Chapter 347: Hunting Jiang Mingxin, the Mystery of the Blood Infant Fruit

“Cousin, aren't you being too impulsive?”

At this moment, Wei Hao, whom Wang Yu had been pondering, stood on the Blood Demon Sea. His aura was immensely powerful, having clearly reached the fourth layer of Core Formation. Beside him, the figure of a demon corpse flickered in and out of sight. This was none other than the Blood Shadow Demon Corpse, a mutated zombie forged through the Wei clan's secret technique.

Among mutated zombies, demon corpses were already considered top-tier. With "Blood Shadow" as a prefix, this particular type had integrated blood-path power and shadow-escape abilities, specializing in speed and assassination.

It was Wei Shanze who had just spoken. Wei Hao had already dispatched the Wei clan's team, who were proficient in shadow-escape abilities, to gather intelligence and track Jiang Mingxin.

The Blood Shadow Demon Corpse held a desiccated corpse. Had Wang Yu been there, he would have recognized the person as a fellow disciple from Heavenly Corpse Peak and one of Jiang Mingxin's subordinates, whom he had previously seen in the Blood Slaughter Hall.

Wei Hao's thoughts differed entirely from his distant cousin's concerns. He replied, “Revenge against Jiang Mingxin should be swift. I've now broken through to the fourth layer of Core Formation. While his progress is surely not slow, advancing to the late Core Formation stage isn't easy. At most, there's only a difference of one or two minor realms between us. This is precisely the best opportunity to avenge the devouring of my vital corpse, as the power gap is at its narrowest.”

He paused, then earnestly advised, “This matter doesn't concern you. Your vital magic artifact is still being forged, and your vital mystic ability hasn't been cultivated yet. Accompanying me to assassinate Jiang Mingxin carries significant risk.”

Wei Shanze opened his mouth, though his concern for Wei Hao's safety was minimal—perhaps only one percent. His greater worry was that Wei Hao was pursuing a purely personal vendetta, taking people with him to exact revenge. What about himself? Could he go and seek shelter with Ding Ming? Ding Ming's strength was even inferior to his own. At least, by staying with the Wei clan's team and leveraging his closer blood ties to Wei Hao, he received considerable support. If he didn't follow now, Wei Hao wouldn't seek him out even if successful. How could a mere early-stage Core Formation cultivator, not yet at his full potential, survive on his own?

Realizing this, Wei Shanze immediately declared his resolve: “Since you intend to do this, Cousin, I will certainly support you. Danger doesn't necessarily mean death. I'll go with you!”

“Alright!” Wei Hao agreed without hesitation, but his knowing glance made Wei Shanze feel as if he had been tricked. Yet, his subtle resentment had no outlet.

Just then, Wei Hao's transmission jade slip vibrated. After receiving and responding to the message, within the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, a streak of aurora swiftly appeared. In a mere two blinks, it traversed the distance from the horizon to stand before them. As the light dissipated, Wang Yu's figure was revealed.

The moment their eyes met, Wei Shanze was greatly startled, quickly hiding behind Wei Hao and stammering, “You... you... why are you here?”

“Shanze, don't be rude,” Wei Hao admonished. Wang Yu raised an eyebrow, pointing at Shanze and asking, “What's wrong with him?”

Wei Hao replied helplessly, “He's probably scared of you. Many rumors have been circulating in the Blood Abyss recently, claiming that you and Zhuo Shouyun teamed up to trap and kill two to three hundred fellow Core Formation disciples.”

Wang Yu was speechless. "Pure slander," he thought, doing a mental tally. Excluding the scattered killings, he had slain dozens in the Blood Beast Valley, dozens outside the Yin-Corroding Hall, and dozens within the Blood Slaughter Hall. All combined, it amounted to just over a hundred. He hadn't even acquired the spoils from many of those encounters, wondering who had benefited. The thought always made his heart ache, to the point of being unable to breathe. For a miser, seeing money and not being able to claim it was agony.

“Tell me more about it?” Wang Yu prompted.

“Alright,” Wei Hao agreed.

With no one else nearby, Wei Hao's thoughts turned to other matters. He carefully weighed his words before speaking. “Regarding the Yin-Corroding Hall incident a year ago, everyone emerged, and that's when the rumors about you and Zhuo Shouyun began. He was called 'Ghost Tongue' because of his glib tongue and talent for spouting nonsense. As for you... you've accumulated many titles: 'Blood Butcher,' 'Fiendish Beast,' 'Asura'... Oh, do you know what you were called most often?”

Wang Yu feigned confusion, but Wei Shanze suddenly interjected from the side, “They call you 'Ice Corpse'...”

“Why?” Wang Yu asked.

“I don't know, perhaps because you don't show much emotion?” Wei Shanze replied.

Wang Yu immediately put on a smiling expression, which sent a shiver down Wei Shanze's spine, causing him to instantly retreat behind his cousin. Wei Hao said helplessly, “Shanze, look, isn't he quite amiable? Brother Wang, those are just malicious slanders. I've looked into the situation, and rest assured, such widespread rumors won't be enough to destroy your reputation or cause irreversible harm.”

“I'm not worried.” After learning the situation, Wang Yu could largely surmise what had transpired since his departure. Zhuo Shouyun had indeed reached an unusual unspoken agreement with him: as long as Zhuo didn't appear before him, Wang Yu wouldn't pursue him. The conditions for the second version of the Styx Contract were essentially fulfilled, and everything would conclude once he exited the Blood Abyss. Furthermore, there was the matter of Zhuo Shouqing. Wang Yu maintained a personal interest in Fu Xiao; the five Heavenly Demons he had lured with the Sky Mirror seemed highly beneficial to the Profound Origin Demonic Embryo. He resolved to address this after leaving the abyss. After consulting ancient texts, he planned either to refine them into pills or directly absorb them with a secret technique, favoring the former. He recalled that the sect had an alchemy lineage, which could provide some guidance.

“By the way, I came to ask if the Wei clan found any significant demon gathering points after entering the Blood Abyss this time.”

“You want to collect Myriad Spirit Blood Essence?” Wei Hao asked.

“Yes,” Wang Yu confirmed.

Wei Hao pondered for a moment before replying, “Although that item is potent, neither of us cultivates the blood path. It's best to consume it sparingly. Generally, one should cease after advancing two to three cultivation layers, otherwise, the erosion of blood path power on the physical body becomes irreversible.”

Wang Yu pondered, realizing the core issue lay with the Qi Sea. Thanks to his alchemy techniques and flames, the refined blood pills were much purer, with almost all impurities and potentially harmful elements removed. Considering his body's robust capacity, consuming more shouldn't pose a significant problem. While he didn't aim for a direct breakthrough to the peak of Core Formation, reaching at least the ninth layer was his goal. “I have my own considerations,” he stated. “Do you have any relevant information?”

“I have some; I'll give them to you for free,” Wei Hao said with his usual generosity. After they exchanged information, he immediately invited, “I have a plan. Are you interested?”

“Tell me about it,” Wang Yu replied.

West of the Blood Demon Sea, in an unnamed reef belt, Jiang Mingxin stood with his hands clasped behind his back, frowning as he listened to his three subordinates' report. “Jiang Yuan, Jiang Qixing, Wang Shouwen, Guo Ai... no news from any of them?” he pressed.

“That's right, Your Highness,” one replied. “Their transmission jade slips reacted, but there was no response.”

Jiang Mingxin had a premonition of disaster, surmising that these individuals were most likely dead. But who was killing them? Wang Yu? Surely, the animosity wasn't that deep! He had even seen Wang Yu cooperate with his rival, Zhuo Shouyun; such pettiness seemed uncharacteristic.

After a moment of silence, Jiang Mingxin asked again, “Has Xie Xie'an been found?”

“No...” came the reply.

“A bunch of useless trash! What good are you?”

No sooner had he spoken than a tearing sound pierced the air. A pair of grayish-green hands with long black nails plunged violently into the chest of one of the subordinates. Under the horrified gaze of the others, the person was ripped in half. Blood rained down. A golden core, solidifying from an ethereal state, was about to escape but was fiercely sucked into a corpse's fanged maw. After a few crunching gulps, it was swallowed, and the corpse's demonic power surged dramatically.

The assailant was none other than the Blood Shadow Demon Corpse! The demon corpse lineage possesses a natural talent known as the 'Core Devouring Technique,' which allows them to consume cultivators' golden cores to strengthen their demonic nature. If they advance to the fourth tier, this talent evolves into the 'Infant Devouring Technique,' specializing in devouring cultivators' nascent souls. The stronger their demonic nature, the more powerful the demon corpse's physical body becomes. They also boast astonishing regenerative abilities; even if their physical form is reduced to a mere shred of flesh, it can gradually regenerate—a testament to their undying demonic essence. Thus, using a corpse ghoul as a base material is ideal for cultivating a demon corpse, making them exceptionally rare.

This sudden turn of events prompted Jiang Mingxin and his subordinates to immediately retreat. With a wave of his hand, various corpse-suppressing talismans transformed into talismanic ropes, wrapping around the Blood Shadow Demon Corpse.

“How can there be a demon corpse here... It's being controlled,” one subordinate exclaimed.

“Nonsense!” Jiang Mingxin quickly pondered, but he couldn't recall any fellow corpse-path disciples among his peers who were capable of controlling a demon corpse. “Who could it be...?”

“No need to think about it,” a voice declared. “Jiang Mingxin, release your Corpse King.” Wei Hao emerged from the demon corpse's shadow, clearly pleased with the strength of his vital corpse.

“It's you!” Jiang Mingxin exclaimed.

He naturally recognized Wei Hao. The two had been true disciples together for over a hundred years, even clashing in the Corpse Fighting Grand Meeting, where Jiang Mingxin had ultimately prevailed.

“Wei Hao... you're quite lucky to have obtained a demon corpse, such a rare corpse-path variant,” Jiang Mingxin said. “Have you been hunting my Jiang family members these past few days?”

“What if I have?” Wei Hao retorted. “If not for you, how could I have achieved such good fortune today?”

“Ridiculous,” Jiang Mingxin scoffed. His spiritual sense subtly shifted, secretly signaling his two remaining subordinates to prepare, while he spoke aloud, “Still thinking of revenge when you're clearly inferior? I defeated you once, and I can defeat you again. In corpse-controlling techniques, you are far below me!”

“Yes, you're right.” Wei Hao surprisingly affirmed his statement. “Since you're so confident, come! Let's fight again, just you and me.”

Jiang Mingxin, naturally fearless, spoke with a fierce expression: “A mere clown. Corpse King, go!” The Corpse King, with its bulging, sinewy muscles, leaped from a corpse-treasure, emanating dense corpse qi and unleashing a deafening roar towards Wei Hao. The unique pressure of the Corpse King instantly descended.

The two moved in synchronized fashion, each forcing drops of blood from their fingertips to draw sinister corpse talismans in the air, then sending them towards their respective zombies from behind. The Corpse King was at the peak of the third-tier, mid-stage, while the Demon Corpse had just entered the third-tier, mid-stage.

The moment they clashed, the Demon Corpse's power was immediately suppressed, and Jiang Mingxin's lips curled into a smile. “Nothing special,” he scoffed.

“Just a contest of brute strength, nothing skillful about it. Devour!” With that command, Wei Hao's demon corpse opened its mouth and inhaled sharply. The Corpse King's body color deepened, and after several breaths, dark green corpse blood surged out as its power gradually weakened. In stark contrast, the demon corpse became ferociously aggressive. Already strengthened by consuming golden cores and now having absorbed the Corpse King's blood, it forcefully suppressed the Corpse King.

Jiang Mingxin's eyes burned with eagerness. He used his spiritual sense to signal his two subordinates to join the fray, and all three simultaneously produced their Corpse-Suppressing Bells. A few crisp rings of the bells quickly calmed the demon corpse, its ferocious aura significantly diminishing. They were professionals at dealing with zombies, especially with their combined efforts. Seeing Wei Hao's frustrated expression, Jiang Mingxin felt immense satisfaction.

“One-on-one is meaningless and proves nothing, wouldn't you agree... Wei Hao!”

“I think so,” a voice replied. Jiang Mingxin abruptly turned around, only to see streaks of red and yellow light suddenly flash past him. Two heads flew high into the air, and the streaking light coalesced to reveal a demonic sword with a skull-shaped hilt and murky wave patterns along its blade.

Wang Yu's hand, covered in blood and shaped like a ferocious claw, retracted from the backs of the two subordinates, whose two dark golden cores quickly dimmed.

“Wang Yu... you... listen to me,” Jiang Mingxin stammered. Having witnessed Wang Yu's terrifying power in the Blood Slaughter Hall, Jiang Mingxin knew he couldn't win, especially with Wei Hao, who was seeking revenge, standing right there. His previously relaxed mood instantly became tense.

“What do you want to say?” Wang Yu asked.

“I... I have a collaboration with Yan Ling. You can't kill me,” Jiang Mingxin pleaded.

Wang Yu continued to approach. “She's not enough,” he stated.

“I... I know the secret of the Blood Demon Sea!” Jiang Mingxin blurted out.

“I don't believe you,” Wang Yu replied.

“It's true!”

“Allow a soul search?” Wang Yu countered. Jiang Mingxin's face paled, and he was drenched in sweat. How could he possibly agree to such a demand? But seeing that Wang Yu wasn't rushing to kill him, he immediately understood something. He promptly knelt and begged for mercy. “As long as you spare me, I'll agree to any of your demands. My Jiang clan has a respectable family fortune.”

“Not that,” Wang Yu replied. He used the blade of his sword to lift the man's chin and asked, “What do you want with Xie Xie'an?”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Mingxin immediately realized that Wang Yu and Wei Hao had arrived long ago, even being present when he was speaking to his subordinates. With a wavering gaze, he suddenly blurted out, “Xie Xie'an stole the Blood Infant Fruit.”

Wang Yu looked at Wei Hao, who simply spread his hands, indicating his ignorance. Frowning, Wang Yu pressed further, “How did he steal it?” It was already difficult to perform soul searches on disciples of aristocratic families, and Jiang Mingxin, being a direct disciple of Heavenly Corpse Peak, likely had even more restrictions and oath-based constraints within his Niwan Palace. Therefore, Wang Yu wasn't putting all his hopes on the soul-searching secret technique, knowing that if it worked every time, there wouldn't be so many secrets in the world.

“The situation was very strange,” Jiang Mingxin began. “After you and some others departed, the remaining direct disciples chose to continue exploring the Yin-Corroding Hall. According to tradition, the Blood Infant Fruit was supposed to appear in the Ninth Hall, regardless of the Blood Slaughter Stele's presence. However, when we reached the Ninth Hall this time, we found no signs of anyone having been there, and the Blood Infant Fruit was nowhere to be found. That's when we suspected you had secretly taken it.”

At this point, Jiang Mingxin's speech accelerated. “Afterward, I investigated. Given your speed, Daoist Brother, our subordinates stationed outside saw you leave the hall; you absolutely wouldn't have had time to reach the Ninth Hall. As for Zhuo Shouyun, he was being pursued by those unruly fellow disciples, and no one else returned to the hall. After much consideration, only Xie Xie'an, who fled first, could have done it. Furthermore, no one saw him exit the Yin-Corroding Hall...”

The reasoning seemed logical and complete, not sounding like a lie. However, Wang Yu sensed something amiss and asked a crucial question: “How did you know that Xie Xie'an was the first to escape the Blood Slaughter Hall?” Wang Yu, after all, had identified the ghostly mist as Xie Xie'an based on a series of intelligence reports and by specifically noting his unique aura during their last encounter. How could Jiang Mingxin possibly recognize him?

Jiang Mingxin gave an embarrassed smile. “The Heavenly Corpse Peak's scent recognition secret technique is originally used to locate zombies, but it works equally well when applied to people.”

Wei Hao walked closer and nodded to Wang Yu. “Such a secret technique indeed exists,” he confirmed.

Wang Yu, however, sneered. “You're lying!”