Chapter 616: Sky Red Blood, World Withering

Xu Qing immediately set to work.

With a clear goal in mind, he immediately retrieved his poisonous herbs and pills from his storage bag. Some he swallowed directly, others he applied to his entire body, and for some, he even cut into his own flesh to insert them. This method yielded better results. He treated his eyes similarly, liquefying the poison pills and dripping them in. Poison techniques were also involved, mixed into every dose to permeate his body, fostering physical memory and refining his bodily instincts.

Time flowed by, and half a month passed. Throughout these more than ten days and nights, Xu Qing remained deeply immersed, often experiencing double vision, yet he never gave up. Xu Qing understood that achieving the physical memory he desired required not only a large quantity of poisons but also a wide variety of types.

Although he had a considerable amount of poisons in his storage bag, it was still insufficient for his needs. However, this was not an issue, as he had the Reverse Moon Palace. Every time Xu Qing had new requirements, he would sell curse-breaking pills within the Reverse Moon Palace. The currency for these transactions was poisonous herbs and other toxic substances.

Thus, as more and more cultivators from the Reverse Moon Palace consumed his curse-breaking pills, the name of Master Dan Jiu grew increasingly renowned, attracting an ever-larger following. His followers, too, increased dramatically day by day. Influenced by Xu Qing's candid remarks that day, several alchemy masters also joined his ranks. Among them was Saint Luo, who frequently praised Xu Qing highly in front of others, his demeanor showing deep respect.

In a short time, Master Dan Jiu's name became almost universally known within the Reverse Moon Palace, gradually drawing the attention of other vice-palace masters. His reputation even spread beyond the palace, circulating among the resistance forces in the Moon Sacrifice Great Domain. Many theories circulated regarding his true identity. Some speculated he was a powerful expert who had achieved "Return to Emptiness," having dedicated his entire life to the study of medicine.

Regardless, the mystery surrounding Dan Jiu's identity continued to intrigue many cultivators of the Reverse Moon Palace. Even the vice-palace masters lacked the authority to uncover his true identity. Only the Palace Master of the Reverse Moon Palace possessed the privilege to discern the true identity of every cultivator within their ranks. However, from ancient times to the present, the highest temple hall within the Reverse Moon Palace had remained unopened for countless years. Even when it occasionally flared with light, it would typically fade after just a year. Subsequently, a new vice-palace master would emerge. Though some understood the specific reasons, they rarely spoke of them lightly.

As for Xu Qing, he was well aware of his growing reputation, but currently, deeply engrossed in his self-poisoning cultivation, he paid little mind to it. This was because his progress in poison cultivation had, after all, come to a halt. The scarcity of resources in the Moon Sacrifice Great Domain meant a severe lack of essential herbs, preventing Xu Qing from cultivating his body's instincts as he had envisioned.

"I need massive quantities of poisonous herbs, which must then be combined into countless formulas, requiring constant adjustment and experimentation." While this might have been possible in Feng Hai County, here, even with the cultivators of the Reverse Moon Palace searching for me, the collection remains incomplete. "Moreover, there are certain poisonous herbs I've only read about in medical texts, never seen in person."

Xu Qing pondered, recalling how the Prince had visited him a few days prior, discussing the advantages and disadvantages of taking action to alter his perception. "Leaving a mark on my soul..." Xu Qing dismissed this option, opting instead to rely on himself. While this path might be slower, he felt it was the most suitable for him. Xu Qing fell silent, remembering the Prince's words from days earlier.

"Young man, there's actually another way for you to perceive a deity's gaze and witness the true world, which would then allow your eyes to contain poison at that moment. This method is connected to your Purple Moon power. However, this method is incredibly dangerous; even I harbored doubts about whether to inform you of it. But I can confirm that, if successful, the world you perceive will be its true form. However, I cannot guarantee that you will still be yourself at that point. Nevertheless, from the moment you acquired the Red Mother's Divine Source, this might be a path you are destined to walk, unless you are willing to relinquish your Purple Moon power. Therefore, you may ponder this on your own. I'll give you seven days. If you make a decision, you must seek me out on the morning of the eighth day, and it is crucial that it be at that specific time. At that designated time, I will reveal the specifics. This matter involves deities and carries karmic implications; if you fail to appear, I will not tell you."

Xu Qing had been contemplating these words for days. He surmised that following the Golden Crow and the poison techniques, this would mark a significant sublimation for his Purple Moon Nascent Soul. Xu Qing found the specific timing rather perplexing.

Sensing his surroundings, Xu Qing noticed the Prince was acting differently than usual. Instead of sitting in the main hall drinking tea, he was outside, on the rooftop, gazing at the sky. Xu Qing's body flickered; he vanished from the back room and reappeared on the rooftop moments later.

"Wait!" the Prince said softly, glancing at Xu Qing before returning his gaze to the sky.

Xu Qing nodded, sat beside him, and looked up at the sky. The sky above the Moon Sacrifice Great Domain was dim with scarce light during the day, and utterly black at night, resembling a vast, dark curtain. There were no stars, as if gazing into emptiness. The wind howled from all directions, carrying a mournful, whistling sound that echoed through the world. That day, the entire Bitter Life Mountain Range became noticeably quieter than usual. All local cultivators appeared to be restless that night.

Xu Qing extended his divine sense, noticing that although Li Youfei was meditating cross-legged in his dwelling, his heartbeat was clearly accelerated, and his expression was one of confusion. Xu Qing found this somewhat peculiar and expanded his perception in all directions. Across the entire Bitter Life Mountain Range, even the sounds of birds and beasts had significantly diminished. It was as if something momentous was about to unfold.

Time passed, an hour elapsed. With one hour remaining until dawn, the Captain emerged from the pharmacy and joined them on the rooftop. After bowing to the Prince, he sat beside Xu Qing and winked at him.

"Senior Brother," Xu Qing addressed the Captain.

"Shhh," the Captain whispered, raising his index finger to his lips, then pointed to the sky.

Xu Qing pondered this, then waited silently. Gradually, another half hour passed. And at that precise moment, the wind ceased. All sounds vanished. The entire Bitter Life Mountain Range fell into an absolute stillness. The Clear Sand Desert was thus, this county was thus, and the entire Moon Sacrifice Great Domain, at this moment... was utterly silent!

Then, light appeared in the sky! It was a red light, very faint, yet it became the sole color in the void, making it strikingly noticeable and dazzling. Initially, it was just a single beam, but soon it multiplied into countless streaks, like sharp blades tearing across the firmament, or divine edicts of death proclaiming a catastrophe.

Xu Qing's mind was intensely shaken. The Purple Moon power within him fluctuated violently at that moment, threatening to spiral out of control. As the red light emerged on the distant horizon, it grew progressively, even acquiring a viscous quality, like blood, spreading and encroaching upon the entire sky of the Moon Sacrifice Great Domain. At that instant, an immense presence, bearing earth-shattering momentum, terrifying fluctuations, and supreme divine power, descended upon the Moon Sacrifice Great Domain as the red color expanded across the sky. The sky turned blood-red, the earth churned, all life withered, and suffering befell humanity.

At this moment, the Bitter Life Mountain Range trembled, the Sea of Heavenly Fire quaked, the Heavenly Ox Mountain Range shuddered, and indeed, all living beings across the Moon Sacrifice Great Domain trembled. Their eyes revealed helplessness, and despair filled their hearts. The Long River of Sacrificial Yin, which encircled the Moon Sacrifice Great Domain, churned with monstrous waves. Amidst its ceaseless upheaval, countless skeletons rose and fell, emitting endless wails and lamentations.

At this moment, only the temple cultivators residing within the various temples across the Moon Sacrifice Great Domain felt an overwhelming surge of exhilaration. They all emerged from their dwellings and knelt on the ground, facing the red expanse spreading across the horizon. Each was profoundly devout, their faces alight with fervor. "Red Moon, our Lord, guide the ancient ones, bring peace to the suffering masses, let them enjoy paradise." Innumerable voices echoed from all directions. "The Red Moon has arrived."

While its true form was still somewhat distant from the Moon Sacrifice Great Domain, it was closer than it had been in countless years. Thus, its light appeared first, enveloping the vast domain. Before long, as the entire sky turned blood-red and the land became crimson, a colossal Red Moon would emerge on the horizon. At that moment, the Red Mother's harvest would be imminent.

Xu Qing's mind reeled. He finally understood why the Prince had chosen the morning of this particular day. He also understood why the Captain had made an appearance.

"It won't be much longer," the Prince murmured softly, "the Red Mother... will descend upon the mortal realm." He withdrew his gaze from the sky and turned to look intently at Xu Qing. "At that time, everyone will become sustenance."

"Xu Qing, what is your decision?"

"How do I proceed?" Xu Qing replied without hesitation.

The Prince stood up, his voice resonating. "Xu Qing, I genuinely do not comprehend the Red Mother, nor do I know how you should wield your Purple Moon power. Furthermore, I am unaware of the Red Mother's specific divine authority; these are the secrets of deities." A look of reminiscence entered the Prince's eyes, and beneath the black and crimson sky, his figure seemed tinged with desolation.

"However, I have witnessed my father's battles with the Red Mother. The feeling the Red Mother evoked in me then..." a flicker of fear appeared in the Prince's eyes. "...was hunger, an infinite hunger! That hunger was terrifying beyond measure, not only for the physical body but also for the soul and everything else. It seemed that wherever it manifested, the hunger became endless. You are not hungry enough; thus, you cannot manifest the true power of your Purple Moon. You must experience that ultimate hunger. I can only tell you that it is an overlap of humanity and divinity, a fusion and a choice."