One more catty, one more attribute point

At this moment, within Su Heng's body, three hearts arranged in an inverted triangle shape were beating slowly and rhythmically, pumping endless power throughout his body. At some moments, Su Heng even felt that what was flowing in his body was no longer blood, but rather a raging tide of scorching energy.

It was fortunate that Su Heng, thanks to his cultivation up to this point, had always possessed a formidable physique.

This allowed him to endure the terrifying shock brought about by the simultaneous pumping of three hearts.

Even so, even in a fully victorious state, utilizing secret techniques and obtaining blessings, Su Heng was somewhat fearful to drive the power of the three hearts to their limits simultaneously. He feared that the high blood pressure and the consequent strong impact force might cause some blood vessels to fail to withstand the pressure, thus leading to a terrible chain reaction.

After all, at this time, Su Heng had just stepped into Heavenly Deceit.

Between him and the immortality achieved through transcending mortals above Heavenly Deceit, there was still a considerably long journey to walk.

Hiss!

As Su Heng gradually came to his senses.

The bloody light in his eyes disappeared, and his expression became calm.

The special ability of "Bodhisattva's Cut Hair" took effect, as a multitude of black threads interwove in the void. A simple black robe appeared on Su Heng's body. The cold black fire emitted by the third heart was also covered by the robe, and thus disappeared from view.

Su Heng waved his hand, and a mass of dust was swept up by the airflow and flowed out the window.

Bang!

The window swung open outwardly.

The hazy, cool mist from the outside city flowed in.

The sound of rain, interspersed with occasional thunder, filled the air, and Qin Shunying took several deep breaths before gradually recovering from the shock.

"That power just now was..." Qin Shunying's expression flickered, sensing a familiar undertone to it.

"After Marpa's death, he left behind a heart," Su Heng did not conceal it, calmly stating, "That heart was the source of Marpa's power, and also the prime culprit that killed the Golden Crow over two thousand years ago. I tried to integrate and control it within my body, and it seems the results are satisfactory."

Snap!

Su Heng snapped his fingers.

He spread his fingers, and a ball of black fire blazed ferociously in his open palm.

An infinite and corrupting cold aura emanated from this flame.

Even though the power within the flame was well controlled by Su Heng, Qin Shunying still felt a bone-chilling sensation; even the white, smooth skin under her long dress was covered in fine goosebumps.

"This flame feels very dangerous," Qin Shunying shivered.

On the other hand, the little Golden Crow and Li Hongxiu appeared normal, with no special feelings. The Golden Crow tilted its head inquisitively while Li Hongxiu reached out a finger, wanting to gently touch it. But she was gently pushed aside by an invisible force from Su Heng.

Over a span of a month.

Su Heng refined the Seed of Destruction with his own blood energy and force.

As refining succeeded, Su Heng's own force changed as well, tainted with the aura of the Seed of Destruction.

The core authority of the Seed of Destruction was "Corrosion."

Based on this authority, Su Heng's force acquired two different effects.

The first effect was this Yin Fire, which could greatly suppress the immortality of Heavenly Deceit Martial Artists. As for the second effect, it was like the earlier Corruption Demon God Marpa, creating Deceit Beasts.

At this thought, Su Heng's mind slightly stirred.

He looked around, his gaze finally landing on a spider plant on the windowsill.

The spider plant, well-taken care of by the servants, had grown very well, hanging down lushly, gently swaying with the wind.

Swish!

Su Heng waved his hand.

The cold black fire landed on this ordinary species of spider plant.

A sound of rapid growth due to friction emitted from within the spider plant. White petals fell off, transforming into long, greasy-glossy tongues. The green stems and leaves of the plant swiftly swelled and tore apart, erupting with a glossy black and red flesh, and grew large numbers of barbs and sharp teeth all at once.

In just a moment—

A giant tentacle monster, resembling a twisted octopus, burst through the flowerpot, emerging from within.

It moved back and forth on the floor, making squelching sounds, flailing its tentacles, and showing a strong desire to attack. Li Hongxiu and Qin Shunying instinctively stepped back, their faces tinged with disgust. Meanwhile, the Golden Crow's blood-red eyes displayed immense curiosity.

It flapped its wings, intending to lightly touch it with its sharp beak.

However, bang!

The spider plant turned tentacle monster, like an overly inflated balloon, burst open outright.

A great amount of Yin energy flowed and was re-absorbed by Su Heng. The remaining parts turned into a cloud of black ash, drifting away with the wind, disappearing from sight.

"It's still lacking a bit," Su Heng raised his eyebrows, pondering in his mind, "Waiting to practice the Sword Refining Technique, integrating spiritual power into my force. At that time, I will be able to perform more subtle and in-depth control over the Deceit Beasts I create."

And moreover…

Between this release and reabsorption.

Su Heng actually felt an extremely subtle increase in his force.

The powerful assimilation function of the Seed of Destruction, like a huge vortex, as long as it was released, could continuously draw power from the external environment. Of course, having too much power was not necessarily a good thing. The important thing was to be able to control it, and the growth of his spiritual foundation still took precedence for Su Heng.

Next, he continued to develop the Heavenly Demon Transformation Technique based on integrating the Seed of Destruction.

At this thought, Su Heng's gaze landed on Qin Shunying.

"How long was I in seclusion this time?"

"Exactly one month," Li Hongxiu spoke from the side, raising three fingers to him, "plus three days."

"It is actually the first time I was in seclusion for so long." Su Heng's brows furrowed slightly, "Did anything happen?"

"King Dingxuan and King Qingyang fought again, the outcome is unknown. Over in Skull Plain, golden light filled the sky, suspected to be a powerful martial artist returning from the sea, causing peculiar phenomena..." Li Hongxiu patiently narrated the recent events to Su Heng.

"What about the Mythical Battlefield? Any changes?" Su Heng asked.

He had discussed it with Meng Huan before.

The Mythical Battlefield would fully open, at shortest in three months, and at longest... it would not exceed half a year.

"The Fiery Sun Sect had sent someone to check, the rift expanded again, and some low-level demons appeared around the ruins of Fawang Temple. The situation is still under control." This time, Qin Shunying was the one who answered Su Heng. Speaking of official matters, Qin Shunying's expression became much more serious.

"On the other hand, there have been many cases of demons harming people recently in Jiangbei Province. This situation is somewhat abnormal."

"Hmm," Su Heng nodded.

He walked to the window, letting the cold wind mixed with rain blow in from the dim edge of the sky, sweeping up his long hair.

After a period of silence, Su Heng digested all of this information.

He now had a rough understanding of the current situation.

"What about the Deceit Beast Sect? I had asked you to gather information on it," Su Heng asked again.

"Here it is." Li Hongxiu went barefoot to a cabinet by the side, pulled open a drawer, and took out a scroll.

Su Heng reached out to take it, his gaze quickly sweeping over the lines of text.

"Interesting," Su Heng's lips curled into a smile as he handed the scroll back to Li Hongxiu. It so happened that he now needed to integrate the Seed of Destruction and required combat to specifically measure its power. Plus, with the special circumstances in Jiangzhou, it was best to investigate on the spot. Moreover, there was the Deceit Beast Sect's control of the idols...

Speaking of which.

Back in the "Clouds Above Sky" secret realm, the Deceit Beast Sect had also sent an assassin.

Although that assassin had been killed by Su Heng, the grudge between them had not yet dissipated.

"I need to go out for a while; if there is any emergency, you can inform me immediately," Su Heng gestured with his hand and tied a black wooden antique scabbard around his waist, then passed a chant to Qin Shunying.

Qin Shunying silently recited it in his mind, noticing a slight vibration from the scabbard at Su Heng's waist.

"Is this the Wuji Sword Sect's Flying Sword Messaging!?" Recognizing the origin of the wooden scabbard due to her wide knowledge, Qin Shunying was impressed.

"It seems Master Meng Huan holds you in high regard; such a scabbard, there are at most not more than five in the Wuji Sword Sect," Qin Shunying lifted her head, speaking softly.

"Is that so?" Su Heng smiled, "This scabbard is indeed very useful."

As long as one knew the corresponding chant, with the scabbard in hand, messages could be transmitted through the immortal skies. However, these chants could only be recited by warriors of Heavenly Deceit level. Moreover, the farther the distance, the more intense the drain on spiritual power.

Carrying the scabbard, even if something special truly happened here in Baihua County.

Su Heng would instantly be informed and could be more at ease during his journey.

"Then, I'll leave the matters here to you," Su Heng waved his hand, his cloak's wide hem lifted, and with a gust of wind, his towering figure turned into a black streak and disappeared at the rain-clouded end of the sky.

...

...

...

In Jiangbei Province, aside from the highly esteemed Wu Family, there were a few smaller powers.

The Deceit Beast Sect was one of them.

Although not comparable to the mighty sects and immortal clans in strength.

Yet within the Deceit Beast Sect, there were several Heavenly Deceit level warriors stationed. Coupled with following the demonic path, bold and wilful, under normal circumstances, truly not many dared to provoke them.

But today was different.

The Deceit Beast Sect was located within deep mountains, like a bandit stronghold.

At this moment, cries of battle and occasionally terrifying sounds of flesh tearing echoed through the air.

Accompanied by splattering blood, dismal screams rang out, shaking the surrounding leaves, which trembled as if someone was being torn apart alive by a giant wolf.

In the center of the stronghold,

a massive wooden pavilion was burning fiercely, billowing thick smoke.

Some of the supporting octagonal pillars inside snapped, and the pavilion collapsed with a loud crash, kicking up a large cloud of dust and sparks. The wooden materials crackled in the fierce fire, the heat waves rolled, distorting the air. Ke Yulan, the leader of the Deceit Beast Sect, donned in a mysterious black dress, fluttered dynamically, creating ripples around her.

She held two slender stabbing swords in her hands, her face blood-stained, which, set against her fair skin, made her look even more striking.

At that moment, her gaze was fierce, her brows slightly furrowed, and her eyes, like autumn waters, brewed with crimson fury.

She lifted her head, looking towards two black-robed figures on the hillside not far ahead, and coldly said, "For so many years, my Deceit Beast Sect has had no grievances with your Wu Family, why have you attacked us?"