Chapter 380: Blood Puppets and the Prosperous Age

The Blood God Sect's Blood God Continuation Technique is a star art combining four special star patterns, with the key primary pattern being the Continuation Star Pattern, ranked sixth-tier upper.

This Continuation Technique is, in fact, a star art encompassing two secret states.

The first is called "Continuation," the easiest to use and learn.

After losing limbs or even a head, as long as the severed parts remain and still contain blood, one can activate the Continuation Technique to reattach them directly.

The second is called "Continuation and Regeneration," meaning the regrowth of severed limbs.

This is more complicated: it requires not only the Continuation Star Art but also at least a sixth-tier, preferably seventh-tier, wood-elemental elixir rich with vital energy.

Only with the aid of the elixir's power, when activating the Continuation Secret Art, can severed limbs regenerate.

Thus, the Blood God Continuation Technique alone cannot achieve limb regeneration—it requires sixth-tier or even seventh-tier wood-elemental elixirs as a complement.

Typically, sixth-tier elixirs appear only within sixth-tier star domains; they are virtually nonexistent in fifth-tier domains, and even within sixth-tier domains, they are exceedingly rare—encountered by chance, never sought.

But within seventh-tier star domains, sixth-tier elixirs are far less rare compared to the elusive seventh-tier elixirs.

Moreover, they must be wood-elemental elixirs.

After studying it, Xu Jin fully understood the Blood God Sect's Continuation Technique.

Aside from immediate reattachment of severed limbs, the Blood God Sect's Continuation Technique effectively reduces the difficulty of limb regeneration by one tier.

Originally, only top-tier seventh-tier or even eighth-tier elixirs could possibly enable limb regeneration.

With the Continuation Technique, seventh-tier or even sixth-tier wood-elemental elixirs suffice.

Eighth-tier elixirs are far beyond Xu Jin's reach.

But sixth-tier is not.

Once Xu Jin's cultivation base breaks through to fifth-tier, he might find an opportunity to enter a sixth-tier star domain and possibly locate a sixth-tier elixir.

Then he could resolve the issues of Ning Yuchan, Ying Ge, and even his master Qi Shanye.

Due to Long Yu's intermediary role, the Blood God Subordinate Fu Ying was fully controlled by Xu Jin, who received through Long Yu the entire Blood God Sect cultivation system—except for the Blood-Drop Rebirth Star Pattern.

He could not teach that.

The Blood-Drop Star Pattern was directly transmitted to him by the Blood God Sect's Grand Elder through a sect-revered treasure; he simply knew it.

But he did not understand how it worked, so he could not write it down.

In Xu Jin's understanding, it was like a program: Fu Ying received only a consolidated startup sequence; once activated, it produced the desired result.

More directly, the Blood God Sect's sect-revered treasure had constructed a mechanism within him and given him a single button to press—press it, and it worked.

He knew only that much.

So he could not pass it on to anyone.

This amazed Xu Jin.

The Blood God Sect's methods, once despised by him, were far more mysterious than he had imagined.

In comparison, the transmission method of the Pure Soul Star Pattern—the most important one in the Star Calendar Star Palace—was crude.

In casual conversation, Xu Jin also obtained another piece of non-critical information from Blood God Subordinate Fu Ying.

According to internal Blood God Sect lore, their lineage has endured for over ten thousand years!

And it is documented.

How long, then, have the four star palaces associated with the current Star Picking Tower's lineage lasted?

The Star Picking Tower was founded only three thousand years ago by the Ultimate Emperor.

The Blood God Sect may harbor great secrets.

With this thought, Blood God Subordinate Fu Ying's value to Xu Jin increased further.

If this pawn is properly managed, it may yield great rewards in the future.

As for the cultivation star patterns within the Blood God Sect's entire system, they hold little learning value.

For example, the Blood Source Star Pattern and the Blood Refinement Star Pattern.

After these two star patterns are inscribed, Blood God Sect disciples can absorb myriad-spirit blood pills—including daily absorption and refinement of cultivators' blood qi to enhance their cultivation base—without risking mental corruption.

This also explains why Blood God Sect disciples can absorb vast amounts of cultivators' essence blood and myriad-spirit blood pills without impairing their sanity.

Especially the Blood Refinement Star Pattern, which subtly purifies.

Although Xu Jin already possesses the special star art of the Pure Soul Star Pattern, which also has purification effects.

But clearly, the Blood Refinement Star Pattern purifies faster.

Since Xu Jin has multiple star cores, extracting one to inscribe the Blood God Sect's relevant star patterns might prove useful someday.

Of course, Xu Jin inscribed only those he deemed useful, such as Blood Dash and Blood Concealment.

Especially the Blood Concealment Star Pattern—it was intriguing.

This was also the key to the Blood God Sect's concealment within secular society.

As long as they refrain from activating Blood God power and then activate this Blood Concealment Star Pattern, they can blend seamlessly into the crowd like ordinary people, undetectable by ordinary means.

But what interested Xu Jin most was the Blood God Sect's secret art: the Blood Puppet.

A sixth-tier star art centered on the Blood Puppet Star Pattern, designed for survival.

In spare time, one can refine a Blood Puppet using one's own essence blood.

In life-or-death emergencies, the Blood Puppet can instantly envelop the user, absorb a certain amount of damage, then generate a phantom image of the body shattered into pieces, while secretly activating Blood Dash within the illusion—depending on the user's cultivation level at the time of refinement, the true body can flee hundreds to thousands of meters, while suppressing all aura to achieve a semi-invisible state.

This star art is exquisitely designed, incorporating not only the primary Blood Puppet Star Pattern but also Blood Dash, Blood Concealment, Aura Suppression, and Illusion—undoubtedly a survival star art.

"Which of you two has crafted a Blood Puppet?" Xu Jin suddenly became interested.

"My lord, I have never learned it," Long Yu answered first.

"I have," replied Blood God Subordinate Fu Ying softly, sensing something ominous.

"Show me how it works," said Xu Jin.

What could Blood God Subordinate Fu Ying say?

He could only reluctantly comply.

Seeing Xu Jin prepare to attack, Fu Ying hurriedly stopped him: "Let Long Yu do it—you attack. I'm afraid I won't get the chance to activate the Blood Puppet."

Surprised, Xu Jin nodded.

A few breaths later, as Long Yu's crimson blade slash struck Fu Ying, Fu Ying was instantly cleaved in two.

He lay dead on the ground, blood and internal organs spilled everywhere.

With only his eyes and spiritual soul perception, Xu Jin detected nothing amiss.

Only after fully activating his thirty-six Mingji Star Patterns did he sense Fu Ying hiding behind a boulder a thousand meters away—his aura faint, in a semi-invisible state.

Under the thirty-six Mingji Star Patterns' perception, the blood pooled on the ground was real, still flowing; only the corpse and scattered organs were illusions.

He stepped on it—left a bloody footprint, utterly authentic.

Xu Jin was deeply astonished.

Looking at Fu Ying as he walked over, Xu Jin asked, "When I killed you last time, why didn't you use this survival technique? If you had, you might have escaped."

Fu Ying replied softly, "I did use it. But your star art was too powerful, and fire-elemental—it exploded and destroyed both my newly activated Blood Puppet and my true body."

The Blood Puppet never had a chance to function."

"Hmm."

"So, for the Blood Puppet to work, your body must have sufficient defense—fragile bodies won't even get the chance to activate it," said Xu Jin.

"Exactly. I'm not that fragile—it depends on who I'm facing," said Fu Ying, helpless.

This was indeed a good survival method.

For others, learning it would be extremely troublesome.

So many star patterns—without one or two months, they couldn't master it.

But Xu Jin was different.

Besides the Can Dou Platform Star Lamp, he now also had the Can Dou Lamp Domain projection to enhance his deduction efficiency.

He learned it.

Better safe than sorry.

Xu Jin had never noticed before, but now he realized his efficiency in learning new star patterns had increased significantly.

At first, even with the Star Lamp's aid, learning a new star pattern took half a day or even most of a day of intense focus.

Now, within the Star Lamp, depending on the pattern's tier and complexity, he could master one in one or two hours.

This must be due to Xu Jin's accumulated experience.

After studying and deducing countless star patterns, his foundation had grown—learning new ones naturally became faster.

In just one day, Xu Jin mastered the Blood Puppet and all related Blood God Sect star patterns.

Especially Blood Concealment and Blood Dash—he used them better than Blood God Subordinate Fu Ying.

After finishing these, Xu Jin returned to the matter at hand: "Within a month, can you truly prepare the sixth-tier myriad-spirit blood pills the Emperor of Gan'an needs?"

"How could I? At best, I can give him a half-sixth-tier one. I need part of the harvest to break through to fifth-tier myself. But even a half-sixth-tier should raise his chance of breaking into seventh-tier by two percent."

Fu Ying, being shrewd, had sensed something—he quickly added, "Of course, if you don't want me to give it to him, I won't.

Or I can give him something worse, just to fool him!

That way, I can more easily get the treasures he's offering in exchange," said Fu Ying, slick-tongued.

"Prepare a half-sixth-tier one. But when it's done, have Long Yu bring it to me first before deciding whether to give it, or how to give it."

Xu Jin considered this thoroughly—he needed to consult the Grand Master before deciding exactly how to proceed; he couldn't commit yet.

"No problem."

"My lord, what about your elixir?" Fu Ying leaned forward, smarmy.

"Do your job well, and you won't be left out."

"You can rest easy about that."

Fu Ying's groveling had a reason: in just one and a half days, he had consumed three pills, and his Divine Soul cultivation base had already recovered to Third Realm, Eighth Layer; with the two remaining pills he still held, he would soon reach the peak of Third Realm, Ninth Layer.

One more pill would allow his Divine Soul cultivation to break through to the Fourth Realm, granting him sufficient security.

"By the way," Xu Jin asked, "can you add ingredients to these Ten Thousand Spirits Blood Pills?"

"Very difficult! But adding a bit of resentment and death qi is no problem—though not too much, or it'll become obvious."

"Then add a little."

"Your servant obeys!"

Xu Jin gave Fu Ying a scornful look; if not for his Blood God Sect techniques and status, the fellow was half a fool.

Since Yunluo Star Domain still required Fu Ying, the Blood God Son, to refine the Ten Thousand Spirits Blood Pills, Xu Jin's sweeping campaign needed slight adjustments.

He could no longer simply sweep through as before, killing anyone unwilling to surrender.

He had to find a way to capture them all.

But this was no great challenge for Xu Jin—only requiring more time.

What once took half a day would now take a full day.

Infiltrate unseen, approach stealthily, capture alive; those willing to surrender and open their Divine Souls would be easily controlled.

Those unwilling would be subjected to Dreaming.

Spend effort destroying their will in dreams, then offer them all manner of benefits before taking them captive.

There were indeed true hard men who feared no death—and quite a few.

But iron-willed men who held high positions yet feared no death? Extremely rare.

Unfortunately, the three kings of Yunluo Star Domain were none of them.

Otherwise, Xu Jin might have granted such an iron man his wish.

In the end, Xu Jin obtained six Heavenly and Celestial Star Will fragments, then separated the authority.

He gave Fu Ying, the Blood God Son, three-tenths of the Heavenly Authority to facilitate his operations.

Before leaving, he gave Long Yu and Fu Ying each several fifth-tier talismans for survival—crafted by Xu Jin himself, but nurtured.

Even against sixth-tier opponents, they could ensure survival.

These two moles embedded in the Blood God Sect, especially Fu Ying, the Blood God Son, were nearing the sect's true core leadership—they deserved investment.

On March 31, Xu Jin departed the Fourth Realm Yunluo Star Domain, finally concluding his sweep of the Fourth Realm star domains.

Next, breaking through to the Fifth Realm must now be prioritized.

Yet before breaking through to the Fifth Realm, he must urgently contact the Grand Master.

The matter concerning Emperor Gan'an was extremely urgent.

Inside the Grand Chen State Dao Academy, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao spent a full month refining the Lei Xiangxing Pattern from Eighth Realm Upper to Eighth Realm Lower.

The Lei Xiangxing Pattern was extremely difficult to comprehend—even when already complete, it required time.

Cheng Yuexiao estimated the next phase of comprehension would be even harder.

To successfully comprehend and inscribe the Eighth Realm Middle Lei Xiangxing Pattern, it would take at least half a month.

Thus, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao temporarily halted his study of the Eighth Realm Upper Lei Xiangxing Pattern and first inscribed the Eighth Realm Lower Lei Xiangxing Pattern to gain combat capability.

He also began studying the Eighth Realm Lower Tu Xiangxing Pattern.

He estimated it would take only four or five days to comprehend the Sixth Realm Upper Tu Xiangxing Pattern, greatly enhancing his combat power; continuing further, he estimated twenty days would suffice to comprehend the Eighth Realm Lower Tu Xiangxing Pattern.

"Master, the Tu Xiangxing Pattern is too difficult to comprehend. I've studied the Eighth Realm Lower Tu Xiangxing Pattern for a month, and only now have I grasped Seventh Realm Middle Tu Xiangxing."

"I estimate it will take another month to comprehend the Eighth Realm Lower Tu Xiangxing Pattern."

Beside him, Peng Lao, both exhilarated and exhausted after watching the Grand Master finish his study, laughed, "But even Seventh Realm Middle Tu Xiangxing nearly doubles my combat power."

"And I have a feeling!"

"What feeling?"

"Master, when I finally comprehend the Eighth Realm Lower Tu Xiangxing Pattern, that will be my breakthrough to Eighth Realm!" Peng Lao chuckled.

Upon hearing this, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao was overjoyed. "This is excellent! Peng Lao, how long will it take?"

"Two months—at least two months!"

"Two months?"

Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao pondered, "The Star Dome's time for this month is exhausted. Next month, I'll take you inside for a few hours—it should shorten the time."

"Inside the Star Dome, one hour equals five or six days of study outside. With good fortune, a month may suffice," Peng Lao smiled.

As they spoke, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao's Zhaixing Token flickered. He glanced at it and smiled. "Look, the boy's starlight message has arrived."

"Given the timing, he's finished sweeping the Fourth Realm Star Force Realm."

"He's asking me to meet him in person."

"Finished sweeping? That's fast!"

As he spoke, Peng Lao sighed, "Too bad our Grand Chen's Fourth Realm elites are still insufficient. Otherwise, every star domain Xu Jin swept could have been fully conquered or firmly controlled."

"Now, we can only conquer or firmly control one-third."

"One-third is plenty—it's a Fourth Realm star domain!"

"One star domain's annual output equals that of an entire province of Grand Chen."

"Grand Chen has only seven provinces."

"This time, we've conquered and controlled nine star domains!"

"In the future, we may even control one or two more."

"This alone will double our annual revenue—enough!"

"More than that, and we simply don't have enough personnel to control it," Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao said.

"That's true."

"So in the coming years, we must increase investment in star-related matters and train more disciples," Peng Lao said.

"I've already submitted a petition: for the next few years, our Dao Academy will provide five free Xingshen Pills to every disciple participating in Star Pointing, and reduce the Star Pointing fee from fifty taels to twenty. The Emperor hasn't approved it yet," Cheng Yuexiao said.

"Master, why not make it free?"

"Things given for free are never valued—fewer will strive! Reducing the fee by more than half is enough to draw many eligible youths to Star Pointing."

"Moreover, the benefits for disciples who succeed in Star Pointing—regardless of talent—will be doubled, from local provinces and prefectures all the way up to the Dao Academy."

"And all current academy disciples will also have their benefits doubled!"

At this, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao's spirit surged with boldness: "In the past, Grand Chen was poor, lacking the resources—but now, thanks to our first-place finish in the Lou Gong War and because of Xu Jin, we've gained nearly twenty new star domains, doubling our revenue."

As he spoke, State Tutor Cheng Yuexiao was filled with grandeur: "In the past, our Great Chen was poor and lacked the resources, but now, thanks to our top ranking in the Lou Gong War and the efforts of Xu Jin, we have gained control of nearly twenty star systems, doubling our annual revenue."

"Next year, I'll lower the Star Pointing fee to ten taels!"

"I'll triple the benefits for all successful Star Pointing disciples!"

"Meanwhile, the people's burdens will be halved, and prosperity will flourish."

"Within three to five years, Grand Chen will be teeming with talent!"

"Indeed, only three to five years!" Peng Lao's eyes gleamed with longing. "Then, Grand Chen will be utterly transformed."

"Indeed, it will only take three to five years!" Old Peng also wore a look of longing, "By then, everything in our Great Chen will be different."

"The vast quantities of celestial treasures and rare materials transported from conquered Third and Fourth Realm star domains are accelerating the cultivation of more alchemists, weapon-smiths, and pattern inscribers."

"Within two years, complete sets of Third Realm Star Weapons will become standard issue for our Dao Academy disciples."

"Elite disciples will each carry a Fourth Realm Star Artifact as standard!"

"Casualties among frontline soldiers on the Star River battlefield will plummet."

"Master, I'm starting to look forward to this golden age," Peng Lao smiled.

"It will come to pass."

With a faint smile, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao sat back down and directed his mind into the Zhaixing Token. "I'll go meet the boy—he's probably impatient."

With a faint smile, State Tutor Cheng Yuexiao sat back down and directed his thoughts toward the Star-Taking Edict, "I'll go see that boy first—he's probably been waiting impatiently."

(End of Chapter)