Astral Apostle

Chapter 453: The Competition Amongst The Sects (2)

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

“Divine Firmament Wind Spirit Daoist” had become his official title, but everyone was still used to calling him Perfected Master Windwalker in private.

The nature of the Imperial Court’s certification was completely different from the reputation of the people. From high-ranking officials to peddlers, they all understood that the Perfected One had obtained the Emperor’s trust and would soar in the future!

For a moment, the threshold of the Ye family was almost broken through once more.

Be it acquaintances or unfamiliar high-ranking officials, they came to visit again, reproducing the grand occasion when Zhou Jing first stood out a few months ago.

Although in their eyes, the registrar of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau was just a small official, the Emperor’s trust in him was not hidden at all. Perfected Master Windwalker’s future was promising, and it was worth them deepening their relationship with great enthusiasm.

Ning Tian Magistrate, Zhao Xing’an, also came to visit again. He said that he had submitted a recommendation about him to the Emperor back then and shamelessly used it to take credit. Zhou Jing could only nod his head in thanks.

However, although he was sought after by many people, he also attracted the hostility of the clean officials faction.

Originally, Perfected Master Windwalker’s reputation was mostly among the masses, so the clean officials faction did not care much about him. However, now that he showed signs of clinging to the royal family, they immediately changed their attitudes and angrily reprimanded him for bewitching the sacred ears of the Emperor and causing chaos in the court.

Because the Imperial Astronomers supported the construction of the Emperor’s Temple, the clean officials faction had always been hostile to the Imperial Astronomers. It was already a daily routine for them to curse every day. Now that Zhou Jing had joined in, they hated the place even more and directly pinned the title of “Demonic Daoist” on Zhou Jing.

However, no matter how those clean officials scolded him, they could not stop the more realistic people from currying favor with someone powerful and influential, causing the Ye family to be like a marketplace.

At the same time, the Emperor’s imperial decree also mentioned that the Ye family had contributed to serving Perfected Master Windwalker and would be rewarded.

Everyone in the Ye residence was dumbfounded by this sudden surprise. Then, they realized what kind of opportunity this was. Old Master Ye was so excited that he almost could not stand steadily. He suppressed his excitement and accepted the decree.

Back then, Ye Shunzhong, who had invited Zhou Jing, was even more grateful for his decisiveness.

Although their Ye family had not ascended to the heavens in the past few months, they had also benefited and prospered as a result of Zhou Jing.

Now that he had even received the Emperor’s reward, this was a heaven-defying honor. The other rich merchants in the city were inferior to him. Now, his Ye family was undoubtedly the richest family in Ning Tian!

The “gift of fate” that the Perfected One had mentioned had already come true!

Ye Shunzhong had made a great contribution. In the days when Zhou Jing was staying, his authority in the family had increased day by day. With this as the ultimate, no one could shake his identity as the successor. His gratitude to Zhou Jing was like a surging river.

This imperial edict caused a commotion in Ning Tian Prefecture. After the news spread, Miao Xuzi also came to ask for the reason.

…

In the living room of the Ye residence.

Miao Xuzi and Xuan Yuanzi came to visit.

After the two of them sat down as usual, Miao Xuzi could not wait to ask,

“Perfected One has actually been summoned by the Emperor and wants to enter the court to become an official? What’s going on?”

“It’s like this. The Emperor came to the small residence in Ning Tian Prefecture. When he heard of my reputation, he invited me to the palace for a chat. Then, he took a fancy to my ability and asked me to refine pills for him, so I agreed…”

Zhou Jing briefly explained the process.

When Miao Xuzi heard this, his expression was conflicted,

“Perfected One, you’re an expert. Why did you go to the turbid royal court and sully your reputation for no reason…”

He said it tactfully, but his meaning was also expressed.

“I originally thought that you were an expert who did not care about fame and fortune. I didn’t expect you to be a mortal with thick eyebrows and big eyes.”

(TL Note: The term ‘thick eyebrows and big eyes’ is a slang to denote that someone’s tastes have changed.)

Zhou Jing did not mind and casually replied,

“This Daoist was originally cultivating in the wilderness when I realized that the heavenly secrets had already appeared. That’s why I entered the world and came to Ning Tian Prefecture to search for the heavenly secrets. Not long ago, I realized that the heavenly secrets should be in the body of the Emperor, so I accepted the Emperor’s invitation and stayed in the court.”

When Miao Xuzi heard this, he was speechless.

He had also specially come to befriend Perfected Master Windwalker because of the Great Divination of the Heavenly Origin. Perhaps the fomer had also decided to cling to the royal family because of some kind of spell technique he had.

Whether it was true or not, it was already too late.

Moreover, their Righteous Heart was a sect that had partially entered the secular world as well and was not against befriending nobles. It was also a good thing for the Perfected Master Windwalker to obtain the blessings of the Emperor.

“Then about the matter of entering the sect…”

Miao Xuzi probed, more concerned about this.

Zhou Jing smiled, “I’ve already made a decision and am willing to join Mt Qingliang. I’ve already reported this matter to His Majesty. In a few days, His Majesty will issue a decree for the sect to take me in and teach me…”

Hearing that he had agreed, Miao Xuzi was delighted.

However, after listening for a while, he suddenly realized that something was wrong.

Would the Emperor issue a decree to order Mt Qingliang to take you in as a disciple?

Why did this make it seem like their sect was following the orders of the Emperor?

Miao Xuzi’s expression was a little weird at this point.

If Perfected Master Windwalker took the initiative to join, it would appear that the technique of their sect was extraordinary. That was what made even a Perfected One willing to “convert”. This way, the status of his sect would be raised.

However, with the addition of the Emperor’s order, the impression it gave others was different. It was as if the Righteous Heart Sect had no choice but to do this at the request of others, making it very passive. As for Perfected Master Windwalker, who could invite the Emperor to speak, he would in contrast appear even more outstanding. It was as if he had entered the sect under a decree and had an additional layer of the Emperor’s order on him. He was neither close nor distant from his sect and was even more aloof.

Zhou Jing sensed the change in Miao Xuzi’s expression and took the initiative to ask,

“What’s wrong? Fellow Daoist, do you think something’s wrong?”

“Uh, no. It’s my honor that you’re willing to enter my sect.”

Miao Xuzi quickly replied.

Although there were some deviations from his initial expectations, at least this expert had agreed to enter the sect. This was what his sect needed the most. As for the method used, it was not important.