The last day of the lunar year.
Another New Year's Eve.
A different sort of scene filled the sect.
Several Foundation Establishment cultivators stood on flying swords, channeling spiritual power as they hung talisman-adorned red lanterns from the corners of eaves throughout the sect.
At the Dao-Entering Terrace, a thin layer of snow covered the stone steps of the mountain path.
Several outer sect disciples walked together, about to head down the mountain.
The cultivator guarding the mountain gate happened to know them and bade them farewell.
"Take care on the road. If you make it back before the seventh, you can still collect spirit meat dumplings from the dining hall."
"Got it, Senior Brother!"
It really was strange.
On the path of cultivation, people all said one had to rise above emotion and sever worldly ties before one could seek the Dao and immortality.
The other sects in the Chu Kingdom's cultivation world were all like this. Though they would not go so far as to suppress their disciples, they certainly would not encourage the celebration of these worldly festivals.
The Dongyuan Sect, however, was precisely the opposite.
When the sect master founded the sect, he established a rule: from New Year's Eve through the seventh day of the new year, the entire sect would take a holiday.
It was no different from the mortal world.
Outer sect chores and inner sect mission deadlines were all postponed.
Those who wanted to go down the mountain and return home for the new year only needed to notify an overseeing elder. They could leave a few days early, provided they returned to the sect before the eighth.
During the Spring Festival, however, the taverns and dining establishments remained open as usual.
Disciples who stayed in the sect to help could receive