Within the Valley of Blood Feast, the brief silence was suddenly shattered.
"Kill him first!"
No one knew who shouted, but the three cultivators who had just broken through to the third layer of Qi Refining charged from three directions toward the seated figure.
Blades and swords whistled, enveloping Shen Qingyun in a storm of deadly steel.
Yet even under this life-threatening assault, his eyelids did not so much as twitch.
Only when the weapons were about to pierce his flesh did his eyes snap open!
BOOM!
An aura far denser than the other three cultivators erupted violently from his body.
Qi Refining, Third Layer — Great Perfection!
Long before the melee had begun, his cultivation had already reached its limit. After a long period of meditation, his state had returned to its peak.
By contrast, his three attackers were already exhausted from the prior battle, their spiritual energy nearly depleted. Their cultivation was unstable, having just broken through.
In such a clash of disparity, even one against three, Shen Qingyun did not falter.
His body flickered forward. Instead of dodging, he charged directly at one of them.
"Courting death!" the man snarled, his eyes flashing with malice. His blade stabbed at Shen Qingyun's heart with a cruel angle.
But Shen Qingyun ignored the deadly strike. His left arm swung to block the blade, while his right fist smashed forward, carrying a suicidal determination to take the enemy's life at the cost of his own.
"Madman!"
The man panicked, trying to retract his blade for defense, but it was far too late.
Bang!
The man's head exploded instantly, blood and brain matter splattering in all directions.
At the same time, Shen Qingyun's left arm was completely pierced through by the blade, blood gushing like a fountain.
One arm for one life.
This merciless fighting style shook the hearts of the remaining two cultivators, causing their assault to falter.
And then—the true horror revealed itself.
Under the frenzied circulation of the Blood Feast Art, the slain man's pure spiritual energy transformed into a crimson torrent, flooding into Shen Qingyun's body.
Before their disbelieving eyes, his mangled arm rapidly regenerated. In the blink of an eye, the wound was gone, leaving his arm whole and unscarred.
The two survivors widened their eyes in horror. At last, they understood the true essence of the Blood Feast Art.
Fearless of death—nourished by battle itself!
So long as he kept killing, wounds were meaningless!
But their realization had come too late.
Shen Qingyun flexed his restored arm and smiled coldly. He could feel faint cracks in the unshakable barrier within his body.
Could it be… that killing stronger foes is the key to my breakthrough?
Regardless, the remaining two had no escape.
They exchanged a glance filled with despair before turning to flee.
But against overwhelming strength, escape was nothing but a dream.
Shen Qingyun's figure flashed like lightning. Within a few breaths, both were cut down beneath his blade.
The Valley of Blood Feast fell silent once more. Only Shen Qingyun remained.
He inhaled deeply, preparing for the Blood Feast Art to devour the essence of the two fresh corpses.
But in that instant—a suffocating pressure descended from the heavens, freezing his body and soul alike.
A blood-red figure, its face obscured, appeared before him.
"The slave disciple of the Xuanpin Sect dares intrude upon my Valley's selection? You have crossed the line."
The voice was raspy, cold enough to pierce bone.
He raised his hand, sensing the soul-mark of the Xuanpin Art within Shen Qingyun. His palm poised to crush him where he stood.
But then—he paused. His eyes clouded, calculating, before a flicker of surprise crossed them.
"Strange… truly named Shen Qingyun? The Valley Master had divined that every Shen Qingyun's foundation was clean… How has one been tampered with?"
"No wonder my junior could not see through it. Very well. This time, I will let it pass."
"But you—must die."
The pressure intensified, pinning Shen Qingyun immovably.
And then, the two cultivators he had slain earlier suddenly stood once more, whole and uninjured.
Staring blankly at their hands and bodies, they soon realized what had transpired. One's eyes turned vicious, and with a savage snarl, he drove his dagger deep into Shen Qingyun's heart.
Splurt!
Blood stained the earth crimson.
[Your Avatar: Shen Qingyun, has perished]
[Shen Qingyun, striving for immortality, gained the Blood Feast Art, but was slain by the hands of great power]
[Talent Acquired: "Muddy Waters" — It is easier for you to infiltrate and exploit the plans of others]
Inside her cave dwelling, Liu Meng opened her eyes, weariness clouding her gaze.
Never had she expected Shen Qingyun, who had progressed so smoothly, to fall at this stage.
Clearly, using the Xuanpin Art to enhance her avatars' cultivation was not without risks.
Fortunately, the blood-red figure had not pursued the matter further. Otherwise, even Liu Meng herself might not have survived.
And if she perished… Liu Ming would be exposed to grave danger.
"The Demonic Sect is perilous. A single misstep could cost everything." Liu Meng sighed softly. Even with avatars as her golden finger, she must tread with utmost caution.
Perhaps it was best for her avatars to remain separate, never entangled, to avoid dragging each other down.
If she could cultivate one avatar strong enough, then even her death would not matter—the avatar would safeguard her true body.
Her eyes fell upon the maid before her.
"What is your name?" she asked coolly.
"Replying to Master, this servant is called Qingyue."
"Qingyue…" Liu Meng nodded. "Good. From now on, you are chief among the maids. I will require materials: a block of century-old Shadowwood, a piece of Cold Pool Iron, and some centipede venom. Bring them to me."
Though unusual, such items were not rare within the Xuanpin Sect. Qingyue bowed and accepted the order.
"Wait." Liu Meng pointed at the corpse slain by the ghostly creature. "Move that body here first, then go."
Qingyue obeyed without question.
When she departed, Liu Ming finally emerged from hiding, breathing out in relief.
The loss of Liu Wu and Shen Qingyun was painful, but it eased the crushing burden on his spirit.
Without hesitation, he began the ritual anew.
[Summoning Avatar…]
[Avatar appearance generated]
Liu Ming blinked. This time, another woman.
"Liu Liu," he named softly.
The new avatar appeared, immediately sitting at a desk to transcribe the complete Blood Feast Art from memory.
Once finished, she dipped the manuscript in fresh blood, staining the book crimson, before presenting it to Liu Meng.
Liu Meng took the bloodstained tome, storing it away with resolve.
It was time—time to face her master.