After meeting with the Yin Clan members, Xu Jianwei led Zhang Lexuan to a palace that looked completely ordinary on the outside.
"What is this place?" Zhang Lexuan looked around curiously and asked.
"This is the most sacred and central location of the Moon Lineage and the Yin Clan—the Moon's Shrine," Xu Jianwei answered reverently.
"The Moon's Shrine?" Though Zhang Lexuan didn't understand it fully, a sense of solemn awe welled up in her heart.
"This is where you hold rituals for the moon?" Zhu Ziyang asked thoughtfully.
"Yes," Xu Jianwei nodded, glancing at him.
Truthfully, if not for their current weakened position, she would never have brought outsiders into this ancestral sanctuary.
That's right—besides Zhang Lexuan, she had also brought along Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan. Both had been personally named by Zhang Lexuan to accompany her. Even though Xu Jianwei was inwardly reluctant, she couldn't deny her.
After all, the current situation was clear: the Moon Lineage and Silver Moon Priesthood needed Zhang Lexuan more than Zhang Lexuan needed them.
Why?
Because the Moon Lineage and the Yin Clan were on the brink of extinction. Xu Jianwei, the current Silver Moon Priestess, didn't have many years left. Finding another descendant of the Moon Lineage with the Moon martial soul was like searching for a needle in the sea.
And even if such a person could be found, the chance that they would have Zhang Lexuan's talent and strength was extremely low.
Most importantly, there was no guarantee that person would even be willing to inherit the Silver Moon Priesthood or take over the crumbling remnants of the Moon Lineage. At any time, the imperial family could finish wiping them out.
In contrast, Zhang Lexuan, while she did need the Moon Lineage's support, was not bound by them. Whether the plan succeeded or failed wouldn't greatly impact her. If she succeeded, she gained a new identity. If she failed, she could simply return to Shrek Academy and continue teaching.
Zhang Lexuan had many paths she could take. But the Moon Lineage and the Yin Clan had none left. For them, it was either gamble everything in silence—or be utterly destroyed in silence.
"Please, come in," Xu Jianwei said as she opened the palace doors, motioning for the three to enter.
The moment they stepped inside, they were stunned. None of them expected such an ordinary-looking palace to contain a world within.
Inside was an expansive space far larger than its exterior suggested. Nine massive pillars of pure silver supported the ceiling. The floor was paved entirely with crystal-clear jade. At the center of the hall stood a towering ten-meter-tall statue. Though the statue's face was indistinct, the graceful figure made it clear—it was of a woman.
The statue's hands were extended forward in a lifting gesture, palms upturned toward the sky. Something seemed to rest between her hands. Despite the lack of windows, the hall was filled with soft, radiant light, and the air sparkled faintly with golden motes.
Directly in front of the statue stood a three-meter-tall jade stele, upon which four gilded characters gleamed: Silver Moon Goddess.
"This is the deity that the Moon Lineage and Yin Clan have worshipped for generations—the embodiment of the moon, the Silver Moon Goddess," Xu Jianwei explained reverently. Then she knelt respectfully before the jade stele in prayer.
"Silver Moon Goddess?" All three of them were surprised, but their reactions varied. Zhang Lexuan and Jiang Nannan were purely amazed, while Zhu Ziyang had deeper thoughts. "You mean… you're truly worshipping a deity?"
"Ah?" Xu Jianwei blinked, then smiled. "You misunderstand. We worship the moon. The Silver Moon Goddess is just a symbolic embodiment of it. In fact, the Sun Moon Empire's moon-worshipping traditions go back tens of thousands of years. But the image of the Silver Moon Goddess only appeared twenty thousand years ago, when the first ancestor of the Yin Clan received a trial from the moon."
"To better conduct their worship, they created this divine figure. This statue was even carved in the likeness of that ancestor."
"It's said that the statue originally had a clearly defined face. But over time, its features gradually blurred. The Yin Clan believes this is a divine sign—a response from the moon to their faith."
"There's really such a legend?" Zhang Lexuan and Jiang Nannan were both awed. Then they asked, "So you brought us here to worship this Silver Moon Goddess?"
"Not just to worship," Xu Jianwei shook her head. She stepped beside the jade stele and said to Zhang Lexuan, "Xuanxuan, kneel before the stele and pray sincerely. The Moon Goddess will bestow a trial from the moon. It is a divine gift to us, her faithful."
Zhang Lexuan didn't immediately obey. She looked puzzled and asked, "Great-Grand Aunt, it would be better if you explained things first. Otherwise, I'll feel uneasy. What exactly is this moon trial?"
"That's my fault. I was too hasty." Xu Jianwei smiled awkwardly. "I forgot to explain. The so-called moon trial is a miraculous phenomenon discovered by the first ancestor of the Yin Clan. Those with moon blood can receive trials from the moon by praying sincerely. And those who complete the trial will receive the Silver Moon Goddess's blessing."
"A trial and a blessing?" Zhang Lexuan and Jiang Nannan exchanged confused looks. "Can you be more specific? What kind of trial? What sort of blessing?"
"Every person's trial is different, so I can't give you a clear answer," Xu Jianwei replied with a helpless shake of her head.
"But as for the blessings, I know a bit. Since the first generation, every era of the Yin Clan has produced at least one person who passed the moon's trial. Most of them received increases to their soul power. A few had their soul ring ages enhanced."
"Increased soul power and soul ring years?" Zhang Lexuan and Jiang Nannan couldn't help exclaiming. Zhu Ziyang's expression turned even more intrigued. This moon trial sounded suspiciously like a godhood inheritance test.
"Yes," Xu Jianwei said proudly.
"My trial was a Purple-Level Five Test. I received a blessing of five levels of soul power. It was thanks to that gift that I reached the Titled Douluo level."
"There are levels to the trial?" Zhang Lexuan asked.
"Of course," Xu Jianwei said.
"The Silver Moon Goddess listens to the moon's will and evaluates each petitioner. Based on that judgment, one of five trial levels is granted: White-Level One Test, Yellow-Level Two or Three Test, Purple-Level Test, Black-Level Test, Red-Level Test."
"The higher the level, the harder the trial—and the greater the reward."
"When I received my trial, I was fifteen years old with only about Rank 30 soul power. It took me nearly sixty years to complete all five tests. But with your talent and strength, Xuanxuan, I believe you'll receive at least a Black-Level Test. You might even earn a Red-Level one."
"Since the moon trials began, only two Red-Level Tests have ever been granted. The first was to the Yin Clan's founder, the second to the Silver Moon Empress. No one else has gone beyond the Black-Level Seven Test."
"Who knows? I might live to witness the third Red-Level trial."
"I see." After hearing the explanation, both Zhang Lexuan and Jiang Nannan looked enlightened. "Great-Grand Aunt, according to your words, only those with moon blood can receive a trial?"
"Yes," Xu Jianwei nodded. "And ideally, the petitioner should be an unmarried maiden. After all, the moon represents purity. Xuanxuan, you are…"
Xu Jianwei didn't finish her sentence, but Zhang Lexuan blushed instantly and nodded, "Yes."
"Hehe. Shy, are you? You're not that young anymore," Xu Jianwei smiled kindly.
"Alright, I'll say no more. Go seek your trial."
"Okay." Still red-faced, Zhang Lexuan knelt before the jade stele as instructed.
Zhu Ziyang had listened intently and now wore a deeply curious expression. He wanted to know what level of trial Zhang Lexuan would receive based on her talents. And what about Jiang Nannan?
But more than anything, what intrigued him most was the true nature of this so-called moon trial. Was it related to a divine inheritance?
And if so, what kind of god was behind it? The Silver Moon Goddess? The Moon Goddess? Or someone else entirely?
He was incredibly curious.
(End of Chapter)
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