If you don't give up, I'd like to be your adoptive father.

Chapter 1153 The Covenant of Heaven

Now, Xiao Yu herded all the Qi cultivators who had participated in the Grand Tutor selection back to the Temple of Heaven atop the main peak of the Black Ice Terrace in the Qinling Mountains, just like herding sheep.

Master Guan and the others were still cleaning up the corpses of Peng Jiu and Kun Sijiu, with only a few dozen Taoists remaining at the Black Ice Platform.

Xiaoyu called them all to the Temple of Heaven.

"The selection of the Grand Tutor is now more than halfway complete."

She waved the "List of Participants" in her hand, facing a group of Qi Refiners whose faces were not very good, and said: "A total of 649 fellow Daoists are participating in this Mount Hua Dao Discussion."

Excluding Lao Bo San You and Daoist Ye Jiutian.

Of the remaining 645 people, 503 chose to become 'Grand Tutor Wu'.

Now, these 503 martial arts masters have voluntarily conceded defeat, thus completing the contest.

Only 142 people remain, and they want to compete with me in the Celestial Masters' Way.

Regardless of how the literary contest proceeds or what the final outcome may be, you can all be considered the Celestial Masters of Qin.

Welcome, fellow Daoists, to the Qin Imperial Observatory family! Welcome!

She clapped her hands, glancing at Ying Banli and the other Taoist priests who remained at the Black Ice Platform, as well as ministers like Feng Quji and Li Si.

"Clap clap clap!" They clapped along, their expressions a strange mix of joy and worry.

The newly appointed celestial masters, who were welcomed, were filled with disgust and looked awkward.

Some people even wore their regret on their faces.

Ignoring their thoughts, Xiaoyu smiled and continued, "Since you are now the Celestial Master of the Imperial Observatory of our Great Qin, you will eventually have to request three titles, namely the Heavenly Title, the Earthly Title, and the Human Title."

Needless to say, the appointment of the person in charge is underway; His Majesty the Second is here, and it will be completed shortly.

Earthly seals can also be placed later, in which case the main purpose is to request Heavenly seals.

To communicate with the Heavenly Court and complete the "Requesting Heavenly Conferment" ceremony alone is an extreme test of the Taoist arts of the Celestial Masters.

Why don't we make asking for the Heavenly Seal the first step in the "literary contest"? That would kill two birds with one stone.

One hundred and forty-two fellow Daoists, for yourselves, and for the sake of the remaining three of the five hundred and three fellow Daoists, please grant the Heavenly Seal.

Well, we will randomly select three from the 503 fellow cultivators who have completed their martial arts battles.

You write a document requesting the bestowal of the title, and complete the process of requesting the title from Heaven according to the rituals of the Celestial Masters sect.

The sealing process is complete, and the Heavenly Court has responded, so the first hurdle has been overcome.

Many aspiring Celestial Masters now only want to go home and have no desire to be granted a Celestial Seal.

But at this point, they had no choice; they had no options left.

At Grand Master Yu's command, the Taoist priests of the Black Ice Platform quickly brought over dozens of long tables, which were filled with items used for the Heavenly Seal, including writing brushes, ink, paper, inkstones, as well as magic swords and robes.

However, almost all of these 142 "Master Wen" had their own exclusive equipment.

Some people even have specially made ink.

Needless to say, personal items such as robes, swords, and whisks are essential to a Celestial Master. They are to a Celestial Master what a fishing rod is to a fisherman, or sneakers are to a basketball enthusiast—they would not and would not borrow from others.

Only the "Golden Book and Jade Book" paper of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau of the Qin Dynasty was a special supply of the imperial court and enjoyed by the Grand Tutor. It was an extremely rare and high-end product, and they all chose the Golden Book and Jade Book provided by the Imperial Astronomical Bureau.

Soon, the contestants drew lots, and each person was assigned three "Martial Masters." Based on their names and backgrounds, they wrote documents requesting the appointment of these masters.

If it were a normal ceremony involving the request for celestial investiture, the Grand Master of the Imperial Observatory would naturally preside over the ceremony on behalf of the newlyweds, making the process much simpler.

The first test at this time was to ask for divine favor because they had not yet become the Celestial Masters of the Great Qin Dynasty and did not have the authority of the Celestial Masters. However, they had to ask for divine favor for themselves and others, which was very difficult.

In addition, with 142 people simultaneously requesting divine favor, "the Heavenly Emperor" (or his subordinates, such as a star deity) was overwhelmed.

The heavens were in a cacophony of noise, unable to hear the cries of those from the mortal realm pleading for divine intervention. Only those with the strongest Taoist magic would be able to rise above the rest.

Finally, there's the difficulty of summoning the Heavenly Seal itself.

Soon the Taoist priest at the Black Ice Platform lit incense and candles.

Under the blessing of the incantation, the candlelight and incense smoke stretched into straight lines, unaffected by the wind, rising straight into the sky and connecting with the heavens, like a gateway.

Then, the Taoist priest from the Black Ice Platform struck his musical instrument and played "Heavenly Music".

The music floated into the sky, making the distance between the Heavenly Court and the Temple of Heaven seem even closer.

With Xiaoyu's current "Demon Eye" level, standing on the Altar of Heaven, he could even vaguely see the phantom of the Heavenly Palace.

One hundred and forty-two "Celestial Masters" wore ceremonial robes and crowns, and held ivory tablets in their hands.

After completing the ritual, one faces the sky and loudly recites: "The Taiji divides into high and thick, light and pure, belonging to the heavens. If one can cultivate the Dao, one's body will become a true immortal minister. The Great Qin's Heavenly Master XX, with utmost trepidation, bows his head in reverence."

"I humbly submit this memorial to the Daoist Fellowship XX of XX Dao Palace, requesting to be granted the title of 'Celestial Master'. May this ensure the flourishing of the virtuous lineage and the propagation of the Daoist lineage. Your humble servant is overwhelmed with reverence for Your Majesty and respectfully submits this memorial."

After the performance, the precious records were burned, turning into a beam of light and shadow. Within the light and shadow were the two huge characters "Celestial Master," which floated leisurely towards the Heavenly Palace.

A small portion of the "Celestial Master's" light and shadow, before disappearing into the void, wobbled a few times and dissipated in the sky above the human world.

The remaining seventy percent of the "Celestial Master" light and shadow, though swaying, eventually rose into the void and successfully entered the Heavenly Palace.

When Xiaoyu asked the heavens to bestow the title, the "Celestial Master" had just floated into the sky when it was extinguished by a shower of rain.

At this time, more than 70% of the 142 Heavenly Masters had sent their memorials to Heaven and into the Heavenly Court.

Regardless of whether they ultimately receive an offer, at least their resumes were taken by HR and brought back to the company for careful analysis.

Xiaoyu's resume was thrown into the trash before it even reached the HR department.

After waiting for about 15 minutes, the Heavenly Palace responded.

Streaks of golden light, each the size of a leaf, fell from the sky at incredible speed, landing on the Black Ice Platform Altar.

"My God, how can there be so many?" Ying Banli exclaimed in surprise outside the Temple of Heaven. "Even when the late emperor was still alive, there was no such grand occasion. There were at least a hundred divine talismans."

The celestial decree descends from the heavens, signifying that a "celestial master on earth" has been chosen by the heavens and selected as a "celestial master of the heavenly court."

It's equivalent to obtaining a "national-level certificate".

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh~~~" Streaks of golden light fell down, and after arriving at the Altar of Heaven in the mortal world, they indeed transformed into palm-sized golden talismans. They could be seen to be radiant with light, and the runes were faintly visible, making them appear sacred and majestic.

The divine talisman descended directly upon the prospective Celestial Masters, awaiting their receipt.

There were a total of 135 talismans, of which only 52 were allocated to the Celestial Master Wen.

The remaining eighty-three belonged to the Martial Celestial Masters who stood there silently awaiting their divine appointment. Although it was said that one hundred and forty-two Civil Celestial Masters wrote the sacred record and presided over the ceremony to request the divine appointment, not all of them were recognized by the Heavenly Court.

On the contrary, many of the martial arts masters who were invited to be appointed by Heaven were selected by the Heavenly Court.

For example, Qiu Mingzi, and Zhong Yuangong and He Zhenjun who were in cahoots with Lu Jingong.

Even Ye Jiutian, who was half-dead and lying on the edge of the Temple of Heaven, received a divine scroll.

But their expressions weren't joyful at all; instead, they looked awkward, as if they'd swallowed a fly.

They had no desire to be "Heavenly Masters" at all.

Even "terrestrial celestial masters" who don't need to serve in the Heavenly Court would probably turn their worries into joy if the Heavenly Court granted them a good divine position.

To put it bluntly, these Tsinghua and Peking University graduates look down on the status of ordinary civil servants in villages and towns.

They weren't even official employees; they were just nominally affiliated with government departments. They didn't receive a guaranteed monthly salary, yet they were required to be on call at any time and strictly adhere to organizational discipline. If they made a mistake, they deserved to be punished by the Heavenly Court.

"Sigh, another failure."

An ordinary-looking middle-aged Taoist priest looked at the talismans above Qiu Mingzi and "Brother Futu" with envy and dejection. "Even with the blessing of the imperial dynasty, the Heavenly Court won't accept me. I will never become a 'Land Celestial Master' in this lifetime."

“Seagull, you’re too ambitious! You haven’t even become an immortal yet, how could the Heavenly Court possibly appoint you as a ‘Land Celestial Master’?” said “Brother Zhang” behind him.

“Brother Futu didn’t become an immortal either, but he’s already registered in the Heavenly Register, so he can be considered a terrestrial celestial master,” said Haiouzi.

Brother Futu, whose skin was covered in blue divine markings, heard the two talking, turned around and smiled, "Fellow Daoists, don't be discouraged. We haven't become immortals yet, and we still have many opportunities."

All three of them were guests of Li Si.

When Xiaoyu disguised herself as "Servant Zhao Cheng", she once gave them drinking games.

When they were guests at Li Si's house, they were just ordinary guests. They could only drink wine in the small pavilion in the courtyard, but Qiu Mingzi was allowed to enter the main hall, sit next to Li Si, and drink phoenix marrow soup.

Now, let's ask Tianfeng. Haiouzi and Brother Zhang Dao look at the other's talisman with envy, while Brother Futu is all smiles and beaming with pride.

But Qiu Mingzi, standing to the side, had a gloomy face and his hands, hanging by his sides, were clenched into fists. He almost couldn't help but curse: "You old Jade Emperor, are you going to kick me when I'm down too? I am the disciple of the Heavenly Emperor. I might consider making you a Star Lord, but you're just a 'Land Celestial Master.' You're not only taking advantage of my misfortune, but you're also humiliating me and my master!"
Taking advantage of someone's misfortune naturally means seizing the opportunity to recruit him into the Heavenly Court system.

How could a dignified celestial being with the potential to become a Great Luo Immortal of the Righteous Path and whose elixir of immortality is about to be completed look down on such a shabby "low-level divine position"?
But the divine register had already arrived, and they had no other choice at this point.

Either don't ask for a divine blessing, or once you ask for one and "God" responds, and then you refuse, aren't you just playing with "God"?

"Excellent! Our Great Qin Imperial Observatory has suddenly gained one hundred and thirty-five more 'Celestial Masters of the Heavenly Court'! Congratulations!"

Once the "newly promoted terrestrial celestial master" had refined the divine talisman and received his celestial duty, Xiaoyu immediately announced the winner of the first round.

"Those who are promoted to Heavenly Master of the Heavenly Court, or those who already hold the divine office of Heavenly Master of the Heavenly Court, will receive three points in this round."

Those who fail to obtain a divine position but successfully deliver the precious record to the Heavenly Palace will receive one point.

"Please, Great Qin Celestial Master, who has already obtained a divine position in Heaven, petition Heaven to bestow a title upon the 'Martial Celestial Master,' for whom no such title has yet been granted."

There are a total of 503 martial arts masters.

One hundred and forty-two civil celestial masters helped four hundred and twenty-six of the martial celestial masters obtain divine titles, while several dozen martial celestial masters did not.

Moreover, during the collective request for divine favor just now, 30% of the Taoist masters failed and were eliminated.

None of the precious records they wrote flew into the Heavenly Palace.

The martial arts masters they selected also had to be granted a new title by the heavens.

After another half hour of fussing, and with the addition of more than twenty terrestrial celestial masters, the ceremony of inviting the heavens to seal the gates came to an end.

"The second test is a rainmaking contest. You don't need to bring rain on the spot; you just need to obtain a 'Heavenly Contract' from the Heavenly Court."

Xiao Yu focused his gaze on the fifty-two Wen Tianshi who had become "Land Celestial Masters," saying, "You all surely understand the current situation of the Great Qin, otherwise you wouldn't have stepped forward, willing to risk your lives to save the Great Qin from its fate."

Ordinary rain-praying contests are meaningless.

Because a successful rainmaking prayer could not improve the situation of the Qin Dynasty.

If one cannot become the pillar of the Qin Dynasty, then one is not qualified to serve as Grand Tutor.

We must ensure that every 'reasonable' rain prayer will be successful over the next ten to twenty years.

The so-called 'reasonable' means that, based on the 'General Map of Mountains and Rivers of the Nine Provinces' calculated by the Weather Bureau, a certain amount of rainfall should be reduced or decreased in a certain area, which would be beneficial to the local people and to the whole of China.

This level, with a total score of 30, involves a ten-year long-term agreement that drastically alters the distribution of rainfall across China, and can earn a perfect score of 30.

If the period exceeds ten years, one point is added for each additional year, up to a maximum of ten points, or a maximum of forty points.

The Taoist masters looked at each other, each with a different expression.

Prime Minister Feng, standing nearby, was excited and said to Li Si and the Second Emperor, "Grand Tutor Yu is wise and decisive!"
When the world is in chaos, the worst thing is when things don't go as planned, leading to frequent natural disasters that affect people's livelihoods.

The natural disaster that has the greatest and most far-reaching impact on people's livelihoods is rainfall, which affects grain production.

As long as we ensure favorable weather and abundant harvests within the Qin territory for the next ten years, we will surely be able to defend our land!

Guowei Liao looked solemnly at the crimson sky at dusk and said in a low voice, "Grand Tutor Yu's thoughts are certainly good, but unfortunately, at this moment, the Heavenly Court will definitely not allow her, or us, to have our way."

If there were ten years of favorable weather and a decade of benevolent governance by the imperial court, how could the people of China possibly rise up in rebellion?

No reason!

If the common people no longer have the will to rebel, can Qianlong still achieve his hegemony by forcibly conscripting men?
Emperor Huhai said worriedly, "Uncle is naturally wise and mighty. But the 'Heavenly Pact' for rain alone scores forty points. Isn't Uncle destined to lose?"

The Heavenly Court can sign a covenant with anyone, but it will never heed the advice of the Heavenly Father!

The Grand Commandant was taken aback, then exclaimed in surprise, "Grand Tutor Yu is quite the schemer!"

Prime Minister Feng didn't react for a moment and asked in confusion, "What scheme? His Majesty's concerns are not without reason."

At this moment, Grand Tutor Yu is gambling with them on the Taoist arts of the Celestial Masters!
In the first round of inviting Tianfeng, Grand Tutor Yu had already lost to others by three points.

"They can still catch up by three points, but if they lose by forty, her position as Grand Tutor will likely be in jeopardy."

Li Si raised an eyebrow, looked at the sky, and said quietly, "If the Heavenly Court really wanted to make Grand Tutor Yu lose his position as Grand Tutor, it might be that they deliberately agreed to sign long-term rain-praying contracts with certain Wen Tianshi for ten or even twenty years."

I'm afraid this will allow Grand Tutor Yu to get what he wants and feel extremely pleased.

Because that's what she wanted.

"To exchange the position of Grand Tutor for ten years of favorable weather and bountiful harvests in the Qin Dynasty is entirely worthwhile."

Feng Quji suddenly realized, and then looked at Grand Tutor Yu with even more admiration, "Grand Tutor Yu is selfless and devoted to the cause. We are far inferior to him in terms of both methods and magnanimity!"

(End of this chapter)