82: Blood Sacrifice Mystery and the "Keyboard Warriors" on the Front Lines

News of the Black Wind Mountain Blood Fiend Cult conducting a large-scale blood sacrifice was like a stone thrown into a pond, causing a ripple in the Qingxuan Sect Outer Sect.

Most Disciples just treated it as gossip; after all, it was normal for evil cultivators to do evil things. But this news reached Wen Youyi's ears, and he smelled an unusual scent of danger.

"Large-scale blood sacrifice? Soaring resentment?" Wen Youyi paced in the newly cleared open space of Lijian Valley, his brow slightly furrowed. "Logically, they just lost a mine, lost manpower, and had their Mortals rescued. They should be keeping a low profile. Making such a big move now doesn't make sense."

Zhao Iron Pillar waved his fist as big as a clay pot: "Who cares if it's logical! They're definitely up to no good! Maybe they're harming commoners again! Let's go hit them again!"

Wang Wu was calmer: "We shouldn't act rashly. The Blood Fiend Cult has operated for years; their lair must be heavily defended. Last time we benefited from a surprise attack. Now they're prepared, and with the half-step Foundation Establishment Bloody Fierce presiding, a frontal assault is not the best strategy."

Senior Brother Zhang analyzed from a technical perspective: "Blood sacrifices usually require specific Formations, sacrifices, and rituals. The energy fluctuations produced are unique. If we can figure out what they are sacrificing for, we might find a weakness."

Senior Brother Li added: "The news from Senior Sister Mu was vague, only saying the resentment is heavy. Specific details are unclear."

Wen Youyi stopped, scanning everyone: "So, the situation we face is: at home in Lijian Valley, the 'spirit stone wifi' just found a signal but hasn't connected to the net; outside at Black Wind Mountain, the enemy might be charging a big move, but we lack intelligence."

He rubbed his chin, a "I'm about to do something devious" expression appearing on his face.

"Since we can't attack head-on, then we... harass from a distance, steal intelligence, and cause them some trouble along the way!"

"Boss, what crazy idea do you have now?" Zhao Iron Pillar's eyes lit up.

"Remember our 'BUG' plan?" Wen Youyi chuckled. "This time, we won't be warriors fighting head-on. We'll be... uh, 'Keyboard Warriors' casting spells from the shadows!"

"Keyboard Warrior?" Everyone was confused by this new term.

"It's the kind of existence that doesn't show its face but can make the opponent jump in anger while secretly obtaining information." Wen Youyi explained briefly and began assigning tasks.

"Senior Brother Zhang, the Research Hall must urgently develop a batch of 'miniature reconnaissance Magical Artifacts.' They need to be small, fly smoothly, be highly stealthy, and ideally resist some evil Qi corrosion. The core function is to record images and energy fluctuations. As for the appearance... make them look like the 'rotten crows' common in Black Wind Mountain!"

Senior Brother Zhang immediately understood: "No problem! Use light wood and levitation runes for the frame, cover with camouflaged feathers, use a recording stone and a miniature sensing Formation for the core, and drive it with the lowest-grade wind-walking talisman. The energy fluctuation will be extremely weak. Mixed with real rotten crows, it'll be hard to detect!"

"Good!" Wen Youyi nodded. "Senior Brother Wang, Senior Brother Li, your Agricultural and Labor Hall should prepare a batch of 'special gifts.' Not croton powder this time, let's play with something Advanced—research if there's anything that can interfere with the stability of the blood sacrifice Formation? Like 'Filth Qi Pills' that can pollute Spiritual Qi, or 'Soul-Shaking Powder' that can create chaotic mental fluctuations? It doesn't need to be powerful, just enough to make them flustered."

Wang Wu and Senior Brother Li took the order, feeling this task was more challenging than dealing with Steel-toothed Rats, but also more interesting.

"Iron Pillar, the War Hall should pick a few clever brothers with good skills who are good at hiding. They'll be responsible for remotely delivering the 'gifts' and receiving the 'rotten crow' reconnaissance drones."

"What about me?" Zhao Iron Pillar pointed to himself.

"You're responsible for holding down the fort at the base, leading the brothers to continue construction, and protecting our 'spirit stone wifi' nodes. This is our future!" Wen Youyi patted his shoulder.

Although Zhao Iron Pillar wanted to go to the front lines, he knew the home base couldn't be left empty and agreed with a muffled voice.

"And me?" Wen Youyi pointed to himself and said as if it were natural, "I am, of course, the commander-in-chief, responsible for receiving and analyzing intelligence and providing remote technical support! This is called strategizing in a tent to win a battle a thousand miles away!"

Everyone: "..." Boss, you're the only one who can make "fear of death" sound so refined and unconventional.

The plan was set, and the Mutual Aid Society operated efficiently again. In just two days, over a dozen lifelike wooden "rotten crows" were made. Their eyes were miniature recording stones, and miniature sensing Formations were hidden under their wings. They flew silently and could almost pass for real in the night. Meanwhile, a batch of pungent "Filth Qi Pills" and "Soul-Shaking Powder" with unknown effects were also ready.

That night, the moon was dark and the wind was high.

Several War Hall experts carrying "rotten crows" and "special gifts" silently slipped into the outskirts of Black Wind Mountain.

Through the blurred images and energy fluctuations sent back by the "rotten crows," Wen Youyi and Senior Brother Zhang, in the temporary "command center" set up in Lijian Valley, clearly "saw" the scene at Black Wind Mountain.

On a flat altar at the mountain peak, a giant, blood-filled, eerie pattern was drawn, emitting thick blood-light and nauseating resentment. Dozens of evil cultivators sat around the altar, chanting and injecting their blood-fiend Qi into the Formation. In the center of the altar, several dying Mortals were tied up, looking like escapees who had been recaptured or new sacrifices. The Blood Fiend Cult Leader, Bloody Fierce, stood at the Formation's eye, hands raised high, guiding the massive blood-fiend and resentment, seemingly sacrificing to some mysterious existence.

"The energy fluctuations are intense and full of negative emotions. This is definitely some kind of communication or summoning ritual." Senior Brother Zhang analyzed the data from the sensing Formation, his expression grave.

"We can't let them complete it smoothly!" Wen Youyi made a prompt decision and issued commands to the frontline team through the "Mind Net." "Action! Target the outer area of the altar, deliver the 'gifts,' and create chaos!"

The frontline team received the command and immediately used the terrain for cover, approaching like ghosts. They didn't attack the altar directly but used specially made small slings to accurately throw the "Filth Qi Pills" and "Soul-Shaking Powder" into the area where the evil cultivators gathered outside the altar.

*Puff, puff, puff...*

The pills shattered, releasing colorless and odorless filth Qi that interfered with the stability of Spiritual Qi, as well as bursts of subtle but sharp mental fluctuations targeting the Divine Soul!

The evil cultivators focusing on maintaining the Formation were caught off guard. They felt the Spiritual Qi around them stagnate slightly, and their minds felt like they were being pricked by needles. Although not fatal, it instantly interrupted their chanting and energy output!

"What's going on?"

"My spiritual power..."

"My head hurts!"

A small commotion broke out around the altar. Although Bloody Fierce immediately shouted and stabilized the situation, the Formation's operation still suffered a minute glitch, and the soaring blood-light dimmed slightly.

"Who?! Who dares to interfere!" Bloody Fierce's furious gaze swept the surroundings, his Divine Sense spreading out like a tide.

However, the War Hall team had already retreated along the predetermined route and hidden their presence after delivering the "gifts." The "rotten crows" mingled with the real startled crows, circling and continuing to record the aftermath at the altar.

"Nicely done!" Wen Youyi slapped his thigh in the "command center." "The effect is better than expected! Although we didn't stop the ritual, it must have disgusted them, and the unstable energy output might affect the sacrifice's outcome!"

Just then, one "rotten crow" sent back clearer energy fluctuation data. Senior Brother Zhang's expression changed as he looked at the sharply shifting curve.

"Wait! Youyi, look at this energy peak and fluctuation frequency... this doesn't look like a normal summoning. It's more like... positioning! Or rather, sending an extremely strong 'signal' full of negative energy!"

"A signal?" Wen Youyi's heart skipped a beat. He immediately thought of the harvest System of the Creation Heavenly Court. Didn't the Heart Demon System harvest negative emotions? Such intense resentment and blood-fiend Qi were practically "high-energy nutrients" delivered to its doorstep!

"I get it!" Wen Youyi stood up abruptly. "They aren't summoning some monster; they're sacrificing to 'The Ones Above'! Using this extreme negative energy to exchange for rewards or... attention from 'The Ones Above'!"

This guess made the temperature in the cave seem to drop several degrees.

If the Blood Fiend Cult could really "connect" directly with a certain department of the Creation Heavenly Court, then things were far more complex and dangerous than imagined!

"Immediately have the frontline team withdraw! Put all 'rotten crows' into silent stealth mode and stop transmission to avoid being reverse-tracked!" Wen Youyi ordered decisively.

He looked at the still-roiling blood-light in the Water Mirror Technique, his eyes solemn.

"It seems our keyboard warrior harassment might not be targeting a simple cult organization, but... a 'local office' directly connected to the 'headquarters'?"

"This time, the 'BUG' seems to have poked a hornet's nest."

(End of Chapter)