Burn incense and pay respects to the ancestors!
This was something every member of the Kong family should do upon arriving before Confucius's statue!
Kong Shizhan reverently lit sandalwood incense and handed three sticks to Xu Kun before kneeling before Confucius's statue as a descendant of the Kong family.
Xu Kun copied his example and was about to imitate Kong Shizhan when the entire hall suddenly shook!
Xu Kun froze in place and looked up in confusion, only to see Confucius's statue move!
A finger gilded in gold pointed toward him, and a stream of clear qi descended, making the mark of Confucius's direct disciple on Xu Kun's forehead shine brighter than ever!
"Headmaster, this..." Xu Kun held the three sticks of incense, at a complete loss.
Kong Shizhan, who had just completed the grand kneeling rite, was stunned as well.
Yet no one could offer an explanation. The clear qi contracted, shrinking Xu Kun along with it until he vanished from where he stood.
Kong Shizhan stared blankly at the three fallen sticks of incense and murmured distractedly, "The ancestor accepted him as a direct disciple, yet refused to accept his grand kneeling rite..."
"Was he exempting him from customary rites, or... was he unable to bear them?" Kong Shizhan shuddered at the thought.
He recalled the two ways Confucius had addressed Xu Kun.
Not as a junior, not as a disciple, but as... little friend!
The Kong family's ancestor and Xu Kun did not share a master-disciple relationship. They interacted as equals!
Ding, you have entered the special map: Apricot Altar. Once you meet the entry requirements, you may enter the Qufu Academy secret realm trial. Before completing this secret realm's stage trial, you cannot leave by any means.
The notification sounded in his ears, and