23: Chapter 23: They're all old foxes!

Eighth Demon Son, Blood Demon Son.

Two people stood behind him.

On the left was a burly man like an iron tower, nine feet tall, with knotted muscles, wearing only simple leather armor; his exposed skin was covered in hideous scars and dark red demonic patterns.

His aura was heavy as a mountain, with the cultivation of the Great Perfection of the Golden Core, a Body Cultivator.

On the right was a woman with a bewitching figure, wearing a tight purple gauze skirt that outlined breathtaking curves.

She had a charming appearance, and her shifting gaze carried a hint of allure.

But upon closer observation, one would notice a faint, eerie blue hue on the tips of her fingers and earlobes, traces left by long-term contact with potent poisons.

With the cultivation of the last stage of Golden Core.

Information provided by the White Bone Scholar flashed through Xiao Ran's mind.

The burly man was Tu Gang, Blood Child's trusted henchman, who cultivated the Hundred Battles Demonic Body, possessing infinite strength and astonishing defense.

The woman was Liu Meier, skilled in charm and poison arts, with a complex background.

It was said that she was involved with several factions and was a character who knew how to play both sides.

"Junior Brother Xiao, you've arrived quite punctually."

Blood Child spoke, his voice shrill and grating, like fingernails scraping against glass.

He turned around, his scarlet eyes fixed on Xiao Ran.

The corners of his mouth stretched into an exaggerated arc, revealing two rows of fine, sharp teeth.

"I heard you just had a Breakthrough to the Golden Core? Tsk tsk, this aura... it's so pure it makes one drool."

Before he finished speaking.

A cold, viscous pressure, carrying a thick scent of blood, suddenly bore down on Xiao Ran!

The few Disciples on the square turned pale and subconsciously retreated several steps.

Xiao Ran didn't even frown.

His demonic core rotated slightly within him, and the Guixu Demonic Light flowed silently through his Meridians.

The oncoming bloody pressure seemed like a clay ox entering the sea, dissipating into nothingness three feet in front of him.

"Eighth Senior Brother is too kind."

"This Junior Brother's meager cultivation is nowhere near your Middle Stage Golden Core and Major Achievement of the Demonic Body, Senior Brother."

Xiao Ran said calmly.

Hearing this, Blood Child's scarlet pupils constricted slightly.

Although the pressure he had just released was only a test, an ordinary Cultivator at the last stage of Golden Core would at least have had their aura fluctuate or been forced to retreat half a step to neutralize it.

This Xiao Ran... actually didn't move an inch?

"Interesting."

"It seems the rumors are true; Junior Brother Xiao really does have some skill."

Blood Child licked his lips, an action very much like a venomous snake flicking its tongue.

He took a step forward and looked up at Xiao Ran.

This action made him look even more ridiculous, but no one dared to laugh.

"However, Junior Brother, I am leading this mission."

"When we arrive at the Blood Fiend Sect, you will do whatever I say. Do you understand?"

Blood Child's voice lowered, carrying undisguised malice.

"Since you are the team leader, Senior Brother, I will naturally follow your arrangements," Xiao Ran said calmly.

"Hehe, that's good."

Blood Child turned around and waved to Tu Gang and Liu Meier.

"Let's go!"

The silent Tu Gang grunted in acknowledgment, walked to the edge of the square, took a palm-sized black bone boat from his Storage Pouch, and tossed it into the air.

The bone boat grew in the wind, instantly transforming into a flying boat three zhang long, crafted entirely from the bones of an unknown Yao Beast.

The surface of the boat was covered in dense demonic patterns, emitting a sinister and eerie aura.

"The blood bone boat, Eighth Demon Son's exclusive flying Magical Artifact; its speed is comparable to a Cultivator at the Nascent Soul Early Stage flying at full power."

"Is this Ninth Demon Child's first time riding it? You'd better stand steady later."

Liu Meier didn't know when she had walked to Xiao Ran's side, speaking in a soft whisper.

When she spoke, her eyes were filled with emotion, her breath was like orchids, and a faint, sweet fragrance drifted over.

Xiao Ran remained expressionless; the Guixu Demonic Light within him silently circulated, swallowing and decomposing that wisp of sweet fragrance.

"Thank you for the reminder."

A trace of surprise flashed in Liu Meier's eyes, and she covered her mouth and chuckled.

"Ninth Demon Child is truly cute."

Subsequently, the four boarded the blood bone boat.

Tu Gang was responsible for piloting, while Blood Child sat on the bone seat at the bow, closing his eyes to rest.

Liu Meier sat by his side, her posture lazy.

Xiao Ran sat alone at the stern, his gaze sweeping over the mountains and rivers rapidly receding below.

The blood bone boat was extremely fast; in less than half a day, it had already flown out of the territory of the Eternal Night Demon Sect and entered the Northern Wilderness.

Just then, a voice transmission suddenly rang in Xiao Ran's ears.

"Junior Brother Xiao, are you getting used to the journey?"

It was the voice of the White Bone Scholar.

Xiao Ran's expression remained unchanged, and he replied via secret voice transmission.

"I am."

"Does Third Senior Brother have something to say?"

"Nothing major, just a reminder for you, Junior Brother."

The White Bone Scholar's voice carried his usual smile, but this time it was a bit more serious.

"That fellow Blood Child, his attempt to break through to the Nascent Soul Stage failed, leading to Qi Deviation and a drop in his cultivation Realm. Recently, the backlash from his Bloodthirsty Demonic Technique has been getting more and more serious. He needs a large amount of essence blood, especially the essence blood of geniuses, to suppress the restlessness of his demonic body."

"You just had a Breakthrough to the Golden Core, your demonic core is pure, your blood and Qi are vigorous, and you have the Myriad Dao Guixu Body... To him, you are simply a walking tonic."

Xiao Ran narrowed his eyes: "Does Senior Brother mean he will make a move on me during the mission?"

"Who knows?"

"In a place like the Blood Fiend Sect, it's all too normal for a person or two to die. Encountering accidents while exploring ruins, being surrounded and killed by remnants of the Blood Fiend Sect... there are plenty of excuses."

The White Bone Scholar chuckled, as if he were merely reminding him.

"Junior Brother, I think highly of you, so make sure you don't capsize in the gutter."

The voice transmission ended there.

Xiao Ran paused, his gaze fixed on the short red figure at the bow of the boat, a cold light flashing in the depths of his eyes.

So that was it.

The White Bone Scholar recommending him to join was not to help his Junior Brother at all.

It was to use his hands to test the true strength of the Blood Demon Son.

Or perhaps, it was to use Blood Child's hands to test him, or even eliminate him.

Regardless of the outcome, there was no loss for the White Bone Scholar.

If Xiao Ran died, there would be one less potential competitor.

If Xiao Ran counter-killed Blood Child, that would be even better—eliminating an eyesore and earning Xiao Ran's favor.

"Killing two birds with one stone... no, three birds with one stone."

Xiao Ran sneered inwardly.

These Demon Sons who had lived for who knows how many years were certainly not simple.

They are all such crafty old schemers!

However...

He touched his Storage Pouch, where a blood-colored jade pendant lay quietly.

It was a life-saving item bestowed by the Sect Master Sect Master Li Jiuyou, capable of blocking a full-power strike from a Nascent Soul Cultivator.

And there were 9100 points in the System mall, which could be used to exchange for trump cards at any time.

"Want to swallow me? I'm afraid your teeth aren't sharp enough."

The blood bone boat tore through the clouds and sped toward the direction of the Black Fiend Mountain Range.

In the distant sky, the outline of dark red mountains loomed faintly under the gloomy sky.

The Blood Fiend Sect had arrived.