546: Long time no see!

When the contract was formed and Murong Gu took control of the Lord of the Blood Realm's Divine Soul core, a majestic and vast power surged from the core, flowing through his Meridians and into his Sea of Consciousness. At the same time, the entire Blood Realm seemed to be activated; countless blood-colored energies converged from every corner of the Blood Realm toward the Secret Room, pouring into his body through his surroundings.

Murong Gu felt his Sea of Consciousness expand infinitely in an instant. His Divine Sense spread across the entire Blood Realm like a tide, covering every corner in a flash—he could clearly see the Black Wind Stockade Disciples Cultivating frantically on the Blood-Colored Wasteland.

He could clearly see Black Impermanence refining Blood Beast essence in the Blood Pool.

He could clearly see the Ancient Blood Beasts fighting in the Blood-Colored Mountains.

He could clearly see that dilapidated Blood Palace and the ancient aura lingering within it.

He could even clearly feel the growth of every exotic flower and herb in the Blood Realm and the flow of every drop of water in the Blood Pool.

In the moment he mastered the Lord of the Blood Realm's Divine Soul core, he had actually gained complete control over the entire Blood Realm!

His cultivation, which had originally stalled at the Nascent Soul Early Stage, soared like a rocket. The True Yuan in his body became increasingly pure and majestic, his Meridians were continuously widened and strengthened, and the Nascent Soul within his Dantian rapidly condensed and grew under the dual nourishment of golden and blood-colored energy. His aura surged at a speed visible to the naked eye, achieving Breakthrough after Breakthrough without any obstacles.

“Weng—!”

A low hum erupted from within Murong Gu's body, and the barrier of the Nascent Soul Early Stage was instantly shattered, his aura reaching the Nascent Soul Middle Stage. Just a moment later, the Middle Stage barrier cracked again, and his cultivation soared to the Nascent Soul Late Stage. After another instant, the shackles of the Late Stage were completely broken, and the majestic energy carried his cultivation all the way to the Nascent Soul Peak!

Murong Gu felt refreshed all over, his internal power filled to the extreme as if he had endless strength. The Divine Soul power in his Sea of Consciousness was exceptionally pure and majestic, comparable to a Cultivator at the Undergoing Tribulation Early Stage. He could clearly feel that his Physical Body, Meridians, Nascent Soul, and Divine Soul had been completely transformed and strengthened by the Blood Realm's Origin power and the power of the True Immortal Divine Soul core, becoming incredibly resilient.

If his body's self-protection mechanism hadn't automatically activated to forcibly suppress the surging energy, he might have already broken through the shackles of the Nascent Soul Peak to step into the Deity Transformation Realm, or even potentially impact the Soul Transformation Middle Stage. After all, he had not only fused the Origins of nine Blood Pearls and mastered the core power of the Blood Realm but also absorbed part of the nourishment from a True Immortal Rank Divine Soul core and achieved a Breakthrough in two Divine-Grade Cultivation Techniques while in a desperate situation. Such an Opportunity was rare in the entire cultivation world.

“Whew—” Murong Gu slowly exhaled a breath of turbid Qi. The golden and blood-colored light around him gradually receded into his body, leaving only a faint golden glow deep in his eyes, manifesting his current Nascent Soul Peak cultivation and the majesty of controlling a world. He looked down at the Divine Soul core in his palm and, with a thought, summoned the original Lord of the Blood Realm before him.

The Blood Venerable remained a blurred blood-colored figure with an indistinguishable face, but he maintained a humble and respectful posture. As soon as he appeared, he fell to his knees with a thud, his head bowed low, not even daring to breathe loudly. His True Immortal aura was completely restrained, leaving only docility and awe, a far cry from the arrogant Lord of the Blood Realm who had previously tried to devour Murong Gu.

Murong Gu hovered in mid-air, looking at him with a calm gaze and speaking with an unquestionable majesty: “From today onward, I am the new master of this Blood Realm, in command of all its creatures and all its power.”

“This subordinate understands. I pledge my life to serve the Master and obey the Master's commands!” Murong Zun hurriedly kowtowed, his voice respectful to the extreme.

Murong Gu nodded slightly and continued: “I bestow upon you a new name. From now on, you shall be called Murong Zun.” He paused for a moment, thinking, before finalizing Murong Zun's position. “Your position is set as the Great Butler of the Blood Realm, to manage all affairs on my behalf, restrain the people of the Black Wind Stockade, and look after the Blood Palace, Blood Pool, and resources throughout the Blood Realm. You must report everything to me and not act on your own authority.”

“Thank you, Master, for the name! Thank you, Master, for your trust!” Murong Zun trembled with excitement and kowtowed heavily again, his forehead hitting the stone floor with a dull thud. “This subordinate, Murong Zun, will certainly perform my duties faithfully and loyally, managing everything in the Blood Realm for the Master without the slightest negligence or error!”

After the naming and appointment were finished, Murong Gu waved his hand: “Rise, follow me to see the people of the Black Wind Stockade.”

“Yes, Master!” Murong Zun quickly stood up and bowed slightly, following half a step behind Murong Gu in an extremely humble posture.

Meanwhile, on the Blood-Colored Wasteland outside the Blood Palace, the people of the Black Wind Stockade were immersed in the ecstasy of their cultivation Breakthroughs. Everyone was excited and cheering, with the air filled with a thick sense of joy and arrogance.

Since receiving the Blood Realm Bloodline bestowed by the Lord of the Blood Realm and finding excellent cultivation resources like the Blood Pool, exotic flowers and herbs, and Ancient Blood Beasts within the Realm, the cultivation of the Black Wind Stockade Disciples had improved rapidly. Most of the original Golden Core and Nascent Soul Cultivators had broken through to the Nascent Soul and Deity Transformation Realm. Even ordinary Disciples had broken through their Bottlenecks one after another, greatly increasing their cultivation. The strength of the entire Black Wind Stockade had multiplied, making it the most powerful force in the Blood Realm.

And Black Impermanence, as the leader of the Black Wind Stockade, benefited even more. He was already at the half-step Soul Transformation stage, and with the enhancement of the Blood Realm Bloodline, he had devoured the inner cores and essence of several Ancient Blood Beasts and refined multiple top-tier blood-colored Spiritual Plants. His cultivation soared all the way, not only successfully breaking through to the Deity Transformation Realm but also advancing triumphantly through the Soul Transformation Middle Stage and Late Stage. Finally, not long ago, he successfully stepped into the Undergoing Tribulation Early Stage!

At this moment, Black Impermanence was surrounded by a majestic Tribulation Crossing Stage pressure. His face was flushed, his eyes full of ecstasy and arrogance, and a triumphant smile hung on his lips as he was flanked by a group of Core Disciples of the Black Wind Stockade, receiving their compliments and worship.

“Congratulations, Protector! Great joy to the Protector! Breaking through to the Undergoing Tribulation Early Stage and becoming the top powerhouse in the Blood Realm!”

“Yes, indeed! The Protector's talent is extraordinary, and with the excellent Opportunity of the Blood Realm, breaking through to the Tribulation Crossing Stage was only natural! From now on, with the Protector here, our Black Wind Stockade will surely dominate the entire Blood Realm!”

“Although he didn't become the Lord of the Blood Realm, the Protector is now the Chief Protector of the Blood Realm, managing the entire Realm on behalf of the Master. Roughly speaking, the Protector is the Lord of the Blood Realm!”

The Disciples' flattering words continuously reached Black Impermanence's ears, making him overjoyed and even more conceited. He waved his hand with an arrogant expression and a haughty tone: “Hahaha! Rest assured, with this Protector here, every one of you will be able to break through to higher Realms and possess endless power and authority! This Blood Realm will belong to our Black Wind Stockade from now on!”

Black Impermanence was incredibly satisfied. Although he hadn't controlled the blood god pearl or become the Lord of the Blood Realm, reaching the Undergoing Tribulation Early Stage and becoming the Chief Protector to manage the Realm on the Master's behalf was a massive Opportunity for him. In his view, he was now an Undergoing Tribulation powerhouse, and in this Blood Realm, no one could do anything to him except that secluded Lord of the Blood Realm. Even when the Lord of the Blood Realm emerged, he would have to rely on his strength and treat him with great respect.

“Hahaha! Fantastic! This is truly fantastic!” Black Impermanence laughed loudly, the arrogance in his eyes growing stronger. “From now on, I, Black Impermanence, am also an Undergoing Tribulation powerhouse! Those who once looked down on me can now only grovel at my feet!”

Just as the people of the Black Wind Stockade were cheering and Black Impermanence was losing himself in his pride, a cold and majestic voice suddenly came from mid-air. Like a winter wind, it instantly scattered the joy and arrogance in the air, echoing across the Blood-Colored Wasteland: “Long time no see, Black Impermanence.”