Surviving in a world of demons and monsters to achieve martial arts sainthood

Zhou Wu led Shen Lian and Chen Yun back to the Demon Suppression Division at top speed.

The signing room was brightly lit. Zhao Shan, the flag officer, had arrived after hearing the news, along with junior officer Chen Biao and Mr. Zhou.

Zhou Wu placed the pottery jar and the rubbings on the table: "This pottery jar was found under the locust tree at the abandoned land temple in the south of the city. The powder inside the jar matches the powder found at the scene of the missing persons case, and it also contains datura petals."

"Mr. Zhou, do you recognize this symbol?" Zhao Shan said.

Mr. Zhou picked up the rubbing paper and began to study the circular symbol on it: "This is the 'Soul-Capturing Seal,' an extremely sinister sacrificial symbol."

Chen Biao frowned and said, "Mr. Zhou, do you mean that these missing persons cases are actually cases of people using living people as sacrifices to hold some kind of sacrificial ritual?"

"Very likely," Mr. Zhou nodded.

Zhao Shan slammed his fist on the table: "How dare you! You actually dare to use living people as sacrifices and perform this evil ritual in my Qinghe County! Zhou Wu, have you discovered anything else?"

Zhou Wulin reported: "In addition to the pottery jars and symbols found in the Earth God Temple, there was also a frightened beggar who had seen the things inside the temple before. According to the beggar's description, the thing inside the Earth God Temple had red eyes."

Zhao Shan frowned slightly: "Red eyes, datura flowers, soul-capturing seal—these clues, when pieced together, indicate that this is no ordinary demonic act, but rather the work of someone deliberately orchestrating it. Mr. Zhou, do you know of any forces that possess this evil magic?"

Mr. Zhou pondered for a moment and said, "There used to be a 'Blood Worship Cult' in the southwest region. They were skilled in such evil arts, but they were wiped out by the imperial court more than ten years ago."

Blood Worship Cult?

A look of shock flashed across the eyes of everyone present when they heard the name.

More than a decade ago, a cult called "Blood Worship Cult" appeared in the southwest region. It believed in "blood sacrifice to reach heaven" and often used the blood essence of living people as a sacrifice to cultivate evil skills.

Back then, the imperial court, in conjunction with the Demon Suppression Divisions of several prefectures, spent three years wiping out the main force of the "Blood Worship Cult," but some members still managed to escape.

Zhao Shan said in a deep voice, "Mr. Zhou, do you mean that the recent disappearances in Qinghe County are very likely the work of remnants of the 'Blood Worship Cult'?"

Mr. Zhou said solemnly, "The datura flower, the soul-capturing seal... these characteristics are completely consistent with the methods of the 'Blood Worship Cult' back then. The remnants of this cult have been lying low for more than ten years, and now that they have appeared, I'm afraid their intentions are not small."

Zhao Shan snorted, "Regardless of whether they are remnants of the 'Blood Worship Cult,' daring to use human sacrifices within my Qinghe County territory is tantamount to making an enemy of my Demon Suppression Division. This matter must be thoroughly investigated, and the mastermind behind it must be eradicated."

He looked at Shen Lian and Chen Yun: "You two have done a great job in discovering clues tonight, but this is no small matter and far beyond what you can handle. From now on, you will follow Friday's orders and must not act rashly."

"Yes, sir!" Shen Lian and Chen Yun shouted in unison.

Zhao Shan waved his hand, and Shen Lian and Chen Yun immediately withdrew. They knew very well that the matter of the Blood Worship Cult was not something they could interfere with at the moment.

Shen Lian immediately returned to the office.

Li Hu had already settled the beggar and returned. When he saw Shen Lian come back, he quickly went up to ask about the situation.

Shen Lian briefly told Li Hu what had happened.

Li Hu's scalp tingled: "The Blood Worship Cult? Using living people as sacrifices, that's even more sinister than demons. Brother Lian, are we in deep trouble?"

Shen Lian said, "The matter will naturally be handled by Commander Zhao and the others. What we need to do now is to improve our strength as soon as possible to deal with any possible changes."

Li Hu clenched his fist: "Brother Lian, you're right. I'll continue practicing the 'Demon Subduing Blade Technique' tomorrow and make sure I master all three forms as soon as possible."

Shen Lian lay on the bed, but he was not sleepy at all.

Several disappearances have occurred recently, and based on the traces found at the scene, it is now almost certain that the incidents are related to the remnants of the "Blood Worship Cult".

The Blood Worship Cult requires living people as sacrifices to practice its evil arts, and its methods are extremely cruel.

The Demon Suppression Bureau is now in the open, while the remnants of the Blood Worship Cult are in the shadows.

Before understanding how the remnants of the "Blood Worship Cult" operate, capturing them is naturally not an easy task.

The next morning.

Shen Lian got up early in the morning and went to the training ground. He bent his knees slightly, lowered his waist and dismounted, and began to practice the "Tiger Subduing Stance".

After this period of cultivation, his own qi and blood have been greatly enhanced, and his "Tiger Subduing Stance" is also about to break through to the great completion stage.

The "Tiger-Taming Stance" focuses on tempering one's Qi and blood. Once one breaks through to the Great Perfection stage, one's endurance and explosive power will be significantly improved.

Shen Lian slowly exhaled and inhaled, feeling the blood and qi surging within his spine, every inch of his tendons and bones being tempered by the stance training.

"Brother Lian, I want to spar with you."

Li Hu looked at Shen Lian with a determined gaze. After these incidents, he knew that his strength was not strong enough and he had to improve it as much as possible.

Shen Lian's swordsmanship is better than his, so they can practice together to improve their skills.

"Okay!" Shen Lian did not refuse.

The two men stood facing each other, swords in hand, assuming their stances in the martial arts arena.

Li Hu took the lead and charged forward, unleashing a powerful "Mountain Splitting Strike" that cleaved down. His blood and energy were abundant after breaking through to the Body Tempering Realm.

This strike was powerful and heavy, with a whooshing sound as it cut through the air.

Shen Lian remained calm. Facing Li Hu's full-force attack, he did not choose to take it head-on. Instead, he slightly turned his body and changed his footwork.

It is precisely the series of steps in the "wave-cutting" style.

With a slight flick of his wrist, he slashed the longsword upwards at an angle, striking the blade precisely.

clang!

Li Hu felt a sudden, skillful force strike him, and his sword strike was deflected.

This is precisely the essence of the interception technique of the third move of the "Demon Subduing Blade Technique," the "Mountain-Splitting Style," which emphasizes striking after the opponent has moved and disrupting their rhythm.

Li Hu reacted quickly, using the momentum to slide to the side, and then changed his move to sweep horizontally, attempting to suppress Shen Lian with the speed of "Slicing Waves".

However, Shen Lian had anticipated this. He suddenly accelerated his longsword, accurately parrying the sweeping attack, and then unleashed three consecutive strikes at Li Hu.

clang!clang!clang!

Li Hu barely managed to parry, retreating several steps, beads of sweat appearing on his forehead.

Shen Lian's three strikes were not only fast, but also perfectly timed and rhythmic, keeping Li Hu constantly at a disadvantage.

Shen Lian sheathed his sword and stood calmly, saying, "Tiger, your 'Mountain Splitting Style' has enough power, but too few variations. When you changed your move and swept horizontally just now, your waist strength didn't fully keep up, causing your sword speed to slow down by half a point. That's the flaw."

Li Hu said with genuine admiration, "Brother Lian, the transition between your two moves was so smooth that I couldn't keep up at all."

Shen Lian explained, "The three forms of the 'Subduing Demons Blade Technique' are essentially one. The 'Mountain Splitting Form' is primarily offensive, the 'Wave Slicing Form' is primarily fast, and the 'Mountain Breaking Form' is primarily intercepting. In actual combat, you need to adapt to the opponent's changes at any time. Practice the 'Tiger Subduing Stance' more often. Once your foundation is solid, your blade technique will naturally become smooth."

Li Hu nodded emphatically: "I understand!"

After the morning exercise, everyone went to the dining hall for lunch. Several veteran demon slayers gathered at a table and talked in hushed tones. The topic was none other than the "Blood Worship Cult".

Shen Lian took the food and sat down at the table with Li Hu and Chen Yun.

Chen Yun said in a low voice, "I heard from Senior Zhou Wu this morning that Commander Zhao reported the matter to the State Demon Suppression Division overnight."

Li Hu clicked his tongue in astonishment: "Even the prefectural government has been alerted? This has really blown up."

Shen Lian slowly said, "The remnants of the 'Blood Worship Cult' have been lying low for over a decade, and their sudden activity in Qinghe County must indicate they have ambitious plans. Commander Zhao's cautious approach is correct. Our current task is to perform our duties well, enhance our strength, and be ready to respond at any time."

Li Hu and Chen Yun nodded slightly.

The Blood Worship Cult has been lying low for over a decade and could have continued to do so, but its sudden reappearance suggests it has ulterior motives.

However, their purpose is still unclear.

The more complicated things become, the more cautious we need to be.