“Yes. You arrived rather late. The first seven trials before the stone stele have already been cleared, and the rewards were taken by others. Only the eighth and ninth trials remain.”

“What about the Luo Sheng Blood Fruit. Has anyone obtained it yet.”

“Not yet. It should require clearing the ninth trial of the stone stele to obtain it. You came for this treasure.”

“That is correct.”

Hearing this, Yan Ling showed concern in her eyes.

“In full view of everyone, even if you obtain it, it will be very hard to keep. A fourth rank rare treasure will likely invite a joint attack.”

“It does not matter.”

Wang Yu was not too worried. The Blood Slaughter Stone Stele appeared in the Sixth Hall, which meant that three inner halls beyond it had not yet been explored.

He was fast.

If he could obtain the Luo Sheng Blood Fruit, he naturally had a way to escape.

“By the way, I want to ask. Do you know anything about the Blood God Heart Control Technique. Why is this secret art able to lock onto a single person.”

Yan Ling frowned, having guessed something.

Wang Yu’s involvement in the struggle between the two Zhuo factions was no secret. His rapid rise was even inseparable from the support of the Zhuo clan.

But she herself was an orphan. If not for an Nascent Soul level figure speaking on her behalf, she would not even be able to hold her True Disciple position, let alone become the Personal Disciple of the Cold Blood Mountain Lord.

Therefore, her understanding of the Blood Demon Hall’s secret arts was actually quite limited.

Just as Yan Ling was thinking about how to respond to Wang Yu, a blood talisman suddenly descended from the sky. It floated down so lightly and naturally.

Wang Yu was speechless.

Yan Ling was speechless.

This talisman was written in ancient demonic script using blood talisman characters. Wang Yu could understand its meaning. It was called the [Blood God Heart Control Release Talisman]. It looked crude, as if it had just been pinched together on the spot.

At the same time.

Deep within the blood clouds of the Blood Abyss Sacred Land, Blood Origin and Blood Spring both looked toward the third brother, Blood Axe. That Nascent Soul level release talisman, which was precisely created by Blood Axe.

He gave a simple and honest smile.

“Didn’t the two elder brothers praise this junior as clever. I want to see whether he can comprehend our intent.”

The two were silent. Then Blood Spring Demon Lord said helplessly.

“Very well. Let it be as third brother wishes.”

Before the Blood Slaughter Hall, Yan Ling looked around cautiously and said.

“Fellow Daoist Wang Yu, this is…”

“No need to overthink it. What we should know, we will naturally know. Thinking too much is useless.”

That was reasonable, but Yan Ling still could not help feeling curious. This was far too strange. If things were truly as she suspected, would that not mean the Blood Abyss Sacred Land had always been monitoring everything.

The pressure was immense.

Wang Yu did not share such thoughts. A release talisman descending from the heavens confirmed that his earlier guesses and intuition had been completely accurate.

The old monsters of the sect were indeed planning an experiment.

This talisman seemed like an act of assistance, but in truth it was an affirmation of his previous actions. Otherwise, where would such goodwill come from.

Just as he was about to use the release talisman, Wang Yu paused.

One must always guard against others. Although the old monster had no reason to harm him, what if there was a habitual hidden safeguard. Just like what he did back in Jade Spirit City.

He had planted a demonic seed in his subordinate Xu Ruozhou. The purpose was to directly devour him if he ever betrayed him.

The probability of such a thing happening was not high, but he still did it.

Wang Yu never hesitated to assume the worst of others, especially when dealing with an old demons. Poison hidden in honey was basic practice.

With this thought, he did not rush to use it.

His divine sense swept inch by inch over the release talisman. He found nothing amiss. Instead, the principle behind its effect allowed him to see through part of the truth.

The power characteristic of ancient demonic script blood talisman characters was the activation of blood, granting blood abundant vitality. It could bring powerful life force and near immortality.

But it also caused blood itself to become “alive.”

This release talisman erased that activity. By extension, the Blood God Heart Control Technique appeared to be planted on the heart, but it was very likely rooted in the blood.

That was why repeatedly carving out the heart never solved the problem.

As for a higher level of implanting it into the concept of the “heart,” it was not that Wang Yu looked down on Zhuo Shouyun. Even if he were elevated by an entire major realm, it would still be impossible for him to accomplish such a thing.

Based on the power of blood path cultivators, the root being in the blood was far more likely. It was worth trying.

His method was extremely simple and brutal.

Thus.

Under Yan Ling’s shocked gaze, Wang Yu drew his fingernails across his body, slashing open several main blood vessels. He reached out and pulled.

All blood was instantly drained, and he became a dried corpse.

Not a single drop of moisture was left. His ugly appearance was fully revealed. The Dragon Spine Divine Marrow moved in response, stimulating massive regeneration of qi and blood, coordinating with the remaining Yin Blood secret power.

In just a few breaths, all the blood in Wang Yu’s body was reborn.

This time, the runes in his heart truly disappeared for the most part. Only broken remnants remained. One more time should be enough.

He needed to rest for a bit and wait until three Yin Blood Pills were condensed again. With six Idle Slots operating simultaneously, it would take at most a few days.

The extracted blood was not wasted either. Wang Yu stored it in bottles, preparing to use it later for blood sacrifices to the Two Corpses, adding another layer of blood sacrifice curse to deepen control.

It could also be used to refine magic treasures and artifacts.

Looking at it this way, the effects of corpse demon secret arts were reflected in all aspects. If not for the fact that repeated recovery in a short time would damage the foundation, using oneself as material would actually be the best method.

At this moment.

Yan Ling closed her slightly open jaw. She licked her lips, dry with thirst, and said after some consideration.

“Fellow Daoist Wang Yu, this is truly astonishing.”

“It is acceptable. Just a bit of fortune.”

The two chatted casually, but within the palace deep in the blood clouds, things were no longer calm. Blood Axe was furious and smashed the wine jar in front of him into powder with one slap.

“This brat actually suspects that I would play dirty tricks. How outrageous.”

Blood Origin and Blood Spring burst into laughter.

“This junior is quite interesting. So ruthless toward himself. No wonder he managed to crawl out of a pile of corpses.”

By pile of corpses, he was referring to the low level Spirit Slaves of the various peaks.

“Indeed. The Demonic Embryo Mysterious Origin Curse also requires someone with such a mindset to master it successfully. Very good. Truly very good.”

…

…

Blood Slaughter Hall.

Wang Yu and Yan Ling returned. Jiang Mingxin’s gaze immediately turned toward them. Seeing that Yan Ling showed no unusual expression, he finally relaxed.

He walked over to Wang Yu with guarded steps and said with a smile.

“Brother Wang, since you are already here, why not try the Blood Slaughter Stone Stele.

“This stele has nine trials. Even though the first seven trials have already been cleared and the rewards distributed, it can still bring considerable benefits to cultivators.”

“That is exactly my intention.” Wang Yu raised his brows and understood Jiang Mingxin’s meaning. It turned out he was showing off like a peacock spreading its feathers.

He had contacted Yan Ling very early on. He was the one who sent the message.

The relationship between the two was rather close, but definitely not that of Dao companions. It was more like working together on some kind of undertaking.

Yan Ling was beautiful, tall, and long legged.

Unfortunately, she was not full enough and not to Wang Yu’s taste. Mature women were more attractive to him, mature in figure and mature in temperament.

His cleanliness standards depended on the person. As long as she was beautiful enough, it could even add a bit of excitement.

Returning to the main matter.

The Blood Slaughter Stone Stele is a classic mental type illusion trial. In this regard, Wang Yu could be said to be extremely experienced.

He had already entered the Path of the Mind and reached the first realm.

Moreover, he had forged the Asura Killing Heart.

Ordinary mental illusions simply could not pose any difficulty to him.

As for the ninth trial reward, the Luo Sheng Blood Fruit, he was determined to obtain it.

Among the more than three hundred people present, not everyone could reach the end. Most were merely using the earlier trials to temper their Dao hearts.

Those undergoing the trial were protected by the Blood Slaughter Stone Stele. Outsiders could not interfere. Otherwise, this place would not have gathered over three hundred people without erupting into chaos.

Wang Yu walked to the front of the stone stele.

A large character for "Slaughter" was carved on its surface. This gave Wang Yu a strange expression, evoking a feeling similar to being tricked back in the day. Killing Dao inheritances mostly originated from the ancient demon of the Desolate Ancient Plains, the ancient demon [Slaughter]. Yet this place had been constructed by a seeker of the Dao of the ancient demon [Blood].

The identity of the Corrosion Yin Venerable was complicated. It was unclear who had been tricked in the process. Judging from the result, the process no longer mattered. In the end, Blood must have won.

Otherwise, the Blood Abyss would not have been born.

He found an empty spot and sat down cross legged. His divine sense sank into the Blood Slaughter Stone Stele. A layer of blood colored light enveloped Wang Yu and then concealed him.

Seeing this.

Jiang Mingxin finally spoke to Yan Ling.

“Yan Ling, did Brother Wang say anything to you when he was looking for you.”

Yan Ling glanced at him, the corner of her mouth lifting.

“What you should know, you will naturally know. What you should not know, it is better not to say. You will understand in the future.”

Jiang Mingxin was left speechless.

He had a sentence he did not know whether he should say or not.

After Wang Yu’s mind sank into the stone stele, he officially entered the first mental illusion trial. The surrounding environment felt somewhat familiar.

It was precisely the scene of the Wang Residence in Stone Lake City.

His father, his mother, and Wang Wu, whom he despised, all appeared here. In the illusion, their personalities seemed to have changed, waving at him in a friendly manner.

A segment of false memories was forcibly infused. Wang Yu’s eyes widened as crimson killing intent surged forth, instantly crushing them into a pile of minced flesh.

Only then did he reveal a smile toward his parents.

Moments later.

After savoring the warmth of childhood for a brief time, Wang Yu resolutely slaughtered all living people in the illusion. The difficulty of this trial was not high.

Given the nature of demonic cultivators, passing it was not difficult.

However, after he passed through, fragments of the illusion flooded into his mental lake. The central stone square island expanded noticeably, faintly gaining many human silhouettes.

Whispering sounds arose. They could not be clearly heard, yet could not be blocked either, causing Wang Yu considerable irritation.

Only after silently reciting the Prajna Heart Sutra once did he gradually calm down.

The second trial was an illusion of friendship.

Wang Yu killed his way through indiscriminately and quickly passed it. At the end, Yu Tangtang even clung tightly around his neck, refusing to let go. His heart was truly hard as stone. No amount of disturbance could shake his resolve.

The third trial, the fourth trial, the fifth trial.

The seven emotions and six desires of the mortal world, he experienced almost all of them. When he was about to reach the eighth trial, Wang Yu’s heart stirred.

Substantialized killing intent surged out from his body. Externally, the body seated calmly before the stone stele remained tranquil, with only wisps of blood mist drifting. Yet within the mental illusion, everything was drenched in blood red.

Previously, Wang Yu had always used substantialized killing intent through the Lesser Asura Killing Fist. Now, after experiencing seven trials, he gained many new insights.

Killing intent itself was merely an illusory momentum. Through divine abilities and mana power, it could be substantialized, thereby influencing the real world and becoming a tangible force.

Wang Yu comprehended many minor techniques and pseudo divine abilities formed by manipulating killing intent through the mind and coordinating it with mana.

The core lay in the Asura Killing Heart he had forged.

Within the mental illusion.

As part of the killing intent leaked outward, its manifestation was dense crimson energy spreading around his body, forming a Asura domain filled with terrifying killing intent.

Anyone within its range would suffer extremely strong divine sense suppression. Once the strings of mental fear snapped, they would become killing slaves controlled by killing intent, a type of demonic being.

This was similar to the situation when Jin Miaoshan had once been influenced by killing intent.

As Wang Yu gradually grew familiar with it, his control over the killing intent blood mist became increasingly fluid, sometimes forming beast shapes, sometimes forming blood hands.

With a glare, he could condense killing intent into a mental killing sword.

And instantly pierce the target.

These minor techniques were mediocre against equally ranked strong enemies, but against weaker opponents they were extremely effective, practically god tier techniques for crushing the weak.

Of course.

The most important point was that his control over killing intent became far more refined. In other words, the power of the Lesser Asura Killing Fist skyrocketed, both on the mental level and the physical level.

There was tremendous progress, and the growth of his mental force capacity was equally remarkable.

He had gained immense benefits.

“It seems that those who have entered the Path of the Mind can gain even greater benefits within the Blood Slaughter Stone Stele.”

From this perspective, his compatibility with the ancient demon [Slaughter] was even closer.

It was truly strange.

After experiencing and digesting his gains, Wang Yu formally entered the eighth trial, a layer that no one had yet broken through. The moment he entered this mental illusion.

Wang Yu felt as though his mind had been covered in dust. Everything felt uncomfortable.

At present.

He had actually returned to the period when he was a spirit slave. All his power had vanished, leaving only a few pitiful strands of spiritual energy wavering within his body, weak beyond belief.

This layer of illusion clearly could not be broken through by brute force. No wonder it had trapped so many people.

When Wang Yu stepped out of a stone house, a guarding disciple immediately shouted at him.

“You spirit beast, who allowed you to come out. Get back inside.”

Good heavens, spirit beast.

He could not even remember the last time someone had addressed him like that. It was utterly infuriating. Mental illusions were like this. The good became better, and the bad became worse.

As an unbearable past buried deep within his heart.

He often thought, if only he had done this back then, said that, used certain words. Perhaps the outcome would have been better.

This was the regret common to all people.

But when things actually happened, what one thought and what one did were entirely different.

Seeing the cultivator thrust a halberd toward him, Wang Yu sidestepped and shifted his footing.

With a wave of his hand, an ice sword decapitated the man. This feeling was extremely familiar. When he was weak, every step carried killing danger. A slight mistake in combat meant death.

It was nothing like now, where even being dismembered would not kill him.

The margin for error was extremely high.

Perhaps it was precisely this mindset that caused him to slacken, his personality becoming arrogant. He even developed contempt toward Zhuo Shouyun, believing that however he thought, the other side would act accordingly.

Was this not also a manifestation of the mind being clouded with dust, of forgetting one’s true nature.

What he was best at was hiding.

As this thought arose, the dust covered mind suddenly blossomed with light. Wang Yu felt both body and soul filled with pleasure, as if a clogged river channel had been cleared, suddenly becoming much freer.

The scene before his eyes disappeared.

The second appearance was the scene of Jade Spirit City, the moment when he confronted Jin Miaoshan and arrogantly slandered Golden Abundance Tower.

This had also been a knot in his heart that haunted him day and night.

That emotion was called fear and hysterical madness.

“So that is how it is.”

At this moment, Wang Yu completely understood the method to pass the eighth trial.