Chapter 3375: Ancestor Worship and Mahayana Celebration

This was not Wang Changsheng's first meeting with True Monarch Wanhai; he had previously seen him at Chen Yueying's Mahayana celebration. However, at that time, Wang Changsheng was merely at the Integration stage, while True Monarch Wanhai was a Mahayana cultivator, meaning they were not on equal terms. Given the large number of Integration cultivators attending Chen Yueying's Mahayana celebration, it was unlikely that True Monarch Wanhai would have paid significant attention to Wang Changsheng.

True Monarch Wanhai had not anticipated that Wang Changsheng would not only advance to the Mahayana stage but also possess formidable divine abilities, evidenced by his severe injury to Yan Zheng. This development compelled True Monarch Wanhai to regard him with greater esteem.

Chen Yueying and Ye Yuhan offered their congratulations to Wang Changsheng. He invited them to sit, and the five individuals then enjoyed tea and conversation.

The discussion soon shifted to Wang Mengbin and Wang Qingshan. Wang Changsheng earnestly stated, "Fellow Daoist Xu, Fellow Daoist Ye, our Wang family's resources are limited. I would be profoundly grateful if you could extend your assistance in locating my clansmen."

"We are all members of the human race, so Fellow Daoist Xu and Fellow Daoist Ye will certainly assist. Junior Brother Wang is a skilled artifact forger; given enough time, he might even be able to craft the third Trans-Spirit Treasure Ship," Chen Yueying spoke meaningfully. Given that Zhenhai Palace and the Wang family now shared common interests, it was only natural for her to advocate on Wang Changsheng's behalf.

Yan Zheng, Luo Xiao, and Yin Qing all harbored grudges against them. They understood that only by uniting their forces could they hope to contend; facing them individually was not an option.

"That's a small matter; I will dispatch people to look into it. However, a Trans-Spirit Treasure Ship isn't so easily forged, is it? Merely sourcing the materials is challenging enough, let alone the actual crafting of such a vessel." True Monarch Wanhai dismissed the notion.

"Fellow Daoist Wang was involved in crafting the Trans-Spirit Treasure Ship. If he were to exchange insights on artifact forging with Patriarch Xuanji, it's indeed plausible that he could forge another Trans-Spirit Treasure Ship," Ye Yuhan said with a smile.

"Patriarch Xuanji! Fellow Daoist Ye, are you speaking of the clan member your family has been tirelessly searching for?" True Monarch Wanhai paused for a moment, then inquired, puzzled.

"Precisely. Patriarch Xuanji has indeed advanced to the Mahayana stage and rejoined our Ye family. However, this information is confidential, so please refrain from sharing it publicly for now," Ye Yuhan offered the reminder, knowing that since he dared to speak of it, he wasn't concerned about the news leaking. Indeed, the dissemination of Ye Xuanji's advancement to the Mahayana stage would ultimately benefit the Ye family.

"On that note, it has been quite some time since I last saw Fairy Ye. If I were to encounter her, I would certainly seek her profound guidance," Wang Changsheng said with a smile.

True Monarch Wanhai was somewhat surprised. He had heard of Ye Xuanji, but his knowledge was limited. From Wang Changsheng's comments, it appeared he was acquainted with her. He felt compelled to re-evaluate Wang Changsheng. Could Wang Changsheng's advancement to the Mahayana stage have been facilitated by the Ye family's support? This possibility could not be excluded.

"I have already instructed our clansmen on Xuanling Continent to be vigilant for any information regarding your family members' whereabouts. Any news will be reported immediately, so you needn't worry unduly," Ye Yuhan promised, knowing that for the Ye family, this was merely a minor favor.

Wang Changsheng expressed his sincere thanks repeatedly. For Mahayana cultivators, such a task was insignificant; once an instruction was given, it would naturally be carried out.

After nearly half an hour of casual conversation, Chen Yueying and the other two departed to rest.

Over the following fortnight, cultivators steadily arrived at Qinglian Island to attend Wang Changsheng's Mahayana celebration, creating a very lively atmosphere.

Early that morning, just as dawn was breaking, in a square spanning ten thousand acres, a colossal azure pagoda rose majestically into the clouds. Its plaque bore the three prominent characters: "Azure Lotus Pagoda." In front of the Azure Lotus Pagoda, a long azure table was arranged, laden with offerings and the ancestral spirit tablets.

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan stood at the forefront, their expressions solemn. Behind them stood Wang Qingfeng and thousands of other clan members, all neatly arrayed with solemn expressions. The Wang family was preparing to offer sacrifices to their ancestors, seeking to honor and comfort their predecessors.

Wang Changsheng lit the sandalwood incense, placed it into the censer, and knelt down. Wang Ruyan and the others followed, kneeling in perfect unison.

"Our ancestor, Wang Yuangang, established this family in the small nation of Song in the Eastern Barrens of the Eastern Lǐ Realm. It has been passed down for over twenty thousand years. Your grandson, Wang Changsheng, has now advanced to the Mahayana stage and specially leads the clan in worshipping our ancestors and honoring our predecessors.

"First, we bow to our ancestors, for without them, we would not exist.

"Second, we bow to our valiant heroes and martyrs. Throughout our family's long history, many clan members bravely sacrificed their lives without hesitation for the family's sake. Without their contributions, our Wang family would not possess its current foundation and strength.

"Third, we bow to the immortal spirit of our heroes and martyrs. Should our family ever again face peril, our generation pledges to emulate your courage, offering our very blood for the family's protection. Your sacrifices, greater than life itself and weighty as Mount Tai, command our deepest respect and prostration."

Wang Changsheng kowtowed three times with deep reverence, and Wang Ruyan and the others followed suit.

Wang Changsheng rose to his feet, turned, and faced Wang Qingfeng and the assembled clan members.

"From this day forward, our family boasts a Mahayana cultivator. My hope is for our family to cultivate even more Mahayana cultivators. The family's strength does not rest on my shoulders alone; your contributions are equally vital. Only by uniting as one can our family truly prosper and grow stronger. I aspire for our family to one day become a True Spirit family, akin to the Ye family. Do you believe we can achieve this?"

Wang Changsheng's voice, though not loud, resonated clearly across the entire bluestone plaza. Having reached its current stage of development, the Wang family now needed to diligently accumulate various foundational assets to expand to the same scale and power as the Ye family.

"Yes, we can! We definitely can!" Wang Qingfeng, Wang Qingcheng, and the others shouted loudly, their faces alight with excitement.

A True Spirit family represents the zenith attainable by cultivation families in the Spirit Realm, requiring their concerted efforts. The accumulated resources of True Spirit families are incredibly vast; for example, the Wang family currently lacks even an eighth-tier spiritual vein, let alone eighth-tier formations, guardian spirit beasts, talismans, or elixirs. These are all foundational assets the Wang family must endeavor to acquire.

"I am confident that as long as our entire clan remains united, no obstacle can truly defeat us. My hope is that Mahayana cultivators will emerge from among your ranks." Wang Changsheng's voice resonated clearly through the heavens and earth, perfectly audible to every clan member.

After completing the ancestral worship, Wang Qingfeng and the others proceeded to Welcoming Peak, where Lan Fukong and many others had been awaiting them for some time. All had clearly heard Wang Changsheng's address. Cultivators hailing from other cultivation families, upon hearing Wang Changsheng's inspiring words, were immensely invigorated, as if infused with renewed energy. Who would not aspire to elevate their own family to the prestige and scale of the Ye family? The fundamental prerequisite for such ambition is the presence of Mahayana cultivators; without them, a family can at best only dominate a single region.

"Presenting our Patriarch!" Wang Yihong's powerful voice resounded through the heavens and earth.

Immediately after his announcement, countless blue spiritual lights erupted high in the sky, coalescing into ethereal blue lotus flowers that gently floated aloft. A long azure rainbow soared from the distance, then shimmered as it descended to hover above the bluestone plaza. It revealed itself to be an azure lotus platform, upon which Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan stood.

Wang Changsheng, clad in a blue robe, stood tall and resolute, his gaze firm. Wang Ruyan, in a flowing water-blue *ruqun*, had her hair styled in a celestial bun, with a light, natural makeup application.

"Greetings, Patriarch (Senior Wang)." The assembled cultivators offered their salutations, and the younger generation called out their greetings, their voices echoing across the entirety of Qinglian Island.

Chen Yueying, True Monarch Wanhai, and Ye Yuhan rose to their feet and nodded in acknowledgment. Wang Changsheng gazed at the vast, densely packed crowd below, a reminiscent expression on his face. His journey from being a descendant of a minor family in the lower realm to his current standing was incredibly arduous. It was a path paved by both his personal diligence and the invaluable contributions of his clan members; neither could have been achieved without the other.

Wang Changsheng nodded, then formed a hand seal. The azure lotus platform gently descended, landing on the main stage. He and Wang Ruyan stepped off the platform and took their seats.

"The Ye family extends its congratulations to True Master Taihao on his advancement to the Mahayana stage, offering a high-grade Heaven-Reaching Spirit Treasure, ten pieces of eighth-tier ore, two sections of 100,000-year-old Longevity Bamboo, five drops of Xuanming Heavy Water, and a bottle of eighth-tier Ice Soul Glazed Pills."

"Zhenhai Palace congratulates Senior Wang on his advancement to the Mahayana stage, presenting a batch of eighth-tier artifact forging materials and ten 30,000-year-old spirit herbs."

"My master, True Monarch Wanhai, presents a section of 100,000-year-old Heavenly Sound Divine Wood, two eighth-tier demonic beast teeth, and a complete set of mid-grade Heaven-Reaching Spirit Treasure Sun-Moon Rings, wishing Senior Wang further progress in his cultivation."