147. The Grand Rite of Infant Baptism

  Celebrations for Xuan Yin Dao Jun's successful promotion to Yuan Ying had been prepared for several months. The guests who came to offer congratulations were almost all present.

  Moye's busy schedule had compressed her cultivation time to just three hours a day, and she wasn't the only one - all the other elite disciples were in the same situation. The reason was that there were simply too many guests arriving, not just those from invited sects, but even ones like Yunwu Sect, which was far away in the Eastern Kunwu and hardly known to anyone, had come to offer congratulations.

  With more sects coming, there are also more conflicts. Some sects or cultivators who have had disagreements with each other before meet here, and it's really like enemies meeting, their eyes reddening with anger, just like the two people that Mo Tian Ge met that day. Quarreling is a small matter, but some even develop into fights. This again causes the cultivators of Xuan Qing Sect to be busy mediating, fortunately these people are still somewhat restrained, knowing that this is Xuan Qing Sect, they don't dare to go too far.

  After months of hustle and bustle, the grand wedding ceremony finally began.

  On this day, the sky was high and cloudless, with a gentle breeze and warm sunshine. More than 5,000 disciples of Xuán Qīng gathered at the main peak of Tài Kāng Mountain, along with several thousand guests who came to congratulate them. They all assembled in the square at the summit.

  Mo Tian Ge stood among the elite disciples, gazing out at the numerous cultivators before the grand hall.

  The Jinjie Yuan infant, this matter is of great importance, and with the addition of thousands of guests attending the ceremony, it relates to the face of the sect. All the Xuanqingmen Yuan infants attended, Lian Jing and Daojun were all dressed in the sect's Daopao; The majority of the Jiedan cultivators also attended, Mo Tian Ge saw everyone he could think of among these cultivators, except for one person; There are also familiar Yuan infant Jiedan cultivators who came to congratulate, and they were arranged in front, so the large hall was packed.

  This could be said to be the most spectacular gathering of high-ranking cultivators that Mo Tianyu had seen since he started cultivating, and it wasn't until now that she truly felt the power of the Xuan Qing Men.

  This is not the Yunwu Mountain where she used to stay, but the Xuanqing Gate, the second sect of Tianji. In the future, it may also be the first sect. These Yuan Ying Jiedan cultivators are the top-notch cultivators of Tianji.

  A square of thousands of people, silent as a cicada in winter.

  Zhenyang Daojun first stood out and slowly swept his gaze over the many disciples.

  Every single Xuan Qing Men disciple and every other low-ranking cultivator from the various sects who came to congratulate felt his gaze fall upon themselves.

  "Ladies and gentlemen, fellow disciples, today is the grand ceremony of my, Xuanyin Daojun's, ascension to Yuanying. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to all the guests who have traveled from afar, some of whom have come from thousands of miles away. On behalf of Xuanyin Gate, I extend our heartfelt thanks and welcome you once again."

  Zhenyang Daojun nodded to the left and right, indicating that he was showing respect. He also cupped his hands in a gesture of greeting. As a late-stage Yuanying cultivator, not only did the Qi-refining and foundation-building cultivators dare not receive his courtesy, but even ordinary Yuanying cultivators and Jiedan cultivators didn't dare to accept it, and they all bowed their heads in return.

  "In short, I won't say more, and the grand ceremony of the wedding will begin."

  As Zhenyang Daojun's words fell, the celestial music sounded, and Xuan Yin Daojun wore a Qiankun Dao robe, stepped on the Bagua shoes, walked through the crowd, and slowly came forward.

  Xuan Yin Dao Jun successfully advanced to the Yuan Ying stage, and at over 400 years old, he was still considered a young man. His face now looked much younger, appearing to be only in his thirties, and he had also cut his long beard into a short one, which made him look dignified yet youthful and spirited.

  However, Mo Tian Ge still felt a bit surprised. She had never carefully looked at this Master Xuan Yin's appearance before. Now that she took a look, he could actually be considered handsome. Indeed, cultivators were youthful and beautiful in appearance when they were young.

  Xuan Yin Dao Jun walked to the front of the stage, first under the guidance of Zhen Yang Dao Jun, paid respects to the Three Pure Ancestors, then reported to the First Seat Taishang Elder and accepted the title of Taishang Elder from him.

  Then, he paid respects to his teacher and knelt down to receive guidance and advice.

  "My disciple, Xuanyin, you have a calm and steady temperament, and are intelligent and wise. Today, you have achieved the state of Yuanying, which makes me feel extremely delighted. From now on, I hope you will remain humble and composed, and achieve great enlightenment."

  It wasn't until he said this that Mo Tian Ge realized that Jing and Dao Jun would never be out of tune in major events. Now, in front of thousands of disciples, wearing the Kunlun Taoist robe, with a serious expression, he had an air of a sect master.

  Xuan Yin Dao Jun kneeled and knocked his head on the ground — this was also his last time to perform the formal ceremony of a master-disciple relationship with Jing and Dao Jun, from then on, as a Yuan Ying cultivator, he no longer needed to kneel and knock his head to anyone.

  "Thank you for your teachings, Master. The affection of several hundred years of teaching will never be forgotten in this life."

  Jing He Dao Jun's expression was relieved: "You have already stepped into the great path, from now on you will establish your own sect, no need to call me Master, our master-disciple relationship. Just keep it in your heart."

  "Yes, your disciple obeys the master's order."

  Then, Zhenyang Daojun spoke up: "The thank-you ceremony is complete, you may rise."

  Xuan Yin Dao Jun stood up and, following Zhen Yang Dao Jun's indication, moved to the last position of the Ben Men Yuan Ying cultivators, indicating that the ceremony had ended.

  The whole process took less than half an hour. By this time, Zhenyang Daojun gave the order, and all the disciples could retreat, welcoming guests to take their seats.

  Although these monks no longer need to eat or drink, entertaining guests is still the most important aspect of receiving visitors. The entire Xuan Qing Gate was set up with thousands of tables on the main peak, inviting guests to take their seats, and accompanied by the disciples of Xuan Qing Gate.

  Mo Tian Ge also received this task, she was in charge of entertaining female guests.

  Female guests should be treated better than male guests and all arrangements should be made indoors. Mo Tian Ge felt dizzy for the first time gathering with so many female cultivators in one hall.

  Nothing else, just too fragrant!

  The female cultivators who came to the Xuán Qīng Gate to offer congratulations were all of a certain status within their sects, each considering themselves as fairy maidens. As fairy maidens, they naturally carried an otherworldly aura and fragrance about them.

  If it were just one, that would be fine, but with all these women on this floor, various fragrances mixed together, Mo Tian Ge almost fainted from the overwhelming scent! In the end, he simply sealed his nose with spiritual energy, pretending there was no smell at all.

  However, this time it really opened her eyes, and she found out that the female cultivators in the cultivation world were actually like this. To think that when she first started at Yunwu Sect, she was dressed as a man, and later on when she came to Xuqing Gate, although she was with other female cultivators like Luofeng Xue, Xuqing Gate was after all a Taoist sect. The female cultivators mostly wore Taoist attire, and the few close ones she had were all plain and simple in their dressing.

  This major event, the other six major sects naturally all came. The female cultivators of the Tiandao Sect came in three people, but with three different dress styles: one was a fairy-like dress, one was wrapped in black cloth with key parts of her body exposed, showing large areas of snow-white skin, and one was dressed in a shallow purple and white-edged sect uniform. It's said that the disciples of the Tiandao Sect are a mix of dragons and snakes, with all sorts of backgrounds, and looking at their dress styles, it seems to be true.

  Then came the disciples of Gujian Sect. The Gujian Sect was a sword-repairing sect, and its disciples were supposed to be simple and unadorned, all wearing green robes and white shirts, with long swords slung over their shoulders. Because of the conflict with the Gujian Sect cultivators before, Mo Tian Ge didn't have a good impression of the Gujian Sect, so these female Gujian Sect cultivators were received by other fellow disciples instead.

  Then there is the Orthodox Sect. Although the Orthodox Sect itself is not in Kunwu, it has a great reputation in the north and is also a force that cannot be underestimated. The Orthodox Sect, like the Xuqing Gate, is also a Taoist sect, and its female disciples are all dressed in blue and white Taoist robes with a plain face. However, the blue color of their Taoist robes is a kind of bluish-green color, while the Taoist robes of the Xuqing Gate are mostly white with dark and light blue colors dotted on them, they wear a bluish-green robe with a white jacket outside.

  The female disciples of the Azure Cloud Sect are another story altogether. The Azure Cloud Sect is a very peculiar sect, first and foremost it accepts more female disciples than any other, secondly regardless of gender its disciples are all extremely beautiful, and lastly their dual cultivation methods are extremely famous. The Azure Cloud Sect's uniform is a white robe, these female disciples wearing them look like they're floating on air, icy and elegant.

  There are also female disciples of the Ling Shou Sect. Their sect's uniform is yellow, although not as elegant as the Biyun Sect's female disciples, they look more lovely and charming. The hem of their clothes is embroidered with a Qilin, said to be the mount of the founder of the Ling Shou Sect.

  As for Dan Ding Gate, due to its severe damage, there was only one female disciple who sat silently on the side, and her attire was also unremarkable.

  Apart from this, other slightly inferior medium and small sects, female disciples have different charms, most of them do not wear sectarian attire, and many are dressed up to be enchanting and beautiful.

  Mo Tian Ge guessed that it was precisely because his sect wasn't one of the seven major sects, so he loved beauty even more. In contrast, most disciples from the seven major sects wore their sect's uniform, and when it came to looks and temperament, they weren't any weaker.

  What made Mo Tian Ge feel satisfied was that among this large group of female cultivators, although her appearance wasn't bad, it also wasn't too outstanding, which suited her intentions just right.

  As a woman, few do not love beauty, but she has always known that as a female cultivator, it is better to be just average in appearance. With a little bit of good looks, others will generally treat her with kindness, yet without being threatening, male cultivators will not have the idea of taking her by force, and female cultivators will not feel jealous - there are too many beauties in the cultivation world, if one is not stunningly beautiful, they will likely be classified as ugly, but if they stand out among a group of beauties, they will become the target of competition among many high-ranking cultivators. Therefore, being just right is the best.

  At this time, all the "fairies" have been invited to take their seats. These fairies, of course, would not speak loudly like the male cultivators, and only soft whispers could be heard throughout the entire side hall, with a few minor discordances in the content of their conversations.

  The women from the mediocre sects nearby all looked at each other, only to see a proud-looking woman glance at her opponent with a hint of disdain. She turned to her fellow disciple and said, "Sister, don't you think some people just lack self-awareness? Everyone who came to congratulate us today are elite disciples from various sects. How can someone with ordinary talent, who only managed to advance to the foundation stage thanks to their ancestors' blessings, dare to attend the infant's birthday ceremony? It's simply laughable."

  The nun sitting next to her nodded repeatedly.

  The woman who was glanced at by her sneered: "Some people's vision is still stuck in 800 years ago, thinking that they have a good talent and were born into a good family, so they always think they are superior to others. Even when someone has surpassed them, they don't know it, and they still use their outdated perspective to look at problems!"

  "You——" The woman with a proud face twisted her face, obviously spoiled since childhood, sarcastic to others, but not well-behaved.

  The woman who had just mocked her smiled and batted an eyelash: "Elder Sister Yuan, don't you agree?"

  The proud woman received her flirtatious glance and slammed the table in anger: "He Ruoxian! You shameless vixen!"

  That woman named He Ruxuan was indeed beautiful, but more importantly, she had a captivating aura and demeanor. This proud woman, known as Yuan Shijie, although also considered beautiful, somehow lost out in terms of charm.

  He Ru Xuan heard her words, but didn't get angry either. Instead, she deliberately laughed in a soft voice and said: "Yuanyu Shijie, are you still mad at me? I told you it was Zheng Shixiong who liked me himself, I didn't have that intention, why are you mad at me?"

  It's an explanation on the surface, but a satire in reality. This senior sister was so angry that her whole body was shaking, and she shouted: "He Ruxuan! You really think you're something good, but you're just a goods that has been slept with by men from the east to the west! You don't even know how many men have slept with you!"

  This sentence is so astonishing that it broadens my horizons. It turns out that these ethereal and refined fairy ladies can also utter such coarse and mundane words when quarreling, just like those male cultivators!

  When she heard this, He Ruxuan's face finally showed a hint of movement, but her anger only lasted for an instant before she covered it up again and smiled sweetly: "Look at what Eldest Martial Sister Yuan said, wanting to sleep still requires someone to sleep with, unlike some people who strip naked and lie on others' beds, only to be thrown off. As a woman, it's truly shameful!" The raised eyebrow was clearly directed at Eldest Martial Sister Yuan, and it was obvious who she was referring to.

  Yu's face suddenly turned red. This was obviously her secret, and she hadn't expected to say it out loud in front of so many people. She immediately shouted: "What nonsense are you talking about?!"

  "Am I talking nonsense? Does Yuan Shijie have a number in her heart, or not?" He Ruxuan covered a smile and elegantly lowered her head to drink wine.

  "You—" The senior sister stood up in anger, assuming a fighting stance.

  Moyuan Song saw that things were taking a turn for the worse and immediately stopped watching the play, standing up: "Sister, if there's anything we haven't done to entertain you properly, please forgive us..."

  "It's none of your business!" She hadn't even finished speaking when this senior sister angrily interrupted, "I'm going to settle the score with this shameless vixen!"

  Moye Ge hadn't said anything, when He Ru Xuan suddenly chimed in: "Yuanshi Jie, we are currently at the Xuangqing Gate! The Shifu of this sister who is speaking to you is Jinghe Daojun, a renowned mid-stage Yuanying cultivator. Not like Yuan Shu Shu, who is only a mere early-stage Jiedan cultivator!"

  She openly spoke of Mo Tian Ge, but secretly pointed out the identity of this senior sister, causing the senior sister to be at a loss for words again. However, she also pointed out that Mo Tian Ge's identity was not ordinary and not like the usual junior disciples in the sect who were allowed to run amok without any background. This senior sister still had some rationality left, so she let out an angry hum and sat down.

  He Ru Xuan brought up a victorious smile.

  Moy Tian Ge looked at her and smiled at the senior sister: "It's okay if this senior sister can forgive me, I'll apologize for not entertaining you well."

  Fortunately, this senior sister was not a fool. After He Ru Xuan clarified her identity, although she still couldn't swallow her pride, she knew that as Mo Tian Ge, she couldn't afford to offend her. She stood up and bowed, saying: "I was too presumptuous, please forgive me, Senior Sister."

  Moyan laughed and said, "It's just a small matter, don't mind it."

  This side has returned to calmness, and An Tian Ge secretly gave a glance at He Ru Xuan. She could see that Yuan Shi Jie was a simple and arrogant person, if not for He Ru Xuan provoking her, she wouldn't have lost her composure like this. Fortunately, He Ru Xuan was an intelligent person, seeing An Tian Ge's glance, she smiled back, letting her breathe a sigh of relief.

  Just as things were settled, Mo Tian Ge's sharp ears picked up another commotion at the table.

  However, two female cultivators were competing with each other, mutually ridiculing and mocking each other's attire.

  One of them said: "Zhen sister, this dress you're wearing today is great, but it's just too white, so white that it looks like mourning clothes."

  Another sarcastic remark: "Wan sister, your body is also very beautiful, it's just too red, so red that others will think you're holding a dual repair ceremony!"

  "Oh dear, Sister Zhen is too polite, this hairpin is nice, but it's a bit yellowish, like it's smeared with a banana."

  "Which one of us sisters can wear this white jade hairpin? From a distance, it looks like there's a white radish on top of my head!"

  Some people couldn't help but burst out laughing, and those two women glared at them with furrowed brows: "What's so funny? No manners!"

  Fortunately, the one who laughed thought this play was very interesting and didn't mind, waved his hand and buried his head to laugh secretly.

  Those two women continued to flatter each other.

  "Zhen jie, when did you change your wristband? I thought you'd wear that one until death!"

  "That's something Yuanyuan rarely notices. A good accessory can be paired with many clothes, but occasionally trying new things is enough, unlike Yuanyuan, who changes every day, unfortunately, they are all mundane goods, not even a single piece of spiritual equipment."

  "Mundane objects may be cheap, but they require a lot of effort to find! This is the Immortal Realm, where spiritual artifacts are abundant! However, most of them are crudely made and not much better than mundane objects. The craftsmanship is also rough, making it impossible to even make clothes with them!"

  "Wow, Sister Zhen, this dress of yours is made of Yunjin fabric, right? It's rare, but unfortunately, it seems to be a Yunjin fabric that can't be used for making Taoist instruments. The color is slightly off, I didn't look closely and thought it was made of fish belly skin!"

  "What can compare to Wan's sister's pearl necklace? I don't know what year those old pearls are from, they don't have any spiritual energy at all, they're dull and dark, not even shiny. They look like fish scales. I said, sister, if you lack pearls, just come to my place to get some, our family has a lake that produces pearls with spiritual energy, good enough to make spiritual instruments!"

  Mo Tian Ge glanced at the steamed whole fish on the table and suddenly lost his appetite.

  "How dare I trouble Sister! Although our house is not as big as Sister Zhen's, we have branches everywhere. If Sister Zhen wants something new and fresh, just let us know, no need to be polite!"

  As they spoke, their eyes met in a fiery gaze.

  "Our family doesn't lack anything, where is there a need for someone like Ruan sister to be so anxious!"

  "Zhen sister didn't change clothes for a year, and they were all colors and styles from several years ago. Her younger sister saw it and naturally paid more attention."

  The two people got closer and closer, their eyes gleaming with ferocity.

  The two women sitting at this table were both Qi Refining disciples, and they were also the ones who had been assigned to receive the ordinary female disciples. The female disciple was still a young girl, and seeing that these two people didn't even notice anyone else, she trembled with fear and didn't dare to come forward to advise them.

  Mo Tian Ge saw this, stood up, walked to the little girl by the Xuan Qing Gate and gently put down his wine cup.

  Upon noticing her arrival, the two female cultivators finally stopped throwing dagger glances at each other and turned their attention to her. Seeing that she was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, they hastily put on a smile: "Greetings, Senior Aunt."

  Moy Tian Ge raised his hand, stopping the two from bowing, and smiled: "Two ladies, please forgive me for not being a good host, let me toast you both with a cup."

  The foundation repair masters toasted, they dared not decline, and immediately stood up and drank each one.

  The stranger smiled and patted the little girl standing beside her on the shoulder, gesturing for her to sit down. "My young apprentice isn't very good at talking," he said. "Please bear with us, ladies. Help me greet the others first, thank you."

  He downed his drink in one gulp and gave them a final nod before turning to leave. The little girl behind him called out softly, "Thank you, Master."

  Upon hearing the title "Shi Zu", both women showed a hesitant expression, and eventually asked the little girl about her identity in a low voice, no longer teasing each other.

  Moy Tian Ge returned to his own position, tiredly rubbing his neck. These so-called fairy maidens weren't much different from mortal women after all; being with them was truly exhausting!

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