This humble Taoist priest, Qianhe, begins his quest for immortality by slaying demons and monsters.

Chapter 177 A group of Golden Core cultivators gather to discuss matters in the capital.
Lingxiao Celestial Master glanced around but did not see Zhong Bai. At this moment, Zhong Bai was changing into the purple-gold Taoist robe of the Maoshan Sect Leader in the Law Enforcement Hall.

After all, this was a major event involving the succession to the position of leader of the Maoshan sect, so he naturally couldn't continue wearing his usual Yin-Yang Water and Fire Robe to attend events.

"Brother Xuanming is indeed fortunate to have young friend Zhong Bai succeed him. After you step down, you can travel all over the world. It's a pity that my disciple Zhang Zhiwei is not as good as young friend Zhong Bai. Otherwise, I would also like to let him succeed as the Celestial Master of Longhu Mountain."

Hearing Lingxiao Celestial Master's teasing, Xuanmingzi's smile widened.

They are all leaders of top Taoist sects, and their positions may seem prestigious and desirable to others.

However, for them, taking charge of a faction for too long can lead to feelings of resentment.

This is why people often don't cherish old things; once the novelty wears off, they're gone.

"Hahaha, what are you saying, Brother Lingxiao? Junior Nephew Zhang is also quite fast. In a few years, Brother Lingxiao will be able to unload his burdens just like this old Daoist."

"Then I'll take your kind words, brother!"

Master Lingxiao smiled faintly. At this moment, a group of elders from Longhu Mountain arrived behind him. Upon seeing this, the two stopped their idle chatter.

"Brother Dao, please!"

With a smile and a nod, Master Lingxiao then led several elders from Longhu Mountain across the mountain gate, while the elders of Linjun Sect led the Daoists from Longhu Mountain to the viewing area.

After waiting for less than half an hour, a beam of Buddha's light suddenly shone brightly on the gate of Maoshan Mountain.

"Amitabha!"

Accompanied by the chanting of Buddhist scriptures came an aged figure, none other than the Venerable Master Tonghai of Mount Wutai. Although Venerable Master Tonghai had suffered a loss at Mount Mang more than a decade ago, losing several petals of his seven-colored lotus, Zhong Bai's breakthrough to the Golden Core True Monarch was a major event for the entire cultivation world. Buddhism and Taoism needed to take this opportunity to sit down and discuss it clearly, so how could he not come in person?

Upon seeing that the visitor was the Venerable Master Tonghai of Mount Wutai, Xuanmingzi's expression became somewhat strange.

"So it's Abbot Tonghai. This humble Taoist greets you!"

He bowed slightly to Grand Master Tonghai, who did not put on airs. Respect is mutual. Xuanmingzi was no less powerful than him. Both were leaders of top Buddhist and Taoist sects, and their statuses were equal.

After returning the greeting, Grand Master Tonghai smiled and said, "It's rare that Sect Leader Xuanmingzi remembers me. Although the journey is long, I still have to come and offer my congratulations on the grand ceremony of the Maoshan Daoist's succession as sect leader. However, I am the only one from Wutai Mountain. I hope Sect Leader Xuanmingzi won't mind?"

Master Tonghai spoke with ease and comfort, but in reality, those elders from Wutai Mountain had no intention of coming to Maoshan to witness the ceremony. Looking at the young Golden Core True Lord of the Taoist sect, which Buddhist elder wouldn't be envious?
Xuanmingzi was aware of this situation in advance. As long as this Grand Master Tonghai came, nothing else mattered. Maoshan didn't even want to entertain him.

“Abbot Tonghai is joking. How could this old Taoist possibly blame you? Wutai Mountain is far away in Shanxi, thousands of miles away from Maoshan. Abbot Tonghai’s visit already shows his respect for Maoshan. How can you have both?”

Abbot Tonghai, please come in quickly!

As he spoke, Xuanmingzi led Grand Master Tonghai across the mountain gate and handed him over to Changsheng Zhenren to guide him to the viewing area.

"Senior Brother Headmaster, this Grand Master Tonghai really doesn't change his expression at all..."

Beside him, Master Qian Yuan smiled slightly. He had witnessed what happened back then, and seeing this Buddhist Golden Core expert again brought back all of Master Qian Yuan's long-buried memories.

"Haha, Junior Brother Shenyan."

Xuanmingzi offered a reminder, but didn't take it seriously. Golden Core cultivators usually have that much magnanimity, but it's ultimately not good to talk about Golden Core cultivators behind their backs.

Master Qian Yuan understood this point, so he only mentioned it briefly and did not reveal any more information.

Just then, two streaks of light descended from the sky, their sword energy crisscrossing, and with a whoosh, two flying swords landed in front of them.

"Greetings, Senior Yun Qingzi!"

Fellow Daoist Changming!

The visitors were none other than Changming Zhenren, the leader of the Quanzhen School of Taoism, and Yunqingzi Zhenjun, the patriarch.

"Haha, Sect Leader Xuanmingzi, there's no need to be so polite. Although there is an age difference between us, we are both at the Golden Core stage. You're too kind to call me senior."

"Changming greets Sect Leader Xuanmingzi!"

Master Changming was very clear about his own position. He was indeed the leader of the Quanzhen Sect, but Xuanmingzi in front of him was a Golden Core cultivator. Xuanmingzi was polite to him because of his status, and he returned the courtesy because of Xuanmingzi's strength!
Those who know, know...

"More than a decade has passed in the blink of an eye. I never imagined that my friend Zhong Bai, who was only at the ninth level of Qi Refining, would now be a True Lord of the Daoist sect. It's truly terrifying. Maoshan is blessed! Its fortune is continuous, which is truly enviable."

Yun Qingzi was genuinely expressing his envy. A Golden Core True Monarch who was not even fifty years old—the Quanzhen Sect had bet on him and hit the jackpot back then. How could they not come and join in the fun at Zhong Bai's succession ceremony as sect leader?
"Indeed, indeed! Congratulations, True Man Qian Yuan!"

"In that case, thank you both for your blessings!"
"Junior Brother Qian Yuan, you personally escort the two representatives from the Quanzhen Sect to their seats for the ceremony."

"Understood, Sect Leader. Senior Yun Qingzi, Sect Leader Changming, please follow me..."

The two then left with Master Qian Yuan.

After another incense stick's time, the familiar Buddha light shone down again. However, compared to the Venerable Master Tonghai of Wutai Mountain, this Buddha light disappeared instantly when it was a thousand meters away from Maoshan. In its place was an ordinary person with a deep and unassuming aura.

"Amitabha, Master Xuanmingzi, it's been a long time."

The visitor was none other than Venerable Master Huian of Jinshan Temple, who, along with Venerable Master Huikong and a group of elders, arrived to demonstrate the importance Jinshan Temple placed on Zhong Bai's succession ceremony at Maoshan.

"Abbot Huian, Master Huikong, and other masters, please come in quickly!"

Although Xuanmingzi didn't know why Jinshan Temple had made such a grand entrance, Maoshan couldn't afford to be disrespectful to them since they showed such respect.

"It's alright, Sect Leader Xuanmingzi is too kind!"

When he saw Xuanmingzi, Grand Master Huian was slightly surprised. The other party had only broken through to the Golden Core True Monarch realm a little over ten years ago, but Grand Master Huian felt that he was no weaker than himself after careful sensing. The two of them had only glanced at each other briefly in Tengteng Town last time. Now, Huian began to re-examine the foundation of Maoshan.

After another round of pleasantries, Jinshan Temple went to the Maoshan viewing area.

The rest of the group arrived sporadically, including major Taoist sects like Gezao Mountain, Wudang Mountain, and Qingcheng Mountain, as well as some leaders of smaller Taoist altars.

Time passed slowly, and when the auspicious hour arrived, the area outside the main hall of the Maoshan Sect was already packed with people, all of whom were looking at the Sect Leader Xuanmingzi in the center.

"It is a blessing for Maoshan that all of you fellow Daoists can come to Maoshan to support us and attend this ceremony. I have been the head of Maoshan for over sixty years. Now, the new generation of Daoists in Maoshan is ready to take over the heavy responsibility from my hands. Therefore, I invite all of you fellow Daoists to come to Maoshan to witness this!"
Please Daozi! "

As Xuanmingzi finished speaking, Zhong Bai appeared in the distant void, his purple-gold Daoist robe shimmering in the sunlight, giving him an air of dazzling jewels. However, Zhong Bai's youthful face and deep eyes made everyone present hold their breath.

"Zhong Bai greets Master Uncle and thanks fellow Daoists from all sects for coming to witness the ceremony!"

First, he bowed to Xuanmingzi, and then Zhong Bai cupped his hands and thanked him in all directions.

"Zhong Bai, I'm handing over the position of leader of Maoshan Sect to you from now on. Do you think you're up to the task?"

"This disciple is capable!"

"Therefore, go to the main hall to offer incense to the patriarchs, so that you may reach the heavens above and the underworld below. From this day forward, you are the 265th head of the Maoshan sect!"

"Zhong Bai will obey the decree!"

Offering incense and praying to the patriarchs are relatively simple steps. In reality, succeeding as the head of Maoshan is just a formality. Once it's decided, the patriarchs of Maoshan Underworld already know. As for Heaven... it's currently out of contact with the mortal world.

After the succession ceremony, some minor sects left Maoshan, while the three major Buddhist sects, Wutaishan, Jinshan Temple and Baima Temple, stayed. The same was true for the Taoist sects, Quanzhen Sect, Longhushan, Gezaoshan, Wudang Mountain and Qingcheng Mountain. The time for the Buddhist and Taoist sects to truly discuss matters concerning the capital was about to come!
......................................................

Inside the main hall, people from all the gates gathered.

No one spoke first, until the Lingxiao Celestial Master of Longhu Mountain broke the silence.

"Everyone, those who can sit here are the pillars of Buddhism and Taoism. I believe you are all aware of what is happening in the capital. The Manchu royal family has refined their physical bodies into zombies, attempting to return to the mortal world in this way. We are all righteous cultivators, so naturally we cannot just stand by and watch."

Therefore, we have gathered here for the succession ceremony of Sect Leader Qianhe, and everyone is welcome to express their opinions on how to make a decision.

The Celestial Master Lingxiao spoke very briefly, but everyone present understood the meaning behind his words.

“We naturally understand what Master Lingxiao said, but in my opinion, the situation in the capital is somewhat complicated. The Manchus clearly did not act on a whim. With hundreds of years of accumulation and the blessing of dragon energy, they may even have several flying zombies. Dealing with them will be no ordinary task…”

Grand Master Tonghai explained his speculation: if it were as simple as Tengteng Town, then they wouldn't need to gather together at all. The problem now is that they don't know the situation in the capital.

"Going to the capital rashly, not to mention whether we can kill them, the capital has a population of one million."

If riots break out, will there be any escapees who take the opportunity to harm ordinary people?

This is something you all need to consider.

After an elder from Wudang Mountain spoke, everyone fell silent. Indeed, some things were not so simple, but they still needed to be resolved.

"Everyone, Zhong Bai has just taken the position of leader of Maoshan. Logically speaking, you are all older than Zhong Bai."

What the elder of Wudang Mountain said, including what Abbot Tonghai said, is true. But there is one thing that Maoshan is firm about: the opposition between good and evil, and the lifelong struggle between them.

If we don't eradicate it now, the chances for both Buddhism and Taoism in the future will be even slimmer..."

(End of this chapter)