A Pawn's Passage

The Shangyuan Festival had finally arrived.

Among the three major Daoist festivals, the Shangyuan Festival was the most significant.

First, the Shangyuan Festival was commonly known among the people as the Lantern Festival, which was held on the 15th day of the New Year. It was an occasion to admire lanterns and enjoy sweet glutinous rice balls.

Second, the Heaven Official would bestow blessings to the people on this day, which was a joyous occasion.

Third, the 15th day of the New Year was still within the festive period, unlike the Zhongyuan and Xiayuan Festivals, whose timing was far less favorable. This was especially true for the Zhongyuan Festival, which was also known as the Ghost Festival, said to be the day the gates of the underworld opened. That was completely devoid of any celebratory connotation.

For the Zhengyi Sect, the Shangyuan Festival held even greater significance.

The Three Officials—Heaven, Earth, and Water—corresponded perfectly with the Daoist Order’s Heavenly Preceptor, Earthly Preceptor, and Imperial Preceptor.

The Heaven Official aligned with the Heavenly Preceptor, who was the leader of the Zhengyi Sect. As such, the Zhengyi Sect regarded the Shangyuan Festival as their major holiday, giving it even more grandeur than the Zhongyuan or Xiayuan Festivals.

On this day, the entire Dazhen Mansion and the neighboring Shangqing Palace were adorned with festive decorations. Countless lanterns were hung on every lampstand, tree branch, eave, lantern post, and banner pole. Even before nightfall, the atmosphere was already vibrant. When night came and the lanterns were lit, the energy was nearly frenzied.

Many young children ran in and out carrying lanterns. The adults were especially indulgent on this festive occasion.

It also became tradition to eat glutinous rice balls on this day.

Only those of status had the privilege of entering the main hall to enjoy the special glutinous rice balls, just like the Eight Treasures Porridge of the year before.

Last time, Qi Xuansu had no part in the Eight Treasures Porridge. But this time, he was invited to the main hall.

At such gatherings, the ancient etiquette of separate tables was followed, with one table per person. In the main hall, the Heavenly Preceptor sat alone at the central head seat, facing south. The others were arranged on the east and west sides.

Seating arrangements held great significance. Prior to the Shangyuan Festival, Zhang Jucheng and Zhang Yuelu had already reached a compromise. She pledged to uphold the main branch’s status, and he promised to support her as the Zhang family’s successor. Thus, her seat was elevated greatly. She was now the foremost among the Yue-generation, and among the Ju-generation, only Zhang Jucheng ranked above her. Other than him were a few elder Zhang family members with no generational name, indicating her position as the de facto leader of the third generation.

The things that Yao Pei and Li Changge had long secured were only now beginning to fall into Zhang Yuelu’s hands after numerous twists and turns.

If the greatest gain of Qi Xuansu’s journey to the Imperial Capital was the success of the Anchor the Monkey operation and his promotion to third-rank Deputy Ziwei Hall Master, then Zhang Yuelu’s greatest reward was seizing the opportunity to earn the Heavenly Preceptor’s recognition. With the Heavenly Preceptor’s support, she reached a compromise with the main branch of the Zhang family, which was a significant step forward.

Though learning to compromise is essential, people inherently desire to have it all. Compromise only came when there was no other way and when some interests had to be sacrificed. Therefore, compromise had its thresholds. It depended on one’s qualifications. The Grand Master might compromise with an emperor, but never with a mere fourth-rank Daoist.

The former Zhang Yuelu certainly lacked the qualifications to force the main branch of the Zhang family to compromise. But the present Zhang Yuelu was different. Apart from her innate talent, she had four other strong reasons.

First, Sage Cihang had explicitly acknowledged Zhang Yuelu as her successor. Even if Zhang Yuelu left the Zhang family, she would still be the next Sage Cihang, backed by the Cihang lineage.

Second, Zhang Yuelu had earned repeated battle merit and swift promotions, becoming the youngest third-rank Youyi Daoist master. Even if she did not become Sage Cihang, she had real prospects of becoming an Omniscient Sage.

Third, the Heavenly Preceptor had shifted his stance, no longer being deliberately cold toward Zhang Yuelu. He now hinted at supporting her rise and even entrusted the Ziguang Society’s line of contact to her.

Lastly, the marriage alliance between the Zhengyi Sect and the Quanzhen Sect hinged on Zhang Yuelu. After all, the Earthly Preceptor was one of her mentors. This was not the first union between the two sects, so the Quanzhen Sect naturally hoped a Heavenly Preceptor closely tied to them would rise. It would be akin to having powerful in-laws as backing.

These four factors exerted immense pressure on the main branch of the Zhang family. Especially with the Heavenly Preceptor’s shift in stance, internal unity became difficult. Hence, Zhang Jucheng read the situation and wisely chose to compromise now, while the cost was still manageable. Waiting until Zhang Yuelu became an Omniscient Sage would mean paying a far steeper price.

Qi Xuansu, basking in Zhang Yuelu’s glory, was both her guest and a representative of the Quanzhen Sect. So, his seat was right beside Zhang Yuelu’s, ranked even above the Ju-generation members.

Naturally, this attracted much attention, but no one voiced objections because the arrangement had Zhang Jucheng’s approval.

Qi Xuansu had now become successful, but his roots were humble. This was his first time attending such a grand private banquet, and he finally experienced what it meant to dine amidst big shots. Though there were no dancing girls, there was live music—real musicians performing in the side halls flanking the main hall. The music was sophisticated and clear, yet not noisy, ensuring it was at a decent volume so everyone could still converse.

As it was a private banquet, there were not too many elaborate rites, nor was there a dedicated ceremonial officer.

The Heavenly Preceptor first raised his cup to toast everyone present, and then the guests returned the gesture with their own toast.

Outside, the grand fireworks display had already begun, lighting up the entire sky over Yunjin Mountain.

Then, two rows of female Daoist attendants floated in like drifting clouds, each presenting glutinous rice balls to the guests.

These glutinous rice balls were filled with Red Fruit paste. Qi Xuansu had never even heard of such a thing, let alone tasted it.

As soon as he scooped one glutinous rice ball into his mouth, a scorching heat instantly surged down from his mouth through his throat and esophagus, all the way into his stomach, like a fire igniting within. Thanks to his Heavenly-Being Martial Arts Practitioner physique, it felt like a pleasant warmth. However, for an ordinary person, it would be akin to being set ablaze, literally burning their internal organs to cinders.

This was with the Red Fruit already processed. To eat raw Red Fruit without harm required either extraordinary talent or the power of a Pseudo-Immortal.

This was precisely why, despite the advanced medical technology of Huasheng Hall, mortals still could not escape aging and death. They simply could not endure such treatments.

But the effects were indeed remarkable. Qi Xuansu could clearly feel his Rogue Cultivator’s innate qi surging. It was equivalent to three months of intensive cultivation.

One glutinous rice ball equaled three months of cultivation. This bowl had four, equating to a full year.

Without hesitation, Qi Xuansu ate all four glutinous rice balls.

If he did not obtain the fifth piece of Xuan Jade anytime soon, it would take him around ten years to reach the Wuliang stage. But now, he had shaved that down to nine. This was the benefit of noble families. They had abundant resources. As long as one’s talent and potential were sufficient, advancing one’s cultivation was never difficult.

Yet what Qi Xuansu cared about most was not his own cultivation level. It was Zhang Yuelu’s.

When Zhang Yuelu left the Imperial Capital, she had been just one step short of the Wuliang stage. With this bowl of glutinous rice balls, she might just break through on the spot.

Qi Xuansu’s guess was correct.

After a slight hesitation, Zhang Yuelu ate the four glutinous rice balls in her bowl. Her aura immediately shifted in subtle yet profound ways.

The Xiaoyao stage of Banished Immortals was the Five Elements Origin Realm, where innate qi was refined into true essence.

The Wuliang stage for Banished Immortals was the Three Flowers Gathering Realm. The Three Flowers stood for the brilliance of essence, qi, and spirit. Gathering meant these three merged into one and concentrated at the mysterious pass, becoming indistinguishable.

Banished Immortals were essentially superior versions of Qi Refiners. Thus, there were many parallels between them.

The Manly Flower refined essence into qi, since humans were born from refined essence. Thus, essence was the seed of reincarnation. A cultivator must empty their lower focus, abstain from carnal desires, and prevent the reckless draining of essence. Only by such abstinence would the essence brim without lust.

The Earthly Flower referred to refining qi into spirit. Human life depended on qi. Thus, one must empty the heart of emotions like shock, fear, anger, and resentment. That way, qi would flow smoothly and become abundant, eliminating the desire to eat.

The Heavenly Flower refined spirit into the void. Even with abundant essence and qi, one without spirit had no luster or life. As such, spirit was the most important component. By emptying the mind, one would have no attachment or fixation. Then, the spirit would become whole, eliminating the need for sleep. One would remain ever clear and awake. Thus, the soul would shed the shell and return to the void.

The direct manifestations of the Manly Flower and Earthly Flower were the retention of primordial yin and the cessation of food intake. The former erased carnal desire, speaking only of affection and not lust, leaving only pure spiritual attachment. The latter eliminated the desire for food. It was not that Zhang Yuelu was being melodramatic and purposely avoiding meals. She genuinely did not feel hungry.

After the Heavenly Flower was formed, even sleep would become unnecessary.

At this stage, a Banished Immortal’s soul would become extraordinarily powerful. When it left the body, it would be no weaker than a Diviner’s yang spirit. The Banished Immortal could learn many perfected methods and gain an innate divine ability.

The Joyous Cloud Shield was the advanced form of the Five Elements Qi Shield and was considered the strongest defensive method of the Wuliang stage. It defended against various spells, including the Six Annihilations Sword, and a Martial Arts Practitioner’s fist intention. It could be as large as several hectares or as small as an umbrella over one’s head. If it could not be broken, then the Banished Immortal’s true body would remain unharmed no matter what.

Moreover, the Three Flowers Gathering Realm incorporated remnants of many mind-cultivation techniques.

To break the Joyous Cloud Shield, one must be a sentient being with intent. Attacks from lifeless objects, such as cannons or firearms, would have minimal impact and sometimes be rendered entirely ineffective.

When Madam Qi once fought the Owner, he was able to injure her because he had grasped the essence of the Void Shattering Punch as a Pseudo-Immortal Martial Arts Practitioner. Only then could this Joyous Cloud Shield be dispersed.

The Joyous Cloud Shield could also replace traditional flying, enabling the user to ride the clouds at even faster speeds and even carry others while flying.

Should Zhang Yuelu ascend to the Wuliang stage, then even Li Changge and Yao Pei, who were both still in the Xiaoyao stage, would not be her match.