Hearing this, Li Chang’an paused, a slight tension coiling in his chest.

’According to what Elder Hun told me, this ancestor of mine is the guide between the Immortal Realm and the Jiuzhou Continent. In other words, he’s the mouthpiece for the Cultivation Realm.’

’Every time he comes, it means the Cultivators need to collect the Qi and Blood Power of the Jiuzhou Continent for their Alchemy.’

He took a deep breath, calming his nerves.

Led by Li Lin, Li Chang’an soon arrived at the so-called Ancestral Court.

By the time he arrived, hundreds of people had already gathered around the Great Zhou Ancestral Court. They were all members of the Great Zhou Royal Family; only the most central, direct blood relatives were permitted to be present at the Ancestral Court.

But that wasn’t what caught Li Chang’an’s eye.

What truly caught his attention were the nearly one hundred young boys and girls standing on either side of the Ancestral Court’s enormous Bronze Altar. The children were no more than seven or eight years old, washed and neatly dressed, but the terror and unease in their eyes betrayed their predicament.

The altar was high, and the children didn’t dare move. They could only huddle together in the center, trembling uncontrollably.

Li Chang’an watched the children, silent for a long moment.

Nearby, his sister, Li Shiran, and his brother, Li Yuanqing, came over to him.

Seeing the children on the altar, Li Yuanqing frowned. "What are they planning to do?"

All three of them were only eighteen or nineteen years old, and this was the first time they had ever attended a sacrifice at the Ancestral Temple.

While they had occasionally heard other members of the Royal Family mention it, the subject was always glossed over, and no one ever gave them the full details.

Thus, Li Yuanqing was utterly shocked to see children on the two altars.

He appeared completely stunned.

Li Shiran had arrived earliest and had already learned what was happening.

She tugged on Li Yuanqing’s sleeve, whispering a warning, "This was all arranged at the Ancestor’s command. It’s a tradition that our Great Zhou has followed for thousands upon thousands of years. Don’t you dare say something you shouldn’t!"

Li Yuanqing looked from the terrified children on the altars to the enormous Ancestral Temple nearby. Though he didn’t know exactly what was about to happen, he was filled with a terrible sense of foreboding.

He glanced at his older brother, Li Chang’an, who stood a short distance away. His lips trembled slightly, but after a long, hesitant moment, he said nothing.

More and more people arrived at the Ancestral Temple.

At first, it was only members of the Great Zhou Royal Family, but they were soon joined by the ceremonial musicians and guards.

When the crimson Profound Bird, the symbol of Great Zhou, appeared in the sky above the Ancestral Temple, an instant silence fell over the grounds. Drummers, long in position, began to beat the great drums. The percussive sound, like crashing metal and stone, echoed from all directions.

At some point, Inner Guards in tight black uniforms appeared on the two altars. As the drums thundered, the guards drew their daggers and sliced open the wrists of the children.

Blood dripped from the children’s wrists, flowing along grooves carved into the altar’s surface. It eventually formed a small river that snaked toward the distant Ancestral Temple.

The children began to wail, their faces masks of terror.

One little girl desperately tried to press her hand over the wound of a boy even younger than her, trying to stop the blood from gushing from his wrist.

But her efforts were futile.

The blood only gushed faster, and combined with the flow from her own wrist, it quickly stained both of their clothes completely crimson.

But their wails could not be heard from below the altar.

Or if anyone did hear, they didn’t care.

Nourished by the fresh blood, the crimson Profound Bird grew ever more vivid and vibrant.

Li Yuanqing stared at the pale, blood-drenched children on the altars, then at the Profound Bird totem, which was growing more and more lifelike. A flicker of rage crossed his handsome face. "Our Great Zhou proclaims itself a heavenly kingdom, so why are we using the blood of children to make offerings to our ancestor? Isn’t this something only those barbarians of the Qiang Race would do?"

Beside him, Li Shiran watched the children gradually weaken from their blood loss. A look of pity crossed her lovely face, and she closed her eyes. "These children are from the Great Yuan," she said. "It’s enemy blood..."

Her voice was very quiet as she spoke.

Clearly, she couldn’t convince herself to simply turn a blind eye.

Li Yuanqing grew even angrier. "So what if they’re from the Great Yuan?" he said furiously. "Even in war between nations, there are Laws! I’m going to find Father. This is unforgivable!"

Seeing this, Li Shiran quickly grabbed his arm and shook her head. She then glanced toward the distant Ancestral Temple, signaling for him to look.

Though his face was etched with anxiety, Li Yuanqing turned to look at the distant Ancestral Temple.

He saw Emperor Wu of the Great Zhou, Li Wuji, before the Ancestral Temple. The emperor was dressed in the gilded ceremonial robes reserved only for the grandest of occasions, kneeling respectfully on the ground and kowtowing toward the temple.

THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP...

The drumming grew more rapid, more intense.

Li Lin was also kneeling respectfully on the ground.

All the members of the Royal Family knelt, but one person remained standing ramrod straight.

Li Lin caught sight of this out of the corner of his eye and shuddered in fear. He ignored the astonished stares from the other Clan Relatives and scrambled to his feet, trying to pull Li Chang’an down to his knees.

With a flick of his sleeve, Li Chang’an shook off Li Lin’s hand.

A stir went through the crowd at the Ancestral Temple. More and more eyes turned to Li Chang’an’s ramrod-straight figure.

Emperor Wu couldn’t help but shout, "Chang’an, kneel at once! The Ancestor is about to descend!"

Li Chang’an paid him no mind.

He simply stood there, his gaze frigid.

Once the Profound Bird in the sky had solidified, it slowly folded its wings, transforming into an old man with hair as white as snow.

The old man’s gaze swept across the sacrificial scene at the Ancestral Temple.

Upon spotting Li Chang’an standing there, he frowned and spoke. "And who might you be? Why do you not kneel in my presence?"

...