readytorunbook Chapter 152 Mahayana Ritual 10
Chapter 152 Mahayana Ritual 10
The six of them stared blankly at the band in the sky. Finally, Qin Che couldn't stand the silence anymore and reached out to pat his five friends. The five of them turned around and stared at him like zombies.
"Are we just going to let them play like this?" Qin Che shouted.
Cheng Jiu rubbed his ears, which were sore from the shrill music: "We really can't go on like this!"
"Then what do you suggest, junior sister?" Qin Che asked curiously.
"Senior Brother Gongcheng, Senior Brother Gongyu, get to work!" Cheng Jiu pulled out a dusty, yellowish musical instrument with a large belly and a small mouth from the boundary.
Gong Yu understood and pulled out a small drum from somewhere. Gong Cheng looked at the two of them with a helpless expression, and then happily pulled out an erhu.
"Senior brother, cover your ears!" Cheng Jiu said with the imposing manner of someone facing a thousand troops.
Seeing the menacing appearance of Cheng Jiu and his companions, the three of them made a tactical retreat and sealed off their positions.
A loud, cacophony of sounds pierced the sky, striking the musical web woven by the three bands.
Like a pair of scissors tearing the music net to pieces, the howling erhu and the chaotic drumbeats crashed into the three bands playing above.
In an instant, the three bands were routed and tried to regroup, but they were unknowingly led astray by the three unknown voices. The music that was originally solemn and dignified turned into howling and wailing.
The maids and guards in the three ceremonial processions above covered their ears, their faces pale, as if they had suffered some great torment.
These three domineering voices were even more outrageous than them, completely disregarding their lives and playing their music with increasing gusto.
Some people's music costs money, while others' music costs lives.
These three musical sounds must be meant to send them all away.
The beaded curtain of the carriage in the middle of the three ceremonial guards moved slightly, and the eunuchs and female officials standing beside the carriage conveyed their masters' orders.
The three ceremonial guards slowly descended from the sky.
Chang Yue and the other two listened to the advice and used their spiritual power to plug their ears, so they didn't hear the heroic deeds of their three junior brothers and sisters at all.
But her attention was focused on the three ceremonial guards, and when she saw that the other party finally made a move, she took action to interrupt Cheng Jiu and the other two's performance.
Seeing that the other party had finally come to their senses and made a decision, Cheng Jiu and the other two put away their instruments and waited for the other party.
Today is the grand ceremony for the immortals Qingxu and Qingyang; everything should take this as the priority.
As it turned out, the other party actually started fighting in the sky above the Guiyuan Sect, the venue for the Mahayana ceremony. This was not the mortal realm, but the Guiyuan Sect, and they didn't take the Mahayana ceremony seriously at all. Therefore, Cheng Jiu and the other two's actions were not impolite at all, but rather very reasonable.
Nine drumbeats resounded, followed by a long, drawn-out sound of a bull's horn echoing through the sky.
The guards protecting the ceremonial guard were all dressed in armor, each one looking heroic and moving swiftly and decisively, arranged in two rows, for a total of six rows.
They performed military salutes in varying but remarkably uniform movements, their steps precise and solemn, each person's eyes bright and focused, staring straight ahead.
Their movements were perfectly synchronized, and their military discipline was impeccable; they were clearly battle-hardened soldiers selected from countless battlefields.
On the far left is the Lin Dynasty, the oldest and most historically significant. Their totem is the black dragon, and their most elite force is called the Black Dragon Guard.
Each Black Dragon Guard was clad in black armor engraved with dragon patterns, wore a black iron mask covering their face, had iron handguards at their knuckles, and carried a large sword at their waist, standing ramrod straight.
Like a silent, bloodthirsty black dragon blade, it will be invincible as long as its master gives the order.
On the far right is the Wei Dynasty, the youngest dynasty to be established. Because it is the youngest, it is also depicted as the youngest. Its totem is the white Qilin, and its most elite troops are also called the White Qilin Guards.
The young man was handsome and dashing, clad in white iron armor with a red shawl extending from his collar, the contrast between iron and crimson creating an indescribable air of elegance. His breastplate was embroidered with a white qilin pattern, and a sword hung at his waist. One hand rested lightly on his chest, exuding an air of effortless charm.
Like a fine sword that shines brightly, if you only see its surface, you will surely suffer a great loss.
At the very center is the Qiongyun Dynasty, the only matriarchal dynasty among the three countries. Its totem is the fire phoenix, and its most elite troops are called the Phoenix Cry Guards.
The woman was dressed in red armor, which covered her entire body with light armor. The armor was carved with a phoenix rising from the ashes. She carried a large bow and arrows and a quiver that were half her height on her back, giving her a fierce and imposing aura.
Like a crimson bow and arrow, it is invincible wherever it goes.
Since ancient times, the center has been considered the center of honor, the left the center of respect, and the right the center of inferiority. It seems that the previous musical battle has now been decided.
Beside the three ornate carriages, the responsible female officials and eunuchs announced the program in sharp voices.
"The eldest princess of the Qiongyun Dynasty has arrived with her husband!"
The central curtain was lifted, and a beautiful woman dressed in a magnificent gold and red phoenix robe rose from the carriage. Her appearance was dignified and elegant, like a proud phoenix looking down upon all living beings.
She stepped off the carriage and stretched out her fair hand towards it. A pair of slender, well-defined hands rested on hers. The curtain was slightly lifted, and a tall, handsome young man with an air of scholarly refinement stepped off the carriage.
"Greetings, Your Highness, Princess! May you be in good health and protect my Qiongyun!" The Phoenix Guards moved in unison, cupping their hands and bowing slightly in greeting.
"Rise, everyone!" the princess said in a clear voice.
"Thank you, Your Highness! Your Majesty!" The Phoenix Guards stood in unison, respectfully watching the other party walk onto the jade platform.
"His Highness the First Prince of the Lin Dynasty and his First Princess have arrived!"
Two palace maids pulled back the beaded curtain at the front of the carriage, and the carriage tilted slightly forward to allow the person in the middle to get off.
The boy was about twenty-three or twenty-four years old, dressed in a black dragon robe. As he walked, the robe fluttered, and his gaze was as calm as a cold star as he stepped down from the carriage.
A woman with a gentle and elegant appearance followed closely behind. Her style matched that of the man; she was also dressed in a black phoenix robe. Although they were husband and wife, they did not stand side by side but rather half a step apart.
The eldest prince's wife looked at him with an indescribable respect, not like she was looking at her husband, but more like she was looking at a superior.
"Greetings to His Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness the Crown Princess, may you live a thousand years!" The Black Ice Guards knelt on one knee and proclaimed in unison.
"Get up!" His tone was flat and emotionless, his entire demeanor exuding extreme coldness.
"Thank you, Your Highness!" The black guard stood up and watched the other person walk into the jade platform.
"The Crown Prince of the Wei Dynasty has arrived with his Crown Princess!"
The door on the carriage opened, and a chubby boy, dressed in a golden unicorn robe and resembling a creamy dumpling, stepped off the carriage with a slightly protruding belly. His chubby face bore a smile like that of Maitreya Buddha, which made him seem approachable.
The other person stood in front of the car frame, their gaze filled with love and doting. First, half of their stunningly beautiful face was revealed. A peerless beauty with a cool demeanor and a slender figure stood beside the young man, wearing a white scalloped dress and a gorgeous headdress, yet it did not accentuate even a fraction of her beauty.
Even by the standards of the cultivation world, she is a rare beauty.
"Greetings to His Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness the Crown Princess. May the Wei Kingdom prosper for a thousand generations." Bai Linwei placed one hand slightly on his heart and bowed in greeting.
"Please rise, please rise!"
"Thank you, Your Highness!"
"You three must be the esteemed disciples of Immortal Lord Qingxu and Immortal Lord Qingyang!" The eldest princess greeted Cheng Jiu with a smile.
"Okay!" Cheng Jiu and the other six responded, their eyes turning to the entourage behind her. Now that they were here, shouldn't those extra people get off? Staying there all the time was affecting the reception of guests.
"It is true that great teachers produce outstanding students and geniuses emerge from among the young. Seeing this today, I can confirm it. Speaking of which, my lord's younger brother is also in the Guiyuan Sect. I wonder if any of you know him?"
"I came to Guiyuan Sect not only to attend the Mahayana ceremony of the two Immortal Lords, but also to visit Zhengjun's younger brother. We haven't seen each other for so many years, and Zhengjun often tells me she misses him. So I brought him along now, right, Siyan?" The Princess's tone was gentle, filled with undisguised affection.
Hearing his wife's teasing, Wen Siyan's youthful face flushed slightly: "My younger brother is called Wen Sishu? Do you all know him?"
"Senior Brother Wen's older brother!" Cheng Jiu and the other two exclaimed in unison, looking at the handsome young man with a clear and bright face, they really couldn't recognize him.
“I didn’t expect that you little immortals and fairies would know my brother.” Wen Siyan said with concern, “My brother has never been good at literature, so his family had no choice but to send him to the world of cultivation. We haven’t heard from him all these years. We only heard that he found a good master and became an alchemist. Judging from your tone, it seems that he is doing well in the world of cultivation.”
The man's tone was one of relief. That brat had only sent a few letters home over the years. Even with the difficulty of communication between immortals and mortals, it was still better than him just disappearing like this. His family knew he was doing quite well in the cultivation world, which put them at ease, but they couldn't help but worry.
"Senior Brother Wen, you're simple, with exceptional talent. You've become a disciple of Elder Yao, and you'll be attending the Mahayana ceremony later. You two brothers will then be able to meet again." Cheng Jiu briefly recounted Wen Sishu's recent situation.
I never imagined that Wen Sishu's brother would become the legitimate husband of the eldest princess of the Qiongyun Dynasty.
He is very likely to become the king consort of the Qiongyun Dynasty in the future, and the two seem to be quite in love.
Cheng Jiu's initially unpleasant expression due to the other party's outburst softened.
"What happened just now was our rash act. We hope the three fairies and immortal lords will forgive us!" The princess said, seizing the opportunity as the three had calmed down.
She really went too far just now. She hopes these three won't misunderstand. If she offends the Guiyuan Sect, her chances of becoming the crown prince will be gone.
However, I never expected that my own lord's younger brother would actually join the Guiyuan Sect, and become the disciple of the ninth-grade alchemist, Yao Lao. I already valued him highly, and now he has taken it to an even higher level.
Out of consideration for Wen Siyan, Cheng Jiu and the other two did not want to make things difficult for her, so they accepted her apology, and the matter was thus dropped in Qiongyun Dynasty.
Wen Siyan smiled gently at the three of them and said, "Thank you all for your care. I am very grateful."
Looking at his smile, the six of them felt their faces burning for some reason.
Very few people can resist that smile.
"I'll escort you to the reception hall!" Cheng Jiu's tone softened.
"No need, the road isn't far. Zheng Guan and I will go slowly and enjoy the scenery along the way. We also have female officials with us. If we need any help, we will send them to consult us!" Apart from the ceremonial guards, the princess brought twenty-four female officials and guards to serve her closely.
Behind them came the eldest prince of the Lin Dynasty and his eldest princess, a large and imposing procession.
"You two are the disciples of Immortal Lord Qingxu and Immortal Lord Qingyang. Judging from your appearance," he scrutinized Cheng Jiu, his tone flippant, "not that impressive!"
Before Cheng Jiu and the other two could react, Chang Yue sneered, "You have no right to judge the strength of your junior brothers and sisters. Does your Lin Dynasty have some kind of dissatisfaction with the Five Great Sects?"
The eldest prince of the Lin Dynasty glanced at Chang Yue, his eyes filled with indifference and murderous intent. Anyone else would probably not dare to move under that gaze.
But who is Chang Yue? He is the second disciple of the Guiyuan Sect Master. He often deals with these forces and doesn't care about his so-called imposing manner.
"Haha!" The eldest prince of the Lin Dynasty chuckled, "It was just a joke, please don't take it to heart."
“But your joke isn’t funny!” Chang Yue said coldly.
"Then consider this my apology!" The eldest prince froze upon hearing this, looking at Chang Yue with turbulent eyes and a somewhat aggrieved tone.
He forcefully shoved the apology into Cheng Jiu's arms, and without exchanging pleasantries, coldly said to the woman behind him, "Aren't you going to hurry up and catch up?"
He then strode towards the reception hall.
"As expected of Senior Sister Chang Yue!" Li Weixin exclaimed with a mixture of admiration and envy. "The people of the Lin Dynasty have always been quite annoying. My master was involved in the Mahayana Ceremony before, but fortunately, the sect leader was in charge at the time and could keep him in check!"
"He doesn't seem like that kind of person at all." Cheng Jiu felt that appearances can be deceiving, so how did that cool guy become so annoying?
"Where did everyone go?" A panting voice came from the side.
The stunningly beautiful woman supported her husband, a hint of helplessness on her face: "Honey, you should lose some weight, it's just a few steps."
The fat man took a couple of breaths and said, "I don't know why this road is so long. I feel like I've walked around the palace twice."
Cheng Jiu and the other two looked at the two ceremonial guards behind the other person: "Did that guy not let his ceremonial guards leave?"
The fat man followed their directions and looked back. The Qiongyun Dynasty's entourage had obediently left, leaving only his and the Lin Dynasty's entourage standing out conspicuously.
Seeing the ominous expressions on the faces of the group, he gave a wink to those behind him, and immediately someone arranged for the Wei Dynasty's entourage to leave. Now, the Lin Dynasty's entourage stood out conspicuously.
"Brother Lin has really gone too far! I'll definitely talk to him later and make him move the ceremonial procession." The fat man's chubby face was full of indignation: "What happened that day was really unfair to the fairies and immortals. It's just that when those two guys started fighting, I, representing the Wei Dynasty, couldn't avoid the battle. Wouldn't that mean I was afraid of them?"
Although there were reasons for this, I am still very sorry. This is a small apology gift; please accept it and I hope you will understand.
The other party's attitude was sincere, so the three of them didn't take it too seriously and accepted the apology gift.
"It's getting late, and the Mahayana ceremony is about to begin. I'm so sorry to have bothered you for so long! Please stay a while, I'll go by myself." The fat man chuckled as he saw the three accept the apology gifts.
"This way, please!" Cheng Jiujiu and the other two pointed to the path leading to the reception hall.
The fat man wiped the sweat from his face and sighed, "Why is the road to Guiyuan Sect so difficult? Sigh, if only there were a sedan chair! If I had known it would be this arduous task, I would have let my second brother do it; he loves this kind of thing!"
Despite his complaints, he wiped his sweat and staggered toward the reception hall.
"This eldest prince of the Wei Dynasty is quite the smooth talker!" Cheng Jiu examined the apology gift presented by the other party. It was a red jade ornament, valued for its exquisite carving and rarity.