Get Hands-On

Zhao Wanqing's gaze suddenly shifted.

The name of the Central Continent was far too prominent in the southern region of Danzhou.

Or rather, in this world, there were only two places: the Central Continent and everywhere else.

The fundamental reason was that the world's spiritual veins originated from the Central Continent, branching out to other continents.

Thus, the Central Continent had the highest concentration of spiritual energy, which was the foundation of cultivation. More spiritual energy meant the birth of more valuable spiritual plants and artifacts.

Even the spiritual roots of those born in the Central Continent were naturally stronger than those of cultivators from other continents.

The Central Continent dominated the other continents with an overwhelming force.

In fact, the sects of the Central Continent couldn't even be bothered to expand their influence to other continents, as they all deemed those places too poor to yield any worthwhile resources.

Very few cultivators from the Central Continent ventured to other continents. Those who did were either unable to make a living in the Central Continent or had completely given up on their ambitions.

But once one set foot on the path of cultivation, who wouldn't want to witness the grand dao and the splendor seen by top-tier cultivators?

Thus, even the demonic cultivators from the Central Continent were incredibly formidable.

However, if demonic cultivators from the Central Continent were reported to the Central Continent's Immortal Alliance, cultivators from the Central Continent would naturally come to deal with them.

But all of this required time, something Zhao Wanqing was sorely lacking.

Chu Xingchen continued his questioning, "And what else?"

This single statement wasn't enough to satisfy Chu Xingchen. After all, even Li Xingtian, before his rebirth, had managed to make his way to the Central Continent.

Rumor had it he thrived there.

"At this point, I'll be frank with you," Guan Quan's expression darkened, his tone serious. "They definitely didn't just buy things from us."

"Ever since rumors of demonic cultivators performing blood sacrifices started circulating, I became suspicious. I initially thought they would flee to other places after the incident."

"But they didn't. In fact, they increased the amount of goods they were purchasing."

"Based on my speculation, their blood sacrifices of mortals were merely a cover. Sacrificing mortals alone wouldn't satisfy the appetites of those from the Central Continent."

"Their true target must be the nearby sects! Only by sacrificing cultivators could they truly achieve their goals!"

If possible, Guan Quan would have preferred not to get involved in such matters. Selling goods and earning spirit stones would have been enough, but circumstances always pushed people forward.

This line of work always came with risks.

If the Demon Suppression Bureau hadn't shown up, he would have likely remained silent.

The blood sacrifices of sects had nothing to do with him, and he could even profit from it.

But the handsome man before him wasn't someone who could be easily fooled.

Guan Quan had no doubt that the sword at his neck would fall if he made a wrong move.

At this point, rather than having to deal with appeasing those demonic cultivators later, it was better to betray them outright!

Kill all those damned demonic cultivators, make sure they never dared to return!

That way, he could rid himself of future troubles.

With a fierce expression, Guan Quan said, "If you're really going to handle this matter, investigate those sects. You might find something unexpected!"

Chu Xingchen slowly sheathed his spirit sword, his gaze shifting to Zhao Wanqing, who had been listening intently.

Zhao Wanqing's brows were tightly knit, her hand gripping her dagger. After a long pause, she finally spoke:

"You can leave now."

Hearing this, Guan Quan visibly relaxed. He then immediately drew a short knife from his waist and, under Zhao Wanqing's astonished gaze, slashed himself several times across his body.

Without hesitation, he turned and sprinted toward the docks.

Zhao Wanqing stared at Guan Quan's retreating figure, her tone puzzled. "A ruse? Isn't this too obvious?"

Chu Xingchen chuckled lightly, explaining, "Many things can't be explained with words alone. No matter what you say, those who are suspicious will remain suspicious. For him, what matters now is his attitude."

Zhao Wanqing glanced at Chu Xingchen and asked, "Do you think what he said was the truth?"

"What do you think?"

Zhao Wanqing lowered her head, her expression heavy. After a long pause, she replied, "He was probably telling the truth."

"Then do you still plan to continue investigating?" Chu Xingchen's tone was calm.

Zhao Wanqing clasped her hands and said, "The matters that follow won't trouble you any further, Senior. Thank you for your assistance."

After all, this involved the Central Continent. The strongest among those demonic cultivators were at least at the Golden Core level, not to mention the terrifying blood energy they wielded.

Four hundred spirit stones to ask a Golden Core expert to take such a risk? That was truly absurd.

Chu Xingchen asked, "No problem. But do you really plan to investigate this alone?"

Zhao Wanqing's response was firm. "Yes!"

Chu Xingchen teased, "You're too naive to handle this on your own."

"Even if I can't handle it, I still have to try."

"Ah, you're really naive. You don't even understand what I'm saying."

Zhao Wanqing asked, puzzled, "Then what do you mean, Senior?"

"Raise the price!"

Guan Quan, covered in blood, ran back to his dock, pushing aside his underlings who tried to show concern.

He rushed straight to a small room and forcefully pushed open the door.

Inside, a figure cloaked in black sat calmly on a chair. His voice was hoarse:

"You're back?"

This statement momentarily stunned Guan Quan, but he quickly recovered, his tone urgent:

"The Demon Suppression Bureau has found out! I plan to flee to Liangyang City to lay low for a while! You should run too!"

"Why the rush?" The black-robed man chuckled lightly. "What's the Demon Suppression Bureau to us?"

The black-robed man's leisurely demeanor was completely unexpected to Guan Quan.

At this moment, it was as if he were the one from the Demon Suppression Bureau.

Guan Quan couldn't understand why this demonic cultivator was so brazen:

"They know you're here! They'll probably send people to capture you soon! Even if you're not afraid, shouldn't you at least retreat first?!"

The black-robed man tapped the table lightly. "Don't worry, just wait a little longer."

Guan Quan asked in disbelief, "Wait? For what?"

"Of course, for the people from the Demon Suppression Bureau to arrive."

Guan Quan felt something was terribly wrong. This demonic cultivator was acting like a madman. He quickly said,

"What are you thinking? I'm not sticking around for this madness. I'm leaving! The goods here are yours to handle!"

With that, he turned to leave.

But the black-robed man reached out and grabbed Guan Quan's shoulder.

"Stay and wait with me for a while."

Guan Quan's eyes widened in fury. "What are you waiting for?!"

"Of course... for people to arrive." As soon as the black-robed man finished speaking, a dark red blood energy erupted from his right hand, lunging straight for Guan Quan's head.

Guan Quan had been on guard. Seeing the black-robed man attack, he swiftly dodged.

"What the hell are you attacking me for?!"

The black-robed man didn't respond. Instead, his dark red spiritual energy surged, carrying an overwhelming stench of blood.

He quickly closed the distance, throwing a heavy punch directly at Guan Quan's head!

Guan Quan raised his arm to block!

Boom!

Guan Quan felt the punch's immense weight, and the blood energy seeped into his meridians, violently disrupting his spiritual energy!

Guan Quan's talent was lacking. His Foundation Establishment was forcibly achieved through pills, resulting in a flawed foundation.

Meanwhile, the black-robed man not only had the enhancement of blood energy but was also at the peak of Foundation Establishment!

Moreover, Guan Quan had already inflicted heavy injuries on himself earlier. In this fight, he stood no chance!

The black-robed man glanced to the side and saw Zhao Wanqing approaching from a distance.

Immediately, the blood energy within him surged even more, as if he wanted to make sure Zhao Wanqing could see it clearly.

Then, right in front of Zhao Wanqing's eyes,

he punched, punched, and punched again,

smashing Guan Quan's head into pieces.