I changed the world.

Page 133

The Grand Fasting Ceremony of the Supreme Yellow Register at Yunxiao Temple on Yunxiao Mountain in Dinghai has been held for three days. Prior to this ceremony, an envoy from the Imperial Family brought with him an imperial edict posthumously bestowing upon Abbot Xiao the title of "Master Ciji".

This also brought a unique atmosphere to the Dharma assembly; at least in the eyes of many, Yunxiao Temple was extremely honored this time.

Riding on the previously widespread and dubious rumors of the ascension of the immortal Yuanli Xuanmiao Wuwei Yanjiao Zhuangjing Puji Zhenren, the number of spectators at this Dharma assembly was enormous. Even though Yunxiao Temple had already announced the closure of the mountain and widely publicized it on its own website and some media that it would not be receiving tourists during the Dharma assembly due to venue limitations, a large number of believers still came from all over the country and gathered at the foot of the mountain.

In particular, the weather was unfortunate; a cold wave that began on February 1st and swept across the country caused the temperature in Dinghai to drop sharply compared to previous years.

This forced the temple to urgently dispatch a group of disciples down the mountain to comfort the believers and arrange accommodations, as it was impossible for believers to freeze to death in the snow because they had nowhere to live.

Of course, the closure of the mountain was mainly for tourists. For those devout believers, many of whom had generations of ties with Yunxiao Temple, they could not be turned away, and the temple had already prepared guest rooms. In addition, with the arrival of representatives from various temples and religious circles, the guest rooms on Yunxiao Mountain were packed to capacity. The temple staff even had to temporarily vacate some rooms that had been used for other purposes to make do with what they had, just to barely manage to get by.

Given the high status of Xiao Daoguang, the "Perfected Man of Profound Truth and Non-Action, Manifesting Teachings, Tranquil and Universal Salvation," all lineages within the Xuanmen (Taoist) community attached great importance to this Dharma assembly, sending important figures to attend. This was considered a great honor for Yunxiao Temple. Some media outlets even referred to this grand religious event, which was filled with distinguished guests, as the "Dharma Assembly of the Century."

For this reason, everyone at Yunxiao Temple was on high alert, fearing that something unexpected might happen and bring shame to the sect.

This Dharma assembly was personally presided over by Li Jingxin, the abbot of Yunxiao Temple and the chief disciple of Master Xiao. With the participation of Taoist priests from the Yunxiao lineage and the Yunxiao Temple Music Ensemble, the assembly performed rituals including repentance, lighting lamps for universal salvation, bathing, crossing the bridge, and purification rites, benefiting both the living and the deceased. It also served to honor the deceased Master Xiao, accumulating merit and providing blessings, and simultaneously liberating the ancestors of local believers from negative karma. May all believers receive the blessings of the Dharma, cultivate wisdom, eliminate calamities and sins, and enjoy boundless blessings…

In short, the Dharma assembly proceeded solemnly and according to the proper rituals without any unexpected incidents. The assembly concluded smoothly by evening, and the entire scene unfolded as initially anticipated. All the attendees were highly cooperative, and the disciples in the temple did not make any obvious mistakes. This finally put Li Jingxin's mind at ease.

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Chapter 218 Entering the Forbidden Zone

The next morning, following the traditional rituals passed down through generations, the monks of Yunxiao Temple buried the old abbot's body in the ancestral mausoleum on the back mountain. This rather mysterious process was traditionally forbidden to outsiders, and naturally, no one would be so tactless as to try and provoke it.

The weather cooperated; the sky remained overcast throughout the entire burial process, with no rain or snow. The burial ceremony was completed around noon.

That afternoon, after enjoying a fine vegetarian meal, some of the guests who had come to observe the ceremony were led by disciples to tour the scenery inside and outside the Yunxiao Mountain temple. Yunxiao Temple has been established here for hundreds of years, and over such a long period, many legends and stories have naturally been passed down. Furthermore, with generations of Taoist priests managing the temple, there are many sights to see on the mountain.

Of course, many guests visited each other's rooms, as such a gathering of distinguished guests is a rare opportunity for many to socialize.

On February 6th, although the funeral arrangements for the former abbot had been completed and the Lunar New Year's Eve was approaching, most of the guests remained. This was because, on this very day, the Yunxiao Mountain lineage in Dinghai would appoint a new abbot. As a significant sect within the Southern Xuanmen (Taoist school), the abbotship of the Yunxiao Temple lineage has always been a highly coveted position, second only in importance to the Celestial Master of the Celestial Master's Mansion on Danding Mountain. It has always enjoyed widespread influence among the Xuanmen believers in the empire.

In fact, at this moment, everyone knew that the new abbot would most likely be the old abbot's eldest disciple, Li Jingxin, the supervisor of Yunxiao Temple. In terms of age, prestige, and seniority, he was the only suitable candidate. The old abbot's other disciples were somewhat inferior in comparison.