A Golden Core Guest Walks the Mortal World Again

In the Fifth Continent, a section of the Sky Curtain opened, and two young Daoist priests stepped out. One wore a Lotus Crown; the other wore a Heavenly Immortal Cave Robe, a traveling crown, and cloud shoes. They looked about the same age. The former was nominally there to protect the latter on his journey, but in truth, he simply could not be bothered to go to Beyond Heaven and slay Outer Heavenly Demons.

Daoist priests of the Azure Sky World had to dress according to regulations, without the slightest presumption. The traveling crown and cloud shoes were exceptions, however. Regardless of lineage, sect, or background, any priest entered in a Daoist register could wear them. Legend held that the Dao Ancestor himself had issued this decree to encourage Dao Cultivators to roam the mountains and rivers, cultivate the Dao, establish virtue, and hold fast to purity and stillness.

Once the Sky Curtain opened, the young Daoist priest in the Lotus Crown began reinforcing the restrictions on the gate behind him, drawing talismans in the air with his finger.

Dozens of great immortal family sects, including White Jade Capital, Xuan Du Temple, and Sui Chu Palace, had been allotted places in this Brand New Heaven. Their disciples could enter to gain experience and cultivate, then put down roots in this foreign world and establish branch sects.

The Confucian school had opened the Fifth Continent by its own efforts. By rights, the Central Plains Confucian Temple ought to have had this place to itself, while the other worlds could only make plans for it slowly. Yet the temple had allowed the Azure Sky World and Lotus World to each open a gate here. For the next hundred years, Dao Cultivators below the Upper Five Realms could enter in succession with permission