Chapter 43: Take Action!
Zhao Wanqing's expression shifted abruptly.
The name Central Domain carried enormous weight in the southern Dan Domain.
Or rather, in this world there were only two kinds of places: the Central Domain, and everywhere outside the Central Domain.
The root cause was that the world's spiritual veins originated in the Central Domain and then branched out to the other domains.
Therefore, the spiritual energy of this world was richest in the Central Domain. Cultivation relied foremost on spiritual energy; more spirit meant more valuable spiritual plants and treasures.
Even those born in the Central Domain naturally possessed stronger spiritual roots than cultivators from other domains.
The Central Domain crushed all others with irresistible might.
The sects of the Central Domain were even too proud to expand outward; without exception, they looked down on the outer domains as too poor to be worth exploiting.
It was rare for Central Domain cultivators to travel elsewhere—those who left either couldn't survive there or had simply given up.
Yet once one set foot on the path of cultivation, who wouldn't wish to glimpse the grand Dao and the splendor seen by the strongest cultivators?
Thus, even the heretical cultivators from the Central Domain carried immense pressure wherever they went.
Whenever such heretics appeared, reporting them to the Immortal Alliance of the Central Domain would bring cultivators from there to handle the matter.
But all of this required the one thing Zhao Wanqing lacked most—time.
Chu Xingchen continued his questioning. "Anything else?"
That question couldn't fool him—Li Xingtian had also spent time in the Central Domain before his rebirth.
Rumor had it he had done quite well there.
"Let me speak plainly," Guan Quan said, his face darkening and tone turning serious. "They didn't only buy things from us."
"Ever since rumors of blood sacrifices began, I've been suspicious. I thought once exposed, they'd flee elsewhere."
"But they didn't. They even increased their purchases."
"My guess is that their mortal sacrifices are merely a cover. Sacrificing mortals alone can't satisfy the appetites of those from the Central Domain."
"Their true targets must be the nearby sects—only by sacrificing cultivators can they meet their needs."
If possible, Guan Quan would have preferred to stay uninvolved—selling goods for spirit stones was enough—but events had a way of pushing people forward.
This line of work always carried risk.
If the Demon Suppression Bureau hadn't intervened, he might have kept silent forever.
Blood-sacrificing sects had nothing to do with him, and he could still profit from trade.
But the handsome man before him was clearly not one to be deceived.
Guan Quan had no doubt that the sword at his throat would fall the instant he said the wrong thing.
Given the situation, rather than returning and worrying about appeasing those heretics, he might as well betray them completely.
Kill those damned heretics—make them too afraid to ever return—and remove all future threats.
Guan Quan's expression hardened. "If you truly intend to pursue this matter, investigate the sects nearby. You may uncover something unexpected."
Chu Xingchen slowly sheathed his spirit sword and turned toward Zhao Wanqing, who had been listening silently the entire time.
Zhao Wanqing frowned deeply, hand tightening on the hilt of her short blade. After a long pause, she finally said,
"You may go."
Relief washed over Guan Quan's face. He immediately drew a short knife from his waist and, to Zhao Wanqing's astonishment, slashed himself savagely several times.
Then, bleeding heavily, he turned and sprinted toward the docks.
Zhao Wanqing watched his retreating figure, her tone uncertain. "A self-inflicted act? Isn't that a bit too obvious?"
Chu Xingchen chuckled softly. "Many things can't be explained with words. People will always doubt, no matter what you say. What matters now is attitude."
Zhao Wanqing turned to him and asked,
"Do you think what he said was true?"
Chu Xingchen smiled faintly. "What do you think?"
Zhao Wanqing lowered her head, expression heavy. After a long silence, she said,
"He was probably telling the truth."
"So, will you continue the investigation?" Chu Xingchen asked calmly.
Zhao Wanqing clasped her hands respectfully. "The matter ahead no longer concerns you, Senior. Thank you for your assistance."
After all, the Central Domain was involved. The strongest of those heretics likely possessed at least Gold Core cultivation, combined with terrifying blood qi.
Offering four hundred spirit stones to a Gold Core cultivator to risk his life—that was pure folly.
Chu Xingchen asked, "No matter. But do you still intend to investigate this on your own?"
Zhao Wanqing answered firmly, "Yes."
Chu Xingchen teased, "You're too foolish to investigate alone."
"Even if I can't, I must investigate."
"Eh, you're really dense—you don't even understand what I mean."
Zhao Wanqing asked in puzzlement, "Then what do you mean, Senior?"
"Pay more."
——————
Guan Quan, drenched in blood, ran back to his dock and shoved past his thugs who rushed out to check on him.
He barreled into a small room and flung the door open.
Inside, a man in a black robe sat quietly in a chair, his voice hoarse: "You're back?"
Guan Quan froze for a moment, then hurriedly said, "The Demon Suppression Bureau found out! I'm heading to Liangyang City to lay low. You should flee too!"
"Why panic?" the black-robed man chuckled. "What's the Demon Suppression Bureau to me?"
His nonchalance stunned Guan Quan; it was as if he himself were the Bureau.
Guan Quan couldn't understand the heretic's brazenness. "They know you're here! They'll send people to capture you. Even if you don't fear them, shouldn't you withdraw first?!"
The black-robed man tapped the table gently. "Don't rush. Wait a little."
Guan Quan stared in disbelief. "Wait? Wait for what?"
"Wait for those Demon Suppression Bureau people, of course."
Guan Quan felt panic—this heretic behaved like a madman. "What are you thinking? I won't join your madness. I'm leaving. Take your own goods!"
He turned to leave, but the black-robed man grabbed his shoulder. "You'll wait with me."
Guan Quan snarled, "What are you waiting for?"
"Of course… for people to come." The black-robed man's words had barely fallen when a dark red blood qi burst from his right hand and lunged at Guan Quan's head.
Guan Quan had long been on guard. Seeing the attack, he darted forward.
"You think laying hands on me will help?!" Guan Quan shouted as he moved.
The black-robed man answered nothing. Dark red qi exploded from his body, exuding a heavy stench of blood.
He struck with a brutal punch aimed at Guan Quan's head.
Guan Quan raised his hand to block.
Bang!
The blow felt unbearably heavy, and the blood qi surged into Guan Quan's meridians, violently stirring his spirit energy.
Guan Quan's talent was poor; his Foundation Establishment was a flawed-grade Foundation Establishment bolstered by pills.
The black-robed man not only wielded blood qi but also stood at the peak of Foundation Establishment.
Guan Quan had even wounded himself earlier—now he was no match.
The black-robed man glanced and saw Zhao Wanqing approaching not far off.
His blood qi surged more violently, as if eager for Zhao Wanqing to witness it.
Then, before Zhao Wanqing's eyes, he pummeled Guan Quan's head with blow after merciless blow.
Blow after blow, his skull was smashed to pieces.
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