Pure Yang!

Chapter 473 Ancestral Shrine! Young man, you are a member of the Zhang family (5k-word chapter)

Xu Family Ancestral Hall.

In the courtyard in front of the hall, a towering tree with lush canopy spreads its leaves all over the ground.

The surrounding walls are covered with old paintings, depicting endless oceans and rolling waves, as if all the water veins of the world are engraved on the mottled earthen walls.

"Zhixia, you need to be careful about your behavior on this occasion."

Before even entering the main courtyard, Wei Qingshuang turned around and began to give instructions.

"I understand," Xu Zhixia said softly.

On this occasion, she wore a plain white dress and black leather shoes, without any makeup, which made her look even more youthful and beautiful.

Looking at the large courtyard in front of her, and the ancient ancestral hall hidden behind it, Xu Zhixia couldn't help but feel a little emotional.

The Xu Family Ancestral Hall is located at the highest point in Tianjin. Standing in the Fengjian Tower, which is 300 meters south of the ancestral hall, one can overlook the entire city of Tianjin, the Haihe River, and the confluence of the three rivers, giving it a sense of "guarding the area".

If the confluence of the three rivers is the place where the dragon vein of the water dragon converges, then...

Therefore, the ancestral hall of the Xu family is the core of the entire feng shui formation in Tianjin, just like the interaction between heaven and man, and the generation and transformation of yin and yang, echoing each other from afar, which is quite mysterious.

This is why the ancestral hall is of utmost importance.

Normally, ordinary clansmen are not allowed to approach, and even during the year-end festival, only male members of the clan can enter the ancestral hall to worship the ancestors.

Otherwise, unless it is a major clan event, women are not allowed to enter the ancestral hall.

Xu Zhixia couldn't even remember when she last came to the ancestral hall. It must have been when Xu Mingjing refined his inner core and entered the Zhai Shou realm, during the clan's ancestral worship ceremony.

After all, once one has mastered the art of cultivating life force, one is already a master of alchemy.

This is a matter of utmost importance for any aristocratic family or sect, requiring ancestral worship, thanksgiving to the gods, and celebration.

Now, Xu Changshou has returned to the Xu family and rejoined his ancestors.

If he only had ordinary cultivation, it wouldn't matter, but he is at the top of the cultivation realm, with his inner core at the fifth level.

Such an achievement is indeed worth the effort, and it can be seen as the Xu family's respect and recognition of him.

"Xu Changshou's disciple, that young man named Zhao Jiexuan, should also be here today," Wei Qingshuang said in a low voice.

"Zhixia, you must seize this opportunity."

"Mom..." Xu Zhixia frowned slightly, wanting to say something, but ultimately held back.

Wei Qingshuang seemed oblivious to Xu Zhixia's expression, and continued, "If your father were more capable, your mother wouldn't have let you use this kind of occasion to get close to him..."

Her words came to an abrupt halt, but Wei Qingshuang's meaning was quite clear.

At his age, Xu Mingzhang was only barely a high-ranking official, and the clan had already deemed him to have exhausted his potential, making him a marginal figure in the second branch of the family.

Although he was a second-generation disciple, he only held a seniority and his status was not even as high as that of a third-generation disciple like Xu Yinhe.

Otherwise, it wouldn't have been difficult for him to find Xu Changshou to arrange a marriage privately.

In reality, given Xu Mingzhang's status, he couldn't even get close to Xu Changshou on his own.

This is the difference in realm, which leads to a vast disparity in status.

That's why their family knew nothing about what was happening in the Water Palace.

In fact, the Xu family's higher-ups had already suppressed the matter, after all, it concerned another important part of the Xu family.

Xu Zhixia was well aware of Wei Qingshuang's thoughts, but she couldn't say anything.

Because Wei Qingshuang was thinking about her future and the future of her family of three, even if she was unwilling, she could only compromise.

Because she was born into the Xu family, a large and powerful clan, she faced many unavoidable circumstances and was not in control of her own destiny.

From the day she chose to break up with Zhang Fan, her fate was no longer in her own hands.

At this time, Xu family disciples had entered the main courtyard one after another.

The Xu family owns many properties and runs a large business. According to the rules, all disciples in Tianjin, except for those in charge in other places, must come today.

Upon entering the courtyard, one is greeted by a massive stone shell in the very center. Its shape is somewhat irregular, nearly octagonal, and mottled and ancient, with wrinkles and creases that seem to have been eroded by wind and frost.

Most importantly, this stone shell is enormous, much larger than the area of ​​Zhang Fan's house.

When Xu Zhixia first came to the ancestral hall as a child, she was extremely curious about the stone shell.

According to the elders of the clan, this thing is the shell of a giant turtle in the Western Sea. It was obtained by Xu Zu and placed in the clan to suppress the water veins of Tianjin and gather fortune.

In fact, among all the water systems in the world, besides the dragon, the most mysterious creature is this giant turtle.

Legend has it that when Yu the Great was taming the floods, he received help from a giant tortoise, which was even larger and shaped like a mountain.

From then on, such spiritual seeds became rare in the rivers, lakes, and seas of the world.

Years ago, the Yellow River changed its course, and parts of the riverbed dried up. A giant turtle crawled out of the riverbed, its back as big as a house. It is said that on that day, the earth shook, lightning flashed, and the river water on both banks swelled.

That was the last recorded mention of such spiritual species.

Now that the Dharma-ending Age has arrived, such spiritual seeds are even more difficult to find in the world.

Some people have said that the old tortoise on the back of Zhenwu Mountain has this kind of bloodline.

"Zhi Xia, my dear."

Just then, a warm voice came from behind.

Xu Zhixia turned around and saw a tall, thin, handsome young man walking over.

"Ziwu." Wei Qingshuang smiled when she saw the person who had arrived.

“Brother Ziwu.” Xu Zhixia nodded.

Xu Ziwu is a third-generation disciple of the Xu family's eldest branch, making him her cousin.

He was a year older than Xu Yinhe, but he was already a master of the third level of the Great Master realm. Moreover, he had completely comprehended the mysteries of this realm on his own. In terms of strength, talent, and status, he was far superior to Xu Yinhe.

"Aunt Wei," Xu Ziwu greeted her.

Although he held an extraordinary position, he was completely unpretentious and had excellent interpersonal relationships among the three generations of Xu family disciples, and was deeply loved by his elders.

"Brother Ziwu, weren't you in Chang'an? Why did you rush back?" Xu Zhixia couldn't help but ask.

“My old man said that the uncle who returned to the clan is a master of the Zhai Shou realm. In addition to ancestor worship, he also needs to perform a sword ritual, so he told me to come back from Zhongnan Mountain as soon as possible,” Xu Ziwu couldn’t help but say.

Ancestor worship is held every year, but the Xu family's sword is not something that can be seen every year.

Even for a disciple of the Xu family, it would require an extraordinary stroke of luck to see the Pure Yang Sword.

"I heard it's raining heavily in Chang'an and all the flights have been canceled. How did you get back?"

Just then, another young man walked over.

"Hehe, I have some friends in the Qin Chuan region, three thousand miles away." Xu Ziwu didn't need to turn around to know who the voice belonged to.

"Zi'an, you didn't expect me to come back so quickly, did you?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a young man with slightly dark skin and bright eyes walked over.

"Brother Zian," Xu Zhixia called out obediently.

"Mm." Xu Zian nodded gently. "Aunt Wei."

"Zi'an, I heard you're almost at the Great Master realm too," Wei Qingshuang said with a light laugh.

"It's still a bit lacking," Xu Zian said calmly.

Upon hearing this, Wei Qingshuang's heart stirred, and she realized that she was almost there, just one step away from succeeding.

It must be said that among the three branches of the Xu family, the eldest branch is indeed the strongest.

This can be seen from the quality of the three generations of disciples.

Among the third-generation disciples of the eldest branch, there are several like Xu Zi'an, all of whom are promising talents.

"Has Zixu arrived?"

"I haven't seen him yet, he'll probably be here soon."

The two younger members of the eldest son's family started chatting.

At this moment, a number of Xu family disciples had gathered in the courtyard in front of the hall.

Dang...dang...

Suddenly, a loud bell rang out.

Everyone stopped making a sound and looked up to see two old men walking out first. One of them was Xu Chengtian, the patriarch of the second branch of the Xu family and one of the three great celestial masters of the Xu family.

As for the other one, he was older, but tall and robust, and on this occasion, he was wearing a purple Taoist robe.

Xu Jinzhao is the head of the eldest branch of the Xu family and also the true power holder of the Xu family.

"Elder of the clan".

All the Xu family disciples bowed and paid their respects, not daring to be the slightest bit negligent.

“Chengtian, your second branch has produced a fine disciple,” Xu Jinzhao said.

His voice wasn't loud, but it was as gentle as a spring breeze, making people feel at ease, while at the same time it carried an imperceptible air of authority.

"Brother, you flatter me." Xu Chengtian smiled.

Xu Jinzhao was referring to Xu Changshou, but in fact, for Xu Chengtian, this was just an accident.

When Xu Changshou left the Xu family, no one would have imagined that he would be able to refine an inner core and achieve such success today.

"Hehe, your second wife is making waves again."

Just then, an old man spoke up. He was short, with rolling eyes and furrowed brows, and he shrank behind Xu Jinzhao.

"My brother, your luck has come your way, and there's no stopping it."

Before Xu Chengtian could speak, Xu Chengfeng spoke first.

He looked at Xu Jinshi with indifference, but inwardly he was quite disdainful.

If it weren't for his elder brother Xu Jinzhao, how could this rat-like creature have cultivated to the level of a master and become his equal?

You should know that this hunchbacked fellow used to do digging and grave robbing when he was young, and he was quite similar to Xu Xuanguan from the third wife.

"All right……"

Xu Jinzhao gently raised his hand, and everything came to an abrupt end.

"come in!"

As soon as the words were spoken, the bell rang, the Dharma drums resounded, the precious banners fluttered, the sutra pillars swayed, flowers rained down, and incense burned brightly...

Outside the courtyard gate, Xu Changshou walked in, stepping on the path paved with fallen flowers.

Under those intense gazes, even someone at the highest level of cultivation was overwhelmed with mixed emotions. Years ago, when he left home, he had often imagined returning in glory and wealth, and how those grudges and entanglements, after the passage of time, would surely become quite a spectacle.

But now that he has achieved great success in his cultivation and his inner elixir has been formed, returning to the Xu family has brought about a change in everything. In this situation, his heart has gradually calmed down, without the excitement and joy he had imagined.

“Disciple Xu Changshou greets the clan elder!” Xu Changshou stood before the huge stone shell, bowing respectfully to the old man standing above.

"Although the lineage of our ancestral master has fallen outside the nest, it has still blossomed and borne fruit. You are quite good," Xu Jinzhao said calmly.

For such words to come from the mouth of the person in charge of the Xu family, it is already a very high form of praise.

"Brother, the auspicious time..."

Just then, Xu Jinshi spoke up.

"No rush, the third branch of the family hasn't arrived yet," Xu Jinzhao said calmly.

"I'm late."

Suddenly, an old voice came from outside the courtyard.

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw an old man walk in. He was none other than Xu Xuanxiao, the patriarch of the third branch of the clan.

"Elder of the clan!"

Everyone bowed respectfully, not daring to be negligent in the slightest.

No matter how much the third branch of the family has declined, Xu Xuanxiao's seniority and strength remain undeniable.

Behind him were Xu Jiuzhi, Xu Jiuliu, and Zhang Fan.

The three branches of the family have dwindled in number; that's all there are in total.

"Father, why did it take you so long to arrive?"

At this moment, Xu Qiaosheng came forward, looking somewhat embarrassed.

He arrived very early.

"The third branch of the family has few members, but they have a big attitude."

At this point, some murmurs began to circulate among the crowd.

"Huh!? Why is there an extra person in the third branch of the family? Who is it?"

"A new face, I've never seen him before."

Suddenly, a series of gazes fell upon Zhang Fan.

On an occasion like today, a stranger's face that doesn't belong to the Xu family is quite conspicuous.

"Zhang...Zhang Fan!?"

Just then, Xu Zhixia's beautiful eyes suddenly trembled as she looked at the figure that was both familiar and unfamiliar, and her heart was filled with turmoil.

She never dreamed that she would see her ex-boyfriend again at the Xu family ancestral hall.

"How...how did he get here?"

At this moment, Wei Qingshuang also stared at Zhang Fan with a look of surprise and doubt.

She could never forget that last time in Yujing, it was this very boy who had forcibly imprisoned her primordial spirit.

It was then that she realized that the boyfriend she had personally broken up with her daughter was no ordinary person at all.

"What's this kid doing here?" Wei Qingshuang had countless questions in her mind.

At this moment, apart from a few Xu family disciples such as Xu Mingcheng, Xu Mingjing, Xu Yinhe, and Xu Yindeng, almost everyone had questions in their minds.

Who is this outsider?

"Um!?"

At this moment, Xu Changshou was also full of questions. He had been unable to contact Zhang Fan for days. How did he suddenly get together with the people from the third branch of the family?
“Xuanxiao, you’ve arrived.” Xu Jinzhao nodded.

"Clan leader, I've brought the person," Xu Xuanxiao said softly.

"You are Zhao Jiexuan?"

Xu Jinzhao shifted his gaze slightly and it landed on Zhang Fan.

"Zhao Jiexuan? He's Zhao Jiexuan!?"

In the distance, Wei Qingshuang was utterly shocked.

How did Zhao Jiexuan, whom she had so desperately wanted to matchmake, end up...?

At this moment, Wei Qingshuang looked at Xu Zhixia with surprise, but the latter was no less puzzled than she was.

"Senior, that's me."

Just then, Zhang Fan's voice pulled everyone's thoughts back to reality.

“Clan leader, the Water Palace…” Xu Xuanxiao suddenly said.

"It's alright, let's put the Water Mansion aside for now." Xu Jinzhao raised his hand, showing no intention of asking about the Water Mansion at all.

This surprised even Xu Xuanxiao.

"Zhao Jiexuan... Only by understanding the profound meaning of this sect can one attain enlightenment and become an immortal. What a fine name." Xu Jinzhao looked at Zhang Fan, as if he were a kind old man.

"It seems your family and teachers have high hopes for you," Xu Jinchao said calmly. "Young man, who is your teacher?"

“Senior, I am a rogue cultivator,” Zhang Fan said sincerely.

"A rogue cultivator? Such talent is truly terrifying. You alone have surpassed all the disciples of my Xu family for three generations."

Xu Jinzhao's words immediately stirred up a huge wave of discussion.

The young disciples of the Xu family all showed strange expressions, staring intently at Zhang Fan.

Especially Xu Zian, Xu Ziqi, and other disciples from the main branch, all looked at Zhang Fan with curiosity and disbelief.

"Senior, you are serious."

"Are you married?" Xu Jinchao asked again.

"Not yet." Zhang Fan shook his head, but a question arose in his mind: why are they asking about his personal life?

"At such a young age, with such talent, it would be such a pity if they didn't pass on their family line," Xu Jinzhao murmured.

"Huh!?" Zhang Fan's heart skipped a beat.

At this moment, both Celestial Masters, Xu Xuanxiao and Xu Chengtian, couldn't help but reveal strange expressions.

“Our Xu family does have quite a few young women of marriageable age,” Xu Jinzhao said.

“This…” Zhang Fan was stunned for a moment, and an embarrassed look appeared on his face.

"Zhi Xia."

Suddenly, Xu Jinzhao called out a name.

Everyone's eyes searched the courtyard in front of the hall.

"Zhixia, the master is calling you."

Wei Qingshuang realized what was happening and shoved Xu Zhixia hard.

Xu Zhixia walked to the front of the group, looking at Zhang Fan with a blank expression.

This glance was taken after a long period of time. When the two met again, everything had changed.

"Zhi Xia is a disciple of your second branch, isn't she?"

Xu Jinzhao looked at Xu Chengtian beside him.

“Yes, he is Mingzhang’s child.” Xu Chengtian nodded.

"Have you gotten married?"

Xu Jinzhao looked at Xu Zhixia and suddenly asked.

"Not...not yet." Xu Zhixia said, somewhat flustered.

Having lived in the Xu family for so long, this was the first time she had been questioned by Xu Jinzhao, the clan head.

"You're of marriageable age now. Men should marry when they're of age, and women should marry when they're of age. Have you started dating anyone?" Xu Jinchao asked again.

"No."

Xu Zhixia murmured softly, her gaze unconsciously drifting towards Zhang Fan.

“Times have changed. Young people today have freedom in love, unlike back then,” Xu Chengtian said with a smile.

"Have you ever dated anyone before?" Xu Jinchao suddenly asked again.

Xu Zhixia's heart skipped a beat, and she nodded: "We dated in college."

"Really?" Xu Jinchao's gaze sharpened slightly, then he asked, "What's his name?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Fan's brows furrowed sharply.

"what?"

Xu Zhixia was stunned, and for a moment she did not understand the meaning of the question.

"I'm asking you, what was the name of the person you dated in college?"

Xu Jinzhao continued.

His voice had become more stern, like a thunderclap, echoing in Xu Zhixia's ears.

At that moment, she seemed to be under immense pressure, all her nerves were tense, and cold sweat kept seeping from her forehead.

"Zhang Fan..."

Suddenly, a name came out of Xu Jinzhao's mouth.

The pressure on Xu Zhixia instantly dissipated.

"His name is Zhang Fan!"

Xu Jinzhao's voice, accompanied by that unfamiliar name, reached the ears of every Xu family disciple.

As soon as he finished speaking, Xu Jinzhao raised his eyes and looked at Zhang Fan again, his expression becoming indifferent.

"Young man, you are from the Zhang family of Longhu Mountain!"

This is not a question, but a statement made with absolute certainty.

These words were like a thunderbolt from the blue, shaking everyone's minds.

(End of this chapter)