Chapter 3796: Ancestral Rite
The Dao Soul Platform resembled a grand altar, towering ninety-nine zhang high. It flew out from the main continent of the Kunlun Realm and, before long, entered the Fallen God Island.
Its volume rapidly shrank, becoming only the size of a palm, and hovered in front of Zhang Ruochen.
The surface of the Dao Soul Platform was densely covered with Daoist secret texts, imprints, and patterns. Light flickered and pulsed, causing the laws of heaven and earth to sometimes expand and sometimes contract.
This divine artifact was forged by the ancient Daoist sage, the Primordial Heavenly Dao Master, of the Kunlun Realm. Its artifact spirit was not particularly powerful.
However, upon careful study, Zhang Ruochen discovered that this divine artifact was infinitely profound. It was crafted layer upon layer from exotic substances, and the internal artifact patterns and diagrams were as complex as the vast universe.
Tai Shang said, "The Dao Soul Platform possesses multiple powers: soul-guarding, soul-capturing, soul-nurturing, soul-collecting, soul-suppressing, and soul-destroying. The stronger your cultivation, the greater its power. Of course, compared to the Soul-Devouring Lamp, the Dao Soul Platform is more like a defensive divine artifact; its offensive capabilities are not outstanding."
Chi Yao, having heard Tai Shang earlier mention that Zhang Ruochen's journey to the Hell Realm might involve mortal danger, felt uneasy. She said, "The artifact spirit of the Dao Soul Platform is only at the mid-level god rank. It will likely be very difficult for it to contend with the Soul-Devouring Lamp."
Zhang Ruochen smiled and shook his head. "The Dao Soul Platform is no ordinary divine artifact. It cannot be measured by the power of its artifact spirit alone. Moreover, the power of a divine artifact is ultimately determined by its user, not the artifact itself."
Mentioning divine artifacts reminded Zhang Ruochen of the Celestial Pivot Needle. He then recounted the matter of Ling Yanzi imprinting the pattern of the Celestial Pivot Needle on a paper slip and giving it to the Evil Emperor, seeking Tai Shang's insight.
Tai Shang fell into deep thought. After a moment, he said, "Ling Yanzi must have had a profound reason for doing this. The Celestial Pivot Needle... Ruochen, do you know that the Celestial Pivot Needle is also a divine artifact forged by the Life Ancestor?"
"The Life Ancestor seems to be quite a master of artifact crafting," Zhang Ruochen remarked.
Seeing that Zhang Ruochen remained calm and composed, not intimidated by his earlier words, Tai Shang nodded with satisfaction. "Your grandmaster has heard a secret rumor: the Life Ancestor might have been a primordial being who emerged from the Abyss of Darkness. Moreover, he was the most terrifying kind—a Hongmeng being."
"Is that so? If that's the case..."
Zhang Ruochen was extremely surprised, feeling this could not be a coincidence, because Ling Yanzi was also a Hongmeng being.
Could Ling Yanzi and the Life Ancestor have some unknown connection?
As they walked out of the ancestral land, Tai Shang and Chi Yao did not speak again, allowing Zhang Ruochen to think quietly.
When they arrived outside the Nether Prison once more, Chi Yao said, "Since Cang Mang once followed Ling Yanzi's orders to deliver the Mani Pearl to you, it seems Ling Yanzi is still alive. Now that the primordial beings have emerged, before you go to the Destiny Temple, why not visit the Abyss of Darkness first to understand everything clearly?"
Zhang Ruochen smiled bitterly and shook his head. "If she wanted to see me, she would have appeared when I was in the Abyss of Darkness last time. Besides, the master Cang Mang spoke of may not necessarily be Ling Yanzi."
"Thirdly, when Cang Mang appeared back then, it wasn't just to give me the Mani Pearl, but also to stop me from going to the Great Dark Mountain. I still haven't figured out the reason for that."
Chi Yao said, "Why not ask the Venerable One to go to the Abyss of Darkness and inquire? He is also a descendant of Ling Yanzi and carries the Divine Source of the Great Venerable. If Ling Yanzi is still alive, she will surely see him."
"Good idea! But the Venerable One may not be willing to make this trip," Zhang Ruochen said with a meaningful smile.
Seeing that Zhang Ruochen could still smile in such a situation, Chi Yao admired his mindset. "I will go and plead with the Venerable One."
Tai Shang stroked his white beard and chuckled. "If Ruochen agrees to continue the marriage alliances, the Venerable One would be willing to go through fire and water."
"Grandmaster, do you also approve of Ruochen forming marriage alliances with the various major powers?" Chi Yao asked, puzzled.
Tai Shang said, "In the past, your grandmaster felt that fate was hard to defy and that my end was near. I saw all things as nothing more than an illusion, so I was reluctant to force anything. But now, with three hundred thousand years of lifespan, there are many things I can do, and I have the confidence to support you in doing them."
"The Kunlun Realm faction can become stronger, and the Sword Realm should be stronger too. With your grandmaster and Wen Tianjun around, we can hold the situation together."
"In this chaotic era, someone has to rise up, right? Balance will eventually be broken. Why not let us be the ones to break it?"
"Ruochen, given the talent and momentum you have displayed, along with your current cultivation level, do you think that if you don't actively expand, others won't see you as their number one enemy?"
"I believe the time to divide the world into three parts is right before us!"
"Right now, the only thing standing in our way is Jiusi Yitianhuang, entrenched in the Dark Great Triangle Star Domain. Your grandmaster and Wen Tianjun will find a way to uproot him. Once that happens, all eyes and all conflicts will be drawn to us. That will give you, Chi Yao, the Dragon Lord, and Qingchan more time to continue growing."
"What you need to do now, besides cultivating, is to unite enough forces that share a common hatred and can work together in harmony, to plan for a more distant future."
"We have our responsibilities, and you have yours. The Immortal and the Calamity of Quantities are the most terrifying threats—problems that our generation may not be able to solve, even at the cost of our lives."
"Of course, the marriage alliance was just a joke from your grandmaster. The interests and ideologies of a realm or a clan cannot be decided by personal marriage alliances."
Chi Yao said, "Grandmaster sees things clearly."
Zhang Ruochen smiled without speaking, then discussed the matters of the Time Divine Temple and the Space Divine Temple with Tai Shang.
Before leaving the Heavenly Court, he had met with Xuanyuan Lian and Zhao Gongming, learning that the Heavenly Palace intended to appoint Qiangu Nüdi as the new Grand Elder of the Time Divine Temple.
As for the Space Divine Temple, Xuanyuan Lian would take over as Grand Elder.
These two divine temples would no longer have Hall Masters; the Grand Elder would be the highest authority.
"The older generation of cultivators will eventually fade away. It's time for the young to take their place!"
Tai Shang said, "Ruochen, you should be staying in the Kunlun Realm for a while, right? Give me the Ten Thousand Buddha Formation. I'll help you refine it further."
"Even if Grandmaster hadn't mentioned it, I would have asked for your help. I have a bold idea. I think if the Ten Thousand Buddha Formation is refined into the Paradise of Ultimate Bliss, its power will more than double. Also, the time divine artifact Gui Chi can be refined into the formation's eye."
Zhang Ruochen knew that the enemies and challenges he would face in the future would be fiercer than ever, so he had to make the most of Tai Shang's expertise.
After all, Tai Shang was the number one formation master in the world today!
Half a day later, Zhang Ruochen left the Suddhodana White Silver Tree, Gui Chi, and the Paradise of Ultimate Bliss behind, took the Mani Pearl, and left the Fallen God Island with Chi Yao.
When the two arrived at the Zhang Clan of Wangshan, not only were Yu Chenjing, Ao Xin Yan, Zhang Chuanzong, Chi Xingtian, and Xiao Hei present, but also Ling Feiyu, Zhang Hongchen, Beigong Lan, and many of Chi Kunlun's outstanding descendants, all gathered at the ancestral hall.
Of course, the Venerable One was indispensable.
For such a major event as the ancestral rite, the Venerable One, who considered himself the founding ancestor of the Zhang Clan, was the most enthusiastic. Feeling that Zhang Ruochen had finally done something right, he praised him profusely upon their first meeting.
"An ancestral rite must be grand and ostentatious! We must invite all the Heavenly Venerables and all the gods to come and observe. We must tell the cultivators of the world that the Zhang Clan has returned, that the ancestral clan has returned! We have talents emerging in abundance, we have weathered hardships and obstacles, our family is thriving, and our lineage is flourishing!"
The Venerable One sat at the top of the ancestral hall. As he spoke with excitement, tears streamed down his face, and his voice choked. "Ruochen, you've done well. This is exactly what should be done. It's a pity that it's a bit rushed and preparations are insufficient. Many Zhang Clan descendants won't be able to make it back in time."
Zhang Ruochen frowned. "Venerable One, I think you misunderstand. I simply want to hold an ancestral rite. I never intended to invite all the Heavenly Venerables and gods, nor do I mean to make any grand declaration."
The Venerable One's eyes widened, and he jumped up from his seat. "What did you say? This is a perfect opportunity to collect gifts... I mean, this and that... You unfilial descendant! An ancestral rite is a matter of utmost importance, yet you treat it so lightly?"
"We are an ancestral clan, a clan of Heavenly Venerables in this age. How can we hold an ancestral rite in such a low-key manner?"
"The divine might contained in the Great Venerable's tomb is still present! We must use this ancestral rite to unleash that might and intimidate the petty villains of the world who dare to look down on our Zhang Clan."
Zhang Ruochen said, "If we want to avoid being looked down upon, we have to earn it with our fists, one punch at a time. Not by relying on our ancestors."
"Relying on our ancestors? What's wrong with that? If you push me too far, I'll carry the Great Venerable's tomb on my back and wage war across the stars!" the Venerable One said, utterly unyielding.
Zhang Ruochen couldn't be bothered to argue with him. He led Chi Yao, Ling Feiyu, Zhang Hongchen, Yu Chenjing, Zhang Chuanzong, Ao Xin Yan, Beigong Lan, and others into the forest of tombs deep within Wangshan.
All the items needed for the ancestral rite had already been prepared.
Every member of the Zhang Clan, whether from Chi Kunlun's lineage, Zhang Shaochu's lineage, or Mingjiang Wang's lineage, as long as they were outstanding enough, could enter the ancestral land to participate in the rite.
The Venerable One stood atop the grave of some unknown ancestor, gazing into the distance at the lively and solemn scene. He was still fuming.
In his heart, he was already planning that once Zhang Ruochen left the Kunlun Realm, he would host an unprecedented grand ancestral rite and invite gods from all realms to observe.
As the rite unfolded, nine-colored chaotic divine light appeared above the Heavenly Venerable's tomb, dyeing the entire sky of the ancestral land in nine colors.
The silhouette of the Immovable Bright King Great Venerable appeared among the clouds, sometimes dispersing and sometimes gathering, exuding an overwhelming aura.
"Bow to the founding ancestor!"
"The Great Venerable has manifested! The ancestor has manifested!"
...
All the Zhang Clan descendants, including those who had reached the divine realm like Yu Chenjing and Ling Feiyu, were witnessing such a sight for the first time. They were all shaken and filled with awe, prostrating themselves in worship.
Zhang Ruochen and Chi Yao, though already accustomed to such phenomena, still bowed deeply.
One must not deceive one's ancestors!
The laws of heaven and earth, the divine runes of law, and the divine qi throughout the entire ancestral land all surged, becoming extremely active.
No one noticed that beneath the Heavenly Venerable's tomb, a massive, golden, lion-like creature lying on the ground, which had shown no signs of life, suddenly opened its tightly shut eyes a crack.
In the gap, a golden eyeball with a black pupil rolled around slyly.
Then, it closed its eyes again, as if... it had fallen back asleep.
The twelve stone figures in front of the Heavenly Venerable's tomb, as if responding to some stimulus, all knelt on one knee.