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Chen Yue nodded and said in a deep voice, "Weren't we always wondering how Youlin County, such a small place, could attract so many monsters and demons?"

Chen Yue paused, his gaze sharpening:

"According to their confessions, they gathered here not to search for treasure, but to hold a blood sacrifice at a special time to gain power. The rest were captured and became followers."

"Blood sacrifice?" Upon hearing this, Shen Dujiang's brows furrowed instantly.

His fingers tapped unconsciously on the table, making a soft "tap-tap" sound, as he murmured:

"It seems that such evil methods can indeed be used to gain power, but there are many drawbacks. However, if it's a cult, it's quite possible. Has there been any specific timeframe mentioned?"

Chen Yue slowly shook his head: "They don't know, or even if they do, they could just give us a random time and we wouldn't be able to tell if it's true or false."

Shen Dujiang stopped tapping his fingers on the table, his expression worried.

"Indeed, it's hard to tell the real from the fake, and actively investigating would easily alert the enemy. I've been speculating that perhaps some unknown treasure is about to appear near Youlin County, which is why it's attracting so much attention..."

Chen Yue laughed, "I thought so too before, but maybe that's part of the truth. But regardless, this place has become a hotbed of trouble. What should we do next? Should we leave the county town now and not wait for the caravan?"

Leaving early means abandoning the relatively safe and secure cover of a caravan and facing the unknown wilderness. But continuing to wait might lead to encountering a cult's blood sacrifice.

Shen Dujiang did not answer immediately, but gently stroked the rough edge of the ceramic cup with his fingertips.

Suddenly, as if remembering something, he leaned forward, staring intently at Chen Yue, and lowered his voice to confirm again, word by word:

"What you just said... did you really kill that Marrow Refining Realm expert, plus a Bone Forging Realm expert?"

Chen Yue met Shen Dujiang's gaze and nodded: "Kill him!"

With this final confirmation, Shen Dujiang felt reassured, and the light in his eyes returned.

"Judging from recent signs, the level of experts in this cult in Youlin County is probably limited to the Marrow Refining Realm! If there were really a Refining Realm expert in charge, they should have swept through the county with overwhelming force long ago, instead of gradually eroding it like this now."

Even these Marrow Refining Realm cultivators are very likely recent additions to the force.

Chen Yue nodded, confirming part of Shen Dujiang's speculation: "Those two said before they died that the Marrow Refining Realm cultivators had only recently arrived in Youlin County."

"That's right. With your abilities, we won't be in much danger staying in Youlin County for a short time."

A glint appeared in Shen Dujiang's eyes, and he got up and paced back and forth a few steps.

"If we choose not to wait for the caravan and go on our own, there will be a problem, namely that I have never been to Tianzhou Prefecture and know nothing about the specific routes and dangerous areas."

We can only ask around as we go, which is quite risky. There might be people in Youlin County who have traveled to Tianzhou Prefecture, but we need time to inquire and confirm their reliability.

Chen Yue understood Shen Dujiang's subtext: going alone was risky and required time to prepare.

After a moment's thought, Chen Yue said, "In that case, let's continue waiting for the caravan. Meanwhile, use these next few days to secretly find a reliable guide and prepare a backup plan in case the situation becomes critical and we have to evacuate early."

Upon hearing this, Shen Dujiang's eyes lit up: "Great, let's do it that way!"

Shen Dujiang paused, a cunning glint appearing on his face, typical of a seasoned black market shrew:

"It will take time for that cult to send stronger experts here! Most importantly, they still know nothing about your true identity and appearance."

The fact that one of their Marrow Refining Realm experts was inexplicably defeated by you gives us more options now!

Chen Yue's eyes flickered slightly: "Tell me in detail."

"In their eyes, someone capable of killing a Marrow Refining Realm cultivator must be at least a master of the same level, or perhaps even stronger. They can't figure out our strength, so..."

Shen Dujiang paused, his tone taking on a ruthless edge: "Don't you still need a large quantity of medicinal herbs? I can go and buy them on a large scale! If anyone is found following or spying, we'll eliminate them immediately!"

Chen Yue immediately understood Shen Dujiang's intention: "Are you trying to create the illusion that we are powerful and therefore act recklessly?"

"That's right!"

Shen Dujiang nodded vigorously, "Make it seem real when it seems fake, and fake when it seems real! They might suspect that we are bluffing, but after losing a Marrow Refining Realm cultivator, they would never dare to make such a conclusion so easily."

Furthermore, I will spread the news of the blood sacrifice to disrupt their plans!

Chen Yue pondered for a moment and nodded. This was indeed a feasible strategy under the current circumstances, which could buy as much time and initiative as possible, and also obtain the medicinal materials he needed.

"This plan is feasible, but what if the blood sacrifice suddenly breaks out before the caravan arrives? What should we do then?"

Shen Dujiang's excitement faded slightly, his brows furrowed again, and he tapped the table with his fingers as usual: "Although the blood sacrifice theory has not been fully proven, it's better to believe it than not. I have a question for you..."

Shen Dujiang stopped tapping, looked at Chen Yue, and asked in a very low voice, "With your current strength, how confident are you if you were to face two Marrow Refining Realm cultivators of today's level?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Yue's brows twitched slightly, but he did not answer immediately.

He carefully recalled every detail of his fight with Gu Yiqiu, assessing his true combat strength after his breakthrough.

After a moment, Chen Yue slowly said, "If they are both at the current level of Marrow Refining Realm, the two of them should be able to fight each other."

Chen Yue didn't make his statement completely, but the confidence in his tone was undeniable.

"good!"

Shen Dujiang slapped his thigh hard, his voice rising slightly with excitement, then quickly lowered it again, "With your words, even if the blood sacrifice really breaks out soon, it's not a big deal!"

A blood sacrifice definitely requires a master to preside over and maintain. As long as you have the ability to break through the blockade of at least two Marrow Refining Realm experts, we'll have the confidence to overturn the table! At that point, Youlin County will be in complete chaos, and who will care about chasing us then?

Chen Yue nodded. "So, how exactly should the procurement of the medicinal herbs be arranged?"

"If you're going to create a false impression, you should do it convincingly."

Shen Dujiang stroked his beard, his eyes gleaming. "I will use multiple channels to purchase as many medicinal herbs as possible that you need. After the purchase is complete, I will immediately disappear again. By mixing truth and falsehood, we will keep them guessing what we are really up to."

"When can I come to collect the medicinal herbs?"

Shen Dujiang calculated the time: "The day after tomorrow night, still here. I will gather all the medicinal herbs I can, but..."

Shen Dujiang changed the subject, his tone becoming cautious, "During the procurement process, if any tough issues arise that I can't handle..."

Chen Yue smiled. "If necessary, I will take action."