novelnext Chapter 545 Rules of the Daoist Sect
Chapter 545 Rules of the Daoist Sect
Chapter 545 Rules of the Daoist Sect
The younger generation is truly rebellious, actually watching their sect elders commit suicide!
Noticing Chen Ziang's calm gaze, Zhu Lingyun inwardly groaned, but her hands continued moving without pause.
While he was greedy and afraid of death, he was not lacking in the determination to survive even in the face of death.
With the succession ceremony for the sect leader about to begin, if he cannot rely on his age and seniority to smoothly step down from his position as the city lord of Yuezhen City, or even erase the hole accumulated over five hundred years, he will undoubtedly face great disaster. It would be better for him to just confront Chen Zi'ang directly.
The evidence is still unclear, and he is still the city lord of Yuezhen City. Zhu Lingyun doesn't believe that Zhu Wuyai would be willing to let the new sect leader be tainted with the huge stain of forcing the sect's elders to their deaths before even taking office.
"Alright, stop now."
As soon as Zhu Wuyai finished speaking, Zhu Lingyun paused abruptly, looked up at the man before him, and said with a grief-stricken expression: "I have ruled Yuezhen City for a thousand years—"
"stop."
Zhu Wuyai looked intently at Zhu Lingyun: "Enough with the nonsense. I just want to know one thing: just how big is the hole in Yuezhen City that you would abandon your disciple and risk your life to plot against it?"
Upon hearing this, Shu You and the others subconsciously looked at Master Zhu, only to find that the latter remained calm, as if he had expected this.
"Answer properly, or I won't hesitate to personally kill you and investigate the current situation of Moon City," Zhu Wuyai said casually.
He didn't want Chen Zi'ang to be associated with the reputation of forcing the sect's elders to their deaths, but that didn't mean he couldn't take action and shoulder all the responsibility himself.
With him involved, the criticism that a senior monk was forced to his death due to insufficient evidence and failure to follow the sect's rules and procedures could not be pinned on Chen Zi'ang.
As for the issue of reputation? Zhu Wuyai didn't care.
With outstanding successors to lead the sect, his reputation is now useless, less valuable than a spirit stone.
Upon hearing this, Zhu Lingyun hesitated for a moment, weighing the pros and cons.
Understanding Zhu Wuyai's character, he chose to speak frankly and did not continue to take risks, truthfully stating, "Three drops of the Unfixed Marrow."
"!!!"
Shu You's pupils contracted in surprise at Zhu Lingyun's audacity, daring to tamper with even such a core treasure of the sect.
Zhu Wuyai's eyes darkened slightly, emanating a terrifying aura that made Zhu Lingyun's heart tremble.
Moon Island has a unique environment. At the core of the spiritual veins, there is a blessed land set up by a sect's Nascent Soul cultivator, which can absorb the essence of the moon and condense a mid-grade fifth-tier elemental material called [Unfixed Marrow].
The indeterminate has no fixed form, no fixed substance, and no fixed appearance.
When a Nascent Soul Perfected True Lord consumes the Boundless Marrow, he can see through the accumulated wisdom and cultivation of his past lives, unlock the sealed memories of his previous existence, and enter a special state of enlightenment.
Those with exceptional talent and who have made significant progress in comprehending the sect's Daoist methods have a certain probability of taking a half-step, sublimating their Dharma form and magical power, and reaching the half-step Divine Transformation realm.
"Fine, fine, you have some nerve!"
Zhu Wuyai raised his hand, already harboring the thought of slapping Zhu Lingyun to death.
According to sect tradition, Moonbeam Island offers tribute of Unfixed Marrow once every five hundred years, three drops each time.
Judging from Zhu Lingyun's words, he had consumed all the Unfixed Marrow produced by Moon True Island in the last five hundred years, leaving none for the sect.
"etc."
Seeing the patriarch's fury, Zhu Lingyun flipped his hand and reluctantly took out a jade box and opened it.
If he dared to take such a risk, how could he not have made contingency plans?
He devised countermeasures against both the newly appointed city lord Chen Zi'ang and the sect's chief elder, Zhu Wuyai.
"Buzz!"
As the light shimmered, two gleaming jade bottles were revealed inside the box.
Each jade bottle label has two names: "Five Qi Stone" and "Heavenly Heart Liquid".
Upon seeing this, Zhu Wuyai and Chen Beiwu's eyes flickered slightly, and they looked at Zhu Lingyun with surprise.
That old man is really something!
The Five Elements Stone contains the five elements and is of a high grade of mid-grade fifth rank, making it an extremely rare resource for Nascent Soul cultivators.
A cultivator at the Nascent Soul stage who refines this treasure can maintain the balance of the five elements during the process of attaining the True Venerable Dao, allowing the metal element to enter the lungs, the wood element to enter the liver, the water element to enter the kidneys, the fire element to enter the heart, and the earth element to enter the spleen, increasing the probability of the five elements returning to their origin by 20%.
Although the Heavenly Heart Liquid is inferior to the Five Qi Stone in grade, it is still a fifth-grade low-level elemental material.
Its effect is singular: it helps late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators break through bottlenecks and reach the peak of Nascent Soul cultivation, saving hundreds of years of arduous cultivation.
Of course, such a precious treasure does come at a price. After consuming it, a Nascent Soul True Monarch will be weak for one month to a year, during which time he cannot use his magic power, otherwise his foundation will be easily damaged.
However, ancient books say that the stronger one's foundation and aptitude, the less cost one pays for taking Tianxin Liquid and the shorter the period of weakness.
"I am utterly loyal to the sect." Zhu Lingyun suppressed his heartache and handed over the jade box.
Zhu Wuyai exchanged the Boundless Marrow for three treasures, including the Heavenly Heart Liquid and the Five Qi Stone, which were precious treasures he had prepared for himself, but were also treasures that the Chief Supreme and the new city lord could not refuse.
If things go smoothly, he can successfully bribe Chen Zi'ang with the Heavenly Heart Elixir, and then seize the opportunity to escape to another realm for seclusion, leaving the Moon True City hole to Chen Zi'ang.
Conversely, if things don't go smoothly, he can divide the three treasures obtained from the three drops of the Unfixed Marrow equally, so that everyone can share the responsibility.
Seeing this, Chen Beiwu remained silent, turning his gaze to Zhu Wuyai.
"It's not embezzlement or misappropriation, but rather the exchange of resources for the sect. You're quite thoughtful."
Zhu Wuyai nodded slightly, and with a flick of his sleeve, the jade bottle marked with the Five Qi Stones on the jade box instantly disappeared.
In order to prove his Dao as a True God, he made many preparations, and the Five Qi Stones were exactly the resources he had not yet collected for the Dao Transformation.
"Gulp." Schiller swallowed.
The Five Qi Stone that Zhu Wuyai took was exceptionally compatible with its bloodline, but it couldn't use the Five Qi Stealing Heaven Hand to steal it in public because Chen Beiwu was present.
Upon hearing Zhu Wuyai's assessment, Zhu Lingyun smiled and attempted to retrieve the jade box.
Very good. Chen Ziang is too proud to take it, so this Heavenly Heart Elixir can help him break through to the peak of the Nascent Soul stage.
Unexpectedly, Zhu Wuyai stretched out his right palm and gently pressed it forward: "I almost forgot, Junior Brother, you are about to succeed as the sect leader. You should take a treasure from the sect's treasury as a congratulatory gift for your appointment."
Before he could finish speaking, the Heavenly Heart Elixir that Zhu Lingyun had been longing for landed in front of Chen Ziang, who then readily accepted it.
"You have governed MoonTrue City for a thousand years. Even if you haven't made any great contributions, you have certainly worked hard. As long as the accounts and treasury lists of MoonTrue City match, I will give you some face and will not pursue the matter further."
At this point, Zhu Wuyai changed the subject: "But in order for the smooth transition of the position of Lord of Yuezhen City, it would be best for you to remain in seclusion for the time being."
"Yes, I understand."
Zhu Lingyun nodded and decisively led his disciples away from the City Lord's Mansion.
"What do you think of Zhu Lingyun?" Zhu Wuyai suddenly asked.
"He's a talented person," Chen Beiwu simply commented.
Zhu Wuyai smiled, chatted for a few more minutes about the precautions for the sect leader's succession ceremony, and then left the city lord's mansion, leaving space for Chen Ziang to communicate with the disciples of the Beast Taming lineage.
After learning about the situation of the Beast Taming lineage from Shu You, Mo Li, and others, Chen Beiwu breathed a sigh of relief upon confirming that the core disciples and second-generation disciples had not suffered many casualties.
Before assuming the position of sect leader of the Mirror Moon Sect, his status and fortune largely came from the Beast Taming lineage, with a small portion coming from the sect itself.
As long as the core team remains intact, the Beast Taming lineage will develop faster in Moon True City than in Protectorate Immortal City.
However, Chen Beiwu was also clear that once he took over the position of sect leader, his thoughts could no longer be limited to the Beast Taming lineage, but would have to look at the entire Mirror Moon Sect's seven lineages.
Back in the cave dwelling arranged by Shu You, Chen Beiwu took out the Heavenly Heart Liquid from the jade bottle and carefully examined it.
"Hey!" (No problem!)
Schiller, who was standing nearby, nodded, indicating that there was no problem with the heart medicine and it could be taken directly.
Chen Beiwu frowned slightly as he looked at the jade bottle in his hand.
"roar?"
The golden egg raised three dragon heads, and a strange treasure lay before him. Why didn't Chen Beiwu refine it?
"The sect leader's succession ceremony will begin in half a month. If I refine this Heavenly Heart Elixir now and reach the peak of the Nascent Soul realm, it will be unwise to use my magical power in combat. Do you think that's a good thing or a bad thing?"
Upon hearing this, Golden Egg blinked its three dragon eyes, suddenly realized what was happening, patted its chest, indicating that Chen Beiwu couldn't make a move, and—
It's there.
"Woof!" "Hey!" "Eek!"
Tie Dan, Xue Le, and Zhi Ling echoed this sentiment.
"Don't you guys think the timing of this Heavenly Heart Elixir is too perfect?" Chen Beiwu asked telepathically.
With his current cultivation level, it would be difficult for him to find an opponent in the Earthly Realm. Even if he were unlucky enough to encounter a few strong enemies, he could leave safely.
However, he cannot escape during the sect leader's succession ceremony; he must win, otherwise he would lose the dignity of a sect leader.
If he were to rashly consume the Heavenly Heart Elixir now and reach the peak of the Nascent Soul realm, falling into a period of weakness, he might not be able to overpower the powerful figures from various forces within the Earthly Origin Realm who came to offer their congratulations, even with the help of the Golden Eggs.
Thinking of this, for the sake of peace of mind, Chen Beiwu put away the Heavenly Heart Liquid, closed his eyes, and activated the Nine Breaths Breath Absorption Divine Power.
Time flies, and half a month has passed in the blink of an eye.
As the time for the Mirror Moon Sect Master's succession ceremony drew closer, renowned powerhouses began to appear in Moon True City.
boom!
Luo Zhan, dressed in the robes of the Burning Flame Sect and holding a long fan, led his disciples slowly toward Moon True City, making no attempt to conceal his powerful aura.
The Mirror Moon cultivator responsible for guarding the gate sensed this aura and couldn't help but show surprise and solemnity.
It's Luo Zhan, the Sect Master of the Burning Flame Sect and the Heavenly Fire True Monarch!
Suddenly, a powerful beam of light, whose aura was no less than Luo Zhan's, streaked rapidly from the distant sky, revealing three young figures.
The leading cultivator, dressed in a blue robe, had a solemn face and a profound, unfathomable aura. He was none other than Zhao Cang, the sect master of the Azure Wood Sect and the Azure Locust True Monarch!
Luo Zhan glanced at Zhao Cang, then quickly looked away.
Zhao Cang is good at maintaining the status quo but lacks ambition, so he is not a threat. He probably can't suppress the opinions of the strong people in the sect, and his attitude will most likely lean towards the Mirror Moon Sect.
"Brother Luo, Brother Zhao, it's been a long time!"
As the rough voice rang out, an incomparably sharp and domineering aura instantly enveloped the world, causing most of the cultivators queuing to enter MoonTrue City to feel a chill in their hearts, as if their lives were no longer in their own hands.
"Such an overbearing aura! Is this person really Wu Shijie, the Sect Master of the Heavy Metal Sect and the True Lord of Metal?"
One of the Mirror Moon cultivators gasped and looked at the burly man walking towards them from not far away.
Behind him followed five young-looking cultivators with skin that faintly glowed with a bronze hue.
The succession ceremony for the sect leader held by this sect was so grand that even the sect leaders of the Green Wood, Burning Flame, and Heavy Gold sects traveled hundreds of thousands of miles to attend.
Just as the Mirror Moon cultivators were in shock, a few cultivators with higher cultivation levels noticed that Luo Zhan, Zhao Cang, and Wu Shijie had strange looks in their eyes, and couldn't help but follow their gaze.
"Strange, isn't this just an ordinary cultivator?" the Foundation Establishment cultivator guarding the city gate said telepathically.
"You can donate your eyes if you don't need them anymore. You might not recognize the gray-robed cultivator, but surely you can recognize the Heavenly Sword Gu Wuji following behind him?"
"What?! He's the Heavenly Sword who secluded himself for a hundred years and attained the Nascent Soul True Monarch realm!"
Noticing the gazes cast upon him by many cultivators, Gu Wuji remained remarkably calm.
Rumors are often false; seeing is believing.
He accompanied his grandmaster to the Mirror Moon Sect's Grand Ceremony this time in order to witness Chen Zi'ang's cultivation level firsthand, and even to exchange ideas and discuss the Dao.
"I have met the Carefree Sword Master."
Upon seeing the newcomer, Luo Zhan, Zhao Cang, and Wu Shijie dared not be careless and bowed to the gray-robed cultivator.
In terms of seniority and strength, the Carefree Sword Master is far above them.
Even if the three of them joined forces, they would not be a match for the Carefree Sword Master!
"What are you all doing blocking this way? Hurry up and make way for the cultivators behind you," Li Xiaoyao said in a deep voice.
He was curious whether Chen Zi'ang, who had comprehended the Soaring Blade Intent, could also gain the approval of the Tianyi Beiming Mirror, just as he had gained the approval of the Taiyi Zhannie Sword.
If Chen Zi'ang can truly gain the approval of the Primordial Dao Artifacts of the Mirror Moon and Profound Sword Sects, Li Xiaoyao would not mind violating ancestral precepts, merging the two sects, and helping the former to re-establish the Taiyi Dao Sect.
The reason is simple: on the surface, he is the ruler of the Xuanjian Pavilion, but in reality, what truly controls the direction of the sect is its foundation, the Taiyi Zhannie Sword.
It's quite lively today; I wonder if there'll be any good shows to see.
Upon hearing the ancestor's telepathic message, Su Lanyue, hidden in the shadows, pursed her lips and tentatively asked, "Ancestor, it is said that the Carefree Sword Lord is the number one sword cultivator in the Earthly Realm. I wonder how I compare to him?"
"You?" Su Tianhe laughed: "If you can withstand the full power of the Carefree Sword Lord's sword without being defeated, I won't need to be present at the Mirror Moon Sect Master's succession ceremony today."
Upon hearing this, a hint of dissatisfaction flashed in Su Lanyue's eyes.
How could a powerful cultivator who has reached the Nascent Soul stage not be proud?
Even though she was no match for the Carefree Sword Master, Su Lanyue did not believe that she couldn't even withstand a single sword strike.
"You don't understand. If we were to really fight, even if this clone used all its strength, it might not be able to suppress this junior." Su Tianhe said bluntly.
The True Venerable's clone could easily crush and kill a Nascent Soul Perfected True Monarch, including the so-called number one swordsman in the Earth Evolution Realm, but it could not suppress the peerless swordsman wielding the Taiyi Slaying Sword, even though the sword behind him was only a partial differentiation of the Chaos Dao Artifact.
"Try to keep a low profile. I want to see what kind of person Chen Zi'ang is really like," Su Tianhe advised.
Yuezhen City, in the city lord's palace.
Chen Beiwu slowly opened his eyes, sensing powerful auras entering the city.
"Buzz!"
Three golden bells rang to welcome the distinguished guests and begin the grand ceremony.
Zhu Wuyai stood beside Chen Beiwu and asked softly, "Junior Brother, are you confident?"
What is a sect leader?
One example of a sect, revered by all practitioners!
After the Taiyi Daoist lineage split into five sects, the five sects argued endlessly, each practicing their own path, and none of them would submit to the others.
Of the five sects, only the Mirror Moon Sect has always followed the rules of the Taiyi Sect, which state that no one but a Nascent Soul Perfected True Monarch can serve as the sect leader.
In addition, the Taiyi Dao Sect has another rule: the new sect leader must accept challenges from the five powerful masters.
According to ancient precedent, only those who can subdue the five major sects are qualified to take charge of the Taiyi Dao Sect.
The Mirror Moon Sect considers itself the orthodox lineage of the Taiyi Dao Sect, and the succession ceremony of the Mirror Moon Sect Master today naturally follows this ancient tradition.