Chaotic World Book
Chapter 367 - 359: Saint Heir Returns Home

Chapter 367: Chapter 359: Saint Heir Returns Home

Xue Canghai was serious in his attitude.

He was paying his respects before a large assembly, just as Zhao Changhe had earlier done for a senior Sect member without any concern for face—it was simply the right thing to do.

Zhao Changhe was still in a daze when the followers, reacting faster, prostrated in droves, and cried out in unison, "Greetings to the Saint Heir!"

Now one could see the ecstatic emotions of the people, who had treated him like an idol on their own accord—even if in their hearts, they might have thought of you as fools. But now, with the Sect Hierarch leading the recognition, the idol had truly become "one of us"... This feeling was just like a fan going home for New Year’s and a family member pointing out an idol saying that’s your cousin.

Zhao Changhe, standing woodenly in the center and looking around at the sea of bowed heads, felt an itch to scratch his head but restrained his hand. Now with the burden of an idol, scratching his head foolishly wasn’t very elegant.

One could not deny that this feeling was very...inflating?

No wonder everyone wanted to be someone of high status; this sensation of everyone bowing down...some people must enjoy it a lot.

Xue Canghai: "..."

What are you daydreaming about? I’ve been kneeling for quite some time.

Zhao Changhe finally snapped out of it, stepped forward to help Xue Canghai up, and sighed, "What if I say I don’t want to be the Saint Heir?"

Xue Canghai, standing up with his assistance, pointed at a senior Sect member and showed a trace of a smile: "Since you still acknowledge our connection...it doesn’t really matter whether you see yourself as the Saint Heir. As long as we see you as one and you don’t deny it, it’s fine, just like how they considered you one of their own and you never denied it."

Zhao Changhe couldn’t help asking, "Why would you do this, Hierarch? Isn’t this like finding a father for yourself?"

Xue Canghai spoke indifferently, "I already have a mother, what’s the issue with having an additional father?"

Zhao Changhe: "?"

Xue Canghai spoke quietly, "The reason we believe is because we feel the way of the Blood God is truly powerful, beyond any doubt. But over these years, the decline of the Blood God Sect is not only my fault but primarily because our heritage is incomplete, resulting in no one being able to comprehend the intentions of the Blood God. How then can we pursue such powerful strength?"

Zhao Changhe nodded, he had long since been informed by many knowledgeable people that the inheritance of the Blood God Sect was missing. It wasn’t all Xue Canghai’s fault. Seeing him today, the Sect Hierarch truly did seem capable...

No wonder he treated me, someone who could interpret the Blood God’s intention, like rain after a long drought.

"The completeness of the Blood God’s intent surpasses everything. If you truly can, then you are the Saint Heir. What has finding or not finding a father got to do with it?" Xue Canghai sighed, "Besides, the Saint Heir isn’t a father, you and I are responsible for different things."

Zhao Changhe said, "I don’t even know whether I can; I haven’t seen your Holy Object, so what responsibilities should I carry?"

Xue Canghai replied, "Why not give it a try? You might not want to be the Saint Heir, but I believe you really need our Cultivation Technique Secret Manuals and to perceive the Holy Object. After the perception, we can then discuss whatever thoughts you might have."

"Why do I need that?"

"Because your Blood Evil Skill really isn’t refined...if it weren’t for the integration with other martial arts, just relying on your half-baked Blood Evil Skill, you wouldn’t have been qualified to reach this point...fighting against me more won’t help you progress beyond these incomplete aspects," Xue Canghai said. "Doesn’t this last battle feel like you are still lacking rather than being close to a breakthrough as you initially imagined?"

"Mmm..." Zhao Changhe finally didn’t argue, sighing inwardly again.

As a Sect, the logic is different from that of regular powers. For instance, the Holy Object absolutely must not be desecrated by outsiders, even Vermilion Bird refrained from touching this taboo. Otherwise, it would not be subjugating the Blood God Sect, but complete enmity, an endless feud.

Followers might superficially submit to your power, but there would be countless hidden troubles waiting to be revealed. They certainly wouldn’t be as compliant as they are now.

If you wanted to touch the so-called "Holy Object" yourself, it would be impossible through conventional means; you would have to join the Sect and be promoted and favored under Hierarch Xue before being permitted to observe. Now, no need for that. You are the Saint Heir, the spokesperson of the Blood God. Who has the right to handle the Holy Object? It’s you who decide. The Hierarch only executes religious affairs, he has no more say than you when it comes to handling Holy Objects.

With complex feelings, Zhao Changhe said in a low voice, "Let everyone return to their places. What does this look like?"

Xue Canghai, with commanding flair, waved his hand: "You all have nothing better to do? How much did you comprehend from the battle just now? Get back to your studies. Tomorrow, I shall assess what you have gained!"

The followers bowed their heads and left: "Yes. Peace to you, Saint Heir."

Zhao Changhe: "..."

The faith in a Sect truly is incredible, making one finally understand Vermilion Bird’s sometimes incomprehensible way of thinking. For example, when Vermilion Bird once suspected that my Star Dharma Form was related to Emperor Ye, the change in attitude was so immediate. He sent the Winged Fire Snake to stealthily approach and clarify the truth. After realizing it wasn’t so, Miss Winged Fire Snake fell in love instead...

Actually, Chichi also had some... They might think the Four Symbols are replaceable, but their reverence for Emperor Ye is truly god-like.

"Saint Heir, come with me." Xue Canghai cleared the onlookers and personally led Zhao Changhe towards the Sect’s secret chamber, asking quietly, "In the secret chamber, there is also an Envoy from the Maitreya Sect...what are your thoughts, Saint Heir?"

Speaking, a vicious glint flashed in his eyes as he made a slicing motion with his hand, "Why don’t we slaughter him as an offering to the god?"

Zhao Changhe was momentarily stunned, "The Maitreya Envoy? What are they here for?"

"They want us to advance east into Xiangfan."

Zhao Changhe suddenly realized that this place was actually a strategic military location, its geographical position extremely important.

Xue Canghai had tens of thousands of soldiers under his command, and although they were all infantry without horses, each one was a true martial artist, much more elite than the devotees that the Maitreya Sect had hastily gathered. This force, if it were to abruptly cut into the southern warfront, could have an impact beyond measure.

The problem was, this was Vermilion Bird’s strategic deployment, her insightful vision.

You Maitreya Sect want to intercept?

Zhao Changhe kept his composure and asked in a low voice, "What does the Sect Hierarch think himself?"

Xue Canghai responded, "I don’t want to be forever beneath the Four Symbols Sect, indeed I want to find a way... but the Maitreya Sect is not a good partner for cooperation. I cannot see them having a chance of success, hence my hesitation. However, since the Saint Heir is here, there is no need for hesitation. You have a deep hatred against the Maitreya Sect. Chop him down."

Zhao Changhe thought for a moment and then smiled, "Does Sect Hierarch Xue wish to be known as an untrustworthy man?"

Xue Canghai replied indifferently, "We are the Demon Sect. Whether we are trustworthy or not is only measured by reality."

Zhao Changhe said, "Then agree with them, make precise arrangements for collaboration and when to dispatch troops, the more detailed the better."

Xue Canghai revealed a hint of a smile, "Understood."

A tacit understanding.

At this moment, Xue Canghai was thinking, who the hell claimed this guy was a knight? His heart is so dark it’s probably oozing pus.

He truly is one of our own from the Blood God Sect.

At the same time, Zhao Changhe was also pondering, although the Blood God Sect had a sort of fellowship with him and now seemed even deeper, the Blood God Sect was not a desirable partner either—their evil intent for blood and killing... Ah... isn’t that exactly what the Saint Heir does?

Lost in their respective thoughts, the two stepped into the underground cavern. Zhao Changhe could distinctly feel the familiar sensation of crossing through spatial barriers.

"This place was once a secret realm too. The Holy Object was found here," Xue Canghai explained. "We didn’t take over Wushan; it was originally here."

Zhao Changhe nodded. "When the epoch collapsed, the Array Plate sustained the space, but the Array Plate wasn’t a single entity; it was assembled from various objects, causing many of its parts to break away. The loss of your heritage also stems from this."

Xue Canghai: "?"

You still claim you’re not the Saint Heir, yet how do you know the Holy Object is an Array Plate?

And even know it’s missing many parts!

His expression turned slightly reverential again, and he led Zhao Changhe in silence toward the end of the corridor.

Several protectors at the Mystical Gate’s seventh level stood guard at the door, bowing deeply as Xue Canghai approached, "Hierarch."

Xue Canghai nodded at them, "Open the door."

Someone pressed a mechanism, and the massive stone door slowly opened.

The assault of a blood-soaked evil aura forced Zhao Changhe to hold his breath. In the room bathed in a dark, crimson glow, a huge Array Plate, about a zhang in diameter, leaned silently against the central sacrificial altar, facing directly towards the doorway.

At first glance, it seemed like the indifferent eye of a deity, coldly staring at the worshipful mortals who had come to pay homage.

Two items in Zhao Changhe’s ring began to pulsate simultaneously.

One was the Blood Pearl that he had acquired a long time ago from Maitreya, identified by a blind man as an inlaid object from the corner of the Array Plate, from which he had once extracted evil qi for his breakthrough.

The other was a Blood Token that Ying Wu had sold to him for a mere penny, something he had never researched. At this moment, it resonated frenziedly with the Array Plate, jumping restlessly.

At the same time, the Array Plate also lit up with a bloody brilliance, as though the indifferent eye had come to life, much like an elderly guardian who, after facing countless vicissitudes, finally sees a long-awaited son return home.