Xuandu continued:
"But merit is merit, and proving the Dao is proving the Dao."
"If you only guard the Blood Sea, then even if you guard it for hundreds of millions of epochs, you will never touch the threshold of Sagehood."
"Because you do not contend."
"If you do not contend, there is no Karma."
"Without Karma, there is no fortune."
"Without fortune, no matter how great your merit is, it is only a stagnant pool."
He looked at Nether River, his gaze deepening slightly:
"So, you must contend."
Nether River's pupils contracted slightly:
"Contend? Contend for what?"
Xuandu said:
"Contend for fortune."
"Contend for Karma."
"Contend for the opportunity to prove the Dao and become a Sage."
He paused, speaking each word distinctly:
"I want you to create a race."
Nether River froze.
Create a race?
He was Nether River, the Ancestor of Slaughter, the Blood Sea Master, born alongside Yuantu and Abhi, with Blood God Sons protecting his body.
And Xuandu wanted him to create a race?
"Vice Sect Master..."
Nether River spoke, a trace of confusion in his voice:
"How am I supposed to create a race?"
Xuandu smiled faintly.
The smile was slight, yet it carried the understanding of one who saw through all things.
"Within the Blood Sea are countless resentful souls, countless Fierce Ghosts, countless Filth Spirits."
"These living beings are born in the Blood Sea and die in the Blood Sea. They cannot enter Reincarnation, nor do they have any hope of Transcendence."
"Use the Blood Sea Origin as the foundation, the killing aura of Yuantu and Abhi as the catalyst, and the Blood God Son Method as the core."
"Create a race."
"This race will be born in the Blood Sea, grow in the Blood Sea, live by slaughter, and take the