...

However, in the Blood Flow Sect, it didn't cause much of a stir. However, he did hear passersby say that the person who killed another disciple was executed immediately. After all, the Blood Stream Sect allows fighting but not killing, and they strictly enforce their rules. Anyone who crosses the line will meet a brutal end.

"It's like they're raising scorpions..." Yan Xiaobao thought. Although the Blood Stream Sect seemed chaotic and ruleless, the truth was there was an order.

A few more days passed, and word spread that arrangements had been made for those who failed at the Foundation Establishment Holy Land. As the disciples said at the meeting, they would have a chance to take part in the fire trials to achieve Foundation Establishment.

In order to qualify for the fire trials, they must complete tasks set by the sect. Everyone received different missions, and Yan Xiaobao's was to refine corpses at Corpse Mountain Peak!

Yan Xiaobao found the nature of the task somewhat repulsive. However, despite the distasteful notion of using corpses, he couldn't change the task. If he wanted to ultimately obtain the eternal unbreakable relic, he'd have to grit his teeth and accept the task.

This was his only way to enter the trials through fire, obtain the Foundation Establishment Pill, and "achieve" Foundation Establishment. Then he could choose to become a Dharma Protector of Middle Peak.

On the way to the Blood Flow Sect, he often thought about becoming an Earthstring Foundation Establishment expert. Although some disciples who escaped from the Fallen Sword World might have seen Nightcrypt being killed, there were ways to explain his current lifestyle. After all, everyone had life-saving magic. However, if he appeared at the Earthstring Foundation cultivation base, it would be another matter entirely. Despite the chaos in the "Fallen Sword World" nearing its end, everyone was very focused on the earth's energy and was absorbing it. On the way to the Blood Flow Sect, he often thought about becoming an Earthstring Foundation Establishment expert. Although some disciples who escaped from the Fallen Sword World might have seen Nightcrypt being killed, there were ways to explain his current lifestyle. After all, everyone had life-saving magic. However, if he appeared at the Earthstring Foundation cultivation base, it would be another matter entirely. Despite the chaos in the "Fallen Sword World" nearing its end, everyone was very focused on the earth's energy and was absorbing it.

Returning to the sect as an Earthstring Foundation cultivator was too suspicious, so in the end, he abandoned the idea.

The next day at sunrise, Yan Xiaobao eagerly left his Immortal Cave. Carrying jade, he headed towards Corpse Peak. Only jade could grant entry into Corpse Peak.

There were many Corpse Refineries at the top of Corpse Mountain, and even a few at the foot of the mountain.

This was precisely where Yan Xiaobao needed to accept his assigned task. Even from afar, he could see the Corpse Refinery that was his destination. It was a huge building, cylindrical and pitch-black. Toxic black smoke spewed from the top of the building, rising into the sky.

The building had many entrances and exits, with Inner Sect disciples constantly going in and out. The disciples leaving the building had grave expressions on their faces, and their skin was pale, as if they hadn't seen daylight for years. Unlike Yan Xiaobao, they were people who willingly accepted the task of Corpse Refining from the sect for cultivation and learning.

As he walked towards the Corpse Refinery, he suddenly saw a familiar person. It was Xu Xiaoshan standing at the gate leading into the refinery, with his hands tightly clasped behind his back. His cultivation base radiated the fluctuations of the Earthstring Foundation, and as he berated several Inner Sect disciples behind him, he had three stern bodyguards standing at his back.[1. Yan Xiaobao meets Xu Xiaoshan, Chapter 152]

"Do you know how much money I paid for this Corpse Refinery from the sect, fools?

"This place is mine! I had to sell all my other properties to afford it. If I don't earn enough profit to buy paper amulets, then you'll be sorry!

"I can't believe you destroyed one of my corpses! It may have been just an ordinary corpse, but it was still worth a try. I warn you, many of you had better return it to me, or I'll turn you into corpses to enhance!" The disciples of the Inner Sect trembled and turned pale, as they instantly admitted their failure. Finally, Xu Xiaoshan waved his hand angrily and dismissed them.

He wore a dark expression and glanced around the area, spotting Yan Xiaobao.

"What are you doing here? You can't just come here as you please!"

Yan Xiaobao took a moment to compose himself. If Xu Xiaoshan dared to speak to him like that in the Fallen Sword Abyss, he would have dealt with him quickly. But now, all he did was wave his right hand to let the task jade sliding plate fly to him.

Xu Xiaoshan frowned while inspecting the jade sliding plate. Then he turned back to look at Yan Xiaobao.

"I remember you. You were there when we all fought against Yan Xiaobao. So, it's true that you're still alive!" His expression softened a bit. He had complex feelings regarding everything that happened in the Fallen Sword Abyss. He still admired Yan Xiaobao from the Spiritual Sect, and as he thought about how they fought and connected with each other, he couldn't help but sigh.

"That guy is definitely a jewel of the Spiritual Flow Sect now," he thought while shaking his head.