translator: ahad
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Humanity’s Great Sage – Chapter 1025: Blood Food Grand Ceremony
Yet, only moments later, the great hall was strewn with mangled corpses, fresh blood flowing everywhere.
Lu Ye sat upon the throne that belonged to this Blessed Land’s Blessed Land Master, idly playing with the Holy Blood Jade Lan Qiyue had given him before his departure. Yu Lingfeng stood respectfully to one side, trembling uncontrollably.
With the abilities of Lu Ye and Dao Thirteen, slaughtering all the Blood Race here would not have been too difficult, but it certainly would not have been this effortless. After all, these were all Real Lake Realm Blood Race members; if truly faced with mortal danger, they would have put up some resistance.
But with the Holy Blood Jade’s suppression, things were different. When Lu Ye brought out this Holy Blood Jade, every single Blood Race member present, without exception, was struck as if by lightning, their bodies freezing rigid. Lu Ye and Dao Thirteen launched a sudden, violent assault, and in mere moments, they slaughtered the Blood Race here until they were scattered and broken.
Only the Blessed Land Master of this place still clung to life. Now captured by Dao Thirteen, he knelt before Lu Ye.
Lu Ye raised his hand and pointed at the Blessed Land Master’s forehead, activating his divine sense.
A short while later, Dao Thirteen released him. Lu Ye put away the Holy Blood Jade. The Blood Race Blessed Land Master, now implanted with the Soul Control Glyph, rose to his feet with a respectful expression.
Lu Ye gave a few simple instructions, then left with Dao Thirteen and Yu Lingfeng.
He hadn’t killed that Blessed Land Master—not out of any stirring of compassion, but because he needed him alive to continue ruling this Blessed Land and provide as much protection as possible to the humans within it.
Thus, all the way south, every time he passed a Blessed Land, Lu Ye would follow the same method. He would kill a batch of Blood Race members to take their Blood Crystals, spare the local Blessed Land Master’s life, and implant a Soul Control Glyph.
Actually, if possible, Lu Ye would have preferred to implant Soul Control Glyphs in the minds of Divine Ocean Realm Blood Race members.
In the Blood Refining World, the gathering places of the Blood Race were divided into three tiers. The lowest were the Cave Dwellings, ruled by Cloud River Realm Blood Race members. Next were the Blessed Lands, guarded by Real Lake Realm Blood Race members. Above those were the Grotto Heavens, which had Divine Ocean Realm Blood Race members.
The master of a Cave Dwelling was called a Cave Master, the master of a Blessed Land was a Blessed Land Master, and the master of a Grotto Heaven was a Heavenly Venerable.
If he could control a Heavenly Venerable, the effect would naturally be incomparable to controlling a mere Blessed Land Master.
But even with the Holy Blood Jade in hand, Lu Ye did not dare casually barge into a Grotto Heaven guarded by a Divine Ocean Realm Blood Race member. The variables were too many. A Divine Ocean Realm Blood Race member was not so easily controlled. Back then, his success in planting the Soul Control Glyph in Dao Thirteen’s soul had been a stroke of luck.
Dao Thirteen had been in a coma, and he had even used the Soul-Destroying Sword to break through Dao Thirteen’s soul defenses—only then could he strike true in one blow.
Thus, despite knowing the benefits of controlling a Heavenly Venerable-level Blood Race member, Lu Ye did not make any rash moves.
Continuing south, along the way, practically every Blessed Land Master he passed was implanted with the Soul Control Glyph and received his instructions.
Until one day, the group ascended a towering peak that rose ten thousand ren high.
The cold wind was biting, piercing to the very bone.
Looking out, clouds and mist billowed, vast and hazy, as though they had already left the mortal world behind.
Sky-Piercing Peak—one of the two highest mountains in the Blood Refining World. This peak was marked on the map Lan Qiyue had given Lu Ye.
The other mountain was Jade Pillar Peak.
It was said that these two mountains were exactly the same height, and if one looked down from high above, one could see that they were both semicircular in shape, symmetrically arranged on the left and right across the Blood Refining World’s map—truly unique.
Whether they were truly the same height and perfectly symmetrical, Lu Ye didn’t know, nor did he have the inclination to investigate. After all, he couldn’t very well run over to Jade Pillar Peak to make a comparison.
He was just passing through.
It had been nearly two months since setting out from Thousand Streams Blessed Land. Judging by the map, they had only covered thirty percent of the journey.
In other words, they would still need to travel for at least four more months to reach the Divine Watch Sea.
Truly, the road ahead was long and endless.
Without lingering long, the group soon set off again, crossing over Sky-Piercing Peak and entering the vast Cloud Silk Plain.
Judging by the map, the territory of the entire Cloud Silk Plain was extremely vast, occupying nearly half of the Blood Refining World’s map. And the Divine Watch Sea lay in the lower-middle area of the Cloud Silk Plain.
It was an inland sea.
Several days later, in a Blessed Land where Blood Race members gathered, the main discussion hall was strewn with the corpses of many Blood Race members. Yu Lingfeng silently collected the Blood Crystals from the dead Blood Race. Lu Ye sat upon the Blessed Land Master’s throne, idly playing with the Holy Blood Jade in his hand. The Blessed Land Master of this place knelt before him, listening to Lu Ye’s whispered instructions, nodding incessantly in agreement.
Having done this many times, the three of them were now well-practiced. Nearly every Blessed Land they visited witnessed a similar scene.
After finishing his instructions, Lu Ye rose to leave.
But unexpectedly, the Blessed Land Master who had just been implanted with the Soul Control Glyph suddenly spoke: “Holy Envoy, please wait.”
He hadn’t figured out what Lu Ye’s background was. Seeing that Lu Ye held a round jade imbued with a Holy Seed’s holy blood, he assumed Lu Ye was a subordinate of some Holy Seed, and thus instinctively addressed him as Holy Envoy. As for why the Holy Venerable would choose a human as a Holy Envoy, that was not something he needed to consider.
“What is it?” Lu Ye tilted his head to look at him.
The Blood Race member spoke: “May I ask, Holy Envoy, would the Holy Venerable be willing to subdue more Blessed Land Masters?”
Lu Ye narrowed his eyes slightly. “What do you mean?”
The Blood Race member replied: “It’s like this. Not long ago, the Blessed Land Master of Yellow Vault Blessed Land broke through to the Divine Ocean Realm. He has therefore extended invitations far and wide for the various Blessed Land Masters to gather, preparing to hold a Blood Food Grand Ceremony. At that time, many Blessed Land Masters will be coming to offer their congratulations.”
Lu Ye raised an eyebrow as he listened.
Over these two months, he had enslaved quite a few Blood Race Blessed Land Masters using the Soul Control Glyph, but in the end, the efficiency was low.
But this was only something he did in passing while traveling, so he didn’t force the matter.
Yet now, with such an opportunity where many Blessed Land Masters would gather, he could certainly go and join the excitement.
The reason he hadn’t rashly sought trouble with Heavenly Venerable-level Blood Race members during this period was because there were too many uncertain factors. Before his own cultivation truly reached the Divine Ocean Realm, making a move against a Divine Ocean Realm Blood Race member carried great risk.
But if it was only a newly promoted Divine Ocean Realm Blood Race member, that was completely manageable.
Not to mention, many Blessed Land Masters would also be coming to offer congratulations.
One could say that the gains from attending this Blood Food Grand Ceremony might even surpass the efforts of the past two months. Spending a few days to allow more humans to receive protection—this was entirely worth it.
“Were you invited?” Lu Ye asked.
The Blood Race member replied: “That one from Yellow Vault Blessed Land has some past friendship with me.”
“Very good!” Lu Ye nodded in satisfaction. “What is your name?”
The Blood Race member quickly answered: “Jin De.”
Because of his past friendship with the master of Yellow Vault Blessed Land, Jin De had originally planned to set off today to hurry over. He hadn’t expected Lu Ye to come knocking on his door. As a result, almost all the Real Lake Realm members under his command were now dead, leaving him all alone.
There was nothing that needed preparing. A moment later, Jin De led Lu Ye and the others away.
Yellow Vault Blessed Land was not too far from here, but neither was it close—a journey of about a day.
By the next day, the group arrived at Yellow Vault Blessed Land.
Looking from afar, Yellow Vault Blessed Land was alive with a festive atmosphere. Many Blood Race members bustled through the Blessed Land, arranging the various items needed for the grand ceremony.
Since it was not yet the day the ceremony was to be held, the guests had not yet arrived.
When Jin De led Lu Ye and the others flying down, a Blood Race member who recognized him immediately came forward to greet him, smiling broadly: “Brother Jin De, why have you come so early? There are still two days until the ceremony.”
Jin De replied: “Brother Wen has broken through to the Divine Ocean Realm—such a tremendous joyous occasion. How could I possibly come late? I also thought I’d see if there’s anything I can help with.”
The master of Yellow Vault Blessed Land was called Wen Yufeng, who was even somewhat younger than Jin De.
That Blood Race member smiled: “Brother Jin De is most thoughtful.” He then reminded him: “But Brother Jin De should address him as Heavenly Venerable.”
Jin De was startled, then burst into laughter: “Yes, yes, Heavenly Venerable Wen.”
Although they had some past friendship, the status of Divine Ocean Realm and Real Lake Realm was ultimately different. To still call him Brother Wen at this point would be somewhat inappropriate.
While the two Blood Race members were speaking, Lu Ye’s gaze, however, turned to one side. There, penned up, were many humans with terrified expressions. Without exception, all possessed cultivation, and almost all were human girls around the age of sixteen or seventeen.
There were quite a number of them, at least three to four hundred.
To gather so many young girls with cultivation, Yellow Vault Blessed Land had clearly put in considerable effort. And these girls were likely the blood food prepared for this Blood Food Grand Ceremony. When the ceremony began, they would be offered for the Blood Race members who came to offer congratulations to enjoy to their hearts’ content.
Lu Ye secretly felt relieved. Fortunately, Jin De had mentioned this earlier; otherwise, he truly would have missed this grand ceremony, and these girls would inevitably have faced a most tragic fate.
At the same time, he felt a pang of sorrow. What was before him was something he could see, something he could intervene in. But across this vast Blood Refining World, how much could he not see? How much was beyond his reach?
“These two humans are…” That Blood Race member looked at Lu Ye and Dao Thirteen with some curiosity, especially Dao Thirteen. His stocky build and abundant vitality were most capable of attracting the Blood Race’s attention. Back then in Bright Moon Cave, Sun Miaozhu had taken a liking to him at a single glance.
Jin De smiled: “These are gifts I’ve brought for the Heavenly Venerable. These two Blood Slaves—their cultivation is not low.”
That Blood Race member immediately understood and smiled: “Brother Jin De is truly thoughtful. When the Heavenly Venerable learns of this, he will certainly be delighted.”
“Where is the Heavenly Venerable?” Jin De asked. “I shall present them to him right away.”
“He is meditating quietly in his bedchamber, preparing for the grand ceremony in two days.” That Blood Race member gestured. “Brother Jin De, follow me.”
Under normal circumstances, it would not do to disturb the Heavenly Venerable at this time, but since Jin De was delivering gifts, he naturally could not be obstructed.
The group followed closely behind that Blood Race member, heading toward the rear courtyard of the Blessed Land.
Soon, they arrived before a bedchamber. That Blood Race member went in to announce them. Receiving Wen Yufeng’s permission, he came back out and invited them: “The Heavenly Venerable invites you in!”
“Thank you for your trouble.” Jin De nodded slightly and led Lu Ye and Dao Thirteen into the bedchamber.
Walking inside, they immediately saw a Blood Race member sitting cross-legged in place. This was precisely the master of Yellow Vault Blessed Land, Wen Yufeng.
Now that he had broken through to the Divine Ocean Realm, Yellow Vault Blessed Land would naturally rise in status, elevating into Yellow Vault Grotto Heaven. As for whether he could solidify his footing, that would depend on Wen Yufeng’s own ability.
This was also why he was holding this Blood Food Grand Ceremony—to use this ceremony to gather the allegiance of the nearby Blessed Land Masters. Otherwise, why would he go to such pains to prepare so many high-quality blood foods?
“Greetings, Heavenly Venerable.” Jin De stepped forward and saluted.
Wen Yufeng opened his eyes and smiled: “Brother Jin De, no need for such formalities. You and I have been friends for many years. Although I have broken through to the Divine Ocean Realm a step ahead of you, your day will eventually come as well. Between you and me, let us still use our old forms of address.”
(End of Chapter)