Initiation

Inside the Heart-Questioning Hall, the once-hazy bronze mirror was exceptionally clear and bright, plainly displaying Zhou Wuji's fierce battle against the Sha Ghosts.

Abbot Zhiyuan stood before the bronze mirror with his hands behind his back. Seeing Zhou Wuji's sword light fall like rain and destroy nine Vengeful Ghosts in an instant, he gave a slight nod. "Fine swordsmanship."

In terms of cultivation, Zhou Wuji was only at the eighth rank, hardly worth mentioning.

But the courage to face so many Vengeful Ghosts was far from ordinary.

His swordsmanship was also exquisite, even showing a measure of profound mastery.

Though the lower monastery had many experts, few achieved anything in swordsmanship. After all, the sect primarily cultivated Qi refinement methods and all manner of Daoist techniques and Divine Abilities.

"As expected of Yiyuan's direct disciple," Zhiyuan remarked. "He has grasped the essence of Yiyuan's swordsmanship."

As he spoke, he sighed with some regret. In swordsmanship alone, Yiyuan could be called unrivaled throughout Yunyang Prefecture. What a pity that such a man had unexpectedly died from Qi Deviation.

Daoist Yiping stood somewhat stiffly to one side, his back slightly bowed. Hearing the abbot praise Zhou Wuji, his face also showed a little delight.

A fifth-rank Scripture Master was already among the strongest in Yunyang Prefecture and controlled considerable resources.

If this man thought well of Wuji, his martial nephew's future path would be much smoother.

Choosing his words, Daoist Yiping said slowly, "Wuji does indeed have a gift for the sword. In that respect, he is very much like Senior Brother Yiyuan. He is young, but steadfast and able to endure solitude. He is also clever and quick-witted."

Zhiyuan nodded. Judging by Wuji's performance, Daoist Yiping was not exaggerating.

"He is worth molding," he said. "You can establish the altar and conduct his initiation.

"However, his cultivation is still insufficient. He cannot serve as abbot of Hidden Dragon Temple."

Daoist Yiping hastily nodded. "You are right, Abbot."

Even leaving aside the Zhang Household, the great clans of Siming County had several seventh-rank experts. Though Wuji's swordsmanship was exquisite, he was still only eighth rank.

Returning to Hidden Dragon Temple would not be a good thing for Wuji as he was now.

"Let him study Law Techniques at the lower monastery for now. I will make other arrangements after some time."

Zhiyuan did not intend to leave Zhou Wuji at the lower monastery. Its affairs were busy, which was highly unfavorable for cultivation.

Daoist Yiping nodded repeatedly.

When Zhou Wuji emerged from the Ten Thousand Ghosts Grotto, he saw Daoist Yiping already waiting at the entrance.

He was somewhat surprised. Even he had not known when he would come out, and his martial uncle could not have been waiting here the entire time.

But he immediately understood. There must be some means of observing the Ten Thousand Ghosts Grotto. His martial uncle had seen him coming out and come to meet him.

Fortunately, he had been cautious and had not stirred his Essence Blood again to attract Sha Ghosts.

The first level was probably cleared regularly, so the number of ghosts was limited. There was no need to waste too much time and effort on it, much less appear too eager.

After all, ordinary Daoists gained nothing from killing yin ghosts...

With outsiders present, Daoist Yiping said little, merely offering Zhou Wuji a few words of praise.

Only after they returned to the Flying Profound Hall did Daoist Yiping explain Abbot Zhiyuan's arrangements.

"Study Law Techniques at the lower monastery for now, with other arrangements later?"

Hearing that he could not become abbot of Hidden Dragon Temple, Zhou Wuji showed disappointment.

"The Flying Profound Hall is quiet and free of affairs. It is very suitable for cultivation."

Daoist Yiping said, "As for matters in Siming County, you need not concern yourself. The Zhang Household, the Fang Household-would any of them have the gall to come to the lower monastery and trouble you?"

"Yes, yes. I'll listen to you, Martial Uncle..." Knowing his martial uncle meant well, Zhou Wuji obediently agreed.

"We will establish the altar and conduct your initiation at the Heavenly Emperor Hall tonight. Have Shangxing take you to the bathhouse to bathe. Do not eat after you return. Light three sticks of mind-calming incense to soothe your spirit and settle your mind."

After giving him these instructions, Daoist Yiping went to the Heavenly Emperor Hall to make the various preparations for establishing the altar.

Establishing an altar for initiation was an extremely important rite, with intricate steps that allowed no mistakes.

Everything, including the various spiritual objects, sacrificial offerings, and prayers used, had exacting requirements.

The most important items, the sacred-script talisman scroll and the golden oath register, were both expensive. A single incorrectly written character meant discarding the whole thing and starting over.

Daoist Yiping did not have much experience conducting initiation rites either. He had to make all the preparations in advance.

Using the North Pole Heavenly Emperor Hall also required coordinating with its hall master.

The Three Administrators and Five Masters were specifically responsible for managing the sect's various affairs.

The hall master managed the sacred hall. Initiations, lectures on the teachings, sacrificial ceremonies, and other such rites all fell under his authority.

Though Daoist Yiping had already spoken with the abbot, he still had to discuss the specific arrangements with the hall master, lest the hall master deliberately make things difficult...

Zhou Wuji went to the bathhouse and bathed. After returning, he changed into entirely new clothes, inside and out.

The Daoist robes and inner garments cost ten taels of silver a set and were woven from a blend of cotton, silk, and other materials. The fabric was fine, supple, crisp, and smooth-draping, as well as breathable and comfortable.

Looking at his own flowing blue robes, Zhou Wuji was quite pleased.

Ten taels of silver-it could be considered money well spent.

Following his martial uncle's instructions, Zhou Wuji lit three sticks of mind-calming incense and sat quietly, emptying his mind amid the gentle incense smoke.

But after sitting for a while, he could not help growing drowsy. Having successfully completed the trial, he felt no excitement, only some relaxation and weariness now that it was over.

Zhou Wuji felt that the initiation was merely a ceremony. Ever since the connection between earth and heaven had been severed in remote antiquity, immortals and Buddhas had no longer appeared in the mortal world.

The Northern Emperor's Book of Heavenly Punishment was wondrous, but it was not that sort of personified deity.

At this thought, Zhou Wuji could not resist opening the Northern Emperor's Book of Heavenly Punishment in his mind. He saw all eleven ghosts upon it.

According to his master, an initiation could establish a connection between a cultivator and the divine emperor.

The divine emperor might have been cut off above the Nine Heavens by the severing of earth and heaven, but the sacred hall's statue had received worship from believers for many years. Establishing a resonance with it could help a cultivator absorb primordial Qi and comprehend the essence of Secret Methods and Divine Abilities.

Cultivators who attained sudden enlightenment during their initiation were regarded by the sect as geniuses capable of communicating with the gods, and often received special nurturing.

He could release the primal mysterious Qi converted from the eleven ghosts at that moment and masquerade as a genius...

Even if it did not earn the sect's attention, it would at least provide a reasonable explanation for a leap in his cultivation.

At this thought, Zhou Wuji grew a little excited again. If the abbot were watching nearby, his eyes would surely widen in shock!

From then on, he would regard Zhou Wuji as a peerless genius and focus on nurturing him!

Enjoying the thought, Zhou Wuji could not help chuckling twice.

As it turned out, Zhou Wuji had imagined too much.

Inside the North Pole Heavenly Emperor Hall, there were only him, Daoist Yiping, and the ritual altar prepared in advance.

Seven three-legged bronze cauldrons were arranged in the positions of the seven stars, and various offerings and spiritual objects were laid out neatly on the incense table.

Presiding over the altar, Daoist Yiping wore a purple-gold star crown and splendid purple-gold ritual robes patterned with the Northern Dipper. Holding a seven-star ritual sword, he knelt on a cushion, bowing and chanting prayers with a solemn expression.

Zhou Wuji knelt behind Daoist Yiping, silently reciting the Supreme Mysterious Spirit North Pole Scripture.

This was the Northern Pole Sect's fundamental scripture. Though it did not involve specific cultivation methods, it was exceptionally important.

After reciting the scripture, Daoist Yiping rose and paced the celestial Gang, stepping through the Dipper. He pierced both the golden oath register and the sacred-script talisman scroll with the seven-star ritual sword and cast them together into the incense burner.

Flames instantly surged from the incense burner, shooting several zhang high.

Daoist Yiping then recited the Middle Perfection Precepts. After each line, Zhou Wuji repeated it.

The Middle Perfection Precepts contained thirty-two articles and were rather elaborate.

After reciting the Middle Perfection Precepts once, Zhou Wuji swore before the statue of the North Pole Heavenly Emperor, "I, the disciple Wuji, vow to observe and uphold these precepts. I dare not begin diligently only to end in indolence, turn against the Dao, or defy my master. Should I betray this oath, I willingly submit to the profound ordinances. (I willingly accept the constraints and judgment of the supreme Principles.)"

Daoist Yiping drew the Seven Star Sword from the incense burner and made a pointing gesture just before the center of Zhou Wuji's brows, declaring, "Observe the precepts without transgression. May the Heavenly Emperor grant blessings, may all affairs proceed auspiciously, and may you attain the Dao and achieve perfection..."

After this series of rites, Zhou Wuji felt the Heavenly Emperor's statue before him radiating a hazy, deep-blue starlight. In his daze, he even seemed to see the stars of the heavens shining.

The brightest among them was the Heavenly Pivot Star, with which he had established a resonance. As its brilliant rays flickered, they resonated in unison with the divine aperture between his brows, guiding the True Qi within him to follow each inhalation and exhalation.

The North Pole Heavenly Emperor's statue was actually quite wondrous. It truly established a kind of resonance with him, allowing him to "see" the stars filling the sky, his natal star, the circulation of endless primordial Qi, and a vast field formed by the Heavenly Emperor's statue and the spiritual Qi of countless stars...

At this moment, Zhou Wuji truly gained a deeper understanding of the Northern Dipper Tianshu Scripture, and vaguely understood the connection between the Heavenly Emperor, the starry sky, and the mortal world.

He saw the direction of cultivation and understood some of the transformations of the primordial Qi of heaven and earth. This would greatly benefit his future cultivation.

But that was as far as it went.

Seizing this precious opportunity, Zhou Wuji opened the Northern Emperor's Book of Heavenly Punishment within his sea of consciousness. The two Sha Ghosts and nine Vengeful Ghosts transformed into primal mysterious Qi, all of which poured into the divine aperture between his brows...