Zhang Xin was quite nervous. Although the difference in power between them was not that great, Xie Qing had an inexplicable serene and mysterious aura around him.


    They both sat down at a round table near the bar counter. The staff almost fainted when they found out that the neer was another devilish cultivator.


    However, they had no choice but to serve them.


    "Hmm? There aren''t many people here, are there, Brother Zhang? When I was walking down the street, the surrounding establishments suddenly started closing. Haha, I''ve never seen anything like it. Interesting phenomenon, don''t you think?" Xie Qing said with a faint smile.


    "Oh? That''s strange. I don''t know what the reason could be," Zhang Xin replied with a forced smile, sipping his wine, while cursing him in his thoughts: "Of course they''re closing. Have you felt your own aura? You''re too abnormal!"


    Of course, thoughts remained thoughts. How could someone like Zhang Xin dare to offend Xie Qing with his power?


    "Hmm, so you''re from the Sect of Bone Circle, right? My Master once proudly told me about the strength of this sect. I myself am quite impressed by it," Xie Qing said with a smile.


    "Your words are truly wonderful, Senior Brother! Our sect is d to know that there are people in the outer world who respect it!" Zhang Xin replied with a smile.


    Of course, one shouldn''t trust this smiling face too much. Although Zhang Xin appeared polite, he was particrly diligent in trying to extract any information about Xie Qing.


    And to his great regret, his interlocutor was devilishly cunning. He himself didn''t reveal much, skillfully evading questions, but he managed to get a lot of information from Zhang Xin.


    In the end, the cultivator from the Sect of Bone Circle couldn''t stand it anymore and asked a question.


    "Senior Brother, where are you from? Are you from the Sect of Shadowed des?"


    "Sect of Shadowed des?" Xie Qing raised an eyebrow and then smiled, answering casually: "Oh, no, of course not. Brother Zhang, I am just a wandering cultivator. It so happened that my Master, in his old age, decided to take me as a disciple and pass on his legacy. Thus, I traveled from city to city, cultivating and rarely appearing in public."


    "A wandering cultivator? What a rarity! Although, I''m sure it''s all thanks to Senior Brother''s talents! After all, you are a Soul Nascent cultivator!" Zhang Xin''s eyes sparkled. He thought: "A wandering cultivator… how did he manage to be so strong under such conditions? He even looks younger than me!


    And it took me a hundred years to be this strong!"


    Zhang Xin burned with envy inside, but outwardly showed a ttering smile. Well, Xie Qing''s talent could make even Buddhists jealous, let alone devilish cultivators, who were always honest in their desires.


    Feeling a slight difort, Zhang Xin sighed, pretending to be admiring.


    "Brother, you are simply amazing! I''m sure with your abilities, you could easily be an inner court disciple of our sect!"


    "Really? Although I haven''t tried to join, I would probably be rejected," the youth shrugged and asked with interest: "Brother, do you think I could join the Sect of Bone Circle?"


    "Hmm?"


    The man did not expect the conversation to turn in this direction. He remained silent for a moment, then nodded.


    "I think you would have no problem. In our sect, the level of cultivation is secondary. What is valued much more are your abilities in secret arts and sacrifices," Zhang Xin briefly exined the situation, then his eyes sparkled: "Brother Cheng… if you want, I can help you join. But in return, I will need your help!"


    "Oh?"


    Xie Qing smiled faintly. He was interested in the man''s proposal.


    "Then let''s have a good drink first. And then we can discuss this topic!"


    "Hahaha, I was rude, Brother Cheng! I will punish myself with two sses!"


    "Hahaha, no need, Brother Zhang!"


    Both men politely smiled at each other, although in reality… they were ready to devour each other at the first opportunity.


    These were the realities… of devilish cultivators!


    ***


    Zhang Xin and Xie Qing left the bar. They didn''t even need to pay. The bartender was so afraid of these two that he used the excuse of free service to avoid any trouble.


    If the first one behaved naturally, as if it were meant to be, Xie Qing did not show his merciful behavior, considering that he needed to maintain his disguise.


    "Ah, brother, you are too merciful! These ves don''t know how to properly treat us, superior beings! Evil spirits are just food, why bother with them?" asked Zhang Xin, who looked a bit drunk.


    "Merciful?" Xie Qing sneered disdainfully: "That was not mercy. I just got bored of such scenes. It doesn''t bring pleasure."


    "Ah? Hahaha, well, you''re right…"


    Zhang Xinughed, looking foolish, but in reality, he was a bit surprised. This guy behaved like a calm and reasonable person… but it seemed he was not much different from him! He was just as arrogant and ruthless.


    Xie Qing walked alongside Zhang Xin, who told him he would take him to a suitable ce. What a surprise it was…


    …when they found themselves in front of a brothel?


    ***


    Sitting in a private room, Xie Qing drank wine. In front of him sat Zhang Xin, surrounded by two girls who were passionately moaning in his ear, behaving coquettishly.


    Xie Qing himself was surrounded by six girls. These were not the workers of the brothel, but visitors.


    "Handsome, don''t you want to spend the night with this sister? I swear by my life that I will help you rx…"


    "Hehe, who needs you, old hag? Wouldn''t the gentleman prefer a pleasant night with me?"


    "Hmph, arrogant sluts!"


    "Ah, you!"


    Xie Qing felt a headache. His beauty was a blessing, but also a curse. The increased attention to his person was too distressing.


    However, he couldn''t do anything about it. The pill had made him take on this appearance—he had to dance ordingly.


    Fortunately, Zhang Xin came to his senses after seeing the slight annoyance on Xie Qing''s face. Driving away the unwanted guests, he apologized.


    "I''m sorry, Brother Cheng! I couldn''t stop them, you understand!"


    "No need for apologies. I''m used to it," Xie Qing replied with a faint smile.


    "…"


    Zhang Xin was speechless.


    "Brother, are you bragging?!"


    ***


    "Hmm? Devil''s Blood Flower?"


    Xie Qing''s expression became strange when he heard this name. What a disgusting name… who even named this flower?


    Let me fill you in. It turned out that Zhang Xin desperately wanted to obtain this flower. In return, he promised to do everything possible to help him join the sect.


    As it turned out… Xie Qing had this flower. Inrge quantities!


    "Oh? Brother Zhang, is this the flower you''re looking for?" Xie Qing asked curiously, taking out a Devil''s Blood Flower from his spatial ring.


    "Th-this… Devil''s Blood Flower! It is!"


    The man''s eyes sparkled. What luck! He had actually managed to find such a valuable ingredient! This was nothing short of a blessing!


    "Brother Zhang, it seems this is indeed what you need. Do your words still stand?" Xie Qing asked with a faint smile, twirling the flower in his hands as if tempting Zhang Xin.


    "Of course! Brother Cheng, may I be cursed with eternal suffering if I deceive you!" Zhang Xin swore.


    "Haha, no need for such oaths, I trust you…"


    Xie Qing inwardly scoffed disdainfully. He would be a fool to trust the words of a devilish cultivator. Therefore, he proposed another option.


    "Brother Zhang, how about this? To reinforce our verbal agreement… we will make a Blood Oath."


    "A Blood Oath?! Oh..."


    Zhang Xin blinked, and his eyes secretly sparkled. He himself wanted to propose this, but he was afraid that Xie Qing would be angered. Therefore, he eagerly nodded.


    "Of course, of course!"


    Very quickly, the two signed the contract. Zhang Xin''s gaze was filled with joy. Finally! If it weren''t for this chance encounter, he would have had to work hard!


    "Haha, now who will dare to bother me in the outer court?" Zhang Xin smirked to himself,


    ***


    After agreeing to meet the next day, Xie Qing went for a walk around the city. Although he appeared calm, he was actually very excited and nervous.


    Joining the sect of devilish cultivators was just the first step in executing his n.


    Was there a more effective way to learn about his enemies than by visiting them directly?


    Xie Qing himself would never have embarked on such an adventure if it weren''t for the fact that Ma Lu and Hao Shen were severely injured.


    Considering his level of cultivation, he only needed to be wary of cultivators at the Divine Transformation stage… who, of course, were present in both sects.


    "But… I wonder if I can cause some trouble… huh," Xie Qing thought, narrowing his eyes.


    The Sect of Bone Circle… it will be very interesting.