Shrouding the Heavens: The Ultimate Daoist Venerable

Chapter 584-Baptism
After hearing what Cang Gu and Xuan Wu had to say, Cang Yun felt a chill run down his spine. Although he had some vague suspicions, he was still shocked to hear that they were willing to kill Chang Sheng to support the Beast God in order to create an opportunity for the Hegemon Body lineage to become independent.

If it weren't for the intervention of the Heavenly Overlord's divine sense, this matter would likely have been difficult to resolve peacefully.

Cangyun said, "You intend to divide the human race and plot against the Human Emperor. What is your crime?"

Cang Gu said, "I deserve to die. Clan leader, I have committed heinous crimes and only ask for a swift death. I will accept whatever punishment I am given."

Xuanwu sighed softly, "I did this for two reasons: first, because I acknowledged Elder Canggu, and second, because I only wanted to prove you wrong and me right; I was determined to defeat you once. But now it seems I was wrong, terribly wrong."

"Chieftain, I am willing to endure being torn to pieces, obliterated by the three calamities, and devoured by ten thousand ghosts."

The Azure Overlord is the spiritual symbol of their Overlord lineage. His divine will acknowledges the immortal Human Emperor and also recognizes Cangyun, who is not a true Overlord. He allows them to enter the Azure Blood Pool, which only a few Great Completion Overlords can enter, to cleanse their bodies. This has already crushed all their thoughts and beliefs. That is why they are so determined to seek death.

Moreover, they still retained some rationality at this point, so they naturally realized that these ringleaders must be severely punished and executed in the most brutal way to sever their ties with the other hegemonic lineages to the greatest extent possible.

That's why Xuanwu proposed the punishments of being torn to pieces, annihilated by three calamities, and devoured by ten thousand ghosts.

These three punishments first involve using countless sharp blades to dismember the victim's body, separating each part while keeping it alive, and then using the power of the three calamities of heavenly thunder, yin fire, and bifeng to destroy the physical body bit by bit.

Throughout this process, it is crucial to ensure that only the physical body is destroyed, not the primordial spirit. The spirit is then placed among countless vengeful souls nurtured by malevolent energy and resentment, allowing them to slowly gnaw and devour the remaining essence, ultimately leading to the spirit's death after a prolonged period of torment.

This punishment is the highest punishment of the Overlord lineage, and only those who have committed the most heinous crimes will be subjected to it.

The Undying Golden Body lineage and the Heavenly Tyrant Body lineage had a long-standing relationship, so Gu Tan had heard about it. The thought of the details of this punishment sent a chill down his spine. However, since the decision wasn't his, he glanced furtively at Changsheng and Cangyun.

Cang Yun was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, but he saw the resolve in Xuanwu and Cang Gu's eyes. Clearly, this was the last thing they could do for the Hegemon Body lineage, and also the maximum way to take responsibility for their mistakes.

So Cangyun said, "Alright, since you've put it that way, I'll grant your wish."

Cangyun felt a pang of pity, but hardened his heart and activated the protective array, erecting a torture platform in the center of the hall, where the two began to be tortured.

Although Changsheng knew roughly what this punishment was from its name, he still couldn't help but feel a little reluctant when he actually saw it.

However, this incident is indeed a major one. According to their plan, after killing Changsheng, they would join forces with the ancient races to annihilate the human race and eventually become the dominant race in the human universe, surpassing the human race.

Therefore, Changsheng did not stop them, letting the two suffer to death as a warning to others.

After the two men were completely dead, Cangyun said, "Bring up the others as well. Anyone who participated in this plot will be punished in this way."

Changsheng said, "Such punishments are too cruel and against the natural order. Now that the ringleader has been eliminated, there is no need to use such methods on the others."

Cang Yun felt relieved and said, "Since the Emperor has shown leniency, I will certainly obey."

He then addressed the quasi-emperor level cultivators below, saying, "Since there is an imperial edict, you may choose for yourselves: either voluntarily transform into the Dao, or be annihilated by the protective array." These quasi-emperors, already devoid of hope, naturally did not hesitate and all chose to transform into the Dao. After all, transforming into the Dao would strengthen the Great Dao Laws of the current Hegemon Body Ancestral Star, making the world where the Hegemon Body lineage reigned supreme even more stable.

Cang Yun continued, "In addition, there are those involved, whose fates will be determined based on whether they were aware of the situation and the degree of their involvement. Those with serious offenses will be executed, those with minor offenses will serve as vanguards and can atone for their crimes by performing meritorious service in the great war against the ancient clans, and those with moderate offenses will have their cultivation revoked and be expelled from the Hegemon Body Ancestral Star."

"Finally, those who were aware of the situation but did not participate must make a certain contribution to the human race before they can regain their freedom."

Thanks to Cang Yun's swift and decisive actions, those members of the Overlord Body lineage who sought to seize power and collaborate with the ancient clans were all punished. Although the Overlord Body lineage suffered significant losses, Cang Yun's authority deepened, and the Overlord Body lineage never dared to speak of the separation of humanity again.

Cangyun then said, "Human Emperor, Brother Gu, I promised you I would give you an explanation. I wonder if there is anything I have overlooked?"

Gu Tan remained silent. Their Undying Golden Body lineage had never valued power as much, so internal struggles were relatively minor. This was indeed the first time he had ever seen such a scene, and he was filled with a myriad of thoughts.

Chang Sheng then said, "Brother Cang Yun handled this matter properly, but there is one point: do not implicate too many people, and also prevent anyone from taking personal revenge in the process and harming the innocent."

Cangyun said, "I will obey the Emperor's decree."

He turned to the other high-ranking members of the Overlord Body lineage and said, "Did you all hear that? If I find out anything similar, I will punish you severely!"

Then, Cangyun said, "Human Emperor, the Overlord Ancestor invites you to enter the Heavenly Blood Pool to cleanse your body and make amends for what happened today."

Upon hearing this, Changsheng immediately understood that this must be a special favor from Cangtian Bahuang, in order to let today's events pass.

Although he didn't hold a grudge, his impression of the Azure Heaven Overlord Body lineage was indeed far inferior to that of the Undying Golden Body lineage. However, given the favor he received from the Azure Heaven Overlord Emperor, he couldn't afford to treat the Overlord Body lineage differently or harbor any further suspicion because of it.

Chang Sheng said, "I am flattered that Senior Ba Huang values ​​me so highly."

Cangyun said, "Then, Human Emperor, please come with me."

He looked at Gu Tan and said, "Brother Gu, the Human Emperor and I must excuse ourselves for a moment. You are free to move around as you please. My Hegemony lineage will treat you as a VIP, just like when our two clans had close ties before."

Gu Tan knew that the Azure Blood Pool must be a secret location of the Overlord Body lineage, and it was not appropriate for him to enter. Therefore, he replied, "Brother Cangyun is too kind. I have long been curious about the ancestral star of your Overlord Body lineage and have wanted to visit it. Now is the perfect opportunity."

After arranging things for Gu Tan, Cang Yun and Chang Sheng arrived at the core of the Overlord Body lineage, in front of a divine peak containing special Dao traces.

They entered a cave in the sacred mountain, passed through layers of array patterns, and came to see a purple blood pool.

The two of them entered and began to cleanse their physical bodies, immersing themselves in cultivation.

(End of this chapter)