When Qi Xuansu first went to the Imperial Capital Daoist Mansion, he was merely a superintendent. Even the lowest-ranking Deputy Mansion Master outranked him. Later, in the Ziwei Hall, he was the lowest-ranking Deputy Hall Master, hardly someone with a voice of authority.0

But this time was different. Within the Poluo Daoist Mansion, Qi Xuansu now ranked fourth, a position comparable to Li Tiangang of the Fenglin Daoist Mansion. Only three figures were above him—Great Sage Lan Hexu, Sage Wang Jiaohe, and Chief Deputy Chen Shuhua. There was also a first-rank Spirit Guard, but he was placed beneath Qi Xuansu in the official order since Spirit Guards were not considered Daoist priests and had a ranking system of their own.1

Upon arrival, the first task was to introduce Qi Xuansu to everyone, and the second was to introduce everyone to him. The welcoming ceremony’s real purpose was to break the ice between both sides. Of course, if a Zhang family scion were sent to Wuzhou Daoist Mansion or a Li family descendant were appointed to Qizhou Daoist Mansion, the reception would be entirely different.0

Yao Shu, in his capacity as the Chief Deputy Ziwei Hall Master, formally represented the Golden...0