210: Inner door

When the morning light pierced the last trace of haze over Devil City, Chen Linsheng had already retrieved a palm-sized black leather pouch from the charred remains of the Deacon. The pouch was sewn from the tough hide of some exotic beast and lined with talisman paper to isolate its aura. Inside were several items: three black jade plaques carved with twisted lotus patterns that exuded a cold aura; a small porcelain bottle filled with a thick, dark red liquid that gave off a nauseating bloody stench; and a thin piece of paper carefully folded and written in cipher.

Chen Linsheng temporarily put away the jade plaques and porcelain bottle, then unfolded the thin paper. There were burn marks on the edges of the paper, clearly indicating an attempt to destroy it, but most of the writing was still legible. The cipher was not a common script but rather a set of symbols used within a certain sect. However, in an inconspicuous corner on the back of the paper, a simple map was sketched with extremely fine ink lines—centered on Jiuqu Prefecture City, it marked three locations. One of them, "Black Wind Mountain," located about two hundred miles northwest of the city, was heavily circled, with a small lotus mark beside it.

"Black Wind Mountain..." Chen Linsheng's gaze narrowed slightly. He had heard a bit about this place; rumors said there were abandoned mine shafts in the mountains, the terrain was complex, fierce beasts often appeared, and it was rarely visited by people. It was reasonable for the White Lotus Sect to set up a point here. Below the map, there was also a line of blurry small characters: "...In case of emergency, one can go to Outpost A-3 for temporary refuge; inside is a 'Saint Pool' for healing and detoxification..."

Saint Pool? Healing and detoxification?

Chen Linsheng's heart leaped. His gaze fell back onto the unconscious Li Qinger. The Heart-Corroding Bone-Eroding Powder was a violent poison that was difficult to cure with ordinary medicine. The journey back to Jiuqu Prefecture to seek help was long, and Li Qinger might not last until then. This "Saint Pool"... perhaps it was some special place used by the White Lotus Sect for healing or cultivation; it might have a miraculous effect on detoxification, or at least temporarily suppress the poison.

The risk was enormous. It was very likely a formal outpost of the White Lotus Sect, and its defensive strength was unknown. The squad was now entirely wounded, their combat power depleted, and Li Qinger was in critical condition.

But... this was currently the closest and most likely effective path.

"Senior Brother Chen..." Zhou Tong approached, supporting his injured arm. He glanced at the map and then at the weakly breathing Li Qinger, gritting his teeth as he said, "Miss Qinger saved my life... my life isn't worth much, but I know we can't abandon a companion. Wherever you say to go, I'll follow!"

Zhao Tiezhu also said in a muffled voice, "Senior Brother Chen, you're the leader, you decide! We trust you!"

A Ying nodded silently, her grayish eyes fixed on Chen Linsheng's face, waiting for a decision.

Chen Linsheng took a deep breath, the cool air carrying the scent of dust as it rushed into his lungs. He looked around at the blood-stained but determined faces and then looked down at Li Qinger's ashen profile.

"To Black Wind Mountain," he said, his voice low but resolute. "Find the 'Saint Pool' and save Qinger's life. Then, we go home."

The next two days were among the longest and most difficult treks in Chen Linsheng's memory.

Li Qinger's condition fluctuated. Although the poison was barely delayed by the turtle breath pellet and silver needles sealing her acupoints, it remained like a maggot on a bone, eroding her vitality. Every two hours, Chen Linsheng had to use his Hunyuan Qi and Blood supplemented by a trace of the "Great Sun True Flame" power to clear her Meridians and disperse part of the cold poison, but this process was extremely draining for both of them. Eventually, Chen Linsheng's face became as pale as paper, and his aura was visibly withered.

Zhao Tiezhu and Zhou Tong were seriously injured, yet they forced themselves to take turns carrying Li Qinger as they moved through the rugged desert and mountainous terrain. A Ying was like the most alert ghost, always drifting around the team, discovering and avoiding potential dangers in advance, occasionally killing fierce beasts that tried to approach with her precise archery.

Along the way, they carefully concealed their tracks, avoiding known oases and water sources, relying on the Water Purification Powder Li Qinger had previously prepared and their limited water supply. Their dry rations had long since run out, so they could only stave off hunger with the occasional wild game A Ying hunted and some Sea Buckthorn Fruits.

On the evening of the third day, the grayish-black silhouette of Black Wind Mountain finally appeared on the horizon.

It was a series of continuous, bare ridges with sparse vegetation and jagged rocks, looking like a crouching giant beast in the twilight. According to the map markings, "Outpost A-3" should be located deep within a rocky canyon known as "Ghost's Sorrow" on the eastern side of the main peak.

The squad did not rush in but rested in a hidden rock crevice several miles from the canyon entrance. Chen Linsheng had everyone take the last of the healing Medicinal Pills while he once again used his power to expel the poison from Li Qinger. This time, he clearly felt that Li Qinger's heartbeat was becoming increasingly weak, and the effectiveness of the turtle breath pellet protecting her heart was being eroded bit by bit by the poison.

"At midnight tonight, A Ying and I will infiltrate to investigate." Chen Linsheng withdrew his palm, his voice carrying exhaustion. "Tiezhu, Zhou Tong, you two stay here to guard Qinger and set up early warnings. If we haven't returned by dawn tomorrow, or if you hear three consecutive sharp whistles from the direction of the canyon, take Qinger immediately and return to Jiuqu Prefecture by the original route to find Xiao Zhan or Elder Lei at Army Breaker Manor."

"Senior Brother Chen!" Zhou Tong said urgently.

"This is an order." Chen Linsheng interrupted him, his gaze sweeping over the two. "Remember, protecting Qinger and bringing back everything that happened here is more important than anything else."

The night was as dark as ink, with no light from the stars or moon.

Chen Linsheng and A Ying were like two shadows blending into the darkness, silently approaching the "Ghost's Sorrow" canyon. The mouth of the valley was narrow, with steep cliffs on both sides, only wide enough for three or four people to walk abreast. Inside the valley, jagged rocks stood tall, and the wind whistling through the crevices made a wailing sound, indeed giving it a bit of a "Ghost's Sorrow" feel.

The two did not take the obvious path at the bottom of the valley but chose to climb up from the shadows of one cliff to observe from a height. A Ying's vision seemed unaffected by the darkness; she soon discovered something unusual—behind what looked like a natural stone screen in the middle of the canyon, a very faint firelight was flickering, and there was a faint, deliberately concealed smell of smoke and medicinal herbs in the air.

There must be an entrance there.

The two approached carefully and indeed found a narrow door at the base of the stone screen, carved by hand and camouflaged with a movable stone slab. There were no guards in front of the door, but on an inconspicuous protruding rock above the lintel, a very shallow lotus pattern was carved, with faint energy fluctuations around it—it was a warning Restriction.

Chen Linsheng made a gesture to A Ying. A Ying understood, took down her longbow, and notched a specially made, hollow-shafted "Restriction-Breaking Arrow." The arrow flew out silently, accurately hitting the edge of that protruding rock. The "Spirit-Disturbing Powder" pre-hidden inside the shaft, which could interfere with low-level energy operations, burst open, and the fluctuations of the warning Restriction immediately became turbulent and dissipated.

Chen Linsheng quickly stepped forward, pressed his palm against the stone slab, released a bit of Hunyuan Qi, jarred open the internal door bolt, and pushed the stone slab open just a crack. A warm breeze mixed with the scent of sandalwood, medicine, and a faint bloody smell blew against his face.

Behind the door was a passage extending downwards, with Fluorite Lamps emitting a faint green light embedded in the stone walls every few dozen feet, making the light dim. The passage was silent, but Chen Linsheng's extraordinary perception could capture faint human voices and rustling movements from deep within.

The two slipped inside and pulled the stone door nearly shut behind them. A Ying stayed near the entrance to keep watch, while Chen Linsheng used the Crane Ape Illusory Wind Steps to restrain his aura to the extreme, sneaking toward the depths like a specter.

The passage wound downwards with few branches. Chen Linsheng relied on his perception to avoid two side paths where there were faint breathing sounds (likely rest areas or sentry posts), heading straight toward the direction where the Qi and blood fluctuations were most concentrated and where the sound of flowing water could be faintly heard.

After descending about dozens of feet, the path ahead suddenly opened up into a naturally formed underground cavern about half the size of a Drill Ground! In the center of the cavern was a circular pool about thirty feet in diameter. The pool water was dark red, with a faint blood mist lingering on the surface, giving off a thick medicinal smell and an unsettling, sickly sweet scent. Beside the pool stood several simple stone platforms with some bottles, jars, and knives placed on them.

This was the "Saint Pool"? Chen Linsheng's brow furrowed. The aura of this pool water was eerie; rather than a holy healing pool, it seemed more like some kind of sinister blood-refining pool.

At this moment, there were no White Lotus Sect Disciples by the pool, only two people dressed in gray robes who seemed to be servants, with their backs to the entrance, squatting by the pool and cleaning something. There was a passage on each side of the cavern, leading who knows where.

Chen Linsheng pondered for a moment, then his figure darted out like lightning, instantly closing in behind the two gray-robed men. His hand-knives fell accurately, and the two let out a muffled groan before slumping to the ground. He quickly dragged the two into the shadows, changed into one of their gray robes, put on the hood, lowered his posture, and quickly explored along the left passage.

This passage was short, ending in a stone room with the door slightly ajar. From inside came the sound of pages being turned and low-voiced conversation.

"...The stock of 'sacred blood' is running low. The quality of that batch of 'Blood Food' collected from the Northern Desert last month was too poor; not much essence could be refined. The Sect Leader is pressing us, and the Black Wind Emissary's side is also in urgent need of supplies. If this continues, I'm afraid our outpost will be held accountable," said a raspy male voice.

"What's the rush?" another slightly feminine male voice replied. "Haven't we just received news that Mr. 'New Moon' has already reached an agreement with Prosperous Fortune? The next batch of 'Special Supply Materials' and 'Test Subjects' will be delivered before the tenth of July. It's said that this time the 'Medicine Primer' is a rare 'Pure Yin Body.' If it can really be delivered, the quality of the 'sacred blood' refined will surely increase by a large margin."

"The Pure Yin Body?" The male voice carried surprise and greed. "That is a top-grade material for refining 'Blood Lotus Pills'! If we succeed... hehe, maybe we can even get a pill or two for ourselves. There's hope of breaking through our Bottlenecks!"

"Silence!" The female voice hissed in a low rebuke. "This matter is a secret; do not speak of it openly. Mister 'New Moon' has a special status and deep connections with the sect's high-level leadership. He always handles things reliably. We only need to guard this place, receive the goods on time, and refine the 'sacred blood.' Don't ask about anything else."

Chen Linsheng felt a chill in his heart. Pure Yin Body... experimental subjects... sacred blood... these terms linked together to sketch a hair-raising picture. The White Lotus Sect's so-called stronghold here was fundamentally a demon's den that used living people to refine medicine and extract some sort of heterodox 'sacred blood'! The water in that 'Saint Pool' was likely based on this 'sacred blood' mixed with medicinal Materials. The so-called healing and detoxification were mostly likely a wicked method to forcibly stimulate life force—drinking poison to quench thirst—and might even be used for secret control.

This place was not suitable for a long stay, and it was even more impossible to let Li Qinger touch that bizarre pool water.

Just as he was about to retreat quietly, he heard the female voice speak again: "By the way, the 'Black Wind Emissary' sent word the day before yesterday. The Black and White Deacons sent to the Sea of Death Desert to rendezvous with Ghost Sand and seize the 'Great Sun True Flame' seed have had their Soul Lamps extinguished. It's suspected the mission failed; the target may have escaped or even counter-killed them. We are to increase our vigilance. If any suspicious characters approach Black Wind Mountain, kill them without exception—especially young Martial Artists possessing an extreme Yang aura."

Chen Linsheng's heart tightened. No longer hesitating, his body drifted backward, quickly returning the way he came.

Returning to the 'Saint Pool' cavern, A Ying was still on guard in the shadows of the entrance. Seeing him return, she nodded slightly.

Chen Linsheng whispered a few quick sentences. A cold light flashed in A Ying's greyish-white eyes, and she nodded.

The two no longer hid. Chen Linsheng shed his grey robe, and his aura suddenly erupted as a red-gold light lit up the dim cavern! He took a few strides to the edge of the 'Saint Pool,' took a deep breath, and condensed the power of the True Flame in his right palm, slamming it ruthlessly into a stone lampstand covered in runes—that was one of the core nodes he had sensed earlier that maintained the cycle of the pool's heterodox energy!

"Boom!"

The lampstand exploded, the pool water churned violently, and the blood mist became chaotic! Piercing alarms instantly rang out from the depths of the cavern!

"Enemy attack—!"

Disordered footsteps and shouts came from the tunnels on both sides.

Chen Linsheng and A Ying did not linger for a fight. Their bodies were like bolts of lightning as they retreated rapidly toward the passage they had come from! While retreating, A Ying turned back to fire arrows with pinpoint precision, either piercing the ground in front of the pursuers to hinder their steps or shooting out the Fluorite Lamps along the way to create darkness. Chen Linsheng continuously struck the tunnel walls with palm winds, creating collapses and falling rocks to further obstruct the pursuers.

The two cooperated with tacit understanding, pushing their speed to the limit in the narrow passage, and soon burst back through the narrow door at the entrance. Chen Linsheng shattered the door hinges with a backhand palm strike, completely destroying the stone door and blocking the passage before he and A Ying quickly vanished into the darkness outside the canyon.

Behind them, faint, exasperated roars and the rumbling of collapses could be heard, but the pursuers had been completely cut off.

During the darkest moment before dawn, Chen Linsheng and A Ying safely returned to the rocky crevice where they were hiding.

"It's a demon's den inside; the pool water cannot be touched." Chen Linsheng spoke concisely, his expression grave. "We must leave immediately and return to Jiuqu Prefecture at full speed. Qinger... hang in there, we will definitely find a way."

There was no time for hesitation and no better choice. The team set off once again, carrying hope and heavy injuries toward Jiuqu Prefecture, beginning the final and most desperate stretch of their flight and return journey.

Five days later, in the afternoon.

Jiuqu Prefecture City, Army Breaker Manor Branch, Thunder Hall.

Chen Linsheng stood alone in the hall, his clothes tattered and covered in dust. His face was pale and his eyes were bloodshot, but his back was ramrod straight. Not far behind him, Li Qinger lay on a temporary stretcher guarded by Zhou Tong and Zhao Tiezhu. She was still unconscious, but the greyish-green hue on her face had faded slightly, and her breathing, though weak, was steady—this was the result of Chen Linsheng's continuous use of the 'Great Sun True Flame' power over several days to forcibly suppress the poison, even at the cost of consuming his own Origin. A Ying stood like a statue in the shadow of a hall pillar, holding her longbow in silence.

At the head of the hall, Thunder Shakes the Mountain sat upon a large black iron chair, his expression solemn. Xiao Zhan stood strictly to one side. The heroic-looking woman (whom Chen Linsheng later learned was named Qin Ying, an elite Inner Sect Disciple of Army Breaker Manor) and several Inner Sect Deacons with deep auras were lined up on both sides. Everyone's gaze was focused on Chen Linsheng and the hideous, terrifying head treated with lime at his feet—the head of Ghost Sand—as well as several items he held in both hands: ledger fragments recording Prosperous Fortune's transactions, Ghost Sand's sand-patterned medallion, the Black Lotus Sect Deacon's black lotus-patterned jade token, and a secret letter map.

Thunder Shakes the Mountain carefully flipped through the ledger fragments, his gaze lingering for a long time on a tripod-shaped cloud-patterned private seal. He then inspected the medallion and jade token before finally unfolding the map, looking at the circled 'Black Wind Mountain' and the lotus mark beside it.

The hall was silent, save for the 'thump-thump' of Thunder Shakes the Mountain's fingers tapping the armrest, each beat seemingly striking against the hearts of those present.

After a long while, Thunder Shakes the Mountain slowly raised his head, his sharp gaze falling on Chen Linsheng's face like something physical.

"Eliminating bandits in the Sea of Death Desert, identifying the 'Sand Shadow Bandits' nest, and beheading the evil leader 'Ghost Sand'—this is the first merit."

"Exposing the collusion between the 'Sand Shadow Bandits,' Northern Desert tribes, and a Jiuqu Prefecture merchant firm, obtaining key physical evidence, and uncovering clues of 'Prosperous Fortune's' suspected bandit ties—this is the second merit."

"Encountering and defeating an ambush led by official White Lotus Sect Deacons, slaying one Deacon, repelling the remaining enemies, and obtaining clues to their stronghold, confirming that White Lotus Sect activities in the Northern Frontier are intensifying and their plots are significant—this is the third merit."

"Remaining calm in the face of danger, successfully leading the team's withdrawal, preserving the team members, and especially providing timely treatment to a heavily injured companion—this is the fourth merit."

With every merit he stated, the expressions of everyone in the hall grew more solemn. By the time the fourth merit was finished, even those Inner Sect Deacons who had originally harbored doubts about this 'outsider' Chen Linsheng receiving an assessment mission showed surprise and scrutiny in their eyes.

Thunder Shakes the Mountain stood up, his tall frame bringing a powerful sense of pressure. He walked down the steps to stand before Chen Linsheng and said in a deep voice, "Chen Linsheng, the assessment mission you accepted was originally to wipe out the Sand Shadow Bandits and identify their nest and leader. But what you have achieved far exceeds that. You not only completed the mission but also dug out the trading network behind the Sand Shadow Bandits and the White Lotus Sect's new movements in the Northern Frontier. Such results can no longer be evaluated by the word 'passing.'"

He paused, his voice suddenly rising: "By my verification and upon reporting to the Northern Frontier Garrison Office for approval, I now officially announce: Chen Linsheng, your assessment is completed beyond expectations with outstanding achievements. You are hereby granted exceptional early entry into our Army Breaker Manor Inner Sect!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a clerk stepped forward holding a tray. On the tray was a neatly folded set of profound-black martial robes with silver sword patterns and the Army Breaker emblem embroidered on the cuffs and lapels. There was also a palm-sized, heavy black iron identity token with an embossed cross-blade-and-arrow Army Breaker pattern on the front and 'Inner Sect · Chen Linsheng' along with a unique serial number on the back, as well as a resource quota document stamped with the Garrison Office's seal.

"These are the Inner Sect Disciple robes, the identity token, and your resource quota for the first quarter—including three hundred contribution points, fifty Low Grade Origin Qi Stones, one opportunity to choose a Profound Rank Low Grade Cultivation Technique or Martial Skill, and the right to periodically receive basic Cultivate Materials such as 'Body Tempering Soup' and 'Qi Nourishing Pills.' A Deacon will explain the specific details to you later." Thunder Shakes the Mountain looked at Chen Linsheng, a rare hint of approval showing in his eyes. "From this day forth, you are an official Inner Sect Disciple of my Army Breaker Manor, enjoying all the rights of the Inner Sect while also needing to shoulder the corresponding responsibilities."

Chen Linsheng took a deep breath, suppressing the churning emotions in his heart. He received the tray with both hands and bowed solemnly: "Disciple Chen Linsheng thanks the Elder for his cultivation! I will surely fulfill my duties and live up to the name of Army Breaker Manor!"

"Mhm." Thunder Shakes the Mountain nodded, his gaze sweeping over the unconscious Li Qinger and the scarred Zhou Tong and Zhao Tiezhu. "The Manor will naturally arrange for the best physicians to treat your team members' injuries, and all necessary medicines will be drawn from the public funds. Especially for that poisoned girl, Old Sun from the Manor's 'Huichun Hall' might have a way to neutralize the poison of that 'Heart-Corroding Bone-Eroding Powder.'"

A great weight lifted from Chen Linsheng's heart, and he thanked him once more.

Thunder Shakes the Mountain turned back to his seat, his expression returning to cold solemnity. He spoke to Xiao Zhan and several Deacons: "Hang Ghost Sand's head at the gate as a warning to others. Properly seal the ledgers, medallions, and other physical evidence. As for Prosperous Fortune..."

A cold light flashed in his eyes: "Starting immediately, secretly monitor all personnel, goods, and capital flows of Prosperous Fortune's branches in Jiuqu Prefecture and throughout the Northern Frontier. Review copies of all their accounts from the past three years. Coordinate with the Prefectural Governors Mansion, but do not alert the enemy for now. I want to see just how bold this venomous snake hiding under the skin of a merchant firm has become, and what kind of unspeakable things it is connected to!"

"Yes!" Xiao Zhan and the others received the order in unison.

Thunder Shakes the Mountain finally looked at Chen Linsheng: "You have just entered the Inner Sect, have gone through a fierce battle, and your teammates need care for their heavy injuries. I grant you a half-month leave to handle your private affairs, settle your companions, and stabilize your cultivation. Report back here in half a month for further arrangements."

"This Disciple obeys."