CH 12 - Warlock

Founding the Gu Family

After establishing the Gu Family, Gu Qingfeng began recruiting guards.

Expanding a family couldn't be achieved by just two people. When Gu Qingfeng revealed his prowess as a Blood Refining Realm warrior, many martial artists eagerly joined the Gu Family, hoping to become its guards. Aligning with the Gu Family meant having the support of a Blood Refining Realm warrior, a highly desirable backing. Furthermore, it suggested that the Gu Family had access to a rare martial arts inheritance, something every martial artist yearned for. If someone gained the favor of the Gu Family's leader, they might even be fortunate enough to inherit those techniques.

In the martial world, obtaining advanced martial arts knowledge becomes increasingly difficult as one ascends. While Baishidao boasted a thriving martial scene, warriors in the Blood Refining Realm were still scarce due to the limited availability of high-level martial arts teachings. Many forces with access to such knowledge guarded it closely, unwilling to share it. As a result, wandering martial artists often sought out prominent families, sects, or gangs led by Blood Refining Realm warriors in the hopes of breaking through to higher levels.

Although the Gu Family was newly founded, about fifty or sixty warriors, ranging from mid to advanced Skin Refining Realm, joined. However, no Blood Refining Realm warriors came forward, as such individuals were more likely to establish their own factions than serve under someone else.

Gu Qingfeng kept a low profile after founding his family. He expanded the Gu Family's influence slowly by acquiring some local industries but avoided any direct confrontations with the powerful forces in Baishidao. He was cautious, understanding that Baishidao was full of deep-rooted power struggles. As long as he wasn't provoked, Gu Qingfeng was content to develop quietly. But if someone dared to challenge him, he wouldn't hesitate to retaliate.

In the meantime, Gu Qingfeng discreetly continued investigating the mystery surrounding Lin County. Unfortunately, every effort to uncover information about Lin County proved fruitless. The entire place seemed to have vanished, leading Gu Qingfeng to suspect something far more sinister was at play. Nonetheless, he had no desire to personally return and investigate, especially given Lin County's strange connection to the Evil Suppression Bureau. He wisely avoided getting entangled in any unnecessary troubles.

While in Baishidao, Gu Qingfeng also sought information about evil spirits. As he expected, ordinary people knew nothing, but the major forces seemed to have some understanding. However, he couldn't simply approach them and ask. This confirmed what he had suspected all along: the Taixuan Dynasty strictly controlled information regarding evil spirits, ensuring it was not easily leaked.

Reflecting on these things, Gu Qingfeng took out the secret book he had obtained from Shangguan Jiang's body once more. The book detailed the methods of becoming a sorcerer through spiritual communication magic.

By harboring evil within oneself, a person could gain control over its power and become a warlock. However, when a warlock died, the evil spirit sealed within them would awaken. The book also described the limitations and risks of becoming a sorcerer. Sorcerers were vulnerable to the influence of evil, often becoming bloodthirsty and deranged. The more they used their power, the more they were corroded by it, eventually turning into evil spirits themselves.

Yet, warlocks had ways to suppress these evil spirits and harness their power for advancement. The spiritual communication magic specifically explained how to control a particular evil spirit known as the Heart-Eating Demon. To contain this demon, one had to seal it in a golden vessel, bathe the vessel in the blood of a hundred people, and then undergo a ritual using the internal organs of humans. Success would grant immense power, but failure would mean being consumed by the very demon one sought to control.

Gu Qingfeng found this knowledge both disturbing and intriguing. Though he was certain that practicing this magic could cause a huge stir and draw countless people to fight for it, he was not tempted. He understood that the price of practicing such dark arts was too high, and he had no desire to attract the attention of the powerful Evil Suppression Bureau.

In his past, he might have been desperate enough to try. In a chaotic world, strength meant survival, and mastering powerful forces was often the only way to ensure one's future. But now, with his unique golden finger ability, Gu Qingfeng didn't need to rely on forbidden magic to grow stronger. He could advance naturally, as long as he accumulated enough improvement points. His true focus was on training Gu Yang and advancing his own understanding of the golden finger's capabilities.

With his family established in Baishi Road and plenty of time on his hands, Gu Qingfeng was in no hurry. He intended to explore the full potential of his golden finger, knowing that his path to power was far from ordinary.

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