Chapter 4323: About the Same as an Apple
As City Lord, Pang Qi had already arranged for Lin Moyu to sit at the most advantageous position, enabling him to survey the entirety of the event with ease.
Glancing briefly at the proceedings, Lin Moyu asked in a low voice:
"Is this a ritual sacrifice?"
Pang Qi smiled.
"Daoist Lin, your insight is razor sharp. Indeed, this is a ritual. Yet it is different from ordinary sacrifices. As for how it is different watch, and you shall see."
Lin Moyu extended his senses. He felt waves of faith power pouring from the worshippers, flowing into the mountains of Chaos Gold piled before the altar.
The Chaos Gold in turn resonated with the statue of the Purple Gold Divine Phoenix, causing radiant purple light to fall and suffuse the gold.
Soon, Chaos Gold transformed into Chaos Purple Gold, its power soaring tenfold.
A treasure light burst upward into the heavens, as if declaring to all of Chaos that a precious relic had manifested.
But none dared to act rashly. For they stood within Fallen Feather City, under the dominion of the Divine Phoenix Clan. And in the Central Domain, none other than Supremes could intimidate the Phoenix Clan. Anyone else who caused trouble here would bring ruin upon their entire race.
The clan had always been known for their wisdom in survival. Though strong, they rarely picked unnecessary fights, often preferring reason first. Yet that did not diminish their might. During the Three Phoenix Festival, any offense here would inevitably end in annihilation.
The Chaos Purple Gold gleamed with holy power far more valuable than before, but countless cultivators only watched, none daring to covet.
Lin Moyu mused inwardly,
"So faith power can be employed this way. All that happens is the integration of faith into Chaos Gold, augmenting the Chaos Qi within. The purple sheen is nothing more than the Divine Phoenix's mark. It could just as easily be red, blue, or black. The colors are merely symbols."
The purple light surged brighter. The skies themselves spun into a vast vortex of violet.
With a sharp, crystalline phoenix cry, a vast Phoenix more than a hundred thousand meters long appeared in the void.
All the gathered purple light gathered upon it, solidifying its form. It cried a second cry, firm and piercing.
At once, a multitude of Phoenix clansmen bent to the ground in prostration, intoning:
"Purple Gold Divine Phoenix!"
Even Pang Qi kneeled directly, discarding the dignity of a City Lord before the Phoenix Ancestor, he was merely another clansman offering reverence.
"Rise."
The crisp voice spread outward, and only then did the worshippers stand again.
Lin Moyu alone remained unbowed. He had already seen the truth.
This was not the true body of the Divine Phoenix. It was only a wisp of soul clone, summoned through the faith power of the tribe with the aid of Chaos Purple Gold, then condensed into form.
Simple in principle. Yet he suspected deeper mechanics at play.
Pang Qi's eyes were locked forward, burning with expectation. Clearly, something more was coming.
The Purple Gold Divine Phoenix closed its eyes. Before it, a swirling vortex appeared, twisting space into a deep channel whose far end none could see.
Pang Qi whispered breathlessly, barely containing his excitement:
"It's coming… it's coming!"
All Phoenix tribesmen around shared the fervor, their gazes riveted to the vortex.
Suddenly, with a flash of purple brilliance, a fruit the size of a man's fist flew out, speckled with golden dots.
Lin Moyu's deep eyes immediately recognized it.
The Purple Gold Fruit.
The dream of countless cultivators.
But the fruit did not fall to anyone's grasp. It floated serenely midair as one after another, more fruits emerged from the vortex.
Dozens, then hundreds… until the number had climbed into the thousands.
This was the true purpose of the ritual: to exchange mountains of faith for actual gifts. To contribute belief, and to receive tangible reward from the Purple Gold Divine Phoenix.
Unlike most sacrifices, where no answer was ever given, this one was reciprocated, material benefit for devotion. That was the crucial difference.
The Purple Gold Divine Phoenix slowly ascended above Fallen Feather World itself, overlooking the expanse. His gaze roamed, as if searching for suitable recipients.
A thousand fruits might seem overwhelming, yet compared to the millions present, they were a mere drop in the ocean.
Even among the Phoenix themselves, the number far exceeded the fruits available. Every single person prayed desperately to be among the chosen.
Pang Qi himself yearned openly.
"If only I could get one…"
Lin Moyu asked quietly.
"How are they distributed?"
Pang Qi shook his head.
"There are no rules."
Lin Moyu narrowed his eyes.
"No rules? Of course there are. The rule is the Purple Gold Phoenix itself choosing who is worthy."
Just as with the arena duels, where unseen arrays tested potential: rules hidden, yet absolute.
A clear cry echoed. Suddenly, one Phoenix clansman glowed with purple light.
"I've been chosen! I've been chosen!" he shouted, leaping with joy, face flushed with excitement.
A fruit floated gently down into his hands. He bowed in wild gratitude.
All around, countless envious eyes looked on, but none dared to seize. For the fruit itself flew of its own accord, immune to theft.
More cries followed, one after another. Each chosen bearer, whether Phoenix or outsider, bowed fervently in thanks.
But not all would be lucky.
Pang Qi and Pang Jing were denied. Their faces held traces of envy, but no resentment they knew it was beyond their control.
At last, over seven hundred fruits had been claimed.
Then
Another piercing cry split the sky.
Purple light erupted over Lin Moyu's body.
"What? I've been chosen?"
He raised his eyes slowly, faintly surprised. Among billions, he of all people, who had not knelt or prayed, was summoned.
But his face remained calm. Chosen or not, it mattered little.
A fruit soared into his palm. He hefted it gently, weighing its lightness.
"Not very heavy. About the same as an apple."
He stood, holding it casually. No elation, no tears, no kneeling in thanks.
His indifference stood out starkly from the fervent masses all around.
Pang Qi leaned closer, stunned.
"Daoist Lin… you don't seem at all excited?"
Lin Moyu replied evenly.
"I simply don't excite easily."
"Then at least thank the Phoenix?" Pang Qi urged.
Lin Moyu snorted softly.
"It's not something I asked for. It was thrust upon me. If he didn't want to give it, he needn't have. Why should I thank him for what I never requested?"
His words left Pang Qi at a loss somehow both truthful and heretical.
Yet it was too late. All eyes in the plaza were locked on Lin Moyu: the one man who refused even token gratitude.
And then
The Divine Phoenix cried again.
A second purple glow burst from Lin Moyu's body.
Before stunned gazes, a second Purple Gold Fruit shot straight into his hand.
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