The post-duel gathering took place in the Heavenly Dao Sect's guest pavilion, where various dignitaries could mingle and discuss what they had witnessed. Wei Liang mingled with the crowd, his unremarkable appearance allowing him to eavesdrop on numerous conversations about Lin Feng's performance.
"His technique analysis was inhuman," one elder was saying to his companion. "No Core Formation cultivator should possess that level of tactical awareness."
"Perhaps he has a powerful master providing guidance," another suggested. "Hidden experts are not uncommon in our realm."
Wei Liang smiled coldly. If only they knew how close to the truth that second guess was. But unlike his own experience with the Architect, Lin Feng's systematic assistance appeared to be genuinely beneficial rather than manipulative.
His attention was drawn to a heated conversation taking place near the pavilion's center. Wang Lei, the Thunder Fist, was confronting Lin Feng directly, his voice carrying clearly across the space.
"Your victory today was impressive," Wang Lei declared, his muscular frame radiating barely contained aggression. "But sword techniques are not the only path to power. I challenge you to a contest of pure martial prowess—no weapons, no qi techniques, just physical strength and combat skill."
Lin Feng's response was diplomatically neutral. "Brother Wang's reputation precedes him. However, I have no desire to engage in unnecessary conflicts. Surely we can appreciate each other's strengths without—"
"Are you refusing my challenge?" Wang Lei interrupted, his voice rising. "The Thunder Fist Sect does not accept cowardice disguised as diplomacy!"
The surrounding conversations died as attention focused on the confrontation. Wei Liang observed the dynamics with predatory interest. Wang Lei's aggressive behavior was creating exactly the kind of public spectacle that would provide cover for more subtle operations.
Fairy Mei Lin materialized beside Lin Feng with fluid grace, her presence dropping the local temperature by several degrees. "Brother Wang seems eager to display his strength," she said, her voice carrying subtle mockery. "Perhaps he should find opponents more suited to his... direct approach."
Wang Lei's face flushed with anger at the implied insult. "Fairy Mei Lin thinks herself above such concerns? Your ice techniques are impressive, but they cannot match pure physical power!"
Perfect, Wei Liang thought as the tension escalated. Multiple egos clashing in public. The chaos will provide excellent hunting opportunities.
He began circulating closer to the confrontation, his blood-avatar form subtly preparing for combat while maintaining perfectly innocent appearances. His target selection process was already underway—Wang Lei's physical cultivation would complement his existing abilities nicely, while Fairy Mei Lin's ice techniques could prove useful for preservation and stealth applications.
The situation was defused by the arrival of Sect Master Yun, whose mere presence caused all the young cultivators to step back respectfully. The elderly man's cultivation was clearly at the Saint level, far beyond anything present in the crowd.
"Young friends," Sect Master Yun said with gentle authority, "passion for cultivation is admirable, but wisdom lies in choosing appropriate times and places for competition. Perhaps such discussions would be better served in private settings?"
The dismissal was polite but absolute. Wang Lei and Fairy Mei Lin both offered respectful bows before withdrawing, though their antagonistic glares suggested the matter was far from resolved. Lin Feng used the opportunity to slip away from the crowd, heading toward the sect's guest quarters.
Interesting, Wei Liang observed. The Chosen One avoids conflict when possible, but his very presence creates tension among other prodigies. Classic protagonist behavior.
As the gathering began to break up, Wei Liang followed Wang Lei's group at a discrete distance. The Thunder Fist's entourage consisted of three junior disciples and an elder-level supervisor, but they were heading toward temporary lodgings in the city rather than remaining at the sect compound.
Isolated targets with predictable routes, Wei Liang thought, his hunting instincts fully engaged. Perfect for a nighttime harvest.
He shadowed them through Heavenly Cloud City's evening crowds, noting their chosen inn and observing their security arrangements. Wang Lei's arrogance extended to his safety precautions—minimal guards, obvious routines, and overconfidence in his personal combat abilities.
Thunder Fist techniques focus on overwhelming offense, Wei Liang recalled from Chen Haotian's memories. Impressive against conventional opponents, but vulnerable to unconventional approaches.
As night fell over the city, Wei Liang began his preparations. Wang Lei would be his first target in this region, followed by careful stalking of other prospects. The duel had revealed numerous potential meals, and he intended to sample them all before moving on to his ultimate goal.
Soon, Lin Feng, he thought, watching the Heavenly Dao Sect's lights in the distance. Soon I'll discover what makes a Chosen One so special. But first, let me clear away the smaller fish.
The blood-soaked path to absolute power was about to claim new victims.
Wei Liang waited until the deepest hours of night before beginning his hunt. Wang Lei's inn—the Celestial Thunder Pavilion—catered to body cultivators and martial artists, its robust construction designed to withstand the occasional training accident. The irony was not lost on Wei Liang that such sturdy walls would also contain the sounds of Wang Lei's final moments.
The Thunder Fist had taken the pavilion's premium suite, a spacious chamber on the top floor with formations designed to enhance lightning-based cultivation. Wei Liang could sense Wang Lei's qi signature through the walls as the young master practiced his techniques, each punch creating miniature thunder claps that echoed through the building.
Arrogant to the end, Wei Liang observed, his blood-avatar form dissolving into microscopic droplets that seeped through the building's ventilation systems. Training alone at this hour, with only minimal security. He makes this almost too easy.
Wang Lei was indeed alone, his massive frame moving through complex martial forms in the chamber's center. His muscles rippled with condensed lightning as he practiced the Thunder Fist Sect's signature techniques, each movement capable of shattering stone. Sweat gleamed on his skin as he pushed his body to its limits, clearly frustrated by the day's events.
"Lin Feng," he muttered between combinations, his fists trailing electric arcs. "Lucky bastard with his fancy sword tricks. Let's see how he handles pure power next time."
Wei Liang reformed behind the young master, his blood coalescing into solid form with predatory silence. The Heavenly Demon Blood Spear materialized in his grip, its crimson blade seeking the gap between Wang Lei's shoulder blades with surgical precision.
But Wang Lei's body cultivation included enhanced spatial awareness. He spun at the last instant, his lightning-wreathed fist meeting Wei Liang's spear thrust in a collision that shook the entire building.
"Assassin!" Wang Lei roared, his voice enhanced by thunder qi. "You dare attack Wang Lei in his own chambers?"
Wei Liang said nothing, pressing his attack with fluid efficiency. His spear work was precise and deadly, each thrust targeting vital points while avoiding Wang Lei's devastating counter-attacks. The Thunder Fist's techniques were indeed impressive—his punches created localized lightning storms that could have reduced most cultivators to ash.
Unfortunately for Wang Lei, Wei Liang was not most cultivators.
Iron Blood Manual—Eighth Form: Lightning Absorption Conversion!
Instead of dodging the electrical attacks, Wei Liang's blood-avatar form opened channels that drew the lightning directly into his meridian network. Wang Lei's thunder qi was absorbed and converted into nourishment, each powerful strike making his opponent stronger rather than weaker.
"Impossible!" Wang Lei gasped, watching his ultimate techniques being consumed like snacks. "Lightning is the pure expression of heavenly power! Nothing can absorb it directly!"
"Your understanding is limited," Wei Liang replied, his spear finding its mark despite Wang Lei's frantic defenses. "I have consumed divine essences and survived cosmic judgment. Your thunder is merely seasoning for the meal."
Conceptual Consumption—Thunder Aspect Integration!
The spear's blade became wreathed in absorbed lightning as Wei Liang turned Wang Lei's own power against him. Each cut now carried electrical damage enhanced by the victim's own techniques, creating feedback loops that disrupted his cultivation base from within.
Wang Lei's body, enhanced by years of thunder tempering, began to convulse as his own absorbed qi turned against him. His muscles, strengthened by countless lightning strikes, now conducted Wei Liang's blood-enhanced attacks directly to his vital organs.
"Who... are... you?" Wang Lei managed between spasms, his massive frame collapsing as his cultivation base destabilized.
"I am Death," Wei Liang answered, his consumption techniques beginning their work. "And you are tonight's entertainment."
Wang Lei's cultivation base—years of accumulated thunder essence and physical enhancement—flowed into Wei Liang's blood like a torrent of liquid power. The Thunder Fist techniques, the lightning resistance training, the enhanced physical capabilities—all of it became part of Wei Liang's ever-growing arsenal.
Through Wang Lei's fading consciousness, Wei Liang absorbed valuable intelligence about the Thunder Fist Sect's techniques and politics. More importantly, he learned about several other promising targets in the region, including a hidden treasure vault that Wang Lei had been planning to raid.
Excellent, Wei Liang thought as Wang Lei's body crumbled to dust. Not only power gained, but information that will lead to more opportunities.
The spatial ring Wang Lei had worn contained a respectable fortune in pills and weapons, but more importantly, it held detailed maps of several secret locations throughout the Heavenly Dao Region. Hidden cultivation sites, ancient ruins, monster lairs where powerful beasts could be hunted—all marked with careful notes about access routes and security measures.
Wei Liang absorbed the contents and prepared to leave the inn. Wang Lei's disappearance would be discovered eventually, but by then he would be far away, already hunting his next target.
As he dissolved back into blood mist, Wei Liang reflected on the evening's success. Each consumed cultivator not only increased his power but also provided intelligence for future hunts. The interconnected nature of the cultivation world meant that every victim led to multiple new opportunities.
Efficient, he concluded, flowing through the building's ventilation system toward the street. This realm's social structures are perfectly designed for systematic harvesting. I should be able to consume dozens of prospects before anyone realizes what's happening.
Outside, Heavenly Cloud City slumbered peacefully, unaware that one of its most prominent visitors had just vanished into the night. Wei Liang dissolved into the shadows, already planning his next hunt.
The Thunder Fist Sect would eventually discover their heir's fate, but by then, Wei Liang intended to have consumed half the region's young masters. Let them try to track a predator who could exist as living blood, who left no trace except empty rooms and scattered ash.
Soon, Lin Feng, he thought, his consciousness already turning toward the Heavenly Dao Sect compound. Soon I'll discover what systematic advantages taste like when properly consumed.