Chapter 237: Ancestor Worship at the Nine Palaces, the First Incense Offering

Chapter 237: Ancestor Worship at the Nine Palaces, the First Incense Offering

In the majestic and grand hall of the Nine Palaces, the pillars supporting the dome were each ten meters in diameter. This was a sacred hall for important discussions, located at the highest point of the Nine Palaces.

At this moment, Qi Yunfei sat facing the palace masters of several other palaces.

"I just want to know why the ancestor worship ceremony has been moved up. Even if you and Gutan Tian truly want to promote that kid, why the rush? He hasn't even reached the Divine Human stage yet!"

The palace master of the Dragon Palace and the Heavenly Palace expressed his dissatisfaction.

"Do you take ancestor worship as a trivial matter? It involves so much, yet now you want to hold it early and even let Ji Jingqiu be the first incense offerer of this generation!"

"Not bad, even if it's early, it shouldn't be led by Ji Jingqiu! He's only at the Divine Roaming stage, he can't handle this position."

"You're being too casual, lacking respect for the ancestors of past generations!"

In response to their objections, Qi Yunfei had only one thing to say:

"With Jingqiu taking the lead, the ancestors will be pleased."

As soon as these words were spoken, the elder at the seat of honor slowly opened his eyes.

Among the crowd, the old man had been calm, devoid of any worldly concerns, as if he didn't exist. But at this moment, he lifted his eyes, and countless scenes flashed through his gaze, including epic battles, blood-soaked seas, and the shadows of once-lofty figures...

The crowd fell silent in unison.

The old man's gaze swept across the room, taking a good look at the young man who was currently seated in a certain place, comprehending the prototype of the Sacred Embryo.

He turned to Qi Yunfei and asked calmly, "Is he going back?"

Qi Yunfei looked deeply at the old man, and indeed, he was the oldest ancestor of the Nine Palaces.

He nodded and said, "Jingqiu's Sacred Embryo prototype has already formed. It's not suitable for him to stay in the Nine Continents any longer."

The other palace masters frowned. What did it mean that it wasn't suitable for him to stay in the Nine Continents? If not here, then where else...

Some people's faces changed instantly, thinking of how Ji Jingqiu had appeared without a trace.

The old man nodded and said, "Then let's make the ancestors happy. You've always sent mediocre talents for ancestor worship, and the ancestors are almost disappointed in you useless lot."

Embarrassment spread across the crowd's faces. The leaders of past ancestor worship ceremonies were often young Divine Human warriors, some only a hundred or two hundred years old...

The old man spoke slowly, "Also, if it won't harm his foundation, let this child leave behind some seeds of divine abilities."

Qi Yunfei's gaze narrowed slightly.

Although he had heard that this wouldn't harm Ji Jingqiu's foundation, it was obvious that it wouldn't be that simple...

The old man glanced at the crowd and said indifferently, "From now on, you should cooperate with the actions of the Crimson Heaven Palace and the Great Crimson Heaven Palace. With the great calamity approaching, everyone should stay calm and consider the bigger picture in everything."

Even if they were reluctant, the crowd could only nod in agreement.

Some of them had guessed Ji Jingqiu's background and what Qi Yunfei had been hiding.

As they looked at Qi Yunfei, their eyes almost glowed green with envy, wishing they could swallow the old man alive.

These two bastards might have already discovered the passage to the Great Universe but kept it to themselves until now!

Their favoritism for these two bastards had reached such a level!

...

...

The news of the advanced ancestor worship ceremony at the Nine Palaces spread quickly, causing an uproar within the organization.

Ancestor worship was not just a formality; it involved the distribution of numerous interests. This sudden change disrupted many people's plans.

Some people cursed loudly on the virtual network used for communication within the Nine Palaces, prompting the enforcement team to take action.

Others, afraid to discuss it on the internal network, gathered in groups, whispering among themselves.

"Ancestor worship? Why is it so early?"

"Haven't you heard? It's said that this time, the ancestor worship will be led by that Ji Shishu Zu, the first on the Eternal Monument."

"You mean Ji Jingqiu, the first on the Ten Thousand Year Monument?" someone asked in surprise, their expression a mix of understanding and disbelief.

Although Ji Shishu Zu had ranked first on the Eternal Monument, it was said that he hadn't cultivated in the Nine Palaces for more than a few days.

Moreover, ancestor worship was a top priority, and in the past, the leaders were almost always the youngest Divine Human warriors of that generation. This time, not only was the ancestor worship advanced, but it would be led by a Divine Roaming Realm warrior...

"Could it be that he's already been chosen for those key positions?" someone asked in a low voice.

"Impossible! He's just a genius in the Divine Roaming Realm, not yet a Divine Human. In the end, he'll be nothing more than an ant."

"It's not right to speak like that. Many warriors who made remarkable progress in their early stages and were hailed as prodigies ended up falling at the Divine Human boundary."

One person looked at the man in the seat of honor with a flattering tone, "Left Brother is different. He's already broken through to the Divine Human stage, holds real power, and is still so young. In the future, he can compete for those core positions."

Among the rest, some agreed, while others remained unconvinced.

Given the scale of the Nine Palaces, it was true that only those who reached the Divine Human stage held real power, and those below were mere pawns. Only at the Seven-Stage Sky King realm could one gain a voice.

However, the issue was that all warriors who had ranked in the top ten of the Eternal Monument in the past, without exception, had reached at least the Sky King realm upon maturing.

This person's statement was biased. It was likely that his background had recently been targeted by the Great Crimson Heaven Palace and the Crimson Heaven Palace.

It should be known that Yi Tianpeng, who was once ranked sixth, had caused the downfall of the former Mother Divine Church!

Oh, now he's ranked seventh.

The Seat of Honor's man shook his head slightly and said, "Elder... Elder Ji..."

As he spoke, he couldn't help but feel helpless.

Technically, the capable should take charge, but the seniority system is chaotic, so they follow strength instead.

But who dares to address the Great Crimson Sky Lord's junior as a junior?

Are they trying to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Great Crimson Sky Lord? There aren't many in the Nine Palaces who can do that!

"Elder Ji's talent and artistic prowess are both top-notch. His future breakthrough to the Divine Human Realm is a certainty, and we are merely a step ahead."

His humble words immediately elicited flattery from the other warriors.

His name was Zuo Anxin, and his status was roughly equivalent to Feng Wu's two hundred years ago. He had already broken through the Divine Human Realm and was no longer part of the younger generation.

In powerful organizations like the Nine Palaces, there is a well-established system for cultivating and promoting the younger generation, with a focus on 'rooting.' Those like Zuo Anxin, who had a solid foundation and were born into the Nine Palaces, would have an easier path compared to most outer warriors, and they would also have more opportunities to showcase their abilities.

The Nine Palaces were too vast for the Federation to compare. Even among the Divine Human warriors, there was a distinction between real and nominal power.

For someone like Zuo Anxin, with a solid foundation, once they broke through the Divine Human boundary, they would hold significant authority.

The real positions of power were like carrot sticks; one less for each person who took one.

Zuo Anxin suddenly turned to the man who had spoken earlier and said, "Yang Shidi, I heard you refused to accept the Heart Lamp's implantation?"

Yang Hongsi, who had not hesitated to step on Ji Jingqiu, nodded in agreement.

Not long ago, news spread that the higher-ups needed some warriors to cooperate in a test. The specific task was to plant the divine ability seeds that had differentiated from Ji Jingqiu's innate talent. Yang Hongsi was chosen for this task.

Yang Hongsi would never agree to have the seeds of someone else's innate talent take root in his body. Upon hearing this, he immediately refused.

Even though the rumors were vague, saying that the Heart Lamp had unparalleled wonders, he didn't believe them.

Zuo Anxin recalled certain rumors and advised, "Yang Shidi, if you have the opportunity, it's better to accept it."

Yang Hongsi was unmoved. "The Nine Palaces have a long heritage, and our treasury is vast, like a sea of smoke. We don't lack this innate talent."

Zuo Anxin shook his head slightly and stopped persuading him.

Suddenly, he seemed to have received a message. He stood up, bid farewell to his fellow disciples, and hurriedly left.

Not long after, he met his teacher, who brought him good news.

"The results are out," the white-haired man glanced at Zuo Anxin and said with relief, "You're also on the first batch of names for the Ancestor Worship."

Zuo Anxin was overjoyed and didn't hide his joy. He performed a grand salute, "Thank you, Teacher, for your nurturing. I will not disappoint the expectations of our lineage's ancestors!"

This Ancestor Worship was not just a title; it also represented entry into the upper echelons, with future promotions and advancements taking priority.

Moreover, the most crucial aspect was the protection of the Nine Palaces' ancestors!

At the Divine Human level, communication with the cosmic dimension largely determined a warrior's combat prowess.

The Nine Palaces' warriors who had reached the Divine Human level or higher would leave behind the inner worlds they had created before their deaths. Over generations, these inner worlds accumulated into a complete cosmic dimension, forming the true foundation of a hegemonic power.

The Divine Human warriors under the Nine Palaces could borrow strength from this dimension, allowing them to overpower other warriors of the same level.

These sacred lands were often referred to as Ancestral Lands, and the abilities derived from these lands were known as Ancestral Arts.

The longer the Ancestral Arts were passed down, the more powerful they became, serving as a testament to the accumulation of a power's heritage.

This was the difference between powerful organizations with a heritage and individual cultivators.

However, not all Divine Human warriors were qualified to receive the recognition of the Ancestral Land or inherit the Ancestral Arts. Large-scale ceremonies like the Ancestor Worship were one of the essential opportunities for this.

The white-haired man smiled and said, "You've entered the Divine Human Realm at such a young age. You're the best seed our lineage has seen in ten thousand years. There's hope for further progress in the future. Keep up the good work."

Zuo Anxin suddenly thought of something and asked, "Teacher, I wonder about that Ji from the Great Crimson Heaven Palace..."

The white-haired man shook his head without hesitation. "He's not your match. Don't create enemies for yourself."

Zuo Anxin nodded solemnly.

The white-haired man hesitated for a moment and said, "During the Ancestor Worship, you'll be in the second row, while he'll be in the first position."

Zuo Anxin's expression froze.

...

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Ji Jingqiu carefully guided the sacred embryo prototype, sensing the profound mysteries within.

As soon as he entered this state, he felt as if every cell in his body was breathing and releasing energy.

Ji Jingqiu was showing signs of this.

The Shackles Realm required the constant burning of one's origin source.

However, the Heart Embryo could absorb energy from the heavens and earth through divine roaming, converting it into an origin source.

This meant that his Shackles Realm would naturally surpass that of his peers.

At this moment, Ji Jingqiu felt his body's cells, under the influence of the sacred embryo, inhaling and exhaling energy from the heavens and earth.

Soon, he felt a sense of saturation.

Upon regaining consciousness, Ji Jingqiu felt a surge of energy coursing through his veins, his muscles and meridians imbued with a newfound vigor.

This was the state of Fetal Breath, a realm where one's spirit roams the heavens and earth, drawing upon the power between heaven and earth to temper oneself.

Ji Jingqiu gradually sensed the profoundness of this realm, finding it almost impossible to extricate himself from its allure.

This reminded him of a long-ago warning from a Yangshi.

"The rootless tree stands alone, its flower solitary. Sitting in solitude, the breath of cultivation withers."

History is replete with those gifted in spiritual cultivation, who, upon seeing a falling leaf, know that their lives are nearing their end. Yet, in their final moments, they sit in meditation, attempting to comprehend the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth, only to lose themselves in the vastness of the heavens and earth, sitting in meditation until their deaths.

These individuals, most likely, did not fully grasp the essence of Fetal Breath, otherwise, at the very least, their bodies would not have withered and died.

"Phew—" Ji Jingqiu exhaled, feeling invigorated.

During this period, he had separated some Heart Lamp seeds, some of which he gave to the Great Crimson Heaven Palace, and some to Feng Wu, the leader of the Nine Palaces Alliance.

After tomorrow's ancestor worship ceremony, he could return.

"Elder Brother Ji."

Outside the palace, Gu Chensha's voice echoed.

Gu Chensha strode forward, bringing a set of ceremonial robes for the ancestor worship ceremony. He was here to inform Ji Jingqiu about the upcoming ceremony.

The ancestor worship ceremony of the Nine Palaces was a significant event, and any mishaps would be unacceptable.

"The first incense offering?"

Ji Jingqiu was taken aback, not expecting that this ancestor worship ceremony was indeed related to him in some way.

It turned out that the two Palace Masters wanted him to complete the ceremony before returning to the Great Universe, which was why they had convened it early!

If being exceptional was a crime, Ji Jingqiu felt like he deserved the death penalty.

Soon, Ji Jingqiu learned from Gu Chensha about the so-called ancestral land and ancestral arts, realizing that this ancestor worship ceremony was not just a procedural ritual...

This piqued his interest, and with Gu Chensha's guidance, he gained a deeper understanding of the ceremony.

The next day arrived.

Accompanied by Gu Chensha, Ji Jingqiu arrived at the core location of the ancestor worship ceremony, a divine temple.

The ancestor worship ceremony was a grand event encompassing the entire Nine Palaces, with all the main and subsidiary palaces, as well as the affiliated forces, participating.

And the temple before them was the very heart of the ceremony.

The temple was not spacious, and even felt a bit crowded. It was said that the first generation ancestor master of the Nine Palaces disliked extravagance and waste, keeping everything simple.

At this moment, several dozen figures stood inside.

As Ji Jingqiu and Gu Chensha approached the temple entrance, they drew the attention of everyone present.

In those gazes, there was curiosity and goodwill, but no hostility, at least not openly.

Ji Jingqiu had no time to pay attention to these people.

The moment he stepped into the temple, he felt the presence of the "Nine Heavens," a concept created by the Nine Palaces within their cosmic dimension, the "Heavenly Will."

Grand, majestic, boundless, and omnipresent, yet seemingly nowhere to be found, permeating every inch of space, exuding an ancient and eternal aura that inspired awe and forbade any reckless actions.

And just then.

The expressions of everyone in the temple changed.

At the top of the temple, a startling invisible thought descended and took its seat at the main position, overlooking those below, gazing down with authority.

"The ancestor masters have truly descended..." someone murmured, their face filled with joy.

The Great Ancestor Worship of the Nine Palaces was not always successful in inviting the ancestor masters' thoughts to descend, and for this ceremony, even before it began, the ancestor masters had proactively "taken their seats," which was indeed a rare occurrence!

Someone glanced at Ji Jingqiu, standing at the temple entrance, wondering if it was truly because of him?

Could the first name on the Ten Thousand Year Monument be so invaluable?

The ancestor worship ceremony proceeded smoothly, without any unexpected incidents.

The only concern was when Ji Jingqiu, while offering the first incense, suddenly felt inexplicably anxious, recalling the previous incident at the Four Divine Church where, shortly after his worship, the divine statue had shattered.

Hopefully, today would not repeat that mishap?

Hmm, it wasn't those few, he thought as he offered the incense, his heart sincere.

In front of the crowd.

Ji Jingqiu stood at the forefront, holding the first incense offering, and as the crowd of martial artists behind him watched, he presented the incense.

Beside him, Qi Yunfei revealed a relieved smile.

With the first incense offering at the temple, from this point on, Ji Jingqiu and the Nine Palaces had officially established a spiritual connection.

Standing in the second row, Zuo Anxin offered incense to the ancestor masters, and as he inserted the incense into the incense burner, he was astonished to discover that Ji Jingqiu's incense was burning at a speed ten times faster than the others!

Who would dare to make such a move in the temple?

Even the Nine Palaces' Palace Masters would not dare to act recklessly, so the reason was almost self-evident.

But... was it necessary to be so hasty?

Zuo Anxin opened his mouth, then closed it, unable to find the words to express his thoughts.

In his mind, the majestic image of the ancestor masters seemed to... crumble!

And as the ceremony concluded, Ji Jingqiu breathed a sigh of relief, seeing that the divine statues in the temple remained intact.

At the end of the ancestor worship ceremony, Ji Jingqiu distinctly felt a seal, silently imprinting on his sacred embryo prototype.

This was the ancestral land and ancestral arts seal of the Nine Palaces?

Given the update in Korea today, please excuse the late update...

Tomorrow's chapter will be a 10,000-character special, so the update might be late.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end