The Ninth Lady is a rebellious person.

Twelve years have passed in the blink of an eye. The land that was once eroded by demonic energy has long since recovered its vitality. In late autumn, fiery red maple leaves can be seen everywhere, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene that makes people linger.

Just as the cycle of the sexagenary cycle begins and the Double Ninth Festival arrives, the Taiping Temple, located next to Wujing, was built under the supervision of the current Emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty to commemorate the heroes who fought against demons in the past. It has a large number of believers and its incense is very popular.

This year marks the beginning of a new cycle in the war against demons. Preparations began as early as three months ago, as it was rumored that a Taoist immortal would be preaching and spreading his teachings here today. Therefore, this is both a tribute to the heroes who died in the war against demons and a grand celebration of peace on earth.

Therefore, the Taiping Temple area was bustling a month ago, and it reached its peak on the Double Ninth Festival today. Fortunately, there were preparations and announcements in advance. Although there were many people, soldiers and city guards maintained order, and the people voluntarily abided by the rules, so no major riots occurred.

Before dawn, the area at the foot of Taiping Mountain was already bustling with activity. The official roads leading to Taiping Temple were congested with carriages and horses. Some anxious people had already abandoned their vehicles and mingled with ordinary people, helping the elderly and children on foot. Further on, one could see even more people and carriages dressed in various styles, all converging in the same direction.

The mountains and forests along the road are lush and green, with red maples like fire. Once you enter the official road below Taiping Temple, there is a pair of stone-carved auspicious beasts every hundred steps, and wind chimes hanging from the eaves of stone lanterns, tinkling in the gentle morning breeze.

As dawn broke and the sky was cloudless, the azure expanse, as clear as water, added to the festive and joyful atmosphere of the grand event.

The square at the foot of Taiping Temple was already packed with people. Vendors were hawking their wares of sugar figurines, candied chestnuts, and other sundries. Tea stalls were steaming with heat, and some sweet drink shops were displaying all sorts of beverages. The air seemed to be filled with a sweet aroma. There was also a vendor making dough figurines. He wasn't making any other figurines; he was just making a single figurine of Qingyi Immortal Lord, and he couldn't keep up with the rest.

Lang Jiuchuan mingled in the crowd, holding a sugar figurine in his hand. He took a bite and listened to a storyteller on the roadside recount how the immortal Qingyi sacrificed himself to pray for rain. The story moved the audience, who were three layers deep, to tears and clasped their hands together in worship towards the temple.

Ouch, my teeth hurt so much!

She quickly shook her head and left. Fengya, who was beside her, laughed out loud. He glanced at the believers again. If they knew that they were only an arm's length away from the Immortal Lord, would they have to go without bathing for a hundred days to retain more of the divine aura in their hearts?

"Daddy, the sun is out. Will the fairy sister really come to preach today?" A child, riding on his father's shoulders, pointed to the towering altar of worship in Taiping Temple and asked in a childish voice.

Lang Jiuchuan followed her gaze and saw that the sun had fully risen, and thousands of golden rays were shining down, illuminating the glazed tiles on the top of Taiping Temple with a brilliant golden light. On the altar, the wind-summoning bell on the top of the pillar swayed and made a crisp tinkling sound.

"It will come. When that time comes, the fairy sister will bless our Yaoyao." The man smiled and held his daughter's hands and feet, saying loudly, "When the fairy sister brings blessings to the world, our Yaoyao will also enjoy good fortune and health."

Lang Jiuchuan was right beside them. Hearing this, he gently patted the little girl's head and said, "Your father is right. May you have good fortune, longevity, health, and peace!"

The little girl looked at her and giggled. After a while, she said, "You look just like a fairy."

Lang Jiuchuan smiled and walked towards the halls of Taiping Temple.

Despite the large number of people around her, miraculously, wherever she went, the crowd automatically parted to make way for her, creating a wide and easy path.

The main hall of Taiping Temple enshrines the Three Pure Ones. One of the halls is the Hall of Heroes and Martyrs, in which the statue of Lang Jiuchuan is enshrined in the center. Around it are the statues of some cultivators who died in the war against demons, each with a golden body.

In addition, there is another hall called the Hall of Rebirth, which enshrines the memorial tablets of the heroes who fought against the demons, and has an ever-burning lamp that burns continuously.

Lang Jiuchuan stood before these memorial tablets, looking at each Taoist name with gentle eyes and a peaceful expression.

It is because of your selfless sacrifice that we have the vibrant life and magnificent achievements of this world. You deserve my deepest respect.

She bowed slightly, raised her hand, and with a flick of her sleeve, the rows of ever-burning lamps seemed to fall into sesame oil, swaying and becoming even brighter.

The lamp is lit, and the spirit never ceases.

This is her blessing to the deceased.

After leaving the Hall of Rebirth, she went to the Hall of Heroes and Martyrs. In the center was her own statue, next to which stood a pure white tiger. Behind her was a ghost general holding a long spear, and to her left was Fengya.

Lang Jiuchuan turned to look at Fengya, crossed his arms, and said, "I really want to carve an even more divine and majestic one myself to replace it."

Jiang said, "I look like a cat."

"You've always been a cat." Fengya scoffed. What's so special about snuggling in a woman's arms? Just because you have a lot of fur doesn't mean anything.
He bared his teeth, feigning a fierce expression.

Lang Jiuchuan looked over one by one and saw familiar and unfamiliar statues of gods, each with a different expression, all exuding righteousness and strength. He said, "It's really impressive that they managed to gather all the fellow practitioners here."

Moreover, the murals inside the hall depict a story of vanquishing demons, making this hall a cultural treasure that provides future generations with valuable lessons and warnings.

It should be protected from the erosion of time.

Lang Jiuchuan formed a hand seal, and a radiant light condensed at his fingertips. Fengya watched as the spiritual light seeped into the mural, making the portrait even more lifelike, as if it had come to life, yet without causing any sense of oppression.

This protective color will ensure that it does not fade for thousands of years, allowing future generations to admire and remember it.

"I knew you were here. Such a commotion could only be caused by a Celestial Lord." An excited voice came from behind.

Lang Jiuchuan turned around and saw Xuan Neng, Gong Tinglan, Ning Zhe, the head of the Gong family, and even Gong Qi, Kong Xuzi, Daoist Zhishang, Yi Ce, and others. Everyone looked at her with excitement on their faces.

"It is a great blessing that everyone is well." She smiled and bowed to everyone in a Taoist salute.

Everyone bowed in return, and when they stood up again, their eyes were moist.

"Years have passed since we last met. Immortal Lord, you have achieved enlightenment and are able to revitalize the Daoist sect. This is truly a cause for celebration." The head of the Gong family pushed through the crowd and stepped forward, his throat choked with emotion. "You must leave us, your descendants, some treasures so that we may ascend to immortality."

Everyone: "..."

When it comes to shamelessness, this old Taoist priest is the best.

But he spoke, saving them the trouble of arguing, and so they all stared at Lang Jiuchuan expectantly.

Ning Zhe smiled and said, "Thanks to your grace, all things in the world have gained something, and some demons have also become enlightened and evolved. Although there are righteous paths to eliminate evil, if they encounter a great demon, they must work together to kill it. Patriarch Gong is taking precautions."

The laws of heaven and earth are fair. The spiritual rain that Langjiuchuan prayed for bestows life upon all things in the world, and both the righteous and the evil will receive it. Although there have been no demons in recent years, evil spirits and monsters still exist.

All things have spirits. If a demon lives peacefully in the human world and does not do evil, it will not attract the attention of monks and Taoists who exterminate evil. However, if it brings disaster to the human world, it should be punished.

Lang Jiuchuan said, "Don't worry, I have already completed my tribulation here. Since I have been here, I will not leave no trace."

"Great good, great good."

The magical artifacts that Lang Jiuchuan used, besides the talisman brush, included the judge, the emperor bell, and the small nine-tower. She would leave them to Lang Chenghui to inherit, but she would embed the bone bell in the dome of the Hall of Rebirth.

"The bone bell has a spirit, and spiritual energy falls here. The merits and faith of believers who worship here become purer when combined with spiritual energy, which will naturally be fed back into the statue and enter our souls. When spiritual energy rushes into the meridians, it will also make people feel refreshed and relieve fatigue. As more people worship, faith will naturally increase. If my fellow believers comprehend this, they will also feel more spiritually connected."

She explained, then took their ritual implements and re-invoked them.

When it was time for Yice to present a treasure, Lang Jiuchuan smiled and asked, "You brought it back? What about Chou?"

This is a treasure of the Maoshan Sect that fell into the hands of the Feng family. Now that he has taken it back, it can be considered as returning it to its rightful owner.

“The one who stole the treasure is long dead. Nothing else matters. When will this cycle of revenge end?” Yi Ce said with a smile. “I have chosen an abandoned temple deep in the mountains to rebuild it and have taken in two disciples to carry on the legacy of my Maoshan Sect.”

"Yes, I will." Lang Jiuchuan gently patted his wrist.

He was startled by her words and, after a long pause, bowed to her.

Some people can see that this is definitely a smuggled-in message.

Envy, and jealousy. Lang Jiuchuan made some powerful talismans and gave them to Ning Zhe, but the greatest treasure for suppressing evil was the Azure Dragon Jade Seal, which had been completely devoid of spiritual energy. She rekindled its spirit and gave it to Ning Zhe.

"The longer the golden age lasts, the longer its merits will endure, and the greater its power will be. Choosing a wise ruler will ensure that the golden age lasts forever." Lang Jiuchuan solemnly placed the Azure Dragon Jade Seal in his hand.

"I will certainly live up to your expectations." Ning Zhe nodded with a smile.

"The auspicious time has arrived."

At the hour of Si (9-11 AM), the bell tolled nine times, its sound reverberating across the surrounding fields.

At the foot of Taiping Temple, the crowd suddenly fell silent, and countless eyes turned to the eastern horizon.

A figure of azure light appeared as if traversing the river of time and space, breaking through the air from the direction of the rising sun. Wherever the rainbow light passed, a golden lotus phantom flashed by, and the air was filled with a pure and ethereal Daoist charm.

Along with that figure, several other figures followed, their Taoist robes fluttering, like immortals descending to earth.

"It's Immortal Lord Qingyi, she's really here!"

"There are other immortals as well."

Exclamations erupted like a mountain collapsing and a tsunami crashing down, as millions of believers bowed down like a tidal wave, their foreheads touching the ground, their eyes burning with almost fanatical reverence.

Lang Jiuchuan landed on the Listening Rock of the Altar of Heaven. Her hazy appearance was completely seen by millions of people. She wore a plain blue Taoist robe. Time had never left any trace on her face. She was still of marriageable age, but she appeared even more pure and beautiful, elegant and otherworldly.

Those who are close by can see her clear and bright eyes, which are warm and deep, as if they have seen through the cycle of life and death and merged with nature.

Gong Tinglan sighed softly; this world could not keep her.

But he didn't feel sad; on the contrary, he felt joy. A fellow Daoist had ascended to immortality, which was a sign of the Daoist sect's revitalization and a beacon of the righteous path. It could lead countless fellow Daoists forward with confidence. Even if one felt lost during the long journey of cultivation, it would strengthen one's resolve to follow the Dao.

Lang Jiuchuan didn't say much, but nodded slightly to the abbot who was presiding over the grand event, took the Emperor Bell, and with a surge of Daoist energy, put it into the Emperor Bell.

When.

As the bell tolled, all things fell silent.

This will be the last time she uses the Imperial Bell, to commemorate the fallen heroes in the war against demons, and to spread her teachings.

The bell tolls loudly, reaching the heavens.

The mountains and rivers are safe and sound, and all people are at peace.

This prosperous era is just as we all wished for!

The incense burned sparsely, while the chanting of scriptures filled the air.

Lang Jiuchuan suddenly rose into the air and landed in front of a naturally formed enlightenment stone on a mountaintop. He raised his right hand slightly, formed a sword with his fingers, and drew a line in the air with his fingertips.

In an instant, her divine sense, like an invisible carving knife, penetrated deep into the texture of the bluestone. With her slashing motion, the Dao spirit transformed into fluorescent light and entered the stone. One by one, profound Dao symbols and scriptures containing subtle meanings emerged from the stone surface as if they had been given life, extending and intertwining with each other.

Upon closer inspection, the Taoist talisman seems to transform into various mysterious sword techniques, inviting people to comprehend them.

The Gong family head and others looked on with awe as they saw the runes, inscriptions, and Dao patterns. Their hearts were filled with emotion, their minds exploded, and enlightenment surged forth.

"The Dao...this is the Dao!" Master Zhishang, with tears in his eyes, bowed deeply to the Enlightenment Stone.

Lang Jiuchuan withdrew his hand, watching the entire Enlightenment Stone radiate a soft yet magnificent golden light from within, before standing with his hands behind his back in satisfaction.

She has inscribed all her life's learning and insights, as well as the ultimate truths of the universe, on this stone, three feet deep. This stone of enlightenment will become an eternal treasure of Taoism, bringing blessings to future generations.

This is the true treasure she left behind: the Way, goodness, and righteousness.

The road is long and difficult, but if you keep walking, you will reach your destination.

When.

Once again, the bell tolls through the heavens, and people bow in worship, their hands clasped together.

Immortals took turns ascending the altar to preach the Way of Goodness until noon, when the people were seen singing and dancing with smiles on their faces.

At midday, when the sun was high in the sky, a strange change suddenly occurred.

Above the heavens, the cloudless sky seemed to be opened by an invisible giant hand, and a radiant glow poured down. A heavenly ladder with 9,999 steps, made of pure golden light, descended from the sky. Immediately afterwards, auspicious clouds of seven colors spread out layer upon layer like a canopy, and there seemed to be ethereal music in the clouds.

Millions of believers held their breath, their gasps caught in their throats, staring in astonishment at the scene before them.

Lang Jiuchuan's gaze swept calmly over everyone. Her eyes lingered briefly on her maternal family and her former comrades and close friends, and she nodded slightly when she saw the reluctance and respect in their eyes.

"You go first, wait for me." Fengya waved his hand as if he didn't care, but his eyes held a hint of reluctance.

Gong Tinglan was the same.

Lang Jiuchuan took a step forward and ascended the Heavenly Ladder. With each step, the Daoist rhythm became more and more perfect. She heard sobs, calls, and prayers. When she reached the middle of the ladder, she transformed into a pure light and shadow, resonating with the Dao of Heaven.

She didn't look back, but amidst the spontaneous prayers of thousands, she walked step by step to the top of the Heavenly Ladder, to the place where the seven-colored auspicious clouds were at their most magnificent. Only then did she stop and look back at this beautiful land, this prosperous world, and a smile of no regrets finally appeared on her lips.

I was once vulnerable, but I eventually became invulnerable.

I have no regrets in this life.

Lang Jiuchuan left with a smiling look in his eyes, then transformed into a pure and holy light, completely merging into the boundless Great Dao behind the Heavenly Gate.

hum.

Auspicious clouds transformed into ethereal mist, falling gently and nourishing all things in the world. Celestial music lingered, and the crowd cheered in celebration.

"Hey, is this prosperous era as you wished?"

"Ah."

-

postscript.

According to the Records of the Great Qian Dynasty, in the twelfth year of the Great Qian Dynasty, on the Double Ninth Festival, which happened to be the first cycle of commemoration and sacrifice to the martyrs after the extermination of demons, a Taoist named Lang Shi Jiuchuan, whose Taoist name was Qingyi, ascended to heaven in front of thousands of people at the altar of Taiping Temple and reached the Great Dao of the Nine Heavens. He was respectfully called Immortal Lord Qingyi by the world.

The immortal lord's smile as he ascended to heaven, along with the bustling world and the peaceful and prosperous scene, has become an eternal legend, rarely seen in history and passed down from generation to generation.

Taiping Temple, having witnessed the ascension of an immortal, became the supreme holy site for all people to worship and seek enlightenment. The Enlightenment Stone, carved by the Immortal Lord Qingyi, has remained unmoved even after the changing landscape, earning it the reputation of a national treasure, unapproachable by any evil spirit. (End of Chapter)