When Yu Ci stepped into Old Daoist Yu Zhou's study once more, the first thing he saw was the Fish-Dragon. He was certain that this was the very creature he had brought back from the Sky Rift Valley.
At that moment, the slender Fish-Dragon was coiled like a serpent, nestled within a birdcage about two feet tall and four feet in circumference, which was placed on the Old Daoist's desk.
The scene was rather peculiar, for the gaps in the cage's bars were about the width of a finger, wide enough for two or three Fish-Dragons to come and go side by side. Yet, the Fish-Dragon showed no intention of escaping, appearing rather languid. However, when Yu Ci entered the room, it stirred slightly, as though sensing the presence of its "nemesis," but soon settled down again.
Seeing Yu Ci's gaze fixed on the Fish-Dragon, Old Daoist chuckled, "Stop staring. This little fellow is to be taken by you to Cliff City, to be handed over to Senior Brother Xie."
"Oh?"
"Recently, a Trade Caravan from the Random Heart Pavilion has returned from the Western Buddha Land and is planning to host a Treasure Exchange Banquet in Cliff City. They say there will be many rare and curious items. Senior Brother Xie has set his sights on one of them and has requested the Fish-Dragon from within our Sect to trade for it. Since you're heading to Cliff City, you might as well take it along."
Yu Ci acknowledged with a nod. The Cultivation World's system of trade was indeed inconvenient, unlike within the Sect where Merit Points could be used as a common currency, most transactions were conducted in a barter system. It was said that many big merchants in the south had tried numerous times to introduce a standard currency, but their efforts had always been thwarted for various reasons.
The Random Heart Pavilion mentioned by the Old Daoist was one of the more renowned big merchants in the south, with a reputation for integrity that even Yu Ci had heard of while on the mountain. However, due to the good relationship between the Lichen Sect and another big merchant, the Self-Improvement Hall, most large-scale purchases were usually handled by the latter. In this region, the Random Heart Pavilion could only seize whatever opportunities it could to conduct small-scale businesses. Otherwise, the so-called "Treasure Exchange Banquet" wouldn't be held in Cliff City, but at the Mountain Gate of the Lichen Sect instead.
The Old Daoist patted the cage housing the Fish-Dragon, "This is a Three Yin Soul Falling Cage. It might look airy from all sides, but the Fish-Dragon is actually quite safe in it, so you need not worry. The only inconvenience is that it can't be put in a Storage Ring."
Yu Ci quickly assured him that it was no trouble.
The Old Daoist then picked up a square seal from his desk. Yu Ci remembered seeing it in his hand when he visited a few days ago, but he had no idea what it was for.
"This Dharma Seal is for you."
"For me?" Yu Ci asked, surprised.
The Old Daoist squinted his eyes and smiled, "Every disciple of the Sect, regardless of whether they belong to the main or branch families, has a basic Magical Instrument for their cultivation. Those skilled in swordsmanship have swords, those skilled in talismanic magic have Talismanic Implements. Although you're proficient in Swordsmanship, you're currently at a critical stage in cultivating the Primordial Root Qi Method. I took the liberty of getting you a Dharma Seal. Perhaps it may be of some use in your cultivation?"
Yu Ci nodded repeatedly. Although entering the Nature-Connecting Realm would allow one to draw Qi to form Talismans without the need for external objects, the effects would be enhanced if supplemented with swords, commands, seals, or altars. Among them, the Dharma Seal embodied the power of the heavens and the spirits, and was also a manifestation of one's own will. It might just help to promote his currently lacking "concept."
Taking it from the Old Daoist, the seal was made of an unknown stone, pure white in color. Its design was simple and unadorned, with a plain tile knob. The texture felt extremely delicate in his hand and it was quite heavy. Turning it over, he saw the words "Tao Scripture Master Three Treasure" in ancient seal script, which was commonly used and the carving was still fresh.
"This Tao Scripture Master Three Treasure Seal is made of Beidou Stone, which is quite extraordinary. The seal was made by Elder Brother Lu De Lu, who you should know. He's the one who bought your first Fish-Dragon. He is a Sacred Artisan of our sect. Making this Dharma Seal is a bit of a waste of his talent, but he mainly did it as a favor for your Fish-Dragon. Remember to thank him when you see him."
The one to thank wasn't just Elder Lu. If it weren't for the Old Daoist's efforts, Yu Ci would be the first to disbelieve.
Before he could express his gratitude, the wrinkles on the Old Daoist's face smoothed out, revealing a joyful expression. "Back in the day, Senior Brother Xie, Elder Brother Lu, Junior Brother Jie, and Brother Qian Bao and I were all close. Although I have accomplished nothing and have no hope for the great Dao, our friendships have only deepened. You're familiar with Junior Brother Jie, so I won't mention him; Elder Brother Lu is the one who made the seal; Brother Qian Bao guided your cultivation, remember him; as for Senior Brother Xie, he's the one stationed in Cliff City. He's a bit eccentric, but he's one of the few people in the sect that I admire for his swordsmanship. You should learn a lot from him."
The Old Daoist was introducing his connections within the sect, and Yu Ci memorized them all.
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
After these instructions, Yu Zhou looked at him. "What are your plans for going to Cliff City?"
"To enhance my cultivation," Yu Ci replied simply.
But there was more. Yu Ci had plans to try to use the sect's power to do some things, but he wasn't ready to reveal them yet.
Hearing his words, Yu Zhou laughed. "I know you're going to enhance your cultivation, but it's impossible to go there without getting involved in some worldly affairs. Senior Brother Xie is a hands-off type, and Li You is also indecisive. But they are cultivators of the Sect's Mountain Gate and don't need to focus here, but you're different!"
"It can be foreseen that for a long period in the future, you will be a member of the External Affair Temple and eventually involve yourself in the affairs of Cliff City. How long do you think this old man, buried in the earth up to his neck, can hold up?"
Yu Ci furrowed his brows upon hearing this, but before he could reply, Old Daoist asked, "Do you know how I've managed the affairs of Cliff City over the years?"
"I'm afraid I don't," he admitted.
Old Daoist tapped his fingers lightly on the desk, "When I first arrived at the Still Heart Temple, Cliff City was divided amongst multiple factions. White Sun Mansion and Thousands Spirits Sect were at each other's throats. Yet within half a year, I established White Sun Mansion as the sole authority of the Sect in Cliff City. Do you know why I did that?"
"Was it the Sect's decision? I've heard rumors about Jin Huan and Sunset Valley..."
"No, no, you're wrong! It's not about what the Sect wants, but what I want."
Upon seeing Yu Ci's surprised expression, Old Daoist laughed, "I was quite lazy back then, unwilling to meddle in affairs. Seeing that White Sun Mansion was flourishing and clearly superior to Thousands Spirits Sect, and that they had sufficient respect for the Sect, I decided to lend them a hand. I simplified the situation in Cliff City, ensuring only one voice was heard, a voice that followed the will of the Sect. That's all there was to it."
I wonder what Shi Song of Thousands Spirits Sect would think if he were here.
This thought suddenly crossed Yu Ci's mind. Unaware of his thoughts, Old Daoist continued:
"You must understand, in the end, we are all cultivators. It's impossible for us to truly govern a city or a country personally. What we need to do is to embody the will of the Sect. But ultimately, it is us who manifest this will. Therefore, we need to establish a channel that is easier for us to convey. Simply put, I say, you do, and keep trouble at bay. That's all there is to it."
Yu Ci understood. Old Daoist had said a lot, but the core was just one sentence:
"The affairs of Cliff City, handle them as you see fit!"
This was not guidance, but support. Yu Ci bowed his head deeply, suppressing the emotions welling up in his heart, and responded in a deep voice, "I understand, master."
*************
When Yu Ci saw the faint outline of Cliff City in the distance, spring was already in the air. The wind rustled through the willows, bringing with it a hint of greenery, like smoke, like fog. It had taken Yu Ci half a month to travel from Still Heart Temple, through desolate mountains and wilderness, without seeing a single soul. Now, seeing the silhouette of the city, his feelings were naturally different.
At this time, Cliff City showed no signs of the Demon invasion. Outside the vast eastern gate, the streets were bustling with people. Countless vendors were hawking their wares along the streets, creating a scene of chaos and liveliness.
Yu Ci, walking on the road, was quite conspicuous himself. He was wearing a jade-colored Taoist robe, his large sleeves fluttering in the wind, giving him an air of elegance. However, the birdcage he was carrying, covered with a cloth, made him look like a wealthy young master out for a stroll with his bird, except that there was never any chirping from the cage.
Of course, the birdcage held the Fish-Dragon. Yu Ci couldn't put a living creature in his Storage Ring, so he had to resort to this method to avoid trouble.
I recall the last time I exited the city from the Eastern Gate, it was the Enlightenment Day of the Immortal from the Xuan Yin Sect. The city was just as bustling then, but it was disrupted by him and the White Sun Mansion. I wonder what today brings?
Randomly stopping a passerby for information, the response he received was rather unexpected:
"The birthday of the Xuan Yin Immortal?"
The Xuan Yin Sect really has a lot of holidays! Yu Ci wanted to laugh, but at this moment, the face of the Red Yin Immortal surfaced in the Heart of the Lake, and his gaze turned cold.
The passerby continued to chatter, "You, as a Taoist, might as well change into secular attire, go to the You Qiu Palace and burn a stick of incense. Since the demonic plague last winter, the Xuan Yin Immortal has been frequently manifesting her divine presence to protect her believers. All the herb gatherers who believed in the Xuan Yin Immortal returned unscathed."
Yu Ci didn't pay much attention to what was said afterwards. He looked at the stream of people extending ten miles outside the Eastern Gate, at the end of which was the headquarters of the Xuan Yin Sect, the You Qiu Palace.
On this day, Red Yin, as the master, should be presiding over the Ritual Assembly in the palace.
Yu Ci suddenly didn't feel like entering the city just yet. He changed his direction and followed the crowd, intending to visit the You Qiu Palace.
Walking leisurely among the faithful men and women, Yu Ci didn't hurry. The road didn't offer much scenery, but there was a particularly high proportion of young women among the believers. Whether on foot or in carriages, the scent of incense filled the air, creating a unique ambiance.
As the terrain gradually elevated, the You Qiu Palace came into sight. From Yu Ci's position, the vast complex of halls with their painted eaves and upturned corners looked quite spectacular. The flowing crowd noticeably slowed in front of the halls, blocked by the relatively narrow temple gate. However, the believers moved in and out orderly.
Yu Ci leisurely followed the crowd into the temple. Compared to the gate, the interior was surprisingly spacious. The main hall and side halls were neatly arranged, grand in scale. However, in Yu Ci's eyes, there was no difference between this place and the usual temples that worshipped the Three Pure Ones or paid homage to the Buddha.
Upon entering the You Qiu Palace, Yu Ci noticed that there weren't many people like him, strolling leisurely. Most of the visitors inside and outside the hall were devout believers. Some were burning incense, some were fulfilling their vows, some were seeking divination. But the majority were here to attend the Saint's Birthday Ceremony of the Xuan Yin Immortal held by the Xuan Yin Sect.
The Ritual Assembly was held in the courtyard of the You Qiu Palace, but Yu Ci could hear the hum of chanting from the main hall. He could also sense a substantial layer of Primordial Qi vibrating, like ripples on the surface of water, spreading in circles.
***********
Brother Fishbone arrives at Cliff City, while Red Yin lazily lies in the You Qiu Palace. The great conflict is about to begin.
...
I have also posted the following more chapters [All free] on: https://www.readgates.com/article/74a39e