Chapter 84

Everyone knew that to advance from Gathering Qi to Condensing Essence, cultivators needed to refine a primordial dan in their dantian.

Yet not all Gathering Qi cultivators possessed the talent for Condensing Essence. Most could only reach Li Yuande’s level, which was already remarkable.

After attaining the twelfth-level Gathering Qi, those unable to condense essence but seeking greater combat strength turned to alternative methods.

The blood elixir represented one such path—a demonic practice.

This method required harvesting hundreds of newborn infants, refining their flesh and blood to extract essence. By merging this essence with their spiritual power, cultivators forged an imitation primordial dan—a blood elixir—within their dantian.

When activated, the blood elixir amplified both blood energy and technique potency, granting combat strength far surpassing ordinary twelfth-level Gathering Qi cultivators.

The blood elixir demanded constant feeding with flesh and blood, lest it consume the cultivator’s own essence blood.

Once chosen, this path offered no return.

He Shenglai picked up the object, rolling it between his fingers.

"Fascinating. Such a backwater hiding a blood elixir."

After storing it in his storage bag, He Shenglai turned to Old Yu. "Lead me to Sanglu Valley."

"As you command, Lord He."

Old Yu carried Gao Hui at a measured pace. Though He Shenglai didn’t hurry him, his eyes occasionally lingered on the unconscious man, thoughts unreadable.

Upon reaching Sanglu Valley, He Shenglai produced a pouch-shaped spiritual treasure. With a sweep through the air, it devoured all lingering dark energy.

"Rare purity. This should fetch decent coin."

He stored the pouch with a satisfied nod.

The valley floor revealed the Zhang Family’s ruined compound. Desiccated corpses littered the ground every few paces—their blood drained, faces frozen in terror, silent witnesses to unspeakable horrors.

The pair advanced to the family’s heart, finding an opened cave dwelling.

"Hmph. No wonder they nested in this wretched corner—discovered this hidey-hole, did they?"

He Shenglai pushed past Old Yu, his steel whip smashing cave mechanisms as he entered.

The dwelling’s size matched Yang Lingrui’s previous discovery at Fengling Ancient Tomb. While He Shenglai rummaged inside, Old Yu waited outside with practiced patience.

The Yang Family had secured Lord He’s verbal assurance of imperial rewards. Years earlier, when Old Yu had theatrically offered to return spiritual crystals during monster corpse dealings, He Shenglai’s sharp rebuke proved his brutal methods hid no corruption in dynastic affairs.

After roughly an incense stick’s burning time, He Shenglai emerged clutching a blue-green jade.

Old Yu immediately bowed his head, masking his flicker of recognition.

"All valuables here belong to the dynasty. No objections?"

"You honor us, Lord He." Old Yu bent deeper. "We owe our lives to you—how could we covet what’s rightfully yours?"

“Hmm.”

He Shenglai nodded and glanced at the jade in his hand. “A shame. This should be a mother-child jade set. The son jade holds techniques while the mother jade stores spiritual energy. But I’ve searched everywhere and couldn’t find the son jade. The mother jade alone is useless now.”

To craft a mother-child spiritual treasure, both pieces must come from the same stone.

Once forged, the mother jade stores spiritual energy while the son jade can be infused with spells.

When the son jade’s energy depletes, it returns to the mother jade for replenishment.

Without the son jade, the mother jade became nothing more than an empty vessel.

He Shenglai fiddled with it briefly before tossing it to Old Yu.

“Keep this as a memento.”

“Ah! Thank you, Lord He!”

Old Yu caught the mother jade, barely hiding his grin as he tucked it into his storage bag.

Meanwhile, Gao Hui—still slumped over Old Yu’s back—stirred awake, strength slowly returning.

“L-Lord He…”

“Look who’s alive!”

He Shenglai strode over as Gao Hui, aided by Old Yu, bowed weakly.

“Mayor Gao Hui of Baishi Town… greets Lord He.”

“Now that you’re conscious, explain everything from the start.”

Following protocol, Gao Hui launched into a detailed account: the disturbances at Sanglu Valley, Qinghe’s plea to the Yang Family, his own talisman-induced helplessness, the escalating hauntings, and finally rallying the Yang Family’s aid.

He Shenglai listened intently before nodding.

“Clear enough. I’ll recommend you for highest honors. Without your efforts, Qinghe would’ve been swallowed by those evils.”

Turning to Old Yu, he added, “Your former Master’s still suppressing rebels on the eastern border, yes?”

“Correct, Lord He. The old Master remains there—we received his letter recently.”

“His name’s on the commendation list. For an independent clan, the Yang Family has served the Zhuhu Dynasty well—both in war and during this crisis.”

He Shenglai pointed at the ground. “This land belonged to the Zhang Family. Now it’s yours.”

Old Yu’s eyes sparkled as he bowed. “Deepest gratitude, Lord He!”

“Enough. Let’s return to Qinghe.”

“At once, Lord He!”

In Qinghe Town’s meeting hall, Tian Yu paced like a caged animal.

“Why him? If Gao Hui dies, I’m finished!”

He knew Lord He’s reputation—the He Family’s ties to the Zhuhu Dynasty meant he answered to no one.

Yang Lingrui and Yang Linghu stood calmly nearby, reassured by the Immortal Master’s hint that Old Yu was safe.

BANG!

The doors flew open as He Shenglai stormed in, face thunderous.

“Lord He! You’ve returned!” Tian Yu rushed forward, eyes darting to Gao Hui behind him. Relief flooded his features.

“Tian Yu!”

“Y-yes, sir!”

“See Gao Hui? Start kowtowing.”

He Shenglai yanked Tian Yu’s collar, snarling, “Your pathetic life exists because he spared it!”

“Yes! I know! Thank you, Mayor Gao!”

Tian Yu dropped to his knees, forehead hammering the floorboards—CRACK!—until cracks spiderwebbed beneath him.

Gao Hui intervened weakly, “Lord He, please—enough.”

“Tch. Up.”

“Th-thank you both!” Tian Yu whimpered, scrambling to his feet.