"Of course magic artifacts can be used. But I've already looked into it—those who enter are divided into teams by sect. Each sect sends its most formidable Qi Refining cultivators. The enemies are fierce, but our Palace naturally has those who can match them." Kael hadn't drunk much, but his eyes were red. "In two years, I'll be thirty, and I still might not crack the top fifty. My aptitude is poor—I can't wait for another competition. No matter how dangerous the Bloody Battlefield, I have to risk it."

  Kael's eyes glistened as he spoke of the Bloody Battlefield.

  Leo fell silent. Foundation Establishment Pills were now scarce. Even Foundation Establishment masters couldn't obtain them directly. Their kin would surely enter the Bloody Battlefield.

  In the Black Water Stockade Mine, he had witnessed the Black Flood Dragon Shears' power. Despite his growth, he still couldn't face them head-on. Kael, with his poor aptitude, had no choice but to risk the Bloody Battlefield. Leo was no different.

  But facing magic artifacts in the Bloody Battlefield made his scalp tingle. Having his life in others' hands was unbearable.

  Trusting the Palace disciples who wielded magic artifacts? Impossible. At critical moments, they would discard ordinary cultivators without hesitation. He had seen it countless times in the Moonwatch Mountains.

  The only way to avoid being discarded was to have his own magic artifact. Leo pondered. Magic artifacts weren't easily obtained. Even the Palace's marketplace rarely saw one. He had spirit stones, but magic artifacts weren't always for sale. Commissioning one had risks—if Mist learned of it, death would follow.

  But Hann had mentioned forging the Blood-Melting Gourd for Mist. Leo's eyes narrowed. Perhaps the key lay with Hann.

  Three days later, Leo gathered the main material for forging the Demon Binding Rope—Bloodvine seeds. Aboard a massive spirit eagle, Hann felt no chill from the cold wind. Instead, exhilaration coursed through him. If not for fear of falling, he would have raised his arms and shouted. He never thought he'd leave the Black Water Stockade Mine, yet here he was, breathing free air.

  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

  Leo sat with eyes half-closed, letting Hann guide the eagle. Three days ago, through Kael's connections, he had registered for the Bloody Battlefield at Azure Lotus Peak. Then he had rushed back to the mine. The irony wasn't lost on him—the fat overseer who had publicly refused him now approached him privately and facilitated everything.

  Of course, it cost nearly two hundred spirit stones. A hypocrite. But through him, Leo had spent another twenty stones to investigate Hann's exile. The records showed he had been unjustly struck from the Palace rolls on false charges.

  Hann didn't know Leo had investigated him.

  "Master Leo, below is the village where I once lived. I have a daughter who never cultivated. It's been over twenty years. I'd like to see her. Also, we're two days from the treasured site—the eagle needs rest." Seeing Leo's slight frown, Hann quickly added, "With enough ice silk and the Bloodvine you've gathered, using the site's blood spirit ground fire, I can forge the Demon Binding Rope in three months. I stake my life on it—I won't delay you."

  "See that you don't." Leo's displeasure faded as he nodded.

  Relieved, Hann guided the eagle lower. Below lay mortal lands—rolling hills dotted with locust trees. Dozens of thatched cottages lined a small stream. Neat rice paddies stretched between. But from dozens of meters up, they caught a coppery scent.

  Several figures carrying bundles fled in panic through the fields.

  "What... what happened?" Hann's voice trembled. He leaped from the eagle while still ten meters up—nothing for a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator.

  "Stop!" Hann blocked the fleeing peasants. "What happened ahead?"

  "Y-you're an immortal?" An elderly man among them saw Hann descend from the sky on the spirit eagle. He and the others fell to their knees.

  "Please, immortal, seek justice for us! Our Locust Tree Village—two hundred and eight souls. Besides us five, the women were taken by bandits, the men slaughtered." The old man and the other survivors wailed, overcome with grief.

  "Bandits? Where?" Hann grabbed the old man, eyes blazing.

  "N-northeast, about thirty miles, there's Ox Head Mountain. The bandits take their loot and women there." The old man stammered, terrified by Hann's fury.

  "Oriole! Father's coming!" Hann roared, drew his spirit sword, and shot northeast like the wind.

  "Damned bandits." Leo's eyes hardened. He had killed without mercy in life-or-death battles, but slaughtering innocents revolted him. Since fate had brought him here, he wouldn't mind eliminating these vermin. Hann alone could handle mortal bandits.

  Perhaps there are still more survivors remained in the village. Leo guided the eagle lower. The coppery scent grew stronger.

  One cut, fatal. Leo examined dozens of corpses—all had their throats slit. Blood stained the earth. Bodies cold, dead for hours. The victims' frozen expressions showed surprise, shock. Leo frowned. The killers were efficient. Rage and cold resolve warred within him.

  "Not good!" Realization struck. He summoned the eagle and raced after Hann.