Blood Calamity Pill

The Li Family of Lidu was one of the major forces among the super lineages, on par with the Qin Household.

At this moment, more than a dozen people had gathered around a round table laden with sumptuous food in a small reception hall of the Li Family.

Seated in the seat of honor was none other than the Li Family's eldest young master, Li Chenghao. Those seated elsewhere were all figures of standing—either heads of first-rate lineages or heirs to wealthy merchants.

The banquet was already halfway through. Li Chenghao, seated at the head, said nothing and merely drank in silence, as though waiting for something.

Meanwhile, the man seated below him wore a broad smile as he greeted the others.

"Everyone, Young Master Li summoned us here today because he considers us his own people. The Qin Household's decline has now become apparent. The day their old ancestor rides a crane westward will be the day we divide up Lidu."

"Brother Song spoke well. I offer you this cup."

"Brother Song Kui, when you rise to prominence in the future, don't forget us. Please put in a few good words for us before Young Master Li."

Before long, the others all began raising their cups to Song Kui.

After all, Song Kui's seat alone showed that he was different from them.

If they built ties with him now, then when the day came to carve up Lidu, they would naturally be able to claim greater benefits.

Li Chenghao, seated at the head, had said nothing, clearly acquiescing to Song Kui's actions. This made everyone present realize even more clearly Song Kui's standing before Li Chenghao.

Not long afterward, a servant hurried in from outside and went to Li Chenghao's side to say something.

Li Chenghao then set down his wine cup and rose to his feet.

Seeing this, Song Kui immediately understood Li Chenghao's meaning and hurriedly called for the others to stand.

"Alright, Young Master is tired. Let's end today's banquet here. Everyone, disperse."

The guests quickly left in twos and threes, and Song Kui turned to look at Li Chenghao.

"Young Master, could it be that gentleman has arrived?"

Li Chenghao said nothing, merely waving his hand.

Song Kui immediately understood.

"Very well, Young Master. I'll be leaving first. If there's anything, you can contact me at any time."

Song Kui nodded repeatedly and quickly departed.

Once Song Kui had gone far away, Li Chenghao put away his indifferent expression and quickened his pace toward the depths of the inner courtyard.

After entering the inner courtyard, he saw two people standing there.

The man on the left was built like an ox and exceptionally tall. Standing there, he resembled a small mountain and exuded an intense oppressive aura.

The man on the right was tall and thin, with a faint smile on his face. He looked amiable and approachable, yet Li Chenghao could not help but tense up.

Because the man on the right was the envoy of the organization Li Chenghao had dealt with before.

"Greetings, Envoy."

Li Chenghao strode forward and respectfully bowed to him.

"Spare me the pleasantries."

"How are things?"

"Reporting to the Envoy, there has not been any movement from the Qin Household for now. However, I investigated in secret, and the Qin Household's old ancestor has not shown himself for many years. The Qin Household has not responded at all to those probes, so I intend to add more fuel to the fire soon."

"Pick up the pace. Three months—I will give you only three months to take down the Qin Household."

"Three months? That is too short. Based on the intelligence we have, the Qin Household's old ancestor is likely not dead yet. Acting rashly may provoke his counterattack. Relying on our lineage's Attendant alone, I'm afraid..."

Li Chenghao explained with a tense expression.

After all, becoming enemies with a Core-Embracing Realm martial artist was simply far too dangerous.

Even though the Li Family also had a Core-Embracing Realm Attendant, it was no different.

If a Core-Embracing Realm martial artist deliberately chose only to ambush and harass rather than confront them head-on, then even martial artists of the same realm would be utterly unable to guard against it.

When that happened, the Li Family would be unable to withstand a Core-Embracing Realm martial artist's attacks and harassment every few days. Before long, they might be wiped out.

For precisely this reason, even the great super lineages of Lidu had never dared to completely offend a Core-Embracing Realm martial artist to the death.

Otherwise, who knew whether they might be ambushed and killed in their sleep one day?

Yet the man before him was telling him to accelerate his attack on the Qin Household. This was no different from courting extreme danger.

After all, even a rabbit would bite when driven to desperation, much less a fierce tiger. Even if it was old, those fangs and claws could still take a life.

"One Core-Embracing Realm martial artist isn't enough. What if there are two?"

As the envoy spoke, he flicked his wrist and tossed a blood-red jade bottle before Li Chenghao.

Li Chenghao caught it instinctively, confusion surfacing in his eyes.

"May I ask, Envoy, is this... a Blood Embryo Pill?"

"No. This is a Blood Calamity Pill. It is effective even on martial artists after the Transformation Force stage. If a Late Transformation Force Stage martial artist takes it, they can rapidly break through into the Core-Embracing Realm. That way, you will have two Core-Embracing Realm martial artists."

"This..."

After hearing the explanation, Li Chenghao stared at the blood-red jade bottle in his hand in disbelief, intense excitement flickering in the depths of his eyes.

"It can even affect Transformation Force martial artists? If there were more Blood Calamity Pills, wouldn't that mean Core-Embracing Realm martial artists could be mass-produced? By then, even the Haotian Sect..."

Before Li Chenghao could finish, he was scolded.

"Idiot. If Blood Calamity Pills could be mass-produced, what use would we have for you?"

"This thing has extremely severe side effects, and it is still incomplete."

"Then wouldn't a complete Blood Calamity Pill allow Transformation Force martial artists to enter the Core-Embracing Realm with ease and no side effects?"

Li Chenghao could not help asking.

"That is only if it is complete. Which is why I need you to take down the Qin Household as soon as possible."

"The Qin Household should possess the pill formula needed to complete this Blood Calamity Pill."

"I understand, Envoy. I will accelerate this matter as much as possible. Within one month at most, I will sound out the true state of the Qin Household's old ancestor."

Li Chenghao clenched the Blood Calamity Pill in his hand, intense excitement gleaming in his eyes.

Even with side effects, it was still a genuine, absolute powerhouse of the Core-Embracing Realm.

By then, with two Core-Embracing Realm martial artists, they would almost certainly be able to kill an old fellow of the same realm who already had one foot in the grave.

That way, he would not need to fear retaliation.

After Li Chenghao had gone far away, the envoy snorted coldly, a trace of disdain flickering in his eyes.

"If this were not beneath the Haotian Sect's very nose, there would be no need to go through so much trouble."

As Shang Qi spoke, icy killing intent surfaced on his face.

"This time, there absolutely cannot be another mistake!"

"Once we obtain the pill formula that completes the Blood Calamity Pill, forget Lidu—even the Haotian Sect will have to be destroyed."

"That old thing should not think he can die so easily. I will make him die amid endless agony."

The icy words echoed above the courtyard for a long time, while the figures of Shang Qi and the Ghost Ape gradually vanished into the darkness.