Chapter 428: Chapter 238: Demonic Dao? That’s Clearly the Daoist Master’s Supreme Path! (Part 2)
From ancient times to the present, throughout the various dynasties, Quanzhen has been valued while Zhengyi has been undervalued.
This is not due to other issues, but because the teachings of the Quanzhen Sect align more with the minds of rulers governing the country, so when mentioning the leader of the Daoist Sect, it is generally from the Quanzhen Sect.
However, the rulers were not foolish, and they certainly understood the way of maintaining balance. Although they never elevated Dragon Tiger Mountain to be the leader of the Daoist Sect, they were generous with rewards and titles, making it more than a leader.
At its peak, during the Ming Dynasty, it surpassed Quanzhen in one stroke to become the leader of the Daoist Family, flourishing with incense and an abundance of temples, earning the title of Daoist City.
But after all these years, few of the well-preserved ancient buildings on Dragon Tiger remain; the Celestial Master’s Mansion is one of them.
Unknown to the average person, Dragon Tiger Mountain does not have just one sacred site but two!
They are the Shangqing Palace on the mountain and the Celestial Master’s Mansion below. Although their functions do not overlap, for better enlightenment of the world, they are generally collectively referred to as Dragon Tiger Mountain in promotions.
After spending a day traveling, and as night approached, Ye Yunqing finally arrived in Guixi City.
He had been here when he was young, but with the passage of time and the changes in people and things, he could no longer recognize the city.
In this tourist city, visitors come and go, bearing all sorts of strange costumes, which the local residents have grown accustomed to.
Some even go as far as to point out the mistakes in these cosplay outfits, showcasing their exposure to a wide array of experiences.
Before Ye Yunqing could sigh twice, two young Daoists approached him.
They first performed a ceremonial salute and then politely asked, "Are you Master Ye from Y City’s Qianyun Temple?"
"I am."
"I am Zhang Tianyi, the guest greeter from Dragon Tiger Mountain. Please follow me, Master." The other party maintained a balanced demeanor and made a gesture of invitation.
Having practiced on Dragon Tiger Mountain for some time, Ye Yunqing could barely be considered its disciple, so being called Master was acceptable.
After getting in the car, it did not depart immediately, prompting Ye Yunqing to casually ask, "Are we waiting for someone else?"
"We are waiting for Master Li from City K. His arrival time should be similar to yours," the facilitator explained.
"Ah, that Fatty Li."
Ye Yunqing swore, then closed his eyes and pretended to sleep with a smile on his face. This was a business vehicle with a lot of space, quite comfortable to stretch out in.
Shortly after, he heard voices around him, and then the car door opened, allowing a round figure to climb aboard.
Before he could see clearly inside the car, a familiar voice was heard, "Fatty Li."
"Ye Gan’gan!"
Just hearing the voice, the Daoist with the surname Ye was elated, instantly going for a bear hug.
"Why are you even fatter now? Let go of me; do you want to crush me?"
Ye Yunqing pretended to be angry, but inside he was filled with exclamation.
Back in the day when he was young and learning Daoist Skill at Dragon Tiger Mountain, Li Sanyu was in the same batch as him, arriving and departing together, their similar personalities making him one of his few friends.
Meeting again now, it was inevitable for feelings to stir within.
After the exchange of pleasantries, the two sat next to each other.
Seeing him alone, Ye Yunqing’s eyes showed a mix of emotions, jesting, "That’s not good, with not even a single disciple."
"Tch, as if you’ve done any better. Aren’t you also alone?"
Fatty Li chuckled, his eyes equally deep and unreadable, before saying no more.
Both being perceptive people, they naturally understood the implications within each other’s words.
Truth be told, the scale of this conference was excessively high and arranged too hastily; nobody knew exactly what was happening.
Even those slightly in the know did not dare to gamble, many choosing to attend alone, considered a gesture of giving face to Dragon Tiger Mountain.
Leaving disciples in the temple, if anything were to happen, even if they perished here, their inheritances would not be entirely cut off.
...
In the novel, Dragon Tiger Mountain holds up half the sky of the righteous way, and historically, it is a renowned Daoist sacred place, made all the more mysterious by various mythical legends.
Along the way, the mountain streams wind around treacherous peaks, with birds chirping harmoniously in the vast sky.
Fantastic peaks and exotic rock formations, rare and wonderful beasts—a true residence for Immortals.
But Ye Yunqing had no mind for the scenery, focusing instead on the upcoming matters of the conference.
Even he had stepped on the path of cultivation; he couldn’t believe that as a Daoist holy land, Dragon Tiger Mountain wouldn’t have Daoist Masters who progressed further.
With the great era of Spiritual Qi Revival, who knows how many venerable old Daoist Masters might emerge from some forgotten corner, desperately needing fresh, vigorous blood to extend their lives—not unlike stories in novels, right?
Ye Yunqing smiled and swiftly put that thought aside.
He surmised that this conference might be for the Daoist Masters from each faction to meet and discuss the grand strategy for the development of the Daoist Sect, while also evaluating each sect’s standing.
After all, as Daoist Skill had just begun to revive, there was no real competition.
No matter which faction of Zhengyi, everyone’s foundational technique is based on the Tao Te Ching, and "non-action" and "non-contention" are the main themes.
Yet, in the future, there may be contests for some cultivation resources, so understanding the context of each sect, getting acquainted, means any future disputes won’t lead to ultimate hostility...
After all, when a Daoist Family’s Master acts, it’s certainly all-out.
But this is merely Ye Yunqing’s conjecture; the real purpose of the conference will be known only after it convenes.
Dragon Tiger Mountain was rather magnanimous this time. No matter if one is on the mountain or below, as long as they are within the bounds of Dragon Tiger Mountain, whether in shops or stalls, the invited Daoist Masters can freely dine and shop, and after the conference, Dragon Tiger Mountain will settle the tab.
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