Lu Shang had no interest in the junk the cultivators left behind. Only the undamaged spirit herbs caught his attention.
The tattered Storage Bags left by these dead cultivators were bound to contain a few spirit herbs, which he could use to complete his mission.
Lu Shang had realized that rather than searching everywhere in this secret realm of unknown size, it would be quicker to wait until the Blood Secret Realm was about to close and seize what he needed at the exit.
With that, Lu Shang relaxed and began strolling leisurely through the secret realm.
With the strength of an early Foundation Establishment cultivator and a top-tier cultivation technique backing him up, Lu Shang feared no one except the hidden Deity Transformation Stage powerhouse from Yellow Maple Valley.
Come to think of it, Lu Shang had intended to look for Han Li before entering the secret realm. But Han Li was almost too ordinary in the original story, making him hard to pick out, so Lu Shang had not paid much attention.
As for his fellow cultivator Nangong Wan, she was rather conspicuous. She had casually put something on her head as a disguise and apparently thought no one could recognize her.
She was a Core Formation cultivator. Even with her cultivation concealed, her bearing differed from that of ordinary Qi Refining cultivators. Besides, why would someone entering this secret realm have the other disciples of her sect following behind her?
Honestly, anyone who failed to notice that this bird sticking its head out had an unusual identity would have to be blind.
"To avoid offending that Deity Transformation Stage cultivator while robbing people, I'll leave Yellow Maple Valley alone. I have to think of my own life!"
Lu Shang muttered to himself as he walked.
What Lu Shang did not know was that when he killed those two Spirit Beast Mountain disciples, he had overlooked the spirit insects they controlled.
One of those species could relay messages.
Even though Lu Shang had struck swiftly, the messages carried by the spirit insects gave the other Spirit Beast Mountain disciples a rough idea that someone capable of killing a Late Qi Refining Stage cultivator in a single blow was roaming the Blood Secret Realm.
"I can take it easy for the next few days. I'll find somewhere to sleep for a few days, then head near the exit when it's almost time."
With that, Lu Shang began looking for a secluded place to rest within the secret realm.
Before he knew it, the sky had darkened. Lu Shang had no idea where he was, but judging by his surroundings, he was probably heading deeper into the secret realm.
"Forget it. I'll look around here."
As Lu Shang wandered, he suddenly heard what sounded like voices nearby.
Since it was conveniently on his way, Lu Shang slowly approached the source of the voices.
Before long, he reached the spot where they were coming from.
To Lu Shang's surprise, a couple appeared to be planning an illicit tryst right here in the secret realm.
The two wore Yellow Maple Valley robes and seemed to be flirting beneath a tree.
Lu Shang took a closer look. The woman had a graceful figure, fair skin, and beautiful black hair tied behind her.
Yet ever since Lu Shang arrived, her face had been flushed with desire, as though she had taken an aphrodisiac.
In principle, Lu Shang had not intended to interrupt them, but this was a secret realm! Even killing both of them would be perfectly reasonable.
"Ahem!"
Lu Shang made a sound to alert them that someone was nearby.
The man reacted swiftly and looked behind him.
"Who's there?!"
His shout was particularly loud.
"I don't want to interrupt your fun. Just hand over the Storage Bags at your waists, and I'll leave immediately." As he spoke, Lu Shang slowly stepped into the Yellow Maple Valley man's view.
"Hmph! Dream on!" The man drew his weapon.
"So you intend to fight right away? Then I'll have to kill you!"
The instant the man reacted, a Silver Frost Long Halberd pierced his chest.
Lu Shang withdrew his weapon.
He walked over to where the man had fallen and took his Storage Bag.
"Hmph! There isn't another person in this secret realm strong enough to refuse me."
Only after delivering those words did Lu Shang notice that the Yellow Maple Valley woman was still beneath the tree, barely moving.
On closer inspection, her flushed face clearly was not the result of embarrassment at being discovered.
"Looks like he attacked without thinking because I caught him doing something sordid and called him out on it."
With just a second glance, Lu Shang understood what had happened.
The woman must have been drugged, and Lu Shang had happened to stumble upon her.
"Normally, I should pretend I saw nothing and walk past. But today, I'll be a good person for once and take your Storage Bag."
As he spoke, Lu Shang removed the woman's Storage Bag as well.
After taking out the two or three spirit herbs inside, Lu Shang returned the Storage Bag. Then he opened the system panel, accessed his inventory, and took out a bottle of pills.
Lu Shang took two pills from the bottle, placed them in the woman's mouth, and applied a little magic before leaving.
"I never expected my host to be such a good person," System Sis teased.
"I can't help it. After nine years of compulsory education and the influence of core values, this is who I am. Even transmigration couldn't change me completely."
"Heh! You certainly weren't like that when you were killing people."
Lu Shang was somewhat speechless, but he could not think of a rebuttal.
After the night passed, Lu Shang woke again.
The previous night, Lu Shang had searched for ages without finding a decent place to rest, so he had simply fallen asleep in a tree.
The night had been far from ideal. Lu Shang probably never wanted to try sleeping in a tree again.
Now he could identify the direction of the exit, allowing him to rush there when the time came.
By noon, Lu Shang discovered that he had collected thirteen spirit herbs and was quite satisfied with his results.
"Help!"
"Help me!"
Repeated cries for help reached Lu Shang's ears.
Lu Shang was not the sort to meddle in other people's affairs... as if.
Lu Shang headed toward the cries to see what was going on.
A short while later, Lu Shang hid behind a tree beside two disciples.
One of them was a woman wearing the same robes as Lu Shang. After thinking for a moment, he recalled that the other wore the robes of a Bone-Dissolving Dock disciple.
The Bone-Dissolving Dock disciple was at the peak of Qi Refinement, while the female Spirit Beast Mountain disciple was only at the Mid Qi Refinement stage. If he did not intervene, her prospects would be grim.
In a situation like this, the original protagonist probably would not have stepped in, following the principle that one less trouble was better than one more.
But Lu Shang could not be bothered with that.
Lu Shang slowly stepped into their view.
"You from Bone-Dissolving Dock, would you spare this Spirit Beast Mountain disciple for my sake?"
Drawn by Lu Shang's words, the Bone-Dissolving Dock man turned to look at him.
"Hmph! Who the hell are you? Why should I show you any respect? I'm Feng Yue. Give me your name-I don't kill nameless nobodies." Feng Yue stared at Lu Shang and delivered his threat.
"Really? You don't kill nameless nobodies? Hahaha!" Lu Shang could not help laughing after hearing the disciple named Feng Yue.
To Lu Shang, a Core Formation cultivator, what right did this Qi Refining cultivator have to make threats?
In the Bone-Dissolving Dock disciple's eyes, Lu Shang seemed to hold him, a peak Qi Refining cultivator, in utter contempt. His gaze immediately turned vicious.
"What are you laughing at? You're courting death!"
With that, he swung his saber at Lu Shang.
Unhurried, Lu Shang activated the Wild Desolation True Demon Art. His aura became impossible to conceal as crimson spiritual energy surged rapidly around him.
"Just the chance to see how strong this body-refining technique really is!" Lu Shang said softly, his expression unchanged.
A dull impact sounded, and the Bone-Dissolving Dock disciple froze in disbelief.
The man before him, crimson spiritual energy radiating from his entire body, had stood motionless and taken the saber strike head-on without suffering the slightest injury.
"Hmph! In that case, it's time to end this!"
As he spoke, Lu Shang swiftly drove a fierce punch into the man's chest.
The punch sent the man flying thirty feet. He spat blood and never rose again.
Lu Shang picked up the man's Storage Bag, put it into the system, and turned to the female Spirit Beast Mountain disciple.
The woman was petite and cute, looking barely sixteen. She gazed at Lu Shang, her face as red as an apple.
Only after a moment did the disciple come to her senses.
"Th-thank you for saving me, senior brother," Han Yunzhi stammered.
Lu Shang had some impression of this woman. He had noticed her earlier on the way to the Blood Secret Realm and learned a little about her because of her connection with Han Li. He had never expected to end up saving her.
Her youthful face gave her the air of a little sister.
"No need to thank me. There are many dangers deeper in the secret realm. With your cultivation still lacking, you'd better not go any farther," Lu Shang advised kindly.
"O-okay."
With that, Han Yunzhi ran toward the edge of the secret realm.
Before you continue