Xu Qi’an’s gaze lingered on the sandalwood brocade box, which was sealed by a mysterious force, emitting a faint clear light.
He slowly extended his hand and placed it on the brocade box.
Zhao Shou’s voice was deep as he said, “I must warn you, once you open this box, you’ll officially be in the game.”
Xu Qi’an’s face remained calm. “I’m prepared for that.”
He then opened the box. A flash of tragic crimson entered his pupils. Inside the box lay a blood pill the size of a pigeon’s egg.
In the autumn wind, the surrounding grass and trees swayed with a “rustle,” withered branches outside the pavilion sprouted fresh green buds, pointed blades of grass emerged from the ground, and insects crawled out from beneath the soil, swarming towards the pavilion in groups.
But they were blocked by a barrier of clear light outside the pavilion.
Xu Qi’an’s lips moved slightly: “Blood pill…”
Zhao Shou nodded: “Before Wei Yuan left, he left a portion of the blood pills here. He and I had worked together to deduce that whether this portion of blood pills was left or not wouldn’t affect Jingshan City’s chances of victory.”
“So, Wei Yuan divided out a portion of the blood pills and entrusted them to me for safekeeping. He said that he would handle the battlefield of the Shaman God Cult, while the battlefield in the capital would be left to Xu Qi’an.”
At this point, Zhao Shou smiled, his voice gentle: “I asked him, what if Xu Qi’an couldn’t advance to the Fourth Rank by that time? He didn’t answer me. Now seeing you, I understand how confident he was back then.”
Lord Wei had foreseen this step… Xu Qi’an’s eyes seemed to deepen for a moment as he looked down at the blood pill:
“If I swallow this, can I advance to the Third Rank?”
Zhao Shou gave an affirmative response:
“The Third Rank is called the Immortal Body. Fundamentally, its essence is a life force far surpassing that of ordinary people. One can regenerate severed limbs, and as long as one doesn’t die on the spot, any injury can be healed.”
“The normal method of cultivation is to temper the body day after day. If one can supplement this with medicinal pills and other natural treasures, that’s even better. Through cultivation, one causes the body to transform, filling the flesh with life force.”
“Of course, there is a shortcut, which is to devour blood essence. Using vast amounts of blood essence to catalyze the body’s transformation, shedding the mortal body. The day the Marquis of Zhen Bei wanted to refine blood pills, it was to push his physique to the peak of the Third Rank, increasing his chances of advancing to the Second Rank.”
Xu Qi’an nodded slowly. He had long known that the Prince of Huai refined blood pills in preparation for absorbing essence from his princess consort.
The most crucial factor for advancing to the Second Rank was the princess consort’s spiritual essence.
The Prince of Huai just wanted to increase his chances of success, so he refined blood pills to forcibly reach the peak of the Third Rank. From this point, it’s clear that the core of the Third Rank realm is indeed life’s essence.
Zhao Shou lightly waved his sleeve, turning the dense swarm of insects outside the pavilion into powder, then continued:
“Theoretically, as long as one advances to the Fourth Rank, with sufficient powerful life essence, one can quickly advance to the Third Rank. But there are also failures. The blood pill is just a catalyst. What a Fourth Rank martial artist needs to do is not to absorb it. If a mortal body absorbs such vast energy, it would only result in death by explosion, just like those insects.”
“The correct method is to use its life energy to refine and stimulate the physical body, causing your body to transform, transcending mortality.”
“Once your body has transformed and stepped into the realm of the extraordinary, then absorb the power of the blood pill to heal injuries.”
The function of the blood pill is to serve as a stepping stone, using that life energy to break open the door to the extraordinary. At that time, one would inevitably be on the brink of death, but would also have the ability to absorb the essence of the blood pill, using it to recover and heal wounds… Xu Qi’an nodded: “This isn’t difficult to understand.”
“I’ve set up a barrier in the pavilion. You might as well advance here. Even if you fail, I can save your life.”
Zhao Shou’s words were very straightforward. For martial artists taking this unconventional path, failure meant certain death, and the probability of failure was very high.
After clarifying the details of the refinement process, Xu Qi’an didn’t hesitate. He grabbed the blood pill and swallowed it.
Boom!
As soon as the blood pill entered his throat, he felt a warm current rush into his abdomen, and then his lower abdomen seemed to explode.
Amidst the excruciating pain, Xu Qi’an saw the ground before him splattered with fresh blood, realizing this wasn’t an illusion. His lower abdomen had truly exploded.
Puff, puff, puff… Blood holes burst open across his body surface – chest, back, waist, and other areas. He was like the great demon king in stories, stuffed with explosives by righteous warriors, his body gradually approaching collapse.
“Focus your thoughts, refine the blood pill.”
Zhao Shou’s voice seemed to contain some power, allowing his scattered thoughts to converge, escaping chaos.
Xu Qi’an held his breath and concentrated, using breathing techniques to try to guide the chaotic and violent life essence within his body.
But it was useless. Wherever this life essence went, it brought destruction. Meridians ruptured one after another, cells burst, and terrifying wounds appeared, forming spider web-like cracks across his body surface.
“It’s not about absorption, but using this force to make my cells transcend mortality, gaining the characteristic of immortality. But how do I make the cells radiate new life force?”
Seeing his vitality being gradually eroded, Xu Qi’an felt an undisguisable fear in his heart.
“…Wait, this is the same as the method Shen Shu used to bestow his blood essence on me. The only difference is that Shen Shu eliminated the willpower in the blood essence beforehand.”
Xu Qi’an suddenly remembered that he was different from ordinary martial artists. He had two experiences of absorbing the life essence of high-ranking martial artists. According to what the Chancellor said, I should have died in my previous two attempts.
“Ordinary martial artists must transform at the life level before they can absorb the power of the blood pill. But I’ve had similar experiences before. Why not try direct absorption…”
Under the empowerment of the Chancellor’s words becoming reality, his thoughts became clear. He used his will to control the life essence, making it less violent, while trying to absorb it, nourishing his cells.
Annihilated cells were reborn, radiating with life force, then “died” again under the ravages of the blood pill’s power, only to be reborn once more. With each cycle of annihilation and rebirth, the cells were like ordinary iron being tempered.
Xu Qi’an became elated. He indeed had the foundation to directly absorb the power of the blood pill. He had long been half a step into the extraordinary realm. Under Shen Shu’s protection, the two previous instances of absorbing blood essence had laid a solid foundation for him.
Jian Zheng, is this also one of your gifts?
He couldn’t help but recall what Shen Shu had said before – the nourishment was mutual, benefiting both Shen Shu and himself. The Jian Zheng must have been clear about this, right?
Had he paved the way for me long ago?
Forcibly suppressing his fear and wariness of the old fox, he patiently began to absorb the power of the blood pill.
Time passed slowly. After an unknown period, when the last bit of life essence was absorbed, the wounds on Xu Qi’an’s body surface had long since healed.
His clothes were stained with blood, but his body was as lustrous as jade, flawless and pure.
Zhao Shou squinted his eyes and smiled, “Congratulations, Constable Xu, on advancing to the Third Rank and stepping into the realm of the extraordinary.”
The Chancellor is at the Third Rank, and so am I. I wonder if I could beat him… Oh, Zhao Shou is at the peak of the Third Rank, just one step away from the Second Rank. Never mind then… Xu Qi’an respectfully returned the gesture:
“Thank you for your assistance, Chancellor.”
Zhao Shou shook his head with a smile: “The one who helped you wasn’t me, but Wei Yuan, and…”
He glanced in the direction of the capital.
…
Xu Qi’an changed into clean and tidy clothes and came to the courtyard where his second uncle lived.
Ling Yin and Li Na were nowhere to be seen in the courtyard. His second uncle and Xu Lingyue were sitting by the stone table drinking tea, while his aunt was crouching by the flower bed, loosening the soil and watering the flowers and plants.
“My lord, this academy is truly magical. The flowers here never wither in all four seasons. When Er Lang told me before, I didn’t believe it…”
His aunt said in a coquettish voice.
Second Uncle Xu stood up with delight, looking at his nephew who had entered the courtyard.
Even quicker than him was Xu Lingyue, who rushed forward like a swallow returning to its nest. His sister, who would turn nineteen after the New Year, had developed an increasingly shapely figure.
“Big brother!”
Xu Lingyue choked her emotions a mix of sorrow and joy.
After Li Miaozhen returned to the capital, she came to the academy to inform them of Xu Qi’an’s condition – severely injured, unconscious, and nearly died.
Second Uncle Xu felt relieved.
His aunt turned her head to look and saw that her nephew was unscathed, and her face instantly brightened. Then she quickly composed herself and pouted:
“My lord, I told you this boy’s life is as tough as nails. There’s no need to worry about him needlessly.”
Er Lang’s tsundere nature was inherited from his aunt.
After some small talk, Xu Qi’an took out the prepared property deeds and land contracts, saying:
“Second Uncle, I’ve bought a house in Jian Province. Tomorrow at dawn, please take Aunt and my sisters to set out on the journey.”
He didn’t leave any silver. The Xu family was now wealthy and didn’t lack travel expenses or subsequent costs.
Moreover, if anything were to happen to him, someone would deliver his savings to Second Uncle Xu.
Second Uncle Xu opened his mouth but didn’t take the deeds. He looked deeply at his nephew: “What about you?”
Xu Qi’an said with a calm tone and a smile: “I have no way to retreat now.”
Only then did Second Uncle Xu accept the property deeds and land contracts: “Alright.”
After a pause, he said in a low voice: “I can’t control your affairs anymore. Your uncle is just regretful that he won’t see you get married. At least, at least you should have left an heir for your father’s lineage, you unfilial dog.”
His emotions became agitated.
Forgive me for this life of unrestrained love for freeloading… Xu Qi’an offered his most sincere apologies in his heart.
“I’ll make proper arrangements for Er Lang. Don’t worry about him.”
After saying this, Xu Qi’an bid farewell to his family.
…
[One: That’s pretty much how things went.]
In a private chat, Number One relayed the course of events to Chu Yuanzhen in detail.
Yuan Jing is the former emperor… The former emperor colluded with the Shaman God Cult to kill Wei Yuan… The former emperor wants to define this campaign as a defeat, further shaking the national fortune…
Chu Yuanzhen’s mind was in chaos. Some of this information he had known for a long time, but the news of the former emperor colluding with the Shaman God Cult to kill Wei Yuan was something he had just heard.
[Four: What should we do now?]
Huai Qing didn’t answer this question.
She didn’t know. Even as intelligent as the eldest princess, she felt somewhat lost and confused when faced with such a situation.
In her view, this kind of matter could only be inquired about with the Jian Zheng, and only the Jian Zheng could handle problems at this level.
[Four: It’s hard to accept, so hard to accept.]
Even through the Earth Book, one could feel Chu Yuanzhen’s surging scholarly indignation.
[Four: What’s Xu Qi’an’s opinion?]
[One: He asked me to ask you if you could return to the capital before dawn tomorrow.]
Chu Yuanzhen was startled but didn’t answer immediately. An incredible thought welled up in his heart.
Just then, Xu Qi’an’s message appeared in the Earth Book. It wasn’t a private message, but a public one:
[There are some things I want to discuss with everyone.]
Except for Jin Lian who was in seclusion, and Numbers Seven and Eight who were offline, the Earth Book fragment holders unanimously took out their fragments.
[Three: Regarding the former emperor Zhen De’s plans and objectives, I can now answer everyone.]
He, he’s already figured out Zhen De’s true purpose? He just took a nap, ah, as expected of you… Li Miaozhen’s spirits lifted, feeling both expectant and admiring.
This… I haven’t even digested the information Number One just told me! Chu Yuanzhen’s expression was complex, his gaze firmly fixed on the Earth Book fragment, afraid of missing any upcoming information.
The former emperor’s true purpose… Huai Qing took a deep breath, her heart surging.
Master Heng Yuan was meditating in a secluded forest on Mount Qingyun, holding the Earth Book fragment, focusing intently.
Even Li Na realized the gravity of the situation, focusing her thoughts on the Earth Book fragment.
At this point, Xu Qi’an shared his and Chancellor Zhao Shou’s conjectures with everyone in the Earth Book chat group in detail.
It was like a bolt from the blue.
The Earth Book fragment holders were silent for a long time.
To make Great Feng a vassal state of the Shaman God Cult, thereby avoiding the rule that one blessed with national fortune cannot achieve immortality, and becoming the spokesperson for the Shaman God Cult in the Central Plains, becoming an emperor and ruler in another sense…
Handing over the empire built by ancestors to others, the former emperor has fallen too deep into demonic cultivation…
Damn Zhen De, I want to stab him to death right now…
Although I didn’t quite understand, it seems very impressive…
Amitabha Buddha…
The members of the Earthly Society were greatly shocked. There was anger, astonishment, and sudden realization, a feeling that all the clues had been connected.
[One: The former emperor, he has gone mad.]
Everyone has desires, but to disregard everything for the sake of desire, to go this far, one can only say that the former emperor has been corrupted by the Earthly Sect Patriarch, falling too deep into demonic cultivation, his obsession turning into demonic thoughts.
[Four: What I don’t understand is, how to make Great Feng a vassal state?]
Chu Yuanzhen’s words sparked intense discussion among everyone.
[One: Scatter the national fortune, throw the world into chaos, and have the Shaman God Cult seize the opportunity to invade the Central Plains?]
[Two: This possibility can’t be ruled out, but after experiencing Wei Yuan’s sweep and the battle at Yuyang Pass, the Shaman God Cult has suffered great losses. Even if Great Feng falls into chaos, wouldn’t it benefit the Western Buddhist sects more?]
Heng Yuan and Li Na didn’t express their opinions, one not being good at analyzing such matters, the other simply lacking intelligence.
[Three: Zhen De will take action again. Shaking the national fortune is not the final step. What he does next will be the most crucial. But I won’t give him the chance.]
[What do you plan to do?]
Almost everyone sent this message at the same time.
Xu Qi’an was silent for a long time, then slowly wrote:
[I’m going to assassinate the emperor!]
The Earth Book fragments fell silent.
I’m going to assassinate the emperor… Seeing these four words, everyone’s hands began to tremble slightly.
Huai Qing’s mind was in chaos.
Back then, Chu Yuanzhen was dissatisfied with Yuan Jing’s cultivation and resigned from his official post to practice swordsmanship and roam the world. However, in his words and attitude, he expressed dissatisfaction and disdain for Yuan Jing everywhere.
But he had never thought of the words “assassinate the emperor.”
Living in this era, whether one admits it or not, one’s thoughts are inevitably influenced by concepts like “ruler and subject, father and son,” “if the ruler wants the subject to die, the subject must die,” and so on.
Assassinating the emperor was something he had never considered, no matter what.
Li Miaozhen was the Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Sect and hadn’t received a Confucian education, but she also lived in this era and knew the concept and significance of the words “emperor” and “king.”
When she previously talked about stabbing Yuan Jing to death, it was more about venting her emotions.
[Three: When a man loses the Way, Heaven strikes him down. When a ruler loses the Way, I strike him down. Everyone, are you willing to help me?]
Xu Ning Yan is truly a lawless martial artist… Everyone’s emotions surged internally.
[Two: Yes.]
[Four: Yes.]
[Five: Yes.]
[Six: Yes.]
After a long time, Number One’s message finally came: […Yes.]
[Three: Daoist Jin Lian, what do you say?]
After waiting for a while without getting a reply from Daoist Jin Lian, Xu Qi’an felt relieved and sent a message: [Let me tell you the plan in detail.]