In terms of noble titles and status, Xie Xuan is merely the head of the Northern Land Inspection and Supervision Department, with an official position equivalent to a junior second grade, without any noble title, just from a bureaucratic family and not considered nobility. He is absolutely not qualified to establish a marital alliance with Prince Pingbian’s Mansion.
But now, Prince Pingbian’s ambition is vast, and he has already torn his face with the court, so practicality is of utmost importance to him. Not to mention the fifty thousand elite of the Northern Land’s Inspection and Supervision Department, even the five thousand martial artists who mastered Qi Blood right before him are a formidable support for him.
Even if all factors are set aside, if Xie Xuan, who has verified the Yang God, could join Prince Pingbian’s Mansion, it would definitely be a tremendous boost, providing a Sea Calming Force to the Northern Land.
Therefore, for Prince Pingbian’s Mansion, Xie Xuan is someone they absolutely must win over at all costs.
However, Xie Xuan is as slippery as a snake, never giving Prince Pingbian’s Mansion a chance to form a friendship. After much contemplation, Prince Pingbian could only scheme on Xie Lingyun. If they could take advantage of Xie Lingyun, and since Xie Xuan has no offspring other than this daughter, wouldn’t he have no choice but to join later?
Faced with the eager Prince Pingbian, Xie Lingyun only smiled calmly and said, "Your Highness must be joking." And then she said no more.
Xie Lingyun secretly mocked in her heart: "You old lamp, daring to devour all Creation in the Northern Land. Just wait and see how the court deals with you! The Tree of Life Coffin incident already infuriated the court greatly, and now, with the mysterious substance appearing in large quantities in the Northern Land, it’s unlikely the court will let you off. It’s only because Heaven and Earth’s Laws are tumultuous now that news isn’t getting out, otherwise, the court’s Twelfth Tier Mystery would have long since come knocking."
As Xie Lingyun inwardly mocked, the atmosphere gradually became stagnant, and everyone’s gaze fell on the Great Snake, pondering what they might seize from it later.
Time flew by, and three days passed; the Ba Snake had already shrunk to a length of fifty meters and a height of fifty meters.
At this point, Zhang Chen’s Bloodsucking Technique had finally accumulated two hundred billion experience points, reaching the upgrade checkpoint:
[Skill 3 (Fifth Tier): Body Transformation Blood Light (20000000000/20000000000)]
[Status: Upgradable.]
[Do you wish to upgrade?]
"Fifth Tier, at last! How wonderful! Many thanks to the Ba Snake; otherwise, how could I have gathered two hundred billion upgrade points? Even if I worked myself to death, I couldn’t possibly have achieved this. This is still only from absorbing a small portion of the Ba Snake’s blood; if I absorbed all of it, I can’t imagine what kind of incredible evolution would occur. It’s a pity that the Mysterious Power in the Ba Snake’s body dissipated into Heaven and Earth; such a waste of good stuff. If all the Essence, Qi, and Spirit were for my use, I’d probably max out my level." Zhang Chen secretly mused to himself, vaguely filled with anticipation:
"I just wonder what skill I’ll receive."
Zhang Chen was filled with anticipation about acquiring skills, as his Blood Control Skill had never once disappointed him.
"Upgrade!"
Zhang Chen inwardly declared.
[Skill Upgrade Complete]
[Skill 3 (Sixth Tier): Blood Influence (0/200000000000)]
[Note 1: Can influence the flow of blood within the opponent’s body, causing the opponent’s blood to stop flowing or reverse.]
[Note 2: The higher the opponent’s level, the less the effect.]
[Note 3: Can only influence one person of the same tier at a time.]
Reading the introduction on the Golden Finger Interface, Zhang Chen’s breath caught: "Blood Influence!!!"
"I can finally influence the blood within the creatures’ bodies. Though the skill seems a bit weak at the moment, affecting only one person, it’s a good beginning. Moreover, this skill has no upper limit and isn’t constrained by skill level; even against those with greater power than me, it would have some influence, though the effect diminishes depending on cultivation and strength." Zhang Chen was overjoyed, as this skill greatly enhanced his combat power; it’s safe to say that if anyone contested with Zhang Chen in the future, his biggest shortcoming would almost be overcome.
Sixth Tier, in the Divine Soul Technique, is already the realm of Appearance, and can be considered a master.
The cultivation system of the Divine Soul Dao: 1 Soul Emergence - 2 Night Travel - 3 Day Travel - 4 Exorcism - 5 Possession - 6 Appearance - 7 Possession - 8 Yin Spirit - 9 Yang God.
Zhang Chen’s Sixth Tier Blood Control Technique has the greatest impact on cultivators up to Appearance, while for those beyond, the influence would gradually diminish, even becoming negligible.
"This skill has the greatest effect on the Demon Race and martial artists. For those cultivators of the Divine Soul Technique, they usually go Soul Emergence to fight enemies, how would they allow themselves the chance to realize the corporeal body’s presence?" Zhang Chen thought to himself.
Nevertheless, even so, this Blood Control Technique is still extraordinary.
After all, where in this world are there so many masters? Most people are just those ordinary martial artists, and new novices just stepping into the mysterious realms.
With the mastery of the Blood Control Technique, Zhang Chen was extremely delighted, continuing to reap vast rewards, hiding on the Ba Snake’s back, absorbing its blood.
Yet as the Ba Snake’s body grew smaller and smaller, the atmosphere became more and more tense, with the army starting to close in, encircling the Ba Snake.
At nightfall, starlight descended.
Zhang Chen sat cross-legged on the Ba Snake’s body, pondering silently: "After tonight, the Ba Snake’s body will vanish. If I stay here, I fear it will stir up trouble. If Ma Zhou, with his Pupil Technique, stabs me in the back at a critical moment, causing me to be surrounded by the army, escaping would be troublesome as well. It’d be better to leave sooner."