The location of the assembly is in the Shangqing Hall.

The original Shangqing Hall was small, but during the tenure of Cheng Jianxin, the Sword Immortal of Shu, as Chief, Qingcheng's reputation steadily rose, leading to its expansion.

Now, it is a grand hall with a high ceiling; the giant canopy above is adorned with star maps and the Taiji Eight Trigrams, with three Divine Statues enshrined against the main wall.

Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad sits in the center, flanked by Ancestor Sanfeng and Lv Chunyang on either side. The statues are towering, and the hall is vast. Coupled with the cold and gloomy weather, the hall remains dim and mysterious despite the numerous large tallow candles burning.

Outside the hall, pine and cypress clad in frost, the cold wind carries damp mist howling, and the copper bells under the eaves ring clearly in the wind.

The hall is packed with people, and the atmosphere is solemn and solemn.

Blue smoke rises from the sandalwood incense burner, winding like a dragon around the beams and columns, intertwining with the light streaming in from the windows, casting the Divine Statues in flickering shadows.

Led by the Daoist, everyone has taken their seats.

Chen Kongzi of Qingcheng is the host, sitting solemnly on the left side below the altar.

After the ritual, he has changed into a new attire, wearing a dark crane cloak, donning the Five Peaks Crown, and holding a Green Jade Feather Duster.

Behind him, two Daoists stand quietly, holding a Treasure Sword and a feather duster.

The demeanor of the Master of a sect is evident.

Lords Pei Zongti of the Ministry of Rites, sits to the right.

He is wearing a crimson official robe, which starkly contrasts with the austere colors of the Mystic Sect, a gilded official seal box resting on his knees, with the yellow brocade of the Holy Decree half exposed, his eyes closed as if resting.

This assembly concerns both the Mystic Sect and the pugilistic world, so certain protocols must still be observed. The host announces names, and everyone takes turns offering incense and greeting, which engages them for quite some time.

The atmosphere of the assembly grows increasingly solemn.

At this point, Chen Kongzi rises and says, "Fellow Daoists, today's vault-opening assembly is not merely to access the treasure vault's secrets. The reason, I believe, you all know."

"The appearance of the Nine Tripod, the innovation of firearms, the meteorological changes in the Divine State... all these signs herald the imminent reform of the Human Dao, and further strategies need to be discussed..."

In a lengthy discourse, the main point is that no one can remain uninvolved in this matter, and new regulations must be established to prevent chaos.

Subsequently, Pei Zongti, Assistant Minister of Rites, also stands up to read the Holy Decree.

His voice is as cold and hard as iron: "I have heard that the Mystic Sect comprehends Yin Yang. Now with unrest in the Divine State and demons causing trouble, I have assigned the Ministry of Rites to assist in the assessment..."

After hearing the Holy Decree, many people's expressions turn ugly.

The emergence of the Nine Tripod will certainly alert the court. This was anticipated by everyone, but no one expected the court to begin exploiting this matter.

"Those harboring the Nine Tripod will be punished for treason!"

No one paid this any mind, as the Nine Tripod is of such grave importance that, given the lives lost because of it, no one dares touch it.

Additionally, the court's requirement for the Mystic Sect to report all information related to the Nine Tripod is within their acceptable range.

But the following clauses caused some discomfort.

The court has amended the Great Xuan Law, formally including the crime of Mystic Sect Sorcerers. If any sect harbors them, they will be treated as accomplices...

Certain spells within the Mystic Sect will also be scrutinized by the Xuan Sacrificial Officer, and if designated as Forbidden Techniques, the crime will be tagged as Witchcraft and Gu Poisoning...

Furthermore, disaster relief, temple construction, preaching and teaching, large-scale disaster rituals, all must be reported to the Xuan Sacrificial Officer...

Although some of these were unwritten rules before, their formalization makes everyone feel restricted.

Especially being written into law.

The court can choose to turn a blind eye or conduct thorough investigations at will.

How they proceed depends entirely on the court's intent.

"Isn't this a bit excessive?!"

Finally, after Pei Zongti finished reading the Holy Decree, someone couldn't help but voice, "The Mystic Sect has always stood aloof, contributing to the stability of the Divine State. We are not unwilling to collaborate, but does the court mean to make us all lapdogs with such actions?"

This statement was quite blunt.

But with it, others began to join in agreement.

"Yes, what does the court intend?"

"Pushing us to the brink, clearly wanting us dead..."

Li Yan glanced over without changing expression.

The speaker earlier was an elder from the Guru's Sect, originating from the Two Guangdong areas, popular among the local populace, and holding substantial influence.

But to say that it was truly for the benefit of the Mystic Sect, perhaps not.

This Magic Sect is a diverse mix, like scattered sand, with some colluding with local merchants, exploiting disaster relief to amass wealth, and privately building temples.

But really to pursue it would make many matters difficult to handle.

He looked up at Pei Zongti.

This Lord, who was amicable in conversation just yesterday, now seemed utterly transformed, oblivious to the quarreling below, calmly sipping his tea.

Similarly, Chen Kongzi of the Qingcheng Sect seemed at ease.

Yesterday, he appeared to converse with Pei of the Ministry of Rites, seemingly pleasant, but far from truly harmonious.

He had already guessed what the Emperor in the capital intended.

Historically, the Mystic Sect and the pugilistic world have always been unstable factors. Whenever societies plunged into chaos, there were those who would exploit their power for disruption.

The Xiao Family taking over the Great Xing Foundation is another example.

While other emperors were passable, the ambitious one in the capital, having eradicated even the Baozhou Yang Family with roots spanning hundreds of years, would surely not allow the Mystic Sect to remain uncontrolled.

The tightening of the Daoist certificates last year was his doing.

With the emergence of the Nine Tripod, the reform of the Human Dao imminent, he would be restless, seizing the chance to curb the Mystic Sect.

He understood but found it difficult to agree.

Firstly, as the Master of Qingcheng, he was unwilling to bind himself.

Secondly, the Mystic Sect is no ordinary group; if pressured too hard, there's no telling what might happen.

However, this Lord Pei would not listen, merely demanding that he stand with the court at crucial times.

Qingcheng, as the orthodox Mystic Sect, would not want to lose this standing, so Chen Kongzi readily agreed.

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