Chapter 432 302: Situation 2

The entire Secret Transmission was divided into two parts.

One part was the "Spirit Official Merit Record," which recorded Cultivation Techniques like the True Essence Skill that elevated the body's fundamental realm, much like the Pile Training Methods in a Martial Arts Secret Transmission.

The other part, known as the "Taoist Talisman Secret Image," recorded the various Technique systems of the Spirit Official Dao, such as the Blood Qi Rune. It was a methodology for applying one's own power, akin to the Force Release skills and Combat Techniques of the Martial Dao.

Zhao Xuanqi pondered for a moment. 'I can also elevate my body's fundamental realm with the Hundred Beasts Fist, and its effects seem to be no worse than the True Essence Skill's. What I lack more are combat Techniques.'

Therefore, he focused his consciousness on the "Taoist Talisman Secret Image" and discovered that it, too, was divided into two parts.

The system of Techniques below the Innate Realm was called the "Golden Fire Heavenly Ding Skill."

It was divided into three parts, corresponding to the three realms below the Innate Realm.

The first part corresponded to the Blood Strengthening realm, and redeeming it alone required three Merits.

'Just the Attack Techniques for the Blood Strengthening realm cost a full three Merits...'

Zhao Xuanqi couldn't help but sigh with emotion. In his past life in the world of Divine Generals, One Merit was enough to redeem a top-tier Secret Transmission like the Primordial Dragon Secret Technique. The difference between the two worlds was truly immense. If he spent them recklessly, the Merits he had accumulated in his past life wouldn't last long.

'However, I managed to earn nearly One Merit in just a single night.'

Thinking of this, Zhao Xuanqi's expression calmed. He no longer hesitated, using the Rebirth Jade to convey his wish to make the exchange.

VMMM!!

The Rebirth Jade vibrated, and the numbers on the Merit record trembled violently. A peculiar power was extracted by this world's Celestial Dao, and the transaction was completed. A vast amount of information, translated by the Rebirth Jade, poured into Zhao Xuanqi's mind.

...

...

Time flew by. Soon, the sky was bright with daylight. It was 7:00 AM.

Zhao Xuanqi finished his night of cultivation and opened his eyes, his brow furrowed slightly.

'My lessons and missions are demanding, leaving me with too little time to cultivate. If I could spend all twenty-four hours of the day training, my strength would be recovering much faster than this.'

Zhao Xuanqi shook his head. He hadn't paid it much mind before, since the lessons and missions were part of the process of understanding this world. But now that he was facing a crisis, time suddenly felt scarce.

'If possible, I'll see if I can take a few days off.'

Zhao Xuanqi stood up. In any case, he still had to go on his mission today. Besides, he wanted to see if he could get any news related to last night's events.

After leaving his room, he met up with Peng Lin and Shen Hong, and together they went to the Dianmao Office to rendezvous with Chen Zhanyun and begin the day's mission.

Along the way, he carefully observed Peng Lin and Shen Hong's conditions and subtly questioned them, confirming that the two of them likely hadn't experienced the same bizarre events as he had last night.

Before long, the three of them arrived at the Dianmao Office and saw Chen Zhanyun.

Besides them, many senior brothers and sisters of the Blood Strengthening realm were gathered there, ready to check in before starting the elimination missions assigned by the sect.

However, the atmosphere at the scene seemed a bit off.

The senior brothers and sisters were gathered in small groups, seemingly discussing something in low voices.

Seeing this, Zhao Xuanqi raised an eyebrow.

"Senior Brother Chen, did something happen?"

After they met up with Chen Zhanyun, Shen Hong beat Zhao Xuanqi to it, asking the very question he had been about to ask.

"Something happened last night."

Chen Zhanyun's expression was grave. After a slight pause, he said, "Last night, a Senior Brother named Zhong Maolin suddenly collapsed unconscious during his night patrol. After he was taken for medical treatment, they couldn't find the source of the problem. About four hours later, the unconscious Senior Brother Zhong's body suddenly underwent an Evil Transformation, as if he'd been corrupted by an Evil Spirit. He started attacking the people around him. After the Evil Transformation was dealt with, Senior Brother Zhong passed away. His body was shriveled, as if all his Primordial Qi had been drained away."

"Besides him, several other disciples in the Blood Strengthening realm also died. Most of them were in their rooms at the outpost when they also suddenly underwent an Evil Transformation in the middle of the night, causing quite a commotion. Our outpost is some distance from yours, so it's normal that you didn't notice. After their Evil Transformations were resolved, these disciples also died in the same way as Senior Brother Zhong. The whole affair is deeply unsettling, and the news spread first thing this morning. Now everyone's discussing it."

After listening to Chen Zhanyun's account, the faces of Peng Lin and Shen Hong turned grim. Only Zhao Xuanqi had a sharp glint flash in the depths of his eyes.

He was almost certain that these deceased disciples of the Blood Strengthening realm had encountered something similar to what he had. The only difference was that they had been unable to withstand the terrifying affliction and had lost their lives.

'This is a large-scale supernatural incident with a wide reach.'

"Senior Brother, are there any clues?"

Zhao Xuanqi asked Chen Zhanyun.

"After the incidents, an Elder personally inspected the victims' bodies but was also unable to find the root of the problem. He merely speculated that these events might not be confined to the outpost. He already sent people into the city first thing this morning to gather relevant intelligence. If enough information is gathered and cross-referenced, perhaps there will be a discovery."

"There are more and more strange incidents in the city these days. Starting today, all of you need to be more careful. If anything abnormal occurs, remember to report it immediately. Don't be careless. But don't worry too much, either. Since this has attracted the Elders' attention, it will likely be resolved soon. Don't let it weigh on your minds."