Chapter 24: The Blood Demon Ritual
Time flowed like water, months vanished like smoke.
In the blink of an eye, half a year had passed.
During these six months, Luo Ling's life in Spirit Hall was fulfilling beyond measure.
Each day, he was either studying in the grand library or cultivating within Spirit Hall's inner training grounds.
Compared to ordinary simulation arenas, Spirit Hall's secret domain was far superior.
His spirit power level had already reached seventeen.
In his free time, he sparred with Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan—though they had adamantly banned him from using the Threads of the Soul during practice.
That particular demand came from Xie Yue and Yan themselves, who flatly refused to fight otherwise.
Through these countless mock battles, Luo Ling's combat instincts and control had sharpened dramatically.
…
In the library once again, Luo Ling had arrived early as usual. His comprehension of martial souls was improving at terrifying speed.
By now, he could say with certainty—Yu Xiaogang's so-called theories were practically plagiarized from Spirit Hall's research archives.
He had found multiple texts identical to sections of the "Ten Core Theories," word for word with no changes.
Now, spotting yet another document that matched Yu Xiaogang's published theories exactly, Luo Ling scoffed in disdain.
Setting the book aside, he wandered deeper into the library.
As he walked, something on the bottom shelf caught his eye—a thick, dust-covered volume bound entirely in crimson leather.
Bending down curiously, Luo Ling carefully pulled it free.
He brushed the dust from its surface. On the blood-red cover, four ominous words were engraved in twisted script:
Blood Demon Ritual.
His brow furrowed.
This feels just like those cliche moments from web novels in my past life…
"Discovering some forbidden tome in an ancient library…"
He chuckled softly. But considering he'd literally been reincarnated into one such tale, nothing could really surprise him anymore.
Still smiling faintly, he cracked the book open.
Time slipped by as his expression shifted from amusement to grim seriousness.
Ten minutes later, he closed it, crimson eyes narrowing.
This Blood Demon Ritual indeed lived up to its name—it detailed a forbidden ceremony of devouring flesh and blood to convert it into pure soul energy, enhancing one's spirit power.
It even claimed to be capable of evolving a martial soul itself.
"No matter the world," Luo Ling muttered, "there will always be those seeking shortcuts."
He smirked, then slipped the forbidden text carefully into his storage device.
It wasn't meant for his own use—he wasn't foolish enough for that.
He could already tell such power would come with dire consequences. The method might offer great strength, but it would surely corrupt body and soul alike.
No, this book was for Yu Xiaogang.
"I've been wondering how to utterly ruin you…" he murmured darkly.
"Now, I'll make those rumors of dark cultivation into reality."
Turning with a cold smile, Luo Ling left the library quietly.
…
Pope's Hall, Council Chamber.
As usual, Bibi Dong sat reviewing endless Spirit Hall affairs.
Suddenly, footsteps echoed.
Chrysanthemum Douluo entered, a thick stack of documents in hand.
"Your Holiness," he said, bowing, "I've collected everything you requested."
He approached and presented the files solemnly.
Bibi Dong looked up, a rare trace of tension flickering in her elegant eyes.
She accepted the papers carefully, opening them with trembling fingers.
The grand chamber fell silent except for the soft rustling of pages.
Swish… swish…
After a long while, Chrysanthemum Douluo lifted his gaze cautiously.
Bibi Dong's face was unreadable, her head bowed low as she continued reading.
He shivered inadvertently—after all, he knew precisely what those records contained.
They detailed Yu Xiaogang's entire history across the past decades.
His creation of the Tri-Spirit Fusion Technique, his fame as part of the "Golden Iron Triangle," and then—his marriage to a female soul master.
Only to discover she was his cousin.
At the wedding, he had fled, leaving her abandoned and humiliated.
When Chrysanthemum Douluo first uncovered that information, any lingering respect for Yu Xiaogang vanished.
Once, out of respect for Bibi Dong's past, he'd held some regard for the so-called Grandmaster who proposed the Ten Core Theories. But now?
Now he saw Yu Xiaogang for what he was—a cowardly, selfish hypocrite. A man who chased fame yet ran from every responsibility.
"Yu Xiaogang… how fitting," Bibi Dong said suddenly. Her tone remained calm, but her empty expression was a storm waiting to break.
"He left Spirit City and found someone new so quickly. Truly… fickle."
She flipped another page. "He even abandoned that woman and ran off alone. Such impressive consistency."
Each word dripped with growing disgust.
How had she ever fallen for such a man?
He'd abandoned her when she needed him most, then done the same to another innocent woman.
Everything he cared for was himself—his theories, his reputation, his ambition.
The moment something lost value, he discarded it.
How could I have been so blind?
Her anger boiled over. Then, unbidden, Luo Ling's voice echoed in her memory—his words, once skeptical of Yu Xiaogang, now painfully clear.
And finally, Bibi Dong understood.
She glanced at one of the attached pages—a portrait of the woman named Liu Erlong.
Bitterness stirred in her chest.
Same love betrayed, same wounds reopened. There was pity there… and a faint sense of kinship.
"Twenty years… and I was the fool all along," she murmured bitterly, smiling to herself in quiet self-mockery.
"Your Holiness?" Chrysanthemum Douluo ventured hesitantly. Something in her tone unsettled him.
"What is it, Elder Ju?" she asked calmly, tossing the file aside as though discarding trash.
"You… are you all right?"
Bibi Dong laughed softly—a laugh both weary and mesmerizingly beautiful.
When had anyone last heard the Pope laugh sincerely?
For a moment, Chrysanthemum Douluo was stunned.
And he recognized—this wasn't forced. It was genuine.
"Elder Ju," she said quietly.
He bowed instantly. "Yes, Your Holiness."
"From now on, stop investigating Yu Xiaogang. And do not ever mention his name to me again."
Her voice flattened, radiating finality.
"I don't ever want to hear of that useless man again."
"Yes, Your Holiness," Chrysanthemum Douluo responded quickly.
Just then, footsteps echoed from outside the hall.
Luo Ling entered, slightly puzzled, having heard her last words.
"Teacher, did something happen?" he asked gently.
"Luo Ling?" Bibi Dong looked up. Without hesitation, she handed him the file.
Over the past months, she had grown deeply fond of this disciple. She taught him personally, even more dotingly than she treated Hu Liena.
Luo Ling accepted the folder without pretense, flipping through its pages.
As he read, his expression darkened.
At last, he slammed it shut, fury flashing in his red eyes.
"This Yu Xiaogang," he spat, "is utterly despicable."
(END CHAPTER)
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