Moonlight filtered through the window lattice, casting fragmented shadows across the blue-brick floor.

A few drops of dark red lamp oil splattered as the flame flickered, making the deep, crag-like wrinkles on Old Daoist Li’s face appear even more sinister.

Han Yu listened to the man’s confession while sensing the thick, metallic stench of gore clinging to him. He didn’t dare lower his guard.

“Master Daoist, you truly have the orthodox manual for the Demon Blood Sect?”

“I didn’t before,” Li Quan rasped. “But today I killed Zhang Shan, a disciple of the Spirit Beast Sect. Now, I have it.”

Han Yu’s eyes widened. “Zhang Shan? From the Spirit Beast Sect?”

“Indeed. The Green Grain Market makes it easy for the valley to trade with the outside, but it also makes it easy for other sects to plant moles. That’s how I contacted the Demon Blood Sect, and how Zhang Shan managed to embed himself here to raise those Spirit-Stealing Rats!”

Li Quan’s voice was like grinding gravel. “Did you think Zhang Shan was a saint? Giving Liu Lan spirit stones and funding her cultivation? He just wanted to bed her and use her future status as an Outer Disciple to cover his tracks.”

The old man let out a cold, mocking sneer.

“The brat was clever. He sensed something was wrong lately and tried to set me up. He told me he saw Wei Kunyi raising the rats and tried to convince me to report her to Steward Wang.”

“He thought I was some greenhorn! He didn’t realize Wei Kunyi is Steward Wang’s exclusive mistress, or that I already knew he was the one with the rats. He wanted me to stick my head in the lion’s mouth!”

“Since he was already plotting my death, I had no reason to hesitate.”

“I lured him to the market today and finished him off with the help of the Demon Blood Sect! In exchange, I got the orthodox manual. I used his spiritual blood to smash through the bottleneck in one go. I’ve reached the first layer of Blood Refining!”

His excitement peaked. He clenched his gnarled fists as his mottled hair whipped about, a foul, bloody wind swirling around his thin frame.

“Little brat, I’ve done it! I’m at the first layer!”

Han Yu sighed, sensing the sheer desperation behind the old man’s journey. “Master Daoist, you’ve truly walked a hard road. At last, you’ve gained what you desired.”

“Yes… finally.” Li Quan’s eyes were bloodshot, fixed on Han Yu with the intensity of a starving wolf.

Suddenly, he realized his state. He quickly pinched a series of hand seals, exhaling a long, turbid breath.

“This demonic art is fast, but the craving for Blood Food is relentless. My aura is too jagged; I have to keep the Breath Concealment Technique active at all times.”

Han Yu looked at him. “Why come to me tonight, then?”

“I originally came to warn you,” Li Quan muttered. “I didn’t want you blabbing about seeing me leave with Zhang Shan this morning.”

“But I didn’t expect your Blood Essence to be so damn vigorous! If you joined the Demon Blood Sect with me, you’d be a titan. Wanchun Valley looks peaceful, but it’s a nest of vipers. Between the demonic spies and the Spirit Beast Sect’s moles, you’re just wasting your talent here.”

Han Yu frowned slightly. “Master Daoist, the path of Blood Refining isn’t for me. I’ll stick to the Green Grain Qi Refining Heart Method.”

Li Quan nearly barked a laugh. “Not for you? Look at yourself! Your blood vitality is overflowing!”

“To a normal person, you just look healthy. But to someone at the first layer of Blood Refining, you look like a walking banquet! Why do you think I almost lost my mind just now? You’re a rare delicacy, kid!”

“I brought you to Wanchun Valley, but I led you to the wrong door. You’re a one-in-a-million genius for the demonic path!”

The old man leaned in. “Have you even hit the first layer of Qi Refining yet? Join me. I guarantee you’ll hit the first layer of Blood Refining in a month. Can the valley offer you that? Why stay?”

Han Yu’s expression turned somewhat awkward. “Actually… Master Daoist, I’ve already reached the first layer of Qi Refining.”

Li Quan’s face froze mid-sneer. “What did you say?”

“I said, I’m already at the first layer.”

“You little—” Li Quan’s fist shook as if he wanted to strike something. He gnashed his teeth and cursed, “I swear, you Han men are all the same! Experts at hiding your tails! You’re just like your grandfather—a total scoundrel!”

He glared at Han Yu. “When did you break through?”

“Yesterday.”

Hearing it was so recent, the old man’s ego seemed to recover slightly. He grumbled a few more insults under his breath until his anger cooled.

“Fine. Since you’ve started Qi Refining, our paths have diverged. From now on, we shouldn’t associate with one another. Stick to your orthodox way. Maybe you’ll actually reach Foundation Establishment one day.”

He turned to leave. “That path… is closed to me now.”

Han Yu’s heart stirred. “Master Daoist, wait. With my Blood Essence… could I still practice the orthodox Blood Refining manual as a supplement?”

Li Quan stopped. “How should I know? You think I’m some Grandmaster? Besides, you aren’t joining the sect. If I give you the manual privately, those demons will skin me alive. Join us, and I’ll give you everything.”

Han Yu felt a pang of disappointment. He was hungry for any technique that could give him an edge, even a demonic one.

Suddenly, Li Quan looked back. A sound like a broken bellows escaped his throat—he was laughing, showing off his crooked, yellow teeth. “Disappointed, brat?”

“I was messing with you! You reached the first layer without a word and made me look like a fool. I had to get even!”

Han Yu blinked, stunned by the old man’s sudden dark humor.

“The Demon Blood Sect is a pack of selfish bastards,” Li Quan explained. “We do what we want. Especially a spy like me—nobody is looking over my shoulder.”

His expression turned solemn, the humor vanishing from his ugly face. “Kid, you gave me my chance at immortality by getting me into the valley. I reached the first layer because of that.”

“But our paths are splitting. Our karma ends here.”

“I’ll give you one last gift: the Blood Refining Art up to the Foundation Establishment stage, the Breath Concealment Technique, and that Sound Transmission trick I promised. Take them. After tonight, the rivers and lakes are wide, and we are strangers.”

Han Yu’s heart sank. He looked the old man in the eye for a long moment, then stepped forward and bowed.

“Please, Master Daoist…”

“Call me Fellow Daoist,” Li Quan interrupted, closing his eyes.

In the darkness of his mind, he saw a girl from forty years ago, her smile as bright as the spring sun. Wan’er… after tonight, I’ve cut my ties to the world of men. I won’t look after your grandson anymore.

“Yes,” Han Yu said firmly. “Fellow Daoist, please impart the method.”