"Fellow Daoist Xiao, you’re being too serious," Zhang Chi said, waving his hand dismissively. "I promised you this long ago, and I always keep my word. Besides, his underlings exploited me too, so I’m actually quite happy he’s dead."

Xiao Yunhong tried to express his gratitude and friendliness, but with his face covered in blood, he only looked ferocious.

But seeing this, Zhang Chi suddenly had a flash of inspiration—an idea for his escape.

He couldn’t help but wonder, ’Should I let the Four-legged Snakes devour Brother Zhou’s corpse?’

’That way, the five Spirit Beast Level Four-legged Snakes would surely grow much faster.’

’But the Four-legged Snakes’ nest would undoubtedly be in trouble again.’

’The Guards might even search the entire network of mine tunnels to prevent any more Four-legged Snakes from appearing.’

’That would definitely risk exposing me.’

—

"Fellow Daoist, there’s no need to be so modest. What you asked for is trivial here at the mines, but you’ve helped me immensely. Just now, you even saved my life."

"You are my, Xiao Yunhong’s, savior. I have a Blood Escape Technique. Please, take it as a token of my gratitude," Xiao Yunhong said with a laugh.

"Furthermore, I’d like to continue working with you, Fellow Daoist, to help you escape. If you succeed, all I ask is that you deliver a message for me."

"Once they get it, someone will definitely come to rescue me. And when I get out, I’ll reward you even more handsomely," Xiao Yunhong continued.

"You have a Blood Escape Technique? Alright, let’s continue working together. If I really manage to escape, I’ll remove your Blood Curse Technique before I leave." 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Zhang Chi’s eyes lit up at his words.

’It’s always better to have help.’

’He could help me gather more intelligence. With enough information, my chances of a successful escape would be much higher.’

As for the Blood Escape Technique, it was something he desperately wanted.

The technique was not only Upper Grade, but also incredibly fast once cast—an absolutely fantastic tool for saving one’s life.

Many powerful Demon Cultivators knew this technique.

He had heard about it from other Demon Cultivators and had coveted it ever since.

Unfortunately, the technique was extremely valuable, not something an ordinary Qi Cultivation Demon Cultivator could ever hope to acquire.

But now, Xiao Yunhong not only had it, but was also willing to teach it to him. It was a wonderful surprise.

’With this Escape Technique, my chances of a successful escape will skyrocket.’

’As for delivering a message, that’s a trivial task.’

’If it’s simple, I’ll do it.’

’If it’s too dangerous, he can’t blame me for backing out.’

’And in most cases, it shouldn’t be difficult.’

’After all, this world has courier stations and similar services.’

"Alright, it’s a deal!"

Xiao Yunhong was equally overjoyed.

Before, he had been so focused on revenge and was unsure of Zhang Chi’s strength and reliability. That was why he hadn’t mentioned helping him escape or delivering a message.

With their new partnership forged, the two men looked at each other and laughed heartily, a new layer of trust and camaraderie instantly forming between them.

Afterwards, they discussed their plan and quickly decided to kill Brother Zhou’s four remaining henchmen as well.

That way, they could stage the scene to look like they had internal strife and ended up killing each other.

This would clear Xiao Yunhong of suspicion, and Zhang Chi’s involvement would remain completely hidden.

Of course, Brother Zhou’s other subordinates knew a few things.

But Xiao Yunhong was confident he could not only silence them but also make them his own men.

After all, with Brother Zhou gone, a new leader was bound to emerge.

Brother Zhou’s former underlings would surely assume he was the one who killed their boss.

He could then use that fearsome reputation to bring them into his fold. It would be a perfectly justifiable way for him to become the new Mine Tyrant.

Zhang Chi was, without a doubt, fully supportive of this plan.

’If he becomes the new boss, it will be even more beneficial for our partnership.’

And so, the two of them immediately sprang into action.

"No!"

Soon, the Shi Family Brothers were jolted awake by pain, only to die screaming moments later.

Afterwards, the two of them carefully staged the scene.

"Fellow Daoist, even though they’re dead, their Essence Blood and Spiritual Power haven’t dissipated yet. We can extract it and condense it into Blood Spirit Pills for Cultivation."

Xiao Yunhong suddenly added.

He was actually testing Zhang Chi to see if they were cut from the same cloth.

If Zhang Chi refused, he would part ways with him once their cooperation was over.

If not, they could continue their association.

"Blood Spirit Pills? How do you extract them?"

Zhang Chi’s eyes lit up.

’The most valuable parts of these Mining Slaves’ corpses are their Essence Blood and Spiritual Power.’

’If I can obtain both, it won’t matter whether the Four-legged Snakes eat the corpses or not.’

That’s right—he intended to feed them to his Four-legged Snakes, not use them himself.

He wasn’t afraid of any side effects; after all, he had the Jade Pendant.

His reluctance to use them himself stemmed from his experiences in his past life. It was a psychological barrier he couldn’t yet cross.

He didn’t say any of this to Xiao Yunhong, though.

After all, the Four-legged Spirit Snakes were one of his secrets, and it wasn’t the right time to reveal them.

"It’s simple. I’ll teach you!"

Xiao Yunhong, not knowing Zhang Chi’s true intentions, immediately saw him as a kindred spirit. His eyes lit up, and he began to explain the method.

Soon, Zhang Chi had mastered this Secret Technique for extracting the Pill.

He gathered Spiritual Power at his fingertips and tapped a series of points on the corpses. Immediately, the Spiritual Power and Essence Blood were drawn out and condensed together, forming five so-called Blood Spirit Pills.

Each Blood Spirit Pill was about the size of a walnut. Not only were they brimming with Blood Qi, but they also pulsed with astonishing Spiritual Qi fluctuations.

The one from Brother Zhou was especially potent, as large as a fist and packed with a tremendous amount of energy.

After the Blood Spirit Pills were extracted, the skin of the five corpses turned pale, and their residual auras weakened considerably.

This didn’t affect their plan, however.

Even if they hadn’t extracted them, the Essence Blood and Spiritual Power would have dissipated quickly over time anyway.

By the time the Guards discovered the bodies, it would be impossible for them to tell the difference.

"Alright, you should go. It’s not too late for you to teach me the Blood Escape Technique after you become the new Mine Tyrant," Zhang Chi said.

"Right. I’ll get on it immediately!" Xiao Yunhong was extremely grateful and nodded at once.

Then, the two of them went their separate ways.

Xiao Yunhong went to deal with the aftermath, while Zhang Chi took the liquid Blood Spirit Pills, held together by a bubble of Spiritual Power, and returned to the edge of the poisonous miasma. There, he summoned the five Four-legged Spirit Snakes.

Upon seeing and smelling the Blood Spirit Pills, the Four-legged Spirit Snakes began to hiss with excitement.

They clearly craved the Blood Spirit Pills.

Or rather, their instincts were screaming at them that eating these would bring immense benefits.

"Go on, eat up," Zhang Chi said in a low voice. "I’m in urgent need of a boost in Combat Power, so you’re in luck this time. But don’t get used to this kind of treatment in the future."

In the blink of an eye, the Blood Spirit Pills were devoured.

The Four-legged Snakes showed no adverse reactions; in fact, their auras grew noticeably stronger.

They then began to jump and skitter around in front of Zhang Chi, clearly conveying their desire for more.

So Zhang Chi continued to feed them.

Soon, all the Blood Spirit Pills were gone. The Four-legged Snakes finally quieted down and fell into a deep slumber.

Zhang Chi knew they were digesting what they had just consumed.

When they awoke, their strength would have soared, perhaps even reaching the Level of a fully-grown Spirit Beast.

Zhang Chi couldn’t help but marvel at it.

’This is way too easy!’

’If I were to refine these Blood Spirit Pills myself, my own Cultivation would probably advance rapidly too.’

’No wonder Demon Cultivators are hunted down everywhere in the Immortal Cultivation Realm, yet can never be fully eradicated!’

He also secretly reminded himself that he had to maintain his principles. Otherwise, even with the Jade Pendant’s protection, he would one day lose himself completely.

He then resumed his normal Cultivation. Time passed quickly, and on the next day, he met with Xiao Yunhong once again.