Innate Religion.
The main altar.
In a spacious hall, intricate array patterns suddenly lit up. A vast torrent of white light surged into the sky, then faded in an instant, revealing a figure in white robes and a golden crown.
He held a notice written in blood-red characters on a black background and strode toward the palace beneath the altar.
Before long, this Innate Religion Protector arrived at the sacrificial palace where the Leader resided.
After entering, he followed an attendant through layer upon layer of rooms and courtyards, arriving at the edge of an emerald pool.
A pleasure boat drifted leisurely across the water, its pearl curtains hanging low. Shadows moved within, and there seemed to be quite a few people aboard.
The Protector dared not look too closely or delay. He immediately knelt on the ground, raised the challenge notice above his head in both hands, and said solemnly, "I report to the Leader: the visitor is indeed Holy Son Pei Ling of Chongming Sect."
"He has already left Winter Altar's territory and entered the domain of our Spring Altar."
"Two Protectors from Spring Altar were ordered to ask his purpose. Pei Ling said that he came to challenge the Leader."
"The challenge notice is here."
"The time and place are entirely for the Leader to decide."
After speaking, the Protector prostrated himself on the ground, displaying utmost reverence.
The Sacred Sect sharply distinguished high from low; the difference between the exalted and the humble was like heaven and earth.
A branch-altar Protector like him was only at Spirit Transformation, and his birth was nothing special. Though he could have stepped aboard the pleasure boat with a single stride, his status did not entitle him to enter.
This matter concerned Pei Ling and was of grave importance; it