Tristan's curse resistance had jumped to 33% after absorbing over a hundred thousand blood stones, but now he had reached a bottle neck. Absorbing low quality blood stones wasn't growing his curse resistance anymore.
Tristan had requested the third part and learned that it was not available here. He had to go to the main headquarters. In the past week, after "work" he had been following Jack and discovered his network. He also found several merchant families and a couple of clans were involved with the Cursed Blood Sect as well. Tristan was quietly preparing the intelligence. His main goal had now been achieved and he would be able to go to and investigate the upper echelons.
Next day Tristan was transported to a secret world. It was a hidden pocket dimension. He had been blindfolded, but he had an advanced ancient civilization AI on him and immediately found out where the secret dimension was.
The entry to the secret dimension was at the alchemist's cauldron main base.
"The Cursed Blood Sect is actually a part of the Alchemist's Cauldron?" Tristan's mind was in chaos, but he steadied himself.
Inside the secret world, everything was red. The plants and trees were blood red, so was the sky and the soil as well as the water. Everything had a powerful red color to it.
Tristan was led to his room and there was no interaction for an entire day. Instead he was being quietly observed by the cameras. Tristan was notified about this by his AI and so quietly spent his time absorbing the remaining blood crystals on him, while pretending to study the Cursed Blood Text.
The next day he was brought in front of a group of elders.
"A good seed. He has great affinity to the blood, and it seems he even managed to break the limit of physical body from absorbing the blood crystals." An elder said.
The AI was tracking these elders and had hacked into the system. All the data of the Cursed Blood Sect, its operations, centers and other details were now within Tristan's hands. Only the main people behind the scenes remained to be exposed.
The elder thought for a moment. Then beckoned Tristan to follow him. The two went through many corridors and arrived inside a hermetically sealed room where a stone tablet was on display.
"This is the final part of the Cursed Blood Text. From now on low grade crystals are useless, I have seen your speed of absorption, it is indeed an incredible affinity, that could only be surpassed by the Holy Master. Use Mid Grade Blood Crystals now."
Tristan bowed and didn't say anything, but his eyes widened when he read the systwm's message.
[You were Cursed]
[Curse Resistance 35% - Curse Neutralized]
"Holy crap, did the Elder actually curse me secretly? Why? Jealousy?" Thousands of thoughts spiraled out of his mind and he subconsciously thanked the luck aura that he had once absorbed.
Tristan read the final part of the text and realized the sinister nature of the cultivation art. It borrowed the strength of the blood by sacrificing curse resistance. This technique seemed very similar to the sacrifice by demons.
But here, the cultivator is sacrificing curse resistance. Could the creator of this text actually be cursed? A curse that has potentially left a peak cultivator desperate...
Tristan's thoughts were running wild and he was also scared of any wayward curses against him again. He decided to quickly absorb as many blood crystals as he could. No one was observing his absorption patterns.
A week went by and Tristan had absorbed another 100,000 middle grade blood crystals, which was a ridiculous amount even for the base. Using it Tristan had managed to get 70% Curse Resistance.
In this time the AI was working hard. It was finding out suppliers and connections with other planets and as suspected, The Cursed Blood Sect's Holy Lord is from the Pirate World.
Tristan now went to the elder again and bowed. "Elder, mid grade crystals are no longer effective for cultivation."
The elders convened and observed Tristan. "It seems he has formed a plate, no wonder. His affinity with the blood crystals is indeed terrifying. He is definitely bound to become the chosen one."
"His rise has been too quick." The elder who had cursed Tristan commented.
Another elder snorted. "That is what it means to be a chosen, unlike your puffed up son. You think we don't know you want your son to become the heavenly chosen?" He then showed a holographic video of when the elder led Tristan to the tablet and paused at a moment.
The elder who had cursed's Tristan's face became pale. The other elder laughed cruelly. "You even tried to curse him when he bowed to you in respect. His blood actually had such high affinity that your curse was rendered ineffective. The holy lord has seen your performance, you and your family will now be executed."
After the elder was yanked away, the other elders turned to Tristan. "The Holy Lord has high regard for you and hopes to complete his plan through you. You can use the high quality crystals until they stop being effective. Then the holy lord will have a gift for you."
He had spent two weeks with the Cursed Blood Cult. Now the only thing left was meeting the Holy Lord, ascertaining the identity and running away.
Tristan spent another week absorbing the high quality blood stones and was able to take the his curse resistance to 93% until he couldn't use the high quality blood crystals anymore.
Once again, Tristan was in front of the elders. They were all in shock and awe of Tristan's affinity with the blood crystal.
"The Holy Lord summons you. Are you ready to meet him? He has not seen anyone in years." The elder said.
Tristan bowed. "I am ready to serve the Holy Lord."
"Good, follow this path, we cannot enter." The elder said.
It was now time to meet the Holy Lord of the Cursed Blood Sect.