Chapter 395 Source 1

Li Cheng Yi got up and paced around the room, pondering.

The meaning of the ZI Wei Flower ability, as explained by the Evil Flower, was clear: it only worked on people.

And the pronoun "people" could refer to many intelligent beings. From the perspective of human self-awareness, anyone who could communicate could be called a person, such as aliens, orcs, and so on.

Here, the power of language could actually control the surrounding mysterious substances. Did this mean that these mysterious substances themselves might be alive?

Were they themselves humanoid beings with life and intelligence?

Li Cheng Yi pondered.

The definition of a person was itself a composite formed by the aggregation of countless cellular wills.

So it was somewhat understandable that these mysterious substances could be controlled by the Flower Language.

'So it seems… the *zhenqi* (internal energy) here is very deep.'

He hesitated for a moment, wondering if he should continue cultivating.

'If I could figure out the fundamental source and composition of this mysterious substance, that would be great.'

To understand an unknown substance was inherently a difficult process, requiring observation, testing to discover patterns, summarizing and analyzing, and further refinement, layer upon layer. It couldn't be solved in a short time.

Moreover, many things in the Black Sea were inherently unknowable. If this thing was also one of them, all his efforts would be in vain.

'Without the exploration and inheritance of predecessors, even if I encounter a completely new power system, I wouldn't dare to advance rashly… difficult.'

Fortunately, he quickly cheered himself up. Even with science, modern technology, humanity was also groping forward. No one could be 100% sure that the future would be good, so he should seize the present first.

As long as this thing was harmless to him, he would use it first.

Immediately, Li Cheng Yi continued to release the Flower Language light force field, repairing the damage to his body caused by the frenzied refining of *zhenqi* just now.

In just two months, he had reached six years' worth of total *zhenqi*.

Soon, it wouldn't be long before he could reach a level where he could barely protect himself. Coming here every once in a while to devour the mysterious substance would greatly increase his total *zhenqi* for a period of time.

Settling down, Li Cheng Yi continued to close his eyes, adjusting his state according to the *xinfa* (cultivation method).

General Zhen's Residence.

Xinmeng Town was not large, but the most central General Zhen's Residence was built quite well.

The entire General Zhen's Residence, a single mansion, occupied nearly one-third of the most central area.

It could be said that from an aerial view, the entire Xinmeng Town seemed to be a circle of residential buildings built around the General Zhen's Residence.

This meant that the construction of this town began with the General Zhen's Residence.

Inside the mansion at this time.

Small bridges, flowing water, ponds, pavilions, waterside gazebos, and a small boat—there was even a small lake built here, with gray boats swaying in the wind.

In one of the boats, two solemn-faced middle-aged men sat cross-legged.

One was dressed in a red robe, wore a golden crown, had a black eagle tattooed on his back, and had a small mustache on his lip.

The other had a face full of橫肉, draped in black clothes, with eyes like copper bells, and messy black hair, like a mass of ink flames, fluttering in the wind.

"The people from above are about to arrive. You killed the people from Huanggu Pavilion earlier, it seems some of these wild organizations can't hold back anymore," the mustached man said in a low voice.

"Let them come, the timing is just right. In another half a month, I might not be able to hold on anymore, it's good to have someone replace me," the middle-aged man with a face full of 橫肉 said nonchalantly.

He was the General Zhen of this Xinmeng Town—Song Ju Dao.

"You've been searching for so long and only found five new people. You can't hand in this result to the people above," the mustached man shook his head.

"What else can I do? This place is small, how many Blood Seeds do you expect to find in this rural backwater? It's already amazing to have a few Crimson Bloods," General Zhen Song Ju Dao sneered.

He had been sent here in the first place because he had offended a superior officer in the army. It was extremely difficult for him to achieve any success. After all, Xinmeng Town had such a small population, and the proportion of awakened Blood Seeds was too low.

"Could it be that Brother Song is willing to go back like this? And then wait until the Blood Poison flares up, and completely degenerate into a crazy lunatic to die??" The mustached man's words carried a hint of pity, feeling sorry for the other party.

"With your strength, to be so wronged, and to end your life like this, wouldn't it be too cheap for those who hold positions without doing any work?"

"Brother Dongfang, just say what you want to say, why hide it?" Song Ju Dao said displeased.

"Why not… leave the army, and come to my Linghui Valley? We are free and unrestrained, not bound by restrictions, we can kill whenever we want. Even if we go mad, we can find some living things to kill to relieve it. It's better than being controlled by the imperial court," the mustached man said.

"Heh, I'm just staying in town, why wouldn't I want to be a local emperor, and instead run to your wilderness to be a savage? Dongfang Ling, you really dare to think?" Song Ju Dao said coldly.

He had food, drinks, and people to serve him here. When the Blood Disease flared up, he could just find an excuse to kill a few people in the death row to relieve it.

If that wasn't enough, there were so many subordinates with abundant blood energy around him. Killing them for any reason was much better than searching for blood food everywhere in Linghui Valley.

"Since Brother Song has his own plans, I won't say much. But a single tree can't form a forest. If the people from Huanggu Pavilion don't return, it will definitely attract their attention. When those beasts attack, Brother Song alone will want to fight against the entire Huanggu Pavilion. I'm afraid you won't be able to do it, right?" Dongfang Ling raised an eyebrow.

"That's nothing for you to worry about," Song Ju Dao smiled, without explaining.

"Brother Song isn't hoping for those leaders from the garrison side, right? Martial arts and *zhenqi* are somewhat useful, but to fight against Blood Seeds, I'm afraid they won't even last through the incubation period, right?" Dongfang Ling raised an eyebrow, thinking he had guessed the other party's thoughts.

"I know that even the strongest martial arts are extremely far from Blood Seeds. I have other ways to stop Huanggu Pavilion," Song Ju Dao did not explain.

Linghui Valley, he would not go. Huanggu Pavilion, he would not stop.

When it was time to leave, he planned to directly harvest his accumulation of these years, eliminate a wave of side effects, absorb blood energy, and then go to Tushan Country.

He didn't want to stay in this Shaoyin Country anymore. He had already made contact over there. He would make one last big score and then run away decisively! The garrison and those subordinates with good martial arts and *zhenqi* were perfect as his blood energy reserves. As long as he killed one before he was about to lose control and deepen, he could quickly suppress such changes.

That was his real plan.

Since they wouldn't give him a way to live, don't blame him for going to another country. Turning around and defecting!

Garrison Mansion.

Head Constable Wang Yi Feng looked grave, listening to the reports from the constables after searching the town.

Still no clues. At this rate, the previous case of the Red-Eye Disease lurker being killed would be thrown into the sealed case files.

Not every case in this world could be solved. A clearance rate of 20% was already an extremely strong result.

The vast majority were below 5%, and many were simply concealed and not recorded.

The town guard sat in the main seat, listening to the report results, his expression also unsightly.

"Suddenly, inexplicably, there's a lurker in the city, and now, we still can't find the source of this lurker. If we can't find the source, we can't ask Lord General Zhen to completely resolve this matter."

"I heard that Cangshi County has sent someone to replace the current Lord General Zhen. Perhaps we can wait a little longer, until the new General Zhen arrives, and see if there's a way to find a clue?" Deputy Town Guard Guo Hu said in a deep voice.

"If the Blood Body at the source really intends to hide all the time, there's nothing we can do to pull him out. It's better to wait and see, as Deputy Town Guard said, and wait for the opportunity," Head Constable Wang Yi Feng also agreed with the waiting method.

To be honest, as long as the Blood Body at the source didn't show up, they didn't want to provoke him.

That kind of powerful enemy monster was best dealt with by Lord General Zhen. They were just small roles who practiced martial arts, and couldn't bear this heavy responsibility.

With no clues, the town guard was helpless and could only dismiss the meeting.

The others left, Wang Yi Feng put down the repellent incense and warning fireworks he was carrying, and left the yamen with a group of constables.

On the way, he comforted a few constables who were also fearful, and then came to his own door.

He took out his key, unlocked the door, and entered.

As soon as he entered, he saw in the courtyard, the second son, Wang Yi Heng, was sparring with the eldest son, Wang Yi Jue.

Two illusory figures moved back and forth in the courtyard. They weren't using knives, but both were using the family's Songlu Knife Technique, using fist and palm techniques to perform it.

Even so, the faint white knife light carried in their palms was enough to easily cut through flesh and blood.

Amidst the *peng peng* sounds, Wang Yi Heng was ultimately no match. The gap in *zhenqi* was there. Each time they clashed palms, he was forced back two steps by his brother, and the *zhenqi* on his palm collapsed and exploded.

"Enough!" Wang Yi Feng shouted, stopping the two from fighting.

*Shua!*

A gray figure retreated abruptly and stood still.

The man who was suppressing Wang Yi Heng had a fierce look on his face, with a hint of ferocity in his eyebrows. He was burly, with long arms that reached past his knees. He was Wang Yi Feng's eldest son—Wang Yi Jue.

"It's rare for you to come back, why are you fighting with the second son again?" Wang Yi Feng had a headache whenever he saw him. The eldest son didn't like the family's Songlu Knife Technique and always wanted to practice some Crazy Blood Art. He didn't listen to anyone, only came home occasionally, and when he did, he wanted money, argued, and fought, making a mess.

"Dad, my cultivation of the skill consumes too much. I wanted the second sister to support me a little. When I succeed, I can sweep the entire town, replace the town guard, and take up an important position. Wouldn't getting money be easy then? But this short-sighted guy won't give it! Don't you think that's infuriating?!"

The eldest son, Wang Yi Jue, spoke first to complain. His twisted logic almost made Wang Yi Feng's heart stop.

"You need money to practice, doesn't your sister need money to practice?" Wang Yi Feng exploded. He looked at his wife, Wang Lin Shi, who didn't dare to approach in the distance. His wife was holding an empty money bag, her eyes were tearful, and her eyes were red, obviously she had just cried.

She was probably robbed of her money.

"You little brat!! You went to rob your mother's savings again!" He immediately flew into a rage and slapped him.

Wang Yi Jue didn't fight him at all. He knew he couldn't win, so he turned around, somersaulted into the air, and easily jumped over the wall, leaving here.

"Isn't it just taking some money from your wife? I'll pay you back ten times when I master my skill!"

"You're dreaming!" Wang Yi Feng shouted, wanting to chase, but his *qinggong* (light body skill) was not good. Putting aside everything else, the Crazy Blood Art's escape technique had been practiced extremely well by the eldest son.

He could only chase to the corner of the wall and curse loudly.

After cursing for a while, he calmed down a bit and turned back.

In the courtyard, the second son, Wang Yi Heng, was quietly talking to Wang Lin Shi. Her arm was injured and bleeding, obviously done by the eldest son.

"This beast!" Wang Yi Feng raged. "He's gone mad!"

"Dad, is our family's martial arts… really not as good as that Crazy Blood Art?" Wang Yi Heng couldn't help but ask wearily.

"Bullshit! Your older brother practiced the Songlu Knife for so many years, and now he has already cultivated his *zhenqi* to the point of being full of the body, the Great Accomplishment Realm. You're only at the Small Accomplishment Realm, how can you win?" Wang Yi Feng said angrily.

"But…" Wang Yi Heng wanted to say something, but saw in the corner, the youngest brother, Wang Yi Chen, was timidly hiding, eavesdropping on him and his dad's conversation.

"Little brother!" She called out, "You…" For a moment, she didn't know what to say. The youngest brother had just started practicing martial arts, and he saw this scene just now.

He and his dad couldn't do anything about the eldest brother who practiced the Crazy Blood Art. In this way, he would probably no longer have confidence in the Songlu Knife in the future.