Dongfang Lin said, "I dare not say more, but we need just a little bit more, and my father still has this face."
Ling Zhenfei felt relieved after hearing Dongfang Lin say this.
Ling Zhenfei said, "Well, then I'll trouble Miss Dongfang in a moment. I only need a little bit."
The two walked near the eastern gate, and sure enough, there was a Mingtang Drugstore. It was early in the morning, yet surprisingly, the Great Drugstore hadn't opened.
An old man said, "This Great Drugstore is different; it's already past opening time but still not open."
Dongfang Lin said, "This doesn't seem right. There are so many people lining up, yet this Mingtang Drugstore is still closed. I can't understand."
Dongfang Lin went over and asked one of the people when the Mingtang Drugstore would open for business.
"I'm familiar with this place. They usually open quite early, so I don't know what's going on today."
At this moment, Ling Zhenfei suddenly frowned and said to Dongfang Lin, "Something isn't right; I sense a slight ripple of Northern Spiritual Energy."
Dongfang Lin said, "What do you mean? Are you saying something has happened inside the Mingtang Drugstore?"
Ling Zhenfei replied, "Though I'm not sure, things indeed seem off; let's go in and take a look."
Dongfang Lin probed with her Divine Sense and said, "This drugstore has fortified itself with a Barrier; my Divine Sense can't penetrate."
Ling Zhenfei said, "We'll know once we go in."
The two didn't enter through the front door; instead, they went around the back. Behind the drugstore was a house with a two-part courtyard, and there was a side door at the back of the courtyard.
Ling Zhenfei and Dongfang Lin exchanged a glance, then soared into the air, broke through the Barrier, and entered the courtyard.
It turned out the Barrier's function was to alert the house's cultivator of any probes but couldn't prevent entry.
In this Foreign Land, about 80% of people are cultivators, so to avoid intrusions, many people prefer to set up a Barrier in their courtyards to protect their privacy.
Once inside the courtyard, Ling Zhenfei immediately used his power of the soul to start probing.
Since every room in this courtyard had a Barrier, probing with Divine Sense would have been very troublesome.
Using the power of the soul for probing, Ling Zhenfei immediately felt that something had happened in the first layer of the courtyard, as sounds of spirit energy emanated.
Ling Zhenfei said to Dongfang Lin, "In the front courtyard, we need to hurry."
Dongfang Lin and Ling Zhenfei together dashed toward the front courtyard. As soon as they stepped into it, they were stunned to see several corpses lying there.
The corpses had clearly been killed recently.
Du Yu's sense of spiritual disturbance became clearer as they ran forward, indicating a fierce battle was underway.
As the two ran forward, the corpses on the ground increased in number, contradicting the earlier claims of the Mingtang Drugstore's prowess as they found themselves amidst such a tragedy.
Bang!
A window shattered, and someone was thrown out, landing directly beside Ling Zhenfei and Dongfang Lin.
The person was covered in wounds, having been hurled from inside, and after another mouthful of blood, died before Ling Zhenfei and Dongfang Lin.
Ling Zhenfei was shocked to see Xia Mingcheng in the room.
Where Xia Mingcheng was, Blood Son would surely be present, and indeed, Ling Zhenfei soon heard Blood Son deploying the Bloody Evil Technique.
At this moment, Bloody Evil magic surged, enveloping the entire courtyard. Those battling Blood Son clearly recognized its power.
However, the fight had already been ongoing for a while, leaving lots of Bloody Evil encircling the opponent.
Ling Zhenfei knew full well Bloody Evil's menace: it devoured spiritual energy, underscoring its horror.
The opponent exhibited strong abilities, yet anyone cultivating spiritual energy was suppressed by the Bloody Evil Technique.
Blood Son surrounded the rival from all sides; he brandished his Longsword in tight, impenetrable motions.
Yet such impenetrable technique is but a beautiful wish. There can be no such flawless strategy unless using spiritual energy.
Using spiritual energy leads into Bloody Evil's trap as it engulfs the person, wrapping around them completely.
Pierced by Bloody Evil's bite means it's too late for resistance; using spiritual energy only invites fiercer biting. Consequently, the person quickly perished in a pool of blood.
Ling Zhenfei's heart seized, remembering Ru Meng's tragic death before his eyes, inciting fresh agony.
The grand hall was drenched in blood pools likely marking victims slain by Blood Son.
Perhaps Blood Son slayed fewer people than Xia Mingcheng, as Xia Mingcheng left entire bodies, whereas Blood Son only left blood stains, inspiring terror.
Ling Zhenfei angrily exclaimed, "Blood Son, you dare hide here. Stay put."
Ling Zhenfei unleashed his Tang sword from the Di Tian Shen Sui, aiming it at Blood Son.
Dongfang Lin noticed and promptly realized the unfolding tragedy: all the Mingtang Drugstore personnel were slain.
As to why, it was likely linked to the Seven-colored Lotus Pod they previously discussed.
Blood Son and Xia Mingcheng also noticed Ling Zhenfei.
Given Dongfang City's location, typically difficult to locate—a place rare and remote—it was unusual for anyone to find it.
Blood Son and Xia Mingcheng's discovery here was indeed unexpected.
Yet their astonishment peaked upon seeing Ling Zhenfei.
Blood Son was particularly shocked as Ling Zhenfei's power of the soul notably countered Bloody Evil Technique.
Bloody Evil devoured spiritual energy and even metal but never touched the power of the soul.
Because the Bloody Evil Technique is yet cultivated to its highest level, it hasn't reached a state of devouring all.
Moreover, Blood Son was once injured by Ling Zhenfei; unlike Ling Zhenfei's high Medical Arts, Blood Son hadn't fully recovered, seeing Ling Zhenfei thus astounded him.
Before, with disciples of the Blood Oath Sect, Blood Son and Xia Mingcheng weren't Ling Zhenfei's match. Now, facing a risen Ling Zhenfei, fear overcame the wounded duo.
Unknowingly, they were unaware Ling Zhenfei's spiritual energy had largely depleted overnight.
Watching his foes, Ling Zhenfei charged at Blood Son, undeterred by low spiritual energy or even severe injury.
Blood Son swung his fan sending a gust of spiritual energy aiming to halt Ling Zhenfei's assault.
"Master, don't linger in battle; take the Seven-colored Lotus Pod and leave."
Ling Zhenfei's heart stirred, confirming Blood Son's quest for the Seven-colored Lotus Pod.