Chapter 269: Powerful Lingxiao

Dragon Tiger Mountain grew increasingly bustling as the commencement of the Grand Ceremony of the Celestial Master drew near. People from various schools and sects gradually arrived, while incidents of the Taotie Divine Art absorbing internal energy continued to occur frequently at the foot of the mountain.

However, within Dragon Tiger Mountain, as Wang Zhenguo intensified his efforts, arresting numerous individuals arranged by Gongsun Jue, the mountain itself gradually grew quieter, and the preparations for the Grand Ceremony began to proceed smoothly. Perhaps it was the first time that various factions had anticipated the Grand Ceremony with such eagerness, all holding their breath, hoping to propose an alliance to counter Gongsun Jue during the event.

This time, Gongsun Jue had unleashed an alarming number of individuals cultivating the Taotie Divine Art. Although his objective was to disrupt the Grand Ceremony, in reality, it brought immense pressure upon every school and sect. A single Gongsun Jue cultivating the Taotie Divine Art had already thrown the martial arts world of the Qian Kingdom into chaos. If dozens, or even hundreds, of Taotie Divine Art practitioners were to appear simultaneously, then not just the Qian Kingdom's martial arts world, but the entire jianghu would be overwhelmed.

Before long, the tenth day of the fifth month arrived, the scheduled date for the Grand Ceremony.

In Immortal Water Valley of Dragon Tiger Mountain, shrouded in mist and imbued with a mystical aura, the Grand Ceremony was to be held.

A Nine Palaces Eight Trigrams-shaped ceremonial platform complex stood impressively, with the central "Three Pure Ones Altar" looking solemn and dignified. Surrounding altars dedicated to deities like the Thunder Ancestor and the Big Dipper were arrayed like stars, with incense wafting upwards.

Before dawn, many Taoists began to arrive to make preparations. After all, this Grand Ceremony was not solely a Taoist event but also a martial arts assembly. Any misstep in protocol could potentially offend someone, or even bring ridicule upon Dragon Tiger Mountain.

As the opening ceremony drew closer, the ceremonial grounds grew increasingly crowded and lively, and the atmosphere began to turn spirited. Wang Zhenguo led Six Doors constables, moving through the throng with utmost vigilance. By a quarter past seven in the morning, Zhang Xisu, the Head of the Celestial Master's Residence, led a group of Taoists to circumambulate the altar, chanting scriptures and initiating the welcoming ritual.

However, the many jianghu figures present most anticipated the appearance of Zhang Daoyi, the former foremost figure of the Qian Kingdom, now the Qian Kingdom's second and the world's third greatest master, and a revered Taoist patriarch.

But Zhang Daoyi was conspicuously absent.

This was because, at this very moment, Zhang Daoyi was in the Ascension Platform Canyon on Tiandu Peak.

"Chu Dong, lass, what do you reckon your brother's up to now?" Zhang Daoyi sat on the grass, holding a large chicken drumstick.

Gu Chutong also held a drumstick, looking up at Gu Mo on the Ascension Platform, and replied, "I've no idea. It's been days; he's like he's asleep!"

"You, on the other hand," Zhang Daoyi asked, "seem a bit less diligent these past couple of days."

"I broke through a bottleneck," Gu Chutong explained. "My main purpose in coming here was to cultivate a sonic martial art. I've now reached the minor accomplishment stage, and it'll be a while before I achieve mastery, so staying at the Ascension Platform isn't very meaningful anymore."

"Sonic martial art?" Zhang Daoyi raised an eyebrow. "Surely it's not your brother's zither skill?"

"Exactly!" Gu Chutong nodded.

Zhang Daoyi gave a thumbs-up. "Impressive. That martial art's destructive power is truly formidable. You, lass, could even walk the jianghu alone in the future, without needing your brother!"

Gu Chutong pouted. "Why wouldn't I follow my brother? I'll always stick with him!"

Zhang Daoyi chuckled. "If I had a brother like that, I'd follow him too. A huge opportunity right there every day."

"Heh heh," Gu Chutong grinned and asked, "Hey, Old Celestial Master, isn't the Grand Ceremony supposed to start today? Why aren't you at Immortal Water Valley? What are you doing here?"

Zhang Daoyi sighed. "To see you, your brother, and that kid Shen Yao!"

Gu Chutong frowned. "Old Celestial Master, you seem to have something on your mind. Are you still worried about the divination Shen Yao did earlier? Didn't Shen Yao say he was influenced, that his cultivation wasn't enough, and what he saw was false?"

Zhang Daoyi chuckled. "That boy's gone mad; now he even suspects physiognomy is fake. But my worry isn't about that divination; it's because I've had a premonition for a while now that I'm destined for a tribulation!"

"Old Celestial Master," Gu Chutong suggested, "why not try to avoid it?"

Zhang Daoyi chuckled. "Cultivation involves three disasters and nine tribulations; they're unavoidable. Alright, enough talk, I'm off..."

"Old Celestial Master, wait for me!"

Just then, on the Ascension Platform on the mountainside, Shen Yao, who had been in a stupor for several days, suddenly shouted and quickly descended from the mountainside. However, his lightness skill was quite subpar, preventing him from flying directly down like Gu Chutong. Instead, he leapt from path to path along the mountainside.

When Shen Yao descended, Zhang Daoyi said in surprise, "Boy, have you achieved mental clarity?"

"Almost, almost!" Shen Yao bowed deeply and said, "Thank you, Old Celestial Master, for helping me cultivate these past days, and for allowing me to seek enlightenment here at the Ascension Platform. I'm immensely grateful!"

Zhang Daoyi asked with a smile, "So you no longer doubt that physiognomy is fake?"

Shen Yao smiled slightly and said, "When the false is taken for true, the true becomes false; when nothing becomes something, something returns to nothing. Old Celestial Master, truth and falsehood no longer matter."

"Ah," Zhang Daoyi pointed at Shen Yao with interest, smiling, "That's the spirit! It seems you've gained a lot and made a significant breakthrough this time. You've got the demeanor of your old charlatan master!"

Shen Yao paused, then smiled slightly.

Gu Chutong quickly asked, "Master Shen, since you've made a breakthrough, could you do another divination? Does the Old Celestial Master truly face a tribulation?"

Shen Yao slowly replied, "I can't see it. There's no cause, no effect; it's impossible to discern. Hmm... Gu Nüxia, are you going to see the Grand Ceremony?"

Gu Chutong shook her head. "No. The Old Celestial Master said he might face a tribulation, and you previously deduced that today's Grand Ceremony might not go smoothly. Although you later said you might have been mistaken, I'm still worried. My brother is currently in seclusion, and if I went and encountered danger, it would surely distract him. So, I won't go!"

"That's fine," Shen Yao said. "Today's Grand Ceremony has countless masters: the Old Celestial Master, Head Zhang, Wang Zhenguo, and experts from various sects. If a crisis still arises, Gu Nüxia, your presence there wouldn't turn the tide. And if there's no crisis, your absence will have even less impact."

Immediately, Shen Yao departed with Zhang Daoyi.

As they walked, Zhang Daoyi chuckled, "Boy, it seems your calculations are indeed inaccurate."

"Old Celestial Master, why do you say that?" Shen Yao asked.

"You calculated that Liu Congwen and Gu Chutong would both be present," Zhang Daoyi explained. "But Liu Congwen died a few days ago, and Gu Chutong isn't going either. Isn't that inaccurate?"

Shen Yao chuckled, "However, from another perspective, didn't I also calculate that Great Hero Gu wouldn't be present? You see, Great Hero Gu is still in seclusion. Isn't that as I deduced?"

"So, it's just pure guesswork then?" Zhang Daoyi laughed.

Shen Yao didn't answer but introduced a somewhat abrupt topic: "Actually, these past few days at the Ascension Platform, I've been thinking about something my master once told me."

"What was it?" Zhang Daoyi asked.

Shen Yao calmly stated, "Heaven's secrets must not be revealed. Minor trends can be altered, but major trends cannot! At the time, I asked my master, 'What is a minor trend, and what is a major trend?'"

"What did your master say?"

"My master said, 'Act within your capabilities.'" Shen Yao said gravely, "These past few days, I've been pondering the meaning of 'acting within one's capabilities.'"

"Have you fully grasped it?"

"Almost," Shen Yao smiled. "Once I truly understand, my physiognomy will reach mastery."

Conversing as they went, the two descended Tiandu Peak and headed towards Immortal Water Valley to enter the ceremonial grounds.

Upon entering the ceremonial grounds, Shen Yao and Zhang Daoyi parted ways.

Shen Yao went directly to the viewing stands, while Zhang Daoyi proceeded to a great hall to prepare for his appearance.

As one of the Seven Great Martial Arts Families, the Shen family naturally held a prominent position in the viewing stands. As Shen Yao approached, he happened to encounter Wang Zhenguo, who was leading a patrol.

Their eyes met. Instantly, both the Shen family members and the Six Doors constables grew wary, and the atmosphere became tense.

Unexpectedly, Shen Yao bowed respectfully to Wang Zhenguo, saying, "Chief Constable Wang, thank you for your guidance a few days ago. I've benefited immensely."

This scene astonished both the Shen family and the Six Doors constables; for a moment, they couldn't tell if Shen Yao was genuinely expressing gratitude or being sarcastic.

Wang Zhenguo, after observing Shen Yao for a moment, smiled slightly and said, "Congratulations, Master Shen, on your significant advancement in cultivation. You've progressed even further; your future prospects are boundless!"

Shen Yao replied, "Had it not been for Chief Constable Wang's timely warning, I don't know how many more years I would have wasted!"

Wang Zhenguo gravely said, "Master Shen, if you're not too busy, perhaps we could have a chat. These past few days, while you were in seclusion, I've been patrolling Dragon Tiger Mountain and noticed some anomalies. But as they say, 'the bystander sees more of the game.' I'd like to ask for your help in analyzing them, if you would."

Shen Yao quickly said, "Of course!"

Wang Zhenguo immediately invited Shen Yao aside, saying as they walked, "These past few days, I've apprehended over a dozen individuals cultivating the Taotie Divine Art on Dragon Tiger Mountain, and from them, I've gathered some clues. However, I always feel that something isn't quite right. Just as I told you that day, you might be over-reliant on physiognomy, and if someone understands its patterns, they could exploit you. It suddenly occurred to me that my investigative methods also follow patterns, and if someone discovers them, they too could be exploited. And coincidentally, the person in this world who understands my methods best is Gongsun Jue!"

Shen Yao gravely said, "Chief Constable Wang, do you mean you suspect you're being led by the nose?"

The two began discussing in a corner. The Shen family members and Six Doors constables were left exchanging bewildered glances. They had just been at loggerheads, and now the two principals were suddenly buddy-buddy, leaving everyone feeling awkward.

However, the awkward atmosphere didn't last long. A sudden commotion erupted within the ceremonial grounds, and the atmosphere instantly grew spirited, as the Qian Kingdom's Imperial Advisor, the third greatest master under heaven, and Taoist leader Zhang Daoyi made his appearance.

He appeared in a purple Taoist robe embroidered with the sun, moon, and stars. His aura was as profound as an ancient pool. He sat upon a ritual altar in the center of the grounds, gently struck a bell, and began to lecture on the scriptures:

"At that time, the Celestial Venerable was in the land of Chanli, with the True Immortals of the Great Dao, and myriad Great Deities. All Celestial Venerables, as well as dragons, ghosts, and spirits of all heavens, gathered here, to be bound by My commands. If there are virtuous men or virtuous women in the world..."

Zhang Daoyi was expounding on the *True Scripture of the Supreme Spiritual Treasure Celestial Venerable's Discourse on Averting Disasters and Overcoming Calamities*. His voice was calm yet resonated throughout the entire ceremonial grounds, and people from all schools and sects listened in silence.

Just as Zhang Daoyi lectured: "...I only wish that now, before the Jade Emperor Celestial Venerable and the Great Dao True Sages, I may repent and resolve and avert the disasters and calamities within my body. Let them all disperse, and not be—" suddenly, dark cracks appeared in the sky.

A bolt of purple lightning, like a golden dragon tearing silk, struck directly at the treasured canopy atop the altar. Yet, upon touching the banner, it shattered into myriad fireflies. Torrential rain poured down, and a terrifying aura descended.

Zhang Daoyi abruptly looked up. The raindrops, astonishingly, coalesced into a water curtain three feet from the altar's edge, not a single drop touching the ritual platform.

The thunder did not cease. Amidst the heavy rain, golden light seethed, and faintly, the sound of a crane's wings beating could be heard. Within the light, a figure appeared, clad in a purple Taoist robe, holding a jade whisk. Beneath the dangling beads of his crown, his face was faintly visible. With bare feet, he stepped upon a lotus platform, slowly descending from the lightning and electric rain.

At this moment, everyone within the entire ceremonial grounds was stunned, all looking up at the Taoist figure who had suddenly appeared in the sky.

It was a young man, seemingly around twenty years old, extremely handsome, blurring gender lines; he possessed neither the sharp vigor of mortal men nor the delicate charm of earthly women. His skin glowed like moonlight on snow, and even the strand of dark hair cascading beside his temple seemed washed by immortal dew, outlining a cool yet stunning profile. His features were truly picturesque.

The young Taoist walked on a lotus, slowly descending onto the ritual platform, and spoke, his voice like an echo from a hollow valley: "Daoyi, long time no see."

Upon these words, a sudden uproar erupted.

Although everyone was awestruck by the young Taoist's magnificent entrance, they never expected this person to dare address the contemporary Taoist leader in such a manner. One must remember that Zhang Daoyi was the current Celestial Master of Taoism, one of the most senior figures; many within Taoist circles even had to refer to him as a Grand Patriarch.

Yet, this young Taoist appeared to be only around twenty years old.

However, those Dragon Tiger Mountain disciples who were close by, standing with Zhang Daoyi on the ritual platform, noticed that Zhang Daoyi's expression was very wrong; his body had actually become rigid.

"Lingxiao, is it really you!"

Zhang Daoyi looked at the young Taoist before him, his eyes flashing with boundless horror. He recognized him; this was Lingxiao, the man he had led into the Immortal Slaying Array and killed thirty-three years ago.

The person before him now was not only identical in appearance to Lingxiao from back then, but also possessed the same aura, demeanor, and even gaze.

The Lingxiao of yesteryear had had too profound an impact on Zhang Daoyi, and was too dazzling. Even after thirty-three years, he had never forgotten a single detail of Lingxiao's face and voice.

Lingxiao slowly spoke, "Daoyi, you have your appointed thirty-three years as Celestial Master. Now, the time has come. Although you killed me back then, I have never blamed you, nor have you ever failed my expectations, have you? So, today, let us resume the debate from thirty-three years ago. If you lose, you will join my sect. If you win, I will no longer concern myself with worldly affairs. How about it?"

Zhang Daoyi took a deep breath, slowly stood up, and said, "Good!"

Lingxiao smiled faintly, "The Way of Heaven and Earth is inherently natural, without bias or preference, without attachment or desire. Yet, the Celestial Master's Residence has for generations held control of talismans, acting on behalf of Heavenly Law, writing talismans with cinnabar and yellow paper, chanting spells, driving spirits and commanding demons, praying for rain and averting disasters. Is this not 'action'? Is this not 'substituting human will for heavenly will'?"

Zhang Daoyi took a deep breath and gravely said, "'Non-action is the essence of the Dao; non-non-action is its application.' Heaven and Earth, though seemingly non-active, nurture all things into being; this is 'non-action yet nothing is left undone.' Talismans and rituals..."

At this moment, the ceremonial grounds erupted in an uproar, buzzing with voices, everyone discussing animatedly. The older martial artists, in particular, showed expressions of alarm and fear, because while the Dragon Tiger Mountain massacre of thirty-three years ago had long passed, many who personally experienced it were still alive, some even present at the scene.

Lingxiao's oppressive presence had reappeared.

Amidst the clamor, Wang Zhenguo and Shen Yao stood together, both leaning on the railing, their faces showing alarm.

Wang Zhenguo took a deep breath, turned his head, and asked Shen Yao, "Master Shen, is there truly a Lingxiao?"

"It's him, it's him!" Shen Yao swallowed, a look of involuntary delight appearing on his face as he said, "It's him! The person I saw when I divined the heavenly secrets a few days ago... But, no... Liu Congwen is dead, Gu Chutong didn't come, and Chief Constable Wang and I have resolved our differences. The scene isn't desolate either..."

"No, no... Heaven's secrets must not be revealed. Minor trends can be altered, but major trends cannot..."

Shen Yao squatted on the ground, lost in thought.

Suddenly, he sharply looked up at Wang Zhenguo and said, "Chief Constable Wang, do you think it's possible that Liu Congwen's death, and your guidance to me at the scene... was also part of Gongsun Jue's scheme? He exploited your habits and investigative patterns, combined with a highly cultivated physiognomist who knew my divination patterns, and together they deliberately orchestrated Liu Congwen's death!"

"What was the purpose?" Wang Zhenguo asked.

Shen Yao pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "Because I leveraged Great Hero Gu's influence to successfully perform a divination, which disrupted their original plan. Therefore, they needed to get things back on track. The difference from the initial situation was that I had grown suspicious of the higher-ups in the Dragon Tiger Mountain Celestial Master's Residence and was preparing to investigate... At this point, by using the patterns of physiognomy to break my mental state, I would abandon the investigation, and even doubt physiognomy itself..."

As he mumbled, Shen Yao's eyes lit up. He suddenly stood up and shouted, "I understand, I understand! Act within your capabilities... Hahahaha... Act within your capabilities! My cultivation isn't enough to change the Grand Ceremony's formation. So, even if I revealed a heavenly secret, I only changed a minor trend, like Liu Congwen dying, or Gu Chutong not coming... The major trend isn't the Old Celestial Master's death; it's the Grand Ceremony itself. My investigating the Celestial Master's Residence higher-ups could change the major trend. So, whether it was intentional or coincidental, I went to the Ascension Platform and didn't affect the Grand Ceremony's commencement. So, who *would* affect the Grand Ceremony's commencement?"

Wang Zhenguo gravely said, "Unless something happened to Imperial Advisor or Head Zhang Xisu of the Celestial Master's Residence..."

Shen Yao's pupils contracted. He said, "If it were the true Lingxiao, he wouldn't need such methods. Therefore, Lingxiao is fake, and the one collaborating with Gongsun Jue is Zhang Xisu, and the purpose is... to disrupt the Old Celestial Master's mental state..."

Immediately, Shen Yao channeled his internal energy and roared, "Old Celestial Master, Lingxiao is fake! Zhang Xisu is colluding with Gongsun Jue! The Old Celestial Master's death that I saw wasn't brought by Lingxiao, but by an unexpected sneak attack..."

He flew down from the viewing stands while shouting.

Wang Zhenguo also reacted instantly, flying towards the ritual altar.

As Shen Yao's roar echoed, Zhang Daoyi, who was debating with Lingxiao on the ritual platform, suddenly froze.

And in that instant, Zhang Xisu, who had been standing three paces behind Zhang Daoyi, suddenly unleashed a clear dragon-like roar from the Taoist sword in his sleeve. The moment the frosty white blade tore through the air, the runes on its spine glowed with an eerie red light, striking directly at Zhang Daoyi's heart like a venomous snake's flicking tongue. The sword's momentum concealed decades of ruthless patience, shattering the rain curtain within three feet upon being drawn.

Zhang Daoyi's purple Taoist robe billowed without wind. He swiftly turned, joining two fingers into a sword-hand gesture to meet the blade. The instant his fingertips touched the cold sword, a crisp *crack* sounded—his protective true qi burst like shattered glass, and the sword tip penetrated the purple glow, reaching an inch from his heart. As his pupils contracted, his index and middle fingers suddenly exerted force, clamping onto the sword's spine. His knuckles turned white from the exertion, and he forcibly locked the sword's momentum a foot from his robe!

"Senior Brother, my mental state has not yet been broken."

Zhang Daoyi spoke gravely. The instant his fingertips ground against the sword's body, the azure steel longsword suddenly bent into a full moon arc. As he loosened his grip, the blade vibrated with a buzzing sound, and the fierce recoil shattered Zhang Xisu's tiger's mouth (the web between thumb and forefinger). As the Taoist sword flew from his hand, its blade traced spiraling light trails in the air.

Before Zhang Xisu could retreat, Zhang Daoyi's palm had already condensed a faint golden qi seal. His palm wind, carrying strong gusts and heavy rain, slammed out with a roar.

Zhang Xisu crossed his arms to block, but was sent flying several yards by the immense force before he could finally stop.

At this moment, there was dead silence.

In this brief flash of lightning, too much had happened. Everyone present, whether observers from various sects or disciples of the Celestial Master's Residence, was bewildered, especially by Zhang Xisu's sudden attack on Zhang Daoyi, which stunned all.

"It changed, it changed!"

When he saw the sword sent flying and no fatal wound on Zhang Daoyi's chest, Shen Yao shouted in delighted surprise, "Old Celestial Master, minor trends can be altered! I understand! Act within your capabilities! I've comprehended it!"

He quickly flew onto the ritual platform, pointed at Zhang Xisu, and said, "I understand! I understand everything! Zhang Xisu, from the very beginning, you were colluding with Gongsun Jue. Back then, the Old Celestial Master repeatedly failed to capture Gongsun J