I transmigrated to a chaotic world and became the sole player.

"Sizzle! Sizzle! Sizzle!"

Three poisoned needles, like venomous snakes in the night, shot silently from the shadows of the forest, striking the backs of the necks, backs, and wrists of the three men in black robes! The [Plague Poison Crystal (Mid-Grade)] powder coated on the needles was obtained by Lu Zhao from the Plague Mother's lair in Huai Mountain Village, and mixed with the juices of several bone-corroding and paralyzing poisonous herbs. It was deadly upon contact with blood, specifically designed to break through protective qi, and was extremely insidious!

At the same time, under Lu Zhao's precise mental control, the three [Fireball Talismans (Good)] transformed into three head-sized, blazing fireballs that roared towards the three black-robed men! Their aim was not to kill, but to create chaos and cover the poison needles!

"Who goes there?!"

The black-robed man at the fourth level of Qi Refining was the most alert. The instant the poisoned needle touched his body, he felt a chilling sense of danger. He let out a sharp shout and lunged forward, dodging the needle aimed at the back of his neck. However, he couldn't completely avoid the needle aimed at his back, which grazed his shoulder blade, leaving a trail of blood! The venom instantly seeped into his body, and he groaned, feeling a numbness in his shoulder, half of his body becoming unresponsive! Meanwhile, the fireball that had been aimed at him exploded with a deafening roar, engulfing him in flames!

"what!"

The other black-robed man who attacked the young man wielding the staff wasn't so lucky. His attention was entirely focused on his prey, and before he could react, the poisoned needle struck his wrist precisely, instantly paralyzing his entire arm and causing his scimitar to fly out of his hand! The fireball that followed hit him squarely in the chest, blasting him into a bloody mess. He screamed as he flew backward, crashing into a large tree, his chest charred black, clearly beyond saving.

The last man in black robes reacted a little faster, waving his knife to deflect the poison needles, but was thrown over by the shockwave of the exploding fireball. Although he was not seriously injured, he was shaken so badly that his blood and qi were churning, and he was covered in dust.

"puff!"

As the poisoned needle pierced his body, the black-robed man at the fourth level of Qi Refining paled instantly, shouting, "Poison! Be careful!" He bit his tongue hard, spitting out a mouthful of black blood in an attempt to expel the poison, but the [Plague Poison Crystal (Mid-Grade)] was incredibly potent. After the initial paralysis, it began to corrode his bones and heart. Half of his body had already begun to stiffen, and his movements had slowed considerably! Even worse, the paralysis was spreading towards his heart!

"You coward! Hiding like a coward! Get out here!" The man in black robes roared furiously, his eyes bloodshot, as he brandished his sword to protect himself and cautiously scanned his surroundings.

"call out!"

His answer was yet another volley of poisoned needles! This time, Lu Zhao burst from his hiding place, his [Superior Swiftness Talisman] activated at full power, moving with ghostly speed. His short crossbow fired in rapid succession, three poisoned arrows arranged in a triangular pattern, aimed directly at the black-robed man's face, throat, and chest! Simultaneously, he flicked his left hand, sending two [Good Evil-Exorcising Talismans] transforming into two beams of golden light, one to the left and one to the right, shooting towards another black-robed man who had just gotten up!

"Damn it!" The black-robed man at the fourth level of Qi Refining was furious, but he was poisoned and his movements were slow. He barely managed to deflect a poisoned arrow aimed at his throat with his sword, but the arrows that struck his face and chest grazed him, leaving two bloody marks. The poison seeped in, intensifying the numbness! He was terrified, knowing he had encountered a tough opponent, and the opponent's methods of using poison were extremely cunning. If he continued fighting, his chances of survival were slim! He made a decisive decision and shouted, "The wind is blowing hard! Let's get out of here!"

After saying that, he forcefully gathered his inner energy to suppress the poison, and retreated rapidly, about to disappear into the dense forest.

Another man in black robes was struck by the golden light of the [Exorcism Talisman]. His protective Yin energy dissipated rapidly, like snow being doused in boiling water. He screamed in agony, his breathing becoming chaotic. The young man in the Taoist robe seized the opportunity and pierced his throat with a sword, killing him instantly.

"Trying to leave? Stay here!" The young man in the Taoist robe wouldn't let him escape. He suppressed his injuries, flicked his longsword, and a cyan sword aura shot out, aiming straight for the black-robed man's back! Although he was injured, he was still at the fifth level of Qi Refining, and his full-force attack was incredibly powerful!

"Senior brother, I'm here to help you!" The young man wielding the staff roared, ignoring his injuries, and swept his staff across to block the black-robed man's retreat.

"Get out of my way!" the black-robed man roared, turning around and slashing with his sword, cleaving through the sword energy, but he was still knocked back by the impact. The poison took effect even faster, and his vision blurred. A fierce glint flashed in his eyes, and he spat out a jet of blood. The blood jet transformed into a blood-red skull in the wind, crashing into the Taoist-robed youth. He used the force to retreat rapidly, about to use his Blood Escape Technique!

"Too late!" Lu Zhao's icy voice rang out. He had already anticipated the opponent's escape. After firing the poisoned arrow and talisman, he had silently circled to the side. His [Turtle Breath Stealth Technique] was activated to its maximum, appearing like a ghost on the black-robed man's retreat path. His short knife, gleaming with a ghostly light, silently pierced the man's vital point in the back! The timing and angle were perfectly precise! He activated [Dragon's Hibernation Technique], concentrating all his power into a single point and unleashing it! Combined with the precise perception granted by [Divine Refinement Technique], this strike was fast, accurate, and ruthless!

"Pfft!"

The man in black robes was completely focused on the young man in the Taoist robes and the young man wielding the staff. He had no idea that there was a deadly attack behind him. Before he could even use his Blood Escape Technique, he felt a chill on his back, and a blood-stained blade tip was already protruding from his chest! Looking down, he stared in disbelief at the blade tip protruding from his chest. He made a hoarse sound in his throat, his eyes filled with resentment and unwillingness. He wanted to turn around, but it was too late. Everything went black, and he died!

Lu Zhao drew his sword, and blood splattered. The black-robed man's corpse fell heavily to the ground, the light in his eyes quickly dimming.

"Huff...huff..." The young man in the Taoist robe and the young man wielding the staff finally breathed a sigh of relief, leaning on their weapons and panting heavily. Both of them were seriously injured, especially the young man in the Taoist robe, whose injuries were more severe. The fight just now had aggravated his internal injuries, and his face was as pale as paper, and he could barely stand.

"Thank you for your help, friend!" The young man in the Taoist robe forced himself to bow to Lu Zhao, his voice weak, but his eyes were full of gratitude and wariness. He sized up Lu Zhao, noticing his sallow complexion and weak aura, suggesting he was only at the first level of Qi Refining. However, his attack had been ruthless and decisive, with precise timing. The talismans, poison needles, and short sword were used seamlessly, instantly killing three people. Clearly, he was not as simple as he appeared. Especially his movement techniques and stealth skills, which were incredibly unpredictable.

"Thank you so much for saving my life!" The young man wielding the staff knelt down and kowtowed three times. He was upright and honest, and if Lu Zhao hadn't intervened in time, he and his senior brother would have been dead.

"No need for formalities, gentlemen. I was merely helping someone in need. Besides, the Black Fiend Cult is a cult that everyone should punish." Lu Zhao stepped forward, helped the young man wielding the staff to his feet, and then looked at the young man in the Taoist robe, asking, "Master, how are your injuries? Are they serious?"

"I am Lin Qingfeng, an inner disciple of the Qingyun Dao Sect. This is my junior brother, Zhang Tie. Thank you for your righteous help in saving our lives. We will never forget this kindness." The young man in the Daoist robe, Lin Qingfeng, clasped his hands again and said with a wry smile, "To be honest, I was fighting a mid-stage second-tier demonic beast, the 'Iron-Backed Gray Wolf,' in order to obtain the 'Crimson Blood Ginseng.' I was unfortunately poisoned by the wolf's venom and was then ambushed by members of the Black Fiend Sect. I forced myself to use my inner energy, which injured my lungs and internal organs. If it weren't for your help, I'm afraid I would not have survived today."

"I see." Lu Zhao nodded. No wonder Lin Qingfeng, with his Qi Refining Level 5 cultivation, was forced to such a state by several Black Fiend Cult members at Qi Refining Level 3 or 4; it turned out his injuries had been compounded. He took out a jade bottle from his robes, poured out two Jade Dew Rejuvenation Pills, and handed them to Lin Qingfeng: "Brother Lin, these are Jade Dew Rejuvenation Pills. They can strengthen your foundation, heal internal injuries, and also have a slight suppressive effect on wolfsbane. Please take them first to stabilize your injuries."

"Jade Dew Rejuvenating Pill? This... is too precious, fellow Daoist, you mustn't use it..." Lin Qingfeng was shocked. The Jade Dew Rejuvenating Pill was a high-grade mortal pill, quite valuable. For cultivators like them in the Qi Refining stage, it was already a holy product for healing injuries.

"It's alright. Pills are inanimate, but people are alive. Your injuries are more serious, so take the pill first," Lu Zhao insisted.

"In that case, I am truly ashamed." Seeing his sincerity, Lin Qingfeng no longer refused, accepted the pill, and shared it with his junior brother Zhang Tie. After swallowing the pill, a warm current spread through their bodies, nourishing their lungs and suppressing the wolf poison, and their complexions immediately improved considerably.

"I haven't yet asked for your esteemed name, benefactor?" Zhang Tie, whose injuries were less severe, recovered the fastest and was now able to stand up. He looked at Lu Zhao with eyes full of gratitude and curiosity.

"My name is Lu Zhao, a wandering cultivator who happened to be traveling here." Lu Zhao gave a brief self-introduction and did not say much more.

"So it's Fellow Daoist Lu. Fellow Daoist is exceptionally skilled and courageous, and possesses superb talisman and poison techniques, yet you call yourself a rogue cultivator. Isn't that a bit too modest?" Lin Qingfeng took the pill, regulated his breathing for a moment, and his complexion became somewhat rosy. He looked at Lu Zhao with a hint of scrutiny and inquiry. After all, he was an inner disciple of the Qingyun Dao Sect, with extraordinary knowledge, and naturally he could see Lu Zhao's extraordinary abilities. That concealment technique, that precise control of talismans and poison needles, that ruthless fighting style, were far beyond the reach of ordinary rogue cultivators. Moreover, the other party seemed to have an extreme hatred for the Black Fiend Sect, and his attacks were all deadly, leaving no room for retreat.

"I am indeed a rogue cultivator who, by chance, acquired some insignificant skills, nothing to boast about." Lu Zhao changed the subject, looking at the three black-robed corpses on the ground, and asked, "Brother Lin, why did this Black Fiend Sect demon pursue you two? And what is this 'Crimson Blood Ginseng'?"

Lin Qingfeng's expression turned solemn. He said, "To be honest, Fellow Daoist Lu, my junior brother and I were ordered by our sect to venture deep into Black Wind Ridge to collect a spiritual herb called 'Jade Marrow Ganoderma' to refine 'Jade Marrow Pills' for healing an elder of our sect. Along the way, we accidentally discovered a 'Crimson Blood Ginseng,' which can be used to refine 'Blood Spirit Pills,' greatly beneficial to body-refining cultivators and of considerable value. However, we were targeted by this group of demons from the Black Fiend Sect, who wanted to kill us and steal our treasure. I didn't want to cause trouble and intended to leave, but these demons were relentless and chased us all the way here. If it weren't for your righteous help, Fellow Daoist, I'm afraid..." He paused, then took out a jade box from his robes, opened it, and inside lay a ginseng root, entirely crimson, shaped like an infant, exuding a rich blood aura, about the size of a palm—the "Crimson Blood Ginseng."

"This is the Crimson Blood Ginseng, about three hundred years old, rich in spiritual energy, and the main ingredient for refining the Blood Spirit Pill. Fellow Daoist Lu saved our lives, and we have no way to repay you. So we present this to you as a token of our gratitude." Lin Qingfeng handed the jade box to Lu Zhao and said sincerely.

"This...this item is precious, how could I possibly..." Lu Zhao hurriedly declined. The Crimson Blood Ginseng, three hundred years old, is worth at least several thousand taels of silver, and is extremely rare and difficult to find. It is indeed a rare medicinal herb. However, his assistance was not out of greed for the item.

"Fellow Daoist Lu, please don't refuse. Although this item is precious, what is it compared to the life-saving grace? Besides, if it weren't for you, this item would have already fallen into the hands of a demon. You can use it to refine your body and improve your cultivation. Please, Fellow Daoist, accept it!" Lin Qingfeng insisted.

"Yes, my benefactor, please accept it! Otherwise, I won't feel at ease!" Zhang Tie chimed in from the side.

Seeing that he couldn't refuse and witnessing the sincerity of the two men, Lu Zhao stopped being coy, accepted the jade box, and solemnly said, "In that case, I am unworthy to accept it. Thank you very much, Brother Lin and Brother Zhang, for your generous gift."

"We should be the ones thanking you." Lin Qingfeng smiled as Lu Zhao accepted the gift, then frowned and said, "Fellow Daoist Lu, although your killing of these Black Fiend Cult members today was righteous, you have likely incurred the wrath of the Black Fiend Cult. This cult is vengeful and ruthless; they will certainly not let this go. This place is not safe to linger; we must leave quickly. Where does Fellow Daoist Lu intend to go?"

"To be honest, fellow Daoist, I'm on my way to Yunmeng Marsh to participate in the entrance examination for the Qingyun Dao Sect," Lu Zhao said frankly. Since the other party was an inner disciple of the Qingyun Dao Sect, this information would have to be revealed sooner or later.

"Oh? Fellow Daoist Lu wishes to join my Qingyun Dao Sect?" Lin Qingfeng's eyes lit up, and he exclaimed with delight, "That's wonderful! Fellow Daoist Lu's cultivation is remarkable, his character resolute, and he possesses a chivalrous heart—exactly the kind of talent my sect needs. I am an inner disciple and can recommend you to directly participate in the assessment. After passing, you can enter the outer sect for cultivation. If you achieve success in the future, you may be able to become an inner disciple. I wonder if Fellow Daoist Lu would be willing to accompany us to Yunmeng Marsh?"

"It would be my pleasure to travel with you, fellow Daoist. However, your injuries have not yet healed, and you are carrying the Crimson Blood Ginseng. I fear you may encounter further dangers along the way," Lu Zhao said.

"It's alright. My injuries have stabilized, and as long as I don't encounter any powerful enemies, my journey will be unimpeded. Besides, with Fellow Daoist Lu traveling with me, we'll have extra support and it will be much safer. As for the Crimson Blood Ginseng, it needs to be sent back to the sect as soon as possible to be refined into pills; there's no time to waste. If Fellow Daoist Lu comes along, we can travel together and support each other," Lin Qingfeng said, his eyes filled with anticipation. He could see that Lu Zhao was quite strong and capable; with him traveling with him, the journey back to the sect would be safe. Moreover, bringing such a talented individual into the sect would be a great achievement.

"Senior brother is right! Benefactor Lu, come with us! With you here, we'll kill those Black Fiend Cult scum one by one, and two by two!" Zhang Tie said excitedly.

Lu Zhao pondered for a moment, then nodded: "In that case, I will respectfully comply. However, we need to clean up the traces here to avoid attracting pursuers."

"Fellow Daoist is absolutely right," Lin Qingfeng nodded. The three of them immediately set to work, looting the three black-robed corpses and obtaining some silver, pills, several black tokens, a fragment of the "Blood Fiend Technique," several poisoned hidden weapons, and a small bottle containing "corpse-dissolving powder." Lu Zhao sprinkled the corpse-dissolving powder on the corpses, and after a moment, the three corpses turned into three puddles of yellow liquid, seeping into the soil without a trace. He then cleaned up the signs of the struggle, restoring the scene to its original state.

Having done all this, the three dared not linger. They quickly determined their direction and left this dangerous place. Lin Qingfeng, a disciple of the Qingyun Dao Sect, was quite familiar with the terrain of Black Wind Ridge. He led Lu Zhao and Zhang Tie along a hidden mountain path, avoiding any potential pursuers.

They walked in silence, their pace steady, and by evening they had covered over a hundred li (approximately 50 kilometers) before arriving at a secluded valley. The valley contained a stream and sheltered caves, perfect for resting.

They lit a campfire, roasted some dry rations, and boiled some water. The three of them sat around the fire, resting and talking as they recovered.

"Fellow Daoist Lu, what is the purpose of your trip to Yunmengze to participate in the assessment?" Lin Qingfeng asked. His injuries had improved significantly under the care of the Jade Dew Rejuvenating Pill, his complexion had returned to a rosy hue, and his breathing had become much more stable.

"To be honest, fellow Daoist, I am a rogue cultivator who entered the path of cultivation by chance. However, I lack a master to guide me, and my path is fraught with uncertainty. I have long heard that the Qingyun Dao Sect is the leading righteous sect in the Central Plains, with profound foundations and orthodox methods. I yearn for it, and thus wish to join their sect to seek the true methods and attain the Great Dao," Lu Zhao replied, half-truthfully. He truly wanted to join their sect, but naturally, he would not reveal his own secrets.

"I see. It's truly remarkable that Fellow Daoist Lu has cultivated to this level as a rogue cultivator. Our Qingyun Dao Sect is open to all; as long as one has a pure heart and decent aptitude, one can enter. Since you have such a heart, and you have also saved my junior brother, I will certainly do my best to assist you in entering the sect," Lin Qingfeng said with a smile, his tone sincere. He observed that Lu Zhao's words and actions did not seem like those of a wicked person, and having saved his life, he already felt a good impression of him and wanted to befriend him.

"Thank you for your guidance, fellow Daoist." Lu Zhao clasped his hands in a fist salute.

"By the way, Fellow Daoist Lu, what kind of poison technique did you use to kill those three Black Fiend Cult members? The toxicity was so potent that even a mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator couldn't withstand it," Zhang Tie asked curiously from the side. He vividly remembered Lu Zhao's strange poison needles.

"It's a rare poison that I, Lu, obtained by chance, called 'Bone-Corroding Blood-Dissolving Powder.' It's made by mixing several poisonous herbs with plague toxins. It's lethal upon contact with blood and can break through protective qi. However, it's not easy to make, and there aren't many left," Lu Zhao explained vaguely, unwilling to elaborate. The plague toxin crystals came from the Plague Mother of Huai Mountain Village, involving secrets of the Black Fiend Cult, and should not be revealed.

"I see. This Black Fiend Sect has been active in the Central Plains in recent years, repeatedly slaughtering living beings, refining evil objects, and causing havoc in all directions. My Qingyun Dao Sect has issued kill orders many times to wipe out their branches. I didn't expect to encounter their remnants here in Black Wind Ridge. It seems that their reach is longer than we imagined." Lin Qingfeng frowned, a trace of worry flashing in his eyes.

"Brother Dao, what exactly is the use of that Crimson Blood Ginseng? Why does it attract such covetousness from the Black Fiend Sect?" Lu Zhao asked.

"The Crimson Blood Ginseng grows only where the earth's blood and evil energy converge. It absorbs the earth's evil energy and blood energy to grow, thus containing immense blood energy. It is the main ingredient for refining the 'Blood Spirit Pill' and the 'Blood Marrow Pill.' These two pills can greatly enhance the blood and qi of body-refining cultivators, strengthen their physical bodies, and even help them break through body-refining bottlenecks. For us Qi-refining cultivators, it also has the effect of strengthening the foundation, enhancing blood and qi, and repairing hidden injuries to the meridians. It is especially beneficial for those who cultivate evil techniques such as Blood Evil, Corpse Evil, and Poison Evil, as it can help them condense Blood Evil, Corpse Qi, and Poison Essence. That group of Black Evil Cult members should be practicing Blood Evil Technique, and this substance is a great tonic for them. Moreover, the Black Evil Cult seems to be collecting such Blood Evil and Yin-evil items; I wonder what they intend to use them for," Lin Qingfeng explained.

Lu Zhao's heart skipped a beat. The Black Fiend Sect was collecting blood-fiend and sinister items—was it for blood sacrifices? To refine evil artifacts? Or to summon evil gods? He remained calm and said, "I see. It seems this item is indeed precious. Brother, offering it to the sect will surely be a great achievement."

"The sect has been kind to me in nurturing me, so it is only right that I do this. Besides, refining the Blood Spirit Pill requires the help of a master alchemist, which I am not skilled in. Keeping it would be a waste. If the sect can use it to refine the Blood Spirit Pill, it can help the inner disciples refine their bodies and enhance the sect's strength. Why not?" Lin Qingfeng said with a smile, his eyes open and honest, without any selfish motives.

Lu Zhao nodded inwardly. This Lin Qingfeng was kind-hearted and grateful. He was indeed a disciple of a prestigious sect and was worth befriending.

"By the way, Fellow Daoist Lu, are you aware that the Qingyun Dao Sect's disciple recruitment this time is quite rigorous, with three stages. The first stage is the 'Path of Inquiry,' which tests one's character, perseverance, and whether one possesses the heart to pursue the Dao. The second stage is the 'Spirit Testing Platform,' which tests one's spiritual root aptitude and cultivation foundation. The third stage is the 'Trial Peak,' which tests one's combat skills, adaptability, and teamwork. With your strength, you should have no problem passing the first two stages, but you need to be extra careful with the third. On the Trial Peak, there are demonic beasts, illusion arrays, traps, and competition from fellow disciples, making it extremely dangerous. However, with your abilities, as long as you are careful, you will definitely pass." Lin Qingfeng added, clearly wanting to help Lu Zhao understand the examination content in advance.

"Thank you for your guidance, fellow Daoist. I will be extra careful," Lu Zhao said gratefully. With insider guidance, things will naturally be much easier.

"Hehe, benefactor Lu, don't worry, with me here, I'll be the first to object to anyone who dares to bully you!" Zhang Tie patted his chest and said. He was straightforward and had already completely admired Lu Zhao.

Lu Zhao smiled, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. He looked at Lin Qingfeng and asked, "Brother Lin, you and Brother Zhang are still recovering from your injuries and need to rest. Why don't we rest here for a day before continuing our journey?"

"Very good. Although my injuries are stable, the wolfsbane has not been cleared, and I still need to circulate my internal energy to expel the poison. Junior brother, please protect me. Fellow Daoist Lu, please also rest and recuperate here. This place is quite secluded, so there should be no major problems." Lin Qingfeng nodded.

The three of them agreed and each found a clean spot to sit cross-legged and meditate to recover. Zhang Tie stood guard at the cave entrance, Lin Qingfeng circulated his internal energy to expel the poison, and Lu Zhao silently circulated the [Hibernating Dragon] technique, absorbing the rich blood energy emitted by the Crimson Blood Ginseng to nourish his meridians and repair his injuries. At the same time, he was also planning how to pass the test and establish himself in Yunmeng Marsh. The Qingyun Dao Sect would be a crucial turning point on his cultivation path, and he had to seize it.

As night deepened, the campfire crackled, and insects chirped in the valley, creating a tranquil scene. But Lu Zhao knew this was merely the calm before the storm. Many more challenges awaited him ahead.