Chapter 50: What kind of status is this, wanting me to be a lackey?

Because the world was vast, the distances between the various sects were exceptionally far.

It was said that the Blood-Thirsting Sect was a colossal entity located tens of thousands of miles away, and it had even produced figures at the Heavenly Emperor level.

However, after being jointly besieged by various orthodox sects, a massive battle ensued in which nearly one hundred thousand cultivators perished on both sides. It was precisely due to suffering such devastating blows that the sect went into hiding and vanished from the world.

Even so, the losses suffered by the orthodox sects were far greater than those of the Blood-Thirsting Sect.

A Heavenly Emperor of the Blood-Thirsting Sect had fought three opponents alone, crippling one and brutally slaying the other two.

Had it not been for the sheer numerical superiority of the orthodox forces, he surely would not have fallen there.

Yet, despite all this, the Blood-Thirsting Sect still struck terror into the hearts of all cultivators.

"Senior Brother, we have no choice but to let him go."

At this moment, Liu Ruyan bit her lip, speaking with undisguised unwillingness.

She knew very well how tyrannical the Blood-Thirsting Sect was; not only were their methods brutal and bloody, but they were also notoriously protective of their own.

Once, a sect guarded by a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator had killed a remnant of the Blood-Thirsting Sect, only for a faction of powerful experts to be dispatched to uproot them completely.

They had even built a grand pyramid of severed heads right in the center of the sect's grounds, and that horrific scene spread the terrifying notoriety of the Blood-Thirsting Sect far and wide.

In such a remote and minor place, those three words held far more weight than the names of any orthodox sects.

"It seems this little girl knows the terror of our Blood-Thirsting Sect!"

Seeing the fear on everyone's faces, Huang Lian secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

What he feared most was that these hot-headed youths would make a direct move, leaving him powerless even to resist.

He had no idea what kind of trick Liang Chuan had used, but he was currently unable to even harness his own flesh and blood to repair his shattered body.

Under normal circumstances, as long as he was not dead, any other injuries could be healed by manipulating his flesh and blood; yet now, even the slightest movement caused agonizing pain throughout his entire body.

"The Blood-Thirsting Sect? I thought it had already vanished."

Liang Chuan stroked his chin, falling into deep thought.

Liu Ruyan's eyes were red as she stared fiercely at Huang Lian. "And yet, there are still so many remnants left behind. This kind of power is not something an ordinary sect can contend with."

Eager to tear the impostor apart for pretending to be her master, she knew the White Sword Sect truly could not afford to take action against him due to his backing.

In fact, after letting him go, they would likely have to abandon this sect entirely and seek refuge elsewhere.

After all, this was in an entirely different league compared to the Sun-Nurturing Gate.

Nodding thoughtfully, Liang Chuan took a few steps forward, the expression on his face gradually turning sincere.

He bent forward slightly, adopting a somewhat flattering demeanor as he asked, "Are you truly a member of the Blood-Thirsting Sect?"

Watching Liang Chuan's actions, a flash of disdain crossed Huang Lian's heart. No matter how many treasures one possessed, in front of a powerful backer, one still had to kneel and grovel.

However, this sudden action left the other disciples utterly bewildered.

The shift in Liang Chuan's attitude was simply too abrupt, and judging by his posture, it appeared he intended to defect and pledge his loyalty to the enemy!

Though they desperately wanted to speak up and stop him, where else could they possibly go if they chose to leave now?

Trapped between wolves in front and tigers behind, advance or retreat alike spelled certain death.

Thus, they could only grit their teeth and watch helplessly as Liang Chuan walked step by step toward the enemy.

Huang Lian lifted his chin. Though he looked utterly wretched, the corners of his mouth still curled upward. "I am undoubtedly of the Blood-Thirsting Sect—my cultivation technique is proof enough. Furthermore, if you are willing to surrender and join us right now, the Blood-Thirsting Sect will gladly welcome you!"

Though he spoke these words, he had already resolved that once his injuries healed, he would drag this man back to the sect and show him the true meaning of wishing for death in vain.

For now, however, he had to swallow his pride and force as amicable an expression as possible.

To demonic cultivators, saving face was entirely worthless; otherwise, they would never have chosen to hide in places like this like rats in the shadows.

At that moment, Liang Chuan suddenly stopped in his tracks, a hint of suspicion flashing in his eyes. "You say all this, but you have nothing to back it up. How can you prove you are a disciple of the Blood-Thirsting Sect?"

With these words, a trace of murderous intent crept back into his gaze, as if he would strike the very moment Huang Lian failed to verify his identity.

*This little bastard is truly damned cautious!*

Huang Lian cursed inwardly, but forced a smile anyway, reaching into his spatial ring to retrieve a blood-red token.

Engraved upon the token was a crimson skull, with his name, Liang Ke, inscribed on the reverse.

As the token was produced, a pungent, foul odor drifted from it, causing mild discomfort to those standing nearby.

"Let me see it."

After Liang Chuan motioned for him to toss it over, he began to examine it closely.

When it rested in his palm, the wooden token felt surprisingly heavy, and he could keenly sense that it had been crafted using a specialized method.

Consequently, it would be extremely difficult for ordinary people to forge such an artifact.

"So your name is Liang Ke. Well, Senior Liang, even though you have a token, none of us have ever laid eyes on the Blood-Thirsting Sect. How are we to know if this thing is real or fake?"

Feigning disgust, Liang Chuan casually tossed the token back and continued, "I suspect you're just trying to borrow the tiger's might by waving a fake banner."

Hearing this, Liang Ke was practically infuriated to the point of wanting to flay Liang Chuan alive.

*Fake? Who in their right mind would dare impersonate the Blood-Thirsting Sect? Isn't that seeking a swift death?!*

Moreover, not only did the token bear his name, but the wood itself had been steeped in fresh blood for over a century—something entirely unobtainable in the outside world!

Yet, looking into Liang Chuan's ill-intentioned eyes, he forcefully swallowed the raging fire in his chest.

"Name your terms, then. What will it take for you to believe my identity?"

A man under the eaves must bow his head; once he recovered, that would be the time for bloody retribution.

"Your cultivation techniques must be completely different from ours. I want you to show me your technique!"

Straightening his back, Liang Chuan made the demand with an air of absolute righteousness. "Besides, if you want me to join, you'd have to hand over the technique sooner or later anyway."

It had to be said that Liang Chuan's words made logical sense, and besides, demonic cultivation manuals were entirely useless to normal people.

Without further ado, Liang Ke retrieved a manual and tossed it across.

Prominently displayed on the cover were several large characters: *Blood-Thirsting Art*.

Flipping through the first few pages, Liang Chuan discovered that it contained only the first four volumes.

"Is this it?"

Liang Chuan frowned slightly.

"That's all there is," Liang Ke nodded honestly. "I only possess this much; stronger techniques are reserved for higher-ranking disciples. But you can rest assured—given your talent, your future is limitless."

This back-and-forth exchange caused the expressions of the disciples to turn even paler.

*Was the sect master actually going to become a demonic cultivator?!*

Right at that instant, Liang Chuan suddenly raised his hand.

"Fire!"

The disciples were startled for a split second, but instinctively pulled their triggers.

A deafening volley of gunfire erupted, and Liang Ke was riddled with holes, turning him into a sieve.

A collective question mark floated in everyone's mind.

*Weren't we surrendering? Did we only surrender halfway through?*

Liang Chuan sneered, spitting on the ground with utter disdain. "What kind of rank does he think he has, trying to make me his underling?"

Everyone else: "?"

*Good grief, you were just playing a trick on him the whole time!*