Blood flowed like a river, but not on the ground, rather in mid-air.

Streams of bright red, viscous liquid came from all directions, drilling into the abnormal black and white longsword.

The longsword, like a gluttonous sponge, absorbed all the blood, becoming even colder and dazzling.

The woman in white holding the sword had a clear, aloof demeanor, untouched by any blemish, not even a speck of blood on the hem of her swaying skirt.

The battle had already concluded.

Having Fourth Grade or not is entirely different.

At the moment Peng Mi was defeated, the outcome was sealed.

The Black Lotus Sect’s invasion failed, and besides Peng Mi, a Fifth Grade member of Red Lotus also died under Gu Xuejian’s sword...

The Lotus Sect was already few in number, this counterattack counted as a significant blow to them.

At this moment, the woman in white was suspended mid-air, strands of blood like "sucking noodles to the end," vanished entirely into the sword body.

This blood not only belonged to the enemy, but also to her own people.

This sword not only killed enemies, but also their own.

For as long as it was blood, it would absorb it.

Despite Gu Xuejian’s attempt to switch to another sword during the battle, this black and white sword, due to being excessively "excited," refused to "return to its sheath."

The sword has spirit.

This sword is possessed by a demon spirit.

A spirit that distinguishes neither good from evil, nor friend from foe, merely obsessed with blood, even its master cannot rein it in.

Gu Xuejian doesn’t know how Master Li forged such a terrifying weapon.

"This is a demon sword."

She made a fair assessment, and ascended to keep the "blood-drinking area" off the ground, preventing further friendly fire.

Jing Ruyi soared into the air, gazing at the white-robed woman, both celestial and infernal, stating respectfully: "Lady Hall Master, the great battle is over, Nine Sixth Grade gravely wounded, Three Sixth Grade fallen... Awaiting Lady Hall Master’s orders."

Gu Xuejian intended to give instructions, but suddenly, staring at the sword in her hand, felt a mix of awe and urge, so she brandished the black and white dual swords.

Jing Ruyi’s breath almost caught.

The impression of this sword was too profound on him.

Even at the moment of its unsheathing, he instinctively felt fear.

Gu Xuejian asked: "This sword and your blade, which is stronger?"

Jing Ruyi paused silently, feeling an inexplicable bitterness, elsewhere he’d shower the Hall Master with praise, yet he had witnessed the forging process of his waist Ghost Blade, deeply affected by Master Gong’s spirit.

This blade embodies honor.

He may bow, but the blade never...

So, Jing Ruyi responded: "It is Ruyi who falls short of the Hall Master, greatly."

Gu Xuejian observed his demeanor, saying lightly: "Jing Residence produced a tough character, good, a hopeful future. Now, lead the retreat and fortify the defense line, prevent mass Lotus Sect invasion."

"Yes, Hall Master!"

In mid-air, Jing Ruyi made a virtual bow.

As a Jing Family member, he felt the impulse to become stronger for the first time.

At least... at least strong enough to catch up to the woman before him, and defeat her with the Ghost Blade in hand.

Jing Ruyi gripped the Ghost Blade and turned away.

Upon landing, he looked back towards the high sky, witnessing the white-robed Hall Master surrounded by faint blood-colored brilliance, heading southward.

At this moment, Gu Xuejian felt boundless strength within, aware it was from having killed Peng Mi and that Red Lotus Fifth Grade, the demon sword drinks blood, yet it offers her power.

She would press on to explore the south.

Throughout her journey, she began to perceive her recent Realm breakthrough during the great battle.

She could feel her heart, or rather her blood, completing a bizarre transformation.

In short... her heart remains, but it’s not essential.

The so-called "Heart Ancestral Transformation" is a designation missing the key point.

Each drop of her blood possesses great power, each drop acts like a heart, inherently carrying strong Yang Qi.

Furthermore...

With merely a drop of blood, she could reappear, she lacks this understanding, but as one nearing Fourth Grade, she comprehends it well.

However, even with blood rebirth, it’s best not to die.

For Fourth Grade prolongs life by five hundred years, yet the greater injury at death, more recovery time needed...

Peng Mi was not dead.

Nevertheless, he’s gravely injured, resurrection takes about ten months, but post-revival, restoring power requires years, even over ten years, then time to seek spiritual artifact, the time and risks involved, a horrific disaster for a new Fourth Grade existence.

Gu Xuejian suddenly landed.

With a thought, sand and stones within over ten feet seemed lifted by invisible forces, rising, then moved freely according to her will.

This is the "Domain" attained upon entering Fourth Grade.

And deepening Ancestral Transformation expands the "Domain."

At Qing Hancheng’s Nine Ancestors level, it spans over a hundred feet.

Gu Xuejian thought once more, red threads emerged from her body, whistling through space, covering the ten-foot range, filling it with blood aura, emanating mighty Yang Qi.

Amidst the chill around, deeply trapped, formed an airflow vortex surrounding her.

Such power allows her to roam most Ghost Realms freely... even able to completely suppress a batch of the weakest Ghost Realms.

Then, she’d only advance to the Ghost Realm core, continually spreading Shadow Blood as fog, enveloping the Ghost Realm, enabling constant clash of Yin Qi and Yang Qi.