In the morning, just after practicing Qigong.
Chen Yun, as usual, offered incense and offerings to the celestial soldiers and generals.
Later, he also tidied up the Taoist temple.
Since he moved in for twenty days, the entire Huixian Observatory has become utterly different from before.
Chen Yun not only transplanted many plants from the mountain, adding a lot of vitality to the Huixian Temple, but also had furniture made by carpenters from the valley, which gave each room a touch of domestic warmth.
This took up most of the morning.
Soon before noon, he had just fed the White Ape and the Flying Snake.
Suddenly, the voice of Xie Ziran echoed from behind, "Chong Yong."
Chen Yun quickly turned around to bow, "Teacher."
After speaking, he realized that today's Xie Ziran had changed his appearance, no longer in a monotonous white gown, but in a Taoist robe, with his hair wrapped in black silk.
Although it was just a change of attire, it brightened up his appearance significantly.
Chen Yun couldn't help but secretly look at him a few more times, while secretly guessing that Xie Ziran would be making an important appearance outside, perhaps for a couple of days.
As expected, Xie Ziran said in a serious tone, "The Winter Solstice is approaching. The birthday of the Supreme Deity Qi Xuan ancestor qi in Yue Qing Yuan Shi Tianzun and the splendid God with Great Merit and Ultimate Virtue falls on the Winter Solstice. On that day, all heavenly deities will gather at the capital of the Master State to participate in a universal great sacrifice, celebrating the birthday of the supreme deity. Although I am not in office in the celestial realm, I still have to go. Such a grand event should have been attended by me together with you. However, you are on the verge of breakthrough and the great sacrifice usually lasts forty-nine days. It has already passed five dynastic sacrifices, and I need to attend two more dynastic sacrifices. Therefore, I cannot take you with me."
The Great Universal Sacrifice is the largest sacrifice in terms of Taoist structure, meaning, and sacrifice period.
The Great Universal Sacrifice is an activity of worshiping all the divine beings in the universe, aimed at expressing sincere respect and gratitude.
"Jiao" is a ritual in Taoism to worship the Three Purities, Four Masters, Five Stars and Hosts.
In the early days, the purpose of holding Jiao rituals in Taoism was for healing and atonement. Over time, they gradually evolved into ceremonies for praying for the protection of the country and its people, for longevity, to aid the deceased, to eliminate disasters and avert misfortunes, and to pray for blessings and express gratitude.
In this world, the Great Universal Sacrifice is held once a year, which is around forty-nine days before and after the birthday of the Supremacy Deity in Qi Xuan. The reason for this arrangement is twofold: on one hand, it expresses gratitude to the deity for opening up the heavens and creating all things; on the other hand, all heavenly deities will come to pay their respects and celebrate the deity's birthday on that day. This also facilitates human emperors in praying to various gods for protection of prosperity and peace in their realm.
The Great Universal Sacrifice in this world can be said to be the most solemn and grandest ritual among all.
As for the Zhou Tian Great Sacrifice and Luo Tian Great Sacrifice, they are also held annually in this world, respectively corresponding to the birthdays of the Deity Who Possesses the Pure Jade Pell and the Deity Who Possesses the Pure and Profound Mind.
In terms of scale, the Great Universal Sacrifice is higher than the Zhou Tian Great Sacrifice, and the Zhou Tian Great Sacrifice is higher than the Luo Tian Great Sacrifice.
Chen Yun certainly wanted to go to broaden his horizons, but as Xie Ziran had said, he was about to break through, and the Great Universal Sacrifice had a long period of holding, so the timing seemed inopportune.
He could only regretfully say, "I'll go next year when I have time."
Xie Ziran nodded slightly and said, "Well, keep practicing diligently. I hope that when you return, you will have reached the state of being immune to fire and water. If you can achieve what I expect, I will take you to find the mountain spirit and let it engage in combat with you to stimulate Dao qi."
Chen Yun's eyes lit up, "Teacher, do you mean that I have already reached the requirements for stimulating Dao Qi?"
Xie Ziran said, "Being immune to both swords and armor, as well as fire and water, is indeed close to the minimum requirements. Alright, I have to go to Luoyang. You should stay well in the Huixian Temple."
Chen Yun was about to say goodbye to her when he suddenly remembered something, "Teacher, I apologize if I'm impertinent to ask, have you ever met the Supreme Sovereign of the Great Dao?"
Xie Ziran laughed silently, "The Supreme Sovereign of the Great Dao is formless and without sound. In the universe, only the Primordial Deity and the Supreme Old Lord have seen the true face of the Supreme Sovereign of the Great Dao. However, the Supreme Sovereign of the Great Dao has thirty-six transformations and seventy-two emanations. If one wishes to see it, it responds to feelings and can appear anywhere in a million places. There are not a few people who have seen its emanation. I have also been fortunate enough to see the emanation of the Great Lord."
Yes, the Deity Who Possesses the Pure Jade Pell is quite enigmatic.
Chen Yun developed a strong interest in the Supreme Sovereign of the Great Dao again and truly wanted to see its true appearance.
Xie Zinan said no more, placing his hands behind his back, generating a cloud of spiritual Qi beneath his feet, and ascending into the sky.
Afterwards, Chen Yun heard a "moo" roar like thunder, and he quickly looked up to see a golden dragon with its entire body shining in the sky. Xie Ziran stood on the dragon's horn, wearing light clothes that fluttered gracefully like a maiden, riding through the clouds and mist towards the east.
Seeing this scene, he couldn't help but unconsciously recall the description of the Gu She Fairy in "Xiaoyao You" (the book of Laozi): In the distant Gu She Mountains, there dwells a deity. With skin as pale as snow and ice, and graceful like a maiden. Not eating five grains, absorbing wind and dew, riding on cloud Qi, commanding flying dragons, and wandering beyond the vast seas.
"Xie Zhenren is so similar to the Gu She fairy described in 'Xiaoyao You.' She truly is an immortal."
Chen Yun felt a strong admiration and love for Xie Ziran. His mind was filled with her figure.
He had no idea that he had once again fallen into a love dilemma.
The love temptation is actually deeply buried emotions and feelings within the heart, encompassing joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness. These are very intense emotions, and love is one of them.
Chen Yun's love temptation was not only caused by Lin Feiyun, but also by resolving the demon woman and bringing temporary peace. However, the love temptation is not just about sadness.
He had only experienced one of them, so he had not truly transcended the love temptation.
Chen Yun's love temptation erupted completely due to his attraction to Xie Ziran's appearance that aligned with his aesthetic sense, compounded by their close proximity and today's encounter, which felt like seeing a goddess.
As the saying goes, "The outsider sees clearly." Chen Yun, who is currently in a difficult situation, naturally does not know it.
Perhaps it was precisely because of "the power of love," Chen Yun secretly swore to himself that he would achieve immunity to fire and water before Xie Ziran returned, and then wait for her return to find the mountain spirit and engage in combat, thus stimulating Dao Qi.
