Chapter 1092: Chapter 1091: The Spring Festival Dharma Assembly and the Temple Master’s Summons
Three days later, the New Year Dharma Assembly.
The same procedure, the same taste, only Lu Zheng’s position changed. No longer blending into the Yuan Generation, but reciting blessings, he stood at the forefront of young disciples from the Yuan Generation, alongside Yuan Lin, each standing firm on one side.
Wearing a blue and white cloud-patterned silk robe, stepping in Profound Crow Cloud-Stepping Shoes, donned with the Three-Star Crown, holding the Taiqing White Jade Gui in one hand and the Pine Wood Thousand Silk Brush in the other, Lu Zheng could see the shocked gazes directed towards him from temple masters and prominent figures of other sects attending the ceremony.
Indeed, what a true Quanzhen master!
...
After the New Year Dharma Assembly concluded and Elder Yue Wen descended from the teachings, it was time for White Cloud Temple to host a vegetarian feast to welcome guests from all directions.
Lu Zheng had attended the New Year Dharma Assembly twice before, staying low-key as a supporting role, but this year, he undeniably stood out, especially with his master, who was also like a protagonist, by his side.
"Congratulations, Master Mingzhang, indeed a great teacher breeds brilliant disciples!" a sturdy man congratulated with clasped hands.
"White Cloud Temple is truly fortunate! As one of the leaders of our Daoist Sect, congratulations!" an elderly Daoist greeted with folded hands.
"Daoist Yuan Zheng, next time you come to Hui Province, you must visit my Wusong Temple as a guest, hahaha. This is my disciple, Cang Ling; should you meet in the jianghu, I hope you care for him," an elderly Daoist brought a young Daoist over to converse.
"Brother Mingzhang, ten years have passed, yet you move ahead of your younger brother," a middle-aged man said, smiling.
"Lu... Daoist Yuan Zheng, I must thank you for your assistance that day," a young monk whom Lu Zheng had saved in Sanjiang Dao said.
Hui Province Wusong Temple, Luo State Tieshan Sect, Cyan Snake Mountain, Yu State Lingguang Temple, Quzhou Yu Mountain Sect, Red Sand Valley... these are prominent sects along Sanjiang Dao in Jizhou, and they house influential figures, yet they are still lesser in comparison to White Cloud Temple.
Moreover, this year at the Dharma Assembly, Lu Zheng stood alongside Yuan Lin, showcasing a Dao presence both ethereal and pure, clearly a skilled Daoist True Man, a beacon among the young generation of White Cloud Temple, already comparable to the older predecessors.
At this age, with his Dao practice, he is surely a future influential figure in the Daoist Sect, among the top pyramid figures.
Thus, the number of cultivators and forces Lu Zheng met today may surpass those he encountered in his ten years in this realm.
And Lu Zheng of White Cloud Temple, following this year’s New Year Dharma Assembly, will become one of the face disciples of the Yuan Generation, spreading outward from Sanjiang Dao in Jizhou.
While not world-renowned, those with some insight, paying attention to figures within major powers, will surely know this name.
...
"Is that so?" Lu Zheng blinked, not quite processing, "What’s different from now?"
"When you previously introduced yourself, people’s first response was White Cloud Temple," Daoist Mingzhang sipped his tea, "In the future, they’ll respond with ’That’s Yuan Zheng of White Cloud Temple.’"
Lu Zheng: "..."
"What’s different?"
"Very different. No matter how prosperous a sect is, fewer than ten disciples in a generation typically make a name for themselves outside." Daoist Mingzhang said calmly, "Among the core direct disciples, there are generally only one or two. Until today, Yuan Generation of White Cloud Temple had only Yuan Lin."
"Senior Brother Yuan Ye doesn’t count?" Lu Zheng couldn’t help but ask.
Daoist Mingzhang shook his head, "No."
Lu Zheng rubbed his chin, "So, my ten years of diligent cultivation has finally gained some recognition?"
Daoist Mingzhang: "..."
Thinking of yesterday’s New Year feast and the gathering of friends, Daoist Mingzhang withheld tossing his prepared cup, "Yes, you’ve gained some recognition but don’t be arrogant, remember you are still junior, and remain humble before skilled elders."
"Disciple wouldn’t dare."
Just as Lu Zheng spoke, a Daoist child came with a message, "Senior Brother Yuan Zheng, the Temple Master requests your presence."
"Ah? What’s up?" Lu Zheng asked instinctively.
"I don’t know either, but the Temple Master is talking with Lord Huang, the Vice Director of the Court Observatory," the Daoist child said.
"Observatory?" Daoist Mingzhang’s eyes flashed as he glanced at Lu Zheng.
"Probably, perhaps they want me to clarify the situation further." Lu Zheng nodded, indicating to Daoist Mingzhang, "Disciple shall return shortly."
Lu Zheng naturally informed Daoist Mingzhang of the situation regarding the demonic True Spirit’s descent.
"Go quickly, don’t keep the Temple Master waiting." Daoist Mingzhang gestured with his hand.
Lu Zheng then followed the guiding Daoist child to a side hall within the temple interior, which also housed Master Mingyu and a middle-aged man appearing well-fed.
The man seemed in his forties or fifties, clothed in an apricot-yellow gilded gown, with a rectangular face, slightly grayed temples, and upright features, though his expression was gentle, exuding goodwill.
"Disciple salutes the Temple Master." Lu Zheng entered the front hall, bowed in greeting.
Master Mingyu glanced at Lu Zheng with a peculiar expression, then nodded, introducing him to the middle-aged man, "This is Yuan Zheng."
The middle-aged man carefully examined Lu Zheng, nodding with a friendly smile, "I saw him at yesterday’s Dharma Assembly, White Cloud Temple indeed has great fortune!"
Master Mingyu stroked his beard smilingly, then addressed Lu Zheng, "This gentleman is Lord Huang Ruoxing, Vice Director of the Court Observatory."
"Greetings, Lord Huang." Lu Zheng bowed in greeting.
"No need, Daoist Yuan Zheng, well met." Huang Ruoxing hastily responded, simultaneously motioning to support Lu Zheng.
"Hmm?" Lu Zheng raised an eyebrow.
For Huang Ruoxing to assume this attitude with Master Mingyu is understandable, but toward himself as well, could it be...
"Sit," Master Mingyu prompted Lu Zheng to sit, then continued, "Yuan Lin mentioned the celestial demon’s descent and the appearance of demonic Qi in Pingdong Dao, though when Lord Huang asked for details, I was unaware, hence calling you to clarify."
Master Mingyu paused, continuing, "Speak of what can be shared."
Lu Zheng, hearing this, was momentarily puzzled, what does ’speak of what can be shared’ mean?
Could it be...
Ah, so it is!
Lu Zheng looked at Master Mingyu, and then Huang Ruoxing, finally understanding.
Lu Zheng smiled, "The Temple Master knows?"
Master Mingyu replied helplessly, "Though I don’t know the details, I should have some general understanding of the circumstances."
Lu Zheng nodded, indicating comprehension, without blaming Yuan Lin for mentioning his relationship with Si Lingxi to Master Mingyu, as it wasn’t a secret, merely those aware had refrained from publicizing it.
"I discovered the Heartless True Desire Demon Ancestor during a visit to Northern Domain Tushan with Qingyan. He was hiding in the territory of the Double Star Snake in Tu Yan Country at that time," Lu Zheng stated.
"Hmm?" Huang Ruoxing’s eyes widened, picking up a key detail, "Visiting Tushan for kin? Tushan of the Nine-tailed Celestial Fox? Qingyan... Liu Qingyan, Miss Liu is of the Tushan Celestial Fox Bloodline?"
