Book 1- The Start of Cultivation Chapter 23: The Blood Moon Guild

"Greetings, young friend. We invite you to a private gathering, where we will discuss the possibility of you joining the Blood Moon Guild as a Surface-Level member. If you are interested, please come to the abandoned building behind the Singing Sparrow Wine House at midnight tomorrow. At that time, we will explain everything. Following our discussion, there will be a small exchange event featuring information and resources for sale. Rest assured: your anonymity and safety are fully guaranteed by the Blood Moon Guild during the proceedings. However, be warned—should you attempt to disclose this meeting to anyone, you will be eliminated."

Xue San lowered the letter, his mind racing. This Blood Moon Guild could penetrate layers of protective formations and slip past a seasoned innkeeper's defenses without raising so much as a whisper. They were clearly no ordinary organization. Yet, he found himself intrigued by the promise of an exchange event, especially the chance to acquire valuable information. With such formidable backers guaranteeing his safety, what reason did he have to refuse?

He considered for a long moment, then put the letter in his ring.

Xue San donned a set of black robes before setting out toward the meeting place specified in the mysterious letter. The abandoned building he found there was wholly unremarkable—a typical two-story structure, weathered and boarded over, its windows barricaded with rough-hewn planks. Nothing about it hinted at the power or influence of the force that had summoned him.

Unsure how to proceed, Xue San glanced around. Suddenly, a voice resonated inside his mind: "Show me the letter." Startled, he complied, holding the letter out in front of him. To his astonishment, it slipped from his grip and began to hover, then caught fire. The flames burned clean and bright, and after a few seconds, the smoke and embers turned a vivid crimson.

"Verification complete," said the voice. "The invitation is authentic. Take this mask." From the empty air, a white mask appeared. Its surface was utterly plain save for two thin slits at eye level. "This will protect your identity," the voice continued, "blurring your features and obscuring your voice, even from the spiritual senses of a Peak Foundation Establishment expert. With it, not even those within the Blood Moon Guild will know who you are. Go inside, descend to the basement, and wait there quietly until everyone arrives."

Xue San bowed, clasping his hands. "Thank you, Senior." He was already deeply impressed by the guild's methods. If they could provide such extraordinary magical artifacts to everyone who joined their ranks, then their power and influence must rival that of the three great sects and the royal family itself.

Following the instructions, he entered the building and made his way down to the basement. Five other figures were already there, each wearing a mask identical to his own. They waited in a silence thick with tension. It did not last long. Within minutes, a sixth figure arrived, and that same disembodied voice echoed once more: "You will now be transported to the meeting place."

Before Xue San could fully register what was happening, a formation beneath their feet flared to life. A dazzling light flooded the basement, and in an instant, he felt a wrenching sensation as though the world had been spun like a top and then set right again. When he opened his eyes, they stood in a completely different chamber.

"Small-scale teleportation formation" one of the masked figures murmured.

This new space was carved from stone, with individual seats arranged in a neat semicircle. Trays of delicate refreshments—fine wines and rare teas, fragrant pastries and savory treats—were laid out with exquisite care. The atmosphere hummed with an almost understated sophistication. At the center of it all, in a seat slightly elevated above the others, sat a heavyset man wearing the same style of mask. His, however, bore a single distinguishing mark: the number 76.

"Welcome, welcome, young friends," he said, his tone genial. "I am the manager of this small branch of the Blood Moon Guild here in Darkwood City. I'll be overseeing today's gathering. Since you are all here, I'll take it as a sign that you accept membership at the Surface Level of our guild. First, allow me to explain who we are, for the benefit of those less familiar."

"Hmph," snorted one attendee, voice distorted by the mask's magic so thoroughly that Xue San could not discern gender, age, or temperament. "What cultivator wouldn't know the Blood Moon Guild?"

Instantly, the genial man's tone cooled until it resembled a blade drawn across ice. "When I speak, you will listen. Understood?" Although Xue San could not see the offender's face, he saw the figure shrink back in visible fear.

"Now then," the masked leader resumed, his warmth returning as swiftly as it had vanished, "let's continue. I trust there will be no further interruptions." He paused, letting the tension settle. "Our Blood Moon Guild was founded a century after the establishment of the Soul Saint Kingdom by one of the era's greatest assassins, Blood Moon herself. Over the years, we have broadened our operations beyond mere assassinations. As Surface Level members, your duties are simple. We ask only that you provide useful information from time to time. You have the right to refuse any assassination request that doesn't carry the official seal of the Guild Master. In exchange, while you won't be rewarded directly for the information you share, you'll gain access—at a generous discount—to the guild's extensive archives of knowledge and resources."

Xue San raised a hand. The manager inclined his head. "Yes?"

"What sort of information would you have us gather, and how will we submit it?"

"That is quite simple," the manager replied. "Each mask is inscribed with a special formation. Once a month, you will receive a message detailing the topics of interest to the guild. All you need to do is report any rumors, facts, or insights you've encountered regarding those topics. The mask will handle the rest."

Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

"Thank you, Senior," said Xue San.

"Also," the manager continued, "each month we hold a small gathering like this one where Surface Level members can trade goods and information." He paused for a momment to let the information sink in and then continued. "As a reward for joining, each of you may ask one question now—free of charge. The only catch is that everyone present will hear the answer."

Xue San's heart sank. He'd hoped to ask about Long Huo's motives for going after him, but doing so in public risked exposing his identity. He hesitated as another member seized the opportunity.

"I would like to know," they asked, voice still indistinct, "who last hired Blood-Axe for a mission."

The manager fell silent for a thoughtful moment. "According to our information, the bandit known as Blood-Axe perished some time ago. The last client who employed him was a female disciple of the Soaring Sword Sect. Unfortunately, we do not have a name."

Xue San was momentarily stunned by the question, and his mind began racing. Why would anyone ask about Blood-Axe? he wondered. There are only two possibilities: either this person wants information to avenge Blood-Axe, or they were the one Blood-Axe targeted. And his last target was none other than Senior Sister Meng Xi. He considered the likelihood of someone seeking revenge for Blood-Axe and found it slim. Far more likely, this person was trying to identify who had hired her would-be killer, in other words Meng Xi.

The others in the gathering did not seem as concerned about the answer as Xue San was. They were still lost in thought, contemplating their next questions, then Xue San raised his hand once more.

"Senior, I would like to know: what is all the commotion in Darkwood City about?"

Perhaps there was a detail he'd missed during his escape. By asking this, he could glean useful information without revealing his own identity—unlike Meng Xi, who had been too careless.

The fat man waited for a time, then spoke. "I can provide only a very basic answer, as this is high-tier information…"

Xue San felt a pang of disappointment, but the man's next words startled him:

"…If all of you want the same information, you must forfeit your chance to ask further questions and pay one High-Grade Qi Gathering Pill each."

One of the attendees couldn't help but ask, "Is this information really that valuable?"

The fat man smiled. "If you can make proper use of it, there's at least a sixty percent chance you could become an Alchemist. Even if not, you'll be able to defeat those of the same cultivation stage with ease."

This revelation set everyone's hearts pounding wildly. A godly opportunity! they all thought. All except Xue San—his thoughts ran along a different track.

I can become an Alchemist.

"Senior, I agree," someone called out.

"Senior, count me in," another chimed.

One by one, all the attendees agreed to the fat man's conditions.

"Very well," said the fat man. "But this information cannot be shared. If you dare to do so, the consequences will be more than you can bear."

"Yes, Senior."

"Of course, Senior."

They all reassured him of their discretion.

"A few days ago," the fat man began, "the direct descendant of the Dan Clan—the very clan that founded the Spirit Cauldron Sect—arrived in Darkwood City. She came here in order to complete the last step of a forbidden pill: the legendary Evil Kinblood Ghostfire Pill. This is a pill that grants the user continuous boosts to their spiritual sense as they cultivate, effectively aiding them forever. But the cost of concocting it is beyond monstrous, staining the soul of the one who dared create it. Even so, she dared to do it. After that, the young lady from the Dan Clan had to flee her sect to complete it. The Spirit Cauldron Sect's Enforcement Hall dispatched its Blood Division after her, but she evaded them for almost a year. They finally were able to track her here. Now, here is the truly interesting part," the fat man said with a wide grin, "apparently the young lady is already dead—and a third party was involved. It seems this unknown individual stumbled upon her at a critical moment as she preparing the final "ingredients". If you find this person, you could obtain Dan Qing spatial ring, which contains a jade slip crafted by an elder of the Dan clan with pill recipes, a powerful spiritual sense cultivation method and finally the Evil Kinblood Ghostfire Pill and its recipe."

"But, Senior," asked one participant, "wouldn't this person have simply taken the Evil Kinblood Ghostfire Pill already?"

"You must be at least at the Foundation Establishment stage to benefit from it," the fat man explained. "Taking it earlier would do nothing. Thus, if you find this person, your gains will be astronomical. Even without the pill, the Dan Clan's recipes alone are worth a fortune. This individual also seems to possess a peculiar bloodline, one that will prevent him from ever reaching the Foundation Establishment stage."

"Senior, are there any more details about this person?" It was Xue San who asked this time.

"Unfortunately, we know very little. We believe it's a young man, no older than twenty, at most in the 8th or 9th stage of the Qi Condensation Realm."

Hearing this, the crowd grew excited at the prospect, except for Xue San, who remained silent and troubled.

"Senior, is there any other clue we could use?" asked the person Xue San suspected to be Meng Xi. "With only these details, it'd be nearly impossible to find him."

"There is one more lead," the fat man said. "We're not entirely certain, but we have about a ninety percent confidence that this person is proficient in using the Hundred Phantom Hands art."

A few people still had more questions, but the fat man dismissed them. "That's all the information the guild has."

He then addressed everyone. "Now, my friends, you're free to exchange resources among yourselves."

At that, a person stepped forward to request rare medicinal herbs. Xue San, however, paid little attention. His heart thundered in his chest, and he marveled that it hadn't burst through his ribcage.

How… how can they know so much? It's as if they were watching me the whole time. The world of cultivators truly holds infinite means. I must leave as soon as possible. At least in the sect, they won't try to kill me outright. Long Huo might have someone rough me up, but that's manageable.

Having made up his mind, Xue San saw that the person requesting the medicinal herbs had completed their exchange. He stepped forward next.

"I need three Spirit Ginsengs. I'll offer six Low-Grade Qi Gathering Pills," he said.

A bulky fellow rose. "I accept the trade."

After a few more exchanges, the gathering drew to a close.

"Once again, welcome to the Blood Moon Guild," the fat man said. "Now that the gathering is over, you will all be sent to random locations outside the city. Don't worry—you won't be near one another. Anonymity is our most prized characteristic." He ended with a smile.

Moments after Xue San and the others were transported out, the room fell silent.

"Master 76, why share the information about the Evil Kinblood Ghostfire Pill?" asked a figure who seemed to emerge from the shadows.

"I suspect one of them might be responsible for what happened," said the fat man. "They are all individuals of good talent or background, so there's a chance one may give us a clue. Especially those two who can use the Hundred Phantom Hands."

"Then why not just kill them and search their souls?" the other man suggested.

"The odds that one of them is the culprit are minimal; it's just a hunch I have" Master 76 replied, "and one of them is well-positioned within the royal clan. The risks outweigh the benefits. I'll have someone keep watch on those two until they return to their respective forces. If, by chance, one of them holds Dan Qing's ring, then we will strike."