Around the vast stretches of White Bone Mountain, a group of youths were climbing at this moment.
The youngest was only eight, while the oldest was over thirty.
Ahead were more than eighteen hundred steps, piled with bones, with array patterns carved into them, which could conjure illusions affecting the cultivators’ minds. The more powerful the cultivation, the greater the suppression and impact; conversely, mortals with lower cultivation faced less influence.
Thud!
With a crashing sound, a youth rolled down the steps.
Falling to the bottom.
The illusion realm vanished, and the youth’s eyes were filled with unwillingness, anger, and helplessness.
The next moment, another sound echoed as another youth tumbled down.
The youth who was initially unwilling felt much better.
Just then, another youth stepped onto the first step, but upon doing so, activated the array pattern, falling into an endless illusion realm.
There were youths tumbling down, but there were also youths climbing, ing and going, ceaselessly.
Yet most of the youths would tumble down, with only a few successfully ascending.
The bone steps, a part of the entrance examination for the White Bone Demon Sect.
Among the many sects in Yue Country, the White Bone Demon Sect had the lowest requirements and was the most suitable for ordinary cultivators.
To join certain cultivation immortality clans, one needed a spirit root, at least three spirit roots; to join the Joyful Union Demon Sect, women had to be as beautiful as flowers, men had to be handsome and suave, the unattractive weren’t weled; to join the Blood Demon Sect, one required strong qi and blood, and a certain talent for body refining.
Yet to join the White Bone Demon Sect, one only needed a steadfast will.
No matter the background, whether rich or a beggar, mortal or cultivator, whether possessing a spirit root or not, anyone had the qualification to be assessed, and the possibility to join the White Bone Demon Sect.
As long as one had a firm will and could endure the eighteen hundred steps, ascending to the mountain peak.
"I made it!"
At this moment, a youth reached the top of the mountain and couldn’t help but shout out.
The youths below the mountain saw this scene, a trace of jealousy and envy flashed by.
A black-clad cultivator stepped forward and said, "Congratulations, you have bee a servant disciple of the White Bone Demon Sect and can receive a Bone Refining Technique, two Celestial Silkworm Daoist Robes, one magical artifact, and some treasures."
"Thank you, senior brother for the guidance!"
The youth said joyfully, his body trembling slightly.
Even as a servant disciple, one was a disciple of the Holy Sect and could bee an Immortal Master, standing above ten thousand people.
If daring to strive and seize some opportunities, one might even bee a Foundation Establishment forefather.
The black-clad person nodded and led the youth away.
"I also want to bee a White Bone Demon Sect cultivator..."
Among the crowd, Zhang Yuan saw this scene, a determined look flashing in his eyes.
At the age of eight, when his clan tested for spirit roots, he had none and was destined to be merely a mortal. Watching his peers embark on their cultivation journeys, he naturally felt extreme unwillingness. So he made a long trek, heading to the White Bone Demon Sect.
Only because the White Bone Demon Sect recruited disciples regardless of spirit root, aptitude, enlightenment, luck, or background, only considering if their mental realm was steadfast, if their will was strong.
This was his only choice.
Zhang Yuan’s footsteps darted as he stepped onto the steps, his mind wavered, and he fell into a dreamlike state.
Not knowing how much time had passed, Zhang Yuan opened his eyes, only to find himself standing atop the mountain peak, overlooking the mountains below.
"Congratulations, junior brother, for being a servant disciple of the White Bone Demon Sect!" The black-clad cultivator said.
"Thank you, senior brother!"
Zhang Yuan responded excitedly.
At this moment, a dark golden sun rose in the void, appearing a kilometer high, radiating terrifying pressure, its aura pressing down upon the world.
Just one glance, and Zhang Yuan felt his eyes ache, forced to look away, tears streaming down.
At this moment, a voice echoed from the void: "True Monarch Xuanji, here to challenge the White Bone Demon Sect. Fang Wuliang, do you dare to face me?"
As he spoke, terrifying power descended.
The spiritual qi in the void emitted a hissing sound, surging like tides, with terrifying pressure sweeping over everything.
Thud!
Under this pressure, Zhang Yuan immediately knelt to the ground.
As he knelt, the pressure on his body vanished instantly.
The black-clad senior brother beside him tried to remain standing but also knelt within two breaths.
The surrounding cultivators, like fallen wheat, all knelt down one after the other, showing submission, with astonishment in their eyes.
There was a look of fanaticism, as well as envy.
Kneeling on the ground, Zhang Yuan looked once more at the golden sun, its light fading to reveal the face of a handsome youth, his body tall and straight, with skin as white as jade, standing there as if he was the center of the world.
The heavens open for me, the sun and moon rise for me.
Rivers flow for me, mountains dance for me.
I live, everything in the world exists.
I die, everything dissipates!
"So powerful, this is a top-level True Monarch!" Zhang Yuan’s eyes showed a look of fanaticism; for the act of kneeling, there was not a trace of resentment; rather, it felt entirely natural.
For ordinary cultivators to kneel before a True Monarch, it was not humiliation but supreme honor, a respect for power, a humility towards the peak.
"Fellow Daoist, arriving at my White Bone Demon Sect, for what purpose?"
Then a terrifying aura descended, like a spring breeze brushing the face, the terrifying pressure dissipating, as a white-robed man, appearing scholarly and middle-aged, emerged in the void.
It was Fang Wuliang, known as True Monarch Wuliang.
...
"At last you appear!"
Lu Xuanji chuckled.
Fang Wuliang, Supreme Elder of the White Bone Demon Sect, a Half-Step Divinity Transformation powerhouse, had once failed in attempting Divinity Transformation but survived the failure, being a top figure in Yue Country and the highest existence below the Divinity Transformation stage.
Fang Wuliang was also the support behind the Wang and Zheng families.
The former Grand Elder of the Fang Family and the Clan Leader of the Zheng Family all were disciples of Fang Wuliang.
Perhaps the joint suppression of the Lu Family by the Fang and Zheng families was unrelated to Fang Wuliang, after all, he was busy attempting Divinity Transformation, having no time to bother with small affairs.
Seeking a spar with Fang Wuliang was indeed the best way to resolve matters.
Being a top-level True Monarch, one’s reputation mattered, thus he couldn’t bully the small by directly taking action against the Wang and Zheng families, only against Fang Wuliang.
With a flicker of his form, Lu Xuanji stepped away from the White Bone Demon Sect, with Fang Wuliang closely following.
Golden light flashed, Lu Xuanji landed a hundred miles away, halting his steps.
Fang Wuliang also came to a halt, asking, "Fellow Daoist, how should you be addressed?"
"From Chu Country, Dan Yang Sect, Lu Xuanji!"
Lu Xuanji replied.
Fang Wuliang said, "I’ve heard of your name, Fellow Daoist. But arriving here at my White Bone Demon Sect, what is your agenda?"
"I’ve heard you’re a top-level expert below the Divinity Transformation, I’ve e specifically to seek some advice, to test my saber against the world!" Lu Xuanji said, as a Divine Saber appeared in his hand, saying lightly, "Fellow Daoist, make your move!"
"You in Chu Country, I in Yue Country, it seems we have no grievances or past disputes!"
Fang Wuliang frowned and said.
User Comments
0 comments from readers