Chapter 355: Bloodaxe Bond, Mr. Wang Sees Black

The route on the talisman paper was crooked, but largely discernible, pointing to a desolate area in Feng Province, located in the northern lands of the Sacred Sect.

Wang Yu had no doubt about its authenticity.

Blood Axe must have realized that Wang Yu was stuck at the peak of the third-tier body refinement. This meant the place indicated on the talisman might be an opportunity for a breakthrough.

It was definitely a grand gift.

"Hahahahaha, my two elder brothers also think highly of you. I, however, prefer to do things this way. Go now, and do not speak of Xie Xie'an or my affairs to anyone."

"—Wang Yu will remember!"

He naturally knew he shouldn't spread the word, but when someone instructs you, it's best to simply listen obediently—it also shows respect to the Patriarch.

As expected.

After Blood Axe Demonic Lord nodded in satisfaction, his colossal figure vanished instantly. Wang Yu bowed distantly towards the sky, then rushed into the passage and disappeared.

Inside the Blood Cloud Forbidden Hall.

Blood Essence and Blood Spring looked helplessly at their third brother, deliberating before speaking: "Blood Axe, are you doing this deliberately for us to see?"

"How could that be?"

Blood Axe conjured another jar of aged wine, took a few deep gulps, and said, "It's nothing, just like my two elder brothers, I see great potential in that young man."

"But, I'm a bit more practical. There's no reward without effort. Judging by Young Master Wang's style of doing things, he'll definitely remember this."

The other two exchanged glances, eventually sighing helplessly.

"Your belongings, you decide their ownership. Even if he doesn't disappoint you, it will take at least a few hundred years to see the results."

"We'll see."

Outside the Blood Abyss Sacred Land, a large number of sect cultivators still lingered, along with subordinates dispatched by various peak factions.

Upon seeing the passage open and someone emerge, they sharply noticed an issue.

"Why are they coming out in such scattered numbers? The total seems very small. Could it be that the struggle for the Blood Infant Fruit hasn't concluded yet?"

"That shouldn't be..."

"Hey, Fellow Daoist Chen, has something changed in the Blood Abyss?"

To his surprise, that person stared at him with a face full of resentment.

"You scum from Evil God Peak, just you wait!"

With that, the figure quickly flew towards the sect. Among those who emerged afterward, aside from the personal disciples of the Nine Peaks, almost everyone remained silent.

They rushed home immediately after leaving the Blood Abyss, presumably to deliver messages and reports. Only the Heavenly Corpse Peak Lord and Evil God Peak Lord seemed somewhat stunned.

This was because neither of them had seen their own disciples.

Could it be...

"Whoosh—"

Wang Yu emerged from the passage, his gaze quickly sweeping around. From afar, he saw Zhuo Shouyun waving to him, but Zhuo Shouyun had many more people around him than usual.

This situation immediately made Wang Yu realize that Zhuo Shouqing's annihilation plan was in trouble.

But... why?

Zhuo Shouyun had only left one Fu Xiao outside, whereas Zhuo Shouqing had accumulated a foundation of over a hundred, almost two hundred years. There was no reason he shouldn't have been able to capture Fu Xiao.

A bad premonition surged in his heart, making Wang Yu disregard even the sense of relief that came with the end of the contract.

He performed a junior's bow towards the Nine Peak Lords, then immediately transformed into a streak of aurora and fled towards the Sacred Sect's mountain gate.

His speed was so great that it immediately drew the attention of many.

Wang Yu was the last one to emerge. The passage was maintained by an ancient spirit treasure belonging to the Nine Peak Lords. After seeing no one else come out, the Cold Blood Peak Lord couldn't help but look at Yan Ling and asked, "Disciple, what happened inside?"

"It's like this..."

Yan Ling roughly recounted what had happened inside. Most of the other Peak Lords were also asking their own disciples. In just a moment, the Heavenly Corpse Peak Lord flicked his sleeve and departed.

He completely disregarded the question of how long the Blood Abyss passage needed to remain open, which by common practice, usually lasted around three days and was an unwritten rule.

Upon hearing such shocking news, as a Nine Peak Lord, he not only had to deal with the passing of a personal disciple but also had to appease the families behind these disciples.

A personal disciple, if nothing unexpected happened, their family could at least hold power for two hundred years. If they broke through to the Nascent Soul stage, they would even become a candidate for the next Peak Lord, extending their family's influence for much longer.

As for Jiang Mingxin, a member of the family faction, how she became a core member of the master-disciple faction involved issues of exchanging interests and complementing power.

Many members of the master-disciple faction were also embedded within the Twelve Elder Councils of each peak, central to the family faction. After all, internal disputes were an art of compromise; even if one was unwilling, other allies would help secure agreement.

Wang Yu should have paid some attention to these trivial matters. If Xie Xie'an hadn't appeared, he would have been at the center of the problem!

Now, he was more concerned with the outcome of the struggle between the two Zhuos.

Not long after, after rushing several hundred miles, Wang Yu plunged into the Ten Reverse Blood Precincts, quickly heading to the residence behind the Evil God Precinct's Enforcement Hall.

"Zhuo Shouqing?"

However, the scene inside was a complete mess. Dust had settled on the cushions, indicating it had been uninhabited for a long time. His spiritual sense swept through the Enforcement Hall, then he turned and came to the front hall.

Wang Yu casually grabbed an Enforcement Hall cultivator. "Where is your Deacon Zhuo?"

"Um... Sir, we don't know. He hasn't shown up for a long time. Currently, Deacon Zuoqiu is in charge of the Evil God Precinct's Enforcement Hall."

"Zuoqiu Ming?"

"No, it's Deacon Zuoqiu Yi."

Wang Yu's eyes showed confusion, but his spiritual sense couldn't detect this Foundation Establishment cultivator. He directly ordered, "Where did he go?"

"This... I don't know either."

Just as Wang Yu was wondering how to find someone knowledgeable to ask, a cultivator with white hair and a slightly aged appearance actively sought him out.

It was Situ Hong.

The other person was not much older than him and had already broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage, yet their appearance looked even more aged than the last time he saw them. Still, Wang Yu recognized him at a glance.

"Situ? The matter with Peach Ghost Mother has been handled, so you are free now."

"I know."

Situ Hong's emotions fluctuated greatly; there was the excitement of liberation, a hint of sighing and lament, and even a touch of sorrow—a sorrow for his own destiny.

"Not long after Senior Wang entered the Blood Abyss, Peach Ghost Mother's soul lamp extinguished. This was no secret among us male consorts who were kept by her. I have come to answer Senior Wang's questions. Situ has been particularly observing the struggle between the two Zhuos, waiting for your emergence to see if you needed any information."

Wang Yu let out a long sigh upon hearing this.

Situ Hong was a talented individual, and he conducted himself very methodically. It was quite a pity that he was aging and dying due to the depletion of his life essence.

Being a male consort to a Core Formation cultivator was no better than being a spirit slave; one could only act intimidating by borrowing the master's prestige, a mere pretense. Without patronage and the advantage of appearance, they were nothing!

"You came at just the right time. Let's talk somewhere else."

Wang Yu led him to the Cold Blood Peak's cave dwelling, passing by Xue Ying's dwelling, which had only been built thirty years prior. He glanced at it before entering his own grand hall. "Tell me, what exactly happened?"

Knowing the urgency of the matter, Situ Hong quickly recounted the battle of Cloud-Top City from an observer's perspective, emphasizing it as the turning point in the struggle between the two Zhuos.

It was extremely important!

The series of events that followed were inseparable from the impact of this battle. After patiently listening, Wang Yu couldn't help but ask, "The battle of Cloud-Top City failed?"

"Yes, according to the information I gathered, there must have been discord among the Reverse Spirit Three Young Masters. Yu Xing and Zuoqiu Ming didn't appear and secretly killed a group of Zhuo Shouqing's sworn followers. Zhuo Shouqing, who considered his brothers his trump cards, was then ambushed by Lu Chenzhou. His century-long accumulation vanished overnight. Under multiple blows, he returned to the Ghost Realm with Zhuo Yuanshen, not lingering in the sect."

Situ Hong did not state his judgments or conjectures, merely reiterating the information he had gathered. "Some of the intelligence might be inaccurate, but the general direction is undoubtedly correct."

Upon hearing this, Wang Yu felt his vision dim.

How could such a favorable situation turn out like this? Even if Zhuo Shouqing was incompetent, it shouldn't have ended this way... Fratricide seemed like a joke.

—Utterly ridiculous!

He had little contact with Yu Xing, but he could tell that Yu Xing was a rational person. Abandoning his old brother at a crucial moment, Wang Yu couldn't determine if it was truly his intent or if he was coerced.

But... as for Zuoqiu Ming, he was certain something had happened.

That's why he had no choice but to leave.

Wang Yu had unshakeable confidence in his judgment of people. Back then, he had even envied the bond between the three brothers, a bond stronger than that of true siblings!

Looking back now, wouldn't that just make him a laughingstock?

He must have fallen into Zhuo Shouyun's trap.

With this certainty in his heart, Wang Yu began to consider the matter of Zhuo Shouqing and Zhuo Yuanshen. Based on his earlier warning, the second brother should have known that Zhuo Yuanshen was problematic and even harbored his own ambitions and plans.

If he were to put himself in Zhuo Shouqing's shoes: in Zhuo Shouqing's position, with all his elites and reserves depleted, and unable to ascertain Wang Yu's success in the Blood Abyss, he would definitely risk implementing Zhuo Yuanshen's plan.

This had nothing to do with being foolish; it was the last straw for a drowning man. Even if the straw wasn't sturdy enough, he could only blindly grasp at it. Calculated against the uncalculating, it was worth taking a risk.

Once hostilities began, the promise of the Zhuo clan's Illustrious Ancestor became void. He didn't want to die at Zhuo Shouyun's hands, so this was his only option, especially with his mind and body already battered. His two old brothers betrayed him without a word. Asking himself, could he still trust Wang Yu? Moreover, the second Styx Contract only lasted until Wang Yu left the Blood Abyss; he had no reason to continue serving Zhuo Shouqing.

Considering all circumstances, seeking a tiger's hide became the only choice. Zhuo Shouqing simply had no other option!

Inside the great hall, Wang Yu stood silently by the window.

He pondered in silence.

The most pressing matter was not to reverse the situation, but to ensure his own safety. Fu Xiao was Zhuo Shouyun's person, and if there were no other changes, the struggle between the two Zhuos should have been won by Zhuo Shouyun.

Considering Fu Xiao's meritorious service, Wang Yu was eighty percent certain that Fu Xiao would bring people to trouble him, the owner of the demonic embryo. While at Cold Blood Peak, he would be fine. He was only afraid of being targeted when he went out.

As the saying goes, "Don't be afraid of a thief stealing, be afraid of a thief remembering." Once the Nine Peak Lords returned, the Blood Pool Baptism would be the top priority, and it would also be time for the decisive confrontation with Fu Xiao. For this person he had never met, yet whose fate was intertwined with his own, Wang Yu had longed for this for a long time.

"Therefore... I should secure the position of a Cold Blood Peak Elder on the Twelve Elder Council before Zhuo Shouyun can influence the family's support within the clan. With this identity, I would finally have a seat at the table, at least entering the core of power within Cold Blood Peak and becoming one of the high-ranking members."

He pondered silently.

Since Zhuo Shouqing hadn't been prepared to trust him, Wang Yu then defaulted to assuming Zhuo Shouqing's failure. Without the constraints of a contract, he could abandon ship at any time and seek survival on his own. He had also given a favor to Zhuo Shouyun in the Blood Abyss, which somewhat eased their relationship.

Now that Zhuo Shouyun was out, his primary target would definitely be Zhuo Shouqing, so he wouldn't come looking for trouble with Wang Yu anytime soon. On the other hand, his candidacy for the Twelve Elder Council had been finalized with Zhuo Shouqing's help, so he naturally had to seize this opportunity to maximize its potential.

Furthermore, the sovereignty of Gui Ling City might also undergo changes.

After some brainstorming, Wang Yu immediately listed the tasks he needed to accomplish. After a moment's thought, he asked Situ Hong, "Situ, would you be willing to do something for me?"

Situ Hong immediately prostrated himself. "Hong will certainly not betray your trust!"

"There's no need for that." Wang Yu extended his hand to lift him, and spiritual power surged forth to right him. This thought had just occurred to him: the deficiency of life essence was a major problem for others. But at its core, it simply meant he was injured by cultivation siphoning. For a quasi-fourth-tier alchemist, there were many ways to solve such a problem; the simplest was to use human alchemy to replenish it. This person was also an old acquaintance, with whom he had many past dealings. He felt at ease using him.

"Here's the plan—take this token and go to Gui Ling City in Yunling Province for me. The acting City Lord, Scholar Green Goat, and the City Guard Commander, Xu Ruozhou, are both my people. Tell them to extract Gui Ling City's value as quickly as possible, regardless of the cost or long-term development. Once finished, they are to temporarily reside in Heavenly Treasure City and await my arrival."

"Hong, I obey!"

Wang Yu did not personally impose a restriction; he merely secretly planted a demonic seed on him. If the distance remained within a certain range, he could ascertain Situ Hong's location. This was merely to make it easier to find him, not because he coveted Situ Hong's supposedly useless three spiritual roots.

After sending him off, Wang Yu headed towards the summit of Cold Blood Peak. He planned to wait for the Cold Blood Peak Lord to return from the Blood Abyss and ask for help in initiating the positional battle for the replacement of the Twelve Elders.

While there, he would also visit Elder Jade Scroll, primarily to inform him about Song Yun. The news that his beloved grandson had perished without a trace due to the Blood Infant Fruit matter might stimulate him.

If Elder Jade Scroll successfully formed a Nascent Soul, Wang Yu was confident he could establish a good cooperative relationship with him, an action that would enhance his influence on Cold Blood Peak.

There was no other way.

Without the support of the three families, for one, would Black Sky Talisman Lord trouble him? Would the family faction and master-disciple faction ostracize his position within the peak? And his cooperation with the four Cold Blood clans would also come into question.

If things became untenable, he might have to serve under Tangtang's father, solidifying his identity as an exclusive alchemist.

"Ultimately, my strength is still insufficient. If I had Nascent Soul cultivation, the position of a Twelve Elder would just be an added bonus, and I wouldn't need to scramble for self-preservation..."

As for Yu Xing and Zuoqiu Ming, there was no need to mention the former. The latter should know that Wang Yu had emerged from the Blood Abyss today and might send someone to contact him.

So Wang Yu kept a constant eye on his communication jade slip.

He felt gratitude towards Zuoqiu Ming. He could disregard Yu Xing and Zhuo Shouqing, but he could not ignore Zuoqiu Ming; this was Wang Yu's bottom line as a person. In other words, sincerity for sincerity.

Even without the constraint of a contract, he was willing to lend Zuoqiu Ming a hand.

To some extent, among the Reverse Spirit Three Young Masters, only the third brother succeeded in their early attempts to bind Wang Yu with camaraderie, and he was also the unluckiest one...