However, just to be on the safe side, Xue Chu Jiu still wanted to find out if there was some force protecting Li Ming.
Beside the blood pool, several men in black robes kowtowed to the ground, not daring to overstep their bounds in the slightest. Their expressions were exceptionally devout. In their eyes, the Blood God's messenger was undoubtedly an inviolable being.
"Get up."
Xue Chu Jiu's lazy voice reached their ears, and they immediately raised their heads, then knelt on one knee, awaiting instructions.
"Congratulations, Divine Envoy, you have achieved great success in your divine skills!"
Do you know this man, Li Ming?
Xue Chu Jiu asked.
"Reporting to the Divine Envoy, Li Ming is a genius on the Human Ranking and is highly valued by the Six Doors. Zhao Xuanwu, the Divine Constable stationed in Cangzhou, attaches great importance to him. Even though the Qi family tried to persuade him with benefits, he completely ignored them and even went to the Qi family alone to give them a warning."
"oh?"
Upon hearing this news, Xue Chu Jiu's face immediately darkened.
In the memories of the avatar, he only knew that Li Ming was incredibly powerful, able to defeat a Refining God Realm cultivator even at the Golden Core Realm. He never expected that Li Ming had someone backing him up.
However, Xue Chu Jiu quickly realized that such a prodigy could not possibly be without someone protecting him.
As for the Six Doors, that would be a bit difficult.
The Blood God Cult has had many dealings with the two major Xuan organizations, the Six Doors and the Sky Patrol Division.
The several Celestial-level Archangels of the Sky Patrol Division were paying close attention to the Blood God Cult's actions.
The Six Doors also frequently dispatched personnel to suppress the Blood God Cult's actions.
"So, if I were to hold a blood sacrifice ceremony in Cangyang County, it would probably attract experts from the Six Doors of Cangzhou City?"
Xue Chu Jiu spoke slowly.
"Your Excellency, it is very likely... However, the Fourth Elder is also active in Cangzhou, attracting many experts from the imperial court. Your Excellency's actions in Cangyang County should not be disturbed by many people."
The man in black robes replied tremblingly.
"Very well, since that's the case, then pass on my order: all followers in Cangyang County shall stand by and exert all their strength to prepare for a blood sacrifice for the city of Cangyang County."
"I will personally contact the Fourth Elder."
Xue Chu Jiu's words were not open to discussion. In his view, it was either do nothing or do something big.
Killing Li Ming was no easy task, and if his men were to do it, they would most likely never return.
Since he was going to take matters into his own hands, he might as well turn this Cangyang County into resources for his advancement to Martial Saint.
As for the Six Doors' revenge and Martial Saint Zhao Xuanwu's revenge, once they have completed their blood sacrifice and established Li Ming as the Divine Son, they will naturally have their followers hide away. At worst, they can leave Cangzhou. Then, who will face the court's wrath is none of his concern.
"yes!"
The kneeling men in black robes readily accepted the order.
This wasn't the first time they'd staged such a medium-sized blood sacrifice ritual; each one brought them immense benefits.
The Blood God Cult wields immense power. Many of its members may be, in name only, elders or even heads of local families, disciples or elders of sects, or even officials of the imperial court.
After joining the Blood God Cult, although they gained great power, they were inevitably influenced by it... Even if they were unwilling, they dared not disobey the orders of the Blood God Cult's superiors.
...
The sky is clear and the spring is in full bloom.
Beside the city of Cangyang, there is a large river called the Canglan River, which runs through Cangzhou and the nearby Yizhou.
The canal transport industry on both sides of the strait is naturally extremely developed.
Furthermore, the resources at sea in this world are extremely abundant. In the distant Haizhou, which borders the endless sea to the east, there are countless islands and powerful individuals.
This led to a thriving shipbuilding industry, with countless cruise ships and merchant vessels on the Canglan River, making the vast river surface seem somewhat crowded.
On a merchant ship, Li Ming sat cross-legged. When he went to Lianyun Mountain, he traveled a thousand miles a day and traveled through several days by night.
This time, Li Ming decided to travel by water, so he could enjoy the scenery and also cultivate.
And so he spent many days on the Canglan River.
During this period, not only did his cultivation level advance further, reaching the eighth level of the Golden Core realm, but he also devoted himself to comprehending the Overlord Fist, constantly recalling and reflecting on the punch he used in his state of enlightenment. Now, with his superb comprehension, Li Ming is able to reproduce it.
However, to recreate the true essence of that domineering fist from that day, he might still need a special opportunity. Even so, if he were to unleash a domineering fist, its power would be enough to allow him to defy the Refining God.
With an estimated hour to go before reaching the dock outside Cangyang County, Li Ming got up and went to the deck. Looking at the boundless river, he couldn't help but sigh.
Legend has it that a dragon once plagued this river.
This has caused immense suffering for people on both sides of the strait, with fishing boats and merchant ships afraid to set sail.
Although the dragon's bloodline is impure, it doesn't mean it's weak. In this great river, it can unleash boundless power, making it an opponent even for ordinary martial saints, let alone kill.
The imperial court once sent experts to eliminate the demonic threat, but they failed repeatedly, either being killed by the dragon or letting it escape.
Finally, a local martial arts master from Cangzhou exhausted all his strength, laid a trap, and single-handedly fought for a day and a night to kill the evil dragon. That master was known as the Dragon-Slaying Martial Saint.
In Li Ming's previous life, this would have been considered pure superstition... but in this world, it's probably true.
Suddenly, the shipowner rushed onto the deck and shouted:
"Stop the ship! Everyone get out!"
Li Ming frowned, somewhat puzzled, then looked at a large ship that suddenly rushed towards him from the side, its sails bearing the pattern of a black dragon pierced by a sword.
"What happened?"
"have no idea……"
"Could it be that river pirates have come to hijack the ship?"
"No way..."
People who had been resting inside the cabins gradually came out, asking each other what had happened.
Some people who hadn't been on a boat much started discussing it, and the scene quickly became chaotic.
Some frequent boat travelers, however, remained calm.
"Stop arguing, those are people from the Dragon Slayer Gang. Let's just pay the head fee."
The landlord shouted to stop the increasingly chaotic situation. His martial arts skills were obviously not weak. He used his true qi to shout, which immediately calmed the scene down.
Upon hearing that it was the Dragon Slayer Gang, these people dared not utter another word.
In fact, almost anyone who has walked near the Canglan River knows about the Dragon Slayer Gang.
As the largest gang in Cangzhou, it was founded by the legendary dragon slayer, and its original purpose was to maintain order in the Canglan River.
Firstly, powerful demons easily breed in these great rivers, causing havoc in the region... Secondly, there are many powerful bandits on these rivers, whose martial arts are extraordinary, and fishermen and merchants suffer greatly from them.
The Dragon Slayer Gang was established to protect the interests of the lower classes. However, when it was first established, everyone was motivated by love and didn't care about anything else, relying entirely on their inner sense of justice.
However, people also need money. As time went by, many people in the Zhanlong Gang were dissatisfied with their efforts being wasted. Later, some merchant ships and fishermen voluntarily paid the Zhanlong Gang to maintain order.
As things have evolved, the Dragon Slayer Gang has grown stronger and stronger, attracting the attention of many other forces who have set their sights on its profits. Internal power struggles have begun, and now they are even actively collecting protection money.
Those who pay the money will be protected by the Dragon Slayer Gang.
Those who don't pay their dues usually don't end up well.
Therefore, for ordinary people, spending money to avoid trouble when traveling is not a bad deal.
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