Jing Wen flitted through the night like a phantom, returning first to the Green Maple Inn.
His divine sense swept through the inn. Not a soul remained; only the disarray left by battle told of the fierce clash that had taken place not long before.
Seeing this, Jing Wen did not linger and sped toward Still Garden.
With light taps of his toes, Jing Wen slipped soundlessly through Still Garden's gates, their vermilion paint mottled with age.
Seven or eight figures stood or sat in the courtyard, whispering among themselves in twos and threes.
A heavy, oppressive atmosphere hung over the entire courtyard.
Jing Wen quickly surveyed them and judged that they were all at the fourth or fifth layer of Qi Refining. He surmised that they belonged to the squad responsible for reconnaissance at this outpost.
Within the outpost's structure, the Reconnaissance Squad and the Hunting Squad had clearly defined duties.
The former gathered intelligence, while the latter handled captures.
How many contribution points the entire outpost could earn depended largely on how successfully the Hunting Squad completed its missions.
Everyone noticed Jing Wen's return at once, their gazes instantly riveted on the large burlap sack he dragged behind him.
In an instant, the gloomy atmosphere vanished. Their eyes shone, undisguised delight spread across their faces, and they hurried over to surround him.
As cultivators, they only needed to circulate their spiritual power and activate their spirit eyes to see through the sack with ease.
Yet they could not suppress their anticipation and wanted confirmation from Jing Wen himself.
Ge Hong squeezed to the front. The wiry young man's eyes were startlingly bright, gleaming with shrewdness. He was the first to ask, "Brother Jing Wen, did you catch the rogue cultivator you were chasing?"
Jing Wen nodded slightly, his expression calm. This was his first interaction with the Reconnaissance Squad since joining the Black Fiend Cult. He privately considered that these people, who spent their days gathering intelligence, might be able to reveal quite a bit of valuable information.
At his response, the gloom on their faces vanished, their smiles broadened, and cheers rose one after another. "Wonderful! Wonderful!"
Jing Wen's brows drew together slightly, a trace of puzzlement flashing through his eyes. He was about to ask why.
Just then, Ge Hong suddenly stepped half a pace closer. Deliberately lowering his voice, he grew solemn. "Of the other two rogue cultivators, one escaped in the chaos, and the other was killed on the spot.
"Our side suffered heavy losses. One brother at the sixth layer of Qi Refining lost his life, and even Steward Li was seriously wounded."
Understanding dawned on Jing Wen as he listened. Within the Black Fiend Cult's system, a dead cultivator's value was greatly diminished.
As time passed, the vitality in a corpse's blood would gradually dissipate.
The outpost held a blood sacrifice only once every three months. By then, the vitality a dead cultivator could provide would be severely limited.
Thinking it over, the other two groups had both failed. Only his group had successfully captured a rogue cultivator and brought back a usable "offering."
As everyone continued discussing the matter, Steward Li's somewhat weakened voice came from the main hall. "Is that Jing Wen? Come in!"
Jing Wen quickly turned sideways, squeezed through the crowd, and strode toward the main hall.
As he entered, dim candlelight flickered, illuminating Steward Li's pale face.
When Steward Li saw the sack behind Jing Wen, a glimmer flashed through his dull eyes, and a rare smile appeared on his face.
"Tell me what happened on your side. Why have you returned alone?" Steward Li's tone was mild, though he could not conceal his puzzlement.
With a respectful expression, Jing Wen recounted the battle in an orderly manner. "Steward, after we caught up with that rogue cultivator, we were drawn into a fierce fight.
"The two brothers charged in first. Who could have known how cunning that rogue cultivator was? He cast the Fireball Technique first, striking one of them instantly. The scorching flames pierced straight through his chest.
"The other failed to dodge and was trapped by Earth Spikes that suddenly erupted from the ground. Immediately afterward, the rogue cultivator directed his Flying Sword through his chest.
"Only after the rogue cultivator had exhausted his magical power and could no longer resist did I move in and capture him."
Steward Li listened in silence, his heart tightening sharply as the worry on his face deepened.
He thought to himself, Two late-stage Qi Refining cultivators lost in one stroke. These losses are far too heavy. How will the outpost complete its missions from now on?
As for suspecting Jing Wen, he truly did not.
Jing Wen was merely a cultivator at the Qi Refining Fourth Layer.
"Steward, this operation was far too dangerous, and our brothers suffered such heavy losses. It really was..."
After a moment, Steward Li collected himself and asked, "Where are their bodies?"
"Still where they fell," Jing Wen answered truthfully.
At this, Steward Li initially wanted to reprimand him for handling matters poorly and leaving the bodies behind.
But on second thought, the operation's deployment had been flawed to begin with. Jing Wen was also a fledgling, so his unfamiliarity with mission procedures was understandable. Steward Li forcibly suppressed his anger.
He closed his eyes, circulated his spiritual power, and transmitted his voice to those outside, arranging for them to recover the bodies.
"Although the bodies of Black Fiend Cult members won't earn many contribution points, they're better than nothing at the blood sacrifice," Steward Li sighed helplessly.
His gaze softened as he looked at Jing Wen and said with feeling, "Thank goodness your group brought something back this time. Otherwise, the blood sacrifice in a few days would have been difficult to manage."
Jing Wen understood that "self-sufficiency" had always been one of the Black Fiend Cult's fine traditions.
If an outpost completed too few missions, providing cultivators lacking in either quantity or quality, those above were very likely to turn on the Black Fiend Cult members within the outpost.
And Steward Li would decide who was ultimately selected for the blood sacrifice.
At that thought, Jing Wen took three Storage Bags from inside his robe and respectfully offered them to Steward Li with both hands. His words were earnest. "Thanks to your favor, Steward Li, I had the good fortune to participate in this hunt.
"Please accept these, Steward Li."
Earlier, Jing Wen had carefully examined the Storage Bags, selecting a few items that interested him to keep. Most of the remaining contents had been left untouched inside.
Steward Li reached out and accepted the Storage Bags, immediately probing their contents with his divine sense.
Having long been responsible for capturing rogue cultivators, he knew the wealth of both rogue cultivators and Black Fiend Cult members like the back of his hand.
After inspecting them, he found that all the valuable items were present and that there was a considerable number of Spirit Stones. Concluding that Jing Wen had pocketed nothing, he grew even more satisfied with his conduct.
"By the rules, whoever obtains a Storage Bag gets to keep it.
"But two of these belonged to our own people. By both sentiment and reason, they ought to be returned to their families," Steward Li said calmly.
Jing Wen knew perfectly well that Steward Li's words were merely a high-sounding excuse. Nevertheless, he feigned wholehearted conviction and flattered him. "Your benevolence and righteousness are unparalleled, Steward Li. Such consideration for your subordinates is truly admirable."
Steward Li's expression relaxed. He waved a hand, his smile deepening, satisfaction tucked into every wrinkle. "As for the other Storage Bag, since it's a token of your goodwill, Jing Wen, refusing it would only put distance between us."
Then his tone shifted, becoming lighter. "But I've always been clear about rewards and punishments. I won't take your things for nothing. When we settle the contribution points this time, I'll give you an extra ten percent."
In truth, Steward Li had already worked out his plans for Jing Wen.
The outpost's situation was growing increasingly dire. Successive missions had cost it many men, leaving its ranks depleted and its available manpower stretched thin.
Faced with the increasingly stringent mission quotas imposed from above, Steward Li felt pressure weighing on him like a mountain.
In this operation, Jing Wen had not only completed the mission successfully and brought back a crucial "result," but his composure and absolute obedience to orders throughout had also shown Steward Li his loyalty.
Such loyalty was especially precious in the Black Fiend Cult, where human hearts were difficult to fathom.
Steward Li decided that Jing Wen was worth molding. He intended to promote him and cultivate him into a trusted confidant who would one day become his right-hand man.
Hearing this, Jing Wen hurriedly cupped his hands in thanks, his words brimming with gratitude. "Thank you for nurturing me, Steward Li!"
Steward Li fixed Jing Wen with a piercing gaze and suddenly asked, "How is your practice of the Heavenly Eye Technique coming along? Have you learned it?"
Jing Wen remained composed and nodded without hesitation. "Yes, Steward. I've learned it."
Steward Li nodded slightly, then instructed him, "Over the next few days, you must seize every moment to practice the Fiendish Demon Art. Strive to break through and reach the Fourth Layer as soon as possible.
"The blood sacrifice will begin in a few days. Afterward, time will be tight, and you won't have time to practice the Fiendish Demon Art."
A trace of puzzlement flashed through Jing Wen's eyes.
Seeing this, Steward Li patiently explained, "Do you know why the blood sacrifice is held once every three months?"
Jing Wen shook his head honestly. To his understanding, the blood sacrifice was simply a ritual through which the Black Fiend Cult obtained power. He had never considered that there might be such intricacies behind it.
Steward Li stood with his hands behind his back and said slowly, "The Blood Pills refined through blood sacrifice have an extremely limited shelf life. Usually, they can only be stored for one month.
"Once a month has passed, their medicinal potency gradually begins to fade. After three months, they lose all effect and become utterly useless.
"So you must make full use of the Blood Pills to improve your strength before they lose their potency."
Now that he understood the reason, Jing Wen nodded slightly.
Steward Li continued, "Based on this allocation, the Blood Pills you receive will be enough to help you reach the peak of the fifth layer of Qi Refining. With good luck, even attempting a breakthrough to the sixth layer won't be impossible."
Joy stirred in Jing Wen's heart. He hurriedly cupped his hands in thanks, his words filled with gratitude. "Steward, everything I've gained this time is thanks to your attentive care.
"Without your support, how could I have earned so many contribution points?
"From now on, whatever your orders may be, I, Jing Wen, will walk through boiling water and fire without hesitation!"
A satisfied smile appeared on Steward Li's face, pleasure showing even in the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes.
He nodded slightly, his gaze lingering on Jing Wen as he thought, This Jing Wen is not only capable but knows how to be grateful. He understands with just a hint and is worth cultivating. With more nurturing, he will surely become my right-hand man.
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