Three Sins Against Heaven

After finishing his cultivation, Dylan Chen adjusted his state to its peak, and images of various herbs flashed through his mind.

Coagulating Blood Flower, known for its miraculous effect on healing wounds, could cause blood clots if used excessively. The blood-red pill in his body didn't dissolve after ingestion, likely due to the presence of Coagulating Blood Flower.

This herb was quite common; he had seen it on the slopes outside his village when he was a child. The village dogs would seek out Coagulating Blood Flower to eat when they were injured from fighting.

Heartbreak Grass, which would cause the internal organs to rupture upon consumption, was unbearable for ordinary people. However, for a Qi Refinement Level One cultivator, it would only cause intense pain but not be fatal.

Combining these two herbs would essentially recreate the effect of the blood-red pill in his body.

The blood-red pill was controlled by spiritual sense, meaning there must be another herb that specifically responded to spiritual sense.

There were many herbs that met this requirement, but considering cost, there was only one suitable option.

Shame Plant, another common herb, would retract when touched.

By extracting its medicinal essence, it would activate upon sensing spiritual sense, explaining why any cultivator could control the blood-red pill in his body.

At this point, Dylan Chen had a bold idea.

He cautiously spread his spiritual sense. As soon as it touched his body, he felt excruciating pain, his face contorting as he collapsed onto the bed, curling up and covering his mouth tightly to avoid making too much noise.

Dylan quickly retracted his spiritual sense. Despite his pale face from the pain, he broke into a radiant smile.

He was right; the blood-red pill in his body was indeed formed from these three herbs!

As for the solution, it was simpler than refining the blood-red pill. Any one of these three herbs losing its effectiveness would suffice.

And there were many herbs that could counter these three, many of which were planted in the herb garden outside the courtyard.

Dylan laughed, but suddenly his laughter ceased, his body trembling uncontrollably, and his back drenched in cold sweat.

Sitting in the darkness, he couldn't help but wonder why none of the spirit slaves had discovered these secrets over the years.

Was it really the blood-red pill that controlled these spirit slaves?

No, it wasn't the pill, but the fear planted in them from the beginning.

As fear took root and grew, they would forget to resist, becoming living dead who only knew to follow orders, just like the spirit slaves he saw during the day.

What a cunning Demonic Extreme Sect, what a brilliant method!

It was at this moment that he understood that controlling a person was never about the pill but the heart. Control the heart, and you control the person.

Dylan sat up abruptly, his eyes growing brighter.

He had been pondering who the traitor was these past few days, and now he finally understood.

To find out who the traitor was, he couldn't just focus on Roy Li and Ralph Zhao's daily behavior; he had to think from Mark Ye's perspective to see clearly who the traitor was.

And the answer was, there was no traitor!

Without a traitor, they would never find one!

Jordan Shen's appearance today made him realize that Mark Ye had many things to do in the Demonic Extreme Sect and couldn't watch them all day.

Moreover, Mark Ye was arrogant by nature, looking down on even cultivators of the same level, let alone spirit slaves like them.

So Mark Ye wouldn't go to great lengths to appoint a traitor; he only needed to plant a seed of suspicion in their hearts.

Once mutual suspicion arose, anyone with ulterior motives would have to guard against others, making it difficult to unite.

This method was identical to how the Demonic Extreme Sect controlled spirit slaves: control the heart to control the person!

As for how Mark Ye knew Ryan Ji was badmouthing him behind his back last time, it was purely a bluff.

Mark Ye knew they couldn't resist talking privately, and given Ryan Ji's personality, he would definitely be the one cursing the most.

Such things didn't require a traitor; it was easy to guess.

Since then, they had been wary of Roy Li and Ralph Zhao, which was exactly what Mark Ye wanted.

It all made sense now.

Mark Ye's move was almost unbeatable unless someone dared to risk exposure and communicate with everyone, and that person had to gain everyone's trust.

Most importantly, that person had to see through this and have absolute confidence in their judgment.

With this in mind, Dylan Chen took out the silver block Roy Li had given him and carved a few lines on it.

"I am Dylan Chen. I want to tell you that I, Dylan Chen, will not stay under others forever. One day, I will escape from here. If you are willing to join me, write your name, and we will find a way to escape together. If not, you can take this to see Mark Ye now, and I will fight you to the death. Live together or die together, you decide!"@@novelbin@@

Dylan carved his name on the back of the silver block without hesitation, moved the cabinet aside, and pushed the silver block through the hole into Ryan Ji's room. Then he went to the wall connecting to Roy Li's room and started digging a hole.

This was not something to hesitate about; hesitation would lead to suspicion of others, even oneself.

He trusted his judgment. Since he had figured it out, he had to act.

If he was wrong, he would just die!

Before he finished digging, Ryan Ji returned the silver block, now with two more names on the back.

Ryan Ji, Carol Yan!

Dylan smiled warmly and continued digging. He could feel Roy Li standing by the wall, listening to the sounds he made.

After digging the last bit of soil, Dylan pushed the silver block through and leaned against the wall, waiting.

There was no movement from Roy Li's side for a long time. Dylan rubbed the copper coin in his hand, lost in thought.

Ralph Zhao had already shown his sincerity; the most troublesome part was Roy Li.

As long as Roy Li was willing to follow, the plan would succeed. The words on the silver block were meant for Roy Li.

Roy Li was honest and easily swayed. If Roy Li lived on the far right, Dylan would be confident in getting him to join because the silver block would pass through Ralph Zhao's hands before reaching Roy Li.

With himself, Ryan Ji, Carol Yan, and Ralph Zhao all willing to cooperate to escape, Roy Li would surely follow.

But Roy Li lived next door to him, so he had to send the silver block to Ryan Ji first.

Now, it all depended on whether the three names could move Roy Li.

This night was destined to be long.

Two hours later, Roy Li returned the silver block, now with two more names.

Roy Li, Ralph Zhao!

The silver block came back slowly, indicating Roy Li's struggle, but he ultimately decided to stand with Dylan.

Now, all five were united.

Dylan looked at the five names on the silver block and laughed silently in the dark. This was his happiest moment since coming to the Demonic Extreme Sect.

Live together or die together!

Dylan went to the wall connecting to Ryan Ji's room, reached through the hole, and wiggled his fingers. Ryan Ji immediately understood and handed over his silver block.

Then, all the silver blocks were continuously passed around the five rooms.

"Ryan Ji, Ralph Zhao, when you go out, one of you feed Blackie, and the other scout the terrain. It's better to be slow than to get exposed."

"Roy Li, when you forge the silver block, save some silver essence and sharpen it."

"Carol Yan, when you pick herbs, secretly stash some. Prioritize Blood Stain Grass and Black Hemp Root."

...

After giving all the instructions, Dylan retrieved the silver blocks at dawn, erased the words, and restored everything to its original state.

No oaths or witnesses were needed; mutual understanding was enough.

With the pill and traitor matters clear, all they needed now was an opportunity!

Soon after, Mark Ye's call echoed.

Dylan gently opened the door, walking steadily. He nodded to the four watching him from the window and then slowly entered the pavilion. By the time he reached the top floor, he had resumed his respectful demeanor.

A new day had begun!

Days later, Dylan finished refining a large batch of pills and walked out of the pavilion, feeling warmth from the welcoming gazes of his companions.

In the following days, Mark Ye neither called for him nor went out.

Dylan knew Mark Ye was attempting to break through his acupoints again. Seeing Mark Ye's cultivation level rise, Dylan remained calm, without any impatience.

Opportunities favor the patient.