Chapter 286 - 248: Celebrating Master Donghua! (Double - )
Chapter 286: Chapter 248: Celebrating Master Donghua! (Double Chapter)
Zhengyang Hall!
This is the most ancient and majestic main hall at the peak of the Cyan Peak Daoist School, usually closed to outsiders and only used for significant ceremonies.
The sound of silk and bamboo is melodious, with green jade paving the ground, and rows of white jade altars arranged in sequence.
The aroma of spirit wine fills the air, and piles of fruit and delicacies are stacked up; just a whiff is enough to uplift one’s spirit, giving a sense of transcending mortal bounds.
Even at the lower hall with eighteen green jade altars, there are rare delicacies and spirit fruits, Tier Three wine.
Master Fire Cloud sat behind the jade altar in the lower hall, initially greeted fellow cultivators around him courteously, then raised his head cautiously to look toward the upper hall.
"One, two, three... fifteen!"
He silently counted in his heart, softly counting the white jade altars in the upper hall once over, feeling deeply shaken!
Fifteen jade altars, which means there are fifteen Golden Core cultivators up there!
On ordinary days, just one Golden Core Cultivator could wipe out his entire Flame Cloud Sect, but now there are fifteen at once, how terrifying is that?
At the very front of the main hall, there are also eight golden jade altars, but at this moment they are all empty.
Master Fire Cloud dared not breathe loudly, fearing slight disturbance may cause displeasure to those seated above.
At the same time, he secretly regretted whether his rash move to come with celebratory gifts was a bit too impetuous.
Were past gifted artifacts truly acts of kindness?
"Fellow Daoists, you have come from miles away, and I am immensely grateful!"
Just then, seven streaks of golden light approached in unison, landing behind golden jade altars at the very front of the main hall.
Only the centermost jade altar remains unoccupied.
"Greetings to the seven fellow Daoists!"
"Salutations to the seven Ascendants!"
In the main hall, various Golden Core and Foundation Establishment Cultivators bowed in respect.
The seven Golden Core cultivators of the Cyan Peak Daoist School returned the salute, then took their seats as hosts and guests.
"The protagonist is here!"
Just then, Celestial Spirit Celestial Fighter Ascendant from Celestial Spirit Peak chuckled lightly.
Master Tiandou among the Golden Core cultivators of the Daoist School is the oldest, with the strongest cultivation, being the only Late Stage Golden Core cultivator capable of manifesting anomalies.
This Golden Core Ceremony is hosted by him.
As for Master Yunyang, he would meet Gu Yuan after the ceremony, not appearing during it.
After all, the appearance of a Daoist Embryo would overshadow the main subject of the ceremony.
Accompanied by Master Tiandou’s laughter, a handsome Daoist led a peerlessly beautiful female cultivator, floating in elegantly.
Seeing the only empty seat at the center of the main hall, the Daoist hesitated slightly.
"No need to hesitate, junior brother; today you are the protagonist, celebrated by hundreds of sects, you should take the host seat!"
Master Tiandou laughed heartily and extended an inviting gesture to him.
"Thank you, senior brother, and thanks to all fellow Daoists!"
Gu Yuan chuckled lightly, without hesitation, leading Cen Qingqing to sit calmly behind the host seat.
In an instant, all eyes in the main hall were focused on them.
Curiosity, envy, calmness... varied emotions.
Gu Yuan nodded to them one by one, facing them with composure rather than timidity.
However, Cen Qingqing seemed slightly uneasy under so many gazes.
Being able to join Gu Yuan at the Golden Core ceremony filled her with joy, yet as a mere Foundation Establishment Cultivator seated above numerous Golden Core cultivators, she felt a bit apprehensive inside.
For some reason, she instinctively glanced at Sword Fox Ascendant beside Gu Yuan.
Sword Fox Ascendant appeared to have dressed up today, wearing a pristine white Daoist robe, pure and immaculate, a white jade gauze veil replaced, pink eyes gleaming, lingered momentarily on Cen Qingqing, then looked at Gu Yuan.
"Junior brother, today’s ceremony is your opportunity to understand various sects."
"After all, post-Golden Core, you are a cornerstone of the Daoist School, inevitably representing the school in encounters."
Sword Fox Ascendant softly transmitted voice, saying to Gu Yuan.
"Rest assured, senior sister, I know!"
Gu Yuan responded with a smile.
The Golden Core Ceremony has little fanfare, merely a gathering for gift exchange, meet and greet, sharing cultivation insights, and providing mutual care when traversing the South Mountain Domain.
Some Golden Core cultivators with solitary personalities don’t even want to hold such ceremonies, finding them not very useful.
But the Golden Core Ceremony is a good occasion for gift collections, and Gu Yuan would not want to miss it.
"Fellow Daoist Gu formed the Core at a hundred years, his talent extraordinary, I pale in comparison. Today, in this fortunate opportunity to attend the ceremony, I offer a thousand-year Spirit Rhinoceros Bamboo as a gift to Fellow Daoist!"
From the end of the white jade altar, a refined woman dressed in a long blue robe, a bamboo leaf scar in the middle of her brow, took out a jade box and offered it to Gu Yuan.
"This is Master Moon Bamboo from Moon Bamboo Market, a bamboo spirit cultivated to enlightenment, she has ties with our Daoist School, and the market she founded is bustling with guests from all quarters, having substantial wealth and abundant resources. If needs arise in the future, extend your request to her."
Sword Fox Ascendant quietly transmitted voice to explain to Gu Yuan.
Gu Yuan was enlightened, bowed to Master Moon Bamboo, and said, "In my humble beginnings, I have witnessed the prosperity of Moon Bamboo Market, but today I have the honor to meet Master in person, I beg forgiveness!"
The two exchanged pleasantries, sharing a drink, marking their acquaintance.
"Fellow Daoist Gu, our two sects have been connected for a millennium, this Tier Three Minor Creation Pill is gifted to congratulate Fellow Daoist on successfully forming the Core, may you enjoy a thousand years of longevity!"
Following Master Moon Bamboo, an elderly man with white hair and beard, eyes showing signs of the ages, took out a jade bottle and gifted it to Gu Yuan.
"This is Master Qiansui from the Primordial Cauldron Sect, located in the eastern reaches of the Nine Rivers Marsh a distance of thirty thousand miles, their sect has four Golden Core cultivators, yet most are of advanced age, especially Master Qiansui, who has lived over nine hundred years, with not much time left."