Starting as The Young Master of A Pharmacy, He Trained Swordsmanship in Seclusion For Twenty Years - Chapter 43

Meanwhile, deep inside the mountain stronghold…

Unlike Li Yanran, who stood frozen in shock, Lu Xuan was now staring intently at the White Lotus Blood Infant on the ground, his eyes burning with excitement.

Originally, Lu Xuan had planned to leave. But after hearing Li Yanran’s words, he changed his mind.

What had he just heard?

An abomination?

A monstrous creation of the Pure White Lotus Sect?

Lu Xuan had no idea what this “Pure White Lotus Sect” was, but one thing was clear—this creature before him was an abomination. And if it was something supernatural, something otherworldly… then he was very interested.

The White Lotus Blood Infant lay half-buried in the ground, its body sunk into a massive crater with cracks spiderwebbing outward. Unlike before, its wounds weren’t healing at an unnatural speed. Instead, it writhed in the pit, letting out agonized shrieks.

Thick white smoke billowed from its body, dissipating into the air with the breeze. A deep, boot-shaped imprint was caved into its torso.

Shing!

A sharp metallic hum rang out as Lu Xuan drew his broadsword from his waist, instantly channeling his inner energy. Crimson flames coiled around the blade, and with a swift motion, he sent a slash of fiery light streaking toward the Blood Infant.

The creature had barely struggled to its feet when its eerie white pupils were engulfed by the incoming blaze. In an instant, the scorching flames wrapped around its body, consuming it entirely.

Within moments, after a few final shrieks, the White Lotus Blood Infant was reduced to nothingness.

The moment it died, Lu Xuan immediately checked his system panel.

Host: Lu Xuan
Realm: Inner Energy Realm
Techniques:

• Crimson Flame Saber Technique (2/9) (Can be evolved)

• Gale-Chasing Footwork (1/9) (Can be evolved)
  Points: 55

Confirm consumption of 40 points to evolve Crimson Flame Saber Technique?
Confirm consumption of 35 points to evolve Gale-Chasing Footwork?

Seeing the increase in points, Lu Xuan finally smiled.

As expected, this monster truly was like a supernatural abomination—it provided system points.

Originally, he had only 22 points. But after killing the White Lotus Blood Infant, he gained 33 more.

However, compared to a true abomination, the points it provided were still too few.

Moreover, this thing, though similar to an abomination, could be killed—unlike the mysterious black shadow in Liugou Village, which had left him with the unsettling feeling that it wasn’t truly dead.

When Lu Xuan had confronted the so-called White Lotus Blood Infant, he could sense a faint, energy-like aura within it. But that energy was far too weak. Against his Crimson Flame Saber Technique, infused with his inner energy, it had been completely defenseless.

His dark eyes flickered with thought as he murmured,

“The Pure White Lotus Sect, huh?”

What kind of organization was this? They could actually create monsters resembling supernatural abominations?

Just one of these things had given him 33 points.

If only there were a few more…

With that thought, Lu Xuan firmly committed the name “Pure White Lotus Sect” to memory.

It seemed he would need to investigate this sect thoroughly.

With a mental command, Lu Xuan leaped lightly into the air, darting toward the back mountains of the stronghold. He had no intention of leaving through the front gate—instead, he would descend from another path and rejoin the main road.

…..

Meanwhile, outside the stronghold’s gates, two more figures arrived in a hurry—Chen Shi and Ye Qingxuan.

Chen Shi had been nearby when he heard Su Tianqi’s agonized screams, so he had rushed over with Ye Qingxuan in tow.

When he arrived, all he saw was Li Yanran, disheveled and injured. His face paled in shock.

How was this possible?

Lady Li was a Blood Refining Realm martial artist—how could she have been wounded?

Was it the Black Wind Stronghold’s leader?

No, that couldn’t be!

If the stronghold leader had the power to injure a Blood Refining Realm expert, then Chen Shi would never have survived their last encounter during the bandit suppression operation.

Ye Qingxuan, following behind Chen Shi, gasped when she saw Li Yanran’s state. She immediately rushed forward to support her.

“Sister Yanran! What happened? Are you alright?”

“Where are Brother Lingfeng and the others?”

Her worried voice snapped Li Yanran out of her daze.

“Don’t move. Stay here—I’ll be right back!”

Shaking off Ye Qingxuan’s support, Li Yanran dashed back into the stronghold without another word.

Moments later, she arrived at the spot where Lu Xuan had stood. Her sharp eyes scanned the area, but there was no trace of the White Lotus Blood Infant.

Nor was there any sign of Lu Xuan.

Her gaze then locked onto a patch of scorched earth. Her pupils contracted in shock, her beautiful face twisting in disbelief.

The ground had been charred black—evidence of flames so intense they had seared the very earth.

After a long silence, Li Yanran took one last deep look before turning and striding back toward the gates.

Where was the White Lotus Blood Infant?

Was it dead or alive?

She had only caught a brief glimpse of that man’s face, but she remembered him—he was the young noble they had passed on their way up the mountain.

If she wanted answers, she would have to find him back in Qingyun County’s city.

When Chen Shi saw Li Yanran return, he quickly stepped forward and cupped his fists.

“Lady Li, what happened here? Why are there no bandits in sight?”

“And where are the other two envoys?”

The scene was too bizarre. They had come to exterminate the Black Wind Stronghold, yet aside from a few bloodstains, there wasn’t a single corpse in sight.

Li Yanran’s face was still pale. Ignoring his questions, she spoke urgently.

“Constable Chen, no more talk. We’ll discuss everything once we’re back in the city!”

Until she confirmed whether the White Lotus Blood Infant was truly dead, it was best to leave immediately—before anything else unexpected happened.