After consuming Chen Haoyu and his followers, Wei Liang found himself approached by the injured scholar he had initially protected. The middle-aged man's cultivation was indeed modest, but his eyes held the sharp intelligence of someone who had witnessed something far beyond normal understanding.
"Senior," the scholar said, offering a respectful bow despite his injuries. "This humble person is called Zhang Wuji, traveling researcher of ancient texts and forgotten histories. I am deeply grateful for your intervention, but I suspect there are matters we should discuss privately."
Wei Liang studied the man with enhanced senses, detecting no deception in his words or hostile intent in his aura. More intriguingly, Zhang Wuji carried several spatial storage devices that contained extensive libraries of rare texts and research materials.
A potential information source, Wei Liang realized. His reaction suggests he recognized something significant about my abilities.
"Scholar Zhang speaks wisely," Wei Liang replied, his tone returning to the polite merchant facade. "Perhaps we could continue our conversation somewhere less... public?"
Zhang Wuji nodded eagerly and led Wei Liang to a small tea house in the city's academic quarter. The establishment catered to researchers and scholars, its private booths warded with sound-dampening formations that would prevent eavesdropping.
Once they were seated with fresh tea between them, Zhang Wuji leaned forward conspiratorially. "Senior's techniques were remarkable," he began carefully. "The absorption of bloodline power, the conversion of hostile qi into personal enhancement—such abilities echo certain passages in my research materials."
"Oh?" Wei Liang prompted, genuinely curious about what the scholar might have discovered.
Zhang Wuji produced a collection of ancient texts from his spatial ring, their pages yellow with age and covered in archaic script. "I specialize in pre-imperial cultivation theory," he explained. "Most scholars dismiss such work as mythology, but recent events suggest otherwise."
He opened one particular text to a page depicting a figure surrounded by swirling blood. "This manual describes something called the 'Hundred Demonic Bodies'—ancient constitutional frameworks that supposedly allowed cultivators to transcend normal limitations through systematic consumption of power."
Wei Liang's interest sharpened, though he maintained his external composure. Zhang Wuji's research might provide additional insight into the ranking system he had discovered in Fairy Mei Lin's scroll.
"Fascinating theories," Wei Liang said neutrally. "What conclusions has Scholar Zhang drawn from such materials?"
"That the current cultivation world has forgotten its true history," Zhang Wuji replied earnestly. "These texts suggest that modern techniques are mere shadows of ancient methods. The original practitioners achieved power levels that would be considered divine by today's standards."
Zhang Wuji continued explaining his research, describing fragments of information about the Hundred Heavenly and Hundred Demonic Bodies. His knowledge was incomplete but contained details that complemented Wei Liang's own discoveries.
"Most intriguingly," Zhang Wuji said, lowering his voice further, "I believe some individuals in the current era possess fragments of these ancient bloodlines or systematic advantages that echo the old methods. The mysterious rapid advancement of certain Chosen Ones, for example."
Lin Feng again, Wei Liang noted. Even independent researchers are beginning to notice systematic anomalies. I'll need to accelerate my timeline for consuming him.
"Scholar Zhang's theories are certainly creative," Wei Liang said. "But what does this have to do with our current situation?"
Zhang Wuji's expression became earnest. "Senior's abilities match descriptions from the demonic body texts perfectly. I believe you are pursuing one of the ancient paths, whether consciously or through inherited techniques. If so, I may be able to provide assistance."
Bold of him to make such direct suggestions, Wei Liang thought. Either very perceptive or very foolish. Possibly both.
"And what form would such assistance take?" Wei Liang asked.
Zhang Wuji produced another collection of texts, these ones focusing on resource locations and historical sites. "My research has identified dozens of locations throughout the Crimson Void Realm where ancient practitioners conducted their experiments. Many contain preserved resources or technique fragments that would be invaluable for... specialized cultivation methods."
He spread out detailed maps showing various regions, each marked with careful annotations. "The Sword Saint Region contains vaults from practitioners who pursued weapon-based demonic bodies. The Demon Beast Territories hold the remains of cultivators who achieved fusion with primordial monsters. The Forbidden Zone in the realm's center supposedly contains the laboratory of someone who achieved a very high-ranking demonic body before vanishing mysteriously."
Excellent intelligence, Wei Liang realized. This scholar's obsessive research could save me years of independent exploration.
"Scholar Zhang's research is impressive," Wei Liang acknowledged. "But what would you require in exchange for such information?"
Zhang Wuji's answer was immediate and passionate. "Partnership in uncovering the truth! I have spent decades collecting fragments of ancient knowledge, but I lack the power to explore the most dangerous sites personally. If Senior is indeed pursuing the demonic body path, then you possess exactly the abilities needed to access these locations."
A researcher who dreams of field work, Wei Liang mused. His motivations are predictable, which makes him potentially useful. But also dangerous if he becomes too knowledgeable.
"Scholar Zhang's proposal has merit," Wei Liang said after a moment of consideration. "However, such expeditions would be extremely dangerous. Many of these sites are restricted or guarded for good reasons."
"I understand the risks," Zhang Wuji replied firmly. "But the potential discoveries would revolutionize our understanding of cultivation itself! Think of the knowledge we could uncover, the techniques we could restore!"
Wei Liang made his decision. Zhang Wuji would indeed be useful for locating ancient sites and interpreting discovered materials. His scholarly reputation would also provide excellent cover for traveling to restricted areas. Most importantly, when his usefulness ended, his extensive knowledge would make him a valuable target for consumption.
Another tool to add to my collection, Wei Liang concluded. As long as I maintain control of the partnership, his expertise will serve my goals perfectly.
"Very well," Wei Liang said, extending his hand to seal the agreement. "Scholar Zhang and I shall explore these ancient mysteries together. I'm sure we'll both find the experience... enlightening."
As they shook hands, Wei Liang began planning their first expedition. The Sword Saint Region would provide an excellent starting point—its reputation for blade techniques would attract minimal suspicion, while its ancient vaults might contain resources relevant to demonic body cultivation.
Let the scholarly facade continue, he thought. Zhang Wuji will lead me to treasures beyond imagination, and when I no longer need his expertise, his accumulated knowledge will make a fitting addition to my own abilities.