The Path to the Blood Sect
The kneeling man was Wu Zhong, the village chief, his posture a blend of humility and cunning. Opposite him, seated with an air of effortless dominance, was Yuan Ye, the young master of the infamous Blood Sect, his piercing gaze scrutinizing Wu Zhong as if weighing his very soul.
"Young Master, thank you for granting me the honor of joining the Blood Sect," Wu Zhong began, his voice a careful mixture of gratitude and venom that echoed faintly in the silence. "I would have joined sooner, but that wretched Yu Yue constantly stood in my way."
Yuan Ye smirked, his sharp eyes glinting in the low light. "You've done well. Go now and begin your cultivation as a member of the Blood Sect."
Wu Zhong bowed deeply. "Rest assured, Young Master. I will seclude myself and focus on growing stronger. When I emerge, I will personally deal with that woman."
Yuan Ye narrowed his eyes and waved dismissively. "Do as you wish."
As Wu Zhong exited the hall, a shadow emerged from the corner of the room. A man, cloaked in darkness, stepped forward and knelt. "Young Master, his arrogance grows by the day. Why not eliminate him now?"
"Patience," Yuan Ye replied coldly. "Let him cultivate a little longer."
The shadowy figure hesitated before speaking again. "Did he reveal the location?"
Yuan Ye's expression darkened. "No. He's on the verge of death, yet he remains silent. But that doesn't concern you. Follow my orders without question."
The man immediately lowered his head further. "Forgive me, Young Master. It's just... if she returns, we won't stand a chance against her."
Yuan Ye's lips curled into a sinister smile. "My master is emerging from seclusion soon. That's why we captured the nearby villagers—to prepare for her arrival. I've also sent someone to investigate. Don't concern yourself further."
As the conversation in the Blood Sect unfolded, in the village, Jian stood surrounded by a tense group of people, their anxious whispers forming a suffocating hum around him. He had just finished reading the system's latest announcement, and the weight of its implications bore down on him like a mountain. His fists clenched tightly at his sides, veins bulging with suppressed anger as frustration swirled in his chest, threatening to erupt. "Why now, of all times?" he muttered under his breath, his gaze darting over the expectant faces of the villagers, each one amplifying his growing sense of helplessness.
"Fuck!" he cursed aloud.
The villagers exchanged uneasy glances. After a moment of hesitation, Jian sighed and addressed them. "I'll help you, but I'll need something in return."
Relief washed over the crowd, though Yu Yue's expression remained wary. "What do you want?" she asked cautiously.
Jian waved dismissively. "Don't worry. I won't ask for anything improper."
Reassured, Yu Yue nodded. "Let's go, then."
Jian glanced at the children huddled behind her. "What about them?"
Yu Yue hesitated. "They'll stay hidden here until we return."
Jian shook his head, his gaze hardening as he considered the risk. "What if the Blood Sect comes back? Leaving them here is too dangerous. We'll take them with us and hide them somewhere they'll never think to look. We can't afford to leave them behind."
Reluctantly, Yu Yue agreed. Jian then asked, "Do you know where the Blood Sect is?"
"Yes," she replied.
"How long will it take to get there?"
"Senior, we could reach it in half an hour by flying. But with the children, it will take about an hour."
Jian's brow furrowed. "Flying? What do you mean by flying?"
The system's voice chimed in his mind. "Cultivators at Foundation Building and above can fly."
"Why didn't you tell me earlier?" he snapped internally.
"You didn't ask," the system replied nonchalantly.
Annoyed, Jian turned to Yu Yue, who was preparing to carry the children. "You go ahead. I'll follow."
Before he could ask further, Yu Yue leapt into the air, carrying the children effortlessly. Jian panicked. "System, how do I fly?"
"Feel the air and jump," the system advised.
"That's it?" he muttered incredulously. Clenching his fists, he closed his eyes and jumped with all his might. To his astonishment, he soared far higher than Yu Yue, thanks to a subconscious use of qi.
As he reached the peak of his jump, he opened his eyes and realized he was falling. "System! Do something!"
"Let the air flow through you. Feel it," the system instructed calmly.
Following its guidance, Jian began to sense the air currents and gradually stabilized himself. He found himself standing mid-air, the sensation both surreal and exhilarating. The cool wind brushed against his face, carrying a faint whisper of freedom. A grin spread across his face as he fully realized the truth of the moment, his heart pounding with a mix of triumph and disbelief. "I'm flying!" he exclaimed, his voice echoing through the vast, open sky.
However, his joy was short-lived as he noticed Yu Yue flying far ahead. Determined, he propelled himself forward, closing the gap in seconds. When Yu Yue heard the rush of wind, she stopped and turned, her eyes widening as Jian hurtled toward her at full speed. She closed her eyes, bracing for impact.
Instead, Jian stopped just in front of her. "Why did you stop? And why are your eyes closed?"
Yu Yue opened her eyes and rolled them at him. Jian, noticing her fatigue, assumed carrying the children was taxing for her. Without a word, he took Xiaobo and three other children from her arms. "Let's go."
Yu Yue nodded silently, and they continued toward the Blood Sect. As they flew, Jian asked the system, "How is she flying with a damaged dantian?"
"Despite her injuries, she retains her Foundation Building cultivation," the system explained.
"Ah, I see," Jian muttered, deep in thought. He glanced at Yu Yue. Her name—Yue, meaning moon—stirred a memory. "If her name is Yu Yue... then her brother's name would be..." He shook his head, dismissing the idea as impossible.
He turned to Xiaobo. "Xiaobo, I have a question. Answer honestly."
Xiaobo blinked innocently. "Okay."
"Is your young master's name Yu Yang?"
Xiaobo's eyes lit up. "How do you know, Senior?"
Jian's head dropped as he groaned. "Fuck."
Yu Yue glanced back at him, her brows furrowed in confusion, but she said nothing. Jian shook his head and asked the system, "If I'm going to save them, will I need to fight?"
"Yes, Host."
"But I don't have any fighting techniques."
"You can purchase basic fighting styles from the shop for 100 Sect Points each."
Hesitating briefly, Jian instructed, "Buy the basics of fist and sword fighting. Can I cultivate them like techniques?"
"Yes, Host."
"Good. Then don't ask me for confirmation. Just buy them."
Within moments, knowledge of fist and sword techniques flooded his mind. By the time they had flown for over thirty minutes, Jian had fully absorbed the basics. As the shadow of an ancient fortress loomed on the horizon, its jagged walls seemed to pierce the sky, shrouded in an aura of foreboding. Dark clouds swirled above it, casting eerie shadows that danced across the barren landscape below. The oppressive atmosphere weighed heavily, making even the air feel stifling. Yu Yue pointed ahead, her voice barely above a whisper. "That's the Blood Sect. To avoid detection, we should land."
They descended cautiously, the silence broken only by the rustling of leaves and the distant cawing of a crow. But their guarded approach was interrupted by the faint crunch of footsteps nearby. The sound set their nerves on edge, and they froze. From the dense foliage, a Blood Sect disciple emerged, his sharp gaze scanning the surroundings. He had been sent by Yuan Ye to investigate, and his sudden appearance made their hearts pound.
The disciple froze at the sight of Yu Yue. His face contorted in shock. "How are you here?!"