The Great Enlightenment

Beside the eaves, there are more than a dozen strong wooden frames made of mountain trunks standing beside the river.

There are hemp ropes that are several fingers thick hanging on these wooden frames. The originally brown rope body is faintly glowing with a heart-stopping dark red color, which is the color formed after years of blood watering and completely drying up.

There are so many people under the majestic high platform that you can't see the edge at a glance. At a rough look, there are at least tens of thousands of people in the densely packed area. They rise from the wooden frames and high platforms on the riverside and extend to the cities and villages in the distance, and even Even the roads leading here from all directions are full of people.

So many people gathered in one place, but it was extremely quiet by the Yanhe River. You could hear a needle drop. Almost all eyes were looking at the sinister old man in priest's robes on the towering platform, with fear in his eyes. , piety, panic, worry, joy and many other extremely complex emotions.

Although their eyes were looking at the old priest, their emotions were directed at the eaves.

The Yanhe River is adjacent to the sea and is the largest tributary of Canghai. The water in the river has been rising continuously in recent days. The flood season is approaching. It is time for us Tushan people to pay tribute to the river god again.

The old priest leaned on the snake-head staff in his hand and sighed. Although the sound was not loud, in this extremely quiet environment, it could still be heard very clearly far away.

Many villagers looked at the roaring Yan River, and saw the roaring water of the river. From time to time, bad waves surged in, soaking the cloth shoes worn by many villagers, causing them to retreat continuously.

The old priest turned his head and said to his side: Chief Wang, are all the tributes ready this time?

The Chief Wang nodded slightly and said in a deep voice: The arrangements were made a few days ago. Thank you, old priest, for your hard work.

The old priest's gloomy face revealed a hint of compassion, saying, I just hope that the River God will accept the tribute and floods will no longer harm the people of Tushan. My old bones will die without regrets. It's just a pity. These children...

While they were talking, some strong villagers holding swords and escorting a dozen children of about seven or eight years old came from a distance. Wherever they passed, all the villagers silently moved out of the way. At the same time, the helpless cries of these children were heard by the river that had been silent just now.

The old priest glanced far away under the high platform, shook his head and said: What's wrong with this? Chief Wang, if the river god is disturbed, I'm afraid...

Wang Lichang looked slightly cold and winked at the villagers beside him. The villagers understood and hurriedly separated from the crowd and walked towards the knife-wielding villagers who were escorting the children.

Soon, strips of cloth were stuffed into the mouths of these children. Their faces turned red, and their tearful eyes were full of despair.

Many villagers who were watching could not bear it, and turned their heads sideways, not daring to look any further.

My child! Lord Priest, please let her go!

Heartbreaking cries spread throughout the countryside, and many villagers looked around. Under the high platform, they saw a young woman in her twenties kneeling on the hard stone floor, facing the platform. The priest kept kowtowing, his face covered with tears, blood and soil mixed together, and his original appearance could no longer be seen clearly.

The prince's face darkened, and he was about to order the villagers beside him to carry the young woman away, but the old priest waved his hand to stop him.

Go and hold her first.

The old priest gave an order, and then, leaning on a snake-head crutch, he turned around and walked tremblingly down the stone steps towards the foot of the high platform.

Wang Lichang hurriedly stepped forward to help the old priest. With a signal from his eyes, several villagers quickly walked down the platform and helped the young woman up, whose face was covered with blood.

The bank of the Yan River became silent again, and all the villagers looked towards this place.

The old priest stepped down from the high platform, walked up to the young woman, and asked gently: Where are you from?

The young woman stretched out her patched cloth sleeves and wiped her face. The wound on her forehead was still slowly oozing blood. Snot and tears flowed down her face. She sobbed: Master Priest, my home is at the foot of Tushan Mountain. In Liujia Village, the child has lost his father since he was born. Over the years, I have worked three jobs every day, and I have grown her up by pooping and peeing. If she dies, I won’t be able to live anymore!”

The villager next to her handed over a towel soaked in water and wiped the young woman's face, revealing her cheeks that were a little yellow due to hunger.

The many villagers who were escorting the children were able to walk under the high platform. At this time, they all stood still and looked here.

The old priest sighed and said, Do you know which of these is your child?

The young woman turned her head, looked closely, ran to the side of a girl in three steps, held her in her arms, and began to cry loudly.

Seeing her crying so sadly, the surrounding villagers couldn't bear it, but no one spoke a word from the beginning to the end.

Take out the strip of cloth from the child's mouth.

The old priest said.

Wang Lichang hesitated for a moment and said: Master Priest, it's getting late...

The old priest waved his hand.

When Wang Lichang saw this, he stopped talking and gave instructions to the villagers beside him. At that moment, someone stepped forward and pulled the cloth from the girl's mouth.

mother!

My son!

The girl and the young woman hugged each other, tears streaming down their faces, and they cried until the sky was dark. It made those who heard it cry and those who saw it were sad.

When they were done crying, the old priest walked forward with a snake-head crutch, looked into the girl's big dark eyes, and said gently: But are you hungry?

The girl shrank back with some fear, nestled in the young woman's arms, and did not dare to speak.

The young woman held her head and comforted her softly: The priest is the oldest person in Tushan, and he is not a bad person.

The girl shook her head vigorously and said in a clear voice: He is an old bad guy! He wants to send us to the river!

After saying this, many villagers showed expressions of composure, and the unbearable meaning in their eyes had also dissipated a lot.

Chief Wang scolded: How dare you be disrespectful to the priest! Don't talk nonsense here!

The old priest waved his hand, turned to the young woman and said, Every twenty years, it is the flood season of Yanhe River. Do you know this?

The young woman hesitated for a moment, nodded and said, The village woman knows.

The old priest pointed to the villages and towns in Tushan Realm behind him, and said: Twenty years ago, we could not find the child at the right time, and finally did not offer tribute to the river god. Do you know what happened next?

The young woman's face gradually turned pale, and after a long silence, she spoke: That year when I was nine years old, I vaguely remember that the river was angry and the floods flooded dozens of villages and towns in Tushan.

The old priest nodded and said: That flood alone drowned countless villagers, and the crops and fields were destroyed. The villagers gnawed bark and grass roots, and even the old trees in the mountains were destroyed. Only half of it was cut down and many people starved to death, so we managed to survive such a difficult twenty years.

Upon hearing this, the young woman's lips trembled and lost color, and she was speechless.

The old priest looked at the girl in her arms again, sighed, and said: These children are carefully selected according to the time. If one is missing, the tragedy of twenty years ago will probably happen again. Although you She is a village woman, but she seems to be a sensible person. You should know whether the life of this child is more important or the people of Tushan who are all over the mountains and plains.

After saying this, he pointed his old arms towards the densely packed villagers in all directions, and continued, Nearly every household here has children, and there are countless children as big as this girl. If the river god is angry, the river water will If flooding occurs again, how many of these villagers' children do you think can survive?

After hearing this, many villagers clenched their fists with complicated expressions and remained silent.

The young woman pursed her lips, but could not say a word. She just held the girl tightly and cried. After a while, the tears flowed all over the floor and soaked her clothes.

The next moment, the young woman suddenly let go of her hands. Her expression was full of despair. She didn't know where she got the strength. She rushed out and slammed into the stone base at the bottom of the high platform!

Boom!

The bright red blood splashed everywhere, the skull was cracked, and there was a bit of white turbidity in the bones, which was scattered on the clothes of the nearby villagers!

mother!

The girl's white little face, which was mixed with tears and mud, happened to be splashed with a warm, wet, white turbid substance mixed with bloodshot eyes. Her pupils shrank sharply, and she let out a sharp scream, and her little face wrinkled up. Tuan rolled his eyes and fainted.

Why is this necessary...

well……

Seeing this scene, a very brief burst of noise suddenly broke out among many villagers, but it calmed down again in the blink of an eye.

Old priest, the time is coming.

Wang Lichang looked up at the sky, looking a little anxious.

The old priest had a sinister look on his face. He glanced at the lifeless body of the young woman on the ground, shook his head and said, Tie all the tributes to the wooden frame.

Chief Wang then breathed a sigh of relief and quickly ordered the villagers around him to rush forward and tie the children to the wooden frame beside the eaves river. They were tied tightly with thick hemp ropes so that they could not break free at all.

The water waves roared and rolled up, surging up from time to time, soaking the children's shoes and socks, making the look of fear and despair in their eyes even worse. However, no matter how they twisted, they could never break free from the tight and thick ties. hemp rope.

Everyone, stand back.

The old priest, who was leaning on a snake-head crutch, raised his head, squinted at the sky, and said, Chief Wang, let's do it.

Villagers from all directions retreated behind the high platform like a tide. Only Wang Lizhang and the sturdy villagers holding swords quickly stepped forward and dispersed. Everyone walked towards a wooden frame with children tied up.

The time has come.

The old priest sighed.

Wang Lichang's eyes turned cold and he said, Do it!

Those strong villagers were obviously prepared. They all took out a piece of black cloth and covered their faces. Then they raised the sharp blades in their hands and slashed at the delicate necks of the children!

Blood splattered everywhere!

More than a dozen young heads fell in response, and bright red blood gushed out from their severed necks. Due to the cloth stuffed in their mouths, these children did not even make a sound until they died.

The head of the girl just now rolled to the edge of the eaves river, and soon her hair was wet by the water waves. Her eyes were wide open, and her black and white pupils were soaked with scarlet blood, as if they were looking coldly. Looking at these villagers in Tushan Realm.

boom!

Suddenly, an evil wave rises!

The churning water waves gradually turned into a whirlpool of water, exuding an indescribable terrifying aura!

The next moment, a bright divine voice roared down from the river, and a light bloomed. A staff-holding god wearing a cloud-patterned black robe and a crown of hanging beads appeared in the center of the vortex. In the majestic light, A pair of eyes filled with divine light quietly looked down at the Tushan people who were kneeling on the ground.

The God of the River above, may I, the people of Tushan, not suffer from floods and be healthy forever!

The old priest put down his snake-head crutch and knelt down tremblingly.

The river god with the divine light paid no attention to him, but glanced at the heads of more than ten children below. His robe sleeves were turned up, and the rolling evil waves rolled over, and he took the picture directly over him. His mouth opened to the extreme in an instant, Swallowed it all in one mouthful.

It's really delicious, but the skull is a bit hard, so just chew it up and swallow it.

The river god with a wide robe and long sleeves had a majestic expression. He chewed up the heads of more than ten children and swallowed them in a few seconds. Then he burped unconsciously, and the remaining bloody breath seeped out from his lips, making him He licked his lips unconsciously.

The old priest looked up at the Yan River Spirit and prayed: God above, can you withdraw your magical powers first? If this continues, I'm afraid floods will come soon!

Many villagers also looked desperate and kowtowed in prayer.

The River God was startled for a moment, then subconsciously looked back, his pupils shrinking slightly.

Not only did the whirlpool of vast water where he appeared just now not disappear, it actually became larger now!

I have obviously lost my magical power of manifestation, how is this possible?!

The River God flicked the big sleeves of his black clothes and walked on the waves until he reached the vortex that had expanded to a radius of dozens of feet. His expression became even more horrified!

As the whirlpool of the Hanshui grew rapidly, the water of the Yanhe River below also surged and roared. In just a few breaths, dozens of villagers who were getting closer had been sucked in!

boom!

After a few breaths, under the horrified gaze of the River God, the whirlpool of the vast water finally stopped growing and instead exploded!

Countless water splashes flew all over the sky and fell into the river. The crazily rolling water of the Eaves River below also gradually stopped and slowly faded back.

Brother Chaoyin, if it weren't for the wave of magical teleportation here, it would have been a lot of work for us to pass through the boundary wall of this vast world.

The water waves dispersed, and the two figures gradually solidified from the transparent state and emerged.

Among them, the handsome young man in black robes smiled, opened his arms, and looked up at the blue sky, Such a cheerful vitality, such a fragrant breath, and there is no life lock... I have not had it since the birth of the destiny world. In thousands of years, I have never experienced such a comfortable feeling...

Beside him, the beautiful young man in a white robe with gold threads had dark eyes. He paid no attention to him, but looked directly at the Xuanyi River God in a wide robe and long sleeves. His expression changed slightly and he said: Mountains, rivers and land The guardian spirit of the emperor should not be like this...

The arrogant Xuanyi River God just now was glanced at by the white-robed young man. He couldn't help but shiver all over his body. He could only feel that the meager divine power in his body was moving crazily, and he was even on the verge of collapse!

The figure of the white-robed boy suddenly disappeared, and the next moment he appeared directly beside Xuanyi River God. He stretched out his palm and placed it on Xuanyi River God's trembling arm, not paying attention to the pale-faced Xuanyi River God at all.

After probing for a moment, his brows furrowed even more tightly and he murmured: Have even the rules of heaven and earth been changed...

Xuanyi River God almost burst into tears and said in a trembling voice: God, spare my life! I am the righteous God of Yanhe who has received the decree. Without the decree from the court, God will never kill me!

Court?!

Hearing these two words, Ji Yuenian's eyes turned cold, There are Pilin Continent, Cangliu Continent, and Lingyue Continent in this world. Which continent is this?

Xuanyi River God calmed down and said: This is the Tushan realm on the edge of Pilinzhou, adjacent to the Canghai. Doesn't God really know that?

The Lost Soul Taoist walked closer, glanced at the river god in a wide robe and long sleeves, and said, Brother Chaoyin, how is your situation now?

The tens of thousands of Tushan people below had been frightened several times by many changes. At this time, they had dispersed far away and looked towards this place with great fear.

Ji Yuenian did not speak, but said coldly to Xuanyi River God: How old is 'Shangting'?

Xuanyi River God noticed the coldness in his tone, trembled, and said: According to records, there should be thirty Yuanhui...

It's so presumptuous!

Ji Yuenian's eyes became colder and his heart was burning with fire. The water in the Yanhe River behind him roared and surged up into the sky. In an instant, countless huge splashes exploded!

Lost Soul Taoist realized that this matter was strange, and his expression became much more solemn, saying: Brother Chaoyin, what on earth is going on?!

Ji Yuenian raised his head, looked at the vast sky that was out of reach, and said: There are three continents and two seas in this world. Its size is about the same as the Dongsheng Divine Continent in Zhoutian. Above the three continents and two seas, the Taiyin Goddess I personally used the power of the state's sky and moon wheel to reflect it here, and then used many precious materials from the Milky Way to refine the nine-layer heavenly palace, calling it the 'Lingyue Heavenly Palace'.

This 'Lingyue Heavenly Palace' was left by the Taiyin Goddess for me to take over this world. Now I see that this heaven has been occupied by the creatures of this world, taking it as their own, and even treating themselves as the master of this world. .”

Hearing this, Taoist Lost Soul said doubtfully: In this way, the creatures in this world really deserve to die, but didn't Her Highness the Taiyin Goddess think of this change when she first appeared in the Lingyue Heavenly Court?

Ji Yuenian's expression was somewhat condensed, and he said: This is what surprises me. According to Her Majesty the Goddess's estimate, the time in this realm should only be about ten yuanhui since the opening of this realm. According to the river god's estimation, As mentioned above, this world has already gone through dozens of Yuanhui. Some unknown things should have happened, which caused the speed of time in this world to accelerate, so that the creatures in it have successfully cultivated and noticed that Arriving at the existence of the Ninth Level Heavenly Palace, the Lingyue Heavenly Court. Once you occupy the Lingyue Heavenly Court, you will be the co-lord of heaven and earth in this world, and can control or even change the rules of this world.

The Lost Soul Taoist clicked his tongue and said: No wonder Her Highness the Goddess of Nazhoutian is not aware of the situation in this world. It turns out that there is such a reason.

Ji Yuenian looked back from high in the sky and said: He who can control Lingyue Heavenly Court has at least the sixth realm of cultivation. Coupled with the rules of this world and the blessing of the co-lord of heaven and earth, he can even be regarded as A deity who has transcended the realm. Based on this calculation, he must have placed countless immortals and deities in Lingyue Heavenly Court. We still need to take a long-term approach.

The Xuanyi River God stood aside and heard all these words of decapitation. He said with a sad face: Shangshen, you should just kill me quickly. If the Lord knows that I, a little ant god, heard these words If I say disobedient words, I'm afraid I will be thrown into the eighteenth level of hell and never be able to get over again!

The speaker was unintentional, but the listener was intentional. As his thoughts were flowing, Ji Yuenian's expression moved slightly and he said: Is there a hell in this world? Her Highness the Goddess has never mentioned this matter.

Xuanyi River God vaguely sensed a glimmer of hope and quickly said: Yes! Yes!

Lost Soul Taoist glanced at Ji Yuenian, and the two of them understood each other. Knowing that this might be a way to break the situation, he then stepped forward and grabbed the collar of Xuanyi River God's broad robe, and said fiercely: Why don't you lead Dao Master there quickly! (End of Chapter)