This drop of blood, it is the condensation of every last trace of my Rakshasa bloodline. Within it lies not only some of the Rakshasa Clan’s innate talents, but also the entirety of my life's enlightenment.

Cultivate well here, and within a few short years, you will reach a realm you might never have attained in your entire lifetime!” Yu Luosha spoke with unwavering solemnity, yet inside Gui Jianchou, a monstrous tide of shock was churning. This single drop of blood was the complete seal of the Rakshasa Clan within him, and he was gifting it to him.

Then what about himself? “Ancestor, you…” “I still have my own matters to attend to.

From this moment on, the Rakshasa Gate has no further connection with me!” Yu Luosha uttered this sentence plainly, then his body flickered, vanishing without a trace. Gui Jianchou rubbed his eyes incessantly, as if trying to determine if this was merely a dream.

But looking at the distinct traces of severance, the mouthful of blood he had just spat out, and the influx of memories flooding his mind, he knew: none of this was an illusion. He had become the Master of the Rakshasa Gate.

He had received the inheritance of Ancestor Yu Luosha, and he possessed the essence blood of the Rakshasa Clan. Just how powerful would he become?

Jiu Feng, just wait for me. You are mine.

I will certainly snatch you away from him! Rising from his kneeling posture, as those convictions settled into his core, the shattered confidence that had been dealt a severe blow roared back to life.

The Demon Realm. At the juncture where the Panbulasi Grasslands met the Tianjue Forest, the settlement of the Minotaur tribe.

Chi Yixiu, shirtless, relentlessly slammed his body against the monolithic black altar. It was impossible to tell what material that black altar was forged from, for even with Chi Yixiu’s current physical fortitude, he could not inflict the slightest scratch upon it.

Instead, deep lacerations scored his own flesh with every impact. Yet, he seemed oblivious to the pain, attacking the altar again and again.

With every collision and every wound sustained, a tiny portion of the two bull horns atop his head would disappear, transforming into pure energy to mend his physical form. His strength grew exponentially faster with each injury.

It was a path of utter self-mutilation, yet Chi Yixiu, desperate to elevate his power as swiftly as possible, cared nothing for the torment. The Nine Phoenix Pagoda stood not far away, its gaze fixed upon this spectacle.

Watching Chi Yixiu batter the altar repeatedly, a faint smile touched its towering structure’s features. Truly worthy of the Demon Venerable’s regard.

With this level of sheer tenacity, reaching the Demon King realm was merely a matter of time. But suddenly, the Nine Phoenix Pagoda seemed to sense something.

The expression on its surface shifted subtly. It raised its gaze upward and spotted four small black dots descending from the sky.

With a soft shwa, raising no dust whatsoever, four figures landed directly before the Nine Phoenix Pagoda. They were all of human scale; compared to the towering ninety-foot height of the Pagoda, they appeared utterly insignificant, like four mere specks.

Yet, the potent aura radiating from them caused even the Nine Phoenix Pagoda to reel in stunned disbelief. Chi Yixiu, who had been absorbed in his self-punishing refinement, was equally shaken by the four presences, involuntarily halting his violent efforts and turning his head toward the commotion.

“Nine Phoenix Pagoda, long time no see!” The leading man was clad in flowing white robes, the sleeves so long they obscured his hands, lending him an ethereal grace. “Longzimou?

You… why are you here?” Only then did the Nine Phoenix Pagoda clearly discern the visitors: four of the ten Demon Lords of the Werewolf Clan. Longzimou, the first; Hongfeng, the third; Fenjui, the fifth; and Lanyue, the seventh.

Any one of these individuals possessed power no less than its own. Especially Longzimou, whose strength definitively surpassed its own.

These four almost never traveled together. Why were they appearing simultaneously now?

Having attained the Ninth Grade, they commanded considerable renown throughout the Demon Realm. They had met several times before, so the Nine Phoenix Pagoda recognized them all.

“We are here looking for someone!” Longzimou spoke, his tone completely devoid of contempt, his eyes frequently sweeping toward the distant Chi Yixiu. “Looking for someone?” The Nine Phoenix Pagoda paused.

“Indeed. I imagine you’ve seen her before: the little princess of the Purple Flame Clan, Hei Ming?” Longzimou nodded, his gaze fixed upon the Nine Phoenix Pagoda, as if probing for any relevant information it might possess.

Upon hearing the words ‘Little Princess Hei Ming,’ the Nine Phoenix Pagoda’s expression darkened instantly. Chi Yixiu tensed to the point of near-paralysis, instinctively reaching for his weapon, ready to fight to the death.

The Werewolf Clan and the Purple Flame Clan were mortal enemies. Could the Wolf Clan’s search for Hei Mingshixuan portend anything good?

“Heh heh, tell us, where is she now?” Seeing the Pagoda’s reaction, Longzimou understood that it had indeed laid eyes on the little princess of the Hei Ming family. After all, this was the territory of their Tagge Clan.

“I don’t know!” The Nine Phoenix Pagoda shook its massive head without hesitation. “Heh heh, Nine Phoenix Pagoda, your Tagge Clan has enjoyed relative peace here.

You surely wouldn’t wish for them to suffer any unnecessary losses, would you?” Upon hearing the denial, Longzimou’s voice sharpened slightly. “I truly do not know!” The Nine Phoenix Pagoda stood firm in its refusal.

“Nine Phoenix Pagoda, since you choose to speak this way, do not blame us for what follows!” Seeing that the Pagoda refused to yield any information, Longzimou let out a cold snort. From the depths of his flowing sleeve, he drew forth a hand—a pale hand!

A pale palm, pale fingers… Clamped between the pale fingers was a pale sword, whiter than snow, thinner than ice, and brighter than any frost—the Frost-Fingered Sword of Chill! Sensing the bone-deep cold emanating from that slender blade, the Nine Phoenix Pagoda’s expression shifted again, and its bulk involuntarily retreated a single step.

The three figures flanking Longzimou, however, stepped backward, clearly demarcating their position: they would absolutely not interfere… As for the distant Chi Yixiu, not one of them spared him a glance. What concern was a Demon Lord who hadn’t even reached the Eighth Grade?

The Minotaurs steadily gathering nearby were even less worthy of their attention… “Nine Phoenix Pagoda, this is your final opportunity. Tell us her whereabouts, and we shall leave immediately; your Tagge Clan can continue to live peacefully here… otherwise…” As he finished speaking, Longzimou flicked the thin sword tip, sending a dazzling streak of sword light slashing directly toward the Nine Phoenix Pagoda’s eyes… The Nine Phoenix Pagoda blinked, but then took a decisive step forward.

A vast, resounding voice boomed from its structure: “I—DO—NOT—KNOW!” As his final word faded, a blinding arc of sword light shot straight upward… (This chapter is an extra update. P.S.: I underestimated you all.

I initially thought five hundred bricks and five hundred votes per day would be sufficient, but today we’ve passed seven hundred bricks, and the trend suggests it’s still climbing. Alright, if this continues, I suspect I’ll work myself to death.

But no matter what, since I made those promises this month, I will persevere until the end, even if it kills me! So, smash those votes down; Xingchen is not afraid to die!

Furthermore, I am diligently stockpiling drafts; there will definitely be a burst of updates this week!) A Note to the Readers: Uploading this for you all now, it’s 0:15 AM. I hope you all see the new chapter early and vote/give bricks to Xingchen!

With your support, no matter how exhausted I am, it is worth it!