The demonic cultivator's name was Wu Jian, a ruthless disciple of the Black Moon Sect, which is famous for their cruel methods.
Wi Jian is at 7th level of Qi Refining, yet he is subordinate to his senior brother, Huang Tian, who is at the peak of the Qi Refining realm.
Huang Tian was not only Wu Jian's senior brother, but also a highly skilled alchemist.
In the world of cultivation, the term "senior" is often used to refer to someone who has a higher cultivation level or more experience, regardless of actual age.
In Wu Jian's case, Huang Tian is referred to as his "senior brother" because Huang Tian has a higher cultivation level and greater expertise in alchemy, making him more respected and within the sect.
This hierarchical system is common in cultivation sects, where strength and experience often determine status and respect.
But if they have higher cultivation, while "Elder" might refer to someone of an older generation or with even more significant power and experience.
Today Senior Brother Tang is creating a Blood Soul Pill—a rare and wicked pill that requires the blood essence of one hundred thousand mortal lives.
This pill, once refined, could potentially grant its consumer a massive surge in cultivation power, enough to challenge the barriers of the Foundation Building realm, also improve chances by 60% to reach foundation building and improve your physical strength too.
However, its creation demanded not only the essence of so many people, but also rare spiritual medicines like the Thousand-Year Ghost Lotus and Black Jade Ginseng.
The blood essence obtained from each individual is less than a drop, but the quality mattered—cultivators or those with spiritual roots provided more essence compared to mere mortals, but it's much safer with mortals, and Sects will not take strict action for the death of mortals.
They had decided to raid the mortal city, when there are lots of mortals in the city which Is just around spiritual root testing ceremony, and Huang Tian, being the mastermind, had invited other specialists to assist in this.
A Formation Master had been brought to construct a massive formation around the center of the city, designed to drain the blood essence of people and channel it into the alchemical process.
Other disciples, like Wu Jian, had been assigned the task of capturing people and bringing them to the center of the formation.
As Wu Jian soared through the sky on his sword, the wind whipped his dark robe, and the city below stretched out like a maze of narrow streets and crumbling buildings.
He started thinking, Huang Tian had promised that those who contributed significantly to the pill creation would receive a share, if more than 1 pill is produced —or, at the very least, some amount of spiritual stones will be given.
But Wu Jian was no fool; he knew how greedy senior brother was. If the Blood Soul Pill were successfully refined, there was no guarantee he would receive anything more than the scraps left behind. Not to mention getting spiritual stones from senior brother is more impossible.
The Black Moon Sect, like many in the cultivation world, was governed by strict brutal competition.
Each realm of cultivation, not only increased power but also a doubled lifespan.
A mortal with a strong and healthy body could expect to live around 60 years.
Upon reaching the 9th level of Qi Refining, a cultivator's lifespan is equal to 120 years.
The next stage, Foundation Building, extended life even further to 240 years.
While those who achieved Golden Core could live up to 500 years.
Cultivators of the Nascent Soul realm have lifespans of up to 1000 years, with each realm offering even greater longevity and power.
Wu Jian's goal was to reach the Foundation Building realm, but he knew he needed Huang Tian's pill to help him break through.
With a grim expression, he pressed on, his eyes locking onto another group of fleeing mortals below.
He only hoped that a large amount of Blood Soul Pill could be produced or he would be left with nothing but hollow promises.
The Foundation Building realm offered not just longevity but a significant boost in power. Unlike the Qi Refining stage, where spiritual energy was gaseous, Foundation Building cultivators condensed their energy into a liquid state, vastly increasing its density. This process allowed them to have far more strength.
With a weary sigh, Wu Jian reminded himself of how far he still had to go. "I'm only at the 7th level of Qi Refining,"
Wu Jian muttered with frustration, as he scanned the streets below.
This was the life of a cultivator—constant struggle, endless battles, and the pursuit of power at any cost. There was no other path, not if he wanted to avoid the fate of so many others who simply died due to old age.
"I have to take the risk," he told himself. "After all, this is the life of a cultivator: fight or become dust."
Wu Jian was already 35 years old, and with his level 2 Fire Spiritual Roots, he knew his potential was limited. Without his cultivation technique, Hellfire Devouring Art, he might have never advanced so quickly.
The Hellfire Devouring Art was notorious even among demonic cultivators, known for its evilness. You need to capture people and absorb all their cultivation although it's slow but it works.
This method allowed Wu Jian to reach the 7th level of Qi Refining at an age where most with his spiritual roots would still be struggling to break through the 3rd or 4th level, but also advancing is becoming more and more difficult as spiritual energy which is absorbed from others is not pure and reaching foundation building realm is almost impossible, so he must get that pill with determination.
His eyes flickered with a dark intention. "Perhaps I should look for more beautiful girls to entertain myself," he said, his voice filled with some satisfaction thinking about this.
He let out a sigh. He licked his lips with a glint of mischief in his eyes. "If nothing else, I should at least have some fun." He adjusted the robe on his shoulders and started moving.
He knew there were few mortals left in the city; most had already been captured or were present in the center of the city to watch the show or do business.
Their blood essence was being harvested for the pill. Yet, here and there, small groups remained.
Staying too long or becoming careless could bring deadly responses from the jade serpent sect; that's why he needed to be fast to ensure that there were enough people and the process can be done quickly.
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Wu Jian descended toward the alley, his eyes gleaming with dark intent. He was not just fighting for power, but for survival, and in this unforgiving world, that meant seizing every opportunity, no matter how risky it is.
Wu Jian moved swiftly through the alley, his dark robe flowing behind him. He had a mission: to gather as many people as he could before reporting back to his senior brother. As he made his way to a wealthier district, his thoughts briefly shifted to the storage bags he carried.
Storage bags were essential tools for cultivators, allowing them to carry vast quantities of items without the burden of physical weight.
Wu Jian had two types. The first, a basic storage bag. It was large and cost-effective, with a capacity of roughly 200 cubic feet, and if fit tightly it can hold around a thousand people. It's not like he cares about people 's lives there, but air can pass through it enough for these people to survive for some time.
However, its durability was weak; it could be easily destroyed in battle, making it less reliable for combat situations, and item's would come out after it got destroyed.
The second type was a restricted storage bag with greater security. This bag could only be opened by its owner, and it was significantly more durable—over 20 times tougher than the standard version.
However, it had a smaller capacity of around 30 cubic feet, limited by its increased security.
With his storage bags in mind, Wu Jian approached a house in a quieter part of the city.
The house was old, its wooden walls weathered by time and the elements. The roof tiles were chipped, and a few were missing, giving the place a poor look.
The door was slightly creaking, and the faint light from within flickered weakly, barely illuminating the small, dimly lit interior.
As Wu Jian stepped closer, he detected human presence here with his spiritual energy.
A young woman with pink hair cautiously peeked out from behind the door. Her hair was tied back in a loose, fell over one shoulder. She wore a plain blue dress, its fabric worn at the edges, with no jewelry. The dress hung loosely on her small body.
Her eyes widened in fear as she saw Wu Jian, an evil looking man in black robe red eyes. She instinctively took a step back, gripping the edge of the door with trembling hands.
Her expression was a mix of shock and terror.
The door closed as she retreated further into the house, she was scared her parents went to do business in the Inner area of the city today, as lot's of people were coming and she was alone in the house.
Wu Jian swiftly moved to her side with his evil horny gaze. Well I found another one, Wu Jian laughed, the woman's eyes widened in fear as he used a special powder to make her sleep, just as he had with others.
The powder's effects were immediate; her body slumped weakly as she fell on the ground, this powder was given by senior brother Tang to capture people alive and fast.
Wu Jian collected a few more young women from various households. Though they didn't compare to the first woman in beauty, they were still appealing. Each one was captured with similar methods along with their family.
His storage bag was now filled to its full capacity. He then went back, where his senior brother, Huang Tian and others were waiting.
Upon arriving, Wu Jian found Huang Tian surrounded by various alchemical instruments and the ongoing preparations for the Blood Soul Pill.
As Wu Jian approached the center of the formation area, he noticed other four individuals standing in a loose semi-circle around the alchemy furnace.
Lin Xuan stood at the front, closest to the furnace. He was a sharp-eyed man. His features were angular, with high cheekbones and a pointed chin, giving him a somewhat fox-like appearance.
His hair was tied back into a tight knot at the base of his neck, and he wore a dark robe of Black Moon Sect. His arms crossed over his chest as he observed Wu Jian's approach with impatience. Lin Xuan's gaze was piercing, always seeming to calculate the intentions of those around him, he is 8th level of qi refining.
To Lin Xuan's right was Zhao Ming, the Formation Master. Zhao Ming was a tall, imposing figure with broad shoulders and a calm demeanor. His long, jet-black hair cascaded down his back, he also wore a black robe of blood moon sect his level was lv 9 of qi refining.
The area was filled with unique patterns of silver lines, symbolizing the complex arrays he so expertly controlled. He stood slightly apart from the others, his hands behind his back as he quietly observed the ongoing preparations, his eyes flicking over the formation's layout.
On the left side of the furnace stood Qin zhia, a woman of striking beauty with a cold aura. Her long, raven-black hair was flying freely, silver hairpin in her hair glinting in the dim light.
Qin Mei wore a sleek black robe that fit her body tightly, highlighting her big boobs. The fabric was thin, revealing her sexy body.
The robe had a low neckline, showing off much of her chest, and high slits on the sides that allowed her to move freely, showing her long sexy legs as she walked.
Red patterns, like twisting snakes, were embroidered along the edges of the robe, giving it a dangerous and elegant look.
The sleeves were long and flowed gracefully, but they fit snugly around her wrists.
Qin Mei's face was emotionless, her pale skin looking almost ghostly against the dark robe. Her dark eyes were sharp and unreadable, watching everything around her with cold indifference. Her robe was both seductive and intimidating, showing that she was not just beautiful but also a powerful and dangerous demonic cultivator. She is at 7th level of qi, refining realm like him
Lastly, standing slightly behind the others, was Han Bei, a hulking man with a powerful build.
His short, messy hair was a dull brown, and his rough, scarred face had the marks of many battles.
Han Bei's robes were a dark, almost black shade of red, with patches of leather armor at the shoulders and chest.
Unlike the others, who carried an air of quiet authority, Han Bei exuded a more bloody aura, his muscles tensed as if ready to spring into action at a moment's notice.
He stood with his feet planted firmly on the ground, his large hands hanging by his sides, occasionally clenching into fists as he glanced around, his expression one of restrained impatience. His Cultivation is lowest at 6th level of qi refining but no one dared to underestimate him as he is more cruel and cunning than he looks.
The four individuals formed a striking contrast, each having a different aspect. As Wu Jian came closer, someone said.
"You're the last one to arrive. Didn't you know we need to finish this quickly? The Jade Serpent Sect's people will be here soon."
Wu Jian approached the group with careful steps, his dark eyes briefly meeting the gaze of each of the four individuals before he lowered his head in a slight, respectful bow. His movements were smooth.
"I'm sorry for the delay," Wu Jian said, his voice sounding apologetic, but inside his mind he is cursing everyone.
He straightened up from his bow, his expression serious.
Reaching into the folds of his robe, Wu Jian carefully pulled out the storage bag containing the unconscious people he had captured.
The bag was small, around the size of a human head and it was of plain brown color.
Lin Xuan, reached out to accept the bag. His sharp eyes narrowed as he inspected it, weighing it in his hand for a brief moment before nodding slightly.
Wu Jian, meanwhile, kept his expression neutral, though he felt relief, as Lin Xuan accepted the bag without complaint.
After handing over the storage bag, Wu Jian touched his white storage bag with silver lining, feeling it carefully.
This bag, containing his valuable items along with the four young women he had captured.