The Sacrificial Lineage balances humans and non-humans. With this responsibility also comes power.
The non-humans of different regions are also a tremendous resource. To obtain specific resources or materials, trade between humans and non-humans requires the involvement of Sacrificial Priests.
This also created internal conflicts within the Sacrificial Lineage. Thus, to resolve these conflicts, encourage renewal among its members, and promote deeper study into the Dao of a Sacrificial Priest’s culinary arts, the "Sacrificial Decree" emerged—a duel exclusive to the Sacrificial Lineage.
The two parties compete in a culinary battle, with mutually agreed-upon offerings as the stakes.
The victor claims the offerings of both sides. The loser forfeits everything, and may even lose a portion of their Destiny. They are forced back into seclusion to continue their Cultivation, awaiting another chance.
One could say the emergence of the Sacrificial Decree resolved a great number of conflicts through less violent means, yet it also gave rise to countless grudges and complicated relationships.
...
"Such arrogance! You’re just a wet-behind-the-ears kid!"
Zhao Tiansheng’s bravado had clearly provoked the group of Traveling Merchant Priests. The men following their leader felt slighted and were about to teach the boy a lesson.
Unexpectedly, a terrifying aura flashed past, instantly frightening them into a cold sweat. They froze in place.
One moment arrogant, the next cowardly. They had just been boasting and posturing to attack, only to freeze up mid-motion.
It gave the residents of Jinning Town quite a spectacle to watch.
"Arrogance is proven by action, not by talk."
"In the Sacrificial Lineage, skill is all that matters!"
Despite the Traveling Merchant Priest’s aggression, the smile on Zhao Tiansheng’s face remained, though his words were unyielding.
"Since you want a Sacrificial Decree... is what my fellow practitioner has to offer even enough?"
He didn’t state it outright, but by questioning whether his opponent’s wager was sufficient, Zhao Tiansheng was issuing a very direct challenge.
This was like pouring oil on the fire for the impulsive Traveling Merchant Priests, their anger still simmering. Their leader, however, remained calm. He knew this could no longer end peacefully.
’What rotten luck. Once this job is over, I’ll need at least double the compensation!’
He motioned for his companions to step back, then began taking Talismans from his book basket.
Among them were essential items for long journeys like the Hidden Fresh Talisman and the Storage Talisman. There were also specialty goods that revealed his origins.
"Seeds for spices and fruits unique to the Divine Land."
"I won’t claim they’re worth a thousand gold pieces."
"But for someone who knows their worth, a hundred gold is more than fair!"
"Add to that the Divine Land recipes I’ve mastered. Is that a large enough stake?"
This Traveling Merchant Priest was decisive, putting all his most valuable possessions on the line.
It was such a reckless, all-in gamble that even his companions looked alarmed.
"Boss, you..."
One of them started to protest, but the lead Traveling Merchant Priest simply waved his hand.
"Win or lose, I’m returning to the Divine Land after this. I’m done with these travels."
A calm glint appeared in his eyes. He understood now that he and his men were ill-suited for this kind of travel; it was too easy to be used as someone else’s pawn.
Besides, after visiting so many places, he had already reached the limits of his talent and Cultivation. It would be better to return and consolidate his gains for a while. Perhaps then he could achieve a real breakthrough.
’No one ever said a traveling merchant can only make one journey!’
It was as if a shackle had been removed from him. The man’s aura grew even more extraordinary as he looked at Zhao Tiansheng.
"What about you?"
"Where is your wager?"
Zhao Tiansheng felt the shift in his opponent’s aura as well. The smile on his face didn’t falter, but it now held a hint of sincerity.
"Everything within your sight is my offering for this Sacrificial Decree!"
Hearing Zhao Tiansheng’s words, the Traveling Merchant Priest finally understood completely. This was a probing duel between two parties who were already aware of each other’s identities. He and his men, these outsiders, had stumbled into it themselves, lured by profit just as birds are lured by food.
There was nothing more to be said now.
Their skill would be decided through cooking alone!
...
"A Sacrificial Decree... what a rare sight."
"Even I haven’t seen one in a very long time."
Elder Wei had arrived in Jinning Town some time ago. But that peculiar aura he was tracking didn’t linger, disappearing quickly at the town’s entrance.
To prevent any mishaps, he could only bring the object of his Garrison and remain carefully within Jinning Town, to prevent the Venerable being from the Non-human World, who was on the verge of a breakthrough, from causing a major incident if it had a foul temper.
He wasn’t concerned about the trouble Zhao Tiansheng had found himself in.
As a Garrison, he never concerned himself with such tempests in a teacup.
Whether Zhao Tiansheng could overcome this was a test of his own ability. At most, Elder Wei might pull him out of the fire and give him another chance, but he would never interfere with the trials on the path of a Flavor Seeking Officer contracted to the Jade Food Immortal.
After all, a tree that has not weathered the storm cannot bear the sweetest fruit.
Sacrificial Decrees of the Priesthood, even in Xiang Prefecture City, were a rare occurrence.
Most importantly, Sacrificial Priests with sufficient resources usually communicated with their neighbors, allowing for a flow of goods.
And many Sacrificial Priests, while appearing to have reached a sufficient Realm, remained clueless about the true responsibilities they shouldered.
As a result, events like the Sacrificial Decree became increasingly rare.
But Elder Wei had come here because he had a feeling. Since that entity had entered the town, it would not ignore Zhao Tiansheng.
This was the one place where trouble was most likely to brew.
Meanwhile, in a corner of the crowd that everyone else seemed to overlook, a hooded figure was silently watching this seemingly unusual Sacrificial Decree of the Priesthood, searching for some kind of trace...
...
"Since this is a Sacrificial Decree, then as for the judge..."
The Traveling Merchant Priest asked for Zhao Tiansheng’s opinion without turning around, his hands busy laying out his cooking utensils.
"Naturally..."
"A being from the Non-human World!"
Zhao Tiansheng’s answer did not surprise the Traveling Merchant Priest. Instead, it made him take a long, hard look at his opponent—a Sacrificial Priest who was clearly still a youth.
He knew that such an answer meant this boy truly understood the fundamental responsibility of the Sacrificial Lineage.
Even in the Divine Land, a land far wilder than Sheng Province, not many Sacrificial Priests knew this answer.
’So young, yet he understands the mysteries of Sacrificial Cultivation.’
’It seems this Sacrificial Decree might not be such a bad thing for me after all!’
A sharp glint flashed in his eyes, but this Traveling Merchant Priest was far from admitting defeat.
After all, he was of the Li Family from Divine Land Luoyi!
"Excellent!"
"Then let us see if the flavors of my Divine Land can impress the palate of a non-human from your Sheng Province!"
The Traveling Merchant Priest arranged his various utensils and assumed a ready stance. Just as Zhao Tiansheng had done, he brought his hands together. He extended the index and middle fingers of his left hand, while his right hand formed a fist that cupped the rest of his left hand. From across the way, Zhao Tiansheng mirrored the gesture.
It was as if they were signing an unspoken but incredibly solemn contract.
Instantly, a unique runic pattern from a Curse Art formed around the small eatery, though it seemed as if nothing had happened at all.
But for the two Sacrificial Priests, heaven and earth had transformed. A winding path materialized between them. A being from the Non-human World, one from the Jinning area, appeared to have been summoned and slowly made its way toward them.
Its purple stripes swirled like clouds, and it walked with the gait of an old man. It was none other than the one who had just left a short while ago... the Purple-striped Turtle!!