Deep in the Ninefold Nether.
In a shattered world.
"Your Majesty, sorry for the trouble, but could you take a look? Is this a statue of the first Blood Saint?"
Xu Chengan stood before a statue, asking excitedly.
The Lord of Gui Xu studied it for a long while, then nodded.
"This is a statue of the Guixu Kingdom's first Blood Saint. He received the blessings of the Nine Old Gods and, countless years ago, led humanity in initiating the Dark Crown Ritual." "I really found him." Xu Chengan sighed in satisfaction.
He stepped forward, knelt, and respectfully knocked his head against the ground several times, his eyes full of longing and reverence.
"You're a Blood Saint too. Why kneel to him so devoutly?" the Lord of Gui Xu asked curiously.
"A true pioneer of history like him deserves a bow."
With that, Xu Chengan rose, climbed onto the altar, and kicked the statue's head off.
The Lord of Gui Xu asked in surprise:
"If you were going to do that, why bow first?"
"I bowed because he was the first Blood Saint, praised by the Nine Old Gods themselves," Xu Chengan said.
"And why kick his head off?" the Lord of Gui Xu asked.
Bone-deep hatred surfaced on Xu Chengan's face.
"During the first Dark Crown Ritual, the Old Gods had no idea what would happen, but that fucking idiot missed such a perfect opportunity." "He failed to break through the Second Ritual."
"After him, the Old Gods were on guard. The Dark Crown Ritual was sabotaged, and humanity lost its chance to rise forever."
The Lord of Gui Xu fell silent for a moment, then said softly, "Xu Chengan, Xu Chengan. I thought your loyalty to the Old Gods would never waver in the slightest." Xu Chengan shoved