Red Spirit Cave, the Spirit God's Contract

Inside the enormous cave.

"Since our Yang Household discovered this cave, we'll call it 'Yang Household Cave' from now on. Rest here while I go scout the area."

Once the Yang Household members had settled in, Yang Xiaosheng addressed them.

"Yes, Patriarch!"

The Yang Household members answered in unison, their voices echoing through the cave long after they fell silent.

"Patriarch, should I ask a few people to go with you?"

Yang Shengyu approached Yang Xiaosheng and asked with concern.

"No need."

Yang Xiaosheng waved him off and left the cave alone.

"The patriarch really has changed. He's calm and decisive now!"

"With the patriarch leading us, the Yang Household will surely rise again!"

Yang Shengyu watched Yang Xiaosheng's retreating figure and murmured to himself, certain of it.

Four hours later.

Three miles from Yang Household Cave.

"Everything within three miles is safe. Is this really the Desolate Wilderness Forest where, according to everyone, any ordinary person who enters is certain to die?"

Without realizing it, Yang Xiaosheng had surveyed the surrounding three miles. He raised an eyebrow, wondering if he had come to the wrong place.

"Hm? Why is this tree so red? How strange!"

He looked at the enormous tree beside him. Its canopy blotted out the sky, and its bright-red trunk reflected a crimson glow. He could not help but gasp.

Boom!

Suddenly, an immensely powerful suction surged out from the tree.

"How can this be?"

Yang Xiaosheng cried out in alarm. Panic seized him, and he fought the pull with all his strength.

But the suction was far too powerful. How could an ordinary man like him resist it?

"No!"

In an instant, his body shot into the tree like a meteor.

Thud!

Yang Xiaosheng hit the ground hard, yet felt no pain.

"Hm? I'm not dead?"

He rose in confusion and looked around. "Where am I?"

A moment later, he saw his surroundings clearly.

He was not inside the tree after all, but in a mountain cave.

The cave was much like any other, except that its stone walls gleamed with an eerie red.

"Why are these walls so red too? It looks as though blood is about to drip from them!"

Yang Xiaosheng stared at the walls, his heart pounding. "The Desolate Wilderness Forest really is strange!"

"One who is fated to be here, you have arrived!"

At that moment, a hollow voice suddenly rang out.

"Who's there?!"

Yang Xiaosheng jumped and shouted.

He searched the cave but saw no one.

This must be a master!

Yang Xiaosheng thought to himself.

"Yang Xiaosheng, do you crave power? Do you want to slaughter the people of Cloudmoor City and Clearwind Town to take your revenge?"

The hollow voice did not answer him. Instead, it asked those strange questions.

"Yes!"

Yang Xiaosheng answered through gritted teeth without a moment's thought.

His fists clenched tight, hatred filling his eyes and his heart.

"Then I, the Spirit God, shall grant you supreme power to shed your mortal nature and become an immortal, setting you on the path of cultivation!"

The hollow voice gave a soft laugh.

"Supreme power to become an immortal?"

Yang Xiaosheng froze, then brightened. "Thank you, Spirit God! Please help this junior begin cultivating!"

"Very well. You need only put your blood on this contract and, starting today, bring five living people to Red Spirit Cave each day. Then your wish shall be granted!"

The Spirit God spoke calmly.

Before the voice had faded, a contract appeared in midair, giving off an eerie, faint red glow.

"Five living people?"

Yang Xiaosheng stared at the contract floating in the air. He faltered, hesitant.

"Fine. I agree!"

After several breaths, resolve hardened in his eyes. He took the contract from the air, drew a small knife, cut his index finger, and let his blood drip onto it.

Boom!

In an instant, waves of red light rose from the contract and shone across the crimson walls, making them more eerie still!

Only after ten breaths did the contract's red glow gradually fade.

"The contract is sealed!" The Spirit God retrieved it. "Bring living people as the contract requires each day, and you shall receive supreme power."

"Yes, Spirit God!"

Yang Xiaosheng beamed, then asked in puzzlement, "But Spirit God, how do I bring them to Red Spirit Cave?"

"Simple. Just bring them beneath the Red Spirit Tree that pulled you into Red Spirit Cave."

"I understand, Spirit God!"

"Go and bring them here at once!"

"Yes, Spirit God!"

The moment Yang Xiaosheng answered, red light flashed, and he found himself outside Red Spirit Cave.

"Five living people, huh? Hmm..."

Beneath the Red Spirit Tree, Yang Xiaosheng sank into thought.

"For the sake of my cultivation, forgive me!"

With that, he hurried away.

Half an hour later.

Yang Household Cave.

A figure in black appeared at the entrance to Yang Household Cave. Yang Xiaosheng had returned.

"How was it, Patriarch? Did you find anything nearby?"

Seeing Yang Xiaosheng return, Yang Shengyu hurried over to ask.

"I surveyed the surrounding three miles. It's all safe."

Yang Xiaosheng answered with a faint smile.

"Wonderful! Heaven doesn't want the Yang Household to perish!"

"Exactly! Even heaven is helping us. How could we fail to rise again?"

"That's right. Cloudmoor City, just you wait. We'll be back!"

The Yang Household members were beside themselves with joy at the news.

"Xiaoyun, Zunqing... you five, come with me to find some food."

Yang Xiaosheng swept an impassive gaze around the cave and gave the order.

"Yes, Patriarch!"

A little over half an hour later.

Beneath the Red Spirit Tree.

"Patriarch, look! This tree is red as blood. How strange!"

"I've never seen a tree this red!"

Yang Xiaoyun and the other four examined the Red Spirit Tree, marveling at it.

Yang Xiaosheng stood silently behind them, an eerie smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

"This tree is too strange. We should be careful."

"Right. The Desolate Wilderness Forest is full of oddities. We'd better stay away from it."

After a few breaths, Yang Xiaoyun and the other four came to their senses and began backing away from the Red Spirit Tree.

Boom!

But at that moment, an immensely powerful suction burst out in every direction from the Red Spirit Tree.

"Hm?" "Ah!"

Yang Xiaoyun and the other four screamed. Together with Yang Xiaosheng, they vanished from beneath the tree.

Red Spirit Cave.

Thud!

Yang Xiaoyun, the other four, and Yang Xiaosheng all hit the ground.

"Wh-where are we?"

Yang Xiaoyun and the other four got up and looked around Red Spirit Cave in confusion.

"These walls are redder than that strange tree, as though blood is flowing through them. It's terrifying!"

Yang Zunqing stared in astonishment.

"Never mind that. Find an exit!"

Yang Xiaoyun spoke calmly.

"Right, finding an exit comes first!"

The other three snapped out of their daze.

"Hm? Why is the patriarch standing there like a mountain?"

They looked at Yang Xiaosheng, who remained rooted to the spot, and could not help but wonder.

Yang Xiaosheng smiled faintly and said nothing.

Just then, a beam of red light fell from the cave ceiling and enveloped Yang Xiaoyun and the other four.

"Hm?!"

The five exchanged bewildered looks.

Boom!

Suddenly, a blood-red palm appeared above their heads and dragged them into the ceiling.

"Ah!"

Yang Xiaoyun and the other four howled in agony. The blood in their bodies was rapidly draining into the stone!