Chapter 179: Chapter 178: Daluo Palace’s Grand New Year Ceremony

A vast, clear sky stretched overhead, the land draped in a silvery frost.

At the foot of Cuiluo Mountain, before the Daluo Palace.

The Prefectural Magistrate of Changping Prefecture respectfully ascended the mountain. Prominent wealthy families from the nearby Xiuyue, Wuhe, and Chongguang counties had all arrived, and many wealthy lords from the other counties were also in attendance.

In addition, many common folk from Cui Mountain Village and the surrounding towns had also come, gathering behind the crowd of dignitaries.

The first hints of spring were in the air, but winter’s chill lingered. Although the sunlight offered a touch of warmth, the weather was still cold, and the white snow covering the surrounding mountains had yet to melt.

Yet high above them, the Daluo Palace, situated halfway up the mountain, seemed to be in the midst of spring and summer.

Verdant trees dotted the grounds both inside and outside the palace. In specially designated flowerbeds, a hundred flowers bloomed in a dazzling competition of beauty. A spring flowing down from the mountain was diverted to form a series of ponds within the palace, where green lotus leaves floated alongside pink and white blossoms. Beneath the surface swam countless koi and black turtles.

The crisp sound of birdsong drifted down from the mountain. The rustling of leaves, set against the shafts of sunlight, seemed to lift the spirits of the crowd standing outside the mountain gate, brightening both body and soul.

They looked up at the bluestone archway directly ahead. Four cyan dragons coiled around its pillars, holding aloft the inscription: Daluo Saint Realm. The characters, a dazzling yellow, seemed to radiate a brilliant golden light.

"The abode of gods!"

"It truly is the Daluo Saint Realm, a place not meant for mortals."

"We are blessed to be able to come to the Daluo Palace’s New Year Grand Ceremony to observe the rites, honor the gods, offer incense, and pray for blessings."

"The Taoists of the Daluo Palace possess boundless Magical Power. When we go up the mountain in a moment, be careful. Don’t let your eyes wander, and you absolutely must not be disrespectful."

The crowd whispered amongst themselves, marveling at the magnificence and mystique of the Daluo Palace while holding its extraordinary masters in awe.

Then, they saw two Taoists in long blue robes emerge from the Spirit Official Hall to welcome them. They descended the steps with a slow, unhurried gait, yet in the blink of an eye, they had crossed most of the distance. Their deceptive speed brought them to the Cyan Dragon Mountain Gate in an instant.

"The hour has arrived. The Daluo Palace’s New Year Grand Ceremony is about to begin. Please, ascend the mountain!" The two stood to the side of the path, gesturing for the crowd to proceed.

The next moment, the two oil lamps hanging beneath the mountain gate archway suddenly ignited on their own, though there was no wind.

The crowd jumped in fright. Then, they saw two transparent, illusory figures emerge from the lamps. They wore Bright Armor, Lion Barbarian Belts, Flowing Cloud Boots, and Phoenix Wing Helmets. One held a whip, the other a mace.

"We welcome all honored guests to ascend the mountain!" the two illusory Star Soldiers declared in unison.

"Divine beings! They’re divine beings!"

"Don’t look so scared! I heard these are the Daluo Palace’s gate-guarding Star Soldiers. They usually hide within the lamps. If any evil spirits dare to attack the mountain gate, they reveal themselves and strike the intruders dead!"

"How incredible!"

Filled with a mixture of shock, delight, reverence, and fear, the crowd passed through the mountain gate and began their respectful ascent. Some were so devout that they bowed with every single step, paying homage as they climbed.

A dense Power of Incense and Candlelight slowly emanated from them, mixing with the light smoke of burning incense that permeated the Daluo Palace. This power then flowed into the seven small shrines lining the mountain path.

After climbing 1,296 steps, the crowd arrived outside the Spirit Official Hall. There, they saw a young Taoist clad in a golden Magical Robe, standing solemnly before the hall.

Yunyang wore a Lotus Crown and a Red Cloud Cloak embroidered with gold and silver thread in patterns of cranes and clouds. He held a Jade Tablet, his expression grave.

"With a devoted heart, I take refuge in the Innate Chief General, the One Qi Divine Monarch!"

When the hour struck, Yunyang stepped forward to perform the rite, reciting the sacred prayer, "The All Heaven Inspector General, the Three Realms’ Selfless Brave Officials and Generals. With Golden Eyes and Red Hair, he is known as the Three-Five Train Thunder God. With Phoenix Beak and Silver Teeth, he commands a Million Pi Xiu Divine Generals..."

After reciting the sacred prayer, Yunyang offered incense, prostrated himself in worship, and chanted the Incense Blessing Divine Curse.

Once the ceremony in the Spirit Official Hall concluded, Yunyang, with a flick of his Magical Robe, walked around the Divine Statue of the Wang Spirit Official and proceeded to the first courtyard behind it. The crowd behind him offered incense to the god or prostrated themselves in pious worship before following him.

Upon reaching the first courtyard, they saw two elderly Taoists in purple Magical Robes standing before the Four Imperial Lords Hall. Wearing Five Elders Crowns and holding Jade Feather Dusters, they stood in solemn silence.

Taoist Ming Yu and Taoist Jing Feng presided over the second part of the grand ceremony in the Four Imperial Lords Hall. They began by paying homage to the Emperor Ziwei of the North Pole in the Middle Heaven, followed by the Emperor of Longevity of the South Pole, then the Emperor of the Upper Palace of Gouchen, and finally, Houtu Huangdi Qi.

As the crowd listened to the praises, they got the impression that each of these four Great Emperors was more formidable than the last.

’If these deities are the backers of the Daluo Palace,’ they thought, ’then as common folk under the Daluo Palace’s protection, doesn’t that mean we’re completely safe?’

After paying homage to the Four Imperial Lords, Taoist Ming Yu and Taoist Jing Feng, now joined by Yunyang, walked past the Four Imperial Lords Hall to the next one: the Jade Emperor Hall.

Presiding over the grand ceremony in the Jade Emperor Hall were Taoist Yan Song and Taoist Yi Hong.

The two men wore Flying Crane Treasure Crowns and Cyan Cloud Magical Robes. As they paid homage to the Jade Emperor from the left and right, the crowd following them finally learned the full title of the deity enshrined in the Jade Emperor Hall.

The Supreme Heaven-Opener Who Wields the Talisman, Controller of the Calendar, Embodiment of Truth and the Dao, the Utmost Venerable of the Golden Palace in the Cloudy Court, the Emperor Haotian Jade Emperor!

The crowd was overcome with awe.

The Queen Mother was enshrined beside the Jade Emperor. After paying their respects to each deity in turn, the crowd followed the five Taoists past the Jade Emperor Hall to the final and highest palace in the Daluo Palace.

The Three Pristine Hall!

Gu Zhao stood before the Three Pristine Hall, his eyes fixed on the Three Pristine Divine Statues wreathed in incense smoke. He was waiting for the other five Taoists to complete their ceremonies and assemble behind him for the final ritual.

He now possessed a full five hundred years of Dao Practice, and his Divine Sense spread out over a vast area. He had clearly heard the crowd ascending the mountain, Yunyang reciting the sacred prayer, and the four elder Taoists honoring the gods one by one. With everything proceeding smoothly, he began to relax.

Once Taoist Yan Song and the other four had taken their places behind him, the remaining disciples of the Daluo Palace lined the sides of the courtyard. Their fervent gazes were all fixed on Gu Zhao, who stood in the position of honor.

Among them were those close to him, like Zhuo Qingyan and the Silk Embroideress, as well as Guardian Star Officials like Huang Yuan and Yang Chi. There were also some Mages and Ghost Gods they had absorbed from the Golden Wind Divine Sect, along with the Firework Taoists who resided in the palace.

Before they knew it, the Daluo Palace had become the sole dominant power in Changping Prefecture.

"Sect Leader?" Taoist Yi Hong prompted.

Gu Zhao nodded and took a step forward. With incense in one hand and a scroll in the other, he performed the Yu Step and chanted the names of The Three Pristine Ones. Magical Power circulated through his body as his Spiritual Power connected heaven and earth.

The Taoists behind him each performed their own techniques, coordinating with Gu Zhao to merge their Taoist True Qi with the fabric of heaven and earth.

Lighting the lamps, prostrating in worship, chanting, and presenting the memorial—the rite was complete!

The crowd suddenly felt the sunlight overhead soften. They looked up to see a single white cloud drifting lazily in the sky. Bathed in sunlight, it began to emit faint wisps of golden light.

The next moment, flashes of five-colored light flickered within the golden cloud before it transformed into a fine, misty rain that showered down upon the Daluo Palace.

As the five-colored rain fell upon them, the many pilgrims felt their Divine Souls become refreshed and their bodies cleansed. It was as if they had been washed from the inside out, and even their chronic, deep-seated illnesses were cured.

Realizing this was a blessing bestowed by the masters of the Daluo Palace, the crowd immediately fell to their knees in gratitude. A boundless wave of the Power of Incense surged from them, absorbed by the Divine Statues in the palace’s various halls.

Finally, Gu Zhao lit three sticks of incense and, together with the five other Taoists, recited the Incense Blessing Divine Curse.

"The Dao is learned through the heart, and the heart’s sincerity is conveyed through incense. As smoke curls from the jade censer, my mind is present before the Emperor. May the True Spirits gaze down upon us and the immortal banners descend. Let this servant’s report be sent forth, to reach directly into the Nine Heavens."

A wisp of incense smoke carrying the Divine Thought of the six men shot toward the heavens, vanishing into the unseen void.