577: Chapter 87 Looking

The Azure Fire Celestial Ice Lake was a lake surrounded by mountains.

The high-altitude areas of the surrounding mountains were perpetually cold, covered in snow and ice. The mid and lower slopes were dominated by vast, unbroken forests of maple trees. Their leaves were mostly red, interspersed with green and yellow, appearing from a distance like a sea of azure fire. The combined scenery of the high, middle, and low areas created a wondrous spectacle akin to the interweaving of ice and fire, hence the name 'Azure Fire Celestial Ice Lake'.

After establishing its headquarters here, the Blood Refining Hall adapted to the local conditions, setting up Restrictions not only in the outer mountains but also deploying Formations within the maple forests.

At the mountain peak, a Magic Treasure known as the 'Blood Fiend True Eye' operated ceaselessly, surveying the area.

Due to the Restrictions, Wan Wanwang was forced to proceed on foot upon reaching the outer perimeter. He then traversed the maple forest and crossed the lake on a small wooden boat.

Upon reaching the shore, his gaze swept over the crimson great hall ahead, built into the lakeside mountain. He declared in a clear voice, 'Wan Wanwang of the Ghost King Sect pays a visit. I request an audience with Hall Master Nian.'

As his words faded, the closed hall doors creaked open.

A tall, lean figure clad in a dark red leather coat emerged. It was none other than Old Nian's trusted confidant, Wild Dog Daoist.

He narrowed his eyes, sizing up Wan Wanwang, then offered a hollow smile and a cupped-fist salute. 'So, the Sect Master of the Ghost King Sect honors us with his presence. My apologies for the lack of proper welcome. However, our Hall Master is currently in secluded Cultivation and cannot receive guests. Might Sect Master Wan consider returning another day?'

Wan Wanwang's brow arched slightly, his tone carrying an undeniable pressure. 'This lord has urgent matters to discuss that brook no delay.'

'You need only announce me. Hall Master Nian will surely see me.'

Wild Dog Daoist frowned. Seeing Wan Wanwang was alone, he stiffened his neck, his tone hardening. 'The Hall Master gave explicit orders before entering seclusion: no one is to disturb him during this period! Sect Master Wan, please leave. Otherwise, do not blame our Blood Refining Hall for being discourteous!'

'Discourteous?' Wan Wanwang sneered, dark Qi swirling around him. 'With just you?'

Before the words fully left his mouth, he had transformed into a shadowy streak, charging forward.

Seeing this, Wild Dog Daoist hastily snatched a bone whistle from his waist and blew into it.

Instantly, several dozen Blood Refining Hall Disciples clad in crimson martial attire surged from both sides of the great hall. Wielding various blood-stained blades, they formed a battle Formation to block Wan Wanwang's path.

Wild Dog Daoist also summoned a blood-smeared bone spear, thrusting it towards Wan Wanwang with a foul, bloody wind.

Faced with this, Wan Wanwang showed not a trace of fear; his eyes even held a hint of disdain.

With a casual wave of his hand, the dark Qi around him coalesced into several sharp claws, effortlessly tearing through the Formation.

The Blood Refining Hall Disciples cried out in pain as they were sent flying backward.

Wild Dog Daoist was similarly knocked to the ground by the shockwave, his bone spear sent spinning from his grasp.

Witnessing his side being routed in a single exchange, his eyes filled with terror.

Was the Ghost King this formidable?

No wonder his own Hall Master, knowing the other was still recovering from injuries, dared not venture to Huqi Mountain.

What Wild Dog Daoist didn't know was that this outcome was the result of Wan Wanwang holding back, both because he sought cooperation and out of wariness towards the Black-Hearted Old Man.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have been merely defeated; they would have been annihilated on the spot.

Having dealt with the obstruction, Wan Wanwang strode towards the great hall.

Just as he was about to step inside, a vast, overwhelming aura of bloodlust erupted from within the hall.

Immediately after, a crimson figure shot out, landing before Wan Wanwang. It was Old Nian.

This Old Nian was vastly different from before. His aura was powerful and oppressive, a bloody light swirling around his body. A fierce, intimidating glint flashed in his eyes as they opened and closed. Clearly, having absorbed the power of the Millennium Blood Kun, his Blood Refining True Skill had reached Major Achievement.

'Wan Wanwang, forcing your way into my Blood Refining Hall shows far too little regard for me!' Old Nian roared.

With that, he threw a punch. His fist gathered a dense, bloody radiance, carrying a startling aura of ferocious malevolence.

A flicker of surprise passed through Wan Wanwang's eyes, but his reaction was swift. He met the blow with a punch of his own.

Their fists collided. A powerful shockwave of energy exploded outward. Wild Dog Daoist, who had just gotten to his feet, and the other Blood Refining Hall Disciples were forced back repeatedly. Only by leaning against or grabbing hold of the surrounding maple trees did they barely manage to steady themselves.

Wan Wanwang and Old Nian were also forced back several steps each by the impact.

But the next instant, they resumed their attacks, exchanging blows in a fierce, evenly matched struggle.

Wan Wanwang's dark Qi was yin-cold and overbearing; Old Nian's bloody light was violent and bloodthirsty.

For a time, bloody light and dark Qi intertwined, the thunderous roars of their clashing energies unceasing.

Finally, after one particularly fierce exchange, both were pushed back dozens of steps. The contest had ended in a draw.

Surprise filled Wan Wanwang's heart.

How long had Old Nian been in seclusion? His strength had advanced to such a degree.

Truly worthy of a sect founded by the Black-Hearted Old Man. Its Cultivation Techniques were indeed astonishing!

Old Nian was equally taken aback.

He knew his own circumstances. While obtaining the subsequent parts of the Blood Refining True Skill had contributed to his rapid advancement to this level, the key factor was absorbing the power of the Millennium Blood Kun.

That Blood Kun was over a thousand years old. It was not the result of his efforts alone but the accumulated work of several generations of Blood Refining Hall Masters.

He had simply been lucky enough to obtain the subsequent Cultivation Technique, enabling him to absorb it and reap the fruit.

Yet even so, he could only fight Wan Wanwang to a standstill.

And this was without the other employing any Magic Treasure.

If Wan Wanwang were to unleash the fulong cauldron, and without a comparable Magic Treasure of his own to counter it, the outcome would be hard to predict. He said 'hard to predict' because, although he lacked a Magic Treasure to rival the fulong cauldron, having completed his Cultivation Technique and being bolstered by the Millennium Blood Kun's power, he had mastered some secret arts.

But being secret arts, they naturally could not be used lightly.

Therefore, although Old Nian was displeased by Wan Wanwang's forceful entry, he suppressed his anger and asked, 'Sect Master Wan, what brings you to my Blood Refining Hall?'

Wan Wanwang reined in his aura and said solemnly, 'I have come seeking cooperation with your Blood Refining Hall's Old Ancestor, the Black-Hearted Old Man.'

'However, I do not know where his venerable self resides. I have come specifically to inquire with Hall Master Nian.'

Hearing this, a trace of contemplation flashed in Old Nian's eyes.

He was not at all surprised that Wan Wanwang knew of the Black-Hearted Old Ancestor. After all, You Ji and Bi Yao were not mere decorations; they would certainly have reported the matter after leaving last time.

However, seeking cooperation with the Old Ancestor?

'What do you wish to cooperate on?' Old Nian asked.

Wan Wanwang pondered briefly, then gave a simplified, edited account of his journey to the Eastern Sea.

Afterward, he said with a tone of helplessness, 'Nowadays, the Righteous Path, relying on its overwhelming strength, acts with increasing arrogance. This lord learned of the emergence of two ancient primordial beasts. After planning for a long time, I merely wished to subdue them to strengthen our forces for self-preservation. Yet, the people of the Qingyun Sect not only interfered but also resorted to forceful seizure. Truly detestable.'

Immediately after, Wan Wanwang sighed. 'Now, the Wandu Sect exists in name only. The Changshang Hall has vanished without a trace. The Hehuan Sect turtles in its territory.'

'The entire Demonic Path, only...'

Before he could finish, Old Nian interrupted in surprise, 'The Wandu Sect exists in name only? What do you mean?'

'You didn't know?' Wan Wanwang showed astonishment.

Old Nian explained, 'This Hall Master has been in secluded Cultivation recently and knows nothing of external affairs.'

Wan Wanwang said, 'During the battle at Yu Capital City, the Wandu Sect mobilized its entire force and was completely annihilated.'

He then proceeded to narrate the events with some embellishment, particularly emphasizing Meng Li's ruthlessness.

After listening, Old Nian did not fully believe it, but he couldn't help feeling shocked.

Then he asked, 'So, what exactly do you wish to cooperate with the Old Ancestor on?'

Wan Wanwang said, 'Naturally, to resist the Righteous Path together.'

'You are aware of the current situation, Hall Master Nian. Within the Demonic Path, only the Ghost King Sect and the Blood Refining Hall retain any significant strength. But the Righteous Path's power is immense. Even if our two sects join forces, we would likely struggle to contend with them. Only if the Black-Hearted Old Ancestor steps forward and engages in deep cooperation with my sect might we have a chance to turn the tide.'

'As for the specific details of the cooperation, this lord must discuss them face-to-face with the Black-Hearted Old Ancestor.'

'Therefore, I ask Hall Master Nian to inform me of his venerable self's whereabouts.'

Unexpectedly, Old Nian replied, 'Where the Old Ancestor resides, even I do not know.'