Twilight's Threshold Chapter 803: The Evil Spirit Assembly (4000 words) - Novel Cool

Chapter 803: The Evil Spirit Assembly (4000 words)

Chapter 803: The Evil Spirit Assembly (4000 words)

"Are we... sacrificial offerings?"

Hu Ma's words, upon his appearance, caused the gathered reincarnates to fall silent for a moment. Confusion and astonishment filled their faces, and some were visibly lost:

"Some say we're lackeys of Tai Sui, others claim we're heavenly deities, or hellish demons that crawled out of the underworld, or even Tai Sui himself. And now you're telling us we're sacrificial offerings..."

"So, what are we exactly? Where did I come from? Where am I going? Who killed me? And whom did I kill?"

"..."

The people nearby, listening to his rambling, felt a bit scared and quickly spoke up, "Stop joking around."

The others were almost in tears, "But I really can't understand. I came all this way just because of a single message from the Immortal Lifespan Shrine, and now I'm fighting against others and dealing with these ancient, bizarre things..."

"My wife is waiting at home, and my son is practicing his martial arts. Wouldn't it be better if I had stayed there instead of getting involved in all this mess?"

"..."

Amidst this confusion and subtle chaos, Hu Ma turned to look at them, his expression turning serious, "What you mentioned is true, but it can also be said that it isn't. It all depends on one's perspective."

"According to the records of the Dalaofa Religion, Tai Sui has five calamities, but these aren't five specific calamitous creatures. Instead, they are five ominous signs that appear in the world when Tai Sui descends."

"The first is the spread of evil spirits and demons, wreaking havoc on the mortal realm."

"The second is the brewing of disasters in the depths of the Netherworld, growing thicker and more intense, giving rise to calamitous beings."

"The third is the emergence of hellish demons, disrupting the cycle of reincarnation."

"The fourth is the chaos of armies, like blades cutting through the heavenly mandate."

"And the fifth is the heavens and earth becoming a net, trapping fate like fish."

"Currently, four out of these five ominous signs have already descended."

Hu Ma looked earnestly at the reincarnates in the hall, "The first calamity is the spread of evil spirits and demons. Ever since Tai Sui was summoned by Du Yi, these malevolent spirits and ghosts have been increasing in the world. However, at that time, the heavenly mandate was still strong, suppressing these evil spirits."

"Some were pacified, some were worshipped, and they were listed as case gods, wandering spirits, or sealed as city gods, using evil to counter evil. Various extraordinary individuals also rose to the occasion, prolonging the world's lifespan for a few more years."

"But now, the heavenly mandate has long declined. These evil spirits will become more powerful, unrestrained, and even influenced by Tai Sui, they may transform into ferocious gods, bringing disaster to the land."

"The second calamity is the brewing of disasters in the Netherworld. Calamitous beings emerge, becoming more formidable, and the Thirty-Six Ghost Caves have exhausted seven generations of their lives to slow down this process. But now, they are barely surviving."

"The fourth calamity is the chaos in the mortal realm, with people turning against each other, devouring each other. The blessings in the world have vanished, and Tai Sui's descent is imminent."

"..."

Hu Ma paused here and then turned back to explain the third calamity, "The emergence of hellish demons, disrupting the cycle of reincarnation, refers to the reincarnates."

"According to the records of the Dalaofa Religion, reincarnates are here to hasten the destruction of the world's foundation. They are destined to bring chaos to the mortal realm, disrupt the moral order, and aid Tai Sui in harvesting the purple aura."

"..."

He sighed softly, "Humans have their fate, blessings, fortune, lifespan, and karmic cause and effect. This world also has its own."

"The five calamities aim to destroy these five fundamental aspects."

"Evil spirits in the mortal realm disrupt peace, aiming to destroy the world's blessings."

"Calamitous beings from the underworld harvest the essence of the heavens and earth, capable of destroying the world's lifespan."

"Hellish demons wreak havoc on the heavenly mandate, aiming to destroy the world's fate."

"Confused armies fight aimlessly, destroying the world's fortune, and in the end..."

"Tai Sui arrives, erasing this world's karmic cause and effect, completely reclaiming its sacrificial offerings, and everything returns to nothingness."

"..."

"What... what is all this?"

Hu Ma's response was calm, but the reincarnates were visibly startled. Some quickly made calculations in their minds, silently trying to find logical flaws.

Others exchanged glances, waiting for someone clever to provide an answer.

One person couldn't hold back any longer, "If what you're saying is true, does that mean we're here to bring chaos to the mortal realm?"

"We don't accept that! Whether in our past lives or this life, we've always been honest and law-abiding citizens. In the past twenty years, the worst thing I've done is drinking flower-carving wine without paying. It's the first generation of reincarnates who look like hellish demons."

"..."

"It's just the Dalaofa Religion's records. I don't fully believe it either."

Hu Ma exhaled and addressed the crowd, "But undoubtedly, Grand Master Daoxuan believes in this and is acting accordingly. He spoke one truth: this world is already full of wounds, utterly destroyed. So, he only thinks of escaping."

"For this, he's willing to make a deal with the beings from beneath the earth."

"Therefore, this assembly he's holding is meant to refine the Jade City, and its core contains a sacrificial technique within a sacrifice."

"This realm has always been in the midst of a grand sacrifice, and no one can escape it. The method he used is to perform a sacrifice within a sacrifice, severing the Jade City from this realm to escape the shadow of the Celestial Year God..."

"You can think of it like this: before a small country is about to be destroyed, its generals would proactively surrender a portion of their territory to the enemy forces, ensuring their own survival as independent lords. However, this would only accelerate the country's demise."

"There are two crucial points to this sacrifice within a sacrifice. First, the Twelve Ghost Altars are meant to ensure that the Jade City can be severed from this realm. Second, it is the Reincarnates."

"The reason the underground beings agreed to this sacrifice is that the Reincarnates are the most important bargaining chips."

"The Dalaofa Religion's techniques are extremely profound, but in my opinion, the essence is simply 'exchange'. All their methods are achieved through equal exchange."

"..."

"You mean to use us as a bargaining chip? What if we hadn't come to the Imperial Capital in the first place?"

"Why is this underground thing interested in us?"

At this moment, the Reincarnates were in an uproar, discussing and questioning. The White Wine Miss was the quickest to react, "Do you have any evidence for what you're saying?"

"It's all recorded in the bamboo scrolls."

Hu Ma turned to the White Wine Miss and nodded slightly, "I don't rule out the possibility that the Grand Master intentionally left these scrolls to deceive us, but I think this is unlikely. After all, these scrolls were meant for his own reference."

"In his original plan, he never intended for me to truly understand all his schemes, nor did he anticipate losing."

"Moreover, there's a simpler way to figure out all this."

"..."

Upon hearing these words, countless gazes simultaneously turned towards Hu Ma. He faced the crowd and slowly said, "Iron Guanyin."

"As long as we find her, all questions will have their answers."

"..."

"Iron Guanyin?"

The atmosphere suddenly became tense. The Reincarnates had already spent a lot of energy searching for this person, and they had long confirmed her importance through various pieces of information.

Hu Ma slowly nodded and said to the White Wine Miss, "Has Red Wine Miss gone to Old Yin Mountain to find her?"

"What's the result?"

"..."

The White Wine Miss slowly shook her head, "There's still no news."

"As for the Reincarnates in the Imperial Capital... these people who have become strange and peculiar, when they first contacted me, they also used the name of Iron Guanyin. They claimed that Iron Guanyin instructed them to arrange your assassination."

"At that time, they seemed to sense my doubts and gave me two choices: either continue the assassination in the Imperial Capital or return to Old Yin Mountain to meet Iron Guanyin."

"I chose to return to the Imperial Capital to personally investigate these strange matters. But I didn't give up on Old Yin Mountain either. I didn't trust anyone else, but I informed Red Wine to go there."

"She's from the Trickster Sect and has sharp eyes. If there's any problem, she'll surely notice it immediately."

"Unfortunately, until now, there's still no news from her."

"..."

Hu Ma nodded slightly, "If my guess is correct, it won't be easy to find her because..."

"Iron Guanyin isn't unwilling to come out; she's being held captive in Old Yin Mountain by the Dalaofa Religion."

"..."

These words shocked everyone. Since they had the goal of finding Iron Guanyin, this was the first time they heard such a precise clue.

Hu Ma continued, facing the crowd, "I even suspect that the Reincarnates in the Imperial Capital initially had genuine intentions to investigate some matters, but they got too deep and ended up in this predicament."

"The troubles Iron Guanyin faces might be ten times more severe than those of the Reincarnates in the Imperial Capital, a hundred times more troublesome."

"However, you don't need to worry."

At this point, he paused slightly, "I can help them and rescue Iron Guanyin."

"Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh..."

In that instant, countless eyes turned towards Hu Ma.

"Iron Guanyin has been trapped in Old Yin Mountain for twenty years without meeting the Reincarnates because the Dalaofa Religion used the power of the Twelve Ghost Altars to confine her there."

Hu Ma slowly explained, "And I, as the Grand Priest of the Dalaofa Religion and the only one who can summon the Twelve Ghost Altars, can free her."

The crowd's expressions became solemn, and even Second Pot Head hesitated for a moment. However, he merely sighed softly and didn't say anything at this time.

"He was in the habit of haunting the reincarnates, and in this group, information was always valuable. The information Hu Ma had about Tie Guanyin was priceless, but he openly shared it with the reincarnates, showing remarkable generosity.

'There are still many reincarnates who doubt you.'

At this moment, someone spoke up, using the code name 'Flower Carving Wine': 'You also said that according to the records of the Dalaofa Religion, we should be on the side of the Celestial Year God, harvesting the purple aura.'

'But this generation of reincarnates hasn't done anything. They've been hiding honestly for twenty years because they lost contact with the first generation of reincarnates. If you bring out Tie Guanyin, she can put us back on the right track...'

As he spoke, his eyes flashed, and he said, 'As a person from this world, aren't you at a disadvantage?'

'I believe in Elder Jun Eyebrow, and I also believe in Da Hong Pao. I was even fortunate enough to join Dragon Well Mister in slaying Nobleman Zhang.'

Hu Ma slowly said, 'Those three were all pursuing the Heavenly Mandate and slaying the Celestial Year God as their goal. So, I naturally believe in Tie Guanyin's stance. Saving her is only right and proper, and it's not even considered something I did for you.'

'Moreover...'

After speaking these serious words, Hu Ma sighed and said, 'The Ten Surnames and this world, the Dalaofa Religion and the reincarnates, have been suspicious of each other for too long.'

'I'm not as good at playing mind games as they are, so I choose to help you at this time. If she brings bad news, and you truly become harvesters of the Celestial Year God, then I will only choose to oppose you.'

'...'

This was the first time he formally conversed with the reincarnates as a native, and the feeling was rather strange.

The reincarnates also felt an odd sensation in their hearts.

'So, that State Preceptor was someone who was willing to take risks and accept defeat. Upon discovering his failure, he immediately left, leaving these clues for me, but also leaving me with a mess.'

Hu Ma paused and took a deep breath, then continued, 'But some things cannot be changed. He wanted to invite the Twelve Ghost Altars, hold this religious rite, sacrifice the reincarnates, and refine the Jade City. Now that he has lost, I will still hold this rite.'

'Once this thing from underground truly emerges, it will be like the Meng Family's old ancestor appearing in the mortal realm. Who can deal with it? That's why I must invite the Twelve Ghost Altars to suppress him.'

As he spoke, a complex and helpless expression flashed across his face. 'The funny thing is, I just broke free from the Dalaofa Religion's control, and now I have to take on this responsibility. They left so cleanly, as if the Hu Family was destined to bear these burdens...'

'...'

He only sighed briefly before turning his gaze to the others and smiled. 'Of course, if it needs to be done, then let's do it. The State Preceptor had the support of the Ten Surnames, but I need to ask for your help.'

'And the reward for successfully holding this religious rite is Tie Guanyin's liberation. Do you all think this trade is acceptable?'

'...'

These words seemed simple, but everyone's hearts felt heavy.

The reincarnates had come to the Imperial Capital to stop the Dalaofa Religion's religious rite.

The Ten Surnames initially released information that this rite might deal a fatal blow to the reincarnates. But now, the reincarnates want to personally facilitate this rite?

Just as everyone was silent, they suddenly heard someone chuckle. They turned to see a woman in coarse cloth garments, with a charming and lovely appearance, but she had a peculiar smell, causing those around her to keep their distance.

While others hesitated, her face was clearly excited. She said with delight, 'This was originally a rite to suppress evil spirits, but now it's become a grand rite organized by the evil spirits themselves. How interesting is that?'

'You're still hesitating?'

'...'

'Hey?'

Everyone had just listened to Hu Ma's words, causing them to ponder internally. But after hearing Sweet Potato Burn's words, they were strangely moved.

'It's like this. Whether it's for Tie Guanyin or to resolve the hidden danger underground, we have no reason to refuse.'

White Wine Miss also sighed softly at this moment, lifted her head, and looked at everyone. 'Moreover, since we've already crossed the bridge and infiltrated the Imperial Capital, no longer preparing to lie low, it's time to formally reveal ourselves.'

'Isn't this grand rite in the Imperial Capital our perfect opportunity?'

'...'

Second Pot Head finally spoke up, 'Reincarnates value personal relationships, and these relationships are mutual. If the Hu Family descendant can trust us, why can't we trust the Hu Family descendant?'

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end

Report