Chaotic World Book

"What is that?" Zhao Changhe felt a bit guilty. Is the book very popular? Why does it seem like everyone in this world must have read it? Not even the Bible has this standing. If I go back to Qidian and start a book with this title, wouldn't it catch fire?

Luo Qi rolled his eyes but before he had a chance to respond, the Branch Leader said, "The ceremony is over, all of you may continue your cultivation. The two of you, come up here to talk."

The pair closed their mouths and walked around the Blood Pool to the platform.

The Branch Leader's attitude was neither cold nor warm, "The two of you have merits. According to the will of our Sect Hierarch, both of you will be assigned a duty to show the sincerity of our Holy Sect in seeking talented individuals. Our Beimang Branch was recently established and we lack people for many tasks. I wonder, what are your specialties? This will help me to employ you accordingly."

The Branch Leader was actually an acquaintance, the one who had crippled Luo Zhenwu with a Dark Weapon, named Fang Buping.

Luo Qi spoke first, "I have already broken through the Mystical Gate of the First Layer."

Fang Buping surveyed Luo Qi with some astonishment, "You've broken through the First Layer Heaven with the outer gate techniques of the Luo Family?"

"Yes," said Luo Qi.

"Not easy, you're a talent." Fang Buping clearly knew better than Zhao Changhe, pondered for a moment then said, "In this deep winter, our Branch frequently needs to go out for provisions. You can lead a group of people... You are qualified for this."

The so-called 'going out for provisions' was likely plundering, although it wasn't clear if Zhao Changhe understood it, Luo Qi did. His expression did not show any change as he cupped his fists and said, "Thank you, squad leader, for your recognition."

He was well aware that the title of 'having merits' did not refer to him, so he rushed to showcase his strength, hoping to gain attention. The effect was not bad; at least he became a small leader and was no longer seen as an accessory to Zhao Changhe in the eyes of others.

Fang Buping seemed to detect his ambition and smiled faintly without offering any comment. His gaze fell on Zhao Changhe, "What about you?"

Zhao Changhe said, "I've never practiced martial arts."

Fang Buping laughed, with a hint of irony, "That move when you stabbed Luo Zhenwu, the way you transferred energy, anyone skilled could tell you haven't truly practiced. So, do you have any other skills, like literacy? Arithmetic?"

Although Zhao Changhe thought that with his modern knowledge he could manage internal affairs and get by, that wasn't why he was there.

Taking a deep breath and gritting his teeth, he said, "I heard along the way that the disciplines of our Holy Sect are unique, with many types of cultivation techniques that don't necessarily need to be practiced from a young age... May I formally join the Sect and study the Holy Sect's techniques?"

Fang Buping narrowed his eyes.

The conditions for teaching the Blood God Sect's School's Divine Skill, the Blood God Skill, were stringent, and he himself hadn't reached that level. But when it came to sect initiation and teaching some decent core techniques, that was certainly possible.

Zhao Changhe was different from Luo Qi; he had genuinely submitted a pledge, and in the presence of the head of the Demon Suppression Department of Great Xia, he had killed the person she intended to rescue. Such a person could only follow them to the end; he was a perfect candidate to become a core member of the Sect.

The fact that they were allowed to enter the altar and speak was already a gesture from the Sect Hierarch to consider their absorption; otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to enter.

But Fang Buping was quite displeased.

He was the first to harm Luo Zhenwu! The merit that should have been his slipped away, and instead, this country bumpkin had picked up the reward. Even though Tang the head of the Department had arrived and he indeed couldn't kill Luo Zhenwu, seeing Zhao Changhe still annoyed him, out of envy.

Since the Sect Hierarch didn't place too much importance on them, if they were under his own Branch, the little shoes that he could choose to give or withhold was his prerogative; even if they were to join the Sect, he could just string them along for a few months...

After being silent for a moment, he slowly said, "Not just our Blood God Sect's cultivation methods... Any cultivation techniques labeled as Demon Skills by the outside world are deemed 'quick fixes,' most of which don't require years of foundational practice from a young age, and their practitioners advance rapidly. However, accordingly, there are also many downsides, such as... the cultivation process is very painful and it's easy to succumb to madness."

"I'm mentally prepared for that," said Zhao Changhe.

Fang Buping sneered, "What's the use of being mentally prepared? Without faith in the divine, how will you withstand the pain, and who will protect you from losing your san ity? If you aren't even clear about who the Blood God is, how can you have faith?"

Damn... Zhao Changhe could only say, "I will make sure to understand properly."

"We are a Sect, not a School. You cannot enter the Sect without believing in the Blood God," Fang Buping said with a smug smile. "But don't say we don't reward those who have merit... Before your Sect initiation assessment, I can teach you a Branch Cultivation Technique called Blood Evil Skill, to set the foundation for other divine skills in the Sect. Once you truly become a brother within the Sect, our protectors will teach you the Divine Skill."

Zhao Changhe wanted to say more but stopped himself and could only cup his fists saying, "Thank you, Branch Leader Fang."

Fang Buping waved him off, "Go on, for now, you're only allowed to reside in the stronghold. Without summoning, you may not enter the altar. But tonight, you're allowed to add a chicken leg to your meal as a way to reward your deed."

Zhao Changhe: "..."

This is the reward for his great merit—a Branch Technique and a chicken leg? This squad leader probably isn't so friendly towards him, and there might be more trouble to come.

What could he do?

It's clear that there wouldn't be any kind souls in the Demon Sect. He had anticipated difficulties at every step. Just take it slow, at least now he had a Cultivation Technique.

...

Night fell.

Within the stronghold, Zhao Changhe was still arranged to live with Luo Qi, and they were staying together in a wooden hut, sleeping on the same bed.

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Actually, all the way back, this was how accommodations were arranged at the inns, but Luo Qi had a scowl on his face the entire trip, never willing to share a bed with Zhao Changhe. Zhao Changhe just honestly and unapologetically took the bed all to himself, and Luo Qi could only sprawl on the table to sleep.

Zhao Changhe didn't have a bit of sympathy. Was anyone forcing you to lie on the table? How melodramatic.

Yet tonight, he attempted to pull Luo Qi up from the table, "Since you've stopped pulling a long face and are willing to talk to me, why still lie on the table? Get in the bed."

Luo Qi's wrist snapped back, and Zhao Changhe discovered that he couldn't even touch his seemingly frail senior brother, truly the prowess of someone who has reached the Mystical Gate First Layer Heaven. Resignedly, he withdrew his hand, "Why the haughty attitude? It's not like you have a private courtyard in the outer sect anymore. If we have to squeeze in, we have to squeeze in. Are you planning to sprawl on the table forever?"

Luo Qi coldly stated, "I'm not accustomed to sleeping with others."

Zhao Changhe scoffed, "What if the others were women?"

Luo Qi sized him up from head to toe for a good while and laughed scornfully, "Do you even know you've got a scar on your face that makes you look fierce? Even if it were a woman, she'd be so ugly it'd be out of this world; I'd kick her out the door if she came my way."

A scar on the face? Zhao Changhe hadn't been clear on that since he seldom looked in the mirror, but indeed, while saving a child at Zhao Mansion, he had received a cut. He had neglected it, and it probably had scarred over by now.

"Having a scar is quite good," Zhao Changhe said indifferently. "It reminds me of what I must do."

Luo Qi narrowed his phoenix eyes.

Zhao Changhe folded his arms and appraised Luo Qi's thin eyebrows and phoenix eyes with tsk-tsks of admiration, "I might be a bit unsightly, but you, if you were a woman... You don't even need to be one; just put on a dress, and that would do."

Luo Qi glared at him furiously, "Are you under the impression that I can't kill you?"

"Uh..." It was only then that Zhao Changhe remembered that he wasn't messing around with testosterone-fueled friends in the modern world. These kinds of remarks would only make modern friends chuckle, but here, they might really provoke someone to want to kill you, and they weren't that close yet.

With that realization, Zhao Changhe lost interest, different world indeed, "Alright, you take the bed, I'll take the table."

Luo Qi's anger froze on his face, puzzled, "Why the sudden change of heart? The entire trip you've hogged the big bed without bothering to ask me once."

"Back then, I didn't feel like I owed you anything, in fact, it seemed like I was the one who saved you. You gave me the cold shoulder; why should I cozy up to you? Now that's all in the past..."

"You don't seem to have much ability, but you sure have a bad temper."

"Heh... look who's talking," Zhao Changhe dismissed with a wave of his hand, "Go to sleep, I'm going to read my book — you're not going to tell me that you don't want to lie in a bed I've been in? Such a big man, and so much fuss."

Luo Qi: "...Enjoy your book."

The book in question was the 'Blood Evil Skill' secret book.

Though the hideout was new, it was well stocked; there was even an oil lamp in the room, but to Zhao Changhe, the light was dim. However, he strangely found that the so-called "eyes on the back" not only improved his vision and hearing but also seemed to have some night-vision ability, which felt like it could still be further explored.

But reading this traditional script was really tiring.

It looked as if Fang Buping had casually given him the secret book, making it not seem so precious, but Zhao Changhe noticed that the surrounding disciples had looked at the book with considerable envy.

He wondered if it was because the technique was indeed good or simply because any cultivation technique was a rare commodity for most people...

Such a pity, his pledge should not have earned him just this little.

He sat at the table engrossed in the secret book, while Luo Qi leaned against the headboard, watching him.

Seeing him so absorbed brought a schadenfreudian smile to Luo Qi's lips as he offered consolation, "No need to be discouraged; getting the 'Blood Evil Skill' is quite an achievement..."

Zhao Changhe asked, "You've heard of it?"

Luo Qi said at leisure, "The technique does have a reputation, and I've indeed heard a little about it. Supposedly, only brigands who have made significant achievements under the Blood God Sect can be taught this, as it enables rapid combat readiness, showing the advantage of swift progress. And from the envious looks of others, it must be something good — certainly much better than whatever outer sect technique I have. Of course, since it's allowed to be taught to informal brigands, it might be limited in how good it really is..."

Zhao Changhe inquired, "Since it's considered decent, do you want it? The booklet doesn't say it can't be shared."

"You are quite generous," Luo Qi said, somewhat surprised. "You earned it with your achievements, and you'd just give it to me?"

Zhao Changhe sighed, "The Demon Sect isn't exactly a nice place... We are linked by fate now. Shouldn't we stick together lest we be bullied by others? No point in quibbling over whose achievements they are."

Luo Qi looked at him for a long while, the smile of delight at another's misfortune faded, his voice softening significantly, "Although it's not forbidden to show it to others, it's hard to guarantee there isn't a bit of a test in this for you. Branch Leader Fang's attitude towards you isn't too good; you'd better be careful not to give him a handle to catch you on."

Zhao Changhe scratched his head but said nothing.

Luo Qi continued, "Moreover, I have already laid the foundation with my mental method. It wouldn't be of much use to me. What would really benefit me is finding an opportunity to return to Luo Family Manor and see if the Core Technique passed down between the Luo father and son is still under the ruins. I hope it hasn't been taken by someone else."

After a pause, he added, "Hmm... if you want my shoddy mental method, I won't be stingy; I'll teach it to you if you want to learn. But as I've said before, with your age, it's not very suitable to practice the classical Inner technique. The 'Blood Evil Skill' might indeed suit you better."

Zhao Changhe didn't care about the shoddy outer sect mental method and continued to focus on the 'Blood Evil Skill' in hand. From the introduction in the booklet, it seemed that this technique might very well be one of the most suitable for his current situation.

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