Chapter 765: 311. The Four Directions Pay Respect to Xuanxiao Zi (Combined Chapter)_4

Yue Xiling no longer needed to remain in seclusion. However, to avoid suspicion, he did not hold any position within the Pure Yang Palace. Instead, he went directly before the Empress in Chang’an, acting as the Pure Yang Palace’s representative in the capital and placing himself under Her Majesty’s scrutiny to demonstrate his innocence.

After severe internal strife, it was no exaggeration to say that Jiang Yu was the sole remaining prodigy of the Pure Yang Palace’s younger generation, or at least, very few remained.

Lü Jinduan and Wang Xuan wished for her to cultivate in seclusion, but certain trials were inevitably arranged for her.

Fortunately, though Jiang Yu was relatively aloof by nature, she adapted to her new responsibilities very quickly.

"Taoist Brother Xuanxiao Zi." After exchanging courtesies with the members of the Mount Shu Sect, Jiang Yu approached Lei Jun and greeted him first with a Taoist salute.

After Lei Jun returned the gesture, she said, "Taoist Brother, Our Sect is holding a Grand Precept Transmission Ceremony this year. We sincerely invite Daoists from your esteemed sect to observe. The formal invitation has already been sent to Dragon Tiger Mountain. As it happens, I met you here at the Summit today, Taoist Brother, so please forgive my forwardness. Might you be interested in visiting Zhongnan Mountain as our guest?"

In the Taoist traditions of this world, the Talisman Sect has Transcension Rituals and Talisman-bestowment rites, while the Alchemy Cauldron Sect has Capping Ceremonies and Precept Transmission rites.

The former involves Talisman-bestowment at the Ancestral Altar, where names are registered in the Heavenly Registry.

The latter involves registering for a designated period and receiving the Grand Precepts of the Three Altars.

Prior to this, corresponding to the Talisman Sect’s Transcension Ritual, is the Capping Ceremony, also known as the Minor Precept Ceremony.

Unlike the Celestial Master Mansion’s Transmission Ceremony, which is normally held every three years, the Pure Yang Palace’s Capping Ceremony has no fixed schedule, nor is it a large-scale event.

Aspirants accepted into the Pure Yang Palace to pursue the Tao begin their foundational studies as Tao Boys. Upon reaching the age of eighteen, if they meet the required standards, they undergo the Capping Ceremony to formally become Pure Yang Disciples, also known as Capped Taoists.

Those who do not pass are given alternative arrangements.

Subsequently, their Grand Precept Transmission Ceremony, much like the Celestial Master Mansion’s Talisman-bestowment Grand Ceremony, is held every six years.

Those who meet the relevant standards qualify to participate in the Precept Transmission.

However, the timing of the Pure Yang Palace’s Grand Precept Transmission Ceremony is not entirely fixed.

It can be held in relation to any of the Taoist Three Yuan Festivals, provided the announcement and the ceremony occur on two successive ones.

For example, if the Pure Yang Palace issues its Precept Transmission public notice during the Upper Yuan Festival, the ceremony will be formally conducted during that year’s Middle Yuan Festival.

If the Precept Transmission public notice is issued during the Middle Yuan Festival, the ceremony will take place during the Lower Yuan Festival.

If the Precept Transmission public notice is issued during the Lower Yuan Festival of a given year, the ceremony will occur during the Upper Yuan Festival of the following year.

This year, the Pure Yang Palace issued its public notice during the Upper Yuan Festival, so the ceremony will be formally conducted during the Middle Yuan Festival.

Guests will observe the ceremony at that time.

The current time was around the Summer Solstice, and the Middle Yuan Festival was about two months away.

"It is a grand event for your esteemed sect. If there is an opportunity, I would naturally hope to attend," Lei Jun replied. "However, please allow me to contact my sect first. I will give Daoist Jiang an answer then."

"Of course," Jiang Yu replied.

Later, she also extended an invitation to the Mount Shu Sect.

Zhang Taigang, having recently assumed the position of Sect Leader of the Mount Shu Sect, was occupied with numerous matters and naturally could not attend. Xu Duan, also advancing in age, was to be spared the arduous journey.

However, they had decided to send a High Merit Elder of the Eighth Heavenly Layer realm to Zhongnan Mountain to observe the ceremony. It remained to be seen whether it would be Zhang Dongyuan or Ye Dongming.

As a matter of courtesy, Zhang Luo, Fang Huansheng, and others also received invitations from the Pure Yang Palace, and all naturally responded positively.

Another who responded proactively was Suoyang, the young Abbot of the Vajra Temple from the Western Region Buddhism.

The strength of the Xumi Vajra Sect made the Mount Shu Sect wary, though superficially, there had been no conflict between the two sides for the time being.

Whether for reasons of etiquette or other considerations, the Mount Shu Sect would generally invite them to observe their ceremonies.

Perhaps to prevent the Xumi Vajra Sect from projecting an overly dominant image, the representative from Western Region Buddhism attending this ceremony was Suoyang, who was at the Seventh Heavenly Layer realm. His cultivation level was less conspicuous, but as the Abbot of the Vajra Temple, his status carried sufficient weight.

Suoyang felt no pressure when dealing with other factions or interacting with high-ranking figures of the Taoist Sect like Zhang Taigang and Jiang Yu.

However, he did have his own troubles, one of which was facing Lei Jun from the Celestial Master Mansion.

Master Lei, for his part, showed no harshness in his words or expression. His demeanor was normal, his face as calm as a placid lake as he said, "Venerable Monks of the Vajra Temple, if you happen to discover Our Sect’s Celestial Master Robe, please retrieve it on our behalf. Our Sect will be eternally grateful for your assistance in recovering the Celestial Master Robe and will certainly offer a generous reward."

Suoyang had practically memorized this statement by now.

The Celestial Master Mansion had contacted Western Region Buddhism about this matter numerous times, with the Tang Imperial Court even mediating.

Yet, hearing this same statement from other Celestial Master Mansion representatives, including Zhang Jingzhen, had never subjected Suoyang to such immense pressure.

Even though Lei Jun’s tone was consistently calm, unhurried, and devoid of anger, Suoyang felt as if he were suffocating.

The sense of oppression was utterly unlike anything an ordinary person could withstand.

But where on earth was Suoyang supposed to conjure a Celestial Master Robe for the Celestial Master Mansion?

Now, he wished he could avoid Taoists from the Celestial Master Mansion like Lei Jun altogether.

However, under the current circumstances, Suoyang would not be impolite. With a solemn expression, he replied, "Taoist Master Xuanxiao, please rest assured. Our sect will certainly do its utmost to search for Hong Jie’s whereabouts and assist your esteemed sect in recovering the Celestial Master Robe."

Lei Jun quietly watched Suoyang for a moment before speaking, "...I hope there will be good news soon."

Suoyang sighed inwardly. Maintaining a dignified expression, he pressed his palms together and bowed to Lei Jun, saying, "Everyone in Our Sect hopes to advance hand in hand with your esteemed sect."

"I, too, hope for such an outcome," Lei Jun replied.

The Mount Shu Sect’s grand ceremony proceeded as scheduled.

Lei Jun and his disciple then observed the ceremony with peace of mind.

Frankly speaking, Zhang Taigang’s inauguration ceremony as Sect Leader had some flaws.

It was universally known that the Mount Shu Sect in the Great Tang Realm possessed six great treasures, all famous throughout the Great Tang.

However, generally speaking, these six treasures were not all controlled solely by the Sect Leader of Mount Shu.

Most of the time, only two of them were under the Sect Leader’s direct, long-term control.

These were the Taiyi Primordial Tower and the Qingxiao Manor.