Entering the cave, it wasn't as dark as imagined, with some light still present. The stone walls inside were unremarkable, devoid of any murals.

It resembled a natural cave.

The entrance was straight, but sloped downwards. Without delay or hesitation, Chen Yuan surveyed the surroundings briefly before continuing his journey, always remembering the guiding words, "Continue until you find the Blood Bodhi."

He proceeded forward carefully along the cave entrance.

Before long, Chen Yuan understood the meaning of those words. The cave was riddled with many paths, encountering three at the first instance. Subsequently, every few hundred or thousand meters, several identical openings appeared.

Anyone unfamiliar with the place would surely get lost.

As the number of cave openings increased, Chen Yuan began to make subtle markings. He then discovered traces of others having been there before.

There were markings as evidence.

Continuing onward, Chen Yuan came across many skeletons, with broken swords and blades lying beside them.

This made him wonder if the secret of the submerged Buddha's knee was known only to him, or if others were also aware of the Blood Bodhi.

Lost in thought, Chen Yuan increased his pace. The further he went, the more cave openings there were, making it seem like a giant maze.

At the same time, as he ventured deeper, he could sense the gradually increasing density of the heaven and earth essence. Compared to the outside, it was almost doubled.

Such a rich environment of heaven and earth essence was indeed a place where spiritual herbs and objects could grow.

Chen Yuan also estimated the distance as he progressed. Since entering the Great Buddha Cave, he had traveled nearly ten thousand meters.

This startled him, wondering how vast this place was.

Could he have reached the depths of Mount Tang?

The cave was now pitch black. Prepared in advance, Chen Yuan took out a night-luminescent pearl from his sleeve. This item was priceless, capable of emitting light at night.

It was said to have been brought to the Central Plains from overseas, and each one was worth a fortune.

This particular one was a treasure discovered when confiscating Shen Yongzhi's assets.

It illuminated a radius of about ten zhang, making it as bright as day.

The Heavenly Eye Divine Art was already activated, searching for the location of the Blood Bodhi. He wasn't too worried, as the Destiny Altar's guidance had never failed him yet.

After walking another two thousand meters, Chen Yuan suddenly stopped. In his eyes, he finally saw that dazzling cyan light.

Closing the Heavenly Eye Child Technique, and obscuring the light of the night-luminescent pearl, the front seemed to have opened a pair of blood-red eyes, particularly dazzling in the dark night.

The Blood Bodhi, finally found!

Suppressing the excitement in his heart, Chen Yuan estimated that there were dozens of red lights ahead, enough for his cultivation. This was definitely a great harvest.

He then quickly walked forward, took out the night-luminescent pearl, and placed it in a recess on the cave wall.

He took a closer look and saw that the ground was full of red vines rooted in the earth, as if absorbing nutrients, with Blood Bodhi fruits about the size of a thumb growing on them.

They were blood-red in color, and under the refraction of the night-luminescent pearl, they looked like rubies.

There were a total of thirty-six Blood Bodhi fruits, matching the number of the Heavenly Dipper stars.

It was unknown if it was a coincidence or if the Blood Bodhi could only produce so many.

The information provided by the Dengxian Tower wasn't that detailed, so Chen Yuan wasn't too sure.

Reaching out, he plucked a Blood Bodhi fruit and placed it in front of his eyes. He had a faint premonition that it contained extraordinary power, with a scarlet color,

almost the same as the blood bead.

It was indeed formed from the blood dropped by a fire-attributed exotic beast.

Here, Chen Yuan could already feel a fiery sensation coming from deeper within.

Before he could take a closer look, Chen Yuan noticed that the Blood Bodhi vines on the ground were withering at a speed visible to the naked eye, similar to what happened when he obtained the Scarlet Fruit from the Underworld River back then.

Without hesitation, Chen Yuan took out a jade box and plucked all thirty-six Blood Bodhi fruits within his sight, placing them into the jade box.

Looking at the full box of Blood Bodhi fruits in his hand, Chen Yuan narrowed his eyes, wondering if he should leave, but then he thought about the rich heaven and earth essence here, which seemed to negate the need for setting up a formation.

In that case...

After weighing the options, Chen Yuan decided to retreat and increase his cultivation level here first.

In the depths of this Great Buddha Cave, he didn't need to worry about being disturbed, making it a natural place for seclusion.

No sooner said than done, Chen Yuan sat down cross-legged, placed the jade box full of Blood Bodhi fruits in front of him, slowly closed his eyes, and began to breathe and meditate.

After a moment, sensing that his state was at its peak, Chen Yuan suddenly opened his eyes, shooting out a ray of light, and then took a Blood Bodhi fruit from the jade box and put it in his mouth.

It melted in his mouth. Chen Yuan tasted that it didn't feel like a fruit, but more like a drop of blood, except that this drop of blood had a hint of sweetness and a scorching aura.

Swallowing it into his stomach, the powerful force contained within the Blood Bodhi exploded in his body.

It contained powerful force!

The Supreme Mystery Scripture began to operate faster, constantly refining the power within the Blood Bodhi and merging it into his dantian. The Vajra Glazed Body technique also began to operate accordingly.

Absorbing the power and merging it into Chen Yuan's physical body, his hundreds of acupoints, meridians, flesh, and blood.

His chest rose and fell slightly, Chen Yuan unbuttoned his clothes, revealing the streamlined muscles inside. A dark golden light constantly condensed around him, but soon, the dark golden color transformed into a blood color.

Entirely blood-red!

Chen Yuan's cultivation aura also began to gradually climb, an increase that could be clearly felt.

Like an experience bar, it was constantly increasing.

The first Blood Bodhi fruit was successfully refined, and then, Chen Yuan began to swallow the second, the third...

......

......

While Chen Yuan was consuming Blood Bodhi fruits to improve his cultivation strength, at this moment, the many forces within Tangshan Prefecture finally began their secret plots against Chen Yuan.

Chen Yuan's actions were too swift and fierce, making it difficult for them to sense his true strength. Therefore, for several days, the Jianghu forces within Tangshan Prefecture had not revealed any obvious intentions.

But, this was definitely not out of fear.

Rather, they were watching, observing Chen Yuan's actions, his style of doing things, and investigating his background and past...

Planning before acting!

The Jianghu forces in Tangshan Prefecture are famous in Qingzhou for being the most volatile and chaotic. The number of martial artists is also much stronger than in other prefectures. There are nearly ten forces with Profound Connection martial artists.

It is they who control most of the resources within Tangshan Prefecture.

Now that Chen Yuan wants to take these things back, of course, it is impossible. As the saying goes, cutting off someone's wealth is like killing their parents. They absolutely cannot tolerate Chen Yuan.

As for the marriage alliance with the Chopping Knife Gang, it had already been severed when Shen Yongzhi died.

They would not do anything for the dead.

Inside the Blood Blade Sect's council hall, which had the strongest comprehensive strength in Tangshan Prefecture.

Ten Profound Connection martial artists sat from top to bottom.

They were the essence of the entire Tangshan Prefecture's Jianghu, whether they were clan leaders, sect leaders, or elders. In short, none of them were simple. Originally, there were two more seats here.

Song Jingang and Shen Yongzhi, but now they have been replaced.

Sitting at the head was an old man with a red robe, white hair, and a childlike face. His expression was calm, and he had an air of dignity without anger. His cultivation was also the strongest among all of them.

Profound Connection Peak!

The old man's name was Lin Zhidong, and he was the Supreme Elder of the Blood Blade Sect. He was respected by the Tangshan Jianghu martial artists as Old Lin. At the same time, the Blood Blade Sect's strength was also the strongest in Tangshan.

In addition to him, there was also a Profound Connection Middle Stage Sect Master sitting in charge.

Even Shen Yongzhi did not dare to be too rude to him.

"Old Lin, in your opinion, how should we deal with this Chen Yuan?"

A middle-aged man on the lower left side asked in a deep voice with a solemn expression.

As soon as he spoke, the originally quiet council hall began to become noisy, and several Profound Connection martial artists looked at Lin Zhidong.

Slowly raising his hand, Lin Zhidong lightly stroked his beard, his eyes flashing:

"This Chen Yuan cannot be moved lightly. With Qingzhou's Gold Envoy Sword God Jiang He present, if we directly eliminate him, it will definitely provoke his rage. At that time, it will be a disaster for our Tangshan martial arts world.

The existence of the top ten on the Wind and Cloud Ranking is too terrifying. That is a level that we can only look up to."

Lin Zhidong's voice was full of energy, but anyone could feel his fear of Jiang He.

"Then are we just going to sit back and watch Chen Yuan gradually erode us?" Someone said in a muffled voice.

Anyone who isn't an idiot can see Chen Yuan's intentions. If they don't take action, Chen Yuan will definitely take action.

"Yes, and this Chen Yuan's strength is too strong. Even Shen Yongzhi was killed by him."

"This person's style of doing things is also ruthless, and he cuts the weeds and eliminates the roots. As far as I know, the entire Shen family has been exterminated." Someone had lingering fears.

Such ruthless methods are not common.

"When have I ever said that I would sit back and watch Chen Yuan?" Lin Zhidong snorted coldly:

"We are gathered here today to discuss how to deal with Chen Yuan, but we cannot be too reckless."

"What does Old Lin mean?"

Someone asked thoughtfully.

"According to Jianghu rules, in disputes between those of the same realm, strong people in higher realms rarely intervene. If we occupy the moral high ground and give Chen Yuan a reputation for being fierce and cruel, it will be fine to take action against him.

Of course, the prerequisite is not to harm Chen Yuan's life, just leave him crippled and let him get out of Tangshan."

"In this way, there will be reason and evidence, and we will not kill him completely. Even if Jiang He is dissatisfied, I'm afraid he will endure it. I don't believe that he can kill us all for Chen Yuan, right?"

Lin Zhidong said in a deep voice.

Existences like Jiang He actually don't take action often. Unless Tangshan Prefecture dares to rebel directly, they will usually send the Blue Envoys below to take action.

That's how Chen Yuan came to Tangshan.

A Gold Envoy of a prefecture has their eyes on the entire territory, how could they fixate their gaze on them? That would be detrimental to their status.

"So... is this feasible?"

Someone still felt it was not safe. This situation was completely putting their lives in the hands of others. What if Jiang He really didn't care and attacked them?

Who would they go to reason with then?

They only have one life!

"Yes, we have to think twice."

The people below echoed.

But some people also raised different opinions, saying:

"Old Lin, everyone, Chen Yuan has a background, but we are not without support either."

"What do you mean?"

"Yes, Brother Jia, don't keep us in suspense."

That person smiled and said:

"Where does most of the resources produced in Tangshan Prefecture go? Don't you all know?"

"You're talking about... Mount Shu and Liangshan Marsh?"

Someone said in surprise.

Tangshan Prefecture is in an excellent location, bordering both Shu Prefecture and Blood Prefecture. Naturally, the three prefectures also have a lot of interaction. Some of the resources in their hands have gone to Blood Prefecture and Shu Prefecture.

Among them, the one that absorbs the most is the Eight Hundred Mile Liangshan Water Village, and the Shu Mountain Sword Sect, the strongest immortal sect in Shu Prefecture.

"Sect Leader Jia's words coincide with what I was thinking," Lin Zhidong slowly stood up and said in a deep voice:

"We have been transporting spiritual herbs and objects to them for so long. Although it is a matter of mutual need, this has also formed a potential relationship. If we are destroyed, who will search for the spiritual herbs in the Tangshan Mountains for them?

Who will transship the things transported from other prefectures for them? Although there may not be only one line of ours in this, we are definitely an important pawn."

These words don't sound good, but they are reasonable. None of the people present refuted them. Sometimes, to be a pawn, you have to be qualified.

Lin Zhidong looked into the distance and said:

"If we ask them to deal with Chen Yuan and offend Jiang He, they will definitely feel that it is not worth the loss. But if we ask them to say a few good words for us to offset some of the pressure, I believe they will still do it.

It's just that the premise is that we have to give up a portion of the profits again."

The hall was silent, and everyone was weighing Lin Zhidong's words. After a long time, they reached a consensus. Compared to eliminating Chen Yuan, this trouble, they would rather give up a portion of the profits.

"Very good, everyone is intelligent and wise. A few small profits are nothing to give up." Lin Zhidong nodded in satisfaction.

As long as the Tangshan Jianghu is united, what is Chen Yuan? A scarecrow!

"It's just that I don't know what we should do now?" Someone asked in a deep voice.

Lin Zhidong smiled and said: "Everyone is flattering me, letting me be in the first place, naturally I have some plans. First, spread Chen Yuan's evil name, and even spread it to other prefectures. This is not difficult for us.

Second, in fact, we have another potential ally. They probably hate Chen Yuan to the bone too."

"Old Lin is talking about... the Eternal Life Sect?" Someone's eyes narrowed.

"That's right, you all know about the Eternal Life Sect's several blood sacrifices in Tangshan Prefecture. Some of you are even involved in them." When Lin Zhidong said these words, several people's faces changed.

"Song Jingang was an important pawn planted in Tangshan Prefecture by the Eternal Life Sect. Only he could cover up the blood sacrifices. Now that he has been killed by Chen Yuan, do you think they will let it go?

I'm afraid they are also plotting how to kill Chen Yuan now."

"Perhaps, we may not even have to take action to kill this person."

"This... the people of the Eternal Life Sect are secretive, are we going to wait for them?"

"The people of the Eternal Life Sect are ruthless and capricious. It is not good for us to have too much involvement with them. But Chen Yuan is a common enemy of both of us.

Only by getting rid of him can we feel at ease."

————

The second update will be in the afternoon. I'll brainstorm the plot.