This Sword Cultivator is Somewhat Dependable

The sacrificial ceremony was today.

In the early morning, before the sun had fully risen, the commoners of Jiaolong City were already splashing water and sweeping the streets, leaving them sparkling clean.

Under the rule of the Sea God Sect, the sacrificial ceremony was the most important day of the year for Jiaolong City. Even though the commoners held resentment in their hearts, they only dared to be silently indignant, carefully complying with the demands set forth by the Upper Sect's cultivators.

A solemn and spectacular harmony of music emanated from the plaza where the Jiaolong statue stood, produced by dozens of different instruments such as tuned stone chimes and bronze bells.

An hour before the sacrificial ceremony was due to begin, Lu Qingshan and Zang Xiaojian had already arrived at a tavern, having reserved their places in advance.

Having ordered some of the tavern's signature dishes, the two savored their meal and conversed quietly, appearing to be ordinary diners.

From their current position, looking toward the plaza, one could see that in front of the giant Jiaolong statue, a circular altar had already been set up for sacrifice, with Heaven Lanterns hanging in the southwest quadrant, burning incense amidst a misty haze.

In the center of the circular altar, instead of a divine seat or plaques, there was a massive deep pit that dipped downward, with many pieces of fragrant sandalwood, which when burned emitted a peculiar scent. On top of the sandalwood, a dazzling array of precious jewels, pearls, and silks were accumulated.

On both sides under the altar, the City Guards of Jiaolong City stood quietly, maintaining order.

In the southeast corner of the altar, many ritual instruments were placed, with musicians skilled in their art playing continuously, and it was from here that the ceaseless bell tones originated.

The viewing area on the plaza was by then packed with onlookers, easily numbering in the thousands. Each had a mysterious symbol painted on their face, and around their left arm, they all wore a white and blue intertwined ribbon. Despite the immense gathering of commoners, the plaza was devoid of any noise, highly solemn.

These were the citizens whom the Sea God Sect had forcibly required to attend the sacrificial ceremony, and as ordinary mortals, who would dare defy the commands of the Upper Sect? Intimidated by the authority of the cultivators, they naturally did not dare to make a fuss.

...

Lu Qingshan sipped his tea lightly, his gaze wandering across the various tables.

At a window seat, an elderly man with a bright spirit had already been seated before Lu Qingshan's arrival. Numerous Spirit Beast Bags hung from the elder's waist, suggesting he was a Beast Cultivator with no low level of cultivation.

The elder drank alone, his gaze unfocused, his attention obviously on the sacrificial ceremony in the plaza. Yet after Lu Qingshan and Zang Xiaojian's arrival, he occasionally glanced towards Lu Qingshan's table.

In the southeast corner sat two burly men, who had ordered a table full of hearty dishes, drinking heartily from large bowls; they seemed thoroughly enjoying themselves.

Next to Lu Qingshan and Zang Xiaojian sat a family of three, a young husband and wife; a boy about three or four years of age was sitting beside his mother, quite well-behaved.

The wife spooned steaming meat porridge, feeding her child with eyes full of tenderness.

...

After some time,

"They're here," Zang Xiaojian whispered.

In the distant sky, three flashes of blue light streaked by.

The blue lights gradually approached the altar, finally landing in front of it, revealing the figures within.

Three cultivators from the Sea God Sect dressed in blue robes, a Golden Core Cultivator and two Foundation Establishment Cultivators, they were the ones tasked with presiding over this sacrificial ceremony.

Hiss—Boom!

As the three cultivators descended, the bell sounds abruptly stopped, and the sound of drums surged. The sacrificial ceremony officially began.

As soon as the real Golden Core of the Sea God Sect arrived on the scene, he raised a flame in his left hand and flung it towards the pile of firewood in the center of the pit. Following a sharp command, "Summon the God!"

Flash!

Inside the deep pit in the very center of the altar, the firewood immediately sent up towering flames and smoke.

A sacrificer, who had been waiting on the side, cradled the sacrificial text in both hands and approached in a quick stride, respectfully bowing down before the Golden Core Cultivator.

The Golden Core Cultivator received the sacrificial text, and with Spiritual Power accumulating in his voice, he loudly chanted it, his voice resonating in all directions.

After the chant was completed, two Foundation Establishment Cultivators from the Sea God Sect had already led ninety-nine boys and girls each up to the altar from both sides.

Bound by Techniques, these children were motionless, like puppets on strings, completely under others' control. Yet, in their eyes was filled with fear and panic.

The Golden Core Cultivator's expression was serene as he quietly uttered three words, "Sacrifice the children!"

Upon receiving the order, the two Foundation Establishment Cultivators from the Sea God Sect formed hand seals and the children involuntarily and orderly stepped onto the altar.

Above the smoking and flaming altar, the children did not hesitate or pause. They jumped straight into the fire pit, one after another, without looking back.

The firewood burned with fierce flames. As the children entered it, they were instantly engulfed by the blaze, twisting in agony. However, the children whose movements were sealed by the Cultivators' Spells couldn't even let out a cry of pain.

Their tender faces flickered within the flames and gradually turned to charred remains and disappeared.

Beneath the stage, amongst the watching crowd, some wore looks of outrage, some held sadness in their hearts, and some had eyes red with tears, but most appeared numb.

The sacrificial ceremony continued.

...

Atop the tavern.

Lu Qingshan gently tapped the head of King Xishu and whispered to a family of three who had just settled their bill and were about to leave, "Follow them, see where they settle down, but don't get noticed."

King Xishu, still relishing the grease on its paws, appeared reluctant to move, seemingly still wanting to enjoy the moment.

"Do it well, and you get two Blood Spirit Beads," Lu Qingshan said nonchalantly.

Immediately, King Xishu perked up, patting its chest and promising, "Just following some humans, right? For Tiger, it's as easy as eating bean sprouts, leave it to me!"

With a leap, King Xishu quickly vanished inside the tavern.

King Xishu wasn't boasting. Though it lacked offensive means, its ability to conceal its presence was indeed extraordinary, making tracking others a forte.

"Why them?" Zang Xiaojian asked, puzzled, "That cultivator who was constantly paying attention to us and the sacrificial ceremony seems more suspicious, right?"

Lu Qingshan shook his head and explained, "Due to the regional characteristics of Jiaolong Island, the locals have a distinct accent, speaking in a clipped tone, as if talking with pursed lips. However, that elder's accent when speaking to the server was heavy, clearly not a local but like us, from elsewhere.

This organization intending to overthrow the Sea God Sect is clearly a local power; the likelihood of foreign Cultivators is not high.

Moreover, see how the elder carries a total of four Spirit Beast Bags at his waist, indicating he is a Beast Cultivator with no low Cultivation. It's no wonder then that he could see through King Xishu's rather clumsy Illusion Technique.

Being a foreigner and a Beast Cultivator, it is understandable that he'd show some curiosity towards the sacrificial ceremony and King Xishu."

"As for this family of three," Lu Qingshan chuckled lightly, "have you ever seen a mother who feeds her child scalding porridge? And which child can eat hot porridge straight from the stove without flinching?

Also, you might not have noticed, but from start to finish, the husband only once voluntarily looked at his wife, and there was virtually no real eye contact with the child. With such an absence of affinity, does that resemble a family of three?"

"If the husband and wife are fake, and the child is also fake, then the only truth left is ghosts."