strokinit Chapter 137 "I, Lu Yuan, today exercise my right to 'question the heavens'! I challen
Chapter 137 "I, Lu Yuan, today exercise my right to 'question the heavens'! I challen
Inside the carriage, Lu Yuan's breath caught in his throat for a moment.
Is it a scam?
The villagers, trudging step by step through that hundred-mile stretch of icy snow, their faces purple with cold, their breath steaming in the air, their eyes filled with anticipation...
Is it all a joke?
The villagers who waited anxiously outside the city, even clashing with officials, treasured the jade bean they held in their hands. Was it all just a scam?
To be honest, Lu Yuan was well aware of the behind-the-scenes maneuvers involved in this Heavenly Venerable Ceremony.
Lu Yuan knew there was more to this than met the eye.
Whether it was through Senior Brother Song Yan or Senior Brother He Xun himself, they had both openly and subtly told Lu Yuan not to mess around. Even…
Last time, Song Yan had almost made this matter public.
The current Celestial Venerable was actually chosen ten years ago.
Even my own old man, it seems, suffered some major misfortune because of these things back then...
Lu Yuan already knew about these things.
But Lu Yuan still decided to continue the fight.
The reason is that Lu Yuan knew there would be some shady dealings involved, but at least if he did enough of the things that were out in the open, there would still be a chance.
For example, the Book of the People.
Lu Yuan believed that as long as he played the "popular support" card to its fullest extent, to the point that no one could ignore it, there would always be a glimmer of hope. This is why Lu Yuan was so desperate to eliminate the place that nurtured evil spirits.
As long as the jade beans in the Book of Ten Thousand People pile up into a mountain, they can pry open that tightly closed door.
And now...
Shen Jizhou suddenly said that the "Book of Ten Thousand People" was fake, the "Taoist Certificate" was fake, and the voting process was fake.
The real verdict took place in a place isolated from the outside world...
A closed-door meeting?
Shen Jizhou looked at Lu Yuan's shocked expression, a complex look flashing across his face.
It was a kind of pity from someone who had been there for the naive, mixed with a barely perceptible sigh.
"What do you think the Celestial Venerable Ceremony is?"
His voice was calm, yet it was like a boulder crashing into a cold pool.
"Were they chosen by the people outside the pass, one jade bean per person?"
"Was it decided by each Taoist temple through a merit book competition?"
Shen Jizhou lowered his gaze, his fingers gently tracing the ancient patterns on the magic sword on his lap, the movement as tender as if caressing a piece of long-forgotten history. "The Celestial Venerable Ceremony is held once every five years."
"The real core, from beginning to end, was the three-day closed-door meeting of the abbots of the original twenty Taoist temples outside the pass."
His voice was soft, yet every word was crystal clear.
"These twenty people are the ones who will truly decide who will become the 'Celestial Venerable of this Era'."
"The so-called period of public opinion, the so-called book of merit, the so-called book of the people, the so-called Taoist gate plaque..."
"All the excitement, all the shouting, all the running around, is just for show."
He raised his head and looked at Lu Yuan.
"That's called being respectable."
"To make the people outside the pass feel that the Heavenly Venerable is the one the people yearn for and the one they all hope for."
But the true "return" is never found in those jade beans.
Lu Yuan lowered his head in silence, accepting all of this...
Shen Jizhou seemed to see through his thoughts and spoke softly:
"Do you think this is dark?"
"Do you think these twenty people are the bad guys who are controlling everything?"
"I can tell you clearly, quite the opposite."
"These twenty people are the true heroes of the Daoist sect beyond the Great Wall!"
ha?
Lu Yuan suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with absurdity and incomprehension.
Shen Jizhou met his gaze, his expression as calm as a deep pool of water.
He didn't rush to explain, but gently placed the magic sword on his lap aside, clasped his hands together, and slowly began to speak.
How many Taoist sects are there outside the pass?
Lu Yuan was taken aback, and subconsciously replied:
"There must be at least several hundred Taoist temples, big and small."
Shen Jizhou nodded:
"Different lineages, different philosophies, and even more different interests."
"Some are rooted in towns, some are scattered in the mountains, some specialize in talismans, and some are proficient in rituals."
"Normally, we keep to ourselves, but when something major happens that requires everyone's obedience, whose orders do we listen to?"
"Heavenly Venerable."
"When disputes arise within a Taoist temple, who will mediate?"
"Heavenly Venerable."
"If a Taoist temple goes astray, who will punish it?"
"It is still the Heavenly Venerable."
His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable weight.
"What would happen if this power were given free rein for everyone to fight over and grab?"
Lu Yuan didn't speak.
Shen Jizhou answered for him:
"It will be chaotic."
"There will be factions, there will be open and covert struggles, and there will be people who turn the entire Daoist sect outside the Great Wall upside down in their fight for this position." He paused, his voice becoming somewhat heavy.
"You think I'm trying to scare you?"
"The Taoist sects outside the Great Wall have existed for hundreds of years, and they've seen this kind of thing many times."
"There was once a grand ceremony for the Heavenly Venerables, and because the various factions were fighting so fiercely, it ended up resulting in deaths."
"The abbots of the two Taoist temples turned against each other on the spot, and after returning home, they each gathered their own forces and fought for three whole years."
"For three years, no one cared about the evil spirits, the people suffered, and in the end, more people died than the struggle itself."
Lu Yuan's Adam's apple bobbed.
Shen Jizhou looked at him, his tone softening slightly.
"That's why this closed-door meeting of twenty people took place."
"These twenty families are ancient lineages that have existed since the very beginning of Taoism. It is through hundreds of years of trials and tribulations that they have reached this position." "When they close their doors, whether they argue, curse, or fight, they must ultimately come up with a result that everyone can accept." "That result is the 'Current Celestial Venerable'."
"The jade beans outside are a performance for the people, a tool to appease their hearts."
The real "choice" has always been behind that door.
Lu Yuan remained silent for a long time.
He suddenly raised his head, his eyes as clear as a sword just drawn from its sheath.
"Then what makes you think that the twenty people chosen are necessarily the right ones?"
"What if they're wrong?"
A knowing glint flashed in Shen Jizhou's eyes, as if to say, "I knew you would ask that."
"Good question."
"Then tell me, what does 'right' mean, and what does 'wrong' mean?"
He leaned forward slightly, staring at Lu Yuan.
"You think your master should be a Heavenly Venerable, that's 'right'."
"If the Sun and Moon Temple feels he shouldn't have done it, is that 'wrong'?"
"But ultimately, does right or wrong really matter?"
Shen Jizhou's voice turned cold.
"These twenty people may not be the smartest, nor the most fair."
"But they can guarantee one thing—"
He spoke slowly and deliberately.
"To ensure that the Daoist sects outside the pass do not disintegrate!"
"To have kept these hundreds of Taoist temples united as one for hundreds of years!"
"It allows one command to be given when evil spirits wreak havoc, and responses will come from all directions!"
"That's enough!"
His voice echoed in the cramped carriage, carrying a resolute and unwavering tone.
"What do you think is the purpose of doing this?"
"Is it about everyone getting along well, and everyone being nice to each other?"
He shook his head.
"It's about unity!"
"It's stable!"
"Unity and stability are paramount!"
At this point, Shen Jizhou sighed softly, then picked up the Xuan Yuan Demon-Slaying Decree again and said:
"Of course, there are downsides to doing this; it will always wrong some people."
"Take your master for example. Back then, it wasn't that he refused to give him the position of Heavenly Venerable; he just made him wait ten years."
"But your master was unwilling. He was a bit stubborn and insisted on the Heavenly Venerable of that generation."
"But your master... he's too arrogant, too stubborn. Everyone else can wait, why can't he?"
After Shen Jizhou finished speaking, he stopped looking at Lu Yuan and lowered his head to admire the divine weapon in his hand.
Inside the carriage, there was a deathly silence.
Lu Yuan kept his head down, and no one could see his expression.
A few breaths later, he suddenly raised his head and looked at Shen Jizhou with utmost seriousness.
"Master Uncle".
"Senior Sister Shulan, why didn't you wait a bit?"
Shen Jizhou's fingers, which were stroking the sword, froze.
Lu Yuan's voice wasn't loud, but it rang out clearly in the carriage, like a needle piercing Shen Jizhou's high-sounding rhetoric. "May I ask you again, Uncle-Master?"
"Since the position of Heavenly Venerable is rotated, and it was decided ten years ago..."
"Then why was Senior Sister Shulan able to become a Celestial Venerable this year?"
Upon hearing this, the atmosphere inside the carriage suddenly froze.
Shen Shulan looked at Lu Yuan with a hint of embarrassment in her eyes, then turned her gaze to her father.
Lu Yuan, however, remained unyielding, his gaze fixed firmly on Shen Jizhou.
Lu Yuan felt there was a glimmer of hope in the matter, and it wasn't just a figment of his imagination.
There is a prerequisite before deciding to do this.
That was Shen Shulan!
Since Shen Shulan was able to become the new Celestial Venerable of this era, it means there is still room for maneuver in this matter!
Shen Jizhou put down his magic sword again and looked at Lu Yuan.
He showed no embarrassment whatsoever; instead, he raised his chin, looking arrogant.
"Because, Shulan is my daughter."
Shen Jizhou's tone was extremely serious.
"Because Shulan is the next abbot of Wuqing Temple!"
"Because behind Shulan is Wuqing Temple, the foremost Taoist temple outside the Great Wall!"
He didn't use those high-sounding, convoluted words; Shen Jizhou's frankness was almost a matter of course.
At this point, a hint of sarcasm even appeared on Shen Jizhou's face as he said:
"I can tell you this clearly now."
"The original seven Celestial Venerables of this generation were the Wuqing Temple, Riyue Temple, Tianlong Temple of the Upper Three Sects, plus Qingfeng Temple, Nanlin Temple, Yuxiao Temple, and Beidou Temple."
"Shulan is replacing Yuxiaoguan."
"Even our Wuqing Temple paid an extremely high price to replace a Celestial Venerable."
Shen Jizhou's gaze was filled with disdain.
"If Wuqing Temple is like this, what makes your Zhenlong Temple think it can be the Celestial Venerable of this era?"
What can you offer in return?
"Based on the evil spirit sanctuary you've cleaned up in just one or two months?!"
"This is utterly childish and ridiculous!!"
As Shen Jizhou finished speaking, an eerie silence fell over the carriage once again.
There was no sound, yet it was as if an invisible gunpowder smell permeated the air.
Lu Yuan and Shen Jizhou locked in a fierce battle of wills, their gazes clashing.
Only Shen Shulan looked anxious, but didn't know how to start the conversation.
I don't know how much time passed.
Lu Yuan's lips curled slightly, and he suddenly smiled.
The smile was faint, yet it carried something indescribable.
"Senior Uncle, I have understood all the principles you just explained."
Lu Yuan's voice was calm and unhurried.
"Unity is above all else, stability is above all else."
"The closed-door meeting of twenty people was to prevent the Daoist sect outside the pass from disintegrating and to prevent families from fighting each other."
"I think these points are reasonable."
Lu Yuan paused slightly.
"But you just said that Senior Sister Shulan replaced Yuxiao Temple."
"Wuqing Temple paid a huge price for this spot."
"Then, this junior dares to ask a question."
He looked directly into Shen Jizhou's eyes.
"Did Yuxiao Temple voluntarily give up this spot?"
Shen Jizhou frowned slightly.
Lu Yuan didn't wait for his answer and continued:
"Or rather, was Yuxiao Temple 'wronged' in this effort to achieve 'unity' and 'stability'?"
The air in the carriage suddenly seemed to freeze for a moment.
Shen Jizhou remained silent.
Lu Yuan's voice remained calm:
"My senior master just said that this closed-door meeting of twenty people is to ensure that the Daoist sect outside the pass does not disintegrate."
"But what sustains this 'unbreakable bond'?"
"Is it based on everyone willingly accepting the 'arrangement'?"
"Is it because 'the top three sects' like Wuqing Temple hold enough leverage to make a Taoist temple like Yuxiao Temple willingly 'be wronged'?"
Shen Jizhou's face darkened.
Lu Yuan, however, seemed not to notice and continued:
"My master just said that my master only 'waited for ten years' back then, because he was too stubborn and couldn't wait."
"But I must ask, why should he wait?"
"Just because he doesn't have a powerful backer like Wuqing Temple?"
"Just because he's not one of the 'Upper Three Gates'?"
Lu Yuan's voice was not loud, but every word was like a nail.
"Uncle-Master, you just said that unity and stability are more important than anything else."
"If I may be so bold as to ask—whose unity is this 'unity'?"
"And for whom is this 'stability' meant to be?"
"Is it for the stability of people living and working in peace and contentment outside the Great Wall, or for the stability of sitting at that table forever?"
Shen Jizhou's pupils contracted slightly.
Lu Yuan did not stop:
"You just said that these twenty people are meritorious because they were able to keep the Daoist sect outside the Great Wall from disintegrating."
"This junior would like to ask, if a Taoist sect doesn't speak based on merit, the will of the people, or genuine ability to subdue demons, but instead relies on 'closed-door meetings,' 'deciding ten years in advance,' and 'Wuqing Temple paying a price to exchange for a spot' to maintain so-called 'unity,' then can this Taoist sect truly 'never disintegrate'?"
"Or has it already fallen apart, but is just maintaining a facade of harmony?"
Inside the carriage, it was so quiet that only the crunching sound of the wheels rolling over the snow could be heard.
Shen Jizhou stared at Lu Yuan, his expression indescribably complex.
There was surprise, scrutiny, a touch of annoyance at being touched on a sore spot, and a hint of...
A complex emotion that is hard to define.
Lu Yuan didn't stop. Meeting Shen Jizhou's gaze, he spoke each word clearly, like knife marks etched on ice.
"You say everyone else can wait, so why can't my master?"
Lu Yuan's voice wasn't loud, but it pierced the cramped carriage like a sharp blade.
"Then I'd like to ask, are those who are 'waiting' truly waiting willingly, or are they waiting because they can't afford to offend anyone?" "Are those who are 'wronged' truly willing to suffer for the sake of unity and stability, or are they just used to being wronged and have stopped complaining?" Shen Jizhou's face darkened completely.
"Lu Yuan!"
He gave a low shout:
"How dare you!"
At this moment, Lu Yuan snorted coldly, raised his chin, and looked at Shen Jizhou with an undisguised look of contempt on his face.
"You spoke so confidently and righteously."
"That's only because you're a beneficiary of the system, because you're from Wuqing Temple, that's why you act so high and mighty!"
"If you were the Jade Flute Temple, I'd really like to see what kind of face you have now!"
"Can they still sit there with that 'this is all for everyone's good' attitude?"
Lu Yuan's words were quite harsh.
They even used their true colors; this was practically an insult directed at Shen Jizhou.
At this moment, Shen Shulan no longer had her previous aloof expression; instead, she was filled with panic and hurriedly said:
"Uncle-Master..."
Shen Jizhou stared intently at Lu Yuan, his chest heaving violently. His usually composed face was now filled with shock, anger, and a hint of... a hint of the disheveled state of being struck in a vital spot, which even he himself was unwilling to admit.
Lu Yuan stared intently at Shen Jizhou and said:
"Master Uncle, you just asked me, what makes Zhenlong Temple the Celestial Venerable of this era?"
"You mean, based on the evil spirits I've been cleaning up these past month or two?"
Is it childish?
"Is it laughable?"
At this point, Lu Yuan raised his chin, his voice rising:
"I'll tell you!"
"This is not funny at all!!"
"Because those places where evil spirits are raised are filled with real, monstrous creatures!"
"Those villagers from outside the city weren't 'arranged' to come; they came of their own accord, braving wind and snow, walking hundreds of miles of mountain roads!" "That's not called being respectable; that's called sincerity!"
"That's what the people want!"
Lu Yuan's voice gradually calmed down, but it carried an unprecedented resolve as he abruptly stood up.
His disdainful expression remained unchanged. He casually cupped his hands, looked down at the seated Shen Jizhou, and spoke coldly.
"Those who walk different paths cannot make plans together!"
The moment he finished speaking, Lu Yuan turned around abruptly and lifted the carriage curtain!
A biting wind rushed into the carriage, stirring up the ashes of the charcoal fire and making Shen Jizhou's robes flutter.
Shen Shulan's expression changed drastically, and she suddenly stood up.
"Uncle-Master!!"
Lu Yuan did not turn around.
He leaped off the speeding carriage!
The snow burst open beneath his feet, and he staggered a couple of steps before regaining his balance and standing proudly on the open snowfield.
Behind them, the carriage continued forward, its curtains billowing wildly in the wind.
Site of the Heavenly Venerable Ceremony.
Inside a huge temporary tent, the important figures of the Daoist sects outside the pass gathered together.
Seated on either side of the long table were the abbots who determined the landscape of the area beyond the Great Wall.
Representatives from ordinary Taoist temples could only listen silently from the chairs around them.
Lu Yuan and Song Yan sat in the most inconspicuous corner, watching Crane Patrol Heavenly Venerable argue for the villagers outside the city.
Ultimately, the resolution was passed.
The villagers who braved the wind and snow were allowed to throw in their jade beans in advance.
This was not a difficult task to begin with. As Shen Shulan said, the fact that it has been delayed until now is a disgrace to the entire Daoist sect.
Shen Jizhou remained silent throughout.
It was as if the almost heated argument on the carriage had never happened.
He sat upright, his expression indifferent, showing disdain for such a "trivial matter" and having no reason to refuse.
The matter was quickly settled, and polling stations were set up immediately.
The villagers outside the city were finally able to flood into this place that would determine "public opinion".
In the afternoon, the warm sun shone weakly on the snow.
The venue for the Heavenly Venerable Ceremony was packed with people; the Taoists had long since dispersed, and the place had become a sea of villagers.
Lu Yuan stood at a distance, quietly watching those simple and devout faces.
"I heard from Shulan that you and her father overturned the table?"
The voice of Crane Patrol Celestial Venerable sounded from behind, carrying a lingering weariness.
Lu Yuan turned around and saw Crane Patrol Celestial Venerable and Song Yan. His senior uncle had dark circles under his eyes, as if he hadn't slept for days and nights. Lu Yuan was taken aback, then slightly bowed.
"Master Uncle".
He stood up straight and answered calmly.
"I didn't flip the table."
Crane Patrol Celestial Venerable was taken aback.
Lu Yuan's eyes were clear as he spoke, word by word:
"I just called him shameless to his face."
Crane Patrol Celestial Venerable: ..."
A look of bewilderment crossed his face, and he sighed.
"You little punk, really... Even I have to give that old bastard Shen Jizhou some face, but you..."
Lu Yuan merely snorted coldly, turning his gaze back to the throng of people in the distance.
"So what if they cursed? There's nothing to be afraid of."
The only person he felt a little guilty about was Shen Shulan.
In this whole affair, she was probably the one who had the hardest time.
She did nothing wrong.
But I myself am not wrong either.
"It seems he revealed everything about that 'closed-door meeting' to you."
Crane-Patrolling Celestial Venerable followed his gaze, his voice filled with emotion.
Lu Yuan didn't hide anything and nodded directly.
Crane Patrol Celestial Venerable was stunned again, clearly not expecting Shen Jizhou to be so frank. He remained silent for a long time before shaking his head with a wry smile. "He really... doesn't treat you like an outsider."
He let out a long sigh of white breath, which lingered in the cold air for a long time.
"You and your master are practically identical..."
Crane Patrol Celestial Venerable stepped forward and patted Lu Yuan's shoulder heavily, his eyes filled with complex emotions.
"You'd better watch yourself."
"This is reality, this is the rule, this is the code of conduct that has remained unshakable for hundreds of years—the code of conduct of the Daoist sects beyond the Great Wall..."
After saying that, he turned around and walked away with heavy steps.
Song Yan stood there, looking at his master's desolate figure and then at his junior brother's straight back, before finally hurrying after him.
In the instant he turned around, he lowered his voice and quickly left behind a sentence.
"Junior brother, as long as we're alive, we can always make a comeback! Don't do anything foolish!"
The next seventeen days.
The various procedures of the Celestial Venerable Ceremony are in full swing.
But Lu Yuan's figure disappeared from the sight of those high-ranking members of the Daoist sect.
He did not stay indoors.
He left the Zhao residence and entered the makeshift camp set up by the villagers outside the city.
He spent every day with those people.
Listen to their stories of evil spirits in their hometown, and draw some talismans to ward off evil for them.
Occasionally, he would also help some elderly people who had been troubled by evil energy for a long time to improve their health.
He never mentioned the Heavenly Venerable Ceremony or the True Dragon Temple.
It seems they've completely lost interest in the Heavenly Venerable Ceremony; they don't want to compete or fight for it anymore.
After learning about Lu Yuan's situation, the Heavenly Venerable Crane Patrol simply said:
"He is smarter than his master."
Despite this, his words carried an endless sigh and a hint of disappointment.
Seventeen days later, at noon.
The final venue for the ceremony was packed with people.
The enormous, round mound looked to Lu Yuan like a meticulously decorated grave mound.
The red silk covering it was as glaring as fresh blood.
The seven-colored banners at the four corners fluttered wildly in the cold wind, making a mournful sound, as if playing a funeral dirge for this grand deception. Below, a dense crowd of people stood.
Hundreds of Taoist temples, large and small, from outside the pass have gathered here today.
The various colored Taoist robes resembled a flowing sea of clouds: bluish-gray, moon-white, jet-black, ochre-yellow...
According to their respective lineages and status, they are arranged in layers, stretching to the horizon.
The innermost layer consists of the seven current Celestial Venerables.
They sat or stood, their expressions composed, occasionally exchanging a few words in hushed tones, yet all maintaining a tacit reserve.
Wuqing Temple is located in the very center.
Shen Jizhou sat upright in a rosewood armchair, dressed in a black robe with dark gold cloud patterns embroidered on the hem, which shimmered faintly in the sunlight. On his lap lay the Xuan Yuan Demon-Slaying Decree, his fingers lightly resting on the sword case, his expression calm and unreadable.
Shen Shulan stood half a step behind him, her moon-white Taoist robe accentuating her cool and aloof demeanor.
Her gaze, however, would occasionally drift towards the distance, to that corner where Lu Yuan stood alone.
He Ming, the abbot of Riyue Temple, sat to Shen Jizhou's right, his eyes closed, seemingly resting.
But his slightly trembling eyebrows betrayed that he was not as calm as he appeared.
Crane Xun of Tianlong Temple sat to Shen Jizhou's left.
The dark circles under his eyes were even deeper than they had been a dozen days ago, and he was whispering something to the disciple beside him.
The other celestial beings sat scattered around, each with a different expression.
Behind them were representatives from hundreds of ordinary Taoist temples. They had no seats and could only stand, but no one complained.
This is the rule, a rule that has been in place for hundreds of years.
Lu Yuan stood on the outermost edge.
He mingled among the common people and ordinary disciples who were allowed to attend the ceremony, wearing a worn-out blue robe, his hair casually tied back with a single wooden hairpin. His face showed no anger or resentment, only a stagnant calm.
He looked at the tall building, at the people, and at the countless flags in the sky.
It's like watching a farce that has nothing to do with me.
The midday sun finally reached its zenith.
A long, drawn-out horn sounded from high above.
That was a bull horn, its deep and resonant sound penetrating the entire venue and reaching the eardrums of everyone present.
As the horn fell silent, an aged yet resonant voice came from above.
"The auspicious time has arrived."
"Respectfully requesting the Golden Book of the Celestial Venerable."
Everyone looked up at the same time.
Above them stood an old Taoist priest with white hair and beard, dressed in a bright red robe.
Holding a jade scroll wrapped in bright yellow silk in both hands, he slowly walked up the hill.
That was the Taoist "Proclamation Envoy".
Each Heavenly Venerable Ceremony is presided over by a highly respected retired abbot from the Taoist sects outside the Great Wall.
The old Taoist priest walked to the center of the hall, faced the crowd, and slowly unfurled the jade book in his hand.
The jade book, with its jade slips strung together with gold thread, gleamed with a warm luster in the sunlight.
The seal characters written with cinnabar on the top, each stroke exuding solemnity and antiquity.
The entire room fell silent.
The old Taoist priest took a deep breath, his voice ringing out and echoing throughout the surrounding area.
"The Taoist sects outside the pass uphold the Way of Heaven and protect the region."
"On this grand occasion of the Heavenly Venerable Ceremony, we have jointly decided to select seven virtuous individuals to serve as the Heavenly Venerables of this era, to lead the Taoist community, and to suppress evil and protect the Way."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd below.
"First place"
The old Taoist priest's voice was crystal clear in the cold wind.
"Wuqing Temple, Shen Jizhou!"
A round of applause erupted from below.
Shen Jizhou slowly stood up, nodded slightly to the four directions, and then sat down again.
His face was expressionless, as if this was simply a matter of course.
Next came Heming from Riyue Temple and Hexun from Tianlong Temple.
There's really nothing to say about this; it's been the same every year.
This is the Upper Three Gates. No matter when, where, or how the situation outside the pass changes, the Upper Three Gates will always be the Upper Three Gates.
The other Taoist sects below were not surprised, and no one raised any objections.
What everyone is most concerned about now is what will happen next.
The next four Celestial Venerables are the real highlight!
And as everyone has heard, Wuqing Temple is likely to achieve two Venerable Masters this year!
"Fourth place"
"Qingfeng Temple, Crane One!"
A burly, middle-aged Taoist priest stood up, clasped his hands in greeting to the four directions.
"Fifth place"
"Southward View, Crane Bamboo!"
An old Taoist priest with a serene face and refined demeanor rose and bowed slightly.
"Sixth place"
The old Taoist priest's voice suddenly paused.
All eyes turned to the direction of Wuqing Temple.
"Wuqing Temple, Shen Shulan!"
哗
An uncontrollable commotion erupted from the crowd, like a pot of cold water being boiled.
The contemporary Celestial Venerable is twenty-six years old!
The youngest Celestial Venerable in the history of the Daoist sect outside the Great Wall!
Shen Shulan walked out from behind her father. The sunlight shone on her, making her moon-white Taoist robe appear somewhat heavy.
There was no joy on her face, only a cool composure, like an exquisite mask.
She bowed slightly to all four directions, a perfect and impeccable gesture, before returning to her original position.
But in that instant, her gaze drifted towards that corner.
It drifted towards that cyan figure.
Lu Yuan's gaze met hers for a fleeting moment in mid-air.
Only for a moment.
Then, Shen Shulan lowered her eyes, not daring to look at Lu Yuan again.
The old Taoist priest's voice continued:
"Seventh"
"Beidou Temple, Hecheng!"
A thin, dark-skinned old Taoist priest stood up, grinned, and revealed a set of white teeth.
Thus, the names of the seven new Celestial Venerables of this era have been revealed.
The old Taoist priest closed the jade book, his voice suddenly rising and resounding throughout the entire hall.
"We respectfully invite the seven Celestial Venerables to ascend the altar and receive their investiture!"
Shen Jizhou stood up, his black robe fluttering without wind. He walked step by step up the stairs toward Gao Heming, who symbolized the pinnacle of power in the Daoist sects outside the Great Wall. He Xun, He Yi, He Zhu, and He Cheng followed closely behind.
Shen Shulan walked at the back, his moon-white Taoist robe standing out against the swirling snow, cold and frosty.
Seven figures stood atop the height.
They faced thousands of fellow Daoists from below, the fluttering seven-colored banners, and the vast and desolate land beyond the Great Wall. The old Daoist, holding the jade book in both hands, solemnly walked up to Shen Jizhou.
"Please, Heavenly Venerable, accept this investiture."
Shen Jizhou stretched out his hands, about to take the heavy jade book.
The entire audience held their breath.
At this most sacred moment, symbolizing the transfer of power and the inheritance of rules, a voice rang out without warning.
"I object to this!!"
The sound wasn't loud, yet it was like a thunderclap, piercing through the layers of people, through the colorful banners hanging in the sky, and straight into everyone's eardrums. All was silent.
You could hear a pin drop.
Thousands of gazes, as if drawn by an invisible hand, abruptly turned towards the direction from which the sound came.
That most remote and inconspicuous corner.
The young man was wearing a worn-out blue Taoist robe and had his hair tied up with only a wooden hairpin.
Lu Yuan.
Shen Jizhou's raised hands froze in mid-air.
His fingers, gripping the jade book, turned slightly white at the knuckles. His eyes, which looked down upon all living beings, pierced through the crowd and fixed intently on that figure in blue. Crane Patrol Celestial Venerable's body trembled violently, a mixture of shock and bewilderment appearing on his face.
Shen Shulan's face turned pale in an instant.
Her lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but she couldn't utter a word.
The writers from several Taoist temples were all stunned.
Someone exclaimed in a low voice:
"Who is that?"
Some people shook their heads blankly:
"I don't know him..."
However, someone recognized it:
"It's Lu Yuan from Zhenlong Temple!"
"That nineteen-year-old Taoist master!"
Gao Shang, the old Taoist priest who was proclaiming the decree, was also stunned.
His hands, holding the jade book, trembled slightly. A hint of surprise flashed in his cloudy old eyes, which then turned into a complex emotion.
According to regulations, the reading ceremony of the Heavenly Venerable Ceremony is the most solemn and sacred moment.
For hundreds of years, no one has ever spoken up to interrupt at this moment.
Ok……
No, actually it was thirty-three years ago...
No, it was thirty-four years ago that someone did the same thing in Tianmu Mountain...
The old Taoist priest took a deep breath, and his aged voice echoed in the cold wind:
"Who is below?"
"They dared to cause such a ruckus at the grand ceremony of the Heavenly Venerable!"
Lu Yuan did not move.
He remained standing in that corner, but raised his head and looked directly at the seven people above.
"Lu Yuan, a disciple of the Ling generation from Zhenlong Temple."
His voice was calm, yet it carried clearly throughout the entire venue.
"I object to the election of these seven contemporary Celestial Venerables!"
哗
The situation completely erupted.
Various voices surged up like a tide, only to be quickly suppressed by an even more shocked silence.
High above, Crane Patrol Celestial Venerable stared in shock at Lu Yuan below. This scene seemed strangely familiar to him.
He Ming of the Sun and Moon Temple slowly opened his eyes, and a glint of incomprehensible light flashed in his cloudy old eyes.
Shen Jizhou, however, remained motionless, holding the scroll aloft.
His face was expressionless, but his eyes were like a bottomless, icy pool, staring intently at Lu Yuan below.
Lu Yuan met that gaze that almost froze him, but a very faint smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.
That wasn't mockery, but a resolute decision.
He spoke each word clearly and deliberately, his voice resounding through the sky.
"According to the first rule of the Daoist sect outside the Great Wall"
He spoke slowly and deliberately, his voice carrying throughout the entire venue:
"If any disciple is dissatisfied with the election of the Celestial Venerable, they may issue a 'Zhetian Challenge' during the grand ceremony!"
This is an ancient rule from the early days of the Daoist sect outside the Great Wall, and it has not been used for several years.
It is said that this was the last back door left by our ancestors to prevent future powerful and wealthy people from monopolizing the market and burying talented people.
Anyone who can collect one thousand "Book of Ten Thousand People" jade beans as "Celestial Qualification" can challenge any elected Celestial Venerable. If they win more than half the votes, they can elect someone to replace them.
As soon as he finished speaking, Lu Yuan bent down slightly and picked up a heavy cloth bag from beside his feet with his left hand.
The next moment, he joined his right fingers like a knife, and without the slightest hesitation, plunged them into the cloth bag, then slashed it with all his might!
Sizzle—!
The cloth bag tore open with a snap!
Splash splash splash splash splash!
Countless, crystal-clear jade beans, like a flood bursting its banks, gushed out from the breach!
Each one represents a sentiment of the people!
Each one, under the winter sun, reflects a dazzling light!
Lu Yuan slowly straightened up, raised his head, and stared at the seven figures high above with eyes like swords!
He mustered all his strength and let out a deafening roar!
"I, Lu Yuan, hereby exercise my power to 'question the heavens'!"
"Challenge the Supreme Being of Our Time!!"