Chapter 69: 66. Crimson Palace (2.0K words - Please subscribe) Song Yan’s actions did not bring much change to his life. For disciples of the Sword Sect to use Sword Sect Techniques seems a matter of course. And everyone knows that Song Yan is a spy for the Nanwu Sword Sect. His days remained "nine to five." However, Song Yan was often out of the loop, previously learning things from his "classmate" Junior Sister Wang, but now he could only get information from his own disciples. His identity was special. Besides the matter of the "shadow puppet," no one else would actively engage with him, fearing that associating too closely might bring disaster later. But Yueyang Luo and Shen Nongjia were different. Anyone with insight knew that, barring unexpected events, the two of them would likely become future pillars of the sect. Thus, they were quite popular outside. Yet the two were also different. Yueyang Luo was boisterous, often shouting "kill this one, kill that one," but he easily turned foes into friends. He frequently visited Song Yan to "ask for leave," sometimes to recruit new members, other times claiming to pick up rare finds at a certain market, or seeking fated encounters. Song Yan, worried that the seedlings sent by the Sect Leader might falter under his care, would issue "grounding orders" for anything he deemed too dangerous. Once Yueyang Luo had seen his master’s "battle mode," he became much more subdued. When Song Yan issued a grounding order, Yueyang Luo stayed obediently at the Shadow Puppet Pavilion, making leather crafts. But even so, he brought back quite a bit of news from outside for Song Yan. Shen Nongjia, no longer the youthful girl she first appeared to be, grew increasingly brooding, yet she also befriended several demonesses in the sect. Although she had information, if Song Yan didn’t ask, she wouldn’t volunteer it. But when she did speak, her information was more accurate and detailed than Yueyang Luo’s. ... One day, Young Lady Yuzhuang was beside him brewing tea and burning incense while Song Yan made shadow puppets. The two disciples suddenly began discussing the same topic. "Master, something big has happened!" "What is it?" "There’s news that the Nanwu Sword Sect wants to ally with our Puppet Sect to stand against the Fox Demon," Yueyang Luo said brightly. "Tsk tsk tsk, this way, Master might see many of his old friends again." Shen Nongjia said coldly, "Seeing the wind and making it rain, Yueyang Luo, you know a little bit and dare to boast in front of the teacher?" Song Yan said, "You tell me, Xiao Shen." Shen Nongjia said, "Teacher, it’s like this. Our Puppet Sect plans to co-host a market at Cold Pool Valley with the Nanwu Sword Sect, open to loose cultivators as well. At that time, disciples from both sects can browse the market, spending Profound Jade to purchase each other’s cultivation techniques, elixirs, and so on. It seems both sides will offer good items, not just common goods." After speaking, she paused before adding, "In my view, our Puppet Sect and the Nanwu Sword Sect have deep grudges, but now that there is an external enemy, both sides are preparing to attempt cooperation. Opening a market at Cold Pool Valley is a test." Song Yan nodded. It seems that the other day when he launched a rainbow, he was indeed seen by spies from the Nanwu Sword Sect, validating his likely identity as a spy for them. The Puppet Sect Leader taking him as a disciple was a gesture of goodwill. Once his identity was confirmed, the Nanwu Sword Sect accepted this gesture. Hence, the Cold Pool Valley Market. However... He knew something else. The reason for the "Cold Pool Valley Market" test is that there are still quite a few in the Nanwu Sword Sect who are unwilling to cooperate with the Puppet Sect because they simply cannot trust Gu Huangzi. Many strong individuals from this group have already gathered at the Fu Family, planning to assassinate Mistress Fox. If Mistress Fox dies, there’s no need to cooperate with the Puppet Sect. Besides, they seem to stand to gain quite a bit. ... ... Mid-autumn, approaching winter. The cultivators abandoned Sword Control, disguised themselves as various identities, and rode toward the Imperial Capital. The twisted one-tailed fox shadow puppet of Song Yan traveled with Su Canli and Fu Shirong. Song Yan asked, "What benefits come from killing Mistress Fox?" Su Canli said, "Frankly speaking, Mistress Fox is also a demon, and its blood can be used to break through the Crimson Palace Realm... I had previously investigated, and the blood from the line of the Multi-tailed Dragon Bo Cannibal Fox is alien blood, which can be absorbed by the Fox Demon and potentially by humans as well. If we could acquire the blood and try it, it would be great. If it succeeds, then... then..." Su Canli was excited but lacked confidence, as the chance of success in such matters was exceedingly low. Unless someone had the luck of all lucks, there might be the slightest chance of success. Song Yan curiously asked, "Can the Crimson Palace Realm be achieved just by absorbing strong demon blood?" For Su Canli, this wasn’t a secret. He directly replied, "Not exactly. Demon blood is just a primary ingredient. Many auxiliary substances are needed to remove its toxins and increase the success rate, thus making the Crimson Palace Pill, a realm-breaking elixir. But most Crimson Palace Pills are made from high-level demon beast blood similar to the ninth-tier Refining Profound, and it’s likely no one has used Multi-tailed Dragon Bo Cannibal Fox blood for a Crimson Palace Pill." Song Yan asked further, "Then... what if someone directly drank demon blood, could it succeed?" Su Canli was taken aback but then chuckled, "Brother Hua, demon blood is highly toxic. If a cultivator drinks it, it’s lethal upon contact; if you use it for direct cultivation, you’d need ten thousand lives... But if luck is on your side and you avoid the toxins while merging with its power, theoretically, there’s still a tiny hope." "The Crimson Palace Realm is all about external blood merging with one’s essence, transforming a dragon into a coiling serpent in the heart. Once done, you’ve stepped into the Crimson Palace Realm, after which you can continue absorbing more Profound Qi, transforming it into Profound Liquid, thereby making various techniques more powerful." As they spoke, dusk fell, and the three found a ruined temple nearby to stay in... Traveling further north, they reached the Wei Kingdom’s territory. For outsiders, towns may not necessarily be safer than the wild. Moreover, Fu Shirong needed to appear as if he had fled the Puppet Sect, roving outside, to gain the Wei King’s trust. After settling into the ruined temple, the three quietly discussed their plans in the Imperial Capital. This three-person team wasn’t an "assassination team," but rather resembled "scouts." Fu Shirong was responsible for locating Mistress Fox, Su Canli for relaying information, while Song Yan, skilled in Illusion Techniques, joined as needed. After all, someone who could transform into anyone would make things much easier. "Once I figure out how the current Imperial Palace operates and understand who’s involved with Mistress Fox, we’ll immediately kill Wei King, then let Brother Hua disguise as the Wei King to figure out where Mistress Fox is," Fu Shirong was already adjusting his title, getting used to his new identity. Su Canli said, "Whether this assassination succeeds hinges on the Empress. But... the Empress might also be the most dangerous." Fu Shirong said, "If we can kill this villain, dying is worth it!"