Chapter 19: Blood Coagulation Stone

On the southern slope, within the small courtyard, Jiang Chen spent two full hours meticulously dissecting the corpse of the rat.

“The bones are robust, far surpassing those of its kind. This rat has already broken through the natural limits of its body. Or perhaps, by continuously merging foreign blood energy, it awakened dormant powers within itself.”

His hands stained with blood, Jiang Chen studied the rat’s remains thoughtfully.

“It’s a pity I couldn’t find any obvious extraordinary traits. Perhaps such features are deeply hidden, beyond the reach of ordinary means. Of course, it could also be that this rat was a failed specimen, never fully stabilizing any such abilities.”

Ruminating, he scoured the corpse with his heightened senses but found nothing more, which left Jiang Chen rather disappointed. Previously, the rat had suddenly grown in size—a clear sign of supernatural power, likely some technique it had mastered. Jiang Chen had hoped to glean some insights from its body, but it yielded little. As for soul examination, he had tried that as well, but the rat’s spirit was already a tangled, chaotic mess, with nothing useful remaining.

“Strictly speaking, this rat is merely a failed product of transformation. If the failures yield nothing, what about the successful ones?”

A flash of inspiration struck him, and Jiang Chen’s gaze shifted to the rat prodigy that had successfully transformed.

Sensing Jiang Chen’s attention, the prodigy rat, already terrified, trembled even more violently. Once the size of a fat cat, its body curled into a tight ball, radiating weakness and helplessness.

Seeing this, Jiang Chen withdrew his gaze.

He now had a rough idea that absorbing foreign blood energy would have some unknown effect on the mind. This rat not only transformed successfully but also developed such keen intelligence—truly peculiar. To dissect it now would be a waste; its value alive was greater.

“Best to make use of the failed specimen.”

Turning his attention back to the dead rat, Jiang Chen invoked his Bloodflame Art.

In an instant, fierce blood-colored flames engulfed the corpse, reducing it at last to a swirling mass of blood energy, flickering like fire.

“It’s different—truly different now.”

Clutching the blood energy, Jiang Chen heightened his perception to the utmost, and at last sensed something he’d never detected before.

“Fierce, bloodthirsty—as if this is not merely pure blood energy, but a living demon-rat. The will of the dead rat lingers within the blood energy.”

After repeated scrutiny, Jiang Chen confirmed his suspicion.

Even though the blood energy refined by the Bloodflame Art appeared pure, in fact it still retained the lingering will of the deceased creature. The reason he hadn’t noticed before was that the creatures had been too weak, their remaining will too feeble to be detected.

But this rat was different, with one foot in the supernatural. Though its mind was deranged, its willpower was far stronger than that of ordinary beasts.

Of course, even this strength was relative. If not for Jiang Chen’s soul abilities and sensitivity, other spiritual cultivators—or even Qi practitioners—might never have noticed the issue.

“So that’s why the ancient texts don’t record any further use for blood energy—it comes with hidden dangers. Absorbing blood energy can quickly strengthen the body, but it also pollutes the mind. Even if one’s soul is strong enough to withstand it for a time, in the end it’s not worth the cost.”

With the hidden danger of blood energy laid bare, Jiang Chen’s earlier doubts were dispelled. Blood energy had its merits, but must be used with caution.

“Whether in my previous life or in this world, matters of the soul and spirit are always troublesome. Perhaps there are methods here to resolve the dangers of blood energy, but they are likely demanding and costly—thus the ancient texts make no mention. But for me, it may not be impossible.”

Turning the blood energy in his hand, a ghostly light flickered in Jiang Chen’s eyes.

Before discovering the problem, he had been at a loss. But now that he had identified it, there was hope of solving it.

With that, Jiang Chen produced a thumb-sized stone and sealed the blood energy inside. This was a Blood-Congealing Stone, a method of preserving blood energy recorded in the ancient texts. Made from a mix of earth and minerals, it could keep blood energy intact for up to a year.

Making use of his position as the acting head of Jinsha Valley, Jiang Chen had deliberately spread word of the materials he needed, and managed to gather them all.

With a hum, as the blood energy merged in, the once gray stone turned blood-red before his eyes, as if it might drip with blood.

Seeing this, Jiang Chen was well satisfied.

“A man can be killed, a soul can be erased. These lingering wills are no exception; perhaps my killing intent will prove useful here. But all of this will require experimentation.”

Having calculated his next steps, Jiang Chen put the Blood-Congealing Stone away and immediately summoned Shi Tou, giving him several instructions: first, to tell Xiong Li to lead the mining guards out to hunt a few more fierce beasts; second, to have Thin Monkey capture another batch of rats; and third, to build a rat enclosure next to the residence, specifically for holding these experimental subjects.

Receiving Jiang Chen’s orders, Shi Tou bowed and departed without hesitation.

As one of Jiang Chen’s close aides, Shi Tou had long noticed his master’s peculiarities. Many of Jiang Chen’s actions were unlike those of an ordinary warrior, but Shi Tou had always kept his curiosity firmly in check, never prying, never questioning, focusing only on carrying out his duties.

“At least he knows how to keep his mouth shut.”

Watching Shi Tou leave, Jiang Chen felt satisfied. Though taciturn, Shi Tou was careful and efficient—a useful man.

“In the future, I should cultivate him a bit. As my cultivation advances, the affairs I must handle will grow ever more complex. For example, tending the rat enclosure—if he were to be bitten to death by a rat, it would be a farce indeed.”

Shaking his head, Jiang Chen resolved to begin training his subordinates.

Having survived the apocalypse, he knew just how limited an individual’s strength could be. It was necessary to band together for survival. Though this world allowed for immortality and great power, he was still weak. If he could have a few useful people to handle mundane affairs and gather resources, he could focus on his cultivation—a clear advantage.

That was one reason he hadn’t left the Drowning River Bandits immediately after crossing into this world. Though his predecessor was not enamored with power, he had left Jiang Chen some foundation here, sparing him much trouble.

“Using blood energy to quickly cultivate a group of warriors should be feasible. Though they’d be forced to mature rapidly, they’d be more than enough for ordinary tasks.”

His thoughts settled, Jiang Chen made his decision.

With his orders given, the once-calm Jinsha Valley was soon stirred into motion again.