Chapter 1021

Chu Zihang

Kaisa shook his head regretfully: "If Nicadoli did not have the 'immortality' ability, I believe Xuanfengcheng could fill this heavenly punishment between man and god with countless lives. But sadly... there is no 'if'."

Xiaodie

Genaiwusi

"Light leaked from the crack above their heads, pallid and thin, like the last breath of a dying person. A layer of dark brown, sticky substance clung beneath their feet, revealing an oily texture in the weak light."

"That was blood... almost covering the entire hall."

"Corpses lay heaped on the ground, too many to count... fortunately some still had intact bodies, while the unfortunate had become piles of flesh. It's hard to imagine this is not a slaughterhouse but a 'trial'."

"Xiadie also couldn't help but suck in a breath of cold air: 'How horrific... what desire is this festival meant to satisfy?'"

""A beast that has lost its target merely follows its instinct to chase blood.""

"Xiadie stopped in her tracks: 'Genaiwusi, Your Excellency, we have already penetrated the heart of Xuanfengcheng... it's time you learned our purpose. We do not hope for cooperation, only to avoid conflict.'"

Nicadoli

"We came to find a way to destroy Nicadoli. We have received... a piece of information. The reason‑less Strife Titan is forging an immortal body for itself. If not stopped, it will pose a great threat to the future Weng Faluosi."

"Genaiwusi seemed disdainful of these remarks, snorting coldly: 'Threat... our goals do not conflict, girl. Find the Titan, and we can each get what we need.'"

"Xiadie let out a breath of relief, turning to look at the fallen victim nearby: 'The souls of the sacrificed still wander this hall... meaningless sacrifice has brought them injustice, their wails unceasing. Perhaps I can hear something from them.'"

"Xiadie approached the corpse, and as she softly called out, a semi‑transparent 'shadow' actually rose from the corpse's remains."

Ghost Spirit Gate

""No... I can awaken only those souls not yet completely dead." Xiadie questioned that soul: 'Those unable to rest... please tell us, what have you heard?'"

"The soul repeated the scene it had seen before: 'Really, no need to dispose of it? The stench here... is already unbearable.'"

""No, haven't you heard clearly?" another person said lightly, 'This is part of the ritual, an offering presented to the Titan. Continue welcoming challengers, let them keep fighting... only by letting Nicadoli bask in the atmosphere of war can we suppress its madness.'"

Libo

Titan

"Inside a hidden cave within the Ghost Spirit Gate, Elder Wang Tiangu stood with his hands behind his back, observing this bloody trial unfolding in the sky. Looking at the countless corpses on the ground, his expression remained calm as usual, even revealing a hint of appreciation."

"Using innocents as sacrifices to quell the Titan's wrath..." Wang Tian Gu murmured softly, a smile curving his lips, "... Marvelous, truly marvelous. Although the old king of Xuanfengcheng will soon be slain by Wandi, this ruthless approach is exactly to my liking. For the deity of Xuanfengcheng, and to be able to contend for the Great Dao in the future, what does it matter if a few mortals of Xuanfengcheng die?"

He turned his body, his gaze falling on Wang Chan, who was leaning against a pillar nearby, her steps slow.

Since the last time in the Cang Kun cave dwelling, where Han Li used that bizarre demonic art to sever his legs, they have drawn out the black qi lingering at his wound and recast the spell to reattach his severed limbs. Although the injury has healed, his meridians still need conditioning.

"Second Uncle, do you think I could someday borrow the power of the 'Mandate' to break through..." Wang Chan's voice was somewhat hoarse, her face as pale as paper, "... Although, although it doesn't conform to our Ghost Spirit Sect's cultivation method, but..."

"Foolish daydreaming." Wang Tian Gu coldly interrupted him, "That is a foreign law; how could we easily probe it? Rest and heal your wounds, don't divert your thoughts elsewhere. Besides, are you still thinking about that Han Li?"

Wang Tian Gu laid bare Wang Chan's thoughts with a single sharp remark.

Wang Chan trembled all over, the resentment in her eyes erupting instantly as she gritted her teeth: 'Second Uncle! That Han Li... he actually managed to form a Nascent Soul! How could he...! I've only reached late-stage Golden Core, it must be he had some damn lucky break...'

Upon hearing the name 'Han Li,' Wang Chan's legs twitched as if with phantom pain, and for a moment Wang Chan grimaced in agony.

Seeing Wang Chan's grimace, a flicker of disappointment passed through Wang Tian Gu's eyes.

"Alright, what you look like now—where is there even a hint of the young master of the Ghost Spirit Sect?" Wang Tian Gu snorted coldly, his gaze sweeping over Wang Chan's face like a blade, "Han Li forming a Nascent Soul is indeed unexpected. But that he could form a Nascent Soul shows his fate is defiant and his methods ruthless. As for you, you actually think of taking an unorthodox path, relying on the power within the heavens to break through your realm—truly the talk of a fool."

"Now you shouldn't be thinking about how to take revenge; instead, you should properly heal your wounds and steady your mind. Although Han Li has formed a Nascent Soul, his foundation is not yet solid and he still needs time to settle. And you, with the countless resources of my Ghost Spirit Sect piled up, and with me, the old man, personally guiding you, how could you still fail to catch up to his footsteps?"

——

"They are fabricating a false war, attempting to use this method to calm the Titan. Nicadoli... it has indeed lost its will."

"Xiaodie: 'It seems this barbaric method has worked.'"

The three continued following the guidance of the departed spirits, arriving at another altar, where they found a conversation among several other nobles of Xuanfengcheng.

"How much longer will the ceremony last? Oulipang King... what is he still delaying?"

"Be patient, the plan is not yet complete... sealing the Titan's soul is no easy task. The priests are already working overtime..."

"Among the priests captured from other city-states, who can guarantee their loyalty? I think we should still kill one to warn the others, hum..."

"Finally, a clue has emerged. Xiaodie mused: 'The sealing of the deity's soul... could it be the 【Sword and Dish】 mentioned in Li Bo's poetry? Made by the hand of Hatonus...'"

"Foolish... perhaps now you can understand the meaning of these two characters."

"Xing doesn't quite understand: 'Is Nicadoli really just letting them push them around?'"

"Lord Gnaeus... you seem to know quite a bit about that Titan."

Gnaeus gave no direct answer, merely turning and walking deeper into the inner city, saying: "Perhaps what is whispering in my ear is none other than Nicadoli himself."

"Lord Gnaeus... you seem to know quite a bit about that Titan."