As time passed, more and more members of the Han family arrived.
Roughly estimated, over five thousand people were present.
Previously, A Xiang had mentioned that only direct descendants of the Han family and their relatives were eligible to worship the Han family's ancestor.
Clang clang...
At this moment, a sonorous bell sound echoed throughout the Han Family Fort.
Upon hearing this bell, all the cultivators within the Han Family Fort halted their steps.
Cultivators who were previously in their rooms also emerged.
All of them cast respectful gazes towards the inner city of the Han Family Fort.
"Welcome, Ancestor!"
As one person shouted, everyone present cupped their fists in salute and exclaimed.
Although Qin Han Chu was not a member of the Han family, he was their son-in-law, so he also cupped his fists in greeting.
As the crowd's voices faded, the sky above the Han Family Fort was suddenly covered by fiery red light.
From afar, the Han Family Fort appeared to be shrouded in crimson clouds.
A beastly roar followed, and the red light in the sky churned.
Immediately after, a烈焰巨蟒 (Lièyàn Jù Mǎng) from the Spirit God realm soared into view.
This colossal python was several hundred meters long, its body as thick as a water vat.
It had already grown dual horns on its head, appearing as if it were about to transform into a dragon.
Seated atop the giant python's head was an old man dressed in a crimson robe.
This was the Han family's Profound King realm ancestor.
The giant python floated in the air, flicking its tongue as it raised its head.
As the python raised its head, the Han family ancestor, clad in a crimson robe, also stood up.
"Greetings, Ancestor."
All the Han family members bowed and cried out.
Following their voices, all the cultivators in the Han Family Fort bowed towards the Han family ancestor.
This scene evoked admiration for the Han family ancestor's grand presence.
Within the Han Family Fort, this old man of the Profound King realm was their guardian deity.
As long as he was present, the Han family could stand unyielding.
In the Great World, the Profound King realm might not be the peak of strength, but in this medium-sized world, the Han family ancestor was qualified to receive such respect.
"Rise."
After a moment, the Han family ancestor finally spoke faintly.
Although his voice was not loud, it clearly reached everyone's ears.
Seeing everyone straighten up, Qin Han Chu also rose.
"Spirit God realm members, step forward!" the Han family ancestor commanded sternly.
Upon hearing this, Han Tian and other Spirit God realm cultivators leaped into the air.
The entire Han family had over thirty Spirit God realm experts!
"Rewards!"
Following the Han family ancestor's words, the giant python beneath him opened its maw and spat out over thirty top-tier spiritual herbs.
Han Tian and his wife accepted the top-tier spiritual herbs one after another, then cupped their fists in thanks.
Subsequently, cultivators of the Spirit Saint and Spirit Venerable levels also stepped forward to receive rewards from the Han family ancestor.
"Spirit King realm juniors, step forward!"
The Han family ancestor declared.
Hearing this, Han Xianxin and other Han family juniors leaped into the air.
Qin Han Chu had not yet married A Xiang, so he did not move.
However, at this moment, Han Tian transmitted a message to Qin Han Chu: "Go with A Xiang."
Since Han Tian had sent a message, Qin Han Chu followed A Xiang and ascended.
"My daughter, Han Xiang, has found a good match. I request the Ancestor's permission for their marriage."
Han Tian leaped forward to stand before Qin Han Chu and A Xiang, saying respectfully.
"I have already arranged a marriage for Han Xiang."
To everyone's surprise, the Han family ancestor uttered these words.
The Han family ancestor had personally designated a marriage for A Xiang!
Han Tian and his wife, as well as A Xiang, widened their eyes in disbelief.
Qin Han Chu also frowned at this moment.
What a coincidence.
"Ancestor, my humble daughter's appearance and physique are rather unremarkable; I fear she cannot bear the burden of a political marriage," Han Tian said urgently.
The Han family ancestor suddenly waved his hand, and a surge of flame power enveloped A Xiang.
When this flame power dissipated, A Xiang had reverted to her original beautiful and charming appearance.
This scene startled all the Han family members.
From childhood to adulthood, A Xiang had always been plump, hadn't she?
So this was all an illusion!
Seeing A Xiang's true appearance, Han Xianxin's jealousy intensified!
She had thought she could surpass A Xiang in beauty, but she never expected A Xiang's original appearance to be so stunning.
"A Xiang is this beautiful?"
"She was pretending to be ugly all along?"
"Why did she do this? Was it to evade a family alliance?"
"The Ancestor truly has sharp eyes; he can see through anything."
Amidst the Han family members' discussions, the Han family ancestor said, "Such petty tricks cannot escape my notice."
Seeing A Xiang's disguise revealed, the City Lord's wife said, "Ancestor, A Xiang and Han Chu already have the husband and wife status. She is no longer a maiden, thus she cannot be a candidate for a political marriage."
The Han family ancestor's anger flared:
"Lost her chastity before marriage?"
"Are you not aware of the Han family's rules?"
Han Tian cupped his fists and said, "They had no intention. It was due to the fragrance of the Yin-Yang Illusion Butterfly."
"Regardless of the reason, violating family rules is unforgivable!"
"Take A Xiang down and administer one hundred lashes!"
The Han family ancestor had agreed to betroth A Xiang to a family in the Great World, but unexpectedly, A Xiang had been claimed first by Qin Han Chu.
Although another person could be arranged for the political marriage, the Han family ancestor had to make the Han family women understand the rules.
If he did not punish A Xiang, wouldn't those family women who were unwilling to marry imitate her?
Upon hearing "one hundred lashes," Han Tian and his wife, as well as A Xiang, showed terror.
The Han family's whipping was no trifling matter. Although A Xiang possessed considerable strength, one hundred lashes would render her crippled, if not dead.
"Ancestor, please atone!" Han Tian pleaded urgently.
"Rules are rules. Those who violate them must be punished!" the Han family ancestor stated coldly.
Hearing this, Han Xianxin's lips curled into a delighted smile.
Without A Xiang, she would be the strongest descendant of the Han family!
"Where are the Punishment Elders?" the Han family patriarch shouted.
"A Xiang, step forward to receive your punishment!" an elder in black, wielding a long black whip, commanded sternly.
A Xiang's eyes were filled with terror.
She knew very well how tragic her fate would be under the punishment.
Han Tian and his wife had intended to quickly arrange their marriage to bypass the issue.
However, they never expected the Han family ancestor to arrange a political marriage for A Xiang at this moment.
From a young age, they had made A Xiang disguise herself to allow her to choose her own marriage.
They never imagined that the Han family ancestor had seen through it all.
Seeing the Punishment Elder step forward, Han Tian and his wife immediately shielded A Xiang.
"Ancestor, we are willing to hand over the Heaven-Shaking City to the family. We implore you to spare A Xiang," Han Tian said gravely.
"Are you bargaining with me?"
"Family rules are family rules. No one shall challenge them!"
"You two, move aside at once, or do not blame me for being impolite!"
The Han family ancestor raged.
"As long as we, this couple, are alive, we will not stand by and watch our daughter suffer punishment!" Han Tian declared resolutely to the Han family ancestor.
"Han Tian, are you and your wife attempting rebellion?" the Han family patriarch angrily asked.
"What is the meaning of living if you cannot protect your own daughter?" the City Lord's wife said.
"You two are courting death!"
"Seize them!"
The Han family patriarch pointed at Han Tian and the other three, roaring.