Wet viviparity

Chapter 778 Letter, Apprenticeship Ceremony
Qian Meng praised sincerely, "Uncle Ding, you are so thoughtful and meticulous in your work. No wonder Master Lingxu specially arranged an apprenticeship ceremony for you."

"Are you a member of the Qian family?"

Faced with Ding Ruyi's question, Qian Meng paused for a moment, then nodded dejectedly.

In Taiping Mountain, the Qian, Zhang, and Mi families, who were once prominent merchants, have gradually become a thing of the past. Although their ancestors are still alive, the loss of their power has caused the younger generation to grow up in a desolate environment.

"Did Master Tiger Eyes send you to speak with me?"

"Yes."

Qian Meng dared not dabble in irrelevant topics any longer and truthfully said, "The Zen Master said that there was originally a decree from He Guan that summoned you back to Yan Xu Mountain, and Master Ling Xu wanted to hold a belated apprenticeship ceremony for you."

"Master has finally emerged from seclusion."

Ding Ruyi felt relieved and didn't pay attention to the apprenticeship ceremony.

As his master's eldest disciple, Ding Ruyi shouldered too many responsibilities, especially now that the calamity was rising, making this responsibility even heavier and causing him great anxiety.

I originally thought that with Master Shande and Uncle Wen around, they could help me share the burden.

However, Lord Shande's identity was sensitive, and he was dedicated to promoting the Daoyisi (a government agency), so he could hardly help me with many matters involving the upper level of the government. Uncle Wen did help a lot, but he also had a lot of urgent matters to deal with at Lei Huo Da Guan (another government agency), so he could only help me with very limited things.

Now that the master has emerged from seclusion, we have a pillar of support.

"If that's the case, then what about the transfer order I received?"

Qian Meng said, "Originally, this summons decree was not a big problem, but I don't know who leaked it to the Three Generals. Senior Uncle, you know that the Three Generals of Tianhe Peak are in charge of this battle. All three are high-level cultivators at the fifth level of the Fetal Spirit Realm, and they are the source of the sect's confidence."

These three elders usually serve in the Thunder Department, tasked with capturing demons and monsters. Before this battle, they had received orders from Lord Lu Zhenjun and had been working diligently, fearing only that they would fail him.

It is said that when the three elders learned of this, they were furious and demanded the decree, which they burned in front of all the immortals in the Imperial Palace's Treasure Pavilion. They even said…

"What exactly did the three officials say, speaking in such a hesitant manner?"

Qian Meng drew out his words, deliberately imitating the tone of the three elders, and recreated what he had said at the time: "There was a great master with great supernatural powers who sent a decree to the battlefield of my Heavenly River Altar. He didn't want to send his disciples back, but I insisted that his disciples go to the most dangerous place for me."

"Shouldn't the most dangerous place be Bloodwave Reef, where Aunt Luo Ji is located?"

Ding Ruyi asked curiously.

"Yeah yeah!

Master Luo is a notorious killer, infamous for his ferocity. Wherever he is stationed, the demonic atmosphere is so intense and the stench so overwhelming that it often surpasses even the most dangerous places.

However, since you are Master Lingxu's disciple, and the only one whose true lineage is recognized, it is all thanks to you, Uncle Master.

Although the three elders were furious and issued the order from the main residence, the actual implementation of this order encountered much resistance, and in the end, it was transferred to Master Tiger Eye.

Ding Ruyi had no interest in investigating who had reported the summons to the Three Officials within the mountain gate. This matter could actually be easily verified by asking her master to calculate it.

He just didn't think it was right to pursue that person, at least not now.

Now we should delve into the meaning behind this matter. Everyone knows that his master is a fortune teller, but the other party still dared to take such a huge risk to do this. He must have something to rely on, or he must have been angry with He Guan for a long time and had reached the point where he had no choice but to vent.

If it were the former, Ding Ruyi wouldn't be worried.

But if it is the latter, does it mean that the reform of the He Guan Zhong Dao Yi Si has caused the people of Taiping Mountain to turn against him?

He knew that although the Daoyisi (道役司) was initiated by Shande Gong (善德公), its steady progress was ultimately due to his master's will. However, given his master's unwavering character, could the so-called popular sentiment and momentum of Taipingshan (太平山) truly shake his will? "Internal and external troubles."

Considering all aspects, Ding Ruyi had a feeling that a storm was brewing.

He looked at Qian Meng and asked, "What is the purpose of Master Tiger Eye sending you to say these things?"

Qian Meng presented a jade slip and said, "This letter was sent from the north. The Zen Master said that you must ask your senior brother to deliver it to the Dharma Master."

Ding Ruyi muttered to herself, "The North... could it be Senior Uncle Zhang?"

He knew that the reason why Master Tiger Eyes was able to shine in the war was ultimately due to the strong support of Master Zhang from the North.

Although he was expelled from Taiping Mountain, his influence in the Upper House remained. In addition, he had accomplished several remarkable feats in the north, which made him famous. There were growing calls within the sect to welcome him back to the mountain.

Back when Master Huyan was in the sect, he was ranked among the Three Wonderful Truths along with Master Zhang and Jueguang. Later, recognizing the situation, he gradually aligned himself with Master Zhang before World War II and was regarded as part of the same faction, playing the role of a right-hand man.

Now that Master Zhang has been expelled from the sect, it is natural that some disciples of the upper palace have nominated Master Huyan as the main force to welcome Master Zhang back. It is said that this move has already received the support of several senior monks of the Five Realms.

Ding Ruyi put away the letter without asking how to return to Yanxu Mountain to deliver it, trusting that the Zen master had his own arrangements.

Even if the Zen Master doesn't make any arrangements, He Guan will continue to exert his efforts. A person like his master wouldn't change his established plans just because of the three officials of Tianhe Peak.

The crimson clouds that enveloped them drifted down, a gloomy and desolate mist, and fell into the deep waters of the lake.

At the bottom of this lake, there is an area of ​​about four or five acres, where the lake water is spread out by five sides of water light. The escaped lake demon is bound here and has already revealed its true form as a catfish.

Ding Ruyi arrived calmly and saw that beyond the shimmering water on all five sides, the lake was clear as if wiped clean, the water plants were swaying gently, and the view was clear in all directions, with even the far distance clearly visible. He couldn't help but admire the Nine-Bend Heavenly River True Method of Zen Master Huyan.

Indeed, these five sides can withstand the waters of Qianjun Lake and create a shimmering expanse of water in a certain area; only the Zen master's Nine-Bend Heavenly River True Method can unleash such power.

"As one wishes."

Before the fish demon, a soft light faded, revealing the figure of the Tiger-Eyed Zen Master.

He was tall and imposing, with a resolute face and a faint golden vertical line on his forehead, resembling a closed third eye.

The Zen master wore his hair in a topknot and held a mudra, appearing neither a monk nor a Taoist. The Nine-Bend Heavenly River True Dharma around him stirred the five-sided water light, keeping the fish, turtles, and other creatures raised in the deep lake, along with the lake water, out.

The three-zhang-long black catfish was still struggling. The Zen master reached out a hand and touched the fish's head. After a breath or two, the catfish became completely still.

Just as Ding Ruyi was about to speak, the Zen master raised his hand to stop her.

The Zen master said, “Considering your merit in exorcising the demon this time, I will grant your request and allow you to return to the mountain to complete the apprenticeship ceremony before the Dharma Master. Afterwards, you may return to Zhizhu Rock.”

"Why go through all this trouble, Zen Master?"

Ding Ruyi said.

"Good!
This humble monk is not like Master Lingxu, who can make decisions on matters large and small with a single word.

If you don't find a reason for your actions, it won't be right in the Three Peaks and One Prefecture. This humble monk cannot bear the uproar.

Remember, this is no small matter; be sure to handle it carefully when you get back.

Ding Ruyi thought the Zen master was referring to the letter he had entrusted to pass on to his master. She sighed inwardly that the Zen master was too impatient. Even if he wanted to contact his master to plan for the return of his senior brother Zhang, he would have to wait until the calls for Zhang's return were at their peak in the sect. The current calls were far from enough.

(End of this chapter)