At the edge of the blood pool, Leon quickly noticed a large patch of earth had been hollowed out by the concentration of beast blood, while other areas showed signs of the blood melting their way into the ground.
"Did the vicious beast blood absorb Wrathful Demonic Energies in the surrounding, hence gaining a corrosive, high temperature that allows it to melt the earth?" Leon muttered to himself.
Shortly after, his eyes flickered, "The blood should be around two days old at least, but it did not dry up. The blood essence and vital energy has been preserved... is this due to the Wrathful Demonic Energy?"
As Leon arrived at this conclusion, the firmer he felt it was likely the case.
Aria arrived beside Leon and peeked into the blood pool below with curiosity before she asked, "Is there something interesting about this blood pool?"
"I wouldn't say interesting... but it does make a good source of cultivation resource for Blood Cultivators," Leon replied with a thoughtful look.
"Oh?" Lilith frowned at the term 'Blood Cultivator' before she queried, "Isn't this blood pool contaminated in foul energy, though? Even if a Blood Cultivator can make use of this blood pool for Blood Cultivation, the person will only go berserk during the process."
"That's true. A normal cultivator will indeed get stumped by such a problem." Leon nodded before saying with an expression that exuded confidence, "But am I a normal cultivator?"
"Less boasting." Lilith rolled her eyes before she frowned, "You've become a Blood Cultivator? Even if you have, I won't let you cultivator in this blood pool. It's too dangerous for both you and the rest of us."
"Not yet, but I will be. You need not worry about this. I know what I am doing," Leon said calmly before gazing over to Duna.
Duna noticed his gaze and glanced back in response, "What is it?"
"All this blood doesn't arouse your bloodthirst?" Leon asked with wonder, thinking it was strange that Duna appeared utterly unaffected.
"I've already had my fill earlier." Duna licked her lips before she suddenly added with a solemn look, "Besides, I am not interested in some filthy mixture of various beast blood."
"If you don't drink beast blood, then are you planning to only drink my blood?" Leon furrowed his brows slightly.
"That doesn't sound like a bad idea. Your blood is of much higher quality than some beast blood and also cleaner as well." Duna nodded with approval of the idea before saying, "You can refine the beast blood while I suck from you after."
"Oh, not a bad idea indeed. I wouldn't mind letting you suck me," Leon smiled slyly with hidden connotations.
However, he quickly received dirty looks from all the ladies, Soft Feather included.
Duna glanced at the other ladies and lazily said, "Don't mind him. He is just a horny dog who can only think with his lower body."
"Ahem." Leon coughed awkwardly, realizing they had all understood his meaning before changing the topic, "Please watch over me while I absorb the vital essence in this blood pool."
"Mm." Aria nodded compliantly.
Lilith knitted her brows and quickly sought Aria's help in persuading Leon otherwise, "Aren't you going to stop him, Miss Aria?"
"Not at all. I have complete faith in him," Aria calmly said.
She glanced at the Soft Feather and Duna, but neither of them seemed to show concern either, making her worries feel misplaced.
"There's something wrong with all of you..." Lilith muttered softly.
Shortly after, Leon undressed his top and revealed his bare upper body, taut with well-defined muscles.
Lilith gasped.
She quickly covered her eyes with her hands in embarrassment, but she could not help but peek in between the gaps of her fingers.
Suddenly, Aria's face filled her vision before the person spoke, "Oh? What do we have here? A naughty little peeker, eh?"
"If you are going to just look, just look. No need to hide your face, only to peek." Aria added with a sly smile.
"Ahaha..." Lilith gave a forced laugh after being caught and called out, "Maybe I will do just that..."
Soon, Aria turned to Leon and took the clothes from his hand, "Let me hold onto these for you, Leon."
"Alright." Leon smiled warmly.
After he closed his eyes and reviewed the details of the Everlasting Blood Mantra in his mind, he reopened his eyes and hopped straight into the blood pool.
Plop!
The blood splashed upon his entry before Leon felt the scorching heat from the blood pool. The corrosiveness pricked his skin but failed to break his defense.
Within moments, Leon entered a meditative state of focus and concentrated on refining the blood.
"According to the Everlasting Blood Mantra, the word 'Everlasting' has two meanings. The first being that which is eternal; becoming undying through blood."
Leon began musing in his mind, "The second is to everlasting in battle, not knowing tire and exhaustion through blood."
At the highest level of the Everlasting Blood Mantra, it is said that even if the body is destroyed, the person can still generate his entire body as long as a single drop of blood remained.
"If I practice the divine skill of the Everlasting Blood Mantra, I can absorb blood essence from my fallen enemies to replenish my stamina and strength, and continue fighting until I am the last one standing..."
As Leon began his blood refinement, Aria folded Leon's clothes before turning to Lilith, "You know, I am quite surprised by your patience. I thought you would be urging us to reach your clan sooner rather than later."
"I'm not very patient. It's just that I am not really in any position to rush you all when you are all nice enough to accompany me already," Lilith smiled ruefully and added, "I'm not that selfish, and I don't have the right to be when I was the one to leave home in the first place."
"I see." Aria uttered while studying Lilith's expression before she stated, "Well, it seems that you have cheered up from the other matter at least."
After Aria said this, Lilith subconsciously traced her ring and pendant with a smile, "Yeah..."