Gu Erin found himself in the center of a large crowd of people, wearing a new robe, thankfully they had bought plenty of spares as more and more robes were being ruined due to impurity stains. Although he didn't like what was about to happen he knew that it was necessary on a few levels. Not just to reassure his sect in the making, but to hopefully open the eyes of the stubborn.
Gu Erin's gaze swept over the crowd looking for the important faces in his mind, although he didn't care for most of these people, as their talent was limiting and would most likely just be a waste of resources. However, in battle cannon fodder served a purpose. A hundred thousand ants can overcome an elephant. So, in the end Gu Erin deemed it necessary to keep as many members as possible, while maintaining an elite group.
Once the first event ends they can start openly recruiting those with talent, although some might already be locked on a path within the Blood Transformation Realm. That would be easily fixed by forcefully resetting their cultivation. Although painful, they would thank him in the end as their power triples in just a few stages, compared to their accumulated power for the entire realm.
Gu Erin noticed that Lee Shio Ming and Nu Bin were talking by themselves a short distance away from the gathering, both with grim looks. However, Gu Erin could notice the look in his old master's eyes, he was not disappointed in him, he looked more resigned than anything. Gu Erin knew that the both of them knew each other through the army, so killing was not new to them.
However, when his eyes landed on the next group, he had to hold back a reflexive flinch. His family was looking at him, like they were looking at a stranger. For five solid seconds, Gu Erin had to chant in his mind that he was doing the right thing, and that his path was the right one. Perhaps he should take his family to the Temple of the Heavens?
No, he could still feel the invasive divine senses of those powerful cultivators, it was practically nonstop at this point. He would have to try and find a solution to block their divine souls from spying on him. If he gave away too much they would no doubt piece together that he was a regressor. If that happened who knew what their response would be. They already must know that something was up with him.
His sister in particular looked at him blankly, and when she noticed his gaze she looked away, once again, Gu Erin felt a strike on his Dao Heart, but he held steady. Deciding that lingering on his family any longer might actually cause him harm, he moved on. He tried to find Lucy, but she was noticeably absent. He did catch a glimpse of Chan Ai, however due to her petite frame Gu Erin couldn't see her face in the crowd.
He managed to see James, his arms were crossed and around him were Kei Jiahao and Kei Sung, among other Blood Jackets. They didn't look all too bothered, and more than one of them looked like they were about to sing his praises, much to what looked like Kei Jiahao's annoyance. Gu Erin would have to be careful with him, maybe an elder position? It would be necessary to give power to satisfy him for the time being.
Gu Erin checked many people's reactions, and overall mood, and he had to say… he might be in some trouble this time.
Gu Erin finally raised his hand, making most of the quiet muttering settle down, as even more eyes started to gather on him. With their attention officially locked, Gu Erin took a moment to collect his thoughts and started to speak.
"Tonight, I killed a lot of people, that is a fact. One I'm not going to deny, not that I could anyways." Gu Erin looked over the crowd, seeing more than a few harsh looks, before he continued. "But, I want you all to think about something. If they left with a grudge, and all became cultivators. How well do you think we could weather a force of fifty strong cultivators?"
Silence befell the group, but most were not convinced, after all it was a hypothetical question, not a fact. So, Gu Erin continued.
"What if they waited outside the campsite and attacked anybody who left the protection of the group?" At this more than a few people's expressions wavered.
"There are no laws, there is nobody here or in that town.' Gu Erin pointed towards Haymire. 'Who would care about your death, you are mortals, you have no backing. So, if a body that's been obviously tortured to death is found, nobody will care."
Someone finally broke the silence, with a yell a woman shouted, "We can just stay in the town once we have enough money! We shouldn't be killing other people over nothing!"
Many people nodded, as most if not all of their end goals were to buy property in the town, after all who wouldn't, its safe, mostly clean, and the utilities were there as well. However, most if not all people wanted the protection of the guards. After the hunting groups brought back so many dangerous looking beasts the tension was palpable. As everyone was asking the same question, if they were attacked by such a beast, would they be able to survive?
However, Gu Erin only snorted, "What do you think will happen when people from Earth grow stronger than the guards? Do you think weak guards would stop them from taking what they want?" This of course was a rhetorical question. He had seen plenty of cases when the guards simply ignored the plights of mortals who offended cultivators.
With a grim look Gu Erin continued. "No, the guards won't help you, they'll only care about their own lives. The strong hold the lives of the weak in their hands! If you think for one second that such things as laws and kindness truly exist in this world your mistaken!"
The crowd was now silent, a slight dread washing over them as Gu Erin painted a not so pretty picture.
"The strong will make the rules, and they will change the rules to benefit them, and nobody will stop them because they are weaker. The same reason why I am standing here free, talking down to you on how things are going to be!" Gu Erin called out. "I just murdered a countless number of people, yet nobody dared try to restrain me. It is because I am the strongest, and everybody only cared for their own safety, even if that meant keeping quiet!"
Gu Erin felt like lightning had struck, as the tension was almost electrifying, as most looked away, or had their faces turn red in indignation.
"Do not mistake me, nothing is stopping you from leaving this camp, however, I will not protect you, nor will I help you. I will not give you information to navigate this new world. We will not provide you with food and shelter. You are not needed unless you are a cultivator. Plenty of people would want to be in your shoes, I can't replace cultivators, but I can replace mortals."
The tension nearly got deadly as most realized the truth, they were indeed living at the mercy of the cultivators. Slight panic swept over the group as they looked around nervously looking for reassurance from others, but found none. Everyone realized their position. However, Gu Erin's next words calmed them a little.
"This does not mean I will abandon you; it only means that I will not stop you from leaving. Your power is limited as mortals. If you want to have a say, in this camp, or in your own life. You need the strength to do so. There is an old saying from Earth that fits this situation perfectly. Either live on your knees or die on your feet."
Gu Erin looked over the crowd, although some of the tension was dispersed by his slight reassurance, the air still felt noticeably stale.
Gu Erin nodded to himself internally, his message was sent, and received, now came the part he really wished he could skip. "I will now start answering questions."
Immediately, over three dozen hands went up, Gu Erin had to hold himself back from cringing and sighing deeply, he pointed to a man in his late fifties, his gray hair starting to take over.
"You there…"
The man pointed at himself before Gu Erin nodded in affirmation, with a serious voice the man then spoke out. "Why did you kill those people besides that…you could?" The man shifted nervously, but still asked his question.
Gu Erin nodded at his question, he was not surprised, he had been long prepared for this question. "Tensions will rise between camps and groups as the resources become limited. Besides removing future competition. You have to think about the impact it will have. What if word spread that our camp is filled with nothing but selfish people, not caring about anyone else?"
The man's face visibly grimaced, the man had already guessed the repercussions, but Gu Erin decided to spell it out for the rest of them. "Simple, word would spread, nobody from Earth would accept you. Most of all if word reached the natives of Haymire that you are untrustworthy, good luck finding a job."
The faces of almost all of the gathered people turned solum, if not for Gu Erin's hunting parties, they would have struggled just to feed themselves. If their jobs, even if ill paid, were threatened, they would have nothing, and would have to start acting like Lee Tao the shameless monk. Who even scammed his own camp members.
Gu Erin called on the next person. "Couldn't we have just let them join us?"
Gu Erin almost yelled out, why were they so stupid! However, he kept his calm, and unconsciously he smiled. That smile immediately made some in the crowd shrink away, alarm bells going off in their head. The cultivators who were more sensitive even took a step back.
Gu Erin could only pray for this night to end quickly so he can cultivate, maybe he might take a small nap. He only had one full day before the event starts sometimes the day after.
***
In The Cultivation Universe Among The Countless Inhabited Worlds.
Chaos's presence swept across existence repairing the fractured time and space behind himself. He had a destination in mind, he had been watching Fate's machinations and was starting to get a bit angry with Fate. Although he always hated Fate, it had truly crossed too many lines in arranging his inheritor's death.
He had a particular place in mind, a planet devoid of life. The land was ruined beyond repair, and the very air made it impossible for any cultivator under the 33rd layer of Heavenly God die near instantly.
When his presence broke the void he was within a hall buried deep within the mountains. The marvelously carved caverns lit up by pulsing veins of blue. It was a Divine grade spirit vein, the war caused by its presence making the world what it was now. Countless formations and laws tried to keep him out, but all were like paper before his presence, before he arrived in front of a young man,
Although he looked young, Chaos knew that he was far older than the planet he sat on.
Chaos threw out a thought. "Where is your master boy?"
The young man's eyes shot open as he looked around in a panic, he tried to speak, but an unstoppable pressure made him unable to even breathe. Although breathing was not necessary for a cultivator of his level, it was still an ingrained habit.
But, before the youth could answer an old man appeared, who immediately fell to his knees before the invisible presence. He looked like an old sage, and he had the aura to match. Chaos looked the man up and down before he nodded. This man's time was short, and he had tried to follow his Dao. Leading him to be exiled here with his only disciple.
"Little one, the inheritor has been chosen. I will arrange the Heaven's to allow you into Heaven's Mercy to preserve your immortal existence. Prepare your disciple to join the inheritor. This place will be safe until they are ready to reclaim it once again."
The presence disappeared, leaving the old man trembling, not to mention the news of the inheritor. Just the fact that he would be preserved within Heaven's Mercy was a great honor. One had to know the higher your cultivation the higher the price it took to enter Heaven's Mercy. For him who was near the pinnacle, the cost was indescribable. He had to prepare, and he had to prepare as soon as possible.