Chapter 272: The Blood Moon Incident?

Su Wangchuan sank deeply into the soft seat and suddenly realized just how little he truly understood about 《spirit realm》.

Even though he had been in contact with it for more than half a year.

His understanding of 《spirit realm》 had only ever remained at the level of knowing that it was a brain–computer interface game capable of binding the soul and helping players grow stronger at an astonishing pace.

Su Wan was right.

What if…

《spirit realm》 was merely a disguised vessel?

If there were unspeakable conspiracies and secrets hidden behind it—

Then what exactly were they?

Su Wangchuan fell into deep thought.

“You should not think too much about it.”

Su Wan gazed out the window, her eyes cold yet resolute.

“There are only three months left until the fifteenth day of the seventh month this year. When that day arrives, whatever calamities await everyone in 《spirit realm》 will soon be revealed.”

Her brows tightened slightly, and a faint air of steel and war entered her voice.

“This time, no matter what happens, we must uncover the answer.”

…

Su Wangchuan left Su Wan’s office.

Her words continued echoing in his mind.

“Some things are not better understood the more you know. Before you have come into contact with certain matters, telling you too much will only make you more confused and lost. It will even make you hesitant and restrained. I will not say any more. Go back and train well. Before the Gate of Ghosts opens, do your best to break through to the Third Rank.”

“Red Moon Studio has already been completely taken over by us. Huishui County and Rongcheng County will no longer experience turmoil. You can rest assured.”

That had been the final piece of information Su Wan revealed regarding the fate of Red Moon Studio.

Su Wangchuan returned silently to his residence. After closing the door, he tried to sort through his thoughts, but his mind still felt hopelessly tangled.

In the end, he had no choice but to submerge himself in the cold water of the bathing pool and circulate the 《Xuanwu Art》.

As the inner cultivation method began to circulate, his mind gradually became clearer, and his entire body calmed considerably.

“Since the authorities have intervened in the matter of Red Moon Studio, and the Warring States Game Studio has taken over, there is no longer any need for me to worry about it.”

“All I need to do is focus completely on training, improving my strength, and preparing for the fifteenth day of the seventh month three months from now.”

“Judging from the intelligence Su Wan revealed, on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, every player who encounters the opening of the Gate of Ghosts dies instantly without exception. In other words, this is a probabilistic death event. If someone is truly unlucky enough to encounter it, they can only accept their fate.”

There was no reason for him to remain anxious.

With that thought, Su Wangchuan opened his eyes.

Continue training!

After returning to the game, his ears twitched slightly as he heard the solid sound of fists striking flesh coming from the direction of the infirmary.

Following the sound, he walked over.

There he saw Yang Feiyue—now going by the name Yang Fusheng—with black dye brushed into his temples, currently training together with Fei Zai.

Hearing the approaching footsteps, Fei Zai stopped. When he saw it was Wangchuan, he visibly relaxed and quickly cupped his fists in greeting.

“Helm Leader!”

Yang Feiyue also smiled and saluted with cupped fists.

“Helm Leader, I heard the bandits who attacked Blackstone Village have already been wiped out. Is everything alright?”

“It is settled.”

Wangchuan nodded. His gaze swept across the two of them with mild surprise.

Yang Feiyue smiled faintly and explained.

“Fei Zai has been with the hall for many years. I could not hide things from him, so I simply let him accompany me here to train whenever he is free. I also give him a few pointers… Fei Zai is a good seedling—loyal and dependable. He is worth cultivating, so I have been teaching him a few things.”

Fei Zai quickly cupped his fists again.

“Helm Leader, rest assured. I will keep the Gang Leader’s identity completely secret. I will not reveal it to anyone.”

“Mm.”

Only then did Wangchuan relax and nod.

“Since the Gang Leader is willing to cultivate you, Fei Zai, you must seize the opportunity and learn as much as you can.”

“Yes!”

Fei Zai bowed respectfully and then said,

“Helm Leader, you and the Gang Leader can talk. I will step outside and keep watch for you.”

With that, he tactfully left the courtyard.

Wangchuan and Yang Feiyue took seats in the courtyard.

Yang Feiyue stared at Wangchuan’s eyes for a moment before asking,

“Did you run into some trouble?”

“A little.”

“Do you want me to offer you some advice?”

Wangchuan’s heart stirred.

He suddenly wondered what the NPCs inside 《spirit realm》 thought about the fifteenth day of the seventh month.

Perhaps they knew something.

“Gang Leader, have you heard of the saying about the Gate of Ghosts opening on the fifteenth day of the seventh month?”

…

Yang Feiyue’s gaze froze slightly, as if the question had stirred old memories.

“There is indeed such a rumor among the common people. However, strictly speaking, what you are asking about should be the Blood Moon Incident that has occurred in recent years.”

“The Blood Moon Incident?”

Wangchuan felt a surge of excitement. He had not expected Yang Feiyue to actually know something.

Yang Feiyue’s expression turned grave.

“In recent years, every time the fifteenth day of the seventh month arrives, the full moon is stained with a blood-red glow. Among the common folk, some strange individuals claim that this is an ominous sign.”

“As for the authorities, they have discovered through statistics that every time the Blood Moon descends, certain people vanish without reason. Among the missing, almost all of them are martial artists.”

“And the number seems to increase year by year.”

Yang Feiyue truly did know something.

Wangchuan became even more interested.

Yang Feiyue continued explaining.

“In fact, this information was accidentally revealed by a friend of mine in the Six Gates. The Six Gates began investigating the truth behind the Blood Moon because even among the Six Gates, the Eastern and Western Depots, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard, people have been drawn into the Blood Moon Incident.”

“Some disciples from famous sects, and even certain elders and high-ranking figures, have also disappeared without a trace.”

…

Wangchuan’s excitement grew stronger.

The fifteenth day of the seventh month.

Disappearance incidents.

The number increasing each year.

These clues perfectly matched the situation Su Wan had described regarding players in the real world.

However, those who disappeared were certainly not all players.

Some of them were NPCs as well.

Yang Feiyue looked at Wangchuan with puzzlement and asked,

“Last July, you were still just an ordinary villager. Why are you suddenly asking about the Blood Moon Incident? Still… learning a little about it will not do any harm.”

“After all, it is already April. In three months, the Blood Moon will descend again. It is indeed wise to make preparations.”

Yang Feiyue did not pursue the matter further and continued speaking.

“If the Blood Moon does not appear this year, that would be fortunate. But if it does appear, it will certainly stir up a storm of bloodshed across the Jianghu.”

“Cities are still relatively safe. As long as you do not venture into remote and desolate places when the Blood Moon descends, those wicked sects and demonic practitioners should not dare attack the halls or branch helms of major gangs.”

…

Wangchuan nodded silently.

Yang Feiyue’s reasoning made sense.

With so many martial artists in the branch helm, even a great threat could hardly wipe out the entire Sanjiang Branch Helm.

He had already made his decision.

On the fifteenth day of the seventh month—

He would stay inside the Sanjiang Branch Helm.

Take shelter!

After a long while, he turned to Yang Feiyue and said,

“Gang Leader, allow me to ask an impertinent question.”

“When you left the Yulong Gang, did you bring the martial arts manuals from our gang with you?”

“Of course.”

Yang Feiyue answered frankly.

“If you had remained in the Yulong Gang back then, or if He Haisheng were still alive, I would have left the original copies of the martial arts manuals behind so you could manage and expand the Yulong Gang.”

“But now that the three of us have all left, there is not a single person remaining who can support the Yulong Gang. Keeping those original manuals there would be completely useless.”

At this point, he looked directly into Wangchuan’s eyes and asked,

“Wangchuan, are you planning to cultivate more Quasi-Martial Artists and full-fledged Martial Artists?”