At the forefront stood a delicate-featured youth, clutching a cinerary casket tightly in his hands.
Chen Nianzhi had no mind to notice the other figures. He stepped forward and took the casket at once, only then sensing that it held a Soul-Gathering Pearl containing Old Uncle Grandfather's soul.
"Old Uncle Grandfather!"
Chen Nianzhi sighed softly. He had long anticipated this, yet his heart still felt incomparably heavy.
Chen Changxuan had cultivated for tens of thousands of years, but in the end, he had still failed to escape the fate of reincarnation, passing away upon Qingyuan Mountain in the mortal world.
These younger clansmen had ascended with the Soul-Gathering Pearl, specifically bringing his soul to the Immortal Realm.
"Alas—"
Chen Nianzhi sighed, saying nothing more.
He put away the cinerary casket, then looked at the delicate-featured youth and said, "You brought Old Uncle Grandfather's soul with you when you ascended. You truly did not disappoint me."
"Chen Bufan's achievements today are due not only to the Ancestor's gift of treasures, but entirely to the Ancestor's guidance. Bringing him to ascend to the Immortal Domain was only what I ought to do."
The delicate-featured youth spoke, then immediately fell to his knees and said with utmost solemnity.
Only then did Chen Nianzhi properly take notice of him. After a brief moment of thought, he understood the youth's origins.
This youth was named Chen Bufan. He was a disciple of the Chen Immortal Clan and also the fated one who had obtained the sole true treasure when Chen Nianzhi divided his treasures years ago.
Back when Chen Nianzhi descended into the mortal world, he had preached the Dao three times upon Qingyuan Mountain. After his sermons ended, he left behind many treasures at Treasure-Dividing Cliff, bestowing them upon the living beings who had