Cultivating Immortality: Beginning with Blessings from the Immortals

At this moment, people are coming and going in and out of the ancestral hall.

Chen Yi had secretly investigated and found that the Chen and Zhao families had a large number of members, including two Foundation Establishment cultivators in addition to Zhao Deyan.

One of them was Zhao Deyan's father, Zhao Ruiming, who was at the peak of the early Foundation Establishment stage.

Another one is Chen Yi's grandfather's elder brother, Chen Xiao, who is also a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator.

Chen Yi's grandfather died young, leaving behind Chen Yi's father and aunt. Chen Yi's aunt was adopted by Chen Xiao, while Chen Yi's father lived alone.

Therefore, Chen Yi's family rarely had contact with other members of the Chen clan.

Chen Yi remained calm and led Wu Yifeng over.

As soon as the two reached the courtyard gate, Zhao Deyan, who was already there, immediately went to greet them.

"Nephew, you've finally arrived," Zhao Deyan said with a smile.

He fixed his gaze on Wu Yifeng, a look of surprise flashing across his face. Zhao Deyan immediately realized that the other party was a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

"And this is...?" Zhao Deyan asked.

Chen Yi remained calm and began to speak:

"This is my friend. We'll leave together after I finish paying respects to my ancestors."

Zhao Deyan secretly sized up Wu Yifeng, his brows furrowing slightly. The other man was young, but his aura was more profound than his own.

Such a young Foundation Establishment cultivator must be either an exceptional genius or a scion of a prestigious family.

"Nephew, this is a family matter. Your friend can only wait outside," Zhao Deyan said in a deep voice.

Chen Yi nodded slightly and turned to look at Wu Yifeng.

Wu Yifeng smiled calmly, took his wine gourd and walked to the opposite side of the ancestral hall, where he sat down by the roadside to wait for Chen Yi.

Seeing this, Zhao Deyan didn't know what to say and had no choice but to let Chen Yi in.

Chen Yi calmly picked up some incense sticks and entered the family ancestral hall.

He pushed open the door and entered, only to discover that it was a completely different world inside.

Inside the ancestral hall stand numerous redwood load-bearing pillars, a neat and smooth bluestone brick path, and many sandalwood benches.

The ancestral hall in the very center is solemn and dignified, with wisps of unique blue smoke rising from it.

Many clansmen, dressed in black robes, gathered in front of the ancestral hall.

Chen Yi was wearing a black cloak, so he didn't seem too out of place. However, since he was a new face, he quickly attracted the attention of others.

An elderly man dressed in a black robe approached Chen Yi and asked:

"What tribe do you belong to?"

Upon seeing this, Chen Yi answered truthfully:

"The Chen family, my grandfather is Chen Feng, my father is Chen Lin, and my name is Chen Yi."

The old man looked thoughtful upon hearing this, and the old woman beside him offered a reminder:

"Chen Feng is the old man's younger brother who died young."

Upon hearing this, the old man in black robes exclaimed in surprise, "So you're a descendant of my second brother! But I've heard that you..."

Before the old man in black robes could finish speaking, the old woman beside him gently tugged at his sleeve.

"Ahem, I am your third grandfather."

"This is your first time participating in the ancestral worship ceremony, right? We'll go see your great-grandfather later," said Third Grandfather Chen Qing.

Chen Yi nodded slightly, and the other members of the Chen and Zhao clansmen beside him had different expressions after hearing his identity.

Chen Yi remained unmoved. He took out three incense sticks from the side, lit them, and respectfully offered three sticks of incense to the ancestral hall's incense burner.

He now lives in the Chen family mansion, so it is only natural for him to pay homage to the ancestors of the Chen family.

Many members of the Chen and Zhao clansmen around him looked Chen Yi up and down and whispered among themselves.

Chen Yi chose a corner to sit down and quietly waited for the ancestral worship ceremony to officially begin.

Although he had never participated in the ancestral worship ceremonies of the Chen and Zhao families, he had participated in his family's ancestral worship ceremonies every year in his previous life on Earth.

A complete process takes at least half a day.

Zhao Junri and his mother Chen Li were also in the crowd, and they naturally noticed Chen Yi who had just offered incense.

"Mom, Chen Yi has indeed arrived!" Zhao Junri said coldly.

Upon hearing this, Chen Li's face lit up with joy, and she whispered:

"He's just a kid, after all. He fell for any kind of reverse psychology."

"Don't worry, son. Just wait and see how your father deals with him."

Zhao Junri sneered, as if he could already see how Chen Yi would suffer a setback.

Chen Yi possessed a powerful spiritual sense and immediately detected two intense gazes. He turned his head slightly and saw Zhao Junri and Chen Li staring at him.

Chen Yi remained unmoved; they were nothing more than resorting to underhanded tactics.

At that moment, the courtyard gate was closed.

Several powerful auras entered from the outer courtyard.

Chen Yi suddenly turned his head and found Zhao Deyan walking at the front with the two old men, followed by several other elders who held high positions in the clan.

The three people in front were all Foundation Establishment cultivators. The old man to Zhao Deyan's right was his father, Zhao Ruiming.

Next to him was Chen Xiao, the eldest son of the Chen family.

When the tribespeople saw them enter, they immediately stood up to greet them.

Zhao Ruiming, who was at the head of the group, stretched out his hands, signaling the surrounding clansmen to be quiet. He coughed a few times and slowly began to speak:

"It's that time of year again for ancestor worship, and our Zhao family and Chen family..."

Zhao Ruiming began his declaration before the ancestral worship ceremony and then began the welcoming ceremony for the ancestors.

Several large bronze incense burners were placed in front of the ancestral hall, with three incense sticks taller than a person inserted into each burner.

Many clansmen on both sides began burning paper money and effigies for the dead.

Zhao Ruiming took the main position and began to preside over the ancestral worship ceremony.

Offerings such as roasted pig, roasted chicken, melons, fruits, and wine were placed on the altar. Members of the Chen and Zhao clans stood in front of the ancestral hall to offer incense and pray.

There are also Taoist priests specifically responsible for chanting scriptures for the deceased and burning the scriptures.

By the time all this was finished, it was already close to dusk.

Illumination talismans were pasted on the surrounding walls and wooden pillars, and the gentle light instantly illuminated the entire ancestral hall.

Zhao Ruiming and Chen Xiao sat upright in the main seats. Zhao Deyan, as a junior but already a Foundation Establishment cultivator, could also sit next to them.

After the ancestral worship ceremony was completed, Zhao Ruiming began to inquire about the major events that had occurred within the family.

At the same time, they also informed the members of both tribes of some important matters within their respective tribes.

Chen Yi sat at the back listening, but a sense of unease grew within him. He took out his communication jade slip with Wu Yifeng, and the two began to communicate privately.

A moment later, Zhao Deyan leisurely got up.

As a newly promoted Foundation Establishment cultivator of both races, he naturally received the respect of his clansmen.

Zhao Deyan's gaze fell on Chen Yi, and he slowly spoke:

"There is one more thing I need to tell everyone. My dear nephew Chen Yi's parents have passed away, and he lives alone."

"I have already discussed with Uncle Chen about adopting it under my name."

Upon hearing this, none of the Chen and Zhao clan members below voiced any objection. To them, Chen Yi was practically invisible.

Upon hearing this, Chen Yi, who was at the back of the crowd, frowned.

He hadn't expected that Zhao Deyan would want him to be adopted by him. And he hadn't even consulted Zhao Deyan before trying to force him to do so.

Chen Xiao, the eldest son of the Chen family, stood up and asked:

Where is Chen Yi? Do you have any objections to this matter?

After hearing Chen Xiao's words, Chen Yi got up and slowly walked forward.

In an instant, members of the Chen and Zhao families turned around and saw Chen Yi stepping forward, making way for him.

Chen Yi, with a calm expression, approached Chen Xiao and the other two and said:

"I refuse to do this!"