Lightning Strikes!

"Esteemed Goddess, this is all my doing alone!"

Amidst everyone's alarm, Mark arrogantly stood up, a wicked smile on his lips. He sauntered towards David, stroking the sickle at his waist, wanton and unrestrained.

David's expression was unchanged, merely watching this approaching youth quietly.

"Let me be blunt, Goddess," Mark smiled standing before David. "The 'True King' we've long worshipped is actually a lie!"

Having uttered these blasphemous, treasonous words, he turned to face the villagers, shouting loudly:

"Brothers and sisters, think about what we've gained! Every seven years we sacrifice three young lives for a meaningless ritual!"

"We offer up our precious livestock and crops, in exchange for famine and disaster!"

"We toil in the savage forests just to fill our bellies. Why must we still support an empty statue? Has this so-called 'True King' ever rewarded our loyalty?"

"No!" he proclaimed passionately.

"Because the True King doesn't exist!"

"It's just a lie passed down generations, an idol fabricated by the chief to consolidate power! Today, I will expose this enormous lie, and let our village live for itself!"

Mark's speech stirred up clamor among the people, some nodding in agreement, others vehemently opposing.

Some of the chief's confidants were also present, frowning deeply at Mark's words.

Just as they were about to stand up in opposition, they realized in horror that more villagers were eyeing them warily.

"Don't tell me these guys planned this beforehand!"

"The eastern pasture goblins must be fabricated news, aimed at drawing away the chief's men!"

"Damn, we must inform the chief quickly..."

...

"Or perhaps...there's no need to act rashly. Why not watch things unfold, and see the true face of this 'True King' we've worshipped for generations. We can also verify if this goddess is real or fake!"

Some dared to think bigger, choosing to remain onlookers.

"Mark, you still have a chance to stop before irreversible mistakes. Apologize to me and I will forgive your ignorance," David warned calmly, no ripples on his face.

"Hahaha, goddess? I see only a demoness! Still trying to keep up your divine guise? Tonight I will expose your veil before everyone!" Mark laughed maniacally.

"Stop, don't hurt the goddess! The True King has always protected us!" Leah pleaded with reddened eyes.

"Foolish girl, be quiet!" Leah's father hastily covered his daughter's mouth, afraid she would bring misfortune upon herself. "They're trying to save your life!"

Leah still wanted to speak but was roughly dragged back by her father, tears welling in her eyes.

"What wickedness is this?" Clara's mother suddenly stood up, tone agitated.

"Such disrespect for the True King, you'll face divine retribution!"

As all eyes glared at her, she quickly shrank back, softening her voice:

"Hey, Bernie promised that as long as we offered Clara, my precious son would get cultivation resources! My boy's a rare genius who will reach Awakening!"

"I don't care who's chief, you must keep your promise for my son!"

Clara's mother grumbled, glancing around to gauge people's reactions while her husband shrank aside silently, allowing his wife to complain at will.

Yet she didn't even look at her own daughter.

Many couldn't help but turn their gazes upon pitiful Clara. She showed no visible reaction, standing stoically as before, long black hair obscuring her face. The uproar around her seemed unrelated.

Yet observant eyes could still detect the unconscious curling of her slender pale fingers.

Even if she remained silent, maintaining an impassive mask... Perhaps sadness stirred in her heart unnoticed even by herself.

She was used to life's cold indifference, yet couldn't fully conceal her grief.

"I can fulfill the promise, but only for her - Clara!" Unable to watch on, David took out a pale yellow spirit grass from the treasures he carried.

The instant this spirit grass appeared, a intoxicating fragrance suffused the air, sacred and alluring like from heaven itself.

Everyone present couldn't help but breathe deeply, greedy expressions on their faces.

"This is Lingyan grass, it can open a cultivator's celestial eye, assist in awakening your spiritual awareness, improving cultivation efficiency," David explained in a clear, solemn voice.

"Silence, demoness! Still daring to bewitch minds here!" Mark bellowed, a flash of sinister light in his eyes.

Mark suddenly whipped towards William. "Do it!" he shouted.

William frowned and looked conflicted. But he eventually sighed heavily and uttered the order to attack.

At once the doors were shut as brawny men wielding blades poured out from the room, tightly encircling the main table, murderous auras flaring.

"William, stop!" Someone couldn't endure it anymore and stood up questioning, "The chief won't let you off!"

"Heh, after we succeed, I'll inherit the role of chief. Bernie is old and muddled!" William sneered coldly in response.

Mark raised the sickle in his hand sharply, a chilling glint in his eyes as the blade edged towards David's heart.

Led by him, several men wielding axes and clubs swarmed towards David.

"Foolish!" David sighed lightly, regretfully closing his eyes.

In that instant, an invisible oppressive force emanated from him, as if a huge invisible net rapidly enveloped everyone present.

All movements instantly froze as if paused, unable to budge an inch.

Mark's raised sickle was suspended midair, the men's swinging axes halted in place. Everyone was bound by the unseen power, stiff and shocked.

David opened his eyes, casually glancing over the frozen figures. Then he gently raised his hand and thrust forward forcefully.

Boom!!

A deafening blast sent everyone flying until they crashed into obstacles and slumped down groaning.

"Argh!"

"Spare us Goddess, spare us..."

"I was wrong, forgive us!"

"We were blind, please be lenient!" These brawny men disregarded their injuries, desperately begging for mercy.

With one move from the goddess that no one even saw, all of them had been immobilized then flung to the ground.

Even a ninth level Initiation like Mark was no exception. Before the goddess he was weaker than an infant!

"There will be no mercy next time," David stated coolly, chilling light glinting in his eyes.