Everyone dropped a drop of blood to bind the items, and the Holy Mark Mask fit snugly against each face, milky-white halos gleaming in mutual radiance with the World Purifying Crystal.
It exuded both majesty and a subtle protective power.
"Good stuff!" Nie Zheng tried circulating his spiritual energy, feeling a pure force flow through his entire body.
The trace of ferocity left behind by cultivating the Blood Slaughter Art was actually quietly smoothed away, and he could not help praising,
"With this mask, even against cultivators who excel in illusion techniques, we can handle it calmly."
When Yuan Tiangang saw that everyone had put them on properly, he took out another fifty Blood Pattern Ghost Masks and handed them to Jing Ke,
"These are Blood Pattern Ghost Masks, to be distributed to Xuan One through Xuan Five, as well as Huang One through Huang Ten. They also require a drop of blood for binding and must be worn during missions."
Jing Ke immediately took the Blood Pattern Ghost Masks, his gaze sweeping over the fifteen new killers, and said in a deep voice,
"Come forward and collect your masks. Once bound with blood, you are not allowed to remove them without authorization."
The fifteen men hurried forward, each collecting a Blood Pattern Ghost Mask.
The bronze masks fit against their cheeks, the dark reddish-brown blood-vessel-like patterns seeming to come alive.
They merged with the killing intent on their bodies, adding a few more points of ferocious terror.
"We subordinates! Thank the Lord for his grace!"
The fifteen people shouted in unison, their voices passing through the ghost masks with a metallic texture, carrying a heart-palpitating chill.
At the same time, they developed awe and reverence for the unseen Lord.
Yuan Tiangang looked at the scene before him—the Eight Guards and Seven Stars wearing the Holy Mark Masks, sacred and solemn;
the new killers wearing the Blood Pattern Ghost Masks, weird and fierce, and thought to himself,
"With this lineup, Misty Rain Tower will surely become the nightmare of all factions in the Eastern Region."
He turned to Jing Ke and said, "You have all received the Lord's intentions."
"In future actions, you must be even more cautious and not disappoint this trust."
"We understand!" Jing Ke and the others responded in unison, their eyes burning with fighting spirit.
Two days later.
On the top floor of Langya Pavilion, candle flames flickered.
Di Yun and Linghu Chong stood side by side in front of a map of Qingzhou City, their fingertips landing on the location of the City God Temple at the southern edge of the city.
On the map, this place was circled with a red pen, and dozens of intelligence clues were densely marked beside it.
"After seven consecutive days of investigation, the news brought back by all secret agents points here."
Di Yun said in a deep voice, "The incense at the City God Temple was cut off long ago, and it is usually ignored. It is simply an excellent place to hide dirt and harbor villains."
"The people we sent lurked nearby for a night and noticed spiritual energy fluctuations underground, which is definitely unusual."
Linghu Chong nodded, a trace of coldness flashing in his eyes,
"Blood Kill Pavilion acts ruthlessly and has entrenched itself in Qingzhou City for many years. To hide its branch in such a place is quite cunning."
The two looked at each other and hesitated no longer.
Di Yun took out the Communication Token, injected spiritual energy into it, and transmitted the news to the Misty Rain Tower stronghold—or more accurately, to Yuan Tiangang in the Eternal Night Space.
Eternal Night Space, Lord Pavilion side hall.
On the chessboard, black and white pieces intertwined, the situation deadlocked.
Ye Junlin held the black pieces, and Donghuang Taiyi held the white pieces. The two played attentively, their surrounding auras calm and steady, as if merging with the surrounding spiritual energy.
Ye Junlin dropped a piece, breaking the deadlock, and smiled, "Your Excellency Eastern Emperor's 'Seven Stars in a Line' move makes things rather tricky for me."
Donghuang Taiyi spoke from behind his mask, his voice flat and waveless,
"The Lord's method of breaking the game is even better. I am afraid I am going to lose this move of mine."
Just at that moment, footsteps came from outside the hall.
Yuan Tiangang walked in briskly. Seeing Ye Junlin and Donghuang Taiyi playing chess, his footsteps paused slightly, and then he bowed in salute,
"This subordinate greets the Lord and Lord Eastern Emperor."
Ye Junlin raised a hand to signal, "Gangzi, what brings you here?"
Yuan Tiangang straightened up, his eyes carrying a trace of solemnity and excitement,
"Reporting to the Lord, there is news from Di Yun and Linghu Chong—the trace of the Blood Kill Pavilion's Qingzhou Branch has been found."
"Oh?" A sharp light flashed in Ye Junlin's eyes, "Where is it?"
"At the southern edge of Qingzhou City, beneath the abandoned City God Temple, there is an underground stronghold."
Yuan Tiangang reported, "According to the news brought back by the secret agents, that stronghold is set up with a concealment array, making it difficult for ordinary cultivators to detect. Presumably, it is undoubtedly the Blood Kill Pavilion branch."
Hearing this, Ye Junlin exchanged a glance with Donghuang Taiyi, casually brushed the pieces on the chessboard into disorder, stood up, and said,
"Well done. Blood Kill Pavilion assassinated me before and destroyed my dantian. It is time for a reckoning."
He paced to the window, gazed at the swirling spiritual energy outside, and said in a deep voice, "Tonight, you will all go and uproot this branch."
Yuan Tiangang's spirit lifted, "This subordinate will go make arrangements!"
"Mhm." Ye Junlin nodded, his tone solemn,
"You will lead Di Yun and Linghu Chong, and also call upon Jing Ke, Nie Zheng, Yao Li, and Zhuan Zhu, along with the newly joined Xuan and Huang character killers, to head there together."
"Remember, it must be quiet and eradicate the grass by the roots. You must never expose the traces of Misty Rain Tower."
"This subordinate understands." Yuan Tiangang replied.
Ye Junlin added, "You only need to suppress the situation from the dark; there is no need to personally make a move."
"A single branch of Blood Kill Pavilion probably lacks Heavenly Human Realm cultivators. If there truly are any, it will not be too late for you to act."
His tone carried a trace of certainty—according to intelligence from Langya Pavilion, although the Blood Kill Pavilion headquarters had Heavenly Human Realm figures, a branch having Nirvana Realm experts holding down the fort would be the absolute limit.
Yuan Tiangang's heart stirred, and he bowed to receive the order, "This subordinate obeys."
He knew the Lord was training everyone, especially the newly joined Xuan and Huang character killers, and this was just the right opportunity to test their strength.
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