Bai Lin invited Liu Xing inside. As expected, the interior was small and cramped. Shelves lined the walls, filled with jars of dried leaves, powders that appeared to be herbs, and various other items. He sat in a chair while the old man prepared tea. Once the tea was ready, they sat together to enjoy it.

As Liu Xing drank, the tea's bitter yet fresh flavor washed over his tongue, invigorating him and calming his nerves.

"How is it?" Bai Lin asked.

"It's good tea," Liu Xing replied.

Bai Lin smiled at Liu Xing's response. "That tea was my grandson's favorite," Bai Lin said. "It's too bitter for my own taste, but I'm glad others appreciate it."

Liu Xing glanced at a small altar in the corner of the room. On it sat a picture of a young, handsome man frowning, as if he had disliked being painted. The altar looked new, and Liu Xing wondered if his hunch was correct.

"Was your grandson killed?" Liu Xing inquired.

"How did you know?" Bai Lin asked, a shadow crossing his face. "Yes, my grandson was killed about two weeks ago. He wasn't a cultivator, though he wished to be. Sadly, talent isn't something one can simply ask for. Two weeks ago, I asked him to deliver herbs to a buyer, but he never returned."

Liu Xing observed Bai Lin's eyes. They reflected deep sorrow. However, unlike the woman from the Qian clan, Bai Lin seemed to have found a measure of peace with his grandson's death.

"Were his arms left behind?" Liu Xing asked, pressing further.

Bai Lin pressed his lips together. "Yes," Bai Lin confirmed. "I found his arms near the river. Do you perhaps know what killed my grandson?"

"No, I don't," Liu Xing replied, "but your grandson's death isn't isolated. Others have been killed as well, and the killer seems to be leaving behind the victims' arms."

Bai Lin clenched his fist. "Are you investigating this matter?"

Liu Xing paused, considering his words. He was indeed curious about the case. It felt suspicious, and he suspected a demonic cultivator or a strange spirit beast might be responsible. However, Liu Xing was in the midst of a race.

"Not exactly," he admitted. "I have another matter to attend to."

"I truly hope you will investigate this case and eliminate the root of the problem," Bai Lin pleaded. "Mystic Moon City is under your sect's protection, after all."

It was clear the old man sought justice, and with him at his doorstep, he saw an opportunity for help.

"You should report your grandson's murder to the city. While this city is under our sect's protection, this matter falls under the city's jurisdiction."

"That's the problem," Bai Lin whispered, leaning closer. "I already reported it, but the city won't do anything about it."

Liu Xing raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"Are you familiar with the power structure of this city?"

Liu Xing shook his head. He had heard of Mystic Moon City, but knew little about it. To him, it was just another city under the Purple Moon Sect, nothing particularly noteworthy.

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

"This city is governed by a mayor, chosen through an agreement between the city's three major clans: the Qian, Xiao, and Wei clans. While numerous smaller clans exist, they generally align themselves with one of these three."

Liu Xing nodded. "What's the connection between this power structure and the murders occurring around the city?".

"The current mayor is from the Wei clan, a man named Wei Yi. He is a young mayor, only sixty years old, yet already at the Core Splitting realm. He is considered a very talented young man, but recently, I've heard his growth has been… tremendous."

Liu Xing understood Bai Lin's hint. He suspected that Wei Yi had killed his grandson. This was a serious accusation, and the implication that his grandson's death was related to Wei Yi's rapid growth suggested that Wei Yi was a demonic cultivator.

"Wasn't your grandson a mortal?" Liu Xing said.

"Indeed, he was, but not merely mortal," Bai Lin corrected. "He possessed… a certain bloodline that made him special. You mentioned other deaths similar to my grandson's. May I ask who you were referring to?"

Liu Xing licked his lips, considering his response. After a moment, he decided to hear Bai Lin out. "Are you acquainted with Duan Hai from the Shadow Wolf Gang and Qian Biaou from the Qian clan?"

"I knew it!" Bai Lin exclaimed, his voice rising slightly. "To answer your question, yes, I know them both. Duan Hai is infamous for his daylight raids—a true menace. And Qian Biaou is notorious for his greed. But what's less known is that they both possess bloodlines. Duan Hai has the Night Wolf Bloodline, while Qian Biaou has the Brown Bear Bloodline. I always keep track of bloodline carriers in this city, as my grandson also has the Serpent Sun Bloodline."

Liu Xing rubbed his chin. Bloodlines were unique physical traits. Numerous bloodlines existed in the world, some weak, some strong. Some granted unique techniques, others specific talents. The most famous bloodline belonged to the Burning World Sect, one of the five great sects. They bore a unique mark—a horn on their forehead. While the full extent of their bloodline remained a mystery, their most evident ability was absolute control over fire. Liu Xing had heard from an unfortunate outer disciple who had encountered them that fighting them was like battling a volcano.

"While their deaths might be connected due to their bloodlines, I still don't see the connection to Wei Yi.".

"I heard a rumor about Wei Yi a few years ago," Bai Lin explained. "He received an inheritance from a ruin of an ancient sect. While I don't know exactly what he obtained, I'm fairly certain it was a technique from a demonic sect."

"What makes you so sure?"

"Mainly because I know the technique he acquired from the ancient sect," Bai Lin replied. "The technique is called Blood Wing Sacrifice: Bloodline Variant."

Upon hearing the name of the technique, Liu Xing's eyes widened. The name resembled Ji Dongyang's sect. Could this technique actually come from the Blood Wing Sect?

"You seem surprised," Bai Lin observed. "Are you familiar with this technique?"

"No, it's just that I recently fought a cultivator who claimed to have annihilated the Blood Wing Sect," Liu Xing explained. "Do you know the location of this ancient ruin? Are they in the north?"

"They are indeed in the north, within the Blue Wind Empire," Bai Lin confirmed.

Liu Xing's heart began to beat faster.

"It seems I've piqued your interest," Bai Lin said.

Indeed, he had. Anything remotely connected to Ji Dongyang piqued Liu Xing's interest. Primarily because Ji Dongyang utilized something he called a 'shadow.' There was a possibility this 'shadow' was the darkness Nui had mentioned. It was the only lead he possessed.

"Are you interested in investigating this technique?" Bai Lin inquired, leaning forward. "If so, I can offer you a reward if you solve my grandson's murder."

Bai Lin's aged face suddenly seemed to gain energy. His eyes burned with intensity, and he clenched his fist tighter. Looking at him, Liu Xing understood the depth of his love for his grandson.

"If you can settle this matter," Bai Lin stated firmly, "then I can give you a Heaven Grade Technique."

Liu Xing's eyes widened. "Are you serious?"

A Heaven Grade technique was no trivial matter. Even him, an outer disciple from one of the five great sects, had never had the opportunity to acquire one. And Bai Lin, merely at the second stage of the Lock Opening realm and living alone, claimed to possess one. It seemed absurd, yet he couldn't dismiss the claim outright. Sometimes, a river held something an ocean lacked. And if that something was a Heaven Grade Technique, he was intensely interested in Bai Lin's matter.

"I can't utilize it at its full potential, being a weak cultivator myself," Bai Lin admitted. "But I believe you would find it useful. It's a technique that allows me to observe people even from a distance."

Liu Xing rubbed his chin and considered the offer. Even if the technique wasn't combat-oriented, he still desired a Heaven Grade Technique. He felt a strong urge to accept Bai Lin's request immediately, but logic urged him to consider the situation further.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.