Blade - Unbound

"At last, it's opening!"

Even with Li Yan's composed temperament, he couldn't help feeling a surge of excitement.

The moment the Daoist shouted, dozens of young Daoists from the Pure Yang Courtyard immediately dashed forward, each carrying coils of rope. They bounded across the smooth cliff face with astonishing agility as the mountain winds howled, sending their Daoist robes billowing like flocks of black butterflies dancing over the sheer rock walls.

The sight alone was enough to make one's heart pound. In moments, they reached the top of the cliff, where numerous iron spikes had already been driven beneath the pine and cypress trees.

The Daoists worked with practiced ease, looping one end of the thick hemp ropes around the iron spikes while fastening the other around their waists before sliding down the cliff face. When they reached the first opening, one Daoist first peeled away the yellow talismans sealing it, then struck the packed clay with his palm, shattering the seal.

Li Yan's vision blurred for an instant. He thought he saw a faint golden glow emerge from within the cave, but it vanished almost immediately and was hardly noticeable.

As the entrance was opened, he finally saw what lay inside. Within the cave rested a massive black glazed ceramic jar. It was laid horizontally, with a body clearly larger than the cave entrance itself, making it utterly baffling how it had ever been placed inside.

The mouth of the jar contained yet another cavity, while the jar itself was covered with sealing talismans.

The Daoist removed those seals as well before pulling out an enormous wooden stopper. Only then did he climb inside the jar. A short while later, he emerged carrying bundle after bundle of items. After tying them to the hemp rope, he signaled the Daoists above to haul them up.

The more Li Yan watched, the more astonished he became. From that very first cave alone, well over a hundred bundles were brought out one after another. The ropes were pulled taut under their tremendous weight.

And that was merely a single cave. The cliff face itself was covered with at least a hundred caves! No wonder the orthodox sects had long assisted the Imperial Court. It was said that the blessed lands and secret realms throughout the Divine Continent, along with countless other sacred lands that rivaled them despite not being officially recognized, all concealed spiritual artifacts and spiritual materials left behind by the ancients, nourished over generations by innate astral qi and killing qi.

Everything before his eyes was merely what was on Mount Hua. One needed little imagination to estimate the staggering scale of such hidden treasures across the world.

Yet the expressions of those around him remained solemn.

Li Yan frowned.

Could something still go wrong?

Sure enough, after the Daoists carried all the bundles into the Pure Yang Courtyard, about half the time it took an incense stick to burn passed before Jing Xuzi finally emerged with a smile.

Cupping his hands, he called out loudly, "Fellow Daoists, rest assured. There are no errors with this batch of spiritual materials! Congratulations!"

Only then did many people finally relax, returning the salute and offering their congratulations.

Li Yan immediately understood. Opening the treasury was likely much like subduing a heavenly spiritual treasure. If something went wrong during the opening, or if an accident had occurred sometime over the past century, the treasures inside could easily have become worthless. After all, a hundred years was more than enough time for countless unforeseen mishaps.

With the successful opening of the treasury confirmed, the cultivators on the mountain finally relaxed and began chatting among themselves.

Even so, the various factions remained clearly divided. Members of the orthodox sects spoke among themselves as the various lineages exchanged pleasantries and sounded one another out, while those from the unorthodox paths busied themselves cultivating connections.

Shopkeeper Wan and Quan Wanzhong immediately made their way over to Li Yan.

Seeing the anxious expressions on their faces and the sweat on their brows, Li Yan smiled and cupped his hands. "The two of you can rest easy. As long as the opportunity presents itself, I'll definitely secure what you're looking for."

The previous evening, the two men had visited him once again, and entrusted him with their silver. With Li Yan acting on their behalf, Shopkeeper Wan naturally wouldn't miss such an opportunity. After all, the members of the orthodox sects certainly weren't going to purchase supplies for outsiders like them.

Just then, another man approached, calling out with a laugh long before he arrived. "Brother Li, I trust you've been well!"

Li Yan looked up to see a tall, broad-shouldered man dressed in a white Daoist robe, with a white Eight Trigrams headband, a weather-darkened face, and a thick full beard.

Li Yan smiled and returned the salute. "Senior Zhao."

The newcomer was none other than Zhao Facheng of the Nine Essence Sect of Mount Li. The two of them had once fought side by side in Xianyang against Chen Fakui, who had used evil sacrificial arts.

Walking over, Zhao Facheng sized Li Yan up from head to toe before sighing with admiration. "I knew back then that you were no ordinary young man, Brother Li. I’d never imagined that you'd build such an impressive reputation in such a short time. Even up on Mount Li, I've heard plenty about you."

Li Yan responded politely, "You flatter me, Senior."

He had learned many things by now, such as the fact that the Nine Essence Sect of Mount Li, to which Zhao Facheng belonged, existed specifically to guard the great Qin and Han imperial tombs.

It was precisely because of their efforts that countless disasters had been prevented. Whenever cultivators of the Guanzhong Plains spoke of them, they all gave a thumbs-up in admiration. Even the traitor Chen Fakui had once been praised by everyone.

To spend an entire lifetime cultivating solely to guard ancient tombs... At the very least, Li Yan knew he himself lacked that level of dedication.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, an idea occurred to Li Yan and he asked, "Senior Zhao, my knowledge is rather limited. With so many great figures of the Daoist world gathered here today, could you introduce a few of them to me so I can broaden my horizons?"

Truthfully, he had wanted to ask about them for some time, but Shopkeeper Wan and Quan Wanzhong both came from local powers. While they were knowledgeable, their horizons were ultimately limited, and there were many people present whom even they couldn't identify.

Yu Fengzi would likely have been willing to help, but he was busy with his duties, and Li Yan didn't wish to trouble him further. After considering everyone, Zhao Facheng was clearly the most suitable choice. As a member of a lineage officially recognized by the imperial court, his knowledge naturally far surpassed theirs.

Zhao Facheng was momentarily taken aback before smiling and nodding. "Of course. It's no trouble at all."

As he spoke, he looked toward the left. "See over there? Those are the members of the orthodox sects. According to the structure established by the Imperial Court's Ministry of Rites's Mystic Office, they're divided into four branches: Confucian, Daoist, Buddhist, and Mixed.

"The Daoist branch hardly needs an introduction. Ever since the end of the Song Dynasty, the Taixuan Orthodox Sect unified all Daoist traditions and has become the acknowledged leader of the Daoist world.

"The Buddhist side is mainly divided into the Zen, Esoteric, Lotus, and Vinaya schools. However, for certain reasons, the Lotus School hasn't participated for a very long time.

Li Yan looked puzzled. "What about Confucianism? Do they also have cultivators in the Daoist world?"

Zhao Facheng smiled meaningfully. "Of course. Their situation is... somewhat special. You'll understand in the future.

"As for the Mixed branch, it includes the Military School, the Legalists, the Mohists, and some others. Most serve within the Imperial Court itself, so they attend as its representatives."

He then pointed elsewhere. "Over there are the various regional Daoist lineages. Those two both belong to the Jade Emperor Dharma Sect. One represents the Southern Transmission of the Jade Emperor, while the other belongs to the Northern Transmission of the Jade Emperor.

“The Southern Transmission issues commands through Talisman Gall, while the Northern Transmission performs its rites through Taboo Commands. They're known as 'the Law beyond Laws, the Supreme Law'! They are quite extraordinary indeed...

"That gentleman over there is a priest of the Huaguang Sect. They chiefly worship the Huaguang Great Emperor and specialize in shamanic arts, such as Divine Possession, Five Thunder Exorcisms, and similar techniques. They are extremely well known for them. Their methods are fierce, direct, and extremely formidable!

"That Daoist comes from the Maoshan Dharma Sect, which traces its origins to the Daoist Talisman tradition. They venerate the Three Perfected Lords of Mao and excel in talismans, incantations, and fengshui. Their reputation is second to none.

"That elder over there belongs to the Lushan Sect; you’ve probably heard of them before. As the saying goes, The Jade Emperor is supreme in Heaven; the Son of Heaven is supreme among men. All ghosts and spirits pay them reverence, yet only Lushan gives the orders. They're an exceptionally overbearing bunch."

Zhao Facheng's introductions greatly broadened Li Yan's horizons. The Divine Continent stretched across vast distances, with a history spanning untold ages. Whether it was the orthodox sects or the various Daoist lineages, each possessed profound and remarkable inheritances.

Compared to them, although the Shang Mountain lineage had risen rapidly within Shanzhou, it had ultimately remained confined to a single region. Many older lineages, on the other hand, had already spread their branches far and wide throughout the Divine Continent.

Just as Shopkeeper Wan had once said, the world was simply too vast. If he remained in the Guanzhong Plains forever, sooner or later he would become nothing more than a frog at the bottom of a well.

With that thought, Li Yan became even more determined to leave.

The process of opening the treasury proved exceedingly time-consuming, simply because of the enormous quantity of spiritual materials stored within. It had begun at first light, and although the Daoists of the Pure Yang Palace worked with remarkable efficiency, it was nearly noon before every last treasure had been retrieved.

At a time like this, no one even bothered with lunch.

At last, Jing Xuzi, the Supervising Elder of the Pure Yang Courtyard, strode forward and cupped his hands. "Fellow Daoists, time is short. Please enter in the prescribed order. As for those who arrived later, there is no need to worry. The treasures stored this time are abundant. No one will leave empty-handed."

With that, he raised a hand. "Everyone... please proceed."

Everyone present knew that the first group permitted to enter would be the members of the orthodox Daoist sects.

What does one mean by the orthodox sects of the Daoist world? They were the ones who presided over the rites of state.

Li Yan had not fully understood this before, but after hearing Yan Jiuling explain the evolution of state sacrifices the day before, he had already begun to form a theory. The status of being orthodox and legitimate was probably tied to the rise and fall of dynasties and the struggle over national destiny.

Sure enough, the members of the orthodox schools were the first to move. This included the Confucian, Buddhist, and Daoist traditions, as well as the representatives of the Imperial Court's Mixed faction.

Li Yan gave Shopkeeper Wan and Quan Wanzhong a slight nod before striding confidently inside under Zhao Facheng's astonished gaze.

Zhao Facheng stood there dumbfounded and lowered his voice. "How is Brother Li entering with the first group?"

Shopkeeper Wan simply laughed it off and waved a hand. "That's the Pure Yang Courtyard's decision. Even this old man has no idea."

Zhao Facheng wasn't the only one to question it.

"Senior Jing Xuzi." A middle-aged man with sinister eyes, dressed in a black robe tied with a crimson sash, suddenly cupped his hands and frowned. "May I ask who that young man is? I'm acquainted with most of the fellow Daoists gathered here. What qualifications does he have to enter ahead of everyone else?"

Naturally, Jing Xuzi could hardly reveal that it was because Li Yan had helped Mount Hua avert a catastrophe. Fortunately, he had already prepared an explanation. Calmly, he replied, "This gentleman is a living yin emissary of the Underworld, serving the Great Emperor of the Northern Fengdu Underworld."

The crowd immediately understood. However, the expressions on many faces quickly became rather peculiar.

The status of a living yin emissary truly was unique. One could not claim they lacked powerful backing; after all, they carried out the direct commands of the Underworld itself, the legitimate authority of Heaven and Earth. No one present dared question that. Yet calling them part of the orthodox path wouldn't be accurate either.

Living yin emissaries had never formed an organized faction, but rather were scattered across the land. Some were even ordinary people who had fortuitously obtained a Summoning Writ, serving their entire lives without anyone ever learning their identity.

Seeing everyone's reaction, Jing Xuzi stroked his beard with a smile. "All sects and lineages have long-standing rules forbidding interference with the duties of living yin emissary. They ultimately safeguard the legitimate order of Heaven and Earth. Naturally, every convenience should be afforded to them. This poor Daoist's decision is entirely in accordance with those rules."

The man found himself with nothing left to argue and could only retreat resentfully. "Senior speaks the truth."

Naturally, Li Yan had heard the dispute behind him. Seeing that the matter had been settled, he couldn't be bothered to concern himself with it and simply entered.

There were three main halls in total. One enshrined Ancestor Lu; another honored Patriarch Chen Tuan; and the last was dedicated to the Great Emperor of the Western Peak.

Strictly speaking, the artifacts stored within the treasury all owed their existence to the blessings of Emperor Shaohao. Thus, the grand gathering was held inside the Hall of the Great Emperor of the Western Peak.

Li Yan had been able to hear the conversation outside, thus, the numerous orthodox experts present naturally had as well. Yet each simply minded his own affairs, paying Li Yan little attention.

After everyone entered the great hall, Jing Xuzi followed them inside and closed the doors. Li Yan sensed the region immediately becoming enveloped within a formation of innate astral qi. Even his divine abilities were suppressed.

Seeing that no one else had reacted in the slightest, he immediately understood. That was simply one of the gathering's rules.

Jing Xuzi cupped his hands and explained, "Fellow Daoists, before we begin, there is one more matter. Everyone is already aware of the Imperial Court's current situation, so this poor Daoist won't waste words explaining it."

Several elders of the orthodox sects wore solemn expressions as they nodded.

"This is His Majesty's decision. Naturally, we shall give it our full support."

"As always, affairs of state take priority."

Everyone present nodded in agreement.Every cultivator present possessed a profound cultivation. Compared to them, Li Yan was little more than an unnoticed junior, so he naturally remained silent.

At that moment, the elders representing the Mohist and Military Schools stepped forward together and cupped their hands.

"Our thanks to all our fellow Daoists."

With that, they quickly approached and withdrew a thick stack of booklets from their robes.

Jing Xuzi accepted them and glanced through the contents. His expression seemed to grow somewhat troubled. "So many?"

The Mohist elder, an old man dressed in coarse hemp garments beneath a black robe, shook his head. "This list was drafted by the Ministry of Works. Had this old man not argued against them at length, they probably would've wanted to claim the entire treasury opening for themselves.

“After all, Geng Metal Qi gathers here, and nearly everything within the treasury consists of metal-based spiritual artifacts. These are precisely what's needed at the moment."

Jing Xuzi nodded and handed the list to a Daoist standing nearby before personally leading the two men away.

The Ministry of Works?

Li Yan immediately began to speculate.

Could this have something to do with the new-style firearms...

The thought only reinforced his earlier suspicion that the new gunpowder had obviously been created through alchemy. It was even mixed with Coal Essence! Its destructive power was nothing short of terrifying. Only firearms forged from spiritual materials could possibly withstand it.

An idea immediately occurred to him. The purchase lists had all been prepared before the gathering, and many people already knew about them. Perhaps by observing which spiritual materials had been bought out in large quantities, he could deduce what materials were required to manufacture the new firearms. Then, if he quietly purchased a small amount of the same materials himself, it likely wouldn't attract anyone's attention.

After the Mohist and Military representatives departed, the elder of the Legalist School stepped forward and cupped his fists together. "Fellow Daoist Jing Xuzi, I have also come under His Majesty's orders. The great prison requires expansion."

The moment everyone heard those words, their expressions darkened. The prison he referred to was obviously no ordinary prison. It was almost certainly the one used to incarcerate cultivators of the Daoist world who had broken the law.

Clearly, the Emperor of Great Xuan intended to tighten his control over the Daoist world. Should anyone commit a crime, it wouldn't matter whether they belonged to the orthodox sects or one of the various lineages. Everyone present was a cultivator. Even those from the orthodox schools were unlikely to feel pleased by such news.

"Of course."

Jing Xuzi accepted the list and looked it over. His expression eased somewhat before he instructed another Daoist to escort the Legalist elder away.

Watching them, Li Yan silently thought to himself.

It seemed that even among the orthodox sects, there was a strict order of precedence. Although the Mixed schools lacked the influence of the Confucian, Daoist, and Buddhist traditions, they served the Great Xuan Dynasty directly. Naturally, they received first priority when selecting treasures.

It seemed that within the current Great Xuan Dynasty, imperial authority still firmly overshadowed religious authority. The representatives of the Imperial Court already knew exactly what they wanted. In less than half the time it took an incense stick to burn after entering, they emerged once more, cupped their hands in farewell to everyone present, and departed gracefully.

Such was the custom of the Mount Hua Wine Unsealing ceremony. After a purchase was completed, the items would naturally be delivered to the buyer. However, if the destination was too far away, the sellers would only transport the goods to the foot of Mount Hua, leaving the buyer to arrange further transportation.

Once the Imperial Court representatives had departed, the atmosphere immediately relaxed.

Jing Xuzi smiled and raised a hand. "Everyone, please follow me."

The assembled cultivators smiled as they entered the rear hall one after another.

At that moment, Li Yan had no intention of standing on ceremony. He immediately followed the crowd inside. He still remembered what the old man had told him. Both the Shoushan Copper Essence and the Twelve Earthly Branches coin set were one-of-a-kind treasures.

If someone else claimed them first, he would be out of luck. As soon as he entered the rear hall, he saw layer upon layer of altars completely covered with every imaginable spiritual material and artifact, dazzling the eye with their sheer abundance...

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