This elder was the master of the Hall of Receiving Clouds, and his na was He Shouzheng.
Beyond the Eight Peaks of the Innate Sect lay what was known as the Outer Sect, which was comprised of five halls and seven courtyards.
The Hall of Receiving Clouds was considered a "cushy post" among them, responsible for the daily reception of Daoist Children and Lower Courtyard Disciples who arrived bearing Talisman Decrees, tokens, or even official edicts.
It was a leisurely and idle post on most days, with little to do, fostering a rather lax atmosphere.
He Shouzheng had heard that True Master Shao of Mount Luofeng had successfully refined the Nine-Bud Essence Pill and was inviting fellow mbers of the Lower Courtyard to appraise it, so he had made a special trip to join the festivities.
Though he knew nothing of alchemy, neither its esoteric arts nor the practical thods of slting lead and rcury, he had a great love for wine.
Mount Luofeng’s "Moon Laurel Wine" was of immortal quality. For mortals, it could open their spiritual senses and purge impurities; even Cultivators could beco pleasantly drunk from it.
He Shouzheng had originally gone with the simple intention of scrounging a few cups to satisfy his craving. He never expected True Master Shao to be so enthusiastic, repeatedly pressing him to drink more.
Besides the Moon Laurel Wine, there was also a divine pepper-pulp beverage. As the old saying goes, "Fragrant herbs stead on orchid mats, libations of laurel wine and pepper pulp." In ancient tis, both were considered immortal wines used in rituals for the gods, and they were a rare sight today.
Carried away, He Shouzheng drank far too much and beca dead drunk. He was so intoxicated that he didn’t even hear the nine great booms from Old Sir Drum announcing the Daoist’s return to the sect.
’This is bad! I’ve really ssed up this ti!’
He Shouzheng hastily summoned his True Qi. A large cloud of water vapor condensed beneath his feet, and he flew hurriedly from Mount Luofeng, rushing toward the Hall of Receiving Clouds.
News about the new Daoist who had been "wandering in the mortal world" had long since spread throughout the Lower Courtyard.
So said he was a True Monarch Reincarnation from an ancient Daoist Lineage. Others claid he was a Foundation Establishnt-level Dao Material who had co over from the Immortal Dao. There were even rumors he was a sacred Immortal Spirit, born of heaven and earth, who had been personally inducted into the Innate Sect by Ancestral Master Mingxuan...
In short, when the new Daoist was first announced, the rumors were wild and varied.
It wasn’t until the Great Void sent down a magnificent Daoist pronouncent that everyone generally confird the new Daoist was rely a Qi Cultivation Junior Cultivator.
Despite his glorious battle record—defying a True Monarch and cleaving a Thunder Core with his sword—no one considered it a display of his "true skill." Everyone assud he had relied on the thods of a Daoist Monarch or so other Great Power.
This caused an even greater uproar and turmoil within the Ancestral Sect. Since when, in all of history, had a re Qi Cultivation practitioner been granted the position of Daoist? This was setting a new precedent, shattering the old rules.
Yet, the Eight Peaks True Inheritance and even the Elders of the upper halls remained silent. Those in the Lower Courtyard only treated it as a topic for gossip, not daring to presu to judge whether it was right or wrong.
’True Master Shao has ruined !’
The more He Shouzheng thought about it, the more sothing felt wrong. True Master Shao was an Inner Sect Disciple from Zhen Peak and studied under True Master Pang, one of the sect’s Ten Great True Inheritance.
In the past, whenever True Master Shao ca to Mount Luofeng to discuss profound truths, lecture on the Dao, or organize a Pill Assembly, he had never so much as given He Shouzheng a second glance. Yet at the feast just now, he had repeatedly toasted him, making it impossible to refuse.
’True Master Shao did this on purpose! He got drunk so the Hall of Receiving Clouds would slight the Daoist and give him a rude welco! This is awful, just awful... When Immortals fight, it’s the little people who get hurt!’
He Shouzheng practically tumbled to the ground. Without even pausing to catch his breath, he burst into the Hall of Receiving Clouds, where he found a group of Daoist Children.
He demanded urgently,
"Where is Old Sir Drum? And the Daoist?"
The Daoist Child who had delivered the Great Warning Book stepped forward and replied,
"In response to the Master, after the Daoist requested a book, he left for the Hall of Primal Candles with Old Sir Drum."
He Shouzheng’s face fell. If the Daoist were still here waiting to reprimand him, he could at least try to explain himself and beg for rcy. What he truly feared was the Daoist brushing it off nonchalantly, only to settle the score later.
Especially since this new Daoist had just arrived at the Innate Sect and needed soone to make an example of.
He Shouzheng’s mind was in turmoil, and he asked with growing dread,
"What book did the Daoist request?"
The Daoist Child lowered his head and answered,
"The Great Warning Book, which details the sect’s rules and regulations."
He Shouzheng froze as if struck by lightning.
The hierarchy within a Demon Dao Dharma Lineage was incredibly strict. For him, the master of a re Lower Courtyard hall, to have slighted the sect’s Daoist... if he were to be punished according to the rules, it didn’t take a genius to imagine how grim his fate would be!
...
...
On Mount Luofeng, a thousand ancient peaks vied for prominence, their majestic and craggy forms rising like a forest of stone.
Among them was a peculiar peak shaped like a Pill Furnace. It was called Fuyin Residence, the abode of Foundation Establishnt True Master Shao Guansu.
This rising Dao Material of the Innate Sect had already ascended to the Flying Foundation Establishnt Realm at the young age of one hundred, possessing a limitless future.
Within Fuyin Residence, a young man was seen reclining leisurely upon a suspended Dharma Platform.
He wore a golden crown, his brows were sharp as swords, and his eyes glittered like stars. He had a truly magnificent air about him as he toyed with a perfectly round, solid crimson elixir pill in his palm.
It was none other than Shao Guansu.
Opposite him sat a tall, thin Daoist of plain appearance. With deep-set eyes and a long, hooked nose, he naturally exuded a sowhat sinister aura.
"True Master Shao, you laid a trap today, getting He Shouzheng of the Hall of Receiving Clouds drunk so that there would be no one to formally welco the new Daoist. Was your intention to take him down a peg?"
Shao Guansu sat up straight and replied languidly,
"Brother Wu, you are mistaken. The Daoist was appointed by the Ancestral Master himself, and the Sect Leader has given his tacit approval. Who am I to challenge that? How could I dare to offend the Daoist and commit such a treasonous act?"
The tall, thin Daoist frowned slightly. If Shao Guansu truly had no such intention, why had he specifically invited He Shouzheng from the Hall of Receiving Clouds to the Pill Assembly, plied him with rare wines until he was drunk, and made him miss the nine drum tolls from Old Sir Drum that announced the Daoist’s return?
"Originally, the only conflict within the sect was between us, the descendants of the Eight Monarchs, and your master-disciple lineage. Now, a Daoist has co out of nowhere, poised to beco the master of the Changming Heavenly Pool."
Though Shao Guansu had the appearance of a young man, his gaze was dark and profound, mirroring the depths of his mind.
"This is undoubtedly a new variable. As the Daoist was appointed by the Ancestral Master, he represents the will of the Upper Cultivators. I rely used He Shouzheng to test the waters and gauge this new Daoist’s attitude."
The tall, thin Daoist mulled this over, grasping the hidden aning in Shao Guansu’s words.
It was precisely because the Hall of Receiving Clouds was an insignificant post and He Shouzheng had no backing—belonging neither to the Eight Monarchs’ faction nor the master-disciple lineage—that he was the perfect pawn to test the waters.
"The Sect Leader elevated your master-disciple lineage to act as a check on us, the descendants of the Eight Monarchs, to prevent us from growing too large and forming a powerful Gate Valve like those in the Immortal Dao.
But once your master-disciple lineage gained power, you failed to exercise restraint. The previous Daoist, Ning Hechu, was suppressed heavily simply because he had been backed by True Monarch Luo.
As for his failed attempt to ascend to the She position, which resulted in his death and the obliteration of his Dao... I’m sure I don’t need to tell you how much of a hand your master-disciple lineage had in that, do I, Brother Wu?"
Shao Guansu fiddled with his proudest creation, the Nine-Bud Essence Pill—a pill capable of expanding one’s Inner Mansion and increasing their rit by thirty percent—and said softly,
"In recent years, the Sect Leader has grown distant from the master-disciple lineage, intending to use the descendants of the Eight Monarchs to counterbalance you. However, of the seven True Monarchs who govern the sect, your lineage already holds four seats. You’ve grown too powerful to be easily managed."
The tall, thin Daoist spoke in a level tone,
"So you believe this outsider Daoist is actually a ’sword of imperial authority,’ granted by Ancestral Master Mingxuan and the Sect Leader to purge the master-disciple lineage?"
Shao Guansu shook his head.
"How could I possibly fathom the minds of the Upper Cultivators? We’ll just have to wait and see who this Qi Cultivation Daoist decides to make an example of."
The young True Master, his body surging with a flawless aura of Dharma light that seed to touch the azure heavens, suddenly chuckled.
"Before True Monarch Tao of the Taifu Sect ascended to his current position, he and my master, True Master Pang, were equally renowned. Both were masters of Dou Shu.
After I reached the Flying Foundation Establishnt Realm, Master Pang gave a piece of advice that I found quite profound.
The only reason a Lower Cultivator can challenge an Upper Cultivator is that there is an even more powerful Upper Cultivator in the shadows, wanting them to do so.
A person the Ancestral Master wishes to use cannot be toppled, regardless of whether they are a descendant of the Eight Monarchs or part of the master-disciple lineage."
The tall, thin Daoist fell silent. Shao Guansu’s words had hit the nail on the head, cutting straight to the heart of the matter.
The master-disciple lineage had grown so powerful, successively securing True Inheritance seats and ascending to the rank of True Monarch, only because they were of great use to the Ancestral Master and the Sect Leader.
Now that they had beco less pliable, their good days were likely coming to an end.
"Are you playing the role of a recruiter again, True Master Shao? As I’ve said before, my path to Foundation Establishnt is heavily reliant on my master’s support. I will never switch my allegiance to your faction of the Eight Monarchs’ descendants."
The tall, thin Daoist’s eyelids snapped open, and his eyes flashed with a brilliant light, as sharp and fierce as the energy of the tal Elent.
"Though you and I share a deep personal friendship, we serve different masters and our loyalties lie on opposite sides.
If it cos to a fight one day, we will inevitably have to cross blades."
A lock of hair fell from Shao Guansu’s temple. He caught it with a raised hand and smiled.
"You’re as stubborn as ever, Wu Zixiao. No wonder you can only cultivate the tal Elent and practice sword techniques.
Speaking of the new Daoist, I hear he has deep ties to the Sword Dao and wields an exceptionally rare Slaying Sword.
Tsk. I wonder who in the sect will have the good fortune of being the first to experience its might."
...
...
Jiang Yi and the Artifact Spirit of the Great Kui Xuan Drum arrived at the Hall of Primal Candles. The place was exceptionally solemn, and a full welcoming retinue had already been prepared.
The hall had been swept clean inside and out, all impurities purged. Treasure banners were hung, a red carpet was unrolled, and hundreds of Daoist Children stood in solemn rows on either side to greet him.
"Now this is more like it."
The Artifact Spirit of the Great Kui Xuan Drum gestured for Jiang Yi to walk ahead.
"The master of the Hall of Primal Candles is far more sensible than that He brat, after all."
Jiang Yi entrusted True Master Xuanmiao to Qiao Yu and stepped into the Hall of Primal Candles alone. The mont he crossed the threshold, golden bells and jade chis outside rang in unison twenty-four tis, a sign of great ceremony.
Banners painted with images of the sun and moon, the constellations, dragons and tigers, and water and fire billowed in the wind. An orchestra of sheng, xiao, flutes, and zithers played celestial music, the sounds echoing throughout the Lower Courtyard.
’The reception for a Daoist is indeed on a completely different level from that of an ordinary Disciple,’ Jiang Yi mused. Despite the cold shoulder he’d received at the Hall of Receiving Clouds, it seed no one dared to neglect the official procedures for his induction.
The master of the Hall of Primal Candles, a cultivator at the Qi Cultivation Twelfth Layer, approached him wearing a brand-new Magical Robe and holding an imperial incense tray. "Please, Daoist, take the incense."
Jiang Yi extended his left hand. Within the Daoist Lineage, tradition dictated that the left hand was pure while the right was sullied. The act of offering incense to the heavens was not to be taken lightly.
The master of the Hall of Primal Candles looked slightly surprised. It seed this Daoist had read the *Manual of Rites and Ceremonies* and was not entirely without foundation.
He bowed his head respectfully and said,
"Please, Daoist, perform the rites."
Holding the incense in his left hand, Jiang Yi stepped forward and bowed three tis.
These were the "Three Rites": the first, a bow to the Great Dao; the second, a bow to the True Scriptures; and the third, a bow to the Ancestral Masters.
With the Three Rites complete, he had officially entered the Innate Sect—the hallowed court of the Great Dao and the gateway to eternal life.
The master of the Hall of Primal Candles stepped out of the main hall, burned incense to the heavens, and proclaid in a loud voice:
"The Lamp! It gives birth to two, two gives birth to three, three transforms into nine, and the nine nines beco eighty-one lamps, illuminating all darkness!"
He then chanted a great incantation, drew True Fire from the midday sun to ignite a text written in cinnabar, and sealed it with wax to create a talisman torch.
A mont later, he returned to the Hall of Primal Candles and presented the talisman torch with both hands.
"Please, Daoist, light the lamps!"
Jiang Yi reached out and took the torch, his grip steady.
The torch had a bamboo handle wrapped in red silk, which was in turn wound with vermillion talisman paper and seal script written in gold and cinnabar.
He walked forward to the ancestral lamp, took its fla, and lit three Daoist lamps in succession.
He then returned the talisman torch to the master of the Hall of Primal Candles, who proceeded to light the altar lamps below, their number totaling that of the Celestial Spirits and Earthly Fiends.
Finally, the master stepped outside the hall, holding a single lamp from which he distributed the light to others in succession.
The master called out in a clear voice,
"Is the light of the lamps bright?"
The functionaries and all the Daoist Children answered in unison:
"The light is bright!"
The master asked again,
"Does the light of the lamps transform?"
They all shouted as one:
"The light transforms!"
The master gathered his True Qi and chanted a devout praise,
"May the lamplight shine bright, for ten thousand years of the Innate Sect! May the fla burn eternal, a beacon for the True Spirit!"
Everyone repeated the praise in a great chorus.
As their voices faded, heaven and earth seed to respond.
Auspicious winds and celebratory clouds descended. The light of the sun, moon, and stars shone brilliantly over everything, the qi of the four seasons turned clear and bright, and celestial music filled the air.
Vast amounts of Majestic Spirit Essence Qi were drawn to the ceremony, transforming into a thousand chariots and ten thousand cavalry, into hosts of True Beings and multitudes of saints, all appearing in the sky. Then, visions of the sun, moon, and stars, of rivers and seas, of great mountains and waterways, all manifested one after another, creating an endless display of profound phenona.
When the lamp-lighting ceremony concluded, Jiang Yi slowly walked out of the Hall of Primal Candles and stood in a sea of light ford by hundreds of thousands of Daoist lamps.
Though it was dayti, the light of each lamp was focused and steady. Clusters of brilliant Essence light reached up into the Qingming, like colossal candles burning with an eternal fla, an expression of infinite brightness.
The celestial winds chid like fine jade. Phantasmal lions, white cranes, phoenixes, and qilins circled around Jiang Yi, who stood clad in his aqua-colored Daoist Robe.
From within the Hall of Primal Candles, the crowd roared as one:
"Ten thousand years to the Innate, majestic and ever-prosperous! Our Sect’s Daoist, may he transcend and unite with the Truth!"
The Majestic Spirit Essence Qi that had manifested in the world echoed the cry, carrying the sound across all Eight Peaks until it resounded through the heavens.
"Ten thousand years to the Innate, majestic and ever-prosperous! Our Sect’s Daoist, may he transcend and unite with the Truth—"
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