The man wearing witch's attire appeared to be around forty years old - younger than most of the others present. Those who could stand here at that age were undoubtedly extraordinary. Even Stein and Stella had never seen this type of witch costume before. They mentioned that sorcerers were typically divided into Southern Shamans and Northern Shamans, but this man belonged to neither group, making his background completely unreadable.
When the man claimed he had a way to break the formation, it immediately drew everyone's attention. Mr. Dai was especially delighted and quickly asked what method he proposed.
Mr. Dai addressed him as Gabriel, suggesting some prior acquaintance - otherwise the Dai family wouldn't have invited him.
Gabriel explained he knew a type of sorcery called Blood Sacrifice of the Yin. By offering the live blood of a female Dai family member to feed the corpse, it would prevent zombie mutation for three days.
"What happens after three days?" the group asked curiously, as few seemed familiar with this sorcery.
Before Gabriel could answer, Raul Master interjected: After three days, all corpses fed with live blood would transform into blood-covered zombies without exception. Compared to black zombies, blood-covered zombies were on an entirely different level - extremely terrifying and dangerous. This was an evil zombie-raising method from ancient times.
Hearing this, the group collectively gasped. They denounced this cruel sorcery as inhumane - what if something went wrong later? It couldn't be used!
The mere thought of the mountain filled with blood-covered zombies was enough to numb one's senses.
While black zombies avoided people and hesitated to attack, blood-covered zombies could overpower several strong men effortlessly. Their only weakness was light; they feared nothing else.
Raul Master added that this method required sacrificing a female family member by draining all her blood - too cruel to implement!
Beside me, Daphne suddenly shuddered. Her typically cold, expressionless face showed visible tension.
I asked Stella how many granddaughters Mr. Dai had. If they proceeded with the sacrifice, who would be chosen?
Stella raised one finger. "Just one - the eldest granddaughter Daphne. The others are all grandsons."
No way - did Mr. Dai have any daughters?
Stella shook her head. "All three are sons. If they sacrifice anyone, it must be Daphne. There are no other candidates."
Ah, the beautiful often meet tragic fates. This icy beauty probably wouldn't escape unscathed - especially since Mr. Dai's expression suggested he rather approved of Gabriel's sorcery.
As Raul Master spoke, Gabriel smiled knowingly. He explained that as long as the corpses didn't mutate within three days, they could move the coffins and corpses to reorganize the feng shui - thus breaking the Seven Fiends Formation.
After breaking the Seven Fiends Formation, we can rebury the bodies. Even if they become blood-covered zombies, we can still find someone to suppress them. Once the dragon vein is repaired, as long as the coffins remain unopened for a hundred years, the cadaveric qi will gradually disperse within the dragon vein, and the corpses will return to normal.
"Of course, I've merely proposed a method. Raul Master has already explained its advantages and disadvantages. The final decision rests with Mr. Dai."
"Wasted Muse, you shouldn't have suggested such sorcery. If anyone dies because of this, you'll bear responsibility that cannot be shirked," Raul Master reprimanded.
Besides Raul Master, the other Erebus profiteers also scoffed at this sorcery and pointed fingers at Gabriel. But he seemed completely unfazed, focused only on breaking the formation to claim the one million reward - much like myself, though I admit this technique is indeed rather vicious.
Mr. Dai quickly waved his hand, signaling everyone to stop arguing. After pausing, he asked loudly once more: "Is there truly no one who can break this array?"
Silence fell over the crowd. Not a single person spoke - confirming that this Seven Fiends Formation was indeed unbreakable by conventional means.
"Very well. Since no one can break it, I'll adopt Gabriel's method. The one million goes to him," Mr. Dai declared with a long exhale.
"Mr. Dai, you mustn't do this! Never sacrifice a living person to a corpse - it's too inhumane. This formation truly cannot be broken. I urge you to heed my advice - burn the corpses on this mountain and let the Dai family start anew!" Raul Master desperately tried to dissuade him.
But Mr. Dai wouldn't listen. He motioned for Raul Master to stop speaking - preserving the Dai family's dragon vein and ancestors outweighed all other considerations.
Seeing his earnest counsel fall on deaf ears, Raul Master had no choice but to relent, though he continued glaring at Gabriel with disapproval, as if holding him solely responsible.
"Daphne, kneel!" Mr. Dai suddenly commanded sternly.
Daphne seemed to realize what was coming. Her body trembled slightly, but she dared not disobey and immediately dropped to her knees.
"Daphne, you're the only girl in the Dai family. Our centuries-old legacy and the entire family's future rest on your shoulders today. Here before our ancestors and family, tell me truthfully - are you willing to sacrifice your life for the Dai family?" Mr. Dai's voice was unyielding as he stared down at her.
All eyes turned to Daphne. Though her entire body shook, her expression remained blank - only her slightly reddened eyes betrayed her emotions. This proud, solitary ice queen now appeared pitiful kneeling on the ground.
Among so many Dai family members, they wouldn't miss one granddaughter. If her sacrifice could save the family, Mr. Dai would push her forward without hesitation. She seemed to have no choice.
"Grandpa... I don't want to die!" Daphne suddenly pleaded, her voice trembling with desperate hope.
Mr. Dai tenderly touched her head. "Good granddaughter, I know you're scared. Grandpa's heart aches too - I don't want to let you go. You're the apple of my eye. But right now, only you can save the Dai family. You've grown up and must learn to sacrifice everything for our family. If grandpa could take your place, I would gladly offer myself to save the Dai family."
"Tch, what a hypocritical old man! You've lived most of your life - of course you're not afraid to die!" I muttered under my breath.
The Erebus profiteers around me shot me looks as if to say: Kid, you're speaking truth again. Don't you know it's bad to speak ill of people before graves? You shouldn't offend the Dai family.
"Ahem, Stella, don't talk nonsense. Mr. Dai means well," I deflected, throwing the blame on Stella again. The girl glared at me with such intensity I shuddered. If there weren't so many people around, she'd probably have pinned me to the ground and beaten me.
This tigress isn't to be trifled with. Stein's much easier to bully.
By now, Daphne's face was streaked with tears. She didn't want to die, but Mr. Dai was forcing her hand. If she agreed, there'd be no turning back. Daphne's parents knelt too, begging for mercy, but to no avail. Mr. Dai's mind was made up - unshakable, simply waiting for Daphne's consent.
For the Dai family's sake, Mr. Dai wouldn't hesitate to sacrifice one granddaughter.
Yet Daphne remained silent, knowing that saying "yes" would be equivalent to stepping through the gates of hell.
"Daphne, don't forget your identity. You were born a Dai and will die a Dai ghost. For this family, you should be prepared to sacrifice everything - and so should your parents!" Mr. Dai's tone grew even sterner, carrying an unmistakable threat.
Daphne froze. Mr. Dai truly lived up to being the head of a first-class family - his words clearly implied her parents would face consequences if she refused.
Looking at her parents, Daphne finally bowed her head. She never expected Mr. Dai to threaten her like this - these were his own son and daughter-in-law! But unlike her grandfather, Daphne wasn't so heartless.
In her final moment of desperation, Daphne turned to the gathered Erebus profiteers and knelt before them: "I, Daphne, swear to heaven - if anyone can break the Dai family's formation, I will marry him and add another million dollars as reward. I don't want to die... please, save me!"
Daphne wept before the profiteers - this was her last hope.
But these old men, though they all coveted Daphne, had no solutions. If they'd possessed any methods, they would have spoken up earlier. A beauty plus two million dollars - the pinnacle of life! Who wouldn't want that? But none had the capability.
"Hey, Little Boss, aren't you going to step up? You've got incredible patience - waiting until now to gain both a wife and a million dollars. Impressive!" Stein teased, acting as if he already knew I had a solution.
I hushed him. Honestly, I enjoyed watching this ice queen cry - serves her right for looking down on me today! Let's see her scoff at my tattoo arts now.
Just then, Raul Master suddenly approached and helped Daphne up.
"Don't cry, child. There might still be one method - a type of yin-related magic that could break this formation," Raul Master said.
His words immediately captured everyone's attention. Daphne wiped her tears hastily - this was her lifeline.
"If I'm not mistaken... Tattoos of Gods and Ghosts can break this formation!" Raul Master declared.