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"Hmph, old habits die hard, killing without reason!"
Master Xiao Zhen's eyebrows flickered, and with a flick of his sleeve, he rose to his feet. His figure blurred and then disappeared from sight.
As the souls of the offending cultivators returned and their consciousness resettled, several Golden Core Upper Cultivators exchanged glances and nodded in unison; the formation on the altar began to spin, emitting a faint light. A profound power surged, grinding the returning souls into pieces. Nineteen had been sacrificed, and now only two remained alive.
The stark truth was that the immortals did not covet lives; it was the Daoist Sect that did! In the name of Heaven, they executed severe judgments; the immortals did not lift a finger but simply took back the Spirit Roots bestowed by Heaven; the Daoist Sect eliminated hidden dangers and pushed all responsibility onto the heavens...
This was the very nature of the Daoist Sect's prayer, mainly to receive blessings from above while asking for ultimate discernment; seventeen had not passed the test, thus deserving their fate. How could such people be spared?
Which surviving cultivation organization in this world wasn't ruthless? The only difference lies in the degree. The Anhe Daoist Sect left two, whereas other more radical Daoist Sects in different countries spared none, never erring on the side of leniency.
However, the remaining two offenders posed a bit of a problem.
In theory, since the gods above had spared these two, not seizing their Spirit Roots, it indicated that there was a flaw in their judgment, or perhaps these two had never killed anyone, or those they killed only got their just deserts. The latter was most likely.
The issue was that one of the two, under the watchful eyes of the public, continued to kill. This was almost disregarding the Daoist Sect, even if the person was beyond redemption. What kind of intense murderous intent did such a low-level cultivator possess? If such a person truly grew in strength, who knew how many troubles they might stir, which fundamentally conflicted with the true intentions of the Daoist Sect!
That's why Master Xiao Zhen made that remark. A master of his status would not decide on such trivial matters—it was merely an impulsive exclamation. However, his attitude still demanded attention from the Daoists below.
The Daoist community, much like the bureaucratic one, had to interpret superiors' parting tones; 'Hmph!' 'Eh?' 'Oh?' 'Hey!' and so on, each conveyed a certain inclination.
This time, the Master uttered a 'hmph.' So how should it be interpreted?
Traditionally, the Anhe Daoist Sect would induct such lucky individuals, and to tell the truth, such cultivators often had exceptional qualities worth nurturing. But what if someone was a hopelessly blockheaded dunce whose cultivation had stagnated for years, filled with only an impulse to kill...?
A bit troubled, several higher-ranking Golden Core Upper Cultivators were reluctant to make a decision, adhering to the Daoist tradition of wisely protecting oneself.
Would killing this person solve everything? The gods above had spared him, and would they act so rashly in return? At the Golden Core Realm, they each had their insight into the divine will and, considering the Daoist Path, who would want to sow the seeds of causality over a mere ant?
To induct this person into the Anhe Daoist Sect? Aside from his aptitude, even just considering Master Xiao Zhen's 'hmph,' this probably wasn't a prudent choice.
What was typically a routine and mundane ritual prayer had now encountered a slight hiccup. Seeing several brothers looking his way, the leading Golden Core Upper Cultivator knew what they were thinking—relishing the opportunity to shirk responsibility and eager to find out what Master Xiao Zhen had gained from the prayer, they were all slippery as eels!
The leading Golden Core Upper Cultivator grew somewhat irritable. If you can push it off, can't an old Daoist do the same?
"Who brought this man here?"
Among the group of Daoists, Chong Ling's heart was in turmoil, but he stepped forward with a stiff resolve, "Disciple apprehended him during a patrol in Guangchuan. Disciple lacks discernment in judging people and isn't clear-headed in making decisions. Please, Master, punish me!"
The Golden Core Upper Cultivator waved his hand dismissively, "Why should I punish you? The heavens are merciful and compassionate, but it's true that this man's violent nature is incurable. I'm asking you now, do you have any suggestions regarding him?"
Chong Ling gritted his teeth and transmitted telepathically: "Killing him is improper, contrary to the will of heaven; inducting him into the Daoist Sect is ominous, fearing it might spoil the ethos?
"After I advance in my realm, I will be dispatched to the Anhe Boundary State's Liuyang. That place is adjacent to the Demon Sect of Shan Country, with a delicate situation and frequent disputes. I was thinking, might we insert a pawn there to serve as our eyes and ears?"
The Golden Core Upper Cultivator nodded, "That's a good strategy. His temperament is indeed suited to those Demon Sect killers. But his cultivation level, so common—it's beneath our notice. Do the Demon Sects even care for such people?"
Chong Ling replied awkwardly, "My own realm isn't high, so having a small pawn to use is good enough; I don't expect much..."
The Golden Core Upper Cultivator shook his head and chuckled, "Indeed, what great use could we expect? Very well, handle it yourself. Don't bother with the troublesome details in reporting, just take full responsibility, and keep it from spreading."
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This was their eagerness to get rid of the burden early on, Chong Ling's heart was clear as a mirror, he stood tall and bowed deeply,
"I respectfully abide by my master's orders, to elevate this person as a Daoist Sect's secret spy, not listed in the confidential register..."
...Hou Niao opened his eyes, his soul returning to his body, without the time to check his physical condition, because the surrounding scene was too terrifying!
The day had been sunny, but now dark clouds loomed overhead, a storm was coming.
Nineteen people ascended the sacrificial stage, eight and a half pairs fell, only two could still stand whole, it was him and another, the Feathered Taoist Zhou Qianyang.
What had happened? He dared not guess! When he came down, except for the old man who was crushed by him, others were all right; now, however, the ground was strewn with corpses, suggesting something that sent chills down one's spine.
He was not clear whether he had passed this challenge or not? Since he wasn't dead, it couldn't be considered a failure, but it seemed there were no obvious benefits either?
He was still himself, still the same Pulse that could not be propped up into a wall of mud, the Spirit Root was still there, but there was no profit or change? The rumored surge in power had not happened to him, nor did any Divine Skill manifest in his mind, nor was there any Immortal Artifact hidden in his Dantian.
Not a success, yet not a failure, just mediocre, but mediocrity was now the last thing he wanted to confront! It rendered his risk meaningless.
A Daoist stepped forward, exhaling loudly, "Ha! The heavens possess the virtue of cherishing life, and the Daoist Sect has the aspiration to save the world, this is the foundation of the Dao.
It is said, 'believing in the Dao is easy, practicing the Dao is hard; practicing the Dao is easy, attaining the Dao is hard; attaining the Dao is easy, preserving the Dao is hard. To preserve the Dao without loss is to live long.
Heaven leaves a sliver of hope, the Daoist Sect comes to meet, rein in your heart, start anew; Feathered Taoist Zhou Heyang, do you wish to join the Anhe Daoist Sect?"
Zhou Heyang wasn't foolish, with such an experience, how could he not know how to choose? Even if he was used to being a wildcard and resistant to constraints, he knew this was his best chance to align with the righteous.
Thereupon, he kowtowed as if toppling mountains and overturning seas, and vowed, "Zhou Qianyang wishes to join the Sect, forever unwavering!"
The Daoist laughed heartily, swept up his sleeve, led the person away, and the group of Daoists dispersed with a roar, with no one lingering.
Left on the sacrificial altar, Hou Niao was somewhat stunned. Was it as if he didn't exist?
More humiliating than the slaughter was being ignored!
Clenching his teeth, knowing he was far inferior to the Feathered Taoist, he couldn't expect the Daoist Sect to recruit him actively. Now was not the time for self-respect and pride, he had no choice but to thicken his face and called out,
"Daoist Master, I too wish to join the Sect and contribute to Anhe..."
A Daoist waved his sleeve backward, and a gust of wind swept by, knocking him over, and a disdainful voice said,
"The Daoist Sect does not take in the worthless, a horse unaware of its long face, why not contemplate in the western chamber?"
Hou Niao felt a surge of hot blood rising, fire blazing in his eyes!
Indeed,
Dark clouds bring rain to the Divine City, white clouds race with thunder and strong winds.
Only by braving headwinds can one find ease, when will a hundred years claim innocence?
The Pine Forest Altar rages with flying sand, the Daoist coldly eyes the execution of hearts.
Folk laugh at all kinds of ugliness, how can they know Mr. Hou isn't a true man?