"One, two, three, four, four Holy Emissaries. They've selected a new Holy Emissary," Fei Hua said in surprise as she counted.
The Saintess Sect had four Holy Emissaries. However, one died at their hands a month ago, and the Saintess Sect had immediately found a replacement.
Coupled with their uniform purple robes, no cultivator noticed that one of the Holy Emissaries had been swapped out.
"Continue reading," Xiong Zhuangzhuang said, his brows furrowed.
After the four Holy Emissaries appeared, all the cultivators present discreetly fell silent, quietly observing their every move.
"All disciples heed my command. Those who voluntarily join the Saintess Sect must provide a drop of their blood, sealed within a crystal sphere, to be qualified to meet the Saintess."
The disciples, who had been eagerly anticipating the Holy Emissaries' arrival, were instead met with outrage at the first words spoken.
"Draw our own blood? That's not acceptable, not acceptable!"
"Indeed. Who knows what you'll do with our blood? The Saintess Sect has such a peculiar rule. If we had known, we wouldn't have come."
"That's right, aren't you playing with us!"
"..."
The blood of cultivators was important to some, and not important to others, depending on who it fell into.
Some who practiced evil arts could use the vital essence of cultivators for malevolent purposes, or even absorb others' cultivation through it.
Therefore, cultivators were generally unwilling to hand over things intrinsically linked to them, especially something as direct as blood.
Moreover, the Holy Emissaries spoke with extreme arrogance, which also provoked the crowd's resentment.
They already lacked a strong sense of belonging to the Saintess Sect, and could defect at any moment. Any minor dissatisfaction could be magnified tenfold at this point.
The Holy Emissaries had anticipated this.
She placed a crystal sphere, a foot high, before herself, and with her other hand, waved backward.
BOOM!
A thunderbolt, like a pillar supporting the heavens, illuminated the night sky and descended with a deafening roar. The air was instantly filled with an intense lightning energy.
Everyone was startled by the Holy Emissary's sudden action. When they recovered, their expressions turned even more grim.
"Are you trying to intimidate us!"
"Exactly! Do you intend to force us to join? There are so many of us, and we are not afraid of you!"
"What Saintess Sect? So it's just trash after all!"
The crowd erupted in anger, their curses echoing ceaselessly.
"Audacious! How dare you insult the Saintess Sect!"
The Holy Emissary who had spoken earlier, her eyes fierce, waved her right hand again in a specific direction.
Without even a single cry of pain, the cultivator who had spoken disrespectfully turned into a wisp of black smoke and vanished instantly from his spot.
The scene immediately fell into a deathly silence.
Chen Long's forehead and back were slick with cold sweat.
The cultivator who had just been struck by lightning had been standing in front of him. He had watched with his own eyes as the other was reduced to ashes, his fear inexpressible.
The Holy Emissary was so tyrannical, turning someone to dust and ashes upon the slightest disagreement, it was truly terrifying.
Chen Long regretted not turning back halfway. He might very well lose his life here this time.
"To ask you to provide your blood and place it within is merely so the Saintess may know of your existence and bestow her blessings upon you. Instead of showing gratitude, you lash out in criticism, which is truly rebellious.
However, considering you are first-time offenders, I shall issue a slight warning. Should there be any further transgressions, that person just now serves as your grim precedent!"
The Holy Emissary's words fell upon their ears, leaving them furious but silent.
Blessings, warnings, all utter nonsense.
This was clearly a tactic to threaten them.
As soon as they dripped their blood into that crystal sphere of unknown substance, they might be irrevocably bound to the Saintess Sect, their life or death then solely at the Saintess's whim.
This caused the rogue cultivators, accustomed to a life of freedom, to strongly resist.
However, due to the Holy Emissary's strength, they dared not voice their opposition, and the situation suddenly fell into a stalemate.
"Why is no one willing to be the first to truly join the Saintess Sect?"
The Holy Emissary's gaze swept over the crowd, her tone carrying a subtle, almost imperceptible threat.
Everyone exchanged glances, none daring to respond.
Chen Long buried his head even lower, afraid of being seen with his look of reluctance.
"Very well, since you are unwilling, I shall make the decision." The Holy Emissary's sharp gaze fixed on a Nascent Soul cultivator at the very front of the crowd and she said coldly, "You, come forward!"
"Me? I..."
The Nascent Soul cultivator's body trembled, and the regret in his eyes was almost overflowing.
The disciples gathered here were mostly strangers to each other, so their positions held a certain significance.
Generally, cultivators with higher cultivation levels stood closer to the front.
And this Nascent Soul cultivator was among the top ten in cultivation, which allowed him to stand in the front row with the best view.
The Holy Emissary's choice of him also served as a "kill the chicken to scare the monkey" tactic.
If this Nascent Soul cultivator was willing to join the Saintess Sect as requested, then the other cultivators would have almost no room for resistance.
At this moment, almost all eyes in the venue were focused on this Nascent Soul cultivator, causing him considerable pressure.
"What? You are unwilling to serve the Saintess?"
Seeing the Nascent Soul cultivator remain silent for a long time, the Holy Emissary asked with a cold sneer.
"I, I..."
The Nascent Soul cultivator's face was turning green with distress.
He truly did not wish to entrust his life to another.
But in the current situation, if he did not yield, he would not even see the sun the next day.
He hesitated for a moment, then finally gritted his teeth, lowered his head, and said softly, "Qian Sanjia is willing to join the Saintess Sect and serve at the Saintess's command."
"Hahaha, good! Qian Sanjia, I will surely report your performance today to the Saintess and bestow blessings upon you. Come forward."
Qian Sanjia let out a wry smile and, steeling himself, walked towards the crystal sphere.
"Draw a drop of blood and place it upon it."
With matters having reached this point, Qian Sanjia no longer offered any futile resistance. He followed the instruction, forcing a small drop of blood from his finger, and then guided it onto the crystal sphere.
When the blood was placed upon the crystal sphere, it encountered no obstruction and was absorbed into the sphere, transforming into a round blood orb that floated within.
At the same time, a brilliant light erupted from the crystal sphere and then merged into Qian Sanjia's body.
"Hey! What just went in!"
A cultivator shouted in alarm, instantly causing a stir.
"Silence!"
The four Holy Emissaries shouted in unison, suppressing their voices.
The cultivators, though angered, dared not speak out. They all held their breath, watching Qian Sanjia with concern.
If Qian Sanjia were to meet with an accident, they would fight the Saintess Sect members to the death, at least having a sliver of hope.
Xu Yi and the others were also stunned by this series of events, holding their breath as they awaited the outcome.
Xu Yi had a premonition that Qian Sanjia would not be harmed, and perhaps would even...
"I broke through! I broke through! Hahahaha! I actually broke through!"