Chapter 1092: Chapter 622: Beginning the Ancestral Rite! (2)

The fourth generation of the Yang Family had all grown up, each capable of handling matters independently, yet in everyone’s heart, there remained an insurmountable mountain.

Yang Min.

This matter has its roots; from a young age, Yang Min was highly anticipated by Yang Genshuo and Yang Feng’s family, raised as the eldest brother of the fourth generation of the Yang Family, and nurtured as the future Family Head.

Yang Min’s temperament was also good, not only was he wise and intelligent early on, but he was also extremely patient.

Since childhood, he took care of the children, pulling along a bunch of younger siblings.

He was even more attentive than Yang Qiangyuan and Yang Qianglin.

He continued to guide them into adulthood, still disciplining their words, deeds, and cultivation.

As for why Yang Qianglin and Yang Qiangyuan weren’t involved...

How shall we say, the two of them combined weren’t enough to withstand a single hand from Yang Min.

Yang Min inherited Yang Feng’s talent, his cultivation progressed quickly, and his unique talent allowed him to burst with tremendous combat power.

He also possessed the perception and acuity of an Enchanting Demon and was extremely adept at instructing others.

Later, Yang Min went to Xuanwu Academy to serve as a teacher and is now a deputy dean.

Therefore, these younger siblings have been cultivating quite well since childhood, with a solid foundation.

Yang Min is their eldest brother, as well as half a father.

The younger siblings felt both fear and respect for Yang Min; even at over 100 years old, the mere thought of Yang Min testing them would unconsciously make them nervous.

Watching his younger siblings’ anxious expressions, Yang Min sighed.

"Remember... everything is but fleeting clouds; only cultivation truly belongs to you. Without cultivation, how will you attain immortality?"

"Understood, big brother."

With Yang Min’s arrival, everyone composed themselves significantly, the atmosphere shifted to seriousness as they spoke in hushed tones, awaiting the arrival of the elders.

Outside the ancestral hall, there were two more groups of people.

They were not qualified to enter the ancestral hall to pay respects, but every year they would wait and offer sacrifices outside together.

The branch of the Yang Family known as the Hu Zi lineage and the Li Family.

These were the two families sharing both fortune and calamity with the Yang Family, being the closest in relationship. Although not sharing the Yang Family’s bloodline, they were undoubtedly the Yang Family’s best allies, essentially equivalent to family.

The Hu Zi family and the Li Family were also growing, and with the Yang Family’s help, gradually becoming massive...

After a century of development, the numbers in these two families skyrocketed, with descendants surpassing the Yang Family itself.

Such "imperial relatives" were the foundation of the Yang Family’s power, akin to Yang Hu to Yang Shi, Yang Changzai to Yang Fujian, Li Fan to Yang Qiangjin... paired with Yang Family members, they became the Yang Family’s right-hand men in controlling the empire.

This was a reward for loyalty.

Though positioned outside, they were far more constrained. Under the elders’ instructions, everyone strictly adhered to the rituals of ancestor worship, showing utmost respect.

Whether or not they believed there was an Immortal among the Yang Family’s ancestors... whenever the Yang Family performed ancestor worship, they treated it as though there was.

The time was drawing near, and the most crucial individuals had arrived.

The three sisters, Yang Qiangjin, Yang Qiangwei, and Yang Qiangjing, ascended to the highest position of the Yang Family’s ancestor worship ceremony together.

Yang Qiangjing stood at the center, flanked by Yang Qiangjin and Yang Qiangwei on either side.

The sisters were the hosts of this ancestor worship.

They were also the de facto rulers of the Danai Empire and the Sky Garden Dynasty.

Over the course of a hundred years, the splendor of the first three generations of the Yang Family had faded.

Yang Fu was in the Border Town and could not move freely.

Yang Fujian was out seeking his own fate, searching for an opportunity to break through to Nirvana.

Yang Fushuo had almost severed ties with the family.

Yang Fuqing...

Not a single one of the four second-generation children could attend the ancestor worship at the ancestral hall.

The third generation was also not optimistic.

Eldest brother Yang Qiang was brainwashed by the Heavenly Mechanism Sect and lost contact.

The second, Yang Qiangyou, was in realm breakthrough and could not be disturbed.

The two most talented cultivators who were supposed to shoulder the family’s great responsibility, Yang Feng and Yang Qiangzheng, both went missing.

Despite Yang Qianglin and Yang Qiangyuan being of little use, they produced a bunch of children for the family, becoming the pillars upon which the Yang Family’s control of the Danai Empire rested.

In the end, only these three sisters were left to hold the situation together.

Fortunately, Yang Qiangjing had strategy, Yang Qiangjin had martial prowess, and Yang Qiangwei had her own methods...

The three of them managed to get by over the years.

In previous years, Yang Qiangjing always felt a sense of melancholy before the ancestor worship, filled with repeated attempts and subsequent disappointments.

But today, Yang Qiangjing was full of vigor!

"The Yang Family ancestor worship ceremony begins!"

As Yang Qiangjing’s voice fell, each Yang Family member presented their precious offerings for the ancestors, placing them one by one on the massive sacrificial platform.

Below, Yang Zhu whispered, "Every year we have to empty our own pockets... the ancestors never take it, it all goes to the storeroom year after year. I don’t care; this year, I’m just offering an array plate I made. Take it or leave it."

A nearby sister, Yang Zhuyun, agreed, "Exactly... since I’ve been born, I’ve never received anything from the ancestors... always asking me to offer up, and not allowing ordinary spiritual objects, hmph~ Regardless of how much I offer today, I’ll make sure to reimburse the same amount tomorrow. What’s given into the storeroom has to be coughed back up."

"I’m so envious of you, sister~ having such a bright future in the Spirit Plant Department, unlike me, who just knows how to toil... never able to take anything."

Another sister, Yang Zhuhan, said pitifully.

"That’s because your brain isn’t sharp enough. After all, it’s all from our family, so what’s the harm in taking a bit? Would Grandma beat me up?"

"Learning from sister, it’s an eternal study~" Yang Zhuhan complimented, while Yang Zhuyun, with a face full of satisfaction, began teaching her how to take advantage within the department.

"Let me tell you... these are fundamental skills, without them, you won’t survive..."

The sisters shared a harmonious relationship.

Judging from the offerings, the three sisters Yang Qiangjing, Yang Qiangjin, and Yang Qiangwei clearly presented meticulously selected rare treasures, which were absolutely priceless.

The fourth generation of the Yang Family was slightly less impressive but still had their unique offerings. Regardless of their inner thoughts or belief in the ancestors’ existence, at least they made a presentable effort on the surface, leaving nothing to be faulted.

As for the fifth generation, like Yang Zhu and others... their contributions were as perfunctory as could be.

It was more like doing the minimum of showing up.

Yang Zhushuang went the furthest, offering nothing but Spirit Rice...

Yang Qiangjing raised her eyebrow but said nothing.

And Yang Minrui, who was always observant, initially wanted to reprimand the kid but, on second thought, no one saw it anyway, and everyone knows the ancestors wouldn’t take it. Better to spare his dignity and save face outside.

After all, he was about to become an official in the National Law Department.

Li Minsi, who managed the Spirit Plant Department, just let out a derisive laugh.

"Nephew, I wondered why you went to the Spirit Plant Department today; turns out you were picking our Spirit Rice... If I knew you were offering it to the ancestors, I would’ve let you pick some mutant Spirit Rice under the ancient tree."

"No need to trouble Auntie; ancestor worship is about sincerity. What’s important is the thought behind it; do you think an Immortal lacks what we offer? Isn’t that right?"

He was indifferent, explicitly being perfunctory.

And this comment... actually resonated with many of the Yang Family’s fifth generation.

"Exactly, exactly... How can we afford so many Spirit Stones for good offerings?"

"Just a token is fine; the ancestor won’t mind."

"If the ancestor ever shows up, I’ll willingly offer my head for him to kick!"

Hearing this, Yang Zhu, looking upset, stood up as the eldest sister and reprimanded:

"Everyone, say less!"

"Let’s finish up quickly; I still have to go for an outing later."

Yang Zhushuang, who was about to say more, heard this and stepped back with a slight smile.

"What a coincidence, I need to go for an outing later too..."

Yang Minrui glared at him: "Stand properly at the back, wait for Grandma Jin to speak."

Although the fourth generation of the Yang Family was disciplining their children, apart from Yang Min and Yang Minke, hardly anyone believed the ancestor would return.

They had never communicated with the ancestor.

Only Yang Min and Yang Minke had ever heard the ancestor’s voice.

Especially Yang Min.

He looked at the chaotic scene below, full of disappointment.

"Ancestor, I can manage my brothers and sisters, but I cannot control them..."

Even Yang Qiangjin was feeling uneasy, while Yang Qiangjing remained calm, unfazed.

"Xiao Jing, say something, how should things proceed below? Isn’t it time to discuss this year’s matters pertaining to the Legendary Land?"

Hearing this, Yang Minke and Yang Minrui immediately perked up their ears.

This was a matter over which their small group fought tooth and nail every year.

At this time, Yang Qiangjing glanced at the sky.

"Ancestor, may we begin?"

Everyone: "???"