Immortality Cultivation: I Can increase My Stats Using Clansmen's Qi-Blood

"This is indeed a dangerous book, I will immediately send someone to deliver it to the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion."

"However, the Thousand-faced master mentioned that there is an even greater power behind him," Qing Shuang added.

"Yes, we must remain vigilant," Elder He Tu nodded, "I will strengthen the town's alertness and notify neighboring towns so they can increase their guards as well."

Luo Chen, Qing Shuang, and Feng Qing continued their discussion at Elder He Tu's residence, knowing that although the current crisis was temporarily averted, a bigger challenge might be ahead.

"What should we do next?" Feng Qing asked.

"We need more information," Luo Chen answered, "Those black-clad figures mentioned by the Thousand-faced master might just be the tip of the iceberg, we need to find out the power behind them."

Qing Shuang nodded in agreement, "We can look into those missing livestock, maybe we'll find some clues."

"Additionally, we must investigate whether any outsiders have appeared in town recently," Luo Chen added, "Especially those who show abnormal interest in the activity of the black-clad figures."

The three decided to split up: Luo Chen would track down clues regarding the missing livestock, Qing Shuang would inquire with the town's residents, and Feng Qing would monitor the outsiders in town.

Luo Chen meticulously examined the pasture outside the town and found some strange tracks, suggesting someone deliberately covered the livestock's footprints.

He followed these traces and came upon a dense forest.

In the depths of the forest, Luo Chen discovered a hidden encampment with several black-clad individuals busily at work.

He stealthily approached, trying to overhear what they were saying.

"...We must complete preparations before next month's full moon," said one of the black-clad individuals.

"Yes, the master's plan must not fail," replied another.

Luo Chen was startled; it seemed they were preparing for some sort of ritual.

He decided to return to report to Elder He Tu and simultaneously request reinforcements.

Meanwhile, Qing Shuang also unearthed some clues while questioning residents in town.

Residents mentioned that mysterious outsiders recently appeared, always wandering outside the town late at night.

"They look suspicious, always avoiding crowds," said an old woman.

Qing Shuang thanked the old woman and decided to personally check the area outside the town.

Feng Qing, while monitoring outsiders in town, noticed a suspicious merchant.

This merchant always carried a large box and seemed particularly interested in the black-clad activities in town.

"I need to find out this merchant's identity," Feng Qing thought.

At Elder He Tu's residence, Luo Chen, Qing Shuang, and Feng Qing regrouped, exchanging the information they'd gathered.

"It seems we've found some important clues," Elder He Tu said, "These black-clad individuals seem to be preparing some kind of ritual, we must stop them."

"I suggest we act tonight," Luo Chen proposed, "Before they complete their preparations."

Elder He Tu nodded, "Alright, I'll gather the town's militia, and we'll go together."

As night fell, Luo Chen, Qing Shuang, Feng Qing, and Elder He Tu led the militia to discreetly approach the black-clad camp.

They discovered the black-clad individuals conducting a ritual, with odd objects on the altar and bizarre symbols drawn around.

"It's now!" Luo Chen whispered.

They launched a quick attack; the black-clad individuals were caught off guard and soon subdued.

In the chaos, the mysterious merchant tried to flee, but Feng Qing, with swift reflexes, trapped him in place using a talisman paper.

"Who are you? What are you doing here?" Feng Qing interrogated.

The merchant looked at Feng Qing, a hint of fear in his eyes.

"I'm... I'm hired to transport these items, I don't know what they're meant for."

Luo Chen stepped forward to check the objects on the altar carefully.

"These items... They're similar to the ones from the Thousand-faced master's ritual."

Elder He Tu furrowed his brow, "It appears we've uncovered an even larger conspiracy."

They took the merchant and the black-clad individuals back to town for further interrogation.

In the following days, Luo Chen, Qing Shuang, and Feng Qing assisted Elder He Tu in interrogating the merchant and the black-clad men, gradually uncovering a vast conspiracy.

It turned out these black-clad figures were members of a mysterious organization planning to use the power of evil spirits to take control of the entire region.

And the merchant was merely used to transport the items needed for the ritual.

"We must report this to the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion," Elder He Tu said, "This organization's power may be greater than we imagined."

Luo Chen nodded, "We will personally make a journey to the Pavilion and deliver this information to them."

At Elder He Tu's residence, Luo Chen, Qing Shuang, and Feng Qing meticulously organized the evidence and information they had gathered.

They knew this discovery not only concerned the safety of the town but could also affect the stability of the entire region.

"We need to depart soon," said Luo Chen, his eyes firm and calm.

Qing Shuang nodded, feeling a mix of worry and anticipation for the unknown challenges ahead.

"We must ensure every preparation is in place, we can't allow the power of these evil spirits to spread further."

Feng Qing was by their side, checking their equipment, making sure every weapon was razor-sharp and each talisman prepared.

"We mustn't give the black-clad men any opportunity to exploit."

Once ready, the three decided to set out before dawn to avoid possible surveillance.

They rode swift horses, galloping along the winding path toward the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion.