Trials of the Abyss

The mysterious pill entered Pang Jian’s stomach.

Pang Jian squinted as he sensed a membrane formed, covering the inside of his chest. This membrane appeared to isolate the blood essence from his internal organs, muscles, and bones.

The pill did not suppress his blood essence but merely isolated it temporarily.

While Pang Jian contemplated this, the older sister, Bai Wei, approached him.

"Hong Jian, what are the upper worlds like?" she asked, curiously examining Pang Jian. Although this cold young man was not particularly handsome, she thought he possessed a uniquely wild charm. "Are all people from the upper worlds as talented as you?"

Her slender younger sister, Bai Zhi, also glanced at Pang Jian, eyes sparkling.

The two sisters were attractive, with graceful figures and features like paintings. They were both charming in their own way.

Had they not taken Meng Qiulan as their master, their beauty and grace would have put them at great risk in any of the restricted areas in the Fourth World.

Pang Jian thought for a moment. "Most people born in the upper worlds aren’t qualified to join sects like the Blood Moon Sect, the Star River Alliance, or the Radiant Sun Sect. The spiritual qi in the upper worlds is generally free of impurities, and sects like the Blood Moon Sect and Star River Alliance have pure, rich spiritual qi in their sects.

"It’s much easier to cultivate in the upper worlds than down here, and even ordinary people have longer lifespans," he explained.

He had learned this information from his conversations with Luo Hongyan and was now putting it to good use.

"The upper worlds seem so much better," Bai Wei said longingly. She bit her lip and chuckled softly, eyes bold as she said, "Hong Jian, if we can’t break through to the second stage of the Meridian Opening Realm within half a year, shall we ask Master to give us to you?"

Bai Zhi glared sharply at Bai Wei. "Sister!"

Between the two sisters, Bai Wei was bolder regarding matters between men and women, but more fearful and timid when faced with danger.

In contrast, her sister did not dare discuss matters between men and women but could maintain her calm in dangerous situations.

"I don’t have much confidence." Bai Wei sighed bitterly. She glanced at where Meng Qiulan was staring out the window and whispered, "If we are indeed to be given away, we might as well choose someone pleasing to the eye. At least it wouldn’t be disgusting to serve them."

Bai Zhi froze, then said, "He’s so young. Even if our Master does give us away, it would be to someone more important."

Understanding her sister’s thought process, Bai Wei whispered in response, "We’re both over twenty, but we still haven’t even reached the second stage of the Meridian Opening Realm. This shows our lack of talent. Hong Jian is only fifteen or sixteen but has already completed his marrow cleansing. If he survives, he’ll undoubtedly stand out in the Shadow Specter Sect."

Bai Zhi mulled over Bai Wei’s words before ultimately agreeing. She scrutinized Pang Jian once more and decided that Pang Jian was acceptable.

"Bai Wei, your quick thinking never ceases to amaze me," Bai Zhi said.

Meng Qiulan had been observing the happenings outside when she turned around to face them. She glanced at the twin sisters, then fixed her somber gaze on Pang Jian.

"Honestly, joining the Shadow Specter Sect is beneath someone of your talent. The most crucial step in the Marrow Cleansing Realm is the marrow cleansing process. After successfully tempering your bones, the rest is much easier." She stroked her chin in contemplation.

"If you can reach the refining blood stage within two years, your status within the Shadow Specter Sect will definitely come to surpass mine. If that happens, it won’t matter if I give you my two useless disciples."

Bai Wei’s eyes lit up at Meng Quilan’s words.

Bai Zhi, on the other hand, lowered her head.

Pang Jian looked thoughtfully at the sisters and said, "I lack the pills and beast blood to refine my blood essence."

Meng Qiulan snorted. "You’re not the only one. Every cultivator in the Marrow Cleansing Realm needs resources. In the early stages of the Marrow Cleansing Realm, resources are required not only for marrow cleansing and bone tempering but also for widening one’s meridians.

"The following stages involving the internal organs, flesh, and blood, all rely heavily on the rich vitality of beast blood and meat. The blood and meat of Rank Three Vicious Beasts are scarce for every cultivator in the Marrow Cleansing Realm. In our Fourth World, they’re always in high demand and short supply.

"Only the seven major clans and we, the Shadow Specter Sect, can procure some. Even if rogue cultivators have the spirit stones, there’s nowhere to buy them!"

Pang Jian remained silent.

On his last visit to the stronghold, he had purchased some beast blood from Ling Qing. He needed it not only for himself but also so Luo Hongyan could forge her physical body.

However, the beast blood he bought mostly came from Rank One and Rank Two Vicious Beasts, which possessed limited vitality.

Ling Qing had admitted to him then that most of the Vicious Beasts in Misty Swamp were only Rank One or Two. Rank Three beasts were rare in Misty Swamp, and rogue cultivators were unwilling to risk their lives hunting them.

Only the hall masters of the Shadow Specter Sect could acquire the blood of Rank Three or higher Vicious Beasts through their connections.

Redirecting her attention back outside, Meng Qiulan exclaimed, "Hey! That’s a Blood Moon Sect beast-hunting sailboat! A beast-hunting sailboat should have a lot of Vicious Beast blood and meat."

An idea flashed through Pang Jian’s mind.

Luo Hongyan told him that disciples in sects like the Star River Alliance, the Red Mountain Sect, and the Radiant Sun Sect often used blood-enhancing pills and spiritual power to refine their internal organs and flesh after completing their marrow cleansing.

The Blood Moon Sect, on the other hand, used the blood of Vicious and Spirit Beasts, collecting it into blood pools for disciples in the Marrow Cleansing Realm to cultivate with.

The Formless Sailboats from the Blood Moon Sect would expressly venture into areas frequented by Vicious Beasts to hunt and collect their blood and meat.

Part of the beast blood and meat that the Blood Moon Sect harvested were used for their disciples’ cultivation, and the remainder was sold to outsiders.

Thus, Pang Jian became quite excited when he heard the sailboat approaching them was a beast-hunting sailboat from the Blood Moon Sect.

A wave of energy suddenly flared out above the stronghold, covering everyone inside.

The wave of energy came from the Eye of Imprint, searching for those with strong bodies at or above the Marrow Cleansing Realm.

A commanding voice rang out, "Everyone come out!"

Meng Qiulan paled. Glancing over at Bai Wei and Bai Zhi, she sighed. "Let’s hope we can get through this safely."

She had not expected the Blood Moon Sect to act unpredictably this time and demand that everyone leave their houses.

"Hong Jian, no one can hide from the Eye of Imprint. It can tell how many people are hiding in each house. However, it won’t be able to detect our cultivation realm. You should be careful." With that, Meng Qiulan opened the door and led Bai Wei and Bai Zhi outside.

When Bai Wei stepped out, she covered her mouth in shock. Her eyes filled with fear as she cried, "Ling Qing!"

Pang Jian was trailing behind, and when he stepped out of the wooden house, he saw a man in Blood Moon Sect’s uniform stepping on Ling Qing’s neck, forcing him to kneel on the ground.

The skinny Ling Qing had a cultivation realm at the second stage of the Meridian Opening Realm. He was the commander of this stronghold. Regardless, he was made to kneel with his head lowered while facing Pang Jian, Meng Qiulan, and the others.

"You built these wooden houses and created a gathering place for rogue cultivators, yet you claim to know nothing?" scoffed a pale man with a long beard. This man was Fei Zheng. "I don’t believe that no one from the Ouyang Clan’s territories has escaped to this place, or that no rogue cultivators seeking refuge have settled here!"

"There’s truly nobody!" Ling Qing stammered, keeping his head low.

Fei Zheng’s foot pressed further into Ling Qing’s neck as he sneered, "If you know nothing, then what’s the point of this stronghold? Also, I heard a man named Hong Tai appeared in Misty Swamp and tamed a Black and White King Python. Is that true?"

’Yes, it’s true. But he hasn’t been here for a long time. He probably came to Misty Swamp just to capture the Black and White King Python."

"Speaking of which, I happen to be an old acquaintance of Hong Tai," Fei Zheng said with a strange smile. He patted Ling Qing harshly on the back, causing him to scream in pain as his bones fractured.

Fei Zheng then caught sight of Bai Wei and Bai Zhi as they stepped out from behind Meng Qiulan. Eyes gleaming, he pointed to the two sisters and said, "You two, come here. I have a great opportunity for you. One that could take you to the upper worlds."

Not long ago, Bai Wei had expressed her eagerness to go to the upper worlds, but Fei Zheng’s words filled her with fear.

The sisters looked at Meng Qiulan for guidance.

The hand Meng Qiulan rested on her cane trembled slightly as she whispered, "Go ahead."

The Formless Sailboat hovered above Fei Zheng. He was the only one to disembark, but no one knew how many more Blood Moon Sect members remained onboard.

"Oh, you’re their guardian, right?" Fei Zheng questioned, finally noticing Meng Qiulan. He shot her a casual smile. "We at the Blood Moon Sect are not unreasonable. Here, these are ten spirit stones, consider it payment. I have an elder who likes beautiful pairs of sisters. This is their fortune, so don’t worry about them."

"I’m not worried. I believe the elder will take good care of them," Meng Qiulan replied in a strained voice.

From where Pang Jian stood behind her, he could see that Meng Qiulan’s back was trembling. It was unclear whether it was from anger or fear.

"You’re sensible. Good," Fei Zheng said with a faint smile. When the pale-faced Bai Wei and Bai Zhi arrived in front of him, he grabbed each of them by the hand, then told them, "I’ll take you to Divine Fortune City first. After meeting the people from the Shangguan Clan, I’ll take you to the upper worlds for a better life."

As members of the Shadow Specter Sect, the two sisters understood what it meant to leave with the Blood Moon Sect. The prospect left them too terrified even to speak.

They peered at Meng Qiulan with pleading eyes.

Meng Qiulan was hunched over, still trembling slightly as she lowered her head helplessly. She could not meet their gaze.

The sisters fell into despair. They did not beg for help from anyone else and simply bowed their heads in resignation.

"Pay attention, we’re leaving!" Fei Zheng called out. With a tight grasp on the sisters, he leaped up toward the hovering Formless Sailboat and landed on its deck.

Pang Jian looked up and saw the familiar blood-red crescent moon emblem on the black flag fluttering above the Formless Sailboat.

At that moment, he truly felt the immense influence the cultivators from the upper worlds wielded over those in the lower worlds. It reminded him of the commanding presence exerted by disciples from the Demon Sect, the Sword Pavilion, and the Black Valley Sect as they stood on the raised platforms, casting their dominance over the rest.

This was a gathering area for rogue cultivators, and as long as the Formless Sailboat was present, the members of the Blood Moon Sect could do as they pleased.

Everyone could only silently endure while swallowing their anger.

Even Meng Qiulan, the hall master of the Shadow Specter Sect, could only accept everything with silent resignation and resentment.

Under the crowd of fearful and anxious stares, the Formless Sailboat flew toward the Shangguan Clan’s Divine Fortune City.

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