Chapter 235: Chapter 186: Shangfang Sword, Descendants of the 8 Monarchs (2)
’I’m like an outsider who, out of nowhere, has suppressed all the True Disciples to claim the position of Crown Prince. How could I not attract jealousy and resentment?’
Jiang Yi’s heart was like a clear mirror. Although this matter was personally decided by Patriarch Mingxuan, how could a Lower Cultivator dare to blame an Upper Cultivator?
All of their anger was naturally directed at him.
It was for this very reason that Patriarch Mingxuan had praised the choice Jiang Yi made.
That answer—to choose all three paths and walk them simultaneously—required immense courage and the ability to succeed.
Regardless of whether Jiang Yi could reach the other shore, Patriarch Mingxuan had taken note of his firm and resolute spirit, that soaring ambition that feared no danger or difficulty.
A thought flickered in Jiang Yi’s mind, and he smiled faintly. "This is a trivial matter. There’s no need to disturb the Sect Leader."
He called out to the Great Kui Mystic Drum’s Artifact Spirit and leisurely stepped down from the Magic Altar.
The great hall was extremely spacious, with eight massive pillars carved with coiling dragons supporting the four corners. Several other five-colored Magic Altars of varying sizes were set up nearby, each with a blue-gold base, round on the outside and square on the inside, all for the purpose of reception.
Jiang Yi asked softly,
"As a Daoist returning to the Sect, what procedures must I follow?"
The Great Kui Mystic Drum’s Artifact Spirit, who loved a good spectacle, answered enthusiastically,
"Oh, there are quite a few. A Sect’s Daoist is of unspeakable nobility. For a true enthronement, we would have to announce it to the entire Yanfu Vast Land and have all the Daoist Lineages come to witness the ceremony... However, since Daoist Jiang has yet to achieve Foundation Establishment and hasn’t been formally enthroned, we can keep things simple."
"You just need to complete the ’Washing Away the Mundane Dust and Eternally Lighting the Life Lamp’ ceremony, followed by the ’Paying Respects to the Three Masters and Receiving the True Teachings’ rite."
Jiang Yi knew full well that even if he secured the position of Daoist and took residence in the Ever-Bright Celestial Pool, it didn’t mean he had "gained legitimacy" and could rest on his laurels.
’If I want to be elevated to this position by a Daoist Monarch, a Great Power, and merge my fate with the eternal destiny of the Innate Sect, there is still a long and arduous road ahead.’
"I’ll have to trouble you to lead the way, Senior."
A smile played on Jiang Yi’s lips, and his tone was gentle.
"Oh, right. Could you have a Child fetch a copy of the Innate Sect’s rules and regulations for me to review?"
The Great Kui Mystic Drum’s Artifact Spirit grumbled internally, ’What kind of Daoist asks to see the rules on his very first day in the Sect?’
’Are the Three Classics and Nine Arts of the Innate Sect not profound enough for him? Or is the Langhuan Library of the Ever-Bright Celestial Pool not vast enough?’
The white-haired old man was completely bewildered, but as he was responsible for reception and had to prioritize the Daoist’s needs, he quickly commanded in a stern voice,
"Are you deaf? Didn’t you hear Daoist Jiang’s words? Why does the Reception Hall only employ imbeciles!"
Several Children scurried out of the hall in a panic to fetch the Great Warning Book, which contained the Sect’s rules and regulations.
Jiang Yi then took the initiative to ask,
"The situation with the eight peaks, and the state of the Lower Courtyard—could you explain them to me, Senior?"
The Great Kui Mystic Drum’s Artifact Spirit shook its head repeatedly, demurring,
"This old man is muddled, my eyes are dim and my head spins. I have no patience for all this gossip. How would I know about such things? The Daoist should ask someone else."
’There’s no way I’m getting involved in this mess!’
’The actions of a Daoist Monarch, a Great Power, have always been unfathomably profound. Since they didn’t send Jiang Yi directly to the Ever-Bright Celestial Pool, it means this Daoist Jiang is still in a probationary period.’
’Besides, a figure like Qin Baiyu, who sees the whole picture and has such a meticulous mind, couldn’t possibly have missed the nine chimes of the Mystic Drum, yet he has yet to show his face.’
The white-haired old man had lived for eight thousand years; among Magical Treasure Artifact Spirits, he was old enough to have one foot in the grave. How could he not figure out the subtleties of this situation?
"Little old man."
Qiao Yu snorted softly and cut in,
"Are you aware of how many times the Central Yellow Continent has undergone a Heaven-Surveying Origin-Setting? Which Daoist Monarchs and Great Powers have inscribed their names upon the four manifest Daoist Lineages? And who, exactly, are the four Celestial-ranked Dao-Rebels of the Yanfu Vast Land..."
The Great Kui Mystic Drum’s Artifact Spirit stared blankly. Where on earth did this young girl get such knowledge?
’To know so many peerless secrets!’
The white-haired old man, carrying the eight-foot bronze drum on his back, became impatient and asked, rubbing his hands together,
"Miss Qiao..."
Qiao Yu smiled but said nothing.
The Great Kui Mystic Drum’s Artifact Spirit glanced at the girl in green, then at the impressively standing Jiang Yi, and sighed in resignation.
"Why must you make things difficult for this old man?"
Jiang Yi’s tone was light.
"You’re joking, Senior. With your seniority, you could interact with the Sect Leader as an equal. Surely you aren’t afraid of offending someone?"
The Great Kui Mystic Drum’s Artifact Spirit shot Jiang Yi a sideways glance and said irritably,
"Stop trying to egg me on, Daoist! This old man doesn’t have many years left. Even if I were to anger Qin Baiyu, the worst that could happen is getting the cold shoulder and having my supply of Spiritual Objects cut off."
"It’s just that within the Innate Sect, the Descendants of the Eight Monarchs and the Master-Disciple Lineage have been at a standoff for years, and their struggle is intensifying. Now, with the Daoist’s return, you’ve taken the great position they were all eyeing. That’s as good as incurring public wrath."
Jiang Yi grinned. This Great Kui Mystic Drum Artifact Spirit was a crafty one. It seemed to have said nothing, but in reality, it had revealed everything it needed to.
’The Descendants of the Eight Monarchs? The Master-Disciple Lineage?’
’These must be the two factions with the deepest roots and broadest influence in the Innate Sect.’
After speaking, the Great Kui Mystic Drum’s Artifact Spirit looked eagerly at Qiao Yu.
The girl in green seemed dissatisfied. "Don’t try to fool me, little old man."
’Is that all he’s going to say!’
The Great Kui Mystic Drum’s Artifact Spirit tugged at its snow-white beard, its face a mask of conflict. Having lived for eight thousand years, its greatest pleasure was listening to such ancient secrets.
In the end, it simply couldn’t withstand its own curiosity.
"The so-called Descendants of the Eight Monarchs are the Dao Race disciples from the lines of the Innate Sect’s eight True Monarchs. They have put down roots in the Sect and passed down their legacy for generations. You could say their fates are tied to the Sect’s, for better or worse. They are similar to those aristocratic Gate Valves of the Immortal Dao that control the paths of promotion."
"Ever since Qin Baiyu took over as Sect Leader, he has successively promoted people from other Dharma Lineages, Outer Sect clans, and families of humble origin. These people are bound by the inheritances from their masters, hence the name ’Master-Disciple Lineage’."
Jiang Yi listened intently. For a newcomer like him with no foundation, who had been "parachuted in" by a top leader, the first order of business was to understand the Sect’s factions and map out the network of power.
"That Shao Guansu who’s organizing the Pill Assembly is from the Descendants of the Eight Monarchs. He reached the Flying Foundation Establishment Realm a couple of years ago and just recently became a True Master."
The Great Kui Mystic Drum’s Artifact Spirit felt it had said enough and refused to elaborate further, no matter how much it was pressed.
Qiao Yu reluctantly shared a few sensational and headline-worthy secrets with the gossipy, white-haired old man.
The Great Kui Mystic Drum’s Artifact Spirit’s mind surged with excitement as it listened, and it said repeatedly,
"So that’s how it is! So that’s how it is!"
Before long, a Child returned to the hall carrying the Great Warning Book. It was a thick stack, and the mere sight of it was enough to make one’s scalp tingle.
Jiang Yi raised a hand and stored it in his Sleeve Pouch, planning to read it carefully later and commit it to memory.
’Since I’m to be the "Imperial Sword" for the Daoist Monarch, how can I not be an expert in the Sect’s rules and regulations?’
’If I am to be the Daoist Monarch’s "Imperial Sword," how can I not be an expert in the Sect’s rules and regulations?’
’I just need to carefully consider who to make an example of first.’
’After all, it’s still unclear which faction Patriarch Mingxuan wants me, his Daoist, to strike down.’
Jiang Yi’s gaze settled, and he said softly,
"Senior, let’s go through the procedures."
The Great Kui Mystic Drum’s Artifact Spirit revealed a look of surprise.
"Daoist, you’re not going to wait for the people from the Cloud-Reception Hall to return? To arrange a procession and welcome you?"
Jiang Yi shook his head.
"Mere pageantry is not worth mentioning. This Daoist doesn’t care for such things."
The Great Kui Mystic Drum’s Artifact Spirit’s snow-white eyebrows shot up. There was a sharp edge hidden in those words.
It secretly wondered,
’I wonder if this is the Patriarch’s idea, or Qin Baiyu’s? Are they planning to clean up the Descendants of the Eight Monarchs, or to suppress the Master-Disciple Lineage?’
...
...
Luofeng Mountain. A skyscraping ancient peak pierced the high heavens, as if forcibly anchored in the clear, washed-blue sky by some Great Magical Power.
The mountain was lush and verdant, rich with Spirit Grass. Endless stretches of towers, terraces, and pavilions could be faintly seen, with countless Meditation Houses, private courtyards, and Cave Mansions scattered among them.
Dozens of brilliant Escape Lights rose and fell, dazzling to the eye. Occasionally, one could see figures standing in mid-air, calling to friends and companions, chatting and laughing cheerfully.
Inside an elegant Meditation House, surrounded by dense flowering branches and slender bamboo groves, a bleary-eyed old man opened his eyes. Seeing that all was quiet around him, he called out "Child" several times.
A Child of about fifteen or sixteen, dressed in a black and white Daoist Robe, came forward and replied,
"Master, True Master Shao and all the guests have already left. Before he departed, he specifically instructed this little one not to disturb your slumber."
The old man’s cheeks were flushed, a clear sign he had indulged in a few too many cups. He asked indistinctly,
"Just now, this old man seemed to hear the thunderous beating of a drum. What happened?"
The Child lowered his head and answered,
"It was Lord Drum. It was receiving the Daoist who has returned to the Sect, using the ’Heavenly Ladder’ to teleport across thousands of miles..."
The old man didn’t seem to hear clearly and had the Child repeat himself.
After confirming he had heard correctly, he shuddered violently, shoved over the low table in front of him, and shot up into a sitting position, exclaiming in alarm,
"This is bad! True Master Shao has misled me! Showing disrespect to the Daoist is a grave offense!"
