CHAPTER 262: CHAPTER 262: ACKNOWLEDGING ANCESTRY AND RETURNING TO THE CLAN

Qin Shuang, at the cost of her life, let herself be indebted to others, just to pave the way for Gu Zhi, right?

Then I will follow her last wish.

Gu Zhi slowly closed her eyes. Now that things have come to this, what is there that she doesn’t understand?

Qin Shuang didn’t need to die, but she still chose to sacrifice herself.

Actually, during the time spent with Qin Shuang in Northern Sichuan Village, Gu Zhi had already vaguely sensed Qin Shuang’s abnormality.

Qin Shuang’s vitality wasn’t as strong as before; even she could feel the senility and decline emanating from Qin Shuang.

"Xia Mian, my mom wants me to return to the Xuanmen Gu Family, so I will return to the Xuanmen Gu Family." Gu Zhi stood up, the light in her eyes gradually becoming firm.

Since Qin Shuang thought Xia Mian was worth entrusting, then I must not let down Qin Shuang’s sacrifice.

Xia Liang, a bit bewildered by the scene before him, lightly curled his lips, "Xuanmen Gu Family?"

In this war between the Mystical Sects and the Divine Clan, the Xuanmen Gu Family seems to be the only one not involved.

The Gu Family’s ability to stand as the third largest in the Mystic Sect is entirely due to this worldly savvy.

Is this little girl actually part of the Xuanmen Gu Family?

"Is the Xuanmen Gu Family very powerful?" Xia Mian asked sincerely.

Xia Liang scoffed, "That depends on who you compare them to. In the eyes of our Divine Clan, they’re nothing special. But in the eyes of the Hundred Families, I suppose they’re considered a powerful family."

Xia Liang clicked his tongue and sighed, "This woman from the Heavenly Maiden Clan is truly painstakingly trying to send this little girl back to the Xuanmen Gu Family."

Gu Zhi squinted her eyes deeply, saying nothing.

Although Qin Shuang died for Xia Mian, anyone with eyes could see that Qin Shuang had her own calculations.

"My dear granddaughter, whatever you decide to do, Grandpa will follow your lead." Xia Liang immediately spoke up.

The people of the Divine Clan have never liked owing favors; now that Xia Mian is passively in debt to Qin Shuang, this debt must be repaid as soon as possible.

Xia Mian slightly pressed her lips together; according to her original plan, she intended to return to the present world after helping Xia Zhun and Song Juan with the magic to defy fate.

But now, with Gu Zhi’s situation, it seems she won’t be able to return anytime soon.

"I want to send her back to the Gu Family." Xia Mian glanced at Gu Zhi, "The sooner the better."

After all, she doesn’t have much time to waste on unrelated people.

Xia Liang blinked, "My dear granddaughter, if you go to the Gu Family without any justification, they’re unlikely to acknowledge you."

Xia Mian lightly squinted her eyes, thoughtfully looking at Xia Liang.

However, Xia Liang seemed unaware of Xia Mian’s probing and wise gaze and continued to speak with a cheerful smile, "Before you go to the Gu Family, first recognize your ancestors and return to the clan!"

Xia Mian’s lips lifted slightly, but she said nothing.

It seemed Xia Liang didn’t notice Xia Mian’s expression and continued, "Once you become the young lady of our Divine Clan and the heir of the Divine Master, even the entire Mystical Sects must treat you with respect, let alone the Xuanmen Gu Family..."

"You seem to have a point." Xia Mian lowered her eyes thoughtfully.

Xia Zhun is her father, and that’s a fact she can never erase.

She is Xia Zhun’s daughter, and that’s something she cannot deny.

The Divine Clan will eventually fall on her shoulders; that’s unquestionable.

Since it will eventually be her responsibility, taking advantage of her identity as the young lady of the Divine Clan now doesn’t seem inappropriate.

"Elders, quickly prepare the recognition ceremony!" Xia Liang immediately turned around and instructed the three elders, his eyes showing signs of excitement.

Xia Mian finally agreed to acknowledge her ancestors and return to the clan. He must make this ceremony formal so that his dear granddaughter doesn’t feel neglected!

Upon hearing this, the three elders quickly nodded in agreement, nearly running as they dashed out of Bishui Residence.

Watching the three elders squeezing together and getting stuck in the doorway in their hurry to leave, Xia Mian couldn’t help but lightly curve her lips.

In her first eighteen years of life, apart from Song Juan, no one cared about her.

Now, more and more people care about her, Lu Zechuan, Xia Zhun, Xia Liang...

She suddenly found herself with many family members and friends.

"My dear granddaughter, before I didn’t know of your existence, so I wasn’t caring or protective enough. Don’t worry, such things will never happen again," Xia Liang vowed with certainty, "In the future, if anyone bullies you, just tell Grandpa, and I’ll go teach their ancestors a lesson!"

Xia Mian gave Xia Liang a complicated look.

The tragedy of Song Juan stems from Xia Liang’s obstruction, but now Xia Liang’s attitude towards her has turned 180 degrees.

She doesn’t know if Xia Liang is just old and seeking familial comfort or if she has some value in his eyes.

Xia Mian lowered her eyes, not responding to Xia Liang.

But Xia Liang didn’t mind Xia Mian’s attitude.

As long as Xia Mian is willing to acknowledge him and return to the Divine Clan, he doesn’t care what Xia Mian thinks of him!

The three elders worked quickly, preparing all the necessary items for the recognition ceremony in less than an hour.

Then, the three elders sent out a message for all Divine Clan disciples to gather at the Ancestral Hall to attend Xia Mian’s grand recognition ceremony.

The Ancestral Hall of the Divine Clan, where the ancestral plaques of past generations were kept, had an oppressive atmosphere.

When Xia Mian followed Xia Liang to the Ancestral Hall, the disciples of the Divine Clan were already neatly lined up outside the Ancestral Hall.

Xia Liang led Xia Mian through the two rows of Divine Clan disciples, ascending the steps, and walked towards the Ancestral Hall.

Lu Zechuan and Gu Zhi sensibly waited outside the Ancestral Hall.

Xia Mian acknowledging her ancestors is an internal matter of the Divine Clan, and they are outsiders.

Following behind Xia Liang, Xia Mian lightly stepped into the Ancestral Hall.

On the long offering table in the Ancestral Hall, various offerings were arranged.

The fresh fruits, glistening with dewdrops, looked extremely tempting.

Xia Liang stood before the ancestral plaques while the Great Elder promptly stepped forward to hand over the incense.

Xia Liang took the incense, igniting it with a gesture and placing it carefully into the incense burner on the offering table, respectfully bowing towards the ancestral plaques.

"To the ancestors of the Divine Clan, we have Summer Mian, a bloodline of our Divine Clan lost outside, recognizing her ancestors and returning to the clan. Please protect this girl, Summer Mian..."

Xia Liang, respectful and devout, recited this before the ancestral plaques.

Xia Mian couldn’t tell if it was her imagination, but she felt that as Xia Liang spoke, virtual shadows seemed to emerge from the ancestral plaques.

"Looks like the ancestors are quite satisfied with our Mianmian. From now on, Mianmian will depend on everyone!" Xia Liang straightened up, gesturing with his finger, "My dear granddaughter, come and kowtow to the ancestors!"