94: Chapter 94 The Secret of the Blood Fiend Crystal Core

The night in the Immortal Cave of Liuyun Peak was exceptionally quiet, with only the mountain wind outside the window sweeping across the bamboo forest, making a rustling sound.

Bai Yunzhou sat cross-legged in the center of the cold jade bed, holding the fist-sized blood fiend crystal core at his fingertips. The surface of the dark red crystal flowed with a viscous halo, and countless tiny blood lines could be vaguely seen intertwining and winding inside.

This crystal core was condensed by True Monarch Xuanji from the body of the Blood God Puppet, containing the blood fiend essence of the half-step Soul Transformation level. It had been properly kept by him before, and now was the best time to refine it.

"Power of Chaos, rise!"

Bai Yunzhou gave a low shout, and the chaotic gray light around his body suddenly erupted, forming a light gray light curtain that wrapped the blood fiend crystal core inside.

The crystal core seemed to feel threatened, trembling violently and emitting a rich aura of blood fiend, trying to break through the confinement of the Chaos light curtain.

"Want to resist?"

Bai Yunzhou's eyes narrowed, and the Chaos Eye opened. The gray light penetrated the surface of the crystal core, clearly seeing the solidified blood fiend Origin inside, as well as countless residual resentment fragments.

These resentments were all transformed by Cultivators harmed by the Blood God Cult. If they could not be completely purified, during the refinement process, he would likely suffer backlash and fall into a Heart Demon.

"Green Lotus Sword Heart, purify!"

Bai Yunzhou circulated the Qinglian Sword Canon, and the chaos green lotus phantom in his Dantian slowly rotated, emitting a pure Green Lotus Sword Intent that merged into the Chaos light curtain.

The cyan-gray light curtain instantly rippled with faint cyan ripples. Wherever it passed, the blood fiend qi on the surface of the crystal core melted rapidly like snow meeting the sun.

The tremor of the crystal core grew weaker and weaker. Under the purification of the Green Lotus Sword Intent, the resentment fragments inside let out shrill wails, gradually turning into wisps of green smoke and dissipating in the light curtain.

Bai Yunzhou took a deep breath, and his Divine Sense probed into the interior of the crystal core, carefully contacting the mass of blood fiend Origin.

The moment they touched, a majestic and violent power of blood fiend surged into his body along with his Divine Sense, impacting his Meridians like a galloping wild horse.

"Such an overbearing power of blood fiend!"

Bai Yunzhou was secretly startled in his heart and hurriedly circulated the Power of Chaos, forming barriers in his Meridians to guide the power of blood fiend to flow slowly and gradually refine it.

Although the power of blood fiend was violent, under the coordination of the Power of Chaos and the purification of the Green Lotus Sword Intent, it gradually shed its violent aura and transformed into pure blood Law energy.

With the continuous integration of energy, Bai Yunzhou could clearly feel that his comprehension of the blood Law was getting deeper and deeper, and the blood Law that he had only initially mastered was rapidly moving toward Perfection.

[Chaos Green Lotus Body (Minor Achievement)]

[Awakening Degree: 73% → 74%]

[Blood Law: Initial Mastery → Perfection]

[New Ability: Blood Domain Chaos — Can fuse the power of blood fiend and the Chaos Domain to form an exclusive Domain. Within the Domain, the power of one's own blood Law is multiplied, suppressing the enemy's Qi and blood circulation.]

The System prompt sounded in his mind, and Bai Yunzhou was overjoyed. The Perfection of the blood Law not only greatly increased his combat power, but also unlocked new Domain abilities, which would be of great help to subsequent battles.

However, he did not stop, continuing to urge the Power of Chaos to greedily absorb the blood fiend essence in the crystal core.

The volume of the crystal core continued to shrink, its color gradually changed from dark red to pale white, and the blood fiend Origin inside became thinner and thinner.

Just as the crystal core was about to turn completely into flying ash, a tiny golden stream of light flew out from inside the crystal core at an extremely fast speed, heading straight for Bai Yunzhou's Sea of Consciousness.

"What is this?"

Bai Yunzhou was startled in his heart. The Chaos Eye instantly locked onto the stream of light, discovering that it was actually a miniature Jade Slip wrapped layer by layer in the blood fiend Origin, which had never been discovered before.

He hurriedly circulated his Divine Sense, intercepted the Jade Slip, and brought it into his Sea of Consciousness.

What was recorded in the Jade Slip was not a Cultivation Technique or secret art, but a detailed intelligence report, including all the hidden strongholds of the Blood God Cult in the Northern Region, a list of lurking members, and secret transaction records with the Reincarnation Hall.

"The Blood God Cult actually has so many hidden strongholds in the Northern Region!"

Bai Yunzhou's pupils shrank. The intelligence showed that besides known strongholds like the Black Wind Mountain Range and Yinfeng Village, the Blood God Cult also set up multiple secret liaison points near the Danxia Sect and Qingyun Sect, and there were even quite a few lurking informants in the peripheral towns of the Taixuan Holy Land.

The list of lurking members was even more detailed, ranging from outer Elders of major Sects to ordinary vendors in towns, totaling more than a hundred people. Everyone's identity, contact information, and tasks were recorded clearly.

What shocked Bai Yunzhou the most was the transaction records between the Blood God Cult and the Reincarnation Hall.

The records showed that as early as ten years ago, the Blood God Cult had reached a secret agreement with the Reincarnation Hall. The Blood God Cult provided Cultivators' essential blood to the Reincarnation Hall for cultivating the Reincarnation Wangsheng Art, while the Reincarnation Hall provided spatial teleportation Talisman seals and ancient secret canons to the Blood God Cult to help it expand rapidly.

The last record of the transaction was about the plan for the Xuanhuang Tide: "On the day of the tide, the Reincarnation Hall will assist the Blood God Cult in opening the extraterrestrial rift and seizing the demon god origin. Afterwards, the Blood God Cult must hand over part of the Origin of the Chaos Green Lotus Body to the Reincarnation Hall to resurrect an ancient almighty."

"I see, the ambition of the Reincarnation Hall is actually this big!"

Bai Yunzhou suddenly understood. Yue Li's previous cry for help might not have been entirely out of helplessness, but rather the result of internal power struggles within the Reincarnation Hall. Venerable Wangsheng wanted to monopolize the demon god origin, while Yue Li might have other motives.

He memorized all the intelligence in the Jade Slip, then waved his hand, and the Power of Chaos destroyed the Jade Slip to prevent leakage.

The crystal core had now completely turned into flying ash and dissipated in the air, while the Awakening degree of Bai Yunzhou's Chaos Green Lotus Body finally stayed at 75%.

[Chaos Green Lotus Body (Minor Achievement)]

[Awakening Degree: 75%]

[Traits: Chaos Perception (Advanced), Law Affinity (Sword/Thunder/Blood/Ice), Law Coordination (Intermediate)]

[Abilities: Chaos Domain (Elementary), Blood Domain Chaos, Chaos Kaitian (Full Version), Qinglian Thunder Sword, Chaos Doppelganger Technique, etc.]

After the Awakening degree broke through 75%, Bai Yunzhou could clearly feel that his control over the Power of Chaos was more handy, the range of the Chaos Domain had doubled, and its power had also greatly increased.

He stood up, stretched his muscles and bones. His body was filled with Qi and blood, his Meridians were unimpeded, and the Power of Chaos circulated around his body, emitting a terrifying pressure.

"With this intelligence, we can uproot the hidden strongholds of the Blood God Cult in advance, cut off their contact, and clear obstacles for the decisive battle of the Xuanhuang Tide."

A sharp light flashed in Bai Yunzhou's eyes. The urgent task was to report this intelligence to True Monarch Tianxing and formulate an action plan as soon as possible.

Just at this moment, Song Xinghe's voice came from outside the Immortal Cave: "Senior Brother Bai, the True Monarch invites you to go to the Law Enforcement Hall, saying there is an emergency situation to discuss."

Bai Yunzhou's heart stirred. Could True Monarch Tianxing also received some news?

He put away his thoughts and walked out of the Immortal Cave, only to see Song Xinghe standing in the courtyard with a solemn expression. The wound on his left shoulder had been properly bandaged, but his face was still a bit pale.

"Senior Brother Song, how is your injury?" Bai Yunzhou asked with concern.

"Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother, it is no longer a major issue." Song Xinghe shook his head, "However, the True Monarch's expression is extremely serious, I'm afraid something big has happened."

Bai Yunzhou nodded, asked no more, and flew toward the Law Enforcement Hall together with Song Xinghe.

Inside the Law Enforcement Hall, the atmosphere was oppressive. True Monarch Tianxing, Sword Sovereign Hanbing, and several core Elders were all present, and everyone's face carried a solemn expression.

Seeing Bai Yunzhou and Song Xinghe enter, True Monarch Tianxing raised his hand to signal them to sit down, and said in a deep voice: "We just received an urgent report from a secret agent. The remaining forces of the Blood God Cult are frequently active everywhere in the Northern Region, seemingly gathering troops, and... they have also contacted the remaining forces of Youquan Valley and the Fenji Sect."

"What?" Song Xinghe's face changed, "Weren't the three major demon Sects already defeated by us? How can they still gather troops?"

"We underestimated their Foundation." Sword Sovereign Hanbing snorted coldly, "The Blood God Cult has operated in the Northern Region for many years, and its hidden forces are far more than we imagined. Although Youquan Valley and the Fenji Sect suffered heavy losses, their core strength was not completely wiped out. They hid in the dangerous lands deep in the Northern Region and have been secretly recovering their strength."

"What's more troublesome is that according to the secret agent's report, these remaining forces seem to have reached a new Alliance, targeting the Taixuan Holy Land directly, wanting to give us a fatal blow before the decisive battle of the Xuanhuang Tide." True Monarch Tianxing added, with a hint of worry in his tone.

Bai Yunzhou understood in his heart that this coincided with the intelligence he obtained from the blood fiend crystal core. It seemed that the Blood God Cult's actions were even faster than he expected.

"True Monarch, I have important intelligence to report."

Bai Yunzhou stood up and detailed the intelligence obtained from refining the blood fiend crystal core, including the hidden strongholds of the Blood God Cult, the list of dormant agents, and the transaction records with the Reincarnation Hall.

Hearing Bai Yunzhou's report, everyone in the hall was shocked.

"I didn't expect the Blood God Cult to have planted so many informants right under our noses!"

A red-faced Elder angrily slammed the table, his tone emotional, "If Guardian Bai hadn't discovered this in time, once the decisive battle arrived, these people would have struck from within, and the consequences would have been unimaginable!"

"The Reincarnation Hall is actually involved as well, and they even want to seize the Chaos Origin to resurrect an ancient mighty figure. It's simply wishful thinking!"

Another Elder snorted coldly.

True Monarch Tianxing's expression also grew increasingly solemn. He pondered for a moment and said in a deep voice, "This intelligence is of utmost importance. We must act immediately to uproot their hidden strongholds and eliminate the informants lurking everywhere before the Blood God Cult and the remnant forces of the three major demonic Sects finish gathering."

"I suggest dividing our forces into four paths to head towards the east, south, west, and north directions of the Northern Region simultaneously, launching a surprise attack on the hidden strongholds of the Blood God Cult."

Sword Sovereign Hanbing proposed, "Bai Yunzhou possesses the Chaos Green Lotus Body and has the strongest combat power. He can lead an elite team to the Blood God Cult's most core hidden stronghold—the Nether Swamp."

"The Nether Swamp?" Bai Yunzhou asked dubiously.

"Indeed. The Nether Swamp is one of the most perilous places in the Northern Region, filled with miasma and swarming with poisonous insects. The Blood God Cult has established a secret blood fiend altar there, used to Cultivate Blood Puppets and store blood fiend resources. It is their most important rear base."

True Monarch Tianxing explained, "Moreover, Xuanyinzi is very likely hiding there as well, discussing subsequent plans with the core members of the Blood God Cult."

"Alright, I am willing to head to the Nether Swamp!" Bai Yunzhou agreed without hesitation. Slaying Xuanyinzi and destroying the blood fiend altar would play a decisive role in weakening the strength of the Blood God Cult.

"Song Xinghe, you will lead a troop to the vicinity of the Danxia Sect to uproot the liaison point of the Blood God Cult, and at the same time notify the Danxia Sect to make preparations."

True Monarch Tianxing continued assigning tasks.

"Deng Mufeng, you excel at Formations and Talismans. Lead a troop towards the Qingyun Sect, clear out the dormant informants of the Blood God Cult, and assist the Qingyun Sect in reinforcing their defenses."

"The remaining troop will be led personally by me to the western part of the Northern Region to contain the remnant forces of Youquan Valley and the Fenji Sect, preventing them from supporting the Nether Swamp."

"Sword Sovereign Hanbing, you will remain in the Holy Land to preside over the overall situation, reinforce the grand mountain-guarding Formation, and guard against any possible sneak attacks."

"Understood!" Everyone responded in unison with firm expressions.

With the tasks assigned, everyone dispersed to prepare for their departure.

Bai Yunzhou returned to Liuyun Peak, packed his bags, placed commonly used items such as the liefeng sword and sha-breaking talisman into his storage ring, and brought along the Xuanhuang Origin dew bestowed by True Monarch Tianxing for unexpected needs.

Ling Shuang had been waiting in the courtyard for a long time. Dressed in an ice-blue sword robe with the hanshuang sword slung diagonally across her waist, her chilling Sword Qi was faintly discernible.

"This trip to the Nether Swamp is extremely perilous, so you must be careful." Ling Shuang looked at Bai Yunzhou, a trace of worry flashing in her eyes, "The miasma in the Nether Swamp can erode the Divine Soul, and the Blood God Cult's Blood Puppets are also extremely troublesome. Do not force yourself if you encounter trouble."

"Rest assured, I know my limits." Bai Yunzhou smiled slightly, "The Power of Chaos can purify blood fiends and miasma. Blood Puppets are vulnerable before me."

He paused, took a Chaos Talisman seal from his storage ring, and handed it to Ling Shuang: "This Talisman seal contains my Power of Chaos. If the Holy Land faces a crisis, shatter it, and I will be able to sense it and rush back immediately."

Ling Shuang took the Talisman seal, which felt slightly cool to the touch. She could clearly feel the majestic Power of Chaos contained within it. She nodded: "You must also take care of yourself. I will wait for you to return in the Holy Land."

A warmth surged in Bai Yunzhou's heart, and he turned to look at Zhou Zhiting and Deng Mufeng standing to the side.

Zhou Zhiting's Battle Blood Sacred Body had already awakened, and her aura was stabilized at the Early Stage Nascent Soul. Clenching the leihuang gauntlets tightly, a trace of eagerness flashed in her eyes: "Senior Brother, I also want to go with you to the Nether Swamp and lend you a hand!"

"No, the Nether Swamp is too dangerous. You have just awakened your sacred body and your Foundation is unstable. It is more suitable for you to stay in the Holy Land for tempering," Bai Yunzhou shook his head. "Besides, the Holy Land also needs people to guard it. Together with Senior Sister Deng to assist Sword Sovereign Hanbing in reinforcing the defenses, that will also be a great contribution."

Deng Mufeng also nodded and said, "Zhiting, Senior Brother Bai is right. Staying in the Holy Land allows us to contribute strength to the decisive battle as well. Rest assured, we will watch over the Holy Land."

A trace of disappointment flashed in Zhou Zhiting's eyes, but she still nodded: "Alright, Senior Brother, you must return safely!"

"Definitely." Bai Yunzhou smiled slightly, turned into a streak of cyan light, and flew towards the direction of the Nether Swamp.

The Nether Swamp was located in the northeastern part of the Northern Region, thousands of miles away from the Taixuan Holy Land. Along the way, one had to pass through several perilous areas, the most famous of which were Soul-Breaking Ridge and Black Water Stream.

Soul-Breaking Ridge was swept by biting cold nether winds all year round, mixed with countless grievances that could erode a Cultivator's Divine Soul. Ordinary Cultivators passing through this place had to be extremely cautious and dared not stay long.

Flying on his sword, Bai Yunzhou quickly arrived above Soul-Breaking Ridge. The howling nether winds arrived with piercing cold and dense grievances, rushing towards his Sea of Consciousness.

"Does this bit of grievance even think it can affect me?"

Bai Yunzhou snorted coldly, and his Chaos Domain instantly expanded. A light gray light curtain shrouded him. When the nether winds touched the light curtain, they vanished instantly like clay oxen entering the sea, and the grievances within were thoroughly purified by the Power of Chaos.

Unaffected in the slightest, he continued flying towards the Nether Swamp without reducing his speed at all.

Crossing Soul-Breaking Ridge, a pitch-black expanse of water appeared ahead—it was Black Water Stream. The stream water was as black as ink and exuded potent poison. Even a Nascent Soul Cultivator, if touched by even a sliver of it, would have their Meridians corroded and their cultivation damaged.

Bai Yunzhou did not hesitate at all. Injecting the Power of Chaos into his zhuiyun boots, his figure turned into a blur, skimming rapidly across the surface of the water. The splashes of black water touched the Chaos light curtain, instantly turning into non-toxic clear water and dripping back into the stream.

Half an hour later, Bai Yunzhou finally arrived at the edge of the Nether Swamp.

Thick black miasma filled the sky above the swamp, with visibility of less than three zhang. The miasma contained strong corrosive and paralyzing power, capable of eroding even Divine Sense.

Bai Yunzhou circulated the Power of Chaos to form a thick layer of light curtain around his body, isolating the miasma outside. At the same time, he activated the Chaos Eye, piercing through the miasma to observe the scenery inside the swamp.

The swamp was filled with rotting trees and mud puddles, with countless poisonous insects shuttling through them, making hissing sounds. In the distance, a huge blood-colored altar could be vaguely seen, shrouded by miasma and blood fiend Qi—it was the hidden stronghold of the Blood God Cult.

Around the altar, dozens of blood-robed Cultivators were patrolling, all at or above the Late Stage Core Formation realm. Each of them exuded a dense blood fiend aura, clearly making them elites of the Blood God Cult.

In the center of the altar, several figures could be vaguely seen conversing. One of the figures looked extremely similar to Xuanyinzi, standing with his back turned, seemingly issuing some orders.

"Xuanyinzi is really here!"

A trace of chilling murderous intent flashed in Bai Yunzhou's eyes. He concealed his aura, sneaked into the swamp like a ghost, and quietly approached the blood-colored altar.

The poisonous insects in the swamp seemed to sense his aura and swarmed toward him, but they were blocked outside by the Chaos light curtain, instantly turning into flying ash.

He cautiously avoided the patrolling blood-robed Cultivators, and relying on the insight of the Chaos Eye, easily bypassed the traps and Restrictions in the swamp, quickly arriving beneath the altar.

"Elder, all Blood Puppets have been refined and are ready to enter battle at any time." A blood-robed Cultivator knelt on one knee and reported to Xuanyinzi.

"Very good." Xuanyinzi's voice was hoarse and cold. "Pass down the word: in three days, unite the forces of Youquan Valley and the Fenji Sect to launch a surprise attack on the outer perimeter of the Taixuan Holy Land. Be sure to disrupt their battle preparation plan and create an opportunity for the general attack on the day of the tide."

"Yes!" The blood-robed Cultivator respectfully acknowledged and turned to leave.

Xuanyinzi turned around, his gaze sweeping over the Blood Puppets around the altar, a trace of satisfaction flashing in his eyes: "With these Blood Puppets, coupled with the elites of the Blood God Cult, we will definitely give the Taixuan Holy Land a huge surprise! Bai Yunzhou, you killed my brother and ruined my plan; this hatred, I will surely avenge!"

At that very moment, a chilling voice came from behind him: "Xuanyinzi, if you want revenge, ask the sword in my hand first!"