Beauty Qiulu

After leaving the mission hall, Song Wen asked Zuo Shuiyun.

"Senior Sister Zuo, when do we set off?"

Zuo Shuiyun glanced at Song Wen, her eyes filled with a hint of disdain.

She was very reluctant to go on the mission with Song Wen.

Song Wen's talent in alchemy was poor, and he had never shown any combat ability, so Zuo Shuiyun subconsciously regarded Song Wen as a burden.

"Tomorrow at noon."

After saying that, Zuo Shuiyun left without looking back.

The next day, at noon.

The two set off on time, flying on their swords towards the West Mountain Cheng Clan.

The Cheng Family is located more than 30,000 li south of the Beast Taming Sect, near the mortal realm.

The Cheng Family established themselves by cultivating the spirit medicine Huo Yangyin Huo Yangyin, which is one of the main ingredients in refining Beast Essence Pill.

The two were not in a hurry to travel and it took them two days to arrive at the Cheng Family.

The Cheng Family is nestled against the mountains and beside the water. A clear stream meanders in front of them, and a towering mountain peak called West Mountain stands behind them, hence the name West Mountain Cheng Clan.

Between the Cheng Family and West Mountain, there is a low-lying area shrouded in clouds and mist, where a large number of spirit medicine are grown.

The spirit medicine is about two to three feet tall, with a dark brown stem and nine small, bright green leaves; this is the Huo Yangyin.

With their identity tokens, Song Wen and Zuo Shuiyun entered the Cheng Family without any trouble.

In the main hall of the Cheng Family, I met Cheng Ruidá, the head of the Cheng Family.

Cheng Ruidá a man who stood five feet tall, was gentle and refined, and exuded an air of scholarly elegance.

"Gentlemen, we've been waiting for you!"

Upon first seeing Song Wen and his companion, Cheng Ruidá was overjoyed.

"Greetings, Cheng Family. I am Wu Sheng, and this is Elder Zuo Shuiyun," Song Wen greeted her.

"Elder Wu, Elder Zuo, thank you both for traveling so far to rescue our Cheng Family."

Song Wen asked, "Patriarch Cheng Family, I just noticed that the Cheng Family has fewer than ten thousand members. Why is that?"

Upon entering the Cheng Family's residence, Song Wen discovered that the Cheng Family occupied a vast area, but there were relatively few people coming and going.

He scanned the entire Cheng Family with his Divine Sense and found that the Cheng Family only had more than 8,000 people, which was pitifully small for a Foundation Establishment Lineage.

Cheng Ruidá sighed deeply, his face filled with resentment.

"Alas! My Cheng Family was once a thriving clan, with over 60,000 members. However, since that Blood Demon appeared two years ago, it has been slaughtering my Cheng Lineage members, causing a sharp decline in our Cheng Family, especially the mortals without cultivation, who suffered heavy losses."

Upon hearing this, Song Wen's eyes flashed with shock.

Of the more than 60,000 people, only more than 8,000 remain?

In just two years, the population has dwindled to just over 10%.

The Cheng Family suffered heavy losses at the hands of the Blood Demon, and only now are they turning to the Beast Taming Sect for help?

Song Wen gave Cheng Ruidá a deep look, but did not press the matter further.

Zuo Shuiyun suddenly interjected.

"Alright, let's not waste any more time. The sooner we kill the Blood Demon, the sooner we can restore peace to the Cheng Family and return to our sect. Cheng Family, take me to your Cheng Family's Alchemy room. I need to refine a second-tier Demon-Luring Powder."

Zuo Shuiyun wasn't too concerned about this mission. With three Foundation Establishment cultivators here, killing a mid- Second-Order Mid-Stage Blood Demon was a piece of cake.

Cheng Ruidá said, "Thank you, Elder Zuo. Refining the second-tier Demon-Luring Powder will take several days and is difficult. I earnestly request that both elders work together to successfully refine the Demon-Luring Powder as soon as possible. Please follow me, I will take you to the Alchemy room now."

After saying that, he stood up and gestured towards the main hall entrance, indicating that Song Wen and Zuo Shuiyun should follow him.

Zuo Shuiyun got up and went out the door.

Song Wen also stood up.

Zuo Shuiyun glanced at Song Wen and said with a hint of disdain.

"Junior Brother Wu, you don't need to come. I can manage on my own. I'm afraid you don't know how to refine a second-tier Demon-Luring Powder. If you enter the Alchemy room, you won't help me Alchemy; instead, you might distract me."

Upon hearing this, Song Wen awkwardly sat back down.

He was already capable of refining second-tier Demon-Luring Powder.

Zuo Shuiyun's desire to refine the Demon-Luring Powder alone was clearly aimed at gaining more credit in this mission.

Since she wants to Alchemy by herself, let her do it alone; Song Wen will have some peace and quiet then.

In any case, the reward for the mission was negligible to him.

Moreover, Song Wen had a feeling that something was off about the Cheng Family and Cheng Ruidá, so he took the opportunity while Zuo Shuiyun was Alchemy pills to investigate the Cheng Family.

Be prepared!

Cheng Ruidá's gaze swept back and forth between Song Wen and Zuo Shuiyun, then, without saying anything, led Zuo Shuiyun towards the Alchemy room.

After the two left, a maid came.

"This servant, Qiulu, greets Elder Wu. Please follow me, senior, and I will escort you to your guest room to rest."

Qiulu is beautiful, but she has no cultivation and is a mortal without Spirit Root.

The two walked through the Cheng Family compound and headed deeper into the Cheng Family.

"Qiulu, could you tell me about the layout of your Cheng Family's residence?" Song Wen said.

"Yes!" Qiulu said respectfully as she led the way.

"The Cheng Family is divided into three areas: front, middle, and back. The front courtyard, near the stream, is inhabited by mortals like myself who have no cultivation. The middle courtyard is the Cheng Family's main area for Alchemy and weapon crafting. The back courtyard, near the spirit fields, is rich in Spiritual Qi energy and is inhabited by clansmen with Spirit Root. The guest room where the elder lived was also in the back courtyard, right next to Huo Yangyin's spirit fields."

"When did the Blood Demon appear?" Song Wen asked.

"About two and a half years ago," Qiulu replied.

When did the disappearances and deaths of members of the Cheng Lineage begin?

"It happened after the Blood Demon appeared."

Suddenly, Qiulu's eyes turned red, and glistening tears welled up in them.

"Senior, I know you've come to help the Cheng Family exorcise the demon. Please, you must slay the Blood Demon! My entire family died at its hands. My parents, younger brother, and younger sister were all devoured alive by the Blood Demon. It's a monster that eats human flesh and drinks human blood."

As she spoke, Qiulu's voice gradually became choked with emotion.

"If you can help the Cheng Family slay this demon, Qiulu is willing to give everything to repay your great kindness."

Qiulu stopped and looked back at Song Wen, her gentle demeanor carrying a hint of determination.

Her poignant and sorrowful appearance evoked pity in those who saw her.

As if moved by the other person's tragic experience, or perhaps driven by a sense of justice, or maybe to show off his heroic masculinity, Song Wen patted his chest and said.

"Don't worry, Miss Qiulu, leave the task of eliminating the Blood Demon to me."

A knowing smile appeared on Qiulu Lu's face, which was streaked with tears, and her eyes curved into crescent moons as she gazed at Song Wen with deep reverence.

"Senior, I believe you can slay the Blood Demon and avenge my people."

Then she noticed that Song Wen's gaze was fixed on her full chest, and a blush flashed across her face.

Qiulu lowered its head, its face flushed with a rosy glow.

She pointed to a two-story building not far ahead.

"Senior, we've arrived at the guest room. This servant will take her leave now."