Chapter 377: The Grand Ascension Ceremony

Zhang Jian's ascetic period this time was longer than before.

He had previously relied on the Qiankun Sheji Lingji to instantly attain the Yuanshen, but in reality he lacked many things; this time in seclusion, he prepared to reacquire these myriad arts of cultivation.

Meanwhile, Empress Qi smoothly gave birth to a second daughter.

Unexpectedly, this second daughter was comparatively more ordinary than the preceding three sons and one daughter, as if the earlier ones had exhausted heaven and earth's fortune, leaving this daughter merely possessing a middling upper-grade water-fire spiritual root, with no other Dao-body beyond that.

This caused no small stir within and without the Great Xia imperial household.

After all, the two sons and one daughter previously borne by Empress Qi were evidently outstanding in talent.

Especially Zhang Xian, who in the cultivation world also made a great splash, possessing a body hailed as ranking among the foremost innate Dao-tai physiques between heaven and earth.

The innate Dao-tai body is naturally close to the Dao, a banished immortal's physique; as long as one does not fall, one can certainly tread the immortal path and achieve great accomplishments therein.

Yet for this little daughter, the Great Xia Emperor and Empress showed extraordinary affection.

Scarcely born, she was immediately conferred the title of Yang Huang Princess.

……

Within the Tongshan Dao Tong

At this time, many Yuanshen Zhenjun of the Tongshan lineage gathered, yet they were discussing a major matter.

This day, Jue Ming Dao Ren suddenly emerged from seclusion, announcing his Dao cultivation was complete, preparing to ascend to the Heavenly Gate.

This immediately caused a great commotion in the cultivation world!

At this time, in the Ancestral Master Hall, Jue Ming Dao Ren faced many second-generation ancestral masters, as well as part of the third-generation peers, fourth-generation disciples, and fifth-generation disciples; most present were accomplished cultivators, either as Yin Shen listeners or Yuan Shen Zhenren seated in their places.

"Fellow Daoists, this time I speak of having also received the blessing from the Zhan Mao lineage's Zhang Shizhi, having prematurely perfected my Dao cultivation, and not long ago already obtained the Ancestral Master's permission, allowing ascent to the Heavenly Realm."

"And the third patriarch of the Tongshan Dao Tong shall be selected from among the fourth-generation disciples; you may speak freely, nominate those you favor!"

Walking upon the upper seat, Jue Ming Dao Ren bore a smile like spring wind upon his face.

The other Yuanshen Zhenren had long since received the news, yet even now their faces still bore undisguisable envy.

Ascending to the Heavenly Gate, becoming a Heavenly Immortal—this is the dream of many cultivators.

For cultivators of the Tongshan Dao Tong, becoming an immortal is easy, but ascending to the Heavenly Gate is difficult.

But no matter what, Jue Ming Dao Ren's ability to ascend is good news.

Once this matter spreads, I fear the Tongshan Dao Tong's influence in this realm will yet rise several notches.

Meanwhile, many present Yuanshen sages unconsciously turned their gaze toward the person seated below Jue Ming Dao Ren, clad in purple-gold Daoist robes, a martial Daoist.

This Daoist bore a martial countenance and refined bearing; seeing the gazes cast upon him, he merely gave a slight smile.

This is the Floating Daoist!

His Daoist appellation is Floating Child!

Actually, this third-generation patriarch of Tongshan has little suspense.

Everyone knows the Qingyuan lineage has prepared for this for thousands of years.

The years Floating Daoist attained the Dao are actually still before many third-generation Zhenjun; he entered Jue Ming Dao Ren's gate in the latter antiquity, his cultivation spanning over thousands of years, his Dao cultivation already having reached the Yuan Shen Zhenjun realm.

And early on he accompanied Jue Ming Dao Ren in handling Tongshan Dao Tong sect affairs, also counting as deep seniority.

Upon the upper seat, Jue Ming Dao Ren turned his gaze to Zhan Mao Zhenjun, smiling: "Zhan Mao Shimei, whom do you think is the best candidate for third-generation patriarch?!"

His gaze bore an inquisitive hue.

Many Tongshan Dao Tong cultivators in the hall also turned their gazes over.

Among the seated Tongshan Eight Great Lineages and many Dao Tong Fa Mai, those qualified to threaten Floating Daoist's 'heir apparent' position are indeed only the Zhan Mao Peak lineage.

Originally, the Zhan Mao lineage had no such speaking right.

But the Zhan Mao Peak lineage's fourth-generation disciple Zhang Jian, after stepping onto the Saint King Great Dao, everything changed.

Holding the mountains and rivers, the state, heaven and earth, sun and moon as a Yuan Shen Great Zhenren, combined with the Jun Wang Golden Man, his speaking right still stands above ordinary Yuan Shen Zhenjun.

If he were to set his mind to it, wanting to contend, that would pose a threat to Floating Daoist.

Of course, due to Zhan Mao Zhenjun's temperament, this threat is actually not great, but if the Zhan Mao Peak lineage refuses to express an opinion, then Floating Daoist's future patriarch position would not be secure.

Zhan Mao Zhenjun glanced at Jue Ming Dao Ren, speaking blandly: "What good opinion could I have? Just let Patriarch Shixiong Floating Shizhi take it; Floating Shizhi has accomplished his training, fully capable of assuming the patriarch's position!"

She glanced at Jue Ming Dao Ren, expressionless.

Jue Ming Dao Ren had long anticipated this, early on taking Zhang Xian into his door, and recently again entrusting Floating Daoist to transmit teachings in his stead.

What else could Zhan Mao Zhenjun say?

Of course, Zhan Mao Zhenjun also inquired Zhang Jian's opinion; Zhang Jian's ambition lies not within the sect.

If so, Floating Zhenren succeeding as Tongshan Dao Tong's third-generation patriarch makes no difference from others.

With Jue Ming Dao Ren 'paving the way,' other lineage peak masters, elders, and sect second-generation ancestral masters had no objections; people soon confirmed Floating Zhenren's third-generation patriarch status.

Afterwards, Jue Ming Dao Ren again sought out Zhan Mao Zhenjun to express thanks.

"Patriarch Shixiong saying thanks is just being distant!"

Jue Ming Dao Ren, hearing this, was slightly surprised, a hint of smile appearing at the corner of his mouth, but instantly the smile stalled.

Yet he heard Zhan Mao Zhenjun say.

"Rather than speak of these empty things, better let Shizhi in the future give our Zhan Mao Peak lineage some benefits; that is the real thing!"

Jue Ming Dao Ren, hearing this, gave a wry smile.

Zhan Mao Zhenjun remains unchanged.

He thought for a moment, then immediately said again.

"Shimei, the sect will still need your Zhan Mao lineage to exert more strength in the future!"

His expression solemn, he sighed somewhat.

"Actually, according to my elder brother's original plan, I still prepared to remain in the mundane world for several hundred years, always waiting until the situation thoroughly stabilizes, until Tongshan Dao Tong is reborn, but man's schemes are not as heaven's, my Dao cultivation prematurely perfected, fortunately there is still a rather good position in the Heavenly Palace..."

Saying this, the corner of his mouth floated up a hint of a smile.

Zhanmo Zhenjun's mouth twitched slightly upon hearing that.

In the celestial realm, divine positions are like radishes in holes—vacating one usually presents a great opportunity, and countless ordinary immortals are watching closely.

Not only the stipend and status, but cultivation also becomes much easier with the backing of a great mountain.

Zhanmo Zhenjun said unhappily, "Enough, stop showing off here—just say what you need to!"

Jieming Daoist nodded.

"Junior sister, the appearance of the Asura Gate between the two realms this time is likely no coincidence. I have received news that many special extraplanar passages have also appeared in other regions. I fear those extradimensional gods and demons may have some scheme. Your floating Dao cultivation is somewhat lacking, and your influence in the sect is not as great as mine. At that time, I hope you will offer us more support."

"This is for the Qingyuan lineage, and also for the Tongshan Dao tradition!"

His expression was solemn.

Upon hearing this, Zhanmo Zhenjun briefly considered and immediately agreed.

"Rest assured, if you fare well in the celestial realm, remember not to forget us, your junior sisters!"

Jieming Daoist heard this and smiled faintly, glancing at Zhanmo Zhenjun before saying:

"Junior sister, I've noticed that since you accepted Zhang Shifu as your closed-door disciple, your temperament has changed considerably!"

Zhanmo Zhenjun let out a light snort, ignored Jieming Daoist's teasing, and simply sent a message flying toward Haojing City.

……

In Haojing City, the Huangting Blessed Land

At this moment, the Huangting Blessed Land was undergoing a subtle transformation, as streams of nine-colored light flowed from Zhang Jian's palm into it, altering its structure.

After merging with the nine-colored fertile soil for a time, his understanding of earthly authority deepened, and he gained a new insight into the Huangting Blessed Land's method, which he was now 'testing' and putting into practice.

At that very moment, his expression shifted slightly as he saw a streak of light tear through the void and appear before him.

"The Ascension Ceremony?"

After a brief glance, Zhang Jian's expression stirred.

Such a lively event—he had never heard of it before, and indeed, he should broaden his horizons!