Chapter 4404: Ancestor Worship (Gone Today)

Over a million years ago, Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan ventured into the Qiankun Ruins in search of treasure. Pursued by Daoist Moyun, they fled into a perilous area. After escaping, they encountered Fang Mu and Master Miaode. Together, they discovered the cave dwelling of a Taiyi Golden Immortal, but were unable to pass due to obstructive restrictions.

Inside the cave, Wang Changsheng found numerous items. Master Miaode took the Myriad Wisdom Immortal Talisman, and Fang Mu claimed the Corpse Bead. The remaining items, including this Heavenly Witch Token, went to Wang Changsheng.

He carefully examined the four tokens, noting their similar styles but different patterns on the reverse. He wondered if this particular token was a "Heavenly Witch Token" issued by a Daluo Golden Immortal. If it indeed proved to be a "Heavenly Witch Token" issued by a Daluo Golden Immortal, it would be an immense stroke of luck.

"Could it really be such a coincidence?" Wang Ruyan exclaimed in surprise. "A Heavenly Witch Token issued by a Daluo Golden Immortal?"

"It's hard to say," Wang Changsheng replied. "Qiankun Ruins was originally a Sky City, overseen by Daluo Golden Immortals. Perhaps that Taiyi Golden Immortal acquired this Heavenly Witch Token from another location. The real question now is whether the Daluo Golden Immortal who issued this token is still alive, what their name is, and where they reside."

If he could clarify these matters, he might be able to request the Daluo Golden Immortal's assistance once. However, given the vast disparity in power, Wang Changsheng was unsure if the individual would still honor the token. He refrained from asking further questions, concerned that Wu Xiao might grow suspicious. If it were truly possible to enlist the aid of a Daluo Golden Immortal, many Taiyi Golden Immortals would undoubtedly vie for the opportunity.

"We'll find an opportunity later to uncover the origin of this token," Wang Ruyan suggested. "We should also consider leaving Qinglian City and finding a way to overcome our current bottlenecks."

She was currently in the mid-Taiyi Golden Immortal stage and had also encountered a bottleneck in her cultivation. It was not uncommon for both husband and wife to encounter bottlenecks consecutively. Advancing from the mid-Taiyi Golden Immortal stage to the late-Taiyi Golden Immortal stage was a significant hurdle, and many Taiyi Golden Immortals found themselves stuck at the mid-stage.

Wang Changsheng nodded. They had been stationed in Qinglian City for nearly a million years, and their clan members had steadily grown. They could now leave Qinglian City to travel, seeking ways to resolve their cultivation bottlenecks.

Wang Yixin entered and reported, "Ancestor, Senior Wu has departed."

"Store these items in the treasury and do not easily display them to others," Wang Changsheng instructed. "While we are away, you are all to follow Qingshan's lead. If Qingshan is not available, then consult Qingbai, Qingling, Qingxiao, or Qingcheng. We will be traveling for some time to overcome our bottlenecks and are unsure when we will return." Wang Changsheng produced a green storage bracelet and handed it to Wang Yixin. The bracelet contained six sets of top-grade Chaotic Armor, five Taiyi Golden Immortal-level bean soldiers, and a batch of high-grade immortal herbs that Wang Qingbai and Liu Hongxue could use to refine third-tier immortal elixirs.

Some Taiyi Golden Immortals struggled for millions of years without overcoming their bottlenecks, while the less fortunate remained stuck for tens of millions of years. Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan intended to return only after resolving their own bottlenecks. They left behind the Golden Prism Mirror and the Yellow-grade Immortal Warship. Combined with the top-grade Immortal Slaying Arrows, top-grade Immortal Slaying Cannons, and top-grade Chaotic Armor from the treasury, the family would be able to escape even if they couldn't defeat the Nine-colored Chaos Beasts.

"Have Mengshan investigate the four types of tokens issued by the Witch Clan," Wang Ruyan instructed. "Do so discreetly, ensuring that no one traces it back to our family."

"Yes, Ancestor," Wang Yixin promptly replied.

After giving a few more instructions, Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan dismissed Wang Yixin. They summoned Wang Tun Tian, Wang Huan Yu, Wang Meng Li, and others, taking them along. The couple then changed their appearances and teleported away from Qinglian City, returning to the Tianchen Sea Region. Traveling at the escape speed of mid-Taiyi Golden Immortals, Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan returned to the Tianchen Sea Region and arrived at Qinglian Island in less than half a month.

As soon as they set foot on Qinglian Island, Wang Yongqian approached them. "Ancestors, you've returned!" Wang Yongqian exclaimed, her face alight with joy. She had not seen Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan for over a million years.

"Indeed, and you've advanced to the Taiyi Golden Immortal stage, which greatly elevates our family's standing," Wang Changsheng praised. In the Immortal Realm, only cultivation families overseen by a Daluo Golden Immortal were considered true Immortal Clans, and the head of such a clan typically possessed Taiyi Golden Immortal cultivation. With dozens of Taiyi Golden Immortals and their clan head, Wang Yongqian, also a Taiyi Golden Immortal, the Wang family already had the appearance of an Immortal Clan. If they could boast a Daluo Golden Immortal, the Wang family would become a true Immortal Clan.

"It's all thanks to the vast amount of cultivation resources you brought back from the Chaotic Continent, Ancestors," Wang Yongqian humbly replied. "Otherwise, I would not have been able to advance to the Taiyi Golden Immortal stage." As the clan head, she enjoyed preferential treatment and did not have to worry about cultivation resources.

"You've earned it," Wang Changsheng stated. "The Tianchen Sea Region has had no major incidents under your governance, and the few conflicts that arose were easily resolved by you. Meng Bin spoke highly of your work. By the way, we will hold an ancestral worship ceremony in three days. Notify all clan members to attend, and be sure to include Yingjie and Hongxue."

They had not returned for over a million years, and their current travels were of unknown duration. Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan decided to hold an ancestral worship ceremony to unite the clan and also to deter any malefactors, letting the outside world know that the Qinglian Immortal Couple was still in the Tianchen Sea Region.

"Yes, Ancestor," Wang Yongqian acknowledged, accepting the directive.

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan each entered a private cultivation chamber to meditate and regulate their breathing. Three days quickly passed. Early on the morning of the third day, a large number of Wang clan members gathered at Dongli Peak, where the Wang family ancestral hall was located. Wang Changsheng, Wang Ruyan, Wang Yingjie, Liu Hongxue, Wang Yongqian, and other high-ranking members stood with solemn expressions before the ancestral spirit tablets.

Wang Changsheng's gaze swept over the ancestral spirit tablets. He lit a bundle of incense, placed it in the censer, then knelt and prostrated himself three times with deep reverence. "To our esteemed ancestors above," Wang Changsheng declared, "I, Wang Changsheng, lead our clan members in this offering to the immortals. Our family now boasts dozens of Taiyi Golden Immortals. We pray for your blessings, that our clan members remain united and work together to develop our family into a true Immortal Clan."

"United in spirit, we shall become an Immortal Clan!" Wang Yongqian and the other clan members echoed in unison.

Wang Changsheng then rose and walked outside. Tens of thousands of Wang family cultivators stood in neat formation, their expressions a mix of solemnity, excitement, curiosity, and thrill. The majority of the clan members present had never personally seen Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan, having only viewed their portraits.

"Greetings, Ancestors!" tens of thousands of clan members proclaimed in unison, their voices shaking the heavens.

"Our family is growing stronger, not solely because of my efforts, but because of the collective hard work of each and every one of you," Wang Changsheng's voice, though not loud, carried across the entire Qinglian Island. "I hope that in the future, you will all be even more united and work harder, so that together we can develop our family into an Immortal Clan, becoming the second Immortal Clan in the Northern Sea Immortal Region. Do you agree?"

"We will respectfully follow the Ancestors' teachings, unite our hearts, cultivate diligently, and become an Immortal Clan!" the clan members declared in unison, their eyes filled with fervent devotion.

This ancestral worship ceremony was recorded in the clan's history. The compiling elders dedicated a hundred thousand characters to describing the scene of that day. During this ceremony, Wang Changsheng outlined the Wang family's future direction: to develop into an Immortal Clan, uniting the hearts and efforts of all clan members towards this singular goal.

After the ancestral worship, Wang Changsheng instructed Wang Yongqian to publicly announce the names of clan members who had severely violated clan rules. Regardless of their cultivation level or lineage, they were to be apprehended and punished as deserved, in order to rectify the clan's conduct. After punishing those who had gravely infringed upon clan rules, it was natural to generously reward those who had rendered meritorious service. Several outstanding clan members received commendations, while others who had excelled in their duties were promoted and praised. Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan also personally selected two particularly talented clan members, allowing them to reside on Qinglian Peak and receive direct instruction in cultivation. This move greatly intensified the envy of other clan members, who then redoubled their efforts in cultivation, hoping that they too might one day reside on Qinglian Peak and receive personal guidance from Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan.