Along the path of martial arts, if one truly lacked any sense of caution, one would have long since perished—how could anyone have made it this far?
Especially upon hearing that their cultivation was gone, everyone instinctively tried to circulate their Xuan Qi. As a result, the expressions of many martial artists shifted drastically.
"No, my Xuan Qi cannot be channeled either!"
"Mine neither! What on earth is going on?"
Those who forcibly tried to channel their Xuan Qi to break through the confinement ended up like the three elders, coughing up blood and collapsing straight to the ground. The previously orderly army instantly fell into chaos, as countless martial artists tried to soar into the sky and break out of the Human Emperor Palace. Even those whose cultivation had been sealed whipped out flying spirit boats and other life-saving magical treasures.
Yet the moment they rushed upward, a screen of light blocked them back down, revealing the array that had been concealed until now.
Within the originally crimson light screen, a lingering red bloody aura seeped through. Because the blood qi was so dense, it shrouded the upper air like layer upon layer of bloody mist. Interspersed within the bloody mist was black mist that looked utterly ferocious; upon closer inspection, it bore a striking resemblance to a Blood Demon, while the countless struggling figures within the mist looked even more like fallen martial artists.
These... were souls—martial arts souls.
As for the execution ground, the ground previously stained crimson with blood had already returned to normal. Had it not been for the countless corpses lying upon it, who would have believed that a bloody slaughter had just taken place here?
As for the light screen, there was a second layer array upon it. Once activated, this array had transformed from transparent to black-red, and the wisps of blood threads radiating from it attached themselves to human bodies like leeches. Once touched, without Xuan Qi to resist, one would be reduced to Baigu within a quarter of an hour.
Especially those below the Divine King realm—they could hold out for a quarter of an hour at most. Those with King Grade cultivation could last half an hour at most...
A Half-Step Divine Emperor could last for two hours, while a Divine Emperor Supreme, depending on their grade from one to nine, could at most last for less than twelve hours.
Once this stalemate could not be broken, what awaited everyone was death.
The various ancestors stared furiously at the Human Emperor. "Taishu Xu, what is the meaning of this? You speak endlessly of the common people of the world, yet now you inexplicably seal our cultivation and even set up such a horrifying array. What on earth are you trying to do?"
"As the dignity of the Human Emperor, how can you practice demonic arts? This array at the execution ground is obviously something belonging to evil fiends."
"Now that we face internal trouble and external invasion, Your Majesty the Human Emperor ought to place the common people of the world above all else. What on earth is the purpose of such actions?"
These wave after wave of questioning did not bring a trace of guilt to the Human Emperor; instead, he let out a low chuckle.
That low chuckle, ringing in their ears, carried a trace of mockery. "What is the purpose? Naturally, it is to fulfill your grand ambitions of establishing meritorious service! Once you are all sacrificed, the common people of the world will thank every single one of you. When the time comes, I will also issue a proclamation to the world, erecting a monument of heroes for you all so that you may live forever!"
The numerous martial artists were completely dumbfounded. The battle hadn't even been fought yet!
The Heavenly Demon King hadn't even arrived either; how on earth were they supposed to establish meritorious service now?
"It seems Woxiao never slandered you, Taishu Xu. You are truly unworthy of being the Human Emperor. As the sovereign of the human race, for your own selfish desires, you destroyed the Sealing Heaven Seal, releasing the Heavenly Demon King to slaughter the common people of the three realms, and even pinned all these baseless crimes on the Lord of Chishui. You really are a hypocrite." After beating back all the martial artists blocking his path, Huaixi looked sharply up at Taishu Xu above.
Taishu Xu was not angered in the least; instead, he cast an amused, sideways glance at Ren Woxiao, who was unconscious in Huaixi's arms. "Woxiao? Truly a fine name. The world has always known the Lord of Huaixi as gentle and refined, paying no heed to the affairs of the world, yet I never expected him to be so thoroughly informed about my affairs. No wonder that blockhead Ren Woxiao suddenly grew so bold—so he knew what I had done, did he?
Tsk!
Since that is the case, I will no longer keep it from you all. In the end, you are all destined to become nourishment for this Spirit Sacrifice Formation, so let you die with absolute clarity! It will save you from becoming muddled ghosts when you reach Jiuyou Hell.
Oh! Right, I overthought it.
Once you enter this Spirit Sacrifice Formation, you won't even have the chance to become ghosts.
Bang! Your souls will scatter into dust.
Do you see those clawing, gnashing soul bodies? They are the most delectable food in this world, and being able to offer them as tribute to the Emperor Venerable is everyone's good fortune."