Chapter 21: The Wu Tribe Founds Its Sect, Shaking the Prehistoric World
The Twelve Ancestral Shamans were the first to make their preparations.
When all was ready, the twelve stepped forward together. Di Jiang, the leading Ancestral Shaman, declared, “I am Di Jiang of the Shaman Clan...”
Zhu Jiuyin followed, “I am Zhu Jiuyin of the Shaman Clan...”
One after another, each of the twelve spoke.
Together, they proclaimed, “We are the descendants of Pangu, the Progenitor God whose blood gave rise to the world. As his heirs, we are bound to uphold his will, to protect the vast primordial lands, and to shelter all living beings. Today, we establish a faith: the Ancestral Sect. First, we shall devote ourselves with utmost sincerity to honoring the Progenitor God, fulfilling the path of filial piety. Second, we shall strive wholeheartedly to safeguard the primordial world, fulfilling the highest righteousness. Any who cherish the grace of the Progenitor God may enter our sect; any who wish to protect the primordial world are welcome. But those who corrupt the order or threaten the peace of the world are our sworn enemies!”
As their voices faded, the entire primordial world trembled.
From their secluded abodes, countless mighty beings emerged, their faces etched with astonishment as they turned toward the gathering place of the Twelve Ancestral Shamans.
“A faith that devoutly worships Pangu, the Creator God?”
“To inherit the Progenitor’s will, to protect the world and its living things—what does this mean?”
None among them were fools. Upon hearing these doctrines, all were struck by the same realization: “This Ancestral Sect is truly extraordinary. The innate gods and demons, born from Pangu’s blood, now call upon all to venerate Pangu and extend his will, protecting the world. This is the true orthodoxy, this is righteousness...”
Even if the Ancestral Shamans harbored their own motives, their words left no room for reproach.
For the Twelve Ancestral Shamans, as the direct bloodline of Pangu, held an unassailable legitimacy that none could deny.
Then came the next proclamation.
The Twelve Ancestral Shamans spoke again: “Soon, the Shaman Clan will establish Pangu Temples throughout the lands to enshrine the image of the Progenitor God. All who enter the temple and make offerings to the Progenitor, and swear to protect the order of the world, may join the Ancestral Sect!”
A thunderous wave swept through the world once more.
To swear an oath to protect the order was no great matter. To join the Ancestral Sect was not in itself alarming. But the crucial point lay in entering the temple to worship the Progenitor.
If the Shaman Clan truly built Pangu Temples, should not all living beings of the primordial world pay homage?
If one worshipped there, would it not follow that one should protect the world?
If you have already worshipped and sworn to uphold the world, can you still claim you do not belong to the Ancestral Sect?
The mighty beings and myriad races of the primordial world were struck dumb. This was nothing short of coercion!
Mount Myriad Longevity, the Five Zhuang Temple.
Zhen Yuanzi gazed toward Mount Buzhou, sighing deeply, “The Shaman Clan’s actions are indeed opportunistic, but their orthodoxy, their righteousness, their intentions are flawless. With this move, all the races will tread carefully, and few will dare to stir up conflict in the primordial world.”
“For to provoke unrest and endanger the world’s peace is not only to oppose the Shaman Clan, but to become the enemy of all, incurring universal wrath!”
“Anyone with sense will know what choice to make!”
“In this way...” Zhen Yuanzi mused, “the Shaman Clan will surely accrue great merit.”
Though most of the mighty beings agreed that the Shaman Clan’s actions brought more benefits than harm and deserved great merit, the primordial world was home to countless races and unnumbered powerful beings.
With so many, some were bound to harbor differing intentions.
“Shaman Clan, Ancestral Sect?”
Kunlun Mountain.
Three Daoists of strikingly different appearances emerged from their abodes, gazing toward Mount Buzhou.
Upon hearing the Shaman Clan’s declaration, the Lord of Virtue smiled, “Who would have thought the Shaman Clan could be so cunning? Clearly, they wish to rule the world as its overlords, yet by choosing to honor the Progenitor God, it becomes the Progenitor’s will to rule the world. Who can object to that?”
The Lord of Primordial Origin said, “The Shaman Clan, born of blood and impurity, inheriting the Progenitor’s karmic burdens—what right have they to claim Pangu’s orthodoxy?”
“They may strive for supremacy and seek to become overlords, but—”
He continued, “It is absolutely wrong for them to thrust the Progenitor forward. Are they not using the name of the Progenitor God to command the other gods?”
“This is simply outrageous!”
“We Three Pure Ones are Pangu’s true successors, born of his merit. We should step forward together and demand that the Shaman Clan withdraw their worship of the Progenitor. The Three Pure Ones should be the ones to enshrine him!”
“Indeed!” The Lord of Spiritual Treasures, known as Master Tongtian, was eager to act. “Let’s set out at once!”
“Not so fast,” the Lord of Virtue shook his head. “We are indeed the true line, but the Shaman Clan is also truly the Progenitor’s bloodline. Their worship of their ancestor is only natural. Can we really stop them from honoring their own forebear?”
“That would be most improper.”
“And most importantly,” the Lord of Virtue sighed, “the Shaman Clan is vast and powerful, while we three are few and isolated.”
“Curses!” The Lord of Primordial Origin fumed, “The Shaman Clan has shamelessly seized the great advantage of being Pangu’s heirs!”
“Indeed!” Master Tongtian agreed, “They have gained a great advantage this time!”
As the Three Pure Ones fumed in indignation, suddenly, from the Nine Heavens of the primordial world, a resounding divine voice rang out.
Di Jun spoke first, “I am Di Jun, the three-legged Golden Crow!”
Donghuang Taiyi added, “I am Donghuang Taiyi, the three-legged Golden Crow!”
Together, they announced, “We are the incarnations of the Progenitor God’s eyes, his descendants, and we too are bound to uphold his will, to protect the world and its living beings. Today, we establish a sanctuary: the Celestial Court. First, we shall worship the Progenitor God and unite all races under heaven. Second, we shall marshal the strength of all to oversee the realms and jointly protect the world. Any who aspire to safeguard the primordial world may enter the Celestial Court. Any who disrupt its order are our enemies!”
“Good heavens!”
The Lord of Virtue, the Lord of Primordial Origin, and Master Tongtian were all stunned.
This... this was exactly the same!
They had thought the Shaman Clan was shameless enough to worship the Progenitor God without consulting them. But now, it seemed, there was always someone more shameless.
In truth, Di Jun and Donghuang Taiyi had little choice. After the fall of the Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin, they had begun to form the Celestial Court in the Nine Heavens, seeking to unite the gods.
But unexpectedly, before they could fully prepare and announce their intentions, the Shaman Clan had made their move.
If they had waited until all was ready and proclaimed their purpose, everyone might already have joined the Ancestral Sect. Who would care for the Celestial Court then?
The crucial difference: the Celestial Court’s “righteousness” was to rule and unify the world, while the Ancestral Sect’s “righteousness” was to worship Pangu and protect the world.
Who would not know which to choose?
To prevent the situation from deteriorating further, Di Jun and Donghuang Taiyi had no choice but to step forward, founding the Celestial Court, also worshipping the Progenitor and vowing to protect the world.
Though it smacked of imitation, it earned them a share of legitimacy. With some benefits offered, perhaps the Celestial Court could still be established.
Yet, in the end, the Shaman Clan had seized the initiative.
The situation was decidedly unfavorable to the Celestial Court!