There were over four hundred representatives from various sects, including the young men and women who would do the martial arts performances. However, their audience barely reached a hundred, which was quite awkward. Most of them were elderly residents from nearby neighborhoods. Upon hearing about the event, the retirees came over to join in the excitement.
A few prominent banners hung in the venue. There were also three or four cameras, presumably from the local TV station.
As previously arranged, every sect brought a martial arts performance team. Of all the people present, less than a third had a genuine connection to the sects' heritages.
Beneath the northern stands, over a dozen tables covered with red cloth were lined up neatly. On each table were triangular nameplates with inscriptions like "Wudang," "Hua," and "Lao," and a grand armchair was positioned behind each nameplate.
Once the middle-aged and younger members of each delegation were seated, melodious music played in the venue. A graceful female cultivator in a Daoist robe elegantly approached the microphone.
"Honorable Daoist masters and friends gathered from all corners of the land to this sacred mountain, good morning!"
Her overly formal tone could make people feel a bit out of place. Mount Mao seemed to have hired an undergrad student to save costs.
Following the scripted opening, the young Kun Daoist solemnly recited the rules for the performance contest, making it seem as if the performance contest were an actual competition.
Finally, she declared, "Let us now welcome the revered Daoist masters of each delegation!"
Daoist masters stepped into the arena one by one, exuding an elegant and divine aura.
Some carried fly-whisks or wore wide-sleeved robes that fluttered as they walked. Some entered solemnly without a word, while others smiled warmly and bowed slightly to the audience, earning scattered applause.
They all had high levels of cultivation except for the few who were responsible for their respective sects' external affairs, like Li Shiwu. While they were barely at the Spirit Convergence Realm, they did not necessarily reflect the strength of their sects.
Wang Sheng counted a total of twenty-three white-haired elders. Some even seemed vaguely familiar, likely figures who would later rise to fame in the Daoist world.
Excluding the two Daoist Association council members hosting the event, over twenty heritages were represented in the event.
There were thousands of Daoist heritages across the Earth, but when it came to quality and completeness, only those present today were considered prestigious sects. Moreover, they were all from the Great Divine Land's sacred mountains. The event was essentially a grand gathering of Daoist traditions.
The first agenda was to promote Daoist teachings. Hence, several elderly Daoist masters delivered heavily accented yet important speeches.
Aside from the phrase "Infinite Gods Above," the rest were almost incomprehensible. Their accents were less than ideal but understandable.
Next came the martial arts performances by the delegations. Most were groups of young men and women practicing martial arts routines to Daoist music. Daoist masters scored their performances, though synchronization seemed to be the only criterion.
Some Daoist heritages without martial arts sects also sent two or three disciples with cultivation to perform entry-level routines.
Wang Sheng took a few photos with his phone and sent them to his master. He then felt a pang of nostalgia. The event seemed more like a school sports day than a martial arts assembly.
Finally, after two hours of martial arts performances, the event reached a more substantial segment. Zhou Yinglong's performance was officially about to begin.
Wang Sheng perked up, hoping to see more skilled sword practitioners. Even though everyone would refrain from revealing their true cultivation today—opting instead to demonstrate relatively basic sword techniques—watching different sword sects could still inspire him.
By noon, as the second round of performances neared its end, Wang Sheng's initial excitement had turned into mild disappointment.
Those Daoists also cultivate on sacred mountains, so why do they have so many superficial routines?
Only a few sects performed sword techniques, and even they deliberately withheld their essence, making it difficult to glean anything truly profound. Fortunately, the performances weren't entirely worthless. The host announced the name of each sword technique before it was showcased, allowing Wang Sheng to learn a bit.
Mount Hua's Barrier-Breaking Jade Sword Strike followed a path of resolute swiftness. Although the performer, a female cultivator at the Breath Condensation Realm, hadn't fully grasped the essence of the technique yet, her graceful movements and exceptional poise earned high marks from the judges.
A middle-aged Daoist from Mount Qingcheng then demonstrated an entry-level technique from the Zhuo Qing Sword Art through a sword dance. Though the moves required were somewhat simple, his middle-stage Spirit Convergence Realm cultivation gave the performance an extraordinary charm. Unfortunately, after just over ten moves, he respectfully stepped back.
What truly caught Wang Sheng's eye was the Chaotic Wind-Splitting Strike from the Zhongnan Mountains. Their renowned technique emphasized intention over form, its power entirely dependent on the wielder's understanding of the Dao of the Sword. Unfortunately, the young performer was of middling skill, leaving Wang Sheng feeling unsatisfied and unfulfilled.
He found himself eagerly awaiting Zhou Yinglong's turn, but Li had drawn one of the last slots for him. He had no other choice but to wait impatiently.
The Taiyi Sword Art's manual was a closely guarded secret of the Wudang Mountains. It naturally wouldn't be performed in public.
Zhou Yinglong demonstrated the Dragon-Stride Sword Art, a technique of remarkable finesse and fluidity. While his solid foundation was evident, like the three performers before him, he only revealed the surface of his skill, refraining from showcasing his true capabilities. Feeling mildly disappointed, Wang Sheng resolved to grow closer to Zhou Yinglong and the others during this trip so he could exchange insights on swordsmanship with them once they returned.
Amid the event, Wang Sheng heard faint whispers from the right. Having reached the Spirit Convergence Realm, he was now unusually keen on his surroundings. Even the faintest rustle of leaves or whispered murmurs could hardly escape his notice, whether he intended to focus on them or not.
To the left of the Wudang Mountains' delegation sat Mount Sanqing's, and to their right, those from Mount Qiyun.
"The Wudang Mountains' swordsmanship isn't all that impressive."
"These days, punches, kicks, and sword techniques aren't enough to get you far. The Wudang Mountains don't possess any significant talismans or celestial scriptures, do they?"
"Just wait and watch the show. Looks like they're trying a new tactic this time; they brought in a pretty female disciple to garner attention. Maybe they hired her?"
Without raising his gaze, Wang Sheng lightly flicked his right hand, gently grabbing his senior sister's wrist. He glanced helplessly at her slender, fair fingers, which were clutching a few potato chips. Afterward, he met her eyes and tried to comfort her with his gaze.
Mu Wanxuan pursed her lips slightly, a hint of aggrievance in her expression. Wang Sheng could only soften his gaze as much as possible.
Fortunately, someone lowly interjected, "Wudang focuses on Daoist martial arts. Today's era just seems to have returned to our ancestors' emphasis on spells, talismans, incantations, and formations. That's why their heritage may appear rather unremarkable right now."
"Still, it's undeniable that Wudang does have its traditions," said another soft voice.
"Given that we and Wudang both follow the heritage of the True Martial Great Emperor, it's best not to speak ill of them behind their backs."
"It's not like I mean any harm. Regardless, when the sparring sessions start this afternoon, many will likely aim to target Wudang."
"Daoist sects are like branches of the same tree. Everyone here is a fellow cultivator, so surely things won't get out of hand."
Afternoon sparring sessions among the sects?
Mu Wanxuan's eyes sparkled with excitement. Before Wang Sheng could say anything, her fingers danced rapidly over her phone screen, and a meme popped up that made Wang Sheng cover his face in resignation.
The caption read, "I'll take on ten at once!"
How had he not noticed this feisty side of his senior sister before? Wang Sheng felt the urge to borrow the microphone from the host and tell the audience, "Please be kind."
The morning's performance competition was open to the public, and no one cared much about rankings or awards.
By noon, after returning to the hotel and having lunch, the various sects' Daoist leaders gathered their disciples and other sect members. The senior Daoists leading the groups announced that later in the afternoon, there would be an "exchange meeting" between the Daoist sects at Mount Mao.
A true Daoist arts exchange meeting!
This was the true purpose of the trip. The venue had also been changed to the area near the Moonlit Terrace, which was on the back slopes of Mount Mao.
The Wudang Mountains left behind one Daoist master to supervise their martial arts sect's young performers, while Li Shiwu led two Daoist masters, four disciples, and Wang Sheng and Mu Wanxuan—Wudang's "reinforcements"—to the exchange meeting. A brief overview of the meeting's rules made the key points clear: maintain confidentiality, prioritize safety, avoid causing trouble, and do nothing to disgrace the sect.
Li Shiwu then signed and smiled wryly. "Given the atmosphere, you all should have a rough idea of what to expect. Most sects are likely hoping to see us embarrass ourselves. Someone will probably challenge a few of you to spar. Bu Yu?"
Mu Wanxuan blinked, indicating that she was listening.
Li Shiwu chuckled. "This afternoon, you should step in and leave a strong impression. A subtle display of your cultivation realm will be enough for us to enjoy the rest of the meeting in peace."
A third-generation disciple at the Seed Formation Realm. Who would believe it even if it were said aloud?
If Mu Wanxuan revealed a hint of her cultivation level, it would be enough to prove that Wudang's heritage was no weaker than that of any other renowned sect. It would also silence those who sought to mock Wudang as "first in Daoist martial arts."
Standing in the corner with his arms crossed, Wang Sheng seemed on the verge of speaking up. However, seeing his senior sister nod earnestly, he could only let her be.
Feeling assured, Li Shiwu and the other Daoist masters departed. Wang Sheng, however, made a point to visit Mu Wanxuan's room to offer some final words of caution.
"If there's no need this afternoon, don't display too much skill. Just reveal your cultivation level—that should suffice," Wang Sheng advised sincerely. "Cultivation isn't about showing off. Don't let this disrupt your state of mind."
"Mm!" Mu Wanxuan replied obediently with a nod.
Hao Ling couldn't help but mutter quietly, "Watching you two makes me feel like you're Wanxuan's senior brother, Junior Brother Wang."
Wang Sheng and Mu Wanxuan exchanged amused glances, but neither bothered to argue. Even on the Wudang Mountains, Wang Sheng handled most matters, while Mu Wanxuan usually only had to follow his lead.
It was certainly a very worry-free arrangement.