Blade - Unbound

"Please make way."

"Stop pushing! Get to the back!"

"Fellow Daoist, watch your manners."

"And what if I don't?"

Seeing the chaos ahead, Li Yan and the other two exchanged glances. After all the hardship of climbing the mountain, they had not expected the place to already be packed with people.

A stone path flanked by steep slopes ran beneath the archway leading to Queen Mother Courtyard. Snow still covered parts of the road, making it slippery and difficult to traverse. Several Daoists stood before the archway, stopping people one by one to inspect their credentials and register themselves. A long queue stretched far into the distance.

Everyone knew there were only a limited number of spiritual nodes available, yet the crowd was enormous. As a result, everyone was anxious, and tempers naturally ran short.

"Silence!" A middle-aged Daoist suddenly spoke, his voice booming with authority. "This is the sacred ground of the Queen Mother Daoist Sanctuary. No shouting is permitted!"

The man clearly held some status, and the crowd immediately quieted down.

What happened next, however, drew contempt from everyone present.

An elderly man in black robes stepped forward, and respectfully produced a ticket from his robes. "Greetings, Steward Bai. The mountain path was difficult, and this old man truly cannot endure any longer. Might you do me a favor?"

The Daoist glanced at the ticket casually before speaking. "If that's the case, then go on in first."

"Many thanks, Steward Bai."

A trace of satisfaction appeared in the old man's eyes as he quickly passed through the archway. Li Yan immediately understood. This fellow was the patron behind the inn down below owned by some guy with the same family name!

Looking at the Queen Mother Courtyard floating above the sea of clouds, Li Yan could not help but curse inwardly. Who would have thought that even a sacred land resembling paradise would have such sordid affairs?

The cultivators who had stayed at the inn immediately took out their tickets, and stepped forward to pay their respects. One after another, they were allowed through.

The remaining people instantly became dissatisfied. "This is unfair! Why do they get to go first? The Taixuan Orthodox Sect actually produced a scoundrel like you?"

Steward Bai showed no shame whatsoever. Calmly, he replied, "Have all of you cultivated yourselves into dogs? Since when has absolute fairness existed in this world? Did you see the suspension bridges and cliffside walkways on your way up the mountain? Half a month ago, a rockslide destroyed one of the walkways. My blood relative in the mortal world fell to his death while repairing it, leaving behind a widow and orphan.

"I need a way for them to make a living. If anyone wants to report me, go ahead. But don't come whining to me."

The crowd immediately fell silent. So there was a reason behind it.

Given how openly he admitted everything, it was entirely possible that he already had the approval of the monastery's supervisors. He was openly taking money from others to benefit his own family, and doing so without the slightest guilt.

In the end, everyone could only accept it. Some of the quicker-witted individuals immediately offered donations. Steward Bai did not stand on ceremony. He accepted every contribution without hesitation. As long as it exceeded twenty taels, he immediately waved them through.

Faced with such circumstances, Li Yan's group also surrendered to reality. They paid sixty taels in banknotes and completed their registration. They then crossed the stone bridge, and entered Queen Mother Courtyard.

Once inside, the extraordinary nature of the place became even more apparent. Ancient halls stood with majestic grandeur. Blue bricks and dark tiles, intricately carved beams and painted rafters, every detail displayed remarkable craftsmanship. Layer upon layer of soaring eaves rose like phoenixes dancing through the heavens.

The timing of their entrance only enhanced the spectacle. The rising sun lit up the towering mountains on all sides, while a sea of clouds drifted and shifted beneath them. The palace and clouds reflected one another, creating a scene straight from an immortal realm.

Of course, Li Yan had seen countless magnificent landscapes in his previous life, many even more spectacular than what he was looking at. What truly shocked him was the aura permeating the place.

Incense smoke drifted through the air, and the tolling of bells echoed peacefully throughout the complex. Yet amidst this tranquil atmosphere, countless fierce streams of astral qi surged skyward.

They were densely packed, seemingly arranged according to the positions of the stars themselves. Furthermore, only a few steps past the main gate, his divine ability began to weaken. By the time he approached the main hall, it vanished entirely.

He was no different from an ordinary person. Li Yan's eyes widened in shock as he glanced at Wang Daoxuan.

Wang Daoxuan seemed to know exactly what he was thinking and smiled. "This place was built during the late Han Dynasty. Generations of Daoist masters have gathered here, and enormous sums were spent renovating it during the Tang Dynasty. I've heard countless heavenly treasures were used.

"Furthermore, this is the sacred land of the Queen Mother. A thousand years of incense offerings combined with the natural formation of the blessed land have created innate divine astral qi.

"Forget you. Even if a dragon came here, it would have to keep its head down. Remember the stone coffin Scarry Yue mentioned? It was carried to Mount Wangwu and suppressed by the Daoist temple there."

Li Yan immediately understood. There was probably something being suppressed on the peak as well. The grand formation's power was extraordinary, enough to suppress even his divine abilities.

With that realization, he lost any desire to continue investigating.

The visiting cultivators were all forbidden from entering the rear halls, and were instead directed to a large building in the side courtyard beside Queen Mother Hall.

Damn it.

Li Yan cursed to himself. Hong Mushan had guessed correctly. Allowing people inside had merely been the first step. Steward Bai was almost certainly planning some sort of bidding war to squeeze even more money from everyone.

Seeing this situation, Li Yan wasted no time. Taking his invitation card and letter, he approached a young Daoist guarding the passage to the rear courtyard and asked, "May I ask if Daoist Yu Linzi is present?"

The young Daoist courteously replied, "Martial Uncle Yu Linzi is currently performing morning prayers. Please wait a moment, Benefactor."

After accepting the invitation card, he turned and entered the rear halls, leaving Li Yan and the others waiting outside.

The Queen Mother Courtyard complex was enormous. Although the front courtyard contained a statue of the Queen Mother for worshippers, it occupied perhaps only one-tenth of the entire complex. The true core clearly lay deeper within.

The young Daoist took quite a long time. Growing impatient, Wang Daoxuan and Sha Lifei entered the main hall, lit three sticks of incense, and paid their respects to the Queen Mother.

After a moment's thought, Li Yan did the same. However, perhaps because his divine senses were suppressed, the experience felt no different from worshipping deities in his previous life. His heart remained calm, and even the summoning Writ attached to him showed no reaction whatsoever.

Another stick of incense burned away before a Daoist finally emerged from the rear courtyard, led by the young attendant.

What immortal bearing.

The moment he saw him, Li Yan silently praised him. This Daoist was tall and slender. He appeared to have never practiced martial arts and looked somewhat frail. His shoulders slouched slightly, and his upper body leaned forward.

Ordinarily, such a posture might appear awkward. Yet his fair complexion, narrow eyes, tranquil demeanor, and loose Daoist robes transformed the impression entirely. As he walked, his sleeves fluttered and his three long strands of beard swayed in the wind. He truly resembled an immortal wandering through the mortal world.

Daoist Yu Linzi smiled warmly. "You must be Benefactor Li. Morning prayers cannot be interrupted midway. Please forgive my delay. Come with me."

He personally led the three of them into the inner courtyard. Nothing particularly unusual appeared inside. Many Daoists bustled about, busy with various tasks. What surprised Li Yan was a structure standing diagonally to the right that resembled an ancient observatory.

Even more astonishingly, a massive bronze telescope protruded from it.

"That is the Stargazing Platform." Yu Linzi smiled bitterly. "Please don't laugh at us, but because of that thing, our Queen Mother Courtyard nearly couldn't afford to eat."

Despite his words, his eyes shone with pride.

Li Yan nodded. "It certainly looks expensive. Doesn't the imperial court provide funding?"

Yu Linzi blinked. "We study celestial phenomena. What does that have to do with the imperial court?"

Li Yan was struck speechless, and he quickly improvised. "Well... calendar-making and the Astronomy Department would need equipment like this, wouldn't they?"

Yu Linzi chuckled and shook his head. "The calendar system is already perfected. The Astronomy Department uses instruments far larger than ours. They would never come to borrow this. The court has many places requiring money. Why would they pay for our projects?"

As they spoke, he led everyone into a quiet chamber.

Before entering, Li Yan cast another glance at the observatory as a thought suddenly occurred to him. The technological and scholarly achievements of the Great Xuan Dynasty were likely far more advanced than he had imagined. Unfortunately, that was not the time to dwell on such matters.

Though Yu Linzi possessed considerable cultivation, he was exceptionally approachable. Personally preparing tea for them, he said, "Our tea garden lies halfway up the mountain. I personally picked and roasted these leaves before Qingming. Please give them a try."

Li Yan took a sip and praised, "Excellent tea."

The flavor was refreshing upon entry, followed by a crisp lingering sweetness. It was clearly a high-quality green tea, though he could not identify the variety.

"I already know why you've come." Only then did Yu Linzi get down to business. Sighing softly, he continued, "Since Senior Brother Luo Mingzi entrusted me with this matter, I naturally wish to help. Unfortunately, the decision is not mine to make."

He shook his head helplessly. "There's no need to hide the truth. It all comes back to that Stargazing Platform outside. Ordinarily, the court allocates funds to us every year. We also maintain sacrificial altars, and regularly dispatch spiritual troops on patrols. There's usually enough left over to support the monastery.

"Combined with the income from spiritual artifacts consigned through the Mystic Office, that would normally be sufficient. But the Stargazing Platform consumed a tremendous amount of money. It even used funds originally reserved for repairing our Queen Mother Courtyard.

"We cultivators seek the Dao. Our sanctuary lies far from the mortal world, and the journey here is difficult. Few pilgrims visit, so finances have become rather tight. My master and martial uncles devote themselves wholeheartedly to the Dao. If you ask them about astrology or Daoist techniques, they can talk for three days and nights. But when it comes to making money, they're completely helpless.

"Fortunately, Senior Brother Bai seized the opportunity and came up with this bidding system. If it succeeds, it should fill a significant portion of the deficit. Winter snows will soon seal the mountain, and the Winter Solstice Grand Ritual is approaching.

"Everything requires money..."

After hearing the explanation, Li Yan and the others found it hard to believe. They had assumed the Taixuan Orthodox Sect, as the state religion and foremost Daoist sect, would be overflowing with wealth. Instead, it was struggling financially as well.

Then again, considering the things they built, it made perfect sense. The exposed bronze components alone on that Stargazing Platform displayed astonishing craftsmanship. Not only would specialized Daoist artisans be required, but every piece of material had to be transported up the mountain.

The expertise required was obvious. Furthermore, the Queen Mother Courtyard was a residence for cultivators of the Taixuan Orthodox Sect. There might be all sorts of special functions hidden within. The true cost was likely beyond ordinary imagination.

Li Yan sighed helplessly. "Compared to the Taixuan Orthodox Sect, these wandering ritualists are paupers. There's hardly any money to squeeze out of them."

"A little is still better than nothing." Yu Linzi scratched his head awkwardly. "To be honest, I'm rather embarrassed about this matter. Would you be willing to wait? By next spring, the price certainly won't be this high."

With things already explained so honestly, Li Yan could hardly force the issue. He could only add helplessly, "To tell the truth, I cannot really afford to wait. If the price is reasonable, I'd rather pay now."

At that point, it was no longer merely a matter of money. If they delayed any longer, many of their plans would have to be postponed indefinitely.

Yu Linzi thought for a moment, and thought of something. "No rush. There are actually still some discovered spiritual nodes elsewhere on the mountain. Let me ask Senior Brother Bai."

With that, he left the room.

The moment he departed, Sha Lifei clicked his tongue. "Would you look at that? We're short on money, and even the Queen Mother Courtyard has fallen on hard times."

Wang Daoxuan shook his head. "As long as you wish to accomplish anything in this world, using money is unavoidable. Even the emperor worries about finances, which is why he opened maritime trade to replenish the treasury.

"Besides, this is merely one branch of the Queen Mother Courtyard. Many expenses must be raised independently."

Just then, footsteps sounded outside and Yu Linzi returned. Steward Bai followed close behind.

The steward appeared extremely busy. He wasted no time with pleasantries; yet his attitude was noticeably friendlier.

"Since you were recommended by fellow disciples, I naturally cannot disregard them. However, winter snows are approaching. Repairs throughout the Queen Mother Courtyard require money. Too many people have come seeking favors. I cannot make exceptions for a few individuals, or we won't survive the winter.

"How about this? The current bidding price outside is roughly three thousand taels to lease a spiritual node. If you pay two thousand five hundred taels, I'll reserve one for you."

Sha Lifei swallowed hard and looked at Li Yan and Wang Daoxuan. "Two thousand five hundred taels?"

Wang Daoxuan had previously estimated that establishing an inner temple, from borrowing the use of a spiritual node to acquiring ritual instruments and spiritual tools, would cost around one thousand taels.

Constructing the second floor of his inner temple would be more expensive, perhaps one thousand five hundred taels of silver. Before climbing the mountain, they had deliberately set aside extra funds and even then, they only had around four thousand taels remaining.

It was far from enough.Li Yan could only explain their actual financial situation.

After listening, Steward Bai shook his head. "My apologies. I accepted responsibility for this matter, and thus I must play the villain."

At that moment, Yu Linzi suddenly spoke. "Senior Brother Bai, didn't we discover two additional spiritual nodes recently? You haven't announced those yet."

"You mean Heaven Two and Heaven Three?" Steward Bai hesitated before saying, "That wouldn't be appropriate. Those two are rather far away..."

Sha Lifei immediately interrupted, "We don't mind traveling!"

Wang Daoxuan cupped his hands while Sha Lifei was about to start bouncing around in excitement. He asked calmly, "May I ask where they are located?"

Steward Bai glanced at Yu Linzi before finally answering. "They are near Baxian Terrace, at the highest peak of Mount Taibai."