Chapter 88

In the Jade Splendor Microcosmic Heaven, on a lush green lawn outside the Heart Purification Pavilion, Yin Xuege, the Blood Singer, held the Blood Spirit Sword in a sword seal, transforming it into a blood-colored light about a zhang long, which circled and spiraled around her like a lively dragon, occasionally stirring up wisps of thin clouds that scattered in all directions.

Controlling a flying sword is not as simple as directly guiding it to stab and slash at enemies. Even for a flying sword, there are various wondrous techniques and methods to control and wield it. Because the destructive power of a flying sword is immense, the sword seals and techniques for controlling it are closely guarded secrets, only passed down to core disciples in major cultivation families and immortal sects.

At this moment, Yin Xuege was practicing the secret Cloud Flying Sword Record of the Yin Clan, a sword technique that is considered only average in the Eastern cultivation world.

However, after systematically practicing the Cloud Flying Sword Record for several days, the speed of the Blood Spirit Sword's flight had more than doubled. The sword seal evolved to envelop the sword light in layers of cloud-like mist, making the trajectory of the Blood Spirit Sword's piercing attacks increasingly unpredictable. The interplay of real and illusory movements had at least tripled Yin Xuege's sword control and offensive power.

If Yin Xuege were to engage in a sword duel with the young disciples of the Jiang family now, even if she were to lose, it would not be as one-sided as before.

The Jade Splendor Spirit, a small demon, stood at the edge of the lawn with several grass and tree spirits he had just awakened. The grass and tree spirits, dressed in the form of human maidens, stood there blankly, holding towels, tea, clean capes, and robes, ready to serve Yin Xuege as soon as she finished her cultivation.

The Jade Splendor Spirit watched Yin Xuege with a smile. In the past few days, as Yin Xuege returned to the Jade Splendor Microcosmic Heaven to focus on her cultivation, her mastery of the Cloud Flying Sword Record had gradually improved, and the power of her flying sword had increased day by day. To the Jade Splendor Spirit, this was exactly what a cultivator should do. The more ambitious Yin Xuege became, the happier he was.

As the saying goes, "When one person attains the Dao, even the chickens and dogs ascend to heaven." If Yin Xuege could eventually walk the path of a Celestial Immortal, the Jade Splendor Spirit would also have the fortune to transform from a mere chicken into a phoenix.

He could not be like the previous owner of the Jade Splendor Microcosmic Heaven, Qian Ji, who only achieved the status of a wandering immortal.

When the tribulation came, Qian Ji's soul was scattered, and he did not even have the chance to enter the cycle of rebirth. The Jade Splendor Spirit still felt deep sorrow when he thought about it.

A large expanse of pale blood-colored mist spread out in all directions. In the blood mist, the Blood Spirit Sword darted and pierced, its fierce blood light stirring up a bone-chilling cold. Wherever Yin Xuege's gaze fell, the Blood Spirit Sword's blood light would swiftly arrive. Suddenly, Yin Xuege exhaled a long breath, and the Blood Spirit Sword, transformed into a blood light, suddenly grew to three zhang long and as thick as a bowl. It swept out and, with a "crack," cut off a branch from an old osmanthus tree that would take several people to encircle.

The climate and seasons in the Jade Splendor Microcosmic Heaven were different from the outside world. This thousand-year-old osmanthus tree was currently in full bloom, with countless pink and golden flowers hanging from its branches. When the branch, about a foot thick, was cut off by Yin Xuege, the flowers scattered in all directions, creating a rain of flowers over a hundred zhang, accompanied by a rich fragrance and the clear light of the sky, creating a dreamlike scene.

Yin Xuege took a deep breath, beckoned to the Blood Spirit Sword, and it transformed into a blood light and swiftly returned, circling her three times before obediently returning to its scabbard. She hung the scabbard at her waist, took a few breaths, and subconsciously looked in the direction of the entrance to the Jade Splendor Microcosmic Heaven.

A few days ago, the elder Yin Tianjue and other Yin Clan elders had returned to the Yin Clan city with a large number of nobles from the thirteen ancient blood demon clans. In a secret meeting attended only by those of the Prince level, Yin Phoenix Dance introduced the three major evil cultivators from the East to these powerful blood demons.

Then, the alluring Princess Jiuyin announced the imminent reopening of the Mars Dojo. With her status and power as a Blood Empress, Yin Phoenix Dance, supported by the blood demon princes who had already pledged allegiance to her, successfully bound all the great powers of the thirteen ancient clans and the Yin Clan to her cause.

The blood demons' nature is so greedy that their pursuit of benefits often blinds their hearts and eyes. The allure of the Mars Dojo is so strong that once they know of its existence, they will eagerly plot how to gain a share of its benefits, let alone with Yin Phoenix Dance, a Blood Empress, leading the charge.

The blood demons of the thirteen ancient clans quickly mobilized, selecting elite experts and gathering in the Yin Clan city to plan a major move.

Additionally, at the suggestion of Yin Phoenix Dance, the wolf kings of the Gold Wolf, Silver Wolf, Moon Wolf, and Blood Wolf tribes of the werewolf race were also invited to the Yin Clan city. According to Yin Phoenix Dance, the benefits of the Mars Dojo were so great that they needed to rally all possible allies to deal with the powerful cultivators from the Eastern cultivation world.

Many blood demon princes, including Yin Tianjue, guessed that Yin Phoenix Dance wanted to find enough cannon fodder to send to their deaths. But who cared? The lives of the werewolves were of no concern to the blood demons. As for whether Yin Phoenix Dance also considered the blood demons of the various clans as cannon fodder, they paid even less attention—blood demon princes were very confident in their own abilities!

So, in recent days, the Yin Clan city had become a chaotic and turbulent place, with the elites of the thirteen ancient blood demon clans and the powerful families of the blood demons, as well as the strong from the werewolf tribes and castles, and the evil cultivators of the Plague Sect, Life and Death Corpse Demon Sect, and Evil Bone Dao, all converging from all directions.

The Yin Clan city had become a stronghold for countless powerful cultivators from both the Eastern and Western cultivation worlds. Worried that such a chaotic situation might cause some unintended harm to Yin Xuege, Yin Phoenix Dance sent him to the Jade Splendor Microcosmic Heaven to focus on his cultivation before entering the Small Netherworld Realm of the Evil Bone Dao.

"Master, are you tired? This is a strong tendon and bone-strengthening ginseng tea made with lotus heart dew. Drinking a pot after cultivation can replenish energy, strengthen muscles and bones, fill the bone marrow, and nourish the five organs!" The Jade Splendor Spirit, with his short legs, scampered over and handed a large teapot to Yin Xuege. "This recipe was exchanged by the old master for a half-immortal artifact from Lord Luling."

Yin Xuege picked up the teapot and drank the blood-red, hot tea in one gulp.

A surge of heat flowed from his abdomen, spreading throughout his body. The powerful medicinal energy spread within him, the misty medicinal vapor began to nourish his muscles and bones, fill his bone marrow, and warm his five organs and six viscera. Yin Xuege felt his physical strength increase by several dozen pounds. The medicinal power of the tendon and bone-strengthening ginseng tea was astonishing, and the benefits it brought to Yin Xuege were even greater than consuming the entire essence blood of a marquis!

Feeling the surging medicinal power within him, Yin Xuege looked at the Jade Splendor Spirit in shock. "Lord Luling? Who is that?"

The Jade Splendor Spirit hopped over, picked up the teapot Yin Xuege had set down, and panted, "A famous alchemist in the cultivation world, on par with the old master, the Grand Elder of the Qingnang Sect, and a wandering immortal who had survived three thousand-year tribulations. His alchemy skills are unmatched in the entire cultivation world."

Shrugging, the Jade Splendor Spirit looked up at the sky with a hint of resentment. "But Lord Luling can't compare to the old master! The Qingnang Sect had connections in the upper realm. When the Age of Decline was about to arrive, an ancestor of the Qingnang Sect from a previous generation forcibly broke through the already half-closed boundary gate and grabbed the Qingnang Sect's mountain gate, the Divine Farmer's Ladder, and took it to the upper realm."

Yin Xuege looked at the Jade Splendor Spirit in shock.

He imagined a huge portal in the sky being shattered by a giant hand, which then swept up boundless clouds and grabbed a vast mountain range below. After a violent earthquake, a beautiful and fertile land was lifted and disappeared into the sky.

"Is that even possible?" Yin Xuege swallowed hard.

"It's all about having a powerful backing!" The Jade Splendor Spirit sighed heavily, then grabbed Yin Xuege's sleeve and looked at him seriously. "Master, in the cultivation world, to stand out, besides luck, destiny, and personal talent, having a powerful backing is very important!"

Looking around, the Jade Splendor Spirit whispered, "I'm not suggesting you be submissive and spineless. But when you encounter a strong and reliable backing, you should beg to attach yourself to it! Look at Lord Luling and the old master. They were both three-tribulation wandering immortals, but Lord Luling is probably living a carefree life, while the old master has long turned to ashes."

While the master and servant were chatting aimlessly, a light chime suddenly rang from the main peak of Jade Splendor Mountain. Soon, a figure rushed over on a gust of wind, and one of the eight stewards, Yin Wulan, hurried to Yin Xuege.

"Master Xuege, a few people have come to the cave entrance, saying they are delivering the Nine-Transmutation Myriad Poison Soup."

Yin Xuege's eyes flickered. The Nine-Transmutation Myriad Poison Soup—had Grandmother already sent someone from the Plague Sect to fetch it? The Nine-Transmutation Myriad Poison Soup, a miraculous elixir that could make one immune to all poisons, required a great deal of effort and resources to prepare. Yin Xuege had been eagerly anticipating it.

"Bring them in quickly!" Yin Xuege ordered immediately.

"Nine-Transmutation Myriad Poison Soup?" The Jade Splendor Spirit's eyes widened, and he looked at Yin Xuege in shock. "Nine-Transmutation Myriad Poison Soup? The first-grade elixir recorded in the Plague Sect's 'Plague Poison Classic'? Master, how did you get it?"

Handing the teapot to a nearby grass and tree spirit, the Jade Splendor Spirit hobbled along with a wooden cane, following Yin Xuege to the entrance of the cave.

As he walked, he muttered, "The Plague Sect, in ancient times, was one of the top five evil sects among the eight hundred evil sects and three thousand demon sects in the Eastern cultivation world!"

His short legs couldn't keep up with Yin Xuege's pace, so the Jade Splendor Spirit jumped and grabbed Yin Xuege's robe, hanging on like a koala on a tree. He proudly shook his head, showing off his knowledge.

"Who would have thought the Plague Sect still has a legacy? How many years has it been? Their cultivation methods are evil, cunning, ruthless, and malevolent, leaving no room for mercy. Before the Age of Decline, they could sustain and expand their sect with countless spiritual herbs and medicines. But in the Age of Decline, with the near disappearance of spiritual herbs and medicines, how could they have survived to this day?"

"However, Master, since they are willing to offer a cauldron of Nine-Transmutation Myriad Poison Soup, they must have other valuable things! For example, the 'Dragon Lake Tethering Powder,' 'Dragon Snake Elixir,' and 'Myriad Snake Essence Pill'—all valuable items. If you have the chance, you should try to obtain more of these, as they will greatly benefit your future cultivation!"

Yin Xuege flipped his palm and slapped the Jade Splendor Spirit's head. "Stop talking nonsense. Just remember the names of these items. If there's a chance, we'll get them. If not, we'll create the opportunity later."

As they talked, they arrived at the entrance of the Jade Splendor Microcosmic Heaven. As Yin Xuege emerged from the white jade wall at the end of the valley, he heard a muffled groan. His follower, Wumu, who was as powerful as a blood demon duke, was spitting out blood and staggering backward.

A loud thud echoed as Wumu crashed into a rock, shattering it, and he howled in pain, unable to get up. Seeing Yin Xuege, Wumu's fur face turned red with embarrassment. He angrily scratched the ground with his claws, muttering that he had no face to show.

Three girls, who looked to be about thirteen or fourteen years old and were beautifully charming, stood in a line about ten meters away. They wore white, red, and yellow dresses, and except for their overly stiff and lifeless eyes, they looked like adorable little girls.

Wait, overly stiff and lifeless eyes?

Yin Xuege sniffed hard and looked at the three beautiful girls in shock. They had no trace of the vital energy of living beings, but instead exuded a strong aura of death.

The one in white was filled with a cold, hard, sharp, and fierce aura.

The one in red exuded a wild, restless, and scorching aura, like a volcano ready to erupt.

The one in yellow had a deep, heavy, and stable aura, like a mountain standing firm.

Wumu staggered to his feet, a small fist mark deeply embedded in his chest, emitting a deep, heavy, and stable aura, clearly the work of the girl in yellow.

"What happened?" Yin Xuege looked at Wumu. This wolf, whom he had assigned to guard the entrance of the Jade Splendor Microcosmic Heaven, was supposed to be a gatekeeper, but how did he end up like this?

Wumu coughed violently, his face red with anger, and roared, "The great Wumu, seeing how beautiful they were, approached them with a heart full of love, wanting to have a pure physical exchange with them! They actually punched me, damn it, they almost broke my bones!"

Hearing Wumu's roar and looking at the three girls, especially the red-dressed girl holding a black three-legged cauldron, Yin Xuege couldn't help but laugh. "Wumu, I know you like beautiful girls, but are you sure you are also passionate about three moving corpses?"

"What did you say?" Wumu's mouth dropped open in shock. He looked at the beautiful girls, then back at Yin Xuege. "Corpses? They, they are not alive? They are, corpses?"

With a loud thud, the three girls knelt down, the force of their kneeling like three heavy mountains, causing the ground to tremble.

The red-dressed girl said in a deep voice, "From the Life and Death Corpse Demon Sect, the Fire Corpse, along with the Gold Corpse and Earth Corpse, pays respects to the master. Please grant us your blood, so that the Fire Corpse, Gold Corpse, and Earth Corpse can recognize you as our master. From now on, we will be loyal to you and follow your commands."

"Corpses? Eastern cultivation world zombies?" Wumu spat white foam, screaming in a hoarse voice, "Great Wumu, poor Wumu, actually kissed a corpse? Damn it, give me mouthwash, give me mouthwash! This is a disgrace, an insult to me, damn it, how could they send three corpses to deceive me?"

Yin Xuege ignored the suddenly hysterical wolf and walked to the three corpses, carefully examining their condition. He then carefully divided his blood into three drops and, following the corpse control method taught by Princess Jiuyin, drew a strange symbol on their foreheads.

The three corpses trembled violently, and Yin Xuege clearly felt a strange connection with them. Their souls were under his control, and with a thought, he could make them live or die.

"Very good. Did Grandmother send you with the Nine-Transmutation Myriad Poison Soup?" Knowing that the three girls were 'yakshas' and not living beings with any intelligence, Yin Xuege didn't waste words with them.

The Fire Corpse looked at Yin Xuege with a stiff expression and said in a rigid tone, "Yes, the sect leader sent us with the Nine-Transmutation Myriad Poison Soup. Here is a letter left by Grandmother. Follow the instructions in the letter to use it, and you will become immune to all poisons."

The Earth Corpse fished out a letter made of unknown poisonous insect leather from her sleeve and handed it to Yin Xuege.

Taking the colorful poisonous insect leather letter, Yin Xuege read it carefully and nodded in satisfaction.

This was the method for using the Nine-Transmutation Myriad Poison Soup.

Use the earth vein spirit fire to dissolve the Nine-Transmutation Myriad Poison Soup. Once the soup is boiling, immerse your entire body in it for an hour. After that, the effects will be complete. The Nine-Transmutation Myriad Poison Soup will strengthen Yin Xuege's body, making him immune to all common poisons in the cultivation world. Even the rarest poisons, which ordinary people might never even hear of, will be met with strong resistance.

With a body nearly immune to all poisons, Yin Xuege would have countless advantages when traveling in the cultivation world.

Over the next few months, Yin Xuege remained in seclusion in the Jade Splendor Microcosmic Heaven, focusing on cultivating the Cloud Flying Sword Record and various secret techniques of the Yin Clan. With his current powerful strength, his cultivation speed was rapid, and both his sword skills and magical techniques improved quickly.

During this period of seclusion, Yin Xuege's twelfth birthday passed quietly.

Yin Phoenix Dance, despite her busy schedule, took time to celebrate Yin Xuege's twelfth birthday with him, then returned to her endless work.

Thus, the opening day of the Evil Bone Dao's Small Netherworld Realm was approaching.