Son, Put Your Father To The Test (FF)

Qin Zi was trapped in the water sphere, left lying helplessly on the altar like a pig ready for slaughter. He had been left there to dry out for two whole days.

In these two days, several other young people had been brought in.

Some were tied with dragon tendons, some were shackled in chains, while others were knocked out cold or sedated before being carried over. These individuals were all in their early twenties, each at the Saint Realm, with exceptional talents.

When these captives saw Qin Zi, they exchanged bitter smiles, and Qin Zi could only blink in response.

"Fellow travelers in misfortune, there's no need for formalities."

The captives lay on the altar, and soon began to converse.

"I am Li Shan."

"My name is Wang Teng."

"I am Liu Hong, ashamed and humbled."

"Mmm, mmm!"

One of the captives, bound like a caterpillar and gagged, squirmed a little, but whatever he was saying was muffled.

"What about this brother here?" The group looked towards Qin Zi, who was encased like an insect trapped in amber.

Qin Zi blinked his eyes in response.

"Ah, don't bother asking. He can't speak. If I'm not mistaken, he's trapped in the infamous Weak Water Heaven River of Lijiang Elder."

"Hiss! Weak Water Heaven River? That's Lijiang Elder's famous treasure. I've heard he wouldn't even trade it for an Emperor Artifact!"

"That's right. How could a regular Emperor Artifact compare to the utility of Weak Water Heaven River? It's both an offensive and defensive treasure, flexible and incredibly powerful."

The group sighed in amazement.

They continued chatting.

Li Shan sighed, "This is the Star Sanctuary. From what I can tell, we're not getting out of this alive."

Wang Teng nodded in agreement. "The one who captured me is my enemy. He originally wanted to kill me, but now that he's sent me here, it's clear he doesn't plan to spare me. He wants me to suffer a fate worse than death."

"Mmm... mmm!" The caterpillar-like man wiggled again, his muffled speech still unintelligible.

Liu Hong chuckled bitterly and added, "I know what they're planning."

Whoosh!

All eyes turned to him.

Liu Hong took a deep breath and spoke in a low tone, "I heard that the young master of Star Sanctuary, Bai Qingtian, was recently cursed while exploring the Mabo Cave."

"And Star Sanctuary has a kind of sorcery that allows them to transfer the curse onto others who are around the same age and cultivation level."

"So... we've been captured to serve as vessels for the curse."

Upon hearing this, everyone's faces paled.

A curse that even Star Sanctuary couldn't break and had to transfer through dark magic? How terrifying must that curse be? And what would happen to them once the curse was transferred?

The thought alone was horrifying!

"But... even if they're transferring a curse, wouldn't one person be enough? Why capture so many of us?" Li Shan asked, his face dark.

Liu Hong sighed, "Bai Qingtian might be too strong. It's said that to transfer a curse, the vessel has to be of similar strength. Finding a young talent that can match Bai Qingtian, but with no background, is nearly impossible. So, they've captured multiple people to make up for it in numbers."

"Hmph, arrogant!" Wang Teng snorted coldly. "I, Wang Teng, have never lost a fight in the same realm, and I've even defeated stronger opponents. Yet they think I'm not on par with Bai Qingtian?"

"Exactly! I was captured by the Ninth Heaven elder of the Wanpo Sect, who overwhelmed me with sheer power. But if Bai Qingtian were to fight me, the outcome would be uncertain!" Li Shan said through gritted teeth.

"Mmm! Mmm!" The caterpillar-like captive wiggled again, but no one could understand him.

"Bai Qingtian really is that strong," Liu Hong said in a low voice. "I've fought him before. I gave it my all, yet he suppressed me with just one hand. The pressure he exuded... it was like facing something unbeatable."

"That strong?" Wang Teng furrowed his brow, then suddenly grinned. "Or maybe you're just too weak! If Bai Qingtian faced me, forget one hand—he'd need both hands and three legs!"

Liu Hong chuckled but didn't argue.

Was he weak?

Hardly. In fact, he was considered one of the top young talents in the Southern Domain. If he wasn't, he wouldn't have been captured to serve as a sacrifice for Bai Qingtian.

In truth, just being selected as a vessel for Bai Qingtian's curse was an honor. After all, there weren't many young elites in the Southern Domain who could even compare to Bai Qingtian.

Bai Qingtian had been born with extraordinary talent, and with the full resources of Star Sanctuary poured into him—rare herbs, top-tier cultivation techniques, and even being bathed in the blood of a dragon—his power was beyond comprehension.

Boom, boom, boom!

Suddenly, a series of thunderous drumbeats echoed, shaking the altar and reverberating across the river and through the mountains.

The altar was located by the banks of the Lijiang River, though it was not in the area controlled by the Lijiang Sect, but further upstream.

"Hahaha, Brother Li, you've arrived?"

"Brother Jiang, you're here too."

"Look who's arrived! The esteemed Wu family?"

"When Star Sanctuary invites, who would dare refuse?"

Voices filled the air as figures dressed in various attire flew in from all directions.

One by one, distinguished figures landed on the plaza surrounding the altar. Hundreds of individuals, their presences overwhelming.

"His Holiness, the Lord of the Sanctuary, arrives!!"

A sharp voice echoed, followed by a crushing wave of pressure sweeping over the entire area.

On the stone path, a large procession approached.

Most of them were dressed in starry robes, though the styles varied based on rank. The higher the rank, the deeper the color and the more intricate the star patterns.

At the forefront was an unremarkable middle-aged man, tall and thin, with waxen yellow skin, looking like a dried corpse.

Behind him, standing slightly to his left, was a striking young man in white. His snowy white attire made him stand out in the sea of starry robes, making him impossible to miss.

"Greetings, Holy Lord!"

"Greetings to the Holy Lord!"

The prominent figures from various sects and clans bowed deeply to the withered middle-aged man, their faces filled with reverence.

The Star Sanctuary's Holy Lord was a Realm Emperor!

It was rumored that he possessed a terrifying dark sorcery that allowed him to kill people across great distances, making him virtually unassailable.

"Rise. I'm sure you all know why I've invited you here today?" the Star Sanctuary Holy Lord said coolly.

Everyone nodded in understanding.

"Take your seats."

With a wave of his hand, massive vines emerged from the ground, weaving together to form several grand platforms with seats growing atop them.

The distinguished guests took their seats, overlooking the altar like spectators in an arena.

The Star Sanctuary Holy Lord sat on the highest platform, while the young man in white remained standing behind him.

"Qingtian, these young people are all quite talented, with strong cultivation. They should suffice to transfer the curse to you," the Holy Lord said.

"Let's hope so," Bai Qingtian replied indifferently.

"Oh? You don't seem very optimistic," the Holy Lord remarked with a meaningful smile.

"Even a hundred ants cannot compare to a dragon. With their talents and foundations, I doubt they can transfer even half of the curse," Bai Qingtian said flatly.

"So confident?" The Holy Lord raised an eyebrow.

"I could suppress all of them with one hand. What do you think?" Bai Qingtian retorted.

"Hahaha, just as expected from my disciple!" the Holy Lord laughed, then added, "But remember, combat ability and foundation are not the same. You may be far stronger in battle, but their physical strength and vitality might rival yours, even if their combat skills and techniques are lacking."

"Heh, is that so?" Bai Qingtian didn't seem to care, but he didn't argue. Some things could only be proven through action.

"Bai Qingtian, do you dare face me in a duel?!" a furious voice suddenly shouted.

Everyone turned toward the altar, where a young man, bound to a pillar by chains, was roaring in anger. "I was captured by an old monster of the Ninth Heaven, not by you! I refuse to become your stepping stone!"

Another youth, tied with dragon tendons, chimed in, "Making a dragon serve a snake? I refuse! Bai Qingtian might not even be stronger than me! Why should I bear his curse? Just because his background is more powerful? Laughable!"

A third youth, who had been knocked out and could only speak through gritted teeth, added, "True elites prove themselves in battle. Hiding behind your elders' protection means nothing! If you want to be the top of the Southern Domain, you might as well have your master slaughter every other young talent, then you can claim the title. But to me, that would make you nothing but a coward!"

Mm, mm, mm!

The "caterpillar" youth wriggled again, trying to spit out the cloth gag in his mouth, but to no avail.

Their words caused the faces of the gathered dignitaries to shift. Many lowered their heads, sensing the tension in the air.

It was clear that the Holy Lord's face must have darkened. After all, this situation wasn't exactly honorable.

Using elders to capture young talents and turn them into sacrifices for Bai Qingtian wasn't a particularly noble endeavor.

"Pathetic ants dare to compare themselves to a dragon? How laughably ignorant," a cold voice rang out.

It was Bai Qingtian!

He stepped out from behind the Holy Lord, looking down at the captives on the altar with disdain. "You all may have had some fortuitous encounters and think highly of yourselves, but in my eyes... you're nothing but clowns."

He stood tall and arrogant, speaking with chilling indifference.

"You think being my sacrificial vessels is beneath you, but from where I stand... you're barely worthy."