Grasping the Evil

Chapter 1079: Where Loyalty Leads, Life and Death Follow!

The early execution of Emperor Butcher took Ning Fan by surprise.

As the news spread, preparations for the execution ground began in earnest.

The execution of Emperor Butcher would be publicly displayed on the Holy Mountain.

The Holy Mountain is the most sacred place of the Dabei Clan. It is the burial site of the ancestor Saint Nan Yao, a place of cultivation for generations of Immortal Emperors of the Holy Mountain, and the highest sanctuary of Dabei Buddhist Law.

It is a secluded place cut off from the outside world, hidden in the endless void, and nestled within the Buddhist Law realm, with a legend that only devoted followers of the Buddhists can step upon.

Some call the Holy Mountain the Ancestor’s Tomb, while others refer to it by various names such as Spirit Mountain, Vulture Peak, Shakyamuni Mountain, Western Mountain, and Nan Yao Mountain. Despite the different names, they all reflect profound reverence for the mountain.

The Holy Mountain appears once every millennia; its tombs open to the outside world, and after forty-nine years of being open, it hides within the endless legal realm again, awaiting the next emergence.

The approximate time of its opening is a few days to ten days before the second round of the Tomb Seizing Battle begins.

Of course, if a great upheaval occurs in the Central State Grassland, the Holy Mountain Mausoleum occasionally appears ahead of schedule.

At this moment, the three rounds of the Tomb Seizing Battle had long concluded, and the main focus for countless Dabei people had shifted away from the rankings and power restructuring of the branches of each Holy Mountain during the third round.

Compared to such outdated news, the execution of Emperor Butcher undoubtedly draws more attention. After all, witnessing the stripping of the cultivation of a Nine Tribulations Peak Immortal Emperor is an extremely rare event.

Moreover, this cultivation stripping is not merely a simple abolishment but involves an unknown method to separate Emperor Butcher’s cultivation and disperse it into the world for others to absorb!

Within the short time that Emperor Butcher’s cultivation scatters into the heavens and earth, everyone present has the chance to absorb and refine the dissipated cultivation, Dao practice insights, and gain benefits!

Harming Emperor Butcher, a criminal, to benefit countless devoted Buddhist cultivators is the significance of this execution!

It is precisely because of this benefit that so many people travel the long distance to the Holy Mountain to witness Emperor Butcher’s punishment. Of course, they do not come just for the spectacle but for the tangible gains.

This is also why the Bright Buddha painstakingly insisted on using thunder power to execute Emperor Butcher, driven by underlying interests.

Above the firmament of the Central State, at the position of the thirty-third dome, lies a magnificent group of burial mountains crafted with the seven treasures of the Buddhist Sect, floating with an aura of gold soaring to the skies, and boundless Buddha Power.

These burial mountain groups are the legendary Holy Mountain, a sacred land of Buddhist Law and the resting place of the Dabei’s Saint Ancestor.

Within the burial mountain groups live countless golden divine birds, called "Kalavinka Birds" by the Dabei people, symbolizing the wondrous heavenly music. These birds dwell only in golden lands, and their calls sound like heavenly music, traditionally seen as the Holy Mountain’s messengers of Buddhist Law.

Hundreds and thousands of temples are built atop the cemetery, with numerous Buddhist cultivators chanting mantras and eulogies day and night in these burial mountain groups, remembering the deceased.

At the center of the terrain of those countless burial mountain groups is a grand and magnificent temple where the Kalavinka Birds love to gather. The Buddha Power emanating from this temple is vast and majestic, dignified and awe-inspiring, vastly different from ordinary temples.

Divine Medicine Buddha Temple!

This temple was the dojo during the Medicine Master Buddha’s life and is now overseen by the strongest of the Holy Mountain, the Bright Buddha!

It is the highest authoritative place on the Dabei Grassland, where even a casual order can incite drastic changes in the balance of forces in the grassland!

It is the most flourishing site of the Dabei Buddhist Law, where the Ancient Buddha Tree grows, capable of absorbing the Buddhist Power of the heavens and earth, nurturing the Ancient Buddha Dao Fruit.

There are also rumors that this is the entrance to the Saint Ancestor’s Tomb, and only the cultivators of the Holy Mountain’s branches and a very few individuals with special status are allowed to pass through this temple to enter the tomb for cultivation.

After the death of the Saint Ancestor, his consciousness transformed into the Holy Mountain, within which lies the Sacred Tomb, opening twelve veins and encompassing the heaven’s creations. Entering the Holy Mountain Tomb for cultivation is both an honor, an opportunity, and a stroke of fortune!

Ordinary Dabei cultivators dare not covet such honor, and for them, even being able to ascend the Holy Mountain to hear the Bright Buddha expound the law is already a monumental blessing.

If, in the process of listening to the teachings, they can also witness the execution of Emperor Butcher and gain insights, it is a great fortune!

The forbidden force of the Central State is exceptionally strong; without being an Eternal Cultivator, one simply cannot fly to the dome and enter the Holy Mountain to listen to Buddhist teachings.

Common cultivators wishing to ascend to hear the teachings have only the method of devoutly calling upon the Kalavinka Birds and riding them into the sky.

Three days swiftly pass by.

Today is the day of execution for the Blood Martial Master, famed alongside Bright Buddha and the Death Emperor.

Countless Central State cultivators travel in spirit beast carriages to the grounds below the Holy Mountain Burial Mountain group, calling upon the Kalavinka Birds to ride up to the Divine Medicine Buddha Temple on the thirty-third dome.

There are also some Eternal Old Freaks from Central State, able to disregard the forbidden force and ride clouds and mists directly to the dome.

On the thirty-third dome, divine birds incessantly ferry guests to and fro, and streaks of escape light continually arrive.

Inside the Divine Medicine Buddha Temple, a cacophony of voices roars, with grandeur surpassing that of the third round of the recent Tomb Seizing Battle.

Near the Divine Medicine Buddha Temple, an abandoned burial mountain has been transformed into an execution ground, the center of which rises an execution frame tens of feet high, crafted with Nine-Star Ancient Stellar Iron, remarkably sturdy, and adorned with Buddhist paper charms, emanating a vast aura of unfathomable power.

Outside the execution ground, more and more cultivators gather, densely packed, filling the entire burial mountain. Some have just arrived, while others have been waiting for days or tens of days, all exuding anticipation for the execution.

To witness Emperor Butcher’s execution!

To share in the portion of Emperor Butcher’s cultivation!

To the west of the execution ground is a large platform, accessible only to those of a certain status who wish to witness the execution, with a treatment vastly different from those below, complete with seats adorned with fruits and monks serving.

This grandstand alone hosts nearly ten thousand True Immortal Elders, some from the grassland and some strong figures from various branches of the Holy Mountain.

The VIP seats on the grandstand are exclusively for the Eternal Old Freaks, with over two hundred people gathered here, almost the entire elite of the Holy Mountain’s forces!

Among these two hundred, over twenty possess Immortal Emperor cultivation!

Excluding the Bright Buddha, almost all Immortal Emperors of the Holy Mountain faction have gathered here!

But only almost, as the astute Emperor Lou Tuo did not come to partake in Emperor Butcher’s cultivation, nor did certain Immortal Emperors, bound by trivial matters, miss such a favorable event...

Among these over twenty Immortal Emperors, two have reached the Eight Tribulations cultivation level.

These two are Lei Yun Nation of the Thunder Sound Lineage and the fourth generation Stone Man Emperor, Great Elder of the Holy Mountain Divine Stone Lineage.

Among the many branches of the Holy Mountain, the Thunder Sound and Divine Stone branches have consistently held the first and second positions of power within the Holy Mountain precisely because of these two living fossils with Eight Tribulations cultivation sitting in their ranks.

Compared to the Thunder Sound and Divine Stone, branches like the Spirit Sect and Chulie are relatively weaker forces within the Twelve Veins of the Tomb.

Thus, on the platform, the positions of these two Great Emperors are the foremost, with other Immortal Emperors ranked behind them.

"Brother Lei’s complexion doesn’t seem too good. I heard that ever since Lei Cang’s death, Brother Lei has mysteriously encountered disaster after disaster, with members of your clan suffering the same misfortunes. I thought it was just hearsay, but seeing Brother Lei’s blood deficiency and apparent injuries, could it be you’ve truly been plotted against and harmed by the continuous disasters?" Stone Man Emperor inquired, hinting to Lei Yun Nation who sat beside him.

"Hmph! I indeed seem to have been schemed by some villain, recently encountering disaster after disaster, suffering immeasurable pain. Seeing my plight, Brother Shi, you must be quite pleased." Lei Yun Nation replied with a gloomy glance at Stone Man Emperor, hmphing coldly.

"What are you insinuating, fellow Daoist? Do you suspect it was I who did this?"

"Is it not? Everyone knows, the fourth generation Stone Man Emperor is an outlier, not focusing on the tribal stone’s control positions but instead researching some curse art... Hehe, among the Dabei, is there anyone else who could curse me?"

"Hehe, if I say no, then no, I have never shirked accountability in our open and covert fights," Stone Man Emperor chuckled coldly.

"Was it really not you?" Lei Yun Kingdom asked in surprise, then frowned.

The Stone Man Emperor smiled with deep meaning and shifted the topic, "Old thing, are you really willing to give up the Primordial Thunder Cauldron to Bright Old Man?"

Lei Yun Kingdom’s gaze dimmed slightly, saying, "What else can I do if I don’t give it up? The Eastern Mountain Thunder cannot be released by the Thunder Sound Lineage alone. Even with the assistance of those Eastern Celestial Outsiders, it requires a significant accumulation of resources to accomplish it. Bright Old Man said that after the matter concludes, one-third of the Eastern Mountain Thunder will belong to me, and he will take two-thirds..."

"Oh? You agree to such a loss-making deal? That is the Eastern Mountain Thunder..."

"Hmph! If it weren’t for Bright Old Man’s hidden strength far exceeding my expectations, how could I agree to hand over two-thirds of the Eastern Mountain Divine Thunder! You and I have fought openly and secretly all our lives, and although I constantly wish for your demise and for your Holy Mountain Divine Stone Lineage to decline, I still want to remind you: Bright Old Man is not just about this apparent cultivation, his real cultivation is terrifying..." Lei Yun Kingdom said heavily, with a hint of fear beneath the heaviness.

"Could it be...he has already broken through to Quasi-Saint?!" Stone Man Emperor was shocked.

"Oh? It seems that the execution has begun..." Lei Yun Kingdom smiled with deep meaning as well, no longer speaking with the Stone Man Emperor, but instead shifting the topic.

On the surface, the two seemed to have a relationship of mutual respect after a lifetime of rivalry, offering each other advice. In reality, each had their own calculations, wanting to influence the other’s mindset, leaving a shadow in each other’s spirit sense.

The unavoidable poisonous schemes, the complexity of human hearts.

Seeing Lei Yun Kingdom actually turning against him, Stone Man Emperor’s eyes darkened, he snorted coldly and asked no more, gazing towards the center of the execution ground.

At this moment, beneath the execution frame at the center of the execution ground, dozens of Yellow Turban Warriors were carrying a colossal bird-beast black-patterned gold cauldron, slowly approaching.

The gold cauldron had unimaginable weight, causing the Yellow Turban Warriors to leave deep footprints, several inches deep on the hard soil of the Burial Mountain.

The gold cauldron emanated unimaginable rules of thunder, upon its arrival, it forcibly intertwined all the thunder rules here, producing a grand celestial sound, as if echoing from the ancient past, profound and ancient.

The majestic thunder aura pressed down on most cultivators present, making their breathing rapid, sweating profusely, their expressions drastically changing.

All eyes were gathered on this gold cauldron, with expressions of shock, amazement, fervor, fear, and reminiscence.

This cauldron was none other than the foremost treasure cauldron among the nine cauldrons of the Saint Ancestor’s relic, the Primordial Thunder Cauldron!

This is an innate magical treasure, but not low-grade; it is mid-grade! The fearsome power of a mid-grade innate magical treasure is immeasurable; if fully activated, it possesses the unfathomable ability to instantly kill an ordinary Immortal Emperor!

Unfortunately, for unknown reasons, this cauldron was sealed. Since the death of Saint Nan Yao, no one in the Dabei Clan has been able to unseal this cauldron and release its full power.

"What an astonishing aura! This is the majesty of a mid-grade innate treasure!"

"If the Lei Family could unseal this cauldron, just with this cauldron, the ancestor of Lei Yun Kingdom could fight Bright Buddha at a higher level and compete with him!"

"Given the Lei Family’s foundation, it’s insufficient to unseal this cauldron alone, so they sought help from many sources and even willingly offered the Primordial Thunder Cauldron at such a critical moment to aid Bright Buddha in the execution. Among this, there might be an intention to have Bright Buddha help unseal the cauldron."

"I’ve heard that the Lei Family made a deal with Bright Buddha; if the cauldron is unsealed, they’ll only take one-third of the Eastern Mountain Divine Thunder, and the remaining two-thirds will go to Bright Buddha...this deal seems somewhat disadvantageous."

"Disadvantageous? Haha, unsealing a mid-grade innate treasure for free would greatly enhance the strength of the Thunder Sound Lineage, where’s the disadvantage? I think the Lei Family made a big profit from this deal."

"It’s said that some Eastern Celestial Outsiders will assist the Lei Family today to unseal this cauldron and release the lightning power of the Eastern Mountain Divine Thunder..."

"Outsiders again? Are they reliable? They won’t disrupt the execution, will they?"

"Haha, fellow Daoist, don’t imagine all outsiders as vicious individuals. The outsiders entering our Dabei this time, the only one daring enough to privately destroy the Punishment Ring within the Dabei Clan is that outsider named Ning. The other outsiders are still well-behaved."

"Well-behaved or not, but I’ve heard that many of those outsiders consumed Reprieve Cold Dew, cleverly suppressing the Punishment Ring’s seal and using their cultivation bodies."

"Reprieve Cold Dew? That legendary item? It actually exists!"

"This matter is not a concern. Cleverness is still within the rules; as long as the Punishment Ring isn’t destroyed. Just worried that those outsiders, once possessing cultivation, will cause disturbances within our Dabei Clan and affect the execution process..."

"Hehe, they wouldn’t dare! All the Immortal Emperors of our Holy Mountain faction are almost gathered here, and later Bright Buddha will arrive in person. Apparently, among those outsiders, there isn’t even an Immortal Emperor; who dares to cause trouble!"

"True, only a madman would stir trouble in the Saint Ancestor Tomb guarded by over twenty Immortal Emperors. We’ll just wait for the execution to commence and share in the cultivation of the Blood Martial Master."

"Sigh, has Ming Buddha not arrived yet..."

"Soon."

"Look! It’s Ming Buddha! He’s here!"

Amidst countless discussions, a voice suddenly rang out, and thus all discussions ceased entirely, with no more noise.

An incomprehensibly grand golden spear surged skyward, shooting out from the Divine Medicine Temple, landing at the center of the execution ground, beside the Primordial Thunder Cauldron.

There appeared a somewhat hunched old monk with a stubbly face, carrying a sack on his back, dried bloodstained.

This old monk was none other than the most powerful figure of the Holy Mountain faction, the god in the hearts of countless prairie cultivators...Bright Buddha!

As soon as he appeared, countless people stood up, placing their palms together in greeting, welcoming the arrival of Bright Buddha.

Bright Buddha only slightly nodded to the crowd, returning the greeting, and with a slight step forward, countless golden shadows flew out from his body, transforming into golden Arhat figures upon landing, surrounding the execution ground: eight hundred in total, not one more, not one less, all possessing the cultivation of an Eternal Immortal Venerable!

"Hiss! This is the lost divine skill of the Black Buddha Sect, the Four Reified Concepts of Existence?"

"The Four Reified Concepts of Existence involve the concepts of identity, personhood, living beings, and longevity. Bright Buddha, in a thought, manifested eight hundred Arhat protectors; this is the divine skill of the third concept!"

"Rumor has it that Bright Buddha excels in the third concept of this skill, often accompanied by eight hundred golden Arhat shadows during his travels, each possessing an Immortal Venerable cultivation, rendering assassins unable to get close to his body. I never thought it was true!"

"Eight hundred Arhats, what terrifying scale!"

"No wonder he’s the strongest in the Holy Mountain!"

"Beyond human power to resist!"

Due to Bright Buddha’s casual divine skill, exclamations arose, with countless people gazing at Bright Buddha with intensified awe and reverence!

Bright Buddha slightly opened his mouth, seemingly about to speak. All spectators immediately fell silent, even the Immortal Emperors dared not breathe loudly.

"The sinner Ji Qingling sheltered outsiders who destroyed the Punishment Ring, which is the first crime; wantonly killing numerous dutiful Immortal Venerables and Immortal Kings, along with the Four Ancestors of Thunder Sound Lineage, Lei Cang, is the second crime. However, in truth, this woman has a heavier sin: countless years ago, she committed the grave sin of stealing from the Saint Ancestor Tomb! This third crime is perhaps unknown to all Daoists, so this old monk must clarify it."

"This woman, after all, is an Immortal Emperor under our Holy Mountain’s jurisdiction. Without this third heavy crime, simply for the first two crimes alone, this old man could not have handed down such a severe sentence on her. Among you, if anyone is slightly associated with the outsiders or similarly killed any Immortal Venerable or Immortal King of this domain in battle, please do not worry; such minor crimes wouldn’t lead this old monk to impose such severe punishment today. As for those who suspect this old monk of privatizing for public gain or deliberately punishing the Blood Martial Master severely, please cease your rumors and stop tarnishing the old monk’s name. Even though this old monk is not one to cherish his reputation, I also dislike people gossiping behind my back!"

Upon these words from Bright Buddha, some people slightly relaxed, some showed alertness, but more were in shock.

Shocked at the third unknown grave sin of the Emperor Butcher!

The grave sin of stealing from the Saint Ancestor Tomb!

No wonder...

No wonder the esteemed Blood Martial Master was sentenced so severely for merely sheltering an outsider and killing some local experts, because she had a worse criminal record, and thus was punished for multiple offenses, her cultivation abolished directly.

The place gradually filled with low murmurs of discussion again.

But as Bright Buddha spoke again, all the murmurs ceased once more, as orderly as if they had been trained countless times.

"Those guilty should be punished; those who perform their duties diligently should be rewarded. Today, I hereby sentence the sinner Ji Qingling, stripping her of her cultivation, and sharing it with everyone. I hope all of you take this as a warning, and never overstep the bounds, dedicating your life to the prosperity of our Holy Mountain, willing to die ten thousand deaths and never retreat!"

Willing to die ten thousand deaths and never retreat!

Willing to die ten thousand deaths and never retreat!!

Countless cultivators shouted loudly, their fervor like a tide.

The Bright Buddha nodded in satisfaction and announced, "In that case, begin the execution!"

He untied the cloth bag from his back, made a hand seal, and the bag’s mouth immediately opened, sending a beam of bloody light flying toward the Execution Frame.

With a flash of brilliance, the bound and weakened, dying Emperor Butcher appeared on the Execution Frame, still wearing an emerald eyepatch over her left eye to conceal the empty socket. Her stunning face was covered in bloodstains; her blue robe was blood-dyed, tragically beautiful. The only opened right eye retained an untouchable defiance, its sharp gaze intimidating to those who met it directly, inducing fear.

Even a few observers, unable to withstand Emperor Butcher’s casual glance, spurted blood wildly and fell to the ground.

Emperor Butcher, forcing herself to remain conscious, cast a cold glance at the surroundings, then sneered,

"Such an honor for me, to have so many old acquaintances and mortal enemies present at my execution. There is no greater joy in life! Those mortal enemies aside, even the old friends of the past want a share of my cultivation! Heh, this is truly a life-and-death bond in another sense: I die, you live..."

Everyone could hear the sarcasm in Emperor Butcher’s words.

Upon hearing this, a few Immortal Emperors on the platform showed a hint of shame, but it was quickly replaced by greed, and they looked coldly at the Emperor Butcher on the Execution Frame, as if staring at a stranger.

"There’s no need for deliberate sarcasm. Your old friends understand the greater good and won’t forsake the public for personal reasons to save you, so give up on that thought." The Bright Buddha shook his head and said.

"Understand the greater good? Ha, what a noble greater good! I like it!" Emperor Butcher laughed heartily, not caring a bit about those friends who wouldn’t save her.

Though gravely injured and dying, and soon to be stripped of her cultivation, her fate uncertain, she still conversed with ease, her indomitable spirit unchanged as before, unafraid in the face of death.

"Or are you still hoping for someone to come and save you at the end of the road? Ji Qingling, I never thought, after all these years, you’d still be so naive." The Bright Buddha’s green light flashed in his eyes, seemingly capable of penetrating one’s heart, reaching the first realm of Unity of Heaven and Man.

"Hope? I don’t hope for someone to save me; not only do I not hope, I’m even... a little afraid..."

She wasn’t afraid Ning Fan would come to save her; she knew Ning Fan had already safely left the Supreme Pill Sacred Domain.

She was afraid those foolishly loyal subordinates would come like moths to a flame, attempting... to rescue her at the execution ground. Her subordinates were a bunch of idiots, a group of fools who would recklessly arrange identities for their lord, a group... willing to die heroically for their lord.

Don’t come, don’t come...

Emperor Butcher’s expression was calm and fearless, but internally she was praying bitterly.

"Afraid? You aren’t afraid of the terrifying illusionary arts of the Saint Ancestor Tomb’s Ten Thousand Chants Decay, but you’re afraid of something else, truly inconceivable."

"Hmph! Quit your endless babbling! If you want to kill, then kill; if you want to execute, then execute, just give this lady a swift end! I’m tired of your faces, eager to die and be reborn quickly!"

"A swift death? So your loyal subordinates give up on dying here..." The Bright Buddha looked at Emperor Butcher with compassion.

Sorrowful for Emperor Butcher’s foolish naivety.

"I gave the order beforehand: if I don’t return safely after leaving the Blood Martial Arena this time, they should scatter and don’t need to avenge or rescue me. They’re loyal dogs who follow orders, they won’t come!" Emperor Butcher sneered, retorted.

"Loyal dogs who follow orders? I see them more as life-and-death-following wolves... I’d be very pleased if they come, for if you don’t witness your subordinates dying before you, how will your heart ache, how will it arouse the deep feelings within you..."

This last part was transmitted by the Bright Buddha, clearly not wanting others to hear.

Emperor Butcher was taken aback, her right eye wide open, though she didn’t understand the specifics of the deep feelings the Bright Buddha mentioned, she caught onto something else.

It seemed the Bright Buddha had already anticipated this, reckoning her numerous foolish subordinates would come to break her out and perish before her eyes!

Could it be that the Bright Buddha truly calculated the lives of these juniors, secretly instigating this!

Thinking of this, Emperor Butcher felt her beautiful eyes turn cold; her teeth gnashing with hatred, she no longer spoke to the Bright Buddha.

She had a tinge of regret.

Not regretting sacrificing herself for Ning Fan.

She only regretted one thing: not self-destructing her Spirit before being captured by the Bright Buddha. Now with her Mana sealed, even suicide was no longer an option...

She isn’t afraid of death but doesn’t want to betray righteousness!

The Bright Buddha too lost interest in continued conversation with Emperor Butcher and kindly spoke to a group of outsiders approaching behind him.

"Today, to execute the sinner Ji Qingling, we rely on the skills of all Eastern Heaven compatriots."

"Rest assured, Bright Buddha! We will not fail your expectations!"

This was the unanimous response of several dozen Eastern Celestial Cultivators.

Everyone knew that today, the Bright Buddha had invited several dozen Eastern Celestial Cultivators to help the Thunder Sound Lineage unseal the Primordial Thunder Cauldron and extract the Eastern Mountain Divine Thunder to punish Emperor Butcher.

These Eastern Celestial Cultivators all schemed for the Primordial Thunder Cauldron, due to this being the last opening of the Supreme Pill Sacred Domain, and so they joined forces to achieve their own goals for the Primordial Thunder Cauldron in their final opportunity!

This group of cultivators, who had agreements with the Bright Buddha, included members from the Dark Clan, the Douxi Immortal King under Emperor Yuan Dan, the Flying Thunder Immortal King under Great Emperor Chonghe, disciples of Maha Emperor, and even many secluded Fragmented Thought Elders from Eastern Heaven.

In terms of cultivation, these individuals might seem unremarkable amidst the powerhouse-assembled Dabei Clan.

Yet in terms of means, they possessed some secretive techniques which the Dabei Clan did not have, proving greatly beneficial for unsealing the Primordial Thunder Cauldron.

For this reason, although these individuals held the heavily discriminated foreign cultivator status, they still received some degree of courteous treatment from the Bright Buddha.

"Be cautious, these outsiders all have their own agendas, with the true unsealing of the Primordial Thunder likely some may harbor ill-intentions..." Inside the Bright Buddha, the voice of the Medicine Master Buddha reminded in his Heart Spirit.

"Rest assured, my lord, even if these people harbor impure intentions, under absolute power, they can’t stir up any trouble!" Within his Heart Spirit, the Bright Buddha confidently replied.

Led by hundreds of boys and girls of the Thunder Sound Lineage, the outsiders of Eastern Heaven were guided to the Primordial Thunder Cauldron, and under the watchful eyes of many powerhouses, each displayed their techniques, collaborating to unseal the Primordial Thunder Cauldron.

A series of profound ancient formations were arranged.

Various lost Divine Skills were exhibited by the cultivators.

A number of large and rare treasures were continuously moved from the Holy Mountain’s treasure vault by the Yellow Turban Warriors of the Medicine Buddha Temple, supplying the outsiders of Eastern Heaven.

Additionally, over a thousand boys and girls of the Thunder Sound Lineage were fearlessly sacrificed, their souls turning into light, striking the cauldron’s seal repeatedly.

An hour passed.

Two hours passed.

After an unknown period of time, the seal of the Primordial Thunder Cauldron surprisingly showed signs of loosening!

"Indeed, before we couldn’t unseal the cauldron because some secret techniques from outside were lacking, only through collaboration from multiple parties could this be achieved."

Countless Holy Mountain cultivators began to speculate.

As a sliver of the seal loosened, an even more immense might of thunder emanated from the gap of the seal, directly crushing the bodies of several nearby Eastern Heaven Fragmented Thought Masters, who met their tragic deaths on the spot!

No one showed sympathy for those who died.

Whether it was the virgin boys and girls used as sacrifices or the Eastern Celestial Cultivators who died for the unsealing, they were insignificant.

As long as they could successfully unseal the Primordial Thunder Cauldron...

As long as they could successfully invoke the Eastern Mountain Divine Thunder to execute the Butcher Emperor...

As long as they could finally partake in the Butcher Emperor’s cultivation...

Then nothing else mattered!

The gap on the Thunder Cauldron widened, and several more Eastern Heaven Fragmented Thought Masters were directly struck dead by the thunder’s might.

All the Holy Mountain cultivators held their breath, waiting for the moment the Eastern Mountain Divine Thunder would be unleashed from the Thunder Cauldron, waiting for... the delicious cultivation of the Butcher Emperor!

Unfortunately, for some unknown reason, once the seal was torn to a certain extent, it couldn’t be torn further.

"The sacrifices... aren’t enough!" said an effeminate youth named Yin Luosha from the Dark Clan, frowning.

Upon hearing this, even more virgin boys and girls were sent forth by the Thunder Sound Lineage to continually sacrifice to the Primordial Thunder Cauldron.

Two thousand.

Three thousand.

Four thousand.

These virgin boys and girls were all nurtured as sacrifices through special cultivation techniques, each worth a fortune, and beneficial for breaking the seal of the Thunder Cauldron. Yet, after sacrificing four thousand of them, even the profound heritage of the Thunder Sound Lineage couldn’t bear the cost.

"How many sacrifices are left..." Lei Yunguo asked subtly, transmitting a message to one of the emperors behind him.

That person was Lei Jing, the Second Ancestor of the Thunder Sound Lineage, with the Seven Tribulations of Eternal Cultivation.

"Less than two thousand..."

"Judging by the situation, it’s likely insufficient to completely unseal it." Lei Yunguo frowned.

"Perhaps not necessarily. If our clan’s sacrifices are exhausted, those Eastern Celestial Outsiders probably have other means to accomplish this. They’re holding back for now, just to make our Thunder Sound Lineage pay more." Lei Jing replied.

"Of course, I understand, but being schemed against by such low-level strategies is somewhat displeasing."

The final two thousand virgin boys and girls from the Thunder Sound Lineage were also sent forth.

In total, six thousand virgin boys and girls were sacrificed, their bones piling up into mounds, but only a corner of the Primordial Thunder Cauldron’s seal was torn.

"If you all continue to hold back, this old monk might get angry." Bright Buddha suddenly reminded with pointed intent, his tone slightly displeased.

Upon hearing this, all Eastern Celestial Cultivators, including Yin Luosha, were alert and wary, fearing that continued reluctance would anger this great Buddha and affect the grand scheme...

"Everyone, do not hold back anymore. As per our prior agreement, strike with all your strength!" Yin Luosha instructed the Eastern Celestial Cultivators.

Those who had secretly agreed with Yin Luosha nodded, no longer holding back and pushing their methods to the limit.

Soon, the seal of the Primordial Thunder Cauldron began to tear once more at a visible speed!

From a corner, the tear gradually began to spread toward the entire cauldron body.

More and more thunder force made it hard for everyone present to breathe, even those of the first order of eternity were gradually finding it strenuous under such thunderous might.

"Senior Baizu, if this seal is broken, all matters thereafter depend on your power. The only ones capable of contending with Bright Buddha of this realm might be seniors like you, once a First Order Quasi-Saint of the Demon-Sealing Peak..." Yin Luosha respectfully transmitted to an inconspicuous old man in a cloak beside him.

"Heh heh heh heh, worry not, young friend Yin. If this is a success, I, the new Demon Lord of the Demon-Sealing Peak, certainly will not renege on the agreement with your Dark Clan!" the hoarse voice of the cloaked elder replied telepathically.

As the seal slowly tore open, the tension among the cultivators present grew tighter and tighter, their breathing almost halted.

At that moment, a discordant atmosphere arose amid the collective effort to break the seal.

Rumble...!

A constant roaring sound suddenly emerged from a distance, startling the many cultivators present.

Countless cultivators sent out their spirit senses, only to discover that a group of unexpected guests was recklessly attacking the Burial Mountain Great Formation of the Holy Mountain Mausoleum, assaulting the Holy Mountain.

They were hardly formidable presences; the highest cultivation level among them was merely that of an Immortal King.

Not even an Immortal Emperor, yet they dared to attack the Holy Mountain. Some initially shocked cultivators, upon investigating the intruders’ cultivation levels, promptly felt disdain.

However, Bright Buddha displayed a hint of a cunning smile, a smile exuding an inexplicable compassion.

The intruders were none other than the trusted followers among the Butcher Emperor’s numerous subordinates!

Although they numbered only two to three hundred, not many, and their cultivation levels were not considered peerless, the momentum they exuded at this moment bore a desperate madness, shaking even the souls of Immortal Emperors!

Hundreds of moths flying into the fire!

The Butcher Emperor’s fearless and beautiful eyes finally showed pain, closing the right eye!

In the eye, tears of blood formed...

Those who should not have come have still come...

"If I let you go, you probably wouldn’t leave..." The Butcher Emperor seemed to talk to himself.

Yet the words spoken resounded throughout heaven and earth with an unknown divine skill, clearly transmitting into everyone’s ears.

Also into the ears of those hundreds of moths.

All the Blood Martial followers were shaken, filled with sorrow, but subsequently, their determination grew firmer.

Sorrow because they lacked confidence in rescuing their lord.

Determination as if they couldn’t leave together, then they would collectively be buried here!

"To the ends of loyalty, follow in life and death!"

"Let Heaven bear witness! Let Blood Martial testify!"

At this moment, all the sounds in the heavens and earth were replaced by the roars of this group of death warriors!