Crow Immortal
Chapter 25: Blood Refinement First Layer

After breaking through to the Qi Refining Second Layer, Han Yu could feel the more abundant spiritual energy circulating through his body, benefiting even his muscles and physique. 

What surprised Han Yu even more was that he had originally thought his nine drops of essence blood marked the limit for his Blood Refinement Technique cultivation. Unexpectedly, after reaching Qi Refining Second Layer, his body's capacity for storing essence blood had also increased. Not only had his nine drops grown to ten, but there was still room for further improvement. 

His right hand's replication ability had also quietly improved along with his cultivation advancement. Previously limited to replicating one drop of essence blood per day, he could now produce two. 

This meant he could unleash Blood Drops up to twelve times consecutively—an offensive capability that likely surpassed most ordinary menial disciples still in the first three Qi Refining layers. 

Replicating Mystic Heart Fruits hadn't doubled in efficiency yet. Strictly speaking, he could now replicate four fruits every three days instead of three. 

Sensing these changes, Han Yu felt a surge of excitement. 

Having reached Qi Refining Second Layer, according to the Green Sprout Qi Cultivation Technique, the next step was for the spiritual seed in his dantian to fully sprout, marking Qi Refining Third Layer. When the sprout developed its first leaf, he would reach Qi Refining Fourth Layer and qualify to become an outer disciple of Wangu Valley. 

It was time to visit Green Sprout Market again to search for body refinement techniques or other useful items to further strengthen himself. 

"Caw!" 

Two crows—one large, one small—flew through the night with increasing vitality and landed before Han Yu. 

No spiritual fruits were found today, which wasn't surprising. With so many cultivators around Wangu Valley, few valuable herbs went unnoticed. Discovering both the Mystic Heart Fruit and Spirit Blood Vine earlier had been remarkably fortunate. 

"Caw!" 

The large crow tilted its head toward the window. 

Han Yu frowned. "Are you saying something's happening outside?" 

Peering through the window, he saw a graceful figure heading toward Steward Wang's residence under the moonlight and nearly laughed—it was Senior Sister Wei! 

He'd known about her relationship with Steward Wang for months. Nothing worth observing there. 

But then Han Yu noticed what truly deserved attention—not Senior Sister Wei, but a crouching figure sneaking along after her passed. 

The shadowy figure squatted at the border between Han Yu's and Old Li's spirit fields, did something unclear, then slowly retreated before hurrying away. 

At first Han Yu couldn't identify the person, but when they finally stood up to leave, recognition struck—it was Zhang Shan. 

What was he doing? 

Instead of rushing out, Han Yu prepared to send his crows to investigate. 

Just then, Old Li's stone door creaked open. 

The old Taoist moved with startling speed to the fields, condensed a Blood Drop, and shot it into the crops. He then lifted a dead Spirit-Stealing Mouse by its tail, chuckled darkly, and returned inside. 

Witnessing this, Han Yu was both shocked and confused. 

Shocked because it confirmed his suspicion—Zhang Shan was indeed raising the pests. 

Confused because their Green Sprout Spirit Rice wouldn't mature for another forty to fifty days. Why release the mice now? And how had Old Li known to immediately eliminate it? 

Old Li had been associating closely with Zhang Shan recently. What dangerous game were they playing that created such inexplicable situations? 

Unable to puzzle it out, Han Yu decided not to get involved. Whatever Old Li and Zhang Shan were doing seemed perilous. 

After grooming his two crows' feathers, Han Yu sent them off. 

The next morning while inspecting his fields, Han Yu saw Zhang Shan hurry to Old Li's door. After a hushed conversation, Old Li shouldered his market basket and they left for Green Sprout Market together. 

Han Yu shook his head—these two had been scheming against each other last night, yet now traveled as companions. How bizarre. 

Then Senior Brother Sun Kang approached from the direction of Liu Lan's residence, looking dejected. 

"Senior Brother Sun," Han Yu greeted. 

Sun Kang nodded gloomily. "Junior Brother Han." 

"What troubles you, Senior Brother? You seem distressed." 

Sun Kang sighed. "Since the harvest, Liu Lan has grown close to Senior Brother Zhang Shan after he lent her spirit rice for cultivation. Now she treats me with indifference." 

"We used to get along so well. Who knew things would change like this?" 

Han Yu blinked. "Do you... have feelings for Senior Sister Liu?" 

Sun Kang shook his head. "Not like that. It's just... we all used to be friends. Now she treats me coldly, but what can I do? I'm on the verge of breaking through from Qi Refining Second to Third Layer. I can't just give her my cultivation rice and abandon my own progress." 

Seeing the kind-hearted senior brother so troubled, Han Yu had no advice to offer. 

Their seemingly good relationship might have been an illusion all along. Zhang Shan had secretly bred Spirit-Stealing Mice that damaged their fields—including Liu Lan's poor harvest. 

As dusk painted the sky blood-red, Han Yu calmed his thoughts and returned to prepare for tomorrow's market trip. 

That night, approaching footsteps and a thick metallic scent interrupted Han Yu's cultivation. He quickly condensed several Blood Drops, ready to strike. 

"Boy." 

Old Li's raspy voice came from outside. 

Realization dawning, Han Yu opened the door but kept the Blood Drops hidden behind his back. 

The old Taoist entered wearing black robes instead of his usual gray menial disciple attire. Though no blood stained his clothes, the stench of iron hung heavy around him. 

More startling—streaks of vivid red now ran through Old Li's previously snow-white hair. 

"Old Taoist, you—" 

Old Li stared intensely. "Boy, are you some natural-born demonic cultivator?" 

"I struggled immensely just to reach Blood Refinement First Layer and begin proper cultivation. Yet you, merely practicing the Blood Refinement Technique—a fake immortal method for blood slaves—already possess blood energy comparable to mine?" 

Han Yu's eyes widened. "Old Taoist, you reached Blood Refinement First Layer? Isn't that a cultivation realm exclusive to demonic sects like the Demon Blood Sect?" 

Old Li nodded grimly. "Exactly—the Demon Blood Sect's cultivation realm!" 

"I've begun practicing their true Blood Refinement Technique manual. Now I'm a true cultivator!"