Chapter 1791: Favoritism

The immense power of the Red Talisman erupted yesterday, causing a massive disturbance that Zhou Ran naturally felt. However, he dared not investigate, as anyone who could wield the Red Talisman belonged either to the Red Talisman Society or Sacred Blood Peak. As a lone wolf, what good outcome could he expect by getting involved?

At the time, he was also worried about the Xiangyin sisters because the commotion originated from Listening Snow Peak.

But now, after hearing Xiangyin, he realized that a late-stage Moon Gazer from Sacred Blood Peak had activated the Red Talisman. Not only did they fail to harm Lu Ye, but Lu Ye had killed them instead!

To survive the power of the Red Talisman and even counter-kill the enemy—such strength was undoubtedly worth pledging allegiance to!

Looking at Lu Ye with awe, Zhou Ran asked, "Is Lord planning to gather the scattered people out there?"

He was also a smart man. Seeing that Lu Ye had first taken in the Xiangyin sisters and then came to him, how could he not have some conjectures?

"Precisely!" Lu Ye nodded.

Zhou Ran said, "If that's the case, then Wang Taisheng shouldn't be missed. Although the old fellow is a bit old, his strength is not weak. If Lord trusts me, I can handle this matter. I have some personal connections with him!"

Hearing this, Xiangyin immediately cursed, "You, Zhou Ran, I always saw you two as being at odds. So, you were just putting on an act for us sisters!"

Zhou Ran chuckled awkwardly, "Since you sisters share such a deep bond, Old Wang and I naturally had to form a secret alliance."

Xiangyin pouted, "With your thick eyebrows and big eyes, I thought you were honest, but you're a cunning one too!" After speaking, she turned to Lu Ye, awaiting his instructions.

Lu Ye pondered for a moment before saying, "Xiangyin will go with him."

Xiangyin understood immediately, "Yes!"

She instantly grasped Lu Ye's intention for sending her along: if Wang Taisheng wasn't willing to submit, then they would eradicate him.

For Lu Ye, there were already two factions in this realm he needed to contend with. His foundation was still shallow, so all uncontrollable factors had to be eliminated in advance to prevent Wang Taisheng from potentially joining Sacred Blood Peak later and becoming an enemy.

Xiangyin and Zhou Ran departed.

Lu Ye and Xuanyu temporarily remained at Black Prison Cliff.

Less than half a day later, Xiangyin returned.

Zhou Ran and Wang Taisheng also returned with her.

This trip had few complications. After Zhou Ran met Wang Taisheng and simply spoke a few words, Wang Taisheng agreed to submit, rendering many of Zhou Ran's prepared arguments unnecessary.

Curious, Zhou Ran asked for the reason, and Wang Taisheng explained, "It has long been rumored that once the Red Talisman Society and Sacred Blood Peak determine a victor, the realm's blockade will be broken. But after all these years, Sacred Blood Peak, despite its apparent significant advantage, still hasn't eliminated the Red Talisman Society. Li Tian likely lacks the ability. I've learned about Li Tian; he only gained an advantage by being the first to enter this realm. His innate talent isn't exceptional, and his promotion to Sun Gazer was probably his limit by chance. But this newcomer is different; his prospects are far broader than Li Tian's. Perhaps one day he can replace Li Tian, and then the Red Talisman Society will certainly have no chance of survival."

Only then did Zhou Ran understand that, in Wang Taisheng's view, Lu Ye might be the key to resolving the Red Talisman Society problem in the future. Once the Red Talisman Society was gone, the realm's blockade would be broken, and the cultivators trapped there could naturally leave.

Zhou Ran pondered it carefully and found Wang Taisheng's words very reasonable, further solidifying his resolve to follow Lu Ye.

In Wang Taisheng's opinion, the most effective method would actually be for Lu Ye to lead them to join Sacred Blood Peak and use its resources to cultivate and grow. After all, against the Red Talisman Society, the Blood Race's Sacredness would be ineffective; true cultivation was key.

However, he also knew that Li Tian would never allow Lu Ye to live under his watchful eye. Furthermore, he had already learned from Zhou Ran that Sacred Blood Peak had previously attempted to assassinate Lu Ye, making it even more impossible for Lu Ye to lead them to join Sacred Blood Peak.

Wang Taisheng had only one hope: to leave this cursed place before his lifespan ran out.

At Black Prison Cliff, in Zhou Ran's cave dwelling, Lu Ye sat, observing the four individuals on either side of him.

In just two days, he already commanded four strong generals, each possessing late-stage Moon Gazer strength!

Of course, the loyalty of the Xiangyin sisters was beyond doubt, but Zhou Ran and Wang Taisheng were somewhat different from them.

Lu Ye gathered people primarily to deal with the cultivators of Sacred Blood Peak. Given this, the Sacredness of his subordinates was crucial, as sufficient strength in this aspect would provide a significant advantage in future confrontations with Sacred Blood Peak.

Therefore, Lu Ye's first priority was to enhance their Sacredness and, simultaneously, eliminate the possibility of their future betrayal.

As he pondered, two drops of golden precious blood seeped from his fingertips, flicking towards Zhou Ran and Wang Taisheng respectively. He instructed, "Refine them, each of you!"

He didn't consult with them. Although this act carried significant risks, potentially even costing Zhou Ran and Wang Taisheng their lives, the current situation did not allow for indecisiveness.

Zhou Ran and Wang Taisheng looked at the precious blood floating towards them with expressions of surprise and uncertainty, as they had never seen it before.

Soon, however, Zhou Ran's face lit up with joy. He had vaguely sensed that the change in the Xiangyin sisters' Sacredness was definitely related to the golden blood before them.

Thus, without the slightest hesitation, he clasped his fists with a joyful expression, "Many thanks, Lord!" He seemed completely unaware of the great risks involved in refining such an item.

Wang Taisheng, on the other hand, thought more deeply. But given the current situation, how could he refuse? Since he had come to pledge allegiance, he naturally had to show sincerity. He immediately clasped his fists and said, "Yes!"

Each receiving a drop of the precious blood, the two swept out of the cave dwelling to find a place to refine it. Soon, intense spiritual energy fluctuations and the sounds of Zhou Ran and Wang Taisheng's pained cries echoed nearby.

"Lord, you can't be biased..." Xiangyin looked at Lu Ye with a pitiful expression.

Lu Ye had never encountered such a person!

Logically, Xiangyin had experienced that danger herself and should be well aware of the risks involved in refining precious blood. After luckily succeeding once, she should have wanted to avoid it, yet here she was, actively asking for more.

As she spoke, she leaned closer, grabbed Lu Ye's arm, and began to shake it, "Lord, please grant some to us sisters too."

Lu Ye had warned her previously not to play tricks in front of him, and she had agreed, terrified.

But times had changed. Back then, she hadn't refined the precious blood and wasn't considered one of Lu Ye's own; she was merely intimidated by his might.

Now it was different. Having refined Lu Ye's precious blood, she was truly his person. What did a little coaxing matter?

She believed Lu Ye would never get angry with her over this.

"No, you've just refined it. Refining it again would be too risky!" Lu Ye was unmoved.

Every time a Blood Race member refines sacred blood, they walk on the edge of life and death. He had finally gained capable subordinates; why would he want these sisters to risk it again?

Xiangyin tightly hugged Lu Ye's arm to her chest, shaking it vigorously, the fierce bounce making Lu Ye's heart pound. In a saccharine voice, she pleaded, "But Lord, we sisters were the first to pledge allegiance to you, and we only shared one drop. Those two who came later each got a drop! Their Sacredness will be stronger than ours, that's not fair."

"There's no fairness when it comes to this matter!" Lu Ye said, his face stern.

Xiangyin lowered herself, kneeling before Lu Ye's knees, looking up at him with an expression of devotion, as if he were her entire world. "Lord, please just give us sisters one more drop each. Just one more drop for each of us, and we'll do anything you want..."

As she spoke, her eyes were flirtatious and alluring.

Xiangyin's persistence left Lu Ye speechless. He looked up at Xuanyu, "Control your sister!"

Xuanyu mumbled, lowering her head, "Lord, I feel... refining sacred blood isn't as dangerous as you say. Although the process is difficult, refining another drop... shouldn't be a problem!"

Lu Ye stared at Xuanyu, dumbfounded, never imagining that on this issue, the elder sister would stand on the same side as her younger sister.

After a slight pause, Lu Ye said, "You want sacred blood? You can have it!"

Xiangyin's eyes lit up.

But then Lu Ye changed his tone, "If both Zhou Ran and Wang Taisheng successfully refine it and return, I will grant each of you another drop of sacred blood. However, if even one of them fails, then don't ever bring this up again!"

Xiangyin cheered, "Lord, you said that yourself, alright?"

She quickly stood up from the ground and called out to her sister, "Come on, let's go cheer them on!"

Xuanyu stepped forward and followed.

Lu Ye watched with a cold gaze.

In his view, Zhou Ran had some chance of successfully refining the sacred blood, as he was in his prime. However, the exact success rate was unknown, and he might fail and die.

But Wang Taisheng's success rate was clearly not expected to be high.

For these two, the best outcome would be for one to succeed, and the worst would simply be for both to fail. As for both succeeding, Lu Ye found it unrealistic.

Yet, in this environment, getting loyal and useful subordinates meant the only way was for them to refine his precious blood.

Time passed.

After most of a day had passed, Lu Ye looked outside with surprise, his vision obstructed but his divine sense unimpeded.

He detected Wang Taisheng's aura...

Wang Taisheng had actually successfully refined his precious blood!

This greatly surprised Lu Ye, as it was somewhat different from what he had expected.

What astonished him even more was that just moments after Wang Taisheng's successful refinement, Zhou Ran's refinement also succeeded!

Something seemed amiss...

His precious blood, in essence, was not significantly different from the sacred blood circulated within the Blood Race. Of course, this "no difference" referred to the intensity of Sacredness obtained after refinement.

This had already been verified by Ma Shangsi; after refining a drop of Lu Ye's precious blood, the Sacredness he possessed was equivalent to what other Blood Race members gained from refining a drop of sacred blood.

However, if refining sacred blood were so simple, then countless Blood Race members would not have perished during the refinement process in the Blood Refinement Realm.

The previous success of the Xiangyin sisters could be explained by the fact that they shared one drop of precious blood, which lowered the risk.

But the current situation with Zhou Ran and Wang Taisheng was clearly different from Lu Ye's understanding.