The Red-Clothed Boy released Wei Zhong's arm and shook his head. "Five Spiritual Roots, all low-grade. Unfit for cultivation."
Wei Zhong's confusion deepened as the boy asked, "Did you kill the brat who practiced the Blood Body Technique?"
Wei Zhong was startled. While the Li Family knew he had killed Candle Daoist, how could this person know Candle Daoist had practiced the Blood Body Technique?
"What Blood Body Technique? This junior is unaware of such a thing. However, I did slay a Demonic Cultivator here the day before yesterday."
"Oh? Are you lying?"
As the boy spoke, Wei Zhong felt his Sea of Consciousness tremble, as if compelled to reveal the truth. But the Time Treasure Record, coiled within his Sea of Consciousness, gently shuddered and suppressed the urge.
"This junior speaks only the truth."
"What about the cultivator's Storage Pouch?"
"The battle was fierce; it was destroyed."
"Destroyed?"
The Red-Clothed Boy's expression turned doubtful.
"Fellow Daoist Red Beard, I inspected the cave. The traces of battle were extensive, and residual spatial fluctuations confirm the Storage Pouch was indeed destroyed."
Wei Zhong suddenly noticed another white-robed Daoist with an immortal-like demeanor standing beside him, addressing the Red-Clothed Boy.
The latter remained persistent:
"Did you obtain a small sword-shaped object from that cultivator?"
"I did not."
The Red-Clothed Boy then probed with indirect questions, but Wei Zhong answered each with meticulous precision, leaving no openings.
Finding no further leads, the Red-Clothed Boy reluctantly gave up.
He glanced back at the white-robed Daoist, their eyes met, and they vanished from the spot in an instant.
In the air, the white-robed Daoist smiled at the Red-Clothed Boy and said:
"Fellow Daoist Red Beard, you're too merciful. A soul search would have revealed everything. Why bother with the True Word Art?"
The Red-Clothed Boy shook his head:
"I'm not as ruthless as you, Fellow Daoist Bai Heng. Even though he was just a Foundation Establishment cultivator with limited potential, he was still one of our Human Race.
Why don't you share your findings?"
The white-robed Daoist replied:
"My investigation confirms that a fierce battle occurred within the cave on the mountain. Though attempts were made to conceal the aftermath, the traces couldn't escape my notice."
The cave reeked of blood, the stench identical to that of the Blood Bodies we had slain before.
Judging by the battle's aftermath, this Blood Body had been obliterated by a single strike approaching Core Formation level. The attack reduced it to dust and, with undiminished force, pierced through more than half the mountain.
"A strike approaching Core Formation level? It seems that junior has some fortune. Otherwise, they wouldn't have reached Foundation Establishment at such an advanced age."
"What, Fellow Daoist Red Beard, are you tempted?" Bai Heng teased with a smile.
The latter snorted. "Core Formation level? Merely Talismans and Talisman Treasures. Such trifles are beneath my notice. For us Spirit Transformation cultivators, only the techniques of transcendence hold any value."
Bai Heng sighed. "Indeed. That's why we've been searching so diligently, and finally found traces of the Blood Sovereign here. If we can obtain his methods, they might illuminate our own paths."
Red Beard scratched his head.
"Some junior who appeared out of nowhere has inherited the Blood Sovereign's legacy and even taken the title Blood Sea True Monarch, practicing Demonic Cultivation. It's a disgrace to the Blood Sovereign's name.
I heard the Nether Luo Sect next door lost a promising Earth Spirit Root disciple to this calamity. What a pity."
Bai Heng stroked his beard. "In my opinion, this self-proclaimed Blood Sea junior likely only obtained a fragmented inheritance. He must have mixed it with some heretical techniques to create such a life-devouring Technique."
Red Beard nodded in agreement, then asked, "Speaking of which, Bai Heng, how many inheritances have you acquired?"
The white-robed Daoist replied, "Eight and a half. One jade slip was accidentally destroyed during the competition."
"Haha! Even with your half-set completed, you'd still be one short of me. Speaking of which, I found one of mine in a nearby ravine. I wonder which junior buried it there."
"Oh? A cautious junior who could resist such temptation? Perhaps they'll have a chance to reach our realm someday."
"Heh, the path of cultivation is fraught with hardship. It's fortunate enough to live out one's lifespan. Spirit Transformation?" Red Beard shook his head.
Wei Zhong remained unaware of the conversation that had transpired after the pair's departure, and he had no idea that the jade slip he had buried years ago had been discovered and taken.
Turning to Xie Linghua, who was approaching, he asked, "Did anyone come by after Li Haowen left?"
She shook her head, her expression puzzled. "No one," she replied. Noticing Wei Zhong's worried demeanor, she added, "What's wrong, Master?"
Wei Zhong didn't answer, his mind replaying the sudden arrival of the two cultivators.
They were at least Nascent Soul realm cultivators, or perhaps even Spirit Transformation realm cultivators.
Wei Zhong had never felt such utter helplessness before. Had they not spoken first, he wouldn't have sensed their presence at all. With a single move, they had subdued him, leaving him no chance to escape into his Grotto-Heaven.
Fortunately, they seemed to harbor no ill intent. He felt a surge of gratitude for his own caution.
It had been wise not to instantly reset his bone age to his youth. Otherwise, a twenty- or thirty-year-old with a trash-tier Five Elements spirit root—all low-grade—reaching Foundation Establishment would have raised serious suspicions.
Now, with a bone age of over a hundred, he appeared to be at the normal age for Foundation Establishment, which had slightly allayed their doubts.
Still, what secret technique had that Red-Clothed Boy, the one called Red Beard, used to shake his Sea of Consciousness and force him to speak the truth?
Fortunately, the Time Treasure Record suppressed the compulsion; otherwise, he would have spilled all his secrets like beans.
That would have been a fatal calamity.
Now, the two cultivators likely believed he had slain the Candle Daoist using some immensely powerful Secret Treasure.
What mysteries lay within the Blood Sea True Monarch's legacy that could attract the attention of these Grand Cultivators?
Wei Zhong had planned to retrieve the legacy items he had buried years ago to prepare for enemies tracking the Candle Daoist's trail.
But after this incident, he dared not. Let the token and jade slip remain buried deep underground forever.
If anyone came to Han Bamboo City, he would fight if he could win, and flee if he couldn't.
This incident would likely quiet things down in Han Bamboo City. With such powerful cultivators watching, the Loose Cultivator city, whose strongest members were only at the Golden Core stage, would have little opportunity for trouble.
Could this be his chance to investigate?
He used to be poor and weak, but now things were different.
Having successfully achieved Foundation Establishment, he now possessed his own spirit ground and Grotto-Heaven, allowing him to properly plan his future path.
First, he needed to break free from the Azurewood Sect's monopoly. Alchemy, talisman crafting, artifact forging, formations—all these skills needed to be prioritized.
With the Time Treasure Record's proficiency panel and his near-infinite lifespan, he could hone these skills to the highest realms.
These skills would serve as resources on his cultivation journey...