"Mm. I think so too. This time, we'll definitely see a pleasant surprise."
Deeply agreeing with Instructor Li, Vice Envoy Yao watched the sparring among the boys and girls on the training ground and nodded with satisfaction. "At first, these little brats were so hesitant to strike one another. They didn't dare lay on a hard blow. After being fed all that Demonic Beast meat and medicinal broth, they've finally started showing a glimpse of their true nature."
"Look at them. They're much fiercer than before, aiming to injure or cripple their opponents. They need to nurture a measure of viciousness for it to work. They have to treat each other like enemies when they strike. That's the only way they'll improve quickly!"
No one could train in martial arts without getting hurt. Only by seriously going at one another could they make the fastest progress. Xuanming Manor had no shortage of medicine, and Vice Envoy Yao didn't mind the children developing a bit of fire in their bellies.
Even if the price was that those once-innocent, kindhearted children had all become vicious little beasts, their eyes gleaming with ferocity... No, how could that be called a price?
It was exactly what they wanted.
What the Divine Cult needed were seekers who could summon boundless drive for their own desires, who would willingly destroy everything and reshape it all to achieve their wishes—people who would sooner destroy themselves for that goal, and wouldn't care if the Divine Cult itself were destroyed.
But so what?
In this world, only the Divine Cult would accept them, embrace all their wicked or beautiful dreams, and support their wish to destroy or reshape the human world.
Because...
"That is the [Heavenly Will]."
The old man turned to look at An Jing, who stood nearby, calmly surveying the scene, coordinating the children's sparring order, and promptly stopping anyone who went too far.
His gaze burned with fervor, green flames gleaming in his eyes. "Heh. Some people can transform only after taking medicine. But some are born to transcend the ordinary."
"An Jing, An Jing... One of the finest seedlings I've encountered in all these years."
Vice Envoy Yao stroked his beard, a look of eager anticipation on his face. "This time, we may truly gain some unexpected brothers and sisters."
"Then perhaps I'll be able to leave these remote mountains and return to Da Chen."
"That day will surely come." Instructor Li cupped his hands.
"By the way, Little Li, I heard that the government's red hounds have been snapping at our heels lately. There were even people from Jiankong Mountain involved? The manor's supplies are running low. We can't let our lads go hungry."
Satisfied, Vice Envoy Yao looked away from the training ground and turned to Instructor Li beside him. "How far have they gotten in their investigation?"
"They've tracked us to Beiyu Swamp." The One-Eyed Instructor immediately grew serious and reported, "Eight of our bases have been pulled up."
"The blessed lands where we used Blood Pills as bait to hunt Demonic Beasts have also been destroyed. We've wasted a great deal of precious medicine."
He sounded a little regretful as he spoke. "The children used to make those pills may have had ordinary aptitude, but the medicine was still potent... How can those hounds of Da Chen be even worse than us at cherishing lives, wasting such fine medicine made from those children!"
"Then keep using bait," Vice Envoy Yao said calmly. "But this time, we won't be fishing for Fierce Beasts. We'll be fishing for those red dogs."
"Have the people at the nearby Dharma Altars attack counties that aren't on friendly terms with us. Then buy people from the local gangs and keep using them as bait. Keep the hounds on the hook and see whether we have more bait or they have more men."
"They're not Children of Calamity, just ordinary lives. We can afford to wear them down."
"Yes!"
Instructor Li accepted the order, then added cautiously, "However, I heard someone from Jiankong Mountain has arrived—a Divine Treasury Adept known as [Liuyang Xuanjing]..."
Even though he was speaking of an enemy, Instructor Li instinctively lowered his voice to show respect. "Neither of the two scouting teams we sent has reported back. They must both have been wiped out. He's probably tracking the Northern Patrol Envoy. We were just caught in the crossfire."
"True Person Xuanjing... Why would a True Person grandmaster from the Mingjing Sect of Jiankong Mountain get involved?" Vice Envoy Yao looked troubled. He pondered for a moment, then shook his head. "No. We can't afford to be optimistic. He may already have ventured deep into the Western Wasteland."
"How's the manor's progress? When can the trial begin?" he asked.
Instructor Li thumped his chest confidently. "We're almost done! With that boy An Jing's help, training these children has been much easier than before, and we've made far faster progress!"
"If you ask me, we could even start today!"
"Good, good. Then there's still time!"
Overjoyed as if he were about to reap a bountiful harvest, Vice Envoy Yao once again watched the disciples' footwork and battle formations on the training ground. He felt they had reached the right point. "Then it's settled. Tomorrow, at Qiming Valley, we begin the Ritual Sacrifice."
"The Divine Cult has nurtured them for many days. It's time for these little ones to show their worth."
The next day.
Without much explanation, they followed the Xuanming Manor stewards and group leaders, carrying the swords, blades, staffs, and spears they used for training. They left Xuanming Mountain, followed a forest trail, and arrived at a deep gorge in the rear mountains.
An Jing had prepared in advance. He quietly brought two pistols and hid them in his sleeves.
This was Xuanming Valley. A clear, mighty river surged out from within, forming an alluvial fan of white sand.
At the center of the alluvial plain, on a fairly flat stretch of white sand, twelve ancient jade altars formed a circle. Each altar had nine positions around it—three within and six without—creating a ritual formation of ancient lineage.
When An Jing first arrived, the gorge was the first thing he saw. His overly sensitive perception, along with the influence of the Fuxie Sword Spirit, made him see something like an "illusion" for a moment. The gorge seemed not to be a natural formation, but rather a...
A sword scar!
For an instant, An Jing even saw a divine being with a sword plunging straight down from the heavens, like a surging Heavenly River, cleaving a straight gorge through the endless mountains and suppressing something beneath the earth.
After who knew how many years, streams had gathered there, forming a winding river that snaked through the mountains like a dragon.
Could this be the Fuxie Sword Spirit?!
[It is indeed me.] The Fuxie Sword Spirit seemed to recall something too, its tone solemn. [Another fragment of mine is inside this Xuanming Valley.]
[I've never found an opportunity to come here. It seems this is my last chance.]
"Understood." An Jing gave a slight shake of his head, steadied himself, and surveyed his surroundings.
But what he saw only made his heart sink further.
On this pristine white sand, he saw many things that were just as pale, yet filled him with dread.
Bones.
Human bones!
Scattered across the surrounding white sand were countless bleached remains. Some were skulls, some arms and hands, some thighbones and ribs... Every bone was quite small; not one belonged to an adult. Some were shattered, while others remained almost whole...
As expected, Bai Qinghan was right... It's about to happen, isn't it?
Have these people from the Demonic Cult finally gotten "hungry"?
In an instant, An Jing's vigilance rose to its highest point.
Sure enough, the Demonic Cult was finally about to reveal its true face!
If danger came, he could at least put up some resistance. If no one stopped him, he could also lead everyone into the mountains and escape.
But the Demonic Cult didn't give him any chance.
An Jing used the corner of his eye to sweep around. The people escorting the children seemed few in number, but they had blocked every direction.
One person might have a chance, but with a group, there was no way to escape.
At the very least, I have to protect everyone in my group...
"Brother An..."
The other eight people following An Jing had also noticed the bones. Gu Yeqi instinctively stepped back, then cautiously looked around. "What happened here...?"
"Don't be afraid."
An Jing soothed them in a low voice. "This is probably the formal trial for joining the manor... Xuanming Manor's legacy is difficult to inherit, so the trial must be dangerous too. These remains are probably what's left of disciples who failed to join before us."
"But there's no need to worry. We're strong. We'll all pass this time."
"Yes!" Gu Yeqi trusted An Jing completely and answered without hesitation. The other group members calmed down as well.
Next, Manor Master Yao gave a speech.
His words were long-winded, but the gist was simple: after more than a year of training and cultivation, they, the disciples of Xuanming Manor, were ready to undergo the formal initiation ritual.
The ritual was dangerous. They would have to follow the ritual steps, borrow power from the Imperial Heaven Venerable God, and draw forth the Inner Demon in their hearts.
If they could slay their Inner Demon, they would awaken their Heavenly Mandate Fate and become true disciples of Xuanming Manor. If they failed, they might die. But as long as they survived, they could become members of Xuanming Manor even if they failed.
Just like the riders and servants, Xuanming Manor would still give them a bowl of rice to eat.
Of course, they could choose whether or not to take part. It was entirely up to them.
Before you continue