Kyoto, within the Minister of Rites' residence.
The man's murmurs filled the air, a faint smile tinged with reminiscence on his face.
He remembered the mountain village, the villagers endowed with terrifying talents for sword cultivation.
Then, under the horrified gazes of a group of robed figures, he opened his mouth and stuffed the blood-red sphere into it.
Gurgle!
With a bizarre sound, the blood sphere, nearly formed from the essence of the entire residence, was swallowed by him on the spot.
Following that, the entire sphere began to spread, exuding a faint scent of blood, piercing continuously into his organs.
His skin, once like dried bark, now began to turn soft and smooth, a faint luster emanating from it.
His hair turned to ink-black, and his eyes deepened, glowing a crimson red.
Not much time passed before he appeared much younger, radiating a robust vitality, starkly different from before.
