The Changming Heaven-Pool was magnificent. It connected to the vast Qingming cosmos above and reached the Cave Mansions of the eight peaks, second only to Qian Peak where the Sect Leader resided. It was truly befitting its status as the palace of the Daoist.
At the summit of the highest main peak, a dense grand array of restrictive spells was laid out. It drew in an endless tide of the purest True Essence, which surged like the waves of a vast, boundless ocean. When calm, the surface was like a jeweled mirror, reflecting the constellations in the sky and the shifting clouds—a scene of utmost magnificence.
The surrounding peaks, both large and small, were covered in wondrous herbs and flowers. Ancient pines and hoary trees with gnarled, Qiu-like branches ford a canopy. Spirit cranes danced among them, their cries clear and bright. Auspicious mists rose like white silk hanging from the sky.
Upon closer inspection, one could see layers of palaces and pavilions, with halls and temples sprawling in an intricate, continuous arrangent—truly a paradise of the highest order.
True Monarch Lu, now acting as his preceptor, used a Talisman Decree to part the near-endless restrictive grand array and led Jiang Yi into the main hall of the Changming Heaven-Pool.
Once Jiang Yi had found his footing, True Monarch Lu spoke softly:
"This will be the place for the Daoist to contemplate the profound and comprehend the Dao in the future."
She then took a small, exquisite Jade Material token from her sleeve and handed it to Jiang Yi.
"This is the Array Hub Artifact. The Changming Heaven-Pool contains nurous Cave Mansions, thousands of ditation Houses, and countless pavilions and verandas. The Daoist may enter and exit all of them with this."
"The previous Daoist disliked extravagance and luxury, so all the singers, beauties, and pleasure cauldrons he kept within were dismissed. It seems a bit deserted now."
"If the Daoist enjoys such pleasures and desires attendants, you may procure them yourself in the future, or issue an order. The Lower Courtyard will likely send so as gifts."
Jiang Yi accepted the token with both hands but did not imdiately sit down to ditate and refine it. Instead, he quietly waited for Master Lu’s further instructions.
"Within ten days, the Daoist must attend two lectures on Kan Peak."
True Monarch Lu continued:
"Your Registrar and Proctor have not yet been chosen. For now, I shall serve in their stead. If you have any difficulties in your cultivation, you may ask anything."
"Furthermore, although the Daoist is the sect’s Crown Prince and commands the Changming Heaven-Pool, you must still undergo the examinations of the Upper Hall. You must not be negligent in your cultivation."
Jiang Yi nodded in understanding. He knew well that the position of Daoist in an Ancestral Sect was not one a diocre talent could hold.
’Especially within a Demon Dao Dharma Lineage, high positions have always belonged to the capable. The Upper Cultivators would never favor an unknown and unremarkable person for no reason!’
"You, cat. It’s been a long ti, yet you don’t even greet ."
With the official matters concluded, True Monarch Lu lowered her gaze to the figure huddled on Jiang Yi’s chest—or more precisely, to True Master Xuanmiao, who was hiding in his lapels.
The latter imdiately leaped onto Jiang Yi’s shoulder, put on a fawning smile, and cupped his paws in a salute.
"We haven’t t in years, yet I am still able to witness True Monarch Lu’s peerless grace! This cat is truly fortunate for three lifetis!"
"Truly worthy of soone who was on the ’Beauty Ranking’ and received the highest praise: ’A radiance like blossoms, a warmth like fine jade. A confluence of colors beyond description. To gaze upon her is to be utterly dazzled.’"
"To be able to see the True Monarch’s beautiful face again, this cat is moved to tears!"
’What a theatrical, over-the-top Cat Master!’
A trace of surprise flashed in Jiang Yi’s eyes. True Master Xuanmiao had never ntioned it before, so he hadn’t known that his preceptor, Master Lu, was acquainted with the cat.
But after a mont’s thought, he guessed the connection most likely had to do with the original [Shao Yang].
’Judging by the Cat Master’s anxious appearance, this probably isn’t a "fated romance."’
Despite the flattery, True Monarch Lu’s expression remained impassive:
"You, cat. After you went to the Daoist Palace, there was no more news of you. Later, I heard you escaped on your own and ended up wandering all the way to Beimang Ridge."
True Master Xuanmiao scratched his whiskers and chuckled sheepishly.
"Well, I had to find a new master for the [Yang Qi Taiyin Heaven]. Besides, if the Daoist Monarch hadn’t turned a blind eye, how could this cat have left the Daoist Palace? I would’ve been captured and dragged back long ago."
Ever since Xiao Jiang was accidentally drawn into [Fengdu], True Master Xuanmiao had already guessed most of the truth.
The Daoist Monarch needed a new successor for [Shao Yang], which was why he allowed it to leave the magnificent Daoist Palace hidden in the Great Void.
’That loud, sword-wielding Fate Shuzi was most likely the "candidate," but I happened to run into Xiao Jiang first, adding a new variable to the grand calculation.’
"[Shao Yang]’s new master certainly has style. He fought against a True Monarch from a lower cultivation level, wounded the [Thunder Core], and raised the standing of the Demon Dao on the Nanzhan Continent."
True Monarch Lu’s gaze shifted from True Master Xuanmiao back to Jiang Yi’s calm face.
"Daoist, cultivate well. No one in the Innate Sect will dare to offend you, but the Demon Dao has always respected might over virtue. To make people truly respect you for yourself, and not just for your title, you have a long and difficult road ahead."
As soon as True Monarch Lu’s voice fell, her graceful figure rose like an endless expanse of misty clouds and water, abruptly soaring out of the hall.
Then, with a power that could steam great lakes and shake continents, she soared into the sky and departed.
The entire Changming Heaven-Pool shook violently. The thousands of peaks and ravines, the overlapping mountain ranges, all seed to roll with thunder, letting out a great RUMBLE.
Jiang Yi raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised.
’What was Master Lu’s purpose in creating such a commotion?’
He stepped out of the main hall and saw dust clearing the sky and pillars of Qi rushing heavenward. Within them, thousands of demonic forms manifested, only to be instantly struck and scattered without a trace.
’Why are there demonic forms in the Changming Heaven-Pool?’
Doubt instantly rose in Jiang Yi’s heart.
Although the [Demon Dao] had "Demon" in its na, it was rely a designation to distinguish it from the [Immortal Dao]. Ultimately, its foundation was still cultivation for longevity.
The "demonic forms" he was thinking of referred to aberrations—beings born from the outer void, with form but no substance. They lived solely by plundering Essence Qi and were like locusts, impossible to completely kill or exterminate.
According to the Cat Master, these demonic forms were a "byproduct" left behind from long ago, when the Demon Dao’s ancestral master, the [Venerable Virtue and Imasurable Silence Daoist Monarch], established the Daoist path and attained his station.
True Master Xuanmiao raised a paw to scratch his round head, his mind full of doubts.
’How could an Ancestral Sect tolerate demonic forms running rampant? Besides, the Changming Heaven-Pool is an "Innate Hub." It should be heavily guarded.’
’Even a Daoist Monarch wouldn’t dare boast they could ignore the [Positive and Negative Nine Palaces Myriad Transformations Micro-Dust Grand Array] outside and just barge in.’
Jiang Yi suppressed his confusion. Holding the Jade Material token, he channeled his True Qi and began to slowly refine it.
About four hours later, he had refined seventy to eighty percent of the array hub.
He stroked it a few tis, and his figure was transported to a "small world." Here, sheer cliffs stood tall, piercing into the Qingming. To the side grew a slanted green pine, its gnarled, Qiu-like branches twisting and its erald needles forming a canopy.
Hearing the faint sound of thunder, Jiang Yi focused his gaze. Across from him, a peculiar peak jutted out, wreathed in clouds and mist. A waterfall suddenly plunged down, crashing against a massive boulder and shattering into a million Jade Pearls.
The water vapor rose and, illuminated by the sunlight, would occasionally form a seven-colored rainbow. It was truly a magnificent sight.
Holding the jade talisman, he had just stepped into this beautiful landscape when a middle-aged Daoist wearing a hemp-cloth cap bowed and approached him:
"This humble one is the array spirit of the Changming Heaven-Pool. Greetings, Daoist."
Although this middle-aged Daoist was a "True Spirit" born from an artifact, he knew that only the Daoist of the Innate Sect could beco the master of the Changming Heaven-Pool. Thus, upon seeing Jiang Yi, he imdiately bowed low, his attitude one of utmost reverence.
"Let ask you, why are there demonic forms appearing in the Heaven-Pool?"
Jiang Yi was eager to understand this point. His place of residence had to be secure for him to be able to rest easy.
"Replying to the Daoist,"
the middle-aged Daoist answered:
"The Changming Heaven-Pool is called a hub, but it is actually a portal to the cosmos, possessing the ability to reach myriad heavens."
"In the past, the True Monarchs of the sect all used this as a passage to travel beyond our world, which is why many demonic forms lurk within."
"They can only cause trouble on the periphery and cannot enter the inner areas. Furthermore, with the Daoist’s profound cultivation, you are guarding this place. There is no need to worry about them causing any harm. On the contrary, they can be used for Refining Techniques or Alchemy..."
Jiang Yi frowned slightly. This presented a problem for him.
Previous Daoists had indeed possessed world-altering cultivation, far surpassing their peers, but he was an exception!
’Master Lu used her Magical Power to create that commotion before she left to give so breathing room. She was preventing from being unable to handle re demonic forms and losing face as the Daoist.’
Understanding dawned on Jiang Yi.
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