The entire ancestral hall was solemn and tidy, with faint drifting incense smoke adding a sense of sanctity to the place.

John Clark was very familiar with this place. He told Mrs. Clark and her son to stand quietly in a corner and not move, then entered a side room on the right.

From beginning to end, John Clark did not speak to Brian Carter.

Brian Carter didn’t mind. In his eyes, the ancestral hall was nothing more than a village-level shrine built by the locals. In terms of scale, it was even rather shabby.

The only thing that interested him was that there truly was a strange power here, or rather, a unique aura.

According to the theories from his previous life, it would be explained as a special magnetic field that could suppress people’s emotions.

But in this world, there were all sorts of magical powers. You couldn’t simply use the theories of his past life to explain them.

In his previous life, Brian Carter had been a grandmaster of martial arts, his will and spirit tempered to the extreme through countless life-and-death trials.

After traveling through time and space, his soul seemed to have undergone some kind of mutation, becoming even more keen and agile.

When he calmed his mind, he could sense that the source of the aura came from deep within the main hall.

The strange power wrapped around the entire ancestral hall, like a special protective layer.

This power had no beginning or end. Although it wasn’t particularly strong, it was like an underground spring, continuous and unending.

“Magic? Spell formation?” These two words suddenly popped into Brian Carter’s mind.

In this world, the gods held such a high status precisely because faith in them could grant great power.

This power, called magic, was even more wondrous than martial arts.

Brian Carter really wanted to enter the main hall and study the strange power inside.

Unfortunately, in this place and at this time, he couldn’t act rashly.

After quite a while, John Clark finally came out of the room and beckoned a few people over.

Mark Clark, the ritual master, was a man in his forties, with an ordinary appearance, puffy eyes, and a dull yellowish gaze. Sitting in his chair, he looked as if he could fall asleep at any moment, completely lacking any energy.

He wore the same black long robe, but on him it looked especially sloppy, with none of the solemn dignity of a ritual master.

“He looks like a lecher who’s overindulged himself,” Brian Carter thought to himself, though his face showed no emotion.

He stood there, relaxed and natural, not the least bit nervous. He even smiled politely at Mark Clark, who was sizing him up.

A trace of disdain appeared in Mark Clark’s puffy eyes as he said coldly, “Your uncle has already told me everything. Splitting from the family at your age is foolish. Take my advice: go back, admit your mistake to your uncle, and behave yourself. You won’t suffer for it.”

Ritual master Mark Clark’s words made Mrs. Clark and David Clark both excited. The ritual master himself had spoken—how could you dare not listen!

Brian Carter glanced at the smug-faced John Clark and shook his head helplessly. This man’s mindset determined that he would always play these little tricks.

“I’ve already decided to split from the family. If Priest Clark is unwilling to help, then I can go to Mr. Reed.”

Mr. Reed was the grand ritual master of the ancestral hall, a person of high status, always fair and strict, and held in great esteem in the Iron Forest Tribe. If Mr. Reed were really disturbed, Mark Clark would have a hard time explaining himself.

Brian Carter’s refusal was direct and decisive, giving Mark Clark no face at all.

“If you insist, just don’t regret it.”

Mark Clark waved his sleeve with a dark expression and got up to leave. After all, he was a ritual master; if he really quarreled with Brian Carter, it would be beneath his dignity.

Besides, inside the ancestral hall, he didn’t dare act recklessly. With Brian Carter’s attitude so firm and unyielding, if things really got out of hand, he would look even worse.

Upon entering the main hall, three stone statues over three meters tall stood before them. On the wooden table in front of the statues, there were many spirit tablets densely arranged.

A huge stone cauldron in front of the statues sent up curling incense smoke. The atmosphere in the main hall was even more sacred and oppressive.

Brian Carter only glanced once before being drawn to the statue on the left.

This statue wore a black robe, a crown on its head, and a sword at its waist. Because the carving was rough, one could only barely make out the statue’s stern expression and imposing presence.

What truly attracted Brian Carter was the black-and-white Taiji symbol on the statue’s chest.

The embroidery was poor, the Taiji diagram a bit flat, and the yin-yang fish both somewhat distorted.

But there was no doubt—it was a Taiji diagram.

Moreover, at the statue’s feet were entwined a turtle and a snake. Though equally rough, it was hard to tell what exactly was carved.

“The True Martial Great Emperor?” Brian Carter had practiced Taiji since childhood and was especially familiar with this deity.

The reason he had traveled here was because he seized a bronze medallion called the Yin-Yang Heavenly Wheel, and his enemy detonated a preset micro-nuclear bomb.

At the last moment, the Yin-Yang Heavenly Wheel underwent a mysterious change, carrying him through time and space to possess Brian Carter’s body.

Brian Carter’s thoughts raced, but on the surface he remained calm, following Mark Clark’s instructions.

“Let the ancestors bear witness: Brian Carter is splitting from his uncle’s family, receiving a broadsword and a pig. From now on, Brian Carter will establish his own household, and have no further ties with John Clark’s family.”

Mark Clark, holding a horsetail whisk, stood to the side and announced loudly, “If Brian Carter dies, all his property will go to John Clark’s family.”

After speaking, without waiting for Brian Carter to reply, Mark Clark flicked his whisk and said, “The ancestors have already witnessed this. This is sacred ground—none of you should linger. Leave at once.”