The night was long. After a bloody night at the Profound Yellow Sect, aside from the damaged buildings, it was impossible to tell what had actually happened. Yes, the corpses from last night had completely vanished. Not even a single drop of blood remained.
The Blood Demoness didn't understand how all of this had transpired, and a new feeling towards the Profound Yellow Sect welled up within her…
Fear?
Yes!
Hundreds of corpses had vanished overnight without a trace. And what about the disciples of the Profound Yellow Sect? Each of them woke up and went about their business as if completely unconcerned by what had happened.
Did they already know?
Initially, the Blood Demoness had thought the secrets of the Profound Yellow Sect lay within those two Great Halls. Now, it seemed that wasn't the case. The changes that night, occurring without the slightest sound—the disappearance of hundreds of bodies—stirred unease in her heart. It was as if an unseen, intangible presence had its eyes on her.
Perhaps staying behind yesterday wasn't the right choice after all.
Inside the Great Hall, Xu Nian was seated cross-legged on a cushion, experiencing the rewards from last night's battle.
[Host Task Completed, Reward Evaluation: Grade A!]
[Reward: Fifth-Grade Martial Artist Realm, Forge Hall Unlocked. Players Can Freely Craft Equipment.]
Fifth-Grade Martial Artist Realm!
This reward had directly elevated him by two realms. The feeling was truly exhilarating. If he were to experience a few more events like this in the future, Xu Nian felt he could reach the First-Grade Martial Artist realm in one go. Of course, it would be better if such incidents were rare. The arrival of a powerful expert like the Black-robed Guardian was an absolute calamity. If the Blood Demoness hadn't hesitated to act back then, the secrets of the Profound Yellow Sect might have been revealed to outsiders. Ultimately, he was still too weak. If he were stronger, things wouldn't have turned out this way.
From this battle, the Players had obtained a significant number of Contribution Points, meaning the martial arts in the Contribution Hall could be upgraded again. He hoped the Players would continue to grind and produce more Internal Energy cultivation methods. Xu Nian currently desperately needed Internal Energy-focused martial arts.
Just as he was contemplating what task to assign, the Blood Demoness walked in from the entrance. She paused, stunned by the sight of Xu Nian sitting cross-legged.
"Do you also know about the changes in the Profound Yellow Sect?" the Blood Demoness asked, her tone exceptionally peculiar. Evidently, everything that morning had caused a significant shift in her state of mind.
"What?" Xu Nian was slightly taken aback.
"They've all vanished. Last night's traces—aside from those damaged structures, everything else, the corpses, the bloodstains—all gone." The Blood Demoness's expression was terrifyingly calm, devoid of the allure she possessed last night. This horrifying situation was a first for her. That sensation of being targeted filled her with an unprecedented despair!
Yes!
Despair!
Even she, a Grandmaster Realm expert, felt despair!
"Weren't you curious about my sect? You can go investigate yourself," Xu Nian said, a faint smile playing on his lips. He had been wondering how to instill fear in the Blood Demoness. It seemed the System's methods had produced an effect beyond his wildest imagination. This woman, the Blood Demoness, was too unique. For now, the Profound Yellow Sect needed someone of the Grandmaster Realm. The ideal would be an obedient Grandmaster, one with a heart full of reverence!
"You knew all along, didn't you? Then... what exactly is it?" The Blood Demoness was completely overwhelmed by that despair. She recalled witnessing Xu Nian kill the Black-robed Guardian with a single kick last night. She also noticed Xu Nian's current Fifth-Grade Martial Artist realm.
In just one night.
Had Xu Nian advanced from a Seventh-Grade Martial Artist to a Fifth-Grade Martial Artist?
Such a thing was unheard of. The secrets within the Profound Yellow Sect seemed far deeper than she had ever imagined.
"You can go investigate yourself. I believe you're quite eager to find out, aren't you?" Xu Nian sneered. "Isn't this exactly what you wanted? Didn't you stay behind precisely for the secrets of the Profound Yellow Sect?"
"Do you really think I wouldn't dare kill you?" The Blood Demoness's tone suddenly turned icy. The confidence she exuded just yesterday had utterly vanished.
"Do... you think you're capable of that?" Xu Nian turned his head slightly, his voice soft. "Since I could kill a First-Grade Martial Artist with one kick, I can certainly kill a Grandmaster Realm expert the same way. Why don't you give it a try?"
Hearing this, the Blood Demoness subconsciously clenched her fists.
So, had she walked right into the tiger's den?
Thinking of Xu Nian's terrifying kick from the previous night, she wondered if she could have blocked it.
But... last night, Xu Nian was a Seventh-Grade Martial Artist.
Now he was a Fifth-Grade Martial Artist... could she even block his kick now?
The Blood Demoness stared silently at his back. After a long moment, she sighed softly, her eyes once again regaining their seductive allure from the day before. Her graceful figure swayed as she slowly approached, once again pressing herself against Xu Nian from behind.
"Then... would you kill me?" The Blood Demoness's enchanting face was fixed on Xu Nian.
Demoness!
Xu Nian prided himself on his firm resolve. Yet, faced with the Blood Demoness's seduction, even he found it difficult to maintain control. He silently recited the Scripture of Purity and Stillness in his mind for a long time before finally calming down.
"Since you've joined the Profound Yellow Sect, you are one of its members. As long as you don't violate certain sect rules, I naturally won't act against you." Xu Nian gently closed his eyes, speaking indifferently. "You don't need to waste your time on me. It's better for you not to know some secrets."
The Blood Demoness instantly let out a charming laugh and then released her arms from around Xu Nian. "Men... your words are deceitful, but your body is quite honest, isn't it?"
The Blood Demoness glanced at Xu Nian's slightly arched back and chuckled. "How about I help you? You can do whatever you want to me; I can accept it."
"Get lost!" Xu Nian's face flushed with embarrassment. He had indeed reacted just now, but he couldn't be blamed. Though this woman was clothed, she wasn't wearing a chest wrap! This vixen was seducing him! If he were a monk, he would definitely have the Blood Demoness help him with his cultivation. Unfortunately, he wasn't. If he were subjected to such temptations regularly, could he really hold out?
He definitely couldn't hold out!
No one could!
Seeing his reaction, the Blood Demoness didn't continue her teasing. She now had a choice. Perhaps staying here wasn't so bad. At least this place was much better than the lifeless Blood Demon Sect.
Outside, Players in twos and threes were also sneaking glances in the direction of the Great Hall.
"Hey, what do you guys think the Sect Leader and that Female NPC are actually doing?"
"I passed by just now and saw the Female NPC hugging the Sect Leader from behind. I reckon they're probably having an affair."
"What the hell? My goddess has fallen just like that?"
"What was this Damn Game Designer thinking? Who told him to make the Sect Leader so handsome? When I log off later, I'm definitely going to have a good talk with the Game Designer!"
"..."
Xu Nian, of course, was unaware of their complaints. However, with the downfall of the Black Tiger Hall and the Fish Dragon Gang, it seemed Liang City could now be brought completely under control.