Chapter 454: Paying Respect to the Forefather, Taking In Disciples

It was not a particularly stirring speech, yet it left many cultivators deep in thought. After all, Wang Sheng had raised a long-standing concern: the future of the cultivation world.

No one had expected it to be brought up again at such an important occasion. Since it came from the best sword cultivator of the era, everyone was forced to take it seriously.

Daoist sects led Earth's cultivation world, but the majority of its members were unaffiliated practitioners. If the number of cultivators spiraled out of control and the primal qi of Earth returned to its original state, dire problems would inevitably follow. In the struggle for primal qi, the darker side of human nature would emerge, bringing forth even greater calamity.

They only had two options. The Daoist sects and their heritages could either start limiting unaffiliated practitioners now or leave the Realm of Exiled Immortals.

They still had decades, perhaps even centuries, before they'd have to depart. Still, they would have to eventually face that reality.

Earth's primal qi had been most abundant during the gradual unsealing of the Earth Qi Seal. However, as cultivators reached higher realms, the amount of primal qi they required increased as well. A Nascent Soul Realm cultivator consumed and absorbed far more primal qi in both cultivation and combat than a Golden Core Realm cultivator ever could.

In ancient times, humans even resorted to cannibalism to survive disasters and food scarcity. If Earth started running low on primal qi, the cultivation world's most fundamental and precious resource, this era of peace would likely break apart in no time.

As the strongest collective power in the cultivation world, would the Daoist sects and their heritages one day truly have to suppress the growth of unaffiliated practitioners, thereby controlling the flow of primal qi?

And what of the massive Special Warfare Unit?

"The Pure Yang Sword Faction is willing to take the lead."

There was no other choice but to leave.

Setting aside the matter of the Heavenly Court, Earth's cultivation world would still have to venture into the endless stars to expand, spread, and merge with the cosmic current of primal qi.

Standing now at the pinnacle of the cultivation world, Wang Sheng saw the issue with perfect clarity. Simple survival, not revenge for the Heavenly Court or any lofty fantasy, would drive future immortals of the Daoist sects to go beyond. The entrance to the Realm of Exiled Immortals, which Wang Sheng hadn't yet found, was essentially a gateway to immortality.

His speech considerably cooled the lively atmosphere.

Xi Lian, who had been watching the formation flags from the attic, seemed deep in thought. Qing Yanzi contemplated silently, while Chi Wen looked at her senior brother with deep admiration.

Xiaomiao, on the other hand, looked as though she had just glimpsed some vast and magnificent scene. Her eyes even shone brightly.

In the corner of the thatched cottage, Huai Jing smiled faintly over his tea. Shi Qianzhang, who was beside him, looked utterly confused.

Liu Yunzhi sighed softly, his gaze dim. He then whispered, "We've fallen too far behind Fei Yu."

Huai Jing nodded solemnly.

Shi Qianzhang shamelessly laughed. "We can't do anything about it. We're still considerably mortal, while Brother Sheng might have already transcended human form."

Liu Yunzhi glared at him. Shi Qianzhang just shrugged and laughed in embarrassment.

***

After Wang Sheng's speech, Qing Yanzi led him and Mu Wanxuan into the great palace.

Several rows of seats had been arranged inside. Beginning with the Celestial Master, more than ten sect masters sat on the front left and right sides. Over twenty other well-known experts from the Daoist sects were seated behind them. Those without seats were also allowed inside the palace to observe the ceremony.

Soon, the main event began.

Xiaomiao and Chi Wen, who were in their "stand-in" Daoist robes, presented three sticks of incense to Qing Yanzi, Wang Sheng, and Mu Wanxuan. The two then bowed and stepped back.

Jingyun called out, "Sect Master, disciples, pay respects to the honored Three Pure Ones!"

Qing Yanzi held the incense with both hands. With Wang Sheng and Mu Wanxuan, he knelt on the prepared prayer mats and kowtowed three times toward the portraits of the Three Pure Ones, which hung above the stone statue of Chun Yangzi.

"Pay respects to the Pure Yang Forefather!"

The trio kowtowed again. Finally, Qing Yanzi rose, placed the incense in the incense burner before the statue, and took his seat as sect master.

"Little Xuan, Little Sheng, step forward and offer incense," he instructed.

"Yes, Master," Wang Sheng and Mu Wanxuan replied.

Mu Wanxuan went first, placing three sticks of incense into the incense burner. Once she had returned and knelt again, Wang Sheng rose and did the same.

Jingyun then said, "Pay respects to your master!"

Wang Sheng and Mu Wanxuan performed the formal disciple rites, essentially repeating the ceremony of formally acknowledging their master. Afterward, they rose and stood to the right.

Mu Wanxuan not only looked cool and serene; she also emanated a trace of ethereal Dao Rhythm. Though she was simply standing quietly, she seemed as distant as a reflection of moonlight on water. She had an unreal and untouchable aura, making her seem like an image in a mirror.

Meanwhile, Wang Sheng unconsciously released a sharp sword intent. Though he didn't direct it at anyone, every cultivator inside and outside the palace felt a faint pressure.

At that moment, the stone statue seemingly came alive. Within the curling incense smoke, it appeared to gain a hint of spirituality.

The six off-heritage sect members stepped forward and formed a row. They bowed to the portraits of the Three Pure Ones and Chun Yangzi, then performed the Daoist rite toward the sect master. Afterward, Jingyun recited the thirty-two rules of the Pure Yang Sword Faction.

Qing Yanzi stepped forward with his two disciples, the off-heritage sect members, and the elders. Together, they expressed their gratitude to the guests for attending, marking the end of the founding ceremony.

The six new sect members had only joined for a day, yet they had already undergone a great change. Hearing Wang Sheng's speech and performing the rites in the great palace altered the look in their eyes.

To them, joining the Pure Yang Sword Faction was no longer just a blessing or a fated opportunity. It now had a deeper meaning—a sense of purpose and responsibility.

Smiling, Qing Yanzi suggested, "Everyone, why don't we discuss the Dao here today?"

The cultivators outside the palace immediately became spirited, while the Daoist elders inside all nodded in agreement.

Qing Yanzi and the Daoist elders headed to the front of the palace, while the Daoist masters who had come as guests moved out to the plaza.

The Celestial Master laughed. "As the saying goes, all who witness should share in the fortune. There are still many cultivators outside the mountain gate. Why not let them come in and listen as well?"

Qing Yanzi agreed with a smile. He called out, "Fellow Daoists who are observing from beyond the mountain gate, I, Qing Yanzi, will be discussing the Dao of the Golden Core, Heavenly Abode, and Nascent Soul with the elders of other Daoist sects. We will speak of ways to form Cores and Nascent Souls. Since you are already here, why not listen in?"

Outside the mountain gate, the cultivators who had been waiting for days couldn't help but feel overjoyed. They rushed toward the plaza, stopping at the perimeter. None dared to act out of turn. They all stood quietly to listen.

The Daoist masters in front sat cross-legged on the ground. Chairs were naturally prepared for the sect masters and Daoist elders who would lead the discussion. The gathering looked much like a folk celebration where the host would hold a feast in honor of joyous events.

For cultivators, however, eating and drinking were merely indulgences of taste. Other than the children hoping to become Qing Yanzi's disciple, nearly everyone on the mountain had long since stopped needing food to live. A grand discussion of the Dao, one that resolved doubts in cultivation, was the most substantial "feast" they could hope for.

Unlike the debates at the Immortal Dao Conference, which often lacked real substance, Qing Yanzi began by explaining the Dao of Golden Core Formation. He gave a detailed overview of what he had comprehended about the mysteries of the Golden Core, the Heavenly Abode, and the Nascent Soul.

Following him, the Celestial Master discussed how talismans influenced the process of Core formation and Nascent Soul condensation. Qing Long then spoke about how to resist the heart devil that cultivators faced while breaking through to the Heavenly Abode Realm.

Wang Sheng and Mu Wanxuan did not have to listen. Their duty was to maintain order and ensure that no one caused trouble.

The founding ceremony continued from noon until around five in the afternoon.

When the Daoist elders finally concluded their discussions, Qing Yanzi said, "Fellow Daoists, please feel free to do as you wish."

The hundreds of unaffiliated practitioners immediately took their leave with understanding smiles. Each felt that the day's learning had been more than worth the wait.

Soon after, some of the invited guests also departed. The Daoist elders who had brought candidates all stayed, and their sect masters accompanied them.

The next part after the ceremony was even more important.

Qing Yanzi was about to accept new disciples; Mu Wanxuan and Wang Sheng were about to gain new junior brothers and sisters.

Almost anyone who entered Qing Yanzi's tutelage would already have a foot in the gate to immortality. After all, they'd be around Wang Sheng and Yaoyun. Not only were the two powerful, but they also had access to the Small Immortal Realm of the Moon Palace.

Whether the new disciples could take the other step completely depended on their own ability.

Qing Yanzi smiled. "Fellow Daoists, please have your endorsed candidates step forward."

The Daoist elders around him smiled in response. From the crowd, they called over the young disciples they had brought.

Soon, more than fifty youths stood around the great sword before the palace—fewer than Qing Yanzi had expected. Some looked far too mature for their age, while others were so thin they looked as if the wind could blow them away.

Qing Yanzi smiled. "My mental and physical capacity is limited, while Little Sheng and Little Xuan are not yet qualified to take disciples. I fear I may disappoint some of you today. Of all those children, I can only accept three to five as my disciples."

The Daoist masters all expressed understanding.

"It's getting late," Qing Yanzi said. "Little Sheng, take the children to the thatched cottage for a meal. Little Xuan, tell the cook to prepare a nutritious and plentiful dinner. Make sure everything has been properly arranged as well before we start the Three Pure Yang Trials later."

Wang Sheng and Mu Wanxuan responded affirmatively. Mu Wanxuan swiftly left to make preparations.

Wang Sheng, who was carrying Spiritless, smiled and walked over to the youths. The boys and girls were about equal in number. No one knew how many of each would remain after the trials.

Standing before them, Wang Sheng clasped his hands. "Everyone, I am Wang Sheng, Daoist name Fei Yu."

"Look, it's Sword Cultivator Fei Yu! He's the real deal! I've seen him on television!" A boy wearing glasses, no older than ten, tugged at the sleeve of the girl beside him. He exclaimed, "He's the great hero who saved so many people in Europe!"

The girl just responded with a polite but awkward laugh.

Grinning, Wang Sheng gestured at them. "Follow me."

Naturally quick on their feet, the children swiftly followed behind him. It made Wang Sheng feel like a primary school teacher leading a group of fourth or fifth graders on a field trip.