Third Stage Initiation, the Sacrifice Begins

Two days passed quickly.

Qin Ming hunted Ghost Entity and demons throughout the city, but he did not find the Dog Demon that had kidnapped Xiao Xi and Xiangxiang.

The County Yamen was heavily guarded, and Qin Ming, who had originally wanted to find out where the sacrificial Pure Boys and Girls were being held, had to give up in the end.

Seeing that his Free Attribute Points had reached the entry level, Qin Ming had a thought, and the third stage of "Pure Yang Art" on his panel quickly reached the entry level.

[Pure Yang Art (Third Stage): (1/40000) Introduction]

In an instant, a chill rose from Qin Ming's chest, circulating wildly through his meridians, and at the same time, Qin Ming's body began to change.

His body began to swell, his muscles bulged high, and his height soared to more than three meters.

This is the first Horizontal Training Martial Arts he has ever practiced, "The Savage Bull Strength." Greater Mastery mastered, this martial art will make the practitioner extremely strong, reaching a height of three meters. Only after reaching the Perfection Realm and returning to one's original form can one return to one's original appearance.

Immediately afterwards, a thick layer of scab appeared on Qin Ming's body, like a flesh garment on his body, which was very obvious.

This is the Iron Body Shirt Horizontal Training Martial Arts.

In a short time, Qin Ming activated all the Horizontal Training Martial Arts he had cultivated.

The Iron Head Skill turned his head into a dark purplish-black color, and a thick layer of keratin grew on it. The Iron Arm Art made his arms thicker and heavier. The Iron Crotch Art caused a thick fleshy growth to form in his groin. The Ape-Armed Iron Stake Art made Qin Ming's arms grow by more than 50%.

Especially the last one, the unknown Demon Art given to him by the Ghost-Faced Monkey, caused Qin Ming to swell up rapidly like an inflating balloon, transforming him into a terrifying monster over five meters tall, covered in huge muscle tumors, in a short time.

Qin Ming glanced at his arm. Although it was ugly, at least it wasn't covered in long black hair like the Ghost-Faced Monkey. Perhaps because of the fusion technique, this drawback had been removed from the panel.

Although his appearance had changed drastically, Qin Ming felt that the explosive power within his body was much stronger than before.

He reached out and gently pried at the ground; a large chunk of the stone paving stone was pried off as if it were tofu.

With a thought, Qin Ming tried to circulate the energy in his chest to his fingertips and gently tap the ground.

A thick layer of frost rapidly formed on the ground at a speed visible to the naked eye.

"The power of ice."

Qin Ming was surprised.

Not only that, he also felt that his five senses were amplified several times over, that something was forming in his nasal cavity, and that something like fish gills was growing on his neck.

Thinking of the Ghost-Faced Monkey, Qin Ming pondered for a moment. He went to the riverbank and jumped directly into the Li River.

The moment he fell into the water, Qin Ming felt a strange sense of familiarity, a feeling of security akin to a fledgling returning to its nest.

Not only that, Qin Ming also discovered that he could stay underwater for a long time without breathing. He slightly raised his hand, and several streams of water constantly changed into the shapes of knives, guns, sticks, clubs, ropes, and so on.

Like the Ghost-Faced Monkey, Qin Ming also possessed some ability to control water.

Moreover, in the water, his strength, speed, and even his five senses are amplified.

Just then, Qin Ming suddenly sensed a similar aura rapidly approaching him.

Soon, another Ghost-Faced Monkey appeared in front of Qin Ming.

This Ghost-Faced Monkey is different from the previous one.

The Ghost-Faced Monkey that died at Qin Ming's hands was covered in black fur and had a dead face, while this Ghost-Faced Monkey was covered in red fur, much larger than the previous one, and was holding an iron fork.

"Who are you? I've never seen you before, are you new here?"

The red-haired Ghost-Faced Monkey stared at Qin Ming, frowning.

Qin Ming's appearance was truly unique; not only was his body covered in enormous muscle tumors, but he also had no hair at all, making him completely different from the others.

However, Qin Ming exuded a familiar aura, indicating that the other party had also cultivated the Demon Arts bestowed by the River God.

Seeing that Qin Ming remained silent, the red-haired, Ghost-Faced Monkey shook his head and stopped thinking about it. As long as the other party cultivated the River God Demon Art, it meant he was one of their own. In his mind, only those who received the River God's teachings could cultivate Demon Art. The Water Palace was so large that it was normal to occasionally encounter a water demon he didn't recognize. "Alright, it's the sacrificial ceremony today, and we're short-handed. You'll come with me to help."

After saying that, the red-haired, Ghost-Faced Monkey turned and swam towards the distant dock.

As it turned around, Qin Ming suddenly sprang up, opened his palm, which was the size of a palm fan, grabbed the red-haired, Ghost-Faced Monkey's head, and then twisted it forcefully.

"Laugh!"

The river water turned red instantly. The neck of the red-haired, Ghost-Faced Monkey was twisted off, and its head, along with its cervical spine, was ripped off by Qin Ming with force, along with its skin, flesh, and fascia.

The red-haired, Ghost-Faced Monkey didn't utter a single sound the entire time.

After entering the third stage, Qin Ming's physical strength had reached the level of Bright Strength expert. Especially after transforming, he had an additional power boost underwater. The Ghost-Faced Monkey, which was originally extremely troublesome in his eyes, was now no different from a toy in his hands.

After killing the red-haired, Ghost-Faced Monkey, Qin Ming quickly swam towards the dock.

Today is the day for the River God Sacrifice.

Underwater, Qin Ming moved very fast, like a huge black shadow flashing past beneath the river.

Some fishermen screamed in terror upon witnessing this scene.

"What are you yelling about? Can you take responsibility for disturbing the River God?"

An official angrily rebuked him and slammed his scabbard down hard on the old fisherman's head, causing him to bleed profusely on the spot.

"Whoosh!"

A giant hand burst out of the water, grabbed the constable, and dragged him into the water.

"Help!"

The constable only managed to utter one sound before falling silent.

"A monster! There's a monster!"

The other constables were so frightened by this scene that they quickly moved away from the water's edge.

"What water monster? That's the River God's messenger!"

The Spirit Medium angrily shouted, "Anyone who dares to spout nonsense again, throw them into the water!"

Upon hearing this, the remaining constables fell silent, daring not to utter another word.

"Alright, bring out all the Sacrifice!"

At the Spirit Medium's command, carts of Sacrifice were brought out: one hundred each of slaughtered pigs, cows, and sheep, along with other expensive spiritual fruits Spirit Medicines, and wines, and finally, ten pairs of Pure Boys and Girls, a total of twenty people.

"Father, Mother, I want to go home."

"Mother, where are you?"

Twenty Pure Boys and Girls, their hands and feet bound, dressed in bright red clothes, were pushed onto the altar. As if they had already anticipated something, many of the children were so frightened that they cried loudly.

Wang Xiaoxi and Xiangxiang huddled together, their faces pale with fright as they looked at the strange, brightly dressed, jumping and hopping figures around them. Wang Xiaoxi trembled all over, "Xiang... Xiangxiang, is it possible we can't go back?"

"No, big brother will definitely come to save us, don't be afraid."

Xiangxiang offered words of comfort, though she herself was also uncertain.

All the yamen runners from the Desolate City County Yamen have arrived, along with the city lord and members of various powerful Lineage and gangs. Even if my elder brother were here, how could he possibly handle so many people?

"Sister Li... Sister Li! What's she doing here?"

Xiangxiang's eyes widened as she looked at Li Shengnan, who was tied to a wooden stake in the distance.

"Sister Li!"

Wang Xiaoxi shouted loudly.

Li Shengnan was covered in blood, with strands of her blood-stained hair sticking to her face. As if she had heard a sound, she slowly raised her head, her gaze falling on Xiao Xi and Xiangxiang, a helpless bitter smile on her face.

She originally came to the Desolate City to find Qin Ming, but unfortunately ran into Lu Ming instead.

Lu Ming had seen her before; Li Shengnan was tall and muscular, making her easy to identify. That's how Li Shengnan was arrested.

Lu Ming ordered his men to use severe torture to interrogate Li Shengnan about what had happened in the courtyard and who had killed the Li Shengnan. However, Lu Ming so much that he wanted to execute Li Shengnan on the spot. But then he remembered that the River God Sacrifice was about to begin, and that the person would definitely show up. If he used Li Shengnan as bait, he might be able to lure that person out.

That's how Li Shengnan managed to save her life.

The Spirit Medium stepped onto the altar and began chanting incantations, waving her wooden scepter for a full two minutes before stopping.

Throw the Sacrifice into the river!

At the Spirit Medium's instruction, three hundred pigs, cattle, and sheep were thrown off the altar.

These pork, beef, and mutton were all cooked overnight, with an irresistible aroma. As soon as they were poured into the river, countless Silverfish swam over to snatch them up.

At this moment, Qin Ming was hiding in the river below the altar when he suddenly sensed several auras rapidly approaching him.

It's the Ghost-Faced Monkey, also known as the River God Spirit Medium's messenger in the sorceress's words.

There were eight Ghost-Faced Monkeys in total, plus the Ghost-Faced Monkey that died at Qin Ming's hands, making a total of ten Ghost-Faced Monkeys.

These eight Ghost-Faced Monkeys lurked beneath the river's surface, watching helplessly as pigs, cattle, and sheep were devoured by Silverfish, without making a single move.

"Ten pairs of Pure Boys and Girls, ten messengers of the River God..."

They've come to take the Pure Boys and Girls back!

Qin Ming quickly realized the key point and breathed a sigh of relief.

As long as the River God doesn't appear, even with eight River God messengers, he might still have a fighting chance.

As the pigs, cattle, and sheep were devoured by the Silverfish, the Silverfish quickly retreated, leaving not a single one remaining within a radius of several hundred feet.

It seems their sole purpose is to eliminate those meat Sacrifice.

Next came the second Sacrifice: spiritual fruits, wines, and foods, and even some Spirit Medicines.

These Sacrifice were also poured into the river.

The eight Ghost-Faced Monkeys, unable to contain themselves any longer and with intense desire in their eyes, pounced on the Sacrifice and devoured it.

These spiritual foods contain Spiritual Qi, which can replenish Qi and Blood, and are of great benefit to their cultivation.

After the spiritual food was completely consumed, the third and final Sacrifice was presented.

Ten pairs of Pure Boys and Girls.

A Pure Boys and Girls were brought out first.

One of the Ghost-Faced Monkeys moved and swam towards the altar.

Qin Ming thought to himself, "Just as I suspected."

The first Sacrifice was for the fish in the river, the second was for the River God's Sacrifice, and the third was for the River God Sacrifice.

"Mother, save me!"

"Dad, I'm scared."

When it was their turn, the scene erupted in groans and cries.

"Child!"

An elderly couple rushed out from the crowd. They were wearing patched robes, and it was clear that they were not well-off.

"How dare they disrupt the River God Sacrifice ceremony! Break their legs!"

Lu Ming flew into a rage, and one of the constables raised his wooden stick and smashed it down hard, breaking the elderly couple's legs on the spot.

On the altar, two bailiffs each picked up a child, preparing to throw them into the river.

The Ghost-Faced Monkey below quickly surfaced.

But at that moment, an unexpected event occurred.