Chapter 4: Consecration
However, Li Muran surprisingly only produced a useless talisman and barely managed to activate it, which sparked discussions among the disciples. Wherever Li Muran went, there were inevitably people whispering and commenting behind his back.
The disciple indeed made an attempt, but unfortunately, due to insufficient strength, it ended in failure said Li Murang with a sense of dejection
In an instant, Li Muran's entire being shone brightly, while at the same time, the great hall was plunged into darkness
Seven or eight Taoist priests were engaged in heated discussions, mostly opposing the proposal put forth by Master Cangxia
The old Daoist Chi Xia shook his head and turned to his disciples behind him, saying: "The path to immortality is long and cannot be achieved in one leap! Having lofty aspirations is not a bad thing, but one must be grounded and advance step by step. It is important to have self-awareness. Today's incident with Zhao Wuming serves as a lesson; I hope you all take it to heart!"
Moreover, the practice of cultivation emphasizes opportunities. Although Zhao Wuming is diligent and possesses great potential, without the right opportunities, he will not progress far on the path of cultivation
If it were another young person, they would have likely revealed everything by now, but Li Muran did not utter a single word. He even speculated that this might involve a shocking secret. For this, enduring some grievances and being looked down upon by his peers and mentors was nothing to him
And wait!" The Cangxia Daoist sighed lightly and said, "Fellow disciples, based on his usual performance, Zhao Wuming stands out and is the most promising among this group of disciples. Should we give him another talisman paper for enlightenment, allowing him the opportunity to draw a mid-level enlightenment talisman and successfully achieve enlightenment?
Is that so? Mo Yunzi examined Li Muran up and down without revealing any emotion and said: Since the sect master brother knows your name, it must be easy for you to create a mid-level enlightenment talisman. I wonder if you have tried making a high-level enlightenment talisman
However, if the quality of the consecration talisman is poor and the consecration cannot proceed smoothly, this disciple will be expelled from the sect or must wait for the next consecration ceremony in five years. Five years later, Zhao Wuming will be over twenty years old, having missed the optimal age for consecration, and thus will no longer be eligible for the next consecration.
Li Muran immediately felt a cool sensation emanating from his wrist, which flowed along his arm to various parts of his body. However, it encountered numerous obstacles and soon dissipated
What he said was strange, naturally expressing surprise at Li Muran's ability to activate a waste talisman; what he said was regrettable, however, was out of pity for Li Muran. Since Li Muran could activate a waste talisman, it indicates that he possesses considerable talent. If he could use a mid-tier activation talisman, the results would surely be even better
Li Muran hurriedly closed his eyes as instructed, striving to "peer" into the area one inch inward from the center of his eyebrows—of course, it was pitch black, and he could see nothing.
Li Muran was once surrounded by a group of disciples, asking questions about everything, but now he finds himself alone and solitary. This stark contrast has allowed him to experience a sense of the world's coldness and indifference.
"Waste talisman! What is going on?" The expression of the Cangxia Daoist changed dramatically.
After Li Muran, two more youths stepped forward to receive the consecration, and both proceeded smoothly; however, when it was the turn of the third youth, the ancestral talisman suddenly dimmed, making it impossible to activate successfully
I saw it!" Li Muran opened his eyes in great joy and said, "Disciple has seen a faint ray of light. Has the enlightenment already been achieved?
It was as if all the radiance converged upon Li Muran in that moment. The great hall was engulfed in darkness, resembling a pitch-black night, while Li Muran appeared like a bright moon amidst the night, emanating a faint silver glow, splendid yet hazy
Li Muran immediately approached the golden statue of the Saint Fu with utmost respect, kneeling to pay his respects; after bowing to the ancestral master, he also performed a respectful gesture towards Daoist Cangxia and the other Daoists.
Li Muran felt anxious in his heart. Following the guidance of his master, he walked to the circular platform at the center of the main hall, and then, steeling himself, he could only take out his one and only talisman and affix it to his forehead
The path of immortality is long and winding, and the heart is ever so gentle; it is said that the heart should be as calm as still water, like an ancient well undisturbed; one should not indulge in desires, nor be lost in emotions; one should not be elated by external circumstances, nor saddened by personal misfortunes. Li Muran sighed softly: "I have allowed the opinions of others to affect my state of mind; it seems that my inner cultivation is still far from sufficient"
Mo Yunzi swung the azure sword in his hand, unleashing beams of azure light towards the ancestral talisman. The ancestral talisman emitted a layer of colorful radiance, illuminating the discarded talisman on Li Muran's forehead
Li Muran felt anxious, as his fate was almost entirely in the hands of these individuals and their few casual remarks, a feeling that was extremely uncomfortable
Mo Yunzi shook his head, signaling Li Muran to step aside
This ancestral talisman is indeed profound; it can complete the consecration process in just a moment. Moreover, even a low-level consecration talisman has an almost certain success rate for enlightenment.
Indeed, it has been enlightened! Mo Yunzi said lightly: "However, it has only opened a small gap, and the cultivation aptitude is quite poor! Strange, strange! What a pity, what a pity!"
Firstly, the process of consecration using ancestral talismans and consecration symbols has been passed down for a thousand years within the Yuanfu sect. Through continuous improvements by capable individuals throughout the ages, the methods have become increasingly refined and well-documented, resulting in a very high success rate; secondly, these young individuals have been meticulously selected upon entry, with fewer worldly impurities in their ancestral insights, which also facilitates the consecration process
"Nameless, first pay respects to the ancestral master!" The Cangxia Daoist instructed Li Muran. Among the disciples, there are very few who can have their names called out directly by the sect leader, Cangxia Daoist.
This hope originates from the mysterious runes in the mirror. Li Muran witnessed with his own eyes the profound and intricate runes he had drawn, which were undoubtedly extraordinary. However, he could not comprehend why they vanished into thin air.
However, this extraordinary scene lasted only the blink of an eye; in the next moment, everything returned to normal
What Senior Brother Akasha said is reasonable. Junior Brother understands that the Sect Leader Senior Brother is eager to nurture talent, but we must not disrupt the thousand-year traditions of our sect.
Li Muran stood silently among the other disciples, enduring the various gazes directed at him. Although Master Mo had said that his enlightenment effect was poor and his cultivation aptitude was extremely lacking, he still held onto a glimmer of hope
One by one, the young disciples entered the grand hall to pay homage to the ancestral master and then received the consecration of the ancestral talisman
The old Daoist Chi Xia also said: "What the sect leader brother said is correct. Junior Brother Mo, you can complete the consecration process for him, as the quality of this consecration talisman is extremely poor and will not consume much of the ancestral talisman's vitality."
"Can a waste talisman also be activated?" Mo Yunzi expressed some doubt as he walked directly to Li Muran's side and placed two fingers on Li Muran's wrist
The Elder Cangxia nodded and said, "Very well, tonight I will personally use the Vitality Talisman to replenish the ancestral talisman with vitality. At this time tomorrow, we will continue the grand ceremony to bestow light upon the remaining disciples"
The Taoist Master Cangxia showed a hint of disappointment upon hearing this, but he still smiled and said: "High-level enlightenment talismans not only require strength but also opportunities and luck; they are indeed rare and hard to come by. However, it is no matter. Being able to achieve enlightenment with a mid-level talisman is also very promising. This Master Mo is your example! Wuming, take out your enlightenment talisman."
As soon as this symbol appeared, the great hall was instantly filled with a clamor; not only were the disciples beside it engaged in animated discussions, but even the several Daoist priests were astonished.
At noon, nearly half of the disciples had already undergone the consecration, and it was finally Li Muran's turn.
However, this matter was not subject to their opposition; the disciples could only withdraw one after another, while those who had already received enlightenment experienced a mix of joy and sorrow, each with their own feelings.
Perhaps the ancestral talisman has been passed down for too long, resulting in an increasing depletion of vital energy. The old Daoist of Chixia offered this ambiguous conjecture
The remaining disciples, upon learning this news, were immediately quite disappointed. After several years of hard work, they had finally awaited the grand ceremony and were about to officially enter the realm of cultivation, only to find that they would have to wait another day.
Master Zhangmen, your words may be somewhat inappropriate!" The old Daoist Chixia shook his head repeatedly and said, "For over a thousand years, our sect has maintained the rule that each disciple is allowed only three talismans and three opportunities; this is the only way to ensure fairness. If we make an exception for Zhao Wuming, it will inevitably lead to numerous justifications for altering the rules again, ultimately resulting in various injustices and hidden dangers.
As Li Muran entered the grand hall, a faint smile appeared on the face of the solemn Master Cangxia Daoist.
Since both senior brothers have said so, the junior brother shall comply! Mo Yunzi nodded, then coldly shouted at Li Muran: Close your eyes and focus on the ancestral aperture!
That discarded talisman transformed into a beam of blood light and entered Li Muran's forehead, while the talisman itself dissipated into a wisp of blue smoke
"Hey, a useless talisman, https://m.hetushu.com is simply a waste of the ancestral talisman's energy! You should leave; you are not qualified to receive the blessing of the ancestral talisman!" Mo Yunzi snorted coldly, his expression stern as he spoke to Li Muran.
Hmph, there is no need for further speculation. This child must be overly ambitious, intent on drawing high-level enlightenment talismans, yet repeatedly failing, leaving behind only a worthless talisman by sheer luck. An old man with a goatee said while stroking his beard; he is the Red Cloud Daoist, one of the more experienced Daoists of the Yuanfu Sect.
The Daoist Cangxia smiled and nodded, introducing to Mo Yunzi: "Junior Brother Mo, this disciple is named Zhao Wuming. Not only is he exceptionally talented, but he is also the most diligent among this group of disciples, standing out as a leader. I hope that in the future, he can become a pillar of our sect, just like Junior Brother Mo!"
Indeed, for over a thousand years, similar occurrences have occasionally taken place, yet none have led to exceptions; we naturally should not disrupt the established rules.
The Daoist Cangxia nodded and said, "Since all of you junior brothers oppose it, I shall abandon my previous proposal. However, Junior Brother Mo, according to the regulations of our sect, regardless of the quality of the consecration talisman presented by a disciple, our sect shall perform the consecration for it."
On this talisman, there are no characters, no incantations, and certainly no斗文; only some chaotic fingerprints remain
The Grand Talisman is lacking in vitality? The True Person of Cangxia personally examined the Grand Talisman and murmured: "Strange, yesterday Sister Qingxia had already infused the Grand Talisman with enough vitality for over a hundred disciples to perform the consecration. How is it that half of the disciples have not yet been consecrated, and the vitality is already depleted?"
The consecration is merely the first step. After the grand consecration ceremony tomorrow concludes, there will be a ritual for selecting disciples and accepting apprentices. At that time, if no mentor chooses them, even if they have been consecrated, they will likely not be able to continue their cultivation within the Yuanfu Sect.