A thousand enlightenments in one night, starting from being a menial apprentice.

Two months later, all kinds of ritual implements had been made by the craftsmen.

Duan Rong checked each item one by one, and some had to be reworked.

He built a pavilion in the valley and placed all the ritual implements he had made in the pavilion.

Although the ritual implements were all made and the four mountain deity statues had been painted, the next problem was even more complicated.

That is the training in rituals.

Duan Rong had already studied the procedure carefully; to perform it completely, ninety-nine people were needed. This number might have some significance, and it might even be part of a esoteric mandala. But Duan Rong had no time to ponder these details now.

Everything else was manageable, after all, he was the head of the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs, and with Zhu He's mobilization order, he could gather ninety-nine craftsmen.

The key issue is that there's something troublesome in the ritual, namely the chanting part.

Duan Rong frowned as he looked at the Buddhist musical instruments in the pavilion.

Wooden fish, drums, chime bells, bronze chimes, cloud gongs, cymbals, flutes—all sorts of musical instruments are available. Other ritual details can be trained, but without musical knowledge, one simply cannot perform these Buddhist chanting instruments. Learning them now would take forever.

Duan Rong was fiddling with the musical instruments, looking troubled, when he suddenly thought of Jiang Hanyan.

Jiang Hanyan's master, Lin Youjian, cultivates a technique called Sonic Energy. Therefore, most of Lin Youjian's disciples are well-versed in music. If a few of them could be found, this matter would be resolved.

Upon realizing this, Duan Rong immediately flew towards Tianzhu Peak.

He released his divine sense from within the clouds deep in the valley of Tianzhu Peak, enveloping the entire pavilion on Tianzhu Peak.

Inside the pavilion, Lin Youjian was also there, burning incense and playing the zither in a quiet room.

Lin Youjian cultivated sonic energy, and practicing her skills by playing the zither was a daily routine for her, something she did year-round.

Duan Rong noticed Lin Youjian first, and then started looking for Jiang Hanyan.

Upon closer inspection, it was quite a sight: Jiang Hanyan was taking a bath, and amidst the rising steam, her fragrant shoulders were faintly visible...

Duan Rong was startled and immediately withdrew his divine sense.

He had no intention of spying, but since he happened to see it, he could only wait until Jiang Hanyan finished bathing before disturbing her.

Duan Rong sat cross-legged in the misty air deep in the valley, waiting for about the time it takes for two incense sticks to burn. Then, with a thought, he released his divine sense again.

Inside the room, Jiang Hanyan had already finished bathing, dressed, and was sitting there tying her hair up.

Duan Rong then swayed and transformed into a wisp of green smoke, drifting into the pavilion.

Because Duan Rong now possesses the Ten Thousand Crows Fire Scarf, even if Lin You Sword suddenly appears, Duan Rong can conceal himself before her eyes. This is no ordinary illusion.

Duan Rong turned into a wisp of green smoke and transformed into a raccoon dog on Jiang Hanyan's dressing table.

Jiang Hanyan was doing her makeup when she suddenly saw a lazy raccoon cat lying on the dressing table, its deep blue eyes staring at her.

Jiang Hanyan was terrified and jumped back, her face turning pale.

At that moment, with a familiar soft laugh, the raccoon jumped down from the dressing table, revealing Duan Rong's figure.

Duan Rong stood there, smiling as he looked at Jiang Hanyan.

Jiang Hanyan still looked at him nervously and asked, "Where did you come from?"

Looking at Jiang Hanyan's appearance, Duan Rong knew that the transformation of this cat into a human gave Jiang Hanyan a very unreal feeling, and she was still on guard.

Duan Rong smiled slightly and uttered a few coded phrases. These phrases were taught to him by Jiang Yanhan and were used for contacting Yang Ruoshui and Wang Xun.

Hearing these coded words, Jiang Hanyan breathed a sigh of relief, and her expression relaxed considerably.

Duan Rong laughed and said, "I'm sorry. I originally wanted to greet you with a magic trick, but I didn't expect to scare you."

Jiang Hanyan smiled shyly and said, "It's not your fault. I've been afraid of cats since I was a child."

Duan Rong said, "Then I would be even more presumptuous." With that, he bowed to Jiang Hanyan.

Jiang Hanyan said, "I told you I don't blame you." Seeing Duan Rong get up, she changed the subject and said, "You came at just the right time."

Duan Rong asked, "What a coincidence?"

Jiang Hanyan lowered her head slightly, a faint blush rising to her cheeks. She was referring to the fact that she had just bathed and was sitting there doing her hair when Duan Rong arrived.

Jiang Hanyan said, "Brother Duan, please sit down. I'll go make some tea."

Duan Rong responded and sat down in front of the tea table.

Jiang Hanyan took the teapot and left, leaving behind a faint fragrance.

Not long after, Jiang Hanyan returned with the teapot and personally poured tea for Duan Rong.

Duan Rong took a sip and praised the tea as excellent.

Jiang Hanyan smiled and said, "Brother Duan, you must have come here for something, right?"

Duan Rong's eyes lit up, and he asked, "How did you know?"

Jiang Hanyan said, "Hanyan knows that Brother Duan probably wouldn't have come if there was nothing wrong." As she spoke, Jiang Hanyan poured Duan Rong another cup of tea.

There was already a hint of sadness in his words.

Duan Rong naturally noticed this and laughed, "You make me sound like I'm all worldly-wise."

Jiang Hanyan smiled slightly but did not reply.

Duan Rong asked, "Jiang Han, does your Tianzhu Peak have many people who are well-versed in music?"

Jiang Hanyan said, "My master cultivates sonic energy. Anyone in her sect with talent will learn music. If they can deeply understand the essence of music, my master will personally teach them."

Upon hearing this, Duan Rong was overjoyed and said, "Could you find me twelve people who understand music?"

Jiang Hanyan was taken aback, not understanding what Duan Rong meant.

Duan Rong said, "You don't need to be an expert, just be able to understand the five notes of the pentatonic scale, and make sure you don't play them wrong."

Jiang Hanyan looked at Duan Rong for a while, and after confirming that he was not joking, she asked, "Brother Duan, what is the purpose of seeking someone who is skilled in music?"

Duan Rong pondered for a moment and said, "I want to hold a ritual at the mountain statue of the sect. The ritual includes Buddhist chants. The instruments such as chime bells, bronze chimes, cloud gongs, cymbals, and flutes all require people who are knowledgeable in music to play them."

Jiang Hanyan had already understood some of it, but she still asked with great curiosity, "Brother Duan, what ritual are you going to perform?"

Duan Rong said, "Don't press the issue. It's like a ritual in a Buddhist ceremony, you know? Just tell me, can you find twelve people who understand music for me?"

Seeing that Duan Rong was getting a little anxious, Jiang Hanyan smiled and said, "Okay." Duan Rong said, "Okay?"

"Hmm." Jiang Hanyan said, "Among the disciples each year, those who have learned well will be selected and I will personally guide them for a year. After a year, a few more will be selected, and my master will personally examine them to see if they are suitable for practicing sonic energy. I am currently teaching some people under my command. If Brother Duan wants to use people, I will select twelve to go over, which will also be a good opportunity for them to gain experience."

Duan Rong said, "If that's the case, then it's a great help."

Jiang Hanyan smiled faintly and said, "When does Brother Duan need it?"

Duan Rong's eyes flashed, and he said, "Three days later, take them to the valley where the sect's mountain statue is located."

Jiang Hanyan said, "Alright then."

Duan Rong drank the tea in his cup in one gulp and said, "Then I'll take my leave now."

Jiang Hanyan said, "Brother Duan, let's have two more drinks."

Duan Rong said, "No, I've been extremely busy lately. Let's drink another day."

As Duan Rong spoke, he stood up, bowed to Jiang Hanyan, and then turned into a wisp of green smoke and disappeared.

Jiang Hanyan stared blankly at the spot where Duan Rong had disappeared, her eyes as dark as a lake.

Three days later, in the morning, the valley where the sect's mountain statue stood was no longer as tranquil as before. It was now bustling with noise, like a marketplace.

Some craftsmen from the Imperial Stud, along with a group of people transferred by Duan Rong from the Court of Judgment and Clan Affairs, were present. At this moment, Duan Rong was directing them, instructing them to practice formations while holding various ritual implements, incense burners, and other items.

Duan Rong divided them into three columns, each with thirty-three men.

Then, one group at a time, they began to explain the ritual procedure to them.

As Duan Rong was speaking, Jiang Hanyan led twelve female disciples into the valley.

Upon seeing the scene in the valley, Jiang Hanyan froze. Duan Rong had only mentioned that some ceremony was to be held; she never expected there to be so many people.

Moreover, the original four mountain statues have been transformed into painted statues, rich and vibrant, with blue faces and fangs.

The artisans and the guards of the Court of Judgment were immediately stunned when they saw the female disciples enter, each one as beautiful as a flower.

Duan Rong turned his head and saw Jiang Hanyan standing in the middle of a group of female disciples, smiling at him.

Duan Rong immediately ran over and laughed, "I'm so stupid. I didn't even see you were here."

"We just arrived too," Jiang Hanyan said with a smile. "Brother Duan, what kind of ceremony is this? Such a grand display!"

"It's a long story, I'll tell you later," Duan Rong said. "Han Yan, bring them to the pavilion. I've left all the musical instruments there."

Duan Rong led the way, and Jiang Hanyan, along with twenty female disciples, followed him into the pavilion.

The group entered the pavilion and saw various musical instruments inside, but they were not the common zithers, lutes, or pipa. Only the flute was one that they often played on Tianzhu Peak. The other instruments were quite unfamiliar to the female disciples.

"What are these musical instruments?" The female disciples began to discuss as they looked at the instruments.

Duan Rong pointed to the musical instruments and said, "This is a set of chime bells. This is a bronze chime. This is a cloud gong."

The female disciples looked at Jiang Hanyan and said, "Master Jiang, none of us know how to play these instruments. Besides, the cloud gongs and chime bells are all in rows, which looks very complicated."

These female disciples were afraid that they would be blamed by Jiang Hanyan if they did not do well, so they told her about their difficulties in advance.

Jiang Hanyan also knew that the cloud gong and the chime bells were a set of musical instruments, and they were the most difficult to play.

Duan Rong took out two sheets of paper and handed them to Jiang Hanyan, saying, "Hanyan, the cloud gong and chime bells are a bit difficult to handle, but there are ready-made scores here. Just follow these."

Jiang Hanyan took the score and glanced at it.

Duan Rong was afraid she would say no, or he would have a headache. The cloud gong and chime bells were absolutely essential. If the ritual was incomplete, it would affect his cultivation.

Jiang Hanyan watched for a while, then looked up and said, "Okay. I'll teach them myself; there shouldn't be any problem."

When Duan Rong heard that Jiang Hanyan was willing to teach them personally, he was immediately filled with gratitude. After several interactions, he had already understood Jiang Hanyan's feelings, but at this moment he could only bow and say in a glib manner, "Hanyan, my admiration for you is like a surging river, endless and unstoppable, like the Yellow River overflowing its banks."

Duan Rong's comical appearance and tone made the female disciples laugh heartily.

Jiang Hanyan simply stood in the pavilion with a faint smile, a gentle breeze ruffling her hair.

Duan Rong said, "Han Yan, I'll leave this place to you. Those guys in the valley are waiting for me to take care of things."

Jiang Hanyan said, "Brother Duan, go ahead and do your work. We've known each other for a long time, there's no need for so many formalities when we're so busy."

"So generous!" Duan Rong praised. "Han Yan, I'm off then."

Duan Rong bowed again and ran to the pavilion to continue instructing the craftsmen and guards.

Inside the pavilion, Jiang Hanyan first had her female disciples practice the simple instruments like drums and flutes according to the sheet music until they were proficient. She then began studying the scores for the cloud gong and chime bells.

This went on for more than half a month. Duan Rong was like the director of a large-scale stage play, leading so many people to rehearse repeatedly in the valley.

Those guys were also nearly dead from Duan Rong's torment. He would beat and scold them for even the slightest mistake, but fortunately they gradually got back on track.

Inside the pavilion, the twelve female disciples had also been trained by Jiang Hanyan and were now proficient in playing various musical instruments.

As soon as the chanting began, it filled the valley, creating a rather solemn and dignified atmosphere.

Chu Wushang and Wei Yan stood on a mountain peak, looking at the dark mass of people in the valley below and the solemn chanting of Buddhist hymns.

Wei Yan said, "I think I understand now. This kid is going to put on a big show here. It's a good idea. Anyway, there are four mountain god statues, and it's a waste to leave them here. It's a way of making use of waste. However, I find this show a bit strange."

Chu Wushang said, "What do you mean by 'performing a grand opera'?! Haven't you realized that this is clearly a religious ceremony?"

The solemn chanting and the wisps of smoke rising from the fire did indeed remind Chu Wushang of performing religious ceremonies.

Wei Yan said, "Perform a ritual?! What's the point of performing a ritual?!"

Chu Wushang said, "Why are you performing a ritual?! I think it's just to help you pass on to the afterlife."

Wei Yan cursed, "Bullshit!"

Chu Wushang said, "You are the guard here. If you are performing a ritual here, who is being saved if not you?"

Wei Yan was speechless for a moment, puffing out his cheeks and remaining silent for a long time.

Although they had been struggling for more than half a month and those guys were half dead, Duan Rong decided to strike while the iron was hot and start cultivating directly.

He worried that if they rested for a day or two, they might forget everything he had taught them, making his efforts over the past two weeks futile. Therefore, he struck while the iron was hot and immediately began the ritual, while he himself began cultivating the Great Vajra Mandala. (End of Chapter)