Sacred Hall

Biodata

Background / History

The Sacred Hall was established approximately three thousand years ago during the rebuilding that followed a previous Great Calamity of Heartlessness. Its original five Sages were the Confucian Sage, Yin Yang Sage, Dao Saint, Mohist Sage, and Martial Saint; later paths gained representation through Path Expansion and Meritorious Deeds. 1016

A millennium before the present era, a doctrinal conflict split the Sacred Hall. The Confucian faction advocated teaching and civilizing demons and beasts, while the Military School supported their eradication. Confucianism prevailed, becoming the dominant doctrine and shaping the Hall's refusal to destroy the Demon Realm outright. 948 960

The return of the Martial Saint reignited the conflict. The Sacred Hall's internal structure was subsequently reformed: the former capital was abolished, a new Hall Master was established, and the Sages' long-distance jurisdiction was constrained. 981 1082

Organization & Governance

Sacred Families

The Sacred Families are closely tied to the Sacred Hall but retain their own interests and influence. The relationship is compared to that between an imperial dynasty and feudal lords: Hall members commonly retain personal loyalties to their respective Sacred Families, even though such favoritism conflicts with the Hall's stated impartiality. 181 845

A Sacred Family may use its Heavenly Dao privilege to bring someone into the Sacred Hall directly, provided its quota permits it. 520

Admission & Rank

Entry Requirements

The Sacred Hall admits exceptional figures from the secular world, including accomplished Literary Way practitioners, major contributors to the Literary Path, high-ranking imperial examination graduates, and outstanding Sacred Family descendants. 841

Those who achieve the Three Origins Achieved may choose between entering by the main gate or side gate. The main gate confers exceptional honor but requires the gate-opening tribulation and invites challenges from the various Palaces. 841

Key Locations & Institutions

• Main Gate — A gatehouse shaped like an immense book page. Opening it is an honor reserved for a Three Origins Achiever, but entry requires the gate-opening tribulation. 841
• Changxing Residence — The residential area available to Constant Walkers after their tokens are activated. 845 846
• Lingyan Pavilion — A sacred site containing eighteen Sage statues and eighteen monumental tablets. Its third floor is restricted to Three Origins Achievers, while the lower floors commemorate generations of Sacred Hall talents. 848
• Sacred Peaks — The highest expressions of the Literary Ways maintained by the Seventeen Palaces; challengers may earn access to the Outer Heaven. 960 966
• Outer Heaven — The Sacred Hall's high-level battlefield against foreign forces. It is guarded by Sages and offers major rewards to qualified combatants. 873
• Confucian Temples — The Sacred Hall's representatives in the mortal world. Their authority supersedes secular power, and attacks on them incur the Hall's harshest penalties. 744 894

Authority, Doctrine & Limitations

• The Sacred Hall controls matters concerning the Sacred Path and supervises Literary Way examinations across the Nine Countries and Thirteen Provinces. 181
• Its disciples, even ordinary Walkers, are exempt from secular decrees and worldly jurisdiction when traveling in the mortal realm. 591
• Its doctrine of teaching without discrimination extends to foreign races, demons, and beasts capable of following the Sacred Path. 960
• Sacred Hall members are formally forbidden from using their identities to interfere in secular political affairs; violations can result in loss of office or expulsion. 1034
• Despite this restriction, the Hall's later reforms and the Great Calamity of Heartlessness force it to take a more direct role in worldly defense and the Sacred War. 1075 1095

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Palace Examination oversight — Elder Bai and Elder Hei supervise simultaneous Palace Examinations across the Nine Countries and Thirteen Provinces, illustrating the Sacred Hall's authority over the Literary Path. 181
• Lin Su's prospective entry — Lin Su's announced intention to enter the Sacred Hall causes public celebration in Great Cang and political relief among officials who view his departure as the removal of a threat. 478 480
• Constant Walker status — Lin Su exploits a rule loophole through his Treasure Codex to gain Constant Walker status before formally entering, bypassing Palace jurisdiction. 591
• Gate-opening tribulation — Lin Su chooses the main gate rather than the side gate, accepts the gate-opening trial, and faces an unprecedented nine-extreme assessment from the Palaces. 841 845
• Internal Palace conflict — Lin Su's consecutive victories over Palace talents leave the Seventeen Palaces hostile toward him, while the Hall's rewards and protections suggest competing support within its institutions. 844 873
• Outer Heaven contention — Lin Su and Luo Wuxin challenge Sacred Peaks to obtain Outer Heaven access and pursue the path toward Quasi-Sainthood. 960 966 967
• Heavenly River Tribulation investigation — Ming Tianyan invokes a Fate Edict and Sacred Path Heart Cleansing against the Oracle Palace, forcing Zhou Xingdao's confession and his execution under Sacred Hall law. 983
• Governance crisis — Lin Su is summoned to the Heavenly Dao Sacred Platform for allegedly interfering in the war among four kingdoms, exposing the tension between Sacred Hall law and existential necessity. 1034
• Structural reform — The Martial Saint's challenge to Cao Xiangdao leads to the Palace Master's removal, the reassessment of deputy leaders, and a broader reorganization that restrains Sage control. 1065 1067 1082
• Sacred War — The Hall's Elder Council authorizes the Western Expedition, and the Sacred Hall shifts from detachment from mortal affairs toward unified action against the coming Great Calamity. 1075 1095