57: Chapter 57 Keep Cursing Him

A bold speculation instantly sprouted in his mind.

Could Wu Qian's death be related to a backlash from the Blood Demon Curse?

After all, the time his Blood Demon Curse disappeared was just the day before yesterday.

Qin Changsheng also understood why Wu Qian had appointed Manager Ma Yingjie as the head of Servant Peak.

After three rounds of drinks, the topics of casual conversation among the group gradually scattered, some talking about the Bottlenecks in their own Cultivation, others complaining about the lack of resources in the Outer Sect.

Hu Nan seized the Opportunity to ask, "Senior Brothers and Sisters, I wonder if there have been any noteworthy major events within the Sect this year?"

At Hu Nan's question, everyone stopped their idle chatter and began speaking, one after another.

One Disciple spoke first, his face wearing a hearty smile, his tone tinged with a hint of emotion, "There have been a few major events, but most are Yao Beast hunting tasks issued by the Outer Sect."

"A few days ago, the Sect just issued a new task: go to Black Wind Mountain to kill Black-Striped Wolves. For each one slain, you can receive a reward of fifty Spirit Sand. If you can retrieve the inner core of a Black-Striped Wolf, the reward doubles."

"Yes, yes, and also the Green Bamboo Forest in the western outskirts. It's said many Poison Miasma Snakes have appeared recently, biting several Disciples who went out to gather herbs. The Sect has also issued an extermination task with a very generous reward, but the Poison Miasma Snakes' venom is quite potent, so the risk is significant."

"Apart from that, there's only the monthly resource distribution, which occasionally includes a few extra low-grade Spiritual Plants. For us Outer Sect Disciples, the major events we can access ultimately revolve around killing Yao Beasts and earning rewards. Compared to Inner Sect Disciples, we're far behind."

Everyone sighed, expressions of helplessness appearing on their faces.

They came from ordinary backgrounds, their Spiritual Root Aptitude not outstanding. Merely advancing to the Outer Sect was difficult enough. Most of the Sect's core resources and significant Opportunities were monopolized by Inner Sect Disciples. All they could do was rely on these Yao Beast tasks to slowly accumulate Spirit Sand, strive for survival, and Cultivate at a snail's pace.

Just as the group's tone grew low and they gradually fell into silence, Lin Yao, sitting in the corner, suddenly let out a low laugh, her laughter carrying a hint of smugness and boastfulness.

Everyone turned to look at Lin Yao, their eyes full of confusion.

Li Hu frowned and asked, "Senior Sister Lin, what are you laughing at? Do you perhaps know something we don't?"

"Yes, Senior Sister Lin, stop keeping us in suspense. Tell us quickly, do you know about some major Sect event?"

Everyone knew Lin Yao had an arrogant temperament. If she didn't have absolute confidence, she would never laugh so smugly. She must truly know some secret.

Only then did Lin Yao speak, "What you all just mentioned, what kind of major events are those? They're just tedious chores for meager rewards. I, however, know of a truly major event, one that concerns an Opportunity for every one of us Outer Sect Disciples."

"An Opportunity?" Everyone's eyes lit up, and they leaned forward.

"Senior Sister, tell us quickly, what kind of Opportunity is it? Could it be that the Sect is selecting Outer Sect Disciples to go to the Inner Sect for training?"

Lin Yao waved her hand, a look of disdain appearing on her face. "Inner Sect training? This is more important than that! I learned from a Senior Brother who works in the Alchemy Pavilion that this year, an Elder from the Alchemy Pavilion will personally go to the Sect's main square to publicly teach everyone the art of Alchemy!"

"What?! An Alchemy Pavilion Elder? Publicly teaching the art of Alchemy?!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the private room instantly erupted. Everyone exclaimed in shock, their faces filled with disbelief, astonishment, and excitement, their tones brimming with urgency and wild joy.

"You... you're telling the truth? How could an Alchemy Pavilion Elder personally come to the Outer Sect to teach Alchemy? That's impossible, right?"

Everyone was extremely excited.

After all, the art of Alchemy was an extremely scarce Legacy within the Heavenly Sword Sect. The Alchemy Pavilion had always been strictly guarded, and the Alchemy Elder rarely made appearances. Usually, not to mention Outer Sect Disciples, even many Inner Sect Disciples had no chance to come into contact with the art of Alchemy.

Medicinal Pills were of paramount importance on the Cultivation path. Whether it was stabilizing Cultivation, breaking through Bottlenecks, healing injuries, or detoxifying poison, none could be done without Medicinal Pills. Yet Outer Sect Disciples were resource-poor, often struggling to obtain even the lowest-grade Qi Gathering Pill. If they could learn the art of Alchemy, they could become self-sufficient and never have to worry about Medicinal Pills again!

"How could I possibly joke about such a matter?" Lin Yao looked at the excited group. "That Senior Brother told me personally. He also said the Alchemy Pavilion Elder has already set the date for next month. At that time, all Outer Sect Disciples can go to the Sect's main square to listen to the teaching, and even have the chance to personally try refining low-grade Medicinal Pills."

"Excellent! Truly excellent!" Zhang Han's voice was full of wild joy. "If we can learn the art of Alchemy, we'll never have to risk our lives killing Yao Beasts just for a single Qi Gathering Pill again! We can also rely on Alchemy to accumulate more Spirit Sand, break through our Cultivation levels sooner, and even have a chance to advance to the Inner Sect!"

Everyone chimed in, discussing their plans after learning the art of Alchemy.

Some said they would first refine Qi Gathering Pills to stabilize their own Cultivation.

Some said they would refine healing pills, so they'd have an extra layer of protection when going out on missions.

Others said they would refine Medicinal Pills to Exchange for Spirit Sand, accumulate enough resources, and sooner replace their Cultivation Techniques with better ones.

At this moment, Qin Changsheng, who was in his small courtyard, heard these people's conversation, and his mind also became active.

Although he had Heavenly Dao - Cultivation, spirit rice, and the boost from Spirit Sand, he could only gain a maximum of twenty-five points of proficiency per day.

To break through to Qi Refining Stage 7 would still require more than half a year.

If he could learn the art of Alchemy, then he could refine Qi Gathering Pills for the Qi Refinement Stage himself.

Then Qin Changsheng's Cultivation Speed would increase dramatically.

Moreover, Qin Changsheng possessed the Golden Trait 'Heavenly Dao - Cultivation'.

Every time he successfully refines one Medicinal Pill, he can harvest five Medicinal Pills.

This way, whether for Cultivation or selling, it would be very cost-effective.

"By the way, I just remembered a strange occurrence!" Zhang Han said, putting down his wine cup.

Hearing this, everyone stopped talking and turned to look at Zhang Han, their eyes full of curiosity.

"Senior Brother Zhang, what strange occurrence? Could it be even more peculiar than the Alchemy Elder teaching his skills?" a fellow townsman eagerly pressed.

Zhang Han spoke up, "Every month on the night of the full moon at Qingyun Lake, a strange red light appears out of thin air on the lake's surface. Moreover, that red light carries faint fluctuations of Spiritual Qi, lasting for about a quarter of an hour before gradually dissipating."

"Qingyun Lake? Red light?" Hearing the words "Qingyun Lake," Qin Changsheng's mind shook violently.

For the past six months, Qin Changsheng had been investigating the matter of the Qingyun Lake secret treasure.

He had even sent Hu Nan to Qingyun Lake before.

However, there was simply no news at all.

Now, hearing Zhang Han's words, a bold speculation instantly sprouted in Qin Changsheng's heart.

Could this red light appearing on the night of the full moon at Qingyun Lake be related to the secret treasure at the bottom of the lake?

The secret treasure, hidden at the lake bottom for years, must be dense with Spiritual Qi. Perhaps on the night of the full moon, when the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi is at its peak, the treasure emits a red light that breaks through the lake surface's concealment, creating such a strange phenomenon.

In the private room, everyone also erupted in chatter again, their faces filled with disbelief and curiosity, pressing for details.

"Senior Brother, are you telling the truth? Does Qingyun Lake really have a red light appear on the night of the full moon?"

"What exactly is that red light? Is it condensed Spiritual Qi, or is there something strange at the bottom of the lake? Could it also be some kind of Opportunity?"

"I think it might be a treasure!"

Everyone spoke one after another, their tones full of urgency and inquiry, the excitement on their faces once again replaced by curiosity.

At that moment, Li Hu suddenly sneered, a look of disdain appearing on his face as he refuted, "What Opportunity, what strange object? I think it's just a Yao Beast."

Everyone turned to look at Li Hu, their eyes full of confusion.

Li Hu spoke up, "Just think about it. Qingyun Lake is near the Heavenly Sword Sect. If there really was a treasure, those powerful experts in the Sect would have taken it long ago."

As Li Hu's words fell, the atmosphere in the private room instantly cooled.

Everyone acknowledged Li Hu's point.

After all, if there really was a treasure in Qingyun Lake, those powerful experts in the Sect would have already fought over it.

...

The night of the full moon.

Qin Changsheng quietly approached the edge of Qingyun Lake.

He did not control his External Incarnation, Hu Nan, to come because Hu Nan had been here several times without any results.

Moreover, Qin Changsheng possessed the Golden Traits Exchange, Breath Concealment, and Substitute Death.

As long as he didn't encounter a powerhouse above the Golden Core Stage, he wouldn't be in any danger.

Still dozens of steps away from Qingyun Lake, Qin Changsheng subconsciously stopped because a series of conversing voices came from ahead.

Qin Changsheng instantly used the Golden Trait Breath Concealment, suppressing all of his own aura.

Simultaneously, Qin Changsheng also shifted his gaze forward.

He saw two figures standing beside a large rock on the shore of Qingyun Lake.

One of them wore the blue Outer Sect uniform, had a sinister face, and was slightly plump. Qin Changsheng recognized him at a glance: it was Servant Peak Manager Ma Yingjie.

The person beside Ma Yingjie was even more peculiar.

He wore a fiery red robe embroidered with strange black patterns that shimmered with a sinister luster under the moonlight.

His face was covered by an iron mask, making it impossible to see his features or expression.

However, looking at this person's back, it seemed very familiar. Qin Changsheng felt he had seen this person somewhere before.

Ma Yingjie bowed slightly, his tone respectful and fearful, "Young Lord, this subordinate has important matters to report!"

"What is it?" the red-robed man asked.

"Hall Master Wu died over ten days ago from a backlash of the Blood Curse," Ma Yingjie reported.

Hearing this, the red-robed man remained silent for a long time before speaking, "What happened? Why have two curses failed to kill that person, and instead caused my Blood Demon Sect to suffer a backlash death?"

Hearing the two's conversation, Qin Changsheng instantly understood what was going on.

So Wu Qian really was a member of the Blood Demon Sect.

And the person both Wu Qian and Jin Fu cursed was him.

Ma Yingjie trembled all over from the red-masked man's questioning, quickly bowing again and speaking cautiously, "Young Lord, this subordinate speculates that perhaps that person's lifespan is too long, his vitality too vigorous."

The red-masked man fell silent for a long time before slowly speaking, "Hmph, a Qi Refining Cultivator, how much lifespan could he possibly have?

"Send two more people. Have them plant the Blood Curse on him again. I refuse to believe his lifespan can be so Heaven-Defying as to withstand the curses of my Blood Demon Sect time and again!"