Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely

Chapter 1309: Chapter 428: Xiang Chong, Martial Arts Competition Finals, and the Beginning of the Clan Rituals (Part 3)

Xiang Liang looked at the sacrificial items in the basket, not missing a single one, and remembered that he had never instructed the family, yet Wang Yuxiu managed to prepare everything so well. He looked at her with eyes full of admiration.

The couple didn’t need any formalities. Xiang Liang nodded and waved his hand to his wife and others, saying with a smile, “Let’s go, set off for the Sect Temple!”

After speaking, he took the lead and walked out first.

“Shouldn’t we leave Chong’er behind? It’s too cold outside, don’t let him catch a chill.”

Seeing Xiang Liang holding their son and heading out, Wang Yuxiu immediately advised. Although Xia City wasn’t cold, their son was only two months old, so it was best not to go out unless necessary.

Xiang Liang shook his head and smiled, “This year, the Young Master of the Major Sect needs to conduct the hairpin ceremony. Not only all the minor sect leaders, but also the heirs of the sect must be present. It won’t take long, no worries!”

Hearing this, Wang Yuxiu said no more. However, worried that Xiang Liang might be too careless, she went forward to hand the basket to Xiang Liang and then took Xiang Chong back into her arms.

“Big Brother, can my sister and I go to the Holy Platform to watch the ceremony?”

This wasn’t Xiang Yan’s first time at the sect ceremony, so he was very familiar with the Sect Temple.

The Sect Temple is divided into three levels: the first level is the Ancestral Hall, where anyone with a registry in Great Xia can set up a monument for worship; the second level is the Sect Hall, where setting up a monument isn’t so simple—it requires a noble title; and the third level is the Holy Platform he mentioned.

Xiang Yan was also aware that the reason the sect ceremony was advanced this year had spread throughout Xia City—it was because both young masters of the major sect were to conduct the hairpin ceremony.

Next to him, Xiang Rong was also full of anticipation, looking at her big brother, obviously wanting to go to the Holy Platform just as much as Xiang Yan.

Seeing his younger siblings’ eager faces, Xiang Liang shook his head and laughed, “The Holy Platform of the major sect is only for minor sect leaders and heirs of the sect. If you two really want to go up there, you better work hard to gain your own noble title and start your own sect early.”

Upon hearing this, the two immediately deflated like punctured balloons, looking utterly dejected.

Gaining a noble title and starting a sect is currently one of the hardest achievements to accomplish in Great Xia.

It’s not easy to achieve.

The total population of Great Xia is over 2.6 million, but there are only over 300 people with noble titles.

Take their father, Xiang Ping, for instance. He broke through to the Cold Resistance Level early and joined the Longyuan Army, but even now, he’s only accumulated a little over two hundred military merit points, far from earning a noble title.

Big brother Xiang Liang’s noble title was won through desperate efforts, a rare exception that couldn’t be replicated. Moreover, last year, he and Bai Shanning both earned their titles, which caused quite a stir in Xia City. This is why they admire their big brother so much.

One could say that gaining a noble title—strength is just the most basic aspect.

Courage, determination, and opportunity are all indispensable, and in times of peace, you might even need a bit of luck, as there’s simply no opportunity to earn military merit without a war.

The siblings exchanged glances and shook their heads, seeing their big brother Xiang Liang already far ahead, hurriedly quickening their pace to catch up.

Mother Zhou Ying went to Zhaoyang to visit father Xiang Ping five days ago, so this year’s sect ceremony was led by Xiang Liang, the eldest brother, with his family. The group of four, bringing the barely two-month-old Xiang Chong, quickly traversed through the main building and reached the Sect Temple at the back.

“Didn’t they say to stagger the ceremony times? Why are there so many people still?”

“There are too many people, isn’t it? Must be about fifty or sixty thousand.”

“There’s even someone specifically maintaining order!”

…

Upon reaching the entrance of the Sect Temple, Xiang Liang and his group were suddenly dumbfounded.

The inside and outside of the Sect Temple was teeming with people. There were even people at the entrance specifically responsible for controlling the flow of people. Only after one group left would another group be allowed in.

“The first floor is the Ancestral Hall, where anyone with a registry can erect a monument. The total population of Xia City is over 2.6 million, with at least 500,000 registered, so it’s not surprising so many people are here. Let’s just walk around the side and go up to the second floor, the Sect Hall.”

Xiang Liang, holding his wife’s hand, led his younger siblings around alongside the flow, taking a full half-hour before successfully entering the Sect Temple gate. Once inside, he immediately moved towards the stairs leading to the second floor.

Not many people could access the second floor, so whenever someone headed there, the crowd below would instantly quiet down for a moment, casting envious glances.

“Is that Lord Xiang?”

“That’s Xiang Liang, the Vice Chief of Punishment from Hongmen, Lord Xiang.”

“Lord Xiang obtained the Ninth-rank Marquis title last year.”

“I heard that currently, there are only 339 minor sect positions on the second floor; those who can enter are no ordinary individuals!”

“Nonsense, during the battle at Dajue Temple a few years ago, Lord Xiang made great contributions, and it’s said he nearly lost his life.”

……

Xiang Liang, leading his wife, son, and younger siblings, under the envious eyes of many, quickly reached the second floor, ascending the circular stairs, soon finding the Xiang family’s shrine location.

“Big brother, look, there are many people around. After finishing their worship, they head to the top floor, likely to attend the ceremony at the Holy Platform, right?”

“Keep quiet. We’ll talk after the worship.”

Xiang Liang had long noticed many colleagues around, but he was exceptionally devout in his worship. He gently interrupted Xiang Yan, quickly setting up the offerings of three animals, five fruits, yellow candle, spiritual wine, and spirit pill, then joined his wife and siblings in worship at the shrine.

The Xiang family currently consisted of seven members, all still alive, so the seven spiritual tablets inside the shrine were all emitting a glow. As the five completed their worship, the glow on the spiritual tablets noticeably brightened.

“Alright, Yuxiu, give me the child. You take them back first!”

Wang Yuxiu wasn’t very familiar with the rules of the Great Xia Sect ceremony. Hearing this, she realized that even she couldn’t go to the Holy Platform. Although worried, seeing her husband’s serious face, she handed the child to him.

“Wrap the blanket tightly, don’t let Chong’er catch a cold!”

After giving this last instruction, Wang Yuxiu then tidied up the offerings, taking Xiang Yan and Xiang Rong with her, descending the circular stairs to leave the Sect Temple and head home.

Meanwhile, Xiang Liang, holding his son, continued to ascend along the circular stairs.