Chapter 003: Abilities

More than thirty days. The questioning guard turned his head, looking at the deep and dark abyss, as the cold wind blew out from within, biting cold: "We have to stay here for more than thirty days."

After a while, he asked, "I have been cooped up here for too long. When is the next auspicious time for the ritual?" Zhou Shuang thought for a moment and replied, "Today is the day of Wangshu driving the moon, the day when it reaches the highest position in the sky. It is indeed the best time. The next day as good as this will be in more than thirty days."

The jagged, monstrous rocks loom, while underground water flows. Another 'self' lies on a stone, eyes tightly shut, dressed in a garment as pure white as clouds, with numerous traces of blood on various parts of the clothing, as if having been severely beaten. The forehead and cheeks show signs of bruising, and blood trickles from the corner of the mouth

A few days later, he changed into clothes as white as clouds

Until the end, a dagger pierced the heart

This time, the ritual to worship the deities was interrupted, and even the shaman was nearly harmed by someone

Zhao whispered to himself, then reached out to feel beside his head. He did not find his phone; instead, the light trembled for a moment. He was taken aback, looking around, where everything was shrouded in a hazy white. This was a pure white space, and behind him, there was a transparent quality.

In the following days, numerous people came to our home to offer their blessings. They brought gifts that they usually would not part with, bending their waists in humility, their faces filled with kindness and flattery. Even the nobles who typically looked down upon our family greeted us with smiles.

Ah, I see... the Holy Sacrifice, so this is what it means, one will die by oneself

Zhao Li sighed in relief, raised his head, and surveyed the space.

Since the parents said so, it must be correct, Hongfang thought to himself

One of the guards has yet to recover from the shock of this news

Holy Sacrifice? What is that

We are affiliates of the Jiuli tribe. According to the customs of Jiuli, it is necessary to use this person's heart's blood in order to cleanse such a great humiliation. During this period, we must ensure that this person is well guarded.

Sigh, while you are guarding here, you should also pay attention to the matters outside

... ...

He bent down and saw himself lying on the stone, his face looking much younger, merely resembling that of a seventeen or eighteen-year-old. Although weak, his chest was still rising and falling, and he was still breathing, even quite steadily, as if in a deep sleep

Zhao Li's face was ashen.

It is this person who has defiled our sacred object and even harmed the esteemed shaman.

At the source of all white light

The anger and fear of witnessing someone being killed, along with that unparalleled punch

What a blood sacrifice, truly an unfathomable dream. It seems I can no longer stay up late, otherwise, it will not just be an issue of my hairline.

Zhao Li suddenly opened his eyes wide, and his breathing became rapid.

What?

It is neither the Oak Department, nor the Day Department, and certainly not that Heavenly Dry Nation

At that time, six warriors saw him in the forest, seemingly in a state of unconsciousness

Along with the people from the Tianqian Kingdom who were captured and another sister, after burning incense and bathing, they were surrounded by many people. Those individuals bowed and sang to them, as the smoke wafted around. He was immersed in the sacred atmosphere; however, when the ceremony began, the fear of death resurfaced once again

Upon receiving this news, I lay in bed with my eyes wide open all night, unable to sleep, hearing the barking of hounds outside and the sound of my mother's weeping echoing in my ears

It was originally a dream

In his dreams, he is a person named Hongfang, whose father is a valiant warrior of the tribe and whose mother is the weaver of the clan. He has grown up under the protection of his family until the tribe encountered a disaster. On that day, his father returned home with a gloomy expression after going out, and his mother was in tears.

One will die by oneself

In the end, even the parents say this, which is a good thing

Who exactly did it? Is it the people from the north side of the oak? Or is it the daytime faction? What kind of expression is that... Wait a minute, could it be the people from Tiangan?

Zhou Shuang shook his head

It appears that they are from the Tianqian region, with delicate skin and tender flesh, having no connection to the tribe. Such individuals are the best offerings for blood sacrifices, so they were brought back to present to the shaman.

Then one realizes that the sacred ritual requires the offering of one's life to please the ancient celestial deities

An unparalleled fear wanders within the heart, like a venomous snake

Ah, the holy festival is a good thing

The sense of reality in that memory gradually reveals the distinction from dreams

I hope that the sacrifice can still be alive

I have never seen an adult get so angry before

It is that offering

What is happening outside? Is Lord Nangong's anger a bit too much?

The shock and disbelief that appeared on his companion's face brought great satisfaction to Zhou Shuang. After his companion promised two jars of wine, he recounted all the information he knew and pointed to the dark, gloomy cave behind them, whispering:

It is not a dream

There lies an unfurled scroll of painting

A violent tearing sensation, intense pain erupted in an instant, accompanied by regret, pain and remorse consumed life, the final memory was only a swath of crimson and boundless darkness

The soul? Or did that man's punch truly take his life?

He instinctively raised his hand and pressed it against his heart, which was still intact, beating strongly within his chest, albeit at a slightly accelerated pace, and it had not been pierced by a dagger, nor did it bear any sharp wounds

Faced with the anger of his colleague, another guard, Zhou Shuang, displayed a peculiar expression on his face and said

The cracks on the tortoise shell indicate that one will become the sacred sacrifice of the tribe

What? Is this really happening?

The six warriors were personally subjected to flogging by Lord Nangong, and their cries of agony echoed outside for the duration of two incense sticks. Zhou Shuang could not help but sigh, "They are all strong warriors, yet in the end, they needed the support of women and children to walk, their backs torn and covered in blood."

This is not something we should be concerned about

Zhao Li's rapid breathing gradually calmed down, his eyes closed, and his body transitioned from tension to relaxation

Both Master Wu and Master Nangong will have arrangements made

But if this is not a dream, what is my current situation?

That sister kept comforting him, even though she was also trembling with fear

The rough texture of the bronze dagger

Through that transparent barrier, he saw a deep and profound valley below

Everyone says this, so it must be correct

Zhao Li is dreaming

Yet everyone tells themselves that this is a great thing, something that others cannot envy, a sacred achievement that can completely free one from the suffering on earth, with the soul rising with the smoke to the sky, forever accompanying the deities at their knees