Zhao Wanqing's gaze suddenly shifted.

The name "Central State" resonated powerfully in the southern Danzhou.

Or rather, in this world, there were only two places: Central State and everywhere else.

The fundamental reason was that the world's spiritual veins originated from Central State and then branched out to other continents.

Therefore, the concentration of spiritual energy in this world was highest in Central State. Cultivation, at its core, depended on spiritual energy; more spiritual energy meant the birth of more high-value spirit herbs and items.

Even the spiritual roots of those born in Central State were naturally stronger than those of cultivators from other continents.

Central State crushed other continents with an irresistible strength.

The sects of Central State were even too lazy to expand outward to other continents, without exception, because they considered other continents too poor, not worth the effort!

Rarely did cultivators from Central State venture to other continents; those who did either couldn't make it in Central State or had given up entirely.

But once someone embarked on the path of cultivation, who wouldn't want to see the grand path and elegance that top cultivators could witness?

Thus, even evil cultivators from Central State were highly oppressive.

However, for evil cultivators from Central State, as long as they were reported to the Central Immortal Alliance, cultivators from Central State would naturally come to handle them.

But all this required the one thing Zhao Wanqing lacked most: time.

Chu Xingchen continued to ask, "What else?"

This single question couldn't fool Chu Xingchen; before his rebirth, Li Xingtian had also ventured to Central State.

It was said that he thrived there.

"At this point, I'll be honest with you," Guan Quan's expression suddenly darkened, and he spoke seriously, "They definitely bought more than just from us."

"Ever since the rumors of evil cultivators performing blood sacrifices, I've been suspicious. I originally thought they would flee to other places after the incident."

"But they didn't. They even increased their purchases."

"I suspect their blood sacrifices of mortals are just a cover. How could sacrificing mere mortals satisfy the appetites of those from Central State?"

"Their true target should be the nearby sects! Only by sacrificing cultivators can they be satisfied!"

If possible, Guan Quan didn't want to get involved in these matters; selling goods and earning some spirit stones was enough. But circumstances always push people forward.

There's always risk in this line of work.

If the Demon Suppression Bureau hadn't come, he would likely have remained silent.

The blood sacrifice of a sect had nothing to do with him, and besides, he could earn quite a bit of money.

But the handsome man before him wasn't someone easy to fool.

Guan Quan had no doubt whether the longsword at his neck would fall.

At this point, rather than going back and trying to appease those evil cultivators, it was better to betray them completely!

Kill all those damned evil cultivators, so they would never dare return!

This way, he could also be free of worries!

Guan Quan's expression turned fierce as he said, "If you really want to handle this, investigate those sects; you might find unexpected gains!"

Chu Xingchen slowly sheathed his spirit sword and looked at Zhao Wanqing, who had listened to the entire conversation.

Zhao Wanqing's brow furrowed, her hand gripping a short knife. After a long pause, she finally spoke:

"You can leave now."

Hearing this, Guan Quan's expression relaxed, and he immediately pulled out a short knife from his waist, stabbing himself in various places under Zhao Wanqing's astonished gaze.

Then he turned and sprinted toward the dock.

Zhao Wanqing watched Guan Quan's retreating figure, her tone puzzled, "A trick of self-harm? Isn't that too obvious?"

Chu Xingchen chuckled and explained, "Many things can't be explained with words alone. No matter what you say, those who should be suspicious will naturally be suspicious. For him now, the important thing is his attitude."

Zhao Wanqing glanced sideways at Chu Xingchen and asked:

"Do you think what he said is true?"

"What do you think?"

Zhao Wanqing lowered her head with a heavy expression, and after a long pause, she finally said:

"What he said should be true."

"Do you still plan to continue investigating?" Chu Xingchen asked calmly.

Zhao Wanqing cupped her hands and said:

"I won't trouble you any further with the following matters. Thank you for your help."

After all, when it came to Central State, the strongest of those evil cultivators were at least at the Golden Core level, mixed with that terrifying blood qi.

Expecting a Golden Core cultivator to take risks for four hundred spirit stones was truly absurd.

Chu Xingchen asked, "No problem, but do you still plan to investigate alone?"

Zhao Wanqing answered firmly, "Yes!"

Chu Xingchen teased, "You're too clumsy to investigate alone."

"Even if I can't, I have to try."

"Ah, you're really dense; you don't understand what I'm saying."

Zhao Wanqing asked in confusion, "What do you mean?"

"Add money!"

——————

Covered in blood, Guan Quan ran back to his dock, pushing aside the underlings who tried to show concern.

He headed straight for a small room, forcefully pushing open the door.

Inside, a Black-Robed Man sat quietly on a chair, his voice hoarse:

"You're back?"

This sentence made Guan Quan pause for a moment, but he quickly reacted, speaking urgently:

"The Demon Suppression Bureau found out! I'm planning to run to Liangyang City to hide for a while! You should run too!"

"Why panic?" The Black-Robed Man chuckled, "What about the Demon Suppression Bureau?"

The Black-Robed Man's leisurely demeanor was completely unexpected to Guan Quan.

At this moment, he seemed to be the one in charge of the Demon Suppression Bureau.

Guan Quan didn't understand why this evil cultivator before him was so arrogant:

"They know you're here! They'll probably send people to catch you soon! Even if you're not afraid, shouldn't you at least retreat first?"

The Black-Robed Man tapped the table, "Don't rush, wait a bit longer."

Guan Quan asked in surprise, "Wait? Wait for what?"

"Of course, wait for those from the Demon Suppression Bureau to come."

Guan Quan felt something was off; the evil cultivator before him seemed insane. He quickly said:

"What are you thinking? I'm not going to go crazy with you. I'm leaving! You handle the goods yourself!"

With that, he turned to leave.

But the Black-Robed Man reached out and grabbed Guan Quan's shoulder.

"Stay and wait with me."

Guan Quan was furious, "What are you waiting for?"

"Of course... waiting for someone to come." As soon as the Black-Robed Man finished speaking, a surge of dark red blood qi erupted from his right hand, rushing straight at Guan Quan's head.

Guan Quan had been on guard, and when he saw the Black-Robed Man make a move, he swiftly dodged.

"What good does it do to attack me?!"

The Black-Robed Man said nothing, his body erupting with dark red spiritual energy, the bloody scent overwhelming.

He quickly caught up, aiming a fierce punch at Guan Quan's head!

Guan Quan raised his hand to block!

Bang!

Guan Quan felt the punch was incredibly heavy, the raging blood qi invading his meridians, wildly disrupting his spiritual energy!

Guan Quan's aptitude was poor, and his Foundation Establishment was forcibly achieved with pills, resulting in a Cracked Foundation Establishment.

But the Black-Robed Man not only had the support of blood qi but was also at the peak of Foundation Establishment!

Moreover, Guan Quan had injured himself earlier, making him even less of a match!

The Black-Robed Man glanced to the side, seeing Zhao Wanqing approaching from a distance.

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Immediately, his blood qi surged even more, as if afraid Zhao Wanqing wouldn't notice.

Then, right in front of Zhao Wanqing.

He punched, punched, and punched again at Guan Quan's head.

Smashing it to pieces.