After all that, Li Guanqi asked, “Brother Sun, why do I get the feeling that your cultivation methods are all... rather crude?”

Sun Zhen smiled. This was no secret. Anyone who’d fought his clan members a few times could sense it. “Our cultivation methods are like that, yes. Crude, even. That’s why most of our cultivators are spirit-martial double cultivators. Only by raising our bodies to a certain level can we withstand such rough vital force circulation.”

The method demanded incredibly resilient meridians, but in return, their vital force circulated more rapidly and violently.

Li Guanqi thought about his own meridians, which were resilient beyond measure. If I alter the circulation of the Illusory Refinement Sutra... could I release vital force even faster?

Sun Zhen seemed to read his thoughts and explained the precautions one by one.

“With how much you’ve told me, won’t your elders scold you?” Li Guanqi said.

Sun Zhen laughed. “Then why don’t you have another drink with me?”

“Hahaha! Of course, of course.”

Their glasses clinked. Sun Zhen’s voice dropped. “Sometimes I envy you.”

“Oh? Why’s that?”

Sun Zhen looked up at the low clouds beyond the window, a trace of self-mockery in his voice. “The situation with the Liu clan... If it had been me, I couldn’t have done it. My clan would weigh the pros and cons, then let it fade, or use it to their advantage. There’s no freedom in that. I’m a sword cultivator, but even drawing a sword demands endless deliberation.”

He lowered his head and took a long swig of his drink.

Li Guanqi smiled. “Simple. If the clan only binds you, sever ties and walk your own path.”

Sun Zhen’s eyes lit up, but dimmed just as quickly. “Perhaps... Let’s just drink.”

They drank deep into the night. Li Guanqi listened to Sun Zhen’s worries and learned more about the Ancient Clans.

Ancient Clans, Hidden Clans, Brahma Hidden Clans, three tiers, lowest to highest. If Sun Zhen’s words were true, the Brahma Hidden Clans were a power unlike anything Li Guanqi had ever heard of, mysterious and unimaginably powerful.

***

In a blood-red hall deep within the Seventh Territory, a man hung suspended, pierced by dozens of chains and submerged in a pool of blood. The pool boiled, crimson bubbles rising and bursting across the surface.

You Ming clenched his teeth, eyes bloodshot. His flesh was rotting, his soul wracked with endless torment. Around the pool stood seven figures of varying size and build.

Long Hou, clad in golden armor, leaned against a stone pillar, his stern face visible beneath his helm. He watched You Ming tremble and howl, then sneered. “You brought this on yourself. You knew how the territory lord dotes on his grandson, yet you dared to do such a thing.”

He raised his hand, sending a golden light into the pool.

You Ming screamed, coughing up mouthfuls of blood. The pool surged, bubbles bursting and splattering everywhere. His screams echoed through the hall.

The other six watched coldly, some with open mockery. One sneered. “Well, well. Our Blood Sovereign sure has fallen. Pathetic.”

You Ming’s head snapped up, and he glared at the man. The man smirked. “Keep looking at me like that, and I might just kill you myself.”

Sensing the killing intent, Long Hou frowned and turned to the man. “Enough, Chan Kongzi.”

Chan Kongzi’s eyes went cold, but he retracted his killing intent and bowed slightly. “Yes, Long Hou.”

The others, hidden in the shadows, were clearly afraid of Long Hou.

Long Hou walked up to You Ming, gazing down at his mangled face. “If there is a next time... I will kill you myself.” 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

His tone was perfectly calm, as if discussing the weather. You Ming’s pupils trembled, and he nodded quickly.

With that, Long Hou led the others outside. “As for the Sha Organization, each of you will handle a territory.”

Chan Kongzi, clad in white robes, waved a folding fan in one hand. He smiled faintly. “That organization... seems troublesome. How far do we go?”

Long Hou’s eyes gleamed coldly. “Eradication.”

At that word, the six bowed solemnly and vanished.

Only the sound of bursting bubbles remained in the dark hall. You Ming’s eyes shone with madness. This is fun... So fun! Territory Lord, why do you value him so much?

Only his pained growls filled the dark hall’s silence.

***

Li Guanqi had his own doubts about the affair. Incidents like that were usually kept under wraps, yet the projection of Liu Yunxuan had seemed almost deliberate, as if meant to reveal something to the world, or perhaps just to him.

He smiled warmly at Sun Zhen. “Brother Sun, do you have any good swords?”

Drunk, Sun Zhen pulled out every sword from his storage ring. Six or seven glittering blades clattered onto the table. “Yes! Plenty! Take whichever you like, Brother Li. I admire you too much! I admire...”

Crash!

Li Guanqi pursed his lips and collected them all. None really impressed him, but free swords were not to be wasted.

“Tsk, you can’t hold your liquor.”