Journey to the West: Starting with the True Lord of the Pure Land

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The Golden Toad Demon Lord was, after all, a seasoned merchant with a deep and shrewd mind. Although his heart was in turmoil, his warm smile returned instantly.

He glanced at Chen Jiao as if it were nothing more than a casual glance, his gaze naturally sliding away before turning to the Golden Light Immortal beside him and smiling:

"Fellow Daoist Jin Guang truly has a wide circle of friends. He was even able to invite someone like the Flood Dragon King to attend the ceremony. The future of Huanghua Temple is truly limitless."

The Golden Light Immortal, being perceptive, knew that the man was wary of the Flood Dragon Demon King's presence and was therefore trying to curry favor, so he laughed it off in return.

"You flatter me, Demon Lord. Fellow Daoist Xuanling is a true cultivator of the Dao. It is merely a matter of chance that he has come here. He is simply showing me some face."

As they spoke, the two had already reached the front of the square.

As the host, Jin Guang Zhenren naturally had to introduce the guests. He led the Golden Toad Demon Lord directly to the jade table on the left.

"Fellow Daoist Xuanling."

Master Jin Guang bowed respectfully and stepped aside to introduce:

"This is the Golden Toad Demon Lord. This is Fellow Daoist Xuan Ling from Qingchi Ridge in the East Sea."

Before Chen Jiao could react, the Golden Toad Demon Lord preemptively bowed deeply to him with a beaming smile, his posture quite humble, and his voice clear and respectful:

"Golden Toad of Treasures greets the Dragon King. I have long heard of the Dragon King's mighty name, which is as loud as thunder in my ears. It is truly an honor to see your esteemed face today."

"The Dragon King has graced Xiniu Hezhou with his presence, but Jin Chan, lacking the affinity and virtue to do so, has never had the chance to see him, a deep regret I have deeply felt. I never imagined that my wish would be fulfilled here today! How fortunate, how fortunate!"

Chen Jiao raised his eyes, glanced at him, returned the greeting, and said calmly:

"Fellow Daoist Jin Chan, I have long admired you."

The Golden Toad Demon Lord felt a sense of relief.

He bowed again before walking to his seat and sitting down, but his mind was already fixed on the figure in black opposite him, observing him secretly.

The welcoming and blessing ceremony is nearing its end, and most of the expected guests have arrived.

Jade tables were scattered across the square, and prayer cushions were neatly arranged.

The guests, whether Taoists or demons, humans or spirits, varied in strength, yet all held their breath and waited for the ceremony to begin.

The tiger lay quietly beside Chen Jiao, occasionally lifting its eyelids slightly to scan the entire area, bringing a silent sense of oppression.

As the auspicious hour approaches, bells and drums resound in unison.

The grand opening ceremony of Huanghua Temple unfolded in sequence.

"Thump!"

A deep, resonant bell tolled from the bell tower in the temple, its sound echoing through the mountains and fields, washing away the noise and bustle.

Immediately afterwards, the sound of drums thundered up, harmonizing with the sound of bells.

One hundred and eight bells and thirty-six drumbeats signaled the official start of the ceremony.

The square fell silent. Regardless of their cultivation level, all the guests quieted down and sat upright.

Master Jin Guang had changed into a more solemn Taoist robe, holding a jade-handled whisk, and led his eight disciples of the Zhen generation to stand solemnly at the altar in front of the hall.

His expression was solemn as he bowed to heaven and earth and to the four directions. Then he recited the "Purifying Heaven and Earth Mantra" in a voice as clear as gold and jade, imbued with a pure and serene Taoist charm.

Following the incantation, the eight disciples each held their implements, drawing upon the spiritual energy accumulated in the temple, which transformed into a hazy, clear light that sprinkled down like sweet rain onto every corner of the square.

Then he recited the "Earth-Stabilizing Mantra," and lightly touched the ground with a whisk. Ripples of earthy yellow light spread out, subtly merging with the earth's veins beneath his feet, thus stabilizing the foundation of the temple.

After the purification of the altar was completed, the Golden Light Immortal ascended the highest altar and stood facing south. Young Taoist disciples had already offered sacrificial animals, grains, incense, flowers, lamps, and fruit.

The master lit three sticks of incense, and the smoke rose straight up, condensing and not dissipating.

He unfurled a jade scroll and loudly recited the "Opening Ceremony of the Azure Sky," his voice echoing through the mountains, proclaiming it to the gods of heaven and earth and the four directions.

After the sacrificial ceremony, the Golden Light Immortal turned around.

They bowed to the statues of the Three Pure Ones enshrined in the hall, and the Taoist priests in the temple behind them followed suit, creating a solemn scene.

After the ceremony, Jin Guang Zhenren rose and walked to the plaque "Huanghua Temple" hanging on the temple gate.

He extended his right index finger, and a point of golden light slowly condensed at the tip of his finger.

He stared at the center of the plaque, then suddenly let out a clear shout.

A point of golden light shines directly in the center of the three characters "Huanghua Temple"!

In an instant, the entire plaque shone brightly, golden light flowed, and the three large characters seemed to come alive, exuding a Taoist charm.

This is called "opening the eyes and dotting the eyes," which means using one's own true Taoist teachings to awaken the spirituality of the Taoist temple and connect with the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.

The Golden Light Immortal then took a jade brush, dipped it in gold lacquer, and began to write characters on the vermilion pillars that had already been hung on both sides of the temple gate.

With flowing, powerful strokes, the two lines of bold characters shone brightly in the sunlight.

"Yellow sprouts and white snow, a fairy's abode; jade herbs and rare flowers, a Taoist's home."

After the consecration ceremony was completed, the Golden Light Immortal entered the main hall and sat down peacefully on the headmaster's prayer mat for the first time.

Eight disciples of the Zhen generation and the rest of the Taoist priests in the temple lined up neatly and paid their respects with great ceremony, calling out "Master (Master)" with voices that shook the roof tiles.

After the ceremony, the Golden Light Immortal sat upright on a prayer mat, receiving the worship of the crowd, thus formally establishing his position as the Abbot of Huanghua Temple.

Subsequently, an elder in charge publicly read out the rules of Huanghua Temple, his voice loud and clear.

It's nothing more than things like "respect heaven and earth, pay homage to the gods, be on good terms with others, be careful in your words and deeds, diligently cultivate yourself, and refrain from greed and anger."

This is both establishing rules and demarcating boundaries to the outside world, declaring that this place now has a master and laws.

Chen Jiao sat quietly in the chief seat on the left, with a fierce tiger lying beside him. He showed little interest in the rituals of bells, chimes, incense, and the steps of the Big Dipper, and simply kept his eyes half-closed, as if he were dozing.

The bells and drums set the order, the sacrificial rites were made to express the will, the altar was purified and the foundation was laid, the eyes of the deceased were consecrated and the throne was ascended and the name was officially established...

The steps are clear and interconnected, revealing a well-structured approach in simplicity and a majestic presence in antiquity.

He pondered silently that perhaps his next incarnation could refer to such a ritual for establishing a sect or temple.

The atmosphere of a Buddhist temple sometimes begins with this initial legitimacy.

The ceremony was solemn and well-organized, and before we knew it, it was drawing to a close.

With this, the opening ceremony of the core ritual has come to an end.

Regardless of what people thought in their hearts, at least on the surface, they all had a more formal understanding of this newly established temple.

The atmosphere in the square was slightly relaxed. A young Taoist priest quietly stepped forward to replace the tea on the guests' tables with fresh tea and serve them exquisite tea snacks.

Master Jinguang rose from his meditation cushion, faced the assembled guests, a gentle smile on his face, and said in a clear voice:

"The ceremony is complete. Thank you all for attending."

"I am but a humble Taoist priest, having newly established this Taoist temple, have prepared a small feast and offer some of my humble opinions. I wish to discuss the profound mysteries with you all, and I hope you will not hesitate to offer your guidance."

As soon as he finished speaking, the guests returned the greeting with clasped hands, and the atmosphere became even more harmonious.

Before the luncheon began, the next highlight of the grand opening ceremony was the sermon.

This is an opportunity for those who establish their views to express their opinions, to demonstrate the foundation of their own Taoist beliefs, and also the beginning of discussions and exchanges with fellow Taoists from all sides.

The square was rearranged, with all the jade altar cushions facing the altar.

The Golden Light Immortal had moved to the altar, where there was a futon and a low table, with only a censer of incense and a cup of tea on it.

He changed back into his black Taoist robe, and removed his gold-embroidered crown, using only a wooden hairpin to tie his hair. His expression was solemn and peaceful.

After a moment's thought, he began to speak.

The discussion of scriptures and doctrines by the Golden Light Immortal lasted for about an hour.

Above the altar, incense smoke curled from the burner, and the teacups had gone cold.

The Golden Light Immortal's voice gradually faded away.

The last sentence, "Therefore it is said, when true fire is contained within, the restless mind naturally subdues; when dry earth produces metal, the seed of the Dao sprouts," slowly faded away in the square.

He picked up the already cooled tea, took a small sip to moisten his throat, and then glanced at the guests below the stage once more.

He paused briefly on the faces of several guests with profound auras, such as Chen Jiao and the Golden Toad Demon Lord, and a humble smile appeared on his face.

"This humble Taoist priest offers only a few shallow opinions, which may be laughable to the great ones."

The path to enlightenment is long and winding, and each person has their own insights. One person's understanding is bound to be incomplete or incomplete.

Today, we are filled with distinguished guests, all of whom are followers of our school. If you have any insightful opinions, please feel free to speak them out and we can exchange views with each other. This would be a wonderful thing.”

This is where we begin the discussion of the Dao.

It's not about testing each other, but about exchanging ideas and inspiring one another.

This is also a crucial part of the opening ceremony, as it not only demonstrates the host's magnanimity but also allows the host to observe the depth of the guests' knowledge and skills, and even to make friends with like-minded people and expand influence.

The square fell silent for a moment.

Most of the guests were still immersed in the afterglow of the sermon, some bowing their heads in thought, others exchanging glances with their companions, and no one spoke up immediately.

In such situations, the person who speaks first must not only have insightful opinions, but also consider their own status and weight, so as not to appear ignorant or presumptuous.

The Golden Toad Demon Lord smiled and looked around, seemingly waiting, but showed no intention of speaking immediately.

He was skilled in business and had little interest in such purely theoretical debates.

Countless gazes, intentionally or unintentionally, converged on the chief on the left, on the black-clad figure who remained calm and detached from the situation throughout.

Given his status and cultivation level, regardless of whether he is proficient in fire magic or alchemy, if he were to speak now, even just a few words would carry different weight.

Jin Guang Zhenren also turned his gaze to Chen Jiao, smiled, and bowed respectfully, saying:

"Fellow Daoist Xuanling, your Daoist arts are profound and your knowledge is vast. I wonder if you have any guidance on what I just said?"

His words were sincere, and his posture was extremely humble.

Chen Jiao was about to respond to Jin Guang Zhenren's request to discuss the Dao.

Suddenly, a thought struck him.

It wasn't any external disturbance, but rather the simple array he had left by the Cleansing Spring, which was connected to the earth's veins, that was emitting an unusual odor.

Although the formation was rudimentary, it was connected to his mind and was designed to sense any unusual energy intrusion. Yet, at this moment, the outer barrier had been broken through silently.

His gaze suddenly sharpened.

In the blink of an eye, Chen Jiao showed no change in expression, only his eyelids were slightly lowered, as if he was still pondering the question posed by the Golden Light Immortal.

In reality, his mind had instantly become as calm as an ancient well, and following the mysterious connection with the true core of the hidden restriction array, he silently projected a wisp of perception towards it.

With the aid of that more sophisticated array as his eyes, the scene by the Cleansing Spring was vaguely reflected in the lake of his heart.

However, the scene he saw caused even his usually calm and collected mind to skip a beat!

There were no signs of a battle, nor were there any signs of a powerful enemy spying on them.

Inside the steaming hot spring, the water shimmered and the mist was hazy.

But in the Cleansing Spring, which should have been empty and deserted, there was a patch of... no, seven... white lines?

It is neither the color of snow nor the luster of jade.

It's just too pale! Too pale!

Chen Jiao's heart skipped a beat, and he instantly withdrew his senses.

Even with his Daoist heart, he couldn't help but be momentarily stunned upon seeing such a sight.

This...this is...?

The bells and drums set the order, the sacrificial rites were made to express the will, the altar was purified and the foundation was laid, the eyes of the deceased were consecrated and the throne was ascended and the name was officially established...

The steps are clear and interconnected, revealing a well-structured approach in simplicity and a majestic presence in antiquity.

He pondered silently that perhaps his next incarnation could refer to such a ritual for establishing a sect or temple.

The atmosphere of a Buddhist temple sometimes begins with this initial legitimacy.

The ceremony was solemn and well-organized, and before we knew it, it was drawing to a close.

With this, the opening ceremony of the core ritual has come to an end.

Regardless of what people thought in their hearts, at least on the surface, they all had a more formal understanding of this newly established temple.

The atmosphere in the square was slightly relaxed. A young Taoist priest quietly stepped forward to replace the tea on the guests' tables with fresh tea and serve them exquisite tea snacks.

Master Jinguang rose from his meditation cushion, faced the assembled guests, a gentle smile on his face, and said in a clear voice:

"The ceremony is complete. Thank you all for attending."

"I am but a humble Taoist priest, having newly established this Taoist temple, have prepared a small feast and offer some of my humble opinions. I wish to discuss the profound mysteries with you all, and I hope you will not hesitate to offer your guidance."

As soon as he finished speaking, the guests returned the greeting with clasped hands, and the atmosphere became even more harmonious.

Before the luncheon began, the next highlight of the grand opening ceremony was the sermon.

This is an opportunity for those who establish their views to express their opinions, to demonstrate the foundation of their own Taoist beliefs, and also the beginning of discussions and exchanges with fellow Taoists from all sides.

The square was rearranged, with all the jade altar cushions facing the altar.

The Golden Light Immortal had moved to the altar, where there was a futon and a low table, with only a censer of incense and a cup of tea on it.

He changed back into his black Taoist robe, and removed his gold-embroidered crown, using only a wooden hairpin to tie his hair. His expression was solemn and peaceful.

After a moment's thought, he began to speak.

The discussion of scriptures and doctrines by the Golden Light Immortal lasted for about an hour.

Above the altar, incense smoke curled from the burner, and the teacups had gone cold.

The Golden Light Immortal's voice gradually faded away.

The last sentence, "Therefore it is said, when true fire is contained within, the restless mind naturally subdues; when dry earth produces metal, the seed of the Dao sprouts," slowly faded away in the square.

He picked up the already cooled tea, took a small sip to moisten his throat, and then glanced at the guests below the stage once more.

He paused briefly on the faces of several guests with profound auras, such as Chen Jiao and the Golden Toad Demon Lord, and a humble smile appeared on his face.

"This humble Taoist priest offers only a few shallow opinions, which may be laughable to the great ones."

The path to enlightenment is long and winding, and each person has their own insights. One person's understanding is bound to be incomplete or incomplete.

Today, we are filled with distinguished guests, all of whom are followers of our school. If you have any insightful opinions, please feel free to speak them out and we can exchange views with each other. This would be a wonderful thing.”

This is where we begin the discussion of the Dao.

It's not about testing each other, but about exchanging ideas and inspiring one another.

This is also a crucial part of the opening ceremony, as it not only demonstrates the host's magnanimity but also allows the host to observe the depth of the guests' knowledge and skills, and even to make friends with like-minded people and expand influence.

The square fell silent for a moment.

Most of the guests were still immersed in the afterglow of the sermon, some bowing their heads in thought, others exchanging glances with their companions, and no one spoke up immediately.

In such situations, the person who speaks first must not only have insightful opinions, but also consider their own status and weight, so as not to appear ignorant or presumptuous.

The Golden Toad Demon Lord smiled and looked around, seemingly waiting, but showed no intention of speaking immediately.

He was skilled in business and had little interest in such purely theoretical debates.

Countless gazes, intentionally or unintentionally, converged on the chief on the left, on the black-clad figure who remained calm and detached from the situation throughout.

Given his status and cultivation level, regardless of whether he is proficient in fire magic or alchemy, if he were to speak now, even just a few words would carry different weight.

Jin Guang Zhenren also turned his gaze to Chen Jiao, smiled, and bowed respectfully, saying:

"Fellow Daoist Xuanling, your Daoist arts are profound and your knowledge is vast. I wonder if you have any guidance on what I just said?"

His words were sincere, and his posture was extremely humble.

Chen Jiao was about to respond to Jin Guang Zhenren's request to discuss the Dao.

Suddenly, a thought struck him.

It wasn't any external disturbance, but rather the simple array he had left by the Cleansing Spring, which was connected to the earth's veins, that was emitting an unusual odor.

Although the formation was rudimentary, it was connected to his mind and was designed to sense any unusual energy intrusion. Yet, at this moment, the outer barrier had been broken through silently.

His gaze suddenly sharpened.

In the blink of an eye, Chen Jiao showed no change in expression, only his eyelids were slightly lowered, as if he was still pondering the question posed by the Golden Light Immortal.

In reality, his mind had instantly become as calm as an ancient well, and following the mysterious connection with the true core of the hidden restriction array, he silently projected a wisp of perception towards it.

With the aid of that more sophisticated array as his eyes, the scene by the Cleansing Spring was vaguely reflected in the lake of his heart.

However, the scene he saw caused even his usually calm and collected mind to skip a beat!

There were no signs of a battle, nor were there any signs of a powerful enemy spying on them.

Inside the steaming hot spring, the water shimmered and the mist was hazy.

But in the Cleansing Spring, which should have been empty and deserted, there was a patch of... no, seven... white lines?

It is neither the color of snow nor the luster of jade.

It's just too pale! Too pale!

Chen Jiao's heart skipped a beat, and he instantly withdrew his senses.

Even with his Daoist heart, he couldn't help but be momentarily stunned upon seeing such a sight.

This...this is...?

I'm currently reading Chapter 171 of the novel "Standing in the View, So White, So White," and I'm completely absorbed in it.