64: Foundation Establishment stage demon beast essence blood

Late at night, the abandoned Charitable Undertakers in the south of the city.

This was one of the ritual strongholds secretly established by "Fuyuan Trading Company," a peripheral merchant firm of the Blood Fiend Sect; the Yin Qi was chilling, and even with medicine masking it, the smell of blood could still be faintly detected.

Several Cultivators dressed in dark red robes with cold auras were busy in the underground secret chamber.

The central ritual altar was covered in sinister runes, and a large quantity of Yin-attribute medicinal herbs and ceramic jars filled with dark red liquid, which had just arrived, were piled around it.

Suddenly, several muffled groans came from the entrance of the secret chamber, followed by the sound of heavy objects falling to the ground.

"Who's there?!" the leading Blood-robed Cultivator shouted harshly, a ball of foul-smelling bloody light condensing in his hand.

The door to the secret chamber was violently kicked open.

Eight men in black, moving as swiftly as ghosts, rushed in.

They were silent, but their attacks were ruthless and precise, lunging straight for the ritual altar and the Blood-robed Cultivators!

"You're looking for death!" the Blood-robed Cultivator roared in anger, the bloody light transforming into several snake-like streaks of energy that shot out.

However, those men in black seemed to have some resistance to the sinister Yin energy; they only swayed slightly when hit by the bloody light, their offensive unyielding.

Even more alarming was their terrifyingly tacit cooperation; some launched a frontal assault to draw attention, some harassed from the flanks, and others lunged directly at the ritual altar to destroy it!

The battle erupted instantly and ended in a very short time.

Most of these Blood-robed Cultivators were only Outer Sect Disciples at the Early Stage or Middle Stage of Qi Refinement, relying on evil arts to act violently.

Facing this group of opponents who possessed extraordinary physical fitness, feared no pain, were unafraid of death, and had extremely high tactical proficiency, they quickly fell into a disadvantage.

Especially the leading Blood-robed Cultivator; he was at the sixth level of Qi Refinement, and his Blood Fiend Palm was quite powerful, shattering the chests of two men in black in succession.

But before dying, the men in black actually clung tightly to his arms, creating an opportunity for their companions; a poisoned short blade precisely sliced through his protective bloody light and pierced into his ribs!

The toxin took effect, causing the Blood-robed Cultivator's movements to stiffen, and he was immediately impaled by several weapons simultaneously.

In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, all the Blood Fiend Sect Cultivators in the secret chamber were wiped out.

The three surviving men in black moved quickly.

One checked the bodies, delivering finishing blows to ensure they were completely dead; one began to destroy the ritual altar, erasing the key runes; and another selected several of the most precious and unique Yin-attribute medicinal herbs and essence blood jars, quickly packing them up.

The entire process was quiet and efficient.

After finishing all this, they left several broken weapons intentionally marked with the secret sign of the Qinglan City Lord's Mansion and a scrap of cloth printed with the edge of Li Chongshan's private Seal in prominent places.

Then, they ignited the pre-prepared kerosene and quickly evacuated.

The flames soon engulfed the underground portion of the Charitable Undertakers, with thick smoke billowing out, but strangely, the fire did not spread excessively to the buildings on the surface.

Almost in the same time, in the warehouse district of the west city docks.

Sikong Xuan, a deacon of the Heavenly Supervision Department, personally led twenty Black Iron Guards to lie in ambush outside the warehouse where Li Chongshan was secretly meeting with the remnants of the Grassland forces.

At the third quarter of the zi hour, several dark figures quietly slipped into the warehouse.

Sikong Xuan's eyes sharpened as he waved his hand: "Action!"

The Black Iron Guards pounced like wolves and tigers, their strong bows and powerful crossbows sealing off the exits, and the gang-breaking crossbow bolts gleamed coldly under the moonlight.

Chaos immediately erupted inside the warehouse!

Exclamations, roars, and the sound of clashing weapons suddenly rose!

The trusted guards sent by Li Chongshan and several Grassland Warriors resisted desperately, but facing the well-prepared and well-equipped Black Iron Guards, they were quickly suppressed.

"Sikong Xuan! You dare..." Li Chongshan's trusted leader was both shocked and enraged.

"By order of the Heavenly Supervision Department, I am here to arrest the traitors who collude with foreign enemies and smuggle prohibited goods! Those who resist shall be killed without mercy!"

Sikong Xuan's voice was cold, and his sword light had already arrived.

The battle was without suspense.

Li Chongshan's trusted leader was killed on the spot, two Grassland Warriors were captured alive, and the rest perished.

A small amount of military equipment that hadn't been moved in time and secret letters corresponding with the Grassland were found in the warehouse.

"Take them back to the branch office for strict interrogation!" Sikong Xuan's face was ashen.

The evidence was conclusive; Li Chongshan would not be able to escape responsibility this time!

However, just as he was preparing to withdraw his troops, a Black Iron Guard rushed over and reported urgently: "My lord! A large fire has suddenly broken out at the abandoned Charitable Undertakers in the south of the city, suspected to be arson!"

"Multiple bodies were found at the scene of the fire, with strange clothing, appearing to be evil Cultivators! And... and there are remnants of weapons from the City Lord's Mansion!"

Sikong Xuan's heart jolted!

Evil Cultivators? City Lord's Mansion? What on earth is Li Chongshan up to?! Colluding with foreign enemies wasn't enough, he even dares to dabble with demonic paths?

"Split off a team and follow me to the Charitable Undertakers! The rest of the offenders are to be taken back to the branch office, with extra guards posted; no one is allowed to approach!" Sikong Xuan made a prompt decision... Hundred Treasures Pavilion, secret chamber.

Steward Wu looked at the intelligence he had just accidentally obtained.

It detailed a list of sinister Materials recently acquired by "Fuyuan Trading Company," as well as several suspicious locations of its secret activities, including the Charitable Undertakers in the south of the city.

With a solemn expression, he immediately presented this intelligence to Elder Zhou, who had just returned from the Crimson Flame Mountain Range and was currently regulating his breath in a quiet room.

After reading it, a hint of coldness flashed across Elder Zhou's originally peaceful face.

"The Blood Fiend Sect... they've actually reached their hands here. It seems they also have designs on the demonic taint."

He put down the intelligence, "Where is Green Feather?"

"Young Master Green Feather took two people this afternoon and left by fast boat towards the East Sea, saying he was going to investigate the source of those kong yun stones," Steward Wu replied.

Elder Zhou nodded slightly, his gaze falling back on the intelligence: "Li Chongshan colluded with the Grassland and is also suspected of having ties with the Blood Fiend Sect. This man has a wicked mind; leaving him might cause great trouble. What is the movement on the Heavenly Supervision Department's side?"

"Just received news that Sikong Xuan personally led a team and intercepted Li Chongshan's transaction with the Grassland remnants at the west city docks, catching them red-handed with the loot."

"At the same time, a fire broke out at the Charitable Undertakers in the south of the city, where the bodies of evil Cultivators and... items from the City Lord's Mansion were discovered."

A cold light flashed through Elder Zhou's eyes: "How coincidental. It seems the waters of this Qinglan City are deeper than imagined. Someone is pushing things from the shadows."

"Does the Elder mean..."

"Wait and see how things develop."

Elder Zhou closed his eyes, "Since the matter of the Blood Fiend Sect has left traces, we cannot ignore it entirely."

"In the name of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, provide the Heavenly Supervision Department with some intelligence regarding the Blood Fiend Sect, but only just enough."

"As for Li Chongshan, there are the laws of the Dynasty. Our Xuan Yun Sect should not directly interfere in mundane affairs."

"Yes," Steward Wu complied, but his heart was as clear as a mirror.

Elder Zhou was tacitly allowing the secret elimination of the Blood Fiend Sect and handing Li Chongshan over to the Heavenly Supervision Department.

And that person behind the scenes pushing the situation... he was almost certain who it was... The "Nest" secret chamber.

Lin Mo listened to Number Four's report.

"The operation was a success. The Blood Fiend Sect's south city stronghold has been eradicated; seven evil Cultivators were killed, and we seized three stalks of Yin Soul Grass, a piece of Century-old Corpse Moss, and a bottle of Foundation Establishment Stage Yao Beast Essence Blood. Other miscellaneous items have been incinerated. The left-behind clues already point to the City Lord's Mansion."

"On the Heavenly Supervision Department's side, they successfully intercepted Li Chongshan's transaction with the Grassland, capturing two live witnesses and seizing several pieces of military equipment. Sikong Xuan has already personally headed to the scene of the fire at the Charitable Undertakers."

"Steward Wu of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion has already received the Blood Fiend Sect intelligence we sent anonymously."

Lin Mo nodded. Everything was proceeding according to plan.

"What are the losses of our people?"

"Of the Death Warriors who participated in the Charitable Undertakers operation, five died in battle and two were seriously injured; they have been withdrawn to a safe point for treatment."

"The newly summoned Death Warriors, Number One Hundred Forty (Basic Toxicology) and Number One Hundred Forty-One (Basic Tracking), have been added to Team Two."

"What is the status of the Cultivation Feedback?"

"Three more Death Warriors have successfully sensed Spiritual Qi, making a total of fourteen people. The Spiritual Qi comprehension feedback continues to be aggregated, and the optimization of the simplified version of the 'Basic Qi Cultivation Art' has advanced by 3.7%. Martial arts comprehension feedback continues, providing new inspirations for True Yuan application techniques."

"Very good." Lin Mo's fingertips lightly tapped the stone bed.

The casualties among the Death Warriors were expected; their sacrifice had yielded precious intelligence and resources.

"Next, Number Four, you will focus on three things."

"First, fully analyze and optimize the simplified version of the 'Basic Qi Cultivation Art'; I want a prototype of an introductory Cultivation Technique that is safe, efficient, and suitable for large-scale popularization. This is the future Foundation."

"Second, begin using the seized evil Cultivator Materials, Yin Soul Grass, etc., combined with One Three Six's herbal knowledge and Number One Hundred Forty's toxicological knowledge, to conduct preliminary experiments on trace demonic taint resistance or energy transformation under absolute control."

"The location will be at the most remote island stronghold, under strict isolation."

"Third, strengthen the research on kong yun stones and the dark gold foil. Combined with the Sect's possible attitude, I need more knowledge regarding space, Seals, and the world beyond."

"Team Two, your people are to enter deep concealment, maintaining only the bare minimum surveillance. Focus on guarding against the Sect's possible sudden return and any potential subsequent retaliation from the Blood Fiend Sect."

"Team Three, contract the intelligence network and focus on the movements of the upper echelons and abnormal energy fluctuations. Temporarily stop active spying on Li Chongshan and the Heavenly Supervision Department."

"Yes." Number Four took the order and left.

Lin Mo remained alone in the secret chamber and took out the bottle of "Foundation Establishment Stage Yao Beast Essence Blood" seized from the Blood Fiend Sect's stronghold.

As the bottle cap was slightly opened, an aura that was violent, scorching, and contained a vast amount of life essence spilled out.

He carefully separated a wisp of True Yuan to wrap around a drop of essence blood, took it into his body, and slowly refined it.

The violent energy within the essence blood was filtered and transformed layer by layer by the True Yuan, finally suppressed by his powerful Physical Body strength, turning into pure blood-qi replenishment and being absorbed by his Physical Body.

While refining the essence blood, he deduced the structure of the simplified Cultivation Technique in his mind, while simultaneously multitasking to receive various insight information constantly transmitted from the Death Warrior network.

Like a precise central processing unit, he efficiently integrated all resources and information.

The night in Qinglan City seethed because of two sudden "accidents."

Li Chongshan was fuming with rage inside his mansion, yet he was also overwhelmed as the Heavenly Supervision Department arrived at his door with evidence for questioning.

Facing the bodies of evil Cultivators and the clues pointing to the City Lord's Mansion, Sikong Xuan's brow furrowed, feeling an invisible net tightening.

Inside the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, Elder Zhou calmly sipped his tea, as if everything was within his grasp.