Chapter 42: The Crimson Network
The Dawnriver slums were a labyrinth of despair. Lin Xuan, at 5th Layer Qi Transformation, sought to expand the Soul Lamp Hall. He demonstrated Starlit Void Fist and offered spirit stones and the basics of Crimson Blood Crystallization Art to five recruits. Liu Yue, now at 2nd Layer Qi Transformation, organized them with her Icy Skin mist, while Liu Yang, at 8th Layer Body Refining, guarded with blood-thread seals.
In the Ji Clan palace, Ji Yunjing, at the peak of the 2nd Layer Profound Heavenly Realm, worried about the Xun Clan's tampering with transport nodes. In a hidden cave, Bai Ningxue, with her 5th Layer Qi Transformation, worked on sealing arrays with Veilmoon Sect cultivators. Lin Xuan planted Hei Clan agents with encrypted messages, sensing betrayals from the Wudu and Crimson Claw clans. On the northern border, Shadowfang Sect scouts probed their defenses.