After slaying two enemies in quick succession, Lin Ye finally realized something.
"Those killed by the Nine Revolutions Asura Technique have their blood essence absorbed by the Blood Peak—part of it merges into the Blood Sea, while another part fuses directly into the Blood Peak itself."
"The subsequent stages of the Nine Revolutions Asura Technique are recorded upon the Blood Peak. It seems I must accumulate enough blood essence or absorb power from the Blood Sea for the rest of the technique to surface."
Lin Ye had come to understand that this vast Blood Sea did not exist within his physical body. Instead, it was spiritually linked to him alone—only he could enter this world of blood.
As for what lay beneath the Blood Sea, Lin Ye had no idea. With his current strength, he lacked the ability to probe its depths with his spirit.
He had suspected it before, but now, after careful sensing, he was certain.
"So powerful!"
The last enemy had already drawn his sword, but witnessing Lin Ye cut down two of his comrades in an instant left him with no will to fight. With Lin Ye and Liu Qingyu on the same side, he knew he was doomed.
He immediately turned and fled without hesitation.
But in front of Lin Ye, there was no escape.
With a single motion, Lin Ye's Coldsteel Sword turned into a streak of icy light, piercing straight through the fleeing man. With a dull thud, the man collapsed to the ground.
Liu Qingyu widened her eyes in shock.
How did Lin Ye predict the enemy's movement so precisely? He had perfectly anticipated the man's footwork and where he would appear next—then struck him down with one clean shot.
Liu Qingyu was utterly astonished. Wasn't Lin Ye supposed to be a worthless good-for-nothing?
It was rumored that his cultivation was inferior even to most inner disciples.
But what she saw today completely defied that. Even with her sharp eyes, she hadn't been able to follow Lin Ye's movements—he had killed three people in a flash.
Even if it had been a surprise attack, such a clean performance was unheard of. The Dilie Sect members weren't fools.
"You're Liu Qingyu?"
Lin Ye retrieved his Coldsteel Sword and collected the storage pouches from the three corpses—only to find them filled with junk, and the pouches themselves were of pathetic quality.
He frowned.
"Liu Qingyu greets Senior Brother Lin Ye. Thank you for saving my life."
She spoke hurriedly.
"Use this, and give me your storage ring. I won't forget to reward you later."
Lin Ye said plainly.
"Huh?"
Liu Qingyu didn't quite understand. She caught the storage pouch he tossed her—was this robbery? Had Senior Brother Lin Ye taken a fancy to her Wind Spirit Fruit?
After his gesture made his meaning clear, Liu Qingyu quickly understood. She removed her storage ring, transferred all her belongings into the pouch, and handed the ring to Lin Ye.
Storage pouches had limited space. Storage rings, on the other hand, were far more spacious.
After acquiring her ring, Lin Ye dove once more into the cold pool. He'd realized he had made a mistake earlier—this Coldpool Python was at least a fifth-rank beast.
A beast of the Star River Realm.
Ordinarily, such a beast's bones would have long decayed, but the icy nature of the Coldsteel Sword had preserved the skull's medicinal properties. Ground into powder, it could be used for alchemy.
Before long, Lin Ye resurfaced from the pool.
Liu Qingyu figured that Lin Ye must have found something down there. But where was Lin Ye's storage ring?
Every core disciple had their own exclusive ring.
Once ashore, Lin Ye dried his clothes with a simple technique.
"Have you seen Zhou Tai'an?"
Lin Ye asked.
Zhou Tai'an—the third-ranked inner disciple.
It was said that Zhou's life had once been saved by Lin Ye's father, Elder Lin, and so their relationship had always been good.
"Senior Brother Zhou and some others are at the Savage Croc Pool, trying to bait and kill the Coldpool Crocodile."
"Take me there."
Lin Ye said flatly. He didn't care how many people were waiting outside to hear of his death—first, he needed to deal with Zhou Tai'an.
"Alright..."
The Coldpool Crocodile was a high-level beast, mostly around the second rank of the Qi Sea Realm. Not something someone like Liu Qingyu could handle. She'd only been in the area to search for the Wind Spirit Fruit and had intended to leave afterward. But since Lin Ye had saved her life, she couldn't say no.
"I believe it's this way..."
Liu Qingyu led the way, the gentle fragrance of a young girl lingering in the air. Lin Ye sniffed slightly, unmoved.
Along the way, they encountered several spirit beasts—all of which Lin Ye dealt with cleanly.
Each move was decisive and accurate.
Liu Qingyu was in awe. This kind of one-strike kill technique could only come from countless real-life combat experiences.
Though called Dragon Void Cave, the area was more of a forest.
As the sky began to darken, Lin Ye found a small cave.
"I'm hungry. Go find something to eat."
Lin Ye said to Liu Qingyu.
She immediately widened her eyes, filled with question marks.
Was he treating her like a personal servant?
She was an inner disciple of the Wind Thunder Sect! Among the female disciples, she ranked among the top in talent—and yet he dared to speak to her like this?
If not for him saving her life, she'd tear his mouth off for such disrespect!
"Yes, Senior Brother."
Despite her thoughts, she spoke respectfully and obediently, going off to gather some fruit.
A hundred meters away from the Savage Croc Pool, a camp had been set up where several Wind Thunder Sect disciples were on guard. Others rested within.
The Coldpool Crocodile was a second-rank peak beast—comparable to the ninth stage of the Qi Sea Realm. Incredibly dangerous.
The camp held three core disciples and over ten inner disciples. Zhou Tai'an was among them.
Xu Ming, the strongest of the core disciples, had reached Qi Sea Stage Six.
At that moment, Xu Ming and Zhou Tai'an were talking in the forest nearby.
"Zhou Tai'an, you've done well this time."
Xu Ming toyed with a storage ring in his hand—Lin Ye's ring.
Hearing Xu Ming's praise, Zhou Tai'an beamed and bowed respectfully.
"All thanks to Senior Brother's brilliant plan."
"Excellent. This is your reward: a Jade Essence Pill."
A second-grade pill—Jade Essence Pill.
Only core disciples had access to such treasures.
Zhou Tai'an's breathing grew heavy. With this, he could break into the Qi Sea Realm and become a core disciple himself. With his talent, the Earth Transformation Realm would be within reach.
Meanwhile, Lin Ye—a waste—had enjoyed Jade Essence Pills monthly. His cultivation wasn't even one-tenth of Zhou's. He had wasted countless resources and should've died long ago.
Xu Ming tossed the pill toward him, and Zhou Tai'an instinctively reached out to catch it.
But just then, Xu Ming unsheathed his sword. A flash of sword light crossed Zhou's eyes—he was stunned.
Xu Ming wanted to kill him!
But Zhou Tai'an had no time to react.
Swish!
With a single, elegant stroke, Xu Ming's sword sliced through his throat. Blood gushed as Zhou Tai'an dropped to his knees, one hand clutching his torn throat, the other still reaching for the Jade Essence Pill on the ground.
Xu Ming chuckled coldly.
"Now it's perfect."
Inside the cave—
After eating a few fruits Liu Qingyu had gathered, Lin Ye had her guard the entrance while he began cultivating.
Liu Qingyu was baffled. Didn't this man know the meaning of "pitying a delicate woman"? He actually made her stand guard outside.
Still, in the face of this mysterious and unfathomable Senior Brother Lin Ye, she had no choice but to comply.
Lin Ye took out some medicinal herbs he'd collected along the way, plus the Blood Spirit Grass from the ancient well, and ground down the Coldpool Python's bone powder. He blended everything into a first-grade potion.
"Without a pill cauldron, I'll have to make do. But this Blood Spirit Elixir is comparable to a second-grade pill."
He drank the crimson liquid in one gulp.
Buzz!
Like a fire igniting in his heart.
As the Blood Spirit Elixir took effect, Lin Ye's absorption of power from the Blood Sea increased exponentially.
Powerful energy surged into his dantian.
Half an hour later—
Lin Ye's Blood Fiend Essence Qi condensed into a small energy sea within his dantian. Though it was only the beginning, it would become the source of his future strength.
He had stepped into the Qi Sea Realm.
Frenzied Crocodile Pool, the Camp
The other two core disciples exchanged a knowing glance when they saw Xu Ming return alone.
"This Dragon Void Cave is full of danger. You all must remain on high alert."
"Yes, sir!"
The inner sect disciples stood guard around the area. They had no idea what had happened to Zhou Taian—only that staying close to these three core disciples meant meat on the table.
Their gazes swept across the pitch-black forest.
Dawn gradually broke.
A faint mist rose from the forest. As it thickened, the disciples in the camp began to stir and get up.
This was the time when the Coldpool Frenzied Crocodile was most sluggish. If lured out now, it would be weakened—making it the best opportunity to strike and kill it.
Suddenly, an inner sect disciple spotted two shadowy figures through the fog. He immediately shouted out in alarm.
"Who goes there?!"
This disciple, a Spirit Spring Stage Seven archer, drew his bow. Xuan Qi coiled around the arrowhead, a faint green aura radiating deadly intent.
Whoosh!
Two figures emerged from the mist. The moment their sect robes became visible, the guards lowered their weapons slightly—but not completely.
"Lin Ye?"
The archer recognized him. Beside Lin Ye was the well-known beauty among the inner disciples—Liu Qingyu.
Hearing the commotion, Xu Ming and the others stepped out of the camp. Over a dozen people gathered. When Xu Ming saw Lin Ye, shock flashed through his eyes for a brief moment.
How could this be?!
But Xu Ming quickly composed himself, as if nothing had happened, and cheerfully approached.
"Junior Brother Lin Ye! What a coincidence—are you here to hunt the Coldpool Frenzied Crocodile too?"
Though Xu Ming hid it well, Lin Ye saw right through him. That tiny shift—meaningless to others—was glaringly obvious to Lin Ye.
The other two core disciples, Gu Shusen and Jin Liangfei, also exchanged glances. He was supposed to be dead—so how was he standing here now?
"And you are…?"
Lin Ye frowned, sweeping his gaze over the group. Three Qi Sea Realm cultivators—the rest were merely Spirit Spring Realm. Killing them would be effortless.
Zhou Taian was nowhere in sight. Though Lin Ye wouldn't slaughter the innocent, anyone involved wouldn't be spared.
As for Xu Ming… Lin Ye didn't recall him well. Due to his poor cultivation talent, he had long been shunned by most in the sect. Among the core disciples, only one senior sister had been kind to him.
Everyone else thought investing resources in Lin Ye was a waste.
His only real friend among the inner sect disciples was Zhou Taian.
Liu Qingyu, knowing Lin Ye's reclusive nature, quickly stepped in to explain:
"That's Xu Ming. Ranked ninth among the core disciples."
"Oh? That level?" Lin Ye responded indifferently.
"What's his relation to Xu Liang?" he asked.
"You mean Master Xu Liang of the Affairs Hall? He's Xu Ming's father," Liu Qingyu replied.
Xu Ming was from a good background, talented, and seemingly kind. He often helped junior disciples with their cultivation and had a solid reputation in the sect.
"I see."
Lin Ye nodded, rubbed his cheeks, and forced a fake smile.
"Senior Brother Xu Ming, it's been a while. Since you're all here to hunt the Frenzied Crocodile, allow me to observe and learn from you."
Smiling, Lin Ye walked forward.
Liu Qingyu, though she hadn't spent much time with Lin Ye, had never seen this expression on his face before.
He was smiling—but it sent a chill down her spine.
"Junior Brother Lin Ye, hunting the Coldpool Frenzied Crocodile is extremely dangerous. You might lose your life if you're careless," Gu Shusen said coldly, his tone revealing a hidden scheme.
Xu Ming also chuckled, seemingly understanding the message.
"Haha, since Junior Brother Lin Ye wants to contribute, then let's all work together. You're Liu Qingyu, right? You come too—but be careful," Xu Ming said.
A glint of cold light flashed in his eyes. He had already killed Zhou Taian—what did one more Liu Qingyu matter?
Lin Ye could see through Xu Ming easily. Though not strong, Xu Ming had a ruthless heart. Zhou Taian had likely died by his hand, which explained the shock he showed upon seeing Lin Ye alive.
His plan had been seamless—until now.
But he had never expected that this Lin Ye was no longer the same.
"Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother," Liu Qingyu replied sweetly, warmed by Xu Ming's seeming kindness. He really did live up to his reputation.
A core disciple, ranked ninth—someone far above her reach.
Before the Frenzied Crocodile Pool
The air was cold.
Thick foliage covered the surroundings, obstructing vision and hiding unknown dangers.
"This particular Coldpool Frenzied Crocodile is recorded in the sect's archives. It's at the peak of Tier Two—everyone, be cautious."
Just as they approached the pool—
Boom!
A deafening roar erupted as a massive shadow burst from the water.
Thud!
Over a dozen water bolts exploded forth, carrying immense force and shooting toward the group.
Lin Ye yanked Liu Qingyu back violently. She instinctively tried to resist, but Lin Ye had already grabbed her and leapt away, giving her no chance.
Boom!
He landed atop a large tree.
"Stay here. Don't move."
His tone was icy, commanding, brooking no argument. Stunned, Liu Qingyu could only nod.
In the instant the Frenzied Crocodile appeared, its water bolts sent the inner sect disciples scattering. Many were killed or gravely injured.
Only Xu Ming and the other two core disciples dodged effortlessly with their movement techniques.
"You two hold it off. I'll go kill that brat!"
Xu Ming barked an order.
"Got it!"
They nodded.
But just as Xu Ming turned to find Lin Ye—
A wild gust of wind slammed into him.
CRACK!
Xu Ming felt a crushing force smash into his face. His nose shattered instantly, blood flooding his throat.
He staggered backward.
Then—swish!
A sharp sword Qi sliced across his knees.
Thud!
Xu Ming collapsed, staring down at his legs—cleanly severed.
"No!!"
His mind refused to accept it. My legs… how can I cultivate now? I'll be a cripple!
He looked up—only to see a familiar figure.
A face he would never forget.
Gritting his teeth, hatred and rage bursting from his eyes, he roared:
"Liiiinnn… Yeee!!!"