Spirit Veins Return to Origin, Longevity Dao Rhyme Steadies Heaven and Earth

At the center of the Hongmeng Sacred Hall stood a massive altar known as the Origin Altar. Built from Chaos Strange Stone, it rose a hundred zhang high. A gigantic Hongmeng Seal was carved atop it, and faint golden Dao Rhyme flowed through its patterns, connecting to the main vein of the Hongmeng Great Land. Ever since Shen Hao had brought back Spirit Spring water from Listen-to-Waves Valley, he had resolved to hold a grand sacrificial ceremony here, pouring the water into the Origin Altar. Using the Origin Power within the spring water, he would nourish the main vein of the Hongmeng Great Land, stabilize the spirit veins in all directions, and ward off the crisis brought by Mars's unrest.

On the day of the ceremony, the sky was clear, the air fresh, and a gentle breeze blew warmly. The square before the Hongmeng Sacred Hall was already packed shoulder to shoulder. People of every race, dressed in festive finery, had come from all corners and gathered in the square, awaiting the start of the sacrificial ceremony. Lei Meng led thirty thousand Hongmeng allied troops in guarding the perimeter, their expressions solemn and their gazes vigilant. Elder Mu Chen, meanwhile, led the disciples of the Dao Academy in busily preparing for the ceremony—arranging offerings and polishing the altar—every detail handled with meticulous care.

At the third quarter of the hour of the dragon, a melodious bell rang out from deep within the sacred hall, resounding through the clouds. The people in the square gradually fell silent, their burning eyes fixed on the Origin Altar.

Shen Hao was the first to appear atop the altar. He wore a bright yellow Daoist robe, its hem embroidered with nine lifelike golden dragons, with blooming Longevity Lotuses scattered among their patterns. The Longevity Dao