Chapter 37: Champagne at Halftime - I Forged Them in Darkness, and They Buried Me in It

**Chapter 37: Celebrate with Champagne at Halftime** As Zheng Qing's words fell, those who initially frowned began to relax, their expressions noticeably easing. Some younger individuals even attempted to approach and engage her in conversation. Wang Que tapped his fingers on the table, drawing everyone's attention towards him. With a serious expression, he declared, "Alright, let’s leave other matters for later. Currently, the most important thing is..." Without a trace of unnecessary talk, he began to elaborate on the key points of their mission and the potential challenges they might face during the operation. For instance, the much-coveted earth-burrowing technique. He paused briefly at this point, about to continue speaking, when suddenly the ground beneath them quivered. An intense scent of blood swiftly permeated the air. The earth trembled abruptly, and a foreboding sensation enveloped everyone. Wang Que was the first to rush out of the convenience store, and was immediately struck by an unstoppable shock. The sky, without them noticing, had changed color. It was no longer a clear blue but a disturbing shade of blood red. It was as if an enormous bowl had been overturned from the sky, enclosing the welfare institute and convenience store. On the ground, blood-red hands emerged continuously, surrounded by eerie whimpering sounds that resonated chillingly in their ears. “What’s happening?!” Someone exclaimed in horror. Even those accustomed to dealing with cultivators felt their scalps tingle and goosebumps rise uncontrollably at this bizarre spectacle. Zheng Qing's expression became exceedingly grim. Growing up on Qingcheng Mountain and well-versed in ancient texts and scriptures, she naturally knew more. In a somber tone, she said, "The intelligence was wrong. Such a dreadful celestial phenomenon can't be caused by someone at just the third level of Qi Refinement." “It looks like the evil cultivator set this trap well in advance to lure us in.” After saying this, she discreetly pulled Lin Jing Qiu back, retreating behind the group. If anything went awry, she was prepared to quickly escape with her junior sister. As for the others, it was a matter of saving oneself first. The next second, before anyone could respond, a shrill scream abruptly pierced the air. The young man who had just tried to flirt with Lin Jing Qiu looked down in terror and agony. There, a large blood-red hand had tightly gripped his ankle. The palm of the blood-red hand revealed numerous densely packed orifices filled with aligned teeth. Then, the orifices began to squirm, slowly gnawing at the man’s flesh. Unable to bear the burgeoning fear and pain any longer, the young man drew a gun from his waist and started firing wildly at his leg. Gunfire burst like water, lighting up with dazzling sparks. Along with the man's escalating cries of pain. When the gunpowder smoke cleared, the blood-red hand remained unscathed. While the young man's lower leg had been entirely devoured in just a few seconds, leaving only bare white bones. Then, a series of screams echoed one after another. The crowd panicked, and their well-laid plans disintegrated entirely. No one could remain calm under such circumstances. Even Wang Que, usually composed, was drenched in cold sweat, his clothes clinging to his skin. This was impossible. They hadn't even seen the enemy, and their team was already nearly wiped out. He felt waves of regret. This evil cultivator's uncanny methods were on an entirely different level compared to their previous encounters. It was like the difference between heaven and earth, cloud and mud. They had made the mistake of using past experiences to gauge the strength of this target. But clearly, such assumptions were disastrously wrong! Every level a cultivator ascends results in changes that increase exponentially for mortals. “Run!” Wang Que finally snapped back to reality, shouting to the group. But they needed no encouragement; those who could still run did so faster than anyone. Dragging their soon-to-be skeleton teammate, they fled for their lives. Perhaps when facing former opponents who still fit within the human spectrum, they could maintain composure and devise solutions. Even held onto some responsibilities and a sense of mission to protect the people. But now, faced with a scene beyond their worst imaginations, those missions were forgotten as they fled in panic. But everywhere they looked, there were blood-red hands, leaving no clear path for escape. Their eyes fell on the only direction not yet occupied by the sinister hands. That was the road leading to the welfare institute. Without a moment's hesitation, they surged towards it en masse. At this point of life and death, who had time to think of anything else? They only needed to get out of this blood-red area first; everything else could wait. Meanwhile, at that moment, Zhang A Si, long lurking in the shadows, finally revealed himself. His complexion was alarmingly pale, with abnormal swelling covering large parts of his face. He looked like a corpse that's been submerged in water for days before being dredged up. There was no choice - to create such a colossal commotion with this blood sacrifice, Zhang A Si had invested his entire fortune. Including the extremely precious blood coagulation pearl he obtained when he first inherited the blood fiend art. It was a true treasure, as described in the blood fiend technique records, refined from 999 infant hearts and the most tormented souls. With this blood coagulation pearl, and Zhang A Si's own remaining essence blood, he achieved the minimum requirements to initiate the formation. Otherwise, merely being at the third level of Qi Refinement would be utterly insufficient to sustain the entire blood sacrifice. Standing at the original spot, Zhang A Si watched the crowd fleeing, a grin forming on his lips. Yes, yes. Let them all rush in there; it saved him the effort of capturing them one by one. At this thought, Zhang A Si began humming a little tune. This is the benefit of knowing military strategies. Heard of trapping an enemy from three sides, leaving one open? The blood sacrifice is complete, who can stand against me now? I, Zhang A Si, after all this time, am finally about to rise! ... ... While the outside world descended into bloody chaos, Chen An was leisurely braiding a young girl's hair. In the small welfare institute, time seemed peaceful and calm. As for the children in the welfare institute, they were attending a class inside. Today, the elderly director was teaching them pinyin, with the sound of their uniform chanting occasionally drifting out. Chen An pondered for a moment before saying to Qin Shou, who was still playing a game, "I think you might want to go to the restroom." Puzzled, Qin Shou asked, "Why?" Chen An retorted, "Don't you think gaming pairs well with a restroom break?" Qin Shou scoffed, "I’d say reading a novel pairs better with a long trip to the toilet." "Nonetheless, now that you mention it, I do feel a bit of an urge. Do you have any paper?" Chen An pulled a pack of tissues from his pocket and handed it over. Qin Shou took it, patted his back, and cheerfully headed to the bathroom. As he passed the kitchen, he heard Chen An’s voice calling after him. “While you’re at it, toss that fire poker by the kitchen door over here.” In a hurry to relieve himself, Qin Shou didn't question it, simply picked up the stick and threw it over. Mumbling, he said, “Chen An, what are you up to?” Chen An chuckled, “It might come in handy later.” Come in handy? For what purpose? Qin Shou found it very odd. Other than for stoking fires, what use could that thing possibly have? Its heft could possibly let it double as a makeshift baseball bat?