Ice Age Apocalypse: I Hoard Billions of Supplies Chapter 1320: Sky Burial Ceremony

The way religions influence people is generally achieved through such tactics.

Witnessing the esoteric sect's dharma assembly instantly brought Zhang Yi's mind to the concept of pyramid schemes he had heard about.

To forge group unity, one must first establish a common foe, an external threat.

Subsequently, a collective mindset must be cultivated, ensuring individuals prioritize the group's welfare above their own.

As for indoctrination, it is accomplished through massive public gatherings where vague, grandiose principles are proclaimed, hollow promises are made, and the booming resonance of immense bells is employed to instill awe and fear.

Gradually, individuals merge into the multitude of followers, becoming swept away and transformed into adherents.

Consequently, observing the eminent Lord of the Charnel Ground at the square's epicenter at this very moment, Zhang Yi perceived him as nothing more than a charlatan.

It was merely that the man's expression exuded a profound piety; perhaps he held genuine faith in the Buddha from the depths of his heart. Yet, this sincerity was precisely what rendered the situation most chilling.

His voice possessed a delightful quality, gentle as a spring breeze, enveloping the multitude and reaching every ear.

"All originates from karma. The suffering experienced in this world by individuals is but a trial, a test bestowed by the Buddha upon sentient beings. Overcoming this test allows for immediate enlightenment and an early ascent to the Pure Land."

"The cause of human suffering lies in the multitude of desires harbored within one's heart. Greed, lust, gluttony, envy, anger... these are the very foundations of suffering."

"Seek your innate nature; do not depend on external factors, for only then can liberation be attained."

...

The Lord of the Charnel Ground continued for a considerable duration, his discourse dedicated solely to Buddhist doctrines.

The assembled populace below listened, tears flowing freely. Many exhibited expressions of sudden understanding, subsequently prostrating themselves completely, lying flat upon the ground in an outstretched posture.

On such a frigid day, it was difficult to fathom how they could endure such conditions.

However, Yang Xinxin explained to Zhang Yi and the others, "The potency of belief can indeed function as a sophisticated form of hypnosis, enabling individuals to disregard cold, pain, and hunger."

After delivering his discourse on dharma, the Lord of the Charnel Ground returned to his throne.

His devotion was directed toward the cultivation of dharma, and consequently, he was not deeply versed in the intricate protocols of the Prayer Festival.

The responsibility for overseeing the proceedings still fell upon Khenpo Deji.

He advanced to the middle of the square, his gaze surveying the gathered throng before turning towards the incarcerated resistance fighters suspended high on the execution racks.

"Amitabha!"

He invoked the Buddha's name with joined palms, then declared in a voice that was both frigid and sharp, "The world is engulfed in great upheaval, and demons have manifested. The remnants of the Demon Kingdom, which once inflicted calamity upon the Snowy Plateau Region, have resurfaced!"

"They endeavor to corrupt individuals, transforming them into Demonic People, just as they did millennia ago, thereby unleashing immense disaster upon the entirety of the Snowy Plateau Region!"

"However, under the guidance of the Lord of the Charnel Ground, we shall absolutely prevent such a scenario from recurring!"

From among the believers below, a voice erupted, raising a clenched fist and shouting vehemently, "Eliminate them! Annihilate them!"

Once a single voice initiated the cry, it quickly inspired ten, then a hundred, until the tens of thousands comprising the assembled masses across the entire square were chanting in unison, "Annihilate them!"

Their eyes blazed with animosity as they fixed their gazes upon the resistance fighters on the execution racks, as if all the hardships they currently endured were a direct consequence of these individuals.

They clenched their jaws, consumed by a primal urge to leap forward and tear pieces of flesh from their bodies!

"Now, we shall offer the flesh and blood of these Demonic People as a sacred sacrifice to the Buddhas and deities right here!"

"This act serves as a declaration of war against the Demon Kingdom! It will signify that our esoteric sect will under no circumstances yield to the demons!"

The clamor from below intensified, reaching an even greater state of fervor.

The sheer irrationality of the scene sent a shiver of goosebumps rippling across Zhang Yi and his companions' skin.

The fanatical visages of those devout followers were undeniably terrifying.

Subsequently, Deji gestured expansively, and several individuals clad in uniform apparel ascended the platform bearing knives and various implements.

The person preceding the others was someone Zhang Yi recognized—Pagyi Luodan, the chef from the Pagyi Family.

He still sported that impeccably styled side-parted hair, presumably meticulously arranged with pomade, not a single strand daring to deviate from its position.

Zhang Yi mused inwardly: The proceedings are about to commence!

Without question, the ensuing event would be the execution of the captured resistance fighters.

However, the appearance of a mere chef was truly chilling to the bone.

Zhou Ke'er clutched Zhang Yi's arm tightly, her voice laced with dread. "Their so-called execution... does it mean... they're going to... these people right here?"

She couldn't bring herself to finish the question, the mere thought too horrific to articulate.

It was at this moment that the purpose of the colossal wooden barrels and the enormous pot placed in the center of the square became horrifyingly clear.

"Gulp." Yang Siya swallowed convulsively, a wave of nausea washing over her.

"Zhang Yi... perhaps... we should depart now."

While they had witnessed the Pagyi Family's callous treatment of individuals as mere chattel before, it had only been a fleeting glimpse.

But to observe them now, actively preparing to cook a group of living people in plain sight—this was an ordeal almost too brutal to comprehend.

"If you cannot bear to watch, then close your eyes and cover your ears. Abruptly leaving at this juncture would draw undue attention."

Zhang Yi's tone held a distinct chill as he responded.

His sternness was not directed at Yang Siya; rather, the grim spectacle unfolding before them weighed heavily on his spirit.

This was particularly true when his gaze fell upon the assembled believers.

Upon learning that the resistance fighters were to be slaughtered, a flicker of avarice ignited in their eyes, each one instinctively lifting their bowls.

Only then did Zhang Yi grasp the reason behind Pagyi Gesang and his cohorts' apparent nonchalance.

It transpired that, within the current desolate landscape of the Snowy Plateau Region, such acts had become disturbingly normalized.

Pagyi Gesang, with unsettling eagerness, proceeded to enlighten Zhang Yi. "This rite is known as sky burial, a sacred duty entrusted solely to esteemed sky burial masters."

"The sky burial ritual necessitates the meticulous dissection of the flesh from the deceased into appropriately sized portions, which are then offered to the eagles."

"In our Snowy Plateau Region, eagles are revered as divine messengers, believed to possess the ability to transport human souls to the Western Pure Land."

"Therefore, this ritual serves as a means of purification."

Zhang Yi surveyed his surroundings; not a single eagle was visible anywhere.

It was no surprise—any wildlife still existing in the harsh environment of the Snowy Plateau Region would naturally shun human proximity.

To approach humans meant risking capture and consumption.

Furthermore, the majority of eagles were incapable of enduring the extreme cold and had long since succumbed to its icy grip.

"Without eagles, you resort to employing people as substitutes?"

Zhang Yi inquired, his voice tinged with a sardonic amusement.

Pagyi Gesang offered a low chuckle. "Upon their demise, being consumed by devotees of the esoteric sect also constitutes a form of purification."

This particular custom carried a significant added benefit.

By ingesting the flesh and blood of the resistance fighters, the likelihood of these believers being swayed to the resistance's cause in the future was substantially diminished.

Luodan, presiding as the chief officiant for this solemn occasion, meticulously oversaw the preparations at the heart of the square.

A true sky burial demands a dedicated sky burial platform and specialized implements for the precise separation of flesh and blood.

The comprehensive collection of instruments he had brought forth was eminently suitable for slicing, chopping, and deboning... every conceivable tool was present.

Prior to the commencement of the sky burial ceremony, fervent prayers are offered to the Buddhas and deities, imploring their blessings for the purification of the departed souls and their subsequent passage to the Western Pure Land.