Chapter 684 - 365: Celestial Cicada
Regarding Zheng Yi’s identity, other cultivators of the Great Snow Mountain Lineage are all unaware.
However, in the eyes of several Venerables, there are already some hidden guesses.
It’s just that the matter is too miraculous, coupled with extreme difficulties, and due to reasons like Zheng Yi’s status and strength, everyone tacitly understands.
An alternative approach was adopted, which is a smooth transition.
Zheng Yi becoming the genuine Divine Lord of this generation is already set in stone, his position is irreplaceable, even if several Great Venerables want to challenge him, it’s almost impossible.
The greatest consequence would be to tear apart the entire Great Snow Mountain Lineage, causing the snow mountain to fall into disarray.
Since that’s the case, it’s better for Zheng Yi to cultivate a true High Priest, and once they mature, everything will fall into place naturally.
Moreover, as the guide for the next reincarnated Divine Heir, invisibly, he has also formed a close connection with the Great Snow Mountain.
In the future, whether Zheng Yi uses the power of the Great Snow Mountain or the mountain relies on Zheng Yi, it will be justified.
...
Days passed by, in the blink of an eye, it was the day for the High Priest to select disciples.
The hall responsible for hosting in the Great Snow Mountain was extraordinarily lively. Many noble disciples, dressed in splendid clothes with respectful expressions, cautiously stood in the hall.
Even those most mischievous boys seem affected by the solemn atmosphere of the hall, keeping their mouths tightly shut, not daring to make any sound.
In the vast and magnificent hall, the place was now bustling with people. Almost entirely composed of noble offspring aged eight to fifteen, they all appeared in the hall.
Neatly arranged in rows, led by Divine Hall personnel, they endeavored to stand straight.
Though young, they have been bathed in the glory of the Great Snow Mountain since childhood, knowing how esteemed this Divine Palace is.
They’ve heard from ancestors that this is an opportunity to fundamentally change themselves and their family’s fortunes.
If successfully selected, they will ascend to the heavens, becoming beings that overlook the entire Great Snow Mountain.
"Salutations to the Divine Lord!"
"Salutations to the High Priest!"
Suddenly, in the quiet hall, a deep and long sound resonated. Numerous young nobles, including disciples and cultivators of the Great Snow Mountain maintaining order below, all knelt down towards the front.
Almost in the blink of an eye, a figure appeared at the front of the steps, before the divine seat of the High Priest.
Currently, Zheng Yi was wearing the luxurious robe of the High Priest, adorned with the sun and moon on the front and sides, while the hem was full of stars, and behind him was the full view of the Great Snow Mountain, holding the Seven Treasures Wondrous Staff.
Just by standing there, an invisible majesty flowed outward, causing the robe to ripple without wind, spreading in all directions, and in an instant, almost covering the entire space.
"The path of divine authority, indeed, the Divine Dao is above all!"
Zheng Yi swept his gaze to grasp entirely what was happening here.
Yet, he knew there wasn’t the person he was searching for here.
The entire hall gathered only the noble offspring of the Great Snow Mountain, these people undoubtedly wanted to control all power, preventing it from being shared by lower-class civilians or even slaves.
In the eyes of the nobles, as long as they present those noble disciples nurtured by elite training, they would definitely surpass the children of lower-class civilians and slaves, with absolutely no need for those base servants to step out.
However, how could the will of Spirit Heaven or Zheng Yi’s God-like perspective be comprehended by these frogs at the bottom of the well?
Zheng Yi’s will scanned the room but found a few promising cultivation seedlings, though he didn’t pay much mind.
With his current vision, not to say at the utmost pinnacle of the Profound Celestial Cultivation Realm, but close enough.
Zheng Yi has seen too many talents, in his eyes they are ordinary, unless they are Hongmeng Immortal Body, Ancient Sacred Body, Celestial Demon Slaying Immortal Body, those rarely seen in all ages, other talents are few.
Moreover, now, he isn’t seeking cultivation talents, but the true reincarnated Divine Heir.
In the hall, it was deathly silent, everyone shut their mouths, waiting solemnly.
Especially those young ones awaiting selection, each of them tightened their little faces, eagerly anticipating the final result.
Yet, what they don’t realize is that Zheng Yi’s mind had already departed the hall, pouring towards the foot of the mountain, covering the entire Great Snow Mountain.
...
At the foot of the mountain, in a stable, several thin figures were diligently brushing the horses in the pen.
Each one worked hard, polishing the horses until they shone brightly, only then did they stop and catch their breath.
In the cold weather, wearing thin clothes, sweat beads covered their foreheads as they leaned against the corner of the stable, gasping for breath.
"Did you hear, today is the day the High Priest recruits disciples?!"
"Yes, I heard today is a very significant day, even the Lord’s son wore splendid attire and went to the Divine Hall."
"If I could become the apprentice of the High Priest, wouldn’t I be indulging in rich foods and drinks in the future? I’d make those young masters and misses serve me."
"Stop daydreaming. Look at yourself; what makes you think you qualify to be the disciple of the High Priest? You can’t even see those adults from the Snow Mountain, how could you possibly be eligible to become the disciple of the God Lord High Priest?"
The group jeered at each other, while a thin silhouette in the corner stayed quiet, eyes shimmering brighter than stars despite their seemingly dim appearance, lips tightly shut in silence.
"Little mute, why aren’t you saying anything? If you became the apprentice of the High Priest, what would you want to do?"
Someone asked the smallest figure in the corner, drawing the attention of others who gathered around.
"Yeah, what would you do? Tell us."
"You’re the smartest among us, hurry and give us some ideas."
Before the frail boy could open his mouth, they heard the loud angry roar of the most hated Steward from outside.
"You little rascals dare to slack off; is it because the lord is absent that you’ve grown guts? Get out here now!"
A fierce-looking middle-aged man shouted loudly outside the stable.
The group shivered involuntarily, scurrying out of the cow shed, heads lowered, not daring to meet the Steward’s fiery gaze.
...
"It’s definitely him!"
In the grand hall, Zheng Yi’s face suddenly broke into a smile, then a Divine Thought was sent into the mind of the Venerable Great Sun standing beside him.
Instantly, the visage of that frail child appeared in his mind.
"Go and bring over the next Divine Heir!"
The soft voice sounded in his ear, causing Venerable Red Sun to tremble with excitement and quickly accept the command.
This time, it’s truly the reincarnated Divine Heir of the Great Snow Mountain, making the Venerable’s heart surge with emotion.
As long as this Divine Heir grows, the Great Snow Mountain’s heritage will face no risk of interruption and will continually pass down.
With Venerable Red Sun’s speed, it was almost as if he turned into gold light, reaching the location indicated by the High Priest in moments, not yet close, hearing the sound of whip cracks accompanied by muffled human groans.
This made Venerable Red Sun’s expression change quickly; from the High Priest’s image, this reincarnated Divine Heir held a lowly status, as a commoner, and the deafening whip sounds seemed to tell him the Divine Heir was being oppressed.
"Stop! You are courting death!"
Venerable Red Sun’s angry shout thundered in the air, just as the Steward raised the whip high, about to strike the frail boy, he suddenly felt an ear-splitting roar, then blood flowed from his seven orifices as he collapsed onto the ground.
Originally bracing for the painful whip punishment, the little mute waited, then lifted his head to find the once fierce Steward bleeding from his seven apertures and fallen to the ground.
Before him stood an elder with quite an intimidating appearance, with red eyebrows and hair yet trying to show kindness, smiling as he looked at him.
"What happened?!"
He prepared to endure the terrifying whip punishment, but upon lifting his head, saw a kindly elder instead, while the cruel Steward lay aside, life and death unknown.
Everything happened so swiftly, seemingly without any warning, leaving him somewhat bewildered.
"Poor child, you’ve suffered enough. From today onwards, you are the apprentice of the High Priest; come with me to meet your master."
Facing the Venerable’s outstretched hand, he felt no resistance, instinctively reaching out, soon being lifted by Venerable Red Sun, instantly flying into the sky, disappearing.
The other friends watched with mouths agape, gazing at the silhouette gradually fading into the horizon, faces full of disbelief.
As for the Steward, he lay quietly there, with nobody paying attention.
...
Soon, the apprentice ceremony was announced finished, and the sole disciple chosen by the High Priest was unexpectedly a humble horse slave, shocking everyone.
Even though numerous nobles were dissatisfied, they dared not question it, as Great Snow Mountain could easily cast them into the abyss of hell.
External turmoil had nothing to do with Zheng Yi, while the fetched horse slave stood uneasily before him.
Around him, eight Venerables of Great Snow Mountain appeared, nervously waiting.
As the reincarnated Divine Heir of the heritage, these Venerables merely served as protectors and lacked the ability to verify his true nature as the reincarnated Divine Heir, else they wouldn’t have erred with Zheng Yi.
So in all these matters, they could only patiently wait, eyes focused intently on the frail-looking boy.
"Child, don’t be afraid!"
Zheng Yi calmly watched the horse slave before him, as if consoling him, then suddenly pressed his palm onto the boy’s top of the skull. Instantly, even those Venerables gathered their gaze here.
"He’s enlightened!"
Zheng Yi’s calm voice resounded in the grand hall, easing the slightly anxious Venerables’ hearts, they widened their eyes, fixating on this boy, quietly waiting.