Zhongyuan Festival was a Daoist holiday, known among ordinary folk as "the fifteenth of the seventh month." Its customs included honoring ancestors, making offerings to departed souls, releasing river lanterns, and worshipping the earth.
Though Qingyun Sect was a cultivation sect, its roots were Daoist. It held observances for holidays like Zhongyuan Festival, albeit far simpler than those among ordinary folk: only "honoring the founders" and "releasing river lanterns" remained.
Dazhu Peak had few people, so its celebrations were quiet.
Cultivators severed their worldly ties and generally stopped celebrating holidays. Thus even Zhongyuan Festival, originally a day to honor ancestors and comfort departed souls, became something the disciples looked forward to after a year of secluded cultivation.
"I hear Martial Uncle Daoxuan of Tongtian Peak is presiding this time. It's also to honor the fellow disciples who died in the Righteous-Demonic War over twenty years ago."
"Oh?"
The next day, the Zhongyuan ancestor rites were held at dusk.
Xuantian changed clothes and went to the neighboring courtyard to find Xu Weibear, but she was nowhere to be seen.
He had no choice but to head for Tongtian Peak. Along the way, he encountered many fellow disciples he rarely saw and exchanged greetings with them.
The Founder Ancestral Hall for Qingyun Sect's founders stood on the Back Mountain of Tongtian Peak. The hall on Dazhu Peak enshrined only the founders of its own lineage.
Unless something important arose, the Seven Peaks mostly held their rites separately. Even at a major ceremony, not every Qingyun disciple could attend.
If Daoxuan had not given the word, they would not have gone to Tongtian Peak.
By the time he arrived, many people had gathered in Yuqing Hall, including outstanding disciples and elders from every peak.
"Senior Brother Sect Leader!" Xuantian greeted Daoxuan with