What was strange was never things that had already happened, but the human heart.
The cultivators continued to dig the graves in front of them, paying little attention to anything else.
Indeed, when it came to digging graves, few would allow themselves to be distracted.
So, no one noticed the grave that had been excavated over there.
Suddenly, a cry of surprise sounded out, full of excitement.
However, this cry was cut off abruptly.
The cultivator who shouted covered his mouth, silencing himself.
His earlier outburst was just a momentary lapse, but he quickly realized where he was and what he was doing. If he allowed himself to get so agitated, the others would definitely know about his discovery. If others knew that he found something good, that would be a terrible thing.
Hence, he thought it through and shut his mouth. But in reality, it was still a little too late.
There were already several people who lifted their heads and glanced over here. But, there were also some of them who quickly went back to work, not to continue digging graves, but to grab something.
The process of grave digging was like going to meet someone you had never seen before in an unknown place. You had only corresponded with them through letters, so seeing them in person could bring disappointment, despair, or satisfaction - it was uncertain.
However, since the person next door let out a joyful cry, it meant that the person he met was pretty good.
Compared to the unknown, someone who already had the result and knew the good and bad, was naturally more attractive.
So very soon, some people began to have ideas.
The attack came swiftly. The cultivator who had made the earlier noise was unprepared and was quickly killed.
Blood also flowed into the coffin, and the magic artifact he found was taken away by someone.
Cultivators continued to arrive at this burial site. Although there were still countless graves to dig, it seemed like someone had found a shortcut.
Perhaps some were already thinking, "If I kill all the cultivators who discover this place, wouldn't I be able to have everything to myself?"
But one person could not accomplish all that.
Fortunately, many cultivators here were from the same lineage and more than one of them had gathered here.
These people exchanged glances and then started to take action.
Some noticed but did not say anything. Instead, they looked to their respective companions.
Outside, they were respectable cultivators who had not done anything wrong. Of course, they did not want to do anything wrong now either. But if others intended to do bad things, would it not be reasonable to intervene and stop them?
Of course it was reasonable.
It was ultimately a good thing for there to be fewer people.
Digging graves could be considered an effort to uncover the secrets of the ancient past. Intervening here to stop them from doing evil deeds might lead to some accidents during the confrontation, but it was still reasonable.
Who could say anything when it was all explained outside?
Hence, a chaotic battle erupted here without warning.
Perhaps, there had never been a lack of signs.
Cultivators from various sects began to act, each revealing their own magic artifacts. While they had lost their cultivation, their physical reaction speed and strength were far superior to ordinary people. Even a single punch could cause considerable discomfort if it struck an opponent.
After just a moment, blood began to flow as this cemetery turned into their battleground.
Amidst the drifting white mist, people were killing each other.
No one spoke, everyone knew that such actions were wrong, but nobody cared.
People fell one after another, and people kept dying.
Among those disciples who died here, many were cultivators of Daoism, and those who killed them were also cultivators of Daoism.
The cultivators in front of the white mist had been wondering who was committing the murders, but they could never have expected this outcome.
"Don't kill me! I'm a disciple of the Ancient Pine Daoist Temple!"
Someone who was forced into a desperate situation blurted out his sect in fear, hoping to stay alive. However, what arrived was far from favorable.
Another person wielded their magic artifact and brought it down on their head. Then, he died.
"So what if you're from the Ancient Pine Daoist Temple? I've long had enough of you Longevity Dao folks..."
The voice cut off abruptly again as someone behind him wielded a magic artifact and struck, sending him flying.
The young daoist in gray daoist robes looked at him, his eyes filled with indifference, "I've long had enough of you Great Peace Dao folks too."
It was well-known that the two lineages of Daoism did not get along. Both sides had been vying for the so-called legitimacy of Daoism for a long time. However, today's events were not merely a result of this conflict.
While it was part of the reason, it was not all of the reason.
It was in fact just a trivial reason.
But, killing people would definitely need a reason, not to convince others, but to convince oneself.
……
……
The cemetery had truly turned into a graveyard. Blood was flowing everywhere, and people kept collapsing. Yet, no one seemed to notice that the blood was gradually seeping into the ground, disappearing into its depths.
It was a very normal thing for blood to seep into the depths of the earth. But, the speed was abnormal.
However, no one would notice it, because everyone was consumed by a murderous frenzy. Why would they pay attention to this?
The white mist was still there, but at some unknown point, it had suddenly turned red.
Blood-red.
Most of the blood seeped into the earth, but a small portion slowly rose into the sky, fusing with the white mist.
The white mist became a blood mist.
This place looked even more bizarre.
But, the carnage did not stop.
After some time, another figure arrived at the scene too. It was a young daoist with a slender body and an extraordinary temperament.
It was Song Changxi.
When he arrived here and saw this scene, his expression suddenly became ugly.
"What are you guys doing?!"
Song Changxi suddenly yelled out. Although he had lost his cultivation at this moment, he was full of confidence, and his voice was extremely loud too. In a brief moment, his voice managed to shake the minds of everyone present.
All of them instantly became absentminded. Turning their heads one by one, they saw Song Changxi who appeared in the distance.
"Senior Brother Song!"
Someone exclaimed with joy. It was a young Longevity Dao disciple who felt a sense of familiarity upon seeing Song Changxi. However, as he realized what he was currently doing, he hung his head in shame.
More people were silent. It was unclear what they were thinking.
Song Changxi surveyed the surroundings. Seeing the excavated graves, his expression changed slightly and he opened his mouth to ask again, "What are you guys doing?!"
Among the present cultivators, the majority were disciples of Daoism, with most belonging to the Longevity Dao lineage. Song Changxi held extremely high prestige among the younger generation. Even if they were not from the same sect, they shared a common lineage, so he naturally had the right to reprimand them.
Therefore, those daoist disciples did not speak and just remained silent.
However, Song Changxi could already guess what was happening based on the current scene.
"None of your business!"
Someone said, his voice extremely loud and rude.
This person was not a daoist disciple. At this moment, he just looked at Song Changxi and said, "Do you think this is the outside world? That you're still the proud son of heaven who stands high above the masses?"
Song Changxi was publicly acknowledged as the most outstanding young genius apart from the Twin Pillars of Daoism. Countless people looked up to him normally, but likewise, there would also be conduct who were jealous. This suppressed jealousy would eventually erupt one day after being suppressed for too long. When such emotions erupted, consequences were often not a primary concern.
"He's the same as us now, he doesn't have any cultivation. What's there to be afraid of? If he dares to meddle, we..."
He did not finish his words, but the meaning was very clear.
As they heard this, many daoist disciples' expressions revealed a trace of irritation. But upon closer scrutiny, their expressions might have contained other thoughts.
Jealousy towards Song Changxi was not limited to disciples outside of Daoism, even within Daoism, not everyone held favorable sentiments towards this Song Changxi.
Song Changxi looked at these cultivators whom he had never interacted before. Then, his gaze fell on the cultivator who had spoken and asked coldly, "What are you saying?"
Since Song Changxi appeared here, he had been repeatedly asking, "What are you doing? What are you saying..."
But his emotions had never been as turbulent as they were now.
"You all were sent here to explore the ancient ruin, not just as a trial for you guys, but also to uncover the history of the world, to see if there are alternative cultivation methods in this valley. But what are you all doing? As disciples of major sects, highly respected individuals, you're actually engaging in grave robbing. Doesn't it disgust you?!"
Song Changxi was genuinely angry. This matter would inevitably become known, and it would surely subject them to ridicule.
Particularly since he had not seen any young cultivators from the Great Liang Dynasty here yet, he felt even more disappointed.
They would become a laughingstock for the Great Liang Dynasty, there was nothing worse than this.
Upon hearing these words, the expressions of the daoist disciples became even more ashamed. But some remained indifferent: why can't they do what others are doing?
Song Changxi said in a solemn voice, "Disciples of my Daoism lineage, Longevity Dao, hereby stop all activities and follow me!"
He could not control others, especially the other cultivators from different sects. If they did not want to listen to him, there was nothing he could do. But he did hold some prestige within the Dao society, and he naturally had his own reasons for saying so.
He intended to use his prestige to do something.
After a moment of silence, some cultivators stepped out of the crowd.
In the southeast direction, there was also a daoist disciple who wanted to leave, but he was tugged by the sleeve by someone.
That daoist disciple turned around to find it was his fellow sect disciple. He furrowed his brows slightly and asked, "What are you doing?"
The daoist disciple remained silent for a moment before saying softly, "He's not from the Infatuation Daoist Temple. Why do we have to listen to him?"
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