The Blade-Wielding Legend
Chapter 278 - 187: Opening the Cellar Ceremony_2

Chapter 278: Chapter 187: Opening the Cellar Ceremony_2

"As for the Mixed Religions, they consist of the Military School, the Magic Sect, and the Mo Family, among others, all of which are essentially above the court and also represent the court’s presence here," said the speaker.

"Over there are the local Magic Veins from various places."

"Those two are from the Jade Emperor Magic Sect, one being the Southern Jade Emperor, and the other the Northern Jade Emperor. The Southern Jade Emperor issues commands with a talisman, while the Northern Jade Emperor enforces laws with a Taboo Order, both are known as ’the Supreme Skill among Skills,’ quite remarkable..."

"That one is from the Huaguang Sect as an elder, venerating Emperor Huaguang as the principal deity, specializing in Witchcraft, Divine Strike, and the Five Thunderbolts Descending among other Magic Methods, fierce and formidable, truly ferocious..."

"That person is a Daoist from the Maoshan Magic Sect, originating from the Taoist Talismanic Sect, venerating the Three Pure Ones, skilled in talismans and Fengshui, with a distinguished reputation..."

"That one is an elder from the Lushan Sect, you must have heard of. ’The Supreme in heaven is the Jade Emperor, the most noble in the Human World is the monarch. All Ghost Gods admire them, only Lushan dictates terms.’ Quite domineering indeed..."

Zhao Facheng’s introduction broadened Li Yan’s horizons.

The Divine State, from the far south to the remote north, is vast in territory with a long and distant history, whether it is the orthodox sects or the inheritance of the Magic Veins, all are quite remarkable.

By comparison, although the Shang Mountain Sect has risen rapidly in Shan State, it is still confined to one region.

Many long-standing Magic Veins have branched out and spread across various parts of the Divine State.

As Manager Wan said, the world is indeed too vast.

If one were to always stay in Guanzhong, one might eventually become ignorant like a frog at the bottom of a well.

Thinking this, Li Yan became even more determined to leave.

The process of opening the storage was rather time-consuming, simply because of the multitude of spiritual materials contained within.

Starting from the early dawn, even though the Taoist priests from Chunyang Palace were swift and efficient, it wasn’t until almost midday that all treasures were retrieved.

At such a time, people had no thought for food.

Jing Xuzi, the abbot of Chunyang Palace, stepped forward with a bow and said, "Gentlemen, time is tight; please enter Chunyang Palace in the order established."

"There’s no need for worry for those who arrived later, as there are plenty of treasures hidden this time, ensuring no one will leave empty-handed."

With that, he gestured and said, "Gentlemen, please come in."

Everyone knew that the first group to enter was from the Proper Xuan Sect.

What is the Proper Xuan Sect?

It is the conduct of national sacrificial rites.

Li Yan did not understand at first, but after listening to Yan Jiuling’s account of the evolution of the national sacrifice yesterday, he had some guesses.

The proper orthodoxy might be related to the rise and fall of dynasties and the struggle for Qi Fortune.

Indeed, the proper sectarian group took the lead.

They included those from the Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism, and various court sects.

Li Yan nodded slightly to Manager Wan and Quan Wanzhong, then, under Zhao Facheng’s astonished gaze, strode towards Chunyang Palace.

Zhao Facheng was astounded and whispered, "Why is young friend Li in the first group to leave?"

Manager Wan laughed and waved off the question, "This is decided by Chunyang Palace; I’m not privy to it."

Others also had their doubts.

"Elder Jing Xuzi,"

A middle-aged man with sharp eyes and wearing a black robe with a red sash suddenly bowed and asked with a frown, "May I ask who he is? I am quite familiar with the Daoists here, what entitles him to enter ahead of schedule!"

Jing Xuzi naturally wouldn’t say it was because of the big favor to Hua Mountain, but he already had a strategy in mind, calmly saying, "This gentleman is a living Yin messenger serving the Beiyin Fengdu Emperor."

The crowd suddenly realized, and their expressions immediately turned odd.

Being a living Yin messenger was indeed a unique status.

To say they had no backing wouldn’t be accurate, as they acted directly under the mandate of the Yin Bureau, which was the proper order of heaven and earth; nobody present dared to oppose.

However, to say they belonged to a large proper sect was also inaccurate.

Because living Yin messengers never had an organization, they were scattered all over, some even merely regular people who coincidentally received the Hook Paper and would spend a lifetime unknown to others.

Seeing their reaction, Jing Xuzi stroked his beard with a smile, "Each Sect has its rules, and none should interfere with the duties of the living Yin messengers, after all, maintaining the orthodox order of the world. My actions are without fault."

"The elder speaks truly."

The man had nothing more to say and could only reluctantly step back.

The ensuing arguments were naturally heard by Li Yan.

Seeing no trouble ahead, he did not bother to pay attention, and entered Chunyang Palace.

Inside Chunyang Palace, there were three halls, one dedicated to the Patriarch Lü, another to the ancient master Chen Tuan, and the last to the Great Emperor of the Western Sacred Mountain.

These Magic Artifacts, as it turned out, were bestowed by the benefaction of Emperor Shaohao, thus the location of the grand assembly was chosen to be within the halls of the Emperor of the Western Peak.

Before this, Li Yan could hear the countless masters of the orthodox Sects, and naturally, he could also hear this time, but most were preoccupied with their own matters and did not pay attention to Li Yan.

After everyone entered the main hall, Jing Xuzi followed and closed the doors. Li Yan suddenly felt the entire Chunyang Palace enveloped by some Innate Astral Qi formation, his Divine Skills were also suppressed.

Seeing the unchanged expressions on others’ faces, he realized right away that this must be one of the assembly’s rules.

Jing Xuzi then cupped his hands and said, "Fellow Daoists, there’s another matter. You are all aware of the situation on the court’s side, so I won’t say much."

A few orthodox elders nodded with solemn expressions, "This is the Emperor’s decision, we naturally must support it with all our might."

"Let’s stick to the old rules, putting state affairs first."

The crowd nodded in agreement.

Among those present, each with profound cultivation, Li Yan was like an unseen presence, naturally remaining silent.

The elders of the Mo Family and Military School stepped forward and in unison, with cupped hands and in soft voices, said, "Many thanks to all the fellow Daoists."

As they spoke, they quickly stepped forward, taking out a stack of booklets from their bosoms.

Jing Xuzi received it and glanced over, his face seeming somewhat troubled, and asked, "So many?"

The Mo Family elder, an old man clad in sackcloth and black robes, shook his head upon hearing this and said, "This is the list set by the Ministry of Industry. Had I not pleaded earnestly, I fear they might have even monopolized the opening of the cellar this time."

"After all, the Geng Metal Energy is converging in the West Peak, and the cellar is full of metal Magic Artifacts; now is the time of need."

Jing Xuzi nodded, passed the list to a Daoist beside him, and then led the two men away.

"The Ministry of Industry?"

Li Yan, hearing this, instantly speculated in his mind.

Could it be new-style firearms?

He grew increasingly confident in his guess.

That type of new-fangled gunpowder, clearly derived from Alchemy, mixed with coal spirit, is terrifyingly powerful.

Only firearms forged from spiritual materials could withstand such force.

With this thought, he kept a vigilant eye.

There were lists set before the great assembly, many were already aware, perhaps by seeing which spiritual materials were diminishing in quantity, one could deduce what was needed to craft the new-style Magic Artifact firearms.

Mixing in a small amount for purchase wouldn’t attract notice.

After the two entered, the elder of the Magic Sect once again cupped his hands and said, "Daoist Jing Xuzi, I, too, come here by the Emperor’s command. The imperial prison is in need of expansion."

Upon hearing this, everyone’s expression soured.

The prison mentioned is certainly no ordinary one; it must mostly be for detaining those from the Mystical Sect who have transgressed.

Emperor Great Xuan intends to strictly control the Mystical Sect, and once there is an offense, it won’t matter if you’re from the orthodox or Magic Veins.

All present are Mystical Sect Practitioners, even those from the orthodox probably aren’t happy within.

"Of course."

Jing Xuzi took the list and after a glance, his expression softened, and he asked the Daoist to escort the man.

Li Yan, observing this, pondered internally.

It seemed that within the Proper Mystical Sect, there is still a pecking order.

Do not look at the lesser influence of the Mixed Religions compared to Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, but they serve directly under the Great Xuan Dynasty and naturally get first pick.

It appears that in this Great Xuan Dynasty, the Imperial Power still firmly suppresses spiritual authority.

Those from the court have their targets when selecting, and in less than the time it takes half an incense stick to burn, they had already exited, cupping hands to bid farewell to the crowd and drifting away.

This was the rule of the opening of the cellar assembly; after the trade, someone would naturally deliver to your doorstep, but if the journey was long, they would only carry it to the foot of Hua Mountain, the rest of the transportation up to you.

After the court’s people left, the atmosphere immediately eased slightly.

Jing Xuzi also smiled and raised his hand, "Gentlemen, please follow me."

With smiles on their faces, the crowd followed into the inner hall.

Li Yan at this moment couldn’t afford to be polite and burst through with the rest.

He remembered what the old man had said, whether it was the prime mountain copper or the twelve zodiac elements, they were all unique.

If someone beat him to them, that would be terrible misfortune.

Upon entering the inner hall, one could see on the altar, row upon row, a dazzling array of spiritual materials and Magical Tools...