Hao Xue’s expression was grim. Yet, against this assassin from the Yellow Springs Sect, who was an expert in concealment and illusionary arts, he was completely helpless.
He drew a long, deep breath and said, “Since Your Excellency knows of the Blood Condensing Bead, you must also be familiar with our Hao family’s Blood Condensing Art.”
“The Hao family’s Distortion Art and Blood Condensing Art are renowned throughout the world; of course, I am aware of them.”
Hao Xue smiled with satisfaction. “Our Hao family’s Blood Condensing Art is a singular, secret technique famous for condensing massive amounts of true energy within the blood. Once deployed, even a master of a higher tier would have no choice but to retreat several paces.”
His statement carried an intense flavor of arrogance, a testament to the almost unimaginable confidence he held in his clan’s ultimate technique.
He Yiming sneered inwardly. Hao Xue was praising the Blood Condensing Art as if it were boundless, yet in He Yiming’s mind, he by no means believed it to be so. Whether judging by the Thirty-Six Felling Styles he himself commanded, or by the sheer martial power displayed by Jin Zhanyi and the Qilian Twin Devils, none were inferior to Hao Xue’s lineage.
Thus, he let out a dismissive smile, his tone cold. “The Blood Condensing Art is indeed a supreme skill capable of challenging those of superior rank, but there are many other equally potent skills in this world. There is no need for such lavish praise.”
His tone was blunt, sharp with a distinct edge of confrontation, which infuriated Hao Xue. However, Hao Xue was also a man of unyielding resolve and ruthlessness. Despite the raging anger in his heart, he managed to maintain an even calmer facade.
“Your Excellency, this Blood Condensing Art was personally created by the Yellow Springs Ancestor of your own sect,” Hao Xue stated coolly.
He Yiming faltered slightly, an avalanche of doubt instantly surging through him. Jin Zhanyi had explicitly stated that the Distortion Art and Blood Condensing Art were the sole, secret techniques of the Hao family, never shared with outsiders. How, then, did it become the creation of the Yellow Springs Ancestor in Hao Xue’s telling?
A slight smile played on Hao Xue’s lips. The disciples of the Yellow Springs Sect revered their Ancestor with near-divine worship. Upon hearing this assertion, even if one harbored doubt, their demeanor would inevitably shift.
“If Your Excellency does not believe me, you are free to consult with the Venerables of your sect at any time. They will give you an accurate reply,” Hao Xue said, his smile vanishing, replaced by stern gravity. “However, I perceive your cultivation is already nearing the Venerable realm. Perhaps by the time you leave here, you will have ascended to become a Venerable Assassin. At that point, the Yellow Springs Ancestor himself will grant you an audience and open up certain secrets of the sect to you. Then, you will know whether what I speak is truth or falsehood.”
He Yiming’s heart thumped violently. Everything this man claimed was utterly incredible. It seemed he was more intimately familiar with the Yellow Springs Sect than even their own Forked Sword Assassins, almost as if he had personally met their paramount leader, the Yellow Springs Ancestor.
Countless thoughts spun through He Yiming’s mind in that moment. He understood then that the Changzhou Hao family and the Yellow Springs Sect—or perhaps the Yellow Springs Ancestor directly—must share a close, yet hidden connection.
Hao Xue and his two companions exchanged another look. Seeing that He Yiming’s initial aggressive stance had been entirely suppressed, they felt a profound satisfaction. Fang Sheng, especially, felt this keenly.
After a brief hesitation, He Yiming spoke cautiously, “Having explained so much, perhaps it is time to move on to the main topic.”
Hao Xue nodded contentedly. The entire purpose of spending so much breath detailing the Hao family’s connection to the Yellow Springs Ancestor was to instill a measure of fear and caution in this man. Once He Yiming believed the connection between the Hao family and the Yellow Springs Sect was real, he would be hesitant to broadcast any subsequent discussions, regardless of the outcome.
Seeing the softening in the other man’s tone, a massive weight lifted from Hao Xue’s chest, and he exhaled deeply.
“The Blood Condensing Art is the foremost secret skill of our Hao family. Once mastered, it possesses limitless marvels, the most profound of which is the ability to stimulate human potential, concentrating the body’s entire latent power into a single point under specific conditions.” Hao Xue’s expression was incredibly solemn; this was indeed the greatest secret of the Blood Condensing Art, though very few truly understood it.
“Specific conditions?” He Yiming paused slightly, then realization dawned. “You mean, within Ghost Cry Ridge.”
Hao Xue nodded gently. “Your Excellency speaks correctly. Only in a place saturated with both Heaven and Earth Qi and Yin Malevolence Qi, like Ghost Cry Ridge, is it possible to complete this step.”
He Yiming remained silent, clearly scrutinizing the truthfulness of Hao Xue’s words.
The three Hao men did not press him, waiting patiently.
After a long interval, He Yiming finally asked, “How do you do it?”
Hao Xue calmly explained, “The Heaven and Earth Qi here is intensely rich, and so is the Yin Malevolence Qi. Once a Three-Flower master is struck by the Blood Condensing Art, their entire circulation of blood is temporarily halted, allowing the Heaven and Earth Qi and Yin Malevolence Qi to flood their body. When they lose their sanity under the assault of the Yin Malevolence Qi and become frenzied, they will attempt to kill every living thing they see without regard for their own safety. During this process, their bodies, their vital essence, and even their potential explode outward continuously. Once depleted, the immense Heaven and Earth Qi here becomes a ceaseless source of power for them, forcing every last bit of potential to gather in the brain, thus forming the unique Blood Condensing Bead.”
He paused, then added after a moment of hesitation, “This entire process takes roughly half an hour, and during this window, because their potential is fully unleashed, their strength receives a massive boost—this is why we target Three-Flower masters.”
A sharp glint flashed in He Yiming’s eyes. At this point, he finally understood why these three had gone to such lengths to ambush and hold him off for half an hour.
They needed time—time for the frenzy and potential of the victim to coalesce into the Blood Condensing Bead.
“You go to such trouble to collect these beads, so they must serve a great purpose,” He Yiming’s solemn voice finally rang out. This was the crucial question: “If my estimation is correct, the Blood Condensing Beads must be related to breaking through to the Venerable realm.”
Hao Xue raised a thumb and praised him. “Your Excellency is truly formidable. Your guess is entirely correct; the Blood Condensing Beads are indeed deeply connected to assaulting the Venerable realm.”
He Yiming’s heart began to beat even faster. He drew a deep breath and said, “Speak.”
Even with his current level of composure, his voice trembled slightly as he uttered those words.
Hao Xue smiled faintly. Though he could not see He Yiming’s face, he could sense his current state of mind. After all, for a master at the Apex Stance, there was nothing more vital than ascending to the Venerable realm.
Once they learned of a method that could aid their promotion to Venerable, they would plunder it at any cost, even making enemies of the entire world in the process.
Hearing He Yiming’s disguised voice, the three from the Hao family were even reminded of the intense excitement they themselves felt when they first heard of this matter, recognizing the profound similarity to the current listener’s desperation.
“Your Excellency has surely reached the Apex Stance now,” Hao Xue suddenly inquired softly.
He Yiming frowned slightly. “Whether or not I have reached the Apex Stance, what concern is that of yours?”
“It is no concern of mine, but only Apex masters can utilize the Blood Condensing Beads,” Hao Xue stated seriously. “If Your Excellency has not yet advanced to the Apex Stance, it is best you hear no more of this. Otherwise, the heart of your martial path might falter, and your achievements for this lifetime might cease right here.”
He Yiming’s heart tightened. He peered intently, but Hao Xue’s face was utterly impassive; there was no way to tell if he was lying.
After a long moment, He Yiming said in a deep voice, “I have already advanced to the Apex Stance. You may speak now.”
Hao Xue nodded slightly. “Forgive my rudeness. If Your Excellency is truly an Apex master, then please use your Imprisonment Art upon me.”
He Yiming snorted coldly. “You don’t trust me?”
“This matter is of supreme importance; I cannot be careless,” Hao Xue replied slowly. “If you are indeed an Apex expert, then so be it. But if you are not, and yet learn the secrets of this matter, you might harbor resentment and jealousy. What actions you might take then, I cannot predict.”
He Yiming calculated briefly. “Heh heh, are you not afraid of enraging me and causing me to spread this information everywhere?”
Hao Xue smiled confidently. “If you are an Apex master, upon learning this, you will certainly choose to cooperate with us. If you are not an Apex master, then whether I speak or remain silent makes little difference, does it? Therefore, Your Excellency should find a way to prove your identity.”
He Yiming gave a cold huff, lightly raising one hand. Three points of Imprisonment force erupted from his palm, instantly locking Hao Xue firmly in place.
Hao Xue struggled slightly, then stilled. “Your Excellency may release me now.”
He Yiming immediately severed the connection of true energy and let go.
Although he had managed to bind Hao Xue just now, an imprisonment technique used against an expert of the same tier was not very effective. Moreover, He Yiming knew that Hao Xue would not have agreed to the test unless he had a complete contingency plan. Thus, He Yiming held no intention of using this opportunity to overpower or kill him.
Hao Xue’s expression turned serious. “Since Your Excellency indeed possesses Apex capability, I shall tell you the truth plainly.”
He Yiming focused his attention, his ears twitching slightly as he heightened his spiritual awareness to its absolute peak.
“The greatest value of the Blood Condensing Bead lies in the life energy it contains—a treasure formed from the lifetime of effort and potential of a Three-Flower realm master. By refining three such beads and injecting them into the three vital points of a divine weapon, one can fully ignite the life force held within,” Hao Xue declared solemnly, his eyes glittering with a bright, almost fanatical light.
He Yiming carefully chewed over these words, an overwhelming tide of emotion surging within him. He managed to force himself to calm down. “After igniting the life force, what is the consequence?”
Hao Xue’s gaze sharpened, fixed tightly on He Yiming’s form within the increasingly dense black mist. He spoke slowly, articulating each word: “Mist Transformation Divine Weapon…”