After saying these words, Tian Kai began walking on the black stone ground, aimlessly.
With no initial clue to start investigating the origin of that bloody aura, he decided to move forward. The best way to find any clues was to explore and analyze the area.
He didn't feel afraid that something might go wrong. At least, for now, his life was not at risk. After all, his master was by his side.
After walking for an hour, boredom began to take over. There was nothing interesting around. The nearby monsters had already been killed.
"How boring..."
This thought inevitably crossed his mind, but he kept moving forward. After another hour of walking, his sight caught something new: a huge ten-meter wall surrounded by dark stones.
Inhabitants?
"Master, take me to the top of this wall. I want to observe the surroundings from above."
This seemed like the best strategy at the moment. Entering directly wasn't a good idea. After all, invading a possible enemy's territory without preparation was reckless. Even with support, he preferred to avoid irrational actions.
"Understood."
The Empress, hearing his words, grabbed Tian Kai's shirt and shot toward the top of the wall. In the blink of an eye, they were both on top.
This damn torture again...
Tian Kai felt uncomfortable. It was hard to get used to such speed.
After stabilizing his body, he looked down. The scene he saw made him vomit.
Inside the wall, there was a grotesque battlefield. Humans dressed as slaves were forced into an unknown formation, then exploded. The blood from the bodies filled the formation, making it increasingly red.
I knew I shouldn't have gotten involved in this mess...
What a curse...
Seeing that grotesque scene, Tian Kai couldn't help but want to leave immediately. He realized he was getting involved in something much bigger than he had imagined.
Damn, damn, damn...
He cursed inwardly and felt a mix of rage and helplessness. He was human, after all, and witnessing something so horrible made him want to exterminate those guards right then and there.
Stay calm...
I'm not here to save anyone.
My goal is to remove this bloody aura, not to act irrationally.
Controlling his reason against the impulse, he kept observing. The number of dead was absurd.
"Master, what is the purpose of this formation?"
The Empress, calmly observing the scene below, maintained her usual expression. The world was cruel to mortals, something she knew better than anyone.
"Blood formation, used for cultivation enhancement." She replied, then looked at her disciple. "What do you intend to do?"
"Is there any way to infiltrate?"
Despite feeling heavy-hearted, Tian Kai averted his gaze. All he could do was pray that the heavens would have mercy on those people, granting them good reincarnations.
But...
If we find the one responsible, perhaps we can destroy this formation.
"Master, does this bloody aura that covers the place come from these formations?"
"Partly, yes. But there are other reasons I don't know. My consciousness is sealed; all I can do is deduce. This base is just one among many others."
The idea of destroying the formation was becoming increasingly complicated.
If we destroy it now, we will alert the true mastermind...
What a problem...
The Empress watched each reaction from her disciple. This analysis made her admire him even more. For someone so young, Tian Kai displayed a good mentality.
This made her smile faintly.
Her disciple was still human, concerned about those people below. But at the same time, he showed enough rationality not to be swayed by the desire to act as a hero.
"Kai," she said seriously, as she looked ahead with her blood-red pupils. "To infiltrate, become a Blood Guard."
"How do I do that?"
"Participate in their test. It's happening right now."
Before he could respond, she extended her hand and touched his shoulder. In an instant, the world around him changed.
Tian Kai found himself in another place, with shackles on his wrists. Confused, he looked down and realized he was dressed as a slave.
What the hell did my master do? Is she really that fast?
Before he could think further, a shout snapped him out of his thoughts.
"Don't just stand there, idiot!"
Turning his head, he saw an angry guard staring at him. Before he could react, the whip in the man's hand cut through the air and struck his back.
The sound of the blow was loud, and the pain burned like fire. Tian Kai felt his muscles tense, and the urge to retaliate boiled inside him.
Bastard...
Tian Kai's blue eyes shone dangerously, but he kept control of himself. Without saying anything, he began to follow the other slaves. He needed to understand why his master had sent him there.
Is this the test to become a Blood Guard? The best among us will be selected?
That seemed to make sense. After all, all the people there were young. There were no adults among them.
After walking for an unknown amount of time, they arrived at a place with a swirling red vortex. Ahead, several guards were watching them.
"Enter!" The guard who had whipped Kai shouted to everyone, seemingly the commander of the slave group.
"Remember, only the ten strongest will join our guard. The rest?" He laughed, with a hideous expression. "They will die! They'll become food for our lord! Feel honored, plebeians!" After saying this, he ordered everyone to enter, threatening those who disobeyed with more whippings.
Tian Kai, hearing all of that, took a deep breath. In moments of despair, he always managed to maintain a calm expression; that never changed.
"I want to be immortal."
That thought never left his mind. Even in the face of such a terrible situation, he didn't change.
When it was his turn, he looked at the man who had whipped him, avoided eye contact, and entered the fissure.