Register Conferment

Outside Star Island Immortal Lake. A clear sky stretched for ten thousand li. A cluster of white clouds sped southward at a speed that was clearly abnormal. Any cultivator could tell at a glance that a fellow Daoist was casting a spell. Several dozen figures stood upon the cloud. At the very front was a middle-aged Daoist who steered it. Behind him stood people young and old. Half were vibrant boys and girls who looked left and right from the cloud with novel curiosity. Only when they saw hills the size of houses below did they realize how high up they were, edging a little closer to their elders. Gazing at the Daoist's back, the youths all wore looks of eager anticipation. Qin Sang was among them. After getting to know Master Qi, Qin Sang had not stopped gathering intelligence, visiting Master Qi's residence from time to time to seek guidance. With continuous inquiries over several days, Qin Sang had gathered more and more information and learned many secrets. A plan had gradually formed in his mind: he intended to seek the High Shenxiao Register from the Thunder Left and Right Manors! According to his findings, the registers of the Thunder Left Manor and the Thunder Right Manor were of the same lineage. Like the Mount Taoheng registers, the High Shenxiao Register of the two Thunder Manors had two tiers: the Taishang Boy Spiritual Officer and General Register, and the Flowing Gold and Fire Bell Register. Regardless of the talismanic register—even in the Daoist Sect and the two courts of the Daoist Court—the entry-level register was always the Taishang Boy Spiritual Officer and General Register. However, while the register names were identical, the scriptures and arts differed, and the corresponding spiritual officers and generals were also distinct and could not be conflated. Because relations between the Thunder Left and Right Manors were hostile, if he strategized properly and obtained the two registers from them separately, Qin Sang could quickly construct a register altar of the Shengxuan Dharma rank, and then find a way to obtain qualifications for register elevation from the Daoist Sect. From then on, he would be able to cultivate in peace at least until the Body Integration stage, without needing to fret over talismanic registers anymore. Register elevation was no easy feat, so Qin Sang planned to consult Real Person Zhijian first. However, he had not yet gone to Sword Heart Island to visit Real Person Zhijian, intending to pay his call only after receiving the High Shenxiao Register. Yet before pursuing the High Shenxiao Register, Qin Sang still had one matter to settle. For him, the greatest hidden danger right now was the fear of being exposed as having extraordinarily high cultivation despite never having received a register, an anomaly that would be impossible to explain. According to Qin Sang's original plan, he would first receive a register at a weaker faction; if an accident occurred, it would be easy to handle. Once he possessed a register altar, he could go to a renowned great sect and switch to his desired register without worry. Yet after investigating further, Qin Sang discovered things were not so simple. Switching registers was known in the Daoist Court as "register addition," which some jokingly called "promotion and ennoblement," but sects in the Jushan Diocese did not seem capable of register addition. Moreover, ordinary people had no need for register addition. In this realm, scriptures and registers were viewed separately. Especially outside the Daoist Sect, cultivators received registers primarily to resist the Six Heavens' ancient qi; most still practiced the cultivation techniques passed down by their own masters. Therefore, so long as a talismanic register was close enough to one's master lineage not to cause a conflict, one generally had no thought of changing registers after receiving it. Even if one developed a feud with the faction that conferred the register, there was no need to switch. When breaking through, one could choose another register with similar attributes and undergo register elevation at another sect. For example, Mount Taoheng conferred Water Department registers. If a disciple betrayed the sect, they could conceal their identity and, upon breaking through, elevate to another Water Department register. A register altar forged in this manner might not be as stable as one from an unbroken lineage, leaving potential risks for the future, but ninety-nine percent of cultivators never lived to see that day. At the very least, Qin Sang had contacted quite a few experts, yet he had not discovered a single sect in Star Island Immortal Lake capable of register addition. According to his initial plan, he might end up having to beg the Daoist Court anyway. It would be better to skip the detour and settle it once and for all. Therefore, Qin Sang needed to take part in a register conferment ceremony first to verify whether his cultivation would be detected during the process. If exposure was unavoidable, Qin Sang certainly did not want to draw the attention of the Daoist Sect. Only by directly controlling that sect could he keep the secret safe, which meant he could not pick a target from among the prominent major sects. Thus, Qin Sang found a sect outside Star Island Immortal Lake and secured a qualification for register conferment. The Daoist driving the cloud ahead went by the Daoist name Yangluo, a Core Formation stage cultivator from the Sanyang Sect. The Sanyang Talismanic Register conferred by the Sanyang Patriarchal Altar belonged to the Fire Department. Most importantly, this sect put a portion of its conferment slots up for sale every time. By this point, Qin Sang had already dispersed all the true essence throughout his body, leaving his sea of qi completely empty. He disguised himself as a youth who had just embarked on the path of cultivation, following Yangluo to the Sanyang Sect to receive a register. The others were all accompanied by teachers or elders; he alone was by himself. The other boys and girls stole curious glances at him. Yet though Qin Sang had come alone, Master Yangluo did not dare treat him with the slightest neglect, for Qin Sang's "master" was a Real Person. The youths were still unsettled in character. After the initial novelty and excitement, those of the same age began whispering greetings to one another. Hesitant at first, they soon chattered away when they saw no one reining them in. At that moment, Master Yangluo, standing atop the cloud, suddenly turned his head. The crowd went silent at once. Master Yangluo's gaze swept over the boys and girls, and he said coldly, "Your elders should have told you the rules of the register conferment ceremony, but Pindao will emphasize them once more! Three Great Masters will preside over the ceremony. Pindao is your Sponsoring Master. If you offend Pindao, you may still be tolerated. But if improper conduct offends the Transmission Master and the Supervision Master, and they cast you out, even if your elders are present, there will not be the slightest room for leniency. Furthermore, not a single spirit stone will be refunded!" Master Yangluo wore a stern expression. The youths were all frightened, the timid ones even trembling slightly. Qin Sang and the elders knew Master Yangluo's words were no exaggeration. The Transmission Master was the one who presided over the register conferment ceremony. The Supervision Master held an even higher status, a role filled by a person of high virtue and prestige—at least a sect elder—responsible for supervising the altar. Both had the authority to expel or even strike down anyone who made a scene at the ceremony. It was said that the Daoist Sect also had the Six Altar-Protecting Great Masters to ensure the entire ceremony strictly followed Daoist ritual protocol. Master Yangluo then laid out several more rules. The youths nodded like pounding garlic, completely stripped of any mood to laugh and chat. ... The cloud plummeted, and everyone soon felt a jolt beneath their feet. When the mist cleared, they found themselves standing on a stone platform atop a mountain cliff. "Follow me." Master Yangluo followed the stone steps, walking toward the mountain peak, and the group hurriedly kept up. Before they had gone far, a young man walked over from ahead. Master Yangluo paused and greeted him with a smile. "Where is Third Senior Brother headed?" "Ah, Ninth Junior Brother is back." The young man glanced at the crowd behind Master Yangluo. "The sect is opening the altar to confer registers again? How are the aptitudes of the disciples you brought back?" Master Yangluo shook his head slightly. "None of them are disciples of our Sanyang Sect. Good or bad, their aptitudes have nothing to do with us." Qin Sang and the others stood at the back, watching the two converse. Hearing Master Yangluo's words, Qin Sang's heart stirred, and he glanced across the group. Ever since coming to this realm, Qin Sang had discovered there was no concept of "spiritual roots" here, yet aptitudes were still distinguished between good and bad. He had already quietly examined these youths; all of them possessed fire spiritual roots. Clearly, their backgrounds and connections played a role. After exchanging a few words with Master Yangluo, the young man prepared to leave. Master Yangluo quickly called out, "Senior Brother, do you know which elder is serving as Supervision Master for this ceremony?" The young man pondered for a moment. "It should be Martial Uncle's turn this time." "So it is Martial Uncle." Master Yangluo breathed a sigh of relief. Not only were they on close terms, but Martial Uncle was widely renowned for his benevolence; there was no need to worry about being scolded. Afterward, Master Yangluo settled them in a dormitory and hurried off. He did not return until seven days later, when he led everyone to the Sanyang Sect's Register Conferment Court. This time, Qin Sang was able to see the Sanyang Sect's patriarchal altar with his own eyes. Unrelated individuals were stopped outside the Register Conferment Court. They were first led into a courtyard, above whose gate hung a plaque reading "Sanyang Patriarchal Altar." Inside was an enormous plaza, in the center of which stood a round, double-eared cauldron incense burner. Wisps of spiritual incense rose from the cauldron. Behind the plaza was a grand hall, its roof enveloped in purple mist, bearing a plaque that read "Sanyang Hall." When they entered, there were already three groups standing outside the incense burner, numbering several hundred in total. These were the three categories of disciples taking part in the register conferment this time. First were disciples of the Sanyang Sect, second were vassals of the Sanyang Sect, and third were outsiders like Qin Sang. The doors of the Sanyang Hall were tightly shut. In front of the hall stood a scattering of young Daoists, some holding banners and others pacing back and forth. The atmosphere was somewhat solemn, yet it carried an underlying sense of crudeness. "Didn't Father say the register conferment ceremony was extremely grand?" Beside Qin Sang, a young girl looked disappointed, turning to the youth next to her—her elder brother. The youth carried himself with composure and shook his head slightly. "Father was speaking of the Daoist Sect's ceremony. Back then, Father was fortunate enough to observe one. He said it was not only magnificent, but had countless rules. From opening the altar and requesting water, rehearsing the altar rites, submitting petitions, and settling the altar with incense, to receiving the holy carriage, inviting the masters, greeting the gods, and paying respects to the patriarchs, all the way to offering memorials, making vows, and giving thanks upon completion... it was thoroughly elaborate. The Sanyang Sect is not of orthodox Daoist transmission; they lack that reverence and simplify whatever they can. A few days ago, when Master Yangluo explained the ceremonial etiquette to us up in the sky, that counted as our rehearsal." The girl nodded in half-comprehending understanding. Just then, a disciple of the Sanyang Sect walked over, swept his eyes around, and barked, "Silence!" Instantly, the area fell deathly still. A chime of a musical stone suddenly rang out, and the doors of the Sanyang Hall slowly opened. Qin Sang's eyes narrowed slightly as he took in the scene within. At the back of the hall stood two statues—the founding patriarchs of the Sanyang Sect. A long table was set before the statues. The statues and the table occupied barely a tenth of the hall's space. Inside the Sanyang Hall, the most conspicuous feature was a ritual altar. Its structure was similar to the register altars Qin Sang had seen before, likewise divided into three tiers: a round altar at the top, an octagonal middle altar, and a square lower altar, symbolizing the Three Heavens and Three Realms. This altar was none other than the Sanyang Patriarchal Altar! At this moment, Sanyang Sect disciples holding divine banners filed out in single file, taking their positions in two rows before the hall. Only two Daoists remained inside: an old man who was a Shengxuan Real Person, and a high-bunned Daoist close to achieving the Shengxuan realm. The two stood before the incense table, holding offering incense, and bowed deeply with great respect before the statues of the patriarchs, chanting scriptures. Qin Sang listened closely for a few lines and recognized that they were reciting the Daoist Sect's *Liturgy for Requesting Registers*, only modified into an awkward, clumsy hybrid. The Daoist Sect beseeched the registers of the immortal gods, whereas the Sanyang Sect attributed everything to its own founding patriarchs. Next, under the lead of the Sanyang Sect disciples, Qin Sang and the others awaiting conferment also chanted the *Liturgy for Requesting Registers*. The content amounted to little more than entreating benevolent mercy, requesting the conferment of divine registers, and the like. The Sanyang Sect's ceremony was indeed simple; as soon as the recitation ended, the conferment began. Receiving their registers first were the true disciples of the Sanyang Sect. The youths on the far left of the plaza stepped forward in sequence. At the head was a frail-looking boy who, upon receiving permission, walked into the Sanyang Hall with an expression full of tension. "Kneel!" The high-bunned Daoist standing before the patriarchal altar barked in a low voice. He was the Transmission Master for this ceremony. The old Daoist was the Supervision Master, currently standing at the side of the altar. The boy shivered and fell to his knees. The Transmission Master flicked his whisk and turned to bow toward the sky. Without any apparent movement from him, the Sanyang Patriarchal Altar suddenly blazed with golden light. The golden light was so dazzling that none dared look directly at it. Had the Sanyang Hall's restrictions not contained it, the surrounding peaks would have been bathed in brilliant gold. As the golden light subsided, Qin Sang saw a golden seal hovering above the Sanyang Patriarchal Altar. There seemed to be writing upon the seal, but it constantly shifted, making it entirely illegible. The Transmission Master glanced at the Supervision Master, and seeing him nod, formed a hand seal. A flash of surprise crossed Qin Sang's eyes. Although he could not easily use his divine sense to investigate directly, he sensed that once this golden seal appeared, the patriarchal altar resonated with an unknown force. A talismanic shadow flew out from the altar, transforming into a blank golden talisman before the boy's forehead. "Guide your divine sense." The Transmission Master commanded softly, while his whisk slashed the boy's palm to draw a drop of essence blood. All who came to receive registers had already entered the Dao, though their divine senses were exceedingly weak. Even so, with the Transmission Master's assistance, the boy successfully guided a thread of divine sense, merging it alongside the drop of essence blood into the blank golden talisman. The next instant, the golden talisman took on an aura identical to the boy's. *Clack!* The Transmission Master formed a seal, and the golden seal on the altar shot a beam of golden light into the talisman, imprinting a proof upon it. The golden talisman split in two: one drifted into the boy's forehead, while the other flew back to the patriarchal altar, bursting into flames on its own and turning to ash in an instant. This was the burning of the register, presenting the memorial to the divine court and announcing it to yin and yang. Only at this step was the conferment complete, granting the disciple the qualification to summon ghosts and spirits from that day forward. Joy spread across the boy's face. As the talismanic register entered his body, even before a register altar was forged, he felt an unprecedented sense of stability. After entering the Dao, he had not dared to continue cultivating; now, at long last, he could practice normally. The boy kowtowed and withdrew, and the second disciple entered the hall. One by one, the disciples received their registers in order: first all the Sanyang Sect disciples, then the Sanyang Sect vassals, and finally the outside cultivators, until it was at last Qin Sang's turn. Qin Sang did not try to stand out; like the others, he knelt upon the prayer mat, gazing at the golden seal upon the altar. Up close, the sensation was even clearer. The Sanyang Patriarchal Altar and the golden seal radiated a strange ripple he had never encountered before. *Whoosh!* A blank golden talisman manifested before him. Qin Sang softened his palm and separated a wisp of divine sense well in advance. Completely unaware, the Transmission Master merged his essence blood and divine sense into the blank golden talisman, stamping the proof upon it. Immediately, Qin Sang felt an inexplicable bond form between himself and the golden talisman. *Nothing abnormal...* With his peripheral vision, Qin Sang kept an eye on the Supervision Master. The patriarchal altar, the golden talisman, and the presiding masters were all operating normally; none had detected his true cultivation! The Transmission Master was just about to burn the register. Qin Sang suddenly called out, "Wait!" Everyone stared at him in bewilderment. "I will not receive the register," Qin Sang said, shaking his head as he stood up. "What did you say?" The Transmission Master was dumbfounded; he had never seen such a thing. "I regret it. I do not wish to receive the Sanyang Talismanic Register," Qin Sang said. "Impudent whelp!" The Supervision Master erupted in fury, murder flashing in his eyes. Opening the altar to confer registers consumed vast amounts of spirit stones and spiritual materials. The quota each time was limited, and once finalized, it could not be changed, which meant a slot had been completely wasted. Outside the hall doors, Master Yangluo was frantic, hurriedly sending a voice transmission to his martial uncle to explain the boy's background. The Supervision Master's cheek twitched. In anger, he shattered the golden talisman, then slapped a palm toward Qin Sang, roaring, "Get out!" *Thud!* Under everyone's varied stares, Qin Sang spun through the air and was hurled right out of the mountains.