Three days after discovering the ancient scroll, Wei Liang had established himself in the Merchant Quarter's most prestigious establishment—the Golden Serpent Restaurant. The venue catered to wealthy cultivators and served as an informal meeting place for various factions conducting business in Heavenly Cloud City.
Wei Liang occupied a private booth on the second floor, his appearance carefully modified to suggest a traveling merchant with modest cultivation but significant wealth. His enhanced senses monitored dozens of conversations simultaneously while he consumed the restaurant's specialty dishes, noting which topics might lead to valuable hunting opportunities.
"The Skyward Sword Sect's delegation arrived this morning," one merchant was telling his companion at a nearby table. "Young Master Liu Xian is said to possess the legendary Nine Heavens Sword Intent. His cultivation has reached Soul Transformation realm despite being barely twenty-five years old."
Another prodigy, Wei Liang noted with interest. Sword intent users often possess concentrated power that makes for particularly satisfying consumption.
His attention was drawn to a commotion developing at the restaurant's entrance. A group of lavishly dressed young cultivators had arrived, their spiritual pressure causing ordinary patrons to instinctively withdraw. Leading them was a youth whose arrogant bearing and expensive robes marked him as nobility from one of the major sects.
"Clear the main dining hall," the young man commanded imperiously. "Young Master Chen requires privacy for his meal, and the presence of lesser cultivators disrupts his digestion."
The restaurant manager, a nervous Foundation Establishment cultivator, bowed repeatedly while trying to explain that other guests had prior reservations. His protests were ignored as the young master's followers began physically ejecting patrons from their tables.
Classic young master behavior, Wei Liang observed with predatory amusement. Arrogant, entitled, and convinced of their own invincibility. Such individuals make excellent targets.
The situation escalated when one of the ejected patrons—a middle-aged scholar—attempted to protest the treatment. "Young Master Chen, surely even nobility should show basic courtesy to fellow diners? This establishment's reputation—"
His words were cut off as one of Chen's followers struck him with a qi-enhanced backhand, sending the scholar crashing through a decorative screen. The man's scholarly robes were torn and bloody, but he was clearly only at Qi Condensation realm and posed no threat to anyone present.
"Insects should know their place," Young Master Chen declared, his Core Formation aura pressing down on the injured scholar. "Perhaps a lesson in proper respect is needed."
Wei Liang's interest sharpened as he recognized an opportunity. Young Master Chen was displaying exactly the kind of public arrogance that would make his eventual disappearance seem like natural consequences rather than targeted assassination. Better yet, intervening to protect the scholar would establish a heroic reputation that could be useful for future deceptions.
He rose from his booth and descended to the main floor, his movements casual but purposeful. "Young Master Chen," he said politely, his voice carrying just enough spiritual pressure to command attention. "Perhaps the scholar has learned sufficient respect already? Continuing the lesson might damage the Golden Serpent's elegant atmosphere."
Chen turned toward Wei Liang with obvious irritation, his cultivation senses probing for power levels. What he detected was carefully crafted deception—Wei Liang appeared to be late-stage Foundation Establishment with particularly pure qi, suggesting noble bloodline but no immediate threat.
"Another insect presuming to lecture his betters," Chen sneered. "Since you're so concerned with the scholar's education, perhaps you'd prefer to receive the lesson personally?"
Wei Liang's response was a slight smile that never reached his eyes. "Young Master Chen's magnanimity is legendary. Surely one as accomplished as yourself wouldn't need to personally handle such trivial matters?"
The flattery was deliberately ambiguous—praise that could be interpreted as either genuine respect or subtle mockery. Chen's followers tensed as they recognized the implicit challenge, while other patrons began withdrawing to safer distances.
"Careful with your words, stranger," one of Chen's supporters warned. "You address Chen Haoyu, heir to the Celestial Phoenix Sect and inheritor of the Divine Flame Phoenix bloodline. Show proper respect or face the consequences."
Divine Flame Phoenix bloodline, Wei Liang noted with genuine interest. Another useful addition to my collection. This encounter becomes more profitable by the moment.
Chen Haoyu stepped forward, his cultivation base fully revealing itself as peak Core Formation with hints of breakthrough to Soul Transformation. Phoenix flames began dancing around his fingertips as his bloodline abilities activated, creating waves of heat that caused nearby wooden furniture to smolder.
"Since you insist on involving yourself," Chen declared, "let me demonstrate why the Celestial Phoenix Sect's heirs are feared throughout this region. Perhaps you'll survive long enough to develop proper humility."
Wei Liang's response was to remain perfectly still, his expression mildly curious rather than concerned. "Young Master Chen's flames are indeed impressive. However, I was hoping to finish my meal before any demonstrations began. Would it be possible to postpone this educational display?"
The casual dismissal of his threat sent Chen into a fury. "Insolent dog! Receive judgment from the Divine Phoenix Flames!"
Phoenix Fire Technique—Burning Heaven Strike!
Chen's attack filled the restaurant's main hall with divine flames hot enough to melt spiritual metals. The technique was genuinely powerful, backed by both his cultivation base and his legendary bloodline. Under normal circumstances, it would have reduced any Foundation Establishment cultivator to ash within seconds.
Wei Liang stood motionless in the center of the flame storm, his robes not even singed by the intense heat. When the attack subsided, he brushed imaginary dust from his sleeves and smiled politely at the shocked young master.
"Magnificent technique," he commented conversationally. "The Phoenix bloodline's reputation is well deserved. However, I believe my meal is getting cold."
The restaurant had fallen into stunned silence. Chen Haoyu's Divine Phoenix Flames were known to be capable of injuring Soul Transformation cultivators, yet this apparently ordinary merchant had absorbed them without visible effect.
"Impossible," Chen whispered, his face pale with shock. "My bloodline is pure! My flames burn with divine authority! How did you—"
"Simple," Wei Liang replied, his blood beginning to stir with anticipation. "Your flames are indeed divine. Unfortunately for you, I have consumed gods."
Iron Blood Manual—Ninth Form: Divine Essence Absorption!
Wei Liang's blood-avatar abilities activated without any visible sign, his cellular structure opening channels that drew Chen's phoenix flames directly into his meridian network. The divine fire was absorbed and converted into nourishment, each powerful technique making Wei Liang stronger rather than harming him.
Chen launched attack after attack, each one more desperate than the last. His Phoenix bloodline techniques were truly impressive—flame constructs that took the shape of divine birds, heat waves that could melt dimensional barriers, concentrated fire that burned spiritual essence itself.
All of it was consumed by Wei Liang's blood like water absorbed by desert sand.
"Who are you?" Chen demanded, his cultivation base beginning to destabilize as his bloodline power was systematically drained. "What manner of demon possesses such abilities?"
Wei Liang's smile became genuinely predatory. "I am Death," he answered simply. "And you are tonight's appetizer."
Conceptual Consumption—Phoenix Bloodline Integration!
The Heavenly Demon Blood Spear materialized in Wei Liang's grip, its crimson blade now wreathed with absorbed phoenix flames. Chen Haoyu's Divine Flame Phoenix bloodline—centuries of accumulated genetic enhancement and spiritual evolution—began flowing into Wei Liang's cultivation base like a river of liquid power.
The restaurant's other patrons fled in terror as they finally understood what they were witnessing. This was not a normal cultivation battle but something far more fundamental—a predator consuming its prey in the most literal sense possible.
Chen's followers attempted to intervene, but their Soul Formation cultivation proved inadequate against an opponent who could absorb and redirect their attacks. One by one, they fell to blood-spears enhanced with their own techniques, their cultivation bases joining their young master's in Wei Liang's ever-growing collection.
Through Chen Haoyu's fading consciousness, Wei Liang absorbed valuable intelligence about the Celestial Phoenix Sect's operations and treasure vaults. More importantly, he learned about several other young masters with legendary bloodlines who would make excellent targets for future hunting expeditions.
Efficient, Wei Liang thought as the last of his victims crumbled to ash. Public confrontations provide excellent cover for selective harvesting. The terrified witnesses will spread word of my power, making future negotiations more... productive.