The 477th year of Ming, Double Ninth Festival.
Bright Governance Mountain, Zhan Biyun's Bamboo Retreat.
"Master, surely there's no need to rush?"
Cheng Xinzhan did not know whether to laugh or cry. Their party had only just returned to the mountain, and his master had dragged him here, saying she wanted to pass him the position of Mountain Lord.
Wen Sukong shook her head and said,
"You've reached the fourth realm. It's time you took over as Mountain Lord. Besides, you come and go without a trace these days. If I don't pass it to you now, where am I supposed to find you once you vanish in the blink of an eye?"
Seeing how determined his master was, Cheng Xinzhan could only nod helplessly.
"There aren't many of us on Bright Governance Mountain, so the succession is simple. Just three things. The first is the key to this Bamboo-Hiding Stele."
As she spoke, Wen Sukong handed him a square brocade box the size of a palm and said,
"Although hand seals and Talisman Orders also allow entry and exit through the stele, the jade key can change the Talisman Orders at any time. It is the stele's only unchanging credential, and also the formation core that activates the Clear and Turbid Dual-Aspects Soaring Serpent and Mystic Tortoise Grand Formation of the corpses beneath the mountain.
"Speaking of which, there's another important matter I must remind you of. This is also Bright Governance Mountain's greatest duty. Remember it well, and never forget or neglect it. Collect corpses: Emperor Corpses outside the mountain, immortal corpses within it. Preserve peace outside, protect the sect within."
"I shall remember, and never dare forget."
Cheng Xinzhan accepted the brocade box with both hands and solemnly put it away.
"Mm. The second is Bright Governance