Chapter 62 Part 3

The young sect master’s daoist robes were naturally different from those of ordinary disciples. Not only did they feature many ornate patterns, but they were also a set of magic robes. The inner lining was embroidered with numerous talismans that could block many attacks.

The ceremony was set for September 3rd, a day with excellent weather.

Lu Wuqi didn’t disturb Sheng Xu’s rest. At the appointed time, she quietly left the courtyard and arrived at the Spirit Pool as instructed by the sect master. After soaking for an hour, she changed into the ornate robes and began burning incense until the first light of dawn.

Lu Wuqi held a white jade plaque and performed the grand rite of three prostrations and nine kowtows with utmost reverence toward the location of the ancestors.

She then stood atop the erected altar platform, facing the sunlight as the sect master recited the various principles passed down through the Imprint Moon Sect and the lessons that needed to be engraved in memory.

The sect master’s recitation was unhurried and solemn. All the Imprint Moon Sect disciples stood with hands at their sides, listening attentively—even Sheng Xu, who wasn’t part of the sect, did the same.

This process lasted ninety minutes. Over a thousand people stood nearly motionless for so long until the sect master finished the recitation. He then ordered them to pay respects to the new young sect master. Lu Wuqi returned the courtesy twice. Only after the third round did she straighten her back and formally accept their salutes.

Once the rites concluded, under the sect master’s guidance, Lu Wuqi immersed her hand in a basin of water before flicking her sleeve to scatter a mist.

The mist refracted in the sunlight, turning into a rainbow of colors before transforming into streams of light that entered the bodies of certain individuals.

The sect master and several elderly elders, familiar with the procedure, had their pupils contract slightly. The looks they directed at Lu Wuqi grew even more fervent.

The reason was simple. This final step was the blessing—a bestowal from superior to inferior.

According to ancient records, the blessings at the beginning were genuine. Many talented disciples would receive boosts to their cultivation.

Of course, this extra cultivation wasn’t provided by the young sect master himself. Rather, it was feedback given by past sect masters upon sensing it.

After all, the Imprint Moon Sect had a thousand years of history. Successive sect masters were buried within the sect grounds after passing—this was one key reason the sect would never relocate.

However, starting over three hundred years ago, successive sect masters had basically stopped providing feedback. One reason was the decline in spiritual power density; another was dynasty changes that damaged certain spirit veins.

Yet today, after more than three hundred years, the miracle occurred once more. The past sect masters had responded, signifying their acknowledgment of Lu Wuqi’s existence.

After completing the most important ceremony, Lu Wuqi still couldn’t rest. She needed to complete the final step alone: paying respects one by one to the successive sect masters. This process had to be undertaken once, whether becoming the Young Sect Master or the Sect Master.

While Lu Wuqi was earnestly reporting her name and background repeatedly before the tombstones, the Sect Master temporarily gathered the twelve elders present and reemphasized Lu Wuqi’s importance.

“She is the Young Sect Master recognized by our ancestors. I ask all of you to prioritize protecting the Young Sect Master above all else, at any cost—even if it means completely falling out with the Mystic Gate.”

The twelve elders, including Yin Bufu, wore equally serious expressions and responded in unison, “We shall obey the Sect Master’s command.”

“Master, the Young… Young Sect Master is already a member of the Special Action Bureau. According to official regulations, when necessary, the Young Sect Master must follow the bureau chief’s commands and assist in their operations,” Yin Bufu reminded him.

“I know that. I’ll negotiate with the higher-ups on the official side. In recent years, their attitude toward us has been reasonable, and they won’t refuse sensible proposals.”

The Sect Master paused before continuing, “I’ll convey Imprint Moon Sect’s will to the higher-ups, and they will make the right choice after weighing the pros and cons.”

Hearing his master’s response, Yin Bufu nodded and fell silent.

“The original arrangements need some adjustments. Budai, you and Bufu will be responsible for protecting Wuqi’s safety together. If anyone insists on testing Imprint Moon Sect’s foundations, show no mercy—take their lives directly.”

“Yes, Master,” Yin Bufu and Yin Budai responded simultaneously.

Both of them were the Sect Master’s personal disciples and had broken through to level 6 celestial master long ago. Barring any accidents, Yin Budai would smoothly reach level 7 celestial master within a year. Such cultivation was in no way inferior to the Mystic Gate’s elders.

After repeatedly emphasizing the key points, the Sect Master dismissed all the elders, leaving only Yin Bufu behind.

“What do you think of the relationship between Wuqi and Sheng Xu?” the Sect Master asked straight to the point.

“It’s a very intimate relationship. Wuqi most likely agreed to join Imprint Moon Sect because of Sheng Xu,” Yin Bufu shared his honest speculation.

The Sect Master stroked his beard. “In that case, while protecting Wuqi, you must also ensure Sheng Xu’s safety. She might become the future Sect Master’s wife.”

“Master, but they are both women…” Yin Bufu was stunned. How was his master even more open-minded than he was?

“So what? Is the position of Imprint Moon Sect’s Sect Master passed down by bloodline?” The Sect Master frowned. “Have you spent too much time in the secular world? Did you bring back those rigid, outdated notions?”

“Besides, the others might not know, but don’t you know that the ancestor also favored women? The first Sect Master and the Sect Master’s wife were both stunning geniuses in cultivation!” The Sect Master’s voice grew louder.

“Master, this disciple was ignorant,” Yin Bufu lowered his head reflexively.

His master was already over a hundred years old, born before the feudal dynasties had even fallen. He never imagined a day when his master would criticize him for being rigid and outdated. Truly… the ways of the world were unpredictable.

“Good that you know. It doesn’t matter who Wuqi ends up with, as long as it doesn’t delay her cultivation,” the Sect Master said. Don’t let his age fool you—his mindset kept up with the times, and he was quite proficient with smartphones.

“There’s been a change in that girl Sheng Xu. For Imprint Moon Sect to have such a future Sect Master’s wife isn’t necessarily a bad thing.” The Sect Master glanced at Yin Bufu. “If during the Exchange Meeting, the Grand Elder, Heavenly Profound Sect, and Jia Family pressure you together, do you know what to do?”

“I do,” Yin Bufu nodded. He wasn’t a blockhead; after repeated reminders, he had learned. “Budai and I will stand firmly behind the Young Sect Master. Opposing the Young Sect Master is opposing Imprint Moon Sect, no matter who it is. We will follow the Young Sect Master’s arrangements.”

Yin Bufu paused before adding, “If an accident occurs, we will protect the Young Sect Master and Sheng Xu and ensure their safe withdrawal at any cost.”

The Sect Master nodded in satisfaction. “Good. Remember these words, and make sure Budai remembers them too. Wuqi is blessed by her predecessors—her future is limitless. No one can block her path forward. We don’t need to choose her direction for her; we just need to stand firmly behind her and advance step by step.”

Yin Bufu nodded in acknowledgment, memorized every word, then relayed it verbatim to Yin Budai. Yin Budai also adopted the most serious and earnest attitude to protect Lu Wuqi and follow her every arrangement.

–

At this moment, Lu Wuqi had no idea that the Sect Master now regarded her as the apple of his eye. Instead, she was starting to immerse herself in the process, introducing herself one by one before the tombstones of the successive sect masters, from nearest to farthest.

At first, Lu Wuqi only had a faint sensation, like a gentle breeze brushing over her head.

But as she drew closer to the tomb of the first Sect Master, her sensations grew stronger. It felt like an elder was patting her head and then stuffing a gift into her hands.

Soon, Lu Wuqi arrived before the tombstone of the first Sect Master—the founder of Imprint Moon Sect.

After repeating the spiel she had said over twenty times once more, she seemed to hear a joyful laugh. Then, she felt a finger tap her forehead, suddenly amplifying her perception of the outside world.

“Good child, I’ve finally been waiting for you.” A distant voice entered Lu Wuqi’s ears.

Before Lu Wuqi could react, her mind went completely blank. Many obscure and profound things flooded into her head. After the simple text materialized, it transformed into streams of golden light that merged into Lu Wuqi’s meridians.

Lu Wuqi had no idea what had happened. When she regained consciousness, she was no longer in the cemetery but standing at the main gate.

Had she finished paying respects? Lu Wuqi pinched her brow, feeling like she had forgotten something, but she had no clue what it was.

Whatever, if she forgot, she forgot. She had been in the cemetery of the successive sect masters—her body would be buried there in the future too. The elders definitely wouldn’t do anything bad to her.

After reassuring herself, Lu Wuqi headed down the mountain, eager to see Xuxu soon and let her admire her in the custom Daoist robes up close.

–

“Hm? Am I imagining it, or has your cultivation improved, Xuxu?” After releasing Sheng Xu, Lu Wuqi immediately noticed the change in her.

“It seems like a little. During your blessing earlier, something seemed to enter my body,” Sheng Xu said honestly, then stepped back to look Lu Wuqi up and down.

“Wuqi, has your cultivation advanced too? I sense extremely dense spiritual power on you,” Sheng Xu said with furrowed brows.

“Is that so? I don’t feel anything special.” Lu Wuqi focused and examined her body—it was still brimming with spiritual power.

“There is. Why don’t you try drawing a talisman?” Sheng Xu suggested. Due to her constitution, she was more sensitive to spiritual power than ordinary celestial masters, especially after she could cultivate.

“Okay.” Lu Wuqi walked to the desk, where her materials were still laid out.

She picked up the brush, dipped it in cinnabar, and drew a mid-rank protective talisman she was most familiar with.

A golden light flashed, signaling the appearance of a protective talisman with 100% completion.

Hiss, there was a slight difference—her spiritual power had barely been consumed?

A thought flashed through Lu Wuqi’s mind. She then drew three protective talismans in one go, all at 100% completion. A bolder idea emerged in her head.

Lu Wuqi took out higher-quality materials from her Qiankun Bag, took a deep breath, then lifted her brush and began drawing the more complex and obscure runes of a high-tier protective talisman.

This time, the strokes weren’t as smooth as before, but Lu Wuqi’s hand remained steady. Though her speed slowed, she didn’t fail—instead, she advanced bit by bit.

Sheng Xu recognized it as the runes for a high-tier protective talisman. Though worried about backlash on Lu Wuqi, she knew better than to disturb her now, so she watched tensely in silence without speaking.