The Sect Treasury was located in the eastern wing of the main compound, a massive building with black iron doors inscribed with protective formations. Kai and his group arrived just as the doors opened, revealing a dimly lit interior filled with shelves and display cases.
An old man sat behind a counter, his eyes closed in meditation. He didn't move when they entered.
"Uh, excuse me?" Hong Wei said.
The old man's eyes snapped open. They were completely white, with no pupils.
"New inner disciples. I can smell a blood on you. Shadow Forest survivors?"
"Yes, Elder," Mei Lin said respectfully.
"Hmph. Four of you made it. Better than last month. That batch only have one survivor."
The old man—Elder Ming, according to the nameplate on the counter—gestured to the shelves.
"Basic treasury items are on the first three shelves. You each get one item. Choose wisely. Once you leave, no exchanges."
[System Advice: Scan available items before choosing]
[Recommended: Look for cultivation resources or defensive items]
Kai walked along the shelves, examining the items.
There were weapons—swords, sabers, spears—but most looked average quality. Pills in jade bottles. Technique manuals. Talismans.
[Scanning items...]
[Iron Sword - Common Grade - Attack +5]
[Body Refining Pill - Uncommon - Increases Body Tempering cultivation speed by 20% for 1 week]
[Basic Barrier Talisman - Common - Creates protective barrier, blocks one attack up to Level 6]
[Swift Step Manual - Common - Movement technique, inferior to Shadow Step]
Then Kai saw something that made the system ping urgently.
[Detecting unusual item...]
[Blood Essence Pill - Rare Grade - Increases all stats by 2, but requires strong willpower to consume]
[Warning: Contains demonic energy]
[Recommendation: TAKE THIS ITEM]
The pill was in a small black jade bottle, tucked away in the corner of the third shelf.
It looked like it had been sitting there for years, covered in dust.
"Find something interesting?" Elder Ming asked without opening his eyes.
"This Blood Essence Pill," Kai said. "What does it do?"
"Ah, that old thing. It increases your physical capabilities significantly, but it's made from demonic beast blood essence. Most disciples can't handle it. The demonic energy overwhelms their mind and drives them insane. Three people have tried it in the past decade. Two died screaming. One survived but had to be expelled for attacking fellow disciples."
[Risk Assessment: High]
[Success Probability with System assistance: 87%]
[Reward: +2 to all stats]
"I'll take it," Kai said.
Elder Ming's eyebrows rose.
"Bold. Or stupid. We'll see which one you are soon enough."
He waved his hand, and the bottle flew into Kai's palm.
"Next."
Mei Lin chose a Shadow Veil Talisman that could make her invisible for thirty seconds.
Hong Wei took a Beast Fang Saber, and Yun Xia selected an Earth Spirit Stone that would boost her earth techniques.
As they left the treasury, Mei Lin pulled Kai aside.
"Are you sure about that pill? Elder Ming wasn't exaggerating. I've heard stories about Blood Essence Pills. They're dangerous."
"I can handle it," Kai said with more confidence than he felt.
[Quest Alert!]
[New Quest: Consume the Blood Essence Pill]
[Objective: Successfully absorb the pill's energy without losing your mind]
[Reward: +2 to all stats, 200 EXP, Demonic Resistance (Passive Skill)]
[Penalty for Failure: Death or insanity]
[Recommended location: Secure, isolated area]
"I need to find somewhere quiet to cultivate," Kai said. "This pill needs to be consumed soon, or it'll lose potency."
"There are cultivation caves behind the dormitories," Yun Xia offered. "They're usually empty at night."
"Thanks. I'll head there now."
As Kai walked toward the cultivation caves, he felt it again—the sensation of being watched.
He turned but saw no one in the shadows.
[Warning: You are being observed]
[Observer location: Unknown]
[Threat level: Unable to determine]
Great. Just what he needed.
The cultivation caves were small chambers carved into the mountainside, each protected by basic sound-dampening formations. Kai found an empty one and locked the door behind him.
He sat cross-legged on the stone floor and pulled out the black jade bottle.
The moment he opened it, the scent of blood filled the cave. The pill inside was dark red, almost black, and it pulsed with energy.
"System, guide me through this."
[Beginning absorption protocol...]
[Step 1: Consume the pill]
[Step 2: Circulate qi according to Blood Qi Circulation technique]
[Step 3: Do NOT let the demonic energy reach your mind]
[Step 4: Refine the energy through your meridians]
[Estimated time: 2-3 hours]
[System will provide emergency intervention if necessary]
Kai took a deep breath and swallowed the pill.
Pain exploded through his body instantly.
[HP: 100/100 → 85/100]
It felt like his blood was boiling.
His veins burned like they were filled with acid.
The demonic energy from the pill surged through him, wild and violent, trying to overwhelm his consciousness.
[Warning: Demonic energy attempting to corrupt host's mind]
[Deploying mental barriers...]
[Corruption: 12%... 15%... 18%...]
Kai gritted his teeth and began circulating his qi. He followed the Blood Qi Circulation technique, guiding the chaotic energy through his meridians. It fought him every step of the way.
[HP: 85/100 → 70/100]
Blood dripped from his nose.
His muscles spasmed.
The demonic energy showed him visions—fields of corpses, rivers of blood, people screaming in agony.
"Not... real..." Kai gasped.
[Corruption: 23%... 27%... 31%...]
[Warning: Approaching critical threshold]
[System intervention: Increasing mental fortification]
The system's power wrapped around Kai's consciousness like a shield.
The visions faded slightly, giving him room to focus.
He pushed the energy down, forcing it through his lower meridians, refining it bit by bit.
The wild demonic power began to stabilize, transforming into pure qi.
[Corruption: 28%... 24%... 19%...]
Sweat poured down his face.
Hours passed.
The pain was constant and relentless, but Kai refused to give up. He'd survived the Blood Moon Ceremony. He'd stolen flowers from a Level 11 serpent. He could survive this.
[Corruption: 15%... 10%... 5%...]
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the energy settled.
The demonic essence had been refined into pure power, flowing smoothly through his meridians and strengthening his body.
[Corruption: 0%]
[Blood Essence Pill successfully absorbed!]
[Quest Complete: Consume the Blood Essence Pill]
[Rewards: +2 to all stats, 200 EXP, Demonic Resistance (Passive Skill)]
[Demonic Resistance: Reduces corruption from demonic energy by 50%]
Kai collapsed onto his back, gasping. His entire body felt different—stronger, faster, more refined.
[Status Updated]
[Host: Kai Zhang]
[Level: 5]
[EXP: 900/1000]
[HP: 120/120]
[Qi: 70/70]
[Strength: 11 → 13]
[Agility: 9 → 11 (+2 from Reckless Courage achievement)]
[Vitality: 11 → 13]
[Intelligence: 20 → 22]
[Luck: 13 → 15]
[Skills: Basic Fist Technique (Beginner), Demonic Qi Circulation (Intermediate), Shadow Step (Common)]
[Passive Skills: Pain Resistance (Level 1), Demonic Resistance (Level 1)]
[Survival Probability: 28.7%]
Almost thirty percent. Not bad.
Kai stood up and stretched.
He felt incredible.
His body moved more smoothly, and the qi flowing through his meridians was denser than before.
Then he heard it—slow, deliberate clapping from outside the cave.
Kai's hand went to his rusty dagger immediately.
"Who's there?"
The door to the cultivation cave opened, despite being locked.
A figure stepped inside, and Kai's breath caught in his throat.
It was a woman, but calling her just a woman felt inadequate. She was tall, with long silver hair that flowed like liquid metal. Her eyes were crimson red, and she wore robes so dark they seemed to absorb light. The aura around her was suffocating—pure, condensed power that made Kai's instincts scream at him to run.
[Warning: Extremely powerful cultivator detected]
[Level: Unable to determine - Beyond host's current perception]
[Estimated Cultivation: Foundation Establishment Realm or higher]
[Threat Level: ABSOLUTE]
[Survival Probability if hostile: 0.001%]
"Impressive," the woman said, her voice smooth and cold. "You actually survived a Blood Essence Pill. At Body Tempering Realm Level 5, no less. Most would have died or gone mad."
Kai forced himself to bow. "This junior greets... elder?"
"Master," she corrected. "I am Master Shen Yue, Shadow Hall Master of the Blood Demonic Sect. And you, Kai Zhang, have caught my attention."
Master. Not just an elder, but one of the sect's hall masters. They were second only to the Sect Master himself in authority and power.
"I... I'm honored, Master Shen Yue."
"Don't be. My attention is rarely a good thing."
She walked around him slowly, examining him like a piece of merchandise.
"You survived the Blood Moon Ceremony without killing anyone. You led your group to success in the Shadow Forest. And now you've consumed a Blood Essence Pill that should have killed you. Impressive."
[Warning: Do NOT reveal the system]
[Recommended response: Attribute success to natural talent and luck]
"I... I just got lucky, Master. And I've always been careful about controlling my qi."
She laughed, but it wasn't a pleasant sound. "Luck doesn't explain the precision of your qi circulation just now. I was watching. You refined that demonic energy like someone with years of experience, yet your cultivation is barely past beginner level."
She stopped in front of him, her crimson eyes boring into his.
"You have a secret, don't you? Something that gives you an edge over the other disciples."
Kai's heart hammered in his chest.
Did she know about the system? Was that even possible?
[System Status: Hidden]
[She cannot detect the system]
[Continue denying]
"I don't know what you mean, Master. I just—"
"Silence."
Her hand shot out, grabbing his chin and forcing his head up. Her grip was like iron.
"Don't insult my intelligence with more lies. Everyone has secrets."
She released him and stepped back.
"I'm going to make you an offer, Kai Zhang. Become my personal disciple. Train under me in the Shadow Hall. Learn techniques that the other disciples will never have access to."
[Quest Alert!]
[Major Quest: Become Master Shen Yue's Disciple]
[Objective: Accept or decline Master Shen Yue's offer]
[Accept Reward: Access to Shadow Hall, advanced techniques, personal protection, increased survival probability]
[Decline Penalty: Possible hostility from Master Shen Yue, loss of unique opportunity]
[Warning: This decision will significantly impact your future path]
Kai's mind raced.
Accepting would give him protection and resources. But it would also put him directly under the watch of one of the sect's most powerful—and dangerous—masters.
"Why me?" Kai asked. "There are stronger disciples. More talented ones."
"Because talent can be cultivated, but survival instinct cannot be taught. You have something rare in this sect—the will to live combined with the intelligence to make it happen." Master Shen Yue's expression was unreadable. "I collect useful tools, Kai Zhang."
"What would you want from me in return?"
"Loyalty. Obedience. And your secrets, eventually." She smiled coldly. "But not yet. First, I want to see if you're truly worth the investment. So here's my offer—accept, and I'll teach you the Shadow Arts. Decline, and you'll never receive this opportunity again."
[System Advice: Accept]
[Master Shen Yue can provide resources and protection necessary for survival]
[Her training will accelerate your growth significantly]
[However: She is dangerous and unpredictable]
[Proceed with caution]
Kai bowed deeply.
"This disciple accepts Master Shen Yue's gracious offer."
"Good choice."
She tossed him a black jade token. It was carved with intricate symbols that seemed to move in the light.
"That's your Shadow Hall token. Present it to the guards at the Shadow Hall entrance tomorrow at dawn. Don't be late. I hate tardiness."
She turned to leave, then paused at the door.
"Oh, and Kai Zhang? Don't disappoint me. My last three personal disciples all died during training. I'd hate to see you become the fourth."
With that cheerful statement, she vanished.
Just... vanished. No movement technique, no flash of light.
[Master Shen Yue has left the area]
[Quest Updated: Report to Shadow Hall at dawn]
[Time Remaining: 6 hours, 42 minutes]
Kai collapsed back onto the floor, his heart still racing.
"System, what did I just agree to?"
[Analysis: You've been recruited by one of the Blood Demonic Sect's most powerful and deadly masters]
[Shadow Hall is responsible for assassination, espionage, and special operations]
[Survival Probability Updated: 34.2%]
[Congratulations: You're now officially in the deep end]
Kai stared at the black jade token in his hand. It was warm to the touch, and he could feel dark energy pulsing within it.
His peaceful moment had ended very quickly.