Decaying World

Chapter 188 168 Original Blood IV

'She's a natural leader.' Lin Hui, sitting in his seat, sized up the woman standing on the central platform of the teahouse.

The platform looked like it had been specially built for her to use for giving speeches.

The woman wore a fitted short top and skirt, pure white with gold trim. Her long hair naturally had some gold threads, and there was a golden flame pattern between her eyebrows, which seemed to be caused by cultivating some kind of divine technique.

He had a very strong presence, and Lin Hui felt that he was extremely powerful. He was very similar to his older brother in that regard.

'It shouldn't be that he's definitely stronger than his older brother, much, much stronger. This mental pressure...' After cultivating the Void Manifestation Technique, Lin Hui gradually became able to judge the mental strength of outsiders from the reactions of the Void and Shocking God that he condensed in his mind.

The Void and the God of Awe represent the pinnacle of his own mental power. If the Void and the God of Awe could be alarmed, it would mean that there was a mental threat to him, and the operation of the divine technique could very likely have a cognitive and mental alteration effect on him.

This is a threat.

Meanwhile, Lin Hui, Hong Ling, and the others were all equally affected by the original bloodline woman named Hou Xihan on stage.

The fact that this person could still make him feel threatened after covering hundreds of people demonstrates the strength of their mental power; they are probably the strongest person he has ever seen.

Inside the teahouse, the lights were dim, and in a corner, a guqin player was gently playing music.

The music, combined with Hou Xihan's speech, was incredibly moving, further enhanced by her subtle expressions of determination and spiritual influence. It deeply touched the audience, prompting many to rise and share their frustrations and release their pent-up stress.

Seeing this, Lin Hui finally understood why someone like Hong Ling would like to come here.

Although he was also affected, he was not a bloodline of the original, so he could not empathize or resonate with the original. Therefore, he mostly sat in his seat and watched coldly.

“We all call Hou Xihan Sister Han.” After venting, Hong Ling calmed down considerably and explained to Lin Hui via telepathy. “Her strength is extremely powerful. Two hundred years ago, she was a genius just like your brother, and even her bloodline concentration is at its highest level. She has just entered the Tai Su Yuan Pan and serves as an elder. Unlike the elders of the Extreme Desire Heaven, the Tai Su Yuan Pan is in charge of supervision and ideological coordination. It is because of her help that many people dare to vent their opinions so quietly. Otherwise, if it were like before, these words today, if they were to spread, at least half of the people would have their memories erased and their perceptions reshaped when they returned.” Hong Ling sighed.

Lin Hui was horrified.

If they can erase memories like this, then these people on the edge of the original bloodline must really live in constant fear, with psychological pressure far greater than those in the tower.

It's like looking at a tiger in the mountains from afar; you might feel it's a little dangerous, but after all, the distance is still far.

Hong Ling and his group lived with tigers every day, and could be eaten at any moment if they weren't careful. It's no wonder they were always on edge.

Erasing memories is tantamount to having one's personality erased.

As the two were talking, Hou Xihan on the stage suddenly changed the subject.

"Today, we have welcomed three guests from the tower. Compared to the marginal bloodlines we possess, their abilities, aptitude, comprehension, and background, if you think about it carefully, may even be better than most of us."

Hou Xihan's gaze swept over the three people below the stage.

Lin Hui was one of them.

“I am also very happy to have such friends participating in our event,” she said loudly.

"After careful consideration, I have decided to invite three guests who wish to frequently visit the Moon Tower and participate in our daily activities. To this end, I have decided to personally gift these three guests a moth carriage for their convenience."

Lin Hui was listening when he suddenly heard that he was to be given a moth carriage. He was stunned. He saw Hong Ling hurriedly pushing his back, signaling him to get up.

He quickly stood up and clasped his hands in greeting to Hou Xihan.

"I am deeply grateful for Sister Han's kindness in presenting this gift to Lin Hui of Qingfeng Temple. I will definitely visit her in person to express my gratitude in the future."

"Hei Yun Feng Chan thanks Sister Han." Not far away, a green-eyed man with a single green horn on his forehead stood up and clasped his hands in greeting.

"Xingdao Su Yaping thanks Sister Han." The third person stood up from a distant corner, and it turned out to be Su Yaping, the deputy palace master of Xingdao Yu Palace whom Lin Hui had met before.

This guy, like Feng Chan in front of us, also has green eyes, but the difference is that while Feng Chan has long, black hair that reaches his waist, this guy has translucent white hair.

The three of them stood up and looked each other over.

Lin Hui was surprised to find that they were all people he knew.

That Feng Chan was actually the stall owner he had a drink with in the wine section on his first trip to the Deep Domain.

The stall owner had kindly reminded him not to linger in the deep area. He never expected to run into him here.

The stall owner, Feng Chan, also recognized Lin Hui. The simple mask that had been covering him was as good as non-existent to him. He nodded and smiled at Lin Hui before sitting down again.

Su Yaping looked at Lin carefully, feeling a vague sense of familiarity. As for where she had seen him before, she couldn't quite remember.

After the three sat down, Hou Xihan continued talking about something new.

A woman named Chen Shuying, whose bloodline had become diluted over generations, could no longer remain in the Moon Tower and decided to relocate. However, before she could move, her youngest daughter caught the eye of an elder of the Extreme Desire Heaven, who wanted to take her into his household.

“It seems normal on the surface, right?” Hong Ling whispered from the side, his tone tinged with indignation. “But in reality, that elder of the Extreme Desire Heaven has his eye on the treasured relics passed down in Chen Shuying’s family, as well as their self-improved divine technique inheritance. This is actually ripping off someone who has no descendants.”

"It can be like this?!" Lin Hui was speechless.

“Of course it is. You don’t think everyone inside the original bloodline is all smiles and harmony, right?” Hong Ling sighed. “You can’t disagree with this, or you’ll be considered to have a problem with your understanding and will be taken to the Tai Su Origin Plate to have your understanding reshaped. Because the bloodline cannot flow outwards, nor can precious relics. Even your family’s things, or other similar important assets, are not allowed. The higher-ups will say they’ll keep them for your family and return them later, but everyone knows they’re impossible to return. If you try to secretly take them out, once caught, you’ll be sentenced to death by the Extreme Desire Heaven.”

He paused for a moment, then continued.

"Furthermore, don't think that agreeing means the end of the matter. Generally, once the elders get what they want, to avoid a bad reputation, they'll go all the way and find an opportunity to wipe out the entire branch. Therefore, many original bloodlines will proactively sell their relics and divine techniques before they decline, precisely to prevent this from happening. They are also the only channel on the market that will circulate rare and precious relics." Lin Hui remained silent, unsure of what to say.

Listening to Sister Han recount the recent cases of families on the edge of the original bloodline, all of them involved the theft of inherited cultivation techniques and treasures.

The emotions of everyone present were reignited, and they began to shout and curse angrily.

As Lin Hui watched this scene and listened to the chaotic cursing of the Blood Cult members, which sounded like that of ordinary people in the marketplace, he suddenly understood why the Benevolent Cult could move freely around the Moon Tower in the core area.

Looking at these internal conflicts, one can see that the situation within the original bloodline has been suppressed to the point where it can hardly be concealed.

Perhaps among the hundreds of people present, there are members who have joined the Good Heart Sect.

After venting her frustrations, Sister Han announced the next segment – ​​a battle exchange.

Simply put, internally, positions are ranked according to strength; those with greater strength have more say.

“If someone is ranked at the top in terms of strength, everyone will tacitly mobilize their own resources to help them get a head start. This is an unspoken rule within our organization. That's how Sister Han entered the Tai Su Yuan Pan back then,” Hong Ling whispered.

Lin Hui understood; it seemed that these original bloodlines had already begun to form an underground society.

From this perspective, Hong Ling's intentions in bringing him to this event were not as simple as he appeared.
This thought flashed through Lin Hui's mind.

A test?

Or did they actually find out something? What did they discover?
The competition took place in the open space outside the teahouse. Several people brought out a set of relics that looked like gold crystals and activated them.

Suddenly, a golden cube appeared in the center of the arena. Around it, rows of spectator seats even materialized from a golden, semi-transparent power.

"This relic is called the Battlefield of Victory. After a victory or defeat, the arena will automatically revert to its original state. Even if you die inside, it's just a temporary illusion; everything will automatically return to normal upon exiting," Hong Ling explained. "So, how about going in for a spin?"

Lin Hui smiled.

What benefits would I get if I went in and won?

"There will definitely be a prize. Sister Han and everyone else pooled together Feather Blood, which is about five thousand pieces of blood."

"So much!? If it were gold or silver, wouldn't that be...!" Lin Hui was interrupted before he could finish speaking.

"Of course it's impossible to exchange them. The market price for gold and silver is extremely high because the amount of Feather Blood released is small. But if too much is released at once, the exchange price will inevitably impact the market. There won't be such a high price later," Hong Ling said with a smile.

Lin Hui nodded.

Feather Blood is a consumable item, and no one is willing to release it casually. Therefore, its price has always been very high.

The competition began quickly.

The original bloodline members rushed forward to engage in one-on-one combat. Their attacks were ruthless, often resulting in decapitations and heart-ripping, but in the end, they could all regenerate.

Judging from most of the original blood who came up on stage, Lin Hui had gained a preliminary overall understanding of the marginal original blood group within the Moon Tower.

This group consists of officials responsible for the grassroots level throughout the inner city of Tuyue.

On average, 90% of them are around the level of a Zhou Tian Divine Official. This is the upper limit for most of them, and also the limit that can be achieved with a large amount of resources and environmental benefits.

Reaching the level of a high priest or a martial arts master cannot be achieved simply by piling on resources and environment.

Two high priests from among the people went up to fight, but they both held their ground and didn't go all out.

It's clear that even within the realm of the original bloodline, the High Priest is still considered to be of upper-middle rank. Everyone cares about face.

As evening approached and the battle was about to end, Yu Xue was defeated by a bald man with a record of seven consecutive victories.

Just as Sister Han was about to announce the end, a figure suddenly flashed into the battlefield of victory.

"Since this is a good opportunity, I'll join in the fun too." Xing Dao's Su Yaping's gaze immediately fell on Lin Hui.

"Hey friend, for some reason, you look kind of familiar. Why don't you come over and have some fun?"

Lin Hui narrowed his eyes. Before this, he had felt quite safe. After all, he was surrounded by figures like the High Priest Zhou Tian, ​​who was a safe place for him. He could easily kill a whole group of people with a single sword stroke, so he was naturally safe.

He came here believing that even the weakest person has their own value, so even though he has killed several high priests, he is not arrogant.

The moment Su Yaping set her sights on him, the sense of ease and security he had felt earlier slowly faded away.
"Are you talking about me?" he asked, feigning ignorance.

“Of course,” Su Yaping smiled.

"Palace Master Su, have you misunderstood?" Hong Ling, who was standing to the side, was taken aback and quickly interjected to persuade her.

“Brother Lin is my friend. He is just a martial arts school owner in the outer city with low strength. How dare he fight against you, Palace Master Su? You are giving him too much credit.”

"Yes, I am just a martial arts school owner with low strength. Palace Master Su must have mistaken me for someone else." Lin Hui nodded with a smile.

"Is that so?" Su Yaping stared at Lin Hui, her eyes scrutinizing him.

(End of this chapter)