Family Rise: Beginning with Grandfather.

Chapter 909 The Martial Immortal Ceremony - Something Happened
Before the Martial Immortal Ceremony even started, Lu Fusheng and Yang Mingcheng huddled together and chatted.

Lu Fusheng was very interested in the Yang family's internal affairs, so he asked, "I heard you have four brothers?"

“Yes, we have four brothers. Uncle Lu should have met Mingzhi. He is the second oldest!” It was rare for Yang Mingcheng to have someone close to him to talk to here.

“I’ve met him once, but it seems like he hasn’t been to Yangjia Town for many years!” Lu Fusheng said with a smile.

Yangjia Town is just a front. Although the town is named after the Yang family, there are very few Yang family members living there.

"He's busy with family matters, so he doesn't have time to look after things here!" Yang Mingcheng said casually.

Lu Fusheng's mind raced. He knew about Bai Yujing, but he didn't quite understand what kind of person Bai Yujing was.

Of course, he wouldn't rashly ask Yang Mingcheng about Bai Yujing's situation. Although Bai Yujing's existence wasn't a secret that no one knew, the Yang family had never revealed Bai Yujing's specific details to the outside world.

Just as the two were chatting, Ding Qiu suddenly leaned over and said, "Grandpa, something's not right!"

"What's wrong?" Yang Mingcheng turned his head in surprise and asked.

The square was bustling with noise, which grew louder and louder as more and more people arrived.

Those who could attend the Martial Immortal Ceremony were certainly not unknown figures. At this time, hundreds of people had gathered in the square, including dozens of Golden Body Realm martial artists and several Foundation Establishment cultivators.

These Golden Body Realm warriors and Foundation Establishment cultivators are not only from the Sea of ​​Spiritual Beauty, but also come from many other places.

The gathering of so many experts here is truly a rare and magnificent sight.

Ding Qiu frowned and looked towards the connecting corridor not far away. "There seem to be quite a few people hiding over there!"

Yang Mingcheng followed his gaze but saw nothing. "Are you sure?"

"I can't be sure, but I have a vague feeling! And I also have a sense of crisis, as if we've fallen into a terrifying trap," Ding Qiu said.

Yang Mingcheng's expression turned serious.

He still trusted Ding Qiu's intuition, because Ding Qiu was not an ordinary Golden Body Realm martial artist. Ding Qiu had comprehended the sword intent, and although his spiritual sense was far inferior to that of Foundation Establishment Immortal Cultivators, it far surpassed that of the vast majority of martial artists. Moreover, his perception was also more acute than that of other Golden Body Realm martial artists.

"Uncle, have you noticed anything unusual?" Yang Mingcheng asked Lu Fusheng beside him.

Lu Fusheng glanced around and said, "There are indeed some unusual things!"

"Look over there!"

He subtly gestured with his chin toward several figures not far away.

Yang Mingcheng looked over, his expression pausing slightly.

"That's a Foundation Establishment cultivator, is there anything wrong with that?"

The Martial Immortal Ceremony is a grand feast for martial artists, but immortal cultivators also participate. However, immortal cultivators and martial artists don't get along, so Foundation Establishment immortal cultivators gather together separately, forming a small circle.

“I don’t recognize any of the seven Foundation Establishment cultivators!” Lu Fusheng said.

Yang Mingcheng was slightly taken aback, but then he understood what Lu Fusheng meant.

He was honest and straightforward, but he wasn't stupid at all. As soon as Lu Fusheng reminded him, he knew where the problem lay.

Seven Foundation Establishment Immortal Cultivators!

This is not a small number in Lingxiu Sea.

Apart from the Land of Spiritual Origin, there are only three major sects within the Sea of ​​Spiritual Beauty that possess immortal cultivation.

There are only five Foundation Establishment cultivators in total from the three major sects.

Yunxiao and Yunxi of Xuanqing Sect, Jingshui and Liuyue of Huanyue Sect, and Jieyan of Wuxiang Sect.

The three sects of Lingxiu are likely wary of immortal cultivators, which is why immortal cultivators are very rare in the Lingxiu Sea. Even the immortal cultivators of the three major sects rarely show their faces, let alone immortal cultivators from outside.

But now there are actually seven Foundation Establishment cultivators attending Zhang Xian's Martial Immortal Ceremony. When did the Wuxiang Sect become acquainted with so many Foundation Establishment cultivators?
"Where did they come from?" Yang Mingcheng asked, puzzled.

Lu Fusheng shook his head slightly, "I don't know, this is very unusual, but this is the Wuxiang Sect, there shouldn't be any major trouble here."

The Wuxiang Sect is one of the three major sects of Lingxiu. Currently, the Wuxiang Sect has two Divine Soul Realm warriors. Even if a few Foundation Establishment cultivators come to cause trouble, the Wuxiang Sect can suppress them.

Just as they were talking, a group of people walked up to the high platform in front of the hall.

The bustling square fell silent. The people who had been chatting quietly quieted down and all their eyes were on the group of people on the platform.

Zhang Xian, the protagonist of this grand ceremony, made an appearance.

Not only him, but also four other martial artists at the Divine Soul Realm were with him.

Lin Daoyuan, Yue'e, Yang Shenwu, and Han Jiangche.

Yang Shenwu is another Divine Soul Realm martial artist from the Wuxiang Sect. He is older than Lin Daoyuan and Yue'e, and is now over four hundred years old, making him the oldest elder in the Lingxiu Sea.

Han Jiangche is a Divine Soul Realm martial artist from the Netherworld Prison Sect. He was the one who represented the Netherworld Prison Sect when True Person Yunge summoned various forces in Qingli Immortal City.

These are also the reasons why he represented the Netherworld Sect at Zhang Xian's Martial Immortal Ceremony.

Clearly, he was unaware of Zhang Xian's hatred for the Netherworld Sect. If he had known, he probably wouldn't have dared to participate in this Martial Immortal Ceremony.

On the high platform, the five seemed to be having a pleasant conversation. Zhang Xian showed no sign of hatred and instead chatted and laughed with Han Jiangche.

Logically speaking, enemies should be extremely hostile when they meet, but how can the interests of different forces be affected by grudges?

Currently, maintaining a good relationship between Youyumen and the Lingxiu Three Sects is in the best interests of both sides.

Because of the establishment of Qingli Immortal City, both the Lingxiu Three Sects and the Youyu Sect can reap huge profits. There is no major conflict of interest between the two sides now, and they actually need to cooperate in many areas.

Han Jiangche's attendance at Zhang Xian's Martial Immortal Ceremony represents the attitude of the Netherworld Prison Sect.

"Please be seated, esteemed seniors!"

On the high platform, Zhang Xian casually invited the others to sit down.

"Ok!"

Lin Daoyuan took his seat and exchanged a glance with Yue'e.

Yue'e simply shook her head slightly, then picked up her tea and took a sip.

They all knew Zhang Xian's hatred for the Netherworld Sect. Not long ago, Zhang Xian was instigating them to start a war with the Netherworld Sect, but now Zhang Xian was treating Han Jiangche with great courtesy, which made them feel that something was wrong.

Lin Daoyuan lowered his eyes slightly, thinking that this might be Zhang Xian's feigned compliance with Han Jiangche. After all, few people knew about Zhang Xian's hatred for Youyumen. Probably only he and Yue'e knew about it, except for those within the Wuxiang Sect.

Everyone took their seats, and the Martial Immortal Ceremony officially began.

Yang Shenwu, dressed in a long black brocade robe, walked to the front of the stage and announced in a loud voice: "On this auspicious day, heaven and earth rejoice! Today, Zhang Xian, a disciple of the Wuxiang Sect, has attained the Divine Soul Realm. Therefore, we are holding the Martial Immortal Ceremony and respectfully invite heaven and earth to witness it!"

As he finished speaking, the bronze chime bells on the east side of the square and the vermilion drum platform on the west side sounded simultaneously.

Thirty-six chime bells of varying sizes are suspended on a cloud-patterned wooden frame, with the bell bodies cast with auspicious patterns of grain and beasts; nine war drums are covered with deerskin, the drum stands are carved into the shape of coiled dragons with their heads raised, and the drumsticks are wrapped in soft silk.

As the master of ceremonies raised his hand in signal, eight musicians in blue robes lightly flicked their sleeves, each holding a jade mallet, and moved among the chime bells, striking them. The clear and melodious sound of the bells, like the tinkling of a spring, spread across the square in layers. The high-pitched bells were like morning dew falling on lotus leaves, clear and bright; the low-pitched bells were like stones sinking into a pool, resonating and humming.

At the same time, four warriors in yellow robes slowly stepped onto the drum platform, gently striking the drumheads with drumsticks wrapped in silk. The drumbeats, like muffled thunder in spring, were deep and rhythmic, echoing the tolling bells and creating a soothing cadence. The heavy and solemn music swept across the eaves and brackets, startling the copper bells on the eaves into a soft tinkling sound.

The crowd in the square stood solemnly, and when the music ended, they congratulated each other in unison: "Congratulations on Your Excellency's ascension to the realm of Martial Immortal!"

Zhang Xian stood up, walked up to Yang Shenwu, nodded slightly, and then said, "I remember when I was young, I took up my sword to learn martial arts. The cold seeped into my blue robe, and frost touched my temples. I practiced in spring when the flowers were in full bloom, in autumn when the leaves were falling, in summer when the heat was scorching, and in winter when the frost was severe, before I finally glimpsed the path to the realm of the divine soul. Without the teachings of my master, how could I be where I am today? I am grateful to the source of my blessings!"

After speaking, he bowed to Yang Shenwu again and continued, "I have seen the vast ocean and realized that I am but a grain of millet; I have looked up at the clouds and realized that I am but a speck of dust. The martial arts path is vast, like the boundless Milky Way, which fills my heart with awe, making me sigh at the limitations of human power and admire the infinity of the Great Way. It is precisely because the road ahead is so uncertain that it makes us yearn for it!"

His voice was clear and bright, and his demeanor was otherworldly. Every word he spoke seemed to carry a pleasant melody, making people's hearts flutter.

His words expressed both his gratitude to the sect and his dedication to and yearning for martial arts.

The higher one's cultivation level, the more one feels insignificant. Compared to the vast world, even a martial artist in the Divine Soul Realm is but a drop in the ocean.

But it is precisely because of the feeling of one's own insignificance that people yearn even more for the boundless Dao.

Then Zhang Xian began to impart the teachings and impart the Dao, which was the most important part of the Martial Immortal Ceremony.

"The first principle of martial arts cultivation is 'enlightenment.' When I first entered the Golden Body Realm, I was stuck on the ever-changing moves. Until one day, I observed the ever-changing form of a mountain stream waterfall, which could still penetrate rocks and break cliffs. Only then did I realize that true martial arts is not about the exquisite details of each move, but about following nature and moving with one's heart!"

Having said that, he flicked his finger, and a wisp of true essence flowed into the bluestone of the square, instantly blooming into a crystal-clear ice lotus: "Secondly, it lies in 'stillness.' Like this ice lotus, it appears still, but in reality, it contains immense power. Cultivators need to settle down in stillness in order to perceive the spiritual energy of heaven and earth and understand the essence of martial arts."

He didn't talk about the process of breaking through to the Divine Soul Realm, but rather about his insights into martial arts.

Everyone listened with great interest.

These insights may not improve everyone's cultivation level, but they can help everyone to make connections and understand their own martial arts path.

Time passed slowly, and after about an hour, Zhang Xian stopped preaching.

The ceremony then entered its final stage: the banquet.

Delicious dishes were laid out on the tables, and the rising steam carried the aroma of meat and wine, which wafted freely in the wind.

The atmosphere instantly became lively, and everyone toasted and drank.

However, some people felt uneasy at this time.

Ding Qiu's brows furrowed even deeper, and his gaze became even sharper.

"uncle!"

He reminded him softly.

Looking at the delicious food in front of him, Yang Mingcheng put down his chopsticks with some regret.

He really wanted to try it.

It's not that he hadn't eaten any delicacies, but rather that he was very interested in the cuisine of the Wuxiang Sect.

Lu Fusheng said softly, "There's no need to be so nervous. With several martial arts masters present, there's definitely no problem!"

Ding Qiu didn't know why, but he felt a terrifying sense of crisis descending upon him, as if an endless sea was about to engulf him.

Yang Mingcheng said, "It's better to be safe than sorry, Uncle, you'd better not eat it!"

It's just a meal. They are all Golden Body Realm martial artists, and they won't feel hungry even if they don't eat for several days.

Lu Fusheng felt that Ding Qiu was being a little too nervous, but he still gave Yang Mingcheng face, nodded slightly, and put down his chopsticks.

Just as the three were waiting for the ceremony to end, a faint smell of blood slowly mingled with the aroma of meat and wine. The smell of blood was so faint that it was almost the smell of the meat itself, and no one noticed it.

As night fell and the moon rose above the trees, the stench of blood suddenly intensified.

On the high platform in front of the hall, Lin Daoyuan's expression changed slightly. "What's going on?"

He looked at Yang Shenwu and Zhang Xian, and Yue'e also noticed the abnormality, her eyebrows furrowing slightly.

Yang Shenwu's smile vanished, and his deep eyes became incredibly unfathomable. "I'm sorry, I had no choice!"

Zhang Xian maintained his calm smile, raised his glass to Lin Daoyuan and said, "Senior, why are you so nervous? Why not have another drink?"

"What have you done?" Lin Daoyuan's face instantly darkened.

Yue'e slowly stood up, a hint of annoyance appearing on her usually aloof face.

Han Jiangche also frowned, looking at the four of them with a puzzled expression.

Here, he was the only outsider.

The crowd below also noticed the unusual situation and turned to look, gradually quieting down the lively atmosphere.

"Something's happened!" Ding Qiu said in a low voice.

Yang Mingcheng also sensed something was wrong and nodded silently.

Lu Fusheng's expression tightened. "What's going on?"

Ding Qiu had no idea what was going on, but he felt something was wrong, and his sense of crisis grew stronger and stronger.

"uncle!"

Yang Mingcheng reached out and took out a jade token, ready to flee at any moment.

"Senior, grab my arm!"

"Uh! Why?" Lu Fusheng asked, puzzled.

"Let's catch them first and talk about it later!"

Yang Mingcheng stretched out his arm in front of him. He hesitated for a moment, but still grabbed it. Although it wasn't very nice to be pulling and tugging like this, he felt it was better to hold on for now, since it wouldn't have any effect anyway.

Just then, Yue'e on the high platform suddenly flew up, her snow-white skirt blooming with cool moonlight, carrying her into the sky.

This sudden action stunned everyone.

But just as Yue'e was about to fly away, a fine net suddenly appeared in the dim night sky, enveloping the entire square.

The crimson threads intertwined densely, dyeing the moon and stars crimson.

Yue'e looked at the large net blocking her way, then with a flick of her sleeve, she slapped out her pale white palm.

Bang~~
The next moment she fell from mid-air.

"Haha~~ Now that everyone's here, why the rush to leave?"

A hearty laugh rang out, creating ripples like a pebble thrown into a lake.

"Welcome, Steward!"

Yang Shenwu, Zhang Xian, and the Foundation Establishment cultivators in the crowd rose and bowed towards the main hall.

Immediately, a figure emerged from the main hall. He wore a blue robe, had white hair and a youthful face, a warm smile, and gentle eyes.

(End of this chapter)