Chapter 41: Chapter 40: Keeper of the Records Lu Xuan, Waking from a Dream

The Old Master stood upon the clouds, a Daoist Robe and Hat held in one hand. In his other, a long card and a writing brush materialized from thin air.

“Write your name on the ceremonial card,” he said.

Lu Xuan respectfully took them, picked up the brush, and wrote his name.

The moment his name was written, Immortal Music began to play, accompanied by ethereal chanting that gradually swelled in grandeur until it resounded through the highest heavens, the Nine Nether, and the Human World!

The Old Master stroked his beard and smiled, his voice booming like a magnificent thunderclap:

“Let Heaven and Earth understand! Let all creation know! Let the emperors bear witness! I, of the Supreme, have taken a disciple named Taishang Creation Jade Universe Xuanqing True Master! He shall inherit my legacy, starting from this day forth!”

The rumbling sound was like a great tide, sweeping through the Celestial Realms, announcing itself to the Celestial Dao and declaring itself to the Nine Nether!

In the Celestial Court, within the Milo Celestial Palace’s Lingxiao Hall.

All the Immortal Officials were stunned. The Old Master had taken disciples before, but the Taishang Lineage revered Non-action and had never made such a grand display. ’Why this time…’

’An announcement to the Celestial Dao, a declaration to the Nine Nether!’

At the highest point, the Emperor Corpse sat upright, Emperor’s Blood dripping from Him without end. Yet, He was deep in thought.

’Has this ever happened before?’

’Never.’

’Is Daoist Virtue making a new move? Taishang Creation Jade Universe… Hmm, or could it be that The Three Pristine Ones are making a move together?’

The Emperor Corpse couldn’t quite figure it out, but He couldn’t be bothered to dwell on it. He just muttered to Himself again:

’Forget it. The outcome can’t possibly get any worse, anyway.’

As He spoke, He looked down at the whispering Immortal Officials and delivered a decree with words of gold and jade:

“Silence.”

The host of immortals fell silent in an instant. All looked toward the one enthroned at the highest point and said respectfully:

“Your Majesty!”

The Emperor Corpse said indifferently:

“Issue this decree: should any immortal of the Celestial Court encounter True Master Profound Clarity, they are to retreat and give him a wide berth.”

The host of immortals was astonished, looking at one another in bewilderment.

…

「In a certain Daoist Palace.」

Xuandu slowly opened his eyes, a hint of confusion in them.

’Do I have another junior brother? But why would Teacher make such a grand display? It makes no sense, no sense at all…’

He thought and thought but couldn’t come up with a single reason, which only deepened his confusion.

’Taishang Creation Jade Universe Xuanqing True Master… Little Junior Brother hasn’t even become an immortal yet? Now that’s interesting.’

’But… Profound Clarity? Why “Clarity”?’

…

「Back on the clouds.」

The Old Master lowered his eyelids slightly.

“Your Daoist title is now set: Supreme Profound Clarity. Although I, as your master, have announced it to the Immortals and Buddhas of the Celestial Realms, you must not use this title in the Human World before you start [Climbing the Divine Ladder]. This applies to both this world and your own. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Teacher.”

Seeing this, the Old Master gave a slight nod. He then handed the Daoist Robe to Lu Xuan, stood before him, and slowly raised the Daoist Crown.

He said:

“Today, I, your master, will place this crown upon your head. From this day forward, you are of my Taishang Lineage.”

Lu Xuan accepted the Daoist Robe, suppressing the excitement and a trace of doubt in his heart. He bowed and said:

“Please, Teacher, bestow the crown!”

The Old Master did not correct Lu Xuan’s form of address, nor did he tell him that this was the investiture ceremony for a Direct Lineage disciple, not merely a nominal one.

He simply placed the Daoist Crown calmly on Lu Xuan’s head, and then a smile bloomed on his face.

“Keep this Daoist Robe and Hat safe. But remember, you are not to wear them in your daily life, neither here nor in your own world. Understand?”

Though confused, Lu Xuan didn’t ask any questions, simply giving a crisp nod.

The Old Master continued:

“The ceremony is not yet complete. Since you have now entered my sect, it is only natural that I bestow gifts upon you.”

“This Daoist Robe and Hat are the first gift. Remember, the robe is named the Supreme Daoist Robe, and the crown is the Supreme Crown. Both are considered Supreme Treasures.”

Lu Xuan nodded lightly, but Guangcheng Zi and Zhang Ling, who were observing the ceremony from the side, both froze. Their hearts sank.

’This… Is this Teacher’s… Grand Martial Uncle’s own robe and crown?’

Guangcheng Zi keenly sensed that something was amiss. First, his Third Martial Uncle had bestowed [Annihilation and Slaughter], then his own Master had taught the [Primordial Body]. Now, this discipleship ceremony was unusually grandiose, and then there was the Daoist title involving The Three Pristine Ones, not to mention this very Daoist Robe and Hat…

’What in the world is going on?’

He didn’t understand.

At this moment, the Old Master continued:

“The Daoist Robe and Hat are the first items I bestow upon you. They are simply gifts, with no other requirements, but remember not to wear them lightly. They are also different from your Senior Brother Zhang’s Three-Five Evil-Slaying Sword. The Three-Five Evil-Slaying Sword can be lent to others, but the Robe and Crown cannot.”

“I understand.”

“I will now bestow upon you the second item. Though I call it a gift, it is more accurately a requirement… It is this Token and this book.”

As he spoke, an ordinary-looking Token appeared in the Old Master’s hand. It seemed to be cast from bronze and iron, and a title was engraved upon it in large characters:

[Great Zhou Keeper of the Records]

Along with the Token, a set of bamboo slips appeared. They were tightly bound and shrouded in a hazy Chaos mist, their contents a mystery.

“In this form, I hold the post of Keeper of the Records. And now, I pass this post to you. From this day on, you are Lu Xuan, and you are also the Great Zhou Keeper of the Records.”

Lu Xuan’s eyes widened, and he felt a little dazed.

The Old Master spoke lightly:

“As for these bamboo slips, I wrote them myself. They are called the [Tao Te Ching] and contain five thousand words. You take them as well.”

Lu Xuan took the Token and the bamboo slips. Though he didn’t understand the reason for all this, he still nodded with great solemnity.

Then, he asked in a low voice:

“But Teacher, you know my situation. I can’t be here all the time…”

“Coming by occasionally will suffice.”

The Old Master smiled.

“Oh, and one more thing. To serve as the Keeper of the Records, your Cultivation is insufficient. Therefore, I have sealed a Magic Skill within this Token. You may activate it three times. Each time, you will be granted three thousand years’ worth of Cultivation for one hour. With your talent, you should be comparable to a True Immortal during that time.”

After a pause, he added:

“But remember this: after the third activation, the Token will shatter. You will then lose the position of Keeper of the Records. When that happens, you must spread the Five Thousand Words of Dao and De to the people of the world.”

“Then when should I use the Token?”

“When the time is right.”

“After I take this post… what about you, Teacher?”

As he asked this, Lu Xuan grew nervous, a vague premonition dawning in his heart.

“With you to take over my duties here, I will naturally return to my Daoist Temple. Your Senior Brother Zhang must also go and travel the world. From now on, you will be the only one in that Guardian Storage Room.”

Lu Xuan was stunned, and his expression fell.

“When you have reached Perfection in cultivating the [Jade Tower] and are ready to begin [Climbing the Divine Ladder], I will naturally come find you. I will then bestow upon you the Supreme Celestial Human Chapter, which is the Cultivation Skill for Climbing the Divine Ladder.”

“I… understand,” Lu Xuan said in a low, sad voice.

’After all these years together, I’d long since come to see Teacher and Senior Brother Zhang as my family. And now, just after I’ve formally become a disciple, we’re already about to part ways?’

“Alright.”

The Old Master chuckled softly.

“From now on, you are the eighteenth Great Zhou Keeper of the Records.”

Then, he turned his head to look at Zhang Ling.

“You too shall go and travel. Roam the world for a hundred years, then go face the tribulations of Reincarnation.”

“Yes, Teacher!”

Lu Xuan and Zhang Ling bowed and replied in unison.

When they looked up again, the old man had already vanished, leaving only a faint echo of his voice behind.

“Go on your own paths now, go on your own paths!”

As the voice faded, before Lu Xuan had a chance to say goodbye to Senior Brother Zhang and Senior Brother Guangcheng, his vision blurred. When it cleared again, he found himself back in the Guardian Storage Room.

But this time, in the vast Guardian Storage Room, aside from the immense collection of books, he was all alone.

“Teacher, Senior Brother Zhang…”

The Daoist Crown on his head, Lu Xuan cradled the Daoist Robe, the Token, and the bamboo slips, muttering to himself softly before letting out a sigh.

As he let out that long sigh, mist swirled around him, and his vision suddenly went dark.

The dream was over.

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