Chapter 373: Chapter 370: The Ancestral Grave Exploded (Part 1)

Deep within the Feng Family Mansion, ten li in, security was extremely tight.

A guard was posted every five steps, a sentry every ten. Interspersed between them, hundreds of strands of Divine Sense swept the area relentlessly.

Behind an exquisite gate was an enormous blood pool, covering a hundred mu of land.

The blood in the pool seemed to possess a soul of its own, churning and leaping in bizarre arcs.

Wisps of blood essence continuously rose, coalescing above into vast, crimson clouds.

A powerful figure stood within the blood pool, the crimson liquid reaching just past his navel.

With each of the man’s breaths, streams of blood essence transformed into ribbons of energy, drilling into his nostrils and pores, following his meridians to continuously merge with his flesh and blood.

With every integration, the man’s aura grew a fraction stronger, and his presence became more substantial.

A miniature Grotto Heaven, only a zhang in diameter, floated behind his head. It was black, and in its center pulsed a flicker of light and flame. The flame twisted and contorted, emitting an energy fluctuation that was utterly terrifying.

From a distance, it resembled a massive, blood-red maw.

Just then, the figure’s eyes snapped open. The blood essence clinging to his body dissipated, revealing a young face.

The young man slowly retracted his Grotto Heaven. He clenched his fist, sensing his current state, and a satisfied smile spread across his face.

"My bloodline has grown stronger again. Huangfu Yu, just you wait! Your era is about to be replaced by me, Feng Liang!"

After speaking, the young man flipped his hand over, producing a Communication Talisman. He extended his Divine Thought into it to read the message inside.

"Brother Liang, Elder Feng Wei brought a monster back from the Mortal District. Not only did he thrash Huangfu Yu so badly he didn’t know what hit him, but he also traded a blow with an Immortal from the Huangfu Family head-on. Now, the Patriarch has given him your Taohua Village, and even the Immortal Ancestor has granted him permission to enter the Purple Bamboo Pavilion at any time."

The young man’s name was Feng Liang, the Feng Family’s hidden number-one seed.

Like Huangfu Yu, he was the clansman with the purest and most potent bloodline the Feng Family had produced in tens of thousands of years.

However, his bloodline had awakened much later than Huangfu Yu’s, so he had never been able to catch up to him.

Coupled with the Feng Family’s deliberate efforts to conceal his existence, Feng Liang had no reputation whatsoever in the Hall of Envoys. In fact, many within the Feng Family itself had no idea a person like Feng Liang even existed.

"Huangfu Yu was defeated?" Feng Liang found this hard to accept.

For all these years, he had treated Huangfu Yu as his goal, cultivating diligently and constantly pushing forward.

He had always hoped that one day, he would defeat Huangfu Yu in front of everyone, allowing both himself and the Feng Family to become the leaders of the Hall of Envoys.

Who would have thought that before that day could come, Huangfu Yu would be defeated by someone else?

And by a Cultivator from the Mortal District, of all people!

This left him incredibly frustrated, with the feeling that someone had snatched his prize right from under his nose.

"Wait, you just said he traded a blow with an Immortal from the Huangfu Family head-on? What’s his Cultivation? How old is he?" Feng Liang asked, suppressing his irritation.

’To be able to trade blows with an Immortal... Don’t tell me he’s some old monster from the Mortal District who’s been in seclusion for years? Did he just bully someone younger and weaker by fighting Huangfu Yu?’

The Communication Talisman immediately relayed a response: "He looks no older than twenty, possibly not even eighteen. He has a Vajra Realm Cultivation."

Feng Liang: "..."

’Are you fucking kidding me?!’

’Not even eighteen!’

’Vajra Realm!’

’Defeated Huangfu Yu!’

’Traded blows with an Immortal head-on!’ 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

’How dare you say something so absurd?’

’Believe it or not, I’ll come out there right now and rip your mouth off!’

As if sensing Feng Liang’s disbelief, the person on the other end of the talisman added, "Brother Liang, this happened right at the gates of our Feng Family Mansion. Many people saw it with their own eyes, including the Patriarch and the Elders. Even the Immortal Ancestor appeared because of him. Plus, word has already spread throughout the Hall of Envoys."

"It may sound unbelievable, but it’s the truth."

Hearing this, Feng Liang reined in his cavalier attitude and asked, "Where is this Mo Qi now?"

"He’s at your Taohua Village, Brother Liang. Except... it’s his Taohua Village now. I heard the Patriarch is taking him to the family’s ancestral hall today to pay respects to the ancestors and receive his proof of identity."

Feng Liang’s brow furrowed at this. He snorted coldly. "My Taohua Village isn’t so easy to take. I’d like to see for myself just what’s so special about the person who defeated Huangfu Yu!"

Feng Liang didn’t believe for a second that a Vajra Realm Cultivator could contend with an Immortal.

In his view, it was far more likely that their own Immortal Ancestor had secretly intervened to help.

’So, if I can defeat Mo Qi head-on, wouldn’t that prove I’m better than Huangfu Yu?’

「...」

Taohua Village covered an area of over ten thousand mu. It was less a village and more a small city.

Accompanying Mo Qi to the Feng Family were not only the experts from Within the Pass and the Women’s Corps, but also the survivors of the Void Sect, the Imperial Family of the Mountain and Sea Empire, and nearly half the forces of the five great families.

All told, the group numbered nearly one hundred thousand people.

Yet, living in Taohua Village, it didn’t feel crowded at all. In fact, there was more than enough room.

Within Taohua Village, the Feng Family had not stationed any personnel or spies.

Evidently, just as Mo Qi had wanted, the Feng Family had given them sufficient freedom.

The principle was simple: show me respect, and I’ll show you more in return.

Therefore, when the Feng Family invited Mo Qi to their ancestral hall, he did not refuse.

In any case, Mo Qi was quite satisfied with the Feng Family’s overall attitude.

If the Feng Family could truly abide by the conditions he had set in the coming days, then he wouldn’t mind giving them a taste of something sweet.

The Feng Family’s ancestral hall was, in reality, a towering, enormous altar.

The altar, constructed entirely of black stone blocks, stood a hundred zhang tall, emitting a cold, gloomy light under the sun.

When Mo Qi arrived, the Feng Family’s Patriarch, Feng Lun, had already been waiting for some time.

"Young Brother Mo Qi, come quickly. This is my Feng Family’s ancestral hall. The altar houses the spirit tablets of my Feng Family’s ancestors. Since you have come to my family, tradition dictates that you must come and pay your respects."

"Only after receiving the ancestors’ approval can you be issued your proof of identity."

Feng Lun explained everything to Mo Qi in a very friendly and patient manner, personally leading him up the altar.

"Patriarch Feng, may I ask how one is considered to have received the approval of your esteemed ancestors?" Mo Qi asked.

Just as Feng Lun was about to speak, a gruff voice echoed from the distance, accompanied by a burly young man who was rushing over.

"It’s simple. Kneel before the altar, perform the grand ritual of three kneelings and nine kowtows to my clan’s ancestors, and then offer up your soul imprint. If the ancestors approve of you, they will naturally bestow upon you your proof of identity."

After landing, Feng Liang walked straight up to Mo Qi and looked him up and down.

’Three kneelings and nine kowtows? A soul imprint?’

’Heh.’

’He must be dreaming!’

Instead of getting angry, Mo Qi laughed. He ignored Feng Liang’s provocative gaze, turned to Feng Lun, and asked, "Patriarch Feng, is this true?"

Feng Lun was somewhat surprised by Feng Liang’s appearance.

’Isn’t this kid supposed to be in the Ancestral Pool refining his bloodline? What’s he doing out here?’

"Liang, stop this nonsense!"

Feng Lun chided him, then turned to Mo Qi with a smile. "We can dispense with the soul imprint, but as for the kneeling ceremony... I trust you can understand, Young Brother Mo Qi?"

Mo Qi nodded, his expression a little strange.

"Patriarch Feng, it’s only right and proper for a junior to kneel and pay respects to their seniors. However, my situation is a bit... special. I’m afraid your esteemed ancestors won’t be able to bear it!"