Chapter 451: Powerful Deterrence

As Longling's mana surged, the power of the White Bone Dharma Form began to manifest.

The space around the entire five-colored altar seemed to tremble because of it.

A dark moon slowly rose behind the White Bone Dharma Form, silver moonlight spilling across the whole space, accompanied by countless silver runes flying and dancing in the air, like a group of sprites leaping, flashing with dazzling light.

These runes were ancient and mysterious, each containing unfathomable power; they revolved around the White Bone Dharma Form, forming wondrous diagrams of creation.

Those patterns were eerie yet beautiful, making one unable to help but become intoxicated.

All the cultivators present were deeply shocked by this scene; they had never seen such a spectacular sight.

What the White Bone Dharma Form displayed was not only a symbol of power, but also a sacred existence transcending their understanding.

The majesty and grandeur of the White Bone Dharma Form made everyone feel their own insignificance, while also arousing deep within them a yearning and awe for power.

All the cultivators present felt an indescribable surge in their hearts—not only reverence for power, but also a longing to transcend the mundane and approach the Dao.

They gazed at the White Bone Dharma Form, as if seeing a road leading to a higher realm—though distant, it was filled with hope and possibility.

At this moment, the cultivators' spirits suffered an unprecedented shock, deeply recognizing Longling's strength and unfathomable depth.

Many cultivators began to suppress their racing hearts, even starting to speculate about Longling's origin and why he possessed such heaven-shaking abilities.

Some cultivators whispered among themselves, trying to find clues from Longling's performance and abilities.

"Do you think Lord Longling comes from some ancient sect?"

A young cultivator asked softly, his eyes full of curiosity.

He would not believe that Longling was truly the guardian of the Ancient God Sect.

Because the Ancient God Sect is quite strange: the stronger a cultivator's ability, the larger their physique—a manifestation of extreme body tempering—but Longling and others show no such trait.

Another elder cultivator from a mysterious force shook his head and said: "No, I see Lord Longling's methods as extraordinary, not something an ordinary sect could cultivate."

"Perhaps he is a descendant of the legendary Ancient Human Emperor!"

This cultivator's voice carried a hint of awe and mystery.

"Human race's Ancient Emperor Descendant?"

"How could that be possible!"

A female cultivator beside them could not help but interject, then she said.

"Although Lord Longling is powerful, the purer the bloodline of an Ancient Emperor Descendant, the less likely they are to appear lightly in the Universe Cultivation World!"

Another cultivator from a great mysterious force spoke up; these people knew many secrets and could see through many things.

Tactics like Longling's concealment of identity are sometimes used by them as well.

However, Longling this time overreached, claiming to be a descendant of the Ancient God Sect, obviously having not done a careful study of that mysterious sect.

……

The discussion among many cultivators with deep backgrounds gradually grew heated; they were full of various speculations and imaginations about the force hidden behind Longling.

Some thought Longling might have obtained some ancient inheritance, while others thought he might be the heir of a certain reclusive family.

But no matter what, they agreed on one point—Longling is certainly not an ordinary cultivator, and his identity and origin are definitely not trivial.

Boom—earth-shattering thunder suddenly exploded in the sky.

The fusion of Longling and the White Bone Dharma Form displayed a supernatural power and mysterious aura, directly drawing forth heavenly and earthly phenomena.

Under the influence of this power, Longling slowly opened his mouth; his voice seemed to contain endless wisdom and strength.

"Everyone, there's no need to panic over the life fetus."

Longling said calmly.

"I have long known of the aberrant life fetus calamity you have suffered."

"Now I will relieve you of this undeserved suffering."

The cultivators hearing Longling's words felt a glimmer of hope arise in their hearts.

They looked at Longling, their eyes filled with anticipation and trust.

Longling continued: "Although this aberrant life fetus is strange and unfathomable, it is not without solution."

"My White Bone Dharma Form contains purifying power sufficient to expel this calamity from your bodies."

The cultivators looked at each other; although they still harbored doubts, seeing Longling's composed demeanor, their hearts gradually calmed.

"However, this purifying power cannot be easily employed." Longling's tone turned grave: "I need you to set aside your fear and resistance, and trust me completely, for the purifying power to reach its utmost."

The cultivators fell silent for a moment, then all nodded, indicating their willingness to trust Longling.

They knew that, aside from trusting Longling, they had no other choice, after all their life souls were in his hands.

Seeing this, Longling slightly nodded, then formed hand seals and began to exert the purifying power.

The White Bone Dharma Form responded in turn, emitting beams of gentle yet powerful light that enveloped each cultivator.

Under this light's illumination, the cultivators felt the aberrant life fetus power within their bodies begin to gradually dissipate.

Their bodies and minds received an unprecedented purification and relief.

As the purification proceeded, the cultivators' bodies gradually returned to normal, directly feeling an indescribable ease and pleasure.

When the last trace of aberrant life fetus power was expelled from their bodies, the cultivators could not help but cheer.

These cultivators looked toward Longling, their hearts filled with gratitude and respect.

Longling, with his heaven-shaking means, relieved them of this disaster and granted them rebirth.

In this struggle against the aberrant life fetus, Longling not only displayed his great power, but also earned everyone's trust and respect.

The cultivators also, through Longling's means this time, became more curious and reverent of the force behind him.

They speculated that the power Longling represented must be an incomparably mysterious and powerful existence.

Longling, seeing the moment had arrived, signaled to Heifeng.

Heifeng immediately issued an order to the cultivators present: "Listen up, everyone, crush the jade slips in your hands at once to lure the other cultivators of the Ancient God Sect here." This order made the already disadvantaged cultivators feel a hint of unease, but facing the mighty pressure of Longling and Heifeng, they had no choice.

The cultivators understood that breaking the jade slips would draw more companions into this unknown danger, but for now they could only follow Heifeng's order.

As the jade slips were crushed one after another, beams of message-light flew out from the herb field, scattering toward every corner of the mysterious forest of the Ancient God Sect.

This was like an invisible tentacle, dragging more cultivators into the vortex of this conspiracy.

Heifeng's order was cold and direct; knowing that crushing the jade slips would attract more cultivators, this would add more variables and strength to their plan.

Meanwhile, Longling observed all this in the dark, his wise eyes revealing anticipation for the cultivators soon to arrive.

All of this development was under his control.

As time passed, more cultivators would be drawn by these message-lights, some out of curiosity, some out of greed for treasure, and they flocked into this misty space.

What awaited them was an unknown fate and a carefully laid trap.

Under the orders of Longling and Heifeng, although some cultivators felt dissatisfied, facing great pressure most seemed to have little choice.

However, at this moment a cultivator with considerable courage stepped forward, his voice dissatisfied with Longling's decision, and he began to rebut.

"Longling sir, you have us crush the jade slips to lure our fellows here; this seems somewhat improper."

The cultivator said resentfully.

"Boss, this cultivator has some reputation in the Universe Cultivation World; he comes from the Golden Mansion Heavy Tower of Huanyu, and his epithet is Wansheng Zhenren."

At that moment Qingyun came up beside Longling and transmitted the cultivator's background.

Wansheng Zhenren's voice echoed in the surrounding space, his words revealing anger at Longling's methods.

Longling smiled faintly, as if he had expected this rebuttal, and calmly replied: "Wansheng Zhenren, what are your lofty opinions?"

"Should we not make use of every resource we can?"

Wansheng Zhenren took a deep breath, then firmly said: "Using resources is important, but we cannot sacrifice the lives and trust of fellow cultivators."

We cultivators should place sincerity and righteousness first, not use such means to achieve our goals.

His words were filled with insistence on morality and ethics.

Heifeng coldly added from the side: "Wansheng Zhenren, your idea is too naive."

In this world of the strong devouring the weak, only the strong can survive.

If you do not follow orders, you are our enemy.

Wansheng Zhenren showed no fear, staring directly at Longling and Heifeng, and said: "Even so, I cannot go against my conscience."

If this is the price of becoming strong, I would rather choose a different path.

The surrounding cultivators began to whisper, and Wansheng Zhenren's words seemed to touch some cultivators' heartstrings.

Some cultivators began to reflect, wondering whether they should truly obey orders unconditionally, sacrificing their principles and companions' safety.

This sudden situation made the atmosphere on site become tense.

Facing Wansheng Zhenren's rebuttal, Longling and Heifeng's eyes flashed with surprise, as if they had not expected a cultivator to dare stand up and question their decision under such pressure.

Seeing Wansheng Zhenren openly defy, Heifeng's eyes flashed a hint of cold light.

He said no more, directly moving to wield powerful mana to control Wansheng Zhenren's life soul, employing his cruel method.

Under Heifeng's mana, Wansheng Zhenren's life soul seemed to be entwined by countless invisible threads, beginning to suffer merciless pulling and twisting.

Such direct assault on the soul is far heavier and harder to endure than bodily pain.

Wansheng Zhenren's visage instantly twisted, the seven apertures began to bleed, his body convulsed violently on the ground, and he emitted a heart-rending wail.

This scene made the observing cultivators feel an unprecedented fear; they had never seen such cruel soul devastation.

Other dissenting cultivators, seeing Wansheng Zhenren's miserable state, felt their courage instantly collapse.

They began to feel afraid, and fell to their knees begging for mercy.

"Longling sir, please forgive us; we know we were wrong, do not treat us this way!"

One cultivator wept, his voice full of despair and fear.

"We are willing to obey, willing to do anything, only begging you to spare us!"

Another cultivator hastily expressed loyalty, his eyes full of pleading.

Longling coldly watched all this, knowing that fear is one of the most effective means to control people's hearts.

His voice was like a winter wind, icy and piercing.

"Now you know fear?"

"It's not too late yet!"

"As long as you obediently listen, I will naturally not make things difficult for you."

Heifeng also stopped tormenting Wansheng Zhenren's life soul, looking at those kneeling cultivators begging for mercy, he snorted coldly: "You're wise to comply; if there is a next time, it won't be so simple."

Under the intimidation of Longling and Heifeng, the cultivators completely abandoned resistance.

They began to follow Longling's instructions, crushing the jade slips in their hands to draw more companions into this peril.

Although their hearts were filled with guilt and unease, facing such a formidable opponent they had no room left to choose.

Around the Five-Colored Altar the atmosphere grew heavy and oppressive; the cultivators' eyes lost their luster, leaving only fear of the unknown fate and obedience.

Meanwhile, Longling and Heifeng looked satisfied at these cultivators.

These cultivators' hearts were full of anxiety and worry; their mutual gazes revealed confusion and fear about the future.

What Longling and Heifeng wanted was exactly this effect; only fear could quickly make these people submit.

"Really, one wave not settled, another rises."

Having just escaped the threat of the aberrant life fetus, now we have fallen again into Longling sir's control.

One cultivator sighed, his voice revealing deep helplessness.

Another cultivator shook his head with a wry smile: "Yeah, I thought I could find a breakthrough opportunity here, but I didn't expect to fall into a greater predicament."

We don't know whether, after surrendering to Longling sir, there is any future left to speak of.

"Future?"

A female cultivator beside them sneered: "We don't even have freedom now; what future is there to talk about?"

We can only take it step by step, hoping that Lord Longling will keep his promise and not be too harsh on us.

Many cultivators chattered incessantly, lamenting their misfortune and the fickleness of fate.

They understood in their hearts that although they had temporarily escaped bodily pain, the mental shackles were even heavier.

"Everyone need not be too pessimistic."

An elder cultivator spoke up, "Lord Longling may use harsh methods, but he does so to achieve some goal."

"If we cooperate well, there may yet be a turning point."

"A turning point?"

A young cultivator wore a bitter face, "We now even have our life souls controlled; what turning point could there be?"

The elder cultivator gave a slight smile: "Things depend on human effort."

"As long as we don't give up hope, we will surely find a way out."

The elder cultivator's words also brought a hint of comfort to everyone. They knew that facing the mighty Longling, with their life souls controlled, they could only do this for now.

In the shadows, Longling and Heifeng exchanged a glance, each seeing a hint of satisfaction in the other's eyes.

They knew these cultivators had completely fallen under their control, becoming pawns to realize their plan.

"These cultivators will lure more cultivators into the phantom realm within the white mist, and then not only can we obtain the ancient sigils on those people, but we can also take them for our own use."

"When we emerge, we will directly lead the cultivator army, sweeping forth with thunderous force; even descendants of the human emperor will be unable to oppose us against heaven."

"The boss is truly impressive!" Heifeng exclaimed excitedly.

Longling gave a slight nod: "This is as expected."

"Next, how should we make use of these cultivators?"

"Let us first observe for a while, to see if they sincerely submit."

"Then, according to the situation, we will gradually implement the corresponding plan."

Heifeng nodded; their conversation revealed great confidence and far-sighted prudence.

They believed that if properly controlled, these cultivators would become an important force in achieving their goal.

As for those cultivators who have been subdued, though their hearts are filled with doubt and unease, they can now only take things step by step.