Jiang Wangyuan took a wide berth around and walked into a side hall.

The Imperial Ancestral Temple’s Offering Heaven Hall and Guarding the Nation Hall were the two halls with the highest standards in the temple. One mainly offered sacrifices to the meritorious subjects who established the founding achievements of the country, while the other mainly offered sacrifices to those who established the achievements of restoring the country.

Of course, the latter’s incense was naturally far more prosperous than the former’s. After all, before Emperor Wu of Qi restored the country, those founding meritocratic families had either rebelled, died, or scattered to the winds.

Nowadays, the majority of Qi Country’s top renowned families had risen only after Emperor Wu’s restoration.

The first shrine Jiang Wangyuan went to offer sacrifices to was, naturally, the spirit shrine of the first Marquis of Bowang.

Although the Zhong Xuan Family is now Qi Country’s top renowned family, the position of the first Marquis of Bowang had also entered the Guarding the Nation Hall, but it was slightly further back.

This was because during the Martial Emperor Dynasty, the Heavy Mystery could only be considered to have just begun to show promise. The Heavy Mystery obtained the title of Marquis of Bowang, and truly succeeded without interruption to become a top family one generation later than the Shimen Li Clan.

The spirit shrine of a meritorious subject like the first Marquis of Destroying Cities, who established the achievements of restoring the country, was at the very front of the Guarding the Nation Hall.

The shrine itself was already equipped with Heavenly Will incense, which was said to carry out the commands of the heavens, allowing those who offered sacrifices to establish a subtle connection with the spirituality lodged between heaven and earth—whether this was true or not was debatable, but its price was exceptionally high.

Its fragrance could also nourish the spirit, but because it was commonly used for sacrifices and considered inauspicious, few people used it for cultivation.

Jiang Wangyuan took three sticks, respectfully carried out the rituals, and then inserted them into the incense burner.

Judging from the state of the spirit shrine, Zhongxuan Zun must have already come before—perhaps this was why Zhongxuan Sheng only reminded him of this matter on the second day, so that Jiang Wangyuan did not have to meet with Zhongxuan Zun privately.

Looking at the statue of the first Marquis of Bowang in the spirit shrine, Jiang Wangyuan couldn’t help but think...

If that person in the Blue Stone Palace had not been deposed, or if Zhongxuan Futu had not stood with that person back then.

With the achievements of Zhongxuan Futu in destroying numerous countries, coupled with the construction of the Floating Map Pure Land in the Lost World and the establishment of merit for the Human Race... it was probable that in the accompanying shrines of The Imperial Ancestral Temple there would be a place for him, and it would not have been impossible to erect another spirit shrine.

Jiang Wangyuan did not dwell on this too much, and after another bow, he turned to the spirit shrine of the Marquis of Destroying Cities.

Given his relationship with the descendants of the Li Family, it was indeed appropriate for him to come and offer sacrifices.

The ancestors of the Li Clan had destroyed Xiong City with ten arrows, such Divine Might inspired awe and longing in their descendants.

That was no ordinary city but one guarded by the soldiers of the rebel army. The first Marquis of Destroying Cities laid the foundation for victory in the battle for restoration with ten arrows.

And the Shimen Li Clan had also continued its lineage to this day, its reputation undiminished.

After worshiping in an orderly manner, Jiang Wangyuan prepared to leave.

But outside the Marquis of Destroying Cities’ spirit shrine, he glanced inadvertently and saw another shrine—standing side by side with that of the Marquis of Destroying Cities, but noticeably much quieter.

Naturally, this could only be the spirit shrine of the first Marquis of Returning Nine Times.

The hereditary title of the Phoenix Immortal of Clan Zhang had been taken away long ago, further diminished until they became unknown. Even if their descendants were unworthy, the merit of the first Marquis of Returning Nine Times in saving the state could not be erased.

In The Imperial Ancestral Temple, the shrine of the Marquis of Returning Nine Times has always remained.

Of course, there were few who came here to offer sacrifices. After all, for a very long time, the descendants of Clan Zhang couldn’t even find a place to settle in Linzi.

However... It seemed that someone was offering sacrifices inside now, the fragrance of the Heavenly Will incense was faintly discernible.

Jiang Wangyuan looked around and saw no one else nearby.

There were no guards in the Guarding the Nation Hall, probably only someone came early and late to clean.

After thinking for a moment, he stepped inside.