Chapter 57: Youquan Cult

Chapter 57: Youquan Cult

Ling Hongxia wielded a dagger, a short one!

The blade was blood-red, suddenly appearing like a streak of blood descending from the heavens.

The blood-red light was sharp and fierce, slashing toward Liu Qingkong's wrist.

This strike came at the perfect moment, just as Liu Qingkong was about to kill the Skyblade Sect's swordsman.

That instant was when Liu Qingkong had secured victory and was most relaxed.

Ling Hongxia seized this fleeting opportunity.

Caught off guard, Liu Qingkong's outstretched arm suddenly retracted, but it was still within the range of the blade's aura, unable to retreat fully.

Instead of retreating, Liu Qingkong stepped forward, attempting to grab Ling Hongxia's blade with a reverse grip, but failed. He flicked his finger, producing a resonant hum, striking the blade precisely.

This strike carried extraordinary force, infused with Blood Transformation True Qi, making it incredibly difficult to handle. The blade trembled, and she nearly lost her grip.

In a regular duel, one must never let go of their weapon.

However, Ling Hongxia did the opposite. Seeing that she could not maintain control, she released the blood-red blade, which whistled away, circling around her instead of flying away as Liu Qingkong had anticipated.

As Liu Qingkong's attention was drawn by the blade, Ling Hongxia, descending from mid-air, suddenly extended her left hand, revealing another blade in her palm.

The Blood Mandarin Duck Daggers were never just one!

Mandarin ducks always come in pairs; how could they be alone?

Only this second blade was deeper and more concealed.

It appeared abruptly, accompanied by a flash of blood-red light.

Liu Qingkong's composed expression finally showed a hint of surprise. His hands spun in mid-air, hovering one above the other before his chest, palms facing each other, the blood-red energy rolling between them, effectively blocking Ling Hongxia's blade from advancing further.

Yet, Ling Hongxia did not need the blade to advance any further. When she first struck, she used her left hand, while her right hand acted covertly.

Now, the blade that circled her body returned to her left hand.

She dragged the blood-red dagger, delivering a sudden slash, the blood-red light flashing, cutting diagonally toward Liu Qingkong.

At this point, Liu Qingkong finally retreated.

He stepped back, the True Qi between his palms boiling instantly, using this momentum to retreat rapidly. In mid-air, he flicked his sleeve, deflecting Ling Hongxia's blood-red blade aura.

The blade aura, condensed and powerful, swept past the Pinjian Tower, slicing off a corner of its eaves.

"Leave now!"

Ling Hongxia spoke, but her feet did not pause for a moment. She leaped up from the ground and headed straight north.

The day knife gate's swordsman glanced at Liu Qingkong. Though he felt some reluctance, he could only stomp his foot and leap up to follow Ling Hongxia.

Liu Qingkong had just landed when he stood there pondering for a moment before chasing after them.

These people came quickly, fought swiftly, and left just as fast.

In the blink of an eye, Pinjian Tower was empty, leaving only the ground marred with sword marks and a corner of the eave shattered on the ground.

Luo Zhen's eyes flickered. "Blood Transformation Divine Art, Blood Transformation Divine Claw, Black Heart Palm... It's indeed the Youquan Cult!"

As he spoke, he pushed open the window and prepared to follow them.

Su Mo was taken aback. "Senior, that Liu Qingkong..."

But Luo Zhen didn't wait for Su Mo. He had already rushed onto the roof, chasing after the three figures.

Su Mo looked back at Pinjian Tower, his mind filled with even more questions.

First, the scholar had vanished without a trace, and then there were the words "Cold Moon Palace, Wei" on the head rack.

However, this wasn't the time to ponder; he needed to understand what was happening with Liu Qingkong first.

With a flash, he flew out of Pinjian Tower and caught up to Luo Zhen in just a few steps.

Luo Zhen glanced at him, giving him a look of caution. Then Su Mo heard Luo Zhen's voice in his ear:

"Young man, you're as troublesome as that brute. That brute is strong but simple-minded. Coming into this vortex at Jade Willow Villa is just asking for death. I told him to work at the docks as a joke, but with his martial arts skills, he wouldn't have to worry about food. Why throw away his life here...

"Also, you came here just for a single escort job... Do you know how dangerous it is now? How much is this job worth? It's not like you're after some divine skill. Why risk your life?"

"..."

Su Mo's lips twitched. Who said he wasn't after a divine skill?

The greater the turmoil within Jade Willow Villa, the more complicated this escort job became. Without knowing where Liu Suifeng was, he had no choice but to face whatever lay ahead.

But he didn't mention these thoughts, instead continuing to listen to Luo Zhen's voice: "I didn't expect the turmoil within Jade Willow Villa to be related to the Youquan Cult. This cult isn't good news. Under the Grand Leader, there are two departments, three flags, and six orders, none of which are easy to deal with.

"Their main martial art is called the [Youquan Scripture], which contains ruthless demonic techniques, including the Black Heart Palm... And that self-proclaimed Liu Qingkong used the Blood Transformation Divine Art, which only those under the Blood Transformation Order can learn.

"Has Jade Willow Villa become a Blood Transformation Pool for the Youquan Cult?

"Damn, damn, the Youquan Cult usually operates east of East City. How did they suddenly cross East City and settle here in the southwest? Have all the sects in the east been wiped out?

"If so, won't this peaceful southwest region be plunged into bloodshed and carnage again?"

As he transmitted his thoughts to Su Mo, he was also sorting out his own confusion.

However, his words only raised more questions for Su Mo.

Firstly, he had never even heard of the Youquan Cult.

Secondly, why would the Youquan Cult be entrenched in Jade Willow Villa?

What variables were at play here?

Furthermore... what was a Blood Pool?

While his mind was filled with questions, he suddenly noticed that the group ahead had entered a courtyard.

Ling Hongxia seemed to have a clearer purpose than the scholar, leading the Tian Dao Sect’s swordsmen directly into a room.

Liu Qingkong followed them inside, and just as Su Mo and Luo Zhen landed on the eaves, they heard a dull thud. It was Liu Qingkong who had flown out of the house moments after entering.

Immediately afterward, a voice like a great bell boomed from within the room:

"Buddha's compassion!"

The voice was solemn and commanding respect.

But Su Mo heard Luo Zhen transmit a message to him: "Pah! Judging by this courtyard’s advantageous position, it should be Liu Suifeng’s residence. The big monk talks about compassion, but sneaks into Liu Suifeng’s room in the dead of night. The monks of Thien Fo Temple are always hypocritical, full of ulterior motives."