The Art of Chaotic Divinity-Chapter 1254: Heaven Offering Ceremony

After roughly a quarter of an hour, Ling Feng and the Despicable Donkey broke through the restriction surrounding the cages and freed all the imprisoned commoners. They escorted them to the city wall, where the first rescued group had already gathered.

Soon after, the remaining four rescue teams returned. Counting everyone together, they had saved around two thousand people. That was already the limit of what they could accomplish.

Heavenly Pool Island was vast. The ordinary people were weak and slow to move. Saving everyone was simply impossible.

From where they stood, they could see the center of the inner island. The monsters had scattered like a flock of birds, spreading in all directions across Heavenly Pool Island. It was clear they intended to round up the remaining captives and prepare for the Heaven Offering Ceremony.

Lou Qianzhong saw Ling Feng return alone with a black donkey beside him and could not help but ask, "Brother Ling, what happened to that fellow Fang?"

Ling Feng took a deep breath, then recounted how President Fang had attacked Zong Lian under the pretense of slaying a demon, while secretly plotting against everyone else. As they listened, the crowd gasped in shock, unable to believe how deeply President Fang had hidden his true intentions.

"So that bastard was the one who spread the news about the ancient array!" Lou Qianzhong cursed. Ever since entering the Sea of Miracles, he had found no treasure at all and had nearly died several times instead. To learn that Fang bastard had been the cause of it all made his blood boil.

"President Fang is already dead. Now everyone left can be trusted."

Ling Feng looked around at the group, his voice steady. "Next, we'll head to the inner island and face the monsters head-on. It's going to be a deadly fight. I should also warn you, aside from the Heavenly Pool Island Master, there's another hidden threat that may be even stronger. Anyone who doesn't want to take the risk can stay here and guard the rescued."

Lou Qianzhong gave a wide grin and started cursing. "Damn it, Ling Feng, you really look down on people, don't you?"

"Brother Lou, I'm serious. This fight will decide life or death. I can't guarantee we'll survive."

Ling Feng frowned deeply. Even with the thunder orb given to him by the mysterious black-robed man, it would be difficult to strike the Heaven-Patrolling Angel's heart with precision.

The group fell silent for a moment.

Then Lin Mu spoke first, his voice clear and resolute. "A man must know when to fight and when to stand aside. But if I shrink back now, I'll despise myself for the rest of my life."

"Damn it. You think I, Lou Qianzhong, would be less of a man than you two youngsters?" Lou took a deep breath and shouted, "Count me in!"

"Don't underestimate women, fat man!" Lan Yuhuang raised her chin. "Grandaunt wasn't raised to be afraid!"

Tuoba Yan didn't say anything, but the look in her eyes made her answer plain.

"Since everyone has decided, let's move!"

Ling Feng looked at his companions, each one bound to him by shared hardship and trust earned through danger. Quietly, he swore to himself that he would do everything in his power to keep them alive.

"Stinky brats, you can all go. This divine beast will stay here to protect everyone!"

Despicable Donkey crossed his hooves over his chest with an air of self-importance. In the end, he was just being a coward.

Of everyone there, he alone, aside from Ling Feng, knew what they were about to face. Their enemy was a Heaven-Patrolling Angel, and even one left gravely wounded was still a terrifying being from the Immortal Domain!

"Don't even think about it!" Ling Feng shot him an annoyed look. "I've already arranged someone else for that task!"

He turned to Tuoba Yan, signaling her to summon the Azure Jade Scale Serpent. Once the serpent released its poisonous mist to shroud the area, the civilians would be well hidden from detection.

"Unbelievable," Despicable Donkey grumbled. "Why don't this divine beast get a say in this?"

"Because I know you too well." Ling Feng smiled and patted his shoulder. "The capable ones always get the hardest jobs!"

"Hmph!" Despicable Donkey lifted his head with exaggerated pride, refusing to even glance at Ling Feng. Inside, though, he was quite pleased with himself. Can't be helped. This divine beast is an expert after all!

Lin Mu looked at Despicable Donkey and could not help remembering his own divine turtle. The two creatures were like long-lost brothers from different parents!

"Elder," Ling Feng turned to the old man they had rescued earlier, "find a place nearby to hide. We'll clear out the monsters along the way to keep them from reaching you."

"Thank you, thank you!"

The old man dropped to his knees, tears streaming down his face as he bowed repeatedly. The others followed, sobbing with gratitude. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

For the first time in centuries, a ray of light had pierced the dark shadow hanging over Heavenly Pool Island. Hope had returned!

"Hide well," Ling Feng said, taking a steady breath. He looked over his companions. "Let's move!"

Everyone straightened and followed him toward the inner island.

"Sigh, I pray our benefactors succeed in destroying those monsters," the old man murmured. He began organizing the others to find shelter.

The Azure Jade Scale Serpent flicked its tongue, feeling resigned. Once it had been a proud demon emperor, and now it was reduced to guarding mortals.

It sighed and released a veil of poisonous mist, cloaking the area. After all, it was now Tuoba Yan's spirit pet, and Ling Feng had promised it some benefits. It had only itself to blame for being greedy. From now on, it seemed destined to "work" for humans.

...

Meanwhile, news of the Heaven Offering Ceremony spread among the leaders of Heavenly Pool Island. The monsters were overjoyed. They soared into the sky, their wings darkening the sun, and scattered across the island to round up the captives for the offering to Tianzun.

Hundreds of winged creatures moved like dark clouds, covering the sky and then dispersing. For the humans of Heavenly Pool Island, this day marked the beginning of their end. When the ceremony began, none would be spared.

The monsters would not leave a single living soul.

Throughout the island, the imprisoned mortals trembled. As they watched the hideous creatures descend upon them, despair filled their eyes.

They could only close them and wait for death to come!