As Su Chen gazed upon the remnants of Deacon Chen, his hand began to tremble involuntarily.

Even though he had reincarnated in this world, this marked the first time someone died by his hands. It was different from killing demonic beasts.

Inhaling deeply, Su Chen steadied himself, recognizing that in this cruel world, it wouldn't be the last time he would have to take a life.

Though he planned everything with the Quill of Alzuhod, its power continues to astonish him. Even though it's a reality-modifying item, frequent use could lead to his own demise.

While he could have crafted a story without resorting to killing or involving Deacon Chen, he understood how much it can be detrimental to him.

Through the conversations with Shu Feng and others on the way to Sunset Forest, he learned about Deacon Chen's deep love for his daughter, who was his only child with his deceased wife.

Not dealing with him would have posed a significant danger, as killing him as an outer sect disciple and his sister would have been an easy task for him.

Anticipating that Deacon Chen might be close to Chen Ruyu, Su Chen decided to incorporate him into the story. Even if he wasn't physically present, the Quill of Alzuhod manipulated reality, placing him near Sunset Forest. Deacon Chen then would learn about Chen Ruyu's death through the life jade(a tier 2 artifact which can store part of soul of a person in it).

Half an hour later, his injury had nearly healed. With greater qi reserves or perfected utilization of his blood manipulation, he could have healed this wound much faster.

Picking up Deacon Chen's fallen storage ring, he stored it away since he couldn't open it without removing the mark left by Deacon Chen, and that would take much time.

[DING! FOUND A SOURCE OF EVIL ENERGY.]

"And what's that?" inquired Su Chen.

[SYSTEM CAN USE IT TO RAPIDLY INCREASE HOST'S CULTIVATION.]

Hearing this, Su Chen was surprised. While asking about the source of energy, he learned from the system that it is in the black tiger's cave.

Going inside the cave, he found a pool of blood in the center with many bones sticking out of it. Controlling the desire to vomit, he asked the system what it is.

[HOST, IT IS A BLOOD POOL MADE FROM BLOOD AND BONES OF MANY HUMANS AND BEASTS, IT CONTAINS SOME EVIL QI IN IT. ABSORBING IT CAN INCREASE YOUR CULTIVATION, BUT USING IT WILL RESULT IN SLOWLY MAKING YOU MORE VIOLENT AND BLOODTHIRSTY.]

"Can I really use it?"

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[DON'T DOUBT THE SYSTEM HOST, YOU CAN SIMPLY SIT AT THE CENTER OF THE BLOOD POOL WHILE THE SYSTEM ABSORBS THE CONTENT, ONLY PROVIDING PURE ENERGY TO THE HOST.]

Following the advice of the system, Su Chen reluctantly went to the center of the pool while controlling his disgust.

Sitting in the middle until the blood came up to his neck area, he said mentally, 'Start, System.'

All of a sudden, a swirling force showed up and sucked in the nearby blood. Wondering what to do next, Su Chen felt a steady amount of energy filling him up. Not wasting any time, he began running his cultivation exercise.

Over time, his cultivation progressed from the 2nd layer of physical training to the 3rd layer. Even after reaching the 3rd layer, there was a surplus of energy. Su Chen continued to run the spiritual qi sutra to make the most of this abundant qi.

After roughly a cup of tea's time, he sensed the qi diminishing. After absorbing the remaining qi, he concentrated on his cultivation. What truly astonished him was that he had ascended from the 2nd layer of physical training to the peak of the 8th layer.

Believing that this pool was meant for the tiger to break through in spirit training, coupled with the 100% utilization of the total energy by the system, he found it easy to accept that he broke so many small realms in one go.

[DING! HOST HAS BROKEN 6 SMALL REALMS CONTINUOUSLY.]

[REWARD : lucky draws *6]

Su Chen saw six chances to get lucky draws, so he decided to use them right here.

"System, use all the lucky draws."

[DRAWING....]

[DRAWING....]

[CONGRATULATIONS TO THE HOST FOR GETTING THE SKILL "Madness Resistance"]

[CONGRATULATIONS TO THE HOST FOR GETTING THE SKILL "Low Spritual Pollution"]

[CONGRATULATIONS TO THE HOST FOR GETTING THE SKILL "Blessing of The Hanged King"]

[CONGRATULATIONS TO THE HOST FOR GETTING THE SKILL "Underwater Breathing"]

[CONGRATULATIONS TO THE HOST FOR GETTING AN ITEM "The Mask Of Pain"]

[CONGRATULATIONS TO THE HOST FOR GETTING AN ITEM "Crown of deep ones"]

[Madness Resistance: Provides resistance against madness. Excessive exposure to madness-inducing factors may still lead to madness, as it doesn't grant complete immunity.]

[Low Spritual Pollution : Grants the ability to influence others spiritually, be it erasing memories or instilling beliefs. The temporal cost of influence escalates with the gap in strength between user and that of the target]

[Blessing of the Hanged king : The Hanged King gifts a immortal shadowy companion whose face is covered in masquerade mask as a protector to the blessed. Yet be careful as this guardian hungers for malevolence and chaos.]

[ Underwater Breathing : Gives you the ability to breath underwater. ]

[The mask of pain : Crafted by cultists using the skin of numerous victims, this malevolent mask inflicts unrelenting agony upon the one who wears it. It can be used to inflict unending torment to enemies.]

[The Crown of Deep Ones: Worn by the priests dedicated to Father Dagon and Mother Hydra during sacrificial rituals. Adorning this crown grants you the power to command the mysterious deep ones at your whim.]

Observing the numerous rewards, Su Chen felt delighted. However, when he noticed "Underwater Breathing" and the "Crown of Deep Ones," he was rendered speechless..

Cultivators inherently do not require air to breathe as they can live by absorbing qi, so staying underwater is not an issue for them. And this world firstly needs to have deep ones to command then.

Observing his own shadow, Su Chen sensed a gaze fixed upon him.

"Come out," he commanded.

His shadow rose, transforming into a distorted figure adorned with a masquerade mask.

'System show me its status'

[

Name:

Age: Ageless

Realm: One big realm higher than owner

Comment: The twisted residents of the Country of the Hanged King are haunting embodiments of the macabre, existing in a realm where reality intertwines with nightmarish visions. Revived by The Three Death Brothers from dead bodies, they can't be killed until you possess power equal to or greater than the Three Death Brothers.

]