Taking Action I

Wu Mountain · Wish Woman Canyon.

Amidst the swirling mist, Chang Yuqing, dressed in a black short dress and deer-print boots with Bagua patterns, carrying a slightly curved Black Blade on her back, glided lightly through the mountains.

Before long, she arrived at a set of steps leading up the mountain, stopped, and looked up at the two guards standing watch above.

The mountain breeze lifted her long hair, revealing a pair of bright, clear, light red eyes.

"Has Master emerged from seclusion?" she asked in a deep voice.

The two guards had dull faces and plain looks, but both had the same snow-white skin.

Upon hearing this, the person on the left replied.

"Normally, it should take another hour. It would be better if Senior Sister Qing came later."

The eyes of both of them were a pale red, like gemstones.

Chang Yuqing was not surprised. Since the large-scale Blood Descendant transformation of the Human Immortal Temple a few months ago, everyone's eyes have turned into a light red color belonging to the Blood Descendant.

She simply leaned against the mountain wall and waited quietly.

Whoosh! Suddenly a red shadow flashed by and landed on the other side of the open space beside her.

The newcomer was a burly middle-aged man carrying Long Sword. He wore a blood-red robe, and his eyes were a deeper, darker red.

Within the Human Immortal Temple, the intensity of eye color, to a certain extent, represents the strength of one's cultivation level.

The person before them was none other than Shadow Daoist, one of the top experts directly under the Human Immortal Temple.

"Miss Qing is here too? It's been a long time. How have you been?"

The Shadow Daoist has long since become a grandmaster, and his words and actions possess a subtle, inexplicable rhythm.

"Thanks to Master Ying, it's alright," Chang Yuqing replied, frowning slightly.

"I heard that Miss Qing broke through her cultivation last month. Although her current realm is not yet at the top, her actual combat strength has already reached the Super Grade level. It is truly commendable that she was able to enter the Super Grade in such a short time." The Shadow Daoist's words carried a hint of unpredictable emotion.

"Master Ying is too kind. If your level is not high enough, everything else is just an illusion," Chang Yuqing said calmly.

She knew very well that if it weren't for the Blood Descendant's exaggerated self-healing ability and amplified physical strength, no matter how high her comprehension was, she wouldn't have been able to improve so quickly.

Now, we've pretty much reached our limit. It's difficult to improve further by relying solely on comprehension. The next step requires practical experience.

After all, true skill is earned through real combat.

For example, Enemy Anticipation, and Absolute Defense Circle.

"I wonder if Miss Qing has come so suddenly? Is there something you need?"

The Shadow Daoist knew that Chang Yuqing had been in seclusion for many years, so his sudden appearance this time was obviously for a purpose.

"Something happened at Ci Tong Port, the branch fell, and the three ships carrying the purchased medicinal materials were seized and lost contact by the rebel army."

"I've received information that the invading rebels are likely the White Ten Sect of the Overseas Alliance," Chang Yuqing replied.

"I also have news about this matter. Previously, the Great Ling invaded and forced the Western countries to form a large alliance, similar to the Great Sect Alliance."

"The Great Ling is currently unstable, and it seems this Great Alliance intends to take advantage of the situation and retaliate." Shadow Daoist nodded slightly.

"However, according to the latest news, the Spirit Army near Citong has already joined forces with experts from the Great Sect Alliance to suppress the rebellion. There shouldn't be any major problems."

Chang Yuqing shook his head. "Some of my subordinates sent back a message from Upper Capital that the Spirit Army sent to provide support has been making slow marches under various pretexts. The experts from the Great Sect Alliance did indeed go, but they were intercepted by a mysterious force halfway there, and their current situation is unknown. This battle was probably premeditated, with collusion between insiders and outsiders."

"Collusion between insiders and outsiders?" Shadow Daoist frowned. "What was the reaction of the Great Sect Alliance?"

"I don't know. But it will definitely be a fierce battle. A storm is brewing, and this is a matter of great importance. I came here in advance to inform my master of the situation," Chang Yuqing replied.

The Shadow Daoist nodded and said nothing more.

For a moment, the two waited in silence, waiting for the abbot to wake up and leave his seclusion.

Time passed little by little.

Neither of them showed any impatience; they simply closed their eyes to rest and waited quietly.

Since a year ago, the abbot of the Human Immortal Temple has been appearing less and less in public, and even when he is instructing his disciples, the time he spends is gradually shortening.

Most of the time, I am in quiet seclusion.

There are rumors that the abbot is in seclusion practicing a powerful divine skill.

There are also rumors that the abbot is currently suffering from a serious illness and may have been secretly battling this difficult disease.

Chang Yuqing neither confirmed nor denied these rumors.

Laugh.

Finally.

Wisps of pale red smoke slowly drifted out from the Human Immortal Platform.

"All of you, come up here."

Suddenly, a calm voice drifted down from above.

Chang Yuqing and Shadow Daoist exchanged a glance, and at the same time, they unleashed their movement techniques, their figures rapidly ascending, quickly crossing dozens of meters of steps, and landing one after the other on the edge of the Human Immortal Platform.

The speed bonus from Blood Descendant grants them a natural advantage over ordinary martial artists in terms of agility.

"Disciple (subordinate) greets Abbot!" the two said together, clasping their hands in greeting.

On the Human Immortal Platform, inside the newly opened Human Immortal Cave.

A dark red humanoid figure, only about 1.8 meters tall, slowly emerged from the red mist.

His face was snow-white, his eyes were black and red, and his pupils were like deep black holes, without a trace of light.

His physique was also well-proportioned and natural, neither fat nor thin, and he didn't even have a strong look. Instead, he had the temperament of an ordinary, frail scholar.

Her long hair hung all the way to the ground, jet black, like countless seaweed and weeds spreading to the surrounding ground.

"Qing Er, Shadow Three. You've been waiting downstairs. Is something the matter?" This person was Zhang Rongfang had been staying at home for a year without going out.

For a whole year, he didn't go anywhere. He quietly secluded himself in the Human Immortal Platform, exploring the gap Great Abyss, and at the same time, he was compiling a new Five Energies Merge to Origin Technique.

Now, a new technique is taking shape, but it requires many precious medicinal herbs to aid in its practice.

"Master, our medicinal herb procurement has run into trouble. All three ships carrying the ordered herbs from Citong have lost contact. Now, even Sister Sun Chaoyue has disappeared halfway through the journey and has not yet returned," Chang Yuqing reported in a deep voice.

"Something happened to Citong? Xiaoyue is missing?" Zhang Rongfang's expression remained unchanged. "Have you sent anyone to meet her and check on her?"

"The surprise attack force coming from the Citong region is the White Ten Sect army from overseas in the Western Ocean."

We've dispatched peripheral members to provide support, but we're probably short-handed. That's why I've come to report this, hoping to obtain Blood Jade Dispatch Order."Chang Yuqing said, bowing his head.

The Blood Jade Dispatch Order is actually the same black and red jade pendant that Zhang Rongfang gave to his sister and the others before.

The holder of the jade pendant may be able to mobilize five top experts within the temple, ranging from grandmasters to managers.

Zhang Rongfang closed his eyes and sensed it.

"Xiaoyue is fine and should still be on her way back. If you are worried, you can send some skilled people from the Earth Character Division to meet her."

"Yes!" Chang Yuqing nodded in response. "There's no time to lose, this disciple will go immediately."

"Go ahead," Zhang Rongfang nodded.

In a flash, Chang Yuqing had barely finished speaking when he transformed into a bloody shadow and descended the steps, disappearing into the distance.

The Human Immortal Temple has now completely perfected its entire power structure.

The masters within the temple are divided into three main groups: Heaven, Earth, and Man.

Within the Heaven Character Division, the top fifty experts are the main group, most of whom Great Capital the Three Voids Super Grade, with the top ten or so being Grandmasters.

They were all experts who had failed to break through to the Super Grade and those who had transformed from Civilian Skill masters, all collected by the Human Immortal Temple from various parts of the Great Ling Realm this year.

These former losers, after being transformed into Blood Descendant and regaining their youth, accumulated strength and soared to great heights.

The Earth Character Division consists of those ranked from fifty-one to one hundred, and all of them are Super Grade experts.

The Human Character Division is where all those who have been transformed into Blood Descendant are included.

Outside the three academies are ordinary people, most of whom are external forces nearby who are attached to the Human Immortal Temple.

The structure of the three courtyards forms the main body of the entire Human Immortal Temple.

Besides these, there is the typical administrative structure of Daoist Temple. This structure is responsible for managing daily life, including food, lodging, and other miscellaneous tasks.

"And you? What brings you here?" Zhang Rongfang asked the Shadow Daoist.

"Master, we have found the information you were looking for regarding Chen Junchen," the Shadow Daoist said respectfully, bowing his head.

"Tell me about it."

"Yes." The Shadow Daoist cleared his throat. "Chen Junchen of the Confucian Sect is revered as a peerless genius who appears only once every few hundred years in the Confucian School. In his life, he has fought dozens of battles, with only one defeat, which was the final defeat to the Imperial Tutor Damir."

However, according to the records, Damir's victory was extremely lucky. He was wielding the first Demon Weapon Emperor Earth, and was blessed by many Gods and Buddhas. He was also surrounded by Great Ling generals who were eyeing him covetously.

We don't know the specifics of that battle, but Chen Junchen definitely didn't die. That's something we can verify.

He disappeared after evacuating from Great Capital (Beijing). Rumors within the Confucian Sect say he went in search of a legendary Heavenly Light, and no one has seen him since.

The Shadow Daoist paused for a moment, then continued, "Now, of the Seven Lineages of the Confucian Sect, three have been completely integrated into the Academy. Among the Seven Gentlemen successors who wield the Seven Gentlemen's Swords, Chen Qin Su, who ranks first, has officially ascended to the position of Grand Academician."

We uncovered a secret: his true identity is one of the three sons left behind by Chen Junchen. If we want to learn more, perhaps starting with him is the best approach.

"Chen Qin Su?" Zhang Rongfang pondered for a moment.

Ever since he received the messages from Chen Junchen Emperor Earth from Great Abyss, he has been searching everywhere for clues about the two.

Over the course of the year, many clues were found, but upon investigation, they were all found to be false.

Now a new clue has emerged.

"You will personally take charge of this matter. Two people from the Heaven Character Division can be assigned to work together to find the answer within a month. Is that alright?" Zhang Rongfang said.

"Your subordinate will certainly not fail in your trust." The Shadow Daoist bowed his head.

"Then you may leave." Zhang Rongfang waved his hand.

Whoosh! The Shadow Daoist truly transformed into a bloody shadow and vanished instantly.

Only Zhang Rongfang remained standing on the Human Immortal Platform.

He breathed a sigh of relief, closed his eyes, and opened the Attribute Panel.

A year later, the Attribute Panel has changed slightly.

The most crucial change lies in the Trait Talent.

In one year, his health points have increased from 1130 to 1502.

Similarly, new talents belonging to the Blood Clan Progenitor also emerged automatically.

With only one talent remaining, he can truly enter the complete form and activate the full Blood Clan Progenitor.

Zhang Rongfang has never used the four new talents he acquired so far, and he himself is not sure how much his combat skills have improved. However, he knows that he is much, much stronger than he was a year ago.

"If you find out Chen Junchen's whereabouts, what do you plan to do?" White Scale's voice echoed in my mind.

"Just out of curiosity." Zhang Rongfang smiled. "Alright, let's continue exploring. We've explored the area around the Mo Sang God Platform, and recorded the map. Next, we should try going upwards."

He climbed some distances during the year, but not for long.

This time, we explored the surrounding mountain walls for dozens of kilometers, but only climbed a few kilometers upwards.

So he decided to try going up further to see what lay beyond. *** Ci Tong Port.

A fire broke out at the port, billowing thick smoke and flames shooting into the sky.

Large numbers of corpses were piled up together, forming human oil torches, which became the four large lighting facilities in Ci Tong Port.

At the Dock, in front of the largest human oil torch basin, rows of Western-style armored soldiers in white armor stood in two rows on the open ground, guarding several high-ranking officials who were observing the torch basin in the middle.

Among these high-ranking officials, the one with the highest status was a tall, White-Haired Man wearing a black cross-patterned robe with a golden cross mark between his eyebrows.

The man had short, pale hair combed back, his eyebrows were translucent, and his eyes were like those of a hawk, constantly exuding a stern and solemn aura.

This man was none other than Olrun Hills, the commander of the White Cross Allied Army who invaded Great Ling and the Heretic Tribunal Chief Judge White Ten Sect Inquisition.

"Just as you two said, the Spirit Kingdom has weakened."

Ao Er Lun turned around and looked at the person standing silently behind him, a bald man wearing a gray robe.

"Master Yuan, the intelligence you brought has greatly reduced our losses, and these contributions will naturally be recorded in the merit book."

The bald man was none other than the Master Yuan True Buddha Temple who had previously fled Great Capital.

A sinister smile crept across his round face.

"I don't need any merits or anything like that. I just want all the members of the Great Dao Sect to be executed!"