

Putting away his thoughts, Qin Yan ascertained his direction and continued forward.

"Judging by the map and the landmarks over the past few days, I should be nearing the Blood River soon," he estimated in his heart.

Today was the third day since he had left the Vine Forest.

Back then, after leaving that patch of black and gray open ground, he cautiously explored and finally discovered a clearly marked location on the map the next day—the 'One-Line Sky' canyon.

Using this landmark, he successfully connected the *Canglin Ancient Peak Map* stored in his memory with the actual terrain, finally clarifying his position:

He was at the extreme northwestern border of the Eastern World, one of the four great worlds of Canglin Ancient Peak. Not far to the northwest was the border region with the Northern World!

And what separated the Eastern World from the Northern World was not an ordinary mountain range or canyon.

But a terrifying existence renowned even in Canglin Ancient Peak, one that could be called a 'natural chasm'—the Blood River!

This Blood River did not merely separate the eastern and western worlds; like a ceaselessly surging crimson python, it traversed the Eastern, Western, Southern, and Northern Worlds of Canglin Ancient Peak.

Dividing the entire Ancient Peak.

Its source and end were unknown, mysterious and dangerous.

"I hope this Blood River does not disappoint me."

A light of anticipation flickered in Qin Yan's eyes.

The reasons he urgently wanted to reach the Blood River were twofold: first, to head to the Northern World and contend for the holy grail of life.

Second, because the Blood River itself was a sacred land for enlightenment and a treasure trove of resources that all Third Grade Blood Refining Realm prodigies yearned for!

Within the waters of the Blood River, a special type of energy life form would naturally be nurtured—Blood Spirits!

Killing these Blood Spirits would yield a type of pure blood essence energy.

The collected blood essence energy would automatically condense and purify.

Ultimately, it would be refined into a wondrous object of unparalleled efficacy for Blood Refining Realm martial artists—the Blood Pill!

Based on the amount of blood essence energy condensed, Blood Pills were divided into four tiers: Low Grade, mid-grade, High Grade, and supreme grade.

Even the lowest Low Grade Blood Pill, with its pure blood and qi energy nourishing the blood, far surpassed the effect of a single drop of grandmaster true blood!

It was a supreme-grade resource for tempering blood.

As for mid-grade and High Grade Blood Pills, their effects increased exponentially. It was even said they possessed the heaven-defying effect of slightly enhancing one's innate talent.

What was most captivating, however, was none other than the legendary supreme grade blood pill!

Not only did it possess all the aforementioned effects, but it also contained a miraculous power that could stimulate a martial artist's life potential and excavate the treasures of their physical body!

For Third-Rank Peak martial artists, especially those who had already touched the threshold of the 'Third Grade Limit,' the supreme grade blood pill held extraordinary significance.

After a martial artist reached the Third Grade Limit, their physical body and blood qi would arrive at a perfect critical point. At that time, they would unlock the hidden treasures of the human body and comprehend a Body Forging Art unique to themselves!

And the supreme grade blood pill could greatly assist, even enhance, the quality and power of the Body Forging Art they comprehended!

This was equivalent to laying a more solid foundation for their future martial path!

Therefore, the Blood River region was a 'strategic location' fiercely contested by top-tier Third Grade prodigies!

Countless prodigies hunted Blood Spirits here, collected blood essence, condensed Blood Pills, and sought breakthroughs.

During every assembly, many top prodigies, aided by the power of Blood Pills, would make a fierce breakthrough to the Third Grade Limit right on the banks of the Blood River.

Some even comprehended powerful Body Forging Arts, soaring to new heights in a single bound!

Qin Yan naturally had no intention of missing such an opportunity.

Once again, he compared the map in his mind with the mountain contours in the distance, confirmed the general direction of the Blood River, and his steps became even more resolute and powerful.

Three days later, the date was May 14th.

As Qin Yan crested the final ridge covered in jagged, strange rocks, the suddenly expansive scene before him made him involuntarily halt his steps.

An incredibly magnificent, bizarre, yet vibrant scene, like a crimson scroll unfurled across heaven and earth, violently crashed into his vision!

Ahead, the earth seemed to have been split by an invisible, immense force. A scarlet 'chasm,' hundreds of zhang wide and endless to the eye, spanned the heavens and the earth!

The Blood River did not merely flow upon the ground; it also floated suspended in mid-air, about a hundred zhang above the earth!

The river water was thick as plasma, flowing slowly, unfathomably deep, as if connected to the bloody seas of the netherworld.

A faint crimson mist drifted over the dark red river surface. The air was saturated with a mingled scent of blood-sweetness and energy, at least ten times more concentrated than before.

Taking a breath, one could even feel their blood and qi faintly stirring in response.

This was the wonder and peril of Canglin Ancient Peak—the Blood River!

The Blood River was not empty.

Countless 'flowers,' large and small, with eerie forms seemingly condensed from the purest blood and energy, floated and sank with the river's undulations.

These crimson flowers came in various shapes.

Some resembled blooming spider lilies, others like budding blood lotuses, and some twisted into indescribably bizarre forms.

Their common trait was emitting an intense, extreme aura of blood qi fluctuations, like lighthouses in the night, attracting the 'residents' of the river.

Just as Qin Yan watched, the river surface not far away churned.

Splash!