Chapter 296

Chapter 296: The Unseen Divine

“?!!”

The notion of devouring divine power to strengthen oneself left Jade Daoist, Zui Xiaoyao, and the gathered unparalleled geniuses utterly stunned.

After the initial shock, excitement bubbled within Jade Daoist and the others. Qi Practitioners respected immortal might but never worshipped deities—especially these bold young talents.

As fearless youths, both Zui Xiaoyao and Mu Lin burned with the reckless courage of newborn calves facing tigers. Had there been a chance to claim divine power, none—whether Jade Daoist, Zui Xiaoyao, or the demon sects’ Chi Ying and Blood River—would’ve hesitated.

Yet Jade Daoist’s excitement faded quickly. He shook his head, regaining clarity.

“Refining your body with divine blood to become a divine vessel? Admirable ambition—if you were an Earth Master or True Lord! But you’re not even a High Mastery of Transformation practitioner. What madness makes you believe you could retain your intelligence before a god?”

Zui Xiaoyao added, “Didn’t you hear the evil god’s heart pounding? Just the sound nearly broke us. You think you could approach that evil god’s heart?”

The fallen deity they discussed equaled a True Lord of the immortal path—a realm far above National Guardian Heavenly Masters.

The cultivation hierarchy yawned wide: combining Essence and Evil realm, High Mastery of Transformation, Earth Master, National Guardian Heavenly Master… Even Heavenly Masters might not reach divine heights. Mu Lin’s group stood several tiers below.

Each cultivation leap brought exponential power growth. The chasm between mortals and divinity resembled the sun dwarfing fireflies, oceans swallowing raindrops. Against gods, Mu Lin’s crew couldn’t hope to contend.

They couldn’t safely behold divine forms or endure holy sounds. The dead evil god’s heartbeat alone made Mu Lin’s control waver—proof that mortals shouldn’t witness gods or hear their voices.

This occurred despite the deity being dead and sealed by Grave Lord. Had the heart pulsed freely during its lifetime, the mere sound would’ve corrupted all nearby into madness.

…

If they couldn’t withstand the dead god’s echoes, Jade Daoist saw no chance for Spirit Void Master to merge with divine blood.

“Fool! The evil god’s offspring tricked you!”

Spirit Void Master’s crimson eyes gleamed with fervor. “No trickery. When this evil god fell, its offspring and worshippers were claimed by Other Evil Gods. Deities don’t aid rivals’ resurrections without cause…”

Zui Xiaoyao countered, “Normally true—but these evil gods seek to invade our world! Reviving a local deity to sow chaos? They’d gladly assist!”

“Your blood-refinement scheme won’t work!”

“It will.” Madness tinged Spirit Void Master’s voice. “Living gods? Beyond my reach. But this corpse’s spirit lies sealed in Grave Lord’s central tomb. Only flesh remains—no immortal will persists. Your fears are groundless.”

“We needn’t shatter the heart’s seal entirely. The God of Crazy Hunt’s secret techniques can forge divine blood using the corpse’s aura and your vital blood through rituals…”

"Enough, Spirit Void Master. Their refusal works in our favor. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have enough sacrifices to refine the divine blood."

The speaker was a descendant of evil gods, glaring at Jade Daoist and Zui Xiaoyao with boundless malice.

"Hmph! You mongrels dare use us as sacrifices? You’re not worthy!"

"Boom—"

The violent clash erupted at the seal of the evil god’s heart.

…

Mu Lin didn’t witness the distant battle, but he stumbled upon wounded Taoist and demon cultivators fleeing desperately along the path.

"What’s happening?"

Startled, Mu Lin instinctively blocked their path to question them.

"Move!"

Most shoved past without stopping. As Mu Lin debated forcing answers from them, a familiar figure appeared nearby.

After a brief hesitation, the person landed beside him instead of fleeing.

"Master Mu, leave now. This Place isn’t safe."

Turning, Mu Lin saw Jiang Yingying of the Yin-Yang Harmony Sect. Her Pale Complexion betrayed severe exhaustion.

"Unsafe? Did the Grave Lord’s tomb awaken?"

"Worse. The descendants of evil gods and aberrant fiends broke some outer seals. They plan to blood sacrifice us for divine blood. Hurry—we’ll be trapped soon."

Mu Lin froze.

"Descendants of evil gods!? Weren’t the sects guarding against them? All that preparation… wasted?"

He’d assumed the united Taoist and demon sects could easily repel such threats with prior warning.

"You all…"

Jiang Yingying read his unspoken accusation—What were you doing? How so weak?—and sighed. "Alone, the descendants were manageable. But many Taoists and demon cultivators joined them. Betrayals. Ambushes. We… faltered."

Pressed by Mu Lin, she detailed the chaos: initial betrayals by Spirit Void Master, Fa Yan of the Heavenly Buddha Sect, and Wandering Bug of the demon sects. Despite this, both sides had fought evenly—until more traitors ambushed Jade Daoist and Zui Xiaoyao.

Injured leaders and reinforced enemies tipped the balance.

Mu Lin gaped. So many turncoats…

‘Are you people running a winery?’