Enlightenment: Attaining the Dao at Age 8

Upon hearing Li Chang’an’s request, Bi Yue let out a silent sigh of relief.

The tribe had always claimed this Map of Mountains and Rivers was an unparalleled treasure left behind by the Ancient Human Emperor, a one-of-a-kind authentic piece.

But there were far too many of these so-called “authentic” pieces to count.

Many tribes had one or two “authentic” copies of the Map of Mountains and Rivers that had been passed down through generations.

’Clearly, she didn’t believe hers was the true, authentic one. No one knew if a real one even existed. For all she knew, the entire legend of the Map of Mountains and Rivers was nothing but a complete and utter lie.’

Though Bi Yue outwardly claimed hers was authentic, she didn’t believe it in the slightest.

’To trade an item of more symbolic than practical value for a nearly-formed Guardian God… no matter how you looked at it, this was a deal she couldn’t lose.’

As for why Li Chang’an was so interested in this scroll?

That seemed perfectly normal to Bi Yue.

’After all, when she was younger and first heard that the Map of Mountains and Rivers was a supreme treasure from Ancient Times, her own eyes had lit up. She had fantasized about one day wielding the treasure and shaking the world with her power.’

But after surviving so many life-or-death crises, Bi Yue knew with absolute clarity that for the current Fusang Tribe, this supposed treasure was meaningless, regardless of whether it was real or fake.

’So what if it was real?’

’It would only bring them ruin. It served no other purpose.’

Therefore, Bi Yue didn’t hesitate long before nodding. “I accept your condition. However, I must return to my people and make preparations. I will come to escort you down the mountain after some time!”

Li Chang’an said no more, silently watching the young woman follow the small path back down the mountain.

Roughly three months later, a party of several dozen people ascended the mountain.

Bi Yue walked at the very head of the group. She looked different from their last meeting; she now wore a solemn, black feathered robe that accentuated her slender figure. Her expression was stern, and she wore a bone pendant carved with a sunrise design on her chest.

The group stopped when they reached Li Chang’an.

At a wave from Bi Yue, offerings of oxen, sheep, and pigs were neatly arranged. Someone lit Incense, and the people began to kneel and pray to Li Chang’an.

The ceremony lasted for nearly an hour. Just as Li Chang’an thought it was finally over, he noticed dozens of bound slaves standing behind the crowd, disheveled and dressed in rags.

One of the men shoved a trembling slave forward, drew a long blade, and prepared to perform a human sacrifice.

A powerful mental wave instantly emanated from Li Chang’an, stopping the man in his tracks. He then conveyed to Bi Yue, “Human sacrifice is forbidden from this day forward. You are especially forbidden from using humans as an offering to me. Otherwise, our agreement is void!”

He did not conceal his emotional turmoil, so everyone present felt it. His voice, however, was not directed at them; only Bi Yue heard his words clearly.

Bi Yue was baffled.

After a moment’s hesitation, however, she accurately relayed Li Chang’an’s intent.

When they heard that Li Chang’an forbade human sacrifice, everyone was bewildered.

Clearly, it wasn’t just Bi Yue who was baffled; the others all wore looks of utter confusion.

After all, to the people of this world, sacrificing a slave to a Guardian God was perfectly normal. Usually, a Guardian God would only be displeased if the offerings were *too few*.

This was the first time they had ever heard of a Guardian God actively refusing a sacrifice.

Though they didn’t understand, the people of the Fusang Tribe ultimately brought Li Chang’an back with them.

The Fusang Tribe was currently facing threats from both within and without. If they couldn’t overcome this crisis and rally their people soon, the only path awaiting them was extinction.

A dozen tall, burly men used ropes and poles to lift Li Chang’an and silently carried him down the mountain path.

This was Li Chang’an’s first time leaving Floating Hill.

It was also at this time that he learned what the situation at the foot of the mountain was really like.

The town at the foot of the mountain was called Santi Town, located at the very edge of the Fusang Tribe’s original territory.

After being attacked and besieged by the Sunlight Tribe, large numbers of the Fusang people had scattered and fled. They gradually escaped from the tribe’s central territories to outlying areas like Santi Town.

This explained why Li Chang’an had previously sensed that the quality of life in the town below the mountain had been improving.

The exodus of the Fusang people had brought relatively advanced production methods and a larger workforce to this once-backwater town.

This, in turn, spurred the town’s development.

However, due to the Sunlight Tribe’s relentless pressure, the town soon came under the threat of war.

The remaining members of the Fusang Tribe rallied their forces and fought several more battles against the Sunlight Tribe. The outcome was predictable; the collapsing Fusang Tribe was no match for the powerful and advanced Sunlight Tribe.

Every battle ended in a crushing defeat for the Fusang Tribe.

The town, which had only just begun to develop, was devastated by the battles and fell into decline once more. Its current population was less than a fifth of what it had been at its peak.

Fortunately, however, the Sunlight Tribe had temporarily halted their campaign against the Fusang.

After all, the Fusang were now just a minor tribe. Their entire population numbered thirty thousand at the very most. The Sunlight Tribe was unlikely to continue expending troops and energy on such a low-value strategic target.

Learning of the situation at the foot of the mountain, Li Chang’an felt a surge of complicated emotions.

’It was only then that he finally understood why Zhang Daniu’s descendants had stopped coming up the mountain to give him offerings.’

’It wasn’t because they had forgotten their roots, nor had they abandoned their ancestral traditions.’

’They had most likely been wiped out in the war with the Sunlight Tribe.’

’And any who were lucky enough to survive would have been captured and enslaved by the Sunlight Tribe—a fate perhaps even worse than death.’

At this realization, Li Chang’an fell silent for a long time. An uncontrollable killing intent toward the Sunlight Tribe began to swell within him.