Obtaining the Mother Jade, Bestowing the Valley

Everyone knows that for a cultivator to advance from Qi Gathering to Condensed Origin, they must condense an Origin Core within their Dantian.

But not all Qi Gathering cultivators possess the aptitude to reach the Condensed Origin realm. For the vast majority, simply being able to reach the twelfth level like Li Yuande is already an extraordinary achievement.

Once a cultivator reaches the twelfth level of Qi Gathering, if they cannot achieve Condensed Origin yet still wish to increase their combat power, they often begin researching unorthodox, peripheral methods.

The Blood Pill is one such path, though it belongs entirely to the demonic way.

This wicked method requires gathering over a hundred newborn infants of both sexes. By refining their flesh and blood and extracting the essence as a primer, a cultivator can fuse their own spiritual energy with that primal essence, ultimately creating a counterfeit Origin Core-a Blood Pill condensed within the Dantian.

From then on, drawing upon the power of the Blood Pill allows a cultivator to vastly augment their blood energy and cultivation power, raising their combat strength several notches above that of an ordinary twelfth-level Qi Gathering cultivator.

However, a Blood Pill requires constant nourishment from fresh flesh and blood; otherwise, it will turn inward and consume the cultivator's own Essence Blood.

Thus, once someone sets foot upon this path, there is no turning back.

He Shenglai picked up the object, turning it between his fingers as he examined it closely.

"How interesting. In such a small, backwater place, someone actually managed to conceal a Blood Pill."

After putting the Blood Pill into his Storage Bag, He Shenglai looked at Elder Yu. "Lead the way. Let us go take a look at this Sanglu Valley."

"Yes, Lord He."

Elder Yu carried Gao Hui on his back, his pace steady but slow. He Shenglai did not urge him forward, though he occasionally glanced at the unconscious Gao Hui, his mind seemingly occupied with unknown thoughts.

The two arrived at Sanglu Valley. He Shenglai reached into his pouch and produced another pocket-like spiritual treasure. With a casual wave into the air, he drew all the residual yin energy from the valley into its depths.

"It is rare to see such pure yin energy. It should fetch a fine price."

He Shenglai stowed the pocket away, nodding with satisfaction.

Descending to the valley floor, they found the Zhang family courtyard in utter ruins.

Every few paces, a desiccated corpse lay stretched upon the ground. The blood energy of these Zhang family members had been completely drained, their features frozen in expressions of absolute terror. It was impossible to fathom the horrifying ordeal they had endured before death.

Elder Yu and He Shenglai walked deep into the residence until they reached an already opened cave dwelling.

"Hmph, no wonder they chose to establish their clan in such a remote corner. It turns out they discovered a hidden cave dwelling here."

He Shenglai snorted lightly. Stepping ahead of Elder Yu, he swung his steel whip to shatter several mechanisms inside the entrance before walking in.

This cave dwelling was not large, similar in scale to the Fengling Ancient Tomb cave dwelling that Yang Lingrui had visited before.

While He Shenglai searched the interior, Elder Yu wisely remained waiting outside.

The Yang family's efforts on this excursion had already received He Shenglai's verbal acknowledgment, meaning the Wangchao's rewards would certainly not be meager.

Years ago, when the Wangchao was purchasing demon beast corpses, Elder Yu had feigned an offer to return the Spirit Crystals, only to be sternly rebuked by He Shenglai.

This proved that although the man was arrogant and domineering, he was never ambiguous when it came to the official business of the Wangchao.

After about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, He Shenglai emerged from the cave dwelling.

Most of the valuable items inside had already been claimed by him, but as he stepped into the light, he was holding a piece of green jade in his hand.

As soon as Elder Yu caught sight of the object, he quickly lowered his head, concealing the sudden flash of joy across his face.

"All the valuable items here belong to the Wangchao. You have no objections, I presume?" He Shenglai asked.

Elder Yu quickly bowed low. "Lord He must be joking. Our very lives were saved by your hand; how would we dare harbor any thoughts toward the treasures found here?"

"Mm."

He Shenglai nodded, then looked down at the jade in his palm. "It is a pity about this thing. It appears to be part of a set of Mother-Child Jade. The Child Jade stores dao arts, while the Mother Jade stores spiritual breath. But I searched the entire place and could not find the Child Jade. Now, having only the Mother Jade makes it quite useless."

The refining of a Mother-Child Jade spiritual treasure required both pieces to originate from the exact same stone.

Once completed, the Mother Jade served as a reservoir for spiritual energy, while the Child Jade could be imbued with various dao arts.

When the Child Jade's usage was exhausted, it could be brought back to the Mother Jade to replenish its spiritual energy before being deployed again.

But now that this set had lost its Child Jade, a Mother Jade that could only store spiritual energy was of no real use.

He Shenglai played with it for a moment, then tossed it casually toward Elder Yu.

"Take it back with you. Consider it a souvenir."

"Ah! Thank you, Lord He!"

Elder Yu caught the Mother Jade, frantically suppressing the upward curve of his lips as he tucked it securely into his Storage Bag.

At that moment, Gao Hui, who was resting on his back, slowly regained consciousness. A fraction of strength returned to his body.

"Lord... Lord He..."

"Oh? You are alive?"

He Shenglai smiled and stepped forward. Supported by Elder Yu, Gao Hui offered a formal salute.

"Gao Hui, Town Chief of Baishi Town, pays respects to Lord He."

"Mm. Now that you are awake, recount the sequence of events from beginning to end."

Official business came first. The moment Gao Hui regained his senses, his duty was to report to He Shenglai.

He recounted everything in meticulous detail-how unusual activity had first stirred within Sanglu Valley, how the Yang family had been invited by Qinghe Town to investigate, how he himself had been unable to act due to the restrictions of his office's official talisman, how the ghostly disturbances in Qinghe Town had grown severe, and how he had ultimately stepped in to request the Yang family's assistance.

After listening, He Shenglai weighed the matter clearly in his mind.

"I understand everything. Rest assured, upon my return, I will recommend you for the highest merit. If you had not risked your life here, Qinghe Town would have been devoured clean by that evil entity long ago."

He turned his gaze back to Elder Yu. "If I remember correctly, your clan's previous family head is currently suppressing a rebellion on the eastern border, is he not?"

"Precisely. The old family head remains in the east; we received correspondence from him just a few days ago."

"Mm. I saw his name on the campaign reward list. Your Yang family, as an independent clan, can contribute to the Wangchao in times of war and step forward at this critical moment to share the Wangchao's burdens. Very good."

After rendering his judgment, He Shenglai pointed a finger at the ground beneath their feet. "This valley was originally the territory of the Zhang family. From this day forth, it belongs to your clan."

Upon hearing this, Elder Yu's face instantly lit up with joy, and he bowed deeply. "Thank you for the bounty, Lord He!"

"Very well. Since the matter here is concluded, return with me to Qinghe Town."

"Yes, Lord He!"

Inside the Qinghe Town government office.

Tian Yu paced back and forth within the meeting hall, his face etched with extreme anxiety.

"Why did it have to be this particular man dispatched here!"

"What am I to do now? If that Gao Hui dies, I will be in immense trouble!"

"Please do not die! Whatever happens, do not die!"

Knowing He Shenglai's background and ruthless conduct, Tian Yu's heart was gripped by absolute terror.

The He family was a prominent aristocratic clan with exceptionally close ties to the Zhuhu Wangchao. This background gave He Shenglai complete confidence in everything he did; he never minded the expressions of others and never gave anyone unearned face.

Yang Lingrui and the others were also present in the hall, though their expressions were far calmer.

Because of the Immortal Venerable's presence, Yang Lingrui and Yang Linghu knew full well that Elder Yu had suffered no disaster.

Thump!

The doors to the meeting hall were kicked open, and He Shenglai entered with a cold, severe expression.

"Lord He! You have finally returned!"

Tian Yu hurried forward to greet him. Though his voice called out to He Shenglai, his gaze immediately darted past the man's shoulder to look behind him.

The moment he discerned Gao Hui's figure, a massive weight lifted from his chest.

"Tian Yu!"

"Your subordinate is here!"

"What? You see Gao Hui standing there, and you still have not gone over to kowtow to him a few times?"

He Shenglai suddenly gripped Tian Yu by the collar, dragging him forward violently. "Do you have any idea that your worthless, wretched life was bought and paid for by him?"

"Yes, yes, yes! Of course I know!"

The moment He Shenglai released his grip, Tian Yu dropped into a sliding kneel directly before Gao Hui, striking his head against the ground while babbling endless words of gratitude.

"Such a pathetic sound? I cannot hear it!" He Shenglai barked.

Thump, thump, thump...

Following the harsh rebuke, Tian Yu struck his head against the floorboards even harder, cracking the polished wood beneath him.

Seeing this, Gao Hui quickly interceded. "Lord He, that is sufficient. Please do not humiliate Town Chief Tian any further."

"Hmph. Rise."

"Yes! Thank you, Town Chief Gao! Thank you, Lord He!"

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