Free Web NovelChapter 322: Chapter 321: The Opening of the Black Rock Mountain Branch Temple
New Year’s in the Otherworld, at the foot of Black Rock Mountain.
A Taoist temple built in the ancient style of Celestial Xia now stood at the southern foot of Black Rock Mountain. With its green bricks, white walls, black tiles, and red pillars, its carved beams and painted rafters, it radiated a profound Daoist charm.
By now, the Demonic Qi at the foot of Black Rock Mountain had been almost completely cleared by Taoist Yan Song and Taoist Shen Hao. The few lingering remnants posed no further threat.
Meanwhile, the mortal inhabitants of Heiyan Town had completely forgotten the Nether Fire Sect, becoming instead devout followers of the Daluo Temple.
It was only natural. Anyone would become a pious believer when faced with a sect that treated their illnesses, healed their injuries, aided them in times of crisis, provided them with porridge and bread, and was even willing to use its techniques to help women in labor.
Even the few in town who remained infatuated with power and missed the Nether Fire Sect were given an earful by their neighbors and family.
"Are you out of your mind? The Daoists said those were all corrupted demons, every single one of them twisted into a monster! Have you forgotten your own parents? Do you even want to carry on your family line?"
"Besides, everyone says those demons were so powerful, but how did they end up getting killed by the Daoists from Daluo Temple? You tell me, who’s stronger? The demons of the Nether Fire Sect, or the Daoists of Daluo Temple?"
"Even if you want to get stronger, you should try to join Daluo Temple and become a disciple of Taoist Shen Hao! Then you can travel the world, exorcising demons and evil spirits!"
Celestial True Monarch strolled through Heiyan Town. Seeing the residents so full of festive cheer and vibrant spirits, an inscrutable light flickered in his eyes.
"Judging by the morale of the common folk alone, even the Central Province Capital City is hardly better than this," Celestial True Monarch said lightly.
Xu Yan glanced around and grumbled, "This Daluo Palace treats the common folk better than the Imperial Court does. They even help with childbirth. Neither the Xuanwei Divine Sect nor the Spirit Court has ever gone that far."
Qiao Qian’er said nothing, but she had a feeling. ’After only three months, the morale of the people in Heiyan Town seems even higher than that of the people on the coasts of Chaoyang Island.’
"Aren’t they an Incense Fire Divine Sect? If they take such good care of the people that they want for nothing, how will they gather any Incense?" Xu Yan asked, perplexed.
Qiao Qian’er shook her head. "Daluo Palace has a limited number of Mages. They can look after the nearby Heiyan Town, but how could they possibly care for everyone in the entire He Yan Prefecture?"
Celestial True Monarch remained silent, merely observing.
Just then, his gaze shifted to the side. A kind-faced, white-haired old man was slowly approaching, followed by a grim-faced elder and a fair-skinned young man.
"Ancestor Mie Yang?" Celestial True Monarch raised an eyebrow. "You’ve come as well?"
Ancestor Mie Yang stroked his beard and chuckled. "As the esteemed Chaoyang Island Master, has the True Monarch not also come in person?"
Celestial True Monarch simply smiled and said nothing. Although Ancestor Mie Yang was the patriarch of Silent God Mountain, his disciple, Elder Yifeng, was the one currently managing its worldly affairs.
’It seems Ancestor Mie Yang takes Daluo Palace very seriously.’
"What is your assessment of Daluo Palace, Ancestor Mie Yang?" Celestial True Monarch asked with a smile.
Ancestor Mie Yang gave a gentle smile. "They protect the peace of this region and allow the people to live and work in contentment. Daluo Palace’s merit is immeasurable."
Celestial True Monarch nodded. "Indeed."
They shared a smile, then noticed many other figures with varied appearances emerging in the town. Some were Demon Spirit Monarchs, others were gods or ghosts; all were influential figures from He Yan Prefecture and even the neighboring Shide Prefecture.
Few among them recognized Celestial True Monarch or Ancestor Mie Yang, but many knew Xu Yan and Wan Ping. When they saw that even these two were standing respectfully behind their masters, their hearts pounded with fear. They only dared to bow from a distance, not wanting to approach and cause a disturbance.
...
DONG—DONG—DONG—
A bell tolled from within the Daluo Temple. It rang nine times, the sound carrying for miles around Black Rock Mountain. Then, a seven-colored auspicious cloud materialized in the sky above the temple, bathing the area in a seven-hued radiance.
The seven-hued radiance was warm and gentle, neither harsh nor overpowering. It lacked any sense of force or dominance, serving only to warm the soul, calming the minds and soothing the spirits of all who beheld it.
All the people of Heiyan Town knelt to the ground. Some kowtowed piously, some respectfully lit incense, some whispered prayers, and others simply gazed on with fervent adoration.
But Celestial True Monarch could clearly sense it: wisps of Incense and Candle Telekinesis streamed from the Divine Souls of these mortals. Though each person contributed only an imperceptible trace, the combined power was considerable, and it all flowed into the Daluo Temple at the foot of Black Rock Mountain.
Celestial True Monarch hadn’t even used his Divine Sense, yet even from several miles away, he could feel the rich Incense Qi within the temple. He could also sense the fresh, natural, harmonious, and profound aura radiating from the seven-hued light.
This aura embodied the Natural Daoist Law—profound beyond measure, subtle and mysterious. Even Celestial True Monarch could sense how extraordinary it was.
’This Daluo Palace truly is remarkable.’ Celestial True Monarch glanced at Ancestor Mie Yang. The old ancestor still wore a gentle smile, but a grave look was hidden deep within his eyes.
"The Grand New Year’s Rite has begun! Daluo welcomes its guests!"
An ethereal voice accompanied the tolling of the bell, but it did not travel through the air. Instead, it resounded directly within the Sea of Consciousness of all who possessed Magical Power.
Celestial True Monarch nodded. ’Chaoyang Island has methods like this, of course, but it’s not a technique just anyone can use.’
Upon hearing Daluo Palace’s welcome, the guests—whether they had received prior invitations or had come of their own accord—adjusted their attire and made their way to the palace entrance.
Celestial True Monarch was in no hurry. He walked slowly with Xu Yan and Qiao Qian’er, following the crowd. At the main gate of the Black Rock Mountain’s Daluo Branch Temple, he saw a young man in a Red Cloud Cloak standing on the left and a graceful young woman in a Jade Water Skirt on the right.
Their auras were on full display. The young man was brimming with Daoist charm, and eight faint Dharma Aspects flickered in and out of existence in the air behind him. The young woman radiated a pure Demon Qi, with the vibrant energies of Water and Wood Qi swirling around her.
Everyone who arrived at the gate stared at the pair in awe, because both of them possessed cultivation at the Sect Leader Level.
These two were, of course, Yunyang and Bi Yingying, who had just recently achieved her breakthrough.
Although Huang Yuan had broken through earlier and his cultivation was higher than Bi Yingying’s, she had a more welcoming presence. If Jingyi of the Pure Sect, a recent arrival, hadn’t been so far from her own breakthrough, it wouldn’t have even been Yunyang’s turn to stand at the gate.
But upon seeing Yunyang and Bi Yingying, Xu Yan’s eyes narrowed. He whispered, "Those two weren’t at the battle on Black Rock Mountain!"
After the battle on Black Rock Mountain had ended and the array dissipated, Xu Yan had seen Gu Zhao and the eight old Daoists with him. ’Back then, I thought that was all the experts Daluo Palace had.’
’I never expected that on the opening day of the Daluo Branch Temple, the greeters at the gate would have five hundred years of Dao Practice and be top-tier experts, powerful enough to be Sect Leaders in their own right.’
’Just how many experts does this Daluo Palace have?’
