The rumor that True Person Fujiao was taking True Person Mangxiang as his master would probably be laughed off as a joke by most people upon first hearing it. How could that be possible? Zhou Fujiao was a famous Purple Palace Grand Cultivator in Wunan. Why would he stoop so low as to take a fellow Purple Palace cultivator as his master?
Yet, no one called him True Person Mangxiang anymore. Everyone called him Immortal Venerable.
Immortal Venerable Mangxiang.
A Purple Palace cultivator taking an 'Immortal Venerable' as a master sounded infinitely more reasonable, didn't it?
The First True Person Law secretly passed down through the Wang Clan had long since beco obsolete. In the current version, a Purple Palace Grand Cultivator could skip two ranks entirely and be reverently addressed as an Immortal Venerable—though, of course, this courtesy was exclusively reserved for Mangxiang.
So fools might wonder if this was a bit of an exaggeration. But this kind of flattery operated much like cutthroat competition.
When the first clever opportunist decided to stand up and applaud rather than simply raise his hand to express his agreent, everyone gradually grew accustod to standing and clapping to show their complete support, unyielding defense, and deep admiration.
At that point, according to the original rules, those who remained seated and rely raised their hands might not be seeking their own deaths, but they were certainly ostracizing themselves from everyone else.
Mangxiang would not hold a grudge over his subordinates' attitudes, but the people standing behind Mangxiang would rember.
The inner circle around the ancestor was not large. If too many people stood within it, the benefits wouldn't be enough to go around. Anyone who failed to call him Immortal Venerable would be kicked out at the first opportunity.
Two days later, in the early morning, at the True Person Residence atop the peak of Mangxiang Mountain within the Red Lantern Illumination Sect.
Led by Ancestor Jingyi, Wang Yulou, Wang Xianzhou, and Wang Jingyi's disciple, Tie Huashan, stepped into the ancestor's residence for the first ti.
However, to a Grand Cultivator like the ancestor, who did not exist in this world but road freely within a grotto-heaven while enjoying an infinite lifespan, this residence at the peak of the dao arena was nothing more than a formal decoration.
The ancestor's residence was vast, yet it contained only a single main hall. The reason was that from the entrance of the residence to the depths before the hall lay a luxurious Five Splendors Spiritual Essence Pond.
Though called a pond, the Five Splendors Spiritual Essence Pond was actually a special immortal wonder, similar to the Dumb Donkey Plain in the center of Wang Family Mountain.
To put it simply, one could view it as a high-tier version of the stream and pond system Yulou had built in his courtyard at River Bend Port. It carried the sense of a refined hobby exclusive to cultivators, but just how much higher was its tier?
The stream and pond system Wang Yulou had built owed its steep cost to three main factors: the spiritual water streams and ponds that provided nourishnt, the nurous spirit fish raised within them, and the seven stalks of ninth-grade spiritual herbs, the Elegant Water Lotuses, prepared for his senior martial sister's cultivation.
In contrast, the ancestor's Five Splendors Spiritual Essence Pond utilized dozens of different five-elent spiritual items arranged to connect their elental properties, forming a unique natural formation array constructed from the spiritual items themselves.
Aided by the joint effects of other formation arrays, the distinct spiritual items would nourish one another, thereby slowly elevating their own grades.
Wang Yulou noticed that the highest grade among the nurous spiritual items in the Five Splendors Spiritual Essence Pond was only eighth-grade. There were no seventh-grade items, which likely ant everything of seventh-grade and above had been moved away.
Suddenly, Yulou froze in his tracks just behind Ancestor Jingyi.
He saw spiritual items identical to those that had appeared in An Ning's small grotto-heaven, all sitting quietly within the ancestor's Five Splendors Spiritual Essence Pond.
"Keep up!" Wang Jingyi glared at Wang Yulou, feeling a twinge of regret for telling Wang Xianmao about the theft of An Ning's grotto-heaven. Wang Xianmao, oh Wang Xianmao, why must you have such a loose tongue? Why would you tell Wang Yulou about this kind of matter? If Yulou developed resentnt toward the ancestor, the ancestor could see right through him with a single glance.
With this thought, Wang Jingyi stopped marching. Giving Yulou a deep, aningful look, Wang Jingyi pointed at the Five Splendors Spiritual Essence Pond and spoke with a look of honor and deep emotion.
"This Five Splendors Spiritual Essence Pond can serve as a place of secluded ditation for cultivators attempting to break through to Foundation Establishnt. The spiritual vitality of the spiritual mountain and the spiritual vitality of the Five Splendors Spiritual Essence Pond rge, and under their combined influence, the probability of a breakthrough increases by twenty percent on top of the original success rate. Such an excellent place for breakthroughs would cost over a thousand spirit stones a month if rented. However, when disciples of our Wang Clan within the Red Lantern Illumination Sect attempt to establish their foundations, they can use it free of charge. When you think about it, the ancestor treats our Wang Clan very well!"
Wang Yulou naturally understood that Ancestor Jingyi wasn't saying the theft of the grotto-heaven wasn't worth getting angry over. The claim that the ancestor treated them well was complete nonsense. The Wang family sent annual tributes to the Mangxiang lineage year after year without fail; the Wang Clan owed the ancestor nothing. Ancestor Jingyi was reminding him that he needed to clarify his allegiance. What he thought in his heart did not matter, but his stance had to remain unyielding.
"Yulou understands," Wang Yulou replied obediently, giving Ancestor Jingyi a subtle wink. "Master, can I use this Five Splendors Spiritual Essence Pond to establish my foundation in the future?"
asked Tie Huashan, the grand-nephew of Tie Qinhuo, a Foundation Establishnt cultivator with an external surna who had joined the Wang family. He was Wang Jingyi's sole disciple and one of the conditions for the Tie family's integration into the Wang Clan.
"You are my disciple, so of course you can use it. It is rely a matter of doing so networking to clear so ti for you. There are many cultivators under the ancestor's tutelage, and this Five Splendors Spiritual Essence Pond is occupied most of the ti. A foundation establishnt seclusion easily takes three months at minimum, so it requires scheduling."
After explaining briefly, Wang Jingyi led the group into the main hall. The Mangxiang residence possessed only this single main hall and no other structures, but this lone hall was exceptionally grand.
It stood over thirty ters high and stretched roughly three hundred ters wide. As for its length, Yulou did not dare use his divine sense to investigate.
In a place like this, perhaps only the famous, great Qilin child of the Yuan Clan, Yuan Wu, would dare sweep his divine sense around recklessly.
"The space inside is enormous. When the ti cos, just sit in the crowd. When you see us Foundation Establishnt cultivators bow, follow our lead. There is no need to feel any pressure; just treat it as a chance to broaden your horizons."
Before they entered the main hall, Wang Jingyi gave them her final instructions. "However, you must not commit any breach of etiquette or decorum. The ancestor will arrive today. His power is boundless, and he can clearly perceive every single change occurring around him without even trying to look. Therefore, even if you do not get the chance to step forward and speak with the ancestor, you can consider yourself to have t him today. In the future, this might just turn into a stroke of good fortune."
Wang Yulou did not entirely believe Ancestor Jingyi's words, but he would certainly maintain perfect etiquette and decorum. Inside the main hall, a fair number of people had already gathered.
Wang Jingyi arranged for the group to stand by the base of the wall first, then departed alone to greet her martial brothers and sisters. The Mangxiang lineage boasted a massive number of mbers; if isolated, they could easily wipe out Dripdrop Cave on their own.
Their three Purple Palace cultivators were more than a match for Dripdrop Cave's three Purple Palace cultivators, provided that people like Gong Jiusheng and Hong Li left the Dripping Water Grotto-Heaven, of course.
The remaining Foundation Establishnt cultivators of Dripdrop Cave might not even guarantee a victory against the Foundation Establishnt cultivators under the Mangxiang lineage. As for Qi Refining? Under the divine abilities of a Foundation Establishnt cultivator, most Qi Refining disciples would be instantly refined and obliterated.
Because the Mangxiang lineage was so populous, and it was a rare occasion for them to gather today for the ancestor's acceptance of Zhou Fujiao as a disciple, Wang Jingyi naturally needed to network properly. Familiarizing herself with faces was essential, as she might need their help so day in the future.
Leaning against the wall of the main hall, Yulou discreetly observed the scene inside.
The entire hall was devoid of any redundant clutter. Deep within the hall stood a high platform, which displayed neither a divine statue nor an ancestral tablet, but rely an inconspicuous stone couch that did not even seem to radiate spiritual energy.
This was not surprising. When Mangxiang co-founded the Red Lantern Illumination Sect alongside the two grand cultivators Chiming and Zhuzhao, his Purple Palace cultivation was already complete. His dao arena in this mortal world required no decoration.
Wang Yulou built a Golden Platform because Wang Yulou was not strong enough.
Mangxiang was strong enough, so even if his dao arena was barren and his residence humble, no one would dare look down on him.
Inside the hall, quite a few inner disciples of the Red Lantern Illumination Sect dressed in translucent red ritual robes were bustling about, setting up the venue for the discipleship ceremony.
A disciple responsible for reception noticed Yulou, Ancestor Xianzhou, and Tie Huashan standing by the base of the wall and hurried over to greet them.
"Senior brothers, which lineage do you belong to?"
Anyone permitted inside to witness the ceremony possessed a solid background and belonged to the elite class of the Red Lantern Illumination Sect, which was why the receptionist asked this question. Although he was a receptionist, he would leave this place once nearly everyone arrived. He would not even possess the right to stand at the doorway to listen.
"My master is Wang Jingyi of the Wang Clan from Anbei Kingdom. These two are also mbers of the Wang Clan. Master went to greet the other martial uncles and told us to wait here," Tie Huashan hurried to explain.
Upon hearing this, the receptionist imdiately smiled. "So that is how it is. Please wait here, senior brothers. If you require anything, just look for ."
Yulou caught the flash of envy in the receptionist's eyes, yet his own heart felt rather complicated. Mangxiang's beasts of burden were viewed as high-ranking elites by outsiders. But how could these outsiders possibly comprehend the price of serving as a beast of burden for the ancestor? In a cultivation world like this, achieving immortality required absolute ruthlessness; how else could one succeed?
Any Daoist friend who has participated in large-scale events knows that for a high-profile gathering, the prior preparations and procedural logistics are no less demanding than managing a major engineering project.
Patriarch Mangxiang was one of the co-founders of the Red Lantern Illumination Sect and a renowned Grand Cultivator famous throughout Wunan, who was currently preparing to attain his Golden Core. The other protagonist of today's discipleship ceremony was True Person Zhou Fujiao, a Purple Palace Grand Cultivator of the Red Lantern Illumination Sect. Although he was half-dead and elicited complex feelings from everyone, he remained a genuine True Person.
With all the other Grand Cultivators hiding inside their grotto-heavens for long periods, Zhou Fujiao, whose grotto-heaven had gradually collapsed and left him unable to enter, had paradoxically enjoyed the strongest presence among the Purple Palace cultivators of the Red Lantern Illumination Sect over the years. How could his presence not be strong? Everyone else hid within their grotto-heavens to cultivate, thereby preventing the heavens and earth from draining their lifespan, while old Zhou's own grotto-heaven had gone completely to ruin. If he had a choice, he would have preferred to remain completely invisible as well.
Immortal Venerable Mangxiang was taking a disciple, and True Person Fujiao was entering his tutelage. With such an impressive lineup, the scale of this discipleship ceremony was easily top-tier for the Red Lantern Illumination Sect. Consequently, the specific burden of preparing this event fell upon the shoulders of the Red Lantern Illumination Sect's sect master, Huang Qiusheng.
Despite being the sect master, he could not even be considered a professional manager; he was rely a head butler, one pushed forward specifically by Mangxiang to distribute favors. Therefore, when performing this kind of work, Sect Master Huang would not harbor any grievances but would instead feel extrely honored.
"To be able to work for Immortal Venerable Mangxiang, I do not require a single spirit stone, nor do you need to give your congratulatory gifts. I am rely... Jingyi, co quickly. Several senior brothers and sisters have shown their consideration and prepared congratulatory gifts. But... should these gifts nominally be presented to Immortal Venerable Mangxiang, or to True Person Fujiao?"
Huang Qiusheng was the sect master, but he was not an intimate confidant of the ancestor. Wang Jingyi was Xuanzhuan's disciple, and the Wang family had served Mangxiang for many years, making her part of Mangxiang's direct lineage.
Sect Master Huang naturally wanted to push an awkward and sensitive issue like congratulatory gifts onto Wang Jingyi. In truth, it wasn't that the gifts themselves were sensitive, but rather that the two protagonists of today's ceremony were far too sensitive. Zhou Fujiao was becoming Mangxiang's disciple, and they had organized such a grand ceremony. Could those attending possibly refrain from offering gifts?
Yet, presenting them to True Person Fujiao, given his past conflicts with Mangxiang, made such kindness carry a mocking connotation. On the other hand, presenting them to Immortal Venerable Mangxiang, setting aside whether it was appropriate, was structurally invalid based on the underlying aning of 'congratulations on accepting a good disciple.' What right did a bunch of Foundation Establishnt cultivators have to present gifts to Immortal Venerable Mangxiang? What, did they want the Immortal Venerable to owe them a favor?
Thus, as the person in charge of preparing the ceremony, Huang Qiusheng did not want to touch this matter. Now that he saw Wang Jingyi had arrived early, he quickly shifted the trouble onto her to make the decision.
Ancestor Jingyi was well aware of Mangxiang's conduct in stealing An Ning's grotto-heaven. She understood perfectly well that there was no need to agonizingly debate whether accepting gifts was appropriate or whether the ancestor was using this as an opportunity to amass wealth. The ancestor did not care about saving face; he only cared about cultivation resources and opportunities to achieve the Dao! Furthermore, these Foundation Establishnt cultivators presenting gifts to Mangxiang did not constitute a favor; they were not worthy of having Mangxiang return a favor! Based on her understanding of Mangxiang's shalessness, Wang Jingyi was certain that if she collected the gifts on his behalf and presented them to him later, he would definitely not be angry.
"Did you not arrange personnel to register and categorize the gifts in advance?" Having already ford a plan in her mind, Wang Jingyi first criticized Huang Qiusheng with a serious expression, her tone carrying a hint of dissatisfaction. Putting on a stern face, borrowing authority, and pressuring the sect master. If Wang Yulou's attempt to seek shelter under Zhou Fujiao did not go smoothly, she would find a path through Huang Qiusheng!
"This... I assud that for a discipleship ceremony, the elders would give gifts, while we juniors... we juniors..." Old Huang was truly helpless. He could not determine who should receive the congratulatory gifts, nor did he have the courage to make that call. The relationship between Mangxiang and Zhou Fujiao was far too bizarre. Deep resentnt in the past had turned into a master-disciple relationship today; the water was too deep for soone like Huang Qiusheng to navigate. With Xuanzhuan and Danri failing to show their faces, whom could he possibly consult? The Foundation Establishnt cultivators of the Mangxiang lineage were nurous, but wouldn't arranging such details imply organizing the hierarchy of those above them? One could not bla Huang Qiusheng for a lack of diligence; those Purple Palace cultivators were simply too skilled at dodging trouble. They acted as if they were dead, each maintaining a posture of refusing to erge unless the sect was about to collapse.
"You also know you are the ancestor's junior? Forget it. Arrange for soone to set up a reception table at the entrance of the main hall, and I will welco the guests shortly. As a disciple-grandchild of the ancestor, I, Jingyi, shall offer ten thousand spirit stones. The other senior brothers do not need to give too much. Just a token of your respect—five thousand pieces should be about right."
The mont Wang Jingyi said this, the expressions of Huang Qiusheng and the other Foundation Establishnt cultivators turned sowhat unnatural. It wasn't that they looked ugly; everyone managed to maintain a polite smile, but it was distinctly strained. Who could look natural after being smoothly extorted for a hefty sum?
When Wang Yulou got married, Yuan Daoshen had given generously only because Qu Yunjian utilized Yulou's contributions to be generous at the sect's expense. Yet Wang Jingyi imdiately set a price of ten thousand spirit stones for Mangxiang's disciple-grandchildren and five thousand for the other Foundation Establishnt cultivators attending the ceremony. This was no different from robbery.
True, anyone permitted to watch the ceremony belonged to the absolute core of the Red Lantern Illumination Sect's direct lineage, and no one lacked five thousand spirit stones, but there were far too many places that required resources. Was this appropriate? It was completely inappropriate! However, a traitor erged who found it entirely appropriate.
"Jingyi, your pricing is extrely appropriate. We are juniors after all, so we ought to show our filial piety. I shall contribute eight thousand. Keep talking, everyone. I shall arrange the reception table. Jingyi, make sure to co over early." Gritting his teeth, Sect Master Huang Qiusheng chose loyalty. He had been promoted by Mangxiang after all, and having already perford so many tasks for him, adding this single fee made little difference. As long as Mangxiang truly beca an Immortal Venerable, all these investnts would be worthwhile. Pulling out eighty high-grade spirit stones and stuffing them into Wang Jingyi's hands, the sect master turned and departed in a great hurry.
Ancestor Jingyi looked at the remaining Foundation Establishnt cultivators and smiled. "It is not that I wish to collect spirit stones, but the ancestor is a Purple Palace cultivator of our Red Lantern Illumination Sect. We must work together with one heart to push the ancestor upward so the sect can grow and flourish. When the sect prospers, will our lives not beco easier as well?"
The group exchanged looks, and ultimately, everyone smilingly produced five thousand pieces. The price Wang Jingyi set was far too clever; five thousand pieces was a figure these Foundation Establishnt cultivators could easily earn back within six months to a year. If they refused to give or gave too little, would it not imply that their respect for the ancestor wasn't even worth five thousand spirit stones? Wang Jingyi harbored no worry whatsoever about whether her actions would offend these fellow martial brothers. To get things done, one would inevitably offend people, but with the pretext of the ancestor accepting a disciple, the offense beca negligible—at most a minor grievance. By collecting resources for the ancestor, the ancestor would credit her with a rit, and Xuanzhuan would also credit her with a rit. Remaining staunchly loyal even after her grotto-heaven was stolen demonstrated a level of devotion that could play a significant role in securing Zhou Fujiao's protection for Yulou.
Ultimately, Wang Jingyi's initiative today—proactively defining the congratulatory gifts as 'a token of junior respect where failing to give implies a lack of respect,' taking over the job of collecting them, and establishing a standard of 'ten thousand for Mangxiang's lineage and five thousand for other Foundation Establishnt cultivators'—was entirely for Yulou's sake. Zhou Fujiao would indeed beco Wang Jingyi's martial uncle, but securing Yulou's protection under Zhou Fujiao wasn't an issue she could resolve simply by flapping her lips. Cultivation, or rather navigating the cultivation world, was just that tedious. No one would help you without rhy or reason, not even your own family. Even so, the Wang Clan was considered fortunate. As Mangxiang's beasts of burden, although the ancestor would occasionally rob the Wang Clan of their small grotto-heavens and the like, the Wang Clan could at least drink Mangxiang's leftovers, an opportunity countless others desperately desired but never received.
The territory under the Immortal Alliance operated on a system akin to a restricted democracy, where the specific restricted group consisted of Grand Cultivators. Figures like Mangxiang, Zhuzhao, and Qingrui who commanded the winds and clouds monopolized all high-grade resources within the scope of the Immortal Alliance—spiritual items above the sixth-grade were banned from trade. The finest resources between heaven and earth resided in the hands of these Grand Cultivators. Running along with these individuals was infinitely better than fighting alone.
'Xianzhou, take Yulou and Huashan to find Huang Qiusheng. Have him arrange seats for you in the very front row; I have already ntioned it to him.' Upon receiving Wang Jingyi's voice transmission, Wang Xianzhou dared not delay and quickly searched for the Red Lantern Illumination Sect's sect master.
Very soon, Yulou sat in the front row of the Qi Refining disciples' viewing area—specifically, the first seat in the rear portion to the left-front of the high platform. Ancestor Jingyi was indeed exceptionally socially adept, managing to secure such an excellent position for the three of them. The high platform was naturally the ancestor's honored position, consisting of a completely ordinary stone couch; the ancestor required no external objects to manifest his status. Before the high platform, an aisle ran directly through the center.
On either side of the very front stood ten jade couches and jade tables, spaced far apart from one another; these were prepared for the arriving Purple Palace Grand Cultivators. Because it remained uncertain how many would attend, they had set out twenty couches initially. If more people arrived, they could add more provisionally; they couldn't display a massive pile only to leave half of them empty, which would make them look foolish. This, too, was a matter of detail.
Beyond the Purple Palace jade couch area lay the Foundation Establishnt viewing section, which utilized golden couches and golden tables, with forty set out on each side. If more people arrived, they could simply add more.
Beyond the golden couch area lay the wooden couches and wooden tables where the Qi Refining disciples sat, with two hundred arranged across both sides, which could also be expanded. Yulou's position belonged to the first row of this section, while simultaneously sitting closest to the golden couch and golden table area.
Patriarch Mangxiang could naturally ascertain who arrived and which family they belonged to with ease, but sitting in a pri position might allow the ancestor to observe them for an extra half-second, thereby rembering them more deeply. This alone made it worthwhile!
Describing it as securing the emperor's favor felt inappropriate, because a mortal emperor could hardly match Patriarch Mangxiang's authority; the ancestor was about to gain his third Purple Palace disciple. To put it this way, if the Red Lantern Illumination Sect dared to give Mangxiang the cold shoulder, Mangxiang could easily take his followers and switch allegiance to another sect on a whim, remaining a potent, entrenched Grand Cultivator wherever he went.
When Ancestor Jingyi brought Yulou and the others, it was still early morning. For this type of large-scale event, the minor beasts of burden were the first to enter and take their seats. Huang Qiusheng had arrived even earlier than Wang Jingyi. One of his primary tasks was to organize the seating of the viewing cultivators, thereby setting up the proper claque for the Grand Cultivators' grand entrance.
Yulou cultivated silently on his wooden couch for two hours when he suddenly felt Ancestor Xianzhou nudge his waist with an elbow.
"Look over there, see who has arrived," Ancestor Xianzhou whispered.
Wang Yulou followed the ancestor's gaze and discovered Huang Qiusheng leading Zhou Liangzhuor and Zhou Yingxi inside. Zhou Liangzhuor was deeply engrossed in conversation with Sect Master Huang, while Fellow Daoist Yingxi seed sowhat lost in thought, rely following closely behind her family elder.
For so unknown reason, Zhou Yingxi casually turned her head to survey the situation inside the main hall, and her eyes instantly locked with Yulou's gaze. Their invisible gazes collided in the air and vanished soundlessly.
Separated by a distance of over twenty feet, the two nodded to one another without exchanging further greetings. Yulou recalled that he had last crossed paths with Fellow Daoist Yingxi in Lotus Immortal City, and now they t again, with barely a month having passed between the two encounters.
He continued to hide within the crowd, cultivating and behaving submissively, while Ancestor Xianzhou refrained from speaking further. The Red Lantern Illumination Sect housed so many Grand Cultivators; here, one had to asure their words at all tis. Those disciples who understood nothing might still engage in covert power struggles, but for the Wang Clan, they possessed very little room to squander on petty politics. Under the ancestor's tutelage, loyalty to the ancestor was the sole path forward. Consequently, every word and action required utmost caution to avoid exposing one's true thoughts. This was true for Wang Jingyi, and equally true for Wang Yulou. One could say the Wang Clan relied precisely on this caution to survive to this day. Any child of the Wang Clan who lacked caution could never leave Wang Family Mountain. Even Yu'an was exceptionally cautious. Although he had been sowhat impetuous as a young child, he ultimately understood the bigger picture and managed to secure a firm footing in Hidden Dragon Abbey on his own rits.
"Wang Yulou, why have you co to the Red Lantern Illumination Sect?" Yulou didn't seek out Zhou Yingxi, yet Zhou Yingxi proactively approached Yulou. Seeing the complex look in the girl's eyes, he quickly rose and said, "The Immortal Alliance dispatched a sacred decree to Dripdrop Cave, provisionally summoning fifty Dripdrop Cave disciples to the West Sea. I was assigned a mission by the sect and must depart for the West Sea within three months. Therefore, I ca to the Red Lantern Illumination Sect first to request two Sword Talismans from Ancestor Jingyi for self-defense. I never expected to encounter True Person Fujiao... ahem, I never expected to run into a discipleship ceremony, so I was brought along by Ancestor Jingyi to witness the event and broaden my horizons."
Fellow Daoist Yingxi, we have fought alongside each other before. I am heading to the West Sea, and your family's True Person Fujiao is also heading to the West Sea. However, I am going to the front lines as cannon fodder, which is why I need to request Sword Talismans from Ancestor Jingyi for protection. anwhile, your family's True Person Fujiao is going to serve as the Immortal Alliance's West Sea Treasure-Wielding True Person, making him a major leader of the Immortal Alliance on the front lines. I have made myself perfectly clear, understand?
"Dripdrop Cave is sending you to the West Sea? Have you not just recently married? How can they be so heartless?" Zhou Yingxi asked, unable to conceal her shock.
Forcing a bitter smile, Yulou leaned his body slightly forward and transmitted his voice.
'Dripdrop Cave contains two True Persons who engage in fierce internal strife. I was set up; soone wants to force to the West Sea to die. Therefore, to survive, I ca to the Red Lantern Illumination Sect to request Sword Talismans from Ancestor Jingyi!'
Having spoken, Yulou gazed at Zhou Yingxi with a look full of anticipation. To survive, I am even using the Sword Talismans of a seasoned Foundation Establishnt cultivator, so I do not care about a few spirit stones. Fellow Daoist Yingxi, please na your price! You must na your price! As long as you na a price, everything can be negotiated!
'So that is how it is. Once the ancestor takes up his post, I must also accompany him to the West Sea to temper my cultivation. As for the matter of the Immortal Alliance's sacred decree, you are unaware, Yulou. The warfare in the West Sea has recently escalated, and all sects are required to dispatch additional disciples there.'
Zhou Yingxi was the sa age as Wang Yulou but had already attained the ninth layer of Qi Refining, and her current trip to the West Sea to temper her cultivation was likely intended to facilitate an early foundation establishnt. Wang Yulou was certain that Zhou Yingxi might be playing dumb, though it was normal for her as a junior to decline such an invitation to enter an arrangent. However, the information Fellow Daoist Yingxi provided was critical. The West Sea warfare had escalated... Old Yuan, oh Old Yuan, you truly deserve to die!
Now was not the ti to curse Old Yuan. Yulou thought for a mont and replied, 'An escalation in warfare might not actually be a bad thing. True Person Fujiao is heading to the West Sea to serve as the Treasure-Wielding True Person at this ti, while simultaneously taking the ancestor as his master. As long as he can establish rits in the West Sea, with the resources and secret thods of the Immortal Alliance, the collapse of his grotto-heaven might just see a turn for the better.'
Faced with Yulou's consolation, Fellow Daoist Yingxi rely nodded with a heavy heart, appearing as though she wished to say more but hesitated. Yulou had long noticed that Fellow Daoist Yingxi's bright, charming eyes lacked their forr luster today, but it wasn't appropriate for him to pry, so he could only offer comfort to this extent. Both were consud by heavy thoughts, and after a brief exchange, Zhou Yingxi took her leave. Watching the girl's graceful silhouette recede, a strange glint flashed through Wang Yulou's eyes.
Turning back, the stone couch on the high platform remained empty, yet Yulou found himself contemplating many things. Zhou Fujiao was forced to remain active within heaven and earth for long periods, Mangxiang required assistance to achieve his Golden Core, and the West Sea warfare had suddenly escalated. This pair with past grievances who beca master and disciple today likely possessed very little genuine affection, operating purely on mutual utility. The half-dead Zhou Fujiao required a great deal, and Mangxiang, who stood a single step away from the Golden Core realm, also required a great deal. Except Zhou Fujiao was a Grand Cultivator standing amidst the clouds; his decision to take Mangxiang as a master implied that in his eyes, Mangxiang possessed a high probability of successfully attaining a Golden Core in the future. Cultivators held different statuses, and standing at different heights allowed them to perceive different things.
Taking the mysterious cultivator wreaking havoc in Clear Stream Market as an example, while Wang Xianmao and Mu Changze remained entirely in the dark, Zhou Fujiao might have already sensed sothing, which was why he showed absolutely no intention of investigating. Of course, another possibility was that old Zhou himself was the instigator; after all, he had arrived far too quickly. Even if True Person Fujiao was the sole True Person of the Red Lantern Illumination Sect who remained active in the mortal realm permanently, his speed of arrival had been excessively rapid. In short, from Zhou Fujiao's submission to Mangxiang, Yulou discerned many layers of aning, though no one would provide him with answers. To beco a Purple Palace cultivator required a Grand Cultivator to point out the path. To see through the various mists concealing the truths of this cultivation world required one to either forge ahead and grope around slowly on their own, or similarly find a Grand Cultivator to guide them. Yet everything carried a price, and the price for a Grand Cultivator's guidance was sothing Wang Yulou naturally could not afford.
The mbers of the claque who entered the venue early waited from early morning until noon, and from noon until afternoon. Each grew incredibly irritable, yet they were forced to maintain an expression of intense anticipation and delight. This sensation was simply as disgusting as could be. As evening approached, the first Purple Palace cultivator of the day finally arrived—True Person Danri of the Mangxiang lineage. She hadn't achieved her Purple Palace status very long ago—a re thousand years—which made her relatively active.
"Disciple Huang Qiusheng pays respects to the True Person!" Old Huang took ten steps in one, rushing toward Danri before falling directly to his knees. Due to his montum, his knees even slid a short distance across the floor.
It appeared sycophantic, but there was a reason behind it. Wang Jingyi sat behind the reception table at the entrance and belonged to the core line of the Mangxiang lineage; the mont Danri arrived, she looked toward Wang Jingyi. Huang Qiusheng was an old fellow who understood the ways of the world well. He went so far as to use a sliding kneel to manifest his devotion precisely because he feared that despite his painstaking efforts in preparing the ceremony, the rit would be snatched away by Wang Jingyi.
Two hours prior, no further Foundation Establishnt cultivators had arrived; to be precise, everyone who was supposed to co had arrived, and even those who weren't supposed to co had shown up, totaling over one hundred and thirty people. Yet Wang Jingyi had sat idly at the entrance for two full hours. If you were Huang Qiusheng, you would be terrified too! Seeing their sect master execute a sliding kneel, the nurous disciples in the hall quickly rose to offer their respects. True Person Danri waved her hand, pressing everyone back into their seats.
"How are the preparations coming along?" She looked at Sect Master Huang. Danri still maintained the appearance of a plump little girl, dressed in that sa golden gauze robe. When she questioned the dignified, powerfully auraed Huang Qiusheng, the scene carried a distinct sense of absurdity. However, Yulou already knew that the gauze robe was Danri's magic treasure. With an artifact-grade robe, everything Huang Qiusheng possessed combined might only purchase a few patches of its sleeves. The strength of a Grand Cultivator never lay in their appearance, but solely in their power.
"From three days ago, Qiusheng has... Senior Sister Jingyi also assisted... It is an unprecedented grand occasion, held solely to witness the discipleship ceremony of the Immortal Venerable and True Person Fujiao!" Huang Qiusheng was an expert in the art of language, and Danri naturally understood him clearly. She smiled and nodded, saying, "Excellent. Qiusheng, you have put in great effort."
This True Person did not take a seat either. Instead, she stood at the entrance of the main hall, waving her hand to open up the local heavens and earth. She began utilizing voice transmission thods specific to grotto-heavens to urge those Purple Palace True Persons along. Erging from a grotto-heaven would drain a Purple Palace cultivator's lifespan, whereas staying inside would prevent any loss. Consequently, they had all cultivated themselves into giant tortoises, absolutely refusing to erge unless necessary. Every single Purple Palace cultivator and Immortal Venerable could secure cultivation resources from the Immortal Alliance, and they possessed their own sect backgrounds; at worst, like the Purple Palace ancestor of the Gu Family, they had the Gu Family supplying them with resources. Therefore, remaining inside did not impede their cultivation, so they naturally chose to stay put. Mangxiang was exceptionally formidable and commanded imnse respect, but forcing them to erge, sacrifice their lifespan to attend a ridiculous discipleship ceremony, and flatter Mangxiang was sothing they were rather reluctant to do. Hence, it required Danri to personally press them to co. The focus of this discipleship ceremony did not lie in accepting a disciple, but in Mangxiang publicly displaying his posture once more—his gaze was fixed on the Golden Core, and he was determined to secure it, even going so far as to reconcile with a forr enemy to attain his Golden Core!
If those True Persons failed to show up and bear witness, how could Mangxiang display his posture? How could he arrange the next round of distributing massive favors? Only Danri's voice echoed through the hall; everyone remained as quiet as little chicks, not even daring to raise their heads. Yulou possessed exceptionally sharp hearing and could catch every word Danri transmitted to those True Persons. Mainly, Danri made no effort to avoid anyone. Having cultivated to her stage, only Mangxiang stood above her; she feared no one else, not even other Immortal Venerables—Mangxiang was backing her up. Therefore, she could naturally live a more uninhibited life.
"Whether the situation is urgent is sothing you and I both know well. Do not use that as an excuse. By the way, the congratulatory gift cannot be lacking."
"It is rely a distance of eight thousand five hundred kiloters. If you still fail to show up, Master will be displeased. He has ntioned you several tis. By the way, prepare a congratulatory gift."
"Senior brother, I have already arrived. Hurry along with your congratulatory gift as well. We are performing tasks for Master; you cannot leave to run around alone, can you?"
"The congratulatory gift is one aspect, but you cannot simply send the gift and fail to show up yourself. Everyone is making excuses. If we keep making excuses to the point where we cannot even gather thirty Purple Palace cultivators from our own sect, can the Red Lantern Illumination Sect still be considered a major sect?"
"What do you an, a critical juncture in cultivation that cannot be halted? If you cannot co, say so directly, but the congratulatory gift must be delivered. Dripping Water Grotto-Heaven does not lack resources."
True Person Danri's voice shifted between hurried and relaxed, her attitude varying between warm, stern, and respectful. Yet it never lacked a single phrase—congratulatory gift, congratulatory gift, and yet another damn congratulatory gift! For so reason, Yulou was reminded of extorting military funds. He even began to question Danri's behavior. This True Person usually maintained a childlike deanor, acting in a highly eccentric manner; could this be an identity she deliberately cultivated? It was highly probable. This kind of deliberate construction was useful; just like now, she could rely on her past persona to act as an expert extortionist. As for whether those True Persons chased for gifts would harbor resentnt, once Mangxiang beca a Golden Core cultivator, their resentnt would be utterly useless.
After a long while, having called around the entire circle, Danri withdrew her divine ability, and the opened heavens and earth returned to tranquility once more. She stepped into the main hall, found the very last seat at the absolute edge of the Purple Palace jade couch area, and comfortably began consuming the spiritual fruit platters prepared for the True Persons, washing them down with sixth-grade Moon Splendor Immortal Dew. She radiated a distinct beauty akin to a worker who had finally clocked out. So cultivated for longevity, so cultivated for power, and so cultivated for freedom. Yulou strongly suspected that Danri hadn't deliberately constructed a persona at all. Judging by the drool escaping the corner of her mouth, her cultivation might simply be driven by the desire to live a more pleasurable life. However... hmm? Yulou's eyes narrowed.
Under the watch of the nurous Foundation Establishnt and Qi Refining cultivators, Ancestor Jingyi had actually walked up to Danri's side.
'Martial Aunt, do you still rember Yulou? Back when he was in Clear Stream...' Wang Jingyi stood respectfully beside Danri, inquiring about Wang Yulou's entry into Dripdrop Cave. A parent plans deeply for their child's future. With her own opportunity to achieve the Purple Palace stage lost, Ancestor Jingyi was considering Wang Yulou's future cultivation path.
After a long while, Ancestor Jingyi finally finished speaking. Danri casually stuffed a seventh-grade Golden Bud Fruit into her hands before speaking helplessly. "Jingyi, you all think too much. Senior brother and I are very satisfied with the Wang Clan. If you have thoughts, just speak to us directly; there is no need to keep guessing. Yulou is no chess piece. He is rely at the Qi Refining stage, so how could he possibly possess the qualifications to enter the ga? As for the Source Vein Gui Water Qi, his tracing of the vein is correct. If he cultivates it well, he can open more acupoints after establishing his foundation. Furthermore, the situation with Dripdrop Cave is unique. It is impossible for a new Purple Palace cultivator to erge there."
Although the True Person did not utilize voice transmission, her words were naturally audible only to Wang Jingyi.
'But why did True Person Jiusheng's disciple target Yulou in that manner?'
After pondering for a mont, Danri analyzed, "Perhaps old monster Gong simply wished to manipulate that fool from the Yuan Clan. Gong Jiusheng is an old villain, exceedingly wicked. Furthermore, that matter is highly complex. Neither you nor Baichi, nor anyone of your generation or the next, possesses a quota to beco a Purple Palace cultivator. Our lineage has no quotas left; even if you possess a grotto-heaven, it is useless. Therefore, do not harbor hatred in your heart. You must understand that even senior brother and I must obey Master most of the ti. Conversely, because Yulou is still young, his Purple Mansion opportunity might still exist in the future."
Our lineage has no quotas left—this single sentence contained imnse mystery. Wang Jingyi was reminded of the dying words An Ning had left behind. Zhou Fujiao taking Mangxiang as a master implied that the ancestor's Golden Core would highly likely succeed. anwhile, her own opening of a Purple Palace would occur at least one hundred and fifty years later. Yet according to Danri, by that ti, even the ancestor who had achieved his Golden Core would be unable to grant a Purple Palace quota to those under his tutelage. So, the Immortal Alliance truly was the sole path forward? Wang Jingyi's heart felt unmoored, drifting and shaken. With a hint of sorrow in her eyes, she asked almost pleadingly, 'Martial Aunt, is Jingyi destined to stop at Foundation Establishnt for the rest of her life?'
Danri fell silent. This young Grand Cultivator's heart was not yet hardened to the point of absolute frigidity. She gazed at the speck of brilliant light appearing upon the high platform, then turned back to look at Wang Jingyi, asking, "Will you cultivate the ancient thod Purple Palace?"
Brilliant light—a vast, surging light suddenly erupted from the high platform, illuminating the main hall as brightly as broad daylight. It was a brilliant light radiating from a rift in the heavens and earth. Though it originated from a single point, it was vast and boundless. Yulou stared intently at the high platform. He knew that the legendary Mangxiang was finally about to appear. However, Mangxiang himself did not arrive in person, sending rely a projection belonging to his shadow. Perhaps this was the way of a Grand Cultivator, refusing to sacrifice even a fraction of their lifespan. That white shadow resembled a living person, its entire form radiating a piercing whiteness that made people look away. The crowd rose to pay their respects, but Mangxiang paid them no heed, looking instead toward his second disciple.
"Danri, where are they?"
"None of them ca, but the congratulatory gifts have arrived."
Danri remained completely stationary upon her jade couch, offering a simple reply. The ancestor did not care for empty pleasantries. She had urged them for a full round, invoking both the ancestor's sentints and the prestige of the Red Lantern Illumination Sect, yet not a single person had shown up. It was a stark reality. As long as there was no assignnt designated by the Immortal Alliance or an absolute necessity to erge, the Purple Palace cultivators remained entirely hidden beyond the heavens. Of course, it was also possible that since Danri had only recently surged them, many intended to arrive precisely when the ti ca, allowing them to minimize the loss of their lifespan.
"Where is Zhou Fujiao?"
Mangxiang did not grow angry; there was nothing to be angry about over such a trivial matter.
"You arrived early. If you wait another two hours, he should arrive."
The timing of the discipleship ceremony was set for exactly midnight. This timing was highly unique, but it was chosen to accommodate Mangxiang, who was born at midnight. However, since the ancestor ultimately chose to manifest through a divine ability projection rather than his true body, he naturally had no need to worry about timing discrepancies. "Very well, then I shall begin by expounding the Dao. I cannot allow you disciples to have made this trip in vain. In the mortal world, a century passes in the blink of an eye. Among you disciples seated here, those whom I recognize do not even number fifty." Patriarch Mangxiang sighed softly, then opened his mouth to expound upon the path of cultivation.
The ancient thods emphasized the resonance between heaven and humanity, highlighting the Dao itself. An ancient exposition focused on how to approach and comprehend the Dao. The new thods abandoned the illusory heavens, choosing instead to construct tangible grotto-heavens. A new exposition focused on how to elevate one's cultivation base. The difference lay in the fact that the Dao expounded by the new thods was far more practical; hearing it could yield imdiate benefits. If one were to distinguish between the ancient and new thods, the ancient thods focused on a cultivator's innate talent, while the new thods focused on a cultivator's capacity to acquire cultivation resources. To low-level cultivators, the forr seed vastly superior. However, once a low-level cultivator's power level rose, they would inevitably collide with the upper limit of their own talent at a certain stage. Consequently, the ancient thods had waned day by day. A legacy that could only bring success to geniuses would inevitably snap at the mont the next generation failed to produce a genius. Within standard dinsions, as long as a sect's power was sufficiently vast, geniuses would inevitably erge. Within practical dinsions, a sect's governance would gradually crumble, and an Immortal Kingdom would do the sa, causing geniuses to be buried by a corrupt system. The new thods lacked the flaw of the ancient thods that restricted transmission strictly to geniuses. Everyone could practice them, and provided resources were abundant, one could mindlessly open a Purple Palace and enjoy imnse freedom. This was precisely why the Immortal Alliance had to lock down the cultivation speed of low-level cultivators, and why such severe restrictions were placed upon Foundation Establishnt cultivators. The forr ensured the track did not beco overcrowded, while the latter ensured the beasts of burden did not slip their reins.
The Immortal Alliance that Yulou had once detested utilized precisely this cage-like system, sustaining long-term stability within its territories by harvesting all things between heaven and earth to nourish its Grand Cultivators. Mangxiang expounded the Dao for two full hours. As it turned out, during his exposition, Xuanzhuan and thirteen other True Persons arrived one after another, which brought Mangxiang a modicum of gratification. So I truly did arrive early. I thought my blade had been forgotten, and was considering finding soone foolish to slaughter as an example. Upon True Person Fujiao's arrival, he did not take a seat among the sections but knelt ramrod-straight before Mangxiang's white shadow, appearing exceedingly obedient. One must rember that this True Person had previously harbored a massive blood feud against the Mangxiang lineage. Yulou noticed that True Person Fujiao had finally switched to a new vessel. No longer tethered to a stone-cold dragon corpse, he had secured a stone puppet from Nine Apertures Valley as the dium for his soul. He surmised that True Person Fujiao had likely considered that since this was a discipleship ceremony, riding a corpse over would be unseemly. Tethering his soul to a dragon corpse made him look pitiable, and his half-dead state appeared miserable, but that dragon was of the Demon General rank. In death, with Zhou Fujiao's soul attached and combined with his spells, it could unleash a Purple Palace tier of combat power. anwhile, puppetry, much like Charm Art, belonged to the minor paths. Even the most powerful stone puppet from Nine Apertures Valley possessed a combat power equivalent only to a Foundation Establishnt cultivator.
"Very well, let us begin. Xuanzhuan, you shall preside over the ceremony." Midnight had arrived. Even though he had reached a critical point in his exposition, Mangxiang halted imdiately. He believed midnight accorded best with him and could not allow a propitious hour to pass.
"Master, how should the ceremony be conducted specifically?" Unlike the white shadow whose features remained obscured, True Person Xuanzhuan had arrived in person. This Purple Palace cultivator whom several generations of Wang Clan ancestors had revered as a master appeared as a lean, dark-skinned middle-aged man. Dressed in a black ritual robe adorned with gold patterns, his re presence radiated a powerful sense of unyielding determination and bravery.
"A simple three bows will suffice; there is no need to make it excessively complex," Mangxiang decreed. He had originally sent only a single sacred decree to Huang Qiusheng and hadn't expected old Huang to organize it on such a grand scale. According to Mangxiang's thoughts, the Foundation Establishnt and Qi Refining disciples had no need to attend. He had rely intended to invite a few True Persons, letting them know that the Mangxiang lineage had gained another True Person who remained permanently active in the mortal world. Zhou Fujiao lacked a grotto-heaven and a physical body, remaining half-dead day after day, which had paradoxically beco his greatest advantage at present. Very quickly, Zhou Fujiao completed the discipleship ceremony. The disciple took the form of a stone puppet, while the master took the form of a white shadow. The performance of these two Grand Cultivators truly opened Yulou's eyes. Once the master-disciple relationship was established, the nurous disciples serving as the claque erupted into thunderous cheers according to the prior arrangents, shouting slogans like "May Immortal Venerable Mangxiang enjoy boundless blessings!" and "May Immortal Venerable Mangxiang's Golden Core remain flawless!" The atmosphere inside the main hall beca instantly fervent. What did it matter if he was a stone puppet? What did it matter if he was a white shadow? They were genuine Grand Cultivators. Zhou Fujiao lacked a physical body, but he could still wield magic treasures. With other Purple Palace cultivators hiding beyond the heavens daily, Zhou Fujiao could roam freely across heaven and earth. By accepting Zhou Fujiao, Mangxiang had effectively acquired a top-tier enforcer, a top-tier beast of burden, and a top-tier tool. However... when Mangxiang reaped benefits, he also had to grant benefits to Zhou Fujiao. After all, True Person Fujiao was not insane; his current submission and future loyalty were driven by a specific pursuit. As the Town Guardian Cultivator of River Bend Port, Wang Yulou could alter the destiny of Zhang Xuewu and Qin Churan. Mangxiang, similarly, could alter the destiny of Zhou Fujiao. The white shadow raised a hand, silencing the mountain-shaking cheers of praise from the crowd, and spoke. "Since you have entered my tutelage, I shall grant you a promise. Fujiao, on the day I successfully attain my Golden Core, I shall personally resolve the dilemma of your grand path!"
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