Chapter 185
Chapter 185
Staring at the three enormous phantoms that blotted out the sky, Old Sixth Hui could not suppress a startled cry.
“How can this be? The Totems of Humanity’s Three Ancestors!”
Eighth Master Chang had long since gone slack-jawed. He stood there drooling, oblivious even to the windblown snow falling into his mouth.
“S-Sixth Brother Hui, how can humanity have three ancestors? Don’t they call themselves the descendants of the Flame and Yellow Emperors? Who is the third ancestor besides those two lords?”
This was a wu-shamanic sacrifice, a grand human rite. Even Old Sixth Hui did not dare indulge in comic banter. He answered solemnly.
“Besides the Flame Emperor and Yellow Emperor, there is also Chiyou, Lord of War!
“And since ancient times, rumor has held that the Lord of War never truly died. After the Yellow Emperor had him torn apart by chariots, the pieces were sealed separately in the Lands of the Five Extremes.
“Xuanyuan of Youxiong, the Giant God Flame Emperor, and the Thunder Yellow Sparrow rising over Jiuli… These three totems represent the three great tribes of ancient humanity!”
(The expression “comic banter” originated in traditional opera, where actors inserted humorous business and dialogue to amuse the audience. A line in Gao Ming’s fourteenth-century *The Lute* reads: “Never mind comic interludes, nor seek the proper modes and keys; simply behold the filial son and virtuous wife.”)
Not only had the Five Immortals of Spirit Mediums failed to expect this, even Deaf Granny herself had never imagined that she could summon the three great ancient totems-the kings of the Divine Land’s totems.
“Ancestors, have mercy! Please uphold justice for your unworthy descendants!”
The Thunder Yellow Sparrow, representing the Jiuli tribe, radiated the fiercest killing intent.
Amid the rumble of war drums, its enormous eyes swept toward Huimu Mountain like bolts of lightning.
The Ghost Mother Evil Goddess felt terror seize her heart.
“How can this be? How can an ancient wu shaman still be alive today?”
Her astonishment was understandable.
Wu shamans were not immortal cultivators. Their mortal lifespans were limited, and their repeated channeling of nature’s power shortened their lives far below those of ordinary people.
The Ghost Mother Evil Goddess was both savage and cunning. Seeing the danger, she swept up the still-dazed Li father and son along with the two bald men, turned into a stream of black smoke, and plunged underground.
She left only a minor ghost deity behind to bear the disaster in her place.
The minor ghost deity shrieked as it fled the cave. It was just about to dive underground when the Thunder Yellow Sparrow’s gaze locked onto it.
“No! Mother Goddess, save me!”
Amid its screams, the minor ghost deity was dragged into the center of the Human-Bone Altar.
Its ugly eyes brimmed with terror. It kowtowed frantically to everyone around it, begging in a shrill, piercing voice.
“My lords, have mercy! This lowly ghost knows its wrongs! Please don’t destroy my soul!”
The Thunder Yellow Sparrow slowly spoke, its voice exploding like thunder.
“Men of the Divine Land should settle favors and grudges without hesitation. You two boys-kill it yourselves!”
Hua Jiunan and Chen Daji exchanged a glance and did not hesitate. One wielded the ox-horn knife while the other drew the Copper Coin Sword, and together they struck viciously at the minor ghost deity.
It dissolved into a wisp of black smoke with one last scream, and the Human-Bone Altar devoured every trace.
The giant bear and Thunder Yellow Sparrow let out long cries, then vanished in an instant.
Only the ox-headed, human-bodied totem wrapped in raging fire remained, its eyes fixed upon Hua Jiunan.
“If you can break through the mystery of the womb, come to the ancestral land and seek me.”
With those words, it scattered into sparks that filled the sky. One cluster of flame did not fade. Instead, it entered the space between Hua Jiunan’s brows and formed a faint fiery Mark.
Old Sixth Hui immediately cried out in shock.
“The young master physician, he…”
Before he could finish, Hu Qingshan grabbed him.
“It must not be spoken. It must not be spoken!”
Even after warning Old Sixth Hui, Hu Qingshan was not reassured. His gaze swept coldly over the patriarchs of the other three Great Immortal Families.
“Old friends, I ask each of you to swear a blood oath never to reveal a word of what you witnessed today! If anyone refuses, do not blame this old man for showing no mercy!”
Hu Qingshan shielded Hu Fei’er behind him, killing intent surging from his entire body.
Old Sixth Hui slowly shifted position. Together with Hu Qingshan, he vaguely cut off Huang Zuo and the other two patriarchs’ routes of escape.
From the look of them, the slightest disagreement would unleash their deadliest attacks!