A Pawn's Passage

After briefly discussing the Daoist Order’s financial situation, Pei Xiaolou shifted to the main topic. “Tian Yuan, you should know that before becoming a high-ranking Daoist priest, one must undergo several months of advanced training at the Upper Palace of the Wanxiang Daoist Palace. Only after completing the training can you officially be recognized as a fourth-rank Jijiu Daoist master. So strictly speaking, you are only halfway there right now.”

Qi Xuansu nodded. “I’ve heard of this. As far as I know, the training sessions are scheduled at fixed times—once every three months, with enrollments on the 15th of January, April, July, and October. Right now, it’s only June. The April 15th session has ended, and the July 15th session has yet to begin. Does that mean I have to wait for a month?”

Pei Xiaolou chuckled. “That’s outdated information, boy. Since last year, the Wanxiang Daoist Palace has been piloting a new Young Talents Program, which now includes Apprentice Mages and Prospective Mages. It runs twice a year, each session lasting three months.

“The first session runs from January 15th to April 15th, followed by a one-month break, and the second session runs from June 15th to September 15th. You’ve managed to catch this session just in time.”

Qi Xuansu asked in confusion, “Why wasn’t I informed about this when I was a Prospective Mage?”

Pei Xiaolou replied, “You were in a flying ship accident on New Year’s Day. By the time you returned, you were sent directly to Jinling Prefecture. You’ve only served as a Prospective Mage for a month at most, so how could you have participated?”

Qi Xuansu pondered for a moment. “Since Apprentice Mages and Prospective Mages have strict age limits, that means I’ll be studying alongside a bunch of kids.”

Before Pei Xiaolou could respond, Zhang Yuelu had already teased him. “You were still a Prospective Mage just an hour ago, and now you’re already looking down on them? Also, how old do you think you are? You make it sound like you’re already in your thirties or forties!”

Pei Xiaolou nodded in agreement. “High Mage Zhang is right.”

Qi Xuansu cleared his throat, acting like an old man. “One could not mature without experiencing poverty, and one would remain naive without enduring hardship. Whether a person is mature or not is not directly related to age but to the amount of adversity they have faced.

“If one lives a smooth life, they may still have the heart of a child even at 100 years old. Conversely, if one faces constant hardship, even a young adult can become weary and wise.

“This is why, in times of chaos, young people often shape the fate of nations. Unlike times of peace, survival itself is a struggle in chaotic times, forcing those who lived through it to grow rapidly.

“Though we live in an era of peace, I have spent years wandering Jianghu alone, so I consider myself one of the youths who have matured quickly.”

Zhang Yuelu could not help but laugh. “This is the arrogance of wild Daoists. You all think that flowerbed Daoists are naive because they haven’t faced real hardship. You usually hide your wild roots well, but they are really showing today!”

Qi Xuansu joked, “Oh? So, flowerbed Daoists are allowed to look down on us wild Daoists, but we can’t look down on you, huh?”

Zhang Yuelu responded with feigned fear, “Oh no, I wouldn’t dare look down on wild Daoists because I’d be outnumbered since Tiangang Hall is full of wild Daoists now.”

Qi Xuansu smiled. “Well, I can testify that Deputy Hall Master Zhang doesn’t look down on wild Daoists but also seems to like them a lot.”

Zhang Yuelu was momentarily stunned before she reacted. “Get lost.”

Pei Xiaolou cleared his throat lightly, interrupting their playful banter. “Let’s get back to serious matters. Tian Yuan, don’t take this lightly. This three-month training is still considered the final test before you can become a high-ranking Daoist.

“Although over the years, it has gradually become more of a formality, with very few people actually losing their future due to it, you can never be too cautious. Don’t get too carried away and end up regretting it.”

Qi Xuansu restrained his smile and nodded seriously.

Zhang Yuelu added, “The current head of the Wanxiang Daoist Palace is a Virtuous Great Sage known for being upright and rigid. If you accidentally offend him, even Sage Donghua won’t be able to save you.”

Qi Xuansu sighed, “A Great Sage, huh?”

Within the Daoist Order, the position of a Great Sage was quite special. In terms of rank, they were first-rank Tianzhen Daoist masters, higher than all second-rank Taiyi Daoist masters, including Omniscient Sages. They were only below the Grand Master and the Emperor, making them one of the highest ranks in the Daoist Order.

However, in terms of official position, a Great Sage ranked below the Deputy Grand Masters, placing them at the third level of the nine-rank twelve-level system. They were subordinate to four people but above millions of others.

There were three primary paths for one to become a Great Sage.

The first was being demoted from a higher position, like the three Deputy Grand Masters who were deposed by the fifth-generation Grand Master. They were only stripped of their titles as Deputy Grand Master and reassigned as Great Sages, effectively being demoted one level.

Another case was the Holy Xuan’s wife, who once served as the Great Sage of the Taiping Sect. However, she had no interest in handling worldly affairs, so she later voluntarily ceded her position to Donghuang and willingly became a Great Sage. Given her status, whether or not she held the Deputy Grand Master title was of little consequence.

Over time, an unwritten rule emerged within the Daoist Order that the consort of the Grand Master, if not already a Deputy Grand Master, would automatically be granted the title of Great Sage.

The second path was through promotion from a lower rank. At the moment, Sage Cihang, Sage Donghua, and Sage Qingwei were all competing for the position of Grand Master. According to tradition, regardless of who won, the other two would be appointed as Great Sages for the sake of unity and stability within the Daoist Order. This served as a means of consolation and as a stepping stone for the other two to potentially assume the position of Deputy Grand Master in the future.

This promotion also applied to highly respected Omniscient Sages who lacked the capability or ambition to compete for the positions of Deputy Grand Master or Grand Master but surpassed the other Omniscient Sages in terms of cultivation. Such individuals could be promoted to the rank of Great Sage.

The third way was through recruitment and integration. For instance, True Lord Taiyin was once a peer of Ancient Immortals like True Lord Siming, True Lord Ziguang, and Wu Luo.

After pledging allegiance to the Daoist Order, True Lord Taiyin was granted the title of Great Sage by the Holy Xuan. This was a logical decision, as an outsider could not be placed in charge of the entire Daoist Order or even as a Deputy Grand Master. Thus, the most suitable arrangement was bestowing the first-rank Tianzhen Daoist master title, which was the highest position allowable below four individuals.

Regardless of the path taken, it was clear that the Wanxiang Daoist Palace Master was a formidable figure not to be trifled with.

Otherwise, the Wanxiang Daoist Palace Master would not be able to command so many prodigies. After all, Zhang Yuelu, Li Changge, Yao Pei, and others had to study at the Upper Palace sooner or later. How could an ordinary second-rank Taiyi Daoist master possibly keep them in check?

These fourth-rank Jijiu Daoist masters entering the Wanxiang Daoist Palace for training would inevitably form a master-disciple bond with the Palace Master. Some would even ascend to impressive heights as Sages and Omniscient Sages. Thus, the Palace Master would have to be someone of sufficient stature.

Qi Xuansu could not help but feel deeply emotional. In the past, when he was in the Lower Palace, he often looked up at the Upper Palace as if it were another world—one where only legendary prodigies could enter.

Back then, he never dared hope he would have any connection to the Upper Palace before the age of 40. Yet now, he had already earned the right to step into the Upper Palace before even turning 30. The future was truly unpredictable.

Pei Xiaolou comforted him. “You don’t need to overthink it. That Sage is actually quite reasonable. Given your knack for adapting to situations and putting on an act, you should be fine.”

Qi Xuansu coughed. “What do you mean by adapting to situations and putting on an act?”

Pei Xiaolou chuckled. “Prepare yourself and head straight to the Wanxiang Daoist Palace. This time, you can consider yourself to be returning home in glory.

“There are a few more things you must pay attention to. The Primordial Daoist Ancestor preached the Three Virtues—compassion, frugality, and humility. Therefore, you must adhere to these virtues while in the Wanxiang Daoist Palace.

“You must not recklessly use weapons. You don’t need to bring Taiping coins since there’s nowhere to spend them anyway. Lastly, you must abide by the rules at all times.

“As for other details, it’s been decades since I last went to the Upper Palace, so I’ve forgotten most of it. But Qing Xiao was there just a few years ago. You’d best have her explain it to you.”

Qi Xuansu was accustomed to not abiding by the rules, so he felt a headache listening to all that.

He asked, “The first two make sense, but why does humility mean that I have to follow rules?”

Zhang Yuelu patiently explained, “The Exegesis of Laozi states that to deliberate in open court, one risks exposing their intentions to those skilled in manipulation. All things have their rules. Thus, if one wishes to shape things into proper forms, one must follow the rules, as success is rooted in following established principles.

“By not seeking to take the lead and showing humility, one can achieve unparalleled success. In other words, only by placing oneself behind others and becoming the anchor for all can one truly establish oneself and create something beneficial to the world.”

Qi Xuansu felt dizzy trying to grasp this lengthy explanation. Finally, he praised, “Impressive! No wonder you’re a Banished Immortal.”

Zhang Yuelu then briefed him on additional details, such as what subjects would be studied, the quality of the instructors, and the key locations within the Upper Palace.

Qi Xuansu carefully committed everything to memory.

There was not much for Qi Xuansu to pack since he had everything in his magical receptacle. As such, he no longer had to carry large bags and hang weapons all over himself like before.

After finishing all the instructions, Zhang Yuelu hesitated for a moment before suggesting, “Since I have nothing else to do, I might as well accompany you there. I can visit the place and leave after you’ve checked in.”

Qi Xuansu was more than happy about this and readily agreed.

Pei Xiaolou did not join this time because he did not want to intrude on the couple’s private time. Moreover, he still had to meet Xu Xiaoying to assist with Yue Liuli’s case.

To him, this was a form of investment because he was placing a bet that Qi Xuansu and Zhang Yuelu could one day join the Golden Tower Council. If so, he would also benefit from that.