Xuanqing Guard

Chapter 310: Chapter 310: Rituals

After taking his seat, Shen Hao realized that even the positions for observing the ceremony had their own significance.

Nie Yun appeared to casually choose the first row, but in fact, it was perfectly aligned with the status of Gui Mountain Cultivation Institute in Jingxi. Those who also sat in the first row were all Elder-level figures from second-tier sects, while guests from third-class sects knowingly took seats further back.

Shen Hao gazed into the distance, and on the opposite viewing platform, people were also ascending. He spotted Yu Ao Feng, Zhang Lin, and other members of the Celestial Toad Sect seated in the first row across.

In addition, the two from the Mountain of Ten Thousand Books were also seated on the opposite platform.

With some time yet before the ceremony began, Nie Yun helped himself to his wine jug and drank, all the while introducing to Shen Hao the usual processes for such celebrations, but was soon interrupted.

"Deacon Nie, it has been a long time."

The arrival prompted everyone in the first row of the viewing platform to rise, including Nie Yun.

"Nie Yun greets Elder Xu!" Nie Yun bowed respectfully. The visitor was Elder Xu Lingyan, the Great Elder of Chang Baifeng; her status and cultivation were not matters Nie Yun could afford to disregard.

Xu Lingyan was all smiles, looking very much like a kind elderly lady.

"The last time I saw you was ten years ago. How has your mentor, Master Pingyang, been?"

Nie Yun bowed once more, cupping his hands: "My master is very well. Thank you, Elder Xu, for your concern."

"And this is your junior brother? At his age, why is he still only a named disciple?"

After just two sentences, Nie Yun thought to himself, "As expected," knowing this was indeed directed toward Shen Hao.

This Elder Xu Lingyan, Great Elder, was very well-known among the sects in Jingxi Territory—not because her cultivation was exceptional, but because she was one of the few high-tier cultivators who was articulate and persuasive, often leaving people bewildered in conversation. Thus, behind her back, some gave her the nickname "Chattering Swallow."

"Yes, just a disciple in the sect who hasn’t really made much progress. Named, just to see if he improves in the future."

Shen Hao knew he couldn’t avoid this; the attention was already upon him. He hurriedly bowed and said, "Junior Shen Hao greets Elder Xu."

"You look to be under thirty? When you joined, how many appearances of floating light did you have?"

Shen Hao was momentarily speechless. He had never tested his talent—who knew how many appearances of floating light he had? But if he claimed ignorance, wouldn’t that expose him even more?

"Tell Elder Xu that you entered the sect with three appearances of floating light; surely Elder Xu won’t ridicule you." Nie Yun chuckled, helping Shen Hao set the tone.

"Please forgive me, Elder Xu. I indeed only had three appearances of floating light."

Shen Hao’s embarrassed expression seemed a bit self-conscious, which caused those nearby who heard to harbor no suspicion. Indeed, three appearances of floating light was the minimum threshold for talent; being asked about it publicly was truly somewhat awkward.

Xu Lingyan, however, showed a look of "just as expected," for three appearances of floating light was normal. Otherwise, he wouldn’t still be only a named disciple at his age. Presumably, Gui Mountain Cultivation Institute didn’t see much potential in him. But now, this young man was quite different.

"No need to be so concerned. Though cultivation values talent, fortune and effort later on are just as important. I hear you gained a sudden insight in the Sword Washing Pool yesterday; with such a chance encounter, your future achievements will surely rise. Remember: do not belittle yourself!"

"Thank you, Elder Xu, for your guidance. Junior will remember it well."

"Yet cultivation truly depends on opportunity. Some, like you once were, struggle tirelessly without grasping the right path, drifting along in hardship—but once the opportunity comes, they soar to the heavens. That is why there are many cultivators of Divination Skill in the world."

Shen Hao, sometimes you must deeply reflect on your own situation. Perhaps a change of place aligns perfectly with your destined chance encounter."

Nie Yun tried several times to interrupt, but in the end endured, waiting until Elder Xu Lingyan finished her last sentence before hastily speaking: "Elder Xu, my master actually thinks very highly of Junior Brother Shen, otherwise he wouldn’t have let him carry the title for so many years. My master will surely be very pleased that Junior Brother Shen gained this sudden insight."

"Oh? Is that so? But Shen Hao, remember: opportunity is not beyond reach; change places, and everything might be different. Haha, alright, Deacon Nie, no need to be nervous, this old one is done speaking." Elder Xu Lingyan smiled, patting Shen Hao on the shoulder, then turned to leave, not giving Nie Yun another chance to speak.

"Tsk tsk, you certainly are in demand."

"Senior Brother Nie, you shame me."

Nie Yun shook his head. He had a feeling that upon returning to the mountain, he would likely be questioned by his master. That seemingly harmless little joke before now seemed about to be confirmed. The crux was Shen Hao’s identity—it would be impossible to gloss over it.

After this brief interlude, the ceremony began shortly thereafter.

First, the thunderous beat of drums shot straight to the heavens. The multicolored auspicious clouds descended low, making the already bright sky appear even more illusory.

"The hour is upon us! Light the incense altar!"

A loud shout, voice wrapped in True Qi, resounded across the mountaintop.

"Dong dong dong..."

The drumbeats grew even more resounding, stirring the auspicious clouds above into motion, swiftly forming a gigantic five-colored vortex, descending from above and finally connecting to the stone statue atop the high platform.

"Disciples enter the altar!"

Another loud shout. Lines of cultivators from Chang Baifeng, in their sect garb, walked into the open space between the two viewing platforms in order of seniority.

"First salute! Respect Heaven and Earth!"

"Yes!"

"Second salute! Respect the ancestral master!"

"Yes!"

...

The atmosphere was solemn. Shen Hao stood up along with those around him, paying respectful attention to the stone statue atop the platform.

But as the ceremony progressed, Shen Hao’s astonishment grew. At first, he thought it was just the ceremonial aura making the stone statue seem more lively; yet gradually, that vitality grew stronger, becoming impossible to ignore in Shen Hao’s perception, as if the statue truly came alive.

What is happening?!

Even stranger, whenever Shen Hao unconsciously focused on the statue, he always felt the statue was gazing right back at him. Its gaze was sharp yet not rigid—how could it be just stone?

Shen Hao couldn’t keep his composure, but Nie Yun beside him was prepared, chuckling softly, "What do you think? Has your eyes been opened?"

"Indeed, my eyes have been opened enough to be scared out of my wits! What’s with that statue—why does it have the aura of a living person?"

"That is called the ancestral statue. It’s a magical artifact forged through soul sacrifice at death, capable of preserving important legacies and giving descendants something to hold onto. But the conditions for making such a thing are stringent. Ordinary third-class sects couldn’t manage it—only the most prominent second-tier sects, like Chang Baifeng, can possess one.

Moreover, each activation requires a vast consumption of spirit stones, so under normal circumstances, they wouldn’t dare use it."

Given the circumstances, Shen Hao did not dare ask further, and calmed himself to observe the ceremony. By the time the complex rituals concluded, it was already mid-Noon.

"Whew, finally done! Heh, the real excitement is about to begin. The greatest legacy passed down from Chang Baifeng’s founder is swordsmanship—seven out of ten disciples practice swords. Shortly, you’ll get to see the sect’s competitions and how they’re different from those in the mundane world."