Chapter 19: Mysterious Yun Xiaoxiao

In front of them was a pitch-black cellar, with several pieces of moonstone emitting a faint glow embedded in the walls, casting a white light that added a touch of gloom to the cellar.

The cellar held dozens of iron cages of various sizes, each cage bearing a numbered tag. Each cage held a girl over ten years old.

Most of these girls had disheveled hair and emitted a foul stench; many were covered in horrible injuries, and upon seeing Su Chen and Yun Xiaoxiao they shouted desperately for help.

Their voices were incredibly shrill, with screams rising and falling one after another.

Su Chen looked at the scene before him, clenched his fist, then immediately relaxed it.

He hesitated not, quickly formed seals, murmured an incantation, and cast a minor spell called Calming Spirit.

This made his voice instantly fill with a sense of trustworthiness: "Don't be afraid, calm down, everything is over, we'll rescue you now."

As Su Chen's words echoed in the cellar, everyone gradually calmed down, even gaining a bit of trust in Su Chen.

Yun Xiaoxiao looked at this scene, a hint of doubt appearing in her eyes.

Yun Xiaoxiao and Su Chen did not delay, but drew their swords and cut all the locks on the cages, rescuing them.

……

The next day, amid the Jia family's profuse thanks, Su Chen and Yun Xiaoxiao left the Jia manor.

Jia Hong, to thank the two, also prepared a considerable amount of gold and silver as remuneration; Su Chen did not refuse, because they indeed still needed some worldly money.

After purchasing supplies, the two began their return journey, and on the way Yun Xiaoxiao could not help voicing the doubt in her heart.

"Junior Brother Su, what spell did you cast when rescuing them?"

Yun Xiaoxiao slightly tilted her head, looking up at Su Chen with her little head.

Su Chen did not show particular surprise, but smiled lightly and said: "This is a book I happened to obtain as a beggar; it's a minor spell that can calm the spirit, so I sought it out again."

Yun Xiaoxiao gave a slight nod, her eyes showing contemplation, unsure whether she believed it or not.

Seeing this, Su Chen quickly shifted his attention and said: "Senior Sister, do you know why that scholar captured so many girls?"

Indeed, these words immediately caught the girls' attention; they looked at Su Chen, waiting for his answer.

Su Chen immediately said: "That scholar has cultivated a vicious technique called the Blood Spirit Yin Demon Technique, which requires a certain number of pure girls for blood sacrifice each time he cultivates to break through."

"To reach the first layer of Qi Condensation requires nine, to reach the second layer requires eighteen, and so on."

Yun Xiaoxiao, hearing this, spoke with some sorrow and disbelief: "Doesn't that mean many girls have already been killed before?"

Su Chen sighed: "Yes, when we rescued all of them earlier, I discovered a blood sacrifice formation etched on the cellar wall; waiting for the numbers to fill, he could then advance to the seventh layer of Qi Condensation."

While speaking, he took out the blood-colored jade slip and handed it to Yun Xiaoxiao.

Yun Xiaoxiao received the jade slip, pressed it to her forehead, and upon seeing its contents, her face turned pale.

She could not believe such a vicious technique existed in the world; the jade slip recorded the cultivation method of the Blood Spirit Yin Demon Technique.

Of course, it also included some techniques to be used together with this method, as well as a few that could be used independently.

For example, one technique called Blood Shadow Step made Su Chen quite tempted.

However, if used by someone who has not cultivated this technique, it will consume all their blood; continuous use will lead to death from blood depletion.

Another technique called Blood Demon Transformation can greatly strengthen the body in a short time, greatly increasing strength, speed, etc.

Moreover, one's appearance will change differently depending on the blood.

However, each use consumes about twenty percent of one's blood; exceeding that, Su Chen's body cannot withstand it, possibly causing instant death.

However, what most appealed to Su Chen about Blood Demon Transformation was that it could substitute other blood for the consumption.

After Yun Xiaoxiao finished looking at the jade slip, she returned it to Su Chen, her mood plummeting.

Su Chen let out a faint sigh and said nothing more; thus the two walked back to Luoxian Shan in silence.

Seven days later, Yun Xiaoxiao's complexion suddenly changed without warning, then quickly recovered.

"Junior Brother!"

She turned back, smiling at Su Chen, and said: "I suddenly remembered I have something to take care of; you go ahead, I'll follow later!"

Having said that, she did not wait for Su Chen's reply and went straight in the opposite direction.

Su Chen looked at Yun Xiaoxiao, suspicion flickering in his eyes.

However, he only wanted to hurry back to report his duties, then continue cultivating; so he did not think further and kept rushing forward.

About the time it takes to burn an incense stick, a black rainbow streaked from the horizon and landed beside Yun Xiaoxiao; the figure was entirely wrapped in black clothing, wearing a black hood, obscuring his face.

He approached Yun Xiaoxiao, lifted his hood, revealing his true face: a gaunt old man with snowy white hair just tied back, sunken eyes, a weary expression, appearing to be seventy or eighty years old.

He looked at Yun Xiaoxiao, his expression respectful, his voice hoarse as he said: "Miss, you should return; the head of the household is worried."

Yun Xiaoxiao no longer had any innocent charm; she wore a look of disdain, somewhat disgusted, and said: "What is there to worry about? The things he prepared for me can withstand an attack from a Nascent Soul stage cultivator."

The old man heard this, showed no surprise, and continued: "There are far too many strong people in the world; nothing can guarantee your safety completely, even if you are as powerful as a Nascent Soul cultivator."

While speaking, he paused, showing a sighing expression.

"However, even after ascending to the immortal realm, you are still like an ant; Miss, this magic treasure cannot fully guarantee your safety. The head of the household says he will give you one year, and after that year, no matter what, he will bring you back, even by force."

The old man advised earnestly.

Yun Xiaoxiao's face grew more hateful, but she could only nod.

Seeing her nod, the old man finally exhaled and said: "This is what the head of the household sent me to give you."

As he spoke, a black brocade box appeared in his hand; in the next instant, it slowly flew out and landed in Yun Xiaoxiao's hand.

Yun Xiaoxiao didn't even look at it; a flash of light from her hand made the box vanish.

"Miss, if you have nothing else, this old servant will take his leave."

While speaking, the old man again bowed to Yun Xiaoxiao; seeing her nod, he turned into a black streak and vanished into the horizon.

Yun Xiaoxiao gazed at the horizon, a flicker of pain and confusion crossing her eyes, while her gaze gradually lost focus.

After a long while, Yun Xiaoxiao regained her composure; recalling the scene of Su Chen performing artificial respiration on her, embarrassment and anger flashed simultaneously in her eyes.

Two days later, Su Chen strode swiftly along a remote road.

Meanwhile, his mind pondered how to make his master Ma Zhicheng abandon having him complete sect duties, since for him it was truly a waste of time.

"clip-clop"

Just as he was deeply lost in thought, an urgent horse-hoof sound came from afar and gradually drew near, startling Su Chen from his thoughts.