Controlling the Five Thunders and the Two Worlds

Chapter 179 The Grand New Year Ritual at the Great Luo Palace

A clear blue sky, covered in silver frost.

At the foot of Cuiluo Mountain, in front of the Daluo Palace.

The magistrate of Changping Prefecture respectfully climbed the mountain, and wealthy families from nearby Xiuyue County, Wuhe County, and Chongguang County all gathered there, along with many other wealthy gentlemen from other counties.

In addition, many people from Cuishan Village and nearby towns also came and surrounded the celebrities.

Spring has just arrived, but winter's chill lingers. Although the sunshine brings a touch of warmth, the weather remains cold, and the snow covering the surrounding mountains has yet to melt.

But high up in front of everyone, the Daluo Palace, located halfway up the mountain, seemed to be in spring and summer.

Verdant trees are everywhere inside and outside the palace. In the specially reserved flower bushes, hundreds of flowers bloom in competition. The spring water flowing from the mountain through the palace is diverted to form ponds. The lotus leaves are green and the lotus flowers are pink and white. There are also koi and black turtles.

The crisp chirping of birds came down from the mountain, and the rustling of leaves, illuminated by rays of sunlight, made everyone standing outside the mountain gate feel as if their bodies and minds were brightened.

Looking up at the blue stone archway directly in front, four blue dragons coil around it, supporting the four large characters "Great Luo Sacred Realm," their dazzling yellow color seemingly radiating brilliant golden light.

"The abode of the gods!"

"It truly is a sacred realm of the Great Luo, not a place for ordinary people to inhabit."

"We are extremely fortunate to be able to attend the New Year's Grand Ritual at Daluo Palace, pay homage to the gods, and offer incense for blessings."

"The Taoist priests of Daluo Palace possess boundless magical power. When you go up the mountain later, please be careful not to look around aimlessly and do not be rude."

The crowd whispered amongst themselves, marveling at the grandeur and wonder of the Daluo Palace while simultaneously expressing awe at the extraordinary abilities of the Daluo Palace's master.

Then they saw two Taoist priests dressed in blue robes walk out of the Lingguan Hall and descend the steps. They seemed to be taking their time, but in the blink of an eye, they had already passed most of the way and arrived at the Qinglong Mountain Gate.

"The time has come. The Grand New Year Ritual of Daluo Palace is about to begin. Please ascend the mountain!" The two stood by the roadside and gestured for people to proceed.

The next moment, the two oil lamps hanging under the mountain gate archway suddenly caught fire without any wind.

Everyone was startled, and then they saw two transparent phantoms emerge from the lamp. They were wearing bright armor, lion-headed belts around their waists, cloud-patterned boots, and phoenix-winged helmets. One held a whip, and the other held a mace.

"Welcome, esteemed guests, to the mountain!" the two illusory star soldiers said in unison.

"A god! This is a god!"

"Don't show any fear. I've heard that these are the guardian star soldiers of the Great Luo Palace. They usually hide in the lamps, but if any evil spirits dare to invade the mountain gate, they will reveal themselves and kill the evil spirits!"

"Bravo!"

The crowd was both surprised and delighted, and walked through the mountain gate with a mixture of respect and awe. They respectfully climbed the steps, some even bowing with each step.

The rich power of incense slowly emanated from them, mingling with the wisps of incense smoke that filled the Daluo Palace, and gradually blended into the seven shrines surrounding the mountain path.

After walking up 1,296 steps, the group arrived outside the Lingguan Hall and saw a young Taoist priest dressed in golden robes standing solemnly in front of the hall.

Yun Yang wore a lotus crown, a red cloud cloak with gold and silver threads and crane-shaped cloud patterns, and held a jade tablet in his hand. His expression was solemn.

"With utmost sincerity, I pledge my allegiance to the Primordial General, the Divine Lord of the Primordial Qi!"

When the time came, Yun Yang stepped forward to pay homage and recited the sacred proclamation, "Great Spiritual Official of the Heavenly Inspectorate, Impartial and Fierce General of the Three Realms. Golden Eyes and Crimson Hair, He is Known as the Thunder God of the Three-Five Fire Chariots. Phoenix Beak and Silver Teeth, He Commands Millions of Pixiu Divine Generals..." After reciting the sacred proclamation, Yun Yang offered incense and paid homage, reciting the incantation for blessing.

After the ceremony at the Lingguan Temple was over, Yun Yang adjusted his robes, walked around the statue of Wang Lingguan, and headed towards the first courtyard at the back. Behind him, people either burned incense to worship the gods or paid homage in devotion, and then followed him.

Upon entering the first courtyard, one sees two elderly Taoist priests dressed in purple robes standing before the Four Emperors Hall, wearing the Five Elders Crown and holding jade whisks, standing solemnly and silently.

The second step, the Four Imperial Palace Grand Ritual, was presided over by Daoist Mingyu and Daoist Jingfeng. The two began by paying homage to the Great Emperor Ziwei of the North Pole of the Central Heaven, then to the Great Emperor of Longevity of the South Pole, followed by the Great Emperor of the Upper Palace of Gouchen, and finally to the Earth Goddess Houtu.

Upon hearing the eulogy, everyone felt that these four emperors were all incredibly powerful.

If these deities are the backers of the Daluo Palace, then wouldn't the people under the protection of the Daluo Palace be safe?

After paying their respects to the Four Emperors, Daoist Mingyu and Daoist Jingfeng, along with Yunyang who had just arrived, walked through the Four Emperors Hall and came to the next Jade Emperor Hall.

The Grand Ritual at the Jade Emperor Hall was presided over by Daoist Master Yansong and Daoist Master Yihong.

The two, wearing crane-shaped crowns and blue robes, bowed to the Jade Emperor on either side. Only then did the others learn the full name of the deity enshrined in the Jade Emperor's palace.

Supreme Lord Who Created Heaven and Wielded the Mandate of Heaven, Ruled the Calendar and Embraced the True Dao, Supreme Being of the Golden Palace and Cloud Palace, Jade Emperor of the Azure Heaven!
Everyone: (((o(*°▽°*)o)))
The Queen Mother was to the side of the Jade Emperor. After everyone paid their respects, they followed the five Taoist priests through the Jade Emperor's Hall and arrived at the last and highest palace of the Daluo Palace.

Sanqing Hall!
Gu Zhao stood in front of the Sanqing Hall, gazing at the incense-filled statues of the Three Pure Ones, waiting for the other five Taoist priests to complete their rituals and come behind him to perform the final fasting ceremony together.

At this moment, he had cultivated for five hundred years and his divine sense covered an extremely wide area. He clearly heard the ceremony of everyone going up the mountain, Yun Yang reciting the proclamation, and the four old Taoist priests offering incense to the gods one by one. He relaxed completely.

As Daoist Yansong and his group of five arrived behind him, the rest of the disciples of the Daluo Palace also stood on both sides of the courtyard, their eyes fixed intently on Gu Zhao, who was standing in the main seat.

Among these people were close associates like Zhuo Qingyan and Xiu Niang, Dharma Protectors like Huang Yuan and Yang Chi, as well as some sorcerers and spirits they had gathered from the Golden Wind Divine Sect, and the fire-working Taoists they had left in the palace.

Unbeknownst to many, the Daluo Palace had become a dominant local power in Changping Prefecture.

"Sect Leader?" Daoist Yihong reminded him.

Gu Zhao nodded, stepped forward, holding incense in one hand and a scroll in the other. He took the steps of Yu, chanted the Three Pure Ones' mantra, circulated his magical power throughout his body, and his spiritual energy flowed directly to heaven and earth.

The Taoist priests behind him also cast spells one by one, cooperating with Gu Zhao to integrate the true Qi of Taoism into the world.

Lighting lamps, offering prayers, chanting mantras, presenting petitions—the ceremony is complete!

Suddenly, everyone felt the sunlight overhead soften slightly. Looking up, they saw a white cloud drifting in the sky, emitting wisps of golden light under the sunlight.

The next moment, five-colored light suddenly flashed in the golden clouds, then turned into a light drizzle, sprinkling down on the Daluo Palace.

As the five-colored drizzle fell upon them, the many pilgrims felt their spirits clear and their bodies refreshed, as if their entire being had been cleansed and even their chronic illnesses had been healed.

Once they realized what was happening, everyone knew it was a blessing from the Great Luo Palace Master. They all knelt down and bowed in gratitude. Endless incense smoke poured out and was absorbed into the statues of the gods in the various halls of the Great Luo Palace.

Gu Zhao lit three incense sticks and chanted the incantation for blessing the incense with the five Taoist priests.

"The Way is learned through the heart, and the heart transmits through incense. The incense burner is fragrant, and the heart is present before the Emperor. The true spirits look down, and the immortal banners descend upon the hall. The ministers report directly to the Nine Heavens."

A wisp of incense smoke, carrying the divine thoughts of the six people, soared into the sky and disappeared into the darkness.

(End of this chapter)