"By imperial decree, Daoist Master Flying Hound is appointed headmaster of the Spirit-Sealing Dao..."
The next day, once a lengthy imperial edict had been read aloud, Daoist Master Flying Hound and the others stepped forward to receive their seals. Immediately, they sensed a faint thread of Dragon Qi descending, seeking to settle over them, only to be shut out.
Having cultivated to their level, whether it was their aura, intent, or fortune, all had become smooth and complete as a ring, gradually separating them from the mortal world as though each had become a realm unto itself.
Moreover, they belonged to the Daoist Sect, with transcendence as their foundation. Every one of them could be called unrivaled in Divine Ability, inherently clashing with Dragon Qi. Nor did they possess any humanistic aura within their hearts to reconcile and buffer the two. It was fortunate enough that no conflict arose; how could they possibly blend with Dragon Qi?
Still, they knew that once they accepted these seals, they would naturally be linked to the imperial court. Even should Great Rui be overthrown one day and a new dynasty arise in the Central Plains, that connection would not be severed. Though neither side would hold much compulsory authority over the other, their sects would henceforth be tied to the Dragon Vein. They could not draw upon Dragon Qi for cultivation, but at crucial moments, they would receive its protection.
On the other hand, their positions had been conferred anew by the imperial court. This was not redundant, but Rectifying Names—bringing titles formerly used in private out into the open. It was like elevating an illicit god worshipped in the wild into legitimacy. From then on, they possessed proper status, sparing many disciples from future worries.
From this perspective, they had not lost