Chapter 79 - 77: Under the Saint Master, the Cyan Dragon Guardian
’Interface,’ Lu Changfeng thought, ’does activating his bloodline mean it can recover to 0.5% on its own?’
The interface responded again: "Yes. The target’s bloodline cap is 0.5%. Once the Bloodline Energy is reactivated, it will slowly rise back to its cap, but this will be a lengthy process."
’As long as it can recover, that’s all that matters,’ Lu Changfeng thought. That way, he wouldn’t have to worry about finding it the next time he wanted to copy it.
Lu Changfeng checked his own interface. His bloodline had also changed to 0.4%/0.5%. It would likely take a few months to replenish the lost 0.1%.
"Huh!"
"This young man’s Life Force is recovering rapidly! What happened?" Wei Chun asked in astonishment from the side.
Naturally, Lu Changfeng offered no explanation.
At that moment, Sikong Jue’s eyes slowly fluttered open.
The moment he regained consciousness, Sikong Jue shot upright. His eyes were bloodshot, his body trembled, and a beast-like roar escaped his lips.
Wei Chun jumped in fright. As a mere Physician, he wasn’t accustomed to such scares, so Lu Changfeng had him leave the room.
After Wei Chun left, Lu Changfeng turned to face Sikong Jue.
"Calm down, Sikong Jue. You’re safe here."
"If you want revenge, you’ll have plenty of chances later," Lu Changfeng said, his voice carrying a powerful resonance.
The resounding voice caused the madness in Sikong Jue’s mind to gradually recede.
"I..." Sikong Jue looked at Lu Changfeng. "Brother Lu? Was it you... who saved me?"
Lu Changfeng nodded. "You could say that."
He reached out and patted Sikong Jue on the back. "Relax. You’re safe now."
Without the bloodline transfer, Sikong Jue wouldn’t have escaped his near-death state so quickly, let alone be as full of life and vigor as he was now.
Sikong Jue was about to say something when he suddenly noticed a change within his body. A look of delighted surprise crossed his face. "My Bloodline Energy... it’s back!"
Sikong Jue looked at Lu Changfeng, who said nothing, only offering a slight nod.
"Words can’t express my gratitude!" Sikong Jue struggled to his feet and kowtowed to Lu Changfeng.
Having his Bloodline Energy meant he still had a chance for revenge.
’Sikong Family!!’
’I will one day repay the suffering I’ve endured today a hundredfold!’
Suddenly, Sikong Jue seemed to remember something. He fumbled at his chest, but the antidote he had prepared was gone.
Someone must have looted his belongings while he was being beaten.
"What’s wrong?" Lu Changfeng asked, noticing something was amiss.
Sikong Jue gave a bitter smile. "It seems I won’t be able to repay your kindness in this lifetime, Brother Lu."
"In order to force Sikong Tuxiong to abdicate."
"I took the deadly Purple Gromwell Pill and used my own life as a threat against him. Without the antidote, I will surely die within three days."
"But the antidote is gone. You probably couldn’t find a second antidote for the Purple Gromwell Pill in all of Jiangzhou. I’m a dead man."
Lu Changfeng frowned. He had spent 0.1% of his own bloodline to save Sikong Jue; he couldn’t just let him die from poison.
’Taihong Association... Broken Moon Sect... Killing Temple...’ Lu Changfeng considered his options and finally decided to ask for help at the Killing Temple.
Those of the Demon Dao would surely have a larger collection of poisons than any orthodox Sect.
"It’s just a poison, and we still have two days. There’s always a way."
"Can you stand?" Lu Changfeng asked.
Sikong Jue used the bed for support and got to his feet.
"Good. I’m taking you to find an antidote."
Lu Changfeng called Teng Xiaofan back in. Seeing Sikong Jue mostly recovered, Teng Xiaofan’s face filled with disbelief as he marveled at Wei Chun’s masterful skills.
"You head back to the Martial Arts Hall first. I’m taking Sikong Jue out for a bit," Lu Changfeng said.
Teng Xiaofan grinned. "Don’t I get to come along?"
"You’re staying here," Lu Changfeng said. So far, Teng Xiaofan’s character seemed decent enough.
His background was also clean, with no attachments to hold him back.
Still, Lu Changfeng decided to be cautious. The fewer people who knew about the Saint Demon Sect, the better.
...
Lu Changfeng traveled through the night with Sikong Jue, arriving at the Killing Temple.
Even late at night, the Killing Temple was still lit, casting a lonely glow over the secluded East Suburb.
Lu Changfeng led the man into the temple.
The two brothers guarding the gate, Zhiyuan and Zhishen, quickly noticed their arrival.
"Donor Lu, what brings you here in the middle of the night?" Zhiyuan asked as he approached.
Standing to the side, Sikong Jue’s expression changed slightly.
As a master at the Blood Forging Seventh Layer who possessed a Demon Fiend Bloodline, Sikong Jue could sense that these two gatekeeping monks were actually experts at the Martial Master Realm.
Moreover, an ordinary Martial Artist couldn’t exude such an oppressive aura. They were likely High-Grade Martial Artists, perhaps even Grand Martial Artists.
For monks of such caliber to be mere gatekeepers... the power behind this temple was immense.
Lu Changfeng spoke. "Zhiyuan, Zhishen, I need to find the antidote for the Purple Gromwell Pill. Is Xuansha here?"
"The abbot is here. Please follow me, Donor Lu."
Zhishen remained to guard the gate while Zhiyuan led Lu Changfeng toward the back of the temple.
In front of the abbot’s quarters, Xuansha was already stepping out to greet them.
Lu Changfeng explained the situation once more.
As expected of someone from the Dark Buddha Demon Sect, Xuansha did not disappoint him.
"I don’t have the specific antidote for the Purple Gromwell Pill, but I do have a Hundred Solutions Pill I acquired from the Bone-Eroding Demon Sect. It can neutralize a hundred different top-tier toxins, so it should have no problem dealing with the Purple Gromwell’s poison."
As he spoke, Xuansha took out a jade bottle from within his robes.
The Bone-Eroding Demon Sect was one of the Demon Sects under the Saint Demon Sect’s banner.
Its lineage specialized in the art of poison-making. Their most potent creation, known as "Bone-Eroding," could obliterate a person, leaving not even a trace of bone behind.
Lu Changfeng’s eyes lit up. But just as he was about to ask for it, Xuansha interrupted, "Saint Master, this Hundred Solutions Pill is exceedingly precious. If it were for your own use, I would offer it without a second thought."
"However, if it’s for someone else, I must first see if he is worthy."
Xuansha’s gaze fell upon Sikong Jue.
Sikong Jue felt his body grow heavy. ’What a terrifying abbot!’ The pressure emanating from him was even more intense than that of the strongest elder in the Sikong Family!
Lu Changfeng frowned for a moment before his expression relaxed. He was beginning to understand why Xuansha had so openly addressed him as Saint Master and revealed information about the Demon Sect.
Sikong Jue snapped back to his senses and turned to look at Lu Changfeng in astonishment.
"Brother Lu, could you possibly be..."
Xuansha interrupted him again. "That’s right. The Saint Master is the supreme Commander of our Saint Demon Sect, a position above even the Sect Leaders."
"The Saint Master’s emergence heralds the Demon Sect’s return. At the Saint Master’s command, none of the nine Demon Sects would dare disobey. The Saint Master will lead our Saint Demon Sect to rise once more."
Sikong Jue’s mouth hung agape. The shock of learning that Lu Changfeng was the Saint Demon Sect’s Saint Master was nearly as great as the brutal betrayal he had suffered at the hands of his own family that day.
"So, show me why the Saint Master should be willing to let you use this Hundred Solutions Pill," Xuansha’s words cut straight to the heart of the matter.
Sikong Jue was silent for a moment, then suddenly dropped to one knee before Lu Changfeng.
"Saint Master, please allow me to join the Saint Demon Sect and serve under your command."
Xuansha shook his head. "That’s not enough. Don’t you understand? I need to know if you are *worthy*."
Sikong Jue rose to his feet and stared directly at Xuansha. "I possess a Top-grade Root Bone and reached the Blood Forging Sixth Layer at eighteen. Is that worthy enough?"
"I have a peerless Sword Dao Talent. It takes others ten years of practice to achieve what I can in three months. I am ranked on the Hidden Dragon List. Is that worthy enough?"
"And though I detest it, I do indeed carry the Demon Fiend Blood of the Sikong Family. A future Rebirth is well within my reach. Is *that* worthy enough?"
Upon hearing this, Xuansha’s eyes blazed with light. "Excellent! As expected of the Saint Master! Such keen eyes!"
Lu Changfeng’s breath caught in his throat. ’Why is he back to flattering me again?’
Lu Changfeng looked at Sikong Jue, who quickly said, "Saint Master, do not worry. I truly wish to join the Saint Demon Sect. Otherwise, how long would it take for me to get my revenge?"
Lu Changfeng nodded in silent agreement.
Just then, Xuansha added, "Previous Saint Masters all established Four Great Protectors. If the Saint Master truly cherishes this talent, you might as well appoint Sikong Jue as the Cyan Dragon Guardian. In the future, when the Saint Demon Sect’s might dominates the world, the Cyan Dragon Guardian’s name will also be immortalized in history."
Xuansha was not exaggerating. Historically, at the height of the Saint Demon Sect’s glory, the Royal Families of two entire nations were Disciples of the Sect.
In those days, the Saint Demon Sect was a terrifying power that stood above even the authority of thrones.
Lu Changfeng took a slow breath. "In that case... Sikong Jue, are you willing to accept the position of Cyan Dragon Guardian under my command?"
"How could I dare refuse?"
"From this day forward, Sikong Jue is the Cyan Dragon Guardian, subordinate only to the Saint Master. I will obey only the Saint Master’s command."