Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely Chapter 1313 - 429: Holy Platform and Offerings, Four Xianyang Level Talents, Astonishing Gift, Ritual Process (Part 4)

Judging from the expressions of Yue Yuan, Yue Bo, Yuan Shao, Xu Cheng, Xu Ping, Qiu Hong, and the other kids their age standing below, they were obviously stunned initially, then timidly ducked their heads, dying to glance up but too scared to.

Regarding Xia Yusheng’s outfit that day, apart from the silver-threaded crown atop his head, he resembled a pint-sized replica of Lord Xia Hong—in black garb edged with silver threads, plus glossy black beast-skin boots.

Even more amusing, a pair of tailored mini-knives dangled from Xia Yusheng’s belt, one long and one short, plainly copying Lord’s signature Cold Blood Blade and Dragon Sparrow Saber getup.

At this sight, a soft ripple of laughter escaped the crowd.

Naturally, no matter how fancy Xia Yuyao and Xia Yusheng’s outfits were, they couldn’t spark a greater stir than Li Xuanling’s breakthrough to Xianyang Level.

The primary cause lay in the duo’s royal prowess!

"21,800 pounds, 21,500 pounds, barely six years old. With talent like that, breaking through to Cold Resistance Level before age ten seems inevitable. In Great Xia—no, across the Nine Towns and Feudal Towns—few if any could boast superior aptitude to these two royals?"

Up front, even the typically stoic Yuwen Dao couldn’t suppress a quiet gasp of admiration.

Yuwen Dao told himself the only one more gifted was Lord Xia Hong himself—Minister Xia Chuan didn’t measure up in his eyes. Yet witnessing Xia Yuyao and Xia Yusheng’s power now stirred in him the feeling of newer waves on the Yangtze overtaking the old.

Since even he sensed this shift, Yuan Cheng, Qiu Peng, Xu Ning, Luo Yuan, and the rest stood even more dumbfounded, their gazes locked on the royals in pure wonder and disbelief.

"Father, what’s the true measure of the royals’ power?"

All the grown-ups there could readily gauge the real might of the two royals, unlike the youngsters.

In particular, those upfront like Yue Yuan, Yue Bo, Yuan Shao, Xu Cheng, Xu Ping, Qiu Hong, and fellow children, puzzled over the royals’ strength they couldn’t fathom, brimmed with eager curiosity.

Of that group, the braver Yuan Shao whispered the question to his father.

Yuan Cheng glanced at his boy, nearly blurting an answer before halting, shaking his head, and replying, "Don’t speak during the clan sacrifice."

These words made faces around them tighten briefly, all resolving silently to keep the truth from their own kids back home.

It’d crush their spirits too much!

In stark contrast, atop the platform, Xia Yuzong eyed his young cousins with a fierce glint of resolve shining through.

"I’ve trained for over ten months, hitting just twenty-three thousand pounds in base strength. Yu Yao and Yu Sheng will surpass me soon; post-ceremony tonight, their cultivation begins, and their progress will outpace what I imagine. I need to double down—no, push ten, a hundred times harder—to close the divide. Else, as big brother, lagging this far behind would shame me..."

Deep within, Xia Yuzong steeled himself with these thoughts, resolve burning in his stare.

"Alright, prepare for Awakening—everyone, shut your eyes!"

Ring ring ring...

As awe over the royals’ might lingered among the assembly, Xia Chuan struck the table bell thrice, kicking off the clan sacrifice proper.

Unlike minor clan rites, the Major Clan Sacrifice proves far more elaborate and solemn, featuring seven rites: Bell Ringing, Awakening, Descending Spirit, Three Offerings, Presenting the Feast, Farewell Spirit, and Distribution.

First comes Bell Ringing, signaling to all the official launch of the clan sacrifice.

Next, Awakening sees Chief Ritualist Xia Chuan cleanse the spiritual tablet while other sect heads pray eyes shut, evoking ancestral spirits. With Major Sect Leader Xia Hong still living and no ancestor slots assigned, just the Great Xia spiritual position exists—thus summoning Great Xia’s spirit.

Third, Descending Spirit bids all open their eyes as Chief Ritualist Xia Chuan lays silk upon the table, pours wine for the deity, then leads the kneel. Major and minor sect members unite in the kneeling rite alongside the Chief Ritualist.

In the fourth step called Three Offerings, it kicks off with the Initial Offering as Chief Ritualist Xia Chuan presents wine to the deity. Then the Secondary Offering follows, led by the Major Sect’s mother with the Young Master and branch disciples joining to offer wine to the deity together. The Final Offering has all sect leaders and heirs pouring wine to the deity at once.

The fifth step, Presenting the Feast, centers on laying out the tributes.

The sixth step, Farewell Spirit, entails bidding goodbye to the spirit, signaling the clan sacrifice is drawing to a close.

The seventh step, Distribution, covers the dividing up of the tributes.

This represents the fourth clan sacrifice of Great Xia, where nearly everyone knows the ritual by heart. With Xia Chuan leading, the opening six steps wrapped up quickly.

Right before the ultimate Distribution step could begin, Xia Chuan unexpectedly announced.

"Hold on, this year’s distribution will be delayed!"

Shock rippled through the crowd as they swapped baffled stares, confusion etched across their features.

It was the highlight everyone eagerly awaited.

Why halt it out of nowhere?

However, less than half an hour passed before a formidable aura burst forth from the Star-picking Hall in the west. All heads turned that way, realization dawning at once, their faces bursting with exhilaration!