Upon receiving the news in Kunzhong City, Dao Lord Zhenyang immediately sent a reply: the Nascent Soul Ceremony must be held, and it must be held grandly, held gloriously.
The current situation was such that the Xuanqing Sect had undeniably become the number one sect in the Tianji Region. It was time to declare their strength. Once Mo Tiange's Nascent Soul Ceremony was announced, the entire Tianji Region would be shaken. From then on, the Tianji Region would be the Xuanqing Sect's domain.
In less than half a month, news came from the Xuanqing Sect again: Dao Lord Hua Yan had advanced to the mid-stage. This delighted Dao Lord Zhenyang so much that with a flourish of his brush, Mo Tiange's Nascent Soul Ceremony was transformed into the Qingwei Nascent Soul Ceremony and Hua Yan Mid-Stage Celebration.
Although the invitations had not yet been sent out, the matter quickly spread throughout the Tianji Region.
Within the branch of the Tiandao Sect, Liu Dingyuan and Daoist Heifeng sat silently facing each other.
Dao Lord Buyan and Daoist Ji had both remained within their main sect and had not set foot in Kunzhong City for over a decade. In recent years, the Tiandao Sect had devoted great effort to training disciples, with remarkable results. Several disciples had already reached Core Formation Perfection and had a chance to form their Nascent Souls. However, the birth of a Nascent Soul cultivator was by no means simple. This 'chance' might not materialize for several more decades.
At this juncture, the Xuanqing Sect's Dao Lords Hua Yan and Qingwei had both advanced to the mid-stage and even sent out invitations, preparing to hold a belated Nascent Soul Ceremony for Qingwei.
They all knew this was the Xuanqing Sect declaring its hegemonic status in the Tianji Region.
But what could they do about it? Without sufficient strength, they had no right to challenge it.
"They must have had some other extraordinary encounter these years," Liu Dingyuan said slowly from the host's seat. "Hua Yan was clearly nearing the end of his lifespan, yet he still went into seclusion to attempt a mid-stage breakthrough. He must have obtained a life-extending treasure."
Daoist Heifeng, his entire body wrapped in black robes revealing only a face like a zombie's, said, "Hua Yan originally had about two hundred years of lifespan left. If it was extended, it's probably over three hundred years now. Advancing to the mid-stage... he's already over five hundred years old."
A cultivator with a lifespan exceeding five hundred years could not be considered near the end. He still had a long time to serve the sect.
Who would have thought that Dao Lord Hua Yan, whom they originally considered the least of their worries, would make such a great comeback and become a figure they needed to focus on.
"And then there's Qingwei," Liu Dingyuan frowned. "I can't figure it out no matter how I think about it. How could she advance to the mid-stage? How old is she? What does it matter if her aptitude is outstanding? Is the Tianji Region short of talented cultivators? Not only did she break the record for Nascent Soul Formation, she actually advanced to the mid-stage in just over twenty years... The Xuanqing Sect must have obtained a heaven-defying opportunity. It's hateful that we didn't pay attention at the time."
If they had focused their attention back then, they might have discovered something. Seizing that opportunity, whether to cause trouble or snatch it away, the Tiandao Sect, in its adversity, might have had a chance to turn things around. But now? Liu Dingyuan felt utterly exhausted. He had already given up on competing with the Xuanqing Sect for the moment. At this point, the only option was to bide their time and plan for the future.
Similar conversations were happening in other sects, except they were all congratulating themselves on choosing to get closer to the Xuanqing Sect back then. Now that the Xuanqing Sect was rising, as long as they didn't pick the wrong side, they wouldn't be affected.
Soon after the news spread, the Xuanqing Sect sent out invitations everywhere. This time, not only did the major sects receive them, but even medium and small sects, and rogue cultivators above the Core Formation stage—none were missed. The Xuanqing Sect also announced that with so many sects in the Tianji Region, if any newly established sect did not receive an invitation, they sincerely apologized. For this celebration, regardless of identity or cultivation level, all who came to offer congratulations were welcome. Dao Lord Jinghe even mischievously sent an invitation to the extreme west, to Wolf-Tu Mountain, for Perfected One Songfeng. As for whether he would come or not, that didn't matter—as long as he saw it and felt disgusted, that was enough.
For a time, the Tianji Region was shaken. Minor sects and low-level rogue cultivators were especially elated. Many cultivators traveled day and night towards Mount Taikang, intending to participate in the grand event.
The market and guest quarters at the foot of the Xuanqing Sect's mountain were all opened to the public. Immediately, the place was packed shoulder to shoulder with people coming and going, and the various shops made a hefty profit once again.
Merchants near the Xuanqing Sect also profited considerably. Because so many cultivators had come and all the guest quarters were full, tents were pitched all over the mountains and plains below Mount Taikang. These merchants rented out tents, and business was booming.
Three months later, even the slowest low-level cultivators had gathered at Mount Taikang. The Nascent Soul Ceremony and Mid-Stage Celebration finally commenced.
Two days before the ceremony, the Xuanqing Sect opened its mountain gates wide. Except for restricted sect areas, everywhere was open to external guests. Instantly, a multitude of cultivators poured in. The various places within the Xuanqing Sect were bustling with people, resembling a marketplace.
These places, of course, did not include the cave abodes of the various Nascent Soul cultivators. The Jiyuan Valley remained quiet and peaceful, though occasionally someone would climb to the peak, wanting to catch a glimpse of the grandeur of a Nascent Soul cultivator's cave abode.
The layout of the Jiyuan Pond and the mechanical eagles left them in awe, and by extension, their reverence for Nascent Soul cultivators grew even deeper.
On the day of the Nascent Soul Ceremony, the vast square on the Xuanqing Sect's main peak was densely packed with cultivators. For those who couldn't find standing room, several Dao Lords joined forces to perform a profound technique, creating floating cloud platforms in the air above the square. This opened the eyes of many low-level cultivators. Such a mystical spell could only be performed by Nascent Soul cultivators; they would likely only see it once in their lifetime.
When the auspicious hour arrived, Luo Fengxue, clad in a crane-feather cloak and wearing a lotus crown, walked out gracefully and stood before tens of thousands of cultivators.
"Fellow Daoists, today is the day of my Xuanqing Sect's Dao Lord Qingwei's Nascent Soul Ceremony and Dao Lord Hua Yan's Mid-Stage Celebration. Many among you have traveled over mountains and rivers, coming from afar. I, Bingxin, current sect master of the Xuanqing Sect, on behalf of all disciples of the Xuanqing Sect, express our gratitude to you all and welcome your esteemed presence." Having said this, she bowed respectfully.
The many cultivators in the square, regardless of cultivation level, all returned the bow.
Luo Fengxue straightened up again, her gaze calm without a trace of nervousness. "Now, I declare the Nascent Soul Ceremony open. I invite our Head Supreme Elder, Dao Lord Zhenyang, to preside."
At this moment, apart from Mo Tiange, all the Dao Lords stood before the Hall of the Three Pure Ones, each wearing a tall crown and feathered robes, possessing an immortal demeanor and extraordinary presence.
As Luo Fengxue's words fell, Dao Lord Zhenyang, standing in the first position, stepped forward. Luo Fengxue retreated to the side, and he took her place.
"Fellow Daoists, fellow disciples, I am deeply honored to stand here today. Prior to this, I never imagined there would be such a Nascent Soul Ceremony. Our sect's disciple Qingwei formed her Nascent Soul at the mere age of one hundred and eighty. Now, at two hundred and five, she has broken through the early stage to become a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator. Standing here, I am extremely excited. I hope all our sect's disciples will take Qingwei as an example, persistently seeking the Dao of Immortality." This impassioned speech stirred the blood of the Xuanqing Sect disciples and made other cultivators even more awed by the Xuanqing Sect's might.
"Now, please invite Qingwei to come forward."
As Dao Lord Zhenyang's words ended, everyone's gaze turned to the not-too-distant end of the square.
At the foot of the mountain gate stood a figure. She wore a Taiji crown, a Taiji Daoist robe, Eight Trigrams shoes, and was draped in an outer crane-feather cloak. Her demeanor was elegant and refined, pure and handsome as snow.
Flanked by Xuanqing Sect disciples on both sides, she slowly walked through the crowd towards the Hall of the Three Pure Ones.
The observing crowd immediately stirred. Many shouted, "Look! That's Dao Lord Qingwei!"
Someone who saw her couldn't help but say, "She really is so young!"
Another person nearby sneered at the first, "For a Nascent Soul cultivator, can you tell their age from their appearance? Look at Senior Ding Luan of the Biyun Sect, and that Perfected One Miaoyi. Don't they both appear to be in their twenties?"
The first person, embarrassed and angry, retorted, "If you can't tell, don't say others can't either!"
"Oh? Then may I ask, how did you tell?"
"Why should I tell you how I can tell?"
These noisy discussions ceased when Mo Tiange ascended the steps to the Hall of the Three Pure Ones.
Dao Lord Zhenyang smiled as he looked at her, guiding her into the main hall to kneel and kowtow to the ancestors. He spoke, "Our sect's disciple Qingwei formed her Nascent Soul at one hundred and eighty years of age and broke through to the mid-stage at two hundred and five. We specially report this to comfort the spirits of our ancestors in heaven."
Mo Tiange respectfully performed the full kowtow ceremony—three kneelings and nine prostrations—before the ancestral statues, not slacking in the slightest. After rising from her knees, she bowed deeply to Dao Lord Zhenyang. "Disciple Qingwei, having formed her Nascent Soul and advanced to the mid-stage, will never forget the great kindness of the sect. For the rest of my life, I will certainly do my utmost to care for the disciples and support the sect."
Dao Lord Zhenyang nodded with a smile. "I am deeply gratified that you can think this way."
Having said that, he guided her out of the hall again to kneel and express gratitude to her master.
This was already the third time Dao Lord Jinghe had received a disciple's kneeling worship at a Nascent Soul Ceremony. He was immensely pleased inwardly, but not a trace showed on his face. He still maintained a solemn expression and a composed demeanor.
"Disciple Qingwei, being able to form my Nascent Soul and advance to the mid-stage today is inseparable from my master's care and protection over the past century. I specially kneel here to thank my master's kindness and request my master's instruction."
Dao Lord Jinghe wore a smile, looking kindly at Mo Tiange kneeling before him. He spoke, "My disciple Qingwei, you are exceptionally talented, intelligent, and sharp-witted. You achieved success at a young age, yet it is rare that your temperament remains peaceful and you uphold righteousness. Over this past century, seeing your diligence and unwavering effort has greatly gratified me. Now that you have stepped onto the Great Dao, I have little to instruct. I will only give you one sentence: If you can maintain this, the Great Dao can be expected."
Mo Tiange kowtowed. "Thank you, Master, for your words. Without my master, Qingwei would find it difficult to have reached today. My master's great kindness and virtue, Qingwei will never forget for all eternity. I will certainly keep these words in my heart, constantly reflecting on them, so as not to let down my master's painstaking efforts."
Dao Lord Jinghe nodded with gratification, his expression gentle. "Since you have reached the Nascent Soul stage, you are now establishing your own branch. From now on, keep the master-disciple affection in your heart. There is no need to address me as 'master' verbally anymore, nor do you need to kneel and kowtow to anyone."
"Yes, disciple respectfully obeys my master's command," Mo Tiange said solemnly.
Dao Lord Zhenyang stepped forward. "The ceremony of thanking the master is complete. Junior Sister Qingwei, please rise."
Hearing this, Mo Tiange stood up and, together with Dao Lord Jinghe, returned to the ranks of the Dao Lords.
Dao Lord Zhenyang once again faced the crowd. "Fellow Daoists, this occasion is both Dao Lord Qingwei's Nascent Soul Ceremony and Dao Lord Hua Yan's Mid-Stage Celebration. Our sect's Dao Lord Hua Yan, though not widely renowned, is indispensable to our sect. For many years, Dao Lord Hua Yan has contributed greatly to the sect, to the point that his cultivation fell behind. However, he persisted and finally advanced to the mid-stage several months ago. On the path of cultivation, genius cultivators like Dao Lord Qingwei are certainly dazzling, but what is more important are cultivators like Dao Lord Hua Yan, who always maintain self-discipline and never give up."
Having said that, he invited Dao Lord Hua Yan forward to kneel and report to the ancestors, offering words of encouragement.
Finally, Dao Lord Zhenyang announced a banquet for everyone, marking the end of the Nascent Soul Ceremony.
Mo Tiange breathed a sigh of relief. By nature, she preferred to keep a low profile. She would have avoided holding a Nascent Soul Ceremony if possible. But this ceremony held extraordinary significance for the Xuanqing Sect, so she had mustered her energy to handle it. The subsequent banquet and hosting of guests would be handled by other Dao Lords skilled in social interaction; she could return now.
Just then, Luo Fengxue intercepted her, saying, "Senior Uncle Qingwei, you have a guest."