Chapter 25: Ascending the Altar, Receiving the Talisman, Taking the Daoist Name Zibu (First Update)
Chapter 25: Ascending the Altar, Receiving the Talisman, Bestowed the Daoist Name Zibu (Part One)
After comforting the little girl, Zheng Zha looked up to take in his surroundings.
Ten years had passed, yet Luo Feng’s charm remained undiminished—still young and vibrant.
Time had left no mark, the years had not worn him down.
There was not a trace of thirty years’ hardship upon him.
With his body nourished by true energy and the circulation of blood and qi through martial arts, it was as if he had activated the ultimate beauty filter.
Standing with Luo Yuan, they looked much more like siblings than elder and junior.
One couldn’t help but sigh: what a graceful and handsome youth of the sect, a scholar with wine cup raised, gazing at the heavens, as pure and elegant as jade trees swaying in the breeze.
Luo Feng approached Zheng Zha, smiling, and pulled out a handful of candied fruit, popping one into his mouth before offering, “Want one?”
Luo Feng had a sweet tooth—whether at work or in a fight, he’d always have a piece.
Watching this familiar gesture, Zheng Zha couldn’t help but laugh. The awkwardness of ten years apart vanished instantly.
The person before him was still the same.
He took a piece, tasted it, and his eyes lit up, “Is this from Zhou’s Confectionery? That shop is still around?!”
“It’s always been there,” Luo Feng replied, tossing another into his mouth, then added with mock disdain, “But you—look at you, a middle-aged man now. Where’s that gentle, refined youth’s voice gone? Fed to the dogs?”
“I told you to study talismans, not to neglect your breathing exercises.”
Zheng Zha’s face darkened. Even after ten years, Luo Feng’s sharp tongue still stung.
Suppressing the urge to retaliate, he thought to himself, forget it, I can’t win—really can’t win.
“Enough, come inside,” he said, rubbing his forehead and gesturing Luo Feng in. He closed the wooden door behind them.
Luo Yuan, the little girl, was left outside, standing alone in the wind, completely bewildered.
Once seated, Luo Feng looked around and suddenly asked, “Did you forget something?”
Zheng Zha’s hands paused as he made tea, swallowing nervously. “I thought you had other plans.”
Opening the doors and windows, they saw the courtyard in desolation.
Petals were scattered across the ground, pots held only bare branches. Nearby, the little girl squatted, muttering under her breath, tearing petals with such force it seemed she meant to rend them limb from limb.
In three minutes, she had scattered all the stamens.
...
Time passed in a blink—the grand ceremony of transmission and bestowal of talismans was about to begin.
Counting Zheng Zha, there were five disciples being accepted into the inner sect of the Supreme Purity Sect this time.
The Supreme Purity Sect enjoyed great renown among the extraordinary world; nearby families and sects all sent representatives to witness the event.
On one hand, it was to build goodwill, demonstrating their allegiance and unwavering support for the Supreme Purity Sect.
On the other, it allowed their disciples to become acquainted with members of the Supreme Purity Sect, forging connections and preventing any future misunderstandings between allies.
The ceremony was held in the Myriad Blessings Palace of the Ninth Heaven. Daoists lined both sides of the mountain path, welcoming guests.
Zheng Zha and his two companions made their way slowly to the gate, where they saw a green-robed Daoist conversing amiably with several otherworldly visitors.
Luo Feng recognized him—it was Daoist Ziyuan, who had guided him a few days earlier.
Zheng Zha whispered, “He’s the senior inner disciple, Daoist Ziyuan. His cultivation, character, and conduct are praised by all in the Supreme Purity Sect.”
“It’s said that the headmaster and elders have decided he’ll lead the sect in the future. Acting as master of ceremonies this time is just training for him.”
Luo Feng reflected—so this was the senior brother of the Supreme Purity Sect.
No wonder he conducted himself with such caution and steadiness; they could commune often in days to come.
But if Daoist Ziyuan would become sect leader, what about Zheng Zha?
After some thought, Luo Feng asked casually, “Does every member of the Supreme Purity Sect accept him? Isn’t this as good as a royal appointment?”
Though Luo Feng’s words were tactful, Zheng Zha caught his meaning—they were, after all, from the same hometown.
“I support Senior Brother Ziyuan,” Zheng Zha replied with a smile. “I have no ambition for this. You know, Luo Feng, apart from saving you, I came to the Supreme Purity Sect with my own reasons.”
“The position of sect leader is too involved—would distract me from my studies of talismans and spiritual scripts.”
Luo Feng nodded. Whatever Zheng Zha’s thoughts, as a friend, he would support him.
In the future, he’d keep an eye out for talismans from various families for him.
“Senior Brother!” Zheng Zha called, approaching with a smile and bowing.
“You’re here, junior. Today is your day—go prepare for the ceremony, don’t miss the time.”
“As for your companions, let me see to them,” Daoist Ziyuan said warmly.
He handled affairs with perfect order.
He personally led Luo Feng and Luo Yuan to the guest seats, offering them talismans for peace as gifts.
After introducing them to a new officiating Daoist, he excused himself and left.
Watching Ziyuan’s departing figure, Luo Feng felt a surge of emotion—if he had such a senior brother, he would...
He would definitely be on his guard!
Such a person, if well-intentioned, would be an invaluable ally, a godsend.
But if he were an enemy, it would be chilling to know that every action and word was laid bare before him.
To control every detail of a person’s life is to guide every step they take.
The human heart is always the most formidable power of all.
...
Dong! Dong! Dong!
The Daoist bell tolled, its celestial tones echoing.
Atop Mount Mao, in the Supreme Purity Altar, the ceremony of transmission and bestowal of talismans officially began.
Guests crowded in, Luo Feng blending in, deliberately avoiding the more prominent, sycophantic, or notorious figures to prevent any melodramatic confrontations—after all, he wasn’t wearing a mask, but his true identity.
One must act with kindness.
As the altar opened, led by the ceremonial master and banners, the talisman-receiving Daoists welcomed the Three Great Masters and Six Dharma Protectors into the altar.
Zheng Zha, clad in green robes and crowned with a Daoist cap, stood among them, the most prominent of the disciples.
Inside, the Three Great Masters and Six Dharma Protectors offered incense and prayers before the divine tablets, initiating the rites, paying respects to the Jade Emperor, the Three Pure Ones, Lady Wei Huacun of Mount Heng, the Patriarch Celestial Master, and all past masters. The Daoist candidates followed in reverence.
Afterward, the classics such as the “Scripture of Universal Salvation” and the “Northern Dipper Scripture” were recited…
“In the beginning, in the azure heavens, in the void above, on the great floating land of Li, the Primordial Lord imparted the measureless highest grade of salvation to people. The Primordial Lord of Heaven declared this scripture, repeating it ten times, summoning the ten directions, thus…”
The chants filled the air, their steps following hidden patterns.
While most guests found the ceremony tedious and the scriptures dull, Luo Feng’s eyes shone—he glimpsed profound mysteries within.
The Daoists’ movements contained hidden rhythms, especially in their chanting, which possessed a resonance and cadence.
This allowed the Daoists to attain tranquility, hold their breath, and focus their minds, bringing great benefit.
“No wonder the great sects possess such deep heritage,” Luo Feng thought, quietly memorizing the subtle rhythms.
He might use them when reciting the Scriptures of Purity or the Yellow Court Scripture himself.
With the elaborate rites done, the ceremony reached its penultimate moment—the conferment of the talisman.
The officiant lifted his voice in solemn chant, holding the talisman document:
“Talisman of the Three Mountains, Covenant of the Orthodox Unity… Here is Zheng Zha, disciple of the Supreme Purity Sect, wise in the Dao, embodying heavenly intent, compassionate at heart, able to uphold the precepts… May he pass on the treasures of the masters, may benevolence and prosperity endure forever, maintain reverence, and may his descendants inherit.”
“Walking the great Dao, henceforth known as a Daoist—now conferred the talisman, with the Daoist name Zibu!”
Daoist name Zibu!
Daoist of the Supreme Purity Sect—Zheng Zha, now Zheng Zibu!
Luo Feng was momentarily dazed, as if recalling something long forgotten.
[Thank you to liskyrim for the 500 coin reward; and to the cautious and dogged reader for the 300 coin reward.]
[Second update will be at noon today.]
Recommending a book: “The Collapsing Myriad Marvels World”—the premise is fifty million humans thrown into the Marvel universe, quite creative. Marvel fans may enjoy it.
Final note: The author guarantees there is no shady business here.
(End of Chapter)