Founding Ceremony (Part Three)

If Jian Shang had known what they were discussing, he would have marveled at the Otherworlder Alliance's terrifying intelligence network and admitted he had underestimated it. He would also have marveled at the reach of human imagination—and admitted he was far too "innocent"!

Was this self-deception? Had their cleverness backfired on them?!

"First bow!"

"Second bow!"

"Third bow!"

"Rise!"

No matter how the spectators reacted, not even the shouts disrupting the rites to Heaven could derail the founding ceremony. Everything proceeded as planned.

Atop the Heaven-Sacrificing Altar, Jian Shang had stirred a celestial phenomenon. With three formal bows, he completed the rite of worshiping Heaven!

"Next, bow to Earth!"

Yu Qing raised his voice again, and the cry was echoed from every direction...

Rustle, rustle...

After what had happened when he bowed to Heaven, Jian Shang took this rite even more seriously. He straightened his sleeves and robe, then bowed with heartfelt sincerity!

Originally, Jian Shang had only intended to go through the motions. He did not want the world to condemn him or his officials to be disappointed. Deep down, he had never believed these elaborate rites had any real bearing on the founding of a kingdom.

Of course, Jian Shang merely doubted the practical value of the rites. He did not doubt the wonders of Forging the Sacred Court. Those were two entirely different matters.

But bowing to Heaven really had shaken the heavens. The shock left Jian Shang bewildered, and now he performed the rites with genuine reverence.

Could Forging the Sacred Court really be such a fantastical world? Could the Three Realms and Six Paths, and the immortals, demons, and monsters recorded in ancient texts, truly exist? Jian Shang wondered as he solemnly offered worship to Heaven.

Rumble...

The ground trembled as though an earth