Distributing Masks, Finding Blood Kill

Everyone dripped blood to recognize their master, and the Holy Mark Mask fit snugly on their faces. The milky white halo and the Pure World Crystal shone brightly, exuding both majesty and a mysterious protective power.

"What a treasure!" Nie Zheng tried to circulate his Spiritual Energy, feeling a pure power flow through his entire body. The trace of fierceness left by cultivating the Blood Slaughter Art was quietly smoothed out, and he couldn't help but exclaim, "With this mask, I can calmly deal with cultivators who specialize in illusions."

After everyone had put on their masks, Yuan Tiangang took out fifty Blood Pattern Ghost Masks and handed them to Jing Ke. "These are Blood Pattern Ghost Masks. Distribute them to Xuan One through Xuan Five, and Huang One through Huang Ten. They also require blood recognition as master, and must be worn during missions."

Jing Ke immediately took the Blood Pattern Ghost Masks and scanned the fifteen new assassins. He said in a deep voice, "Come over and get your masks. You are not allowed to take them off without permission after recognizing your master."

The fifteen people hurried forward and each received a Blood Pattern Ghost Mask. The bronze masks fit their cheeks, and the dark reddish-brown vein-like patterns seemed to come alive, merging with the killing intent emanating from them, adding a touch of ferocity and terror.

"Your subordinates! Thank you, Lord, for your generosity!" The fifteen people shouted in unison. Their voices, transmitted through the ghost masks, had a metallic quality and exuded a chilling aura that made one's heart palpitate. At the same time, they felt a sense of awe towards the Lord they had never met.

Yuan Tiangang looked at the scene before him—the Eight Guards and Seven Stars wearing the Holy Mark Masks, looking sacred and solemn; the new assassins wearing the Blood Pattern Ghost Masks, looking sinister and sharp. He thought to himself, "With this lineup, Misty Rain Tower will surely become the nightmare of all forces in the Eastern Region."

He turned to Jing Ke and said, "You have received the Lord's intentions. From now on, act with even greater caution and do not betray this trust."

"We understand!" Jing Ke and everyone else responded in unison, their eyes burning with fighting spirit.

Two days later.

The top floor of Langya Pavilion, candlelight flickered. Di Yun and Linghu Chong stood side by side before a map of Qingzhou City, their fingers pointing to the location of the City God Temple on the southern edge of the city. On the map, this area was circled in red, with dozens of intelligence clues densely marked beside it.

"After seven consecutive days of investigation, all the secret informants' messages point here," Di Yun said in a deep voice. "The incense at the City God Temple has long since ceased, and no one visits it on a daily basis. It is the perfect place to hide filth."

"The people we sent there lurked nearby for a night and detected fluctuations of Spiritual Energy underground. It's definitely not ordinary." Linghu Chong nodded, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "The Blood Kill Pavilion acts ruthlessly and has been entrenched in Qingzhou City for many years. Hiding their branch here is quite cunning."

The two looked at each other and no longer hesitated. Di Yun took out his communication token, injected Spiritual Energy into it, and sent the message to the Misty Rain Tower's stronghold—or rather, to Yuan Tiangang in the Eternal Night Space.

Eternal Night Space, Lord's Pavilion side hall.

On the chessboard, black and white pieces intertwined, the situation deadlocked. Ye Junlin held the black pieces, while Donghuang Taiyi held the white. Both were absorbed in their game, their auras calm, as if they had merged with the surrounding Spiritual Energy.

Ye Junlin placed a piece, breaking the stalemate, and chuckled, "Your move, 'Seven Stars Connecting,' Lord Donghuang, has made things a bit tricky for me."

Donghuang Taiyi's voice was calm and steady through his mask. "The Lord's method of breaking the deadlock is even better. I'm afraid my move is about to lose."

Just then, footsteps were heard from outside the hall. Yuan Tiangang strode in. Seeing Ye Junlin and Donghuang Taiyi playing chess, he paused briefly before bowing. "Your subordinate greets the Lord, and Lord Dongyu."

Ye Junlin raised his hand and gestured. "You've come, Gangzi. What is it?"

Yuan Tiangang stood up, a hint of solemnity and excitement in his eyes. "Reporting to the Lord, there is news from Di Yun and Linghu Chong—the whereabouts of the Blood Kill Pavilion's Qingzhou branch have been found."

"Oh?" A sharp glint flashed in Ye Junlin's eyes. "Where?"

"On the southern edge of Qingzhou City, beneath the abandoned City God Temple, is an underground stronghold," Yuan Tiangang reported. "According to the information from the secret informants, the stronghold is protected by an concealment formation that is difficult for ordinary cultivators to detect. It must be the Blood Kill Pavilion's branch."

Upon hearing this, Ye Junlin exchanged a look with Donghuang Taiyi, casually swept the pieces off the chessboard, and stood up. "Well done. The Blood Kill Pavilion assassinated me before and destroyed my Dantian. It's time for a reckoning."

He paced to the window, gazing at the swirling Spiritual Energy outside, and said in a deep voice, "Tonight, you will go and uproot this branch."

Yuan Tiangang's spirits lifted. "Your subordinate will arrange it immediately!"

"Mm." Ye Junlin nodded, his tone solemn.

"You will lead Di Yun and Linghu Chong, and also summon Jing Ke, Nie Zheng, Yao Li, and Zhuan Zhu, along with the newly recruited Xuan and Huang character assassins, to go together."

"Remember, you must be silent, cut the weeds and remove the roots, and absolutely must not expose Misty Rain Tower's tracks."

"Your subordinate understands." Yuan Tiangang replied.

Ye Junlin added, "You will provide support from the shadows; there's no need for you to act personally."

"A branch of Blood Kill Pavilion may not have any Heavenly Human Realm cultivators. If there are, then it won't be too late to act."

His tone carried a hint of certainty—according to intelligence from Langya Pavilion, while Blood Kill Pavilion's headquarters had Heavenly Human Realm cultivators, it would be the limit for a branch to have a Nirvana Realm expert overseeing it.

Yuan Tiangang's heart stirred, and he bowed to accept the order. "Your subordinate obeys."

He knew that the Lord was giving everyone a trial, especially the newly recruited Xuan and Huang character assassins, and this was a perfect opportunity to test their strength.