First Year of Shenwu, May 29th.

Supreme Dragon and Tiger Sect's mountain gate.

Outside the Lie Xing Hall, Sima Shu, clad in a Daoist robe, strolled out and walked alongside Chen Wenji towards the "True Yang Hall".

There, the inauguration ceremony for the new Teaching True Monarch, Donghua True Monarch, was about to be held.

After all, being one of the three major Daoist sects, the entire Dragon Tiger Mountain was adorned with lights and festooned with immortal flowers blooming everywhere, and numerous envoys from various Immortal Sects also arrived to offer congratulations.

"Reflecting on the past, it still feels like a dream... How did my great Dragon Tiger Sect suddenly fall into ruin?"

Sima Shu's expression still carried a hint of confusion, "Suddenly, the mountain gate was breached, and then... the Teaching True Monarch ventured out to the western lands, and died from severe injuries... I, one of the prestigious three Daoist sects, ended up without a Dharma Body Cultivator in charge, and finally, Donghua True Monarch from the emperor's side took over..."

Chen Wenji's expression changed, and he hurriedly cautioned, "Brother, be cautious with your words! The Zhang Family's recent lesson is not far behind, do not mislead yourself!"

The great authority of the Supreme Dragon and Tiger Sect had always been held by the Zhang Family, and the leaders of successive generations were mostly surnamed Zhang.

Suddenly, someone surnamed Zhong took the seat, and not to mention the Zhang Family, even the lineages in charge of inheritance and enforcement had some who were dissatisfied.

It was only the awe of the Dharma Body that deterred them from voicing their grievances openly.

After all, those bold enough to speak out on this matter had long been suppressed.

Even more so, Chen Wenji knew that the destruction of the Fangcun Spirit Mountain in the East Sea might also be the doing of the Teaching True Monarch!

It is said that having a grudge against Dongping Haomiao True Monarch, he first killed the Dharma Body wasn't enough, later he went to the East Sea and annihilated an entire clan.

In terms of ruthless methods, even the Demon Lords of the six paths of the Demon Sect would offer their commendation.

The disciples of the Supreme Dragon and Tiger Sect were like cicadas in winter, forced to accept an outsider taking over.

'Of course... it's only a superficial submission... Each lineage has hidden Elders remaining in the outside world, managing a part of the legacies and inheritances... These people would never return, especially not if the Teaching True Monarch knew about them... particularly the Zhang Family!'

Thinking this, Chen Wenji accompanied Sima Shu to the venue.

Soon, the disciples and elders from both the transmission and enforcement lineages had all arrived.

Immediately after, the remaining cultivators from the Zhang Family appeared, each with a solemn expression, lined up outside the True Yang Hall, waiting for the auspicious moment.

Surrounding the area, numerous cloud beds floated, seating cultivators who had traveled from various places to witness the ceremony, naturally attended by servants.

Dong!

Dong Dong!

The resonant sound of the bell, distant and clear, seemed to also possess the power to cleanse the spirit, every cultivator hearing the bell felt their Dao Heart calm, as if the corroded dust had been wiped away.

This was the Supreme Dragon and Tiger Sect's "Heart Cleansing Bell", a spiritual treasure that could aid in cultivation and suppress Heart Demons.

Of course, it was only effective below the level of Primordial Spirit, not much for those above.

"The auspicious time has arrived!"

A white-haired, Dao-filled elderly cultivator called out in a clear voice, reverberating throughout the venue.

'He is a Primordial Spirit Cultivator!'

'This person... seems to be Zhang Guique from the Zhang Family!'

'Unexpectedly, even this person has sided with Donghua True Monarch!'

'Maybe not Donghua True Monarch, possibly he sided with the imperial court!'

In the void, numerous divine thoughts intersected, whispering secretly.

Zhang Guique remained expressionless, showing an air of complete composure, as if unaffected by honor or disgrace, and continued to announce in a loud voice, "The succession ceremony of the Teaching True Monarch begins! Please welcome Donghua True Monarch!"

The ceremonial music played, with ancient bells ringing loudly.

Amid the ethereal sounds and rising purple mist, Zhong Shenxiu, dressed in a Dragon and Tiger Daoist Robe, solemnly stepped forward and bowed deeply to the ancestors and founders of the Supreme Dragon and Tiger Sect.

One could only wonder, if these great cultivators, dead yet not stiff, would rise from their coffins and fight this great thief who had stolen their sect!

However, it seemed those great cultivators were truly dead and scattered like ashes...

After Zhong Shenxiu completed the incense offering, there was no disturbance from the ancestral tablets.

Zhang Guique proceeded to read aloud a flowery and elegant parallel prose.

The gist was that Qingwei Dao Miao Zhenjun had unfortunately passed away, leaving the Supreme Dragon and Tiger Sect leaderless. Consequently, the collective cultivators had sincerely elected Donghua True Monarch to the position of sect leader, and anyone who opposed would be defying the entire sect...

"Please ascend to your rightful position as Teaching True Monarch and command the Dragon and Tiger!"

After finishing the prose, Zhang Guique directly knelt and held up a tray above his head as a grand gesture.

On the tray lay a seal and a sword, both Spiritual Treasures, radiating dazzling brilliance.

The seal was the Dragon Tiger Seal, and the sword was the True Martial Sword, both symbols of inheritance from the Supreme Dragon and Tiger Sect, previously held by Zhang Guiji and now to be bestowed upon the rightful leader.

Zhong Shenxiu chuckled lightly and took the Dragon Tiger Seal and the True Martial Sword, hanging them on his waist.

He had already refined these two Spiritual Treasures using Dragon Tiger Magic Power, and they obediently submitted to him.

Even if he wasn't the foundational support of the Supreme Dragon and Tiger Sect, just the majestic presence of his Dharma Body was enough to suppress the spirit of the Spiritual Treasures from acting out.

"Greetings to the Teaching True Monarch!"

In front of the True Yang Hall, on the grand plaza, numerous Primordial Spirits, Primordial Pill Elders, Divine Power Realm Inner Sect Disciples, and Gang Sha Realm Outer Sect Disciples all prostrated deeply in a grand gesture.

"Spare the formalities and rise!"

Zhong Shenxiu held his hands out flat, allowing the many disciples of the Dragon Tiger Sect to stand up, and then with a smile looked around, "I am deeply touched by the attendance of fellow Daoists to observe the ceremony..."

Among the many cultivators who had come to offer congratulations, the most important were representatives sent by the government, and from the Taiping Sect, Miao Ji Zhen Sect, including Buddhist sects like Tuo Mi Temple and Vajra Temple, and finally, some from various other powerful sects.

As for the Demon Sect, they were traditionally unlikely to show any respect for the righteous path.

As for the Penglai Sword Sect and other East Sea Sects, they were both fearful and apprehensive about Zhong Shenxiu's previous act of destroying Fangcun Spirit Mountain. Fortunately, the government intervened, confirming it was a personal feud, initiated by Dongping Haomiao True Monarch, leaving them no option but to grit their teeth and cover up the deed to save face.

Among these attendees, Taiping Guangmiao True Monarch was particularly noticeable.

While other sects presented either a Primordial Spirit or Primordial Pill Elder as a messenger, the Taiping Sect had shown great respect by having their Dharma Body Master personally attend.

Taiping Guangmiao True Monarch, with his ancient features and clad in a Kasaya Daoist robe, was openly boisterous and unrestrained. At that moment, he was guzzling from a wine jug. Hearing the words, he put down the jug and laughed loudly, "The day I first met the junior brother, I knew you were no ordinary being. Today, indeed, you have transformed into a dragon amidst the clouds, and regardless of your Cultivation Realm or status, you stand as an equal to your senior brother. Ah... It truly comforts my heart..."

"The Supreme Dragon and Tiger Sect, after all, is one of the top three Daoist sects, sharing close ties and supporting each other."

"Although currently weakened, with support from the Taiping Sect and the government and with a Dharma Body Master, it's not to be underestimated..."

Some cultivators, upon seeing this scene, retracted their darker thoughts.

Sima Shu raised his head, looking at Young Master Shen Xiu, and recalling some rumors, felt even more uncomfortable in his heart.

Could this Donghua True Monarch really be that son of the Su Family from back then?

The difference was truly as vast as heaven and earth.

Just then, his nose twitched, catching a scent as fragrant as orchids and musk.

This fragrance came from outside the sect, accompanied by a pleasant voice, "As the new True Monarch of the Supreme Dragon and Tiger Sect ascends, I, Wu Lian, have come to offer congratulations!"

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