King of Creation Chapter 1704: 1689: Hand Sacrifice

“Left Chief Priest Ye, in accordance with the regulations of our Ancestor God Temple, the Left Chief Priest of the Barbarian Spirit Hall possesses authority over eighteen domains including command, recruitment, promotion of low-level officers, inspections, allocation of cultivation resources, training, artifact forging, construction, pharmacy, talisman crafting, and beast taming. Due to vacancies within the Barbarian Spirit Hall’s various departments, you are free to choose from these powers. Understand that some domains, like training and inspection rights, are shared….”

Princess Changle’s words, while formally stated, were spoken with the casual air of a friendly chat as she and Ye Zhen strolled through the Barbarian Spirit Hall.

Eight retinue Moon Priests from the Barbarian Spirit Hall trailed behind them, their presence more for show. The most accomplished among them had only reached the Fourth Stage of the Realm King Realm, and they all appeared rather aged.

The relaxed atmosphere stemmed from a simple fact: Princess Changle was currently the sole authority within the Barbarian Spirit Hall. The two Vice Hall Masters had departed three years prior, vanishing without a trace after Princess Changle was appointed as the First Deputy Hall Master.

Consequently, all decisions for the Barbarian Spirit Hall fell under Princess Changle’s purview. Moreover, she enjoyed the backing of Chief Sun Priest Bai Xiang, solidifying her absolute control.

This allowed for the casual distribution of powers, even affording Ye Zhen the liberty to pick and choose.

However, aware of his own limitations and inability to remain in Luoyi for extended periods, Ye Zhen opted for a few powers: low-level officer promotion, command, inspection, construction, and artifact forging.

It was important to note that assuming these positions did not obligate Ye Zhen to a permanent stay within the Barbarian Spirit Hall.

Within each hall, Assistant Priests served under the Main Priest, aiding in various duties. Crucially, both Left and Right Chief Priests held the prerogative to appoint their own Assistant Priests.

Princess Changle harbored a subtle disappointment with Ye Zhen’s selections.

Her hope was that Ye Zhen would choose key positions with significant influence, such as the allocation of cultivation materials, recruitment of new priests, and other financially controlling powers. Such choices would necessitate his prolonged presence in Luoyi.

Ultimately, Princess Changle desired Ye Zhen to spend more time within the Ancestral Shrine of Luoyi.

Yet, understanding Ye Zhen’s resolute nature, she did not press the matter and continued their conversation.

“With the offices settled, we move on to retinues. The Ancestor God Temple’s regulations permit Left and Right Chief Priests of each hall to command a retinue of up to a thousand individuals. However, our Barbarian Spirit Hall faces manpower shortages, limiting the number of available priests. Therefore, as Left Chief Priest, you may select up to three hundred retinue priests. Within this contingent, including the retinue commander, no more than four Moon Priests are permitted. You may also select one hundred Star Priests from the Dark Palace Realm, with the remainder being Sky Priests. Furthermore, within the Hall Master’s authority, you are encouraged to choose retinue priests with the highest possible cultivation.”

This represented another substantial advantage of accepting the position of Left Chief Priest in the Barbarian Spirit Hall. It was essentially akin to granting Ye Zhen command over half an elite military unit.

While the inclusion of only four Moon Priests at the Realm King Realm was modest, this was precisely the strength Ye Zhen currently lacked. The hundred Star Priests from the Dark Palace Realm were particularly vital, forming the core power he desperately needed.

Princess Changle informed him that, based on his capabilities, Ye Zhen could lead these three hundred individuals anywhere in the world or establish them within his fiefdom in the North Sea County.

Upon their selection, these three hundred retinue priests would effectively become his personal guard force. They would remain under his command until the Barbarian Spirit Hall rescinded Ye Zhen’s position as Left Chief Priest, at which point they would be recalled.

In truth, Ye Zhen fully grasped Princess Changle’s underlying intentions.

She recognized that Ye Zhen’s current influence was waning and was subtly offering him assistance, especially in the wake of his confrontations with the Heavenly Temple.

With these three hundred retinue priests accompanying him, any potential assailant would find it challenging to act decisively against Ye Zhen with only a handful of experts.

Moreover, the priests of the Ancestor God Temple were not easily subdued, possessing formidable combat prowess and the ability to bolster allied forces during conflicts.

On the Human Demon Battlefield, for every ten thousand troops dispatched, a minimum of ten priests from the Ancestor God Temple are assured to provide empowerment.

Nonetheless, Ye Zhen would later need to dedicate time to meticulously choose his companions.

“Brother Ye, appointing you as the Left Chief Priest of our Barbarian Spirit Hall is hardly a detriment, is it? Are you content?” Princess Changle inquired with a chuckle.

However, Princess Changle had no intention of awaiting Ye Zhen’s reply, her slender finger instead indicating the deepest recess of the Barbarian Spirit Hall.

“Nevertheless, these privileges are appealing, but they still pale in comparison to the powers that we Chief Priests of the Barbarian Spirit Hall are permitted to harness,” Princess Changle stated.

“Harnessed powers? Your Highness, you imply…?” Ye Zhen’s eyebrows lifted slightly.

“I surmise that Brother Ye has some familiarity with the true bedrock of our Ancestor God Temple, have you not? The various Chief Priests within our Ancestor God Temple are capable of not only borrowing the might of the Ancient Gods, Battle Spirits, and Spirit Gods venerated by each hall during pivotal moments.

In times of crisis, they can even directly evoke or summon the revered Ancient Gods, Battle Spirits, and Spirit Gods to engage in combat on our behalf.

This capability far surpasses that of the Heavenly Temple.

Within the Ancestor God Temple, we Chief Priests are recognized as the paramount authorities of our respective halls, whereas in the Heavenly Temple, individuals such as the Hall Masters are no more than attendants serving the progenitors of the Heavenly Temple,” Princess Changle explained.

“I have encountered such notions before, so are you suggesting that in my capacity as Left Chief Priest, I can draw upon the strength of the Spirit God venerated within the Barbarian Spirit Hall?” Ye Zhen questioned.

“Precisely. Provided you adhere to the prescribed communication protocols of our Barbarian Spirit Hall, establish a connection with the revered Ancient God War Soul, and successfully refine the corresponding token, you may, at a critical juncture, summon a projection of that Barbarian Spirit to intercede in the conflict.

However, this token-based projection typically manifests with at most fifty percent of the Barbarian Spirit’s full combat prowess.

The singular advantage lies in the fact that the requisites for summoning the Barbarian Spirit’s projection will be furnished by our Barbarian Spirit Hall from the primary vault, obviating any necessity for you to perform an Essence Blood Sacrifice.”

Ye Zhen’s demeanor shifted instantaneously upon hearing Princess Changle’s elucidation, “Is this verily true?”

“Indeed!”

The most formidable obstacle in summoning the projection of such an Ancient God Barbarian Spirit for battle is, in fact, the arduous Essence Blood Sacrifice.

In moments of dire need, where could one procure an abundance of Essence Blood for such a ritual?

Yet, this position of Left Chief Priest within the Barbarian Spirit Hall, once communication is established and the token is refined, permits the direct summoning of the Barbarian Spirit’s projection for combat, which is undeniably convenient.

In a flash, Ye Zhen comprehended that this was the intrinsic value of the Left Chief Priest designation.

“Furthermore, the advantages do not cease there. Should you establish a Barbarian Spirit Branch Altar within your dominion of North Sea County and conduct seasonal offerings, a critical moment might allow you, through an Essence Blood Sacrifice, to summon the Barbarian Spirit itself to fight alongside you.

And its combat capability could ascend to as much as ninety percent of the Barbarian Spirit’s might as venerated in the Barbarian Spirit Hall!

Should the quality of the sacrificial Essence Blood prove sufficiently potent, it might even enable the summoned Barbarian Spirit to unleash its complete power,” Princess Changle elaborated.

Ye Zhen was elated; if such were the case, it would be tantamount to carrying several concealed powerhouses for his protection.

If the Barbarian Spirits enshrined in the Barbarian Spirit Hall were many in number, would that not signify that he possessed a veritable legion of hidden champions at his disposal?

“Your Highness, how many Barbarian Spirits are presently enshrined within the Barbarian Spirit Hall, and what are their respective cultivation realms?” Ye Zhen inquired.

Addressing this query, Princess Changle displayed a flicker of resignation upon her otherwise serene countenance.

“The Barbarian Spirit Hall is presently quite depleted, housing only two Barbarian Spirits in veneration, and their cultivation levels are admittedly not substantial; one resides in the Fifth Stage of the Realm King Realm, while the other is at the Fourth Stage.

If their projections are invoked, they could only exert strength commensurate with the second or third stage of the Realm King Realm…”

This revelation left Ye Zhen with a measure of disappointment, as the projections of these Barbarian Spirits, capable of manifesting merely the power of the second or third stage of the Realm King Realm, peaking at the Fifth Stage, would likely be insufficient to alter the course of events during critical junctures.

The power could be accessed, but it felt akin to a chicken rib – present but of little substantial utility.

Perhaps sensing Ye Zhen’s disquiet, Princess Changle hastened to add, “Brother Ye, while the Barbarian Spirit Hall has endured a prolonged phase of decline; however, with the inheritance of the Barbarian Saintess, I am confident in my ability to substantially elevate the cultivation levels of the Barbarian Spirits enshrined within the hall in a relatively short period.”

Just three years ago, when I first arrived, the strongest Barbarian Spirit was only at the Third Stage of the Realm King Realm. Now, it has reached the Fifth Stage, you know.

Allow me another five to six years, and I am certain that a Ninth Stage Peak of Realm King Realm in Great Perfection will be counted among the Barbarian Spirits venerated in the Barbarian Spirit Hall!” Princess Changle declared with absolute conviction.

The Moon Priests accompanying Princess Changle couldn't help but wear expressions of profound admiration upon hearing her words.

Indeed, Princess Changle represents the very hope of the Barbarian Spirit Hall. Prior to her arrival, this place was akin to a stagnant pond; priests advanced their cultivation at a glacial pace, and their fighting spirit was practically non-existent.

However, since Princess Changle graced them with her presence, the situation has seen daily improvements.

Previously, new priests assigned to the Barbarian Spirit Hall were forcefully allocated by the Ancestor God Temple. Yet, in recent years, fresh recruits have begun choosing the Barbarian Spirit Hall of their own accord.

While their numbers may be small, this trend signifies the Barbarian Spirit Hall's burgeoning vitality.

“Very well, I shall not prolong this discussion.”

Princess Changle, perhaps taken aback by her own audacious proclamation, strode towards the Spirit Images of the Barbarian Spirits housed within the Barbarian Spirit Hall. She then directly presented two Jade Scrolls to Ye Zhen, softly instructing him.

“Bring forth all the prepared sacrifices.”

She then addressed Ye Zhen once more, “Brother Ye, as detailed on these two Jade Scrolls, you must communicate with these two Barbarian Spirits sequentially. Once the sacrifices are made, refine the tokens to summon these two revered Barbarian Spirits.

Only then will you be officially inducted as the Left Chief Priest of the Barbarian Spirit Hall.”

As Princess Changle concluded her speech, nearly a thousand colossal demon beasts, writhing and roaring fiercely, were ushered into the hall.

A Moon Priest silently offered a Jade Blade to Ye Zhen. “Left Chief Priest, you must personally perform the hand sacrifice to establish communion with the Barbarian Spirits and refine the tokens.”

“A hand sacrifice, you say?”

A smirk played on Ye Zhen’s lips as he casually summoned the manifestation of a white dragon, a being at the Ninth Stage of the Divine Communication Realm, its Essence Blood abundant. He was poised to strike the beast.

Abruptly, a chilling premonition washed over him as nine spectral lights hurtled towards him like bolts of lightning.

“Stop!” an enraged shout echoed simultaneously.