The new power that had flowed into Wei Shen's veins after the dual blood feast – the essence of the fifth-level cultivator "Lin Fei" and the sixth-level "Rock Thunder Beast" – was astounding by all measures. He had leaped directly from the peak of the third level to the heart of the sixth level of Qi Condensation, an achievement that, had any cultivator in the "Fallen Leaf Sect" heard of it, would have been deemed a figment of imagination or black magic from the fiercest demons.
Wei Shen spent two full days in his dark cave, not only for his body to recover from the violent breakthrough process but also to absorb and refine this immense new power. The "Blood Qi" in his Dantian was now like a raging sea of dark red energy, saturated with hints of the Rock Thunder Beast's electric blue and that subtle, mysterious trace of Lin Fei's spirit. It was denser, more savage, and yet… noticeably more pliant to his will.
"The sixth level of Qi Condensation…" Wei Shen whispered, opening his fist and feeling the latent power within. "Physical strength, reaction speed, sensory acuity… all have multiplied several times over. Even the 'Blood Qi' itself has become more lethal, and that subtle venomous trace I acquired from the scorpion seems to have deepened and blended better with this Qi's nature."
When he tried channeling a thread of this new Qi into one of his ivory daggers, he noticed that the dagger no longer merely acquired a faint red glint; rather, a thin layer of venomous bloody mist momentarily enveloped it, making a faint sizzling sound upon contact with rock.
"Far higher combat efficiency," he thought coldly. "Now, I am no longer just a desperate rat fighting for survival. I have become a true predator."
And with this new power, his thoughts were forcefully drawn back to an old goal, a goal that had once seemed distant and a mere vague dream of revenge: the "Fallen Leaf Sect."
"Their leader… is at the eighth level of Qi Condensation," he recalled the information from the original "Wei Shen's" memories and some whispers he had heard. "The elders are slightly below him, perhaps at the seventh or sixth level. The rest of the inner disciples, like Lin Fei, range between the fourth and fifth. As for the outer disciples… they are mere ants."
Previously, this was an overwhelming force impossible to confront. But now, at the sixth level, thanks to the unique and lethal nature of his "Blood Qi," and with his unparalleled intellect, the distance no longer seemed insurmountable.
"Haste is the tomb of ambition," he reminded himself with Arthur's customary coldness. "A direct assault on the sect is still folly. They have numbers, they have defensive formations (however primitive), and they have knowledge of the mountain's terrain superior to mine."
He had to play it smart, just as he used to in his old world when facing rival empires or secret organizations.
"Information must be gathered first," he decided. "Understand their routines, weaknesses, patrol routes, and gathering places of their disciples outside the protection of the sect's defensive formations. Then… the harvest begins."
This idea of "harvesting" had now become clear and specific in his mind. The "Blood-Devouring Stone" was still thirsty, and reaching the higher levels of Qi Condensation, then the legendary "Foundation Establishment" realm, would require vast quantities of life essence. And now that the stone had "tasted" the efficacy of human essence, especially from cultivators, this option had become the most efficient and "logical" from his cold perspective.
"The Fallen Leaf Sect… is no longer just a place for revenge," Wei Shen thought, a harsh smile playing on his lips. "It has become… a potential resource farm."
After another day of meditation to consolidate his power and meticulous planning, Wei Shen exited his cave, not with the aim of random hunting this time, but with a specific objective: to approach the vicinity of the "Fallen Leaf Sect" and begin reconnaissance.
The journey back to the areas he had previously known as an outer disciple was entirely different this time. First or second-level spiritual beasts that had once seemed terrifying were now mere minor annoyances he easily avoided, or killed with a single, swift strike if they crossed his path, coldly collecting their blood and cores as if merely picking fruits from a tree.
His senses, sharpened by the sixth level, worked like a natural radar network, picking up the faintest sounds, scents, and movements at great distances. He moved through the forest like a ghost, leaving almost no trace, and his ability to conceal his Qi aura had significantly improved.
After two days of cautious, intermittent travel, he finally reached the outer hills surrounding "Bleakwind Mountain," where the "Fallen Leaf Sect" was located. From afar, he saw the sect's simple wooden buildings, the dilapidated stone walls, and the faint defensive formation covering the main area, which now looked pathetic in his eyes.
"How weak I was… and how foolish and arrogant they were," he thought, recalling the insults and mockery the original "Wei Shen" had endured. There was no sense of nostalgia or even emotional hatred, only a cold assessment of a ripe opportunity.
He didn't approach the sect directly. Instead, he spent the next few days like a phantom, observing from a distance, hiding in high places or among dense rocks. He studied the patrol routes, which were few and irregular, the times disciples exited to gather herbs or firewood, and the secret paths the original "Wei Shen" knew, which no one else would have thought of.
He noted that most disciples leaving the sect were weak outer disciples, at the first or second level of Qi Condensation, and occasionally some third-level disciples. These… were not worth the risk for their meager essence.
He was looking for more valuable prey. Inner disciples, perhaps at the fourth or fifth level, venturing out in small groups for training or specific tasks.
And on the fourth day of his silent observation, he finally found what he was looking for.
He saw a small group of three disciples, wearing the light blue robes of inner disciples, exiting one of the sect's side gates and heading towards a secluded part of the forest known for some low-grade spiritual herbs. Two of them appeared to be at the fourth level of Qi Condensation, and the third, who walked in the lead and seemed more confident, radiated a fifth-level aura.
"Three… two at the fourth level, and one at the fifth," Wei Shen thought, his eyes gleaming with a predatory glint. "A very good offering for the 'Blood-Devouring Stone.' And a chance to test my true sixth-level strength against human cultivators."
There was no hesitation. He had identified his prey.
He began to follow them silently, a shadow of death stalking them from among the trees, waiting for the right moment to pounce. He knew this confrontation would be different. These were not mindless spiritual beasts relying on instinct, but human cultivators possessing combat techniques and intelligence.
But he wasn't afraid. Instead, he felt a kind of cold, thrilling anticipation.
"Fallen Leaf Sect…" he whispered, a harsh, terrifying smile stretching across his lips. "The time has come to settle the first account."