Qin Shuang turned gracefully and reported respectfully to the sect emissary who had suddenly appeared.
"Senior Brother Zhou, in this trial, I believe there are two individuals worth noting."
She raised her slender jade finger, first pointing at a gaunt man dressed in black."This one possesses extraordinary comprehension. Though he has only just begun cultivating, he already wields many of the Blood Feast Art's killing techniques with considerable precision. Among his peers, his combat experience should be regarded as outstanding."
Then, she gestured in another direction, where a rotund man—practically a rolling ball of flesh—was standing."As for him, despite his seemingly foolish appearance, his compatibility with the Blood Feast Art surpasses all others. When he slays an enemy, the amount of spiritual power he absorbs is at least double that of anyone else. That, in itself, is his greatest advantage."
Listening at the side, Liu Meng finally understood.
The Blood Feast Art was indeed domineering, but it also demanded both aptitude and resonance from the cultivator.Just like the techniques of the Xuanpin Sect, where the same amount of yang energy could yield more spiritual power in one person than another—this too was a matter of innate talent.
Senior Brother Zhou followed Qin Shuang's pointing, his eyes flashing with faint approval. He nodded slowly, acknowledging her judgment.
Liu Meng stood quietly at the side, watching them evaluate the blood-soaked cultivators below. She couldn't find a single opening to insert a word.
Throughout it all, Senior Brother Zhou's gaze never once lingered on her—as if she were nothing more than an invisible, insignificant figure, utterly ignored.
A sigh welled silently within Liu Meng. Her hand crept toward the pouch at her waist, intending to prepare a few spirit stones to "clear her path."
Yet before she could even take them out, Qin Shuang's voice suddenly shifted.
"Senior Brother Zhou," Qin Shuang subtly gestured toward Liu Meng, "I almost forgot to introduce—this is my junior martial sister, Liu Meng. She is exceptionally talented. Just now, she has broken through to the mid-stage of Qi Refining. She already qualifies to become a formal disciple of our sect and receive her disciple token. What do you think…?"
At these words, Senior Brother Zhou's gaze finally fell upon Liu Meng for the first time.
He gave only a cursory glance before confirming:"Mm. Solid foundation, condensed spiritual power. She has indeed reached the fourth level of Qi Refining."
After saying this, he fell silent once again, merely staring at Liu Meng.
Seeing his expression, how could Liu Meng fail to understand his meaning?
It seemed those spirit stones would have to be offered after all.
She sighed inwardly and once again reached for her pouch—only for Qin Shuang's voice to interrupt.
"Senior Brother Zhou, since you're already here, and my junior sister has broken through at just the right time, why not save her the extra trip? Please bestow her disciple token now."
As she spoke, Qin Shuang casually stepped forward and slipped several spirit stones into Senior Brother Zhou's sleeve with practiced subtlety.
With her sharp eyes, Liu Meng immediately recognized the stones: crystal-clear, flawless, brimming with far denser energy than ordinary spirit stones—clearly of the highest grade.
At last, satisfaction appeared on Senior Brother Zhou's face.
He nodded and said to Liu Meng:"Since you have reached the fourth level of Qi Refining, you are now a formal disciple of the Grand Dao Demonic Sect. I shall grant you your disciple token."
Now?
Liu Meng blinked. Did these emissaries really carry disciple tokens around with them?
But she dared not ask—she only bowed her head respectfully in thanks.
Soon, Senior Brother Zhou withdrew from his storage pouch a palm-sized plaque of deep violet wood.
Upon its surface were carved countless profound, eerie runes, exuding a chilling aura.
Liu Meng assumed this was the so-called disciple token—but unexpectedly, Senior Brother Zhou stepped forward and pressed the violet plaque against the back of her hand.
A cold sensation spread instantly, followed by his emotionless voice:"Name?"
"Liu… Meng," she answered reflexively.
The very next moment, searing agony ripped through her hand, as though countless red-hot brands were driving themselves mercilessly into her flesh and bone!
She vaguely heard him murmur, "Done," as he withdrew the plaque.
The pain came as swiftly as it went.
When Liu Meng looked down again, she found upon the back of her hand a strange imprint resembling the gates of heaven and earth. In one corner, two tiny characters were inscribed: Liu Meng.
What did this mean?
Her face stiffened with unease.
Senior Brother Zhou merely turned his gaze back to the valley below, offering no explanation. Instead, Qin Shuang approached, smiling patiently.
"Were you expecting a tangible token you could hold? That's not it. The disciple token is an imprint etched upon your body. Once you bear it, you are a disciple of the Grand Dao Demonic Sect… and will forever remain so."
At that moment, Senior Brother Zhou's icy voice interjected:"Correct. Should you dare betray the sect, know that even to the ends of the earth, you will face endless pursuit—until death."
Liu Meng stared at the faintly glowing imprint on her hand, her heart quivering with dread.
A branded mark as the disciple token? She had never heard of such a thing. It exceeded all her expectations.
And yet, strangely enough, she found it almost fitting.
In this demonic sect, where bizarre and ruthless practices were commonplace, anything less might have felt unworthy of being called "demonic."
"Still," Qin Shuang continued, "there are great benefits to becoming a formal disciple. For instance, each month, you may enter the Scripture Pavilion once and freely select a secret art to cultivate. You'll also receive monthly stipends—spirit stones, pills, and other resources."
"In return, you must complete at least one sect mission each month. Of course, if you wish to take on more, no one will stop you."
Compared with the expendable laborers at the bottom, the privileges of a formal disciple were almost overwhelming—so much so that Liu Meng felt a little out of place.
She was just about to find an opportunity to explore the Scripture Pavilion when that all-too-familiar system prompt rang in her mind:
[A new day has arrived. A new avatar may now be summoned.]
A new day.
Originally, she had planned to cultivate her latest avatar in the Blood Feast Art until it reached the third level of Qi Refining, then seize control to break through into mid-stage.
But now—she herself had unexpectedly advanced to the fourth level ahead of schedule.
So perhaps… this new avatar could be put to other uses.
For example… the Blood Feast Valley?