Chapter 215: The Sacrificial Ritual Begins

"However, the Wish Power granted by the cultivators is highly unstable, which is why his cultivation has plummeted. But if he gains true believers in the future, he could maintain his cultivation realm indefinitely."

Wind Dragon settled proudly atop Nantian Yijian's head. "With it, even someone at the Qi Regulation Realm can unleash attacks comparable to the Human Core Realm. In the past, the Lord of Ritual commanded countless believers. One strike from his sword was enough to slaughter a million men."

"Is Wish Power really that strong? Could it truly allow a Qi Regulation Realm cultivator to strike like someone at the Core Breakthrough Realm?"

Hearing Wind Dragon's explanation, Lu Chen was finally convinced that Nantian Yijian had spoken the truth. He looked up at Jun Laoye. Seeing the changes in him left Lu Chen even more astonished. "

Hmm?

Little Jun... your aura has changed as well. It's far stronger than before."

He studied Jun Laoye carefully, murmuring, "Your demeanour, your state of mind... They're far beyond what they used to be. I can feel it even from here. You're like a spear stretching across heaven and earth."

"Lu-gege, Uncle Jun has just broken through too," Nantian Wan'er said softly, tugging Lu Chen's sleeve with a hint of excitement. "Thanks to Brother Jun, he's advanced to the Human Core Realm and is now the youngest venerable... He left for the Western Mountain just moments ago."

𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

"The Human Core Realm... and a venerable?"

Lu Chen's face filled with regret as he listened. "So I missed Little Jian and Little Jun's breakthroughs... and I even slept through Uncle Jun's departure. I've missed out on so much. What a pity."

He glanced longingly toward the Scripture Hall. Just then, Wind Dragon's stern, lofty voice echoed down from above. "Little Lu, prepare yourself. It seems they're about to begin."

"They're starting?"

At that, Lu Chen and the others grew solemn. The air around the Scripture Hall seemed to sharpen itself, tense and expectant.

Nantian Wan'er stepped closer, gently holding Lu Chen's arm, while Jun Laoye and Nantian Yijian drew their weapons and stood silently at his sides. Their eyes were locked on the Scripture Hall, ready to charge the moment the secret realm opened.

"My lord, preparations are complete. Shall we awaken the giant?"

Blindman Lu looked toward Ancestor Suitian, sending out a thread of spirit qi. "Let's wait until Ancestor Suitian casts his spell before we begin. By the way, have you dealt with the black-robed men on the side?"

Little Pup placed the small ice dragon on his shoulder. "Everything's ready, my lord. We're just waiting for you to activate the formation."

Blindman Lu nodded. "Good..."

He lightly pointed toward the cliff ahead.

Deep beneath the earth, the formation lines came alive, spinning wildly. Spiraling torrents of spirit qi surged upward, drawing back the black mist that had spread across the Scripture Hall.

Blindman Lu struck Ancestor Suitian's brow with his spell.

In that instant, a flicker of unease passed through Ancestor Suitian's heart. Recalling Jun Wudi's parting words, he hurriedly summoned Lu Chen and the others to his side, forming rapid seals with both hands.

A vast surge of lightning energy burst from his palms, rippling outward in circles of formation light that swept across the entire Scripture Hall. The venerables looked up toward the heavens and exchanged glances, but said nothing.

Jun Laoye's eyes narrowed as a flash of lightning streaked across the sky, brushing past the bodies of unconscious low-level cultivators and leaving black marks on them. "Heavenly Dao Mark?"

Watching the seals in Ancestor Suitian's hands, he asked in astonishment, "Ancestor... did you just release the Heavenly Dao Mark?"

"Yes, I've cast it several times," Ancestor Suitian said, exaggerating deliberately. "It's for your own good. The Heavenly Dao Mark can seal away these memories.

"The talent you displayed earlier was extraordinary. If word of it spread, disaster could follow. Planting the Heavenly Dao Mark in their minds is the safest way to protect you."

Nantian Yijian frowned at the unconscious cultivators. "I knew it! Just a moment ago, I felt like a god descending among mortals and wondered why no one came to worship me. So it was you, ancestor! You wiped their memories."

Ancestor Suitian watched as the Heavenly Dao Mark spread, covering everyone present. "

Heh

, young man, learn to see yourself clearly. Don't get carried away by superficial things."

He turned to Lu Chen and the others by his side. Seeing that they were convinced that the memory loss of the cultivators was his doing, he finally relaxed. He bowed silently to the sky, feeling the danger Blindman Lu had placed upon him slowly fade.

"Still, Ancestor," Nantian Yijian muttered, "you could've at least let me enjoy being worshipped once—"

"Little Jian," Lu Chen chided with a faint smile, "mind your tone when speaking to a senior."

"Got it, boss..."

Lu Chen grabbed Nantian Yijian and forced him into a deep bow before Ancestor Suitian, showing the utmost respect. "You're right. We've been drawing too much attention lately. I truly thank you for your guidance, Ancestor."

He reflected carefully on Ancestor Suitian's words and instantly recognized his mistake. His brilliance earlier had been far too dazzling. Among such a large crowd, word would spread quickly.

Despite having powerful allies, his cultivation realm remained too low. If a strong cultivator struck first, he might not even have time to call on his helpers before being subdued.

Once Lu Chen's thoughts cleared, he asked again, "Ancestor, when can we head down?"

Ancestor Suitian replied, "We can enter once the black mist has completely dissipated. For now, gather our people."

At his command, several figures in black robes swept out from behind him, flying toward the valley's mouth to summon the Jun Clan's people.

Lu Chen watched as the black mist along the cliff slowly receded. Channeling his spirit qi, he scanned the surroundings of the Scripture Hall. The venerables of various clans were already calling their followers to assemble in the front courtyard, clearing the remnants left by the mist.

When Lu Chen had first arrived in the backyard, nearly a hundred thousand cultivators had gathered. But after the white mist struck, followed by the black mist, over half of the lower-level cultivators had been swept away.

Looking down at the countless unconscious cultivators scattered across the courtyard, Lu Chen asked, "Ancestor, what should we do with them? Some are disciples of the Heavenly Mandate Hall. Shall we just leave them here?"

"Throw them all out," Ancestor Suitian replied indifferently, his gaze fixed on the cliff. "They brought this upon themselves. The mist has invaded their meridians, and half their lifespans are gone. They're no longer capable of entering the secret realm. Toss them outside. Once they wake up, they'll leave on their own."

Meanwhile, Venerable Shuang Dao stood at the Scripture Hall's entrance. Wielding his massive blades, he summoned fierce tornadoes that lifted the unconscious cultivators and hurled them down the valley.

"High Sage, why bother worrying about these commoners?" Venerable Shuang Dao said, exhaling deeply as he surveyed the now-cleared courtyard. "They dug their own graves. Better to send them all away. The black mist below has receded. Let's begin. The sooner we finish, the sooner I get to visit my grandson."

"Very well."

Ancestor Suitian swept his gaze over the remaining cultivators and summoned the Suitian Spear with a flick of his wrist. "There are still over ten thousand of you left. If you can still stand here, you already know what must be done."

"We understand, High Sage Suitian," the group responded in unison. "This isn't our first time taking part in the offering. We know the full ritual for unlocking the secret realm."

Hearing this, Ancestor Suitian tightened his grip on the Suitian Spear and began forming hand seals. "Good. Prepare yourselves. In the secret realm the Jun Clan unlocked, your sacrifices will not be in vain. Aside from the final hidden treasure, all unclaimed items may be taken, if fortune allows you to find them."

The cultivators listened intently and bowed together. "Thank you, High Sage Suitian!"

Following their venerables' commands, they swiftly began forming their own seals.

"So it's finally starting," muttered a cultivator with only one year of lifespan remaining. "I wonder if, after offering the rest of my lifespan to the ritual, I'll still have time to advance to the next realm."

"Learn to let go," another replied calmly. "Even if we don't make this offering, we won't survive another year. Better to take the chance. If we win, we live to see tomorrow; if we lose, we die."

A faint, sorrowful laugh rippled through the group. "

Heh...

seems we never really had a choice."

Ancestor Suitian's gaze swept over them steadily. "It's good that you understand. Let's begin. The secret realm will not disappoint. The lifespan you offer will be repaid a hundredfold, or even a thousandfold, in resources."

He formed another set of seals and hurled the Suitian Spear into the sky. The spear expanded rapidly, absorbing the spirit qi Ancestor Suitian supplied, growing nearly a hundred zhang long. It hovered like a pillar propping up the heavens above the cliff.

The cultivators behind him followed suit. "Do it. Cultivation has always been a gamble. Win, and you soar across the heavens. Lose, and you rest in the Nine Netherworlds."

In perfect unison, they sliced open their right palms, letting their core blood essence flow into the Suitian Spear.

One day passed. Then two. Then three...

The core blood essence they offered represented their lifespans. The more essence they sacrificed, the more years they lost. Gradually, their offerings grew from half a year to a full year of life.