Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Chapter 1444 - 910: Martial Immortal Ceremony, Something Went Wrong (2)

Because of the establishment of Qingli Immortal City, both the Lingxiu Three Sects and the Nether Prison Sect could reap enormous profits from it. There was currently no major conflict of interest between the two sides; on the contrary, they needed to cooperate in many areas.

This time, Han Jiangche’s attendance at Zhang Xian’s Martial Immortal Ceremony represented the attitude of the Nether Prison Sect.

”Please be seated, seniors!”

On the high platform, Zhang Xian casually invited the few of them to take their seats.

”Mm.”

Lin Daoyuan took his seat, and at the same time exchanged a glance with Yue E.

Yue E only gave a light shake of her head, then calmly lifted her tea and took a small sip on her own.

They all knew of Zhang Xian’s hatred toward the Nether Prison Sect. Not long ago, Zhang Xian had still been inciting them to go to war with the Nether Prison Sect, yet now he was treating Han Jiangche with such courtesy. This made them feel something was off.

Lin Daoyuan’s eyes drooped slightly as he considered that this might be Zhang Xian putting on a show and playing nice with Han Jiangche. After all, few knew of Zhang Xian’s hatred toward the Nether Prison Sect; perhaps besides the inner circle of the Wuxiang Sect, only he and Yue E knew.

Once everyone had taken their seats, the Martial Immortal Ceremony officially began.

Yang Shenwu, dressed in a dark Cloud Brocade long robe, walked to the front of the platform and said in a loud voice, ”On this auspicious day and fine hour, Heaven and Earth rejoice as one! Today, a Disciple of the Wuxiang Sect, Zhang Xian, attains the Divine Soul Realm and thus opens this Martial Immortal Ceremony, respectfully inviting Heaven and Earth to bear witness together!”

As his voice fell, the bronze chime rack on the east side of the square and the vermilion-lacquered war-drum platform on the west side resounded at the same time.

Thirty-six chime bells, large and small, hung in sequence on the cloud-patterned wooden frame, their bell bodies cast with auspicious grain and spirit-beast motifs; nine war drums, covered with deerhide, stood on frames carved into coiling dragons with raised heads, while the drumsticks were wrapped with soft silk.

As the ceremonial officer lifted his hand in signal, eight Qingyi musicians lightly swept their sleeves, each hand wielding a jade mallet, wandering among the chime bells as they struck. The clear, ethereal bell tones tinkled like spring water, rippling layer upon layer across the square. The higher bells were like morning dew dropping on lotuses, bright and crystalline; the lower bells were like heavy stones striking a deep pool, humming and resonant.

At the same time, four yellow-robed Martial Artists stepped slowly onto the drum platform and gently tapped the drumheads with the silk-wrapped drumsticks. The drumbeats were like muffled spring thunder, low and rhythmic, echoing the bell tones and forming a soothing cadence.

The weighty and solemn music swept over flying eaves and painted brackets, startling the copper bells at the roof corners into a soft jingling.

The crowd in the square stood in solemn silence. When the piece ended, they voiced their congratulations in unison: ”Congratulations to the Master on ascending to the Martial Immortal Realm!”

Zhang Xian rose and stepped onto the raised platform, slightly nodding to Yang Shenwu before speaking: ”I recall in my weak-crown years, sword in hand to question the Martial Arts, cold soaking my blue robe, frost whitening my temples. Spring practice amongst a hundred flowers in bloom, autumn training as leaves fell in flurries; braving scorching heat in summer, battling bitter frost in winter—only then did I gain a glimpse of the threshold of the Divine Soul Realm. The hardships therein—were it not for the Sect’s gracious teachings, how could there be this day? Drinking water, one must think of its source; my gratitude is engraved in my very viscera!”​