Immortal Dao Grand Ceremony: The Abyss Sect Appears

The troubles facing the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect were fewer than Nan Feng had anticipated, but more than Ning Fengzhi had expected.

What's missing are the strongholds left behind by Ning Yuan. Both are hidden in abandoned mines outside the city.

Shifang carried the grilled fish rack inside and took a look around. When he came out, his mouth was covered in grease.

"There were only seven or eight deacons left in one of the outposts. They ran away as soon as they saw me, without even using their Soul Skill."

"There was a Contra-like figure guarding another Soul Douluo. As soon as I lit the fire to grill the fish, he knelt down and said, 'Don't burn it, don't burn it, I'll hand over my Soul Bone.'"

Nan Feng was squatting at the entrance of the inner treasury, flipping through that dark purple document, and didn't even look up when he heard this.

"Where is the Soul Bone?"

"It's been handed over to Sect Master Ning Sect Master Ning said it's for public use."

There are many unresolved issues left behind by Ning Yuan.

That old man Council of Elders for forty years. His businesses were extensive and intertwined, and he also had dealings with the merchant guilds of three city-states.

Ning Fengzhi rubbed his temples while looking at the ledger for two days before finally managing to sort out half of the clues on the third day.

He looked up at Nan Feng and said, "I'll handle the rest myself. You should prepare the grand ceremony."

Nan Feng placed the dark purple document on the table.

"Okay. I'll go back to Heaven Dou City tomorrow."

Ning Fengzhi paused for a moment while rubbing his temples.

"What happened after the ceremony? Ning Yuan ran away, and the scroll containing the method to open it fell into your hands, but the person behind Ning Yuan hasn't shown up yet."

That's why we need to hold a grand ceremony.

Nan Feng stood up and patted the hem of her clothes.

"I've invited all my allies and set up a table at the Pagoda God Temple. If the people behind Ning Yuan can't sit still, there will be a reaction during the ceremony."

"If he doesn't come, I'll burn the complete map of the Abyssal Rift in public, so he'll know this line is broken."

Ning Fengzhi stared at him for two breaths.

"Burning the image?"

"It's fake. Burn a copy."

Nan Feng walked towards the door, with Shifang following behind carrying the grilled fish rack.

"I'll keep this and continue investigating. Who was Ning Yuan going to give this thing to? I'm determined to find that person."

Ning Fengzhi closed the ledger and called out to Nan Feng's retreating figure.

"If the ceremony lacks wine, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has three hundred jars of spirit wine in its cellar."

"Want."

Before dawn the next day, Nan Feng returned to Heaven Dou City.

The Ancient Tree of Life in the Tower Spirit Space has grown to half a person's height, and the fifth leaf has just sprouted.

Bibi Dong was squatting next to the tree, loosening the soil with a bamboo stick. Hearing the noise, she looked up at him, then looked behind him.

There was no Shifang, no Ning Fengzhi, just him alone.

There was nothing on his left wrist except for a hairband, and he carried a pot of spirit wine from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect School in his right hand.

"Is the matter in Ning Yuan settled?"

"It's half done."

Nan Feng placed the spirit wine next to the Nine Heart Begonia.

"The other half will be held during the ceremony."

Bibi Dong didn't press the matter. She put the bamboo skewers away, stood up, and dusted off the hem of her skirt.

She hesitated for a moment.

What should I wear to the ceremony?

Nan Feng turned to look at her.

Bibi Dong looked down at her faded old robe and lowered her voice.

"My old clothes were all in the Spirit Hall's standard style, red and black, with the Spider Emperor pattern embroidered on the chest. They're not suitable to wear now."

"Old Huai."

Nan Feng shouted towards the direction of Xianmu.

"Bibi Dong needs clothes, can you give her some advice?"

Old Huai emerged from the tree trunk, squinted, and looked Bibi Dong up and down, then clicked his tongue twice.

"When you were Pope, you could wear whatever you wanted with complete confidence, but now you can't even decide what to wear?"

Bibi Dong pursed her lips but didn't reply.

Old Huai stroked his beard.

"Alright, alright, I'll have Shifang go to the best tailor shop in Heaven Dou City."

"You are now the Space-Time Spider Emperor under the Immortal Dao's command, so you don't wear the Spirit Hall's uniform. You wear blue."

"The lapis lazuli and gold hues are the same color as the Ancient Tree of Life and the tower itself. Standing beside the tree at the grand ceremony, one could immediately recognize him as a cultivator of the Immortal Dao."

Bibi Dong's eyes lit up, then she looked down at her old robe.

"Then... the light blue one, with the cuffs rolled up, will be convenient for me when watering the trees."

Old Huai sighed.

"Okay, that's enough."

The ceremony is scheduled for three days later.

For three days, Heaven Dou City was as lively as during the Chinese New Year.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect School's carriage team brought three hundred jars of spirit wine into the city.

The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan sent a box of forging materials as a congratulatory gift, and the Heaven Dou Royal Academy repainted the entire viewing platform.

From the Shrek Academy, Flender sent a message.

The letter said the college couldn't get away and told Nan Feng to handle it himself. A note was added at the end of the letter.

"Liu Erlong went to Heaven Dou City three days in advance, so don't worry about her drinking."

Huo Wu arrived a day earlier than Liu Erlong.

She carried two jars of Blazing Sun Special Brew into the Tower Spirit Space, nearly knocking over the Nine Heart Begonia next to the Ancient Tree of Life.

Bibi Dong reacted quickly and caught the flowerpot.

Huo Wu then noticed the tree.

"This is the Ancient Tree of Life? Why is it so small?"

"It was planted not long ago."

Nan Feng emerged from the Space-Time Bubble and was given a jar of wine by Huo Wu. He looked down at the fire patterns on the wine jar.

"You brewed this?"

"The Dean of the Blazing Fire Academy personally oversaw the brewing."

Huo Wu stands with her hands on her hips.

If your wine at the ceremony is better than this, I'll smash this jar right here and now.

Shifang peeked in from the doorway.

"Brother Nan, Shui Bing'er has arrived. She's with the Skywater Academy's convoy and is camped outside the city."

She said the combination techniques needed to be set up in advance, otherwise they couldn't be demonstrated at the ceremony.

Nan Feng placed the wine jar into the Tower Spirit Space.

"Have her set up the array. Call me when it's ready, I'll go try it."

On the day of the ceremony, a red carpet was laid out on the road from the east gate of Heaven Dou City to the Pagoda God Temple, and Soul Guidance Lamp on both sides lit up all the way to the temple entrance.

All parties entered the venue in turn.

Emperor Xue Beng of the Heaven Dou Empire arrived in person, followed by Qian Renxue. Qian Renxue was dressed in plain white, tight-fitting clothes, not wearing the imperial robes, yet she was even more eye-catching than if she were wearing them.

Ning Fengzhi from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect brought Ning Rongrong with him. Ning Rongrong looked for Tang San as soon as she entered, but after searching around and not finding him, her expression became somewhat complicated.

Yu Tianheng, leading the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, nodded to Nan Feng as they entered.

"I've found out what I promised you about investigating. We'll discuss it in detail later."

Huo Wu from Huo Wu Blazing Fire Academy sat in the second row, while Shui Bing'er from the Skywater Academy sat in the third row. There was an empty row of seats between them, whether intentional or arranged, it was unclear.

Dugu Yan sat in the Dugu Family's seat, leaving an empty seat next to Dugu Bo. The old man hadn't arrived yet.

Two people came from the Shrek Academy. Flender didn't come; Oscar and Zhu Zhuqing did.

Xiao Wu came with Tang San. As they entered, Xiao Wu pulled Tang San straight to Nan Feng and stuffed a bag of wedding candy into his hand.

You missed the wedding banquet my third brother and I held, so I saved this candy for you.

Tang San stood beside her, the burn marks on the back of his right hand already scabbed over.

Nan Feng 'Treasure-Appraising Spirit Light scanned the area and knew that his Soul Power had dropped again, even faster than when they separated at the Lake of Life.

Tang San noticed Nan Feng's gaze and smiled.

"We can still hold on. We should be able to get through today without any problems."

If you can't make it, tell me.

Nan Feng put the wedding candy in his pocket.

"My tower is spacious, and it has trees."

Tang San chuckled.

"OK."

Bi Ji and Zi JI arrived the last.

After transforming into human form, Bi Ji wore a jade-green dress and held a Immortal Herb as a gift.

Zi JI, still clad in her purple-gold armor and radiating the Dragon Emperor's aura, forced several Soul Douluo in the front row to stumble as she entered.

Seeing this from behind, Ice Empress stood up from the seat of the Far North envoys and called out to Zi JI.

"Turn off that intimidating aura, you're making me drink!"

Zi JI turned around and saw Ice Empress, then snorted.

"Put the wine jar down first; you're drinking before the ceremony even starts."

Ice Empress sat back down, still holding the sake jar. Snow Empress handed her a handkerchief.

"Wipe it off, there's wine stain on your lips."

Bibi Dong was the last to appear.

When she entered the temple through the side door of the Tower Spirit Space, the temple was already full of people.

The cyan-gold robe shimmered softly under the fairy lamp, the cuffs were neatly gathered, and the petals of the Nine Heart Begonia were pinned to the collar, swaying with every step.

She had been walking with her head down, but when she reached the center of the temple, she leaned towards the Nan Feng.

Nan Feng nodded to her, and she slowed down and walked to stand beside the Ancient Tree of Life.

The tree had grown to the height of a person, its bluish-gold veins flowing in the celestial light within the palace.

Old Huai peeked out from the Tower Spirit Space, muttering something before retreating.

"A green robe paired with crabapple blossoms—this girl knows how to dress."

The ceremony begins.

Nan Feng stood at the highest point of the Pagoda God Temple, with the Nine-Layer Tower unfolding behind him. The Nine Heavens Treasure Pearl at the top of the pagoda hung in mid-air, and the Three Lights Divine Water swirled within the pearl.

He glanced around at the table before raising his glass.

Xue Beng raised his glass in a gesture of respect to the chief. Ning Fengzhi sat down next to him.

Huo Wu and Shui Bing'er looked up at the same time.

Dugu Yan helped Dugu Bo, who had just arrived, to his seat.

Xiao Wu leaned on Tang San's shoulder. Zhu Zhuqing nodded in the shadows.

Gu Yuena did not sit down, but leaned against the Shi Zhu at the entrance of the hall, her silver eyes smiling.

The Ice Empress and the Snow Empress sat side by side in the Far North seat. Zi JI finally withdrew her oppressive aura and raised her wine cup.

Bi Ji was talking to Ye Lingling. Ye Lingling was wearing a begonia-white dress today and was holding a newly compiled pharmacopoeia in her hand.

It seems they plan to take advantage of the grand ceremony to discuss the breeding of the Nine Heart Begonia and the Ancient Tree of Life with Nan Feng.

Bibi Dong stood beside the Ancient Tree of Life, her cyan-gold robe contrasting against the cyan-gold tree trunk, and a petal of the Nine Heart Begonia swayed at her collar.

She looked up at the Nan Feng. The Nan Feng was looking down at her.

Their eyes met. Bibi Dong didn't look away; she simply put her hands behind her back and twisted her fingers inside her sleeve.

The Nan Feng raises a glass.

"Respect the Primordial World."

The crowd responded in unison.

"Homage to the Immortal Master!"

"Homage to all realms."

"Homage to the Immortal Master!"

"Respect--"

He paused, glanced down at Bibi Dong, and then scanned everyone in the hall.

"To you all."

The audience burst into laughter.

Huo Wu was the first to stand up and slam her wine glass on the table.

"Nan Feng, you didn't have enough lines! Let me add one for you. Toast! Don't leave any unfinished!"

Shifang called out from the doorway.

The fish is ready!

Halfway through the banquet, Yu Tianheng, holding his wine cup, leaned close to Nan Feng and lowered his voice.

"We've found the person behind Ning Yuan. The clues point to the north of the Star Dou Great Forest."

"There's a loosely organized group called the ' Abyss Sect ' that specializes in collecting methods for opening Abyssal Rift. Ning Yuan is one of their outer members."

Nan Feng twirled the wine glass in his hand.

"The Abyss Sect?"

"They kept a very low profile. If Ning Yuan hadn't left his communication jade talisman at the base when he fled, I wouldn't have been able to find it."

Yu Tianheng took out a jade talisman broken in two from his sleeve and handed it to Nan Feng.

"It has their markings on it."

Nan Feng took it and glanced at it.

The back of the jade talisman was engraved with a circle of dark purple swirling patterns, the same color as the Abyss abyss air in the Far North rift.

He stored the jade talisman in the Tower Spirit Space and raised his cup to Yu Tianheng.

Thanks. I'll treat you to a drink sometime.

Yu Tianheng snorted.

You owe me too much alcohol.

It was already dark when the ceremony ended.

All parties gradually took their leave.

Before leaving, Huo Wu placed her Blazing Sun Special Brew at Nan Feng's feet.

Tell me when you're done drinking, and I'll brew more.

Shui Bing'er followed behind her, leaving behind the combination skill array plate as well.

"Come to Skywater sometime to try out the new formation."

Dugu Yan helped Dugu Bo onto the carriage. The old man, drunk, shouted towards the Nan Feng.

"Kid, you still owe me a favor!"

The Nan Feng bowed at the door.

"I remember."

Everyone had left, Pagoda God Temple fell silent.

Bibi Dong squatted down beside the Ancient Tree of Life, tidying up the scattered wine glasses. Nan Feng walked over and sat down next to her.

Bibi Dong stacked the last cup neatly and turned to look at him.

"The ceremony is over. What about Ning Yuan?"

"Found a Abyss Sect."

Nan Feng took out the broken jade talisman and showed it to her.

"Ning Yuan is just on the outskirts. This sect is active in the northern part of the Star Dou Great Forest, collecting methods to open rifts; they're probably up to no good."

Bibi Dong stared at the dark purple swirling pattern on the jade talisman and remained silent for a while.

What are you planning to do?

"Check first."

Nan Feng carefully put away the jade talisman.

"We need to go to the north of the Star Dou Great Forest."

Bibi Dong looked down at the Ancient Tree of Life; the fifth leaf had already unfolded, and celestial light flowed through its bluish-gold veins.

She reached out and touched the tip of the leaf.

"You go ahead. I'll watch the tree."

Just as Nan Feng was about to reply, Shifang's shout suddenly came from outside the Tower Spirit Space.

"Brother Nan— Gu Yuena left a letter!"

Nan Feng went out, took the package, and opened it.

Gu Yuena's handwriting was elegant and powerful, consisting of only three lines.

"The Abyss Sect has a stronghold Dragon God Lake. I went to check it out; there was no one inside, but they left a soul guide's image."

"Come over tomorrow, I have something to show you."

"Also, bring alcohol."

Nan Feng folded the letter and put it in his pocket, then turned back and waved it at Bibi Dong.

"Make a trip to Dragon God Lake tomorrow. Keep an eye on the tree."

Bibi Dong nodded, picked up the bamboo skewer, and continued loosening the soil around the Ancient Tree of Life, muttering something under her breath.

Gu Yuena also loves to drink.

Nan Feng chuckled and called out into the Tower Spirit Space.

"Shifang, bring two more jars of wine tomorrow!"

Shifang responded from the doorway.

Should I bring the Spirit Brew or the Blazing Sun?

Bring them all!