Chapter 22: Blood-sucking Tree Crystal Core, Innate Six Senses

Passed through layers of forest.

Shen Qing had already smelled a faint scent of blood, mixed with a strong stench of decay.

Even the ground was stained with a faint blood color, and scattered skeletons could be seen around—some human, some livestock.

Through gaps in the forest, Shen Qing could faintly see a dark red short tree, about the height of a story.

"Why does it look somewhat familiar..."

Shen Qing muttered and strode forward.

Upon approaching, Shen Qing circled the tree, and some things in his mind gradually became clear.

Earlier years, when he was in the Capital, he had read many books, among which there seemed to be a record about this small tree.

"Blood-sucking Tree, height several zhang, grows by drinking blood, its aroma pure and intense yet not turbid, its branches sparse, its fruit dark red; eating it can break through a realm, or cause addiction,......"

Shen Qing gave a slight sniff; even the sense of smell of an Acquired Realm martial artist had been greatly strengthened, and through the layers of stench and blood odor he still detected a faint fragrance.

Exactly as recorded in the book, that is indeed a Blood-sucking Tree.

Immediately afterward, Shen Qing recalled some descriptions.

"Not innate, but artificially made; a demonic object, its purpose lies in its heart..."

This Blood-sucking Tree is not naturally grown; it is a special seed produced by Blood Cultivators through secret methods.

And the Blood Cultivators expend great effort to produce this not for the fruit above, but for its core.

After all, Blood Cultivators—wouldn't directly sucking blood to cultivate be faster?

Why go through the trouble of taking off pants to fart, especially when this fruit also has strong addictive properties?

A cold light flashed in the air; Qing He emerged from his orifice, and the Blood-sucking Tree was directly blown apart by Shen Qing, dark red wood chips scattering in the air.

Only see that a huge piece of shattered wood wrapped a bright red crystal like blood.

Shen Qing reached out with one hand, directly crushed the wood, and held the red crystal in his palm.

Shen Qing examined it closely; the crystal was about fist-sized, worth noting: although it was nurtured by a large amount of fresh blood, it bore no trace of bloody odor.

At that moment, Zhang He, who had been playing dead behind him, stared with wide eyes, fixedly gazing at the Blood-sucking Tree core in Shen Qing's palm.

He had a feeling that if he swallowed that crystal, he could immediately break through to the Innate Realm.

He also felt extreme regret, guarding a treasure mountain yet only taking away the dregs.

Shen Qing snorted.

"What are you looking at? Do you even know what this is? Just look."

Zhang He's voice was hoarse, revealing resentment.

"I hate..."

Shen Qing squatted down, grabbed Zhang He's face, and lifted him up.

"Let me tell you."

"This thing, on the Blood Cultivators' side, is called the Blood-sucking Tree core; this one looks not bad."

"If you eat it, you could probably directly break through three or four layers of the Innate Realm."

"But it's a pity—you can't even protect your own family, and you're blind."

Zhang He completely collapsed.

"I hate! Ah ah ah ah!!!"

The next moment, the howl ceased abruptly; Zhang He's head was directly crushed by Shen Qing.

【Slain Acquired Realm Ninth Layer Martial Artist, looted trait: Fist Technique Mastery (Green)】

Originally I still wanted to interrogate Zhang He's heretical cult behind him, see if I could wipe them out in one sweep.

But upon seeing the Blood-sucking Tree, that idea was dismissed.

This Blood-sucking Tree is not common goods among the Blood Cultivators; it's absolutely impossible to give to trash like Zhang He.

This Blood-sucking Tree was probably accidentally dropped here, and Zhang He happened to encounter it.

Shen Qing examined the core in his hand; good things are indeed good.

Eat? That's impossible; after all, it's the Blood Cultivators' thing, and whether eating it would have side effects is unknown.

But even if it can't be consumed, it's still an excellent thing.

The cultivation of Blood-sucking Trees has always been prohibited in the Great Wu Dynasty, so openly, this Blood-sucking Tree crystal core has always been extremely rare.

Thus the price has remained high.

Taking it to the Guard and Pacification Office for exchange, the price is also not low, enough to exchange for another Red Jade Fruit to use for breakthrough.

Shen Qing picked up a jade box from the ground, stored the core inside, and kept it close to his body.

Suddenly, another line of text appeared before his eyes.

【Your subordinate slew an Acquired Realm Third Layer Martial Artist, successfully looted trait: Exceptional Intuition (Green)】

【Exceptional Intuition: Your sixth sense is stronger than others', able to instinctively sense whether things are good or bad】

Shen Qing sheathed Qing He back into his scabbard and raised his eyebrows.

Another trait? It seems Zhang Zhi was done in by the black dog gang.

But just looking at it.

The Zhang family's strength isn't like that, yet they could roam free until today not without reason.

It turns out there's a little son who has such a useful trait.

Although it's only a green trait, I estimate most blue and purple traits can't compare to this.

If so, then go all in!

Consume four trait upgrade opportunities.

Exceptional Intuition (Green) upgrades to: Amazing Intuition (Blue) upgrades to: Fortunate Instinct (Purple) upgrades to: Fortune-Seeking Instinct (Gold) upgrades to: Innate Six Senses (Red)

In an instant, Shen Qing felt his whole world change, as if a strange new sensation had arisen.

It seemed a sense had arisen out of nowhere, mysterious and profound, leaving Shen Qing unable to put it into words.

At this moment, Heigou and the others also arrived deep in the forest.

The scholar bent his waist and performed a salute.

Reporting, Sir, the interrogation is over; we found nothing useful.

According to this document, they were just lucky, having stumbled upon whatever holy tree; there should be no blood cultivators backing them.

Shen Qing glanced at the scholar; a intuition told Shen Qing that the scholar was speaking the truth, and in the scholar's eyes Shen Qing saw admiration.

Scanning around, Shen Qing saw through the gazes of the Embroidered Uniform Guard; most were admiration, a small part fear.

Looking again at Heigou, Heigou's eyes held some resentment, but not toward Shen Qing; it was toward the corpse of Zhang He on the ground.

He must have some grudge against the blood cultivators.

Suddenly, a icy gaze pierced straight into Shen Qing's nape.

Shen Qing abruptly turned his head, his gaze quickly locking onto one person—a junior banner officer sent from Luo River City to reinforce the troops, named Huang Yuan.

His eyes were ferociously abnormal, as if he wanted to tear Shen Qing's tendons and pull out his bones.

Upon seeing Shen Qing turn his head, Huang Yuan immediately lowered his head.

Shen Qing carefully reflected and confirmed one thing: he definitely had no grudge against Huang Yuan.

Just two days ago, Huang Yuan was transferred under his command; this was their first meeting.

Could it be someone from the capital?

That would be even less likely; I came to White Cloud County secretly, and only the imperial family and my own kin know about it.

If they had sent someone, it definitely wouldn't be such trash.

Shen Qing narrowed his eyes slightly.

Then there is only one possibility: recent offenders—either the White Dragon Sect or the remnants of those families whose homes Shen Qing ransacked.

Shen Qing's figure vanished from the spot like a ghost.

The next moment, he directly seized Huang Yuan's neck.

Speak—what is your plot in infiltrating the Embroidered Uniform Guard?

This scene left all the surrounding Embroidered Uniform Guard stunned, unsure what to do.

However, Heigou, Lin Zikai, and the others acted swiftly, drawing their blades and subduing the Embroidered Uniform Guard under Huang Yuan's command.

Huang Yuan's face was panicked; he struggled to speak: 'Sir... is there... some... misunderstanding...'

Shen Qing wore a mocking smile.

'Hoping for luck? What misunderstanding? I already have my hand on your throat.'

'Do you think your side has none of our people? Speak quickly, and I can still give you a swift death.'

Shen Qing used a classic interrogation tactic—deception!

Huang Yuan was startled for a moment, his expression darkened, and his eyes filled with resentment.

Shen Qing!

'You will surely die! We will definitely make a comeback!'

Having said that, Huang Yuan was about to bite the poison hidden in his mouth.

But how could his speed surpass Shen Qing's? Shen Qing seized Huang Yuan's jaw in one grip, and Heigou, sharp-eyed, stepped forward and pulled the poison from Huang Yuan's mouth.

Shen Qing applied slight force; Huang Yuan's jaw emitted a harsh cracking sound, and he soon lost consciousness.

Soon someone bound Huang Yuan tightly with iron chains.

Lao Li, take him back to the cell and interrogate him thoroughly, using that method we mentioned—bird's eye chilies.

Afterward, Shen Qing's gaze swept over the group of Embroidered Uniform Guard under Huang Yuan's command.

They immediately knelt on the ground, trembling, continuously kowtowing.

Sir, we really have no connection with that Huang Yuan.

Sir, please see clearly...

Shen Qing withdrew his gaze; his innate six senses truly detected no malice from these people.

He waved his hand, and these Embroidered Uniform Guard immediately began kowtowing on the ground.

Shen Qing's eyes flashed; this innate six sense proved even more useful than he had imagined.

Perhaps it will prove of great use in the future.