Chapter 12, Grand Elder

Translator: Raznick

 

Ganoderma Peak。

 

On this day, after leaving the Purification Pavilion, Zhou Chun returned to his dwelling as usual. First, he sat down to meditate and replenish his spiritual power.

 

But before long, barely two periods of incense burning had passed, and he sensed that the array in the courtyard had been triggered by someone from outside.

 

When he finished his training session and opened the courtyard door, he saw Zhou Yong waiting for him with an anxious expression.

 

At this moment, upon seeing him emerge, he immediately spoke in a somber tone: “The Clan Leader has issued an order. All clansmen inside the estate, except those guarding the Purification Pavilion and the protective mountain array, are to assemble on Pagoda Peak. There is an important announcement to make!”

 

After saying that, he gave a slight bow and said, “I need to inform the others. Brother Chun, you should hurry to Pagoda Peak.”

 

An important announcement?

 

Zhou Chun’s expression flickered with doubt as he cast a glance at Zhou Yong’s departing figure before quickly tidying up and heading toward Pagoda Peak.

 

When he reached the peak of Pagoda Peak, he found that several dozen Zhou Clan cultivators had already gathered there.

 

From the elderly of a hundred years old down to teenagers, their eyes all showed a blank expression. Clearly, they were all summoned here suddenly, just like Zhou Chun.

 

Upon seeing this situation, Zhou Chun also abandoned the idea of seeking someone to inquire about information. He promptly exchanged greetings with some acquainted clan members and joined them in waiting together.

 

After waiting for more than half an hour, when the number of Zhou Clan cultivators gathered on the mountain approached a hundred, Clan Leader Zhou Guyi and the three Elders finally emerged from the Central Palace.

 

Just as Zhou Chun and others thought they were about to find out the reason, Zhou Guyi and three other Foundation Establishment cultivators suddenly all bowed and paid their respects towards the top of the mountain, saying: “We respectfully greet the Grand Elder’s emergence from seclusion.”

 

As soon as these words were spoken, a beam of green light erupted from the mountain peak, soaring into the sky before quickly descending to the midpoint of the slope, revealing the figure of an elderly man with white hair and green robe.

 

This elder, who was a pillar supporting the Zhou Clan, was Zhou Wende in the Violet Palace Stage.

 

Although he looks somewhat aged, Zhou Wende’s lifespan was not particularly long when compared to other cultivators at Violet Palace Stage.

 

On the Violet Palace Stage, cultivators generally lived over four hundred years, with some even reaching nearly five hundred.

 

Zhou Wende was now over two hundred years old, yet he had white hair because he began showing signs of aging prematurely from reaching the Violet Palace Stage as he neared two hundred years of age. He was at the lifespan limit of Foundation Establishment Stage.

 

To be frank, Zhou Wende’s breakthrough into the Violet Palace Stage more than ten years ago was a sign of divine favor towards the Zhou Clan.

 

Because if it weren’t for Zhou Wende, a Violet Palace Stage cultivator, daring to take the lead by stepping forward during the time when the Three Absolute Sects was split up, there likely wouldn’t have been many Zhou Clan cultivators willing to openly confront Yu Jinghua, a Golden Core Stage cultivator, or dare to declare independence and establish their own group.

 

In today’s Zhou Clan, Grand Elder Zhou Wende remained highly respected and beloved by all.

 

At this moment, as his figure emerged, under Clan Leader Zhou Guyi’s lead, all present Zhou Clan cultivators bowed and greeted him: “We pay our respects to the Grand Elder.”

 

“Compatriots, no need for ceremony. Let’s proceed together to the Ancestral Hall!”

 

Zhou Wende swept his sleeves and led the way towards the Ancestral Hall, which had been closed since its establishment.

 

As a cultivating clan organized by lineage, the Zhou Clan’s Ancestral Hall was naturally a place of great importance, with all materials used being precious items, and also guarded by separate arrays.

 

Normally, only Grand Elder Zhou Wende and Clan Leader Zhou Guyi had the qualifications to open it.

 

At this point, Zhou Wende opened the Ancestral Hall’s door, with Zhou Chun and other cultivators from the Zhou Clan following behind him for the first time.

 

Upon entering, one could see a square courtyard with a pool in the center, where several lotus leaves float on its surface. The leaves were jade-green and lustrous, exuding vitality abundantly.

 

Beneath the lotus leaves lay a clear pool with several large golden carp swimming ceaselessly within it. Their bodies exude a faint aura of Qi.

 

Looking again at the corridors on both sides of the courtyard well, the walls were adorned with murals and inscriptions detailing the origins of Zhou Clan and recording some heroic deeds performed by their ancestors.

 

For example, there was a Zhou ancestor named Zhou Tong, who along with two Golden Core Stage friends, had slain a fourth-grade demon beast that plagued the cultivation world.

 

On the wall painting, you could see the scene where this ancestor of the Zhou Clan chopped off a Flood Dragon.

 

For example, there was a Zhou ancestor named Zhou Xia who once ventured into a mysterious and extraordinary place. From this unique location, he brought back a type of magical creature known as the Jade Spirit Bee, which conferred immense benefits upon the Zhou Clan.

 

One could also see the figure of this ancestor of the Zhou Clan beekeeping and collecting honey.

 

In any case, ancestors of the Zhou Clan who appeared in this Ancestral Hall in the form of murals were all those who have made tremendous contributions to the Zhou Clan, and their merits deserved to be remembered forever by later generations of Zhou cultivators.

 

“People must never forget their roots, and above all, must never forget one’s own ancestors!

 

“Cultivators like us, though seeking immortality and Dao, yet being born human, must take humanity as our foundation. We do humane deeds and walk the path of humanity.

 

“If it weren’t for the walls on both sides listing the efforts of our Zhou ancestors, would we have the chance to stand here today? Would we be able to attain this level of cultivation?

 

“So, no matter how high you cultivate in the future or where you are, do not forget the achievements of our ancestors. Do not forget whose blood flows through your veins!

 

“Of course, old man as I am, I harbor a greater hope: that one day, your name name might grace this wall of merits, so that the spirits of our ancestors in heaven, and the descendants of Zhou Clan for generations to come, will take pride in you and feel honored by your achievements!”

 

A deep, powerful voice slowly emerged from Zhou Wende’s mouth, resonating grandly within the ancestral shrine.

 

Those Zhou Clan cultivators who were inside the Ancestral Hall felt an unusual emotion in their hearts upon hearing these words.

 

The old men looked ashamed and guilty, lowering their heads as if they felt remorseful towards their ancestors.

 

Some teenagers and young men unconsciously stood up straight, their eyes betraying a look of yearning.

 

Even Zhou Chun’s gaze flickered slightly, feeling a touch of resonance.

 

Honoring one’s ancestors, even in his previous life, was a highly esteemed and recognized action by the people.

 

He still remembered, when he was admitted to university back then, all his blood-related relatives like his parents and grandparents were so happy that they told everyone about it. Even the villagers praised him for making a name for himself.

 

That should have been his most glorious moment in the past life!

 

Unfortunately, after entering society, such things never happened again. Moreover, because he had never gotten married, he didn dare visit often.

 

Thinking about past lives subconsciously, Zhou Chun followed the crowd into the main hall of the Ancestral Hall.

 

Given that the Zhou Clan had a history of over a thousand years, the number of ancestor was countless.

 

Therefore, those who had a tablet in this main hall were not only the first and second generation ancestors but also cultivators above the Foundation Establishment Stage.

 

Those Zhou Clan cultivators who had not reached the Foundation Establishment Stage were enshrined in the side chambers of the Ancestral Hall.

 

But in reality, since ordinary mortals were forbidden from entering the Ancestral Hall, many of the descendants of those memorial tablets could no longer be found among today’s present cultivators.

 

Take Zhou Chun as an example; the parents, grandparents, and all relatives within five generations of this body were ordinary mortals. Only he among them possessed a spiritual root, making him a cultivator.

 

If he didn’t check the clan genealogy, he wouldn’t even know what names his ancestors cultivators beyond three generations bore, or where their tablets were enshrined.

 

Among the Zhou Clan cultivators present here, quite a few were in a similar situation as he.

 

Therefore, in order not to affect the unity of the clan members, Zhou Wende took everyone from the main hall to pay respects and burn incense at all the ancestral tablets.

 

After completing the elaborate rite, everyone returned to the main hall. Zhou Wende slowly turned around, his back facing the tablets representing their ancestors, and gazed seriously at the crowd.

 

The crowd saw this and all became tense, knowing that he was about to announce something important.

 

They immediately perked up, suppressing their breath and focusing intently, waiting quietly.

 

“Since my clan existed from the very beginning when our ancestors first established the Three Absolute Sect, it can be said that for as long as the Three Absolute Sect has been passed down, so has the Zhou Clan.

 

“For many years, our clan has shared honor and disgrace with the Three Absolute Sect, and in order to maintain the sect’s heritage and unity, our ancestors have always intentionally downplayed our influence.

 

“Nowadays, the Three Absolute Sect has already disbanded, and our clan has suffered a great calamity, splitting into two. The clan members are scattered and in disarray.

 

“We, descendants of the Zhou Clan from the Nine Peaks branch, having inherited the Zhou Clan’s legitimate lineage and carried forward our ancestors’ sacrificial rituals, henceforth must regard the clan as the foundation and use our bloodline as the bond. We shall unite with one heart and cast our future in glory, making our clan flourish and shine brightly. Let our ancestors and future descendants take pride in us!”

 

Having said that, Zhou Wende paused slightly and turned his gaze toward the attentive clan members.

 

Then, his tone suddenly became solemn as he said: “Therefore, in order to promote the prosperity of our Zhou Clan, to ensure that all our clansmen can practice their cultivation with greater ease and efficiency in the future, and to make our Zhou Clan stronger and better, reform is imperative!

 

“After extensive deliberation over several months with Clan Leader and Elders, we have preliminarily drafted the major changes needed. Today, I shall announce them publicly before all our ancestors.”