A Pawn's Passage

Chapter 518: The Three Religions Assembly

Chapter 518: The Three Religions Assembly

Under the guidance of Junior Sister Xiao, Zhang Yuelu arrived at the Tiangang Hall Master’s office.

Compared to the Deputy Hall Master’s office, the Hall Master’s was of a higher standard. In addition to the essential meditation room and bedroom, there were two studies, one large and one small.

The large study functioned as the primary office for handling official affairs, while the smaller study was more private. Outside these two studies was a living room and a separate office for the secretary.

For ordinary people, seeking an audience with the Hall Master was not an insurmountable challenge, but it did require passing through several checkpoints.@@@@

However, Zhang Yuelu was an exception. As a disciple of Sage Cihang and the so-called Junior Tiangang Hall Master, she did not even need to be announced and could directly enter Sage Cihang’s large study. This demonstrated the close relationship between the two.

When Zhang Yuelu arrived at the large study, she saw Sage Cihang seated behind the desk, holding a page of an official document.

“Master.” Zhang Yuelu took the initiative to bow in greeting.

Sage Cihang did not speak but merely waved, indicating for Zhang Yuelu to sit across from her.

Junior Sister Xiao knew that her master and senior sister had matters to discuss, so she voluntarily retreated from the room.

“Take a look.” Sage Cihang pushed the document in hand toward Zhang Yuelu.

Zhang Yuelu picked up the document and quickly skimmed through it, her expression calm.

She had initially assumed it was another case of some secret society stirring up trouble. Instead, it was about the Three Religions Assembly.

The Three Religions Assembly was a colloquial term. Its full name was the Three Religions Debate and Martial Arts Assembly, an event hosted by the Daoist Order. It was a grand gathering where the Three Religions—Daoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism—convened for debates and martial arts contests.

The event was always held in Jade Capital, serving as a means for the Daoist Order to reaffirm their position as the leader among the Three Religions. It symbolized the Daoist Order’s prestige, but it was not a life-or-death matter.

During the first Three Religions Assembly, the Holy Xuan personally presided over the event. At that time, Yan Feiqing, the leader of the Zhengyi Sect, engaged in a fierce verbal dispute with a Buddhist Great Virtuous Monk and emerged victorious in the debate.

Following this, Donghuang, the then-leader of the Taiping Sect, took the stage and showcased overwhelming martial prowess, defeating top experts from both the Buddhist Sect and Confucian School in the contests. The event was truly remarkable in its influence.

At that time, the Daoist Order had already triumphed over the Buddhist Sect in their long-standing rivalry. Although the assembly did not solely determine the Daoist Order’s dominance among the Three Religions, it served as the final closure to their ascendancy. From that point onward, no one dared to openly challenge the Daoist Order.

The secret societies merely disrupted the rules set by the Daoist Order rather than seeking to overthrow it. Any delusional individuals who attempted such an endeavor were insignificant and never posed a real threat.

By the time the Three Religions Assembly became a regular event, the higher-ranking individuals in the Daoist Order, Confucian School, and the Buddhist Sect no longer wanted to engage in combat. As a result, the martial arts segment gradually became a stage for young talents to make a name for themselves.

Many young disciples saw this as a golden opportunity for fame and eagerly participated. These young talents mainly referred to those under 30 who were not yet Heavenly Beings, a standard similar to that of the Ruyi Leaderboard.

Later, even the elders lost interest in debating scriptures, their attitude becoming increasingly perfunctory. Thus, the debate segment also became a stage for the younger generation.

Zhang Yuelu was right that as long as he did not entertain improper thoughts, he would remain unshaken by temptations.

Qi Xuansu walked into Gen Garden, returning to the library where the Demonic Blade was kept. Once again, he faced the figure wielding the blade.

Practicing the blade required constant progress, or one would regress. Since Qi Xuansu did not immediately enter the right state, he was struck down by the 32nd blade. However, he quickly adjusted and lasted until the 50th blade on his second attempt.

Objectively speaking, Qi Xuansu’s progress far surpassed that of ordinary people. His reading of the original Demonic Blade text was progressing much faster than Sun Hewu had anticipated. While the unorthodox perfected methods were considered fast-track techniques, that was only in comparison to orthodox perfected methods, which could take decades. Unless one was an Immortal with absolute talent, truly mastering a perfected method still required significant time.

This was thanks to Qi Xuansu’s remarkable comprehension. Even Zhang Yuelu acknowledged this. Her standard of measuring comprehension was based on herself, so if she deemed someone to have good comprehension, they would not be far behind her.

Qi Xuansu was not as gifted as Zhang Yuelu because his natural physique and aptitude were inferior. Often, his mind grasped concepts, but his body lagged behind. However, with the assistance of the Xuan Jade, he had become extremely close to a Banished Immortal, making rapid progress that surpassed the vast majority of people.

Only those like Xie Jin could be compared to him, while true prodigies like Zhang Yuelu and Yao Pei—who were one in a million—could outpace him.

The time spent practicing always felt brief. Soon, the appointed time arrived.

Qi Xuansu reluctantly left the library and headed out to attend the welcome banquet.

This was an old tradition of the Wanxiang Daoist Palace. After three months, there would also be a farewell banquet before everyone left.

Gen Garden had two gates—west and south—connecting to Zhen Garden and Kan Garden, respectively. Qi Xuansu arrived at the west gate leading to Kan Garden and found Ning Yuqing already waiting.

She had changed into casual attire, appearing more feminine compared to her usual formal robes. Coupled with the dim twilight and scattered lantern lights, there was an indistinct charm to her presence.

In contrast, Qi Xuansu was still in his plain Daoist robe, clearly indifferent to appearances.

“Superintendent Qi,” Ning Yuqing greeted him proactively.

Qi Xuansu saluted. “My apologies for keeping you waiting, Instructor Ning.”

“I only just arrived as well.” Ning Yuqing smiled slightly. “Let’s go.”

Walking side by side with Ning Yuqing, Qi Xuansu asked, “Instructor Ning, where is the welcome banquet being held?”

Ning Yuqing answered, “Qian Garden, in the side hall next to the main hall.”

Qi Xuansu nodded and fell silent. Looking up, he could see the brightly lit Ming Hall.

Ming Hall had three floors. The first and second floors served as hubs connecting the Upper and Lower Palaces, the seven gardens, and one gate, while also housing various offices. The third floor was divided into several areas, including the Palace Master’s office and a conference area for the Deputies. Since the Palace Master was currently absent, ordinary individuals could not enter.

Qi Xuansu could not help but wonder what was the Wanxiang Daoist Palace Master doing in Jade Capital. Had another major event occurred there?