In the early morning hall, Ma Lang and the Lord of Murong Yunhai Palace bid each other farewell slowly. The Lord's voice was deep and powerful, each word carrying an unusual weight. "Tomorrow, you must come again. We need to discuss the compensation for the Zhen Liu family's atonement in detail. There must be no mistakes." Ma Lang nodded slightly, a flicker of barely perceptible cold light passing through his deep eyes, before he turned and stepped into the night, summoning a flying car that vanished instantly at the edge of the night sky.
The flying car tore through the air and finally came to a steady halt in front of the Ma family's mansion. As Ma Lang stepped out, he was surprised to find his sister Ma Qing, his second uncle Ma Siyuan, and his cousin Ma Yuanzheng waiting under the porch, their expressions varying as if an invisible storm was brewing quietly.
Today was the Alliance's annual Deity Sacrifice Day, particularly significant for divine families. The main members of the family would gather at the ancestral home to worship the mysterious ancestral deity. By tradition, branch members were not required to participate, but since the mysterious disappearance of Ma Lang's parents, he was the only one left from the main line. And as an adopted daughter, Ma Qing was not suitable to preside over the sacrifice according to tradition.
For many years, due to Ma Lang's "madness," the responsibility of the sacrifice naturally fell on the shoulders of his second uncle Ma Siyuan. Ma Yuan, as the "only normal heir," was also required to attend. However, this year's Deity Sacrifice Day felt exceptionally different. Ma Lang's recovery was like a stone cast into a calm lake, stirring layer upon layer of ripples.
Ma Qing's eyes were filled with concern and worry as she gently inquired about Ma Lang's whereabouts the previous night. With his usual indifference, Ma Lang briefly and concisely recounted the attack he had encountered.
Ma Qing's face instantly grew serious, while Ma Yuan seized the opportunity to sneer, "A disgrace to the Ma family like you shouldn't have been taken to the banquet by my sister, let alone participate in the sacrifice."
Upon hearing this, a flash of anger appeared in Ma Qing's eyes, her voice clear, cold, and firm. "You're just a branch member. Don't forget your place. Ma Lang is the legitimate bloodline of our Ma family, the only heir." Her words were like a sharp sword, striking at the heart of her second uncle and cousin. "Remember, when Ma Lang comes of age, he will reclaim everything that belongs to him, including control of this family."
Upon hearing these words, the faces of Ma Siyuan and Ma Yuan darkened. They had grown accustomed to treating the family's resources as their own over the years. How could they let go easily? Ma Siyuan sneered disdainfully, "Ma Lang? A good-for-nothing who isn't even a secret cultivator. How could he inherit the ancestral deity's legacy? He doesn't deserve to lead the Ma family!"
Ma Qing's lips curled into a sneer, her voice icy and resolute. "The bloodline of the divine Ma family makes secret cultivation a natural progression. Why do you need to worry? Ma Lang is destined to prove to you who the real good-for-nothing is and who the true master of the Ma family is."
Ma Siyuan retaliated, harshly scolding Ma Lang for offending the divine family behind Zhen Liu. "Ma Lang, you've brought great trouble to the Ma family this time! Zhen Liu is the future heir of the divine Zhen family. Offending him is like offending the entire Zhen family! Do you know how much calamity this will bring to the Ma family?"
Ma Yuan chimed in, complaining in a sarcastic tone, "That's right, Ma Lang. What kind of hero are you trying to be? Do you think you can do whatever you want just because you've regained your sanity? Do you realize that your actions could plunge our Ma family into an irretrievable abyss?"
Ma Lang's face was stern, his eyes firm and unyielding. He spoke slowly, his voice cold yet each word resolute. "As descendants of a divine family, it is our responsibility to uphold the family's honor, protect the legitimate rights of the people, and prevent evil from occurring! And you, Second Uncle, as the acting clan leader, pander to the powerful while neglecting the family's honor and the well-being of the people. You are unworthy of being a descendant of a divine family!"
Upon hearing this, Ma Siyuan trembled with rage and shouted, "You rebellious child, how dare you defy your elders!" With that, he raised his hand to slap Ma Lang. The blow left Ma Lang's cheek throbbing, but he endured it without retreating, his gaze even more determined, as if to prove his resolve through actions.
"Although you are the acting clan leader, as a branch member, how dare you bully the main line? After my coming-of-age ceremony, I will reclaim all powers to avoid dishonoring our ancestral deity!" Ma Lang's voice was cold and resolute.
Ma Siyuan's face turned dark with anger, ready to strike again, when Ma Qing suddenly stepped forward, removing her pendant and summoning her secret power. In an instant, a fiery, arched sword turned into a streak of flame, shielding Ma Lang.
Ma Lang quickly reached out and firmly held back his sister, who was about to rush forward, his eyes showing unquestionable determination. "Sister, there's no need for this. We have plenty of time. I'll remember this."
With that, Ma Lang slowly walked toward the door. With a thought, the option to sacrifice to the gods in the cloud was activated. The space seemed to fold gently by an invisible hand, and a mysterious door leading to the ancestral home slowly opened before him.
They stepped inside slowly. Ma Siyuan took a deep breath, forming seals with his hands as his secret power surged within him like an unstoppable river breaking its banks. With a low shout, he injected this powerful secret power into the sacrificial artifact in his hand. The artifact instantly emitted a dazzling light, like a ignited star, illuminating the entire ancestral home.
As the secret power continued to pour in, the projection of the ancestral deity—God Ma, the The Great Emperor of Radiant Light. His figure was majestic and dignified, with an endless aura of majesty and holiness emanating from his brow. Ten thousand rays of light and a thousand strips of auspicious colors filled the space, creating a dreamlike atmosphere as if a deity had truly descended.
Standing there, even Ma Lang, who strived to maintain his socially awkward and cold exterior, couldn't help but show a hint of shock in his eyes.
It was not only awe for the deity's majesty but also amazement at this ancient and mysterious power. The Emperor Huaguang in the projection had piercing eyes, seemingly able to see through all the falsehoods in the world. His majestic and inviolable aura made everyone present feel their own insignificance.
The air was filled with solemnity and reverence, as if time itself had frozen in this moment. As the sacrificial ritual progressed, mysterious waves echoed through the space, each one seeming to cleanse the souls of those present, immersing them involuntarily in this holiness.
Ma Lang's exterior remained cold, but his inner shock was difficult to conceal. He knew that this sacrifice was not just a commemoration of their ancestors but also the inheritance of family honor and responsibility. In the face of this holiness and solemnity, one couldn't help but let go of distractions and return to the purest self.
As the sacrificial ritual concluded, the projection of the Emperor Huaguang gradually faded, but his majesty and holiness seemed to be imprinted in everyone's heart, lingering for a long time. Ma Siyuan put away the artifact, his face slightly pale, clearly having expended considerable energy during the sacrifice. Ma Siyuan and Ma Yuan left hurriedly with dark faces.
At this moment, Ma Qing suddenly knelt before the ancestral deity's shrine, her voice trembling with excitement, "Ancestral deity, I have violated my oath of enlightenment and failed to protect my younger brother properly. Yesterday's incident was my negligence. I should have sent you home."
Ma Lang quickly helped his sister up, holding her shoulders. Though his voice was cold, his eyes were filled with warmth. "Sister, there's no need for this. You're the only family I have in this world. Without you, I probably wouldn't be here anymore."
Ma Qing said with resentment, "After your coming-of-age ceremony, once you successfully achieve enlightenment, I will help you reclaim the family's power. We cannot let those small-minded people usurp our position!"
Meanwhile, Ma Lang was contemplating that the compensation from the Zhen Liu family would ease the family's financial constraints for a long time. This way, his sister could focus on her cultivation without worrying about supporting the family and slowing down her progress. Thinking of this, his gaze became even more determined.