"Didn't they say that 'cold-blooded physique' can ignore pain and resist any mental corruption?"

The man in the gray robe exclaimed, "He is from the 'Residual Blood Physique,' which is above cold-blooded. A thousand years ago, he might have been a candidate for the Celestial Mandate, capable of becoming the Earth-shaking King or a Prophet, how could it be—"

"Among the ancient clans, only the Henaka survived because of geographic advantages, while the rest have all withered away, not to mention the bloodlines mixed with humans. Among the five major bloodlines, apart from Chen Storm's dragon bloodline, there isn't any other famous bloodline. The glories of the past are worthless."

The smile: "Also, don't forget, what he's facing is the ultimate artifact that slaughtered countless kings, the Holy Sword Radiance."

"But the Holy Sword Radiance doesn't have any brainwashing or hypnotic effect, that's merely the Sword Holder borrowing the power of the Holy Sword Radiance—"

"Even a trace of the Holy Sword Radiance's power is enough to break through our bloodline heritage." He smiled: "Also, don't forget, the Immortal Blood, Sea Wave Powder, Spirit Condensing Pill, they're all crafted using the power of Blood Essence Stone, yet their effects surpass the Blood Essence Stone itself."

"Today surely surpasses ancient times, ancient times cannot compete with today. No matter how strong the Holy Sword Radiance was in ancient times, today's Holy Sword Radiance is only stronger, more versatile."

"Because the truly powerful one isn't the Holy Sword Radiance, but the holder of the Holy Sword Radiance, backed by two thousand years of human tradition."

"Even we can use Blood Essence Stone to invent so many things, how much more the Radiant Holder who possesses the Holy Sword Radiance for two thousand years. If you truly believe they've been stagnating, you might as well fantasize thoroughly, like modern Radiant Holders becoming useless because they're well-fed and warm."

After the sarcastic comment, he turned to Feng Lv and said, "Feng Lv, our plan has never changed, from the beginning it's to support your Sword Master in ascending to power. Then you'll collaborate with us inside and outside, jointly creating a world where everyone can be happy. Just now Wu Zhiqi was too excited, don't worry, if he dares to act recklessly, I will break his limbs."

"Your Sword Master will be fine, the Radiance will be fine, you will have a bright future."

"Cough, cough!"

Hearing the assurance, Feng Lv coughed out two mouthfuls of thick blood, slowly calming his breathing.

He wiped the bloodstains off his face and stood up, his voice somewhat weak: "Don't worry, I'm fine."

"That's good." The smile looked at him, sighed, "I'm sorry, it was my miscalculation. I anticipated the Imperial Family would definitely collar you, but I didn't expect the Sword Holder to directly brand you with the Holy Sword Radiance, nor did I foresee that the Residual Blood Physique couldn't resist the brainwashing of the Holy Sword mark... perhaps only the legendary Ice Blood Physique might..."

"Impossible." Feng Lv shook his head, "I can sense that my Residual Blood can help mitigate mental corruption, but that's all. Ice Blood might be better, but it can't completely immune."

"On the night we accepted the mark and swore the oath, the energy of the Holy Sword Radiance implanted deep into our Spirit. Whether it's cold blood, Residual Blood, or Ice Blood, it can only slow it down, not eradicate it—the only solution is a complete obliteration of the Spirit."

He smiled: "If I had known this, I would have randomly sent a pawn instead. If you hadn't participated in the Sword Search and Power Struggle, you'd surely achieve more in the future, perhaps even become a Prophet of this era, rather than a woman's Guardian..."

"It doesn't matter, for the revival of the tribe, I'm willing to sacrifice." Feng Lv shook his head, "This is my only wish, always, never changed."

He smiled at him for a long time before slowly nodding, "That's good."

"If you need to instruct me, just give me orders. I will reduce my participation in discussions in the future."

"Alright, you can leave first, if I need you, I will contact you."

Watching Feng Lv's silhouette slowly disappear into the passage's darkness, after more than ten minutes, the man in the gray robe suddenly asked, "Do you doubt him?"

"I only believe in the power of the Holy Sword Radiance."

"Then..."

"No need." he smiled and said, "There are already enough loopholes in this plan, there doesn't need to be another one."

"You don't think highly of this plan?"

"Or rather, that this plan even reached this stage surprises me; it's like fate opposing Radiance." He calmly said, "The most effective schemes are always the simplest and most direct ones, but plans that are linked step by step, spanning over a decade and involving countless people, are like sandcastles. A small mistake can cause everything to collapse, irrevocably..."

"But it doesn't matter, even if the conspiracy is eventually revealed, then we'll play hardball."

"The National Relief Association thinks they can use us as pawns, little do they know we can flip the chessboard anytime." He said, "They've only prepared for a decade, but we... have prepared for over a millennium!"

"I can't wait to see that day." Wu Zhiqi sneered, "You're actually anticipating it too, aren't you? Anticipating the conspiracy being unveiled, anticipated facing Radiance, anticipating tearing everything apart with claws, so the world remembers the fear of your tribe—"

"Am I right, Behemoth Master!"

Under the Blood Essence Stone's glow, his silhouette stretched long over the wall like an ancient giant beast. He paused for a moment and said:

"Just call me the smile."

...

...

Feng Lv returned to his hideout, a bunch of rare animals rushed to him affectionately. After feeding and caressing them, he sat in a chair dazedly, thinking about something.

"Meow."

A leopard cat approached him and softly called him. Feng Lv looked down at it, reached out to rub its head, "Bu, are you concerned about me?"

Bu nodded, thinking this silly upright ape must have eaten too much.

"Sometimes, I feel like I'm not much different from you." Feng Lv said softly, "You rely on me to live, and I, in turn, rely on other things to live."

"In the past, I relied on 'reviving the tribe.' Although I have no emotional attachment to that place, it was the only thing that challenged me and interested me somewhat, and everyone told me to do so, so I did it..."

"Now, I rely on..."

Feng Lv suddenly fell silent, casually pulled out a sausage to feed Bu. Bu happily ate it, Feng Lv watched him, smiling, "If only I were a beast, all I need is to eat and sleep, then wait to obey orders, don't care about anything, don't think about anything."

Nonsense, aside from eating and sleeping, we have to groom, have to act cute, have to take care of you who can't groom yourself, if not for the occasional sausage, who would stick it out, Bu thought.

"Unfortunately..." Feng Lv lowered his head, glanced at the mark on the back of his right hand.

"I'm no longer a beast."

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