Blood groaned softly as he tried to stand. He had slept without resistance, and now he realized just how much he needed it. His body felt refreshed, his mind clear, yet a faint smile pulled at his lips.
He had neglected something important. It seemed they would arrive late for the task.
Looking around, he noticed he was alone—Ballock must have gone out earlier. Blood gazed through the window into the thick night. They would have to wait until morning before continuing their journey.
Opening the door, he asked the servants about Ballock. They gave him directions, which he followed until he reached a door guarded by three men.
The guards asked no questions and allowed him entry.
Blood stepped into what they called the Village Library; his hood still draped over him. Choosing a hallway, he descended the stairs, and soon reached the bottom, where a medium-sized tree stood in the enclosed room.
It had a twisted form and the worms coiling around its trunk looked unnatural, giving it an eerie, otherworldly air.
Blood felt a sudden chill; one he had experienced when wandering through that land. That strange twist reminded him of the Dark Zone's cringed trees.
There was only one way to clear this irregular thought…
[Jade Eyes]
A panel appeared before him.
[Warp Tree Twig (Grade-3)
Description: A twig taken from the Warp Tree, a broad-trunked tree mostly covered by the forbidden Warp Worms that collectively share in its benefits. It originates from the Soul Warp Tree, an essential ingredient in certain alchemical recipes involving the soul. Furthermore, a twig from the Soul Warp Tree matures into a Grade 5 Warp Tree, at which point it becomes suitable for alchemical refinement.]
Blood's eyes widened with a peculiar glint. Reading the description once again, he realized the tree was related to the soul.
Although it was only a twig of a Warp Tree—and not even from the original Soul Warp Tree—it might still hold immense value. Even with his limited knowledge, Blood understood that any tree possessing properties related to the soul was priceless. Such things were coveted by alchemists and cultivators alike.
He also suspected that the villagers, even Master Alley himself, had no idea of its worth. Otherwise, it would never have been left in plain sight, nor used so casually as decoration.
Blood also remembered noticing same trees when Master Alley had led him and Ballock to his abode. The entire village was covered with them. If he was not mistaken, every house had at least five of them.
Blood's interest was thoroughly piqued.
Ballock, who had been reading one of scrolls in the library, glanced out of the corner of his eye and noticed Blood's intense stare. The look amused him. He dropped the scroll and stepped closer.
"Why do you have that expression? It's as if you've stumbled upon your family's inheritance." he joked, turning Blood's head to divert his gaze.
"It actually is an inheritance. Only, it isn't my family's." Blood replied without hesitation, confirming the jest with a calm seriousness.
Ballock was stunned and his intrigue deepened. He knew Blood wasn't one to joke about such matters. "Fine, you've caught my attention. Why don't you explain then?" he asked, his tone now impatient.
Blood didn't keep him in suspense. He explained what he had discovered about the tree and its soul‑related properties.
Ballock's eyes widened at the revelation. He immediately scanned the surroundings for any hidden bugs. However, had there been one, it would already have been too late.
Undeniably, ingredients for soul‑type alchemical products—even across other fields—were exceedingly rare wherever one went. To possess a regenerative soul‑type ingredient was a major accomplishment, often the legacy of powerful sects and families.
"Even after all these deductions, it is still of no use, at least for now. Only when it reaches the fifth grade will it become truly valuable." Ballock stated plainly, sharing the same thought Blood had already considered.
"Nevertheless, soul‑type ingredients should never be derated, no matter how diminutive they appear. Even if it cannot be concocted due to its limited grade, it might still serve for basic soul healing or even enhance ordinary healing pills to some extent." Ballock mused, his finger resting thoughtfully on his chin.
He then added solemnly, "Also, Elder Alley holds you in high regard—especially since he couldn't see through your realm, not even slightly. That must be gnawing at him. I think it might work if we persuade him to become your follower, and then gradually draw him in. Just like that, we could take full control of the village. Our true interest lies only in the Warp Trees anyway."
Blood was caught in a dilemma as he pondered Ballock's words. "You've become more fallacious, my friend. My thoughts didn't even come close to yours." he said with a hidden smirk.
"Should I take that as a compliment?" Ballock responded with an evil smile.
"My mind seems to work at its highest efficiency whenever I'm with you. I've noticed it more these days—especially within the Red Domain, where, for some reason, the connection feels stronger." he admitted, speaking of the strange domain they had entered by chance.
Blood tilted his head slightly. "Hmm, is that so? Anyway, it won't be easy. The Blood Book doesn't even want you as a Blood Follower—how could Elder Alley possibly be enough? I don't even know the criteria for selecting a follower at all. And I doubt the village head would succumb so easily. This is what we should do…"
Blood stepped closer to Ballock, lowering his voice as the two exchanged words.
Blood had already attempted the Blood Follower selection on Ballock, but it had failed, leaving him to wonder whether he had performed it incorrectly, or if he was meant to wait for the Blood Book's prompt before initiating a connection.
The thought weighed heavily on him, almost irking him.
Besides, considering Master Alley's age, Blood thought taking him as a follower would be a waste of a precious spot. Although they didn't know the value of a slot, he felt that squandering one on an elder whose potential was already waning would be unwise.
Instead, Blood resolved to find another way to draw the village head into accepting his terms. After all, only he and Ballock knew the truth of the Warp Trees' hidden value.
Just on cue, Master Alley pushed open the entrance door and hurried inside. His eyes lit up the moment they fell upon Blood, who stood beside the Warp Tree.
Master Alley had been alerted the moment Blood left his room. He had quickly finished his tasks and rushed over. The red‑haired kid seemed to stir within him a feeling he had never experienced before—something unfamiliar, yet undeniable.
"Master, how was your rest? Would you like something to eat?" Master Alley asked. He had previously left Ballock to attend to crucial matters.
Although Ballock had shown interest in his books, Mastre Alley was uncertain whether it was genuine or merely a feint. After all, they should already possess access to libraries filled with knowledge of far greater quality.
To Master Alley, the library was of little use in terms of profound cultivation knowledge. It served only as a collection of his personal research.