A month passed in the Celestial Ascendancy Sect. Everyone's lives continued normally, and nothing significant happened. Cheng's life was peaceful and satisfying, making him genuinely happy. He relished in the simplicity of his daily routines, consisting of cultivation and quality time with his new friends in the library—Li Mei, Wang Jun, and many others.
It was true freedom and a paradise. The beauty of this place never ceased to amaze him. In that month, he explored the entire sect, as well as the surrounding forests and villages. The inhabitants here lived simple lives in wooden houses, tending to livestock and farming.
In this world, there were no countries or empires. Countless sects existed, ranging from weak to terrifyingly strong. They governed the land and collected taxes every month. However, most of them had little interest in the wealth of mortals. Their main focus was on spirit stones, naturally formed stones containing highly concentrated spiritual energy.
The more Cheng learned about this world, the more astonished and cautious he became. Despite the stunning outer appearance, the depths of this world held endless misery for the weak and a heaven for the strong. It was both cruel and understandable at the same time.
Meanwhile, Cheng sat quietly at his desk, a serene atmosphere shrouding his surroundings. Suddenly, his eyes snapped open, and his face contorted in a grimace as he clenched his fist.
"This damn whispering again. Is it never going to end?" he exclaimed in anger and frustration. Ever since he became an official librarian, his residence in the Quill Corridor drove him almost crazy. Voices in his head plagued him whenever he entered that place, making it nearly impossible to focus on anything.
"Wang Jun even said that no one had stayed in this post for long. Most of them quit," he thought. "What is wrong with this place?"
Clenching his head in his hands, Cheng stood up and walked towards the far end of the library.
"I think this time it might lead somewhere," he hoped, steadying his body as if he were drunk.
After a couple of minutes, Cheng reached a deserted part of the library. Neglected and covered in dust, everything appeared unkempt. He muttered to himself, "It should be near..."
An orb manifested in his right hand as he continued his search, going deeper and deeper. Suddenly, a red light caught his attention a few feet away.
"What is that?" he wondered aloud, triggering the whispers to intensify, inflicting a terrible headache.
"This red light must be related to the whispers," he realized, forcing his eyes open.
Eventually, his gaze landed on a book—glowing red in the darkness, emanating an aura of malevolence and wickedness.
As Cheng picked up the book, it exuded a demonic essence, giving off an eerie and unsettling aura. Its cover featured intricate and foreboding symbols etched in blood-red ink against a backdrop of worn, black leather. As the book lay open, a mysterious red light diffused from its pages, casting a creepy glow in the room. Cheng couldn't help but feel a sense of unease and curiosity as he beheld this macabre sight. The ancient text and twisted illustrations within seemed to pulse with an ominous hue, captivating his gaze. He stared at it as if he couldn't tear his eyes away from this cursed book.
Suddenly, a loud voice resounded in his head, jolting him out of his daze:
[Congratulations, host, for finding an inheritance of the fiendish monarch.]
"Who is this so-called fiendish monarch?" Cheng inquired.
[Inefficient authority], came the response, making him click his tongue in annoyance and turn the pages of the book.
A blood red and seemingly moving line appeared in his view.
"Malevolent Bloodreap!"
[Does the host wish to absorb the book's content?]
"Wait a minute, why didn't you speak up when I acquired my first two techniques?" Cheng questioned.
[Inefficient authority.]
"..." Cheng sighed in frustration. "Alright, absorb the content of the book," he finally agreed, and a flood of information surged into his consciousness.
After a few seconds, Cheng fell to his knees, trembling, as he assimilated all the content. His body shook, and he couldn't help but burst into maniacal laughter in the desolate corner.
"Hahahaha! Finally, I've found a shortcut! Hahahahahah!" His excitement continued for some time before he regained control of himself.
"Malevolent Bloodreap... It's like a vampire ability of sorts. The power to suck a body of its blood essence and energy with no side effects. It will allow me to ascend the ranks and become a peerless genius."
"I absolutely cannot allow anyone to know about this secret," he thought, glancing around the empty space with a worried expression.
His sect was one of many cultivation sects integrated into the so-called Righteous Alliance. It was primarily established to combat the horrific forces and sects that used demonic energy, sacrifices, and other torturous and unethical methods to increase their strength.
Their hatred and grudges had lasted for thousands of years, a history drenched in blood and cruelty. Almost everyone from the righteous sects despised the demonic cultivators to the core.
If anyone learned about his possession of this evil technique, the entire sect would pursue him to the ends of the world. Cheng had a feeling that this manual was of high rank, and no ordinary cultivator could easily come across it.
"Well, I really don't care if I have to kill people or beasts. My goal is to grow stronger in the fastest way possible, even if it means uncomfortable acts such as killing humans. I'll get used to it," Cheng resolved firmly.
Cheng's excitement to test his newfound technique grew, as its requirements were incredibly simple—just to kill, kill, and kill until he gathered enough energy to break through and enter the sect as an official member. Perhaps he could even avenge his predecessor.
...
Outside the library, a group of cultivators gathered under the darkened sky. Their leader, Liu Yan, gazed upon the imposing gates of the library with grim determination. Beside him, Lin Hao's curiosity got the better of him, and he couldn't help but voice his question.
"Boss, why are we targeting this librarian? What makes him so special?" Lin Hao asked, his voice filled with intrigue.
"Don't question the young master's orders. For us to survive and thrive in the sect, we must follow his commands," Liu Yan replied, his tone firm.
"Yes, boss," Lin Hao replied obediently.
"We've been tailing him for a while now. Shouldn't we strike already?" a figure emerged from the shadows, impatience dripping from his voice.
Liu Yan glanced at his companions, a hint of annoyance in his eyes. "They're too restless. I fear their impulsiveness may ruin our plan"
In the end, he could only say one thing. "Today, we will launch our attack."