The Nascent Soul Ceremony celebrating Dao Lord Xuanyin's successful advancement to the Nascent Soul realm had been prepared for several months. The congratulatory guests had finally all arrived.
Mo Tiange was so busy that she had compressed her cultivation time to just three hours a day, and she was not alone—every elite disciple was in the same situation. The reason was simple: there were far too many guests. Not only had all the invited sects come, but even remote and obscure sects like the Yunwu Sect from distant Dongkunwu had come to offer their congratulations.
With so many sects arriving, conflicts inevitably arose. When sects or cultivators with past grievances encountered each other, it was truly a case of enemies meeting, eyes blazing with hatred. Just like the two cultivators Mo Tiange had encountered while receiving guests, quarrels were minor; some even escalated to fighting. This caused another round of commotion for the Xuanqing Sect disciples. Fortunately, these people were relatively restrained, knowing they were on Xuanqing Sect grounds and didn't go too far.
After months of hectic preparations, the Nascent Soul Ceremony finally began.
On this day, the sky was high and clear, the clouds thin, with a gentle breeze and bright sun. Over five thousand disciples of the Xuanqing Sect, plus thousands of congratulatory guests, gathered on the main square of Mount Taikang's central peak.
Mo Tiange stood among the ranks of elite disciples, looking at the multitude of cultivators before the great hall.
Advancing to Nascent Soul was a momentous event, and with thousands of guests witnessing the ceremony, it concerned the sect's face. All the Nascent Soul cultivators of the Xuanqing Sect were in attendance; even Daojun Jinghe had dutifully put on the sect's Daoist robes. Most of the Core Formation cultivators were also present. Among them, Mo Tiange saw everyone she could think of, except for one person. Familiar Nascent Soul and Core Formation cultivators who had come to congratulate were also arranged at the front, making the area before the great hall packed to the brim.
This could be said to be the most spectacular gathering of high-level cultivators Mo Tiange had ever witnessed since beginning her cultivation journey. Only now did she truly feel the might of the Xuanqing Sect.
This was not the Yunwu Mountain where she had once stayed; this was the Xuanqing Sect, the second-ranked sect in Tianji, and potentially the first in the future. These Nascent Soul and Core Formation cultivators represented the very pinnacle of Tianji's cultivation world.
The square, filled with thousands, was utterly silent.
Dao Lord Zhenyang stepped forward first, his gaze slowly sweeping over the assembled disciples.
Every Xuanqing Sect disciple, every low-level cultivator from other sects here to celebrate, felt his gaze fall upon them.
"Honored guests, fellow disciples," he began, "today is the Nascent Soul Ceremony celebrating Dao Lord Xuanyin's advancement to the Nascent Soul realm. For this, we thank our guests who have come from afar. Some of you have traveled thousands of miles. On behalf of the Xuanqing Sect, I express our gratitude and, once again, welcome you all."
Dao Lord Zhenyang nodded to those around him and cupped his hands in salute. With his status as a late-stage Nascent Soul grandmaster, let alone those Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment cultivators, even ordinary Nascent Soul and Core Formation cultivators dared not accept his salute directly and bowed deeply in return.
"I will not say more," Dao Lord Zhenyang continued. "Let the Nascent Soul Ceremony commence."
As his words fell, immortal music began to play. Dao Lord Xuanyin, wearing the Qiankun Daoist robe and stepping on the Bagua shoes, slowly walked forward through the crowd.
Having successfully advanced to Nascent Soul, Dao Lord Xuanyin, at over four hundred years old, was still considered young. His appearance had now rejuvenated considerably; he looked only in his early thirties. He had also trimmed his long beard into a short goatee, maintaining an air of dignity while appearing youthful and vigorous.
However, Mo Tiange was still somewhat surprised. She had never looked carefully at this Senior Uncle Xuanyin's appearance. Now that she did, he could indeed be called handsome. It was true: cultivators, when rejuvenated, naturally became more attractive.
Dao Lord Xuanyin walked to the front of the platform. Guided by Dao Lord Zhenyang, he first paid respects to the Three Pure Ancestors, then reported to the Head Supreme Elder, receiving from him the title of Supreme Elder.
Afterwards, he paid homage to his master who taught him, kneeling to receive his admonitions.
"My disciple Xuanyin," Daojun Jinghe spoke, "you are of steady temperament, intelligent and reasonable. Today, you have achieved Nascent Soul; your master is deeply gratified. Henceforth, I hope you will remain neither arrogant nor impatient, and attain the Great Dao."
Listening to these words, Mo Tiange realized that Daojun Jinghe was never unreliable in matters of great importance. Now, before thousands of disciples, wearing the Qiankun Daoist robe with a solemn expression, he naturally exuded the aura of a grandmaster.
Dao Lord Xuanyin kowtowed—this would be the last time he would perform a formal master-disciple bow to Daojun Jinghe. Henceforth, with his status as a Nascent Soul cultivator, he need not kowtow to anyone.
"I thank my master for his teachings," Dao Lord Xuanyin said. "The guidance my master has given over these hundreds of years, Xuanyin will never forget in this lifetime."
Daojun Jinghe showed a gratified expression. "You have already stepped onto the Great Dao. From now on, you shall establish your own lineage. There is no need to address me as 'master.' Our master-disciple bond need only be kept in our hearts."
"Yes, this disciple respectfully obeys my master's command."
Then, Dao Lord Zhenyang spoke: "The ritual of thanking the master is complete. Please rise."
Dao Lord Xuanyin stood up and, following Dao Lord Zhenyang's indication, took his place at the end of the line of the sect's Nascent Soul cultivators, signifying the end of the ceremony.
The entire process took less than half an hour. At this point, Dao Lord Zhenyang gave the order: disciples could disperse and begin entertaining the guests at the banquet.
Although cultivators like them had long since ceased to need mortal sustenance, feasting was still the most important part of hosting guests. Throughout the Xuanqing Sect, thousands of jade tables were set up on the main peak, inviting guests to take their seats, accompanied by Xuanqing Sect disciples.
Mo Tiange was also assigned this duty; she was responsible for entertaining the female guests.
Female guests received slightly better treatment than male guests, all arranged indoors. It was Mo Tiange's first time gathering with so many female cultivators in one hall, and she couldn't help but feel dizzy.
For no other reason than the fragrance was too strong!
The female cultivators who could come to offer congratulations to the Xuanqing Sect all held a certain status within their sects, each considering themselves a 'Perfected Maiden.' As Perfected Maidens, naturally their every movement carried a wondrous fragrance.
If it were just one, it would be fine, but with a whole room of women, all sorts of fragrances mixed together. Mo Tiange nearly fainted from the overpowering scent! In the end, she simply sealed her nostrils with spiritual energy, pretending there was no smell at all.
However, this occasion did open her eyes. So this was what female cultivators in the cultivation world were like. She had started out disguised as a man in the Yunwu Sect. Later, when she came to the Xuanqing Sect, although she spent time with female cultivators like Luo Fengxue, the Xuanqing Sect was a Daoist sect. Most female cultivators wore Daoist attire, and those she was close to were all plainly dressed without adornment.
For such a grand event, the other six great sects naturally all attended in full. The female cultivators from the Tiandao Sect came in three groups, each with a different style: one dressed like a floating, ethereal fairy; one dressed as a demoness, with black cloth covering key areas while revealing large expanses of snow-white skin; and one dressed in the standard sect attire of light purple with white trim. It was said that Tiandao Sect disciples were a mixed bag, coming from all sorts of backgrounds. Looking at their attire, this was certainly true.
Next were the disciples of the Ancient Sword Sect. The Ancient Sword Sect focused on sword cultivation; their disciples were more plain, all in blue robes and white garments, carrying long swords on their backs. Because of the previous conflict with Ancient Sword Sect cultivators, Mo Tiange held no goodwill towards them, so these female Ancient Sword Sect cultivators were all attended to by other fellow disciples.
Then came the Zhengfa Sect. Although the Zhengfa Sect's main branch was not in Kunwu, it held sole dominance in the north, a force not to be underestimated. Like the Xuanqing Sect, the Zhengfa Sect was also a Daoist sect. Its female disciples wore blue and white Daoist robes with plain faces. However, the blue in their robes was a bluish-green hue. While the Xuanqing Sect's robes were predominantly white with shades of blue as accents, theirs were a single bluish-green robe worn under a white overcoat.
The female disciples of the Biyun Sect presented another style altogether. The Biyun Sect was a very peculiar sect. First, it recruited the most female disciples. Second, regardless of gender, its disciples were all exceptionally beautiful. Lastly, their dual cultivation techniques were very famous. The Biyun Sect's sect attire was a white robe. Worn by these female disciples, each looked ethereal as a fairy, pure and elegant.
Then there were the female disciples of the Spirit Beast Sect. Their sect attire was yellow. Though not as ethereal as the Biyun Sect disciples, they appeared more handsome and cute. The hems of their robes were embroidered with qilins, said to be the mount of the Spirit Beast Sect's founding patriarch.
As for the Danding Sect, having suffered severe losses, they only had one female disciple sitting silently to the side, her attire utterly unremarkable.
Apart from these, the female disciples from other, slightly lesser medium and small sects displayed various styles and charms. Most did not wear sect attire, preferring enchanting and beautiful dresses.
Mo Tiange speculated that precisely because their sects were inferior to the Seven Great Sects, they cared more about beauty. In contrast, most disciples of the Seven Great Sects wore their sect attire; in terms of beauty and bearing, they were not inferior in the slightest.
What satisfied Mo Tiange was that among such a large group of female cultivators, although her own looks were not bad, she was not too outstanding either, which suited her intentions perfectly.
As a woman, few did not love beauty, but she had always known that as a female cultivator, it was best for one's appearance to be neither excessive nor lacking. Having a small measure of beauty meant others would generally treat you kindly, yet you posed no threat. Male cultivators wouldn't harbor thoughts of forcibly possessing you, and female cultivators wouldn't feel jealous—there were too many beauties in the cultivation world. If your looks were unremarkable, you'd likely be categorized as ugly. But if, among a crowd of beauties, you still stood out as exceptionally beautiful, you would become a target for many high-level cultivators to seize. Therefore, just right was best.
By now, all the "Perfected Maidens" had been invited to their seats. Of course, these maidens wouldn't engage in loud discussions like the male cultivators. The entire side hall was filled with soft, melodious voices, gentle and graceful. However, the content of some conversations was less than harmonious.
Near Mo Tiange were female cultivators from some medium-sized sects. She saw a woman with a haughty expression slant her eyes towards the opposite side and say to a fellow sect member sitting beside her, "Junior Sister, how is it that some people have so little self-awareness? Those who have come to offer congratulations today are all elite disciples of their respective sects. How dare someone with ordinary aptitude, who only advanced to Foundation Establishment thanks to ancestral blessings, come to attend a Nascent Soul Ceremony? It's truly laughable."
The female cultivator sitting beside her nodded meekly.
The woman opposite who had been the target of her glance sneered coldly, "I'd say some people's vision is stuck eight hundred years in the past! They think just because their aptitude is slightly better, or they were born into a good family, they can keep looking down on everyone else. They don't even realize they've been caught up with or surpassed, still viewing things with outdated eyes!"
"You—" The haughty woman's face twisted. Clearly spoiled since childhood, she was good at sarcasm but not so good at self-restraint.
The woman who had just retorted smiled and even threw her a flirtatious glance. "Senior Sister Yuan, don't you think so?"
Receiving this flirtatious look, the haughty woman angrily slapped the table. "He Ruxuan! You shameless seductress!"
That woman named He Ruxuan was indeed somewhat beautiful. More importantly, her figure and demeanor were enchanting. The haughty woman addressed as Senior Sister Yuan, though also quite beautiful, was utterly outmatched in this aspect of allure.
Hearing those words, He Ruxuan was not angered. Instead, she deliberately let out a soft, coquettish laugh. As she laughed, she said, "Senior Sister Yuan, are you still angry with me? I already told you, it was Senior Brother Zheng who liked me. I didn't have any such intentions. Why are you angry with me?"
Outwardly explaining, inwardly mocking—this Senior Sister Yuan trembled with rage, angrily saying, "He Ruxuan! Do you really think you're something good? You're just a tramp who sleeps around! Who knows how many men have slept with you!"
Hearing this sentence, Mo Tiange's eyes were opened. So these ethereal, fairy-like maidens also spoke such vulgar words like mortal women quarreling. No different from those male cultivators!
Hearing this, He Ruxuan's expression finally flickered slightly, but her anger lasted only a moment before she concealed it again, laughing coquettishly once more. "Look what Senior Sister Yuan is saying. To be slept with, one must have someone willing to sleep with you. Not like some people who stripped naked and lay on someone else's bed, only to be thrown off. As a woman, that's really, too, humiliating!" Her raised eyebrows clearly slanted towards that Senior Sister Yuan, leaving no doubt about whom she meant.
Senior Sister Yuan's face flushed crimson. This was clearly her secret, something she never expected to be aired before so many people. Immediately, she cried out, "What nonsense are you spouting?!"
"Whether I'm talking nonsense, Senior Sister Yuan knows in her heart, doesn't she?" He Ruxuan covered her lips with a smile, gently and gracefully lowering her head to drink.
"You—" Senior Sister Yuan stood up furiously, adopting a stance for combat.
Seeing the situation turning ugly, Mo Tiange immediately stopped watching the show and stood up. "Senior Sister, if there is any inadequacy in our hospitality, please forgive..."
"It's none of your business!" Before she could finish, this Senior Sister Yuan angrily interrupted. "I'm going to settle accounts with this shameless seductress!"
Before Mo Tiange could say anything, that He Ruxuan interjected, "Senior Sister Yuan, we are in the Xuanqing Sect, you know! The senior sister speaking to you is a disciple of Daojun Jinghe, a mighty mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator! Not like Elder Yuan, who is merely an early-stage Core Formation cultivator!"
Outwardly speaking of Mo Tiange, inwardly she pointed out this Senior Sister Yuan's background, making Senior Sister Yuan swallow another bitter pill silently. However, she also highlighted that Mo Tiange's status was unusual, not like those background-less junior disciples in their sect whom she could bully at will. This Senior Sister Yuan still retained a shred of reason. With an angry snort, she sat back down.
He Ruxuan curved her lips in a victorious smile.
Seeing this, Mo Tiange smiled at Senior Sister Yuan. "It's good that Senior Sister can understand. I apologize for any inadequacy in our hospitality."
Fortunately, this Senior Sister Yuan was not a fool. After He Ruxuan clarified Mo Tiange's status, although she couldn't save face, she still knew she couldn't afford to offend someone of Mo Tiange's standing. She stood up and returned the courtesy, saying, "I was too presumptuous. Please forgive me, Senior Sister."
Mo Tiange smiled, letting the matter pass. "A minor matter, no need to dwell on it."
As peace returned here, Mo Tiange secretly shot a glance at He Ruxuan. She could tell that Senior Sister Yuan had a simple, spoiled personality and wouldn't have lost her composure like that if He Ruxuan hadn't provoked her. Fortunately, He Ruxuan was clever. Seeing Mo Tiange's glance, she smiled back, allowing Mo Tiange to relax.
With this matter settled, Mo Tiange's sharp ears caught another dispute arising at the neighboring table.
It was two female cultivators comparing beauty, sneering at each other's attire.
One said, "Sister Zhen, that dress of yours today is quite nice. Pity it's so white, white enough for a funeral."
The other retorted, "Sister Wan, your outfit is also very beautiful. It's just too red—so red that others might think you're holding a dual cultivation ceremony!"
"Ah, Sister Zhen, you're too kind. Your hairpin is nice, but it's so yellow, like you've stuck a banana in your hair."
"How could it compare to Sister Wan's white jade double-phoenix hairpin? Seen from afar, it looks like a white radish on your head!"
Someone with insufficient self-control snorted with laughter, only for both women to glare furiously in unison. "What are you laughing at? So rude!"
Fortunately, the one who laughed found this drama amusing and didn't mind, waving a hand and burying her head to chuckle silently.
The two women continued their mutual "praise."
"Sister Zhen, when did you change your bracelet? I thought you'd wear one bracelet till you died!"
"That's because Sister Wan rarely pays attention. A good bracelet naturally matches many outfits. It's just trying something new occasionally. Not like Sister Wan, who changes every day. Pity they're all just mortal goods, not even spiritual artifacts."
"Mortal things might be cheap, but they take a lot of effort to find! This is the cultivation world; spiritual artifacts are everywhere! Crudely made, hardly better than mortal goods, and the craftsmanship isn't fine—they simply don't match clothes well!"
"Oh, Sister Zhen, is this dress made of brocade? Rare indeed. Unfortunately, it seems to be brocade that can't be made into a magic tool. The quality is lacking; if you don't look closely, you'd think it was made of fish belly skin!"
"How could it compare to Sister Wan's pearl trimmings? I wonder how old those pearls are, not a trace of spiritual energy, dull and lusterless, looking like fish scales. I say, Sister, if you lack pearls, just come to me. Our family happens to have a lake specializing in producing spiritually infused good pearls, suitable for spiritual artifacts and magic tools!"
Mo Tiange glanced at the steamed whole fish on the table and suddenly lost her appetite.
"How could I trouble Sister! Although our family isn't as large as Sister Zhen's, we have branch establishments everywhere. If Sister Zhen wants any fresh goods, just say the word. Don't be polite!"
At this point, their gazes met, sparks flying.
"Our family lacks nothing. No need for Sister Wan to worry so much!"
"Sister Zhen only changes outfits a few times a year, and they're all styles and colors from years ago. Naturally, this sister must pay extra attention when she sees."
The two leaned closer, their eyes filled with venom.
This table was positioned lower; both female cultivators were Qi Refining disciples and were being attended by an ordinary female disciple, still a young girl. Seeing these two completely ignore everyone else, she trembled, not daring to step forward and mediate.
Seeing this, Mo Tiange stood up and walked to the Xuanqing Sect girl's side, gently setting down her wine cup.
Noticing her arrival, the two female cultivators finally stopped throwing daggers with their eyes and turned their gazes over. Seeing she was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, they quickly put on smiles. "Esteemed Senior Aunt."
Mo Tiange raised a hand, stopping them from bowing, and smiled. "Misses, if our hospitality is lacking, please forgive me. I offer you a toast."
How could they dare refuse a toast from a Foundation Establishment cultivator? They immediately stood up and drank.
Mo Tiange smiled again, patted the shoulder of the little girl standing beside her, motioning for her to sit down, and said, "My little grand-disciple isn't very good with words. Please bear with her and help entertain others. I thank you in advance."
After finishing her drink, Mo Tiange gave them a final nod and turned to leave. Behind her, the little girl whispered, "Thank you, Grandmaster."
Hearing this address of "Grandmaster," both women showed hesitant expressions. Finally, they lowered their voices to ask the little girl about Mo Tiange's identity and stopped their mutual sarcasm.
Returning to her seat, Mo Tiange wearily rubbed her neck. These so-called Perfected Maidens weren't much different from mortal women. Dealing with them was truly exhausting!