NOVEL NEXT Chapter 12: Ceremony
The next day, the courtyard was transformed into a grand ceremony hall, adorned with decorations and banners. My father, our current patriarch, stood at the forefront, wearing the ancestral robe, a symbol of his leadership and authority. On the stage, all the important members of our family were gathered, showcasing the peak of our family's power. Elder Poison, the newly accepted member, was also present, adorned in a robe passed down from his own family's ancestors for this significant occasion.
As the ceremony began, the courtyard filled with guests and spectators, eager to witness this momentous event. My father turned to me and asked, "Have you thought of a title for Elder Poison?"
I replied, "Yes, I have. I'd like to bestow upon him a title that is both simple and domineering, one that reflects his strength and power. It should be a title that strikes fear into the hearts of our enemies, a title that will serve as a warning to those who would dare to challenge our family. I believe that such a title will not only honor Elder Poison's achievements but will also inspire our family members to strive for greater heights."
I paused for a moment, allowing my words to sink in. Then, I continued, "I propose the title 'Emerald Poison Dragon Daoulou.' This title is derived from his martial soul, the Emerald Poison Dragon, a creature of immense power and toxicity. It is a title that befits his status as a Title Douluo and a member of our family."
The elders and family members listened attentively, their faces filled with anticipation. They knew that the title I would bestow upon Elder Poison would be a significant one, and they were eager to hear what it would be.
I took a deep breath and announced the title, "Emerald Poison Dragon Daoulou."
A murmur of approval rippled through the crowd. The title was perfect. It was simple yet powerful, and it captured the essence of Elder Poison's strength and abilities. It was a title that would be feared and respected by all.
My father nodded approvingly. "Just don't give him a childish title," he cautioned. "Everyone should know that I'm six years old."
The ceremony commenced. My father stood before the family members and said, "Today, our family welcomes a new Title Douluo from the Poison family. This ceremony is dedicated to him and his achievement. Elder Poison has requested that my son, the current young patriarch, bestow his title upon him. But first, I ask Elder Poison to address the family."
Elder Poison stepped forward and spoke. "Everyone, I am deeply indebted to this family for helping mine. I will do everything in my power to contribute to the family's strength and prosperity. I know that it may be difficult to accept my family without discrimination, as we are not from the same bloodline. However, I will do my best to bridge the gap and foster unity within our family.
I understand that there may be some initial resistance, but I believe that with time and understanding, we can overcome these challenges. We are all members of the same family now, and we must work together to achieve our common goals. I am committed to doing my part to strengthen our family and ensure its continued success.
I also want to express my gratitude to the young patriarch for his kindness and generosity. He has shown great wisdom and leadership, and I am confident that he will lead our family to even greater heights. I am honored to be a part of this family, and I will do everything in my power to serve its interests."
Elder Poison's words were met with a warm applause from the family members. They were impressed by his sincerity and his commitment to the family. They knew that he was a valuable addition to their ranks, and they were eager to work with him to achieve their common goals.
My father nodded in approval. "Well said, Elder Poison," he replied. "Your words are a testament to your character and your loyalty to our family. I am confident that you will be a valuable asset to us all."
The family members responded, "We do not discriminate within our family. You are now part of us, and you will be treated as one of our own."
Elder Poison expressed his gratitude for their kind words.
My father then resumed, "Now, we will begin the ceremony. This ceremony is similar to the one performed when my grandfather became a Contra. It is a tradition passed down through generations, reserved for those who have achieved the rank of Title Douluo. A dagger and a cup will be brought forth, artifacts discovered by an ancestor in ancient ruins.
I was instructed to slice my hand and pour my blood into the cup, followed by Elder Poison. His blood, unlike mine, did not contain poison. The cup was then placed before me, and I drank half of the blood. The remaining half was offered to Elder Poison, who also drank it.
As we drank, I said, "Our blood is now intertwined, binding us together." This symbolic act of sharing blood represented the deep bond that we were forming, a bond that would unite us as brothers and sisters. It was a powerful and emotional moment, one that would be remembered for generations to come.
The blood flowed through our veins, mingling and merging. We could feel the connection between us growing stronger, a connection that would transcend any differences or divisions. We were now truly one family, united by blood and by our shared commitment to our family's future.
As we finished drinking, I looked at Elder Poison, and I could see the pride and determination in his eyes. He knew that he had made the right choice in joining our family, and he was eager to contribute to our success.
I smiled at him and said, "Welcome to the family, Elder Poison. You are now one of us."
Elder Poison returned my smile and said, "Thank you, young patriarch. I am honored to be a part of this family."
For the second part, we proceeded to the family gravesite. A platform, constructed long ago, awaited us for this sacred ritual. I prayed to our ancestors, seeking their blessing for the ceremony and for Elder Poison. Elder Poison also prayed, requesting permission to join our family and for his family members to be accepted as part of ours.
My father explained that our ancestors were enshrined in a sacred land, a place of artifacts. These artifacts allowed the ancestors to form a council of undead, capable of granting blessings and granting permission for new members to join the family. He revealed that I had received permission through a letter sent by the ancestors.
I was astonished to learn that the ancestors could monitor our clan within a radius of 20 kilometers. They had given me permission to proceed with the ceremony.
As I prayed, I felt a pull and was transported to a ethereal realm, a celestial plane where the souls of our ancestors resided. The leader of the council, a figure of immense power and wisdom, sat upon a throne of light, surrounded by the ethereal forms of our ancestors.
The leader addressed me, his voice echoing through the ethereal realm, "You are the miraculous descendant who has made a great contribution to the family."
I was overwhelmed by the presence of our ancestors, their power and wisdom radiating from them. I asked the system how this was possible, as I deduced that I was either in the artifact or my soul was. The system explained that it was an illusion projected into my brain by a low-grade containment artifact.
The ethereal forms of our ancestors reassured me not to worry, explaining that they were just remnants of their souls, projecting an illusion to have a conversation. One of the elders thanked me for helping the family and expressed their desire to see me in person.
I felt a sense of peace and tranquility wash over me as I realized that I was in the presence of our family's greatest heroes. They had watched over us from beyond the veil, guiding and protecting us through countless generations.
The leader of the council spoke again, his voice filled with warmth and affection. "We are proud of you, young one. You have proven yourself to be a worthy descendant of our family. You have shown courage, wisdom, and compassion, and you have brought great honor to our name."
Tears welled up in my eyes as I listened to the words of praise from our ancestors. They were proud of me, and that meant more to me than anything else in the world.
The leader of the council continued, "We have watched over you from the beyond, guiding your steps and protecting you from harm. We have seen the sacrifices you have made for your family, and we are grateful for your devotion."
I bowed my head in reverence, feeling a deep connection to our ancestors. They were more than just historical figures to me. They were my family, my guides, and my inspiration.
The leader of the council then turned to the other ancestors, who nodded in agreement. "We grant you permission to proceed with the ceremony," he said. "May your family prosper and grow, and may your name be remembered for generations to come."
He then revealed that he knew the dragon blood I had used was not from my body. He said, "Where you obtained it is none of our business. Everyone has their own secrets. However, I speculate that it might be an inheritance from your martial soul, as your space-type martial soul could have granted you access to a space of inheritance."
I was astounded by his speculation. I thought it might be helpful and nodded. He laughed and praised himself for his deduction. He then informed me that they would bless the ceremony and that I could contact them by releasing my mental power. They had awakened my spiritual consciousness, allowing me to communicate with them.
Before sending me back, I bowed to all the ancestors. As I returned to the platform, Elder Poison announced that he had received permission from the ancestors to join our family. A golden light descended from the sky, circling Elder Poison. He knelt down and said, "Young master, you should now bestow upon me a title that will instill fear in our family's enemies."
I replied, "I bestow upon you the title derived from your martial soul: Emerald Poison Dragon Daoulou."
A fierce title was born, a title that would strike fear into the hearts of our enemies. The ceremony was complete. Elder Poison was now officially a member of our family, and his title, Emerald Poison Dragon Daoulou, would be a symbol of our family's strength and power.