Chapter 288 - 267: Memorializing the Blood River Ancestor
This was Yu Feng’s second time cultivating to the Nascent Soul Stage, this time not only was his foundation solid, but his speed was also a month faster than the previous life.
With Jiang Li’s guidance, such a result was expected.
What worried Yu Feng and Wu Lian was the national ceremony that was set to take place in a month’s time.
The Ancestor of the Blood River could not abuse his power to request mortals from the Mysterious Kingdom again, but the Heavenly Monarch’s request for human tributes from the mortal realm on the eve of the national ceremony was non-negotiable.
The Heavenly Monarch planned to use a million mortals to activate the Great Protective Array of the kingdom as an opening ceremony for the national celebration in a month, leaving a vivid mark in the history of the Ancient Continent.
What was more terrifying was that almost no cultivators opposed this decision, be they from the righteous or the demonic path.
To them, mortals were as insignificant as pigs and dogs. If they died, they died. Would they object to the death of livestock?
Having closely experienced death, Yu Feng knew the pain and despair before demise, which was very torturous. They went through this process repeatedly, nearly driving them mad.
Therefore, he could not understand why cultivators, as part of the human race and sharing the same language and similar thought processes, drew such a distinct line between them and the mortals, as if they were two different species.
“Senior Jiang, I want to save people.”
Jiang Li looked at him sideways, a smile in his eyes.
This was the first time that Yu Feng wanted to save people who had nothing to do with him.
“Okay.”
He could see that Yu Feng was a kind-hearted person.
If a person knew that everything they did was meaningless and that all efforts and relationships would eventually vanish in the flow of time, negating their existence,
It was likely that they would indulge themselves, resorting to any means to become stronger, even killing incessantly.
The fact that the demonic path thrived on the Ancient Continent, allowing indiscriminate killing, was largely due to the speed of cultivation growth through blood sacrifice.
A normal cultivation method might take ten years to reach the Foundation Establishment Stage.
But if one killed enough people, drawing power from their life essence, it would only take a year, or even half a year to achieve the Foundation Establishment Stage.
Not to mention that a blood sacrifice could break through a bottleneck and extend one’s lifespan.
Killing a thousand mortals could elevate one from the Foundation Establishment Stage to the Golden Core Stage, making one live a hundred years longer. To kill or not to kill?
Jiang Yixing had provided the answer.
The attraction of the demonic cultivation method was too strong for cultivators.
Yet Yu Feng never resorted to this. He cherished every chance of life and every life.
When Jiang Li first came to the Ancient Continent, seeing Yu Feng die twice and witnessing his cautious yet non-aggressive cultivation method, he resolved to help him.
Jiang Li had no reason not to assist someone who adhered to their moral principles.
The Ancestor of the Blood River had been feeling somewhat irritable lately.
Millions of mortals had been offered as tribute by the mortal monarchs and were now locked up in dungeons. These were the most important “items” for the grand ceremony of the establishment of the kingdom; there could not be the slightest mishap.
The mortals, knowing that there was no escape from death, wailed and cried all day, annoying the Ancestor of the Blood River.
He could not stand the clamor and wished he could slap them all to death to bring himself some peace. As the Minister of Rites appointed by the Heavenly Monarch and the coordinator of the grand ceremony, if he killed these mortals, he would be disrespecting the Heavenly Monarch. The Heavenly Monarch might even use him as a sacrifice to activate the great array.
As the leading practitioner of the Blood River Technique, he found it frustrating that he couldn’t kill at will.
“What a nuisance!” The Ancestor of the Blood River patrolled the prisons, spreading his intimidating aura to quell the mortals, hoping they would calm down for a while.
But once he was out of their sight, they would resume their crying and howling.
The Ancestor of the Blood River was helpless. He couldn’t always keep his Divine Sense deployed. The frail mortals couldn’t withstand such pressure for long, they would die.
“Master, someone has requested an audience outside, claiming to bring good ideas about the grand ceremony.” The disciple reported to the Ancestor of the Blood River.
“Let him in.”
“Yu Feng pays respect to the venerable Ancestor.”
“Let’s hear it, what’s your bright idea.” The Ancestor of the Blood River was listless, stifling his own anger with nowhere to release it. If this young man gave any tedious suggestions, he wouldn’t hesitate to resort to some torturous means.
A Nascent Soul cultivator at the age of 21, a genius.
He enjoyed torturing geniuses the most.
The Ancestor of the Blood River wasn’t adept at cultivating himself. The only reason he managed to cultivate to the Body Integration Realm was due to his numerous killings.
So, he despised cultivation geniuses.
“When I passed by the prison, I heard mortals weeping and wailing, attracting the attention of many cultivators. I was wondering… what if these mortals cried and wailed during the grand ceremony as well…”
Yu Feng’s words attracted the Ancestor of the Blood River’s attention, “You, elaborate.”
“The grand ceremony is a momentous occasion, a grand celebration for the entire Ancient Continent. During such a time, crying and wailing could cause a negative impact and displease the Heavenly Monarch.”
“I can seal their mouths.” The Ancestor of the Blood River quickly thought of a solution.
“The venerable Ancestor is wise and far-sighted. Your solution is much better than mine.” Yu Feng flattered.
Yu Feng also marveled at his own fate with the Blood River – from the old woman who made meat buns out of people, to Ma Pingfan, and now to the Ancestor of the Blood River, he had had extensive experiences with them from bottom to top.
“What’s your way?”
“Mortals are ignorant. We can educate the mortals to be devout subjects of the Heavenly Dynasty. Tell them that sacrificing for the Heavenly Dynasty is honorable, dignified, and a remarkable deed that brings honor to their ancestors. Their death will be the cornerstone of the Heavenly Dynasty, and it will be meaningful.”
“If the ignorant mortals shout praises for the Heavenly Monarch and the eternal prosperity of the Heavenly Dynasty before they die, it would certainly be a beautiful scene.”
Yu Feng’s method was indeed better than the Ancestor of the Blood River’s, but he didn’t dare to say it. The fickle Ancestor of the Blood River might just slap him to death.
With this plan, Yu Feng was putting himself in danger.
He used to avoid high-level cultivators, especially murderous ones like the Ancestor of the Blood River.
But this time, in order to save the mortals, he had to get close to the Ancestor of the Blood River.
“Your method has some merit.” The Ancestor of the Blood River shook his head slightly, “Unfortunately, it has no practical value. Would the ignorant mortals have such a high level of awareness?”
“You wasted my time, you deserve to die.” The Ancestor of the Blood River’s killing intent rose towards Yu Feng.
Yu Feng started to sweat coldly: “Venerable Ancestor, please hold on, Yu Feng can educate the mortals. If unsuccessful, it is never too late for the venerable Ancestor to kill Yu Feng.”
The Ancestor of the Blood River withdrew his hand.
“I spare your life for now. If unsuccessful, I will sacrifice you along with the mortals.”
“Thank you, venerable Ancestor, for sparing my life.” Yu Feng bowed in gratitude, deeply moved.
As if mourning a deceased person.
Yu Feng went to the prison; men, women, elders, children, were all crying and cursing.
Knowing that their lives would end in only a month, they were utterly desperate.
Resistance, useless.
Trickery, useless.
Pleading, useless.
“Everyone, there’s no need to be sad. You should be glad.”
Yu Feng’s words drew the attention of some.
Yu Feng placed sound-amplifying talismans all around so that all the mortals could hear his voice.
“You’re not going to die. Instead, you will become holy spirits, immortal, forever protecting the Heavenly Dynasty.”
Upon hearing Yu Feng’s words, the people were skeptical but curious to hear what the lofty cultivator had to say.