473: Chapter 468: Divine Servant Visits 473: Chapter 468: Divine Servant Visits When he had first witnessed these three treasures slip from his grasp one after another, Ying Xiu couldn’t help but become overly emotional, his words perhaps too forceful and pressing. Now, upon careful reflection, some people are naturally strong-willed, and they especially dislike being coerced and oppressed by others, not to mention that the value of each of these three items, taken individually, is inestimable. Whoever it may be would probably not want to part with any of them for no reason at all. Ying Xiu’s statement was tactful, subtly hinting that if you surrender what he desires, the strongest dynasty in the Mortal World will become your lifetime backing, while also saving face for him. The word ‘friendship’ is so full of pride. Baili An clearly understood the subtext of his words – is the Crown Prince of Central Netherworld truly so naïve? Not to mention the might that the You Dynasty possesses – indeed, countless Cultivators in the Mortal World are scrambling to form a close, inseparable bond with Central Netherworld. But now, here in the Bronze Gate world, it won’t be long before everything he currently possesses will be stripped away by the Bronze Gate. Promising such a thing is nothing more than painting an empty paradise. And even more needless to say, Baili An is even less interested in this so-called grand promise. “Ying Xiu, if you have time to waste your breath with me, you might as well go and ask for some more food, so as not to keep those following you waiting for nothing.” A flash of icy rage swept through Ying Xiu’s eyes, but his naturally superior status and self-control prevented him from erupting on the spot. He regained his detached demeanor and said, “Bronze Gate world is fraught with peril at every turn, I hope Cultivator Si Chen takes good care in the future.” It was at this moment that a thunderous boom sounded. The tribe’s huge gate was smashed to the ground by a Ferocious Beast, and amidst the billowing dust, ten figures slowly emerged. Zhao Qian’s expression greatly changed as he said, “It’s the Divine Envoys…” The tribe members, who were in the midst of eating, plunged into chaos, and dishes and chopsticks clattered to the ground. “Why would the Divine Envoys visit suddenly? Isn’t it not yet the time for the offering ceremony?” Those ten Divine Envoys looked no different from humans, wielding gold rings and wearing silver ornaments, the only distinction being a sacred golden paint mark on each of their foreheads. Each person exuded considerable strength, all above the Chengling Realm. In their hands, the gold rings locked in long chains dragged along behind them, and ten chains bound ten long lines of mortals. Those humans, like prisoners at the steps, were Cultivators who had entered Ghost Mountain this time. The leading Divine Envoy, dressed in gold robes, coldly surveyed the crowd, his voice arrogant, “With the Bronze Gate wide open, a large number of humans have been found within various tribes. The Ancient God has decreed that the Netherworld Wolf is to descend, heralding the coming of a grand Cambrian period, and requires a thousand newly arrived human Cultivators from the Bronze Gate world to gather in the Central Court to guard the Divine Tree.” Upon these words, everyone’s expression drastically changed, as if facing a great calamity, their faces pale and filled with fear and unease. A few people couldn’t help but cast sympathetic glances at Baili An, Ying Xiu, and the others. Those looks were akin to seeing sacrifices about to ascend a doomsday altar. Obviously, Ying Xiu had learned from the tribe about what kind of existence a Divine Servant was; he knitted his brows at a glance, a look of displeasure in his eyes, and asked, “What is the grand Cambrian period?” Zhao Qian, his teeth chattering, answered his query, “The grand Cambrian period marks three long and dreadful winters brought by the Netherworld Wolf, freezing heaven and earth. The Netherworld Wolf’s breath turns into a blizzard blowing from all directions, never ceasing throughout the year. It seeks revenge upon the entire world. Once we witnessed a minor Cambrian period, and three-tenths of the living creatures in this world perished. They want humans to protect the Divine Tree because the Ancient God resides within it. They seek to use human bodies to guard the Divine Tree from the erosion of the Netherworld Wolf’s breath.” Ying Xiu’s face darkened, and seeing the ten people’s gaze on him as if they were looking at the captives behind them, he suddenly spoke coldly, “Truly a world of moral decay.” The ten individuals ignored Ying Xiu’s indignant expression. “The tribe leader is requested to quickly tally the numbers.” The child spotted yesterday appeared out of nowhere in the square, his gaze cold as he addressed the few, “Being human, why torment your own kind!” The chief Divine Servant laughed out loud, his look brimming with mockery, “Who counts you lowly ants as human? We are servants to the Ancient God, and serving the Bronze Divine Tree is our utmost honor. How could you, who only know how to collect rocks and live by bleeding, be of the same kind?” Another Divine Envoy, with a cold expression and merciless gaze, said, “If you harbor any concealment or protection, don’t blame us for being rude!” Within the tribe, there was panic. Great elder, we haven’t had many newcomers stay in our tribe this time, why not just hand them over?” “Yes, great elder, there’s no need to incur the Ancient God’s wrath for some unrelated people. If we lose the Divine Statue’s power and the Dark Tide comes, we’re all going to die.” “You must not be indecisive.” The Cultivators with Ying Xiu glared indignantly, responding in cold voices, “Are those even human words one should speak?” “Don’t think just because you’ve sheltered us for a few days and we’ve eaten your spare food that we owe you our lives!” “Enough!” The small-statured child barked sharply, his piercing eyes fixed on the tribe members, and said coolly, “When I first sheltered you, what did that make you to me?” The people of the tribe immediately fell silent, not daring to speak. The child looked young, but he possessed a demeanor and aura unattainable to mere mortals. His icy gaze swept over the ten people as he said, “The Ancient God bestowed the Divine Statue, shielded us from the Dark Tide – this is grace. We make monthly offerings in return – this is gratitude. But their lives are not a repayment of offerings; if you desire them, then draw your sword and take them yourself.” The ten exchanged glances, murderous intent clear in their eyes, but they said no more. The gold rings in their hands drove deep into the earth, locking those ten lines of humans to the ground. One among the leaders summoned a colorful small umbrella, which upon meeting the wind swelled swiftly, soon turning into a towering tree-like colossal entity covering the entire tribe and chuckled coldly, “Knew you’d be as stubborn as the chiefs from the southwestern tribes. The Divine Lord had foreseen this and entrusted me with an Immortal Artifact to subdue your rebellious nature!” An overwhelming power of the artifact directly enveloped the scene, and Ying Xiu, who held contained fury and was poised to strike, was swept by the power emanated from the artifact, his face turning a sudden pale with a surge of reversed blood, spitting out a great amount of crimson, his soul shaken. Those human Cultivators behind him fared even worse. Amidst the sounds of many falling to their knees, some people fainted on the spot. Even so, the residents of the tribe, despite shock in their eyes and vomiting blood, withstood the Spiritual Power, surpassing the ordinary Cultivators. “Outrageous!” Ying Xiu’s eyes filled with murderous intent. Just as he was about to unseal the talisman paper on the Sealing Demon Sword to engage in battle, a hand suddenly reached out, grabbed his neck, and hoisted him up in one swift move.