"Phew..."
After sorting through and organizing the information that had appeared in his mind,
Gu Cheng let out a breath of stale air and slowly opened his eyes. Deep in his dark pupils, a flash of divine light seemed to flicker and vanish.
The Soul Remnant of an Innate Realm Demonic Grandmaster was truly an enormous treasure trove.
Just extracting everything he had to offer had cost Gu Cheng nearly seven hundred years of lifespan!
Almost as much as fourteen Tang Yuans!
"But luckily, this blind-box draw really paid off..."
The corners of Gu Cheng's mouth lifted slightly.
Having digested the new information in his mind, he now had a much deeper understanding of the Demonic Grandmaster's life and the cultivation techniques and secret arts he had practiced.
The most valuable reward among them was none other than the Innate Divine Ability Li Yunhe had awakened—Destructive Wound.
The wound on Tang Lingyu's waist just now said it all.
The ability of this Destructive Wound divine ability was downright vile. It was basically a fantasy-world version of "Shadowless Divine Blade"!
All it took was a sudden slash, and the wound would refuse to heal, bleeding nonstop until the victim bled dry and died. It was truly a divine skill for torturing enemies.
It could also work wonders against opponents with exceptionally strong regenerative abilities.
Unfortunately, this extremely vicious Innate Divine Ability was a bit of a dud for Gu Cheng.
He cultivated three arts, and his cultivation had long since reached the pinnacle, far surpassing that of an ordinary Innate Grandmaster.
With his terrifying damage output, he basically killed every opponent in a single move. Why would he need to inflict a "grievous wound" just to suppress an enemy's recovery?
Only against demons or unorthodox cultivators with tough hides and powerful regenerative abilities could this divine ability prove useful.
Apart from this Innate Divine Ability, which was best suited to high-level battles,
Gu Cheng had also obtained the very thing he had come for: the third volume of the Blood Blade Scripture.
"It's a pity this is only a fragment. Otherwise, if I started cultivating it directly, I could become an Innate Grandmaster in no time."
Gu Cheng sighed inwardly. He wouldn't dare cultivate this mutilated, defective version.
What if it had some kind of hidden trap? Wouldn't practicing it just bring trouble upon himself?
Anyway, once he reached Blood Lady's secret hideout in Liuchun County, he would get a complete cultivation technique. There was no need to rush.
And with Li Yunhe's Soul Remnant there to guide him, he should have no trouble getting started with this Innate Realm demonic cultivation technique, right?
"Speaking of Liuchun County..."
Gu Cheng galloped along on horseback, his ink-black hair whipping wildly in the wind.
He gazed toward the rolling sea of clouds on the horizon, a cold glint flickering in his deep eyes.
By awakening Li Yunhe's Soul Remnant, he had learned quite a bit of the latest intelligence about the Blood Blade Sect's surviving remnants.
During the great purge in Tianshui Prefecture a year ago,
the Demon Suppression Bureau had struck with the force of thunder, violently sweeping through the Blood Blade Sect's stronghold. Nearly all of its senior members had been executed, and only a few remnants like Blood Lady had escaped.
Among them was an Innate Realm elder who had escaped with his life. After learning that the sect had been destroyed, he declared himself the Blood Blade Sect's new sect master.
He had been spreading the evil technique, the Blood Blade Scripture, far and wide, throwing Tianshui Prefecture into chaos.
At the same time, he was secretly recruiting men and building up his strength, intent on rebuilding the Blood Blade Sect!
According to Li Yunhe's Soul Remnant,
the new Blood Blade Sect's secret hideout had been established in a remote mountain forest outside Liuchun County, a place rarely visited by anyone.
"How interesting. What is it about Liuchun County that draws them in?
Why do all these unorthodox fiends from the Blood Blade Sect like to hole up here?"
Gu Cheng furrowed his sword-like brows, pondering to himself.
As it happened, he and the Blood Blade Sect's remnants could be considered "old acquaintances."
He had no fondness whatsoever for these demonic forces, whose vitality was as tenacious as cockroaches and who were always stirring up trouble.
Now that the Blood Blade Sect seemed poised to rise again, he certainly wouldn't sit back and do nothing.
"Since I'm passing by anyway, once I successfully become an Innate Grandmaster, I'll take care of this menace while I'm at it..."
A cold glint flashed in Gu Cheng's eyes. He had made up his mind.
As dusk drew near,
the crimson sunset spilled across the sky, bathing the world in a splendid wash of gold and red.
The tall Flood Dragon Horse thundered through the twilight before finally coming to a stop in front of a manor built against the mountains.
On the vermilion plaque, the three gilded characters "Tang Family Fortress" gleamed in the setting sun.
"We're here. This is my home."
Tang Lingyu swung down from the horse, her movements clean and brisk.
Gu Cheng jumped down after her and surveyed the sizable manor.
Its towering walls and imposing guards all proclaimed the strength of its owner.
"Second Miss!"
The two guards at the gate immediately bowed respectfully when they saw Tang Lingyu, their eyes full of reverence.
Tang Lingyu nodded slightly, tossed the reins to one of the guards, and led Gu Cheng through the gate.
Beyond the screen wall, the view opened up before them.
Rock gardens, flowing water, pavilions, and towers—the refined layout exuded understated luxury.
As the personal disciple of Tianshui Prefecture's guardian and a once-in-a-century martial arts prodigy,
Tang Lingyu held a status at the Tang Family Fortress that was naturally far from ordinary. As they walked, servants and guards they passed bowed one after another, their eyes filled with admiration and respect.
But when they saw Gu Cheng following behind Tang Lingyu, their expressions immediately turned strange.
"Who's that pretty boy? Why's he following Second Miss?"
"Could he be the man Second Miss found herself taken with? Did she bring him home to meet the family?"
"How could that be! Doesn't Second Miss devote herself to cultivation and never go near men?"
Their whispers reached his ears, but Gu Cheng's expression didn't change, as if he hadn't heard a thing.
He had already grown accustomed to being watched like this, feeling eyes prickling his back. It had happened to him plenty of times at the Demon Suppression Bureau in Changle County.
After passing through a winding corridor, the two arrived at a spacious courtyard.
In the middle of it, a little girl of seven or eight was practicing her punches.
She wore a red martial outfit, with two adorable buns atop her head. Her delicate, doll-like features bore a strong resemblance to Tang Lingyu's.
Though she was still young, every punch and move packed a fierce momentum. Clearly, she had put in a great deal of effort.
"That's my little sister, Tang Lingshan."
Tang Lingyu introduced her quietly, her tone filled with pride:
"She's had no less talent for martial arts than me since she was little. She's the hope of our Tang family."
Gu Cheng watched the little figure, admiration flickering in his eyes.
Persistence was what mattered most in martial arts. At such a young age, the girl already had that kind of determination. Her future was sure to be limitless.
"Second Sis?"
Tang Lingshan was in the middle of practicing with great enthusiasm when she suddenly sensed something. She turned around and caught sight of a familiar figure.
With a cheer, she flew over like a happy little songbird and plunged into Tang Lingyu's arms.
"You little rascal, why are you still so clumsy..."
Tang Lingyu affectionately stroked her little sister's head and asked gently:
"Why have you been practicing so diligently today?"
"Hehe, I want to get stronger quickly and become a martial arts master just like you, Second Sis!"
Tang Lingshan tilted up her little face and grinned.
"By the way, Second Sis, have things been good for you at the Demon Suppression Bureau lately? Have you run into any bad people? Have you gotten into fights with anyone? Huh? Why are your clothes torn..."
Tang Lingshan was like a curious little sparrow, chirping away with one question after another.
Suddenly, as if she had discovered a whole new world, her gaze passed over Tang Lingyu and landed on the black-clad young man who had followed her back. She abruptly stopped asking questions.
"Hello."
Noticing the little girl's curious gaze, Gu Cheng greeted her with a smile.
"..."
Tang Lingshan took a deep breath and looked from her second sister to the extraordinarily handsome big brother.
Her bright, dark eyes glittered with excitement and gossip.
"Lingshan, this is..."
Tang Lingyu was just about to introduce him when her little sister interrupted her with a sudden move.
Tang Lingshan abruptly let go of her arm, spun around, and dashed into the house. As she ran, she yelled at the top of her lungs:
"Big Brother! Big Brother!!! Something terrible happened! Second Sis brought a man home! I'm about to have a brother-in-law!"
Tang Lingyu: "!!!"
Gu Cheng: "???"
Before you continue