For the next three days, Gu Qingfeng focused solely on refining the Blood Refining Pill, hoping to break through to the Blood Refining Realm as soon as possible.
However, even though the pill was powerful, advancing from the Skin Refining Realm to the Blood Refining Realm was not something that could be achieved quickly. After consuming three Blood Refining Pills in these three days, Gu Qingfeng could clearly sense that he had reached the peak of the Skin Refining Realm. All he needed was a single opportunity to complete the final transformation. But that last step wasn't so easy to take.
If given a few more days, his chances of breaking through would be higher. But time was not on his side.
Today was the day he had agreed upon with Xu Jun. Using the other martial arts instructors as bait would increase his chances of escaping Lin County. Even if Gu Qingfeng broke through to the Blood Refining Realm, he wasn't certain he could escape safely on his own.
Understanding Xu Jun's intentions, Gu Qingfeng had his own plan as well. Xu Jun intended to use him and the other instructors as bait, and Gu Qingfeng was perfectly fine with returning the favor. In these dangerous times, death was a common occurrence. Over the past thirty years, Gu Qingfeng had witnessed countless deaths, so it no longer affected him as it once did.
Without much delay, Gu Qingfeng packed his few belongings—mostly silver—and set out with his son, Gu Yang.
Compared to three days ago, a faint red mist now blanketed Lin County. Civilians moved through the streets with looks of despair and panic, but order had yet to completely collapse. Gu Qingfeng was not concerned about them. His only focus was to leave Lin County before the situation worsened.
As they walked, Gu Yang's curious eyes lingered on the blood mist in the sky.
"Dad, what is that?" he asked.
"You don't need to worry about it. Just stay close to me," Gu Qingfeng replied firmly. Gu Yang nodded, his curiosity tempered by his father's serious tone.
Before long, they arrived at the Jinniu Martial Arts School. Despite the eerie blood mist, the school appeared perfectly normal, which made Gu Qingfeng uneasy. He followed a disciple into the lobby, where all the instructors, including Xu Jun, were gathered. As soon as he arrived, Xu Jun stood up to greet him with enthusiasm.
"Instructor Gu, you've arrived!"
Gu Qingfeng greeted him politely before speaking, his voice edged with irritation. "As agreed, my son and I are here. But judging from your expressions, it seems you have no intention of leaving Lin County?"
Several of the instructors exchanged uneasy glances at Gu Qingfeng's words. Xu Jun forced a smile and replied, "Instructor Gu, you're unaware, but yesterday someone from the Evil Suppression Division arrived. They've ordered everyone to stay within the county, and they will handle the evil spirit issue."
"The Evil Suppression Division?" Gu Qingfeng's eyes narrowed.
Xu Jun nodded, explaining, "The Evil Suppression Division is a secret agency of the imperial court, tasked with eliminating evil spirits. Only extremely powerful individuals are allowed to join their ranks. With their involvement, the evil spirits in Lin County will surely be taken care of. There's no need for us to risk leaving the county now.
What's more, they've ordered us not to leave. Defying the Division would bring disastrous consequences."
The other instructors nodded in agreement. Who would risk their lives when they could simply wait for the Evil Suppression Division to solve the problem?
Gu Qingfeng remained quiet, processing the situation. After a few moments, he left with Gu Yang.
Once back at his residence, Gu Qingfeng instructed his son, "Focus on your training." Gu Yang nodded, and Gu Qingfeng returned to his room, ready to continue refining the Blood Refining Pill. The sudden arrival of the Evil Suppression Division troubled him.
It wasn't that he didn't trust them, but the timing was too perfect. Lin County was remote and cut off by the blood mist. Yet, only days after the mist appeared, the Evil Suppression Division had already arrived. The coincidence was suspicious.
Moreover, their order for everyone to remain in Lin County felt wrong. On its own, such an order might be reasonable, but combined with everything else that had happened, Gu Qingfeng sensed there was more to the situation than Xu Jun had implied. The Evil Suppression Division's true motives were unclear, but they were certainly not simple.
Still, Gu Qingfeng kept these thoughts to himself. Discussing such matters with others was a dangerous mistake, especially with people he barely trusted. Though he had been an instructor at the Jinniu Martial Arts School for several years, his relationship with Xu Jun and the other instructors was purely professional. Sharing his suspicions with them would only invite trouble, particularly if the Evil Suppression Division had its own agenda.
It was now clear to Gu Qingfeng that he could no longer rely on anyone else. If he wanted to leave Lin County, he would have to do it alone. Ultimately, everything boiled down to one thing: strength. If he were already a Blood Refining Realm warrior, or stronger, many of his current problems would be much easier to handle.
For now, breaking through to the Blood Refining Realm was his top priority. He had no idea how powerful the members of the Evil Suppression Division were, but given Xu Jun's fear, they must be formidable.
With that thought, Gu Qingfeng pushed aside all distractions. He swallowed another Blood Refining Pill and began to channel its power, determined to break through to the next realm.