As Xu Yi saw it, this year's Prayer for Heaven Ceremony was simply a gathering to get his face known.
It was rather amusing. If he went out into the world at that moment and someone asked about his background, he could say he came from the orthodox Xuanqing Sect, but if they then mentioned some elder of the Xuanqing Sect or asked how some Inner Sect Immortal Lord was doing, he wouldn't have the faintest idea what to say.
Just as Xu Yi was sitting there, perfectly at ease, more people arrived. In a little over a hundred breaths, all the prayer mats at the far end of the hall were occupied.
Another stick of incense burned down, and still no elders had arrived. Xu Yi thought it strange. According to the rules, things shouldn't have gone this way.
If they delayed any longer, the auspicious hour would pass.
Not only had Daoist Hongyi failed to appear, not one of the elders was in sight. How strange.
Xu Yi wasn't the only one who found it suspicious. He caught several whispered transmissions in the hall, all asking about the bizarre situation.
Suddenly, a chime rang out. Its sound scattered through the hall like jade beads spilling across the floor. Then True Man Scarlet Fire's familiar voice cut through the air. "All disciples, head to the back mountain. This year's grand ceremony will be held there instead."
The hall erupted in an uproar. The Prayer for Heaven Ceremony was an event of tremendous importance; no one had ever heard of it being held anywhere other than Bright Hall.
"What are you all standing around for? If you miss the auspicious hour, I will not let you off!"
True Man Scarlet Fire's voice rang out again. The uproar stopped at once,