Chong Ling Daoist lifted his cup, and for him to toast a mere Pulse rookie with his identity as one within the Tongxuan Realm was somewhat inconceivable; yet, such is the path of cultivation, if it serves his Daoist Path, why not toast even a mortal?
The toast was given with utmost sincerity.
"The first cup is to honor you for dispelling my worries in Fufeng City! It's true that Old Meng committed murder, and those wealthy youths deserved their fate, if I cannot see the truth in this matter after decades of cultivation, what use is there in my practice?
To build dikes for the people's benefit, I couldn't reveal the truth; for the sake of my conscience, I couldn't turn a blind eye! Had you not acted, upon my departure I would have had no choice but to leave a trick within that Wang family scion...
Secretly harming others is detrimental to morality! Yet you, you resolved all of this for me!"
He drained his cup in one gulp, then poured himself another, continuing, "The second cup, is for the affair at Liupan Shui City! If I couldn't deal with this matter cleanly, my aspiration for Tongxuan would be in vain, and had the Water Demon slaughtered the city, that concern would have haunted me forever!
I had too many worries, yet you dared to act boldly; setting aside whether the process was reckless and insufficiently considered, whether it was foolishness disguised as wisdom or pure brashness, the result stands before us, you saved the entire city of Liupan, and I was among them!"
Another cup drained, then filled again, "This third cup, for the assistance you gave me twice over the journey back, as long as you truly ask of me, I cannot refuse! A Daoist may not be a great man, but surpasses one, to not repay a kindness would mean a personal moral failure!
Thus, I arranged for you to meet with Xiaosong Jiyue daily, hoping to use their influence to set you free so that I wouldn't have to bear the main responsibility; I admit, during these days, I felt as if they dragged on like years!
But you, you never spoke a word, you allowed us to succeed, and yet we..."
Chong Ling, having emptied three cups, laughed heartily, "Had your aptitude been even a little better, with your nature, you would surely achieve greatness on the Daoist Path, what a pity, what a pity!"
Having vented the feelings in his chest, Chong Ling Daoist brushed off his sleeve and strode away; it was only after leaving the premises that he couldn't help but shake his head and sigh: after all that was said, this man still never asked him for help!
Was he a fool? Or had he misjudged the person?
...Chong Ling was not mistaken, Hou Niao was well aware of the Daoist's intentions, which were to say that he had now become an Upper Cultivator, possessing a certain level of authority to assist him, that should he ask, there would surely be some way out, at least not death?
But that wasn't what he wanted! For an enforcer of the law, right is right, wrong is wrong, and he needed to pay the price for his killing, otherwise, he could not surmount the barrier within his heart.
To say it loftily, the real reason was that while Chong Ling's assistance might help him escape the punishment of death, his true problem was not about life and death, but rather living a fate worse than dying!
What was the point of surviving? To live such a hopeless and unaccomplished life? If he were willing to live an ordinary life, why would he push himself to this extent? He would have prepared a way out long ago, instead of being at the mercy of his circumstances as now?
This Daoist was quite interesting, making him finally see what cultivators are, what Daoists are! After a bout of impassioned speech, just when you think a Daoist would go through fire for you, the Daoist says: Now that I feel relieved, you can go ahead and die!
An odd sensation, unclear and indescribable, is this cultivation?
Lifting his cup to pour for himself, either die full and satisfied or utterly change this way of life!
...The next day, all the culpable cultivators in the Daoist School were taken to a strange place, unfamiliar with the Divine City, he was also not clear whether this was the Imperial Palace or the Daoist Altar?
It was a vast square surrounded by luscious green pines, with only a large altar in the center of the square. The altar was three-tiered, made of white jade, with a simple and solemn design.
Contrary to Hou Niao's expectation, the sacrificial offerings were standing at the highest level of the three-tiered altar, while the presiding Daoists stood below the altar.
There were nineteen offerings, including himself and Old Bao Shi, standing in seemingly random positions across the three levels of the altar, which seemed disorderly, but was actually beyond his limited understanding.
Shortly after taking his position, he felt as if bound by a force, unable to move freely; this wasn't surprising, as at the brink of life and death, no one could guarantee they wouldn't lose composure and cause embarrassment for all.
Glancing below, dozens of Daoists stood quietly and solemnly, including Chong Ling Daoist, stationed farthest away, probably in the lowest position.
The entire square was silent, whether it was those being sacrificed or those observing the sacrifice, under such an atmosphere, all were unconsciously captivated by an indescribable force, a submission to some omnipotent authority; Hou Niao, given his level, normally had no right to sense such an atmosphere, but here, in this setting, he felt it.
He started to truly believe that there were gods and immortals in the unseen realm, overseeing all life.
He began to seriously ponder, where would his divinely gifted Spirit Root be sacrificed? Was it truly for the gods? Or returned to the natural world? Or intercepted by the Daoist way through trickery?
Would there truly be life and death? How would he die? Would there be an afterlife?
As a law enforcer accustomed to witnessing criminals face their fate, he never thought he would have such a day.
The only difference was that the guillotine had become an altar, and the headsman's sword had turned to Extracting Spiritual Root?
In this moment, he began to reflect on whether everything he had done was of value, whether it was worth it.
According to his plan, to achieve his ambition he must have strength, to gain strength he must undertake cultivation, to cultivate he couldn't linger between life and death, and since his Spirit Root couldn't aid his cultivation, he should exchange it for another, and to exchange it, he had to first remove the old one...
Unable to do it himself, he could only rely on the Daoist Sect to do it for him!
This was a gamble, no matter how slim the chance, it was better than a mediocre life.
...When the sun was at its zenith, and the yang energy was strongest, a tall-hatted Daoist suddenly appeared in front of the altar, as though he had always been standing there; this is probably the Master Xiao Zhen presiding over this prayer ceremony?
The Daoists all showed their respect, Master Xiao stood with his hands behind his back, gazing upward, awaiting some opportune moment?
After a brief wait, the auspicious time arrived, Master Xiao raised his hands slightly, forming various complex hand seals. As he moved, the whole altar began to hum, and simultaneously, a sonorous voice chanted from his lips,
"...Without a name, all things began, with the Dao, all spirits were born. Silent Absolute Riding Pill Qi, profound brightness ascends the Jade Void. Three primordials follow the celestial seasons, eight scenes revolve with the chariot's return. Red Phoenix Comes with Seal, Green Bird Entering to Present the Book. The broken mechanism again becomes the machine, the dry fish turns back into fish. Resting the heart in the sunlit pavilion, partaking in joy at the cloud's hermitage..."