Blood of the Heavenly Peng

The haul was mediocre.

Not everyone was as well-off as Zhu Bo.

Although She Xuan was a rich woman, she was only moderately wealthy, far from the generosity of Zhu Bo's boss. Lu Bei pocketed the silver notes and the secret cultivation manuals of monster cultivators, ignoring the obvious feminine characteristics of some large and small pieces of fabric. He carefully began examining a pile of bottles and jars.

Zhu Bo had repeatedly mentioned that She Xuan was skilled in poison. Coincidentally, Lu Bei was very curious about medicinal herbs and concoctions. He opened the containers one by one, and whether powder or liquid, he dripped them onto She Xuan.

The effect was mediocre. She Xuan's face turned from green to purple, she tilted her head and spat out a mouthful of black blood, then curled up motionless like a dead snake.

"As expected, pharmacology requires professional guidance; self-study won't make one a talent."

Lu Bei abandoned the bottles and jars and went to examine the altar. Soon, he found the keyhole and inserted the key he had obtained from fighting monsters.

The altar erupted in light, evaporating the impure snake blood on it and revealing three sealed white porcelain bottles.

Besides these, there was also a letter pressed beneath the three bottles.

Lu Bei vaguely saw the words "To My Disciple, Open Personally" and, after a moment of silence, opened the letter first.

Disciple, if you can reach this place, it means you have found the secret letter I left in the deep well underground palace. You are indeed the disciple I carefully selected. Although I do not yet know your name at this moment, I deeply believe in my judgment. You have extraordinary talent and will surely bring the Feather Transformation Sect to greater glory...

Lu Bei: (;)

A mouthful of unspoken complaint got stuck in his throat, unsure how to express it, so he swallowed it back and continued reading.

The mystery is revealed. The surprise I left for you is not that Buddha-faced Golden Body Spider. With your cultivation at Grand Perfection of Foundation Establishment, I am certain you will pass without any danger.

Lu Bei: ()

Grand Perfection of Foundation Establishment? What Grand Perfection of Foundation Establishment? Did he jump maps?

Right, he hadn't gone down that well at the Feather Transformation Sect yet.

These three bottles of Demon Race bloodlines were obtained through my arduous journey across the land. One snake, one dragon, and one heavenly peng. You and I are both members of the Feather Transformation Sect, so naturally, we should choose the Blood of the Heavenly Peng. As for the dragon and snake blood, you can deal with them as you see fit.

If you have nowhere to put them, don't throw them away. Leave them here. When the day comes that you cannot break through and seek eternal life, go to the far west, capture a fierce beast, lock it here, and have my disciple's disciple come to challenge it. Wouldn't that be delightful!

Rest assured, I have measured it. The water veins here are lush and the formations are naturally formed. If there is no collapse of the spiritual脉, it will not be discovered for two hundred years. It is very safe.

Lu Bei: (;)

He silently put away the letter, his thoughts complicated. A thousand words turned into one sentence: "I was worried about disgracing the sect, but it turns out I was naive. I just did some light digging; my cheap master is the real thief!"

Thinking carefully, Lu Bei realized it was true. Very well, he had found the reason why Sanqing Peak had been neglected.

"But what use is the Blood of the Heavenly Peng to me? Am I going to change careers to become a monster cultivator just by drinking it?"

Confirming that his cheap master, Mo Buxiu, had astonishing cultivation, Lu Bei decided to trust him for now. He raised his hand and collected the dragon and peng bloodlines, leaving the snake blood. He held it in his hand, crouched down, and stood before She Xuan.

The seal was opened, and wisps of bloody scent spread. She Xuan, who had been curled up motionlessly, trembled and woke up. Her eyes lit up as she looked at the porcelain bottle. With a raise of her hand...

Slap!

Lu Bei slapped She Xuan's hand away and smiled kindly, "Want it?"

She Xuan: "..."

"Make an oath to serve me as your master, and I'll introduce you to a livelihood that will guarantee you a worry-free life for the rest of your days."

Lu Bei scrutinized She Xuan from head to toe. Not bad. Although she was a bit older, her figure was top-notch, and her face was also stunning. Coupled with the seductive aura of a monster cultivator and her identity as a snake spirit, she was quite marketable.

He didn't know what the little foxes at home would look like in the future, but this one right here could be put to good use.

As I said, she had great use.

"You wish!"

She Xuan was filled with grief and indignation at Lu Bei's scrutinizing gaze. She suppressed her longing and refused to submit: "If I were to serve you as master, I would rather live a life worse than death than be killed by your blade."

"Makes sense. It is a bit asking too much."

Lu Bei compromised, "How about this: you make an oath to work for me for three years... five years, no, ten years. After ten years, the road will be open, I'll go my way, you'll go yours, and we'll have nothing to do with each other."

"..."

She Xuan closed her eyes and remained silent. Ten years of servitude was no different from a lifetime. Besides, given Lu Bei's ruthless methods with snakes, it was questionable whether she could even survive ten years.

"Snake Aunt, snakes shouldn't be too greedy. You've already gained a life by surviving."

Lu Bei drew his saber and sharpened it on the ground. "I can also give you a promise based on my character. Within these ten years, we will only have a superior-subordinate relationship. I will not intentionally harm your person. Is that acceptable?"

You! And character?

She Xuan almost laughed out of anger. It wasn't that she disdained him, but she truly did.

"Speak. If it's acceptable, hiss. If not, I'll take your snakeskin."

"Only I make an oath, and you give a verbal promise?"

"Snake Aunt, don't get greedy when you're already getting a good deal. If I truly break my oath, all you lose is a life. What I lose is my character!"

"..."

His shameless words almost made She Xuan die on the spot. She took a deep look at the snake blood containing pure essence, then at Lu Bei's kind smile, her breathing quickened, and she tremblingly extended her hand.

Sometimes, selling one's soul and principles isn't shameful. What's shameful is not getting a good price.

The price was right now, so she decided to work for ten years.

Cultivation is truly not easy. Refusing today is a dead end. Even if she could survive, her path to advancing her bloodline would be severed, and her future would be incredibly difficult…

"Don't rush, take the oath first, and you'll get your share."

The moment She Xuan reached for the porcelain bottle, Lu Bei raised his hand slightly, tilted his chin, and gestured for She Xuan to show her sincerity first.

"I'll… take the oath now."

She Xuan stammered several times before finally letting go. She felt completely drained, reciting the oath devoid of emotion. The blood imprint burned onto her, causing her such pain that she nearly fainted.

The good news was, she had kept her promise and only taken one item, thus removing one blood curse.

Then, the pain returned, feeling like she was dying all over again.

The methods of Monster Cultivators involved a special refining process. She Xuan received the source of her bloodline and clutched it tightly to her chest. People's joys and sorrows are not shared; Lu Bei didn't understand her excitement. He waved her away, telling her to leave first and that they would meet in Langyu County using a secret signal.

She Xuan felt as if she had been granted a great pardon. Suppressing the urge to immediately enhance her own bloodline, she flicked her snake tail…

and landed with a splat on the ground.

Having lost too much blood and been poisoned by several strange toxins, she couldn't move for a while.

Lu Bei curled his lips, took out some healing medicine, and ordered her to rest on the spot. He then smeared some blood onto himself and turned towards the Buddha-faced Golden Body Spider's cave.

"Brother Bo, Old Brother Luo, I'm back." Lu Bei clenched his fist and coughed lightly, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth and forcing a pale smile.

"What happened? Why are you injured again, little brother?"

Zhu Bo asked urgently. They had only heard Lu Bei fighting She Xuan in the passage, and the fight had moved further and further away. They hadn't known anything after that.

"As Brother Bo guessed, that demon snake hasn't left. I stumbled upon an ambush she had set at the entrance. She used her familiarity with the underground palace to ambush me several times. My understanding of formation breaking is rudimentary. Although my strength surpasses hers, I couldn't overcome her cunning tricks. I had no choice but to return to recuperate."

Lu Bei's expression was grim. "Brother Bo, I have something to say, but don't get worked up when you hear it."

How familiar, I feel like I've heard someone say that before.

"No need, I'm already worked up."

"That's good. If you're already worked up, then it's none of my business."

Lu Bei gave a sheepish smile. "When I was fighting that demoness, she knocked my compass into the formation. I don't know where it is now."

I knew it!

Zhu Bo's lips twitched. He held back, but couldn't resist. "Little Brother Lu, check your Qiankun Bag. Maybe it fell in there!"

"Impossible, I checked it before."

"..."

Zhu Bo rolled his eyes. Luo Ban, who was meditating beside him, couldn't help but shift his body twice.

"Brother Bo, don't go. It's just a compass, it's not that big a deal."

Lu Bei quickly added, "I have some good news too. Your father's Treasure Fan is still here. I held onto it tightly, spitting out dozens of mouthfuls of blood to keep the demoness from snatching it."

"I understand. I'll get you some medicinal soup to help you recover when we get back."

"Oh, you shouldn't. I can't possibly accept."

Lu Bei waved his hands repeatedly. Seeing that Zhu Bo had no further comment, he pressed, "How much will you give me?"

"..."