"Although it's a small sect, it's still a legitimate Xuanmen Orthodox Sect, so it has some substance!"
Inside the valley's library, Li Chuan and his Shadow Clones were flipping through the various spell books, feeling quite satisfied.
Ever since returning to the valley, he had stayed in the library, memorizing and learning all sorts of spells, restrictions, alchemy, and artifact refining.
The library of Xiao Zhu Mountain didn't contain anything powerful enough to rank in the cultivation world, but its strength lay in its comprehensiveness; it had a basic understanding of everything.
It included Five Elements Escape Techniques, Five Elements Daoist Arts, basic alchemy, artifact refining, and even Sword Control Arts.
This might be because the founding patriarch of Xiao Zhu Mountain was once a disciple of a major Daoist sect that had vanished in history, and later branched out independently, which is why the remaining scriptures are so comprehensive.
If one were to learn all these scriptures, they would become an all-around, relatively mediocre cultivator.
However, this had no impact on Li Chuan; his own strength was already very strong, and what he needed now was to learn these fundamentals. Once he had a solid foundation in all aspects, he would be able to understand truly profound scriptures when he obtained them later.
Just as he was engrossed in his studies, he suddenly sensed that the sect's restriction had been opened. He immediately dismissed his Shadow Clones and walked out:
"It seems Master has returned!"
However, as soon as he pushed open the door, he heard the arrogant laughter of Yuhi echoing through the valley.
"Blood God Child!"
Li Chuan frowned as he looked up at the sky.
There was the Blood God Child, whom he had defeated two years ago, Master Daoist Qingzhu, who looked clearly abnormal, and an unknown but powerful demonic cultivator.
"Bold demonic cultivator, how dare you trespass on my Xiao Zhu Mountain."
Just then, the three white-browed, aged Master Brothers of Xiao Zhu Mountain, who had been in seclusion, sensed the demonic aura from outside and stormed out of their seclusion chambers.
But when they saw the river of blood covering the entire valley, their legs turned to jelly, and they almost sat on the ground in fear.
"It's a cultivator from the Blood Demon Palace!"
Youquan Blood Demon of the Blood Demon Palace destroyed Mount Hua four hundred ninety-nine years ago and Kunlun one hundred ninety-nine years ago. In the eyes of orthodox cultivators, it was an absolutely terrifying sect.
"Master Brother!"
The five junior sisters and brothers, who had been practicing spells on the lawn, were terrified by the horrifying sight in the sky and huddled behind Li Chuan.
"Don't be afraid, it's alright."
Li Chuan raised his hand to comfort his junior sisters and brothers, then looked up at the Blood God Child and smiled:
"Oh, isn't this the Blood God Child, my defeated opponent who tucked his tail and ran last time? What, have your injuries healed?"
"Li Qingfeng, don't be arrogant! You're just at the Foundation Establishment Stage. If it weren't for your sneak attack last time, if it weren't for the pills Lotus Fairy gave you, did you really think you could defeat me?!"
Li Chuan's words hit a sore spot for the Blood God Child, and his emotions clearly became unstable.
Being defeated by an orthodox cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Stage, and from the obscure Xiao Zhu Mountain no less, he had been ridiculed endlessly since returning to the Blood Demon Palace these past two years. Even his Master's gaze towards him wasn't quite right.
Today, no matter what, he had to avenge himself, destroy Xiao Zhu Mountain, and destroy Li Chuan.
"Then let's try it. One-on-one, another fight!"
Li Chuan's face was full of provocation.
In truth, with his current strength, he wasn't afraid of the Blood God Child, but Daoist Qingzhu was in the opponent's hands, making him hesitant. He needed to find a way to rescue Daoist Qingzhu first.
And his advantage was that the opponent didn't know how strong he truly was now.
"You really think this Venerable One fears you? Today, this Venerable One will show you what it means to not know the immensity of heaven and earth!"
The Blood God Child narrowed his eyes, and the river of blood behind him instantly surged with monstrous waves.
Yin Jiutian, who was beside him, frowned and whispered to the Blood God Child:
"Master Brother, there's no need to get angry with him. Let's both go at him together, and we still have this old Daoist as a shield. It's a guaranteed win."
They clearly held the advantage now, so why bother with such a brainless thing as a one-on-one fight? Wouldn't it be too idiotic if they were defeated individually? They weren't orthodox cultivators who had to adhere to principles of righteousness.
Demonic cultivators always cared only about results and preferred sneak attacks and ganging up.
He felt as if the Blood God Child had some problem with his brain now.
But the Blood God Child still looked enraged, yet secretly transmitted his answer:
"I'll go up first and stabilize him. You take the opportunity to sneak attack with the Great Sumeru Profound Yin Cauldron later, and try to capture him in one fell swoop."
It turned out that the Blood God Child had no intention of fighting Li Chuan one-on-one at all. He was merely using the opportunity to bait him, then use Yin Jiutian's famous magical treasure, the Great Sumeru Profound Yin Cauldron, to capture Li Chuan alive.
Mainly because he had fought Li Chuan before and experienced the power of Li Chuan's lightning spells and clone techniques. He was afraid that if the opponent felt there was no chance of victory, he might abandon the entire sect and flee wholeheartedly. With so many clones, they truly weren't confident they could keep him.
Moreover, two years ago, Li Chuan was still at the Mid Foundation Establishment Stage, but now he had already formed a Core, and his strength had increased by an unknown amount.
Yin Jiutian then silently nodded. As expected of a Master Brother of the Blood Demon Palace; in terms of insidiousness and cunning, he was still slightly inferior.
"And who might this Daoist friend be? Do I have some enmity with you as well?"
At this moment, Li Chuan turned his head towards Yin Jiutian, who was controlling Daoist Qingzhu.
Yin Jiutian chuckled:
"Yin Jiutian, Sect Master of the Xuan Yin Sect. You killed my junior brother Nan Tong, and today I have come to seek justice.
But rest assured, as a dignified Sect Master, I would not resort to ganging up on an opponent. After you defeat Master Brother Blood God Child, I will then ask for a few pointers from you.
If you can defeat me, I will naturally release your Master."
"Then I thank you!"
Li Chuan cupped his hands, also revealing a smiling expression.
"Nephew Qingfeng, what exactly is going on? Why have you provoked them, and what happened to Master Brother?"
Hearing the conversation between the Blood God Child, Yin Jiutian, and Li Chuan, the three Master Brothers at the Foundation Establishment Stage who had just emerged from seclusion were completely bewildered.
They had only been in seclusion for four years, yet so many changes had occurred in Xiao Zhu Mountain. Their eldest master nephew had killed an Elder of the Xuan Yin Sect and injured the Blood God Child of the Blood Demon Palace. Now, people were coming to seek revenge; this was truly a sight they had never seen before.
"Three Master Brothers, don't panic. You all take the junior sisters and brothers and stand behind me. This nephew will handle everything properly!"
Li Chuan raised his hand, calmly reassuring the three Master Brothers who were trembling with fear.
The three looked at each other, then obediently came behind Li Chuan.
In the current situation, with their Sect Master Brother controlled by the opponent, only by listening to Li Chuan was there a chance for survival.
"Blood River Great Art!"
The Blood God Child stopped wasting words and directly activated his Blood River, sending it surging towards Li Chuan's direction in the valley below.
This time, he hadn't been injured by a sneak attack and was in peak condition. The power of the Blood River was much stronger than two years ago.
If Li Chuan still had the strength he possessed two years ago, it was estimated that he would have been completely defeated without Yin Jiutian needing to launch a sneak attack later.