C23 Blood Forging Is Done!!

"Why hasn't Mo Fanchen come back yet?" Wu Chang mused, his anxiety growing as the time for Xuan Xiu and the other influential figures to return drew near, yet there was still no sign of Mo Fanchen.

"Could that kid be harboring malicious intent, sneaking into Scourgehold to wreak havoc?" Du Tong's voice was tinged with concern as he pondered the possibility.

If Du Tong's suspicions were correct, then all the Innate Stage guards would be implicated. Even if they hadn't personally escorted Mo Fanchen into Scourgehold, the higher-ups wouldn't bother with such details.

"That's impossible!" Chen Xing, who had only met Mo Fanchen earlier that day, quickly dismissed Du Tong's theory with unwavering certainty.

"How can you be so sure?" Du Tong pressed, his skepticism evident.

Chen Xing gave Du Tong an exasperated look and retorted, "Have you even considered the caliber of Scourgehold's defenses? Even a master at the Nature and Man in One Stage wouldn't be able to escape unharmed if they tried to cause trouble here. And let's not forget, Mo Fanchen is merely an insignificant Body Tempering Stage cultivator!"

"What if he's intentionally hiding his true power?" Du Tong countered, still not convinced.

"Come on, what kind of Nature and Man in One Stage expert would have time for such nonsense?" Chen Xing rolled his eyes dismissively at Du Tong.

"So, who's going to check on him?" Wu Chang cut through their bickering, casting an inquisitive glance at Wu Sheng and the others.

"It's too late for that now," Du Tong suddenly whispered, nodding subtly towards the small house with red tiles and green bricks.

As they watched, a series of colorful lights soared upwards before the house, climbing into the sky. When the lights finally faded, nine men with imposing auras were revealed to the onlookers. Among them stood Zhang Yide, also known as Zhang Hongyan, whom Mo Fanchen had previously encountered.

Flanking Zhang Hongyan were five men of similar age, each with a distinct demeanor—some cold, some arrogant, others kind, casual, or natural. Despite their varied expressions, the intense auras emanating from the six men commanded respect from everyone present.

Behind Zhang Hongyan and his six companions stood three young men with statuesque statures and extraordinary presence, their handsome features rivaling those of top-tier celebrities in the entertainment industry.

Upon noticing their arrival, the realm guards promptly bowed with clasped fists, respectfully exclaiming, "Greetings, Young Masters and esteemed Deacons!"

"There's no need for such formalities, everyone," responded Guo Haolin, the chief among the six deacons. He was a slender middle-aged man with a genial expression.

Perched on his nose was a pair of unremarkable glasses, which, coupled with his gentle smile, gave him a scholarly appearance. His hair was thinning slightly, hinting at the onset of baldness. Dressed in a crisp white shirt and black suit trousers, he forewent a tie, and intriguingly, a pen was tucked into his shirt pocket.

With his formidable presence now subdued, Guo Haolin shed the demeanor of a Convergence of Five Energies master, resembling more a dedicated educator than anything else.

"Xuan Xiu, the Pagoda Master, will return shortly. I ask all my colleagues to check whether everyone from their respective levels has arrived," he announced.

"Deacon Guo, the Convergence of Five Energies level is fully present," came a report.

"The Three Flowers Gathered Atop level is also complete!"

"The Inner and Outer Aura levels are accounted for as well!"

When it was the Innate level's turn, Wu Chang appeared particularly troubled, cautiously reporting, "Deacon Guo, we are one person short at the Innate level."

"One person short in the Innate level?" Guo Haolin paused, glancing at Wu Chang and the others with a puzzled expression. "Aren't all four of you present?"

Before Wu Chang could clarify, Zhang Hongyan, standing beside him, whispered into Guo Haolin's ear, revealing the situation with Mo Fanchen.

Rubbing his temples with a hint of irritation, Guo Haolin muttered, "Oh dear! The folks at Crime and Punishment really do take things too far! Why must they keep sending us such characters?"

Although Zhang Hongyan had spoken softly, the other deacons were close enough to hear, and with the acute hearing afforded by their Convergence of Five Energies state, they caught every word clearly.

The disciplinary deacon of Scourgehold, Huang Tianli, maintained his usual cold demeanor, but a visible trace of anger had crept into his features.

In a stern voice, he declared, "A mere Body Tempering ant shows no discipline within my Scourgehold, making all of us wait for him. Such disrespect! Once Xuan Xiu, the Pagoda Master, finishes his exposition on the Buddhist scriptures, I'll make sure to discipline this youngster properly!"

"Wu Chang! Where is that rascal now?! Find him immediately!"

"At once, Mr. Huang!"

Wu Chang promptly acknowledged the order and dashed off toward the restroom, all the while silently berating Mo Fanchen.

Huang Tianli, as the deacon responsible for discipline at Scourgehold, might not have been utterly impartial, but he had certainly managed to tarnish their reputation in the eyes of the Innate experts.

Moreover, Zhang Hongyan, who oversaw logistics, had made it clear that full attendance was mandatory. Yet, Mo Fanchen had caused such a disruption at the last minute!

This incident would likely impact their monthly resource allocation.

"Mo Fanchen! Where are you hiding? Get out here now!"

Wu Chang bellowed into the restroom, only to receive a pitiful response from Mo Fanchen.

"Brother Wu Chang! Please, hurry! It's an emergency!"

"What on earth are you up to? Spending so much time in the restroom! The bosses are livid; they're ready to devour someone!" Wu Chang exclaimed in frustration.

"Damn it! Some lowlife tricked me and made off with my toilet paper! How can I come out without wiping?"

"And another thing, Scourgehold is meant for detaining villainous warriors, not a KTV or nightclub! It's just a restroom; does the soundproofing need to be so effective? I've been shouting until I'm nearly hoarse, and no one has bothered to respond!"

Despite understanding the situation, Wu Chang's anger didn't subside. He grudgingly tossed a couple of sheets of toilet paper to Mo Fanchen and retorted, "Can't you come out holding up your pants if you're not going to wipe?"

"How filthy would that be if I didn't wipe?" Mo Fanchen replied, feeling wronged.

"Is cleanliness really more important than your life? Can't you weigh the consequences? Because of your foolishness, you've dragged our Innate Stage brothers into this mess!" Wu Chang exclaimed, not bothering to check if Mo Fanchen had his pants on properly as he yanked him out the door.

Confused, Mo Fanchen was brought before the crowd, where Wu Chang, with sincere trepidation, bowed with clasped fists to Huang Tianli, "Mr. Huang, I have brought Mo Fanchen as instructed!"

"Good! Good!"

Feeling utterly embarrassed, Mo Fanchen quickly adjusted his pants. He was just about to take a good look at the individuals standing before the cabin when the repeated affirmations 'Good' struck his ears like two sharp daggers!

A searing pain erupted in his head, causing Mo Fanchen to cry out in agony. Clutching his head, he collapsed to the ground, writhing in torment!

Without hesitation, Mo Fanchen summoned the Raging Bull Force and the Dance of a Thousand Raindrops, channeling the genuine energy throughout his body to his head in a desperate attempt to expel the unbearable sensation from his ears.

But the genuine energy that Mo Fanchen had mustered with all his strength instantly dissipated upon contact with the invasive energy!

Damn it! I'm going to die! Why is my luck so terrible? Ever since I became a warrior, it's been one thing after another! First, there was Zhang Xiaolong and his gang, then Wu Chang and Wu Sheng, followed by being duped with toilet paper and trapped in a restroom, and now I'm being humiliated like this!

Other protagonists start off powerful and awe-inspiring, effortlessly charming and defeating all manner of demons and spirits. So why is it that when it's my turn, I'm constantly being tormented by minor characters? Where can I even go to seek justice?

"Amitabha! Mr. Huang, what has this young man done to warrant such harsh punishment from you?"

As Mo Fanchen was on the verge of passing out from the pain, a sonorous Buddhist chant resonated, swiftly scattering the discomfort plaguing his body. Simultaneously, a soft, warm glow began to envelop him, offering solace and relief.

The pain vanished, and Mo Fanchen gradually settled down, ceasing to writhe in agony. The genuine energy that had been scattered by his resistance efforts began to coalesce once more under the soothing light. It meticulously purified his meridians, and the blood, which had been still for so long, seemed to respond to a call, solidifying within his veins under the light's warmth.

Mo Fanchen's eyes snapped open. He could distinctly feel his strength surge as his blood and Qi solidified. Closing his eyes once more, he could even discern the subtle sound of his blood coursing through his veins.

"Blood Forging achieved!"

"Greetings to Xuan Xiu, the Tower Master!"

Everyone in the area quickly turned towards the entrance of the small house and bowed in respect. Upon realizing the guest of honor had arrived, Mo Fanchen no longer dared to remain on the ground. He quickly followed suit, bowing in the direction of the house.

"In my presence, there's no need for such formalities!"

"Yes, Tower Master!"

Mo Fanchen slowly lifted his head to see a spirited old monk with a long white beard standing at the doorway of the small house, appearing to be around seventy years of age. Yet, to Mo Fanchen's astonishment, the old monk was not dressed in the traditional robes one would expect but was instead clad in a floral shirt and shorts, with flip-flops on his feet!

His attire was far from what one would associate with meditative Buddhist practices—it looked more like he was set for a vacation! Give him a pair of sunglasses, and he could pass for the Turtle Hermit straight out of a comic book!

Damn, with Zhang Hongyan's unexpected charm before and now Xuan Xiu's island vibe, it seemed that modern-day warriors were all about keeping up with the latest trends!