A Pawn's Passage

Finally, after delaying for nearly two years, Qi Xuansu formally put forward his own program, ideology, and slogan.

This meant that Qi Xuansu had officially entered the initial stage of competing for the position of the eighth-generation Grand Master.

Among the four contenders, Qi Xuansu’s slogan was the longest. “Bold innovation, equal mutual assistance, and harmonious development.”

This was undoubtedly unfavorable for publicity. Moreover, the theme itself was far too ordinary.

During periods of internal unity, being ordinary could unite the majority, as it signaled moderation. But in the current climate of intensifying internal struggles and widening ideological divisions, only extremity could garner sufficient support—either this or that, black or white. Under such circumstances, being ordinary became a disadvantage, pleasing neither side.

For instance, Zhang Yuelu’s slogan of reforming the Daoist Order would greatly stir the enthusiasm of those dissatisfied with the status quo. They believed change was always good and would naturally support Zhang Yuelu. Li Changge’s slogan of using the Daoist Order’s sword to win more for the Daoist Order was even more capable of inciting people’s emotions. It was driven not only by enormous interests but also by grand ambition.

At first glance, Qi Xuansu’s long slogan seemed somewhat repetitive or similar to Yao Pei’s, almost like an elaboration of Yao Pei’s ideas. This also reflected Qi Xuansu’s current position within the Quanzhen Sect. But upon closer inspection, one would discover that Qi Xuansu and Yao Pei were still fundamentally different. The key lay in equal mutual assistance.

This would undoubtedly provoke dissatisfaction among many within the Daoist Order. Most Daoists believed they were superior and that outsiders must depend on the Daoist Order, so why should there be equality? What kind of ‘mutual’ assistance would it be when it was essentially charity? How could that be called harmony?

After learning of this slogan, Chen Jianchou felt that it was far too ordinary. If he were not Qi Xuansu’s secretary, he would certainly have considered Qi Xuansu incompetent.

Chen Jianchou and Qi Xuansu’s fates were deeply intertwined, sharing both fortune and downfall. Thus, Chen Jianchou hoped that Qi Xuansu could go further. However, once Qi Xuansu had decided on this slogan, Chen Jianchou was powerless to change it.

Many times, Chen Jianchou wanted to offer advice to Qi Xuansu, but he always felt that Qi Xuansu must have deeper intentions. Moreover, they were not on the same level, so Chen Jianchou felt that he had no place in commenting on it.

Due to this, Chen Jianchou discussed the matter with his godmother, Xu Jiaorong. He could not understand why Qi Xuansu, who was usually so decisive and bold, would propose such a cautious and ordinary slogan. Xu Jiaorong did not go into detail on the matter. She merely told Chen Jianchou to go back and think it through more carefully.

Qi Xuansu’s proposal of this slogan was certainly not an impulsive act, nor was it a perfunctory gesture. It was the result of careful deliberation. He had even consulted Sage Donghua, Great Sage Lan, Great Sage Jiang, and Great Sage Shi before finally settling on it.

In truth, there was a hierarchy of importance in his slogan. “Bold innovation” corresponded to the first method, but Qi Xuansu did not place much hope in it. It was mentioned more as a symbolic gesture. “Harmonious development” was a result rather than a process. The true core lay in “equal mutual assistance.”

The subject of equality was with Nanyang, Fenglin, the New Continent, and even the Western Continent. Equality was the fundamental core of the Daoist Order and the key distinction between them and the Holy Court.

This was the moral pedestal built by several generations of Daoist Grand Masters. The Daoist Order’s credibility and reputation had an invisible power of appeal. The Daoist Order was able to pacify Fenglin so quickly because many people of Fenglin were inclined toward the Daoist Order. When the Daoist Order and the Holy Court were equally powerful, why would people choose the Daoist Order? This was precisely the advantage of that moral foundation.

Qi Xuansu’s slogan greatly appealed to certain old-school elites. Their voices were not loud, but their influence was considerable. Some representative figures among them were Great Sage Jiang and Great Sage Shi.

Thus, Qi Xuansu’s strategy was to use ideological slogans to resonate with the upper echelons of the Daoist Order, while using his background in the Wanxiang Daoist Palace to resonate with the lower ranks. Ironically, his humble origins became his greatest advantage compared with the Three Prodigies.

As such, upon closer consideration, Qi Xuansu’s slogan did possess a certain appeal.

To put it plainly, aside from being difficult to realize, the first and second approaches had almost no drawbacks. Everyone would benefit. The commoners would not be exploited, while those with power would not have to sacrifice their interests. The Daoist Order would also keep its reputation for being morally upright.

The key issue was how to achieve it, because it sounded like boasting and making grand promises. In terms of feasibility, Zhang Yuelu was the most grounded and pragmatic. Li Changge came next.

Everything followed a discernible pattern. Sage Qingwei and the Taiping Sect led the Fenglin War, so Li Changge became the Second Deputy of the Fenglin Daoist Mansion. Sage Donghua and the Quanzhen Sect led the Western Region War, so Yao Pei became the Second Deputy of the Western Region Daoist Mansion. Thus, all of the Three Prodigies were equal in official posts.

For now, Qi Xuansu still occupied the highest position and was the most likely to be the first to return to Jade Capital. Moreover, his additional experience as Chief Deputy was his greatest advantage. Of course, his weakness was that he lacked a truly reliable family backing.

After Qi Xuansu finally put forward his own slogan, it signified that the competition among the four had officially begun.

Having settled this matter, Qi Xuansu finally laid down a burden. Once the deal involving 9.1 million Taiping coins was completed, Qi Xuansu could finally begin preparations for his “seclusion.”

First, Qi Xuansu had to write an application. After all, he held important responsibilities.

Unless it was an emergency like the kind Great Sage Lan faced, one had to apply for leave in advance and obtain approval before going into seclusion. Moreover, the application had to specify the exact reason for seclusion, such as healing injuries, breaking through bottlenecks, stabilizing one’s cultivation, and so on. It also had to state the start and end times, along with arrangements for the temporary handover of duties. Otherwise, if anything happened while he was away, the consequences would be severe.

Generally, high-ranking Daoists were entitled to one to three months of seclusion leave each year. Qi Xuansu had never used his, so applying for it was relatively easy.

Qi Xuansu had to submit two applications—one to the Mansion Master Yao Shu and another to Great Sage Lan. Only after both his superiors had approved could he begin arranging his closed-door cultivation. During this period, no one would disturb him.

For Omniscient Sages or Virtuous Great Sages with no superiors above them, they would instead submit the application to the Golden Tower Council.

Soon, both Great Sage Lan and Yao Shu approved Qi Xuansu’s application. Qi Xuansu handed over his duties, entrusting part of them to Xu Jiaorong and some to Yao Shu. After that, Qi Xuansu temporarily borrowed the Tongzhen Palace from Zhang Yuelu.

After Chen Shuhua’s death, the Heaven’s Will sword and the Longevity Stone were both taken back to Jade Capital by Great Sage Jiang. Since the Tongzhen Palace could not be taken away, Great Sage Lan decided to hand it over to the Lingnan Daoist Mansion. Considering that Lin Yuanmiao’s original body—Lin Lingsu—had once been the master of Tongzhen Palace and that Zhang Yuelu was the Second Deputy of the Lingnan Daoist Mansion, Tongzhen Palace remained under Zhang Yuelu’s management.

Zhang Yuelu did not make things difficult for Qi Xuansu. She agreed immediately and even assigned Lin Yuanmiao to stand guard for him during his seclusion. After all, Little Yin was unreliable. Letting her guard the place alone for a month would be worse than killing her. Lin Yuanmiao, on the other hand, had endured solitude for centuries, so he would have no problem being in the Tongzhen Palace for a month. This time, Little Yin and Lin Yuanmiao could keep each other company.

In truth, Qi Xuansu’s seclusion was not to cultivate but to travel to Lingshan Paradise through the pseudo-ascension method. He would place the Guizang Lantern at the Tongzhen Palace. That way, he would appear in Tongzhen Palace after returning from Lingshan Paradise without anyone noticing his absence.

After Zhang Yuelu finished her arrangements, Qi Xuansu took Little Yin to Dongdu Prefecture, where they met up with Lin Yuanmiao before heading to Tongzhen Palace.

This was Qi Xuansu’s first time arriving at Tongzhen Palace.

From the outside, Tongzhen Palace did not seem very large, like an ordinary standalone palace. However, its interior was a pocket realm.

Under Lin Yuanmiao’s guidance, Qi Xuansu and Xiao Yin stepped across the rolling blue waves toward the gates of Tongzhen Palace, which was built in the Jin Dynasty’s architectural style. The closer he drew to Tongzhen Palace, the more clearly Qi Xuansu could sense that it had almost merged with the sea, closely connected to it. That was why Tongzhen Palace could hide within the surging waves, so well concealed that even Immortals found it difficult to locate. Fortunately, with Lin Yuanmiao leading the way, they were able to enter without obstruction.

After entering Tongzhen Palace, Qi Xuansu discovered that its layout was very similar to the Heavenly Empress’s Dragon Palace. It seemed likely that Lin Lingsu had once visited the Dragon Palace and had deliberately modeled Tongzhen Palace after it, making it almost like a labyrinth.

Fortunately, Lin Yuanmiao felt completely at home here. He led Qi Xuansu through corridors that all looked the same and into a massive open hall. The floor was paved with green jade, while the dome overhead displayed a star map crafted by human hands. Even after so many years, the constellations continued to shift and change.

Twelve gigantic pillars supported the dome around the hall, each pillar so thick that it would take four adults to embrace it. Astonishingly, they were entirely cast in gold.

At the center of the hall was a rotating Bagua wheel that covered at least one hectare. Above it was a bronze alchemical furnace engraved with countless talismans and inscriptions. The furnace was more than 10 meters tall, almost comparable to the iron-smelting furnaces found in the manufacturing plants. In front of it was a meditation cushion with mist drifting gently around it. It was ethereal, like an immortal realm.

Lin Yuanmiao introduced the space. “This is Lin Lingsu’s alchemy chamber. Chen Shuhua also used it before. It can likewise be used for seclusion. Once you officially begin your seclusion, I will stop the Tongzhen Palace from moving with the tides. Its exact location will be near Lion City, so your safety should be assured. The alchemy chamber can also be sealed. Little Yin and I can wait for you in the outer areas.”

Qi Xuansu thought carefully for a moment, then nodded. “Alright, sounds good. We’ll go with your arrangements.”