Chapter 165

This.

Looking at the small gourd, the Fire Crow Clan Chief squinted, "You Zhongyuan person, are you playing me?"

The hostile tone made the surrounding guards instantly draw their curved blades and aim at Chen Shicheng, while those in the distance who heard the commotion also drew bows and nocked arrows with murderous looks.

This appearance of facing a great enemy made Chen Shicheng pause, and he quickly waved the gourd in his hand, "I…"

But before he could finish, the guard who had brought him in stepped forward with a humiliated expression, and without a word slit his own face with his blade in front of him, "Chief, I have disgraced you; let me use my blood to wash away the shame!"

Damn!

Chen Shicheng was left dumbfounded, and for a moment didn't know how to describe such a savage guard.

All I did was show you the way; is such bitter and deep hatred really necessary? Moreover, I haven't even spoken yet, and you already act so hostile—are you some kind of performative personality?

Looking at the guard approaching him with murderous intent, he sighed, and his True Essence at the Golden Core Stage instantly erupted, his robe's hem moving without wind, an overwhelming aura pressing down on everyone.

Everyone present except the Fire Crow Clan Chief's complexion changed instantly, their gazes toward Chen Shicheng filled with astonishment.

"Can I finish what I'm saying!" Chen Shicheng opened the gourd wordlessly, letting the strange fragrance of Tai Sui Blood drift out, "This is a container‑type treasure, its space is vast; do you understand?"

The Fire Crow Clan Chief waved his hand, ordering those around to step back, his expression softened considerably, "My apologies; they are anxious because of matters concerning our clan's sacred tree, I hope you, fellow cultivator, can forgive."

The chief hadn't expected that the seemingly unusually young Zhongyuan man before him was actually a Golden Core Stage cultivator, his realm only slightly inferior to his own.

Although he posed no real threat, for the sake of that possible beast blood, he could only temporarily bow his head, even though the other party was surrounded.

Chen Shicheng glared irritably at the guard who had slit his face, poured a drop of Tai Sui Blood from the gourd, and under the coating of True Essence it shot rapidly toward the chief, seeming to vent his displeasure.

The chief paid no mind, casually extended a finger to catch the incoming blood drop, then without looking, shoved it into his mouth.

"Hmm?"

He first furrowed his brows, apparently tasting that the Tai Sui's grade was not high.

But immediately, the energy contained in the Tai Sui Blood erupted on his tongue, the potent vitality even revitalized his aged body with fresh vigor, causing the parasites within him to stir restlessly.

"Th‑this…"

"Just tell me whether this meets your requirement," Chen Shicheng said impatiently.

"It is perfectly sufficient; I wonder how much of this blood you have on you?" the chief asked excitedly.

Chen Shicheng glanced at the Tai Sui Blood in the gourd; due to Ao Blood, this time the Tai Sui bled heavily, and five or six minutes of collection yielded over thirty jin of fresh blood.

Although it was easy to obtain, he could not reveal all his trump cards at once, so he held back a move.

"About ten jin, enough?"

"Ten jin."

The chief estimated the amount of blood needed for the Fusan branch split, and compared it with the vitality in the Tai Sui Blood, his face showing difficulty.

This figure was delicate: just enough to restore the Fusan branch split's disease to a critical point, but not enough to fully revive the sacred tree; however, with some beast blood already present in the clan, it should barely heal. As for whether Chen Shicheng still had more Tai Sui Blood in his hand?

He knew upon the first sip that this blood was the essence of some Spiritual Medicine refined into a spirit, exceedingly rare; obtaining ten jin was already a heavenly blessing, and he could not ask for more.

"Ten jin is ten jin; this Task counts as completed for you. I will have the clan's Tattoo master ready; you may choose your own tattoo."

The chief sighed, waved to the guard beside him, handed him a wooden plaque, and said, "Later, take this fellow cultivator to the Tattoo Grandma."

After speaking, he looked expectantly at the gourd in Chen Shicheng's hand, his meaning implicit.

"Don't look at me; this gourd, high or low, is a treasure. I can't give it to you whole; prepare a container," Chen Shicheng said wordlessly.

"Indeed. Sorry."

The chief quickly patted his head, ordered someone to fetch a large wooden basin from the stilt house and place it before Chen Shicheng.

Chen Shicheng didn't hesitate, began pouring Tai Sui Blood into the basin, but amid the chief's eager gaze, he suddenly stopped and asked, "By the way, chief, I have something to ask."

"Ask!"

"I wonder if you've ever heard of a mouse tribe that came from the north?"

Hui Siye behind the mask heard the question, promptly perked up his ears, his small eyes fixed intently on the chief.

"Mouse tribe?"

The chief pondered briefly, then shook his head, "Within the Ten‑Thousand‑Mountain region there are countless races; only a few are well‑known. I've never heard of a mouse tribe from the north."

Hearing that, Hui Siye's mood instantly grew despondent, and even Chen Shicheng sensed the gloom.

Not knowing how to comfort him, Chen Shicheng continued, "Could you ask around for me, chief? This matter is very important to me."

"Sure, I'll have people inquire everywhere; as long as the mouse tribe exists, there will be clues."

It's merely gathering information, not a death‑sending mission; for the Fire Crow Tribe it's a simple favor, and the chief, without any hesitation, readily agreed to take on the whole request.

After receiving the promise, Chen Shicheng didn't hesitate, handed over the agreed ten jin of Tai Sui Blood, and was then discarded like a donkey after the mill.

The chief, overjoyed, carried the blood‑filled wooden basin away, apparently to heal the Fusan branch split, while he was led by a guard toward the edge of the village.

Soon, the two arrived one after another at the residence of the Tattoo Grandma.

Unlike the locals, the Tattoo Grandma's dwelling was not the typical stilt house here, but a distinctly styled farmhouse courtyard, with a cultivated vegetable garden full of common produce.

The guard was the first to knock on the door; then an elderly woman with white hair emerged, her appearance unusually kind and amiable, though she seemed not a local mountain dweller but rather someone from Zhongyuan.

After explaining the tattoo matter, the guard showed the chief's wooden plaque, then left without looking back, leaving Chen Shicheng standing awkwardly alone.

But soon, the Tattoo Grandma broke the silence, "It's been a long time since we've seen someone from Zhongyuan; quick, come inside."

It seemed Chen Shicheng's attire evoked a memory for the Tattoo Grandma; after sizing him up, she warmly invited him inside.

(End of Chapter)