Chapter 128: Receiving the Register

The single word "Benefactor" caused everyone to turn their gaze toward him.

The sword tournaments hosted by the Master of Huanzhu and the rotational battles at West Kunlun have been popular topics of conversation in recent years. These events brought several young talents into the spotlight, and Cheng Xinzhan of Sanqing Mountain is certainly among the most famous of them.

As the crowd looked over, many recognized him immediately, and calls of "Cheng Sanyuan," "Cheng Yifu," and "Cheng Xinzhan" began to erupt.

Cheng Xinzhan bowed toward the building, but not daring to enter, he turned and fled.

Jiang Nanjing chased after him, anxiously calling out, "Benefactor, why not come inside and sit for a while? All the young generation of Yuzhang are gathered there."

Cheng Xinzhan waved his hand with a smile. He had indeed gained some fame over the years, but there was no need to keep flaunting it. They were all young people; who would want a "star" figure sitting next to them?

Furthermore, the sword tournament and the West Kunlun battles that made him famous were mostly occupied by those in the first realm, with few from the second. Since those in the second realm no longer gain longevity, they are all busy seeking elemental energies and honing divine abilities. It was simply a lack of real heroes at the time that allowed him to make a name for himself.

Especially at the sword tournament, the participants had their realms suppressed by the Master of Huanzhu, making the results rather meaningless. As for the West Kunlun incident, what truly made people remember him wasn't his own skill, but rather his connection to Yifu's reputation and his survival against a third-realm expert—though that was only due to his uncle's assistance. It was truly nothing to boast about.

However, Jiang Nanjing naturally could not guess these thoughts, assuming instead that Cheng Xinzhan was intentionally hiding his light, which only made him respect him all the more.

With so many acquaintances present, Cheng Xinzhan had no time for a long chat with Jiang Nanjing. After a few brief words, they parted ways. He apologized to his fellow disciples, promising to treat them to drinks once they returned to Sanqing Mountain. His companions were amazed; everyone has friends when traveling, but it was rare to see someone like Cheng Xinzhan, who was greeted by people everywhere he went. Deciding against wandering further, they headed back to the Zique Tower to rest.

The next morning, the group gathered downstairs. A young Daoist guide came to meet them, but this time, there was no need for Sanqing Mountain's transport artifacts. The guide released a rainbow bridge, and as the group stepped onto it, it extended from their feet to the center of Xianding Mountain. They didn't need to move; the bridge carried them forward automatically.

There were hundreds of such rainbow bridges, colorful and vibrant, ferrying guests from all directions to the ceremony site. Upon arrival, they discovered a flat-topped mountain, leveled and paved with stone into a massive plaza. Thousands of Dragon and Tiger Mountain disciples stood in formation, all in purple robes with yellow sashes, holding whisks, looking uniform and imposing.

On the north side of the plaza stood a row of tall grandstands, carved with jade and marble, magnificent and grand. Every five steps, there was a potted pine bonsai; every ten steps, a purple bronze incense burner. As for fruits and drinks, every seat was well-stocked.

The guide led the Sanqing Mountain group to the grandstand. In the center was a staircase covered in a blue and yellow carpet patterned with dragons and phoenixes, flanked by Dragon and Tiger Mountain disciples welcoming the guests. As Cheng Xinzhan passed by, he saw Liang Zhenjing standing there and raised a hand in greeting.

Liang Zhenjing, having suffered repeated defeats at Cheng Xinzhan's hands, had no desire to respond. But as this was the host’s grand ceremony, no matter how awkward he felt, he had to put on a smiling face. He bowed and gestured, "Please, honored guests!"

The Sanqing Mountain seats were arranged on the western side of the top tier—a prime position for honored guests. The Zique Tower where they stayed was also one of the best residences in Yiting Mountain. Given Sanqing Mountain’s status in Yuzhang, they were entitled to such treatment.

After taking their seats, they noticed a jade plaque on each one. Cheng Xinzhan picked his up; it felt warm and smooth, and inscribed in ink were the words: "Commemorating the 40th Dragon and Tiger Dharma Assembly."

Cheng Xinzhan smiled and tucked the plaque away. Dragon and Tiger Mountain was truly generous. Such high-quality warm jade was perfect for refining artifacts, creating slips, or crafting talismans, yet they were giving them away freely—with thousands of seats, the cost was immense.

Once seated, he noticed the people from the Jingming Sect of the Western Mountain Longevity Palace were already settled in, just below the Sanqing Mountain section. This was the orthodox lineage of Master Xu Xun. To the east of the Jingming Sect was the Shenxiao Sect of Bingfeng Mountain, the lineage of Master Wang Wenqing, later revitalized by Master Sa Shoujian—another top-tier Daoist tradition.

Soon, the top-tier eastern section, reserved for the chief guests, welcomed its occupants. Cheng Xinzhan was not surprised to see it was the Lingbao Sect of Gezao Mountain. Gezao Mountain is one of the three great talisman mountains and the lineage of Master Ge Xuan. Furthermore, Master Ge Xuan was the grand-uncle of Master Ge Hong, the founder of Sanqing Mountain. In other words, Sanqing Mountain and Gezao Mountain were of the same ancestral clan, friends for a thousand years. With such strength and status, no one disputed their position as the chief guests.

The top two rows were now full. Together with the host, the Dragon and Tiger Mountain Celestial Master's Mansion, these represented the five most elite Daoist lineages in Yuzhang. These five, even when considered within the entire Eastern Daoist world or the whole universe, were top-tier houses. Some called them the "Four Masters and Two Ges," referring to the four Celestial Masters—Zhang Daoling, Ge Xuan, Sa Shoujian, and Xu Xun—plus the Immortal Ge Hong.

This was why Yuzhang was hailed as the Daoist capital of the world: five lineages, five ancestral courts. Below them were sects like Lushan, Mingyue Mountain, and Yuxu Temple. Sects like the Jinxiang Sect could only rank at the very bottom.

Once the Gezao Mountain delegation arrived, all the guests were present. Suddenly, the celestial phenomenon changed. A purple mist drifted from the east, stretching for a thousand miles, its light eclipsing the morning glow. From the west, a flock of yellow cranes took flight, trailing auspicious light, their cries reaching the heavens.

Where the yellow and purple met, a Daoist appeared in the sky, his entire body radiating a brilliance that made him difficult to behold clearly.

"Welcome, Celestial Master!"

The Dragon and Tiger Mountain disciples across the mountains chanted in unison: "Support the teachings for three days, assist the mystery and embody the Dao. Grand Celestial Master, Province of Thunder and Lightning. Supreme Minister of Tai-Xuan, Grand Master of the Capital Heaven!"

The guests on the high platform rose. Even though they were guests, the figure appearing was the contemporary Zhang Celestial Master of the mortal world, a fifth-realm Master; it was only right for them to stand in welcome.

"Honored guests, please be seated." The Celestial Master’s voice descended from the sky. He walked step-by-step, with lotus flowers blooming under his feet, to the center of the top tier where a golden palace stood.

Once the Celestial Master entered the palace, other Daoists emerged, inviting the leaders of each sect to join him. Naturally, the leader of Sanqing Mountain was among them. Following this, there were more wonders—white cranes emerging from blue clouds, earthly energy surging into golden lotuses, and qilin treading on auspicious clouds. Amidst this auspicious scene, the 40th Dragon and Tiger Dharma Assembly began.

The procedures of the Dragon and Tiger Dharma Assembly had remained fixed for a thousand years. The first item was the ordination of new disciples.

A "Register" (Lu) is a natural manifestation of heaven and earth, transcribed by immortals and passed to the human world. Holding one allows a practitioner to summon and command ghosts and spirits, stabilize the five directions, subdue demons, cure illnesses, and avert disasters.

The Register is also known as the Dharma Register or Talisman Register; it is the cornerstone for Daoist practitioners to cultivate and protect the Way. Among sects led by Dragon and Tiger Mountain, a distinction is made: a talisman is merely a tool, while the Register is the foundation for commanding primordial energy—the proof of one's name being recorded in the Heavenly Court and holding a divine office. A talisman is thrown to fend off enemies, while a Register is placed within the body's energy points (acupuncture points).

To use an analogy: if magical power is the foot soldiers, then a talisman is the weapon in their hands, while the Register is the commander's seal in the headquarters. With the Register, one can invite divine power into the body, making the manipulation of magical power and spiritual energy seamless.

Some simply view the Register as an innate magical treasure. There is some truth to this, but it is too simplistic. Unlike innate treasures that must be refined from the start of cultivation and grow with the practitioner's realm, a Register can be directly bestowed. Within the same lineage, it can be upgraded and replaced, making it far more flexible. At times, these Daoists can use the Register to cast spells far beyond their own realm—something an innate treasure cannot do.

Besides Dragon and Tiger Mountain, the Lingbao Sect of Gezao Mountain and the Maoshan Sect also cultivate the Register. Others do so as well, but they are branches of these three or rely on them for their Registers. Thus, these three are known as the "Three Mountains of Talismans and Registers."

Dragon and Tiger Mountain's Register is called the "Orthodox One Register," divided into five grades. Today’s ordination for new disciples was for the most basic, the "Supreme Three-Five Merit Register." As a disciple's cultivation realm rises, the grade of the Register also increases. Before becoming an immortal, there are five realms, and the Orthodox One Register consists of five corresponding grades.

The most mysterious and enviable aspect is that when a disciple of the Three Mountains passes away, if they so wish and the Register holder permits, the Register within their body can be reclaimed by the sect. This reclaimed Register can then be bestowed upon a new disciple or transformed into an offensive talisman. This is truly powerful. It means that a first-realm disciple of the Three Mountains, upon receiving a higher-grade Register, will see their magical power and control over spiritual energy jump several levels.

Furthermore, no one knows how many talismans the Three Mountains have accumulated, forged with the lifelong power of third, fourth, or even fifth-realm practitioners. When Cheng Xinzhan realized this, he immediately thought of the corpses beneath Meiji Mountain. Indeed, as millennium-old sects, who wouldn't have such methods? And could what he knew be all there was?

But to return to the matter at hand: there were forty-nine new disciples participating. Cheng Xinzhan observed them; they were children between ten and fifteen, all boys, no girls. He felt a bit puzzled and whispered to Zhu Jianrong sitting beside him, "Brother Daoist, Dragon and Tiger Mountain only opens its gates to take disciples once every three jiazi (180 years). With so few recruits, how do they sustain their lineage?"

Zhu Jianrong glanced at Cheng Xinzhan but did not speak. Realizing this might not be the right occasion for such discussion, Cheng Xinzhan didn't press the matter.

"Xinzhan."

Cheng Xinzhan was startled and nearly cried out. He stared at Zhu Jianrong in shock. Just now, Zhu Jianrong’s voice had echoed directly inside his heart-mind! To have another's voice suddenly resonate within his inner-landscape was truly alarming. The "Mao" star in his heart-mind opened its eyes, and he noticed a flickering flame that hadn't been there before. However, with a single thought, Cheng Xinzhan could extinguish it. He didn't, waiting instead for an explanation.

"Xinzhan, this is another marvelous use of my 'Heart-Mind Fire' ability. I can transmit words into another's heart-mind. If you speak within your heart-mind now, I can hear you too."

The flame in his heart-mind flickered, conveying this message. Cheng Xinzhan found it fascinating. He sank his consciousness into his heart-mind and spoke to the flame with a smile, "Brother Daoist, this is an incredible ability. If used in battle, a sudden whisper like this would scare anyone half to death."

The flame conveyed a laugh. "My skill isn't perfected yet. Because you didn't have your defenses up against me, it took some time for my 'Heart-Mind Fire' to reach your heart-mind. Using it in a duel would be difficult, but it's useful for private conversations like this."

Cheng Xinzhan was amazed. "If you practice diligently, Brother Daoist, this will surely be a formidable ability."

Zhu Jianrong smiled and continued via his heart-fire, "As for your question earlier, the truth is this: when Dragon and Tiger Mountain recruits disciples, they take in people of other surnames for show. In reality, the Zhang family members themselves don't need to go through layers of examinations; they can receive the Register directly. Naturally, there is no need to worry about the lineage continuing."

"Ah?" Cheng Xinzhan was stunned.

"Actually, this is no secret among the 'Four Masters and Two Ges' of the Yuzhang Daoist world. The Dragon and Tiger Mountain Celestial Master's Mansion is fundamentally a lineage of one family and one surname. The 'outer talisman, inner register' system was created early on to ensure the continuation of the family's bloodline and lineage."

Cheng Xinzhan was speechless with awe.

"Moreover, when they bring Zhang children up the mountain, they often change their surnames to hide the truth. If you observe closely, you'll find that anyone not ordained at the grand three-jiazi ceremony is a Zhang family member. Even if they don't hold the surname Zhang, they changed it later."

Cheng Xinzhan had nothing to say. In that case, Liang Zhenjing’s real name must be Zhang Zhenjing.

As the two spoke via their spiritual ability, the ordination ritual began in the plaza. The first act was the "Transmission." The boys, now dressed in light blue robes, had Dragon and Tiger Mountain Daoists bring trays of clothing and hats to them, helping them dress. Afterward, Daoists with paper and brushes went to each child, having them write their names in the family register.

The process was complex and solemn, involving petitions, welcoming spirits, posting announcements, reporting to heaven, and chanting scriptures, all under the witness of guests from all directions. One couldn't help but feel moved as these people of other surnames, who had endured countless hardships to reach this day, wept with joy upon putting on the yellow and purple robes and writing their names in the Celestial Master's Mansion registry.

The second act was the swearing of vows and keeping of precepts. This took place under the witness of the "Three Masters": the Recommender, the Transmitter, and the Overseer. The Recommender is responsible for the screening and testing of disciples. Knowing that only forty-nine were chosen out of the countless who came, one can imagine the difficulty of the trial. The Transmitter presides over the ordination ritual, usually the Little Celestial Master. If the Little Celestial Master hasn't been appointed, the contemporary Celestial Master designates a respected Zhang family member. The Transmitter acts as the teacher for these forty-nine outsiders, holding significant meaning. Cheng Xinzhan clearly saw that the Transmitter this time was the Gongchang Gongzi he had met at Baiyu Jing. The Overseer, naturally, was the contemporary Celestial Master.

Led by the Little Celestial Master, the forty-nine new disciples swore their vows: "Renounce passions, cease wrongdoing, sever the roots of evil, cultivate the Dao, transition from the mundane to the sacred, from start to finish, beginning with the precept-register, only then attaining the Truth."

Hearing the Little Celestial Master recite the first four words, Cheng Xinzhan almost laughed out loud, but he held it in. Looking at the forty-nine incredibly pious children, he suddenly felt a sense of sorrow.