Blood Rage, Prefectural City Lin Family

Sensing that the Soul Chasing Old Man and the low-level Flying Head Zombie had finished their refinement, Chu Ge's spirits immediately lifted, and he carefully examined the messages.

"Exotic Power Secret Skill -- Blood Rage: Description: (The Blood Rage, a secret skill inherited from the Blood Exotic Yu Ruihong of the Twelve Exotics, can burn Qi and Blood in a very short period to unleash one's strongest Qi and Blood power. The stronger one's Qi and Blood, the greater the power and the longer the duration.

It can be inherited and mastered by consuming two strands of Exotic Power. One must possess Spiritual Aptitude and awaken it to comprehend and learn it independently. Once learned, it can be used without consuming Exotic Power)."

"Refined Imp: Description: (A Refined Imp extracted from the residual Flying Head Zombie refined by the Headless Sorcerer. It is quite precious and not comparable to ordinary imps. It is the key core by which the Soul Chasing Old Man controls the Flying Head Zombie using Headless Sorcery. It excels at treasure hunting, exploration, and possession.

Control requires the daily consumption of one strand of Exotic Power for sustenance. Using the Refined Imp's abilities will consume more Exotic Power.)"

"Exotic Power Crystal: Description: (Several Exotic Power Crystals refined from the Corpse Driving Banner. They can be sacrificed to the Dragon Bell to be converted into one hundred and twenty-three strands of Exotic Power)."

Seeing the three pieces of information presented before him, Chu Ge was immediately delighted.

An Exotic Power Secret Skill, a Refined Imp, and Exotic Power Crystals that could be converted into a large amount of Exotic Power.

This was truly like defeating the beginner village's big BOSS in Linyuan City and having a super bountiful harvest.

"I didn't expect the Soul Chasing Old Man's Exotic Power Secret Skill to also be related to the Twelve Exotics, specifically the Blood Exotic. The Twelve Exotics, are they extraordinary individuals like the Wine Exotic Lu Zongzhao? How did the Soul Chasing Old Man obtain this secret skill?"

"If he could learn this secret skill, he must also possess Spiritual Aptitude. I can inherit and master it by consuming Exotic Power. However, to truly learn it myself, I still need to possess Spiritual Aptitude."

Chu Ge's thoughts raced. He immediately converted all the Exotic Power Crystals into Exotic Power.

As for the Exotic Power Secret Skill and the Refined Imp, the current location and environment were not suitable for immediate inheritance and mastery. He would have to wait until he reached the Prefectural City.

Chu Ge immediately dispelled the Crimson Scale Claws state.

He felt the cool bloodline aura of the Red Scale Claw Fish within his arms had become much weaker.

Perhaps after using this innate ability one more time, the Spirit Fish's bloodline would be completely depleted.

Unless he obtained the corresponding Spirit Fish again, it would be difficult to possess such an innate ability.

He felt a slight regret but did not regret using this talent.

In a high-level duel, life and death often hung in the balance for mere moments.

If one didn't go all out during a surprise attack, they were giving their opponent a chance to turn the tables, and they couldn't blame the enemy if they died.

He casually pulled a specially made transparent thread.

Whoosh--

A Shadow Puppet flashed out from the woods. The moment it landed on him, it was compressed back into a black cloak as the Exotic Power was withdrawn, draping over him.

Currently, the Shadow Puppets he made could only disguise themselves as him or others, assist in combat, confuse enemies, or be used to conceal poison for sneak attacks.

These puppets, while seemingly ordinary in function, were invaluable. Just the ability to create a decoy to confuse enemies in battle had often given him an advantage. Both the Soul Chasing Old Man and the Dark Poison Child had suffered greatly because of them.

He was about to turn and leave with Xiao Qian.

Suddenly, he heard a faint movement from outside the woods. His eyes flickered, and he instructed Xiao Qian to hide. Then, his figure moved, disappearing from his spot.

On the roadside outside the woods, four thugs from the Yellow Turban Sect were slowly retreating with bated breath, their eyes wide with fear and extreme tension.

They could hardly believe that their intended prey had suddenly transformed into a monstrous beast, killing their own supervisor. It was terrifying.

Moreover, this person was not only mysterious and formidable, possibly a demon cultivator, but his methods also seemed unfathomable.

Suddenly, the four men felt a blur before their eyes.

The terrifying, burly figure in the nearby woods had vanished. Instantly, their hairs stood on end, their foreheads grew cold, and their hair stood on end.

"Run!!"

Someone shouted, and the four turned to flee.

However, with a "bang."

The first person to flee turned and ran straight into a small mountain, stumbling backward from the impact.

Looking up, he saw the very fiend who had just killed their supervisor. The man was powerfully built, with chest muscles bulging like rock beneath his collar, and his arms were like forged iron bars, containing astonishing strength. It was clear he had practiced some kind of Hardened Training technique.

"Your supervisor killed my horse. Are you still trying to escape?"

Chu Ge smiled faintly as he looked at the four men whose escape routes were blocked. He thought his smile was kind and bright, but to the four men, it appeared terrifying.

The four originally fierce Yellow Turban thugs now felt a chill seep into their bones from their spines.

"Kill! --"

Two of them suddenly mustered their courage and charged forward.

The other two, however, retreated backward.

"A bit of coordination!"

Chu Ge smiled faintly, suddenly extending both arms. He struck out with explosive force, like a thunderclap. Before his fists even landed, the surging Qi energy made it difficult to breathe.

The greatest difference between the Blood Change Realm and the first three realms like Bone Tempering for martial cultivators was the externalization of Qi energy, the protection of Qi and Blood over the entire body, and the ability to control it freely.

When Chu Ge struck now, it was like unleashing a massive tidal wave. The air churned like boiling mud.

These few martial cultivators, who were only at the Muscle and Skin Refining Realm, naturally could not escape his grasp.

However, he did not kill them directly.

Instead, he subdued all four of them.

"W-what do you want?"

"Kill me, skin me, whatever you want! If you're a man, just give us a quick end!"

The four men collapsed onto the ground, their faces ashen with fear. They trembled uncontrollably, like they had malaria, their legs shaking like sieves.

They felt Chu Ge's eyes darting around with ill intent, like drills boring into their hearts.

"I won't kill you now. Your deacon killed my horse. Now, you four will either be my horses, or you die right now!"

Chu Ge crossed his arms, his tall, sturdy frame exuding an intimidating aura as he calmly stared at the four men.

The four men's throats bobbed nervously, their hearts feeling like they would leap out of their throats. Hearing that Chu Ge only wanted them as horses and not to die immediately, they all breathed a sigh of relief and nodded their heads vigorously, like pounding garlic.

It's better to live a dog's life than to die a dog's death. As long as they were alive, there was hope.

"I thought all you Yellow Turban Sect members were heroes who weren't afraid of death."

Chu Ge sneered, "Looks like you're still a bit worse than those lunatics from the Heaven and Earth Incense Cult! Say thank you."

The four men blushed and felt their ears burn at his words, but they were stunned by Chu Ge's final statement.

Someone stammered subconsciously, "Th-thank you..."

"Good! Polite."

Chu Ge smiled and pointed to the carriage, saying to the other three, "You three, go deal with it. Drag the horse away."

"Yes, yes!"

A moment later, on the mountain path, a peculiar carriage being pulled by four burly men rumbled along, creating a bizarre spectacle.

As Chu Ge was taking the four men towards Jiangcheng Prefecture, two disciples from the Hidden Water Sect had already arrived in Jiangcheng Prefecture, awaiting the arrival of Young Master Chu.

However, these two disciples were soon invited by the Lin Family of the Prefectural City and became honored guests.

At this moment, in a small garden pavilion within the Lin Family mansion, Lin Tao was smilingly entertaining the two outer disciples, making them feel incredibly flattered.

"Senior Brother Lin, you shouldn't. If anyone should toast, it's us to you. We'll go first!"

"Yes, that's right, Senior Brother Lin, please help yourself!"

When had these two outer disciples ever been treated so hospitably by a true disciple of the Force Condensation Realm from their sect?

Being selected for this task, to serve the newly promoted true disciple Chu Feixue, they already felt like immense fortune had descended upon them.

Now, in front of Lin Tao, a true disciple, they maintained a respectful and humble attitude, not daring to even breathe too loudly.

"Ah! Junior Brothers, there's no need to be so reserved!"

Lin Tao raised his hand to stop them, appearing gentle and refined, with an extraordinary demeanor. He said with a warm smile, "Feixue's matters are my matters, Lin Tao's matters. You should all know that I have been pursuing our Senior Sister Chu.

My Lin Family is one of the five great families in Jiangcheng Prefecture. As the host in Jiangcheng Prefecture, I, as her senior brother, naturally have to entertain the junior brothers who have come to do business!"

Although the two outer disciples had never heard of Lin Tao pursuing Chu Feixue, they wisely nodded in thanks at this moment.

"What is your mission?"

"We are following Deacon Song's instructions. Senior Sister Chu asked us to pick up her younger brother, Young Master Chu Ge, and then escort him to a town below the sect's mountain to rest temporarily."

"Senior Brother Lin, look, this is a portrait of Young Master Chu. Truly a handsome and talented individual, worthy of being Senior Sister Chu's brother."

Another person hurriedly tried to curry favor, taking out a portrait of Chu Ge to show him.

The Chu Ge in the portrait looked much younger, as if from a few years ago, still with a hint of childishness.

Lin Tao's eyes lit up. He took the portrait and looked at it, smiling and praising, "Indeed, he resembles Feixue between the brows. A beautiful sister and a handsome brother."

Hearing this, the two outer disciples thought Lin Tao was being kind by association and hastily offered a round of flattering smiles.

Lin Tao changed the subject, "However, your mission is incorrect. There's a problem."

"Ah? This, Senior Brother Lin, what's the problem?"

"Think about it, Feixue's younger brother is accustomed to a life of luxury, how noble is he?

How can he arrive in our Jiangcheng Prefecture and immediately rush off with you to stay in a town at the foot of the mountain?"

Lin Tao shook his head, "Feixue's arrangement is unreasonable. It's too harsh on our younger brother.

I think, after picking him up, we should arrange for him to stay at my Lin Family for a while, and then I'll arrange for someone to personally escort him."

"Ah?" The two outer disciples were dumbfounded.

"But, but Senior Brother Lin, Senior Sister Chu made this arrangement after all, and we..."

"Arrangements are arrangements. Feixue's arrangement is unreasonable, so I'll make a different arrangement. This is for her brother's own good."

Lin Tao frowned slightly, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. He then looked at the two again and smiled, "Don't worry, when Chu Ge arrives, I will personally host him. If there are any issues with Feixue, I will personally explain them and won't make things difficult for you two.

You two can stay at my Lin Family for a few days and play around first. Don't be in a hurry to return to the sect."

His tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority.

"This..." one disciple was still hesitant.

Another hurriedly tugged at his sleeve and said, "Since Senior Brother Lin has said so, then we will follow Senior Brother Lin's wishes. After all, you have a very good relationship with Senior Sister Chu. Her brother is your brother, and it is only right that you host him!"

"Ah, yes, yes! Senior Brother Lin, you are absolutely right!"

"That's good!"

Lin Tao looked as if that was only natural, a smile appearing on his face.

Soon, he left the Garden Pavilion and arrived before a bright pavilion. He summoned a servant and said, "Have you contacted the stewards from the other families? Although my Lin Family is in competition with them, they should give some face to me, Lin Tao."

"Young Master, we have contacted them. Everything has been handled according to your instructions."

"That's good!"

A confident smile spread across Lin Tao's handsome face as he slowly clenched his fist.

He naturally wouldn't go to pick up Chu Ge himself immediately.

Making the first move to show favor is often less cherished and lowers one's own status.

Not to mention inspiring the other party to follow him wholeheartedly.

But he knew exactly what a bumpkin from the countryside would do after arriving in the Prefectural City.

If Chu Feixue wouldn't yield easily, he would first take her brother, Chu Ge. With that done, would obtaining Chu Feixue be far behind?