Chapter 392 - 299: Thousand Peaks Sect, Vermilion Fruit Dharma Assembly!
Chapter 392: Chapter 299: Thousand Peaks Sect, Vermilion Fruit Dharma Assembly!
"Who has activated the Grand Array?!"
Before Gu Yuan could speak, Ding Zhichong coldly shouted downwards.
"Junior Brother Ding, the Scripture Pavilion is a crucial place. Do not make a scene. Come down and speak if you have a matter to discuss!"
As soon as Ding Zhichong finished speaking, a faint voice came from below.
Gu Yuan’s brow furrowed slightly; this voice belonged to none other than Zhang’s Golden Core, Zhang Guangcheng, who had previously welcomed him into the sect.
"Hmph!"
Hearing this, Ding Zhichong snorted coldly, then nodded apologetically to Gu Yuan, indicating that he should remain calm. The two of them then descended through the clouds, landing in front of the Scripture Hall.
The Scripture Hall of the Thousand Waves Sect was quite magnificent. From afar, it seemed to pierce the heavens, rising into the clouds. Up close, its overhanging eaves and heavy corners gave it a solemn and weighty appearance, resembling a green copper mountain sitting on a lotus leaf.
In front of the Scripture Hall, it was extremely quiet, as if it had been nearly emptied. Only Zhang Guangcheng sat composedly behind a green desk, seemingly guarding the hall.
"Senior Brother Zhang, why have you arbitrarily activated the Palace Protection Array? Is it possible that some petty villain has intruded into the hall?"
Ding Zhichong landed in front of Zhang Guangcheng’s green desk, barely cupping his hands in a salute, and then questioned him.
Zhang Guangcheng glanced at Gu Yuan and greeted him with a smile before explaining to Ding Zhichong, "No petty villain for now; it’s just that the rules of the Scripture Pavilion have changed, so the grand array was activated as a precaution."
"The rules of the Scripture Pavilion have changed? How can they change?"
Ding Zhichong’s heart skipped, feeling a sense of unease, and he asked in a deep voice.
"For many years, our Thousand Waves Sect’s Golden Core cultivators have had no accomplishments, yet they can freely cultivate methods and enjoy offerings. This has been quite unreasonable. Therefore, I have decided that from today onwards, within the next hundred years, if any Golden Core cultivator wishes to enter the hall to cultivate techniques, they must exchange it with Daoist Technique; without merit, it cannot be exchanged!"
Zhang Guangcheng replied with a smile, but his words made Ding Zhichong’s qi and blood surge, filling him with anger.
"Absurd!"
"Golden Core cultivators are the foundation of the sect and the pillars supporting the heavens. Their mere realm is a monumental achievement; what other merits are needed?"
Ding Zhichong retorted furiously.
"Precisely because of your thinking, Junior Brother, it has resulted in Golden Core cultivators being idle, with nothing to contribute, achieving nothing!"
"Nowadays, with the Celestial Palace absent, the situation is ever-changing, with winds rising and clouds surging. Our Thousand Waves Sect must adapt to the times and make changes!"
Zhang Guangcheng said with a cheerful smile.
"Nonsense! With changing situations, there is more need for Guardian Dao Techniques, not demanding accomplishments for teachings. What sense does that make?"
"Senior Brother Zhang, I don’t wish to argue further with you. Quickly lift the array restriction and let us into the hall!"
Ding Zhichong waved his broad sleeve, speaking coldly.
"Junior Brother Ding, as you are a Golden Core, you may enter the hall; I will not stop you. However, you may only enter the first seven layers. The last two layers can only be entered with sect Daoist Techniques!"
Zhang Guangcheng slightly stepped aside, making way for them with a smile.
"The first seven layers? Miscellaneous records and Daoist scriptures alone take up two layers. The next layers contain things learned in Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment. If Golden Core cultivators don’t enter the eighth layer, what mysterious techniques are there to learn?"
Ding Zhichong’s eyes turned cold, and he shouted angrily.
"Junior Brother Ding, Golden Core cultivators are not prohibited from entering the eighth layer. As long as you have Daoist Techniques, you may enter the hall, and I will absolutely not stop you!"
Zhang Guangcheng continued with a smiling expression.
"Ridiculous!"
"Who set these rules? Is there a True Person’s decree? Do you think the Scripture Hall is private property of the Zhang Clan?! You say Daoist Techniques are needed, and hence they are needed?!"
Ding Zhichong never expected that Zhang Guangcheng would forcibly change the entry rules of the hall, becoming furious beyond words.
"As the elder responsible for the Scripture Hall, I have the opportunity to adapt according to circumstances and naturally can make changes!"
"Moreover, the need for Daoist Techniques to enter the hall was a rule established upon the founding of our Thousand Waves Sect. However, it loosened over the years, allowing those above Golden Core to freely come and go, acting recklessly, rendering this rule virtually non-existent."
"Since I am in charge of this hall, I will naturally rectify the atmosphere and eradicate injustice!"
"If you are dissatisfied, you can report to the True Person and Senior Brother Ren. If the True Person and Senior Brother Ren give an order, I will rescind this rule!"
"Otherwise, as long as I am in charge of the Scripture Hall, you all must comply with the rules!"
Zhang Guangcheng spoke resolutely, without fear.
This highlights how the Thousand Waves Sect’s structure differs from that of the Cyan Peak Daoist School.
The noble families controlled the sect’s institutions, able to almost dictate decisions unless intervened by top cultivators.
"Ridiculous! Absolutely ridiculous!"
"Changing sect cultivation was by a True Person’s decree, do you dare defy it?!"
Ding Zhichong never thought the Zhang Clan would resort to such underhanded tactics to block sect changes, using the Scripture Hall as leverage.
That "True Law Form Intention Pill" – does it have some additional narrative?
At this moment, Ding Zhichong understood that the True Person and Senior Brother Ren would not intervene, and even Senior Brother Zhu wouldn’t interfere, or the procedure would have been laid out that day.
Yet at this point, he could only rely on the True Person’s decree to pressure the other party.
"My regulation targets all Golden Core cultivators of the Thousand Waves Sect, even applying to my Zhang Clan disciples and myself. To enter the hall for cultivation, Daoist Techniques must pave the way, so how am I defying orders?"
"Fellow Daoist Gu, for many years, the Golden Core cultivators of our Thousand Waves Sect have acted recklessly, disregarding rules; please understand!"
"However, now that you have received the Tassel Jade Talisman, you are counted as a member of our Thousand Waves Sect, and must follow our sect’s regulations."
"To enter the hall for cultivation, exchange with Daoist Techniques is needed. This rule has existed since the founding of the sect and cannot be abolished; please understand!"