In the Cultivation Realm, there were three important ceremonies for cultivators: the Advancement Ceremony, the Dao Companion Ceremony, and the Memorial Ceremony. As the names suggest, the Advancement Ceremony marked a cultivator’s achievement of reaching the next level of cultivation, like the Foundation Establishment or Core Formation Ceremonies.
The Dao Companion Ceremony was for those who sought a partner in their journey of cultivation; with this ceremony, two people would be bound to each other, becoming lifelong partners similar to the married couple among the mortals. Lastly, the Memorial Ceremony was held after the passing of a great cultivator, with its scale depending on the deceased’s status and accomplishments.
A thousand years ago, the former first elder of the Guiyuan Sect met his demise in an unknown place. Though forgotten for centuries, he was once famous throughout the Cultivation Realm, with his fame reaching even the other two realms. Now, his remains had returned, and a grand ceremony, a millennium late, was finally being held in his honor.
This late elder had an extraordinary status: the son of the Guiyuan Sect Leader two generations ago, the younger brother of the previous generation, and uncle to the current one. Even more remarkable, he was also the master of Dao Venerable Hengwu. His identity and controversial ideas aside, his personal achievements were astonishing, as he reached the Foundation Establishment stage at sixteen and the Golden Core stage at thirty. Had he not perished unexpectedly, he might have reached the Great Ascension stage even faster than his famous disciple.
The more one knew about him, the more regrettable his early demise seemed. His death was not only a loss for the Guiyuan Sect but also for the entire Cultivation Realm.
Today, a thousand years later, the Guiyuan Sect had recovered the remains of the elder and was holding a belated Memorial Ceremony. Almost all powerful figures in the Cultivation Realm had gathered at Guiyuan Sect, standing solemnly in the main square. Each disciple of the Guiyuan Sect was dressed in white, with white mourning forehead ribbons. Dao Venerable Hengwu, who rarely makes public appearances, was also present, commanding such awe that the younger generation hardly dared to look directly at him.
Lu Yaoyao followed her senior brothers and lined together with the other personal disciples of various peaks. She noticed the activities on the ceremonial platform in front and was raising her head desperately, trying to catch a glimpse of her long-unseen Father. But being too short, her view was mostly blocked, and the distance made it even harder to see clearly.
Her second senior brother Ziwen was keeping an eye on her, making sure she stayed in place and didn’t get lost in such a solemn gathering. With so many outsiders present, no Guiyuan disciple was allowed to make mistakes.
Among the guests, there was one person who also stared at the platform, lost in thought. It was Sang Yunsi, who persistently visited Guiyuan Sect year after year, believing that sincerity would eventually melt even the hardest heart. However, unless she was accompanying her Master on important occasions, she rarely got to even catch glimpses of the Dao Venerable Hengwu. It had been eight years, six months, and thirteen days since she last saw the man who had taken his heart. Her longing had turned into an affliction, and she vividly remembered every detail about him. Some advised her to give up, but is it possible? Despite knowing some people looked down on her obsessiveness, secretly mocking her behind her back, Sang Yunsi couldn’t control her feelings.
For some, a single glance was all it took to snatch one’s heart. If she didn’t still have some sense left and, more than anything, fear of leaving a bad impression, Sang Yunsi might have recklessly forced her way to see him. But now, she can only suppress her longing and stand silently among her fellow sect disciples.
One of the said disciples, Xiao Sushuang of Biyun Sect, curled her lips in disdain at the sight of her senior sister’s infatuated state. In her eyes, Sang Yunsi’s eager pursuit only made her and their sect look foolish. Even so, the potential of gaining an alliance with the Dao Venerable Hengwu was too big a temptation; as a result, even the Biyun Sect Leader was very supportive of Sang Yunsi’s pursuit.
In Xiao Sushuang’s opinion, putting one’s mind on cultivation was much more practical than pursuing such delusional love. No matter how talented, Sang Yunsi’s neglect of cultivation in favor of love would eventually waste her potential. If she couldn’t let go of her infatuation, her cultivation progress would halt sooner or later.
It was for a reason that Xiao Shushuang was getting upset every time she saw Sang Yunsi wasting such an enviable cultivation talent—something she couldn’t wish for. Xiao Sushuang herself worked hard and diligently, yet still found herself overshadowed by Sang Yunsi, who was preoccupied with love. No—that’s not entirely true. Her cultivation had eventually caught up through hard work, but she still felt undervalued in the sect. Both the sect leader and elders heavily favored Sang Yunsi and primarily allocated the sect’s resources to her, leaving only leftovers for other disciples.
With these thoughts, Xiao Sushuang sarcastically remarked, “Stop looking. No matter how much you stare, His Venerable won’t glance at you. Why make a fool of yourself?”
Sang Yunsi’s expression darkened. Before she could respond, a fellow disciple angrily retorted, “Xiao Sushuang, what nonsense are you spouting?”
Another disciple showed displeasure, “Xiao Sushuang, stop showing your ugly jealousy. Yunsi has it hard enough. As a fellow disciple, you should be supportive instead. Why do you have to attack your senior sister when she is already feeling down?”
Both disciples who spoke were Xiao Sushuang and Sang Yunsi’s senior brothers by generation. Despite that, Xiao Sushuang couldn’t swallow her anger and talked back, “I am speaking nonsense? I am jealous? I am attacking someone when they’re down?” Xiao Sushuang laughed in frustration, her arms crossed. “Am I the one who’s blind, or is it you? Aren’t I speaking the truth? Jealous? Am I jealous of her undignified infatuation with His Venerable? Or, is stating the truth considered a personal attack now?”
“You! Junior Sister Yunsi is the number one beauty in the Cultivation Realm, and only His Venerable is worthy of her. One day, he will certainly be moved by her deep affection!”
Xiao Sushuang sneered, “Do you really see His Venerable as so superficial? ‘Number one beauty’ or not, if he doesn’t favor her, she’s nothing but a speck of dust or an ant in his eyes. If he favors her, even the ugliest woman becomes the most dazzling in the crowd. What deep affection? It’s merely self-delusion.”
Xiao Sushuang didn’t believe in Sang Yunsi’s so-called deep affection. In her eyes, it was just vanity, that just like these senior brothers, Sang Yunsi arrogantly believed that only His Venerable was worthy of her beauty. Xiao Sushuang found it ridiculous. Who does Sang Yunsi think she is? And who is His Venerable? Unfortunately, enough people were so blind that they failed to see through Sang Yunsi’s shallowness, allowing themselves to be fooled by the so-called infatuation, thinking only His Venerable deserved the ‘number one beauty’. How laughable! Did they ever consider if the ‘number one beauty’ was worthy of His Venerable? She wasn’t even worthy to carry his shoes.
“Moreover, isn’t it said that His Venerable is soon to have a Dao companion? Why are you still so eager?” Because there were many ears around, Xiao Sushuang restrained herself from saying something more extreme. Even so, her words brought tears to Sang Yunsi’s eyes.
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