526 Kun Peng Clan’s Evolution
At the center of the blood sea, Tang Pi was seated cross-legged atop a massive blood crystal pillar. Power surged forth from his form, while an elusive aura emanated from his body, making Gao He, who was nearby, slightly tremble.
“Congratulations, my lord. You are close to success.” Gao He watched as Tang Pi’s eyes slowly opened.
“Almost there, just a bit more… Two more months is all I need. No, make that one!” Tang Pi exclaimed, his eyes ablaze with anticipation. “Then, I can fully transform into a pureblood.”
Tang Pi marveled, “The master of the Sacred Heart Sect is truly remarkable for devising such a magnificent array like the blood sea. It enhances the aptitude of creatures, refines their qi, blood, and physique, and even purifies their bloodline. The cost? Mere lives of insignificant beings.”
He looked at his wings with a captivated gaze. Intricate patterns had begun to appear on them, and an ancient aura slowly pervaded his body — indicative of the power of a pure-blooded Kun Peng.
“The Sacred Heart Sect’s method of cultivation involves using living beings as sustenance for growth and transformation. It’s no wonder they were capable of creating the wondrous blood sea,” Gao He commented.
The lord before him had struck a bargain with the white-robed king of the Sacred Heart Sect. The Kun Peng clan was tasked with safeguarding the blood sea array and protecting its core.
On the surface, the price the Sacred Heart Sect paid was allowing the entire Kun Peng clan to benefit from the blood sea’s bounty — a boost in strength.
However, the true cost was granting the sect master the opportunity to ascend to a pure-blooded creature. This chance lay at the center of the blood sea, the hub of life essence and pure power. Such potent energy could elevate a being’s aptitude and strength to unimaginable heights in a remarkably short period.
“But… the Sacred Heart Sect divulged this secret quite readily. Could they have ulterior motives?” Gao He expressed his concern, which had been nagging him for some time.
“Undoubtedly, the Sacred Heart Sect has plans of their own. But as you are aware, this is an offer we simply can’t refuse,” Tang Pi replied. “Once I reclaim my pure-blooded lineage, I’ll outpower even those so-called prodigies with the king’s force among the human race!”
His grin took on a sinister edge. “When I ascend to the king realm, not even the white-robed king will be my equal. Does their alleged conspiracy even matter then?”
Upon the maturation of their pure-blooded Kun Peng, they would be tremendously powerful. However, there was a downside — the purer the bloodline, the lower their fertility. In the worst case, the entire Kun Peng race could face extinction due to a severe drop in fertility.
Ultimately, they were forced to resort to crossbreeding to multiply their species and preserve their dominion. As time passed, their bloodlines grew increasingly mixed, and the apex of their realms continually declined.
Eventually, they sought progress by transforming into human forms, adopting the human race’s cultivation talent. This strategy not only enhanced their combat strength but also led to a significant increase in their population.
However, it seemed they were now beginning another cycle, this time, in pursuit of purity in their bloodlines. Tang Pi aimed for perfection — he envisioned a Kun Peng race of robust fertility and pristine bloodline.
Upon achieving this, they would reign supreme amongst the eight royal families, standing once more at the top of the world. And Tang Pi would secure his place in history as the leader of the Kun Peng race.
Under such a tantalizing prospect, the death of a son seemed a small sacrifice. With this thought, an audacious grin crept onto Tang Pi’s face.
Then, he restrained himself and reassured Gao He, “Fear not, when the time is right, your bloodline will be entirely replaced with Kun Peng blood. You’ve followed me loyally for decades since the incident, resolving countless issues for me. You’ve proven to be even more reliable than my own son. Following my transformation, you’ll be the second pureblood.”
Tang Pi chuckled while Gao He bowed humbly in response. “Even without this assurance, I would still follow you.”
The demon that had once caused havoc in Qingzhou City was none other than Gao He. Although Tang Pi had defeated him, he didn’t kill Gao He as the rumors suggested. Instead, Gao He pledged his allegiance to Tang Pi.
For decades, Gao He had been a prominent figure in the prefecture overseer’s estate, ruling over Qingzhou City. He personally eliminated many who accidentally discovered or suspected the truth about the prefecture overseer’s Tang family.
“Rest assured, you know me. I’ve always been fair when it comes to rewards and punishments,” Tang Pi said, his gaze drifting over the residences of the clan leaders and members. “We just need to sacrifice the lives of some of our collateral relatives.”
The blood sea could enhance the aptitude, blood, and even bloodline of creatures, but it required some beings of the same species as a catalyst. The dirty work of implementing this strategy fell to Gao He, whose methods were so covert that the clansmen remained oblivious. They continued to believe that those who perished had merely fallen into the blood sea and dissolved while cultivating in the blood crystal pillar.
Tang Pi then observed, “However, you seem to have changed recently. You wouldn’t ordinarily say such things to secure my promise.”
Caught off guard, Gao He lowered his head. “I apologize, my lord.”
Tang Pi dismissed it with a wave of his hand. “Never mind. The allure of becoming a pureblood is irresistible, even for me. It’s understandable that you lost your composure.”
Tang Pi held considerable trust in Gao He. After all, they had worked together numerous times.