The spell-dueling tournament at this year's Three Teachings Origin Celebration on Mount Luofu began with a match between Zhao Wuchen, a Highest Clarity Disciple, and Lin Xu of the Celestial Master Order.
That morning, Xing Yan arrived early at the dueling platform. He and Qiong Rong worked together to squeeze to the front of the crowd. Xueyi had not come to watch; Ju Ying stayed with her to rest on Thousand Birds Cliff.
When the hour of the dragon arrived, Zhao Wuchen and Lin Xu climbed the steps onto the stone platform to begin the first match. At the same time, a sandglass was turned over to prevent the duel from continuing indefinitely.
The outstanding disciples of the world's foremost and second-ranked Daoist orders both wore moon-white robes, as though they had arranged it beforehand. Bathed in the fiery morning light from the eastern sky, they looked especially free-spirited and otherworldly.
Another coincidence was that both participants in this opening match were proud and haughty men. Thus, the elders and fellow disciples who knew their temperaments eagerly anticipated the contest.
Of those crowded below the platform, all were Daoist adepts devoted to cultivating the Heavenly Way, apart from the somewhat dubious old Feiyang with his wooden placard. This did not, however, prevent them from taking a keen interest in the outcome. After all, wherever religious orders existed, rivalry was inevitable. Though Shangqing Palace and the Celestial Master Order both belonged to the Daoist Order, one was the foremost power among those who withdrew from the world, while the other was a giant among the common people. Secret competition between them was hard to avoid.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, Lin Xu and Zhao Wuchen bowed to each other and announced their names as custom required:
"Lin Xu, disciple of Celestial Master