All-class Gu Immortal

Chapter 195 The Ancestral Hall Provocation
"I believe you are not exaggerating."

After a moment of silence, Wanqi Zongyuan nodded.

Zhou Qing's combat strength far surpasses that of his peers, and he also possesses such an exaggerated talent. Even without using his martial arts cultivation, relying solely on the Gu worms he possesses and his numerous life-and-death battle experiences, dealing with those arrogant juniors in his clan would indeed be no problem.

"Since you have a talent for refining Gu, you can't let it go to waste."

You currently possess quite a few Gu worms, but they are all combat-type Gu worms; only the wine worm is a support type.

You can temporarily stop refining the Xuanbing Gu and focus on cultivating the Wine Worm, with breaking through to the second tier as your primary goal.

"Once you break through to the second tier, it won't be too late to cultivate the Mystic Ice Gu."

Wanqi Zongyuan pondered, "After all, Zhou Qing's current number and quality of Gu worms already surpass those of most first-tier Gu masters. Refining another Xuanbing Gu would waste even more of his energy."

The Spirit-Subduing Gu is the most precious Gu worm of the Ice Spirit Clan, and it is impossible for him to give it to Zhou Qing so easily. However, since he went to such great lengths to bring Zhou Qing back, it was naturally not just to allow him to continue his bloodline.

If Zhou Qing can develop a sense of belonging to Bingyun Mountain Village and treat it as his home, Wanqi Zongyuan is still willing to put in the effort to cultivate him. Therefore, he is now advising him as someone who has been through it all.

"Yes, thank you for your teachings, Clan Chief. I will remember them." Zhou Qing said respectfully. In fact, he already possessed the Ice Fiend Gu, but he didn't want to refine another first-tier Ice Fiend Gu. Having one type of Gu was enough; having more would be a waste of time.

If he didn't possess the Divine Wood King Cauldron, he wouldn't have been able to raise so many Gu worms.

Speaking of which, this is the deepest part of the Qilian Mountains, so there should be quite a few poisonous insects here.

"In a few days, the clan will hold an ancestral recognition ceremony for you, and then you will be a true member of the Ice Spirit Clan."

After the ancestral recognition ceremony, I will have someone show you around the village, and then you will be free to move around.

"You should rest here for the next few days and not leave the house to avoid causing any unnecessary trouble."

Wanqi Zongyuan nodded.

"Yes," Zhou Qing replied obediently. He naturally wouldn't run around and cause trouble for himself.

"Okay, then you should rest first. Servants will bring you food and clothes. If you need anything, just tell the servants and they will prepare it for you." Before leaving, Wanqi Zongyuan added.

"I understand," Zhou Qing nodded.

After Wanqi Zongyuan left, Zhou Qing closed the door and looked thoughtful.

It seems he'll have to stay here for a long time. Judging from Wanqi Zongyuan's attitude, he doesn't seem to have any ill intentions towards him, but he probably won't be allowed to return to Southern Xinjiang easily in the future.

"Well, since I'm here, I might as well make the best of it. Once I break through to the second tier and cultivate stronger Gu worms, I'll be able to decide my own fate."

Zhou Qing was certain.

He will repay Wanqi Zongyuan's life-saving grace many times over, but that doesn't mean he has to stay in Bingyun Mountain Village for the rest of his life.

Staying with the Ice Spirit Clan now is a good opportunity to experience the real world of Gu Masters.

Three days passed quickly.

Zhou Qing finally stepped out of the room and stood in the corridor on the third floor. The fragrance of trees and flowers, along with the scent of earth, wafted towards him.

He was located on a high mountain behind Bingyun Mountain Village. Looking out, the gentle slopes of the mountain range were filled with stilted houses built of hardwood and green bamboo. The thick hardwood supported the bamboo houses. As dawn broke, wisps of smoke rose from the stilted houses, mingling with the thin morning mist in the mountains.

Zhou Qing looked down over most of Bingyun Mountain Village.

Bingyun Mountain Village covers a vast area, appearing even larger than the previous Ping'an County.

It's called a mountain village, but it's actually a huge mountain town.

"Young Master Zongzheng, you're awake. Let me help you wash up."

Zhou Qing leaned on the railing and gazed into the distance. After a moment, a melodious voice, as sweet as a lark's, rang out beside him.

He turned his head and saw Miaoyin walking over.

At this moment, Miaoyin was dressed in a green robe and light red embroidered shoes. Her long, black hair was tied up on top of her head in a popular style in the Jin Dynasty, which was completely different from her previous exotic and slightly revealing attire. She exuded a dignified and gentle beauty.

"Mm." Zhou Qing nodded.

Miaoyin immediately brought over warm water, along with a bristle toothbrush and snow salt.

She adopted a very humble posture, completely unlike her reluctant demeanor of the previous few days.

She doesn't have the aptitude of a Gu Master, but her bloodline is relatively pure, so she has good martial arts talent.

Although the Ice Spirit Clan reveres the Gu Dao, she is beautiful and has a captivating voice, making her very popular among the younger generation of the Ice Spirit Clan. Some are proud and arrogant, especially considering she is being treated as a concubine.

However, she did not expect that when she went home to ask her parents, who held a high position in the clan, she would be asked on the spot to serve Wanqi Zongzheng, an outsider.

Even her cousin, who was exceptionally talented and had always been interested in her, came to her door to advise her to seize this opportunity.

Miaoyin felt her self-esteem was severely damaged.

She didn't understand everything until she learned that the clan chief was going to personally hold an ancestral recognition ceremony for Wanqi Zongzheng.

In the past, there have been clansmen who had been scattered and returned. Without exception, these people were all geniuses. However, the clan elders held ancestral recognition ceremonies for them. It has never been heard that the clan chief would hold an ancestral recognition ceremony for this matter himself.

It is easy to imagine how much the clan leader valued this Wanqizongzheng.

The clan chief has no children, and the next clan chief can only be chosen from among the elders or their descendants.

Now that the clan chief is personally holding an ancestral recognition ceremony for Wanqi Zongzheng, it seems to indicate that Wanqi Zongzheng is qualified to become the clan chief.

Once Miaoyin thought about it this way, becoming Wanqi Zongzheng's concubine didn't seem so unacceptable anymore.

Moreover, she was Wanqi Zongzheng's only concubine.

"Young Master Zongzheng, let me help you change." After Zhou Qing finished washing up, Miaoyin brought him clothes and helped him dress. Her eyes were full of smiles, and her melodious voice carried a hint of charm.

“Okay.” Zhou Qing did not refuse, after all, Miaoyin was his concubine in name only. However, he did not understand why she had suddenly changed her mind when she seemed unwilling just a few days ago. She must have been under some external pressure, or there must be other reasons.

However, Zhou Qing didn't care. Becoming stronger was his primary goal, and everything else was secondary.

If Miaoyin really understands, he can take it seriously.

After changing into a green robe, Zhou Qing looked in the bronze mirror and nodded to himself. The customs of the Ice Spirit Clan were not completely different from those of the Great Jin Dynasty. Apart from some details, the robe was similar to the style of the Great Jin Dynasty.

"Let's go." Zhou Qing nodded to Miao Yin, then walked out of the room. "Yes." Miao Yin followed him out obediently.

After leaving the stilted house, a huge blue and white dragonfly landed on the flat open ground in front of the house, with two servants dressed in hemp clothing standing next to it.

"Young Master Zongzheng, please." The servant said respectfully.

"Hmm." Zhou Qing leaped onto the back of the Dragonfly Gu, then reached out his hand to Miao Yin below.

"Thank you, Young Master Zongzheng." Miaoyin blushed and took Zhou Qing's hand, stepping onto the back of the Dragonfly Gu. She wasn't shy, but rather excited.

The Gu worm in front of her was the clan chief's Ice Crystal Dragonfly Gu, a second-tier high-grade Gu worm. Not to mention her, even her parents were not qualified to ride it. She never expected that she would be able to ride the Ice Crystal Dragonfly Gu with the young master of the clan to the ancestral hall today.

Buzz!
After the two were settled, the Ice Crystal Dragonfly Gu flapped its wings and quickly took off, then flew down the mountain. When it reached a huge building in the middle of the mountain stronghold, it slowly landed.

This is the ancestral hall of the Ice Spirit Clan. It looks like a seven-story pagoda. Inside, the ancestors of the Ice Spirit Clan are enshrined. When a major event occurs in the clan, the clan elders will gather here.

Those who are allowed to enter the ancestral hall for gatherings are all prominent figures in the Ice Spirit Clan.

At this moment, hundreds of Ice Spirit Clan members, mostly teenagers and young adults, had appeared in the square outside the ancestral hall.

"Look! It's the clan leader's Ice Crystal Dragonfly Gu!"

"Is that unfamiliar boy the new clansman the clansman the one the clansman brought back from outside?"

"The clan leader really values ​​him! Even the most talented people in the clan, such as Wenlan, Qingshi, and Yushu, have never received this kind of treatment."

Seeing that Zhou Qing had arrived riding the Ice Crystal Dragonfly Gu, the clansmen began to discuss among themselves.

"I heard that as soon as he arrived, the clan chief betrothed Miaoyin to him, and she's even his concubine. Maybe she's the clan chief's illegitimate child!" someone speculated sourly.

"Perhaps it's because he's exceptionally talented."

"This is none of our business. This kid has made such a big splash, someone will naturally teach him a lesson and deflate his arrogance."

Hearing the murmurs around him, Zhou Qing remained calm, but he understood why Wanqi Zongyuan had sent him to teach these Ice Spirit Clan juniors a lesson. These people were too unrestrained in their speech, and many of them were incredibly arrogant.

Although he discovered through his perception that the Ice Spirit Clan was indeed very powerful, with many of the younger generation possessing strong auras, there were also many who were not very strong, yet were just as arrogant.

Based on these people's words, Zhou Qing got the impression that the younger generation of the Ice Spirit Clan was very impetuous.

Zhou Qing stepped off the Dragonfly Gu and walked towards the main hall on the first floor of the ancestral hall.

Enjoying the attention of everyone, Miaoyin followed Zhou Qing to the entrance of the ancestral hall before stopping and standing at the front of the crowd.

At this moment, Zhou Qing entered the hall, and the first thing he saw was a row of memorial tablets at the back. Directly below the memorial tablets were three armchairs, and sitting in the center was Wan Qizongyuan, dressed in a blue robe.

As for the elderly men sitting on either side of Wanqi Zongyuan, they were dressed in white robes with blue patterns embroidered on their sleeves.

To the left and right of the three men were a dozen or so armchairs, most of which were occupied by people dressed in pure white robes, mostly middle-aged. However, at the very bottom of the table was a young man in his early twenties in white robes, who stood out among the group of middle-aged and elderly people.

"Is this the foundation of the Ice Spirit Clan?!" Zhou Qing was shocked. The dozen or so people present were all second-tier experts, including Gu Masters and martial artists.

As Zhou Qing sized up everyone, the elders were also sizing him up. Some smiled, some looked solemn, and some made no attempt to hide their dislike.

All eyes were on Zhou Qing, and he felt as if the air was about to freeze.

Leaving aside Wanqi Zongyuan, even the two old men beside him gave Zhou Qing a feeling that he couldn't see through them, which meant that their strength far surpassed his.

Besides, at least half of the people in the arena were far superior to him, putting him under immense pressure.

It's fortunate that the Ice Spirit Clan is far from the Southern Frontier and has no conflict of interest with Nanli County City; otherwise, given the strength the Ice Spirit Clan has shown so far, they would be the absolute overlords of the Southern Frontier.

"Junior Wanqi Zongzheng greets the clan leader and elders."

Zhou Qing stood in the center of the arena and bowed respectfully to everyone present.

Wanqi Zongyuan smiled broadly, nodded, and looked at the white-robed youth sitting at the end of the table.

Upon hearing this, the young man in white robes stood up and bowed, saying, "The ancestral recognition ceremony begins. Please present the family genealogy!"

At this moment, everyone present stood up.

After a series of ancestral recognition ceremonies concluded, Zhou Qing's name was officially entered into the family genealogy.

“Very good. From today onwards, Zongzheng is a member of my Bingyun Mountain Stronghold.”

Wanqi Zongyuan nodded in satisfaction and spoke to the old man on his left.

"Elder Zongbo, let Zongzheng go to the school first and learn about the culture of our Ice Spirit Clan."

"Yes, clan leader." The white-robed elder named Wanqi Zongbo responded, giving Zhou Qing a kind smile.

Upon seeing this, Zhou Qing immediately bowed respectfully to the other party.

"By the way, Elder Zongxuan, Zongzheng has just returned to the clan and has nothing. Please withdraw five hundred spirit stones from the treasury for him." Wanqi Zongyuan looked at the old man on his right.

"I understand now." Wanqi Zongxuan paused for a moment upon hearing this, then nodded.

Upon hearing this, the others in the room reacted in various ways. Some seemed to want to express their opinions, but after looking around, no one was willing to be the first to speak.

"Clan Chief, this is not fair! Yu Shu is not satisfied!"

However, a discordant sound soon came from outside the ancestral hall.

At this moment, a handsome young man with a white jade hair crown, sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes arrived at the entrance of the ancestral hall. He bowed respectfully to Wanqi Zongyuan and the elders, and then expressed his opinion.

"Clan leader, even the clansman who wins first place in the school's Gu-fighting competition is only rewarded with one hundred Yuan Stones. Zong Zheng has just returned to the clan and has no honors to his name, yet he has received five hundred Yuan Stones for nothing. This is completely against the clan rules."

Five hundred spirit stones are enough for an ordinary clansman to cultivate from the early stage of the first rank to the middle stage, or even the late stage of the first rank.

Many people rack their brains and risk their lives to take on missions just to earn some Yuan Stones for cultivation. Now, Zongzheng has made no contribution to the clan, yet he has received five hundred Yuan Stones for nothing. This is unfair!
Our Ice Spirit Clan's ancestors have continuously implemented reforms to uphold fairness. The Clan Chief's actions today are unlikely to win over the people!

"Yes! We're not satisfied! This isn't fair!" After someone took the lead, hundreds of young members of the Ice Spirit Clan outside expressed their dissatisfaction.

Yup!

Why?
(End of this chapter)