Chapter 622 - 134: Beginning of Chaos 3

A moment later, the Fire-Folding floated before Lu Ya. He took the blood-soaked Jade Pendant and pressed it against the Fire-Folding.

Once the two objects touched, the Fire-Folding flared briefly. The entire Jade Pendant then dissolved into a brilliant display of Spiritual Light, which flowed into the Fire-Folding.

As the Jade Pendant and the blood merged into it, the Fire-Folding pulsed a few times. As if sensing the blood’s owner, the Fire-Folding transformed into a streak of light and shot into the space between Lu Ya’s eyebrows.

Lu Ya froze. In the next moment, he couldn’t tell whether he was controlling the Fire-Folding or if it was controlling him. His entire being was drawn by the miniature altar into its Fire Attribute pool. Just like the other four objects, he was left floating above it.

With the Fire-Folding in its place, the liquid in the five pools began to writhe and churn. At the same time, an immense suction force emanated from the miniature altar.

The lava from the pool in the grand hall was pulled out and absorbed into the miniature altar.

As a massive amount of lava was drawn in, the altar began a strange transformation. All the Runes on it started to light up one by one. The Celestial Heart Altar, though miniature, was covered in an incredible number of Runes.

So, although the Runes were not lighting up slowly, the entire process still took several days.

Just as the last of the Runes were about to light up, Guan Shouxin, who was inside the previously silent altar, suddenly awoke.

And the others who had been pouring their entire focus into lighting the Runes alongside him all paused and came to as well.

"Why did it stop when there’s only a little left?" Lu Ya had contributed the least to this process and was rather bewildered. He looked at the few remaining unlit Runes and asked in confusion.

Guan Shouxin looked at Qu Wenbai and said, "That little brat you asked me to watch has left the Sect."

"Really?!" Qu Wenbai asked, pleasantly surprised. "Where is he?"

Guan Shouxin said, "He’s with my Substitute. They’re preparing to head to Panzhou to receive the Traveler of the World from Xuande Temple."

"Monk Huixin? The most talented Disciple from Xuande Temple in recent years?" Guann Zhenzhen’s expression flickered as she interjected.

Guan Shouxin nodded. Qu Wenbai said excitedly, "That’s perfect! Let’s push through, get the Celestial Heart Altar fully operational, and then head over immediately. Not only can we finally find that kid, but we can also take care of a Buddha Seed from Xuande Temple while we’re at it."

Duan Yuanbing stated mechanically, "A Traveler of the World isn’t just escorted by Three Talents Cultivators, are they? They must be under the constant watch of a Four Symbols Bodhisattva, at the very least. In our current state, is it really a good idea to show up on their doorstep?"

Qu Wenbai replied, "That’s why I said we go *after* it’s activated. We won’t be able to stay hidden after completing the initial rites anyway. Since we have to show ourselves sooner or later, why not do it proactively and cripple a Traveler who has the potential to become a Buddha’s Son?"

Guann Zhenzhen frowned. "I’m still worried about how strange and unpredictable that kid is."

Qu Wenbai retorted, "Worrying won’t change anything. The Celestial Heart Treasure Box must be retrieved. When the time comes, we’ll just have to be careful to use a Sealing Dao Mark to block him from sending any messages."

"Let’s move," Guan Shouxin said, his mind made up. "Using a potential Buddha’s Son as a Sacrificial Chess piece will serve as a fine tribute to our departed ancestors."

After a moment of contemplation, the others agreed with Guan Shouxin’s decision. They focused their Heart Spirits once more and accelerated the lighting of the final few Runes.

···

Guan Shouxin led Zhang Deming and the delegations from Xuande Temple, the Bai Shu Sect, and others aboard the Cyan Feather Green Ship.

The plaza on the Cyan Feather Green Ship and the grand hall before it had completely changed. The hall itself was now elevated, with a high, tiered platform added in front of it. The plaza proper now lay at the foot of this platform.

Both the plaza and the tiered platform were covered with low tables, strikingly similar to the layout of a grand banquet in an ancient imperial palace from a past life.

Under the direction of the Array Department Disciples, many people were guided or led to their assigned seats.

The general populace of Disciples was seated in the plaza, while the seats on the tiers were arranged by the Array Department according to a hierarchy based on various considerations like status, influence, and precedent.

Besides, it was only a half-day journey, so few people were inclined to complain about such things. As a result, the seating arrangements went off without a hitch. Before long, everyone had taken their seats.

Zhang Deming and Song Huidong were seated on the second tier of the platform. Above them sat Guan Shouxin, two Three Talents High Monks, and Monk Huixin.

Because Huixin had already caused a stir at the Bai Shu Sect, and the Bai Family members present were merely a ceremonial escort, only juniors were still following along.

That was why no one from their group was seated on the tier above; even Bai Zhixin was placed on the same level as Zhang Deming and his companion.

After everyone was seated, the Cyan Feather Green Ship took flight without the slightest tremor.

Feeling the clouds drift past, the seated Disciples fell silent one by one, their gazes turning to Guan Shouxin, Huixin, and the others in the seats of honor.

Following precedent, the next part of the proceedings would likely be a lecture or a debate on the Dao.

Initially, it had been a lecture. But after Guk Liancai took charge of the Honor Guard, it turned into a debate.

However, since the journey was less than a day long, it was always just a warm-up for a later Dao conference, regardless of whether it was a lecture or a debate. Therefore, it wouldn’t touch upon anything too profound.

To put it simply, it was more like a casual discussion of scholarly concepts, with everyone just chatting freely. So, regardless of the format, the ordinary Disciples in the plaza rarely gained much from it.

Therefore, once seated, all eyes turned to the main seats. Many looked forward to the debate’s commencement; after all, Guk Liancai’s past debates had always been lively—good entertainment, for the most part.