The aftermath of the duel still echoed through the sect like thunder in a canyon. Outer and inner disciples whispered Feng Mo's name with both awe and fear.
"He used Blood Extraction…"
"Didn't that technique get banned after the Red Lotus Rebellion?"
"Is he… even human?"
Back in his shack, Feng Mo sat silently, his palm hovering over a flame-shaped crystal—the essence of Bao Kang's fire qi—sealed during the duel.
"I only drained a sliver of his power… and yet it strengthened my second vein by 4%."
The Blood Requiem Space within him pulsed faintly. The black tree had grown a new crimson bud, responding to the energy he fed it.
But that wasn't the only thing growing.
The altar had shifted.
At its edge, the stone was cracking open, revealing a spiral staircase leading downward—into the second layer of the Soul Tomb.
"Each fight… each blood taken… opens more of this world."
But before he could descend, his meditation was interrupted.
The girl stood at the door. Her expression unreadable.
"They're watching you," she said. "Elder Jinhai's hawks. Inner court enforcers. And someone... darker."
She handed him a folded cloth—old, and bloodstained.
"I found this on your doorstep this morning."
Feng Mo opened it—and froze.
Inside was a piece of an ancient sect token, burned and half-broken—but unmistakable.
It bore the symbol of the Heaven-Sworn Burial Sect—a forbidden sect that was eradicated over 80 years ago.
"That sect was accused of harvesting disciples for their bloodline potential…"
"Their founder vanished during the purge."
And yet… the moment he touched the token, the Blood Requiem Space surged with recognition.
"Blood of the Ancients… calls to blood of the Requiem."
Later that night, Feng Mo left the shack, guided by the girl through the forests behind the sect. Their destination: the Forgotten Graves—an overgrown cemetery where unclaimed outer disciple corpses were buried.
Few dared come here. Rumors spoke of spirits and unfulfilled resentment. Of disciples returning… not quite alive.
They stood before a shattered gravestone. The girl knelt and swept away the vines, revealing two characters:
"Feng… Rui."
Feng Mo's hands trembled.
That was his father's name.
"I found this tomb by accident three years ago," she said softly. "The elders don't talk about him. But I heard a rumor… He wasn't buried. He was sealed."
A chill ran through Feng Mo's bones.
"He died before I was born. Mother said he disappeared on a mission for the sect…"
"If he was a member of the Heaven-Sworn Burial Sect," the girl whispered, "then you're carrying more than a bloodline…"
Suddenly, the ground trembled.
The gravestone pulsed faintly.
BOOM.
A crack split the earth beneath their feet. Crimson mist poured out like smoke. From the rift, a claw burst forth—skeletal, wrapped in rotting silk robes.
"Who dares disturb the sealed blood…"
Feng Mo stood still. The claw reached toward him—and the second vein rune on his chest ignited in reply.
"...The Requiem Blood has returned…"
The claw slowly pulled back, and the earth began to reseal.
But not before it spat out a single object:
A blood jade ring, etched with glowing runes.
Feng Mo caught it in his hand.
Inside it was a tiny soul wisp, whispering:
"...If you hear this… awaken the Third Vein. Only then can the Burial Sect's sin be undone…"
As they returned, the girl stared at him in silence.
"You're not just a cultivator," she finally said. "You're a vault. A vault of lost legacies."
He smiled faintly.
"Then I better find the key."
Far above, in the sealed sect tower, the Silent Executor watched the scrying mirror. The tomb had responded. The grave had cracked.
"He's moving faster than the prophecy warned," he murmured.
Behind him, a cloaked woman bowed.
"Shall we activate the Spectral Hunting Order?"
The Executor's eyes narrowed.
"No. Let him unlock the third vein. Let the dead rise. And when they do…"
He crushed a jade talisman in his hand.
"We'll burn the sect again."
To be continued…
🩸 New Elements in Chapter 6:
Forgotten Graves: Burial site for unknown disciples. Hints at old sect sins.
Heaven-Sworn Burial Sect: Forbidden group tied to bloodline experiments.
Feng Rui: Feng Mo's father. Sealed, not dead.
Soul Wisp Ring: Key to unlocking the Third Vein.
New Threat: The Silent Executor prepares for chaos as ancient powers awaken.