Chapter 499 - Blood Swamp
When the Blood Transformation Palace Master learned about this information, he had been quite surprised.
In the end, one ought to know that Gu Zuo was just a profound-level pharmacist. And it could be said that the gap between profound-level pharmacists and earth-level pharmacists was like a natural moat.
However, Gu Zuo didn’t only make it onto the List of Pill Sinners and Evildoers, he also “defeated” numerous pill kings and was ranked tenth place! This was simply unimaginable!
Of course, after the palace master carefully thought about it, he understood why this happened.
In the final analysis, what this list of evildoers paid attention to was the level of danger. The placement of one’s ranking actually had little to do with how many cruel or savage things they had done — The key point was that, with this pharmacist’s capabilities, had they ever committed any acts of cruelty? Once they did, that pharmacist was likely to be placed on the list. After being put on the list, a ranking would be determined based on how much danger the pharmacist’s abilities could pose.
Gu Zuo definitely wasn’t fiendish or black-hearted. He wasn’t even considered a person who was a mixture of good and evil. It was inferred that his cruelty came from seeking revenge. It was just that his methods of revenge were rather frightening. Even pill kings probably wouldn’t have been so extravagant.
Naturally, with his identity as a profound-level pharmacist, he jumped onto this list of murderers where usually only pill kings had the qualifications to enter. Moreover, it seemed that if it wasn’t for the fact that he wasn’t a pill king, it was very possible that he would’ve ranked first place!
Merely, when Gu Zuo found out the reason why he was thrown onto the list, he didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Ah, he wasn’t the least bit ferocious...
At this moment, although the asura incarnation hadn’t completely wrapped himself around Gu Zuo, he was still holding Gu Zuo against his chest. He suddenly stretched out a hand to pinch Gu Zuo’s cheek. His voice was gentle: “Does Ah Zuo feel wronged?”
Gu Zuo was stunned before shaking his head: “There’s nothing to feel wronged about. I really did do those things.” His expression became peculiar, “Speaking of which, getting onto this list can be regarded as indirect proof of my strength, right?”
The Blood Transformation Palace Master praised: “That’s correct. Ah Zuo was able to get onto this list, which shows that his potential is massive and his strength is extraordinary. Although there might be some trouble, anyone will acknowledge this list if they know how Ah Zuo issued a world-wide bounty to destroy the Yang Clan. If there’s something beyond Ah Zuo’s current level among those troubles, my Blood Transformation Palace Hall will take over the matter. If it’s at the same level, what would Ah Zuo have to fear from such demons and monsters?”
Gu Zuo nodded seriously: “Many thanks, palace master.” He thought of something and said, “Palace master is right. I’m not afraid of anyone at the same level.”
The palace master smiled: “However, although the black robed individual on this list of evildoers is unnamed, many people have probably speculated Ah Zuo’s identity. It can’t be hidden for much longer.”
Gu Zuo nodded his head: “I’m mentally prepared.”
From the moment he hooked the Yang Clan, he didn’t go out of his way to conceal anything.
The palace master stood with his hands clasped behind his back. His expression was swift and fierce: “There’s no need to worry about this. I know that Ah Zuo must’ve had a fortuitous encounter to have achieved what he’s capable of now, but there are so many fortuitous encounters in this world. So long as my Ten Ultimates Sect is here, even if gold-ranked organizations come and start a battle to destroy the sect, they can forget about seizing Ah Zuo’s fortuitous encounter!”
In Ten Ultimates Sect, there were rivers of talents and streams of geniuses. Inheritances had been passed down for countless years. There definitely weren’t any people whose gazes were so shortsighted. The fortuitous encounters of the sect’s disciples belonged to the disciples themselves. If it was beneficial to the sect, it could be exchanged, but the sect wouldn’t insist on it.
Only in this way would the disciples remain faithful, and repay their favors to the sect.
Gu Zuo finished listening, and felt a little moved.
Of course, he wouldn’t reveal everything about his inheritance just because he was moved. However, it had to be said that the palace master’s words made him feel a stronger sense of belonging to Ten Ultimates Sect.
He remembered that when he was with big brother, he had to constrain himself all year round to stay hidden. He didn’t dare to do too many things that were beyond the capabilities of ordinary people. But now, he could display his own strength, and he had the palace master’s protection, too. This was truly hard to come by.
Gu Zuo understood clearly. Before big brother had grown to a realm without equal throughout the world, Ten Ultimates Sect was undoubtedly his strongest and staunchest backer.
Finally, the Blood Transformation Palace Master said: “The battles of the Prodigy Monument are in two months. This apprentice is exceptionally gifted, and should participate in the battles to raise our sect’s prestige. At that time, if this apprentice’s main body still hasn’t returned, and joins the fight with the asura incarnation, how confident is this apprentice?”
The asura incarnation said: “If we’re talking about combat power, this body is responsible for the path of the asura, and all of the martial disciplines learned in the Blood Transformation Palace Hall can be utilized. This disciple created the Great Asura Fist, Great Asura Hand, Asura Blood Saber Incarnation, and so on, and is proficient with all of them. It’s just that this incarnation is a collection of energy. If the battle lasts for a long time, I need to replenish the beast blood and poison. With the inner cultivation method operated by this incarnation, blood and poison can be assimilated into this body. Otherwise, the incarnation will fall apart when the energy is exhausted.”
To be honest, there were still many restrictions. When using these moves, it required meticulous planning and careful accounting. He also couldn’t recklessly use profound qi like before.
The amount of profound qi within the incarnation was naturally one sixth of the quantity in the main body. In other words, it was equal to one qi ocean.
Gu Zuo heard this, and was worried at first. But after that, he relaxed.
It was just that he wasn’t as good as before in protracted battles. It wasn’t that his combat effectiveness had been weakened. Ah, right. There were also fewer methods at his disposal... However, if he really went up against other prodigies, the asura incarnation wouldn’t necessarily lose.
Besides, maybe the main body could come back in time?
If he could join in time, that would be the best...
Gu Zuo also had his own way of doing things: “Big brother, wait until I find all the materials to refine a batch of Blood Poison Pills for you. At that point, you won’t have to soak in blood pools every day at the Prodigy Monument. You can just take the Blood Poison Pills to maintain your peak state at all times.”
The asura incarnation caressed Gu Zuo’s face: “Many thanks, Ah Zuo.”
The palace master inwardly nodded his head.
In fact, the strength of the personal pharmacist was greatly related to the development of the martial artist.
With Gu Zuo’s presence, it could be seen how helpful it was to have such a talented pharmacist by one’s side.
The palace master made a suggestion: “Blood beasts consume the blood essence of wild beasts and origin beasts all year round, and this quintessence is gathered within its inner gall. If you want to refine Blood Poison Pills, using this beast’s inner gall is the most suitable. A lot of the precious ingredients my sect uses to refine the blood pools come from blood beasts. However, the galls of blood beasts are rare, and the cost of exchanging for them in large quantities from fellow disciples is too high. It would be more convenient for you two to leave for the blood swamp and capture them yourselves.”
Moreover, going through this kind of experience could allow his apprentice to further adapt to the asura incarnation and hone his own skills.
Within the last two months, it was also appropriate to sharpen oneself on the grindstone.
When the asura incarnation and Gu Zuo heard what was said, it was only natural that they agreed.
In actuality, this was indeed the best way of doing things.
After returning to their mountain peak, the asura incarnation changed into a blood-red changpao. The full-length piece was like a cloak of blood, making him appear even more monstrous and strange.
Gu Zuo looked at this changpao, and silently nodded his head.
This color combination of hair, eyes, and clothes was indeed a unique sense of aesthetics... He never expected that the Blood Transformation Palace Hall’s uniforms would be so suitable for his big brother.
That’s right. The palace hall also had uniforms. It was just that everyone didn’t normally wear them. However, one could imagine that, if there were any big events that required a way to distinguish between the sects, this uniform would come in handy — From this blood-red robe, anyone could envision the grand and imposing manner when the Blood Transformation Palace Hall came out in full force.
It would probably be the same as an ocean of blood with endless waves of red...
Though, this was far off-topic.
After changing clothes, the asura incarnation could show himself in front of others. But at the same time, they still had one more thing to do.
Gu Zuo said: “Big brother, I agreed that I would treat that Jin Family fellow to a meal.”
Gongyi Tianheng, through the asura incarnation, lightly chuckled: “Naturally.”
Nevertheless, Gu Zuo had a favorable impression of the Jin Family’s second young master, Jin Yuan, because he smoothly reunited with big brother.
If it was possible, he could initiate more contact with the city lord’s mansion of Golden Martial City.
Having made up his mind, Gu Zuo traveled alongside Tianheng. Riding a gigantic wild bird, they swiftly flew away from the sect, and arrived at the street of the Jin Family’s residence.
Outside the Jin Mansion’s villa, a battle slave stepped forward to deliver an invitation card. Then, Tianheng and Gu Zuo took their seats in a nearby restaurant, and waited for a response.
Due to the arrival of the second young master, the Jin Mansion’s Manager Li recently handed over all matters in the store for his subordinates to handle. Meanwhile, he followed the second young master and awaited orders.
Yesterday, the second young master’s friend met that powerful profound-level pharmacist. However, the relationship between the friend, the pharmacist, and the legendary all-star prodigy seemed blurry and confusing. As it happened, it was the second young master who took the initiative to court this troublesome matter... For a time, it could be said that Manager Li was greatly worried about the second young master, fearing that he would offend that prodigy and the colossus known as Ten Ultimates Sect.
As for the second young master, Jin Yuan? After a brief moment of shock and amazement, he carefully pondered several things, and his heart was likewise somewhat worried. However, he didn’t feel that he misjudged the other person. But despite this, he still had to think of a few more ways to avoid the serious repercussions of his possible misunderstanding.
After all, Jin Yuan was the young master of an organization that was close to reaching the bronze rank. He wasn’t really that casual or arbitrary.
Yet, the very next day, someone delivered an invitation card.
This invitation was sent by someone of the nonhuman races. It was clearly written on the card that the people who invited him were Gu Zuo and Gongyi Tianheng — They had already asked around. The all-star prodigy of Ten Ultimates Sect was called Gongyi Tianheng!
Jin Yuan hesitated.
He couldn’t help thinking about it. That Pharmacist Gu said he wanted to treat him to a meal, but the other person he brought wasn’t the Brother Tian he knew but the all-star prodigy... Speaking of which, was Brother Tian still doing alright?
Let alone Jin Yuan, even his father, the Golden Martial City Lord, had to accept this prodigy’s invitation.
Hence, Jin Yuan restrained the many thoughts in his heart, tidied himself up, and proceeded to the meeting place mentioned in the invitation with the elegance of a young master.
Of course, before that, Jin Yuan didn’t forget to have someone send a reply back, telling them that he would arrive there on time.
The meeting place was very close. Moreover, it was located at a private room on the second floor of a nearby restaurant.
Jin Yuan followed the message left by the other party, and promptly saw two figures sitting by the window.
Thus, he went over with quick steps, and said respectfully: “Golden Martial City’s Jin Yuan greets Prodigy Gongyi and Pharmacist Gu.”
After he finished speaking, Jin Yuan raised his head, and saw the appearance of this prodigy.
Then, he was given quite the startle.
Why did this prodigy look so similar to the Brother Tian he knew?
No, no, no! Wasn’t this the exact same person with the strange appearance and temperament?
But this was different from the all-star prodigy described in rumors...
Gu Zuo said: “Second Young Master Jin, please have a seat.”
Tianheng also gave him a slight nod of the head. His temperament was still unusual, but his expression was rather placid: “Brother Jin, due to an illness yesterday, I forgot to say goodbye when we left. Please forgive me.”
Jin Yuan was taken aback.
“Brother Tian” was really that all-star prodigy? Today, he didn’t look like a reclusive loner at all. His personality was totally different from yesterday...
This feeling of changes coming and going caused his mind to fill with confusion. After thinking about it for a long time, he couldn’t figure out the reason. It could only be said that this was probably a unique characteristic of the all-star prodigy?
But no matter what, the Brother Tian at this moment was much easier to communicate with than when they met Gu Zuo yesterday.
Consequently, Brother Tian really wasn’t a victim of unrequited love? In addition, he also hadn’t been digging bricks out of the all-star prodigy’s walls? Yesterday, his heart had been hanging by a thread, but today, he could lay most of his worries to rest.
As a result, Jin Yuan cupped his hands in obeisance: “No harm done.” Shortly thereafter, he added, “Prodigy Gongyi.”
Tianheng looked as though he was about to smile. After that, he remembered something and restrained his smiling expression. His voice was still alluring, but his tone was calm: “I was injured several days ago, and my mind was a little confused. It’s all thanks to Brother Jin for bringing me back, so Brother Jin doesn’t have to be so polite.”
Jin Yuan also smiled. Sure enough, his bearing was more relaxed than just a while ago: “Brother Gongyi.”
Tianheng faintly nodded.
Afterwards, when the food was served, Gu Zuo took over the task of communicating with Jin Yuan. It wasn’t for any other reason. It was just because the present asura incarnation’s way of speaking was too strange and his personality had some defects. He couldn’t interact as skillfully as the main body. For the sake of the all-star prodigy’s image, it was better for Gu Zuo to take charge.
Jin Yuan was comfortable as he chatted with Gu Zuo. They mostly talked about some of the asura incarnation’s displays while on the road. He saw that Gu Zuo listened intently, so he also spoke more cheerfully.
As for Tianheng, he quietly put his arm around Gu Zuo’s waist while the two were talking excitedly. The more the two of them talked, the tighter Tianheng held Gu Zuo. Later on, without realizing it, Gu Zuo was almost leaning halfway into Tianheng’s embrace... Fortunately, the conversation between the two was always about Tianheng himself, so he was smoothly placated.
When they were done talking and eating, Gu Zuo took out a token and handed it to Jin Yuan: “This is big brother’s talisman mark. If this second young master has any trouble in Ten Ultimates City, you can use this item to come to Ten Ultimates Sect and see us. If we can be of help at that time, we won’t refuse you.”
As soon as Jin Yuan saw this, he knew that the other party was here to express their kind intentions. He didn’t refuse, and accepted the talisman mark: “Many thanks for this.”
It was just a pity that, in the end, Brother Tian and Gongyi Tianheng weren’t the same. He could make friends with Brother Tian according to his own tastes and preferences, but when it came to befriending an all-star prodigy, it would be difficult to free himself from distracting thoughts like before.
After chatting for a little while longer, Jin Yuan bade farewell to the pair.
Gu Zuo and Tianheng completed this task, and went back together.
“Big brother, what do you think?”
“This person has a clear view of things. If everyone from the Jin Family is so clear-sighted, there may be room for cooperation. But if you want to have them follow, we’ll have to consider things a little more.”
Once Jin Yuan returned to the villa, he bumped into Manager Li who was pacing back and forth in the hall, anxiously waiting.
Upon seeing Jin Yuan, Manager Li promptly welcomed him: “Second young master, how is the situation?”
Jin Yuan shook his head and said: “Nothing bad happened.”
However, Manager Li realized that Jin Yuan’s mood wasn’t too good: “But what’s wrong?”
Jin Yuan shook his head again: “It’s not like that.” He explained a little bit about what he saw today, “That Brother Tian I got to know is actually the all-star prodigy...”
When Manager Li understood what happened previously, he felt relieved.
Rather than someone of unknown origin, the one he got to know was a prodigy. This was a good thing. He didn’t incur the hatred of the prodigy. This was also a good thing. The prodigy had the intention of providing aid. This was even better.
Since good things happened one after another, why was the second young master unhappy?
Manager Li was an individual with experience. After carefully pondering, he knew the reason.
He offered words of advice to Jin Yuan: “Second young master, you don’t need to overthink it. Prodigy Gongyi isn’t difficult to get along with. Since the second young master was able to have a friendship with this prodigy for a period of time, you can deepen this friendship in the future. In any friendship, what does it matter if there are some benefits involved? When interests deepen, the relationship between one another will naturally become unbreakable. It won’t be as superficial as the bonds of those who only meet through friendship.
“Furthermore, after listening to what the second young master said, this old servant believes that any association with this all-star prodigy will be more trustworthy to him if there are some benefits involved.”
Jin Yuan wasn’t the type of person who wasted time on meaningless problems. Thus, he came to his senses after hearing what Manager Li said.
Right. The existence of Brother Tian was basically his misunderstanding. Gongyi Tianheng was the real one. And if he was going to get along with Tianheng properly, this relationship really wouldn’t be about pure friendship.
After unravelling the knot in his heart, Jin Yuan’s train of thought was brightly lit: “It’s rare to come across an all-star prodigy. Now that I have this opportunity to build a closer relationship, I might as well do it. Although our Golden Martial City is more famous among the surrounding cities, it’s just average overall.
“Ever since the death of that exceptional genius several generations ago, Golden Martial City’s vitality was also injured. It has been gradually recovering with great difficulty, but there has never been anyone in the family who could take charge of the overall situation. If we intend to follow someone again...an all-star prodigy is undoubtedly the best choice. For this matter, I’ll go back and discuss it with father and eldest brother.”
Having made up his mind, Jin Yuan gave a few instructions to Manager Li, and took the teleportation array to Golden Martial City.
For the sake of the upcoming Prodigy Monument, and to strengthen the asura incarnation’s foundations a little more, the two naturally had to go and hunt blood beasts, harvest their blood galls, and use these precious materials to refine medicine as quickly as possible.
Originally, Gongyi Tianheng only needed to go alone for this kind of matter, but because he was currently an incarnation, Gu Zuo was uneasy. Therefore, he decided to accompany him — At that time, if his big brother’s energy consumption was too high, he could immediately refine Blood Poison Pills, which would let big brother replenish what he used up.
If it was Tianheng’s main body, he would’ve had Gu Zuo wait in the sect because of the danger and his own sufficient foundations. However, the asura incarnation was deeply obsessed with Gu Zuo and wanted to be together all the time. If Gu Zuo mentioned that he wouldn’t go, the other could endure it, but if Gu Zuo wanted to go, then he wouldn’t have to ask.
Hence, the two consulted the sect’s ancient records, learned about the blood swamp in detail, and made enough preparations. Then, they left the sect together, and headed towards the blood swamp.
This kind of swamp wasn’t unique to the Ten Ultimates Domain. However, it was one of the largest places in the Ten Ultimates Domain. It was located inside the Yellow Valley Forest.
Originally, the Yellow Valley Forest was a dense forest full of wild beasts and origin beasts. One day, a spring of blood suddenly surged from the ground, corroding the dense forest and turning the land within a range of several hundred thousand kilometers into a blood swamp.
It was currently called the Yellow Valley Forest, but in fact, the original name was only used to distinguish it from the blood swamps in the world. It had already been a long time since it was a forest.
Tianheng and Gu Zuo rode a wild bird to the outer boundaries of the Yellow Valley Forest, but before they got close, the wild bird under their seats flapped its wings vigorously and made a series of somewhat panicked chirps and trills.
Gu Zuo was startled: “Can’t withstand it?”
He patted the wild bird’s body. The wild bird only calmed down after prompting it to retreat a couple kilometers away.
Looking down from a high altitude, one could see the boundless red and yellow patches spreading out near and far.
On these patches, there were numerous ancient trees that towered into the sky. These ancient trees were contaminated and dyed with similar colors and lusters as though they were integrated with each colored patch. It was very harsh on the eyes.
However, “numerous” was just a relative term. In actuality, on this swath of land, what numbered even higher were the squirming, mud-like, gelatinous things. Also, besides a few hard, brown stones, there were almost no other places to step on.
At the same time, there were several packs of blood-red creatures crawling on the ground. Wherever they passed, the ground would give off poisonous fumes. It was extremely terrifying.
However, what Gu Zuo paid more attention to was the poisonous bloodlust rising from the land. It was so concentrated that it nearly formed a poison fog that hung in the air.
The reason why the wild bird refused to move forward and was in such a panic was precisely due to this poisonous bloodlust.
It was too horrifying.
With his own eyes, Gu Zuo watched a wild beast dazedly approaching due to unknown causes. After unconsciously entering the Yellow Valley Forest’s range, it was instantly enveloped by the poisonous bloodlust and corroded into a pile of white bones. As for this pile of bones, it was also dragged underground by slender things that burrowed out. In the blink of an eye, it was as if this wild beast had never come here.
The blood swamp deserved to be called one of the most dangerous places in the world.
The weaker a martial artist’s realm, the greater the dangers they faced upon entering.
However, for a prodigy like Tianheng, he had long taken precautionary measures before venturing inside. So long as he was more careful when dealing with the blood beasts, his life wouldn’t really be endangered.
Gu Zuo observed for a while, and spoke to Tianheng: “Big brother, the situation ahead is very disadvantageous for the wild bird, so we can’t let it carry us.”
Tianheng’s arms were wrapped around Gu Zuo’s waist. At this moment, he buried his head in the crook of Gu Zuo’s neck. His voice was soft: “Ah Zuo has the final say.”
Gu Zuo was already getting used to this kind of sudden attack. A bottle appeared in his palm, containing some snow-white pills: “Big brother, we need to take some Detoxification Pills before we enter.”
This was something he specially refined for the blood swamp!
It was just that every pill had a time limit...
Tianheng took out a pill and put it inside his mouth without any hesitation. Gu Zuo did the same.
In a split second, a stream of heat flowed down the two’s throats, which surrounded their whole bodies with a faint coolness. The consciousness in their minds also became much more clear and bright.
Immediately following which, Tianheng hugged Gu Zuo tightly, leaped up, and fell to the ground. After that, he refused to put Gu Zuo down. Tianheng continued holding him, and walked towards the forest step by step.
The moment the two of them approached, a wisp of poisonous bloodlust rushed towards them!
Gu Zuo nervously watched as the poisonous bloodlust encircled them.
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