93: stunning beauty

Outside the city.

Cloud Mist Mountain Range.

Lu Ming’s Clone rushed several dozen li with a blood cocoon before stopping in a secluded mountain valley.

Gazing at the blood cocoon before him, Lu Ming could sense that the life force within it was gradually dissipating.

“My main body was too ruthless…”

Having sacrificed eight Late-Stage Qi Refinement Cultivators in quick succession, even a Foundation Establishment Cultivator like Liu Yunlong couldn't endure such torment.

Lu Ming had realized that within the same Realm, the Demonic Soul Entangling Blood Silk Curse was virtually invincible; a one-for-one exchange was not an idle boast.

However, cross-Realm curses were somewhat weak, as this was a fundamental difference in the essence of life.

A Qi Refining Stage Ninth Level Cultivator, even if he sacrificed everything, could hardly threaten the life of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

Unless, like him, he made up for lack of quality with quantity.

By recklessly sacrificing lifespan, even an ant could bite an elephant to death.

But his original intention was to capture Liu Yunlong alive; Lu Ming coveted his body.

Unfortunately, such excellent material for a Foundation Establishment Puppet was now mostly ruined.

He didn't know how much strength would remain if he refined it into a Corpse Puppet.

Lu Ming didn't hold much hope, as Liu Yunlong was already considered one of the weakest among Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

And after being tormented for so long, he had little of his original strength left; otherwise, he wouldn't have been unable to defeat even a Qi Refining Puppet.

However, he wasn't disappointed; the other party’s Storage Pouch was still on him, and as the dignified leader of a gang, he should not be short on money.

He wasn't in a hurry to loot the body; Liu Yunlong still had one breath left.

Just in case, he would wait until he was thoroughly dead before looting.

Sitting cross-legged, Lu Ming quietly waited.

Two days later.

After exchanging messages with his main body and learning that Liu Yunlong’s name had disappeared from the golden book, confirming his death.

Rubbing his hands, with no more worries, he prepared to loot.

But he quickly encountered a troublesome problem.

Looking at the 'three-proof' coffin on the ground, Lu Ming rubbed his brow.

“How do I break open this blood cocoon…?”

The Demonic Soul Entangling Blood Silk Curse only taught how to cast the Spell, not how to dispel it.

Lu Ming tried various methods, using Spells and even chopping with his demonic halberd, but none could affect the blood cocoon.

The situation was at a stalemate.

“What kind of situation is this?!”

Fortunately, he didn't have to wait too long. As Liu Yunlong died, the blood cocoon lost its energy source and gradually began to dissipate.

Liu Yunlong's corpse within also disappeared as expected, turning into a pool of pus and blood.

After enduring countless hardships to achieve Foundation Establishment, he thought he was Heaven-Defying his fate and achieving Immortal Ascension, but he never expected to meet such an end.

It was pitiful that he died without knowing why Lu Ming killed him.

Actually, if he hadn't successfully achieved Foundation Establishment, Lu Ming might not have targeted him.

He sighed, no longer dwelling on it.

He picked up the Storage Pouch from the pool of pus and blood, along with the dropped Magical Artifact broadsword, and began to inventory them on the spot.

After erasing the magical power imprint, he poured out all the items inside.

There weren't too many things inside; the quantity of Spirit Stones and Medicinal Pills was acceptable.

Compared to his identity as a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, it even seemed a bit shabby.

Lu Ming took out a small Jade Bottle and opened it to look.

Inside was a pale green, crystal-clear liquid, emitting a faint fragrance.

“Oh, is this a second-tier Foundation Establishment Nurturing Spirit Liquid? Good stuff!”

Lu Ming had already begun planning for the Foundation Establishment Realm, so he often paid attention to such second-tier spiritual items.

Foundation Establishment Nurturing Spirit Liquid, a rare treasure that could stabilize one's Realm, was not cheap.

He didn't expect Liu Yunlong to have such a good item on him; did he use all his Spirit Stones to buy this?

“This benefits me now!”

Putting down the Jade Bottle, Lu Ming continued to inventory Liu Yunlong’s items.

Soon he had a new discovery; Lu Ming took out a Jade Slip from among them.

“ 'Startling Swan', a second-tier escape method, ignites essence, Qi, and spirit to achieve speed beyond one's limits.”

Another life-risking technique, but it was an escape method, and after seeing the cost, Lu Ming exclaimed that it was outrageous.

The side effect was just like the name of the method, a fleeting glimpse, gone in an instant.

It referred not only to speed but also to life.

The extreme sublimation exchanged for breakthrough speed would not last too long, and afterward, death was inevitable.

“Not using it might not kill you, but using it will definitely kill you, so who exactly Cultivates these Cultivation Techniques?”

Lu Ming was very confused, feeling that there was a big problem with this Cultivation Technique itself; what normal person would Cultivate these?

Was it to prevent enemies from desecrating the corpse, running far away to bury oneself?

“Fortunately, I’m not a normal person, so the so-called inevitable death is a joke.”

For others, this escape method was a tasteless chicken rib, but it was very suitable for Lu Ming to use.

He just felt that the Blood Burning Escape Technique was outdated and could no longer keep up with his strength.

Having an additional second-tier escape Spell was still good.

Thinking of this, Lu Ming smiled slightly.

Besides this escape method, there was also a second-tier Cultivation Technique.

Lu Ming looked at it and found it was a Cultivation Technique of the Metal, Wood, and Fire elements.

It should have been Liu Yunlong's main Cultivation Technique, but it was of little use to him.

However, it was still a Foundation Establishment Cultivation Technique, which could be kept; it was suitable for either selling or trading.

Aside from these two Cultivation Techniques and a bottle of Foundation Establishment Nurturing Spirit Liquid, the remaining items were nothing good.

“Hmm? What is this?”

Lu Ming took out an ancient yellow animal skin paper.

He originally thought it was some kind of treasure map, but when he saw the content on it, his brow furrowed.

“Hou Tu Contract? Ji Clan Commerce offering?”

“So this bottle of Foundation Establishment Nurturing Spirit Liquid was provided by Ji Clan Commerce; did Liu Yunlong sell himself for spiritual items?”

It seemed he had been tormented quite badly before, and his Realm couldn't even be stabilized.

And judging from the content of the contract, Liu Yunlong's shamelessness at this Foundation Establishment Banquet was for the purpose of accumulating wealth.

“Did he want to pay off his debts quickly? He has a good sense of crisis, knowing that borrowing has risks.”

After a jest, Lu Ming's magical power vibrated, and the contract turned into dust and disappeared.

“Dong Pingan seemed to have said that Ji Clan Commerce was established by the Immortal Dynasty Ji Family. Now that Liu Yunlong is dead, I wonder what Ji Clan Commerce’s reaction will be.”

Even a large family like Ji Clan Commerce would feel a bit pained by the loss of a second-tier spiritual item.

Would they swallow this hidden loss in silence, or did they have other intentions?

Lu Ming smiled strangely, thinking that this might even be a big fish!

It just so happened that Liu Yunlong’s death required someone to fill his vacant position.