Chapter Thirty-Four: The Art of the Blood-Robed Manual

He sprang to his feet with a nimble, fish-like leap and scanned his surroundings.

The other six chief disciples were nowhere to be seen, and all that met his eyes was an endless expanse of green grassland.

Lu Xingchen furrowed his brows. "The Chuyuan Secret Realm has random teleportation? This is troublesome. I can't look after every disciple now."

His only option was to head deeper into the realm, assuming the other chief disciples would be doing the same. Lu Xingchen pressed forward, and after a quarter of an hour, he came upon a cluster of buildings. Judging by their design, they appeared to be cultivation chambers.

A glimmer of hope rose in Lu Xingchen's heart. If these were cultivation chambers, they might house various high-grade martial techniques. However, as he walked closer, he noticed something strange. Every room was guarded by a puppet. Looking at the energy radiating from their heads, even the weakest among them was at the level of an Eight-Star Martial Master.

While an Eight-Star Martial Master was nothing to Lu Xingchen, the sheer number of them was daunting. Just as he prepared to force his way in, he spotted others. It was Wang Zitao, whom he had clashed with before, accompanied by two Eight-Star Martial Master subordinates.

Lu Xingchen was taken aback. "Wang Zitao? There are experts from the five major sects guarding the perimeter. How did you disciples of the Blood Garment Sect get in?"

Wang Zitao grinned. "The Chuyuan Secret Realm is such a great opportunity; of course, our Blood Garment Sect would fight for it. It isn't just me—disciples from the Nine Ghost Sect and the Heavenly Demon Sect are here as well. Our three sects joined forces to open an entrance on the other side of the realm."

Lu Xingchen nodded slightly. "I see. So, are you here to fight me?"

Wang Zitao shook his head repeatedly. "Not for now. Although I follow the demonic path, I don't kill everyone I see. We have no personal grudge, so why fight to the death? Why don't we cooperate?"

"How?" Lu Xingchen asked in a deep voice.

Wang Zitao laughed. "There are so many rooms here, but who knows which ones actually contain treasure? If we join forces to defeat the puppets, our efficiency will increase significantly."

"Very well. How will we divide the spoils?"

"There are four of us here, so we’ll split them equally. After all, I can't let my senior brothers lose out, right?"

"Agreed. Let’s begin!"

Wang Zitao wanted to use Lu Xingchen’s strength to defeat the puppets, and Lu Xingchen had the same idea. As for how to divide the treasures once the hunt was over, that would depend on whose fist was harder. Although the two Eight-Star Martial Masters were strong, Lu Xingchen was not overly concerned about them. His real caution was reserved for Wang Zitao.

Although Wang Zitao was only a Five-Star Martial Master, he was the Young Sect Master of the Blood Garment Sect and surely possessed many trump cards. For instance, the skill he used to turn into blood mist and escape was something Lu Xingchen still couldn't fathom.

The four of them began to act together, starting with the lower-level puppets and gradually challenging the stronger ones. The two Eight-Star Martial Masters served as tanks, while Lu Xingchen provided support from the rear with his Azure Mist Bow. Wang Zitao also displayed strength far beyond that of a Five-Star Martial Master, proving to be quite capable.

Lu Xingchen’s archery left the other three astonished. He shot with incredible speed and could deliver substantial damage even against high-grade puppets. With him providing cover fire, their efficiency soared. However, what puzzled Wang Zitao was that Lu Xingchen seemed more bloodthirsty than he was, constantly maneuvering to land the killing blow on every puppet.

Half a day passed, and the four had defeated over a hundred puppets, including two at the Ten-Star Martial Master level. Aside from the puppet at the center of the complex—which was at the One-Star Great Martial Master level and which none dared to provoke—all other puppets had been cleared. During the process, Lu Xingchen’s own cultivation had broken through from a Six-Star to a Seven-Star Martial Master.

The moment Wang Zitao sensed the breakthrough, he was stunned. "Lu Xingchen, how did you do that? You’re actually breaking through in the middle of a battle!"

"That’s none of your business," Lu Xingchen replied coldly. "Everyone has their secrets."

The four placed their gathered spoils on a table: over a hundred taels of silver, some medicinal pills, two Mysterious-grade spiritual artifacts, and five scrolls of Mysterious-grade martial techniques.

Wang Zitao scoffed, "I thought there would be so much treasure given the number of puppets guarding this place. And this is it?"

Lu Xingchen smiled lightly. "This is only the beginning. As we venture deeper into the realm, we’ll only find more."

Wang Zitao sneered. "I’m afraid your journey through this realm ends here."

With that, he swung his sword at Lu Xingchen. Lu Xingchen had been prepared; he raised his own sword to parry, the counter-force knocking Wang Zitao back several steps.

"Perfect," Lu Xingchen said calmly. "I didn't want to share treasure with a demonic scoundrel anyway. Since the puppets are dealt with, you can all head off on your way—to the afterlife!"

Wang Zitao snorted. "There are three of us. Aren't you afraid, being only a Seven-Star Martial Master?"

Lu Xingchen chuckled. "What is there to be afraid of? You’re just handing me your lives."

"Take him down!" Wang Zitao commanded.

The two Eight-Star Martial Masters from the Blood Garment Sect drew their long blades and charged at Lu Xingchen, with Wang Zitao following close behind.

Lu Xingchen stood his ground, unafraid to face all three. Though Wang Zitao was only a Five-Star Martial Master, his battle qi was no weaker than that of the two Eight-Star Martial Masters—truly worthy of being the Saint of the Blood Garment Sect. Yet, Lu Xingchen was even more monstrous; as a Seven-Star Martial Master, he stood his ground against the trio’s combined onslaught without showing a hint of weakness.

Wang Zitao grew increasingly alarmed. Who exactly was this Lu Xingchen? He was actually more powerful than he, the Young Sect Master of the Blood Garment Sect.

"Attack together! Don't give him a chance!"

"I’m afraid you won't have that chance!" Lu Xingchen replied. He activated the displacement skill of his Shadow Sword. His figure became elusive, and the three could not even touch the hem of his garment. Two flashes of "Void-Shattering Slash" later, both Eight-Star Martial Masters were dead.

[Congratulations to the Host for killing an Eight-Star Martial Master. Gained 80 Experience Points and 80 Exchange Points!]

Lu Xingchen pulled his Shadow Sword from the chest of one of the Eight-Star Martial Masters and smiled. "Wang Zitao, you’re the only one left. Prepare to die!"

Wang Zitao stared at Lu Xingchen, his eyes filled with disbelief. "To reach this level of power as a Seven-Star Martial Master—Lu Xingchen, you are indeed strong. If I hadn't mastered the 'Blood Garment Great Law,' I might truly have died here today!"

Lu Xingchen frowned at these words. The Blood Garment Great Law? What was that?

Wang Zitao extended his hands, and the two corpses of the Eight-Star Martial Masters flew toward him. The flesh and blood on them vanished at a visible rate. Within a few breaths, the bodies were reduced to dried husks. Wang Zitao’s aura surged, climbing from a Five-Star Martial Master to the peak of the Martial Master realm.

He clenched his fists and cast a sinister smile at Lu Xingchen. "Lu Xingchen, now let’s have another go!"