CHAPTER 1004: CHAPTER 1003: DUSHAN GRAND CEREMONY 01

A few days later, Masters Xiao An and another Master led a hundred Golden Core and Foundation Establishment disciples from the Anhe Daoist to Dushan. Although they were very close neighbors, everything before them was incredibly shocking. Building a mountain gate in this desolate snow mountain over ten years, they thought the conditions would be extremely rudimentary and mentally prepared for it. However, they didn’t expect the spectacle before their eyes to be so magnificent.

They arrived in the early morning, and as the star rose, the entire Dushan seemed to be bathed in a spectrum of colors, like countless sword lights radiating outward, making the whole mountain peak resemble a dazzling sword.

This was no coincidence. The entire Dushan architecture was meticulously designed, with special facets added to the ice tops and ice walls, enhancing defense while perfectly refracting sunlight, creating a mirror reflection effect.

From the Ice and Snow Sword Pavilion at the top of Dushan, to the Shaking Light Sword Palace at the mountainside, and to the Tongtian Sword Tower at the foot of the mountain, these three main buildings form an axis. Master Wu designed a series of buildings connecting them, so that when the sunlight shines down, the whole mountain appears as a sword, with the axis as the blade’s spine.

Even the disciples of the Sword Sect, every time they enter or exit Dushan, can’t help but be mesmerized by the grandeur they see again and again, let alone the Anhe Daoists who are first-time visitors.

"Who designed this? Such grandeur! A masterpiece... How did they accomplish this? Merely the materials alone for such a construction would require decades of continuous carving, just a short ten years, by these people?" Master An was somewhat lost in thought.

Master Xiao, more composed and with deeper skill, said, "It’s ice! This material is readily available from the glacier, easy to cut, no need for mortar to connect, just splashing water to solidify, truly a genius idea. But only in a cold place like Dushan could this succeed."

Amidst everyone’s amazement, Master Xu led a group of Sword Cultivators to greet them. The two were old friends, both competitors and confidants.

A few pleasantries were exchanged, and they walked arm in arm.

"I heard this time at the Dushan ceremony, many sects and forces will attend. Perhaps more than you think, is the Sword Sect prepared?" Master Xiao inquired directly.

Master Xu sighed, "Prepare for what? That kid said they should bring their own drinks, self-sufficient!"

Masters Xiao An laughed heartily, "That’s his nature, if he can’t manage, he’ll just act the fool! Acting all roguish, who’s afraid of whom."

Master Xu smiled wryly, "Having such a rascal as a sect leader is really difficult. That’s why I’m inviting all you esteemed Anhe masters ahead of time to run through the process. Even if we can’t surpass those major Daoist sects, key etiquette cannot be missed."

Master Xiao held back laughter, "Very well, I just worry your sect leader will find us meddlesome and may not welcome us."

Master Xu, understanding their relationship, spoke frankly, "He certainly doesn’t welcome you. To him, a simple ’Eat well, drink well, do whatever suits you’ is enough; what does it matter to him? So, we still need to reign him in, as you know, this boy is not easy to reason with."

Master Xiao nodded repeatedly, "Exactly, such a grand ceremony cannot be conducted capriciously according to his whims."

The Masters set the tone, not caring if the so-called sect leader agreed. To them, they preferred to see Hou Niao as a slightly rebellious junior rather than an exalted sect leader.

In the future, when Hou Niao truly stands unrivaled on the continent, or if the Sword Sect dominates Jinxiu, he can do as he pleases, and no one will interfere; but not this time. Different times call for different approaches, and so-called uniqueness also requires context.

This Dushan ceremony will have far-reaching impacts; at least from current information, numerous medium and small Daoist sects will attend, necessitating leaving a deep impression on them.

Such a unique mountain gate as Dushan would be utterly wasted if the same old Wild Cultivator gathering style were used.

Transitioning from extravagance to frugality is a virtue, but being frugal on top of frugality can appear disrespectful. Not everyone or every Daoist sect has a minimalist mindset; for most cultivators, receiving enough respect is their most basic requirement.

This time, the Anhe Daoist brought many professionals at setting the ceremonial scene; they know how to create a solemn atmosphere. But faced with the uniqueness of Dushan, they were at a loss. The prepared streamers and banners seemed redundant against the gigantic ice-sculpted architecture.

When they arrived before the Heavenly Sword Platform, they were even more in awe of its grandeur; a three-hundred-zhang wide Heavenly Sword Platform with only three levels, still maintaining a sky, sword, and human structure. Sunlight reflecting from any angle produced dazzling brilliance, and amid such natural splendor, any decoration would ruin the original atmosphere.

So, they had to focus more on the ceremony process, combining the Daoist approach with the Sword Sect’s existing methods, finding a blend that deviates from traditional Daoist customs yet showcases the Sword Sect’s unique style.

Honestly, the cultivation history of Jinxiu Continent is too short, so much so that everyone is somewhat similar in this regard. The so-called rituals are mostly copied from one another, with some fresh ideas added.

The Tongtian Sword Tower at the foot of the mountain was cleared, ready to host incoming guests at any time. Although cultivators don’t care about the cold, as hosts, it’s their duty to provide a sheltered space. The decor in the Ice Hall is quite sparse, but the ice-sculpted architecture makes up for it. For almost every cultivator, this is a novel experience.

Strictly speaking, the Dushan mountain gate still appears rudimentary; beyond the buildings, there’s almost nothing, and ten years haven’t changed much.

However, what’s most important is that they already have the aura.

Preparations were in full swing, with disciples of the Sword Sect mostly returning from outside tasks, not wanting to miss the Dushan ceremony.

The Grassland Sword Sect also mobilized fully.

For the people of the grasslands, their advantage lies in the impossibility of theft. On the vast grasslands, a population of millions represents an unenviable wealth, as the hearts of the tribes cannot be stolen.

Over ten years, the upper echelons strongly enforced deep integration, and now half of the grassland’s strength comes from Quanzhen, while the other half takes turns coming to Dushan to learn. Here, they encounter an unprecedented skill system and resources far surpassing their harsh lives on the grasslands.

Though there are still hiccups and bumps, generally, things move forward. Ultimately, the grassland will become a prefecture of the Dushan Sword Lineage floating outside.

Someday.