Wang Ming gazed at the floating book in front of him, a rare expression of joy flickering across his face. Slowly, he extended his hand toward it, and just like in the hidden cave of the Wang Clan, the pages of the book began to flip on their own, one after another.
At that moment, the mark of the three swords floating above him shifted, turning a deep crimson. Then, as if its purpose had been fulfilled, the book ceased its movement, lost its glow, and dropped to the ground. The red hue faded, and it resumed the appearance of an ordinary book—plain and unassuming.
Wang Ming looked at it silently, thoughts racing in his mind.
"There are two types of formations…
One like this, which has limited uses…
And others, like those in the cave of the Wang Clan, which bear no restrictions."
He narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Now that I've engraved my second formation, I could theoretically begin breaking through to the second level of the Formation Apprentice realm…
But my spiritual energy is still only at the early stage of Rank One. My will, too, is at that level.
If I simply rely on absorbing spiritual energy from stones, it would take five or six years to reach Rank Two…"
He sighed deeply.
"That's exactly why I chose this formation as my second.
It was the first creation I made in my first life—the very formation through which I first broke my limits."
His eyes darkened slightly as old memories surfaced.
"Back then, I was stuck at the pinnacle of Rank Three Formation Apprentice. With my talent, it seemed impossible to break through.
After years of searching, and with my increasing comprehension and attainments, I finally created this…
The Blood Sacrifice Array."
"It can absorb the spiritual energy of a sacrificed person and transfer it to the user.
Depending on the individual, the transferred energy can range from ten to forty percent of their total accumulation."
"That's why, in my first life, I was hunted down by every so-called righteous sect.
How could they allow such a formation to exist?"
He exhaled slowly.
"And now… I've reached the same stage once again.
My path forward depends entirely on this."
With that thought, he flicked his fingers, and the blood-colored swords of his hands reverted back to their original form, fading into nothingness.
The next morning.
Wang Ming stepped out of his room, clad in luxurious robes. Every fold, every thread radiated the dignity of his status. Behind him, his maid followed closely, dressed in neat, beautiful garments—far finer than her usual attire.
Wang Ming gave her a single glance. "Follow me," he said, then walked ahead without turning back.
The maid's heart leapt in joy. She quickly followed him, unable to hide the brightness in her eyes.
Soon, they arrived at the most luxurious marketplace in the Wang Clan territory—a special district managed by the higher-ups, reserved solely for formation apprentices and their servants.
Wang Ming led the way with his hands clasped behind his back. His maid walked slightly behind, eyes drifting from one shop to another, marveling at the dazzling array of items and rare materials.
"This must be the result of the good deeds I did in my past life…" she thought, eyes shimmering.
"I've finally gotten close to the status I once dreamed of…
My hard work has paid off…"
A smile unknowingly bloomed on her face as she strolled through the market, lost in her thoughts, oblivious to Wang Ming's every step.
But just then, Wang Ming suddenly stopped in the middle of the bustling street. The market was alive with people and open stalls, and she, still caught in her reverie, didn't notice in time.
She walked straight into him.
In that moment, her chest collided with his back—specifically, with his hand.
The world seemed to freeze.
Wang Ming turned his head slightly, his gaze icy and unreadable. The maid snapped back to reality instantly, realizing what had just happened. Her face paled.
"Young Master… this lowly servant made a mistake… I am so—"
She couldn't finish.
A qi sword materialized near Wang Ming's shoulder in an instant, moving with terrifying speed. Before she could react, her head was already falling.
Thud.
It hit the ground. Blood sprayed across the pavement.
A few women in the crowd screamed. Others stepped back in shock and fear. The vibrant market was silenced in an instant.
Wang Ming remained cold and unmoved.
"Guards," he said sharply. "Take her body back. Execute her entire clan. She was a spy… from the Chen Clan."
The guards acted without hesitation.
Turning toward the stunned crowd, Wang Ming raised his voice.
"You all saw it with your own eyes! A spy of the Chen Clan, hidden among us, daring to seduce me with her body. She deliberately collided with me—trying to ignite youthful desires and weaken my focus. This is how the Chen Clan operates… planting women in advance, activating them when the time is right!"
He let his gaze sweep across the people.
"You all are my witnesses. As a Rank Three talent, I am a primary target. This is a calculated attack. Remember this. And be wary of spies hidden around you!"
He waved his hand again. The guards quickly lifted the maid's headless corpse and disappeared into the crowd. Silence remained, but the gazes people gave him were strange,some skeptical, others fearful.
Wang Ming felt them all but didn't waver. His thoughts remained calm.
"Righteousness… is just a better-dressed excuse to be a bigger evil...
These righteous cultivators have always masked their cruelty with noble-sounding reasons.
All one needs is a reason that looks righteous. That alone is enough to carry out the worst acts."
He looked at the silent, uncertain crowd.
"Most of them don't believe me. But I am a Rank Three talent.
I gave a righteous reason. That was enough to silence them. And they can't revive my dead maid right ?? For fact check..... So since this is my one sided story with the other side dead... What could anyone do?
By evening, this story will be forgotten—suppressed by the even bigger news of my engagement to Wang Mei."
"Those who still remember… will stay quiet when they see the Seventh Elder supporting me."
His lips barely moved, yet his thoughts were sharp.
"This is how the so-called righteous path works suppress some with noble reasoning… and crush others with power and status.
Those who reject both are simply killed. And the killers will offer yet another righteous reason."
His gaze turned cold.
"This entire performance was orchestrated by the Seventh Elder.
The letter he sent me wasn't just a delivery ,it was a test. He wanted to see… how far I'd go for my cultivation."
"Not killing needlessly may look noble in a world full of devils.
But knowing when to kill… that's necessary... If one don't know it, he is foolish.."
"And since this costs me nothing… why shouldn't I play along?"