Couplets

Liu Yunhe then turned to Yang Yanchang:

"Young Clan Leader, regarding your younger brother's matter, I dare to offer a word of advice. Your brother has now reached the Profound Gate Mysterious Pass. Why not refine it to perfection? If he were to formally join Mysterious Pass sect in the future, switching Qi Refining before reaching Qi Refining would be easier. Perhaps we can discuss this further after the Pear Garden's regulations are finalized?"

Yang Yanchang pondered for a moment, then nodded. "We will do as Liu Zhike says."

Liu Yunhe secretly breathed a sigh of relief. This response neither offended the two families nor failed to show sufficient sincerity, and it also left room for maneuver in the future. He got up to see them off, escorting them all the way to the gate of the mountain, watching the two streaks of light disappear into the distance, before turning back.

Back at the main hall halfway up the mountain, they found Su Yao standing with his hands behind his back under the eaves, gazing intently at the distant Cibi Lake.

Liu Yunhe stepped forward and bowed. "Daozi."

Su Yao didn't turn around, but simply said:

"Why did Li Mosi and Yang Yanchang return just now?"

Liu Yunhe felt a slight chill run down his spine.

Even though Daozi had already returned to the rear hall when the banquet ended, he was fully aware of the commotion at the mountain gate. He dared not conceal anything and recounted the entire conversation in the guest hall, concluding with:

"I acted on my own initiative and temporarily shelved the matter, citing the lack of a finalized charter. I hope you will forgive me, Daozi."

Su Yao then turned around, his face revealing neither joy nor anger.

"You did the right thing. I'm new here, and it's not wise to rush into taking on apprentices." He paused, his tone calm. "Since they've come to ask, I'll make some things clear to you today, and you can proceed accordingly from now on."

Liu Yunhe quickly bowed:

"Please enlighten me, Master."

Su Yao paced back and forth for a couple of steps, then slowly said:

"When Qixia Temple disciples, its first priority is their background. It is not a matter of sectarianism. To enter Qixia Temple, one must have a clean and verifiable origin. Those who are entangled with the Yuanfu, Demonic Dao demonic path, the Witchcraft Dao, Buddhism, or Confucian School will not be accepted; nor will those Lineage or extended families have been affiliated with the Niqing Qingshi or who have been enemies of Qixia."

He glanced at Liu Yunhe and continued:

"Next, consider talent. Immortal Foundation, Root Bone, comprehension, and willpower are all indispensable. You already know this, so I won't elaborate."

"Finally, we'll look at character." His tone suddenly turned cold. "Those with wicked intentions and questionable conduct, even if destined by fate, will not be accepted."

He strolled back to Liu Yunhe:

"Those whose families have Purple Mansion (a powerful astral temple) or whose clans have had disciples who have studied under the Three Pure Ones will be given priority consideration. As for the specific date for accepting disciples, it is not yet set. I will first discuss the matter of the Proclaiming Earth with a few fellow Daoists, and then we will discuss it when the time is right."

Liu Yunhe noted everything down, and was about to turn around when he paused.

Su Yao saw it all:

Speak your mind.

After a moment's hesitation, Liu Yunhe finally asked, "Daoist, the Yuanfu also belongs to the Supreme Purity sect, and is listed among the Three Pure Ones lineages along with my Qixia. Why don't you accept people related to the Yuanfu?"

Su Yao's gaze darkened slightly, then he let out a cold snort.

He paused, then continued:

"The other Daoist lineages have either secluded themselves in seclusion or their lineages have declined, but the Yuanfu family alone has opened its gates wide, becoming deeply entangled with Human Dao and Witchcraft Dao. While the Witchcraft Dao can be said to be based on mutual exploitation, the Human Dao... from the Three Sovereigns Five Emperors to the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties, and then to the Spring and Autumn and Autumn period, the Qin Emperor, and the Qingshi, which dynasty didn't have the Yuanfu's influence? The Yuanfu not only teaches the Dao, but also grants official positions. Many Yuanfu disciples, after taking off their Daoist robes, enter the court as officials, and after putting them back on, return to the mountains to cultivate. Such people are no longer pure Mysterious Gate cultivators. My Qixia Temple accepts successors of the Immortal Dao, not reserve officials for the court."

He looked at Liu Yunhe:

"Although Qixia Temple and Yuanfu are both from the Mysterious Gate lineage, our current situation is not only marked by differing stances and entanglements, but also by personal grudges. Occasional cooperation is fine, but we absolutely cannot work together in the long term. If I were to take in people from Yuanfu, and someone were to become involved in matters concerning Proclaiming Earth in the future, it would be a huge problem."

Liu Yunhe's heart skipped a beat, and he lowered his head and said:

"Understood."

He then took two steps back, turned around, and went down the mountain.

Su Yao intended to return to his cave abode in the back mountain for quiet cultivation, but he seemed to sense something. Looking to the south, he saw two beams of light, one purple and one gray, flying rapidly towards him.

He thought to himself, "Finally, I have a comrade-in-arms. I won't be all alone in the future."

In a flash, he appeared at the mountain gate.

Soon, two figures appeared, one in purple and one in gray.

Within the purple light was a woman dressed in purple, with a cool and aloof expression. Purple Qi swirled around her, and a jade hairpin was inserted diagonally into her hair, the tip of which was adorned with a thumb-sized amethyst that shimmered in the sunlight.

Within the gray light was a man in golden robes, with a gentle face, yet a hint of murderous intent lurked between his brows. His aura was as deep and stagnant as an abyss, completely different from the spiritual light of ordinary cultivators.

Su Yao bowed respectfully and said with a smile:

"Su Yao from Qixia greets you two fellow Daoists. May I ask how you are addressed?"

The woman in purple curtsied in return, her voice clear and melodious.

"Zilin from Mount Lao greets Brother Su."

The man in gold also cupped his hands and said:

"Golden Court Yang Xiu of Jinting greets Brother Su."

He paused:

"I am the third son in my family, and everyone calls me Sanlang."

Su Yao thought to himself, Yang Xiu clearly cultivated the Dao of Profound Qi, which is a calamity. In addition, the Golden Court Dao Lineage originally focused on cultivating this Qi. However, in order to avoid the calamity, they sealed off their mountain gate, but in the end, they almost suffered the fate of being wiped out.

Although he had something on his mind, he remained outwardly calm, turned slightly to the side, and said with a smile:

"My two fellow Daoists have come from afar. Today happens to be the opening day of the Pear Garden. Why don't you come with me into the mountain for a visit?"

Zilin nodded slightly, and Yang Xiu also nodded in agreement.

The three of them passed through the mountain gate, went up the stone steps, and arrived at the guest hall.

There are three memorial archways standing here.

Zilin paused before the first archway, gazing at the couplet, and softly recited:

"Guests must be treated according to the Three Pure Ones; clouds must not cross the Nine Heavens."

After reciting the couplet, feeling the Supreme Purity Daoist spirit emanating from it, he fell silent.

The three moved to the second archway.

Yang Xiu stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping over the couplet, and began to read aloud:

"The Tao originates from the same source, without inside or outside; the gate opens to nine branches, each with its Spring and Autumn."

After reciting the couplet, he did not speak, but his gaze lingered on the couplet for a moment, savoring the familiar Highest Clarity charm of Shangqing.

Upon reaching the third archway, the two stood side by side. Su Yao gazed at the familiar couplet and read aloud:

"The mountain gate does not deter visitors from coming through the clouds; but one must beware of the cry of cranes here."

After reading it, Zilin and Yang Xiu exchanged a glance and both fell silent.

Three couplets, three different styles of Daoist philosophy.

Supreme Purity is a place of harmony between Yin and Yang, taking nature as its principle, where Celestial Person coexist naturally; Highest Clarity cuts off the transformation of heaven, promotes immortal Divine Dao and establishes the divine way, with ghosts and gods as observers, and respects laws and regulations, opening its mountain gates wide while maintaining strict rules; Jade Pure One, the Three Powers realms, each follow their own path, saying nothing, simply standing here with serene composure, where all spirits are in their proper places, without disturbing each other.

The couplets with the essence of the Three Pure Ones are gathered in one secluded courtyard; there are few places in the world that can display such a collection.

Both of them knew what was going on, but neither said it aloud. However, their expressions were now more solemn than when they were at the mountain gate.

Su Yao didn't say much, but simply stepped aside to lead the way.

The three passed through the guest hall and continued up the stone steps. Before long, a magnificent main hall appeared at the end of the steps, with the words "Embracing Rosy Clouds" inscribed on the plaque.

The bronze incense burner in front of the hall emitted wisps of smoke, and the traces of the banquet had been cleaned up by the Spirit Wood Child, leaving only a few faint wisps of sandalwood incense inside the hall.

Su Yao led the two into the hall, where they sat down as host and guest, and personally poured each of them a cup of tea.