Chapter 199: Are Commoners Livestock?

Ancestor Suitian looked on as Daoist Du retreated and let out a cold snort. "As for the things you just mentioned... you may be able to fool others with such talk, but do you seriously think I wouldn't understand the principles behind them?"

"The so-called Arts of Resurrection you speak of... they are nothing more than venomous techniques paired with manipulation arts.[1]

"First, a parasite is implanted within a cultivator's three meridian gates. It is fed constantly with the cultivator's spirit qi and flesh until it grows strong enough to revive the host. But by that time... is it truly the cultivator being revived, or the parasite itself?"

As he spoke, Ancestor Suitian cast a glance at Venerable Hua Xin. Moments earlier, he had noticed that Venerable Hua Xin was tempted by Daoist Du's so-called Art of Resurrection. "Venerable Hua Xin, tell me... Who do you think is truly brought back in the end? Is it the parasite or the cultivator?"

Venerable Hua Xin let out a cold snort, admitting, "You are right, High Sage Suitian. I have learned my lesson. As a venerable who recently ascended to the Human Core Realm, it was indeed my mistake to be so easily swayed by Daoist Du."

He stepped behind Heaven Venerable Hua Sheng. "I will never allow Little Rou to fall under the control of some venomous parasite, nor do we need one to revive her. Once we obtain that artifact, my master and I can awaken her ourselves."

Daoist Shuang Dao noticed Daoist Du's gaze upon him. Brandishing his twin blades, he shouted, "Old freak, forget that thought. Unless I die, you will never touch my granddaughter."

"Then we shall see whose fortune comes out on top in the end," Daoist Du replied with a cold snort, turning his gaze toward the Scripture Hall and falling silent. The other venerables and Daoists followed his gaze, lost in thought, and the tension slowly eased.

Lu Chen watched as the debate among the venerables subsided and approached Ancestor Suitian. "Ancestor, what should we do now? The mist seems impossible to clear. Do we simply wait for it to dissipate, or is there some way you can guide us through it?"

"There is no way," Ancestor Suitian said, looking at the mist with unflinching honesty. "Even we venerables would be instantly corroded by the corpse qi in that black mist. We must wait. Eventually, it will recede, and only then can we descend together."

"Understood..." Lu Chen said, walking away. But he soon turned back to Ancestor Suitian. "By the way, Ancestor... earlier you mentioned sacrifices, as well as a thousand-year-long plan... I still don't quite understand what you mean by that."

Hearing his words, Red Fox opened her eyes briefly, letting out a mocking laugh before closing them again to sleep.

"Little Lu, you little fool. Do you really still not understand?" Wind Dragon responded through the Hunyuan Greatsword. "Some secret realms were once the estates or dojos of cultivators. In order for the later generations to access them, sacrifices must be made. And for a secret realm capable of attracting both venerables and Men of Heaven, the required sacrifices are enormous.

"I suspect the reason so many low-level cultivators were permitted this time is because they are intended as sacrifices to unlock the secret realm. In the eyes of these great sect families, low-level cultivators are no different from ordinary humans. Both are livestock to be killed or devoured at any moment."

After hearing Wind Dragon's explanation, Lu Chen glanced at Ancestor Suitian and muttered, "Ordinary humans... livestock..."

Ancestor Suitian met his gaze and replied, "Don't look at me that way. Compared to other great sects and families, I merely extract a thousand years from their lifespan. I do not directly kill them to offer their flesh as sacrifices.

"Of course," he added coldly, surveying the low-level cultivators behind him, "if their lives are too fragile and they die here, it is not my fault. And these humans, used as sacrifices to open the secret realm, would never have had a chance to acquire this opportunity even if they begged. There were even those out there who kneeled, demanding to be offered as sacrifices, yet they still cannot enter."

The people behind Lu Chen sighed collectively at his words, but no one dared to argue. The sacrifice might cost a thousand years of a cultivator's life, yet when the secret realm finally opened, it promised endless resources.

"Being sacrificed like livestock... and calling that a chance? What kind of nonsense is this?" Lu Chen looked up at Ancestor Suitian, speaking with sincerity. "Ancestor, human life is still life. Using them as livestock for sacrifice is no different from wounding my own flesh and blood."

His words drew laughter from those at the valley's entrance. Some were from the venerables, while some came from the commoners. Amid the laughter, helpless sighs were interspersed.

Daoist Du appeared beside Lu Chen, placing a hand on him and releasing black qi from his palms. "Well... well, it seems our little junior has only just stepped into the world of cultivation. I haven't heard such naive words in many years."

Hearing the surrounding laughter and sighs, Lu Chen felt a crack form in his once pure and radiant inner world. The black tendrils seeped in, violently encroaching on his mind. "What... are you on about?"

Just as Wind Dragon was about to intervene, Ancestor Suitian waved his right hand, striking Daoist Du away and cloaking Lu Chen in a layer of primordial lightning qi. "Little Lu, I know what you are thinking...

"Fifty thousand years ago, my brothers and I spoke words much like yours, yet even we could not change certain things. There is a reason for the existence of such matters. Commoners are worth less than grass, while noble clans rise higher than mountains. You will come to understand this principle one day."

Ancestor Suitian swept his gaze across the valley's entrance, radiating immense pressure. In an instant, the area fell silent. Not even the stir of a bird could be heard. "You are still young. What you must do now is guard your heart and remain true to yourself. As long as you believe in what is right, then that thing is right for you.

"A pure heart is born precious; do not let the words of others stain your inner world. Perhaps the truths that have remained unchanged for millennia will, in your hands, finally be changed. Isn't that so?"

Lu Chen lifted his head in response. "Yes, Ancestor."

He had just expended all his strength using Yang Purifying Water to try to mend the dark crack, but at best, he could only drive away Daoist Du's toxic energy. The crack itself remained beyond repair.

Ancestor Suitian sighed deeply. He knew the crack that had appeared in Lu Chen's heart could no longer be healed. "Step back for now. The black mist has been blocked by the Scripture Hall, and we must proceed with the next stage of our plan."

With that, Ancestor Suitian led the Men of Heaven toward the Scripture Hall. The remaining venerables exchanged glances, performing hand seals to summon their disciples and sending them rushing toward the hall as well.

"Step back, Little Lu," Wind Dragon said, emerging from the Hunyuan Greatsword, perching above Lu Chen and eyeing the black mist. Following the venerables' retreat, the area within a thirty-zhang radius around Lu Chen was cleared, with no other cultivators in sight.

Wind Dragon unleashed a gust of wind that formed a protective illusion realm around them. "The truth may be harsh, but Ancestor Suitian is right. With your current strength, you cannot change this. But once you grow strong enough, it may not be entirely impossible for you to establish a land where all races are equal."

"No... there may be a way to change the situation," Red Fox said, opening her eyes. "I remember that long ago, when several great beings declared themselves emperors of the continent, such injustices were eradicated. Back then, all races under the heavens were considered equal. The prosperity was unparalleled."

"All races under the heavens... equal..." Lu Chen echoed, keeping his eyes on Red Fox. "That's such a powerful phrase. But... did that grandeur truly exist?"

𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"It did. Back then, Lord Green Emperor's nine avatars held dominion over the nine regions for a century. During that time, not once did a noble clan oppress the common folk. Unfortunately, it did not last long. All of them were soon forced to ascend to the Outside."

Red Fox glanced toward the distant mist, then closed her eyes again. "Without a powerful force to uphold equality, the divisions between mortals and nobles reemerged within just ten years. Still, that equality truly existed, though it was short-lived.

"Perhaps once you surpass all others on this continent, such a vision might come true once more. By then, the age when all races are considered equal would be restored."

"Only by becoming powerful can I truly change the world..."

Wind Dragon crouched above Lu Chen. Sensing Lu Chen's inner demons stirring, he smacked him on the head with his tail. "Little Lu, what are you mumbling about? Being powerful and all that... are you thinking about Greenheaven Village again?"

"Ouch... Wind Dragon, why are you hitting me again?" Lu Chen rubbed the back of his head and grabbed Wind Dragon, wrestling him lightly. "I'm just thinking, and you claim I'm possessed. How eager are you to push me toward the demonic path?"

Wind Dragon wriggled free and darted atop Nantian Yijian, playfully reproaching Lu Chen. "Kid, then tell me what you're thinking that makes you sound possessed."

"I just... in that moment, it felt as if I caught a glimmer of what Grandpa once called the ant's cultivation." Lu Chen glanced around. After ensuring no one was watching, he continued. "When I failed the Heavenly Pool's baptism test, Grandpa pointed at the ant's nest beneath the parasol tree and told me that if I could comprehend the essence of the ants' cultivation, I would grasp the true essence of cultivation.

"This insight could allow me to immediately step into the Qi Absorption Realm, even without passing the Heavenly Pool's test."

"Ant's cultivation? Isn't that what the Lord of Rituals often tal—"

Before Red Fox could finish, she was simultaneously restrained by both the small world and the two streams of spirit qi from the sky. Startled, she crouched in place, not daring to move.

1. Venomous Arts differ from ordinary poisons. The term Gu (蛊) refers to venomous insects cultivated through cruel refinement, where countless creatures are confined together until only the deadliest survive. Their power comes not from powders or brews, but from living creatures injecting venom, making them far more insidious than mundane poisons. Their essence lies in living venom, carrying not only toxicity but also a malignant will. Hence, cultivators call them Venomous Arts. ☜