Inside the secret chamber, candlelight flickered, casting shifting shadows across Liu Jiu's focused face.Before him, a sheet of pale yellow talisman paper lay flat upon the stone table. The brush in his hand, saturated with spiritual ink, hovered just above the surface—yet he still hadn't lowered it.
He was searching for his "feeling."
If he could grasp that elusive, mysterious state of flow, then the final, crucial stroke would fall into place as though guided by the heavens themselves.
At last, his eyes snapped open, a flash of brilliance darting through them!
The brush descended like a dragon or serpent, and a complex, profound rune took shape at the very center of the talisman paper.
Hum—!
In an instant, the entire talisman blazed with golden light. A sharp, indomitable aura burst forth, as if it would pierce through the very walls of the chamber!
Success!
Liu Jiu nearly slumped from the stone stool, his entire body weak. His spiritual power had been completely drained, but as he held up the freshly inscribed talisman, an irrepressible smile broke across his pale face.
A Fifth-Grade Sharp Gold Talisman!
Among talismans of the Qi Refining stage, fifth grade was the peak.In other words, the destructive force sealed within this single piece equaled the full-powered strike of a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator!
And he, with only early-stage cultivation, had managed to create it!
If he wasn't a genius at talisman crafting, then who was?
Excitement surged within him—he longed to share this moment with someone. Yet soon, he forced himself to calm down, a self-deprecating smile curling his lips.
He knew his own limits better than anyone.
Yes, he had some talent, but he was no once-in-a-millennium prodigy. If he were, he would've succeeded on the very first day. Instead, it had taken him days of painstaking practice, countless wasted resources, and only now had he barely achieved this one success.
But none of that mattered anymore. What mattered was—he had done it.
With this talisman, he now had a trump card strong enough to confront even a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator!So long as his opponent wasn't a Foundation Establishment expert, he now had the strength to fight back.
And more importantly—if he could make one, he could make a second… and a third.
When Liu Meng or the others clashed in future battles, he could simply throw out talisman after talisman. Even if he didn't kill the enemy outright, he could at least exhaust them first. Wouldn't that be glorious?
This was the advantage he alone held.
Ordinary cultivators had to split their time between training, gathering resources, avoiding ambushes, and fending off assassination attempts.But he… he was only an avatar.
He could remain hidden away in this chamber forever, practicing day after day, year after year. Even if his innate talent was not extraordinary, time itself would polish him into a true master of talisman-crafting.
With this thought, Liu Ming unconsciously elevated Liu Jiu's importance among his avatars. From now on, Liu Jiu would not be sent outside for risky ventures—his role would be to remain in seclusion, producing a steady stream of talismans for the others.
That would be Liu Ming's greatest support.
But for the moment, talisman crafting would have to pause.
Because… the vat of "blood paste" was finally ready.
Which meant it was time to attempt the creation of his very first Blood Slave.
And since Liu Jiu had no need to venture outside, he was naturally the best candidate. Liu Ming wasn't about to risk a hard-won Blood Slave perishing on some outside mission.
An avatar like Liu Jiu—who stayed indoors, safe and sound—was the perfect vessel.
Now, it was time for Liu Jiu's "talent" to shine.
[Noble Sacrifice: When practicing a self-destructive cultivation art, your cultivation speed increases by 100%.]
Strictly speaking, the Blood Progeny Substitute Art wasn't classified as a suicide art—but in truth, wasn't turning oneself into another's Blood Slave little different from suicide?
Liu Ming only hoped the system would be "smart" enough to count it.
After arranging for Huang Hua and the other maids, Liu Meng brought Liu Jiu into a secret chamber. The two avatars sat opposite each other.
In the center stood a half-human-high vat filled with a viscous crimson liquid—the fully cultivated blood paste.
For the art to succeed, Liu Jiu's entire blood supply had to be replaced with blood paste cultivated from Liu Meng's essence blood. Only then would the ritual succeed.
Without hesitation, Liu Jiu picked up a short blade and cut open both palms to the bone.
Liu Meng immediately activated the art, guiding a thin stream of blood paste from the vat into the wound of Liu Jiu's left hand, while his own blood began to flow out of the right.
The blood exchange had begun.
And instantly—indescribable agony surged through Liu Jiu's body!
It wasn't only the sting of the blood paste. His flesh and blood instinctively rejected the foreign substance, warning him: Don't accept it! Don't become enslaved! Don't become someone's Blood Slave!
His very instincts rebelled, threatening to disrupt the art. Only now did Liu Ming truly understand—perhaps only a madman would willingly cultivate this technique.
And yet, he was doing exactly that—choosing to become another's slave of blood.
The agony was so great that even Liu Ming regretted it—not only for the pain itself, but because the avatar's suffering was also his own.
Just as he reached his limit, however—the speed of the technique suddenly doubled!
The system had recognized it as a self-destructive cultivation art!
What should have taken endless torment would now require only half the time.
Even so, Liu Jiu's vitality was rapidly draining. Blood, spiritual energy, life force—all dwindled. Without replenishment, he would surely die before the art could be completed.
Fortunately, he was prepared. Beside him lay a platter of sizzling roasted beast meat.
Without waiting for Liu Ming's orders, Liu Jiu seized a chunk and devoured it. The rich essence of flesh and blood flooded his body, instantly replenishing his lost vitality and spiritual power.
Being only an avatar, he had no fear of the blood paste rejecting him or rebounding onto the main body. He could eat to his heart's content.
Thanks to the food, the ritual accelerated once again.
Time blurred.
At last—the final strand of blood paste flowed into his body, and the last drop of his old blood dripped from his palm. The ritual was complete.
Liu Ming let out a long breath of relief. Without that talent, he might never have endured it.
The pain had been nearly unbearable—who else but his own avatars would ever willingly submit to becoming a Blood Slave?
He shook his head, then picked up a knife and lightly cut Liu Meng's arm.
No blood flowed. Not even a mark remained.
But on Liu Jiu's arm, a wound appeared out of nowhere.
Seeing this, Liu Ming's lips curved into a satisfied smile.
The Blood Progeny Substitute Art—had succeeded.
And this… was only the beginning.
If this technique had no flaws, then he could create more Blood Slaves. With each one, his chances of survival within the demonic sect would rise higher and higher.
Meanwhile, in distant Qingshi City, another surprise was unfolding.
Within the Wang residence, Qin Yi was jolted awake by a sudden clamor. Opening his eyes, he saw a figure radiating overwhelming power descend upon the courtyard entrance.
Countless mortals threw themselves to the ground, bowing fervently, shouting with trembling voices:
"Immortal!"
At that moment, Qin Yi realized—the final count was complete. The hundred had been gathered.