Chapter 2054: Lingze Saint Venerate

Understanding this made the six Blood Servants even more astonished.

What Ma Shangsi had given them earlier was indeed not Holy Blood, but Treasure Blood!

It was a mysterious essence that only Blood Race Holy Venerables could refine. If bestowed upon a clan member, it could transform them into a Blood Servant. Moreover, because the Treasure Blood refined contained Holy Blood, the Blood Servant would possess some level of holiness.

Of course, that level of holiness was not strong, and the Blood Servant's status was between a Holy Venerable and an ordinary Blood Race member.

The six Blood Race members were all familiar with Blood Servants, especially Shen En. Not long after he ascended to the Sunlit realm, one of the top Holy Venerables in their realm had considered taking him as a Blood Servant and had even discussed it with him specifically.

But Shen En did not agree. Having already reached the Sunlit realm, how could he become someone else's Blood Servant, with his life and death controlled by another? This incident displeased that Holy Venerable. Although the Holy Venerable wouldn't harm him because of it, some difficulties were inevitable.

Yet, he never imagined that after all this time, he would ultimately become a Blood Servant!

However... how could Treasure Blood possess such an intense level of holiness? And in such large quantities!

As far as he knew, even a Holy Venerable found it incredibly difficult to refine their own Treasure Blood, requiring a great sacrifice. Furthermore, the amount of Treasure Blood Holy Venerables could refine in their lifetime was limited, because every drop of Treasure Blood would diminish the Holy Venerable's own level of holiness. Therefore, even Holy Venerables would not easily bestow Treasure Blood, let alone convert too many Blood Servants.

For example, the top Holy Venerable who had approached him back then only had three Blood Servants under his command, one of whom was chosen due to his lineage.

These were common knowledge.

But at this moment, all these ingrained common understandings and perceptions shattered.

What shocked Shen En even more was: if a Holy Venerable could truly condense so much Treasure Blood so easily and bestow it freely, how incredibly potent must their own level of holiness be?

"Everyone, this is our master before you. The Treasure Blood you refined was also bestowed by our master, and his name... you should all have heard of it," Ma Shangsi said slowly.

"We've heard of him?" Shen En's thoughts were interrupted, a curious expression on his face.

When he looked forward again, Lu Ye's appearance suddenly changed, and even his aura transformed accordingly.

Soon, a familiar face came into view.

"Nine Heavens, Lu Yiye!" Shen En couldn't help but widen his eyes, and the five Moonlit individuals also looked on with utter disbelief.

They had all initially assumed that the Holy Venerable before them was some reclusive elder from their own clan, never imagining it could be Lu Ye, who had once had a bounty placed on his head by their clan.

As far as they knew, Nine Heavens Lu Yiye was supposed to be a Human Race member!

As soon as the words left his mouth, Shen En broke into a cold sweat: "Your subordinate misspoke, Master, please forgive me!"

"It's fine," Lu Ye said with a slight smile. "You are Ma Shangsi's friend, and now you have refined my Treasure Blood, so you are one of us. Old Ma thinks highly of you; he recommended you to me when you arrived in this Blood Jade Realm."

Shen En looked up at Ma Shangsi, who was standing beside Lu Ye, his feelings complex for a moment: "Thank you for your high regard, Master. Your subordinate will surely follow you closely from now on, serving you faithfully."

The several Moonlit individuals also quickly pledged their loyalty: "We swear to follow you to the death, go through fire and water, and never flinch from any danger!"

They had no choice but to be loyal. Ever since they refined the Treasure Blood, it was as if they had severed ties with their past; from then on, they belonged to Lu Ye.

Lu Ye then spoke again: "I know you have doubts. I am indeed the Nine Heavens Lu Yiye you speak of, and I am of Human Race origin. However, I am also a Holy Venerable of your Blood Race. You will gradually learn more about certain matters later. For now, there is an urgent task that requires your efforts!"

Shen En quickly responded: "Please instruct us, Master."

Lu Ye slowly explained, and the new Blood Servants listened with trepidation. No one had expected that beneath the peaceful surface, murderous intent was already stirring, and dangerous undercurrents surged.

Only then did the Blood Race members look at Ma Shangsi with immense gratitude, for if Ma Shangsi hadn't recommended them to Lu Ye, they would surely have died in the upcoming conflict without even knowing how.

A short while later, the six new Blood Servants departed.

Lu Ye, meanwhile, calmly awaited the Tianya Pavilion meeting.

He was considering whether to find a way to get in. Although Tianyu had previously said that as a Moonlit Holy Venerable, he should be qualified to attend and could bring Ma Shangsi along to observe, in a meeting of that level, even Tianyu was just a minor figure. Bringing Ma Shangsi along would be the limit; it would be impossible to bring himself in as well.

He was still very interested in the matter of the "Great Trend's arrival" and urgently wanted to know what this so-called "Great Trend" was.

But after much thought, there didn't seem to be any particularly good solution.

Just then, an unconcealed aura suddenly swept rapidly from afar, and Lu Ye immediately detected it.

Ma Shangsi also quickly noticed the aura and hurried over: "Master, Tianyu is here."

"Go welcome him. He is your new master, after all."

Ma Shangsi's eye twitched: "You jest, Master."

A moment later, Ma Shangsi and Lu Ye stood outside the palace, watching Tianyu descend from the sky. Ma Shangsi bowed and said, "Welcome, Holy Venerable."

Lu Ye also bowed slightly, his gaze passing over Ma Shangsi to Tianyu. He suddenly found it strange, because Tianyu's expression at that moment was somewhat troubled and angry; he wondered what had happened.

After a deep glance at Ma Shangsi, Tianyu finally spoke: "Follow me!"

Ma Shangsi was puzzled but still stepped forward to follow. Lu Ye, like a servant, also followed closely. Tianyu merely glanced at him and paid him no further attention.

In the Blood Race's domain, all other races were considered inferior, save for the Blood Race themselves. Thus, even though Lu Ye was currently disguised as a Moonlit individual, Tianyu paid him no mind.

They flew swiftly. Halfway there, Ma Shangsi asked, "Holy Venerable, where are we going?"

Tianyu remained silent, clearly in a bad mood. After a while, he finally said, "Ma Shangsi, your fortune has arrived."

"What do you mean, Holy Venerable?"

Tianyu turned his head and glanced at him: "You'll know when we get there. No need to ask further." He clearly wasn't in the mood to say more.

Ma Shangsi sighed helplessly and followed in silence.

Less than half a day later, the trio arrived before a massive palace. Within the palace, a formidable aura resided – clearly a Sunlit cultivator, and no ordinary one at that.

Upon reaching this point, Ma Shangsi finally realized something and secretly sent a telepathic message to Lu Ye: "Master, this should be Lingze's territory. Lingze is Tianyu's father and the third strongest individual in the entire Blood Jade Realm, possessing late-stage Sunlit cultivation."

Lu Ye had heard Ma Shangsi mention before that Tianyu had a powerful father. Hearing Ma Shangsi's words now, Lu Ye immediately understood that it must be this Lingze.

However... what was Tianyu doing bringing Ma Shangsi here? And why had he said such things on the way?

Lu Ye suddenly had a bad feeling.

Flashing to land in front of the palace, Tianyu led Ma Shangsi inside.

The main hall was spacious and empty, with only a single figure seated at the very top.

Upon reaching the center of the hall, Tianyu cupped his fists and said, "Father, I have brought Ma Shangsi."

Behind him, Ma Shangsi took small steps forward, bowed respectfully, and said, "Ma Shangsi greets Holy Venerable Lingze!"

Lu Ye also lowered his head along with them.

From the top of the hall, Lingze's sharp gaze fell upon Ma Shangsi, filled with scrutiny. Yet, he burst into hearty laughter: "Excellent, excellent! Our realm finally has another Sunlit cultivator. Truly a cause for celebration! You are Ma Shangsi, correct? I've heard of you. Rise and speak."

"Thank you, Holy Venerable!"

Holy Venerable Lingze appraised Ma Shangsi for a while longer, clearly very pleased: "I hear you and Tianyu have been friends since childhood, and you are also a subject of my territory?"

"Yes," Ma Shangsi nodded. He was indeed born in Lingze's territory. However, unlike the noble-born Tianyu, Ma Shangsi was a low-ranking Blood Race member who didn't even know who his parents were.

Blood Race members hatched from blood cocoons; lower-ranking Blood Race members usually hatched in large batches from blood cocoons.

"Good. It seems I neglected you in the past, and that was my oversight."

Ma Shangsi courteously replied, "You flatter me, Holy Venerable."

Lingze continued, "To compensate for my oversight, I have decided to take you as my Blood Servant. What do you say?"

Ma Shangsi was stunned by these words.

However, he finally understood why Tianyu had looked somewhat displeased when he came to find him this time, and also what Tianyu had meant by "fortune" earlier.

So that was it!

Of course, Tianyu was somewhat unhappy that his follower had caught his father's eye and was to be taken as a Blood Servant. But everything he had was bestowed by Lingze, and when Lingze spoke, he was powerless to resist.

From Tianyu's perspective, remembering Lingze's previous earnest persuasion, he could also understand.

Ma Shangsi was not like Shen En. Shen En was proud and arrogant; he had once refused the invitation of a top Holy Venerable to become a Blood Servant. In the years since, other Holy Venerables hadn't dared to make that attempt again, as being refused a second time would be too humiliating, wouldn't it?

But Ma Shangsi was different. Although he had also reached the Sunlit realm, he seemed to lack backbone; he was willing to follow even a Moonlit Holy Venerable like Tianyu, let alone a Sunlit Holy Venerable like Lingze. In Lingze's view, he only needed to express his desire, and Ma Shangsi would surely agree.

Furthermore, Ma Shangsi had not been back in the Blood Jade Realm for long, and the news of his ascension to the Sunlit realm hadn't spread yet. Once it did, Tianyu alone wouldn't be able to keep Ma Shangsi.

It was precisely because of these considerations that Lingze personally intervened, to prevent Ma Shangsi from being recruited by other Sunlit Holy Venerables.

Having an additional Sunlit-level powerhouse under one's command was a good thing for any Holy Venerable.

What did it matter to sacrifice a drop of Treasure Blood for that?

In the grand hall, numerous thoughts raced through Ma Shangsi's mind. He quickly understood that he could not refuse Lingze's proposal!

Even though Lingze asked for his opinion, a true refusal would undoubtedly anger the other party, which would be detrimental to their upcoming plans.

Given the circumstances, he could only agree.

But he was already Lu Ye's Blood Servant; it was simply impossible for him to refine someone else's Treasure Blood...

He sighed inwardly. This Lingze fellow was truly rushing to his own demise.

Others might not know what astonishing methods Lu Ye possessed, but how could Ma Shangsi, as the first Blood Servant, not know?

Therefore, without needing to discuss anything with Lu Ye, Ma Shangsi knew his current intentions. He immediately adopted an extremely grateful posture: "Holy Venerable's great kindness, Ma Shangsi will remember it forever! I am willing to be your Blood Servant!"