Hearing Yu Yue's scream, Jian opened his eyes to find that they had reached the village entrance. However, instead of seeing a lively village, he was met with a horrifying sight. The entire village was destroyed, with blood splattered everywhere.
Only four or five bodies lay scattered on the ground, while the rest of the villagers had vanished. Jian stepped into the ruined village, searching for any signs of life. Every house was in shambles, offering no clues. Moving closer to one of the bodies, he noticed they had become husks, their blood completely drained. He furrowed his brows and asked the system, "Are there vampires in this world?"
"No, host. This is the work of martial arts or cultivation techniques," the system replied.
Jian's eyes darkened. It was the first time he had encountered such cruelty in this world. The notion that humans could commit such atrocities left him deeply unsettled. While he investigated the village, Yu Yue dashed toward the far end, tears streaming down her face. She didn't stop to check any of the houses, heading straight to the outskirts.
Jian watched her go, shaking his head, then resumed his search for answers. Drag marks leading east caught his attention, but they offered no immediate explanation. Eventually, after failing to find more evidence, he returned to the village entrance, waiting for Yu Yue. Twenty minutes passed, and she finally reappeared, running back with a group of haggard children trailing behind her. The children hid behind her as soon as they saw Jian, their fearful eyes peeking out.
Before Jian could ask anything, Yu Yue suddenly dropped to her knees and begged, "Senior, please help me! I'll do anything you ask, but please save us!" The children followed her lead, kneeling and pleading with Jian.
The sight baffled him. The proud girl who had shouted at him in the forest was now begging. He walked closer and asked, "What's going on? Why do you need my help?"
Yu Yue looked up at him, desperation etched on her face. "Senior, our village was attacked, and the villagers were taken away."
Jian stared at her expressionlessly and said, "Why should I help you? Clarify what's going on first."
Yu Yue took a deep breath and began explaining, "Senior, it's the work of the Blood Sect. Their young master has been pressuring our village to join them. He demanded that I become his Dao partner, but I've refused him multiple times. He warned us that if I didn't comply, he would massacre the village."
Jian frowned. "How do you know it was his doing? And where did these children come from?"
Before Yu Yue could answer, a young boy stepped forward and said, "We saw him attack the village, and—" Yu Yue quickly stopped him, shaking her head.
Jian's gaze sharpened. He turned to the boy. "Come here. What's your name?"
The boy hesitated but, seeing Yu Yue's nod, approached him cautiously. "Su Xiaobo," the boy replied.
Jian knelt slightly to meet the boy's eyes. "Xiaobo, tell me what happened in the village."
Xiaobo nodded and recounted, "Senior, after Young Miss left for the forest, the village chief also went outside. An hour later, the chief returned with the young master of the Blood Sect and five other people. The chief announced that the village would join the Blood Sect, but then he argued with the young master. Suddenly, the five people attacked the elders, and the chief also joined in, attacking the young master.
"While they were fighting, the young master ordered his people not to kill the villagers but to capture them. The chief brought us to a hidden spot behind the village and told us to stay there. Then, he went back to fight." As Xiaobo finished his story, tears streamed down his face, and the other children started crying too.
Jian looked at Yu Yue. Her pale face betrayed her shock. She had clearly been unaware of what had happened in her absence. Turning back to her, he asked, "Why are they calling you 'Miss'? Who is this young master they mentioned? And if your village chief betrayed you, why should I get involved? I just want to go to the city."
For a moment, Yu Yue said nothing. Then, in a quiet voice, she replied, "The young master they're talking about is my twin brother. Please, senior, only you can fight them and save the villagers."
Jian crossed his arms. "How? Explain."
Yu Yue took a deep breath. "Although the Blood Sect is unranked, their sect master's cultivation is at Foundation Building, First Level. You're the only one here strong enough to defeat him."
Jian's mind raced. He had seen Yu Yue fight in the forest. If she hadn't been injured, she could have easily defeated a peak one-star beast. Yet, for some reason, she had held back during the battle. Something about her story didn't add up.
He asked the system, "How does she know I can defeat a Foundation Building cultivator?"
"Host, when you pressured her in the forest, your Qi level was revealed. From that, she inferred your cultivation level. Additionally, the robe you're wearing indicates your status."
Jian raised an eyebrow. "What's special about this robe?"
"Use Star Gaze to find out," the system suggested.
Jian cursed himself for forgetting about the ability and activated Star Gaze, focusing on the robe. Information flooded his mind.
[Star Gaze Result]
Item: Sect Master Robe
Grade: One Star
Condition: Reserved for One-Star Sect Masters
He frowned. "Why only for One-Star Sect Masters?"
"Host, there are conditions to becoming a One-Star Sect Master. You'll learn about them once you establish your sect," the system replied.
Jian decided to let the matter rest for now. Yu Yue interrupted his thoughts, begging again, "Please, senior, they don't have much time."
Her plea made him pause. Activating Star Gaze, he focused on her. Yu Yue flinched as their eyes met, but Jian ignored her reaction as her details appeared in his mind.
[Star Gaze Result]
Name: Yu Yue
Qi Cultivation: Foundation Building, Ninth Level (Dantian Damaged)
Body Cultivation: Qi Condensation, Level 5
Techniques: Fiery Heart Technique, Iron Heart Body Technique
Physique: Pure Flame Body (Earth, Dormant)
Jian's suspicions deepened. She was hiding something, but before he could decline her request, the system interrupted with a notification.
[Ding!]
Reading the message, Jian cursed, "Fuck."