The cloud of the black red mass had become so dense that it could already be seen by the naked eye. They wrapped tightly to the figure, twisting into bizarre knotted strands.

The skin under the black clothes glinted with a deep red light from within the mist, the bones all over her body constantly emitting crisp crackling sounds. A terrifying deathly air and killing aura alternated between a weak and strong fluctuation.

The figure’s beautiful face under the black silk trembled in an aberrant manner.

The figure maintained this state from night till sunrise.

Impervious to sunlight, the sun only made its crimson hue even more brilliant.

This lasted for entire three days and the figure never wakes nor eat in those days.

On the last day, the strange black red mass turned to into red rays and was completely absorbed into the figure’s body.

Exhaling a soft breath, the figure finally opened her fey-like eyes. Sweeping a glance around the room that exuded a dank stench rising to the skies, she murmured, “Finally, the Master realm!”

She had finally broken through the Apprentice stage and into the Master stage. And the stench emitting inside the room was coming from her body, specifically saying, the impurities inside her has been cleansed.

Ignoring the damnable stench, the figure stood up while smiling with satisfaction. She then went towards the bathroom to clean herself.

“With this, my power once again increased…”

--- ---

On the room located inside the Summer Palace.

The various leaders of different sects, as well as the thirteen aristocratic families including the president of the country, were sitting with grave expressions.

Everyone had ugly expressions on their face, especially those who had disciples that had fallen victim to the recent killings. They were all investigating the matter with the intent of visiting furious revenge on whoever was responsible. They were here today to brainstorm a strategy for the future of the country.

“Who did it?” Everyone shared the same question in their hearts.

With the exception of the great powers who’d suffered heavy damages, all those who don’t have any losses yet were a suspect. Even those small families who’d only come to watch were targets of suspicion.

Is this caused by some groups who want to reign on the top? They thought of themselves but they never dared to let it out, afraid that the treaty might be broken and caused unnecessary war in these still unstable times.

“This [ Blood Ghost ], has already gone too far!” The president started with a distorted expression. There were already problems caused by the monster’s periodic attacks but now, someone was actually causing trouble inside the city. Not only small trouble but worse, he’s decreasing their war potential! And it caused an unnecessary rift between forces and panic among the citizens!

“Is there any information about this f*cking [ Blood Ghost ]?!” The president roared angrily and pounded the table with his fist.

The other leaders kept their silence as no matter what they did, their investigation remained fruitless.          

As the president wanted to sigh, two hands suddenly raised in the air. When he looked, they were Tang Pingyun from Tang Sect and Liu Fengxun from Heavenly Cloud Mountain Sect.

“I had some information about him, no, it should be her.” The first one who spoke is Tang Pingyun.

“Her?”

“Yes he’s she and from what I had heard, worst is that she is one of the loyal servants of Ye Wushuang!” this name caused a shock to the people inside the room.

“Ye Wushuang?” The president asked as if he wants to confirm whether he had misheard about it or not.

Tang Pingyun nodded his head.

“This Ye Wushuang again!? Don’t tell me, this is his doing?!”

“I don’t think so,” Liu Fengxun was the one who answered before Tang Pigyun can.

“Fengxun?”

“It’s true that this Blood Ghost is Ye Wushuang’s friend but from what I heard, this incident isn’t related to him at all.” Liu Fengxun answered with confidence.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.” Liu Fengxun nodded.

“Is this what Muxiao said?”

Liu Fengxun once again nodded his head. “[ Blood Ghost ] real name, Sun Lingling. Muxiao said that she is a natural psychopath and a killer. She sees killing as an art and do it in pursuit of the ultimate art. She’s a Ffiend assassin, a demon cultivator, and a demonic sword user.”

“A Fiend assassin?” one of the aristocratic leaders asked.

“That’s right. Superhumans and cultivators who were inclined in using demonic arts and spells such as curses and demon summoning, from what Muxiao said they are called Fiends. And this Sun Lingling is an evil path cultivator and wields a demonic sword.”

“Muxiao seems to have known everything even including Ye Wushuang, now I really believe that she really came from the future.” The president seems to be impressed as he nodded his head, satisfied. “Did she say anything else?”

“Sun Lingling is a lunatic, she said but in terms of loyalty, she was unmatched. Muxiao said she was a traditional one. If someone garnered her loyalty, even in death she would serve that person.”

“Before meeting Ye Wushuang, she had killed tens and hundreds of men including several famous martial artists. Ye Wushuang met her and managed to acquire her loyalty so she was considered to be Ye Wushuang’s right hand.”

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“Sun Lingling, aside from her killing tendencies, if what Muxiao said is real then she is worth calling over. Do you know where we could meet this [ Blood Ghost ]?”

“No,” Liu Fengxun answered. “I don’t know if she knows or not but Muxiao isn’t willing to tell me other than that.”

“Is that so?” The president frowned. “Can you call Muxiao over?”

“That’s…”

“Doesn’t need, I’m already here.”

“Muxiao!”

Before Liu Fengxun could answer, Liu Muxiao’s voice already echoed in the whole room. All their heads immediately turned towards the door which was flung open, with Liu Muxiao still covering her face with a white silk slowly walking forward.

“Greetings father, to uncle president and to the other sect masters.”

“Sit down, Muxiao.” The president called over, gesturing with his right hand on the seat beside her father’s.

“It’s just the right time you came, I just want to ask something. Do you know where the [ Blood Ghost [, this Sun Lingling is currently at…?”

“I know…” This answer immediately started the other people.

“Where is she?!” the head of the Heaven Saber Sect; Dong Tangxu immediately asked. His face was distorted and anger could be seen flashing across it.

Three of his sect disciples was among those have met their doom in the hands of the [ Blood Ghost ] so he wanted to exact his revenge.

“Dong Tangxu!” The president frowned upon seeing his attitude,

“But president, a blood must be paid with blood!”

“Enough! This isn’t the time for us to be fighting with each other. I will give you an explanation for this after we met this Sun Lingling!”

“But,”

“I said enough!” The president’s tone was unflinching that it overpowered Dong Tangxu’s heated spirit.

He could only sit in his chair, grating. The president’s gaze then changed to Liu Muxiao. “Muxiao, tell me, where is Sun Lingling.”

“I won’t tell you that.”

“Muxiao!!” Liu Fengxun was startled at Liu Muxiao’s refusal and cried out in anger.

But Liu Muxiao wasn’t fazed. Her attitude and behavior were still nonchalant and leisurely as ever.

“I told you about Sun Lingling and Ye Wushuang not because I did it for you but because I want you to keep your hands off them.”

“Muxiao, you’re in front of your elders!”

Liu Muxiao’s attitude annoyed the other masters and even the president couldn’t help but frowned in displeasure.

But Liu Muxiao continued, “Ye Wushuang isn’t someone we could afford to fight against with. Our country will only suffer if you anger him. Sun Lingling and Xue Ling, they were only two of the people that could invoke his wrath and that wrath, I don’t think we would be able to endure it.”

Liu Muxiao’s tone was soft and gentle but anyone could hear the warning she was saying. And this angered the people around her.

“Muxiao, do you know what you are saying?” The president said with great gravity.

“President, Muxiao is only a child, I don’t think…”

“Shut up, Fengxun!” One of the aristocratic families cried out. He was the current head of the snow family, Xue Cangzhan. He was already angered since his prized daughter was once again pulled into this.

“Liu Muxiao, I don’t know what you said is whether real or not but my daughter is not involved in this nonsensical drama! Lover? Ha! Do you think I will allow that?!”

“Ho, mister Xue Cangzhan is it?” Liu Muxiao stared at Xue Cangzhan. “You’re as petty as what I have known…”

Liu Muxiao didn’t like Xue Cangzhan. He was a materialistic person. When Xue Ling lost everything and became a cripple, he was the first one who turned cold. He pushed her daughter away from him and even decided to use her as a tool for politics due to the elder’s pressure.

He was weak-willed but acted tough and domineering. And he loved his daughter right now because Xue Ling still gave him vanity.

A beautiful prodigy.

A proud daughter of heavens.

“You!” Liu Muxiao’s words angered Xue Cangzhan. “Liu Fengxun, is this how you educate your daughter?!”

“Cangzhan, the matter about my daughter’s education isn’t for you to criticize about!”

The two fathers started glaring at each other.

“Enough!” The president pounded the table with his hand. “Muxiao, I don’t know why you feared him this much but Ye Wushuang is still one man alone. Even with the Divination princess' asylum, he would still be useless against our entire country! I don’t think he is enough for us to fear him!”

“Uncle President, that’s where you are wrong,” Liu Muxiao took the teacup and sip calmly.

“What?”

“All, no, Ye Wushuang’s power doesn’t only come from Mia. Even without Mia, you wouldn’t be able to kill him, that I’m sure of.”

History has already proven that.

Liu Muxiao although indeed feared him a bit but the main reason why she went to great length in order for them not cause any conflict against Ye Wushuang is just for her personal reason. She can’t let what happened in the previous life, happen again.

That irreconcilable relationship between them, that can’t happen again!

“… A piece of advice, for this country’s safety, you shouldn’t touch him. That also goes for the people around him.” After speaking Liu Muxiao stand up from her chair and started walking away.

“Muxiao!” Liu Fengxun called out but Liu Muxiao ignored her.

“… This is only an advice. If you don’t value this country then go, I won’t stop you but I will declare this, Heavenly Cloud Mountain Sect won’t participate in actions against anything related to Ye Wushuang.” Liu Muxiao’s tone was calm but exuded a firm determination.

This declaration shock not only the people inside the room but also the sect master; Liu Fengxun.

“Muxiao, this isn’t something you can decide!”

“Father, if you really adamant on doing it then I will leave the sect and cut our ties. Don’t call me daughter again!” After speaking, Liu Muxiao disappeared from her position leaving a shock and dumbfounded Liu Fengxun and other leaders of every sect and families.

They couldn’t understand what had just happened. No matter how they use their brains, they couldn’t think of the reason why Liu Muxiao feared Ye Wushuang.

Is he really that fearful?! These thoughts danced through their minds.

--- ---

As for the person, they were talking about, Allen was on his way towards the capital while riding Mei nu comfortably. During his trip, Allen was practicing his skills, especially [ Armament ] and [ Skill Replication ]. Fortunately, there were several suicidal monsters that attack them along the way, giving Allen a chance to practice his skills.

He creates a small dagger about four to five inches and then redoing it again and again and again. Allen could feel his skills proficiency slowly increasing. Right now, he could create a small dagger about three to four inches in less than a minute after practicing it for almost a week.

Now, he was already practicing creating a longer dagger and decided to do it until it became a sword, then to a more complex weapon like guns and cannons.

Same goes for his [ Skill Replication ]. Using it on monsters such as [ Steel Beak ] a bird monster that looked like an eagle that has a steel for a beak and could pierce through anything, [ Berserk Boar ], [ Slime ] and many others.

He had managed to replicate several useful abilities such as [ Charge ] that boost his speed and gives him an ability to strengthen himself to tackle an enemy like a mad boar, [ Low Physical Damage Resistance ] that reduce the damage taken physically by 10% and [ Pierce ] that gives him an 30% chance to pierce anything while ignoring defense using any kind of weapon, including a finger.

The [ Skill Replication ] ability’s chances are extremely low, but now after slowly increasing its proficiency, Allen could feel that there’s a 20% chance of replicating an ability during the three skill chances.

For some reason, he could feel it and this came as a pleasant surprise to him since Allen referred this skill as his one of the strongest skill he currently had.

Each day, he would fight against local monster beasts, and his abilities in merging his skills from [ Goro Goro no Mi ] and his other supernatural skills grew better and better. He was also growing in practical experience in using them in battle.

The current forests really were too dense, describing it with the words ‘hiding the sky and covering the earth’ was not a bit exaggeration. They’re not just too huge compared to normal forests but also too dense.

One would wonder whether these forests were originally from another world or not…

Allen even noticed that the sunshine within the forest was not likely. There were light but not sun rays as they were being blocked by huge trees – though this is just good since it would be not too hot in the day and not too cold either in the night because of the trees around them, giving them some cool and shed.

Allen and Tang Yu moved forward for probably one double hour or so. By now it was already noon.

In this time, they had also encountered not a few monsters and monster beasts that occasionally somewhat blindly courting death, but for the most part, it was just Lv3 or 4, not really something to care about.

“Well, let’s rest for now.”