Chapter 98: Daoist-buddhist Alliance
For Jiang Ce, the opponent who was making a move had a wide-open guard, full of flaws, but no matter what, the opponent was still a genuine Third Rank Daoist Priest, so he went all out, using mental energy to launch a righteous sneak attack. He had planned to wait for the opponent to become dazed and reveal a flaw in his technique before finding an opportunity to counter, but unexpectedly, the opponent’s mental energy intensity was like a blank sheet of paper, shattering at the slightest touch.
If not for his cultivation allowing him to barely hold on, at the same realm, Jiang Ce could have directly shattered his consciousness.
However, since he had easily broken it, he naturally held firm until the end, exuding an air of calm composure.
But unexpectedly, the Old Celestial Master had seen through his true nature.
Jiang Ce was stunned, then humbly said: “As expected, I can’t fool the Old Celestial Master. This is exactly the technique I comprehended from the Golden Liquid Divine Elixir Compendium.”
The Old Celestial Master smiled faintly: “Do you know the origin of this sorcery?”
Jiang Ce shook his head: “I don’t know.”
“This was given to Xiao Lin by me decades ago. Back then, he fled from the Lu Shan Sect and came to me seeking shelter. I didn’t take him in, but instead recommended him to Cao Zheng.”
The Old Celestial Master reminisced, his tone somewhat emotional:
“Before he left, I saw that the sorcery he practiced was mostly fierce and aggressive techniques. Over the years, it had made him strong on the outside but weak within, so I gave him the first half of this sorcery.
The Golden Liquid Divine Elixir Compendium is divided into upper and lower volumes. The upper volume was written by our sect’s founding ancestor, Celestial Master Zhang Daoling of the Orthodox Unity lineage. It records the theories of spirit and energy, specializing in cultivating mental energy, while the lower volume was authored by Longevity Yin True Person, detailing various elixir techniques and nurturing methods from ancient times to the present.
You may not know that when Xiao Lin escaped, although he appeared full of vitality, he had countless hidden injuries. It was precisely by practicing this technique that he broke through the shackles of Unity of Heaven and Man within ten years, achieving Return to Origin Limitless.
I never expected that so many years later, he would pass this sorcery on to you, and today, right before my eyes, have you use it. It’s truly sigh-worthy.”
The Old Celestial Master’s original intention was perhaps to subtly inform Jiang Ce of the deep connections between the Golden Liquid Divine Elixir Compendium, Xiao Lin, and the Celestial Master’s Mansion, either to win him over or to say it for others to hear—something not widely known.
But he didn’t understand Jiang Ce, so he never imagined that after he said this, Jiang Ce would look enlightened, then turn and point at the Lu Shan Sect Elder, saying righteously:
“Did you hear that?! What I’m practicing is the sorcery of Celestial Master’s Mansion’s Zhang Daoling, the Celestial Master Zhang! I’m his disciple two generations removed! You dared to instigate your sect member to attack me—that’s looking down on both the Gatekeeper and the Celestial Master’s Mansion at the same time! You’re dead meat, I’m telling you!”
The people in the hall fell silent for a moment. From the Old Celestial Master’s words, they had indeed heard about the connections, but nothing about the rest.
He even claimed to be a disciple two generations removed—if he said a couple more things, was he going to become the next Celestial Master?
The Old Celestial Master opened his mouth slightly, but no words came out, while Jiang Ce seemed completely oblivious to it, fawningly moving closer to squat beside the Old Celestial Master and ask: “Old Celestial Master, we’ve been shit on right in the head—how do you plan to deal with the Lu Shan Sect?”
Hearing this, the Old Celestial Master’s face turned pitch black as he stared darkly at Jiang Ce, his gaze carrying three parts warning, three parts cold indifference, three parts speechlessness, and one part incredulous disbelief that “you’re actually this kind of person.”
The Lu Shan Sect Elder was now pale as a ghost. He had truly wanted to stop it, and this wasn’t even his instigation. With such a huge hat pinned on them, could the Lu Shan Sect still survive?
In his mind, he could already picture the scene: after returning to the Lu Shan Sect, the Sect Leader asks if there were any gains from this Daoist Grand Ceremony. He proudly puffs out his chest and tells the Sect Leader he gained two great enemies—the Gatekeeper and the Celestial Master’s Mansion. Sect Leader, you don’t need to worry day and night anymore—the Lu Shan Sect is done for right away!
At that moment, the Third Rank Daoist Priest who had attacked, clutching his head that felt like it was about to explode, roared through gritted teeth: “I take responsibility for my own actions! It has nothing to do with the Lu Shan Sect! Nothing to do with my master!”
The villainous Jiang Ce immediately shook his head, sighing earnestly: “Here’s the thing—I was just trash-talking earlier. We didn’t have any pretext to deal with you all, right? But you made a move, so the nature of it changed.
Eat whatever you want lately. When the time comes, make a clay statue of yourself with some mud. After all, the Lu Shan Sect is gone largely thanks to you—making a mud statue is good for future generations to pay respects to. When I go, I’ll stamp it for official certification, and your eternally fragrant reputation will be set.”
These words left everyone looking askance.
What a passionate horse, what an upright and candid villain, what a venomous mouth!
Sure enough, upon hearing this, the Daoist Priest was overcome with rage and frustration, regret and fury surging to his heart. His eyes rolled back, he spat out a mouthful of blood, and fell straight down stiffly.
The Old Celestial Master rubbed his forehead with a sigh, instructing the now dazed and powerless elder: “Take him down first. This time, it really went too far.”
The elder snapped back to reality, tears streaming down his usually stern and dignified eyes as he murmured blankly: “Old… Old Celestial Master.”
The Old Celestial Master, annoyed by the sight, waved his hand: “Go down first. I’ll think of a way to help you all.”
Hearing this, the elder nodded dispiritedly, got up to support his unconscious sect member, and dejectedly disappeared beyond the gates of the Celestial Master’s Hall.
The atmosphere in the hall suddenly became somewhat eerie.
The Old Celestial Master looked at Jiang Ce, unhurriedly saying: “Jiang Ce, you bring people”
“Got it! I’ll lead people to the Lu Shan Sect right away!” Jiang Ce declared with resolve.
“You bastard!” The Old Celestial Master slammed the armrest in fury, speaking faster: “I mean for you to bring people to participate in the Daoist Grand Ceremony. We’re all friends of the Daoist Sect, one big family—leave room for everything.”
Hearing the Old Celestial Master’s meaning, though the people present kept straight faces, their hearts couldn’t help but be shocked, including the ever-expressionless Zhang Ze Xing, who showed slight emotion.
The Old Celestial Master was… pleading for this Sixth Rank Gatekeeper?
Even as Wei Men Shen’s disciple, how did he have such great face?
Jiang Ce paused briefly, then sat back down, laughing: “Hey, Old Celestial Master, why be so polite? Isn’t it just a word from you?
To be honest, if the Gatekeeper wanted to move against the Lu Shan Sect, it would have happened long ago. Cao Gong is magnanimous and doesn’t like all this fighting and killing. It’s just me, young and unable to bear grievances, so I acted a tiny bit strong.”
He looked at the crowd, smoothing things over: “Since the Old Celestial Master has spoken, then regarding the Lu Shan Sect targeting the Gatekeeper’s envoy, instigating a sect member to sneak attack and try to kill me, and morally kidnapping everyone to incite the entire Daoist Sect against the Gatekeeper—I’ll let it all go. After all, I’m not petty—with harmony as the priority, harmony as the priority.”
As Jiang Ce breezily listed each offense, those with lower cultivation or less worldly experience trembled inwardly—these were all capital crimes.
Only now did some realize just how grave an affront the Lu Shan Sect had committed.
But fortunately, though Jiang Ce was arrogant, he still gave face to the Old Celestial Master.
The Old Celestial Master was indeed the leader of the Daoist Sect!
But they didn’t know that the Old Celestial Master’s mind was also full of doubts at this moment. Based on his judgment of Jiang Ce from their brief interactions, the latter shouldn’t have agreed so readily. Could he truly respect him that much?
In reality, though, Jiang Ce’s thinking wasn’t that complicated.
He agreed simply because representing the Gatekeeper to take down the Lu Shan Sect would make things too big, and he wouldn’t be able to explain it when he got back. In other words, this wasn’t part of his plan at all.
According to his plan, the one doing this would be the Gluttonous Ghost’s top Saint Disciple, One of the Bamboo Suits.
So as the Gatekeeper’s envoy Jiang Ce, of course I’d casually agree and give you face—after all, what do the bad things done by Gluttonous Ghost’s One of the Bamboo Suits have to do with me, Jiang Ce?
The farce thus ended, and the atmosphere in the hall gradually relaxed.
They could tell that although Jiang Ce was only Sixth Rank now, with the Gatekeeper as his backer and such deep ties to the Celestial Master’s Mansion—even being so arrogant, the Old Celestial Master hadn’t said a word against him—which said it all.
Moreover, with the Lu Shan Sect’s example right there, Jiang Ce’s style was downright bandit-like. Could Wei Men Shen possibly not know his temperament?
Even so, he was entrusted with a major role. With someone like this, even if not befriending him, you absolutely couldn’t make an enemy!
Leaders of smaller sects buzzed with discussion, openly praising how Jiang Ce, at such a young age, had achieved so much, with limitless potential ahead.
Representatives of major sects, though not stooping so low, didn’t hesitate to show goodwill toward Jiang Ce.
At this point, no one dared underestimate him anymore, and no one saw any issue with Jiang Ce sitting beside the Old Celestial Master. Though just a Jianghu sorcerer, everyone now viewed him as on the same level.
The Old Celestial Master raised his hand slightly, and the hall instantly quieted.
He lowered his hand and slowly said: “Before I arrived, Ze Xing and True Person Wang should have already given you all a general rundown of the situation, right?”
Seeing the Old Celestial Master bring up the main topic, Jiang Ce also quieted down, listening attentively and obediently playing the role of an observer.
Everyone nodded, their expressions filled with humiliation. The Old Celestial Master didn’t mind and continued:
“For this Daoist Grand Ceremony, people from the Buddhist Sect will participate. Sounds unbelievable, right?
But it has indeed happened.
This is unprecedented since ancient times. You all might wonder why I agreed.
Because this is also an opportunity—an unprecedented chance for us to unite as one, forming a righteous alliance capable of confronting the Gluttonous Ghost!
So this Daoist Grand Ceremony isn’t selecting the leader of the Daoist Sect, but the leader of the righteous path!
Daoist Sect and Buddhist Sect have never cooperated for over a thousand years due to struggles over the orthodox lineage, but now”
The Old Celestial Master smiled faintly:
“We have a chance to prove that the Daoist Sect is stronger than the Buddhist Sect, and even more so to let the Daoist Sect lead the Buddhist Sect”
Even though everyone present was a big figure in the Daoist Sect, they couldn’t control their quickened breathing, eyes gleaming.
No words could express the excitement in their hearts at this moment, and no one could empathize with these elders.
If you’re not in the Daoist Sect, you wouldn’t understand what a simple phrase like “Daoist Sect leading the Buddhist Sect” means.
The shock from this statement surpassed even the Old Celestial Master’s earlier plea for Jiang Ce, stirring greater passion and fervor.
However, Jiang Ce stood apart from the others, his face always calm.
Xuan Qing noticed Jiang Ce’s off emotions and secretly comforted him by placing a hand on his shoulder.
“But…” Someone in the hall wasn’t swept away by the words and realized the issue, saying uneasily: “If we fail to defeat the Buddhist Sect, won’t the Buddhist Sect lead the Daoist Sect?”
“Exactly!” The Old Celestial Master showed no hesitation at the question, instead stating even more firmly: “So this is a high-stakes gamble. On the small scale, it’s just a leader position, a mere title. But on the grand scale, it’s a contest of millennia-old destinies between the two paths!
Admittedly, our common goal is to eliminate the Gluttonous Ghost, but afterward, the winner of this Daoist Grand Ceremony will inevitably produce countless talents in later generations, while the loser may decline, waiting for the next reshuffle of heaven and earth to rise again!
We can only win—we cannot lose!”
From the lower seats, the sword-bearing old Daoist in the front row was somewhat dissatisfied: “Such a huge matter, and the Old Celestial Master decided for the entire Daoist Sect just like that? This seems… inappropriate, doesn’t it?”
Jiang Ce had noticed this man before—he hadn’t spoken from start to finish, not even changing expression during his antics, always squinting as if dozing. Now that he spoke, all eyes turned to him.
The Old Celestial Master stared straight at him, and he didn’t flinch. After a long moment, the Old Celestial Master sighed.
“True Person Qin, the matter arose suddenly. Only True Person Wang and I were present when the Shaolin Temple Abbot came personally to seek me out. I considered it for a long time before agreeing.”
He paused, then looked solemnly at everyone:
“True Person Wang and I have discussed it. If it succeeds, the merit belongs to the entire Daoist Sect. If it fails, True Person Wang and I will bear the consequences and all the blame!”
True Person Qin shook his head: “I don’t believe both sides will honor the bet. If the Daoist Sect loses, I’ll be the first to swing my sword at the Shaolin Temple Abbot.”
The Old Celestial Master seemed to have anticipated this, sighing: “The Gluttonous Ghost eyes us covetously. If we don’t want to be picked off one by one, uniting the entire righteous path is the inevitable trend. Why must you do this?”
True Person Qin said no more, closing his eyes again as if it had nothing to do with him.
“But the Buddhist Sect is as profound and immeasurable as the Daoist Sect—how can we ensure victory?”
Someone asked.
The Old Celestial Master was prepared, confidently saying: “The rules remain the same: each realm’s matches count as one round, ending when one side has no one left to fight. Best of three rounds. For the Unity of Heaven and Man battle, True Person Wang’s younger brother will step in.”
At these words, everyone was shocked. They all seemed to know who the Old Celestial Master meant—even without further explanation, they felt victory was assured.
The Old Celestial Master continued: “For the Third Rank realm, the Shaolin Temple’s current Golden Body Arhat reputation is known to all. Though I hate to say it, among all Third Ranks in the Daoist Sect today, none can match him.
The outcomes of these two realms can be considered set, so the key lies in the Sixth Rank.
As for the deciding fighter, I already have someone in mind…”
He looked at Jiang Ce: “Jiang Ce will represent the Daoist Sect.”
Hearing this, Jiang Ce showed no surprise, as if he had guessed it already. Ignoring the surrounding voices of shock, doubt, or opposition, he lightly clapped his hands.
As the clapping grew faster and louder, the hall eerily fell silent, everyone watching Jiang Ce with serious tension.
“Good, good, good. Old Celestial Master, what fine calculations. Even if the Lu Shan Sect hadn’t targeted me, you would have found another way to expose my Daoist Cultivator identity, right?
You probably didn’t just now discover that I’ve practiced the Golden Liquid Divine Elixir Compendium—perhaps you’ve known for a long time?
But I truly didn’t expect you’d weave all these connections into your narrative, binding me to you all, then having me fight on your behalf.
Should I praise you for your step-by-step scheming, or for your flawless strategy?”
Jiang Ce couldn’t help laughing, straightening up and leaning slightly forward. His aura shifted from the earlier rogue to that of a tyrant wreaking havoc on the world, momentarily overshadowing the reserved Old Celestial Master, as if questioning:
“But have you overlooked something?
What I represent is the Gatekeeper. Leaving aside whether it’s appropriate for me to fight for the Daoist Sect, I just want to ask one question first.
Your plan to unite with the Buddhist Sect—is it really just targeting the Gluttonous Ghost? Or… do you also plan to target the Gatekeeper?”
Typing too slow! Waaah, I’m useless! But yesterday I already put on the act, must finish 8000 words waaah
