Start with a red name

The mottled marks on the stacked boulders, the sparse weeds in the cracks, everything looks so ordinary, almost completely blending into the surrounding environment.

The ripples, visible only to Geng Xuan, set it apart from its surroundings.

"How many years has this place been abandoned?"

As Geng Xuan looked around at the famous "Xuanzhou Altar," he asked with a touch of emotion.

Zhang Shaohe thought for a moment and said:

"I can't remember exactly how many years it was abandoned, but it has been neglected for the last two or three hundred years."

Xuanzhou Altar, one of the legendary altars of the Nine Provinces.

What actually came into view was so ordinary and unremarkable.

According to Geng Xuan's understanding of its origins, its oldest source can be traced back to the legendary Five Emperors period, two or three thousand years ago.

The Black Emperor established altars and shrines throughout the nine provinces.

At that time, Kyushu was still "Ancient Kyushu," which is the entire territory of present-day Yuanzhou.

By the time Emperor Daji was established, after a long period of expansion, the territory of the world had expanded many times over compared to the time of the Five Emperors.

In order to incorporate the entire world into the Nine Provinces system, the "Ancient Nine Provinces" evolved into the current "Modern Nine Provinces".

In order to stabilize public sentiment and confirm legitimacy, the most important measure was to relocate the "Kyushu Altar" located within the territory of "Ancient Kyushu" to the corresponding territory of the new Kyushu.

At that time, the importance of the "Xuanzhou Altar" before us was self-evident.

It has irreplaceable value in anchoring the hearts of the people of Xuanzhou.

A grand sacrificial ceremony is held every year.

However, as generations passed and people in Xuanzhou gradually settled down, they slowly transformed the "new land" into their "homeland." People no longer needed such ways to comfort them, and the rituals became increasingly perfunctory.

This was information that Geng Xuan already knew.

The details of this society's "experiences" over the past few centuries were supplemented by Zhang Shaohe.

According to him, the sacrificial function of this "Xuanzhou Altar" was still stubbornly preserved up to the time of Emperor Yuan.

Although Emperor Yuan himself no longer cared much about it, and even the shamans who presided over the altar sacrifices completely declined during Emperor Yuan's reign, the "Xuanzhou Altar" still holds a unique position as a long-standing folk custom.

However, after Emperor Yuan, Xuanzhou entered a long period of chaos that lasted for more than five hundred years.

Initially, records related to this "Xuanzhou Altar" existed intermittently.

But as time went on, this community became increasingly "silent".

Until the last two or three hundred years, this item has disappeared from the daily lives of the people of Xuanzhou, whether officially or among the common people.

It seemed to have vanished completely.

Dong Guan ruled Xuanzhou for decades, yet he never once bothered with this community altar, not even in official documents.

Because this would not bring him any additional positive benefits for his ambition.

This shows how far the "Xuanzhou Society" has fallen in history.

It seems to have no real-world value or significance other than being a recorder and witness of an ancient era.

Because of these changes, there are not many people in the entire Xuanzhou who know its exact location.

It was also thanks to Zhang Shaohe's family's scholarly tradition that he was able to bring Geng Xuan here so quickly.

At this moment, the weeds between the rocks of the altar had been cleared away. Geng Xuan climbed to the top of the altar and looked around. Listening to Zhang Shaohe's story and thinking about the current decline of this Xuanzhou altar, he felt a sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, mixed feelings of sorrow and regret) and silently gave himself a thumbs up for his choice this time.

Has it lost its practical value and meaning?

Let me give you new value and meaning.

Abbreviated as "empowerment".

Thinking of this, Geng Xuan seemed to recall something happy, and a slight smile inexplicably curved the corners of his mouth as he said to Zhang Shaohe:
"You guys go back."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Shaohe looked astonished and stammered, "You...you're not coming with us?"

Geng Xuan said:
"Just go back and tell Song Mingzhu, he knows what to do."

“…Yes!” Zhang Shaohe replied respectfully.

He and the others left behind the water and food they had brought with them before the trip, and then turned back, leaving Geng Xuan alone in the wilderness.

Soon, as the figures of the group disappeared completely, only Geng Xuan remained in the vast wilderness, standing on the ancient altar that had "endured countless hardships."

Geng Xuan glanced around briefly, then silently closed his eyes, immersing himself in the unique and wondrous realm of the "Heaven and Earth Stake".

Unlike before, between "heaven" and "earth", there is an extra layer of misty air, seemingly thin as gauze, yet thick and profound, beneath my feet and around me.

Although Geng Xuan seemed to have put aside worldly affairs, the two states of Xuanyou operated smoothly like gears without stopping in the slightest.

When Geng Xuan awoke from his "Heaven and Earth Stake" state, 100,000 people, led by Song Mingzhu, Cao Ao, and others, had gathered from several surrounding directions.

Because it is necessary to manage the vast territory of the two states, it is impossible to withdraw all troops at the same time. The only option is to rotate troops from various locations in batches, while ensuring stability in each area.

From Geng Xuan, the creator of the "Black Wind Army," to Song Mingzhu, Cao Ao, and other executors, and down to everyone else, everyone knew that this "Lucky Blessing" was different from the past.

Just like the current "Black Wind Army," it is no longer the same as the "Black Wind Army" of the past.

Excitement, trepidation, solemnity.

As the first batch of people dispatched under orders approached the altar little by little, led by Song Mingzhu, Cao Ao, and others, the emotional fluctuations of these 100,000 people were like the undulating tides in Geng Xuan's view.

As the crowd drew closer, the tidal waves gradually subsided.

It's not that people's emotions have become calmer.

Rather, it is through mutual connection and resonance that one person's heart gradually permeates and spreads into the hearts of millions, allowing them to "feel the same way" with each other.

Solemn, composed, profound.

All changes happen naturally.

The specific process of bestowing blessings need not be elaborated upon.

From Geng Xuan to Song Mingzhu, Cao Ao, and others, they were all extremely familiar with the entire process.

All the preliminary work had been completed before they brought this first group of people here.

All Geng Xuan had to do was to inject good fortune into each and every one of them, based on the "truth" reflected in their hearts.

Once everything was finished, these people left in an orderly and quiet manner, just as they had arrived, led by Song Mingzhu, Cao Ao, and others.

The change that impressed Geng Xuan the most occurred shortly after this first group of people left.

The special ripples emanating from the "Xuanzhou Altar" beneath our feet, which exist between living and dead things, suddenly became much more "vigorous".

Like a steadily burning candle flame, suddenly having oil added to the wick, the flame suddenly becomes much brighter. (End of Chapter)