"Senior Sister."
"How was this medicine refined that it possesses such miraculous effects!" Bai Zihe couldn't help but ask.
He knew of many elixirs that could enhance one's strength. However, the stronger a martial artist became, the more difficult it was to improve further, and elixirs were no exception. To allow a Yuan Dan realm expert to burst forth with power sufficient to contend with a Hua Shen realm cultivator... bridging an entire major realm! This demonstrated the extraordinary nature of the medicine.
Shangguan Xianling smiled and said, "Actually... this medicine is quite ordinary. But it had some Hell Blood added to it, which instantly changed its effects."
"Hell Blood is a supreme treasure blood, its miraculous effects are beyond comprehension."
"Just one ten-thousandth of a drop of pure Hell Blood is enough to greatly increase one's strength and bring about earth-shattering changes."
So it was because of Hell Blood... Bai Zihe was momentarily stunned. Previously, the Ten Dragon Guards he had slain had also consumed some diluted Hell Blood, which was why they were much stronger than ordinary martial arts experts. Now, Senior Sister was also presenting medicine fortified with Hell Blood. If he considered this... he had once consumed such a large tube of Hell Blood, and it was concentrated and of the highest quality. Did that mean his own blood was no different from Hell Blood? If he could produce some himself and have the experts of the Wolf Army consume it... Tsk tsk tsk. In a short period, he could create a fresh force composed of Yuan Dan realm, or even Yuan Ying realm, experts. They would then be invincible, unparalleled in the world!
Thinking of this, Bai Zihe blurted out, "Senior Sister, I can provide a drop of my blood to create more, higher quality medicine!" After all, the Wolf Army becoming stronger was equivalent to him becoming stronger. A drop of blood was no big deal.
Shangguan Xianling, upon hearing this, couldn't help but laugh: "Junior Brother, you're thinking too simply."
"The Hell Blood in your body..."
"Is the most primitive Hell Blood, its purity is unimaginably high."
"Even if diluted ten thousand times, or a million times, it would still possess immense destructive power. Ordinary Grandmaster martial artists simply couldn't withstand it."
"Even a Yuan Dan realm expert would very likely explode and die."
So potent? Bai Zihe secretly marveled. But a new question arose. Since this Hell Blood was so powerful, how had he endured it back then? Could it be related to his Dragon Blood physique? Bai Zihe couldn't figure it out.
Night.
The wind was gentle, the moon was beautiful.
After dinner, Bai Zihe and Senior Sister strolled under the moonlight, bathing in the silvery glow. The wind danced, and the moon shimmered. Since their last trip to the capital, Bai Zihe had first returned to Jiangdong province to deal with the matter of the Great Han Ming Kingdom stealing the precious medicine, then went to the Yingren Kingdom, the Xiongren Kingdom, and finally back to the capital... It could be said that he was either fighting or on his way to fight. He hadn't stopped at all. Nor had he, like now, enjoyed such leisurely moments. For a time, he found himself lingering, unable to forget it.
"Junior Brother..." Shangguan Xianling extended her jade-like palm, catching a wisp of the bright moonlight. Like a celestial maiden in the moon, her eyes flowed with tenderness. "Since we descended the mountain, haven't we had a proper conversation in years?"
"Yes." Bai Zihe's gaze was distant, filled with reminiscence. After being rescued and brought to Jiulong Mountain by their master, the old man had descended the mountain shortly after and disappeared. His martial arts were passed down by several martial aunts. However, more often than not, it was Senior Sister who supervised and guided him. His achievements today were largely due to Senior Sister's efforts.
"I remember when you first came up the mountain, you knew nothing. But your sheer determination made even Second Junior Sister sweat. Thinking back now..." Shangguan Xianling shook her head slightly, her face filled with emotion. Bai Zihe also smiled faintly. Yes. He carried a deep-seated hatred; how could he not cultivate diligently?
They talked from the time they went up the mountain to the time they came down. Shangguan Xianling also brought up the matter at hand: "Junior Brother, what are your plans regarding your mother's affairs?"
"There's nothing to discuss," Bai Zihe's expression turned somber, his eyes filled with coldness. "The false emperor, in his greed for Hell Blood, actually attacked my mother's family... If such a great vengeance is not repaid with blood, how can I, Bai Zihe, stand in the world with any face?"
"Let alone him being a mere false emperor, even if he were the true emperor, I would shatter the heavens and demand justice." Bai Zihe's voice was not loud, but the resolute intent contained within it echoed through the wilderness. The moonlight shone brightly, and the night wind whispered. It was as if someone was softly chanting between heaven and earth.
Shangguan Xianling, moved by him, also said firmly, "Junior Brother, rest assured."
"Senior Sister will always stand by you. I will definitely help you investigate all the reasons behind those events and avenge all grievances and hatred!"
Under the moonlight, Shangguan Xianling at this moment... was as noble as a celestial maiden. Her face, beneath the cold moonlight, was a sight to behold. Yet, she was also gentle as an elder sister, the softness in her bright eyes stirring one's heart. Bai Zihe recalled Senior Sister's meticulous care for him over the years, and her resolute declaration... He couldn't help but embrace her: "Thank you, Senior Sister!"
His heart was in turmoil. His eyes were moist. Throughout his journey, Bai Zihe had never spoken of his hardships to anyone. Before his father and younger sister, he was always confident, bearing everything. Before his enemies, he was always strong and overbearing, crushing everything with his might! Only before Senior Sister did Bai Zihe break down.
Shangguan Xianling's body stiffened slightly, then she enveloped Bai Zihe with boundless gentleness, offering him comfort, care, and profound affection.
"Don't worry," Shangguan Xianling said with a contented smile. "As long as we elder sisters are still alive, no one can bully you." Saying this, she held Bai Zihe tightly in her arms.
"Junior Brother, this is unfair of you!"
"Junior Brother, you can't show favoritism!"
"Junior Brother, we want hugs too!"
"Junior Brother..."
At some unknown time, Ji Xueyun, Murong Mingyue, Yue Rushuang, Yan Zhiyun, Yao Ke'er, several elder sisters, all arrived. Charming, aloof, pure, adorable... In an instant, under the moonlight, a hundred flowers bloomed, and various beauties rushed forward. Then, one by one, they stepped forward and surrounded Bai Zihe. And then... they embraced him deeply, for a long time.
At this moment... the wind was shy, and the moon averted its gaze. Only the summer flowers peeked out in the moonlight, swaying gracefully. The only one suffering was Bai Zihe. With a vast expanse before him and a raging river behind, he nearly suffocated.
The next morning.
Bai Zihe, along with his attendants, the Ten-Faced Body, keys, elixirs, and all other necessities, arrived at the Jingjin Ferry, the agreed-upon meeting place with the false emperor. Dragon Island, as depicted on the map, was a long distance away. To avoid missing July 14th by accident, they had to depart in advance. The false emperor's faction had clearly been waiting for a long time, with a vast entourage of renowned imperial guards behind him, including Sword Saint Liu Wen, a top-tier expert. He sat to the side at this moment, paying no attention to external matters, meditating with his eyes closed. The moment Bai Zihe arrived, the false emperor's gaze fell upon the masked figure behind Bai Zihe! This was the true emperor, Zhuge Sheng!