Outside the entrance to the Crimson Blood Cave Mansion, Cha Ge hurried over. From a distance, he spotted Yun Ce and the others standing before the gate. His smile grew broader, and he quickened his pace. When he reached Yun Ce, he bowed deeply and greeted him with almost exaggerated respect. "This junior is Cha Ge. Greetings, Senior! My subordinates were blind to your greatness and offended you. Please forgive them!" "I heard that you're willing to join the Crimson Blood Cave Mansion. We're truly delighted!"
As he spoke, Cha Ge looked at Yun Ce. Judging by the group's positions, he surmised that the black-robed man was their leader. More importantly, he couldn't discern the man's cultivation level.
Yun Ce smiled faintly and gestured for Cha Ge to rise. His tone was mild. "It's fine. Those who don't know aren't to blame." His gaze swept over Cha Ge, and he clearly sensed that the man was at the Nascent Soul Early Stage.
Cha Ge cautiously sized up Yun Ce, then glanced at Qin Yu and the three demonic beasts beside him. Delight flickered in his eyes. Qin Yu and Black Feather gave off the aura of the Golden Core Mid Stage, while Dragon Rock Lion and Red Phoenix were at the Nascent Soul Early Stage. With Yun Ce, a Void-Piercing Realm powerhouse, the group's strength was already formidable. Their joining the Crimson Blood Cave Mansion would further bolster its power.
"Senior, our cave master is waiting in the main hall. I'll escort you and your companions inside right away!" Cha Ge said hastily. He stepped aside and gestured for them to follow, his tone still respectful. "Please, Senior!"
"Thank you for your trouble, Vice Cave Master Cha Ge." Yun Ce nodded slightly. With Qin Yu and the three divine beasts, he followed Cha Ge into the Crimson Blood Cave Mansion.
The interior of the Crimson Blood Cave Mansion was spacious. Luminous pearls were embedded along both sides of the passageway, illuminating it as brightly as daylight. Fierce demonic beast carvings adorned the walls, exuding a faint bloody scent and demonic energy. Patrol guards passed by from time to time. When they saw Cha Ge and Yun Ce's group, they bowed respectfully, their eyes filled with awe. Though they didn't know who Yun Ce was, they could feel the powerful pressure radiating from him. Combined with Cha Ge's deferential attitude, it was clear to them that he was someone important.
Black Feather, Dragon Rock Lion, and Red Phoenix walked beside Qin Yu with steady steps, keeping their auras restrained so that they appeared no different from ordinary sea-dwelling demonic beasts. Their enormous frames still drew frequent glances from the guards they passed, however. Qin Yu followed closely behind Yun Ce, constantly circulating the Mysterious Concealment Secret Manual to maintain his disguise as a demonic cultivator. He warily examined his surroundings, remembering his master's instructions and not daring to slack off for even a moment.
Before long, they arrived outside the main hall. The imposing entrance was made of black wrought iron, engraved with a huge Crimson Blood Water Python that looked almost lifelike and radiated a menacing, domineering air. Cha Ge stepped forward and pushed open the doors. "Big Brother, Senior has arrived!"
Yun Ce entered the main hall with Qin Yu and the three divine beasts. Inside, Cha Hong sat in the seat of honor, dressed in a dark red robe. His expression was imposing, and the powerful pressure of the Void-Piercing Realm radiated from him. Though he wasn't deliberately releasing it, it still made one's heart tremble. His true form was the Crimson Blood Water Python, and the bloody aura and demonic energy around him were more intense than those of the other demonic cultivators in the hall.
Cha Po sat beside him, composed and calmly sizing up Yun Ce and his companions. Below them stood thirteen protectors in neat rows. Each had a powerful aura, ranging from the Golden Core Late Stage to the Nascent Soul Mid Stage. They looked at Yun Ce with varied expressions—curiosity, respect, and a hint of scrutiny.
"I'm Yun Ce. I've brought my friend Qin Yu and three companions. Greetings, Cave Master Cha Hong, Vice Cave Masters, and protectors." Yun Ce spoke first. His tone was mild yet neither servile nor arrogant, and he showed no hint of nervousness at Cha Hong's status.
Qin Yu quickly stepped forward and bowed. "This junior, Qin Yu, greets the Cave Master, the Vice Cave Masters, and all the protectors." Black Feather, Dragon Rock Lion, and Red Phoenix lowered their heads slightly and gave low growls and cries in greeting. Their manner was respectful but not submissive.
Cha Hong slowly raised a hand and spoke warmly. "There's no need for formalities, Brother Yun Ce. Since you've come to join the Crimson Blood Cave Mansion, you're one of us now. May I ask about your cultivation levels?" He could sense the cultivation of Qin Yu and the others, but he was quite curious about Yun Ce's strength.
Yun Ce smiled faintly and replied, "I'm unremarkable. My cultivation is the same as the Cave Master's; I'm currently at the Void-Piercing Realm Early Stage. This is Qin Yu, at the Golden Core Mid Stage; this is Black Feather, also at the Golden Core Mid Stage; and Dragon Rock and Red Phoenix are both at the Nascent Soul Early Stage."
The moment he finished speaking, an uproar broke out in the hall. Shock filled the eyes of the thirteen protectors as they looked at Yun Ce and his companions. A Void-Piercing Realm Early Stage powerhouse, a Golden Core Mid Stage cultivator, a demonic beast at the Golden Core Mid Stage, and two demonic beasts at the Nascent Soul Early Stage—this lineup far surpassed the strength of an ordinary protector. Even the two vice cave masters might not have such a formidable entourage.
A hint of surprise flickered in Cha Po's eyes before his expression settled back into composure. He quietly calculated that if he could get this group to sincerely serve the Crimson Blood Cave Mansion, its strength would surely increase substantially. Cha Ge was even more delighted. Yun Ce looked all the more pleasing to him now, and he congratulated himself on having come out to welcome him.
A note of approval flashed in Cha Hong's eyes, and he nodded. "Excellent! Brother Yun Ce is so young, yet he's already reached the Void-Piercing Realm Early Stage. Your talent is truly extraordinary! Young Friend Qin Yu and the rest of your companions are formidable as well. It's a blessing for the Crimson Blood Cave Mansion to have your help!"
Yun Ce smiled, then smoothly changed the subject. His tone was respectful as he said, "You flatter me, Cave Master. We've only just arrived and have nothing to repay you with, so today we've prepared a modest gift for you and the two vice cave masters. Consider it our token of allegiance upon joining the Crimson Blood Cave Mansion. Please accept it."
As he finished speaking, three dazzling flashes of spiritual light burst from the storage ring on Yun Ce's left hand. Three artifacts of different shapes appeared, floating in the center of the hall and radiating dense spiritual energy several times stronger than that of the Medium-Grade Spirit Artifacts they had seen before. They were three High-Grade Spirit Artifacts.
The first was a long, azure fork engraved with wave patterns. The faint sound of rushing water seemed to emanate from it. It was the Azure Sea Tide-Rising Fork, which was well suited to controlling water and complemented Cha Hong's Crimson Blood Water Python true form. The second was a pair of crimson claw-shaped artifacts, their tips gleaming with a piercing chill and faint flames swirling around them. They were the Heaven-Burning Flame Phoenix Claw, a powerful offensive weapon suited to Cha Po. The third was a black shield carved with a Black Turtle. It radiated the heavy aura of earth and possessed astonishing defensive power. It was the Lieshan Black Turtle Shield, suited to protecting Cha Ge.
"High-Grade Spirit Artifacts!"
Another uproar swept through the hall. Envy and jealousy filled the eyes of the thirteen protectors. High-Grade Spirit Artifacts were exceedingly rare treasures in the Undersea Beast World. Even Cave Master Cha Hong couldn't ignore their value. Yet Yun Ce had offered three at once, each perfectly suited to one of the Three Black Turtle Brothers. The generosity of this gesture was staggering.
Cha Hong's expression shifted slightly, and shock flashed in his eyes before he quickly regained his composure. He silently considered that Yun Ce clearly had an extraordinary background to be so generous. Still, offering three High-Grade Spirit Artifacts as a token of allegiance was proof of his sincerity, and Cha Hong's wariness eased somewhat.
Cha Po and Cha Ge could hardly contain their delight. They stared fixedly at the three High-Grade Spirit Artifacts, their eyes burning with excitement. Cha Ge trembled slightly, eager to take the Lieshan Black Turtle Shield in his hands. His cultivation was not high, and he had long lacked a decent defensive artifact. This shield seemed made just for him!
"Brother Yun Ce, this... This is far too valuable. How could we accept it for nothing?" Cha Hong made a show of declining, though his voice could not conceal his interest.
Yun Ce smiled faintly and replied sincerely, "There's no need to be polite, Cave Master. We've traveled all over the Undersea Beast World, and you've graciously taken us in. These few modest gifts are just a token of my appreciation. Please accept them."
Cha Ge hurried forward and addressed Cha Hong. "Big Brother! Senior Yun Ce is offering these gifts sincerely. If we refuse, we'll only seem distant! Besides, these artifacts will greatly improve our strength, which is good for the Crimson Blood Cave Mansion too!"
Cha Po nodded in agreement. "Third Brother is right. Senior Yun Ce has shown us great sincerity. We should accept them."
Cha Hong looked at Cha Po and Cha Ge, then at Yun Ce. A hint of amusement appeared in his eyes as he nodded. "Very well! Since Brother Yun Ce is so generous, we'll accept your gifts." With a wave of his hand, three flashes of spiritual light swept past, and the three High-Grade Spirit Artifacts landed in his hands. He passed one each to Cha Po and Cha Ge. "Thank you for your generous gifts, Brother Yun Ce!"
Cha Po took the Heaven-Burning Flame Phoenix Claw, and Cha Ge took the Lieshan Black Turtle Shield. Both eagerly examined the artifacts' auras, their faces filled with delight and satisfaction. Cha Ge repeatedly thanked Yun Ce. "Thank you, Senior Yun Ce! Thank you!"
Approval in Cha Hong's eyes grew stronger as he looked at Yun Ce. He spoke solemnly. "Since Brother Yun Ce has shown such sincerity, the Crimson Blood Cave Mansion won't be stingy either! With a great expert like Brother Yun Ce joining us, what could keep the Crimson Blood Cave Mansion from prospering?"
Cha Hong rose to his feet and spoke in a booming voice. "Carry out my order! Appoint Yun Ce as Grand Protector of the Crimson Blood Cave Mansion, above the thirteen protectors and answerable directly to me! Also, assign some guards to Brother Yun Ce and his companions to command!"
"Thank you, Cave Master!" Yun Ce bowed slightly, his tone respectful. Inwardly, he understood that Cha Hong had begun trying to win him over. That was exactly what he wanted. With the rank of Grand Protector and a force of guards under his control, he would be able to infiltrate the cave mansion more effectively and gradually eat away at its power.
Cha Hong nodded and turned to Cha Po. "Second Brother, tell everyone how many guards the protectors currently have under their direct command, and we'll decide how to allocate some to Brother Yun Ce."
Cha Po stood and said steadily, "Big Brother, protectors, our Crimson Blood Cave Mansion currently has a total of five thousand five hundred guards under its direct command. The Three Black Turtle Brothers, Ba Ming, Ba Qiang, and Ba Yong, jointly command eight hundred guards. The Wu brothers, Wu Tong and Wu Feng, command six hundred. Protector Sang Mo commands three hundred. Protectors Yan Qing and Xi Yan jointly command six hundred. Protectors Bai Yin, Ran Lan, Mu Xu, and Zhuang Zhong command a total of twelve hundred. Protector Teng Bi has one thousand guards under his direct command. The remaining one thousand are under my and Third Brother's direct command, five hundred each."
He paused and looked at Cha Hong. "Big Brother, now that we need to assign guards to Grand Protector Yun Ce, how do you think we should distribute them?"
The thirteen protectors listened closely. The number of guards they commanded directly was tied to their influence and authority. Naturally, they wouldn't want their own subordinates reassigned. But if the guards came only from the two vice cave masters, they wouldn't object.
Cha Hong's gaze swept across the group. After a moment's thought, he spoke solemnly. "Since Brother Yun Ce is the Grand Protector, he should have enough guards. Second Brother, Third Brother, assign all one thousand guards under your command to Brother Yun Ce and his companions. They'll be at his disposal. Do you have any objections?"
The thirteen protectors exchanged glances and felt relieved. Fortunately, none of their own subordinates had been reassigned, so the matter didn't concern them. They had no objections and promptly said, "We have no objections! We'll follow the Cave Master's arrangement!"
Cha Po and Cha Ge, however, immediately darkened. Displeasure flashed in their eyes. If all five hundred guards under each of them were transferred to Yun Ce, they would lose their personal forces, and their prestige within the cave mansion would take a considerable hit.
But when they glanced down at the High-Grade Spirit Artifacts in their hands, their displeasure vanished. Compared with the prestige of having five hundred guards, the boost in strength from a High-Grade Spirit Artifact was clearly more important. With one of those artifacts, their strength would increase substantially. Even without personal guards, they could still throw their weight around in the Crimson Blood Cave Mansion by relying on their artifacts and their status as the Cave Master's younger brothers.
Cha Ge spoke first, forcing a smile. "Big Brother is right! Senior Yun Ce is the Grand Protector, so he ought to have enough guards. I'm willing to put all five hundred of my guards under Senior Yun Ce's command!"
Cha Po nodded too, suppressing his reluctance. "Big Brother, I have no objections either. All five hundred of my guards will be at Grand Protector Yun Ce's disposal."
Cha Hong nodded in satisfaction and surveyed the group. In a booming voice, he said, "Since no one has any objections, then it's settled! From this day forward, Yun Ce is the Grand Protector of the Crimson Blood Cave Mansion and will command the one thousand guards under Second Brother and Third Brother. All protectors must cooperate with Grand Protector Yun Ce's work without fail!"
"Yes! We obey the Cave Master's command!" Everyone bowed together and responded in unison.
Yun Ce bowed again, speaking respectfully. "Thank you for your trust, Cave Master! I'll do my utmost to fulfill my duties and live up to your expectations!" He silently considered that one thousand guards might not be many, but they were the first force he had gained within the Crimson Blood Cave Mansion. If he managed them well and gradually built them up, they would become a vital support for him in the future.
Cha Hong nodded and spoke warmly. "Good! Brother Yun Ce, you've had a long journey. Go rest for now. Second Brother, arrange a fine cave dwelling for Brother Yun Ce and his companions, then send him the roster of the guards so he can familiarize himself with them."
"Yes, Big Brother!" Cha Po nodded and looked at Yun Ce, speaking respectfully. "Grand Protector Yun Ce, please come with me!"
Yun Ce nodded slightly, cupped his hands to Cha Hong and the others, then followed Cha Po out of the main hall with Qin Yu and the three divine beasts. Inside, Cha Ge was already turning the Lieshan Black Turtle Shield over in his hands, unable to put it down. Cha Hong remained seated in the place of honor, gazing toward the entrance with a thoughtful look in his eyes. Though he had let go of most of his suspicions, he still felt that Yun Ce was not as simple as he seemed.
Yun Ce and his companions left the main hall and headed toward the cave dwelling Cha Po had arranged for them...
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