Chapter 352: Replaced
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
“You call this… a rock?” Ming Lang’s eyes widened in shock as he stared at her.
“How is it not a rock?!”
“Even if you shout it to the heavens, it’s still a rock!” She had thrown that pebble herself!
Ming Lang opened his mouth but couldn’t find a single word to say.
“Quick, quick, give it to the Old Ancestor!” Ming Xian scrambled to pick up the top-grade spirit stone, slotting it into the groove of the stone platform.
The moment the spirit stone was placed, the fading image of the Old Ancestor began to stabilize before everyone’s eyes.
The Old Ancestor had just bid a sorrowful farewell to his family, expressing his deep reluctance to leave.
Then, as he turned his head…
He found himself staring at the group, and they at him.
The atmosphere became a little awkward.
Ming Xian picked up another spirit stone, filled with an abundance of spiritual energy, the finest he had ever seen.
“All the gifts you gave… were they all top-grade spirit stones?” Ming Xian’s voice trembled as he asked.
Lu Chao Chao nodded her little head vigorously.
“To be fair, each brocade box contained two rocks.”
Ming Xian clutched his chest, filled with regret—regret! Had he known this earlier, he would have taken more!
But then he remembered how the great families had all refused the meeting gifts, and his sorrow turned to glee.
Oh, those old fools—if they found out what was inside those brocade boxes, they would surely be furious enough to drop dead.
Everyone knew the situation of the major families.
Ming Xian couldn’t help but feel a bit of schadenfreude.
“Father, I still have a brocade box. I’ll bring it to you later.” Ming Lang felt immense relief—he had taken one!
This was the greatest reward from the heavens for his kindness!
However, where had Lu Chao Chao gotten these top-grade spirit stones?
Ming Lang recalled the Immortal Peach Wine, the meeting gifts, and now these spirit stones.
What secret did the three-and-a-half-year-old Princess Zhao Yang hold?
“Everyone, leave for now,” Ming Xian waved his hand, dismissing the clan members.
After a moment of contemplation, he added, “Not a single word about Princess Zhao Yang must be leaked.”
The clan members couldn’t help but steal glances at the little child beside them. “Understood.”
Once they were gone, Ming Xian solemnly knelt before Lu Chao Chao and knocked his forehead to the ground three times.
Ming Lang and his brother exchanged glances before following suit, kneeling behind their father and bowing deeply three times.
“Thank you, Princess Zhao Yang, for your assistance.”
“Had our Ming Family lost our Old Ancestor today, we would surely be divided and conquered by tomorrow.”
“We have no way to repay this kindness. If the Princess ever requires our aid, the Ming Family will give our all without hesitation!”
Remembering the reason Princess Zhao Yang had originally come to discuss matters, Ming Xian continued.
“Although Madam Ning was born a farmer’s daughter, she possesses noble character and a virtuous heart. She risked her life to save His Majesty and is a great benefactor of the Southern Kingdom. She was properly married through royal decree and has given birth to an exceptional heir. The Empress of the Western Palace is the rightful choice.”
Ming Lang eyed his father. [That was some smooth flattery.]
[During the day in court, you weren’t speaking like this!]
Ming Lang glanced at the two top-grade spirit stones and thought about the brocade box he still had. He quickly relented.
There was no helping it—the other party had given too much.
To hesitate even a moment longer would be a disrespect to the spirit stones.
Lu Chao Chao beamed and mimicked the adults, helping Ming Xian up. “Chao Chao always convinces with reason and never forces others.”
Ming Xian nodded furiously. “No, not forced at all!”
Four top-grade spirit stones, and he dared to feel forced?
The Old Ancestor would smack him upside the head!
From within the stone chamber, the Mystic Swallow Old Ancestor transformed into the form of a gentle woman, standing with grace as she bowed lightly to Lu Chao Chao.
“Many thanks, young friend.”
The Ming Family’s Old Ancestor glanced at Lu Chao Chao and gave a faint smile.
“Disciple shall not disturb Old Ancestor’s cultivation and will take my leave,” Ming Xian said respectfully.
The Mystic Swallow Old Ancestor nodded. “The final Summoning Ritual is imminent. Go and prepare.” A flicker of worry crossed her expression.
The Ming Family members led Lu Chao Chao away.
A gentle breeze carried a hint of coolness, sweeping away the lingering anxiety in their hearts.
Just as Ming Xian stepped out with his group, they heard loud commotion from the outer courtyard.
“What’s going on?” Ming Xian frowned.
Hurrying forward, they encountered a young clansman with blood on his lips and fury on his face.
“Patriarch, it’s the Second Elder! He brought people to smash our gates—he wants to challenge the Ming Family!”
Ming Xian’s face darkened.
“Born and raised in the Ming Family, and now he seeks to take our Divine Attendant position!” Ming Lang’s eyes turned red with killing intent.
Seeing Lu Chao Chao’s confusion, Ming Lang explained.
“The Second Elder must think the Mystic Swallow Old Ancestor has vanished and wants to deliver the final blow!”
“In the Southern Kingdom, if a family fails to summon a god for ten years, they can be challenged. If the challenger succeeds, they take their place!”
“The Ming Family would be cast out from the Divine Attendant Clans.”
Ming Xian was on the verge of despair. “High God Xian Ting, please, grant your disciple a sign… How can you be summoned?”
The Ming Family could not fall in his hands.
“Let’s check the outer courtyard first.”
Lu Chao Chao absentmindedly played with the Night-Luminescent Pearl in her hand. “Just call him, and he’ll come.”
Ming Xian sighed. “Princess, you didn’t grow up in the Southern Kingdom, so you don’t understand the difficulty of summoning a god.”
“If it were that easy, we wouldn’t be in this mess.” His face was pale as he murmured despairingly.
In the outer courtyard, the scene was chaotic and brightly lit with lanterns.
Behind the Second Elder stood a young man with a sword. The moment Ming Lang saw him, his eyes burned red.
“Ming Ting! How dare you betray the Ming Family?!”
“You’re colluding with the Second Elder to destroy us! What about the oath we swore before the Old Ancestor?!” Ming Lang’s voice was filled with disappointment.
“I once saw you as a rival. Now, I only despise you!”
The young swordsman remained unmoved.
The Second Elder chuckled. “Your Ming Family has lost its ability to summon a god.”
“If you cannot summon, then you must make way for those who can!”
“Ming Ting has chosen a path to greatness!” The Second Elder sneered with arrogance.
Ming Xian smirked coldly. “Oh? A path to greatness? The light of High God Xian Ting dispels all darkness. And you? You serve a false god that skulks in the shadows!”
The Second Elder showed no anger—he knew too well the Ming Family’s dire situation.
Ming Xian’s resistance was just his final struggle.
“Enough talk! Tonight, we challenge the Divine Attendant Ming Family!”
“If you fail to summon a god, your status is forfeit! We shall replace you!” The Second Elder’s ambition was palpable, and a dark symbol faintly emerged on his forehead.
“High God Xian Ting has abandoned you! You will never summon him!”
He burst into laughter.
Ming Lang whispered, “Father, there are spies outside.”
Ming Xian shut his eyes briefly. “They’re losing patience.”
Tonight would be the Ming Family’s downfall.
Outside, the forces of various great families lay in wait.
Tears welled in Ming Xian’s eyes. “Princess Zhao Yang, I fear the Ming Family can no longer host you. Please, return to your manor quickly.”
“We owe you a great debt, but we can no longer repay it.”
“Lest you be implicated, please leave at once.”
They could not summon him.
The Ming Family could not summon a god.