Chapter 888: Who in the world does not know you

The celestial phenomena caused by the Great Zhen Fengchan ceremony could not be concealed in just one area; it was impossible to hide. Even common people looking at the sky knew something major had happened. How could those with cultivation across the land, who could divine and calculate, not know of the changes in heaven and earth?

Moreover, some highly accomplished cultivators had already deduced many details about the Great Zhen Fengchan through their calculations, because the ceremony was a public declaration to heaven and earth, openly displayed, with no possibility of concealment.

Countless immortal masters were astonished, and many sect leaders and elders of immortal mansions felt a mix of surprise and unease.

The greatest shock, naturally, was felt by the various great imperial dynasties across the land. This included the Daixiu Dynasty in the far northern Hengzhou, some large Buddhist nations in the Western Regions' Lanzhou, and powerful nations in Tianyu Zhou that had managed to stand firm amidst the demonic chaos. Even in Yunzhou, the Tianbao Nation, not far from Great Zhen, experienced shock mixed with burgeoning anger after "enthusiastic" talented individuals helped the court decipher the celestial phenomena.

How could Great Zhen, a single nation, represent humanity and the Human Dao in the world, performing the Fengchan ceremony atop a high mountain? Crucially, all signs indicated their success; their Fengchan scripture seemed to have been acknowledged by heaven and earth.

They claim to have a Literary Sage and a Martial Sage, who brought about literary and martial fortune within their nation. But who knows who they are? Is it true? Even if it is, what then?

Does this mean the center of human destiny in the world is now in Great Zhen? Can the Emperor of Great Zhen openly declare himself the Human Emperor?

How could Great Zhen do this?! How dare Great Zhen?!

Even if Great Zhen had not yet explicitly expressed such ambitions, the rulers of other dynasties had to consider it, because they themselves would harbor such ambitions if they were in Great Zhen's position. Moreover, Great Zhen had already performed the Fengchan ceremony on Tingqiu Mountain, which could be seen as an act of asserting dominion over the world. Indeed, Tingqiu Mountain is now simply known as Ting Mountain.

At this moment, many dynasties even began contemplating performing their own Fengchan ceremonies.

Nevertheless, the name of the Great Zhen Dynasty rapidly spread throughout the world at a speed that surpassed the imagination of its own court and people. From righteous sects to demons, from cultivators to commoners, everyone now knew the name Great Zhen.

Simultaneously, Great Zhen planned to establish Literary and Martial Temples. Even if other nations did not recognize Great Zhen, the Fengchan ceremony was an established fact. With guidance from high-level cultivators, powerful dynasties across the land understood that if Great Zhen built these temples, their own nations could and must build them, and absolutely could not fall behind Great Zhen!

Over the next ten days, every human nation that received news of Great Zhen's Fengchan ceremony first experienced outrage in their courts, followed by multiple court meetings where the immediate priority was inevitably the establishment of Literary and Martial Temples.

Not even the most strict officials would oppose building Literary and Martial Temples, as this genuinely strengthened a nation's fortune and enhanced its power. As for the emperor's sycophants and corrupt officials, they certainly wouldn't oppose something that benefited them and potentially offered opportunities for personal gain.

Consequently, it seemed as if Literary and Martial Temples were being erected everywhere across the land simultaneously. The process, from establishing blueprints to hiring artisans, was extremely fast. Because of these temples, the names of Yin Zhaoxian and Zuo Wuji inevitably spread, truly becoming known throughout the world this time.

The time was now the end of March.

In Kuinan Commandery City, Nanhuang Continent, a prominent city in its nation, news had only arrived the day before, yet it was already bustling with activity due to the Literary and Martial Temples. Upon receiving the imperial decree from the capital, local officials had begun seeking artisans to prepare for the construction of these temples.

Not only were the city's prominent figures discussing the matter, but the common people were also chattering animatedly.

Early that morning, Li Feng scurried to a baozi shop not far from his home to buy meat and vegetable buns, while the nearby blacksmith's shop was already echoing with the ceaseless clang of hammers.

The baozi shop was busy, with a crowd gathered to buy buns. Li Feng didn't use his status to cut in line, simply waited behind the crowd. The adults didn't notice him, chatting about topics of interest while they waited.

"Hey, have you heard? Our Kuinan Commandery City is going to build new temples!"

"How could I not have heard? Remember that time in late January when we saw all the stars in the daytime?"

When someone mentioned that day, others grew even more interested. The scene was still vivid in their memories; some worshipped, others feared.

"I remember, what about it? Is it related?"

"Of course!"

The speaker felt a secret thrill seeing that many people were unaware of the details.

"I heard that day turning to night was unlucky?"

"Nonsense! Who told you that? Besides, it wasn't day turning to night; we could still see everything clearly. It was just that all the stars came out. That's an auspicious sign, a very auspicious sign, understand? These Literary and Martial Temples are being built because of this auspicious sign. We heard they can bless our literary and martial fortune..."

"What exactly is 'literary and martial fortune'?"

The speaker was stumped, then replied impatiently.

"You can understand that from the words themselves, no need to dig into it, you're so silly. Let's talk about the important stuff: these Literary and Martial Temples aren't just being built here, apparently, many places in our country are building them. My uncle was hired as a bricklayer; I heard they'll be quite grand!"

"Oh!" "Is that so!"

"Which deities will be enshrined in the temples? Will they be effective? Should we try to be the first to offer incense when they open?"

"Uh..."

"Here, your buns are ready."

The shop owner handed over a paper-wrapped packet. The speaker quickly took it, paid, and took a bite of a bun.

"Hurry up and tell us!" "Exactly, be careful not to get canker sores if you stop halfway!"

"Hey, hey, can't I eat a couple bites first!"

The man finished a bun but didn't leave; instead, he continued to chat animatedly with the people in line.

"I heard there's a Great Zhen nation somewhere very far away, well, it must be a very powerful nation anyway. This matter of the Literary and Martial Temples originated there. I heard they don't enshrine deities inside but rather heaven and earth, and that 'literary and martial fortune.' But I also heard there are two Sages: the Literary Sage is named Yin, Yin Zhaoxian, and the Martial Sage is named Zuo... uh, what was his name again..."

The speaker had forgotten, so he picked up a bun and chewed it, frowning in thought. The baozi shop owner, while handing out buns, listened intently. Hearing the man stumble at the name, and connecting "Great Zhen" with a "Zuo" surname, he couldn't help but joke:

"It wouldn't be Zuo Wuji, would it?"

The man, who was still chewing his bun and thinking hard, slapped his thigh.

"Yes, yes, yes, yes! You're right! I forgot for a moment, the Martial Sage is indeed Zuo Wuji. Anyway, I heard his martial arts are so formidable he can slaughter demons and kill immortals without effort. Even the gods in your temples can't defeat Martial Sage, so why wouldn't he deserve his own temple? But it's strange that the Literary Sage and Martial Sage aren't enshrined in the temples... Hey, shopkeeper, who told you? How do you have such good information?"

The baozi shop owner was a little dazed and only snapped back to reality when asked.

"Uh, I..."

The baozi shop owner was momentarily speechless, his heart feeling a little excited. He couldn't help but lean out and shout:

"Brother Jin, that great hero who often visits you, his name is Zuo Wuji, right? He, he has the same name as the Martial Sage... Is that a coincidence?"

Over at the blacksmith's shop, Jin Jia paused his hammer, looked up at the wall near the baozi shop.

"Mm."

Jin Jia replied with a grunt and resumed his "clang, clang, clang..." hammering.

The baozi shop owner over there patted his chest.

"I told you, how could it be such a coincidence? Never mind, never mind, it's just that someone else has the same name... Oh, Young Master Li is here too! Buying buns? How many do you want?"

Li Feng shivered, snapped back to attention, glanced at the owner, then turned and ran. But after a few steps, he stopped and rushed back.

"Twenty meat and vegetable buns, quick, quick!"

He hadn't wanted to cut in line, but now Li Feng was in a hurry. The few people nearby didn't mind, letting Li Feng buy first. After buying the buns and paying, Li Feng glanced at the blacksmith's shop, then quickly scurried away.

"Young Master Li, he's just a child after all, not that strange."

"Hahaha, exactly, how strange can a child be?" "But I heard he brings misfortune..."

"Shh... careful what you say!"

On the other side, Li Feng ran faster and faster, becoming more excited with each step. He didn't believe what he'd just heard was merely a coincidence of names, especially since both were from Great Zhen. Furthermore, he had personally seen Great Hero Zuo slay a demon, effortlessly killing a wolf demon with just a flat staff.

'So Great Hero Zuo is even more amazing than I thought! Great Hero Zuo is the Martial Sage! No wonder his martial arts are so powerful! Is he more powerful than Mr. Ji? No, Mr. Ji is the most powerful! Even if he can't win... Mr. Ji is still the best!'

Inside the monk's cell at Nichen Temple, Zuo Wuji had just sat up from his bed when a monk's voice sounded from outside.

"Great Hero Zuo, I've prepared hot water for you. Do you wish to use it?"

"Uh, thank you, Master. Just leave it."

"Alright, then I'll go back to my duties."

The tall, thin monk had barely turned to leave when a visibly excited Li Feng burst into the monk's cell, pushing the door open with a "bang."

"Great Hero Zuo, you're the Martial Sage, right? Are you so powerful that you can defeat Mr. Ji?"

Zuo Wuji looked utterly bewildered.

"Who told you I could defeat Mr. Ji? Wait, why would I fight Mr. Ji?"

At this moment, Ji Yuan, who had arrived outside Nichen Temple, heard the conversation inside with his extraordinary hearing. He couldn't help but smile; it was good that Li Feng was so lively.

'Master Yin, Zuo Wuji, now truly "who in the world does not know your names"!'