Eternal life begins with saving my clan

In the depths of the Jin Clan's sprawling mansion, concealed within an obscure underground chamber, an eerie and ominous scene unfolded. An altar, sinister in its design, dominated the center of the room. Strange and esoteric markings were etched into the stone, exuding an aura of darkness and foreboding.

Adorning the altar, an unsettling sight met the eye. It was stained with fresh human blood, forming a grotesque mosaic of crimson and malevolence. Surrounding this macabre centerpiece lay the mutilated remnants of unfortunate souls, their bodies contorted and dissected in a grotesquely inhumane manner.

Silhouetted against the dimly lit chamber, a figure in a black robe with a hood pulled low over his head stood beside the ghastly altar. His identity hidden behind a mask depicting a weeping child, the figure exuded an aura of deathly malevolence that seemed to seep from every fiber of their being.

This enigmatic individual was none other than the leader of the Blood Whisperers, the dark puppeteer responsible for the resurrection of these vile creatures.

Confronting this nefarious altar was the patriarch of the Jin Clan, Jin Mu. Standing tall and unwavering, his presence carried an air of authority.

Yet, even his resolute countenance couldn't entirely conceal the apprehension that gnawed at the edges of his demeanor.

The Jin Clan had long established their dominance throughout the expansive expanse of the Barren Land, their far-reaching fame rivaled only by two other merchant clans: the Shu Clan and the Gao Clan.

Their wealth and influence stretched across the land, and yet, ambition gnawed at their hearts. While they already held sway over much of the Western Barren Land, their aspirations soared higher.

The Jin Clan's vision extended beyond mere commercial prowess, for they yearned to transcend their merchant status and emerge as a sacred clan, a ruling authority to contend with.

But their dreams seemed thwarted, concealed in the shadow of the mighty Celestial Heavenly Sect, whose branch hall loomed over the Western Barren Land, its dominion casting a long shadow over their ambitions.

The frustration of perpetually living in the sect's shadow had driven the Jin Clan to darker avenues, their desire for power pushing them toward a malevolent path.

Amidst the chilling atmosphere of the underground chamber, a conversation transpired between two figures.

The leader of the Blood Whisperers, concealed in shadow and darkness, broke the silence with a voice as hoarse as a death knell.

"You don't have to fret. After we complete this ritual, the Barren Land will be within our grasp, and you shall rule the Western Barren without worry," the ominous figure whispered.

"Thank you," Patriarch Jin Mu replied with a slight bow. "If we can succeed, I won't hesitate to provide you with all the sacrificial materials you need."

The time had come, and the patriarch's fate hung in the balance as the leader of the Blood Whisperers intoned,

"Enough. It's time to begin the sacrifice."

*****

Su Ming pushed his body to its absolute limit, surging forward towards the besieged Longshan town. The cacophonous symphony of battle, punctuated by harrowing screams, grew louder as he drew nearer.

"It's worse than I imagined," he muttered, his senses overwhelmed by the grim reality unfolding before him. There was no time to waste, and he rushed headlong into the fray.

"Die!" Su Ming's voice rang out, his sword cleaving through the air with an unmatched ferocity.

A brilliant, dazzling strike sliced through a Blood Whisperer, bisecting it. Without pausing to assess the consequences of his blow, he immediately turned his attention to the next abhorrent adversary.

With Su Ming's arrival, the tide of the battle irrevocably shifted. Single-handedly, he cut through the ranks of Blood Whisperers, laying waste to their numbers with every stroke.

As the formidable pressure from the Blood Whisperers lessened, a weary captain approached Su Ming, saluting him with heartfelt gratitude.

"General... Thank you for coming to our aid," the captain expressed, his voice laden with appreciation.

"Don't mention it. Reorganize your troops; the Blood Whisperers will undoubtedly reappear soon," Su Ming advised, his tone firm and unwavering.

Just as he had predicted, the Blood Whisperers manifested once again, materializing in every corner of Longshan town.

Another round of terrifying combat erupted, punctuated by the agonized cries of both soldiers and civilians alike.

Ah! Ah!

Su Ming watched as brave souls fell one after another, their lives extinguished in the face of relentless terror.

His frustration mounted, and he darted toward the nearest cluster of Blood Whisperers with an incensed determination to eliminate them.

However, despite his relentless efforts, the death toll continued to mount, increasing with each passing second.

"What's happening?" Su Ming muttered, his face etched with profound confusion as he struggled to make sense of the inexplicable.

In the midst of the chaotic battle, Su Ming's attention was drawn to the voice of the previous captain who had seen much of the ongoing carnage.

"General, they're exhausted," the captain reported, his voice tinged with worry.

The realization hit Su Ming like a sudden storm. Many of the soldiers in Longshan town were using the ordinary Metal Bone Constructs that relied on their Qi blood and spiritual essence.

"This is bad..." Su Ming muttered, his brow furrowed with deep concern. The soldiers were teetering on the brink of physical and spiritual depletion, facing a grim situation.

"Defensive formation!" he bellowed, his commanding voice resonating throughout the battlefield.

With great effort, the fatigued soldiers rallied to his call and formed a defensive formation.

Their once-pristine armor and shields bore the marks of fierce combat, now marred with various cracks and signs of struggle.

"Retreat inside and join forces with the others. I'll handle them here," Su Ming announced with unyielding determination.

Reluctantly, the soldiers withdrew from the battlefield, their hearts heavy with mixed emotions.

While they longed to stand by their fearless general's side, they knew that, in their depleted state, they would serve only as burdens to him.

With the soldiers safely inside the town, Su Ming found himself engulfed in a sea of relentless Blood Whisperers.

Undaunted, he faced his foes with unyielding resolve, each swing of his sword cleaving through the abhorrent creatures with relentless precision.

Against his grade-1 sword, the weapons wielded by the Blood Whisperers were like fragile butter, shattering with every deft strike.

As the battle raged on, his armor consumed the spirit stones embedded within, providing him with bursts of renewed strength.

Each change of spirit stone rejuvenated the armor, causing its luster to shine even more brilliantly, like a beacon of hope in the midst of chaos.

Su Ming fought on, determined to defend Longshan town with every ounce of his being. Even though the Blood Whisperer didn't seem to be able to talk or feel any pain.

However, the unyielding bravery from Su Ming made them pause their attack for a second before they resume their attack.

From the top of the town wall, the guards saw Su Ming in brutal battle against the vile creature that failed to die.

****

Amidst the oppressive atmosphere of the sect, worry, and concern were etched on the faces of the disciples as they anxiously awaited news of the ongoing battle.

Fearful whispers and silent prayers permeated the air.

In the Alchemy department, Su Lan toiled tirelessly, her once-pristine robe now drenched in sweat as she concocted pill after pill.

Her disciples, similarly drained and weary, worked tirelessly to assist her. Though they weren't the ones at the cauldron, they were exhausted from the constant movement of fetching alchemical materials and offering their support.

Suddenly, a tremor coursed through Su Lan, and she swayed unsteadily. For a brief moment, it appeared as though she might collapse.

However, she fought to maintain her balance, not wanting to yield to her own physical limitations.

"Teacher!" Her students cried out in panic, rushing to her side.

"Don't worry, I'm alright," Su Lan reassured them, though her voice betrayed a hint of strain. Her eyes remained focused on the cauldron, unwavering in her determination.

"Teacher, you need to rest," one of her students implored. "If you continue like this, you'll lose consciousness."Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Su Lan nodded, acknowledging the truth of her student's words. Her body was pushed to its limits, and the intense effort was beginning to take its toll.

Just as it seemed that she might succumb to her exhaustion, a sweet fragrance wafted from the cauldron.

Su Lan's expression transformed into a bright smile as she deftly slapped the cauldron, causing tens of blue pills to jump out. She quickly caught them, placing them into a small bottle.

Taking a deep breath, Su Lan tried to steady herself, fully aware of her students' worried gazes upon her. She then beckoned to one of them and handed over a storage ring.

"Give this to Elder Huan," she instructed, her voice resolute despite her exhaustion. "Ask her to send it to the battlefront. Inside are Rejuvenation Pills to aid the soldiers."

The student nodded and rushed to find Elder Huan with the storage ring. As she disappeared from sight, Su Lan couldn't hold back her weariness any longer.

She lost consciousness and slumped to the ground.

"Teacher!" her students cried out in unison, their concern deepening as they rushed to her side.