Xiao Wuchen didn't rest. He knew that the Martial Saint Hall's recognition was merely a façade; the real crisis came from the Xuan Yin Sect. Having donned the night clothes provided by the Xuan Yi Guards and armed himself with ample pills and weapons, he headed straight for the "Long-Term Sacrifice Site", located in the southeast corner of the capital — a location identified by both the system and the Left Governor's intelligence map.
This was an ancient underground altar, its entrance concealed by a massive black boulder within a mass grave.
Xiao Wuchen activated the system to investigate, simultaneously utilising his knowledge of Introduction to Array Formations (Fragment), successfully avoiding the low-level warning array placed at the altar's entrance.
As he descended deeper into the underground passageway, the stench of blood and the chilling, malevolent energy in the air grew increasingly intense, mingling with the nauseating smell of rotting herbs.
As he passed through the final stone gate, the sight before him caused his pupils to constrict and his breath to catch in his throat.
It was a vast underground chamber, at the centre of which stood an altar made of human bones and obsidian, exuding evil. The altar was covered in obscure, incomprehensible runes and dozens of desiccated corpses lay scattered across it, intended as sacrifices.
At the centre of the altar, a figure dressed in the dark purple robes of the Xuan Yin Sect was presiding over the ritual. He held a living infant in his hands, its face contorted in a grotesque grimace as he chanted ancient incantations.
A vast, sinister power far surpassing even the Martial Dao Foundation Establishment Realm was gathering — a glimpse into the power of the cultivation world that Xiao Wuchen had never witnessed before. Like thick ink, this power was drawn by the altar and converged in the air.
It was identical to the extreme yin energy and blood-source spiritual energy he had sensed at the Jade Buddha Temple, but a hundred times larger. The ultimate goal seemed to be either to summon some kind of power from the cultivation world or to refine an evil pill powerful enough to allow a sect's high-ranking members to break through their cultivation realm.
Choice: Merit or Evil?
"Stop!"
Xiao Wuchen roared, disregarding his concealment, and unleashed his true energy. It carried the extremely powerful Yang force of the Burning Heaven Palm directly towards the protector and the core of the altar.
Seeing someone intrude, the protector's eyes widened in fury. 'Damn it! How dare you ruin my sect leader's plans!'
Unable to summon his cultivation power in time, he could only throw the infant he was holding at Xiao Wuchen while simultaneously activating the altar's defences.
Xiao Wuchen didn't hesitate. He chose the more difficult path, one that better suited his long-term interests: a direct attack on the core using his own 'evil act' to prevent hundreds of innocent people from suffering in the future.
In martial arts, unwavering resolve is far more important than fleeting acts of kindness. His inner power, embodied in the 'Flowers Bloom to Reveal the Buddha' technique, erupted instantly. The pure Zen essence and unyielding true energy combined perfectly to unleash a destructive force capable of incinerating everything in its path.
Ignoring the infant thrown into the air, he focused all his true energy into his palms.
'Burning Heaven Palm!'
A scorching golden palm shadow streaked across the dark underground space like a meteor, targeting the Xuan Yin Sect protector and the altar's core.
The Xuan Yin Sect Protector was horrified. He hadn't expected the intruder to be so decisive and show no regard for human life. In his haste, he activated the altar's defences, unleashing a thick, black, bloody aura in an attempt to block Xiao Wu Chen's attack.
The supremely powerful yang Burning Heaven Palm, like heavenly fire descending, instantly pierced the bloody aura. The bloody aura was purified and dissolved, dissipating with a burnt smell.
The Protector let out an inhuman scream. His protective aura was as fragile as paper against the golden palm strike. The force of the strike hit his chest directly, shattering him and the obsidian core of the altar!
The Protector died instantly, his body smouldering as if burned by flames.
[System notification: Choice complete: Direct Attack on the Core selected.
Evil Deeds Value +50 (Infant Death).
Merit Points: +500 (Successfully prevented the bloody sacrifice, avoiding further harm to innocent people).
Quest 'The Bloody Sacrifice of the Xuan Yin Cult' completion: 100%.
With the guardian's death, the altar collapsed with a deafening roar. The gathering power of the cultivation world spiralled out of control instantly, transforming into a chilling energy storm that swept through the underground space.
Xiao Wuchen immediately activated the Indestructible Body Fragment, maximising his defences, and simultaneously used the Blooming Flowers Reveal the Buddha mental cultivation technique to protect his heart meridian and resist the corrosive chill of this evil energy.
Among the altar ruins, Xiao Wuchen found several broken jade fragments and a dark purple, incomplete pill.
[System Notification:]
Host has obtained special loot:
Mysterious Yin Body Tempering Technique (Fragment): The core body-refining technique of the Mysterious Yin Sect.
Core information on the Mysterious Yin Sect's Qi Refining Method.
Analysis: The Mysterious Yin Sect's primary goal is to refine the "Blood Soul Evil Pill" to enable the sect leader and senior members to advance in martial arts and enter the cultivation world. This confirms that the Mysterious Yin Sect's actions are closely linked to cultivation power.
Just as Xiao Wuchen was about to leave, the system detected a piece of dark purple jade engraved with a unique emblem beneath the altar ruins.
[System prompt:
Analysing the special emblem...
Intelligence comparison: This emblem is the token of the "Exclusive Alchemist of the Left Governor's Mansion".
Conclusion: The Left Governor used this place as bait and secretly dispatched his men to participate in the Xuan Yin Sect's bloody sacrifices, intending to use their evil pills for his own purposes. The alchemist you encountered at the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion may also be connected to the Left Governor.
Xiao Wuchen felt a chill. The Left Governor's ambition and ruthlessness far exceeded his imagination. His "cooperation" with the Xuan Yin Sect was much deeper than he had realised.
He now fully understood the secret of the Xuan Yin Sect's evil pill refining process and the extent of the Left Governor's involvement, which had become his greatest trump card.
Current status:
Mission: Stop the Xuan Yin Sect's bloody sacrifices (completed). Merit points: Greatly increased.
Gains: 'The Mysterious Yin Body Tempering Technique (Fragment)' and core information on the 'Mysterious Yin Sect's Qi Refining Method'.
Core Trump Card: The secret collusion between the Left Governor and the Mysterious Yin Sect.
After clearing up the evidence at the altar, Xiao Wuchen hurried back to the palace and went straight to the Chief Evil Exorcist's residence. He knew that the intelligence gathered from this investigation could affect the balance of power in the capital and even the court, so it was crucial.
In the Chief Exorcist's hall, Xiao Wuchen reported the actions of the Xuan Yin Sect succinctly.
'Chief Exorcist, the Xuan Yin Sect is not conducting an ordinary sacrifice. They are planning a massive array to extract the spiritual energy of the capital's earth veins, using flesh and blood as a catalyst to refine an evil pill aimed at breaking through the shackles of martial arts.'
Xiao Wuchen did not mention his discovery about the Left Commander, instead emphasising the threat posed by the Xuan Yin Sect to pave the way for his subsequent probing.
'The techniques of these cultists are no longer martial arts; they are closer to the methods of the cultivation world. They yearn to break through using this evil pill and step into the legendary 'Profound Realm'."
Upon hearing this, the Chief Exorcist's face darkened and the teacup in his hand creaked.
'Tongxuan... just as I thought.' Bixie's voice seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth. 'These cultists actually dared to covet such power.'
'You did a great job. Completely destroying the altar severed their initial accumulation. Your contribution this time far surpasses that of the Foundation Establishment battle.' Chief Steward Bixie asked, "What reward would you like?"
'Chief Steward, let's set the reward aside for now,' said Xiao Wuchen, bowing and adopting a grave tone. 'During the suppression, I discovered an extremely strange phenomenon.'
'Speak.'
'The Xuan Yin Sect's outer organisation is tightly knit, but their alchemy techniques and certain intelligence channels seem to be connected to powerful figures in the court.' Xiao Wuchen carefully chose his words, not naming the Left Commander directly.
'In the altar ruins, I found fragments of artefacts belonging to the inner court. This suggests that someone is exploiting the palace's convenience to secretly fund or utilise the Xuan Yin Sect's power. I believe this is no mere coincidence, but rather someone intending to use the cult's power to achieve their own political goals.'
Xiao Wuchen fixed his gaze on Chief Steward Bixie, waiting for a reaction. This was a crucial moment for him to gauge Bixie's understanding of the Left Commander.
Chief Steward Bixie's eyes instantly became deep and complex. He didn't answer immediately, but remained silent for a long time.
'What have you guessed?' Chief Steward Bixie asked, his voice eerily calm.
'This subordinate dares not presume,' Xiao Wuchen replied respectfully, 'but anyone who dares to collude with a cult right under the palace's nose must be of extremely high status and immense power. This person is definitely not serving the Xuan Yin Sect, but rather using the cult as a knife."
The Chief Evil-Slaying Steward finally sneered, his tone tinged with contempt.
'In this court, I know better than anyone who the "knife" is and who "wields the knife".'
The incredibly powerful person you speak of is none other than the Left Commander. He has never been a docile man. The position he desires is higher than any of ours.' Although the Chief Evil-Slaying Steward showed no surprise at the collusion with the Xuan Yin Sect, his tone was contemptuous of the Left Commander.
Analysis: The Xuan Yin Sect Steward was clearly aware of the Left Commander's ambitions and may have suspected him of plotting against him for some time. However, his lack of extreme shock suggests that he had some expectation of the Left Commander-in-Chief's trump card, or that he himself was making some kind of plan.
The Chief Evil-Repelling Steward composed himself, regaining his authoritative tone.
'You need not concern yourself with the Left Governor's schemes. He won't be able to cause trouble for much longer.' However, the Xuan Yin Sect's actions have exposed the weakness of the Inner Guard in the martial world. I will grant you an official title."
From today onwards, you are appointed Detective Captain of the Rootless Sect, reporting directly to me, with the authority to act as you see fit. I will also grant you full access to the resources of the Martial Saint Hall, enabling you to utilise your reputation and authority to gather more martial arts intelligence about the cultivation world for the Inner Guard.'
As for the reward, here is a Meridian-Nourishing Pill, which will help you further refine your true qi and accelerate your breakthrough to the mid-stage of Meridian Building.
Xiao Wuchen was overjoyed. Not only had he gained an official title and authority from the court, but he had also received the precious Meridian-Nourishing Pill.
'Thank you for your kindness, Chief Steward. I will certainly live up to your expectations.'
Current status:
Status: Officially appointed as the 'Detective Captain' of the Rootless Sect.
Martial Saint Hall: Full access granted.
Trump card: The Left Governor's treasonous trump card is still in his possession.
Item: Obtained the 'Meridian Nourishing Pill'.