CHAPTER 137: CHAPTER 79: BLOOD ELIXIR

The man took a deep breath to suppress his irritation and said in a deep voice, "Put the stuff down, we’re leaving!"

The bandits looked at each other, showing unwilling expressions on their faces. They had lost several brothers to rob these things.

Gritting their teeth, the bandits put down the loot, lifted their leader’s body, and dashed into the forest.

Lin Zheyu slowly emerged from the forest, picking up the items on the ground.

He counted the spoils, which were not many, mostly gold, silver articles, and jewelry.

The bandits had robbed only valuable items.

Lin Zheyu estimated they would probably fetch eighty to a hundred taels of silver.

"These bandits really had it tough, risking their lives to barely snatch about a hundred taels of silver’s worth of goods, only to have them taken by me,"

Lin Zheyu muttered.

He didn’t feel particularly guilty, just a bit sentimental.

These bandits usually lived by hunting and gathering herbs. There were designated people watching merchant caravans, assembling together for a heist when there was a target.

If they hit a big score, it could keep them living well for several years.

Time slipped by silently.

In the blink of an eye, seven more days passed.

Lin Zheyu stashed the stolen goods in a secret place for safekeeping.

These items weren’t easy to sell and could only be sold at the black market on the first and fifteenth of every month.

Within these seven days, he encountered another bandit robbery.

However, this group of bandits got greedy and failed to retreat in time, so when chased by the city guards, most were wiped out.

The city guards seized the looted items, which Lin Zheyu found a bit unfortunate.

As the year turned, the weather warmed up.

The distant war seemed to have restarted.

Lin Zheyu often saw troops being dispatched from afar, moving to the front lines for support.

He also saw many refugees passing by.

On the mountain.

Lin Zheyu, as usual, practiced the Six Harmonies Saber Skill in an open area, while keeping an eye on the military camp’s movements.

At this moment, he noticed dozens of emaciated refugees passing by, heading towards Songyi City.

Halfway there, a group of robust men emerged from the forest and, after speaking to them, led the refugees away.

"Strange, these people seem to be bandits hiding in the mountains. Why would they be so kind as to take in refugees?"

Lin Zheyu was puzzled.

He had seen it several times; every time refugees passed by, someone from the mountains would appear and take them away.

With a sudden realization, Lin Zheyu’s expression turned somewhat grim.

"Let’s go and have a look!" Lin Zheyu thought to himself.

Given the bandits’ strength, even if they survived by hunting, they wouldn’t resort to eating human flesh, right?

Lin Zheyu frowned slightly, thinking it unlikely.

He just couldn’t figure out what these guys wanted by taking in refugees.

...

Outside Lion Valley, a light mist hovered.

This mist was a mix of smoke and toxic fumes. Without preparation, staying inside for too long could lead to serious illness or even accidental death.

"Hurry up, there’s food inside,"

a robust man urged the refugees loudly, leading them in the direction of Lion Valley.

"Big brother, once we bring these refugees over, we earn thirty-eight contribution points. I heard the battle started again, and there are more and more refugees,"

"Soon we’ll have enough for a Blood Elixir," the man beside him said with a smile.

"Heh, once I consume the Blood Elixir, I’ll be a strong Qi Blood Realm expert. Then I’ll take from whoever I want!" the robust man laughed.

The Blood Elixir was a potion promised by a man claiming to be a priest of the Nine Nether Sect and could directly help them break through to the Qi Blood Realm after taking it.

Not only the Blood Elixir, but the exchange list provided by the priest also included various items, even elixirs that could extend one’s life by ten years.

"Big brother, when the contribution points are sufficient, please get one for me too. I’ll save it to use when I reach the Peak of Refining Internal Organ Realm," the man said hopefully.

"No rush, there will be enough for everyone,"

"Let’s all work hard to gain more contribution points. In the future, anyone reaching the Peak of Refining Internal Organ Realm can use their points to exchange for a Blood Elixir and break through to the Qi Blood Realm!"

The robust man said loudly, causing a cheer from the underlings.

Upon hearing this, the refugees were terrified, wanting to leave, but facing such fierce-looking people, they didn’t dare to voice it.

"S-sir, you said there’s food there. Is it not a...a lie?" someone asked, gathering their courage, trembling.

"Why lie to you? There are already quite a few people there now,"

"Once there, you can continue farming and become a part of the Nine Nether Sect, and the Demon God will bless you!" the robust man said, imitating the priest’s comforting tone.

"Thank you, sir, thank you, sir!" the refugees said gratefully.

Whatever the case, as long as they could survive.

Watching their companions die continuously along the way, they were filled with despair.

Many cities no longer accepted refugees. Even if there were kind people outside the city preparing porridge, how many could actually get a sip?

Rustle.

A light breeze passed through the forest, making the trees sway.

Lin Zheyu operated the Turtle Breath Skill to its fullest, minimizing his presence and followed behind the group.

He had heard what the robust man said just now.

"Blood Elixir?"

"Contribution points?"

Lin Zheyu was curious: "What kind of elixir is the Blood Elixir that it can make someone directly break through to the Qi Blood Realm!"

Martial Artists wishing to break through to the Qi Blood Realm require a strong enough spirit.

Only with a strong enough spirit could one sense the Qi Blood, and with the blending of the body’s essence in the spirit, form the force of Qi Blood.

If the Blood Elixir can directly let someone break through to the Qi Blood Realm, could it also enhance the spirit?

"Having been in Songyi City for so long, I haven’t seen elixirs before, only medicinal herbs brewed into decoctions. Even Xu Qin Yi and Ren Qingfeng, these young masters from prestigious families, use decoctions,"

"Interesting, this Lion Valley seems to hold quite the secret!" Lin Zheyu’s face showed a hint of interest.

[Ps: There’s something today, so only one update.]