NOVEL FROG Chapter 31: Give me your Blood
Transmigrated back into the body of her child self, can the mighty Celestial Bing Meilu survive in a Xianxia world all the while staving off the advances of arrogant young masters and wannabe protagonists alike?
Why is life so hard for the Icy Beauty?
Any corrections or criticisms are welcome, I hope you enjoy Chapter 31: Give me your Blood
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"The last two quests are to gain five more bloodlines, in return for a bloodline upgrade crystal, and to level a Class to rank five, in return for an upgrade to the effectiveness of all Classes."
Aiwa had already explained to Bing Meilu the class system, which allowed him to take on various job-like roles in return for certain benefits.
"What is your current class?"
"My-current class is Tamed Beast. It gives me a five percent bonus to damage when attacking people under my o-owner's orders." the unmistakable tremble of rage in Aiwa's voice caused Bing Meilu to roll her eyes.
"You attacked and tried to kill me in return for benefits. Of course, the nature of this world is that the strong take what they please from the weak. Had I been a simple mortal, you would have killed and consumed me. However, you were unlucky enough to take action against me, and thus were instead subjugated. By the very nature of the right of the strong, you have no justification to be angry at me. If you wish to resent something, resent your weakness and lack of foresight for daring to challenge me with such weak cultivation, Aiwa Satsushi. I want to be very clear; I am your master and I will not tolerate anything but subservient obedience. I have the power to make your life very pleasant or difficult. It will be up to your attitude to determine which."
Aiwa fumed silently, red demonic eyes staring up at her with the naked killing intent only a rabid beast that had slaughtered countless mortals could muster.
"I would like a verbal apology now for your attitude and an assurance you will obey me in the future." the girl continued tone mild.
"And I am not going to flipping give you that you b-bi-woman." Aiwa spat, struggling against his commands with futile rage.
"That is fine. You'll learn your place eventually," Bing Meilu smiled politely. "Do not move from our current position even slightly. Do not attempt to escape this building. Do not speak to anyone besides me or show any sign of intelligence."
Aiwa's body froze and through the spiritual link, he raged at her. With that, Bing Meilu turned around and began to walk out of her throne room.
"Where the hell do you think you're going, girl!?'"
"Leaving. I have no need of a disobedient tamed beast with me. While I could order you around, it will never be as effective as willing submission. I'll come back and check up on you in a week's time. If I remember. We'll see if you're willing to serve me then."
With that, the jade-skinned girl stepped out from the throneroom, slamming the door closed to the stunned disbelief of the serpent.
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Bing Meilu sat imperiously atop a throne of ice, staring down at the gathered members of Bing Meilu's Faithful Slaves Faction, all eighteen of them.
Li Ji, his yin metal qi circulating stood by her side, hands clasped behind his back nervously.
"Welcome all to our meeting. I have called you all here today for a very important task," she began. "I plan to whip you up into a fighting force worthy of the name Bing Meilu's Faithful Slaves Faction. To do so, I will draw on much of the knowledge imparted to me by my former sect, the Moon Crying Swan Palace. However, such secrets cannot be freely spread. As such, I demand from each of you an offering of Essence Blood, to act as insurance."
Shocked gasps rang out from the clearing. This was an incredibly taboo thing to ask from her faction members. After all, Essence Blood was deeply tied to the cultivator who produced it, and one who possessed your Essence Blood could use it to enact many nefarious curses upon you. It was exactly this usage that Bing Meilu was banking on to ensure that none of her members betrayed her or leaked any secret technique or manuals she taught to them.
"No way!" Slave two, one of the faction three lieutenants shouted. "That's too far, Bing Meilu."
"And what happens if we refuse?" asked slave three, frowning.
"Nothing will happen if you refuse. I will simply not give you the secret knowledge I give to those that accept. Those who dedicate themselves to me fully will achieve an explosive increase in strength and my personal grooming. The rest of you will effectively be an 'outer sect' portion of my faction."
"I accept." Li Ji volunteered, raising a hand nervously. "You somehow managed to improve my cultivation technique, allowing me to pass my bottleneck and reach the eighth stage. I can't imagine the power I might achieve if given your full tutelage, and the knowledge you received from the Prime Elders of the moon Crying Swan Palace."
This was the crux of the issue. While giving up essence blood was a huge deal, strength was also everything to cultivators, and Bing Meilu had already proven her prowess in guiding the cultivation of the faction members. Was it worth it to safely languish in obscurity or to take a risk for monumental power? That was the defining difference between geniuses and the mediocre.
"I also volunteer," Jiang Hu said, raising his hand. The former leader of the faction had completely changed in attitude since his defeat at Bing Meilu's hand, and he seemed to have a deep respect for her power.
The Eighth Stage Earth Cultivator, Slave Six also raised his hand "As the leader of the Elemental Four, I volunteer us all."
"You still haven't found a promising wood cultivator then?" Bing Meilu raised an eyebrow.
Slave Six gulped, his bushy eyebrows trembling as he recalled the woman's earlier threat.
"Well, we have a few promising candidates, we'll just have to run them by you first."
"Very well, We'll discuss that later."
"Me too!" shouted Private Ji, the idiot who had tried to cultivate a method for Spirit Dogs.
"I also accept," said the talented spear cultivator Xi Fu, who guarded Bing Meilus's throneroom
Bing Meilu waited for a long moment, but no one else volunteered. That meant eight of the eighteen had agreed to enter her inner circle, a little less than half. She scanned the rest of her slaves, seeing the reluctance and fear on their faces before nodding.
"Very well, Just remember the offer is open should any of you change your minds later."
Bing Meilu stood and snapped her fingers. From the shadows, the tall sickly form of Zhang appeared. the crippled Core Formation cultivator coughed loudly into his palm.
"This here is Zhang. While he is currently injured, Zhang is actually at the peak of the Core Formation Realm."
The members gasped at that. Even in Port Snake, Core Formation was still a high realm.
"I have taught Zhang multiple techniques that I want all of you to learn. He will be instructing you in them while I personally oversee the inner circle. Just remember, I may not have your essence blood, but any treachery or leaking of secrets will still result... in my displeasure."
Bing Meilu's frosty qi erupted from her body, the temperature in the whole area noticeably dropping, a film of white frost covering the grass and rocks.
"Am I understood?"
The faction members all nodded quickly.
"The first thing you will be learning is a simplified version of a powerful battle formation called the Manyheart Shield Art. It will allow you to form a barrier together that will block attacks. Zhang, you may begin. Those of you who have accepted the offer to join my inner circle, follow me. "