Chapter 1270 - 899: Acknowledging Ancestry and Returning to the Clan

Zhang Chen presented the Three Lights Divine Water to Mrs. Zhang, asking her to wash away impurities and repair her body, while he began to check the cultivation progress of the three little ones. He explained the intricacies of the profound cultivation techniques to them and secretly used Divine Techniques to carefully examine their souls and bodies, preventing the Zhang Family from setting up hidden schemes.

Fortunately, Zhang Gaqi did not disappoint him, and there were no hidden traps left by the Zhang Family on the three little ones.

Time flew by quickly, and the day for recognizing ancestors and returning to the clan arrived. That morning, Zhang Chen stepped out of the Xie Family residence and headed towards the Zhang Family.

Zhang Chen’s recognition of ancestors and return to the clan was driven by the Human King behind the scenes, along with the secret help of some elders in the family. No one could stop Zhang Chen from recognizing his ancestors and returning to the clan.

When Zhang Chen arrived at the Zhang Family mansion, he indeed saw that the side gate was already open, and Zhang Gaqi stood in front of the main gate, looking at the approaching Zhang Chen with a complex expression.

Zhang Gaqi hesitated to speak to Zhang Chen, and after much deliberation, he finally let out a sigh: "Let’s go straight to the ancestral hall; all the clan elders are waiting for you there."

"I thought someone might block the gate and not let me in today," Zhang Chen joked with Zhang Gaqi with a smile.

"Matters in a large family aren’t that simple. Even with countless conflicts, they won’t cause a scene openly to avoid being ridiculed by outsiders. For a large family, reputation is more important than life. For a family with a long legacy, the most important thing is face." Zhang Gaqi explained to Zhang Chen.

Hearing this, Zhang Chen nodded and followed as they walked deeper into the mansion. The Zhang Family’s ancestral hall was located in the depths of the Zhang Family’s direct lineage residence, the foundation of the Zhang Family, their cornerstone.

As Zhang Chen walked through the mansion, Zhang Shenqi’s residence remained unchanged. No special arrangements were made for Zhang Chen’s entry into the Zhang Family for recognizing ancestors and returning to the clan.

Upon arriving at the Zhang Family ancestral hall, Zhang Chen couldn’t help but express amazement: "Truly magnificent!"

The Zhang Family’s ancestral hall was a four-courtyard compound, and at the entrance stood robust Martial Dao masters trained in Qi Blood as guards. In front of the ancestral hall, four young men dressed in black outfits, with black long knives hanging at their waists, stood meticulously like sculptures in front of the main gate.

"These are the descendants of the Zhang Family’s side branches. It’s difficult for them to survive in the family, and every month they rotate to stand guard at the ancestral hall, receiving a monthly subsidy from the ancestral hall. It’s also a way for the clan to support those family’s prodigies," Zhang Gaqi commented.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen nodded, thinking this method was quite good. After all, the Zhang Family was a populous clan, and certainly, many same-clan members needed assistance. Directly distributing money was not the best choice; arranging jobs for the family’s descendants to earn a living was the optimal decision.

This approach could prevent those who wanted to swindle for subsidies and enhance the disciples’ integration into the family.

As Zhang Chen’s mind flickered with countless thoughts, the two passed through various doorways and entered the ancestral hall, where dozens of white-haired old men were discussing something within.

There were also hundreds of vibrant young people standing tall and respectfully within the ancestral hall.

"These are the connections left by your father in the past. They favored your father the most back then, but unfortunately, your father was backstabbed, resulting in a futile effort, and even they were implicated," Zhang Gaqi said. "You’re a junior, and your entry into the ancestral hall is not a big problem. Only those connections left by your father are here; the others aren’t present, so don’t take it to heart."

Hearing this, Zhang Chen nodded, scanning around without noticing Zhang Shenqi’s presence, indicating that besides those close to his father’s side, no one else from the Zhang Family came, expressing their discontent with his recognition of ancestors and return to the clan.

Looking around the vast ancestral hall, as large as a university playground in the future, but with only sparse hundred or so heads moving, it indicated that most of the Zhang Family opposed his return.

"Don’t overthink it; everyone has their matters to attend to. You’re a descendant of the Zhang Family; how could anyone not welcome your return?" Zhang Gaqi awkwardly explained to Zhang Chen, though he himself was unsure of the conviction in his words.

Zhang Chen didn’t pay attention to Zhang Gaqi’s words but scanned the entire square with his eyes, finally landing on the tall building in the center, with his gaze revealing a touch of surprise. Ever since entering the Zhang Family’s ancestral hall, he felt the breath of reincarnation again.

"It seems I will gain great rewards from this trip," Zhang Chen thought to himself.

Zhang Gaqi led Zhang Chen through the crowd, arriving before the elders. The elders stopped their discussions and all focused their eyes on them, and Zhang Gaqi addressed the leading elder:

"Third Uncle, Zhang Chen is here!"

The elder nodded, sizing up Zhang Chen, his gaze filled with emotion: "You truly resemble your father. Welcome home."

Beside him, Zhang Gaqi quickly introduced Zhang Chen: "This is Third Uncle."

There are a total of eight uncles in the Zhang Family’s direct lineage. Now that Zhang Gaqi has led his family to the front of Third Uncle, it seems the Eldest and Second Uncles are absent, making Third Uncle the highest in status and position at the scene.

"Greetings, Third Uncle." Zhang Chen promptly bowed.

"Good child, no need for such formalities. You’ve had a tough time these years! You don’t have to worry about family matters; with us old folks around, no one can bully you. You can boldly recognize your ancestors and return to the clan. As a descendant of the Zhang Clan, anyone who dares to trouble you will have us standing in the way." Third Uncle’s voice was gentle: "What is yours, you must boldly strive for; no one can take it away!"

"Grandson heeds Uncle’s teachings." Zhang Chen respectfully replied.

Upon hearing this, Third Uncle nodded in satisfaction, and Zhang Gaqi again began introducing the various uncles to Zhang Chen. Quite a few uncles came on the scene, including Fourth Uncle, Seventh Uncle, and Eighth Uncle, all being direct lineage uncles. The other elderly figures were all collateral lineage uncles, but they were closely related, only being collateral of the same generation. They still held significant voice within the family.

In a large family, although the direct lineage can control the entire family, they can’t do whatever they please. There are collateral kin of the same generation and the elder collateral generation watching. The whole family is a unit. Even though every generation’s direct lineage governs, if problems arise within the direct lineage or family, those elder collateral members have significant voice.

"Zhang Chen, I’ve heard of your reputation long ago. Prince Pingbian, that bastard, actually dared to stretch his hand towards our direct line. Truly lawless! We cannot tolerate him. Does he really think that holding the Northern Land can challenge and threaten us direct line?" Eighth Uncle looked at Zhang Chen, his voice full of appreciation.

Zhang Chen was taken aback by these words, looking at the elderly man before him in astonishment: "You’re not blaming me for ruining Prince Pingbian’s Walking Flood Dragon and Dragon Transformation plan?"

Though the elderly man before him had white hair and beard, he was spirited and robust, unlike an elderly man, with a ruddy glow that would make one believe he could live decades longer.

"That Walking Flood Dragon plan is crap. Even a younger generation like you can’t be suppressed; you could easily destroy it. That plan isn’t worth keeping. You could ruin it, doesn’t that prove you’re more reliable than that Dragon Transformation plan? With you around, there’s no worry about the rise of our Zhang Family in the future! Moreover, Prince Pingbian couldn’t even handle a ten-year-old child and was overturned by you, becoming a laughing stock. Truly, he lost face all the way to grandma’s house. He still dares speak!" Eighth Uncle sneered disdainfully.

Zhang Chen was speechless at heart; he felt the other was being a bit unfair to Prince Pingbian. If Prince Pingbian Zhang Shicheng had truly succeeded in Walking Flood Dragon, entered the legendary Twelfth Tier, and ruled the Demon Race as a Twelfth Tier True Dragon, he would certainly lead the Zhang Family to strength, challenging the Great Victory Dynasty. It was unfortunate Zhang Shicheng hit a brick wall; it wasn’t Zhang Shicheng’s plan or ability that failed, it was this hard wall of mine.

His cheat was too strong! Soul Hooking and Soul Stealing countered Zhang Shicheng!

As Eighth Uncle’s words fell, a group of uncles began to incessantly criticize Prince Pingbian’s Mansion, straightforwardly declaring it as worthless. Prince Pingbian’s Mansion was overly unreliable, controlling the Northern Land yet unable to handle a child, even getting overturned face-to-face, becoming a laughing stock across the realm.

After the group of uncles finished criticizing, they began the ancestral recognition ceremony.

A full hour of worship passed before the ancestral recognition ceremony was completed. Then Third Uncle looked at Zhang Chen: "You rest for a while, get acquainted with the youngsters in the clan. This afternoon, we’ll host the awakening ceremony for you, helping you awaken the Zhang Family’s life innate talent."

Zhang Chen had long been curious about the Zhang Family’s life innate talent, especially concerning the legendary Book of Life and Death, making him extremely curious. Thus, he respectfully bowed: "Grandson obeys."

Zhang Gaqi immediately led Zhang Chen to meet and recognize the Zhang Family’s group of youngsters, though their attitudes appeared somewhat subtle.

"Among these youngsters, Zhang Gaoling is the most outstanding. His Bloodline Power can rival that of a Ninth Tier expert, ranking as top-tier in our Zhang Family among countless disciples." Zhang Gaqi led Zhang Chen before the youngsters, pointing at a young man in a golden robe with a jade-like face.

The young man was not much older than Zhang Chen, only a year senior, but appeared quite spirited, possessing an indescribable arrogance, standing there like a proud peacock.

"You can call him Brother. I heard you’re going to study at the Academy, and you can call on Zhang Gaoling to take care of you in the future." Zhang Gaqi said.

"Greetings, Brother." Zhang Chen politely bowed.

Zhang Gaoling glanced coldly at Zhang Chen without warmth, giving an indifferent ’hmm,’ seemingly without wanting to engage with Zhang Chen, leaving Zhang Chen slightly stunned.

Zhang Gaoling just silently eyed Zhang Chen, with a touch of coldness in his gaze that surprised Zhang Chen, who quickly regained composure, making some assumptions about the present situation.

Although those present are close to my father’s associates, that’s merely the thoughts of the elder generation. Among the younger generation, some must be displeased with Zhang Chen’s return, thinking his arrival might divide the Zhang Family, yet they come due to pressure from elders, such as Zhang Gaoling before him; although extraordinarily talented, ranking prominently within the Zhang Family, he harbors some indistinct hostility towards Zhang Chen’s return.

Where there are people, there is the Martial World, and even though the elder generation here acknowledged Zhang Chen’s actions in the Northern Land, they couldn’t forcibly compel the younger generation to accept Zhang Chen. Thus, although these youngsters came, what they truly think might only be known to themselves.