Human Sacrifice
On Kunlun Mountain, above the Infinite Abyss, Divine Hero Yang Sanqian and Yaochi Saintess Jiyao stood before the Underworld Sect, performing the marriage rites with Jiyao as the bride.
Once the ceremony concluded, Yang Sanqian and Jiyao held hands and stood to the side. The Yaochi Saintess turned to the Underworld Sect and said, "Yaochi has been destroyed, and the eight Holy Medicines are hidden in the back mountains of Yaochi. No one knows their exact location; you will have to search for them."
"You hid the Holy Medicines in Rear Kunlun?" Nangong asked, his face filled with anger.
Yaochi was located at the center of Kunlun, dividing it into two parts: Former Kunlun and Rear Kunlun. In Rear Kunlun, beasts roamed freely. Ancient Daoist Grandmasters often ventured deep into Kunlun to capture these beasts as their spirit animals or even as guardian deities for their sects.
As time passed, the beasts in Rear Kunlun grew stronger, leading some to refer to it as the Demon Realm. Consequently, no one dared to enter anymore.
The crowd murmured among themselves, and the Emei Sect Leader remarked, "Is it possible that Yaochi Saintess intends to bury the Underworld Sect in Rear Kunlun out of revenge?"
Yaochi Saintess smiled lightly and replied, "Cultivating in a Daoist Sect to become a great master is not merely about smooth sailing; ultimately, time will test all. When faced with true experts, one is bound to fall. The eight Holy Medicines are there for those capable enough to claim them. I have not used these eight Holy Medicines on Jiyao or destroyed them; that is already a gift to you. If you wish for me to hand them over willingly, I must decline."
"The Saint Sovereign is truly calculating," said the Wudang Sect Leader. "In the Kunlun Demon Realm, where beasts run rampant, many of them have cultivated for five hundred or even a thousand years—beyond what mere humans can withstand. This journey will undoubtedly cost countless disciples their lives; how can you bear such a thing?"
Yaochi Saintess replied, "Your disciples are disciples, but my disciples from Yaochi are not? I do not wish to hear your fallacies. The Cave of Blessings in Rear Kunlun is beyond imagination; those who enter may reverse their fate and become extraordinary individuals or may perish without a trace. Those who do not dare to enter should simply refrain from doing so. The eight Holy Medicines were taken into Rear Kunlun by a Spirit Bird; no one knows their specific location—not even I. As for you five, you have no right to enter."
After speaking, Yaochi Saintess closed her eyes, her body radiating a brilliant white light like that of the sun.
Standing quietly to the side, Spirit Matriarch wiped away her tears and said, "We bid farewell to the Saint Sovereign!"
The white light surrounding Yaochi Supreme blazed fiercely as a whirlwind swept through the Infinite Abyss, flowers falling from the sky like rain. Her hair turned white, her beauty rapidly aged, transforming her into a frail figure resembling withered wood.
The Big Black Cat let out a deep sound as it walked up from the mountainside to the side of the Yaochi Saintess, curling up beside her legs. In no time, it too fell silent, perishing alongside the Yaochi Saintess.
"The beasts of Rear Kunlun run rampant. Back in the day, the Yaochi Patriarch established the Yaochi Sacred Land here to guard the entrance to Rear Kunlun and isolate the demon realm. But human hearts have changed; Yaochi has been destroyed. Anyone who enters must tread carefully. After hundreds of years, no one knows what lies within that world. Each must take care of themselves. And those who used the Book of Life and Death to frame my Yaochi will eventually be found out by the descendants of Yaochi."
The voice of the Yaochi Saintess faded, her radiance disappearing. Jiyao knelt beside the Yaochi Supreme, his hands trembling with a red glow as he said, "We bid farewell to the Saint Sovereign."
The physical form of the Yaochi Saintess disintegrated into ashes, and the body of the Big Black Cat similarly turned to dust.
At that moment, above the Infinite Abyss, a portal of light opened, swirling mysteriously around it.
An elder without a sect immediately approached the light portal. There were no restrictions on it; he could pass through freely.
A Young Taoist stood before the portal and called out, "Master!"
The elder's voice came back, "I'm fine. This Rear Kunlun has been deserted for ages; it truly is magnificent. Come on in!"
Upon hearing this, the boy stepped into the light portal, followed by many wandering cultivators.
Even knowing that ahead lay a den of dragons and tigers, and that entering would mean a Narrow Escape, everyone was determined to seek ways to reverse their fates and rise above others; no one wanted to remain inferior.
Meanwhile, members of the Five Major Sects exchanged glances, looking towards the Five Great Sect Leaders. After some discussion among themselves, they too decided to venture deeper into Rear Kunlun.
Nangong glanced at Yang Sanqian and Jiyao with disdain before stepping towards the light. With a loud bang, Nangong was rebounded back, his hands charred black.
The crowd was in an uproar, unsure of what had just happened.
At that moment, the Spirit Matriarch spoke, "Entering Rear Kunlun is restricted by the Saint Sovereign. Anyone who has reached the Dao Fruit Realm or above cannot enter unless they lower their cultivation and waste their own power! Those who force their way in will be obliterated!"
The faces of the crowd brightened again, for with the strength of the leaders of the Five Major Sects and the terrifying power of some Elders, even if the younger generation obtained the Holy Medicine, it would only be taken by the leaders and Elders.
Nangong was furious. "I see you are simply seeking death!"
As soon as Nangong finished speaking, he struck towards the Spirit Matriarch. Yang Sanqian stepped in front of her and met Nangong's palm with his own, both of them retreating three steps.
Nangong Dao declared, "A dying sect, a Saint Sovereign who has lost all power, and a forsaken pawn left isolated—I wonder who among you can escape my grasp today!"
Nangong had already made up his mind to kill. He felt particularly humiliated today at Yaochi, having lost face multiple times, and his anger was uncontrollable.
"What are you all standing around for?" Nangong turned to look at the crowd.
The Elders of the Serpent Cult exchanged glances before flying up to confront Divine Hero above the Infinite Abyss. Jiyao stood beside Divine Hero, fighting alongside him without fear against the Serpent Cult members.
The rest of the sects looked at each other in confusion, unsure of what to do. At that moment, Eastern Nine spoke up, "The Five Major Sects and various factions are all waiting to enter. Isn't it inappropriate for you to block the entrance and fight?"
Yang Sanqian and Jiyao were the first to step aside. Nangong's hand trembled with rage as he gestured for everyone to retreat and clear a path.
Mr. Chang then raised his voice, "The Holy Medicine is a rare treasure that takes a thousand years to grow. It is hard to come by. Young people from all sects should not foolishly hand it over to their leaders and Elders; they can directly refine it in Rear Kunlun! The Holy Medicine can transform one's bones and alter one's aptitude—it's a reverse Treasure!"
Mr. Chang's words shook the hearts of the disciples. Many still clung to the idea of obtaining the Holy Medicine and handing it over to the sect's higher-ups in exchange for supreme Cultivation Methods and training resources. However, the Holy Medicine itself was the most precious resource. Once consumed, if one's aptitude improved, they would naturally become a focus of attention and cultivation within the sect.
The Wudang Sect Leader said, "Do not listen to the nonsense of others. If the Holy Medicine could be directly refined, it wouldn't be called Holy Medicine. It requires a combination of medicinal scriptures and secret techniques; otherwise, you will only end up exploding your body!"
Mr. Chang replied, "Who would believe that a cultivator could be blown apart by a single Holy Medicine? Unless it's a novice at the Entry-Level Realm, anyone beyond the Foundation Establishment Realm can refine it. Some fear death and want the Holy Medicine to extend their lifespan; do not let yourselves be blinded."
The crowd buzzed with discussion, unsure of who was telling the truth and who was not.
Someone raised their voice and asked, "Divine Hero, can the Holy Medicine be directly refined?"
Seeing someone ask Yang Sanqian, many turned to him. Although he had enemies among several sect leaders, his reputation was excellent, and he was known for his integrity; everyone believed him.
Yang Sanqian said, "The Holy Medicine can indeed be directly refined, but it depends on the person and what kind of medicine it is. Some individuals may have too low cultivation or too weak a constitution to refine it; even the Medicine King cannot consume it. Others may be very strong in cultivation and physique, but if they directly swallow an exquisite Holy Medicine, like the essence of Millennium Taisui, they might also explode. It's not guaranteed; one must weigh their own capabilities."
Everyone clasped their fists towards Yang Sanqian in gratitude for his honest advice before heading toward the light gate.
The Five Great Sect Leaders and many who had reached Dao Fruit Realm felt helpless. They wanted to offer generous conditions to exchange for the Holy Medicine but couldn't bring themselves to do so.
At that moment, I walked along the path beside Infinite Abyss toward a cave below it. Upon reaching the entrance of the cave, I saw Zhou Manman standing before me in a white dress, serene and gentle, her smile radiant.
When Zhou Manman saw me, her eyes glistened with moisture as she rushed into my embrace and said, "Saint Sovereign has told me everything; I finally came back to life."
I held Zhou Manman close and replied, "Yes, you’re alive again. I’ve come out from Futu Ridge; it’s wonderful to see you."
"Let's talk more when we reach Rear Kunlun. The Light Gate will disappear in an hour. As long as my Remnant Soul remains intact for Seven Days, the restrictions won't be lifted unless the Holy Barrier is broken," a faint voice emanated from Zhou Manman's body. Yaochi Supreme had been here before; after her death, the Remnant Soul would exist for Seven Days, guiding Zhou Manman to find the Holy Medicine within Rear Kunlun.
I nodded and led Zhou Manman toward the Infinite Abyss above. Yaochi Supreme's voice continued, "Manman, now that you have reshaped your body, there are no Acupoint restrictions. Your cultivation speed will be unprecedented. Coupled with the soul refining technique I taught you earlier, you'll be able to handle ordinary young masters. You must find the Holy Medicine to solidify your body. My Remnant Soul cannot remain alert at all times; you still have to rely on yourself."
"I understand, Saint Sovereign," Zhou Manman replied with a nod. "Also, Saint Sovereign, I feel like I've lost contact with Big Black Cat."
Big Black Cat was closely related to Zhou Manman's transformation into a ghost, creating a spiritual connection between them.
"Big Black Cat has gone along with Saint Sovereign's transformation," I said.
A look of sadness appeared in Zhou Manman's eyes. Throughout her journey, it was Big Black Cat who had taken care of her, and she hadn't even seen it one last time.
"Manman, you should go in first and wait for me inside. Yang Sanqian and Yaochi Saintess Jiyao are my parents. The leaders of the Five Major Sects may conflict with them, so I need to stay outside for a while before I come to find you."
Zhou Manman nodded. When they reached the bottom of the Infinite Abyss, she walked toward the Light Gate along with the disciples from various sects. As she approached Spirit Matriarch, Spirit Matriarch handed her the Spirit Seeking Mouse and nodded for her to enter. Zhou Manman glanced back at me before stepping through the Light Gate.
It had been a rough journey, but I had survived in this cruel world, and now Zhou Manman had finally been given a second chance at life.
The entrance to Rear Kunlun was sealed by Yaochi Saintess's restrictions; only those at Entry-Level Realm, Purple Qi Eastward Boundary, Foundation Establishment Realm, Divine Transformation Realm, Core Formation Stage, and Nascent Soul Realm could enter. Otherwise, they would be crushed by the restrictions.
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