**A Random Recommendation**

Today’s grand ceremony of succession, naturally, was a sea of people.

At this moment, there were not a few who, like Yuwen Duo, stared with unblinking eyes. Huang Sheli’s expression, in particular, was the most striking. Firstly, of course, it was due to the Winter Emperor’s beauty, but it was not merely her beauty that captivated.

She appeared on the altar, a figure in white robes with a face like frost, as if a snowflake had drifted down, landing in this scorching summer season. So easily she could melt, so easily dissolve, as if the world could lose her at any moment.

She possessed a face too beautiful, too desolate – the kind of beauty that was extraordinarily fragile. She was like a statue of ice porcelain, beautiful on the surface but already riddled with cracks within, that would shatter in the warm sunlight with the slightest touch.

This beauty, with her cold skin and thin eyebrows, silently walked from among the four gold-crowned priests, stepping onto an even higher level of the altar. Opposite the chief elder, Li Er Zhijin · Eoklie, she slowly took her seat.

She had come to bear witness to today’s grand ceremony.

And who, having participated in the Yellow River assembly of the three nine one nine year, could forget this face?

Even Jiang Wang, for a moment, forgot Yuwen Duo’s warning and stared in a daze at the figure on the altar.

For the person before him was clearly Xie Ai!

How could the Xie Ai of the Inner Mansion realm, the Xie Ai who stood before Zhao Rucheng, be today’s cultivator of the Derivative Path, the True Monarch Winter Emperor?

This was unbelievable, too unrealistic.

The most excellent young geniuses from the vassal states had gathered at Guanhe Platform. Among the Inner Mansion realm participants of that Yellow River assembly, Jiang Wang was the champion, acknowledged by the world as the most talented and the fastest in progress.

As of today, he had left that group of Inner Mansion realm prodigies in the dust, having already surpassed the vast majority of Outer Building realm participants from that time. He could now stand toe-to-toe with the two strongest figures from that era.

Among the vassal states’ prodigies, who could compare to Jiang Wang?

The growth speed of the Marquis of Wuan of Great Qi was, in the eyes of many, already an unbelievable feat.

How was it possible for someone from the Inner Mansion realm of that Yellow River assembly to grow faster than Jiang Wang?

Especially when this person was not Qin Zhizhen of Tianfu, nor the absolute peak Huang Sheli, but Xie Ai.

Especially when she had not merely surpassed Jiang Wang slightly. She had ascended in a single step, achieving the absolute peak of the Super Extraordinary realm!

How was this possible?

While legends spoke of predecessors who had ascended in a single step, those were, after all, unverified tales. And the predecessors within those legends were absolute paragons who had studied a hundred schools of thought and thoroughly grasped the principles of the world, not mere youths who had just emerged from their thatched cottages.

In the context of a gathering of prodigies like the Yellow River assembly, Xie Ai could fundamentally be described as not particularly dazzling.

The only thing that could place her in a prominent position was her ethereal beauty, which evoked profound sorrow.

Now, how had she become the Winter Emperor?

A myriad of complex emotions swirled within the crowd.

And Xie Ai’s gaze lightly drooped, not looking at anyone.

There were no earth-shattering phenomena, yet everyone, captivated by that mournfully beautiful countenance, suddenly experienced a moment of clarity.

Jiang Wang also subconsciously withdrew his gaze.

Yuwen Duo almost buried his head, not daring to look again.

“What is going on?” Jiang Wang, for a moment, even forgot about the matters concerning the Wusheng Sect. He transmitted his voice to Yuwen Duo, asking about Xie Ai’s situation.

“How would I know? Her arrival on the grassland was personally welcomed by Lord Tu Hu. This is also the first time I’ve seen the Winter Emperor’s true face.” Yuwen Duo’s trembling voice transmitted back, “Should I… should I ask below in the Cloud Hall later?”

Jiang Wang frowned and said, “Why are you trembling?”

“I don’t know either. Hiss… I just suddenly feel very cold.” Yuwen Duo sounded a little panicked.

Thinking about where this guy usually spent his time, Jiang Wang roughly understood.

If he could even perceive the weight of a gaze, could not a strong cultivator of the Derivative Path perceive the distracting thoughts attached to that gaze?

This Yuwen Duo was truly audacious, daring to harbor such thoughts.

Jiang Wang patted his shoulder, giving a sigh of helpless affection. Then, he raised his eyes and looked around, wanting to see who could provide him with an answer.

There were so many people present who had participated in the previous Yellow River assembly. Could it be that none of them knew anything about Xie Ai’s situation? He first looked towards Dou Zhao, but Dou Zhao had his eyes closed. He didn’t know if he was nourishing his spirit or cultivating. Zhong Li Yan was beside him, his mouth moving incessantly, his expression excited, seemingly cursing and babbling.

*This guy is truly resilient!* This was the only thought in Jiang Wang’s mind.

Shifting his gaze again, he happened to see Huang Sheli smiling and looking over, seemingly specifically welcoming him.

Jiang Wang conveyed a doubtful look.

Huang Sheli moved his lips, silently saying the word “reincarnation.”

Jiang Wang fully believed that Huang Sheli had no reason to tease him at this moment.

But his doubts grew even stronger!

The theory of reincarnation had many theoretical foundations, and throughout history, practitioners had provided countless conjectures, but it remained unrealistic.

Before achieving Divine Arrival, Jiang Wang might have held some belief in the notion that historical figures were reincarnations of great powers. However, after acquiring knowledge related to the Source Sea, he had completely rejected this possibility.

The process of cultivation, the reality of cultivation, and the direct image of the world were all clearly laid out.

What had been seen had been seen.

Everything that had passed away would ultimately shatter into the most basic “one” in the Source Sea. After ultimate death, where could personality, spiritual nature, divine intelligence, or memory come from?

Where did “I” come from?

And what was this talk of reincarnation?

From ancient times until now, successful reincarnation and re-cultivation had only existed in legends, not in historical records. In extremely harsh conditions, occasional special cases similar to reincarnation were recorded and could tentatively be considered. But reincarnation and becoming a True Monarch? That had never happened since ancient times!

None of those examples similar to reincarnation had been recognized in the present world or achieved Divine Arrival.

If Huang Sheli’s answer was true…

If Xie Ai had indeed become a True Monarch through reincarnation, this would perhaps possess more breakthrough significance than her cultivating from the Inner Mansion realm to the Derivative Path realm in a mere three years!

The latter was also a terrifying feat, but the path from Inner Mansion to Derivative Path was, after all, a tangible road; it was only the speed that was unrealistic.

And the former…

That most basic “one” was an existence countless times smaller than dust. How could it reincarnate into another self? Unless…

Jiang Wang couldn’t help but think of the ancient demon cave at the bottom of the Qingjiang River. If Zhuang Chenggan had successfully occupied his destiny, gaining a body that was already becoming more and more similar under his subtle influence, then the external performance would also be very similar to the reincarnation that only existed in conjecture. The story of Zhuang Chenggan’s lifelong obsession attaching itself, breaking through the impossible, reincarnating in the country he personally established, suddenly enlightened with memories of his previous life, and becoming a contemporary True Person could perhaps be cited as a legend.

However, ultimately, in its essence, Zhuang Chenggan had never passed through the underworld. He had not fallen into the Source Pool, nor had he truly faced ultimate death. He was a wisp of a lonely soul hidden within a nether candle, stealing through long years. Even if he had succeeded at that time, it would have been nothing more than a “usurpation of the body.”

Due to the relationship of “confusion within the womb and innate ignorance,” body usurpation was a perilous endeavor, but after all, someone had succeeded before, and Zhuang Chenggan had almost succeeded initially. Therefore, it was not entirely impossible.

But could Huang Sheli, or rather the person who had informed Huang Sheli of this news, not distinguish between body usurpation and reincarnation?

After the Winter Emperor achieved dao, she had gone to the Jing Country and discussed dao with the Grand Governor Longwu, Zhong Jing.

From this matter, two points could be inferred: Firstly, the Winter Emperor’s state was not one that could not be perceived by others, and she was completely fearless of fighting with others. Secondly, the Jing Country had a significant say regarding the Winter Emperor’s state after this encounter.

Given Huang Sheli’s identity and background, it was not surprising that he might know some inside information.

But what was so different about Xie Ai? What did she rely on to succeed in reincarnation, to accomplish something that had never been achieved in history?

Who was the great figure in her previous life?

Jiang Wang was truly very curious now about what exactly had happened during that period when Snow Country was locked down.

Unfortunately, in the short term, he was destined not to get an answer. He looked around. Dou Zhao seemed even more impatient, probably almost unable to restrain his Tianxiao. The incessantly chattering Zhong Li Yan was truly asking to be disciplined.

Murong Long maintained his customary cold and cruel expression.

Huang Budong was also dozing off as usual.

Chen Suan did not know if he didn’t recognize Xie Ai or if he already knew, but he was very calm at this moment.

Jiang Wang realized that it seemed only he had acted the most ignorant, feeling a sense of loneliness like the whole world was awake while he was alone and drunk. Thus, he silently adjusted his sitting posture, giving everyone a calm expression.

*Those who understand, understand. Those who don’t, I am not at liberty to say. In general, know it in your heart and do not speak it. This situation is approximately like this.*

Xie Ai, appearing with her true face at the succession ceremony of the Shenmian Preaching Grand Priest today, naturally understood the kind of waves it would cause in the world. Of course, she was well-prepared.

And Snow Country, being the only country to send a Derivative Path True Monarch to the grassland to observe the ceremony, its unusual significance was enough for many to ponder.

Rite is power, rite is rule.

The succession ceremony of the Shenmian Preaching Grand Priest proceeded step by step through the tedious rites.

Sacred sacrificial music echoed under the vast sky.

The melodious sound of the matouqin was ancient and mysterious.

Two teams of priests, of the same height and upright demeanor, wearing white robes, marched forward. They held various ritual tools such as banners, flags, bells, and horns, singing sacrificial songs in the Cangtu divine language.

This made the atmosphere of the entire grand ceremony even more solemn.

That obscure and difficult-to-understand language seemed to truly possess some kind of great power.

It made the sky more vast, the sunlight brighter, and everyone seemed to be bathed in brilliant light, forgetting their worries for a while.

A white ox, several tens of zhang tall, slowly walked over at this moment.

It should have caused the earth to shake and the mountains to tremble, yet its steps on the ground were silent. Its posture was light, beautiful as if dancing.

A luxurious blanket was spread on the ox’s back, with patterns resembling an incomparably precious divine palace. Tu Hu, the protagonist of today, wearing a gold crown and sacrificial robe, sat cross-legged on the blanket. He was like a general seated in his city tower.

Everyone gazed at him. At this moment, his face seemed to be hidden within divine light. His body seemed to be unified with divine glory.

The great divine power covering the entire Shen Guang Altar faintly emitted a joyful feeling, appearing lively and warm.

The divine grace and divine might of the Great Divine Spirit had an agent in the world; this kind of authority was expected to yield substantial returns.

The giant white ox, its breath powerful, slowly walked near the altar. Its eyes were a misty white, like the windows of a divine spirit. It did not raise its head but let out a long low moo in harmony with the sacrificial song.

This sound was distant and boundless, blending with the sacrificial song. It was so harmonious. It seemed as if the sacrificial song had been sung for a long time, waiting for this one moo, and it also seemed as if this one moo was a summary of the sacrificial song, and also a summary of all things in the world.

The moo stopped, and the sacrificial song also ceased.

The white ox slowly knelt down, giving people a feeling of exceptional piety.

Tu Hu slowly stepped down from the ox’s back and stood facing the altar.

Li Er Zhijin · Eoklie then rose at this moment, and Xie Ai also stood up to show respect.

However, the chief elder’s first action astonished many envoys present.

He was seen respectfully bowing towards the Wang Account direction. Then, he took out a volume of imperial edict from his bosom and unfolded it, standing in front of the crowd—

“By the order of the Great Mu Emperor!”

This announcement caused many people on the spot to lose their composure. And that old man with a white beard and braids, however, did not stop for anyone and continued to recite: “The disciple of the Tu family, Tu Hu, the main sacrifice of the Minhe Temple, has been clever, brave, and firm since childhood…”

Chen Suan’s expression at the front of the altar was impassive, but inwardly, stormy waves were churning.

Just like Xie Ai unexpectedly becoming the Winter Emperor, this was another event about which Mirror World Platform had received no prior intelligence!

Consider that Great Jing, being the central empire, had always been the main force supporting the Northwest Five Countries Alliance in their fight against the platform. Snow Country suddenly gained a Winter Emperor, and the momentum of having two True Monarchs in one country significantly increased. The Winter Emperor went to Jing, prompting Jing Country to withdraw its troops.

But in this process, Jing Country had also exerted influence.

According to reason, a tacit understanding should exist between Jing Country and Snow Country. But what kind of person was the Winter Emperor, and how had she achieved dao? Before today, even Chen Suan was not clear.

Even the Winter Emperor’s visit to Mu Country to observe the ceremony was originally an unexpected move by Jing Country.

But all the shocks were not as great as this moment.

He could not have imagined that the succession of the Cangtu Divine Religion’s Shenmian Preaching Grand Priest today would require the order of the Great Mu Heavenly Son!

What did this mean?

After two thousand six hundred and eighteen years since the founding of the country, the heavens had changed in Mu Country!

What kind of impact would this have on Jing Country? What kind of impact would this have on the world? Chen Suan’s thoughts raced, and in an instant, he thought of too many things.

And Li Er Zhijin Eoklie’s ancient yet resonant voice still pierced the heavens and the earth, finally reaching the conclusion: “…namely, peeling off the false face of the illusionary demon monarch, for the merit of the human race. I, with the supreme authority of the grassland, the co-master of heaven and earth, appoint him as the Shenmian Preaching Grand Priest!”

Tu Hu slowly stepped onto the altar, level by level, walking to the front of Li Er Zhijin Eoklie.

Then, crossing his arms and stacking them on his chest, he bowed deeply towards that volume of imperial edict: “Minister, thanks for the heavenly grace!”

Two teams of white-robed priests arrived, holding crowns, robes, seals, and decorations on gold plates.

The four gold-crowned priests, positioned on the level below Li Er Zhijin · Eoklie, rose simultaneously. One person helped Tu Hu remove the gold crown and sacrificial robe he was wearing, and the corresponding decorations of a gold-crowned priest. One person helped him put on the Shenmian Priest robe and the corresponding decorations of a Shenmian Priest.

One person removed the gold crown he was wearing, and one person held up the Shenmian and handed it to Eoklie.

Jiang Wang recognized the person holding the crown; it was Moluo, the gold-crowned priest who had once led a team to participate in the Yellow River assembly. At that time, he had a fierce aura and contended sharply with Xi Nan Kui, a famous general from Jing Country, and Meng Wuya, the vice minister of Sheng Country.

Today, his expression was solemn, without a hint of sloppiness.

Li Er Zhijin Eoklie placed the imperial edict on a gold plate, took the Shenmian from Moluo’s hand, and loudly proclaimed: “The Heavenly Son grants me this honor, and now I will crown the Grand Priest!”

Then, he placed this Shenmian on Tu Hu’s head.

He straightened up and continued to walk up, reaching the most central position of the Shen Guang Altar, and turned to face everyone.

Boundless divine power rapidly gathered towards him, causing him to overflow with brilliant divine light from head to foot.

For a while, the sky was filled with brilliant light, vaguely showing the shapes of wolves, eagles, and horses, gathering infinite great power.

The divine spirit promised, and heaven and earth celebrated!

And everyone observing the ceremony understood—from this moment onwards, the era in this great empire where divine right and royal right stood together had ended.

Henceforth, on the grassland, divine right would be subordinate to royal right.

That one person, the Great Mu Female Emperor, who had not appeared in today’s grand ceremony, had completed the great cause for which the Mu Country imperial family had struggled for two thousand six hundred years!

However, even today, people were still unclear about how she had accomplished it.

Those grand strategies, those divinely clever moves, were hidden within the howling winds of the grassland. Even an outsider like Jiang Wang, straining to see, could only occasionally catch a glimpse, a mere scale or half a claw, deep within the cloud layers.

Just like the profound history of Qi Country, to an outsider, it was like a heavy fog.

Everyone cheered for the new Shenmian Preaching Grand Priest, seemingly naturally accepting this crowning.

This historical moment was actually so calm. And this calmness, precisely, manifested absolute control and great power!

According to the records of “Mu Lue,” the earliest emperors of Mu Country, upon their ascension, had to climb Qiong Lu Mountain and request the Shenmian Preaching Grand Priest to crown them.

But with the passage of time, everything was now different.

Amidst the mountain-like calls and ocean-like roars of the crowd, Jiang Wang saw the cheering and jumping U Yan Lan Zhu.

The first time he had passed through the grassland, this girl’s wealth of knowledge had left a deep impression on him, breaking his narrow perception of “grassland barbarians.”

Only now, after knowing, did he think of it…

Some changes, perhaps, had occurred long ago.