Free Web NovelChapter 374: Chapter 332: The Ceremony
Lu Qian sighed, "Lady, why must you be this way? The world is vast, and there will surely be others with the Consciousness Collection. There’s no need to cling to me. Why not post a notice at Meihua Square, where tens of thousands of cultivators pass daily? You’ll eventually find someone suitable."
Ji Yunrou clutched her heart, wiping away tears, "What kind of person does Lu Lang take me for? Am I such an indiscriminate woman, willing to be with just anyone? It is only to a man like Lu Lang that I would devote my heart."
It seemed true. Ever since they nominally became a subordinate sect of the Mingyu Sword Sect, Lu Qian’s understanding of various sects in Liangxiang County deepened.
This enchanting and charming Lady Ji, though skilled in Charm Skill and constantly using Charm Art, indeed had no rumors of a chaotic personal life, nor any reports of having intimate relations with any distinguished figures.
Instead, cultivators of the Divine Flood Dragon Sect held her in extreme reverence, nearly to the point of worship.
Facing such a beautiful woman who seemed to have eyes only for him and pursued him fervently, any man would find it hard to remain indifferent.
Lu Qian could maintain his composure now only by suppressing with the Consciousness Collection.
The more he got to know her, the more he realized how extraordinary Lady Ji was, and thus, he dared not agree.
Unwillingness and fear each took half.
"Lu Lang, that fire-playing madwoman isn’t here, so how about we just get it over with..." Ji Yunrou approached further as Lu Qian’s silence continued. She slid forward, leaning into Lu Qian’s arms in full view of everyone.
Yet, the warmth she imagined suddenly turned into a cold mist.
Ji Yunrou widened her eyes, looking at the dissipating Cloud Mist Incarnation and the already faraway Lu Qian, and snorted discontentedly.
Lu Qian, you’d better pray you never fall into my hands!
Returning to Lingsha City, after an explanation from Yang Jiye and Wang Yu, Lu Qian realized his previous thoughts on Daoist companions were too simplistic.
Though the meaning of Daoist companions differed greatly from ancient times, the ceremony of becoming Daoist companions still adheres to ancient rituals, solemn and serious, unlike the festive joy of a marriage.
The two main characters, Lu Qian and Jiang Qingfeng, must separately bathe, fast, purify their hearts, and nurture their spirits. After seven days, they go through the ceremony, worshipping heaven and earth, reciting Daoist verses, thus officially becoming Daoist companions.
"Sect Leader, do you want it to be a grand affair or something simpler?" Wang Yu asked with a smile.
Lu Qian waved the ceremony guide in his hand, "Since it’s meant to be a solemn ceremony, let’s keep it simple. We’ll celebrate properly when we get married."
Jiang Qingfeng blushed, gave Lu Qian a sidelong glance, and ran off.
Watching her back, Lu Qian felt a surge of tenderness in his heart.
They should have been Daoist companions long ago.
Initially, they planned to proceed after resolving the major issue of Master Moyun, but then came the offense to Master Fengfeng, the battle between the two counties with heavy disciple casualties, and Master Xuan Ji and Tan Hong’s sacrifices.
At this point, neither Lu Qian nor Jiang Qingfeng was in the mood, fully focused on establishing the Shuangye Alliance.
Years passed, everyone moved past the grief, everything returned to normal, and Lu Qian thought it was time to fulfill his promise. Though the senior sister was shy, in her heart, she was surely very willing. Calculating, they finally decided on June 26 of this year as the auspicious day.
Honestly, with Guh Niqiang gone, Lu Qian felt a bit of loss, but also relief. He had been worried about how to face Guh Niqiang during the ceremony. Just imagining the chaotic scene sent chills down his spine.
Now that he had expressed his feelings to her and persistently set the Nascent Soul agreement, Lu Qian was content, ready to peacefully tie the knot with his senior sister.
He then turned to ask Yang Jiye, "Senior Brother Yang, is Tao Boliang satisfied with the facilities of the Glazed Tower? Have the disciples skilled in Artifact Refining been selected? Are the Refining Materials prepared?"
Yang Jiye laughed, "Oh, my dear junior brother, everything is fine; everything has already begun according to plan. How can you still be thinking of these things? Go and focus on bathing, fasting, and purifying your mind!"
Thus, during the ceremony preparations, the usually busy Lu Qian and Jiang Qingfeng suddenly found themselves with leisure time.
Various city affairs were mainly handled by Yang Jiye, Wang Yu, Lin Le, and Wu Yan.
All Lu Qian could do was obediently follow the process, bathing, fasting, changing clothes, and calming himself in meditation.
It had been a long, long time since he had such free time.
Recalling the journey from the sect’s destruction to its reconstruction, now standing firmly with Zhongming, quietly gaining ground, able to contend slightly with the Golden Core. The reputation of not accepting orders spread far.
Behind all this was the relentless day and night efforts of himself and his fellow senior brothers, leaving them sleepless and tireless.
Little drops of water make a mighty ocean—what a difficult journey it has been!
With time on hand, thoughts scattered, contemplating plans for the future, which gradually became reflections on the past, and finally transformed into deep appreciation and cherishing of everything he now had.
Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift from the heavens, meant to be cherished.
The last evening came, Lu Qian could no longer contain his surging emotions, he yearned to see his senior sister.
He thought of her.
Lu Qian gently extended his Divine Sense through the house, scanning the surroundings to confirm it was deep into the night and no one was around. Then he slipped out of the meditation room, using the cover of the Heavenly Torrent Spiritual Mist, and drifted towards Jiang Qingfeng’s residence.
Divine Sense and Spiritual Power are the two most crucial powers for a cultivator.
The collection of books by Jichuan Profound Monarch contains immense wisdom; even though many concepts are outdated, they still offer great insights when read.
For instance, Lu Qian now has deeper understanding of Divine Sense and Spiritual Power, and his own Consciousness Collection.
Divine Sense arises from the Divine Soul, stored in the Sea of Consciousness within the Niwan Palace. Spiritual Power arises from the Spiritual Root, stored in the Dantian Qi Sea.
The Divine Soul and Spiritual Root are different; the biggest difference is that not everyone has a Spiritual Root, or rather, individuals with a Spiritual Root are one in ten thousand, while everyone, mortal or cultivator, possesses the Divine Soul.
But why can only cultivators utilize the power of Divine Sense?
The key lies in the fact that cultivators have the Spiritual Root and can cultivate. In the process of cultivation, as long as it is not an improper Demon Dao Technique, it naturally involves the Unity of Spirit and Qi; the Divine Soul and Spiritual Root exert power simultaneously, with the mind driving the circulation of Spiritual Power through the systemic flow.
In each cycle, the Divine Soul naturally strengthens in the nourishment of Spiritual Qi and spiritual power conversion, thus revealing the power of Divine Sense.
That is to say, the Divine Soul grows with the advancement of one’s cultivation, and a good Cultivation Technique naturally enhances the Divine Soul while boosting Spiritual Power steadily.
Cultivators in Early-Stage Qi Cultivation are not much better than mortals. Their Divine Soul is weak, Divine Sense is confused and frail, and their Spiritual Power is low, so they can’t wield Magical Artifacts.
