85: The dual-mirror system has been upgraded! Turns out you're mute!

After a series of bloody crackdowns, the Corpse Dismemberment Hall and the Refinement Hall had executed two to three thousand Cultivators.

Those who stole little were punished by having their ears, noses, or even a few inches of their "little things" cut off as a warning.

This move greatly reduced signs of theft, but many high-ranking officials of the Aether Coral Fortress were puzzled that the remaining half-percent of losses could not be accounted for; the losses continued.

They seemed to vanish into thin air.

However, it seemed the Fortress Master of the Aether Coral Fortress was not satisfied.

Over the next five days, the Corpse Dismemberment Hall and the Refinement Hall continued their reorganization, with many members of the Execution Squad even walking among the Cultivators during the dismemberment process.

Suspicious targets were interrogated on the spot or even killed.

Strangely, even with such thunderous methods, that half-percent still vanished without a trace.

"It might just be normal wear and tear."

"I will personally explain this matter to the Fortress Master."

The Master of the Hundred Treasures Hall spoke up, immediately making the two Hall Masters of the Corpse Dismemberment Hall and the Refinement Hall immensely grateful.

As the matter was put behind them, Aether Coral Fortress returned to its previous peaceful days.

Tasks were done as usual, and those who went to the Warm Fragrance Hall went as usual.

This day was just like any other for the vast majority of Cultivators in the Aether Coral Fortress.

But for Yao Yian, it was an extraordinary day.

Because during this blood refinement, a small fragment of strange memory suddenly emerged in Yao Yian's mind.

This memory was extraordinary; it was a set of mnemonics and insights for a Cultivation Technique!

But it was only a small fragment, not enough to piece together a complete, usable Cultivation Technique.

"Refining this blood can grant memories of techniques?"

Yao Yian thought it was just luck, but to his surprise, fifteen minutes later, he obtained another small fragment of mnemonics for a movement technique.

When this happened, his first thought was of the twin star mirror in his Sea of Consciousness.

Something must have changed with the twin star mirror.

He immediately entered his Sea of Consciousness, where he saw an ancient and profound red treasure mirror swaying around joyfully.

The twin star mirror bounced and jumped, high and low, looking incredibly happy.

Yao Yian watched, even forgetting to breathe.

If it were to shatter itself, Yao Yian would cry himself unconscious.

"My ancestor!!!"

Yao Yian hurriedly lunged forward and pulled the twin star mirror into his arms.

"What are you doing!"

"Let go of this Young Miss!!!"

In Yao Yian's arms, the twin star mirror struggled and vibrated while continuing to speak in a childish, milky voice.

If one ignored the setting and only looked at the scene...

Anyone would think it was a forty-year-old shut-in bullying a cute and shy little girl.

"ancestor! I beg you, don't jump around."

"You can do anything else, but please don't get bumped or bruised."

"If you break or get hit, my heart will ache!"

"I know, I know, now let go of this Young Miss."

"Then you must promise me."

The twin star mirror didn't speak again; instead, the red light on its surface flashed repeatedly, expressing its dissatisfaction.

Only then did Yao Yian release the twin star mirror.

"Hmph, did you come to find this Young Miss for something?"

"ancestor, did you upgrade?"

"How is it that I can intercept fragments of technique memories in my mind?"

Yao Yian voiced all the doubts in his heart.

"What? You're not satisfied?"

"But, it's only a small fragment, how can it exert its full power?"

"Piece it together yourself using your own ability. This Young Miss is sleepy."

"Yes, yes, yes, ancestor, please sleep."

"This humble one shall take his leave."

Yao Yian then left his Sea of Consciousness.

Subsequently, many technique fragments began to pour into Yao Yian's mind bit by bit.

These techniques were incredibly profound, and since only some mnemonics remained for each...

Yao Yian focused with all his might; he didn't know if he would transmigrate again after death.

But he knew he didn't want to experience those inhumane punishments at all.

Moreover, with a Divine Artifact in hand, he didn't want to die here easily; he had to give it his all!

People's Physiques are different.

Especially in such a desperate situation, Yao Yian managed to piece together his first Cultivation Technique right at the moment he was about to leave the Corpse Dismemberment Cave today.

"Demon General Body Strengthening Classic!"

As the name suggested, this was a technique to strengthen the Physical Body. It was at the Kai Guang Realm, and its quality could only be described as low-grade.

Or rather, it was a common, street-level technique, otherwise Yao Yian wouldn't have been able to piece it together so easily.

But even with such a technique, Yao Yian was quite satisfied.

At least Yao Yian had his first true Cultivation Technique; it was a good sign.

Over the next three days, Yao Yian pieced together a Kai Guang Realm movement technique and a Kai Guang Realm Mind-Cultivation Technique.

With this pool of experience below him, he could increase his cultivation and obtain technique fragments every day.

Yao Yian's strength grew daily, and everything seemed to be moving in a positive direction... Ten days later, two incidents, neither big nor small, occurred in Corpse Dismemberment Cave No. 7.

The first incident was that Chen Tingxuan, who took first place in dismemberment every day, had succumbed to inner demons.

After stabbing seven people in a row with his dismemberment knife, he was taken away by the hurriedly arriving Execution Squad and was said to have been executed.

Yao Yian didn't have much contact with this person, and it didn't have much to do with him.

But the second incident seemed related to him.

Clop, clop, clop... Another group wearing silver collars walked dejectedly into Coral City.

Everyone was covered in bloodstains, whip marks, and sword slashes.

One could even see charred or torn flesh, and many people's bones were exposed; it was easy to imagine what they had been through.

"Move faster! Do you still think this is your Pioneer Land?"

"Damn it, I gave you face, and you dare to glare at me!"

"You really think you're some young master of a faction? Believe it or not, I'll kill you right now!"

The Execution Squad Cultivator didn't hold back, using his cultivation to grab the other person.

With a swing of his sharp knife, a cold light flashed across the man's neck.

A crisp cracking sound was heard as blood sprayed, and the headless body fell heavily to the ground.

"Ah..."

The others cried out in alarm and scrambled to one side, fearing they would be implicated.

Those around who saw this scene couldn't help but gasp in shock.

"Listen up, you are now the property of Aether Coral City!"

"You are slaves! Consumables! Nutrients!"

"Obey, and you can live. Anyone who dares to resist will end up like this!"

The Execution Squad Cultivator held his bloody knife, looking at the crowd with a brutal gaze.

This time, many people had been captured by the Capture Hall, totaling four to five thousand.

Besides the Capture Hall, the other four halls took turns selecting people.

The Refinement Hall and the Corpse Dismemberment Hall, which had just undergone a wave of reorganization, could finally replenish their number of Cultivators.

In Corpse Dismemberment Cave No. 7, Yao Yian relinquished control of his body, letting the control talisman help him work.

Meanwhile, he used the twin star mirror to absorb experience while piecing together the technique fragments he had recently obtained.

Suddenly, a commotion caught his attention.

He saw a group of unfamiliar Cultivators walking into the Corpse Dismemberment Cave with unease.

Although these people also had a lot of bloodlust and killing intent on them, they were clearly different from the experienced Cultivators in the Corpse Dismemberment Hall.

Yao Yian immediately guessed that they were a batch of newcomers.

He didn't pay them much more attention, continuing to let his body be on autopilot while he contemplated the techniques.

"Fellow Daoist, hello..."

"Fellow Daoist, how should I address you? I am Xu Yimo, from the Jiangye Sect in the Pioneer Land, an Outer Sect Disciple of the Jiangye Sect."

"Fellow Daoist, why are you ignoring me? Fellow Daoist, say something."

"I see, Fellow Daoist, so you're a mute! You can't speak."

"You're so pitiful, Fellow Daoist. Don't worry, from now on, I, Xu Yimo, will look out for you."

A series of noisy sounds kept entering his ears, making Yao Yian cancel the autopilot in annoyance.

His brow furrowed slightly as he looked up.

He saw a male Cultivator with a build somewhat similar to his own at the adjacent dismemberment table, talking to him while dismembering a corpse.

This male Cultivator had an unremarkable appearance, but his eyes were bright and spirited, looking very determined.

He was the type who wouldn't stand out in a crowd; if one had to describe him, it would be "ordinary"!

Yao Yian's lips twitched; he wanted to curse at him but was afraid of suddenly running into Tang Heng.

The man opposite him saw Yao Yian look over.

He immediately smiled even more brightly, his mouth rattling off like a machine gun.

Yao Yian simply couldn't be bothered with him, treating the other person like a buzzing fly.