Chapter 429: Chapter 238: Magic Path? That’s Clearly the Daoist Master’s Supreme Dao!
Upon hearing this news, Fatty Li’s eyes lit up instantly, and he didn’t hold back!
After just browsing the snack stalls, Ye Yunqing was overwhelmed.
Li Sanyu already had two bags of steamed buns, three bags of chicken nuggets, two candied haws, a bag of roasted chicken legs, and several plastic bags hanging from his wrists...
If Ye Yunqing hadn’t reminded him, the guest rooms on the mountain don’t have refrigerators. These foods would spoil by the next day, but an unwilling Fatty Li might have gone for another round.
Unlike Li Sanyu, most Daoist Masters, though strolling here, weren’t in the mood for eating and drinking.
Groups of three or four gathered together, discussing among themselves.
Even those who knew a little of the inside story found it clouded, unable to see what Dragon Tiger Mountain was up to.
A night without incident, the next day.
Ye Yunqing changed into his formal Daoist robe, had breakfast, and set off with Fatty Li up the mountain, heading towards Shangqing Palace.
Before they arrived at Shangqing Palace, they already heard the buzzing noise.
Many tourist groups who knew the news had negotiated with the Daoist Master in charge on Dragon Tiger Mountain and brought tourists here.
Many media outlets that got wind of the event occupied favorable positions, snapping shots of Shangqing Palace and the Daoist Masters coming and going.
The Daoist Masters sighed but said nothing, as the ceremony had lost its original dignity, an inevitable matter.
Soon, the exclusive Taoist music rang out at the scene.
Then three Taoists entered, each wearing robes of different colors, yellow, green, and purple, representing the three masters.
The three, holding Ruyi, first paid homage to the ancestor master, then all the lay practitioners entered the hall to also pay homage to the ancestor master and then to the three masters.
As the homage concluded, the ceremony officially began.
The sect leaders from various doors and sects watched on, not visibly relaxed, their thoughts unknown.
The ceremony time was neither too long nor too short, taking just one incense stick’s time to conclude.
Afterwards, disciples of Dragon Tiger Mountain arrived to escort the heads of various sects to another auxiliary hall halfway up the mountain.
Unlike the Shanqing Palace on the mountain and the Celestial Master’s Mansion at the foot of the mountain, this building matched modern living habits.
Although the architecture was still that of ancient main halls, full of classic charm, all modern facilities were present. If one ignored the exterior of the hall, it might seem like an office.
Display screens, projectors, office desks, reception rooms, everything an office had was here, and more comprehensive and luxurious.
When Ye Yunqing arrived here, he took out his invitation and Daoist Certificate, and the disciple at the door announced in a raised voice: "Shangqing Dragon Tiger Ye Yunqing Daoist Master has arrived!"
The sudden announcement startled Li Sanyu next to him.
"So formal?"
Ye Yunqing mused without more thought, following the guidance of the disciple at the door to his exclusive seat.
Just seated, he heard the voice outside continue: "Shenxiao Qionglong Mountain Sect Wang Xun Daoist Master has arrived!"
Then an old Daoist walked in, taking a seat next to Ye Yunqing.
The two exchanged glances without speaking, but everything was clear without words.
It’s normal for sects to hold small meetings after a ceremony.
But it’s strange that this meeting not only lacks journalists, there’s not even a single camera, eerily clean!
"Zhengyi Celestial Heart Sect Zhao Yunlan Daoist Master has arrived!"
"Northern Emperor Sect Qian Wu Daoist Master has arrived!"
"..."
Witnessing the arrivals, everyone became even more solemn, adjusting their already neat robes once more.
The disciple outside repeatedly announced names, Ye Yunqing listened as intently as the others, his expression as grave as theirs.
This clearly signals they are planning something!
"..."
Once the last person arrived, silence persisted outside for a long time, and the atmosphere indoors became oppressively tense.
Dragon Tiger Mountain’s current Celestial Master, Zhang Yuanyi, sat at the head, his expression unreadable.
No one knows how long, before he calmly spoke: "Kyoto Baiyun Temple houses a handwritten copy of the ’Record of All True Sects’, documenting eighty-six Taoist sects.
Eight decades ago, the world’s Daoist sects gathered in Kyoto, compiling this record for assessing wandering Daoists; visiting Daoists failing to recite their sect’s genealogy or state their origins could be deemed imposters.
These eighty-six sects included fifty-two of Quanzhen and thirty-four of Zhengyi, flourishing indeed.
Unexpectedly, now just ninety years later, invitations went out for this ceremony, yet only twenty-one sects were found, thirteen sects have likely lost their lineage..."
After Zhang Yuanyi spoke, the hall fell into dead silence again.
Daoist history’s extensive scope entangles many aspects, and different people mentioning it carries various significance.
Generally, only Daoist leaders mention Daoist history on significant occasions.
Though Dragon Tiger Mountain is a Daoist sacred site, Zhang Yuanyi is not a true Celestial Master.
Historically, Dragon Tiger Mountain’s Celestial Masters were directly appointed by the court, and in this era, officials aren’t bold enough to appoint Celestial Masters?
Hence, Zhang Yuanyi’s identity is embarrassing; according to Daoist law, he is the Zhang Family Celestial Master of Dragon Tiger Mountain without official recognition.
"Sigh..."
Nevertheless, he has long held a high position, commanding deep respect, and seeing everyone silent, forced a sigh from his throat, sounding like a mournful nerve, causing a visible change in the expressions of the Daoist Masters present.
The old Celestial Master continued: "Today’s ceremony has two main purposes. First, it is for the disciples of various Daoists to receive rites, to reorganize the sect record, define laws, and establish orthodoxy again."
Comments