Chapter 1119: Blood Pill

Somewhere in the Ancient Source Heaven.

This was an ancient forest. Within it, trees stood like giants, their branches and leaves spreading out to obscure the sky and sun, resembling monstrous, clawing specters. Inside the forest were numerous bottomless swamps, inhabited by treacherous ancient beasts. Various dangers were rampant, making this place a perilous land.

Yet, at this time, within this harsh forest environment, there were numerous tents. They were covered with many branches and leaves, concealing their traces. Within the large encampment, many figures could be seen moving back and forth. However, a pervasive oppressive atmosphere hung over the entire camp, and worry, even fear, was etched on everyone's faces.

This was the temporary main base of the Vast Expanse Heaven. Over the past month, they had changed their main base more than ten times, like stray dogs.

On a watchtower within the camp, a figure sat cross-legged. A shining bald head was particularly conspicuous within the camp. However, when the people moving around saw this bald figure, they all paused and cast respectful gazes. For he was currently the provisional leader of the various forces from the Vast Expanse Heaven within the Ancient Source Heaven.

Chu Qing, from the Vast Expanse Sect.

During this past month, if Chu Qing hadn't turned the tide and repeatedly thwarted the enemy's pursuit, it's likely that even more people here would have fallen into the hands of the Sacred Palace. It was rumored that the Sacred Race members in the Sacred Palace would even refine their captives directly into pills for consumption, a practice that was extremely bloody and terrifying.

“Sigh...”

Chu Qing rubbed his smooth, shining bald head. While his face remained calm and composed, he was sighing inwardly. He didn't understand how he had so unwittingly become the leader of these people...

At that time, when Li Xuan went on a killing spree, Chu Qing had to step forward and fight him to protect the disciples of the Vast Expanse Sect. Neither side had gained the upper hand in that fight, but it was clear that Li Xuan was very surprised by his strength. After all, Chu Qing had previously been so lazy that he had never displayed any extraordinary strength; he seemed to wish he could be an unnoticed presence. But no one had expected that this usually lazy bald man was actually no weaker than Li Xuan in strength.

Since then, the main forces of the Vast Expanse Heaven had continuously retreated and relocated, while the Sacred Palace pursued them relentlessly. Over the past month, countless battles had broken out. In the past, Chu Qing could usually get by without doing much, but now, as soon as he appeared, countless hopeful gazes fixed upon him. It was almost impossible for him to slack off! Chu Qing felt that he had become somewhat haggard from exhaustion recently.

“Stop wallowing in self-pity! Look at the time!”

Just then, a cool, clear voice suddenly sounded from behind him. Chu Qing turned his head and saw a slender, graceful figure. Her cool, exquisitely beautiful face seemed to lighten the oppressive atmosphere of the place by several degrees, attracting many gazes from all directions.

“Junior Sister Qingchan,” Chu Qing quickly greeted. The woman with the exquisite face and cool demeanor was Li Qingchan.

Li Qingchan glanced at him. She knew Chu Qing's temperament all too well and immediately said, rather annoyed, “I've been handling all the issues between the various factions lately. You only show up when it's critical. What's there to be tired about? If you keep being so dramatic, you can handle all these matters yourself.”

Chu Qing quickly got up, revealing a simple smile. “Oh, Junior Sister, don't be like that. I was wrong.”

Li Qingchan, however, was not in the mood for banter. Frowning her willow-like brows, she said, “Some of the people who went out to find reinforcements have returned, but none of them brought back good news.”

Chu Qing also sighed and said, “There's nothing we can do. The Ancient Source Heaven is so vast that encountering forces from other heavens isn't easy. And even if we do, knowing about the Sacred Race's presence, they're highly unlikely to get involved easily.”

“Our situation... is very bad.”

Li Qingchan also fell silent. This struggle in the Ancient Source Heaven was too brutal; it was no longer just a trial, but a war between the heavens. Their Vast Expanse Heaven was the weakest among all the heavens, so it was naturally easy for them to be targeted.

“These traitors from the Sacred Palace... they truly deserve to die!” Li Qingchan gritted her teeth, her beautiful face filled with a murderous look. During this time, disciples of their Vast Expanse Sect had also suffered casualties, some of whom were even people she knew well.

Chu Qing exhaled deeply. He looked at the gloomy forest, his expression becoming much more solemn. “Junior Sister, I always feel a sense of unease... Over the past month, the enemy has been relentlessly pursuing us, seemingly unwilling to let us go, yet each time, they've allowed us to find a loophole to retreat. I feel it's a bit too coincidental.”

Li Qingchan was startled. “Are you saying they deliberately allowed us to escape?”

Chu Qing slowly said, “I'm not sure. Perhaps I'm being overly sensitive.” He looked at Li Qingchan and said, “Junior Sister, if it truly comes to that, I will buy you some time. At that point, you and the other senior and junior brothers should take the Vast Expanse Sect disciples and scatter to escape. Save as many as you can. As for the ancestral qi main vein, don't even think about it for now.”

Li Qingchan clenched her jade-like hands, her eyes slightly red, for she knew that if it came to that, Chu Qing would likely have to sacrifice his life to cover their escape. This lazy senior brother, unreliable in ordinary times, could nonetheless step forward at truly critical moments and give his all to fulfill his responsibility as the senior brother.

Seeing Li Qingchan's expression, Chu Qing sighed, then smiled and said, “But don't worry too much. Perhaps my feeling is wrong... Besides, haven't some of the people looking for reinforcements not returned yet? Perhaps a miracle will happen.”

Li Qingchan gently bit her lip. Her heart, however, was like this gloomy forest, unable to see much light. Miracles aren't so easy to come by...

***

At the same time.

In a valley some distance from the forest.

Within the valley, tents were spread everywhere. Guards patrolled back and forth, creating a strict and formidable atmosphere. A tall, handsome man walked towards the depths of the valley. The patrolling guards, upon seeing him, all bowed their heads in reverence.

This man was Li Xuan, the captain of the Sacred Palace. Li Xuan's face was devoid of expression; he paid no attention to others. But when he reached the depths of the valley, a deep reverence appeared on his face. Especially when he saw the two figures standing high above, his reverence became even more fervent.

“Greetings, Senior Brothers.”

After Li Xuan approached the two figures, he said respectfully. Hearing his voice, the two figures turned around. They were two tall, slender men, both wearing gentle smiles. However, the faint, terrifying fluctuations emanating from their bodies made even Li Xuan feel a sense of oppression.

The two individuals before him were members of the Sacred Race! They were also the two captains of the Sacred Race team he had invited. The captain was Jimo. The vice-captain was Weituo. They appeared to be not much different from humans. However, faint glowing patterns shimmered on their faces, and there was a shallow vertical mark between their eyebrows. Beneath this mark, something subtly throbbed, exuding a sense of strangeness.

“Ah, it's Junior Brother Li Xuan.”

Jimo smiled at Li Xuan and said, “How is it? Are the people from the Vast Expanse Heaven fleeing in the direction we planned?”

Li Xuan nodded and said respectfully, “Everything is proceeding exactly as Senior Brother Jimo designed, without a single deviation.”

Jimo nodded with satisfaction. “That's good. Once they've all reached their designated positions, we can cast the net.”

Li Xuan hesitated for a moment and asked, “I wonder what Senior Brother Jimo's intention is by forcing them to that location? I believe it would be safer to eliminate them as soon as possible. The longer we drag this out, the more trouble we might attract.”

Weituo, standing nearby, stared at Li Xuan with a smiling gaze, but the indifference in his eyes sent a chill down one's spine. “Junior Brother Li Xuan, don't ask unnecessary questions. Just do as we say.”

Li Xuan felt a chill spread through his body under Weituo's gaze. He immediately nodded quickly, “Senior Brother is right.”

“Hey, Weituo, don't be so serious.”

Jimo, dressed in green, waved his hand. He kindly pulled Li Xuan forward, pointing to the scene below. “Heh heh, come and see. Isn't this sight exhilarating?”

Li Xuan looked towards the giant pit ahead, and a chill rose from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. He saw a massive cauldron burning fiercely there, with numerous ancient runes inscribed on its surface. And at this moment, in front of the cauldron, figures with their Genesis Qi sealed were continuously being thrown into it. Piercing screams echoed incessantly, chilling one to the bone.

Those people were all individuals from the Vast Expanse Heaven whom they had previously captured.

Jimo gazed at this scene with a hint of intoxication. Then he gestured with his palm, and a ball of bloody light shot out from inside the cauldron. It finally landed in his hand, transforming into more than ten red pills. He popped a pill into his mouth, chewed it gently, and groaned in comfort.

“Indeed, the Blood Source Pills refined from humans taste much better...” Jimo sighed with emotion and explained to Li Xuan, “These Blood Source Pills are the most popular blood pills among our Sacred Race. Frequent consumption not only enhances Genesis Qi but also strengthens the physical body. They are truly marvelous.”

“Unfortunately, within our Sacred Race's four Heavens, it's difficult to find so many humans to refine Blood Source Pills,” Jimo continued. “Heh heh, this conflict in the Ancient Source Heaven has certainly satisfied my craving.” His lips were blood-red and glistening, strangely sinister.

“Junior Brother Li Xuan, would you like to try one?” He smiled, offering a blood-red pill to Li Xuan.

Li Xuan's expression changed slightly, but he felt the smile on Jimo's face gradually receding. Eventually, he reached out, took the pill, put it in his mouth, and swallowed it with difficulty.

“Haha.”

Only then did Jimo burst into laughter. He then patted Li Xuan's shoulder, as if greatly approving of him.

“Junior Brother Li Xuan, rest assured, you have rendered great service this time,” Jimo said. “In the future, our support for your Sacred Palace will be even stronger. At that time, your Sacred Palace will be the master of the Vast Expanse Heaven.”

“With our Sacred Race's support, what are the other races of the Heavens even worth?”

“In that future, when our Sacred Race unifies the Genesis World, all those other races will merely be livestock bred by our Sacred Race.”

Hearing Jimo's laughter, Li Xuan also nodded gently, a resolute glint flowing in his eyes. That's right, the Sacred Race was the most powerful race in this world. No other race or force could withstand their power. Therefore, the Sacred Palace's choice was correct: by submitting to the Sacred Race as early as possible, humanity could barely survive in the future. As for those stubborn and unyielding people, they were ultimately doomed.