536: Chapter 535: Nascent Transformation Ancestor 536: Chapter 535: Nascent Transformation Ancestor With Tan Xiao’s guidance, they had unobstructed access through the Danyang Mountain Gate.
“This carving, this architecture, this corridor…
it’s a pity, too much gentleness, not enough strength, a bit too petty…”
All the way, Hou Peirong prattled nonstop, his eyes filled with envy, his mouth full of criticism.
It wasn’t that he was narrow-minded, but rather that compared to the urban layout of cities mixed with mortals, the Mountain Gate model was far more sophisticated.
He had experienced several Daoist power cores—Yujing, Divine City, Jianye…
none had stunned him as much as Danyang Mountain had.
Truly, the Cultivation World should be separated from mortals to avoid disturbing each other’s lives to the greatest extent.
Bridges to bridges, roads to roads, men to governance, women to households…
Seeing him in such a rustic state, Tan Xiao felt proud.
To tell the truth, the Chu Sect was among the first in the Jinxiu Continent to arrange its Mountain Gate this way, a decision shaped by its distinct and independent nature.
“Actually, the Danyang Mountain Gate has not been established for long.
It has just laid the foundation and is still being continuously improved and updated; it’s far from its final version.
You can imagine, in hundreds or thousands of years, after dozens of generations of expansion, what will this place look like?
In the Southeast region, Danyang Mountain Gate has already become a standard for Daoist Sects.
Don’t look at many traditional Sects verbally criticizing us, accusing the Chu Sect of luxurious excess and disturbing civilian life, but from what I know, places like the Qi Sect, Zhou Sect, and Guo Sect are also busily planning their Mountain Gates.
This is the style of my Chu Sect, daring to be the first in the world.”
Hou Niao felt somewhat sour; even if the Shan Sect started building now, it couldn’t claim to be the first anymore.
With their capabilities, they might end up being the last, the outcome already decided, but he couldn’t show any weakness verbally.
What’s so great about a Mountain Gate?
When I make my fortune one day, I’ll bring a whole Immortal Mountain from Outer Space to serve as the Mountain Gate!
That would truly be daring to be the first in the world!”
Tan Xiao ignored his nonsensical talk.
“You’ve read too many Cultivation novels, haven’t you?
Brainwashed by those delusions?
Better rein in your spirit quickly, my mentor, though amiable and kind, also cannot stand nonsense.”
The Danyang Mountain Gate was vast, built along the mountain, row upon row; leading them through winding paths, Tan Xiao brought them to a rather simple courtyard that, although unassuming compared to the other buildings, occupied a vast area and stood out in the complex.
Tan Xiao did not use his Divine Sense, but naturally knocked on the door instead.
The Daoist Sect was strict about these things; casually using Divine Sense at a mentor’s residence was considered extremely impolite.
As the courtyard door opened, a young boy bowed and came forward, “Third senior brother, I didn’t know you would come this early.
What brings you to see Old Master?”
Tan Xiao respectfully performed the ritual salute, even though it was only a young boy, he was a Tongxuan cultivator.
There were no mediocrities among Nascent Transformation ancestors.
“Brother Qing Mu, this time I’ve come to see Master because I was tasked to bring a friend to meet him, it’s been delayed for many years, I just wonder if Master still remembers?”
The boy laughed, “You know how Old Master is—if you remember him, he remembers you; if you forget him, he forgets.
However, unfortunately, Old Master is currently at a family junior’s wedding at the lower mountain hermitage.
Senior brother, would you like to wait here or go to the hermitage yourself?”
Tan Xiao clearly knew about this matter, “It turns out to be Uncle Six…
All right, I should have gone as well.
Let’s just go there, to save Uncle from nagging.”
Leading Hou Niao, they walked back outside while Tan Xiao explained: “My master is very approachable, always willing to be involved in the trivial matters of the mortal world, never acting high and mighty…”
Walking along the way, he explained; this uncle, nearly ninety years old, was still robust and strong, and his cultivation had always been at the Bridge level, stopping at Tongxuan, so he was seen as a mortal in the eyes of other cultivators.
However, he was a genius in formations and had a deep study of Yitian numerology, which made him an anomaly in the Chu Sect.
Furthermore, being a distant relative of Tan Xiao’s master, he held a unique position within the sect.
Now in his old age, like a flowering iron tree, many old friends came to support him.
Tan Xiao’s master was an elder of Nascent Transformation in the Chu Sect, among the highest echelons of the Cultivation World of the Jinxiu Continent.
At this stage of their lives, they acted as they pleased—some secluded themselves for extended periods, some roamed the world, and some indulged in worldly pleasures, beyond the constraint of anyone’s personal preferences.
Just like attending the wedding celebration of an old man who couldn’t ascend beyond Tongxuan, it might seem incomprehensible to others, but to these elders, it represented another layer of life’s insights.
Below Danyang Mountain, a cluster of guest houses was built for sect families, friends, and visiting cultivators, scattered in an area covered with white bricks and red tiles, hidden among old pines and cypresses, and arranged along the mountain side, consisting of hundreds of units.
In one of them, red lanterns were hung high, radiating festivity; people were coming and going at the door, resembling a mortal wedding, though the attendees were all cultivators possessing great magic power.
Yet, none flaunted their abilities, abiding by the mortal world’s customs.
This was out of respect for the host, and of course, for the elders; having cultivators in Nascent Transformation around, flitting about would be inappropriate.
Of course, with such statuses, they wouldn’t really partake in the foolish and cumbersome traditions of the mortal world; it was just a gathering of old friends discussing some newfound insights into formations.
A very casual occasion.
“I call the groom ‘uncle,’ and sometimes I consult him about formation settings, so it wouldn’t be proper not to come.”
The two stood in the courtyard, watching the two newlyweds on the steps receiving everyone’s blessings; their crane hair and wrinkled skin made them quite a match.
Putting together, these elderly people who were nearly two hundred years old, essentially came together for the sake of some spiritual fulfillment, nothing more than companionship.
It was evident that the atmosphere in Chu Sect was quite open, and everyone was happy to see it succeed.
“Uncle arranges formations, aunt concocts elixirs—a perfect match, don’t you think?
In the Shan Sect, it’s rare for mortals of this age to survive, usually battered and half-crippled…”
Tan Xiao teased, displaying the common disdain among Daoist cultivators for sword cultivators who focus on skills but neglect their physical health; his gaze, like others, was lofty.
Of course, they were accustomed to teasing each other, and no one took it seriously.
Hou Niao smiled faintly, “Yes, a perfect match, married till old age in no time…”
Tan Xiao’s mouth twitched, “I heard that in your Shan Sect, these things aren’t emphasized?
A Daoist couple is just a cultivation companion, each taking what they need?
In my opinion, some ritualistic elements are still necessary, to constantly remind oneself, like you…”
The customs in Chu Country were somewhat unique and conservative on this matter, not fitting well with other Daoist traditions in the Cultivation World of the continent, causing mutual disdain.
Also, Chu Sect cultivators were particularly fond of preaching, always believing that their doctrine was the absolute truth, which usually remains in the hands of the few.
Hou Niao cut him off, “Don’t talk about me, if you get married, I won’t come; and I won’t go to your funeral either…”