I Have A Dual World Seal

Three days later, Yizhou Prefecture.

Du Yueyao, holding Liu Qingyan’s arm, stood at the forefront, while Lu Zheng and Shen Ying stood hand in hand slightly behind them, and Fan Boyu stood to the side with two disciples from the Primordial Saint Sect following him.

In the Dao Discussion Assembly at the Jade Sun Temple, most of the time was spent with a group of Daoists debating and discussing Daoist techniques, and there might also be sessions where disciples sparred with each other.

But for most people, that would be too dull.

Even Lin Wan was uninterested, and Si Lingxi didn’t come either, instead taking the opportunity to mentor Yang Caiyi at home.

Liu Qingquan wanted to come, but failing to complete her homework the day before, was forcibly kept at home by Madam Liu. Initially teary-eyed and trying to plead, she ended up running into the house without a second glance after Yuan Jing came to the Lu Family and engaged in a Dao Scripture duel with Lu Zheng.

At this moment, Yuan Jing, with Yuan Xing and Yuan Fu, riding the clouds, hovered close to Lu Zheng and the others.

Of course, they couldn’t fly on their own; Lu Zheng was carrying them.

"Why didn’t you bring your two little disciples?" Lu Zheng asked Yuan Jing.

Over the years, Yuan Jing had become the Temple Master of White Cloud Temple, having achieved notable cultivation, and had taken in two disciples over the past two years, although in Lu Zheng’s view, their talents were mediocre at best and might not surpass Yuan Jing’s future achievements.

Yuan Jing: 눈_눈

"They only entered the sect two years ago and haven’t even memorized the Dao Scriptures. Coming here, they wouldn’t understand a thing; are they just supposed to watch the show?" Yuan Jing shook his head. "Perhaps in another two years."

Yuan Jing didn’t think his disciples were particularly bad, but he didn’t compare them to Lu Zheng, or even himself, figuring that if they cultivated successfully, a couple of hundred years of Dao Practice would suffice to oversee a county.

...

Moments later, they arrived at the edge of the northern mountains of Yizhou Prefecture, descending from the clouds, manifesting themselves beside the official road.

The Jade Sun Temple wasn’t in Yizhou City but was located dozens of miles north in the Cuiqu Mountains.

On the fork of the road leading to Jade Sun Temple, scattered carriages and pilgrims were heading into the mountains.

"Wow, there are quite a few pilgrims. Will the Jade Sun Temple’s Dao Discussion Assembly allow the common folk to observe?" Lu Zheng asked.

"Indeed!" Yuan Xing responded, "After the discussions amongst the Daoist Temples, there is a ceremony for interpreting signs, fortune telling, and bestowing talismans for the pilgrims."

Lu Zheng realized, "Does this earn a lot?"

Yuan Xing nodded decisively, "Enough for two months of incense money for the temple."

Goodness, earning fifteen percent of the annual income in just one day is definitely a lucrative business!

Yuan Fu chuckled, "The Jade Sun Temple and the Ancient Pine Temple in Yizhou Prefecture, along with the White Cloud Temple in Tonglin County, Xuanhe Temple in Dingshan County, Qingfeng Temple in Zhongling County, and Linyuan Temple in Yuanshui County, all who can participate in the Dao Discussion Assembly, are certainly Daoist True Men."

Lu Zheng nodded. Most of the officials, aristocrats, and wealthy merchants want some good fortune. Unless something comes up, they generally go for incense offerings and blessings during holidays, while a provincial Dao Discussion Assembly is certainly considered a fortuitous occasion!

Among peers, what you display must indeed be genuine.

"Brother Lu! Daoist Brother Yuan Jing! Du Gu... Sect Leader, Priest Fan..."

A familiar voice sounded as Lu Zheng and Yuan Jing turned around to see Guangyue, accompanied by two little novice monks, stride forward.

"Brother Guangyue!" Yuan Jing bowed in greeting.

"Master!" Lu Zheng cupped his hands, and Liu Qingyan, Du Yueyao, and others also saluted.

"Brother Lu, what brings you to the Dao Discussion Assembly?" Guangyue asked curiously, as Lu Zheng had never attended before, nor did White Cloud Temple need him to bolster their presence.

Lu Zheng indicated with a nod, "We are accompanying the friendly forces from the Primordial Saint Sect."

Guangyue slapped his forehead, easily understanding why Liu Qingyan, as Du Yueyao’s close friend, would support her, and naturally Lu Zheng came along.

Seeing Lu Zheng and the others looking clean and composed, Guangyue blinked, "Did you fly here?"

"Yes." Yuan Jing nodded.

Guangyue wanted to say they could have brought him along, but eventually resisted the urge, sighed, "Since we’ve coincidentally met, let’s climb the mountain together."

"Sure, please!"

Thus, Guangyue stepped forward, walking alongside Yuan Jing, "How have you prepared for this year’s discussions?"

Yuan Jing, as a newly appointed Temple Master, was still young and didn’t perform well in last year’s Dao Discussion Assembly debates.

"Rest assured, aside from cultivation, I’ve spent the year reciting Dao Scriptures; I am not who I once was," Yuan Jing answered confidently.

Having matched evenly in debates on Buddhism and Daoist techniques with young monks from the Three Great Temples of the West, Guangyue had every reason to speak authoritatively in Yuan Jing’s presence, "Then this humble monk shall watch with great interest!"

...

The three groups quickly ascended the mountain, arriving at the gates of the Jade Sun Temple, where a middle-aged Daoist in a cyan-jade Daoist robe greeted them.

Seeing White Cloud Temple, Primordial Saint Sect, and Jiming Temple arriving together, the middle-aged Daoist initially thought they just happened to meet on the road, but his eyes were sharp enough to see by the time they were close that their relationships were extremely amicable.

White Cloud Temple Master Daoist Yuan Jing and Jiming Temple Host Master Guangyue were all smiles and laughter; if they weren’t close with the Primordial Saint Sect, they wouldn’t be so relaxed in front of outsiders.

The middle-aged Daoist’s eyes sharpened, bowing, "I am Daoist Xingzhen of Jade Sun Temple, greeting Daoist Yuan Jing and Master Guangyue."

Then, his gaze shifted to Liu Qingyan and Du Yueyao, seeing Liu Qingyan step back slightly, he greeted and saluted Du Yueyao, "Greetings, Sect Leader Du."

The one who delivered the invitation to the Primordial Saint Sect was indeed Daoist Xingzhen, and he had seen Fan Boyu but not Du Yueyao before.

"Greetings, Daoist Xingzhen," Du Yueyao nodded, "It’s our first visit to your temple, and we have brought a few friends; is that all right?"

"No disturbance at all, you honor us with your presence, we warmly welcome you," Daoist Xingzhen quickly bowed, turning and gesturing with his hands, "Please, everyone!"

Daoist Xingzhen instructed a little Daoist beside him, then personally led the group up the mountain, discreetly observing Liu Qingyan and Lu Zheng walking hand-in-hand with Shen Ying.

These two individuals, with Liu Qingyan as a close friend of Du Yueyao and Lu Zheng being in the inner circle with Daoist Yuan Jing and Master Guangyue, clearly demonstrated a mutual and close connection between the three parties.

Yet, before Daoist Xingzhen could understand it fully, they arrived at the entrance of Jade Sun Temple.

As a representative face of Yizhou Prefecture, the Jade Sun Temple’s Dao Discussion Assembly was, of course, very formal, with banners waving and chants resounding. Disciples of Jade Sun Temple guided pilgrims while directing those coming to participate in the assembly and observe to take their seats within.

Thus, Yuan Jing led Yuan Xing and Yuan Fu to greet other Daoist Temples, while Lu Zheng, along with Du Yueyao and Guangyue, went among the guests attending the assembly.