Hidden Moth-Chapter 548 - 311: Fragrant Legacy Through the Ages (Part 2)

Chapter 548: Chapter 311: Fragrant Legacy Through the Ages (Part 2)

In fact, the situation of the various Magic Sects varies. For example, in the Observing Body Sect, which has the most disciples, having incense burning in the Ancestral Hall 24 hours a day is very necessary. But for a sect like the Lingxi Sect, which has the fewest disciples, doing so would certainly be very wasteful.

Yet this is the tradition of the Magic Sects, providing the disciples within the sect a sense of enduring continuity and legacy. It’s not just about whether a few sticks of Awakening Incense are wasted.

He Kao did a calculation in his mind: one stick of Awakening Incense can burn for an hour; lighting three sticks at a time requires thirty-six sticks a day, which sums up to 13,140 sticks a year.

According to the "friendship price" at which Lin Qingshuang helped him purchase the Awakening Incense, each stick costs five thousand yuan, amounting to 65.7 million yuan annually. And this is just one Magic Sect’s expenditure; adding up the Seven Great Magic Sects would come to nearly 460 million yuan. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Fortunately, the sects are large and prosperous, so they can afford it. But these items cannot be mass-purchased from outside, so the Ancestral Hall must allocate a special team for their processing and refinement.

He Kao couldn’t help but think of the "Tan Xian’s Walking Stick Painting," no wonder the Ancestor Tan in the painting only responds when he is venerated with Awakening Incense following traditional rituals.

Then he thought about his own Floating Colors Grotto Heaven, which also has the Divine Control Thought left by the ancestor, allowing disciples to communicate with the grotto heaven’s center and receive secondary inheritance.

In the future, it is also possible to build an Ancestral Hall, set up corresponding arrays and ritual instruments, forming a fixed ceremony...

The Hidden Moth Sect has been without descendants for a millennium, and no one has visited the Floating Colors Grotto Heaven for a millennium either. The Divine Control Thought left by the ancestor has dissipated very slowly; one needs only to offer incense regularly from a practical standpoint, making 24-hour continuous incense burning unnecessary.

After all, the Hidden Moth Sect already had very few disciples a thousand years ago, and even fewer could receive secondary inheritance.

According to the information provided by Wei Luo, the grotto heavens of the Seven Great Magic Sects have maintained continuous incense offerings for at least over two thousand years, even during internal chaos within the sects.

If the Hidden Moth Sect has the means in the future, they might consider doing the same. But with the few individuals they have now, it’s unmanageable. If the Hidden Moth Lineage were to return to the Magic Sect, they couldn’t afford such a thing by themselves; they might even need resource support from the Ancestral Hall.

Disregarding the little interlude of Wei Luo taking the chance to pass on gossip, after the worship, He Kao did not immediately rise. He turned in a different direction to pay respect to Jiang Daozhen, greeting, "It’s been a long time since we last met, I hope you are well?"

Jiang Daozhen, laughing heartily, stepped forward to help him up: "There have been so many things recently, otherwise I would have wanted you to visit long ago. I heard you recently broke through the Fifth Realm cultivation; now is just the right time.

Come, come, let me introduce you. This is the Supreme Elder of the Micro Realm Sect, Guo..."

Before he finished speaking, He Kao swiftly knelt down, his forehead touching the ground in a deep bow: "Junior He Kao pays respect to Grandmaster Guo. I have long been in admiration of Uncle Guo’s esteemed reputation and elegance, and finally, I have the fate of meeting the revered master in person!"

Beside him, Jiang Daozhen was somewhat taken aback. Why was this kid so obedient today? Considering Guo Qianhuai’s status and his special relationship with He Kao, such a grand gesture was warranted, but the introduction hadn’t been completed.

Guo Qianhuai laughed heartily, casting a glance at Jiang Daozhen, clearly pleased, waved his sleeve to help He Kao up, and asked, "Now tell me, what is the great fame you’ve heard of me, and what elegance of mine have you witnessed?"

This retort was a bit shameless, but He Kao’s response was natural: "Elder Li mentioned to me not long ago that in the Flower Shocking Grotto Heaven, you and three other elders used an array to entrap and kill the masters of the Xiao Alliance who came to ambush.

Also, the Beast Claw Pendant I’ve been wearing since I was little was crafted by you. I haven’t had the chance to kowtow and thank you in person until today..."

Guo Qianhuai laughed even more delightedly: "So you already know about this! That wasn’t solely my effort, Elder Jiang and Elder Li also participated in the refining of the pendant."

Then he changed the subject, "Elder Li was here yesterday and mentioned you’ve acquired a treasure mirror in the Ba Mountain Medicine Garden?"

He Kao quickly extended his left hand, the lines on his palm transformed into a handle holding a mirror, which he presented with both hands: "It’s this magical artifact, and I’ve named it Shadow Mirror..."

He was slightly puzzled; they had just met, and before saying anything else, Guo Qianhuai wanted to see this mirror. But after thinking it over, he figured this senior was the most outstanding Artifact Refining Master in the Magic Sect, and surely, he would be most interested in such things.

He not only handed the mirror to Elder Guo but also shared his insights into the refining process.

Guo Qianhuai’s attention was immediately drawn to the Shadow Mirror, manipulating it repeatedly in his hands. Jiang Daozhen, somewhat anxious, asked, "Uncle Master, is this a replica of the Bone-Penetrating Treasure Mirror?"

Guo Qianhuai, without looking up, replied: "Rare to hear you call me Uncle Master. Normally, isn’t it Brother Guo or Guo Dachui?"

In terms of seniority, Guo Qianhuai was a generation above Jiang Daozhen but only a few years older. The two had known each other since childhood, and young Guo Qianhuai often arrogantly flaunted his uncle master’s status to annoy people.

Hence, outside of formal ceremonies, Jiang Daozhen preferred not to call him Uncle Master, opting for Brother or a nickname. As they aged, both got accustomed to it, and Guo Qianhuai no longer minded much.

Jiang Daozhen didn’t pursue the topic, instead saying: "Although Elder Li is adept in alchemy, he isn’t skilled in artifact techniques, so Uncle Master needs to assess it thoroughly."

Guo Qianhuai finally raised his head and said, "It should indeed be a replica of the Bone-Penetrating Treasure Mirror, without a doubt!"

Jiang Daozhen exhaled a long breath: "Truly a joyful surprise, I didn’t expect my plan to succeed ahead of schedule."

Guo Qianhuai: "Shall we continue?"

Jiang Daozhen: "Will there be a second piece of such a replica?"

Guo Qianhuai: "It’s not the Bone-Penetrating Treasure Mirror, but even such a quality replica is difficult for me to create. The refining level of this artifact is evidently above mine, likely the handiwork of a Xavier Alliance ancestor. Creating even one is impressive!"

Jiang Daozhen: "So anyone wanting further action will have to use the Bone-Penetrating Treasure Mirror?"

Guo Qianhuai: "Perhaps so, but no one can guarantee things will go the way you think."

Jiang Daozhen: "I understand this principle... So shall we proceed with the arrangements?"

Guo Qianhuai did not speak, just nodded while looking at the mirror in his hand, then turned to He Kao and said: "Xiao Kao, could I take this mirror for some time to study?"

He Kao: "If you find it useful, please take it."

Guo Qianhuai: "I might need some time, and some damage may result. Even if it returns intact, you’ll likely have to re-refine it."

Guo Qianhuai intended to refine this treasure mirror to fully grasp its utility. As a consequence, He Kao’s day and night’s refining efforts would be in vain, and he’d have to start over.

That wasn’t much of an issue; what really concerned was the chance the mirror could be damaged. Magical treasures are challenging to break under normal use, but who knows what this Artifact Refining Master would do with it?

He Kao, however, did not hesitate and readily agreed: "You can study it, even if it’s damaged, it’s no problem."

Jiang Daozhen appeared somewhat anxious and interrupted: "Uncle Master, this piece is quite rare, as mentioned earlier, even you might not be able to craft something similar..."

Guo Qianhuai waved his hand: "No need for such words to remind me, how can an elder take advantage of a child?

It’s an unexpected joy that He Kao brought this mirror today, but let me tell you the truth; whether or not the mirror was involved, I’ve long prepared something ready for him!"

Remarkably, Wei Luo chimed in: "Yes, yes, yes, you’re absolutely right! Just ask around, and you’ll know. Today, in the Magic Sect, Uncle Guo can be credited as the foremost master of great instruments!"

Guo Qianhuai was amused, took out an item, and, smiling, handed it to He Kao: "Take this set of Four Seasons Flower Screen as a meeting gift from this old man."

Overjoyed, He Kao thought to himself that it was indeed so. He respectfully knelt on one knee and accepted with both hands: "Thank you, Uncle Guo, for the bestowed artifact!"

**