Free Web NovelChapter 324: Chapter 80: Life Soul Ceremony
Fang Cheng left the Pocket World Spiritual Building and headed straight for Sun Fuguo’s Cave Mansion on the summit of Demon Lion Peak.
At this moment, the celestial phenomena above Demon Lion Peak had gradually dissipated. All that remained was a huge vortex of Spiritual Qi suspended over the peak, radiating with countless rays of rosy light, a magnificent sight.
Before long, he arrived at the entrance of the Cave Mansion, just in time to see his Second Senior Brother, Huang Shen, coming out.
When Huang Shen saw him approach, he immediately smiled. "Junior Brother, you’re here! I was just about to go looking for you!"
Although he had already guessed it, Fang Cheng couldn’t help but confirm, "Second Senior Brother, was it really Master who broke through?"
Huang Shen nodded and said, "Let’s go inside and talk."
The two entered the Cave Mansion, one after the other. In the center of the main hall, a middle-aged Daoist with a classic, refined appearance sat upright on a Cyan Jade Couch, three strands of his long beard trailing down his chest.
The aura he exuded was powerful and vast, his Sword Intent restrained, making it difficult for Fang Cheng to gauge his true depth for a moment.
This man was none other than Sun Fuguo, who had just broken through to the Life Soul Realm.
He wore a faint smile, his expression calm and composed. Compared to his former self, he looked like a completely different person.
To Sun Fuguo’s left sat a young man in linen clothes with an ordinary appearance. He had a carefree and casual air about him, and the Demonic Light in his eyes was faint but unfathomably deep.
Upon seeing this man, Fang Cheng immediately recognized him as the current Supreme Elder of the Yinluo Sect, Su Miao.
In their previous few encounters, Su Miao had been injured and was shrouded in Demonic Light, concealing his true face.
This Supreme Elder had been famous for over four hundred years. His reputation was formidable, and he was the one who anchored the Yinluo Sect’s fortune and intimidated the Yun Country. Seeing him now was quite a surprise for Fang Cheng.
No one could have imagined that Sun Fuguo had once been this man’s page, following him and cultivating from a young age. Although they were not officially master and disciple, their relationship was one in all but name.
And to Sun Fuguo’s right sat another middle-aged Cultivator. He was dressed in magnificent robes, possessed an ethereal, dao-like bearing, and had a dignified and imposing aura.
He was none other than the current Sect Leader of the Yinluo Sect, Xun Yuanchu.
When the three men saw Fang Cheng enter, their expressions differed. Sun Fuguo’s gaze was open and held a hint of gratitude.
Su Miao, on the other hand, was still smiling warmly, as approachable as ever, as if greeting an old friend.
Xun Yuanchu’s expression was calm, and he nodded at him in acknowledgment.
Below the three of them were Fang Cheng’s martial siblings: Cai Li, Feng Ziang, Master Wanqing, Hua Yutang, and Huang Shen, who had just come in.
With Sun Fuguo’s breakthrough to the Life Soul Realm, only these eight people in the entire, vast Yinluo Sect were qualified to be the first to come and see him.
"Congratulations on your successful breakthrough, Master," Fang Cheng said, stepping forward to offer his respects.
Sun Fuguo smiled faintly. "My ability to achieve this today is all thanks to your stalwart support."
The implication was that he had consumed the Vermilion Bird Divine Pill.
Fang Cheng smiled. "I hope Master will continue to guide and support me in the future."
Su Miao, who was beside them, spoke up. "You two, master and disciple, can save these words for later. For now, let’s discuss the matter of the Life Soul Ceremony."
Sun Fuguo said, "As for the ceremony, let’s leave it to Junior Brother to handle."
Xun Yuanchu said in a deep voice, "This ceremony is a golden opportunity to reassert our sect’s prestige. We should extend a wide invitation to guests and have the entire sect celebrate to intimidate any would-be troublemakers."
Both Su Miao and Sun Fuguo nodded in agreement.
Xun Yuanchu added, "Ten days from now, the sixth day of the ninth month, is an auspicious date. It’s perfect for holding the ceremony."
No one had any objections.
Soon, the nine of them had discussed and settled the various details for the ceremony.
The Sect Leader would personally oversee the ceremony, with assistance from the Elders and Disciples of Celestial City Peak and the other peaks.
Fang Cheng and his peers would be primarily responsible for receiving guests on behalf of their Master and the Yinluo Sect.
Invitations would be sent out to the friends of Sun Fuguo and Su Miao, as well as other sects, families, and Cultivators on good terms with the Yinluo Sect, requesting their presence by the third day of the ninth month.
After the guests arrive, they would rest and visit friends on the fourth day of the ninth month at the Immortal Pavilions set up by the Yinluo Sect. The sect would also host events like trade fairs and auctions to liven things up.
On the fifth day of the ninth month, the Yinluo Sect would hold a Sword Fighting Conference and offer a prize to the winner.
This was a standard custom in the Cultivation Realm, and this occasion was no exception.
Generally, this was mainly to discover talented individuals in the Sensing Realm or the Early Life Talisman Stage from across the Cultivation Realm. It also provided a stage for the younger generation of many sects to display their gifts and exchange pointers.
The sixth day of the ninth month was the main day of the ceremony. They would pay respects to the founding ancestor and past sages of the Yinluo Sect, hold the celebratory ritual, and afterward, host a banquet for the guests.
With that, the ceremony would conclude.
The part where guests presented their congratulatory gifts would also be on the sixth.
Where there were guests, there would naturally be unwelcome ones.
At every celebration, some enemies would always show up to cause trouble. The Yinluo Sect had been established for five thousand years; it certainly didn’t lack for enemies.
Not to mention distant foes, nearby there was the Flame God Palace from the Hanhai Desert, and the inheritor of the Demon Buddha Lineage.
And that was without even mentioning the numerous enemies Sun Fuguo must have made while he roamed the world, playing the master strategist.
These people might also show up to stir up trouble.
One must always be prepared.
The disciples in charge of reception were divided among five directions—east, west, south, north, and center. Eldest Senior Sister Cai Li would be stationed outside Yinluo Island, setting up the Yingxian Hall to receive the guests coming for the ceremony and maintain order.
A reception point would be set up on the South Shore of the Abyssal Marsh, with Fang Cheng leading ten True Disciples to oversee it.
Feng Ziang would oversee the west shore.
Hua Yutang would oversee the north shore.
Huang Shen would oversee the east shore.
The four great families within the Abyssal Marsh, the major sect of Yun Country Taihao Mountain, the great families of Divine Pillar Mountain, the City Lord’s Mansion of Divine Pillar Immortal City, the Jiujiang Alliance, the Netherworld Valley, and other prominent families in Yun Country were all on the invitation list.
In addition, several major sects and families from Jin Country who were on good terms with the Yinluo Sect would also receive invitations.
As for the friends Sun Fuguo himself had made, there were even more.
After all, he had cultivated for many years and had once roamed the world. The family of Fang Cheng’s Fourth Senior Sister, Master Wanqing—a Life Soul-level family from Jin Country—was one such example.
According to their analysis, they needed to be wary of both the Southern Mang Mountains on the south shore and the Hanhai Desert on the west shore.
Whether it was the Southern Mang Demon King or the mysterious and unpredictable Demon Buddha Inheritor, both were likely to attack from the south.
As for the Flame God Palace, they would most likely come from the west shore.
Therefore, everyone agreed that Fang Cheng should guard the south, while Celestial City Peak would dispatch another Inner Sect Elder with a Third-tier Magical Artifact to help Feng Ziang guard the west.
If any Life Soul Realm cultivators were to come, Su Miao and Sun Fuguo could provide support at a moment’s notice.
Of course, the probability of such a situation was not high...
After the discussion, everyone went their separate ways.
Not long after, the news of Sun Fuguo’s breakthrough spread throughout the Abyssal Marsh, and from there, across the various regions of the Yun Country.
Fang Cheng returned to Canglan Cave for a few days before receiving a Golden Sword Communication from Cai Li, inviting him to help with the ceremony preparations.
He walked out of Canglan Cave and flew toward the outskirts of Demon Lion Peak. He saw that beyond Yinluo Island, in the sky above the outer Dragon Spine Archipelago, hundreds of auspicious clouds were floating.
Atop those auspicious clouds stood pavilions and towers, exquisite halls and verandas. They adorned the sky, making it steam with rosy mists and auspicious light that pierced the heavens, filling the ground with a propitious aura. It was a sight of unparalleled splendor.
Cai Li stood in the air, directing a group of True Disciples and Inner Sect Disciples in setting up the Yingxian Hall.
Over three hundred Yingxian Halls were being set up here, directly facing the nine magnificent peaks of Yinluo Island in the distance.
Looking from afar, the Fourth-rank Magical Artifact, the Bone Daoist Palace, hung silently in the void above Celestial City Peak on Yinluo Island. It had become immense and towering, as majestic as a mountain, dominating the sky.
The Life Soul Ceremony on the sixth day of the ninth month would be held inside the Bone Daoist Palace.
The entire Yinluo Sect was already abuzz with intense preparations.
When Cai Li saw Fang Cheng arrive, she said, "Junior Brother, the invitations have all been sent out. I’m afraid some people might arrive early. If you’re not busy, why don’t you take ten True Disciples and go greet the guests first?"
This was a major event for the sect, so Fang Cheng was naturally very enthusiastic. Hearing her words, he smiled. "Leave it to me. Rest assured, Senior Sister, I will guide every guest here personally."
Cai Li smiled sweetly. "You don’t need to personally show up for every single guest. Just go and meet the experts from the major sects and top families. The others can be received by the disciples under you."
Fang Cheng agreed with a smile.
Cai Li then summoned ten True Disciples and placed them under Fang Cheng’s management.
Among the ten were five men and five women. The Female Cultivators were all stunningly beautiful, like pearls glistening with immortal dew, radiant and dazzling. Their speech was clear and elegant, their breath as fragrant as orchids. It was obvious they had been handpicked from among the True Disciples.
The five male cultivators also possessed profound Magical Power. They had refined features, clear spirits, and an elegant, graceful bearing. Their overall temperament was excellent, making them indeed well-suited for reception duties.
Fang Cheng took his leave of Cai Li and led the ten True Disciples all the way to the South Shore of the Abyssal Marsh to begin receiving guests.
