Secret Martial Artist [1]

As Hu Zhenkui's voice faded, Almost simultaneously, a tidal wave of applause and cheers surged forth.

Countless gazes, filled with undisguised envy and fervor, focused on the two people in the center of the arena.

Especially among the older clansmen with greying hair, a complex light flickered deep within their clouded eyes.

They knew better than anyone what this act signified.

It was not merely about simple glory or money, but the potential to touch power far beyond the reach of ordinary mortals.

"After the ceremony concludes, the three of you, along with the clansmen who turned fifteen this year, do not leave yet. I have matters to discuss."

Hu Zhenkui's gaze swept in turn over Hu Long, Hu Zetong, and the clansman in the black tank top who had lifted the four-hundred-jin stone lock.

His voice was not loud, yet it carried clearly through the clamor.

Having said this, he turned to the crowd.

"The Strength Bearing Festival is complete. The Ancestral Sacrifice continues!"

The Hammer Holder was a significant role in the Ancestral Sacrifice.

One had to steadily hold up two hundred-jin stone hammers during the subsequent rituals, which was how the title originated.

Of course, the most tangible benefit on the surface was a reward of one million.

Following this, aside from the lifting of the Deer Cauldron being discussed repeatedly, the remaining rituals proceeded as usual.

Staff members entered the arena and began applying makeup to Hu Long, draping him in dark, heavy armor and using special pigments to trace unique patterns across his cheeks and forehead.

Before long, he was dressed to resemble the statue of the founding ancestor, Hu Wei, standing solemnly on the platform with a hammer in each hand, receiving the collective bows of the entire clan.

This sequence of rituals lasted for another three or four hours.

It was not until the sun dipped low and twilight gathered, and everyone had gathered to finish the sacrificial feast, that this annual Ancestral Sacrifice finally drew to a slow close.

Hu Long's duties as the "Hammer Holder" were finally fulfilled.

Only then were Hu Chengwen, He Yanling, and Hu Zhao, who had been waiting at the edge of the crowd, able to step forward.

"Xiao Long, is there anywhere on your body that feels uncomfortable?"

He Yanling immediately reached out to gently press and inspect Hu Long's body, terrified that he might have damaged himself from overexertion earlier.

"Xiao Long, I really didn't expect it! You truly brought honor to your sister today!"

Hu Zhao reached out and patted Hu Long on the shoulder, the smile on her lips never fading.

Hu Xiao, that long-time rival of hers with the foul mouth, had actually apologized and conceded to her for the first time today.

She naturally understood that the reason for all this was her younger brother.

"Right, how exactly did you do it? I never noticed you had such strength."

Hu Chengwen did not speak, but his gaze was equally filled with questions.

His son had participated in the Ancestral Sacrifice before.

However, he had never achieved a high ranking in the Strength Bearing Festival, and logically speaking, he shouldn't have had the aptitude for it.

Yet, today's performance had far exceeded his expectations.

Even with training, it shouldn't have been possible to possess such exaggerated strength.

"It's nothing. Maybe I hit a second growth spurt."

Hu Long did not offer much of an explanation.

This was something impossible to explain clearly, so he had to stick with this excuse.

Besides, there were some things that didn't need to be made clear.

"Regardless, you did well!"

Seeing this, Hu Chengwen naturally understood Hu Long's intent and closed his mouth at the right moment, choosing not to press further.

Then.

After the group photos were taken.

The Ancestral Sacrifice was all but over.

The members of the Hu Family walked out of the ancestral hall one after another. Except for a very small number who drove away, most of the clansmen remained on the grounds.

They then gathered around the families of Hu Long and Hu Zetong.

"I said it long ago, this child Xiao Long is extraordinary. He was even able to lift the Deer Cauldron."

"Chengwen, we've grown a bit distant over the years. From now on, our two families should visit each other more often."

"Back in the day, I worked with the old man. I never expected him to leave us so early... If he knew from beyond the grave that his grandson was so promising, who knows how happy he would be."

Voices of congratulation, praise, and sycophancy rose and fell, one after another, never ceasing.

Within the crowd, there were even some clansmen who were distant relatives of Hu Chengwen's family, people who rarely interacted with them in their daily lives.

Some of them were wealthier, while others held considerable prestige in the region, yet at this moment, they all approached with beaming smiles.

"Oh, it was all just luck!"

The smile on Hu Chengwen's face never faded as he chatted happily with these clansmen.

Although he had done quite well for himself among the clan due to his status, it was impossible for him to have everyone revolving around him; after all, there were no shortage of Hu Clan members who were doing better than him.

Yet now, they were all flattering him.

And all of this was simply because Hu Long had become the "Hammer Holder."

If it were merely that, it would be impossible for these people to be so fawning.

The most important point was that Hu Long had lifted that 1,200-jin Deer Cauldron.

In a certain sense, this represented that Hu Long's potential far surpassed that of the "Hammer Holders" of previous years.

Becoming a member of the main family was almost a certainty.

He might even be able to go much further down that path.

As members of the Hu Clan, with their family background, they naturally knew far more than outsiders.

They understood the significance of this even better, so drawing closer to him was undoubtedly the best course of action.

While dealing with these clansmen, Hu Chengwen could not help but cast his gaze toward the ancestral hall.

A trace of anticipation rose in his heart.

I wonder what the result will be.

Inside the vast ancestral hall, the branch clansmen had already dispersed, making the space appear much emptier.

Standing in the center was a row of people, led by Hu Zhenkui, representing the main family.

Opposite them stood a group of youths around fifteen years old, Hu Long among them.

He and another young man in a black vest were the two oldest in this group.

"Our Hu Family has continued for six hundred and seventy-two years to this day. I hope you will all be united in the future and carry on the Hu Family's legacy..."

Hu Zhenkui stood with his hands behind his back.

He looked down at the crowd and spoke in a deep voice.

A dynasty lasts a hundred years, but a clan lasts a thousand.

Throughout history, even behind the changes of royal power, the shadow of clans was inevitably present.

Bloodline is the strongest bond, and because of its existence, clansmen are more united than any other faction.

For some powerful clans, the emperor himself is merely a pawn.

This is enough to illustrate the terrifying nature of a clan's influence.

And the Hu Clan.

In a certain sense, belonged to this category.

"...However, the reason our Hu Family has been able to pass down to this day, besides the unity of our clansmen and our collective stance against outsiders, is due to one other thing. It is the fundamental basis of our clan's existence, and the reason we have survived until now without being wiped out!"

Hu Zhenkui's voice continued, reaching the crucial part.

However, having said this, Hu Zhenkui paused.

"Great-Grandfather Patriarch, what exactly is the reason?"

Hu Zetong, standing to the side, was the first to ask.

He had been made quite curious by the other man's deliberate suspense.

Hu Long did not speak, standing to the side.

But in his heart, he already had a vague guess.

Hearing this, Hu Zhenkui chuckled, not explaining directly.

"No rush for that yet. Before that, you all still need to undergo a simple test."