Eighteen people gathered one after another in the Heart-of-the-Lake Pavilion on Heart-of-the-Lake Island. The surroundings were open, with everything in plain sight.
After several months together, they were all quite familiar with one another, so there was little need for formalities. Daoist Zhixuan assumed the host's role and gave a light cough.
"Seniors, this vote is to settle the Daoist Sect's succession peacefully. It may become a model for Jinxiu in the future. With this precedent, there will be fewer pointless disputes. Once this vote is concluded, we must abide by its outcome. No one may go back on it and merely make a laughingstock of themselves."
Everyone agreed. Having come here, they naturally knew what to expect and needed no further persuasion.
"Out of respect for our seniors, we juniors will cast our votes first, then invite our seniors to take their turn last. Does anyone object?"
Daoist Zhixuan was polished and graceful, particularly skilled at controlling the situation before a crowd. His words and actions had their own measured propriety. On the surface, at least, everyone had to praise him as a true Daoist.
This gesture was meant to win hearts. Leaving the final say to these native True Persons would satisfy their pitiful self-esteem. Although they still could not decide who would ultimately inherit, it was better than nothing.
But the real power to decide had long since passed out of these old True Persons' hands. It lay instead among the Three Purities. This was merely a formality.
Seeing no objections, he announced, "The contest over the Anhe Daoist Sect's succession will be between three people: Fellow Daoist Gu of Taixuan, Fellow Daoist Yun of Zixiao, and Fellow Daoist Tianfeng of Shangqing. We will vote for these three, lest too many candidates turn everything into a pot