The little girl is not just a fellow disciple; she is also his own blood-related younger sister.
In these chaotic tis, such a bond often brings a glimr of light and hope.
"Tomorrow is the Divine Investiture Ceremony. Brother San is sure to obtain an Upper Grade Daoist Title." Zhang Shijiu’s eyes sparkled with a unique radiance, looking at the boy with a hint of admiration.
At Dragon Tiger Mountain, all those with the surna Zhang have no formal na before the age of sixteen, only ranked numbers for reference.
For instance, the boy is called Zhang San.
Zhang Shijiu, his sister, ranks nineteenth among her peers.
When they turn sixteen, the mountain holds the Divine Investiture Ceremony to determine the Daoist Title and establish the Divine Statue. Only this way can one truly earn the Ancestral Master’s recognition and be considered part of the Dragon Tiger Zhang Family.
Thinking of this, Zhang San looked up at the ancient hall in front of him.
On the Divine Altar stood nurous clay Divine Statues, each different, only palm-sized, densely packed and arranged according to their rank on the altar.
The winding incense smoke coiled above each clay statue. If observed with Primordial Spirit Observation, you would discover the smoke resembling ancient seal script, displaying nas corresponding to each clay statue.
For example, one smoke-ford na was "Lingzong," its clay statue below marked as "Great Spirit Sect King."
Another smoke-ford na was "Qianxuan," its clay statue below marked as "Spirit King Qianxuan."
This was the most mysterious Divine Enthronent path of the Dragon Tiger Zhang Family.
Determine the Daoist Title, establish the Divine Statue, and though a mortal body, can receive ti-honored incense under the Jade Emperor.
Legend has it that this Technique was recorded in the Celestial Book passed down by Taishang Laojun when Dragon Tiger Mountain’s Ancestral Master Zhang Daoling comprehended the Dao at He Ming Mountain.
Though the mortal body remains in the Red Dust, the Divine Statue resides in the void.
Day in and day out, neither dying, an unrivaled Great Divine Techniques through the ages.
The Zhang Family, once they obtain their Daoist Title and establish a Divine Statue, are forever changed, can receive mortal incense, unmatched in the Red Dust, training in the Supre Reverse Technique.
Once a Daoist Title is obtained and a Divine Statue is established, one is truly considered a person of the Dragon Tiger Zhang Family.
Otherwise, by the age of twenty, they must leave the mountain gate and can no longer use the Zhang surna.
Because of this, there are not many true mbers of the Zhang Family on Dragon Tiger Mountain, but those who belong are all first-rate figures under the heavens.
Zhang San boasts the highest talent among his peers, naturally yearning to obtain an Upper Grade Daoist Title.
On the altar in the hall, there are nine levels of clay Divine Statues, with higher-ranked Divine Statues possessing higher quality Daoist Titles.
Titles like "Lingzong," "Qianxuan," "Pill Mother" all belong to the Upper Grade Daoist Titles.
Aside from these, the most esteed and revered among them sits at the top, uniquely covered with a red cloth, its incense revealing an ancient and plain title:
Bairen!!!
"Tomorrow is the Divine Investiture Ceremony." Zhang San murmured softly.
For those of the Zhang Family, receiving a Divine Title and godhood is the most crucial hurdle in life; once they obtain their Daoist Title and establish a Divine Statue, they are no longer ordinary...
Their cultivation, their power, even their existence transcends what ordinary Daoists can compare to.
This is why the Dragon Tiger Zhang Family is unparalleled under the heavens, a mansion of the Immortal Sect is not false.
For this reason, Zhang San clenched his fists, his eyes filled with an intense longing.
So youthful, he has never felt such an urgent desire to prove himself.
...
The next day, at the Dragon and Tiger Hall.
"How is that possible? How can this be?"
Zhang San’s howl echoed in the hall, drawing nurous eyes upon him, so shocked, so puzzled, so indifferent...
"You have not received the Ancestral Master’s recognition, no Daoist Title granted, no Divine Statue established, only an empty na!"
Below the altar, a Daoist in a purple robe exclaid sternly.
"Why? Why did the Ancestral Master abandon ?" Zhang San looked up at the vast hall, at the towering altar, bellowing in reluctance.
Among the seven disciples participating in the Divine Investiture Ceremony today, he had the highest talent and strongest ability, yet he alone failed to receive the Ancestral Master’s recognition, wasn’t granted a Daoist Title, and couldn’t establish a Divine Statue.
For soone surnad Zhang, this was tantamount to a death sentence.
"You may not act presumptuously before the Ancestral Master." The purple-robed Daoist coldly reprimanded him.
"Brother San..."
From the crowd, Zhang Shijiu erged, her sweet face showing a trace of concern.
Zhang San was dazed, looking at the faces in the hall, and then at Zhang Shijiu, fear grew in his eyes, as if dreading to see the heartbreaking disappointnt on his beloved sister’s face.
Sigh...
Suddenly, he turned abruptly, dashed out of the Dragon and Tiger Hall, and ran frantically down the mountain.
No one knew how long had passed, with the wind whistling in his ears and the green forest retreating around him.
Finally, Zhang San seed to run out of strength; he collapsed beside a small creek, looking at his reflection in the water, clenching his fists tightly, pounding fiercely, as if accusing the unfeeling destiny and protesting the Ancestral Master’s injustice.
"Immortals were once mortals; if mortals’ resolve is unsteady... how can they endure this minor setback, much less tread the Immortal Path!?"
At this mont, an icy voice leisurely echoed in Zhang San’s ear.
"Who is it?"
Zhang San turned around suddenly, scanning his surroundings, but found no one, not even a ghostly figure.
Swish...
Suddenly, ripples spread across the water surface, and Zhang San’s reflection changed abruptly, revealing the form of a Daoist.
The Daoist had graying temples, handso features, a high hairstyle, an extraordinary aura, yet Zhang San had never seen him before.
"Who are you?" Zhang San asked, looking at the reflection in the water, instinctively turning his head, but found no one behind him.
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