In the darkness, Jing Wuzhen, wielding the Butcher Sword, swung her blade once more.
The Butcher Sword was a Ritual Vessel responsible for dividing sacrificial offerings, not a killing weapon like that eight-sided heavy sword from before.
Sacrificial offerings were of utmost importance in rituals. As it was said: "Let the Grand Butcher offer the prayers; let the historian lead the Li clan, bearing the offerings, grain, Jade, and silk to present them, without making any plea."
Human Path once said: "When those who take Heaven attack Heaven's city, they assassinate Heaven's people, strip away and shake the gods' positions, overturn the Altar of Earth and Grain, and seize and kill its sacrificial offerings. Then this does not accord with Heaven's benefit."
In that sentence, the importance of "seizing and killing its sacrificial offerings" stood alongside "stripping away and shaking the gods' positions" and "overturning the Altar of Earth and Grain." This showed just how weighty its status was.
The Altar of Earth and Grain originally meant "the dwelling place of gods." The so-called shrine was much the same. The altar was a god's temple, while grain referred to the five cereals—food in general. Together, they described the state of affairs in ancient times, when gods and humans lived side by side.
In other words, what the Butcher Sword divided before them was no longer merely things of reality. It possessed the power to butcher sacrifices and divide authority itself.
The Devil Lords realized this as well.
They also realized that Jing Wuzhen's Martial Way Divine Intent was not simply about blasting things apart.
This martial artist was truly cunning. She had used a secret art to conceal her true Divine Intent, making herself seem like a brainless brute when she was actually coarse on the outside and fine within.