Chapter 001: Entering This World

Others are dressed in gray or blue clothing, with a very simple style

Then, standing before the flames of burning spices, facing the bronze tree that reaches towards the sky, one spreads their arms wide and prays aloud, their voice ancient and resonant. The others bow their heads, responding in a different tone, their voices flowing continuously like the tide

However, the voice that Zhao Li unconsciously uttered, filled with confusion and anger, was drowned out by the voices of the crowd

Zhao Li had a suspicion in his heart. His condition was already poor, and at this moment, his mind was in complete disarray. At this time, the young man ascended the high platform, while an elderly man with white hair held a copper bell and a dagger, dancing and singing around the young man.

That figure threw away the beast bones, striking the two rushing women, and tightly locked the old man's neck with an arm

Two young women dressed in white, with their waists cinched, walked down from the high platform in unison.

The old man spoke to Zhao Li and the other two in a language that Zhao Li did not understand, his voice ancient and melodious

At the very center, the bronze tree spreads and grows.

However, Zhao Li's anger did not last for too long. It had not been long since the child fell, when two young women came down, approached him, and respectfully bowed to him. They then extended their hands, one on the left and one on the right, to assist Zhao Li.

Then step forward and twist the waist

Zhao Li's expression was devoid of emotion

What happened

Only the girl lagged half a beat; she saw that person's eyes change in an instant, almost instinctively letting out a cry, and then subconsciously covering her lips, her eyes wide open

Everyone has prostrated themselves.

A cacophony of sounds echoed incessantly in his ears. Zhao Li yawned, lazily opened his eyes, and the surrounding environment came into view. The tumultuous waves of noise surged towards him, and the unfamiliar surroundings left him momentarily dazed. He blinked and surveyed his surroundings.

But what can be done after noticing it

He saw a white jade table in front of the flames, on which lay an unknown massive beast bone, bronze weapons, and a bead resembling an eye placed on a tray, offered before the flames and the bronze tree

It was only at this moment that he noticed the difference between his clothing and that of the two children beside him compared to others

He maintained a stern expression, allowing two women to lead him away. He cast a sidelong glance at the girl kneeling beside him; her smile was gentle, yet her eyes were hollow. Her palms rested tightly on her knees, clenched firmly. This was an obvious detail, yet he had just awakened and had completely overlooked it

Yet just moments ago, a living child fell to the ground, and on the high platform of white stone, exquisite patterns were carved. The blood flowing from the young heart of the child filled these engraved patterns, which reflected the flames, flickering in brightness and darkness, as if they were breathing

There are at least a thousand people here

A circle of young women knelt around, chanting ancient syllables.

Zhao Li silently extended his hand, swiftly grasping the enormous pale beast bone. He then took a sudden step forward, his left hand tightly following his right, gripping the beast bone. The pallor on his face, once gentle, kind, and even weak, transformed into a fierce expression.

They raised their hands, and the stone beads on their palms, praying to the heavens, continuously emitted a crisp sound

He seized the bronze dagger and pressed it firmly against the old man's throat

The sound of the copper bell suddenly became sharp and urgent

Exert effort

He evidently wore luxurious, even noble garments, which somewhat reassured him.

The bronze tree, the dance, the ancient chants, all carry an ineffable significance, devout and noble, akin to the vast sky; all of this leaves Zhao Li with an inexplicable unease in his heart

The wind stirred by the beast bones blew into the bonfire, causing various spices to dance, and the flames suddenly became fierce and vigorous

The smoke from the bronze tree surged up into the higher reaches of the sky

The bronze mask on the old man's face was knocked off.

Where is this

The battle flag above the heads of the crawling people rolled like a river

Then she noticed Zhao Li, smiled gently at him, her voice soft, like the wind blowing from the valley. She took Zhao Li's hand, her palm warm, her smile full of kindness, causing Zhao Li's instinctive wariness to involuntarily relax.

Standing on a high platform, overlooking everyone.

Strange language, strange environment

Their words are like flames, like the fierce wind that flutters the battle flag

Then he saw the old man turn his head

It should indeed be a ceremony

Zhao Li's muscles tensed and then relaxed

Zhao Li did not have time to continue pondering and was already taken up to the high platform

Their clothing is as pure white as clouds, with light golden trimmings at the cuffs. The garments seem to have been sprinkled with spices, exuding a rich and fragrant aroma, along with a hint of medicinal scent that stimulates his thoughts, allowing him to regain some judgment and spirit from that peculiar sense of bewilderment.

It is evident that Zhao Li is the next person to be sacrificed, and the dagger will pierce his heart as if stabbing a pig or some other beast, after which he will lie flat on the ground, dying in this cursed place

The old man stood in front of Zhao Li, arms outstretched, praying loudly to the bronze tree

Zhao Li felt a slight sense of relief in his heart

A branch, sharp as a sword, points towards the sky

Before the bronze tree, various spices are burning in the flames

In an instant, thousands of people around erupted in loud cheers

At this moment, Zhao Li's mind seemed to be frozen. On his right side was a tense young man, and on his left side was a delicate young woman, with clean brows and eyes. A horizontal line was drawn in red cinnabar on one side of her cheek, and her face bore a gentle smile as she softly comforted the young man.

Beneath the azure sky, there stand tall bronze banners, their crimson fabric adorned with ancient patterns embroidered in pale gold thread. These battle flags roll in the wind like clouds, while at a more central location, a circular ring is constructed from white stones, rising layer upon layer high above.

They bowed to the young man on Zhao Li's side, and then assisted him step by step onto the high platform

Surrounded by men and women of all ages dressed in simple clothing, he sits in the center with two other children in their teens. Everyone is gathered around them, respectfully prostrating on the ground, with their hands raised high. The colorful beads strung on their wrists collide, producing a crisp sound, and due to the large number of people, this sound resonates powerfully.

However, he should not be here under any circumstances. This unfamiliar environment, a place that contradicts his understanding, only heightens his sense of vigilance. He wants to stand up, but for some reason, he cannot muster the strength in his limbs. After his consciousness awakens, that feeling of helplessness begins to dissipate rapidly.

However, it will take some time to regain strength

Unprecedented smoothness, power erupts from the toes, traveling through the calves, thighs, waist, shoulders, and arms, and finally when it is released, the body resembles a taut war bow suddenly relaxing, with the beast bone emitting a muffled sound of breaking through the air

The sunlight shines on the face, warm and pleasant

Zhao Li raised his gaze to examine something further away, and his heart gradually filled with shock

In his memory, after completing his work, he was multitasking on both his computer and phone to keep up with the progress of the event

He stood in the center of the high platform like a newly born child, or rather, like a piece of wood, allowing the two women to step back. The old man danced again, just as before, stepping with ancient grace. In front of the bronze tree, flames belched forth smoke, which rose into the sky, mingling with the wind and clouds, lifting the crimson battle flag.

Zhao Li was contemplating what he had just seen, and a conjecture formed in his mind. He believed that this was likely some kind of ritual. Judging by the two children, it was highly probable that individuals of significant status were holding a coming-of-age ceremony. However, why was he here?

The elderly dancer finally came to a halt, and the voices of the people chanting abruptly ceased. Amidst the grand chorus, only the sound of the wind remained.

The bronze dagger, resembling a hunting eagle, pierced into the heart of the young man, instantly staining his luxurious pure white clothing with red blood, the golden trim now tinged with crimson. Zhao Li's pupils suddenly constricted as he gazed at the delicate young man, who fell silent, like a decayed log collapsing onto the high platform

Thus, the scarlet battle flags danced more fiercely, swirling amidst the clouds and smoke. An elderly man, clad in garments made of sheepskin and barefoot, held a dagger in one hand and a large bronze bell in the other. Accompanied by the sound of the bell, he danced upon the white ground, his face adorned with a bronze mask

Due to simultaneously playing two games known as one of the three phantom gods, and with the game events nearing their expiration, I can only proceed this way. After that, I will likely be so exhausted that I will fall asleep.

At the moment the old man turned his head, the pale beast bone struck precisely and heavily against the target's chin

The dull sound, akin to the beating of war drums, resonated instantly through a special high platform, causing everyone to lift their heads. They heard a phrase whose meaning they could not comprehend, yet it was filled with intense emotion | the roar of colors, like the roar of a lion