Crimson Blood Cave Mansion, First Contact

Within the illusion formation, Qin Yu had grown increasingly proficient in cultivating the Mysterious Concealment Secret Manual. The aura of an immortal cultivator around him had been perfectly disguised as the demonic energy of an ordinary demonic cultivator, while his Nebula mid-stage cultivation was concealed just right. He looked no different from an ordinary Golden Core demonic cultivator. Black Feather, the Dragon Rock Lion, and Red Phoenix had also mastered the manual. Even while retaining their enormous true forms, they had hidden their divine beast auras and true cultivation levels flawlessly. They seemed like three ordinary mid-tier sea beasts, moving leisurely within the formation and already accustomed to the deep-sea environment.

Yun Ce stood atop a reef with his hands behind his back, gazing into the dark depths beyond the illusion formation. He had already planned everything out. He clearly remembered that in the original story, when Qin Yu first arrived in the Undersea Beast World, he had accidentally clashed with Sang Mo, a guardian of the Crimson Blood Cave Mansion under the Nine Sha Hall. Qin Yu had ended up seriously injured, while Black Feather had been forced to flee, utterly humiliated. But now, with a mid-stage Void-Piercing Realm cultivator like him in charge, let alone a mere guardian like Sang Mo, even the entire Crimson Blood Cave Mansion would be theirs for the taking. Taking over this place would be a piece of cake.

The Crimson Blood Cave Mansion lay at the heart of Crimson Blood Territory, controlling an area of water eight million li in radius. It was a faction under the Nine Sha Hall. Though it was not among the top powers, it had deep roots. More importantly, its location was ideal. If they could take it over, they could make it their first base in the Undersea Beast World, making it easier to investigate the Nine Swords Immortal Mansion and secretly prepare for the various factions, such as the Penglai Immortal Domain and Purple Flame Demon Prison.

"All right, we're rested. Let's go," Yun Ce said calmly. His tone was gentle, but left no room for argument.

At his words, Qin Yu quickly rose to his feet. Black Feather, the Dragon Rock Lion, and Red Phoenix immediately gathered beside him, keeping their auras restrained.

Yun Ce nodded and raised a hand, dispelling the illusion formation around them. The pale blue barrier silently vanished, and the water began flowing freely again. The distant roars of beasts could be heard, but no other demonic cultivators had noticed them. "Come on. Follow me."

As he spoke, Yun Ce circulated his black Stellar True Essence. A faint black glow rose around him. It was the demonic-cultivator-like essence he had transformed after cultivating the Mysterious Concealment Secret Manual. It enveloped Qin Yu and the three divine beasts. Then he moved, leading them deeper into the sea at great speed. He streaked through the depths like a beam of light. Nearby fish and low-tier beasts scattered at the sight of them, daring not approach.

Before long, the waters ahead opened up, and a massive cave mansion came into view. Built into a mountain of deep-sea reef, its entrance was dark red, as though soaked in blood. Four bold, powerful characters were carved above it: Crimson Blood Cave Mansion. Faint traces of bloodlust and demonic energy rippled from the characters, lending them a chilling, domineering air.

"Crimson Blood Cave Mansion." Yun Ce gazed at the entrance and quietly read the words, a look of understanding flashing through his eyes.

Following Yun Ce's gaze, Qin Yu looked at the imposing cave mansion, bewildered. He hurriedly asked through a voice transmission, "Master, why are we here? This place looks so sinister. It doesn't seem like somewhere we'd find an opportunity."

Black Feather, the Dragon Rock Lion, and Red Phoenix also turned to Yun Ce, their eyes full of confusion. Clearly, they had no idea why they had come to this beast's cave mansion.

Yun Ce smiled faintly and sent his words to them through spiritual transmission, making sure no one outside could hear. "This is Crimson Blood Territory, the center of the waters within an eight-million-li radius. The Crimson Blood Cave Mansion is the highest seat of power in this region. The cave mansion has one master, two deputy masters, and thirteen guardians beneath them. It's a faction under the Nine Sha Hall."

He paused, then continued transmitting. "We'll join the Crimson Blood Cave Mansion first and lie low within it, gradually eating away at their power until we have complete control. We'll make this our base in the Undersea Beast World. With a base here, it'll be much easier for us to investigate the Nine Swords Immortal Mansion and deal with the other factions."

The others immediately understood. The Dragon Rock Lion rumbled through spiritual transmission, "My lord is wise! We'll follow your arrangements and do everything we can to help you take over the Crimson Blood Cave Mansion!" Red Phoenix chirped softly, her spiritual sense brimming with obedience. Black Feather nodded, a sharp glint in his eagle eyes, clearly ready for what was to come. Qin Yu also nodded firmly, his admiration for his master's plans growing.

Yun Ce nodded with satisfaction and sent another reminder through spiritual transmission. "When we approach the cave mansion, Red Phoenix, Long Yan, you two will hide your cultivation and show only the strength of the Nascent Soul Early Stage. Don't reveal your true levels. Xiao Yu, Xiao Hei, you don't need to hide your cultivation deliberately. Just maintain the aura of the Golden Core Mid Stage. But keep circulating the Mysterious Concealment Secret Manual at all times and disguise your auras properly. Don't reveal any signs that you're immortal cultivators or divine beasts. Understand?"

"Understood!" they all replied at once through spiritual transmission, adjusting their auras. Red Phoenix and the Dragon Rock Lion circulated the Mysterious Concealment Secret Manual, lowering their Nascent Soul mid-stage cultivation to the Nascent Soul Early Stage and smoothing out their demonic energy. Qin Yu and Black Feather maintained the aura of the Golden Core Mid Stage, keeping their auras disguised so that not the slightest flaw would show.

With everything arranged, Yun Ce led them slowly toward the entrance of the Crimson Blood Cave Mansion. The closer they got, the thicker the smell of blood became. They could faintly sense waves of demonic energy within the cave mansion, of varying strengths. Clearly, many demonic cultivators had gathered inside.

Two imposing Peacock Mantis Shrimps stood guard outside the entrance, each holding a massive Armor-Breaking Thunder Hammer. Their bodies were blue-black, their shells as hard as armor. The antennae atop their heads swayed slightly as their compound eyes warily scanned their surroundings. Their auras marked them as Golden Core mid-stage demonic cultivators, evidently shrimp generals guarding the Crimson Blood Cave Mansion.

When the two Peacock Mantis Shrimps saw Yun Ce and the others approaching, they immediately raised their Armor-Breaking Thunder Hammers and shouted at them, "What are you doing? This is the Crimson Blood Cave Mansion. No outsiders are allowed near. Leave at once!" Their voices were hoarse and overbearing, clearly the sound of creatures accustomed to throwing their weight around in Crimson Blood Territory.

Yun Ce did not stop. He slowly stepped forward, letting out the aura he had concealed at the Void-Piercing Realm Early Stage. It was not ostentatious, but carried an unquestionable pressure that instantly enveloped the two shrimp generals. The Peacock Mantis Shrimps stiffened, their Armor-Breaking Thunder Hammers nearly slipping from their grasp. The arrogance vanished from their faces, replaced by reverence. They were only at the Golden Core Mid Stage; before a Void-Piercing Realm expert, they were no more than ants, with no chance of resisting.

Yun Ce spoke gently, though with an unmistakable note of authority. "Please forgive us. We've come to join the Crimson Blood Cave Mansion. Kindly inform your master." As he spoke, he raised a hand. Two streaks of light flashed, and a pair of pitch-black giant axes appeared in his hands, their surfaces shimmering faintly. They were both mid-grade spiritual artifacts. He sent them floating toward the two guards.

Earlier, Yun Ce had swept his spiritual sense over the Armor-Breaking Thunder Hammers in the shrimp generals' hands and understood the situation. These two Golden Core mid-stage guards both used heavy weapons, so they were likely quite fond of this sort of spiritual artifact. Sure enough, when the Peacock Mantis Shrimps saw Yun Ce produce two mid-grade spiritual artifacts, their eyes immediately lit up with excitement. They looked at him with even greater respect.

In the Undersea Beast World, mid-grade spiritual artifacts were already rare treasures. Ordinary Golden Core demonic cultivators were fortunate to own even a single low-grade spiritual artifact, let alone a mid-grade one. The aura this powerful newcomer released was extremely close to, and perhaps even slightly stronger than, the cave master's. They judged him to be a Void-Piercing Realm expert. If they could bring him into the Crimson Blood Cave Mansion, he would be a great asset to their faction.

The two shrimp generals hurriedly accepted the mid-grade spiritual artifacts and bowed to Yun Ce. Their voices were utterly respectful. "Please forgive us, senior! We were blind to your stature and offended you! Please wait a moment. We'll go inform the cave master at once!"

With that, one of the shrimp generals turned and hurried into the Crimson Blood Cave Mansion to report. The other stood respectfully to one side, attending to Yun Ce and his companions with the utmost care. He did not dare neglect them in the slightest, though he occasionally stole glances at the group. None of these people were ordinary.

At that moment, in the Crimson Blood Cave Mansion's grand council hall, the master, Cha Hong, sat at the head of the hall with his eyes closed, listening to his subordinates report on the cave mansion's affairs. Cha Hong's true form was a Crimson Blood Water Python. Blessed with exceptional talent, he had reached the Void-Piercing Realm Early Stage. His power was terrifying, making him a notable figure among the demonic cultivators of the entire Southern Sea Region. His command of water was exquisite, and his attacks were exceptionally powerful.

On either side of the main seat sat the two deputy masters, Cha Hong's younger brothers: the second brother, Cha Po, and the third brother, Cha Ge. Cha Po was at the Nascent Soul Mid Stage and reasonably capable. He usually helped Cha Hong manage the cave mansion's affairs and was fairly levelheaded. Cha Ge, meanwhile, was only at the Nascent Soul Early Stage, roughly on par with an ordinary guardian in the cave mansion. But relying on his status as Cha Hong's younger brother, he ran rampant and acted like a tyrant throughout Crimson Blood Territory, with no one daring to provoke him.

Before long, the shrimp general who had gone to report hurried into the council hall and bowed to Cha Hong. His voice was urgent. "Reporting to the cave master and the two deputy masters! A Void-Piercing Realm senior is outside the cave mansion. He's brought a Golden Core mid-stage demonic cultivator and three powerful beasts, and says he wants to join the Crimson Blood Cave Mansion. I came to report this at once!"

"Oh? A Void-Piercing Realm expert?" Cha Hong slowly opened his eyes, surprise flashing through them before his expression settled again. Void-Piercing Realm demonic cultivators were already among the top fighters in the Undersea Beast World. Ordinary factions could not recruit them. It was rather unusual for one to come and offer to join the Crimson Blood Cave Mansion.

At his side, Cha Ge's eyes lit up with excitement when he heard the words "Void-Piercing Realm senior." He quickly stood and said, "Elder brother! A Void-Piercing Realm expert! If we can bring this senior into the Crimson Blood Cave Mansion, our strength will surely rise to another level. Then we won't have to fear the provocations of other factions!"

Though usually arrogant and domineering, he understood just how terrifying a Void-Piercing Realm expert could be. If the Crimson Blood Cave Mansion gained another one, he would be able to throw his weight around even more freely throughout Crimson Blood Territory and the entire Southern Sea Region. Before Cha Hong could speak, Cha Ge volunteered, "Elder brother, I'll personally invite the senior inside!"

Cha Hong glanced at Cha Ge and nodded slightly, his tone gentle. "Very well. Go invite him in, and be sure to show him respect. Don't neglect him." He also wanted to see where this Void-Piercing Realm expert had come from and what his purpose was in offering to join the Crimson Blood Cave Mansion.

"Yes, elder brother!" Cha Ge was delighted. He hurried out of the hall, his face full of ingratiating smiles. He was already plotting how to curry favor with the Void-Piercing Realm senior and convince him to look after him in the future.

Outside the cave mansion, Yun Ce and his group waited patiently. Qin Yu and the three divine beasts stood quietly beside him, maintaining their disguised auras without a single flaw. In the distance, Cha Ge was rushing toward them, his face full of respect and smiles.