Chapter 1359: Great Ceremony

Rain pattered on bluestones.

On the peak of the main mountain, clear springs flowed. On the cloud-borne Immortal Platform, fragrant scents permeated the air, and auspicious multi-colored rays shimmered. Golden tables and jade platters were laden with countless delicacies, immortal fruits, and exquisite nectar.

The Nascent Soul cultivators were led to the Immortal Platform and congratulated each other. Qin Sang had given instructions beforehand, so Mu Yifeng was also led to the Immortal Platform and given a seat. Mu Yifeng, seated among the Nascent Soul cultivators, answered all questions without being overly humble or arrogant. Duke Dongyang's quiet departure had surprised everyone. Noticing Qingyang Temple's demeanor towards Mu Yifeng, the Nascent Soul cultivators understood there was undoubtedly a deep connection between them. However, out of respect for Qin Sang, they chose not to probe further, suppressing their curiosity.

Jingyu tirelessly took charge, personally greeting guests on Qin Sang's behalf. Only the main seat remained vacant. Before long, Demon Lord Tongyou also arrived in person, surprising the Nascent Soul cultivators, who all stood up to welcome him.

As time passed, more and more cultivators gathered at Qingyang Temple. Below the main peak, a throng of people, cultivators of all levels, enjoyed spiritual fruits and fine wines, eliciting continuous praise.

The auspicious hour had arrived. The bell tolled once more, its deep, continuous peals resonating from Qingyang Temple. Instantly, the world fell silent, the void became clear, with only the lingering chime of the bell echoing.

At the foot of the main peak, countless cultivators quieted, gazing upwards. On the Immortal Platform, the Nascent Soul cultivators also hushed, turning their gaze to Jingyu. Jingyu walked to the main seat, surveyed his surroundings, and with his true essence surging, his voice, overriding the bell, announced, "We respectfully invite Qin Sang, Master of Qingyang Temple!"

A slight stir went through the crowd, which immediately quieted. The Immortal Platform trembled. From the core forbidden area, a cloud bridge suddenly extended, leading directly to the Immortal Platform on the main peak. The next moment, everyone's vision blurred as a figure materialized on the cloud bridge. This figure, handsome as a youth, wore a simple green Daoist robe. With a serene presence and a faint smile, he gazed at the assembly; it was Qin Sang.

The Nascent Soul cultivators on the Immortal Platform saluted from afar. Qin Sang nodded slightly and stepped towards the Immortal Platform.

At the same time, Li Yufu and others had arrived at the main peak at some unknown point. All Qingyang Temple disciples gathered, and Shangguan Lifeng also descended slightly from the mountain. Among them were Golden Core cultivators such as Li Yufu, Shangguan Lifeng, Aunt Mei, Zhao Ying, and Tan Yien. There were also demon core stage demon beasts like Chilei, Old Horse Monkey, White Crane, and White Cat, who were brought to support the occasion. The disciples ascended a short distance and waited silently below the Immortal Platform, gazing up at the cloud bridge, their faces alight with fervent excitement and pride.

Qin Sang walked serenely amidst the ringing bells, his gaze fixed straight ahead. A subtle, almost imperceptible fluctuation seemed to be building around him. The Nascent Soul cultivators were the first to notice Qin Sang's little trick, their smiles deepening. But as Qin Sang drew nearer, the smiles on a few faces faded. That fluctuation was, in fact, sword intent. Qin Sang, at that moment, appeared to embody a sword, his sword intent growing stronger with every step.

This sword intent was purely Qin Sang's profound understanding of the Sword Dao, the "Primordial Spirit Nurturing Sword Chapter," and the "Seven Souls Killing Array," independent of any external spiritual sword. In the past decade, Qin Sang had refined a Corpse Flower Blood Amber, significantly advancing his cultivation. More importantly, he had gained deeper insights into his cultivation methods, especially achieving a major breakthrough in the "Seven Souls Killing Array" by mastering the sword array! Now, even when activating the sword array with only the high-grade Golden Sinking Sword, its power surpassed that of using the Wandering Cloud Sword previously.

Qin Sang had once considered holding the grand ceremony only after breaking through to the mid-Nascent Soul stage, to truly astound the world. However, he was uncertain how much longer that breakthrough would take. Furthermore, he would soon need to focus solely on secluded cultivation, leaving no energy for external trivialities. The name of Qingyang Temple was already widely known, so further delay offered no real benefit. In any case, his mastery of the "Seven Souls Killing Array" alone would ensure no one dared to underestimate him.

The sword intent emanating from him, a manifestation of the "Seven Souls Killing Array," caused the Nascent Soul cultivators on the Immortal Platform to widen their eyes. By the time Qin Sang stepped off the cloud bridge and ascended the Immortal Platform, only a handful of individuals like Demon Lord Tongyou and Lu Boyuan managed to maintain their composure. But in their eyes, a clear apprehension emerged. While Qin Sang's previous widespread fame was largely credited to external artifacts like his demonic banner, demonic fire, and the Wandering Cloud Sword, now, they truly acknowledged Qin Sang for his inherent power! The other Nascent Soul cultivators wore solemn expressions, as if facing a formidable adversary. They had no confidence they could withstand Qin Sang if he were to unleash his sword!

The bell ceased after eighty-one chimes, precisely as Qin Sang reached the apex of the Immortal Platform. He gazed up at the vast sky, his expression unwavering, yet a trace of nostalgia flickered in his eyes. Qingzhu, Yunyouzi, Daoist Jixin, Mingyue... Familiar faces flashed through his mind. The carefree days at Qingyang Temple, his arduous journey with Yunyouzi through countless trials, Qingzhu's final words etched on peach blossoms... Every scene, every event, remained vivid in his memory. Finally, he had reached this point, fulfilling the dying wishes of his departed friends. And at the same time, he would undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on this world!

Qin Sang sensed Yunyouzi's true spirit; a sharp glint flashed in his eyes, and the sword intent, which had been building to its peak, suddenly erupted! Amidst countless gasps, an illusory sword shadow detached from his body and slashed towards the void! Instantly, the winds churned, the sky changed color, and the void transformed into a dynamic sword array. Countless sword lights weaved in and out, shifting between brilliance and obscurity, constantly changing, profoundly mysterious, as if coalescing into a chaotic sword domain.

All the Nascent Soul cultivators watched in solemn reverence, their gazes fixed on the sword array. Lower-level cultivators below the mountain involuntarily covered their eyes after a single glance, their vision stung by the sword light, tears streaming uncontrollably. When the sword array's transformations reached their apex, it abruptly shifted from motion to stillness. The sword light converged, leaving only three ancient characters – "Qingyang Temple!"

The sword-light characters slowly descended.Boom! Boom! Boom!One side of the main peak's mountain wall was cleanly sliced flat. The mountain did not tremor, no dust arose, yet the three grand characters were permanently etched there!

Li Yufu's eyes gleamed with emotion; he led the disciples in kneeling, proclaiming, "Greetings, Temple Master!"

Then, Jingyu cupped his hands and declared, "Congratulations, Temple Master Qin, on establishing your sect!" All the Nascent Soul cultivators offered their collective congratulations. Below the mountain, the myriad cultivators echoed their congratulations.

"Congratulations, Temple Master Qin, on establishing your sect!"

"I, Qin, upholding the wishes of my predecessors, have established Qingyang Temple. This task is beyond my humble abilities, and I am deeply humbled... I thank all fellow Daoists for gracing this ceremony with their presence!" Qin Sang turned, bowed in thanks, and then his gaze settled on Li Yufu and the others.

The Nascent Soul cultivators knew the ceremony was not yet over. They continued to observe patiently, savoring the sword intent Qin Sang had just displayed. In truth, in the cultivation world, a sect establishment ceremony involves many intricate customs. If one were to delve into every detail, it would take several more hours to complete. Qin Sang, wishing to avoid excessive formalities and wasted time, simply instructed his disciples. He had them kowtow to the spirit tablets of Yunyouzi and Qingzhu, bringing the grand ceremony to its close.

Finally, Qin Sang flicked his sleeve, and eighty-one Beast King Banners flew out.

"Thank you, Temple Master, for bestowing these treasures!"

Li Yufu and the others took charge of the Beast King Banners and publicly demonstrated the banner array's transformations. In an instant, black smoke billowed below the Immortal Platform, and the souls of cloud beasts roared, a truly soul-stirring sight. Fortunately, the use of cloud beast souls could substitute for actual demon beasts, otherwise, it would have been difficult to display them publicly. The banner array exhibited endless variations. Though merely a demonstration, its full power not yet revealed, it still drew significant attention from all the Nascent Soul cultivators.