I Became the Devil Queen's Heart Demon

Chapter 1309: Chapter 505: Who Says Three People Can’t Become Dao Companions? The Empress Lying in Wait!

Faced with the disciple’s questioning, Ji Hongxiu’s expression hesitated slightly, then she shook her head and said, "You and Chen Mo are deeply in love, having faced life and death together multiple times. Now that you can achieve a happy ending, as your teacher, I’m naturally pleased. Why would there be any discontent?"

Ling Ningzhi’s fingers clasped the corner of her clothes and she said softly, "But Master and Lord are also deeply in love and have once risked their lives for each other. Now to preside over our wedding ceremony seems so unfair to Master."

"When it comes to matters of emotions, what fairness is there to talk about?" Ji Hongxiu tousled her hair and said with a smile, "It’s originally my fault to you; besides, it’s just a formality. Our relationship won’t change because of it."

"But..."

Ling Ningzhi wanted to say something else but was interrupted by Ji Hongxiu. She glanced up at the sky and said, "The ceremony should be starting soon. Be careful not to miss the auspicious time."

According to the rules of Tianshu Pavilion, for the Sect Master and their successor to officially become Dao Companions, they first need the approval of the sect elders, then they must undertake purification, set up the ceremonial tools, burn incense before the ancestral hall, pay respects to the ancestors, declare their oath, and pledge together...

Ji Hongxiu, though familiar with the process, was presiding over the ceremony for the first time, with one of the participants being a man she herself adored, making her emotions inevitably complex.

That feeling was akin to eating a whole lemon raw, with the sourness tinged with a bitter taste.

Suppressing her surging emotions, she shook her head, dismissing further thoughts.

She flicked her fingers, sending a streak of Primordial Qi to strike the distant ancient bell, its sound reverberating over the Daoist grounds:

"Chen Mo and Qingxuan, sharing common interests and willing to be united in heart, have received the approval of the sect, offered incense to the heavens to convey their divine intention, and pledged an oath before the ancestral hall."

Initially, the attendees were a bit apprehensive about this union ceremony, as it set a precedent for the sect in recent years. But after the transmission of Dao, their perspectives had undergone a radical change—

If anyone in the world is worthy of Fairy Qingxuan, it has to be Chen!

"Indeed."

"Having such a talent is truly the fortune of our sect!"

"Even the court’s influence won’t matter; the ’Cause and Effect Daoist Collection’ itself is proof of his character!"

The elders nodded one after another, smiles at their lips, even Elder Xuan Ying, known for his rigid demeanor, did not object but stood silently.

Chen Mo descended from Xuanqing Platform, surrounded by the crowd, and arrived in front of the ancestral hall.

Soon after, a figure in a moon white Daoist robe approached, with garment sleeves fluttering lightly like mist, an ivory jade hairpin securing dark and lustrous hair into a bun, with a few strands curling down beside the temples, accentuating an ethereal and otherworldly visage.

With lightly painted eyebrows and no makeup, the eyes clear and bright, the delicate nose, lips tinged with a hint of Pill Sand, appeared not garish but softened the icy, aloof demeanor with a touch of charming brightness.

"Lord."

"Zhi’er."

Chen Mo took her delicate hand, tightly holding it in his palm, and softly said, "Once Elder Ling’s health improves, we’ll hold another wedding in Tiandu City; he must partake in our celebration wine."

"Okay, as the Lord wishes." Ling Ningzhi’s cheeks flushed, she nodded gently.

Gcreak—

At that moment, the doors of the ancestral hall slowly opened.

The two of them walked in side by side, greeted by a refreshing and lasting scent of cypress wood wafting to their noses.

The entire ancestral hall was an unadorned brick and wood structure without elaborate carvings, overhead a black ebony plaque inscribed with the gilded characters "Ancestral Virtue Endures", the strokes vigorous and deeply carved.

At the center of the hall was a three-foot-high offering platform, covered with bright yellow plain satin, and on the platform were tributes to the Three Pure Ones Immortal Venerable and plaques of former masters carved from agarwood, engraved with Daoist titles and worldly names, filled with vermilion characters.

On either side stood bronze candlesticks and three-legged cyan glaze incense burners, with incense ash accumulated heavily inside.

Sunlight filtered through the lattice windows, with specks of incense dust dancing in the beams, embodying a palpable sense of the centuries-old heritage.

Ji Hongxiu stood nearby, hands behind her back and spoke, "Pay respects to the ancestors, offer incense flames."

Chen Mo and Ling Ningzhi picked up the incense from the table, ignited it with candle flame, and kneeled on the prayer mat, speaking in unison, "Disciples Qingxuan and Chen Mo, wish the ancestors’ protection, to witness our covenant, and aid our Dao Hearts to endure as we walk the Great Dao together!"

With that, they inserted the agarwood incense into the incense burner.

The smoke rose straight and true, symbolizing that the heavens acknowledged this rightful union.

"Wonderful!"

"Exemplary!"

The guests outside applauded in admiration.

Ji Hongxiu then took the yellow paper scroll from the incense table and began to read the vows:

"Relying upon the Three Pure Ones’ blessings, that Daoist energy long endures; the ancestors’ benevolence guides, and the sect’s spirit forever shines. For the companions in Daoism, the bond is not mundane affection, but a union of Dao Hearts, entrusting lives, a shared destiny in mutual cultivation."

"Now, disciples Qingxuan and Chen Mo, unite their Dao Hearts, aligning their temperaments, pledge eternal alliance as Dao Companions."

"In the ancestral hall of the sect, they pledge and establish this covenant, proclaiming to the three realms, their eternal vow unfailing, to uphold their original intentions and manifest their determination."

"First vow: Reverence for heaven and ancestral teachings, abide by Daoist precepts..."

"Second vow: United Dao Hearts, progressing through shared cultivation..."

"Third vow: Life entrustment, not to abandon each other..."

"The two shall regard the Dao as supreme, measures as guides, perpetually sincere and respectful, perpetually engaging in pure endeavors."

"Through myriad challenges and tribulations, they alone shall safeguard a pure Dao Heart, eternally as Dao Companions, unwavering and steadfast."

"This covenant, though brief, holds profound love, sincere attachments and resolute ambitions; these vows carry immense weight, witnessed by the heavens and earth."

The content of the covenant was handwritten by Ji Hongxiu, with each word and sentence heartfelt, not solely imparting advice and blessings upon them but also expressing her own beautiful aspirations for love.