Chapter 43: The worst has happened
On the Martial Arts Platform, two figures fought bare handed, each punch carried the force of a gale and landed with the sound of thunder.
Mount Shu's leading disciple, Li Changye, and the Martial Alliance's leading disciple, Ye Wen, were purely competing in martial prowess. Surprisingly, their battle lasted over two periods of tea before a winner could be determined.'
"It is said that Martial Alliance's Elder Ye, with his unique physique, fought alone and repelled ten Demon Sect elders. I didn't believe it, but seeing him fight evenly with the senior brother who possesses the Eternal Wilderness Body, it seems the rumors are true."
Zhao Wuyan and a group of Mount Shu elders, as well as elders from other sects, watched the match in silent tension, focused on this pure display of martial technique.
"Grandmaster Chen, you have taken on a good disciple indeed. His physique is as strong as the Eternal Wilderness Body."
Taiyuan Zhenren said to the Martial Alliance Leader Master Chen, leaning slightly towards him.
"Ha-ha, this disciple of mine excels in character and bears quite a resemblance to my younger days," said Master Chen, stroking his beard in satisfaction after hearing Taiyuan Zhenren's praise.
The other Sect Leaders were also slightly surprised; the Martial Alliance was indeed understated and profound. Ye Wen's talent was sufficient to take up the alliance's banner in the future.
"Lt Changye, even though I can match you in martial arts, this is under the premise that you 're not using Divine Skills. It seems I still can't defeat you, you freak. I admit defeat."
Ye Wen separated from Li Changye and conceded voluntarily.
"Today's battle with you was intense, and I'm sweating profusely. Truly, the Martial Alliance deserves its reputation as the Holy Land of Body Refinement." Li Changye himself was soaked with sweat; few could push him to this extent.
"The senior brother has won again. Next up is the second brother."
Second brother, you must do your best."
The numerous Mount Shu elders were anxiously concerned; if the second brother were defeated, how would the junior disciple Lu Changshengbe able to bear the burden?
My physique isn't as strong as the senior brother's; I won't be comparing martial techniques with someone from the Martial Alliance."
Song Wuchuan took to the stage, wielding Mount Shu's swordsmanship and Daoist techniques.
In the ranks of the disciples from the six Orthodox Sects, Song Wuchuan's talent was enough to be placed at the forefront, second only to supreme geniuses like Li Changye, Master Mingzhi, Ye Wen, Xia Ningxue, and Zhuge Changming.
Within the time it takes to brew a pot of tea, Song Wuchuan had already secured victory.
"Thank you for the match," said Song Wuchuan, bowing slightly in respect.
Mount Shu secured two victories first, defeating the Martial Alliance.
"Phew…"
The many Mount Shu elders breathed a sigh of relief.
If Song Wuchuan had been defeated, Lu Changsheng would have had to compete against the Martial Alliance's third elder.
The final match was between Mount Shu and the Inquiry Immortal Pavilion, and whichever sect won would lead the six Orthodox Sects for the next thousand years in their joint struggle against the four Great Demon Sects.
This was a great honor!
"I originally thought it would be Immeasurable Temple facing Mount Shu, but unexpectedly it's Inquiry Immortal Pavilion."
"Fairy Su of Inquiry Immortal Pavilion has good Qi Destiny; her newly accepted disciple is a once-in-ten-thousand-years prodigy."
"Fairy Su's disciple reminds me of someone."
"And who might that be, Temple Master Yu?"
"The Immortal who founded Inquiry Immortal Pavilion twenty-thousand years ago. She defeated the Sect Leader of Mount Shu at that time, suppressed Xia State by herself, and exterminated all the high-ranking members of the Demon Sects."
"That Immortal could be considered the most exceptional genius since the Ancestral Master of Mount Shu. If Xia Ningxue possesses a similar talent, then the landscape of Xia State could change significantly in a few hundred years." The leaders of the six Orthodox Sects had a longing discussion about this ancient legend.
"What will be, will be. For now, our Inquiry Immortal Pavilion will be the one to win against Mount Shu."
The words of the Fairy Pavilion Master brought everyone's thoughts back to the Martial Arts Platform.
Mount Shu's leading disciple, Li Changye, faced off against Inquiry Immortal Pavilion's leading disciple Zeng Yeqiu.
"I am not your match; I admit defeat."
Unexpectedly, Zeng Yeqiu, who was at the eighth level of the Dao Palace realm, knew that he was not a match for Li Changye and conceded directly.
The elders of the various major sects were not surprised either.
Li Changye was invincible in the Dao Palace realm; Zhuge Changming and Ye Wen were both defeated, let alone Zeng Yeqiu of the eighth level of the Dao Palace realm.
The second match between Mount Shu and Inquiry Immortal Pavilion was critical.
If Song Wuchuan won, then Mount Shu would claim the championship with two victories.
If Xiao Meng'er won, then the third match would have to be held, which is to say, Lu Changsheng of Mount Shu would face Xia Ningxue of Inquiry Immortal Pavilion.
Given the terrifying talent Xia Ningxue had shown, if a third match was to take place, it appeared that Inquiry Immortal Pavilion had a greater chance of winning.
Brother Song must not lose, otherwise, Lu will have to carry the burden."
"However, Xiao Meng'er has already cultivated the Supreme Forgetting Emotion Art to the sixth level; Brother Song's chances of winning are not great."
No matter what, it is still a better chance than if Lu were to face Xia Ningxue." 'Both Brother Song and Xiao Meng'er are at the eighth level of the Dao Palace realm; Brother Song might have a chance."
The people of Mount Shu were tense; the match between Song Wuchuan and
Xiao Meng'er was of utmost importance.
"My disciple has cultivated the Supreme Forgetting Emotion Art to the sixth level, Song Wuchuan is destined not to be her opponent," said the Fairy Pavilion Master condescendingly as she watched the match with the other five sect leaders, her words brimming with confidence.
Taiyuan, the real person, frowned slightly,
"Fairy Su, although the Supreme Forgetting Emotion Art is one of the top cultivation techniques in the world, it may lead to endless troubles in the future. Inquiry Immortal Pavilion should avoid practicing it unless absolutely necessary."
"Mind your own business."
The second match had already started.
Song Wuchuan channeled his Earth Rank heart method, his aura surging violently. With a gesture from his left hand, his longsword emitted a soft cry, soaring into the sky, radiating a brilliant azure light!
"Privately use it to the utmost, but use it for the public in the greatest extent. Life is controlled by qi. Death is the root of life, and life is the root of death. Benevolence is born from harm, and harm is born from benevolence…" Xiao Meng'er from Inquiry Immortal Pavilion formed signs with her ten fingers, and an invisible, ice-cold aura spread around her.
Song Wuchuan felt as if he was being watched by a pair of ice-cold eyes from the heavens, sending shivers down his spine.
Humming!
Xiao Meng'er's blue longsword was drawn from its sheath, bringing an unstoppable momentum as it slashed towards Song Wuchuan.
As the sword momentum approached, the Martial Arts Platform could not withstand the mountain-like pressure and started to crack.
"The Supreme Forgetting Emotion Art is truly Inquiry Immortal Pavilion's sect-defending skill. Xiao Meng'er has practiced it to the sixth level; it wouldn't be surprising if Second Brother lost."
"Xiao Meng'er was originally a genius that Inquiry Immortal Pavilion trained to compete with our Big Brother; Second Brother facing her is somewhat forced."
The people of Mount Shu watched with trepidation.
The fight between Song Wuchuan and Xiao Meng'er was exceptionally intense; the sword qi crisscrossed, leaving the Martial Arts Platform riddled with holes. Streams of invisible sword qi, like swimming dragons, collided violently and dissipated in the air.
Dozens of feet of sword qi in mutual attack and defense, the halo of light extended for miles, and the air vibrated with a series of explosive forces raging. The fierce battle lasted for half an hour, and a figure fell from the Martial Arts Platform, planting the longsword into the ground and carving out a sword mark to stabilize his figure.
The one left on the Martial Arts Platform was a woman in a light blue long dress.
"Song Wuchuan of Mount Shu, defeated."
The crowd was silent.
Especially the majority of the Mount Shu elders, their faces turned pale.
With Song Wuchuan defeated, the third match was inevitable.
The most feared situation had occurred.
Chapter 44: Fairy Xia, Please Enlighten Me
"Disciple, with your talent, Mount Shu's Lu Changsheng will definitely not be your match."
"Xia, being so young with her cultivation having reached the fourth level of Dao Palace Realm, even Master Mingrang of the Immeasurable Temple is not her match, let alone someone like Lu Changsheng. How could he possibly be her opponent?"
"It seems our Inquiry Immortal Pavilion will finally be able to hold our heads high with pride at this Six Dao Conference."
"Holy Maiden, please go easy on him. No need to wreck the harmony by causing an injury."
The Elders of the Inquiry Immortal Pavilion already felt victory was in their grasp and were speaking in a relaxed tone.
Xia Ningxue had recently defeated Master Mingrang of the Immeasurable Temple, whereas Lu Changsheng was an obscure Elder from Mount Shu. It appeared that Xia Ningxue's chances of winning were much greater.
Compared to the relaxed composure of the Elders of the Inquiry Immortal Pavilion, the mood among the Mount Shu Elders shifted dramatically…
"The Holy Maiden of Inquiry Immortal Pavilion is too monstrously talented; even I, Brother Zhao, might not be her match, let alone Lu. There's no disgrace in Lu's loss."
"Indeed, if Brother Zhao, with his cultivation at the fifth level of the Dao Palace Realm, isn't confident about defeating the Holy Maiden of Inquiry Immortal Pavilion, how could Lu possibly stand a chance?"
"Alas, our Shu Mountain Sect is going to decline to the second rank of sects."
"Worst case, we'll just have to take back the first place at the next Six Dao Conference."
"Lu, you needn't carry a psychological burden, lest you develop a heart demon that hinders your future cultivation."
A collection of Mount Shu Elders comforted Lu Changsheng in advance to prevent the younger brother from developing a heart demon due to self-blame.
In the path of cultivation, nothing was more feared than being unable to overcome a heart demon, which could halt one's progress or, even worse, lead to deviating from one's cultivation path.
Lu Changsheng felt the pervasive air of pessimism among the people of Mount Shu and was left speechless.
He had yet to make a move.
"Hmph, my master will certainly win!"
Lian waved her fists, voicing her protest discontentedly.
Both she and Lin Qingzhi believed that their master, Lu Changsheng, who had been secretly cultivating in Mount Shu, was an Immortal and would not lose to some Holy Maiden.
"Lian, you are still young and don't understand that the gap between some people is greater than the gap between people and dogs. Master Mingrang of the Immeasurable Temple is extraordinarily gifted and still lost to her opponent, which shows that her talent surpasses even that of a peerless genius. Your master has a fair talent within our Mount Shu, but once faced with a cultivation prodigy that appears once in a hundred thousand years…"
"Victory or defeat is a common occurrence in wars; sometimes, losing can be a good thing."
"Lu, you don't have to force yourself. If the situation is unfavorable, it's better to just concede to avoid injury."
"That's right, gaining no benefit from a lopsided battle is not a disgrace. There's no harm in conceding."
"The most important thing in life is to be happy."
Many Mount Shu Elders comforted Lu Changsheng again following Lian's protest, advising him with all earnestness.
Lu Changsheng was resigned, but he knew these Mount Shu Elders meant well for him.
"Junior brother, do your best,"
Senior Brother Li Changye knew that Lu Changsheng was out of the ordinary, but he didn't have absolute confidence that Lu could win. He was merely encouraging Lu to give it his all in the battle.
"I understand."
Lu Changsheng carried the Nine Heavens Imperial Thunder Sword and stepped up to the Martial Arts Platform.
The eyes of Elders from the other sects fell on Lu Changsheng.
"Mount Shu's Lu Changsheng is truly commendable for his courage. Knowing full well he's outmatched, he still fights valiantly for the sake of his sect, a deed both moving and praiseworthy."
"This match has no suspense."
"Finally, Fairy Su of Inquiry Immortal Pavilion will get the better of the Taiyuan Real Man."
"With such a monstrously talented disciple in Inquiry Immortal Pavilion, how can they fear not rising to prominence?"
"With her bearing, she's likely to dominate an era."
"Poor Lu Changsheng, to have encountered an extraordinary woman destined to dominate an era."
"Mount Shu has been at the top for years, but there's nothing it can do when a generational talent is born."
The elders from other major sects generally had low expectations for the little- known Lu Changsheng.
Xia Ningxue had also been an obscure elder, but after defeating Master Mingrang of the third level of Dao Palace Realm, she became a well-known figure.
A graceful figure landed on the Martial Arts Platform, carrying a longsword on her back, dressed in white surpassing the snow, with skin like ice and bones like jade.
"Elder Lu, we meet again."
Xia Ningxue smoothed her hair and sized up Lu Changsheng. His Innate Taoist Body always made it difficult for her to see through his current level of cultivation.
"How have you been recently, Fairy Xia?"
"Fine. And you?"
"All is well without incident."
"I owed you a favor for saving my life last time, but I've repaid it by handing over the girl from the Huang Tribe to you. After going back to the Inquiry Immortal Pavilion, I was punished by the Pavilion Master. This time, the matter concerns the honor of our sect, and I won't make concessions."
"Neither will I."
Lu Changsheng and Xia Ningxue stood on the Martial Arts Platform, exchanging words telepathically, as if catching up on old times.
"The Holy Maiden is acquainted with this Lu Changsheng?"
"It's said that five years ago, when the Holy Maiden went on a mission to the Huang State with Elders Ku Mu and Luo Feng, the elder dispatched from the Shu Mountain Sect was this very Lu Changsheng. Elders Ku Mu and Luo Feng, that's correct, isn't it?"
"That's right."
Elder Ku Mu nodded.
Despite eight hundred years of cultivation, his ability was only at the fourth level of the Dao Palace Realm. Among the elders of the Inquiry Immortal Pavilion, his talent was only average and insufficient to represent the Pavilion in combat.
Elder Luo Feng, with the cultivation of the second layer of the Dao Palace Realm, had also fled back from the Huang State. Seeing Lu Changsheng and Xia Ningxue reminiscing, his eyes hardened with ruthlessness, feeling somewhat displeased inside.
He had pursued Xia Ningxue arduously for ten years without success, yet she was casually chatting with Lu Changsheng, whom she'd hardly met a few times. What did that guy Lu Changsheng have, apart from his good looks?
"Elder Ku Mu, Elder Luo Feng, what exactly is Lu Changsheng's level of cultivation?"
"Hmph, he is nothing but at the first level of Dao Palace Realm, often pretending to be an elder of the Nascent Soul Realm and scheming against others. But in the face of absolute strength, these are merely insignificant tricks. Not to mention Fairy Xia taking action, even I could send him reeling."
Luo Feng said disdainfully.
With his second-level cultivation of the Dao Palace Realm and on the verge of breaking through to the third level, he truly didn't regard the first-level Lu Changsheng seriously.
"So, he's just at the first level of the Dao Palace Realm."
"Holy Maiden is at the fourth level of the Dao Palace Realm, and just the difference in realms alone is enough to crush this Lu Changsheng."
"It seems that our Inquiry Immortal Pavilion is going to rank first in this Six Paths Conference."
When Luo Feng mentioned Lu Changsheng's level of cultivation, the other elders of the Inquiry Immortal Pavilion completely relaxed.
How could the fourth level of the Dao Palace Realm lose to the first level?
Even with Xia Ningxue's talent, when she was at the first level of the Dao Palace Realm, she still had to flee in the face of the fourth-level Black Tiger Daoist.
"Strange, why can't I discern Lu's cultivation level?"
Elder Ku Mu felt that something was slightly amiss.
"We may begin now."
The cold voice of the Fairy Pavilion Master echoed in the venue.
She was already eager to see the embarrassed expression of the Real Person of Taiyuan, urging the two who were still reminiscing to start.
"Master urges us on, so, I'm sorry, Elder Lu," Xia Ningxue said with an increasingly serious expression, her sword intent growing whilst an invisible maelstrom of air surged around her, making her skirt flutter.
Lu Changsheng drew his sword:
"Please enlighten me, Fairy Xia."
Chapter 45: Lu Turns Out to Be an Expert
"Taiyuan, there seems to be something off with your disciple…" Alliance Leader Master Chen had also assumed it would be a one-sided, suspenseless contest, but the moment Lu Changsheng drew his sword, his momentum began to rise, and gradually, Master Chen became moved.
Lu Changsheng was not as simple as he had imagined!
"Hmm?"
The Abbot of Immeasurable Temple, Master Wuxiang, Refinement Sect's Master Lu, Hidden Dragon Temple's Yu Xuanji, and Inquiry Immortal Pavilion's Fairy Su, all of their expressions underwent subtle changes.
Lu Changsheng's aura was continuously climbing!
"Dao Palace Realm second layer!"
"Dao Palace Realm third layer!"
"Dao Palace Realm fourth layer!"
Master Chen was thoroughly moved, Lu Changsheng's cultivation level kept rising until it reached the fourth layer of the Dao Palace Realm, and then it abruptly stopped!
"What is going on? Lu's aura is rising so rapidly?
Elder Ku Mu, sensing the change in Lu Changsheng's aura, was so astonished
That he stood up.
Five years ago, when Elder Ku Mu led a team on a mission to Huang State, Lu Changsheng's cultivation was only at the first layer of the Dao Palace Realm.
Had his cultivation progressed so rapidly in just five years?
"Could it be that he's an extraordinary genius like the Holy Maiden, a monstrous prodigy?"
A shock ran through Elder Ku Mu's heart; could it be that an era might witness the rise of two such unparalleled geniuses?
"Impossible, his cultivation was even lower than mine five years ago!
Elder Luo Feng was even more shocked.
In just five years, Lu Changsheng's cultivation had surpassed his own and left him far behind!
"His cultivation level is now the same as the Holy Maiden's!"
"This is bad, Mount Shu has kept a card up their sleeve!
"Now, the outcome is uncertain."
The previously confident elders of Inquiry Immortal Pavilion saw their smiles gradually solidifying.
With the same level of cultivation at the fourth layer of the Dao Palace Realm, the outcome was unpredictable.
In contrast to the gradually silencing members of Inquiry Immortal Pavilion, the elders of Mount Shu were unexpectedly delighted.
"So, Lu has been hiding his true cultivation all along."
"Lu has secluded himself for a century, it seems he had already reached the Dao
Palace Realm."
"Lu truly keeps a low profile. To be at such a realm and yet to have never spoken up, if it weren't for this duel, he might have continued to conceal it. If I had such cultivation, I would have wished for everyone in the streets to know."
"That is where you differ from Lu."
"Lu has been cultivating for over two hundred and fifty years, almost catching up with me who has cultivated for three hundred and twenty years. It is truly shameful."
"This time, our Mount Shu may not necessarily lose!
"Hmph, I've said it before, my master won't lose."
"Little fellow, you win this time."
The people of Mount Shu became excited, with Lu Changsheng showing the cultivation of the fourth layer of the Dao Palace Realm, they saw hope for
Mount Shu.
"Taiyuan, you've played me."
The face of the Pavilion Master of Inquiry Immortal Pavilion did not look good.
She had originally thought she held a winning hand, capable of embarrassing Taiyuan, but Taiyuan's little disciple had hidden his true cultivation level until the most critical moment, revealing his true power only then, leaving the Pavilion Master of Inquiry Immortal Pavilion unable to predict further developments.
"This disciple of mine has cultivated so swiftly, it truly is beyond my
Expectations."
Not even the Fairy Pavilion Master, let alone Daoist Master Taiyuan, could hide their surprise at the level of cultivation Lu Changsheng demonstrated.
They had no idea when their disciple had reached the fourth layer of the Dao Palace realm.
On the Martial Arts Platform, Xia Ningxue was slightly surprised by Lu Changsheng's cultivation level, but she quickly regained her composure,
"I knew it, you're not that simple. However, I will not lose. 'What is ever so private in heaven, use it for the good of all. With life controlled by breath…'"
Xia Ningxue silently recited the mnemonic verse of the Supreme Forgetting Love Art, and a cold aura spread rapidly, with the temperature plummeting as the entire Martial Arts Platform swiftly became encased in ice.
"Her Supreme Forgetting Love Art has actually reached the fifth level, this woman is terrifying."
Alliance Leader Master Chen from the Martial Alliance was moved once again. Among the direct disciples of the Fairy Pavilion Master, only Xiao Meng'er, the second disciple, had cultivated to the sixth level, even the eldest disciple Zeng Yeqiu was only at the fifth level, yet Xia Ningxue's Inner Strength Heart Method had reached the same realm as the eldest sister!
"She is an unparalleled genius, following the Dao of Longevity. Although this kid Lu Changsheng has concealed his cultivation, having cultivated for more than two hundred years to reach the fourth layer of the Dao Palace, he is still worlds apart from my disciple," said the Fairy Pavilion Master, still believing that Xia Ningxue would win as he watched the competition closely.
Holding the Nine Heavens Imperial Thunder Sword in hand, Lu Changsheng had yet to use his full strength, merely using the fourth layer of the Dao Palace realm to test Xia Ningxue's reality.
The Taiqing Wuji Technique circulated, and Lu Changsheng had fully comprehended the fifth level of the Taiqing Wuji Technique, sufficient to contend with the Supreme Forgetting Love Art.
Lu Changsheng's Daoist Robe fluttered, his True Qi forming a Taiji Diagram, slowly spinning around him as the center, blocking the chill of the encroaching ice.
"Taiqing Wuji Technique? Isn't that the Sect-Defending Skill of Mount Shu?"
"After that incident all those years ago, the former Sect Leader of Mount Shu stipulated that only the Supreme Elders, Sect Leader, and the Sect Leader candidates could be taught the Taiqing Wuji Technique. I didn't expect you would breakyour master's rule and pass the Taiqing Wuji Technique to a junior disciple."
The Sect Leaders of the Fairy Pavilion, Martial Alliance, Immeasurable Temple, and others simultaneously turned to look at Daoist Master Taiyuan.
Daoist Master Taiyuan could only give a wry smile; he had not passed on the Taiqing Wuji Technique and had no clue how Lu Changsheng managed to cultivate it to the fifth level.
"The Taiqing Wuji Technique up against the Supreme Forgetting Love Art, with the two's cultivation levels being so close, this is going to be quite the show." The Elders of the six Orthodox Sects were on edge as they watched the ultimate showdown.
One bore the Sect-Defending Skills of Mount Shu, the other carried the forbidden ultimate technique of the Inquiry Immortal Pavilion!
"Myriad Swords Return to Origin!"
Lu Changsheng wielded his sword, executing the Earth Rank superior
Cultivation Technique Myriad Swords Return to Origin, with tens of thousands of Spirit Swords formed from condensed Spiritual Energy appearing in the air, dense and innumerable!
Each Spirit Sword exuded an astonishing pressure, cutting through the ice on the Martial Arts Platform and creating ravines in all directions.
"Go!"
Lu Changsheng pointed with his Longsword, and ten thousand Spirit Swords flew towards Xia Ningxue as fast as lightning.
"Ice Sword Domain!"
Xia Ningxue formed sword gestures with her left hand and brandished her sword with her right, crisscrossing Cold Ice Sword Qi filled the air, and the atmosphere condensed into ice, forming a thick layer.
The ten thousand Spirit Swords bombarded the ice layer, shattering it into a spray of ice shards.
"Within Reach, Ends of the Earth!"
Xia Ningxue silently recited the mnemonic verse and in an instant, appeared before Lu Changsheng, her stunning visage emerging, followed by the chill of a three-foot Ice Sword.
Such a swift sword!
Lu Changsheng immediately changed his sword technique, the blade reverses, blocking Xia Ningxue's Longsword.
The Taiqing Wuji Technique circulated rapidly, unaffected by the cold.
The two contestants matched their sword skills, with Sword Qi soaring to the sky, a black and a white figure rapidly colliding on the Martial Arts Platform. Xia Ningxue was a formidable opponent, but Lu Changsheng urged the Nine Heavens Imperial Thunder Sword, causing thunder and lightning, with dark clouds covering the skies above Misty Peak and silver snakes dancing wildly.
"An Innate Spirit Treasure?!"
"Little Brother Lu actually possesses such a treasure!"
"Little Brother Lu turns out to be a master, and perhaps, not even I am a match for him."
Zhao Wuyan, witnessing the sky darken, with the Taiqing Wuji Technique, an Innate Spirit Treasure, and Lu Changsheng's ensemble, even Zhao Wuyan lacked the confidence to best this low-profile junior disciple.
Chapter 46: The Entire Room is Shocked
Lu Changsheng and Xia Ningxue's competition continued through the time it took for three cups of tea to steep, and still, there was no winner.
Now, even the Inquiry Immortal Pavilion Master couldn't stay calm. With Xia Ningxue's talents, she ought to be unbeatable in her realm. But Xia Ningxue met a formidable opponent in Lu Changsheng. Lu Changsheng's Taiqing Wuji Technique was on par with the Supreme Forgetting Emotion Art, and with his Innate Spirit Treasure and Innate Taoist Body, plus his cross-training physique, even Xia Ningxue found it exceedingly difficult to fight him. Lu Changsheng seemed to be gaining a subtle upper hand.
The Sect Leaders and Elders of the six Orthodox Sects were all shocked. Originally, the emergence of a monstrous genius like Xia Ningxue who could suppress an era was enough, but then Lu Changsheng appeared, just as extraordinary.
Was it reasonable for one era to produce two peerless geniuses among geniuses?
If you include Li Changye, who is known to be invincible in his realm, that makes three people!!
"Big brother, our junior brother's talent may be no less than yours. This generation of our six Orthodox Sects will be lively indeed," the second brother Song Wuchuan remarked with his hands behind his back, sincerely praising Lu Changsheng, who was still fighting Xia Ningxue.
"When the junior brother broke through to the Dao Palace realm, the 'Purple Aura Coming from the East' phenomenon was triggered, and I knew then he was extraordinary. But I never expected that within a few years, he would achieve such an understanding. It's possible that in the future, Lu's achievements might even surpass yours and mine."
"Li Changye, you Mount Shu people are really not being fair, hiding such an unparalleled genius. If it weren't for Fairy Xiao of the Inquiry Immortal Pavilion defeating Little Song, he wouldn't have had the chance to appear. Does Mount Shu intend to hide him forever?" Ye Wen, the leading disciple of the Martial Alliance, came over and complained to Li Changye.
Li Changye could only give a wry smile; he hadn't anticipated Lu Changsheng being so fierce.
"Continuing like this, I cannot win. It seems I have no choice but to forcibly use the sixth level of the Supreme Forgetting Emotion Art."
"The power of the sixth level of the Supreme Forgetting Emotion Art far surpasses the fifth level."
Xia Ningxue knew that with normal methods, she would not be able to defeat Lu Changsheng, so she steeled her heart, distanced herself from Lu Changsheng, and murmured the mnemonic verse to delve deeper into the Supreme Forgetting Emotion Art, forcibly using the sixth level's cultivation technique she had not yet fully comprehended.
Fairy Xiao Meng'er of the Inquiry Immortal Pavilion was able to defeat both Master Mingxin of the Immeasurable Temple and Mount Shu's second brother Song Wuchuan by cultivating to the sixth level of the Supreme Forgetting Emotion Art.
"Disciple, no!"
The Inquiry Immortal Pavilion Master was more familiar with the Supreme Forgetting Emotion Art than anyone, and he knew that with Xia Ningxue's fourth level Dao Palace realm, forcibly entering the mindset of the Supreme Forgetting Emotion Art's sixth level could result in death!
Even if Xia Ningxue had the Lingwa Holy Body, she could not act recklessly like this!
The Inquiry Immortal Pavilion Master naturally wanted to outdo the real person Taiyuan, but not by sacrificing a disciple to win.
Xia Ningxue's eyes were resolute; she had already taken half a step into the sixth level of the Supreme Forgetting Emotion Art!
Xia Ningxue's momentum was rising sharply, and Lu Changsheng felt as if he were beingwatchedbyapairof cold,celestial eyes,devoid of any emotion high above, eerily close to the
"Tao" he saw within the chaos when cultivating the Taiqing Wuji Technique.
The wind howled and clouds surged around Misty Peak; nature's spiritual energy quickly gathered towards Xia Ningxue, like the eye of a vortex.
Xia Ningxue's face was pale, sweat pouring down, and her delicate body trembled as if she could barely withstand the backlash from the Supreme Forgetting Emotion Art.
The Supreme Forgetting Emotion Art was a forbidden cultivation technique of the Inquiry Immortal Pavilion, not to be practiced lightly, and in terms of power, it was even more potent than the Taiqing Wuji Technique.
But the Supreme Forgetting Emotion Art had a deadly flaw, while the Taiqing Wuji Technique was flawless.
"It looks like I can't hide my cultivation level any longer." Seeing Xia Ningxue about to forcibly use the sixth level of the Supreme Forgetting Emotion Art, with himself unlikely to withstand it, and Xia Ningxue also facing backlash, Lu Changsheng no longer concealed his real cultivation level. His aura surged, and his realm reached the fifth level of the Dao Palace!
"What?!!"
Most of the Elders from the six Orthodox Sects rose from their seats, shocked to their core!
Lu Changsheng's true realm was not merely the fourth level of the Dao Palace but the fifth!
To have reached the fifth level of the Dao Palace realm after just over two hundred years of cultivation, there were few among the Elders present who could achieve this!
"Lu's cultivation is actually at the same level as mine…"
Zhao Wuyan stood there, frozen like a wooden chicken.
Lu Changsheng's true realm had caught up to his.
"Interesting."
Li Changye and Song Wuchuan, two outstanding elders of the younger generation from Mount Shu, were also shocked.
All six Sect Leaders were moved.
They originally thought that Lu Changsheng had reached his limit, but to their surprise, Lu Changsheng still had an ace up his sleeve!
"My disciple is so steady it's maddening."
Grandmaster Taiyuan sighed deeply.
Lu Changsheng would not easily reveal his true cultivation level unless it was his last resort, a temperament truly rare to find.
However, with Grandmaster Taiyuan's insight, the steadier one was, the easier it was for them to survive.
"Shrink the Earth to Inches!"
Since Lu Changsheng's cultivation had reached the fifth layer of the Dao Palace realm, he took a step, closing the distance with Xia Ningxue.
Spiritual energy condensed at his fingertips, and taking advantage of Xia Ningxue's moment of instability due to the backlash from the Supreme Forgetting Emotion Art, Lu Changsheng pointed out with two fingers, striking right at Xia Ningxue's Qi Sea acupoint.
"Tiangang Acupoint Skills!"
Lu Changsheng used the Heaven Rank minor cultivation technique returned by the system to seal Xia Ningxue's Qi Sea acupoint and then pointed out several times, sealing a few other acupoints to prevent Xia Ningxue from operating the sixth layer of the Supreme Forgetting Emotion Art.
With her acupoints sealed, the vast spiritual energy gathered by Xia Ningxue coUapsed, and the Supreme Forgetting Emotion Art fell back to the fifth layer.
In doing so, Xia Ningxue also avoided the terrible consequence of being completely backlashed by the Supreme Forgetting Emotion Art.
Xia Ningxue's forced rise in realm was halted, and despite still being affected and looking lost and disoriented, before losing consciousness, the face imprinted in her vision was the handsome visage of Lu Changsheng.
Xia Ningxue fainted, falling straight down, like a withering flower, and Lu Changsheng, being the closest, had no choice but to catch her.
Embracing a beautiful woman, he felt a warmth and a faint fragrance.
Fairy Xia has lost consciousness, this competition is won by Mount Shu." Grandmaster Chen knew the victory was decided and thus announced the final result.
"Wow…"
The entire Orthodox Sects were in an uproar, who could have imagined such a result when Xia Ningxue, in her prideful stance as the favored daughter of heaven, was about to win?
Lu Changsheng, in the end, demonstrated the cultivation of the fifth layer of the Dao Palace realm and with an unheard-of acupoint technique, sealed Xia Ningxue's cultivation, foiling her final strategy.
"Junior Sister!"
Many senior sisters from the Inquiry Immortal Pavilion came crowding around, and Lu Changsheng handed Xia Ningxue back to them.
Even though Xia Ningxue was defeated, she remained a rare cultivation genius unseen in a hundred thousand years and the future pillar of the Inquiry Immortal Pavilion.
"Disciple has lived up to expectations."
Lu Changsheng put away the Nine Heavens Imperial Thunder Sword and bowed to Grandmaster Taiyuan, who sat in the principal seat.
All six Sect Leaders cast astonished glances, and the gaze of the Fairy Pavilion Master contained a trace of displeasure.
Lu Changsheng had ruined her opportunity to finally humiliate Grandmaster Taiyuan.
Not only that, the Fairy Pavilion Master's gaze was complex, as if she was also worried that Lu Changsheng might entice away the highest talent of the Inquiry Immortal Pavilion, the Holy Maiden.
Surely the Fairy Pavilion Master wouldn't become furiously embarrassed and later unsheathe her sword to pursue and kill him, right?
Chapter 47: What to Do When You're Too Popular?
"Lu, I didn't expect you to hide your cultivation level, making us worry needlessly."
After Lu Changsheng stepped off the stage, Zhao Wuyan was the first to greet him.
Lu Changsheng had won his approval.
"Haha, I thought for a moment that our Mount Shu was going to temporarily lose its top ranking."
"If it weren't for Lu, our Mount Shu would have dropped from first to chasing second, behind the Inquiry Immortal Pavilion."
"Lu will surely be given important responsibilities by the Sect in the future."
"Congratulations, Lu."
One after another, the elders of Mount Shu congratulated Lu Changsheng.
"A century of seclusion, and an epiphany in a single day, that's all."
Lu Changsheng humbly returned the gesture.
His rapid progress in cultivation was not without an excuse.
For one thing, the former Lu Changsheng had been in seclusion for a century, and no one knew what had happened to the deeply hidden Lu during that time.
Secondly, the possibility of sudden enlightenment exists in this world; hearing the Dao in the morning and becoming an immortal by evening is not impossible. The swift advance in Lu Changsheng's cultivation could be fully explained as an epiphany.
"An epiphany is a chance that most people never encounter. Lu is indeed fortunate to have such an experience," Song Wuchuan remarked with emotion. All the elders nodded in agreement.
Most of the elders present had never had an epiphany themselves; they could only rely on arduous cultivation to gradually increase their levels of cultivation.
"Big Brother, I've offended the Pavilion Master of Inquiry Immortal Pavilion, you'll back me up, right?"
What Lu Changsheng feared the most was the possibility of the Pavilion Master seeking retribution.
With Lu Changsheng's current level of cultivation, it was naturally not possible for him to contend with the six great Sect Leaders who had lived for thousands of years.
Li Changye spoke with profound meaning,
"Although the Pavilion Master of Inquiry Immortal Pavilion does not get along with our Sect Leader, that is only superficial… In reality, the Inquiry Immortal Pavilion is our closest collaborator, so you need not worry that the Pavilion Master will seek revenge…"
Lu Changsheng felt completely relieved.
So, the Pavilion Master of Inquiry Immortal Pavilion was just a tsundere.
No wonder, during the last mission in Huang State, Inquiry Immortal Pavilion insisted that Mount Shu contribute manpower.
"The Taiqing Wuji Technique is the Sect-Defending skill created by our Mount Shu's Ancestor. Lu, when did you learn it?"
The voice of Daoist Taiqing rang in Lu Changsheng's ear, startling him.
The Taiqing Wuji Technique was actually a skill created by the Mount Shu Ancestor!
Lu Changsheng hesitated only slightly before replying,
"During my seclusion, the Ancestral Master came to me in a dream and imparted the Taiqing Wuji Technique to me."
"It seems you truly have a celestial fate with our Mount Shu."
Daoist Taiqing did not doubt his words and asked no further.
Lu Changsheng had been cultivating in Mount Shu all along. Apart from the Ancestor coming to him in a dream, what other ways could he have learned the Taiqing Wuji Technique?
Ancestor Daoist Taiqing of Mount Shu is a legendary Immortal who is said to have attained Dao and became an immortal tens of thousands of years ago, and he was also the first Sect Leader of Mount Shu. The Ancestor appearing in a dream is recorded in the Mount Shu scriptures.
Lu Changsheng had seen similar legends while perusing the Mount Shu scriptures, so he used one casually.
"You all go rest first. The other Sect Leaders and I need to discuss how to deal with the impending catastrophe."
"Yes."
Li Changye, Song Wuchuan, Zhao Wuyan, Lu Changsheng, and the other elders of Mount Shu headed to the dwellings prepared for them by Inquiry Immortal Pavilion, leaving only the six great Sect Leaders.
"This catastrophe is not just a grudge between the Huang Tribe and the Demon Race; it also involves old grievances that must be settled once and for all," Daoist Taiyuan slowly said after the elders had left.
Accompanied by the elders of Mount Shu, Lu Changsheng arrived at their temporary residence.
Misty Peak was filled with birdsong and fragrant flowers, shrouded in mist, like a paradise on earth, with spiritual energy as dense as that of Mount Shu.
All six Orthodox Sects chose the earth's spirit veins as the site for establishing their Sects, a genuine Cave Heaven Blessed Land.
Lu Changsheng immediately began to meditate, digesting the enlightenment gained during his fight with Xia Ningxue.
Having spent a long time in secluded cultivation on Mount Shu, Lu Changsheng had limited practical experience. Competing with a peerless genius like Xia Ningxue was a rare opportunity from which Lu Changsheng benefitted greatly.
Without realizing how the time had passed, when Lu Changsheng opened his eyes, it was already nighttime.
But outside the house, it was far from peaceful.
Lu Changsheng extended his Divine Sense to perceive the situation outside the house.
He saw a group of elders and disciples from Inquiry Immortal Pavilion gathered outside the houses where the people of Mount Shu were staying, chattering ceaselessly.
A few elders, including Zhao Wuyan, were holding them back.
Could it be that they were looking for trouble with me, to support Xia Ningxue?
Lu Changsheng used the
"Technique of Ten Thousand Li Tracking" to send out a wisp of spiritual energy and quietly listened to what the elders from Inquiry Immortal Pavilion were discussing.
"Ahem, even though I, Zhao Wuyan, am a renowned figure who has been famous for a long time, and the number of Demon Sect elders who have fallen to my Chasing Wind Sword may not be in the double digits, there are at least seven or eight. Therefore, I'm quite charming. But men and women should be cautious. If word gets out that you fairies from Inquiry Immortal Pavilion are visiting the dwellings of us Mount Shu elders at night, it might provoke some gossip, damaging the reputation of both Mount Shu and Inquiry Immortal Pavilion…"
Zhao Wuyan faced a group of female elders and female disciples from Inquiry Immortal Pavilion, talking non-stop.
Zhao Wuyan had cultivated in Mount Shu for three hundred and twenty years. He had left the mountain to gain experience many times and was one of Daoist Taiyuan's direct disciples. He had a bit of fame among the six Orthodox Sects. Most of these female elders and female disciples from Inquiry Immortal Pavilion must have been attracted by his charm.
"Elder Zhao, we're not here to find you."
"That's right, we've come to visit Elder Lu."
"It's the Elder Lu who had an exchange with our Holy Maiden during the day-"
A group of female elders and female disciples from Inquiry Immortal Pavilion spoke sweetly, like birds chirping and swallows twittering.
Inquiry Immortal Pavilion had the highest number of female disciples among the six Orthodox Sects.
There's no need to mention Immeasurable Temple; it's all monks and doesn't admit female disciples.
The Martial Alliance is a group of Body Refinement fanatics. Although they also have female disciples, the number is ultimately not large.
The Refinement Sect is similar to the Martial Alliance.
Mount Shu and Hidden Dragon Temple are non-discriminatory, with similar numbers of male and female disciples.
Because all the past Pavilion Masters of Inquiry Immortal Pavilion were women, the sect has more women than men.
So this group of female elders and female disciples from Inquiry Immortal Pavilion came for me?
Could it be they were dissatisfied with the outcome from the daytime?
Zhao Wuyan, upon hearing that these fairies weren't here to see him, suddenly felt his face flush with embarrassment, extremely awkward,
"Since you are here to find Lu, I even more so cannot let you in. The competition during the day was fair and square. Our Lu excelled by a notch, and you cannot be unsatisfied and come here to trouble him again."
Zhao Wuyan was truly a good senior brother!
Lu Changsheng, observing in secret, was deeply touched.
"Elder Zhao, who said we came to trouble Elder Lu?"
"We wish to discuss cultivation matters with Elder Lu~please don't obstruct us, Elder Zhao-"
"Elder Lu is really so handsome-and with such high cultivation-he surely can provide us with guidance- "
"Pfft!"
Zhao Wuyan almost spat out a mouthful of old blood.
Coming here to discuss cultivation in the middle of the night?
Could it be that during the daytime competition, this group of female elders and female disciples from Inquiry Immortal Pavilion took a fancy to Lu?
Lu, having cultivated for over two hundred years, was indeed youthful and promising compared to Dao Palace practitioners whose lifespan stretched over a millennium, comparable to a mortal in their twenties.
"This… We have to see what our Lu wants. I'll go in and ask him."
Zhao Wuyan had no choice but to go in and inform Lu Changsheng about the situation.
Lu Changsheng, who had been observing secretly, already knew the ins and outs of the situation and indifferently said,
"Please be the bad guy for me, Brother Zhao, and turn these people away."
Lu Changsheng was not interested in the group of female elders and female disciples outside the room, so he had Zhao Wuyan send them away.
"Lu is truly a man full. He doesn't know the hunger of the starving. The female elders from Inquiry Immortal Pavilion, with their beauty that could topple cities and states, have always been considered prime candidates for Dao companions."
Zhao Wuyan could not help but feel envious. Unfortunately, the many female elders and female disciples from Inquiry Immortal Pavilion had their hearts set on Lu Changsheng, who had made quite the impression at the Great Dao Conference, rather than on him, Zhao Wuyan.
"Junior Brother Lu is currently in closed-door cultivation, fairies, please leave."
"Elder Lu really is diligent; no wonder his cultivation is so high."
"Let's go back, sisters."
"We'll come again tomorrow- "
The group of fairy-like women from Inquiry Immortal Pavilion did not linger any longer and took their leave.
It seems that being too popular isn't necessarily a good thing.
Lu Changsheng shook his head helplessly.
That said, I wonder how Xia Ningxue, who had suffered the backlash from the Supreme Forgetting Love Art, is faring.
With the Fairy Pavilion Master around, Xia Ningxue shouldn't incur any hidden problems because of this.
The night was deep, and Lian in the next room was fast asleep, snoring loudly, while the Martial King Divine Physique continued to devour the nature's spiritual energy of Misty Peak even in sleep.
Lu Changsheng, having some insights, left the room and walked to a nearby bamboo forest to stroll.
The moonlight was frosty, and the bamboo shadows swayed.
Suddenly, Lu Changsheng faintly heard the sound of reading coming from hundreds of steps away.
[Ding, the system has searched and found a suitable candidate for discipleship… One has been found.]
Chapter 48: Accepting Disciples, The Body of the Literary Sage
In the depths of the bamboo forest, there was a solitary bamboo house, the dwelling of a menial servant at Inquiry Immortal Pavilion, seemingly forgotten by the rest of the world.
Lu Changsheng received a notification from the Disciple Apprenticeship System that there was a suitable candidate for discipleship nearby.
Originally, Lu Changsheng assumed that it was yet another peerless genius from the great sects, but following the system's prompt to this place, he discovered that this was not the case.
All the great sects employed a group of menial servants, who took care of various trivial matters, and at the end of the month, they could collect a salary to support their families.
How could there be a peerless genius living as a menial servant in the Inquiry Immortal Pavilion?
Arriving at the bamboo house's well, Lu Changsheng saw a girl in plain clothes sitting at the edge of the well, holding a yellowed scroll, softly reciting in the moonlight.
Her eyebrows were like willows, her shoulders carved with precision, her waist tied with elegance, her spirit serene as an orchid—even in plain clothes, she could not hide the temperament of a lady from a prestigious family.
Reading under the moonlight, the years were peacefully quiet.
Could it be that the disciple the system found was this person?
From her clothing, she was undoubtedly one of Inquiry Immortal Pavilion's menial servants.
The information about this girl appeared in Lu Changsheng's mind.
[Name: Mo Huazhi]
[Talent: Body of the Literary Sage, Book Addict, Water Spirit Root, Plagued by Misfortune]
[Cultivation: First Level of the Foundation Establishment Realm]
[Dao Bone: 17 years]
"Body of the Literary Sage?!"
Lu Changsheng was secretly astonished.
He had seen records about the Body of the Literary Sage in the annals
"Records of Special Physiques Through the Ages" at Mount Shu.
The Body of the Literary Sage had appeared three times, all at Hidden Dragon Temple.
According to the records, the current Temple Master of Hidden Dragon Temple, Yu Xuanji, was indeed endowed with the Body of the Literary Sage.
When the Literary Sage cultivated to a profound realm, they could deduce the secrets of heaven, craft Dao talismans, and it was said that at the peak, mere words could follow the law, allowing them to prove the Dao through literature.
Who could have imagined that among the menial servants of Inquiry Immortal Pavilion, there would be such a peerless talent?
However, this girl's fate was poor, afflicted with the Calamity Body; otherwise, with her talents, she would not have fallen to the point of being a menial servant on Misty Peak.
If Yu Xuanji, the Temple Master of Hidden Dragon Temple, knew that this girl also had the Body of the Literary Sage, he would certainly try to take her as a disciple.
"You, you… who are you?"
Mo Huazhi was immersed in reading under the moon, until Lu Changsheng came beside her, only then did she notice, looking like a startled rabbit, she quickly put away the book behind her.
Truly a Book Addict.
Lu Changsheng thought back to his previous life, when he couldn't be as absorbed in reading as she was.
"Don't be afraid, I am a good person."
Even though Lu Changsheng said this, Mo Huazhi's eyes were still full of suspicion.
Many bad people say they are good people…
"Lam Elder Lu Changsheng from Mount Shu."
In order to gain her trust, Lu Changsheng had no choice but to reveal his identity.
"Lu, Lu Changsheng…?!" Mo Huazhi thought for a moment, her expression gradually becoming delighted,
"I have heard of you, you defeated our Inquiry Immortal Pavilion's Holy Maiden in the daytime competition, the whole Misty Peak has been talking about it!"
Oh?
Since she knew of his reputation, then earning her trust should be very simple.
"I see your Root Bone is exceptional, would you be willing to take me as your master, embarking on the path of immortal cultivation? We have many more books in Mount Shu than Inquiry Immortal Pavilion has."
"The sea of books is vast, even if I had a thousand years of lifespan, I could hardly traverse all of it, and you, a mere mortal, the books you have read are but a drop in the ocean."
"Follow me in cultivation, and you can attain Longevity."
Lu Changsheng started to coax her into becoming his disciple.
This girl was a Book Addict and was easily coaxed.
"Ah…"
Mo Huazhi was indeed greatly moved.
If she could cultivate the Dao of Longevity, then she could read all the books in the world.
"But I have signed a contract with Inquiry Immortal Pavilion; I must be a menial servant on Misty Peak for life."
Mo Huazhi thought of her fate and sank into despondence.
It seems this disciple has a story.
If Mo Huazhi were a female disciple of Inquiry Immortal Pavilion, it would be rather tricky, but Mo Huazhi was just a menial servant.
Lu Changsheng had a bit of a relationship with Xia Ningxue, and when the time came, he could just shamelessly approach Xia Ningxue to request a menial servant; it wasn't a problem.
"As long as you become my disciple and my third disciple, I have ways to get Inquiry Immortal Pavilion to free you. From now on, you'll be a disciple of Mount Shu."
"Really?"
Mo Huazhi's eyes were filled with surprise and curiosity.
"Indeed."
Lu Changsheng worried that this potential disciple might be discovered by Yu Xuanji of Hidden Dragon Temple, so he was eager to coax her into apprenticeship as the proper course.
Yu Xuanji could divine the secrets of fate and would be very likely to discover the existence of Mo Huazhi.
"Master above, please accept your disciple Mo Huazhi's bow."
Knowing this was a fateful encounter, Mo Huazhi put away the books, straightened out her plain clothes, and respectfully performed the disciple's salute to Lu Changsheng.
"Very good. From now on, you are my disciple, Lu Changsheng. Tomorrow I will come for you, and you will accompany me to visit Fairy Xia of the Inquiry Immortal Pavilion and retrieve your contract."
"To visit the Holy Maiden?"
Mo Huazhi exhibited an incredulous expression.
Her Master was indeed a personage of Mount Shu, able to meet directly with the Holy Maiden of the Inquiry Immortal Pavilion.
As someone in charge of managing this bamboo forest for the Inquiry Immortal Pavilion, even meeting an Inner Sect Disciple was difficult, let alone the revered Holy Maiden of the Inquiry Immortal Pavilion.
Why would such an important figure take her, a humble menial worker, as a disciple?
Lu Changsheng sensed Mo Huazhi's bewilderment and spoke deliberately,
"There are Prancing Horses after there's Bole. You are an unmatched genius, do not doubt your aptitude. Under my guidance, focus on your cultivation and studies. It's not impossible for you to become a saint one day."
Become a saint?
Mo Huazhi had never dared to imagine that; she merely wished to study earnestly.
" I see your temperament is not that of an ordinary menial worker. Are you willing to tell me about your family?"
"Yes, Master. I am the daughter of a Great Confucian from Yue Country. My grandfather once served as the Tutor to the Crown Prince. Later, due to false accusations, my family was dragged into a case of rebellion against the Prime Minister, which implicated our entire clan. To protect me, my father had his servants send me to the Inquiry Immortal Pavilion. Although I serve as a menial worker and am considered a servant, it is far better than being executed after the autumn harvest. I was only five years old at that time. Fortunately, the Inquiry Immortal Pavilion had many books, and even as a menial worker, I could peruse a few. I don't think managing the bamboo forest is a harsh task."
As Mo Huazhi recounted her past, a hint of pain crossed her eyes, which quickly dissipated into acceptance.
This disciple was indeed
"Plagued by Misfortune" — her family ruined and herself sold to the Inquiry Immortal Pavilion for refuge at the age of five.
Otherwise, with Mo Huazhi's Body of the Literary Sage and her upbringing in a Prestigious Family, she would have achieved some level of cultivation by now. She could have been a disciple or even an Elder of the Inquiry Immortal Pavilion, not merely a menial worker.
But it was precisely because of Mo Huazhi's destiny as
"Plagued by Misfortune" that she became a pearl cast into the ocean, which Lu Changsheng happened to pickup.
Her mindset was also commendable. Even with her family destroyed, she did not wallow in self-pity.
"I have a system that can simulate a disciple's entire life, enough to reverse her fate and help her become a saint. And I, too, stand to benefit from this."
Lu Changsheng was not concerned about Mo Huazhi's Calamity Body destiny.
After all, with the Disciple Apprenticeship System in hand, as long as it wasn't a Heavenly Tribulation-level disaster, he had ways to turn peril into safety.
"Go back and rest now. I will come for you in the morning."
Lu Changsheng was not in a hurry to impart power to his newly acquired disciple but decided to visit Xia Ningxue the next day.
With a thought, Lu Changsheng employed 'Shrink the Earth to Inches' and vanished on the spot.
"Master…"
Before Mo Huazhi could even bid farewell, Lu Changsheng had already left.
"Am I dreaming?"
Mo Huazhi pinched her cheek, suspecting it was all a dream.
To the menial workers like her, an Elder of Mount Shu was undoubtedly an Immortal.
And an Immortal had taken her as a disciple.
Did she possess some unique traits?
"Maybe I should go to sleep."
Mo Huazhi looked out over the empty bamboo forest, where other than a touch of moonlight, no one else was present, and felt like she was still dreaming.
The next morning, Mo Huazhi woke up to another ordinary day.
"It seems I really was dreaming last night. I mustn't study into the night anymore; it's causing hallucinations."
Shaking her head, Mo Huazhi picked up a wooden bucket to go fetch water from the well, starting another day of menial work.
Suddenly, a sword appeared from the west, landing in the middle of the bamboo forest.
There were two visitors.
One was a man with long hair, a celestial appearance, and handsome features; the other was a girl around twelve or thirteen years old, curiously staring at her, sizing her up.
"Elder Lu…no, Master?"
Mo Huazhi, fetching water by the well, was taken aback — Lu Changsheng had really come!
Last night hadn't been a dream after all!
"Follow me to the Cloud Dream Pavilion of Misty Peak."
Lu Changsheng smiled slightly, increasingly pleased with his easy recruitment of a disciple with the Body of the Literary Sage.
The Cloud Dream Pavilion, one of the four hundred and eighty pavilions of Misty Peak, was also the cultivation dwelling of the Holy Maiden Xia Ningxue.
Lu Changsheng took his two disciples to visit and to buy the new little disciple's freedom.
"Holy Maiden, Lu Changsheng of Mount Shu requests an audience."
In the clear pond of the Cloud Dream Pavilion, Xia Ningxue, with her long black hair cascading down, soaked in the pond water, her skin fair as curd, shrouded in mists.
After the recent trial, Xia Ningxue had quickly recovered thanks to her constitution.
"What does he want here?"
Xia Ningxue seemed somewhat surprised; what did Lu Changsheng want by visiting her at this time?
"Holy Maiden, will you meet with him?"
"Mm…bring him to see me."
Xia Ningxue sank deeper into the water, her cheeks flushed from the warmth of the pool.
But, after all, what did Lu Changsheng want with her?
Chapter 49: Ask You for a Person
"Elder Lu, may I ask what brings you to my Cloud Dream Pavilion today?"
"Yesterday at the event, I regrettably won against Fairy Xia. I hope Fairy Xia will forgive me."
"Since it was a competition, there naturally exists a distinction between victory and defeat. Elder Lu was superior in skill, and I feel utterly convinced by my loss. Why then would Elder Lu feel the need to apologize?"
More than that, Xia Ningxue was more concerned about the person Lu Changsheng had brought with him.
Although Mo Huazhi did not possess the ethereal Immortal Qi of Xia Ningxue, she was gentle and elegant, with a scholarly air that gave her a unique charm.
The question was, why had Lu Changsheng brought her here?
"This person is a servant from your Inquiry Immortal Pavilion, responsible for overseeing a small bamboo forest."
"With her temperament, it's a pity for her to serve as a servant."
"Therefore, I would ask Fairy Xia to retrieve her contract and restore her freedom. Of course, I am not unreasonable. I am willing to exchange a fifthgrade Elixir Pill for a servant from the Inquiry Immortal Pavilion."
Lu Changsheng took out a small jade bottle containing a fifth-grade Elixir Pill.
A fifth-grade Elixir Pill, let alone exchanging it for one servant, would be more than enough for ten.
"Elder Lu, although a fifth-grade Elixir Pill is precious, our Inquiry Immortal Pavilion would not casually exchange our servants or disciples. If you have come only to satisfy a selfish desire, then please leave."
Xia Ningxue's tone turned progressively colder.
"Please don't misunderstand, Fairy Xia. I saw that her Root Bone was quite good, so I intend to take her as my disciple, that's all."
Seeing that Xia Ningxue had misunderstood, Lu Changsheng hastened to explain the reason.
"Is that all?"
Xia Ningxue's tone softened.
Then, Xia Ningxue worried inwardly.
Alas, what am I fussing about?
If Elder Lu wants to take a servant away, that's the servant's fortune. What has it to do with me?
"If Fairy Xia feels a fifth-grade Elixir Pill is insufficient to exchange for a servant, then a sixth-grade pill should surely suffice."
Lu Changsheng, thinking Xia Ningxue wouldn't be so easily persuaded, increased his offer.
Unexpectedly, Xia Ningxue pushed both the fifth and sixth-grade Elixir Pills back:
"It's her opportunity to become your disciple, which is a delightful tale in itself. As long as she agrees, I can retrieve her contract. Our Inquiry Immortal Pavilion is not short of servants. Beneath Misty Peak, numerous people wish to serve our Inquiry Immortal Pavilion as servants."
" It was my vulgarity showing."
Lu Changsheng had not expected Xia Ningxue to be so amenable, not even tempted by a sixth-grade Elixir Pill.
Xia Ningxue's character was indeed rare in this world.
"Would you like to?"
Xia Ningxue looked towards Mo Huazhi.
Mo Huazhi nodded earnestly:
"I wish to follow Master and cultivate."
"Since it is your own wish, then go with him. I will have someone fetch your contract."
"Many thanks, Holy Maiden."
Mo Huazhi had not expected to escape the fate of a servant one day and was overwhelmed with joy.
"So, does this mean that I am now a senior sister?"
Lian also appeared exceedingly excited.
Although she was younger than Mo Huazhi, having entered the sect five years earlier, that made her the senior sister.
"Disciple, do not be rude. As a senior sister, you must take care of your junior sister in the future," Lu Changsheng exhorted.
"Lian understands…"
Lian stuck out her tongue, wondering why she now, as a senior sister, didn't seem to have it better than when she was a junior sister.
Her second and third disciples respectively, the Martial God and the Literary Sage, would make Qingyun Peak livelier than ever.
"Elder Lu, now that the matter you beseeched has been handled, you may leave. Someone, show him out."
"Hold on, in addition to requesting Fairy Xia forher disciple, I have something else. Fairy Xia has suffered a backlash from her cultivation technique, and her soul may be damaged. Here is a sixth-rank 'Soul Supplement Pill' that can eliminate any future problems. Please, do not refuse it."
Having taken on a disciple, Lu Changsheng felt he owed a favor.
Lu Changsheng hadn't given up on the idea of taking Xia Ningxue as his own disciple.
Xia Ningxue's talent was terrifyingly immense; even without a system, her cultivation was advancing by leaps and bounds, truly the Son of Fortune of this world.
"Since it's a kind gesture from Elder Lu, and I do indeed need this elixir, then I shall accept it and will surely repay you in the future."
Xia Ningxue saw that Lu Changsheng was sincere and found it hard to refuse, especially since her injury had not fully healed, and a Soul Supplement Pill was a rare sixth-rank elixir.
However, if Xia Ningxue knew that Lu Changsheng was trying to improve her opinion of him just to make her his disciple, she would surely be full of question marks.
Lu Changsheng exchanged a few more pleasantries with Xia Ningxue, sharing insights from their recent sparring.
Lu Changsheng realized that although Xia Ningxue's cultivation was exceptional, she was ultimately a young girl who had focused solely on cultivating and had little experience with the world. Thus, he spoke more freely, squeezing in a few jokes; Xia Ningxue couldn't help but smile and cover her mouth to suppress her laughter.
"As it is getting late, I will not delay Fairy Xia's cultivation any longer."
Lu Changsheng realized that, unbeknownst to him, it was already noon, and so he rose to take his leave.
"Hmm."
Xia Ningxue nodded, her conversation having reached a peak, and suddenly came to an abrupt stop, feeling an unexpected hint of reluctance to part.
At the Inquiry Immortal Pavilion, no one would engage in banter with her.
Lu Changsheng summoned his Flying Sword, waved his right sleeve, and a gentle breeze enveloped his two disciples, Lian and Mo Huazhi, carrying them towards their lodging at Mount Shu.
"What's wrong with me? Master once said, from ancient times emotional barriers are hard to overcome, cultivating the Supreme Forgetting Love Art should sever emotions such as joy, anger, sorrow, fear, love, and hatred…"
Xia Ningxue activated the Supreme Forgetting Love Art, suppressing the turmoil in her mind.
Suddenly, an overwhelming aura descended, the entire Cloud Dream Pavilion trembling.
"Master."
Xia Ningxue opened her eyes; the person who arrived was the Fairy Pavilion Master.
"Did that youngster Lu Changsheng come by?"
"Yes…"
"What did he say?"
"He only took a servant from our Inquiry Immortal Pavilion and gave your disciple a 'Soul Supplement Pill'."
"A sixth-rankelixir? I didn't expect that lad to be so lavish."
The Pavilion Master of the Inquiry Immortal Pavilion was quite surprised.
It was rare for an elder from an ordinary Dao Palace to possess a sixth-rank elixir, and for Lu Changsheng to give such a gift was astonishing, even to the Pavilion Master.
"However, you must not develop feelings for that lad Lu Changsheng. Although Lu Changsheng has cultivated for over two hundred years and is now at the fifth layer of Dao Palace, compared with your talent, he is still worlds apart. To you, he is but a passerby."
"If you fall into an emotional tribulation because of this, you might suffer just like your master, unable to attain Immortality."
"Alas, I oriented my heart towards the bright moon, but how could the bright moon illuminate the gutter…"
The Pavilion Master of the Inquiry Immortal Pavilion let out a long, melancholy sigh.
"Master, what actually happened back in those days?"
Xia Ningxue knew that her master had a past with the Sect Leader of Mount Shu, but no one among the younger generation of Inquiry Immortal Pavilion elders knew the exact details.
"That matter, you don't need to know. I have come here on another matter. There's a Supreme Elder in our Inquiry Immortal Pavilion who, knowing that she has no hope of surviving her Tribulation and that her lifespan is nearing its end, has decided to end her seclusion early. She heard that your talent is no less than that of the Immortal who founded our Inquiry Immortal Pavilion twenty thousand years ago and plans to sacrifice her own cultivation to bestow upon you the Power-infusing Initiation."
Chapter 50: Master Infuses You with Power
Xia Ningxue was very trustworthy, and the next day she had an Inner Sect Disciple deliver Mo Huazhi's contract of servitude.
Mo Huazhi formally left her status as a menial worker at the Inquiry Immortal Pavilion and became a disciple of Mount Shu.
The news spread, and all the menial workers of the Inquiry Immortal Pavilion couldn't help but be filled with envy.
No one thought that a lowly servant could have the chance to be accepted as a disciple by an Elder of Mount Shu; it was indeed a leap to the heavens.
"Lu, is this the new disciple you've taken in?"
"She seems to have average aptitude and no cultivation to speak of."
"However, Lu is a great teacher. The last disciple with average aptitude, Lin Qingzhi, was still taught by Lu to reach the Golden Core Realm."
"That's right, Lu has a discerning eye, something we cannot fully understand."
Lu Changsheng brought Mo Huazhi back to where the people of Mount Shu were staying, attracting many Elders of Mount Shu to gather around.
Mo Huazhi was surprised and flattered, hiding timidly behind Lu Changsheng; this was the first time she had seen so many important figures.
"Everyone stop making a fuss, we will commence our return journey to Mount Shu in two days. The journey back may be dangerous, so all Junior Brothers must be careful and cautious."
Senior Brother Li Changye appeared, and the crowd gradually quieted down.
The return journey is dangerous?
The crowd's expressions grew slightly solemn.
It seemed that the Senior Brother had received some information.
" I will go to Mount Shu with Master tomorrow? There must be many books in Mount Shu…"
Mo Huazhi was full of anticipation.
If she became a disciple, naturally she could access far more classics than a menial worker.
Her Master had mentioned that the various classics of Mount Shu were as vast as the smoke, and that it would be difficult to go through them all even if she spent her whole life in the Dao Palace.
The Great Alliance of the Six Paths, aside from deciding the rankings of the six major clans and the discussions among the six Sect Leaders, also allowed the younger generation of Elders from the six clans to get to know each other, as they may fight side by side in the future.
Li Changye, the chief disciple of Mount Shu, and Ye Wen, the chief disciple of the Martial Alliance, had a mutual respect for each other.
Lu Changsheng, on the other hand, had visited Xia Ningxue, the most talented Elder of the Inquiry Immortal Pavilion.
Song Wuchuan had gotten to know Xiao Meng' er, the second disciple of the Fairy Pavilion Master.
Zhao Wuyan was rather depressed, as no fairy-like disciples from the Inquiry Immortal Pavilion came to visit him, only a group of monks from the Immeasurable Temple showed up to discuss the Dao with him.
Meanwhile, a group of fairies from the Inquiry Immortal Pavilion sought to meet with Lu Changsheng but were all turned away by him.
If Lu Changsheng wanted to tease the fairies of the Inquiry Immortal Pavilion to pass the time, he would rather spend time with Xia Ningxue, whose temperament was superior by a notch.
Subsequently, Elder Ku Mu of the Inquiry Immortal Pavilion came to visit, and Lu Changsheng agreed to see him.
Elder Ku Mu had once led a team to Huang State on a mission, and the two were old acquaintances.
"Lu, you had an epiphany one day and your cultivation has soared. Just as the old saying goes, one should view another with new eyes after a mere three days apart," said Elder Ku Mu as he picked up his teacup and took a sip, exchanging pleasantries with Lu Changsheng.
" I may have cultivated a decent level of power, but my experience is shallow compared to Elder Ku Mu."
"Ha ha, Lu, you are so modest, your temperament truly exceeds your cultivation."
"That day in Huang State, when we encountered Evil Sword and the Black Tiger Daoist, Xia Ningxue and I managed to escape, but I'm unsure of the aftermath. How did it unfold?"
"Although Evil Sword is a fourth-layer Elder of the Dao Palace's Reincarnation Hall, I am as well, and he couldn't kill me. I used Earth Escape Divine Skills to evade death. If the Reincarnation Hall had sent an Elder with higher cultivation, perhaps I would not have been able to escape."
"Does Elder Ku Mu know about the strength of the Reincarnation Hall?"
"The strength of the Reincarnation Hall is not inferior to our Inquiry Immortal Pavilion. The four Demon Sects may not have as many disciples as the six Orthodox Sects, but they have always been able to stand firm because each of them has an impressive foundation. Some disciples of these Demon Sects even hail from the six Orthodox Sects…"
"Oh?"
"The heart's inclination towards good or evil is but a thought away. Sometimes, a mere stray thought can lead to falling into the Demonic Dao. Although my cultivation is not as high as Lu's, I have cultivated for eight hundred years and have seen much of the world's warmth and cold. Even among the peers of the Pavilion Master, there have been some who lost their way… Alas, this matter is taboo, so it is not proper to discuss it in detail."
Elder Ku Mu mentioned the sect secrets of the six Orthodox Sects, and Lu Changsheng was greatly shocked. It turned out that many of the elders and disciples of the four Demon Sects came from the six Orthodox Sects. The difference between good and evil was only a thought away, no wonder the four Demon Sects could never be completely eradicated.
Lu Changsheng lamented,
"The human heart is precarious, the dao heart is minute."
"Lu, your words are very true. There are less than two hundred years left in my lifespan. It has been a great fortune to make your acquaintance, truly a blessing in three lifetimes. In the future, we may even fight side by side. If fate allows, we shall meet again."
After chatting with Lu Changsheng for a while, Elder Ku Mu took his leave.
Lu Changsheng called over his new little disciple, Mo Huazhi, and began to exploit the system's loopholes.
With the disaster looming just a decade and some years away, Lu Changsheng felt that his current cultivation level was not yet sufficient to ensure his safety.
"Sit still, I am going to initiate a power-infusing initiation for you. If you feel unwell, speak out immediately."
Lu Changsheng started with initiating a power-infusing initiation for his little disciple right away, directly boosting her cultivation level.
"Master, you must not! Disciple has read the relevant texts, power-infusing initiation will harm the master's cultivation level, only those whose time is nearly up would do such a thing!"
Even though Mo Huazhi was a menial worker, she had read widely and knew the price that had to be paid by the one who initiated the power-infusing initiation.
The efficiency of power-infusing initiation was too low, and not worth the loss, as the person initiating it could even drop in cultivation level as a result.
"I know what I am doing. Are you going to defy your master's orders?"
"Disciple obeys…"
Mo Huazhi had no choice but to sit on the cushion, waiting for Lu Changsheng to initiate the power-infusing initiation.
Mo Huazhi's heart was already moved beyond measure; not only had her master helped her redeem her servant contract, but he was also initiating power-infusing initiation for her.
Could this be nothing but a dream within a dream?
Having had the experience of initiating power-infusing initiation for two disciples, Lu Changsheng was well-practiced in the process. He transferred only a thread of faint spiritual energy from the palm of his hand into the Heavenly Spirit cover of Mo Huazhi.
With the fifth layer of Lu Changsheng's Dao Palace cultivation, just the transfer of a thread of spiritual energy made Mo Huazhi's body suffer greatly.
"Master, it's so hot, my body feels so hot…"
Mo Huazhi, with only the first layer of Foundation Establishment Realm cultivation level, broke into a sweat after enduring Lu Changsheng's cultivation for just half a day; her Zodiac Meridians became burning hot.
"Stay calm. Follow my guidance, open your Dantian, and you will have set foot on the path of immortality."
Lu Changsheng guided the spiritual energy inside Mo Huazhi's body, slowly circulating it, letting her sense how to refine and utilize the spiritual energy for herself.
"Hmm, ah…"
Mo Huazhi struggled to refine this thread of spiritual energy, occasionally letting out pained gasps. Undertaking her first qi training and opening the Dantian was naturally not easy.
Outside the house, a graceful figure appeared silently.
"He gave me a sixth-grade elixir pill, coming to see him off is the least I can do," Xia Ningxue muttered to herself.
As the people from Mount Shu were about to leave Misty Peak, Xia Ningxue talked to herself.
Suddenly, Xia Ningxue heard noises coming from inside the house and hesitated, taking a step back.
[Ding, you have transferred three days' worth of cultivation to your disciple
"Mo Huazhi." Mo Huazhi actually received 0.5 days of cultivation.)
[Ding, you have received a 200-fold return reward for teaching your disciple: one hundred days of cultivation.]
[Ding, number of power-infusing initiations for today -1.]
Lu Changsheng's cultivation level was too high; Mo Huazhi only needed to assimilate half a day of Lu Changsheng's cultivation and it would already take her quite a while.
Mo Huazhi looked gratefully at her handsome master, never expecting that her master, to help her get started, would be willing to sacrifice his own cultivation level.
"You should quickly refine this thread of spiritual energy, later on, I will continue to initiate power-infusing initiation for you."
Mo Huazhi's eyes widened in disbelief, she hadn't misheard, had she?
Was her master not afraid of depleting his own resources?
"Who's there outside?"
Lu Changsheng, with sharp senses, noticed someone lingering outside the house and spoke out.
Chapter 51: Return to Mount Shu
"Are you performing a power-infusing initiation?
Xia Ningxue entered and saw Lu Changsheng cease his practice and stabilize his breath, while Mo Huazhi's Heavenly Spirit emitted white vapor, apparently undergoing a power-infusing initiation.
Typically, only Elders whose life spans were nearing their end would weaken their own cultivation to initiate their disciples with their power.
Yet, someone like Lu Changsheng, who had boundless prospects in cultivation, was willing to part with his own power for a disciple?
"Fairy Xia, you've come to visit, what brings you here?
"That, you gifted me elixir pills, and since you will be returning to Mount Shu, I naturally should bid farewell."
"Master, should I leave now?"
"Go find your senior sister, she will teach you the method of breathing and
Cultivation."
"Yes."
Mo Huazhi read the room and tactfully excused herself.
"My master said, during your return to Mount Shu, there might be dangers.
This Earth Escape Talisman can help you travel underground, escaping thirty 11
In one breath. Consider it a return gift."
Xia Ningxue's wrist flicked, and a yellow talisman appeared in her palm. Talismans, consumable magical items crafted by Divine Talismancers in this world, vary in value depending on their power.
This Earth Escape Talisman could instantly travel thirty li underground, a topquality talisman for escaping danger.
Because Xia Ningxue carried the life-saving talisman on her person, the talisman also had Xia Ningxue's scent on it.
"Since it is a kind gesture from Fairy Xia, I would be remiss to refuse." Lu Changsheng knew the other party was not one to owe favors lightly; the sixth-grade elixir pills he had given were also highly valuable, thus it was a fair exchange.
Lu Changsheng was in fact in need of similar magical items.
The talisman gifted by Xia Ningxue inspired Lu Changsheng.
Going forward, he could definitely give talismans to his disciple, using the system to obtain higher-level divine talismans.
The value of divine talismans was no less than that of top-quality elixir pills. Lu Changsheng chatted with Xia Ningxue for a while longer before she took her leave.
The young disciple Mo Huazhi, following the second disciple Lian, had learned the most basic cultivation and breathing technique and was able to cultivate on her own.
Mo Huazhi, with the Body of the Literary Sage, had immense natural talent in the path of cultivation; she had just never been exposed to it before, which was why her cultivation level was so low, making her an undiscovered gem in the vast ocean.
Once she began, even without Lu Changsheng's power-infusing initiation, Mo Huazhi's cultivation speed would advance by leaps and bounds.
But with Lu Changsheng's power-infusing initiation, her cultivation speed became incredibly rapid.
After spending several days at Misty Peak, the group from Mount Shu then returned to the mountain.
Mo Huazhi blinked; she had only heard of Mount Shu, but with the walking speed of a mortal, it would take three to five years to travel from Misty Peak to Mount Shu.
Lian could already perform Sword Flight, but Mo Huazhi had just reached the fifth level of the Foundation Establishment Realm, so Lu Changsheng used his own Spiritual Energy to assist her in Sword Flight.
Mo Huazhi stepped onto the Flying Sword with trepidation, her body wobbling unsteadily.
When it came to courage, the second disciple Lian had more guts, treating the Flying Sword like a toy and hardly needing Lu Changsheng's guidance on the technique of Sword Flight.
After all, Mo Huazhi came from a scholarly family, gentle and refined, and her talent for using magical items could not compare to that of Lian with the Martial King Divine Physique.
"Maintain your center of gravity, control the sword with your energy.
"Mm."
Mo Huazhi could not stand steadily, but wrapped in Lu Changsheng's Spiritual Energy, she wouldn't fall. She quickly adapted.
"Let's set off."
The group from Mount Shu turned into dozens of streaks of light and disappeared.
Xia Ningxue stood atop a peak of Misty Peak, watching Lu Changsheng and his group leave, her garment billowing,
"I will practice diligently, and next time, I will not lose to you."
After the group from Mount Shu had left, tens of thousands of miles away, within a Senluo Grand Hall, dozens of dark shadows appeared out of nowhere, each with a profound aura.
"The Sect Leader of Mount Shu has already led the team away from Misty Peak; this is an excellent opportunity. I will hold off Taiyuan. Destruction Sword, Jue Sword, Sha Sword, Evil Sword, the four of you are responsible for seizing the girl from the Huang Tribe, and by the way, kill a Mount Shu Elder named Lu Changsheng to prevent future trouble. I do not wish for another Li Changye to emerge from Mount Shu."
"Yes!"
The dozens of dark shadows disappeared, leaving only the shadow on the main seat.
"Taiyuan, let me see how far your cultivation has progressed over the years." The last shadow in the Senluo Grand Hall disappeared, leaving only dead silence behind.
The people from Mount Shu hurried along for a day and chose to rest in an old Daoist Temple after nightfall.
With the cultivation level of Lu Changsheng and the others, they could have continued on their journey, but when traveling, even Mount Shu Elders needed to maintain abundant spiritual energy in case of battles en route.
"Master, your disciple has already found the feeling of Sword Flight!" Mo Huazhi was somewhat excited; she had used Lu Changsheng's spiritual energy to practice Sword Flight for a day and had basically figured out the method.
Once she reached the Qi Transformation Realm, she would be able to use her own spiritual energy for Sword Flight.
"When we return to Mount Shu, I will pick out a suitable cultivation technique for you."
Lu Changsheng knew that different special physiques required different cultivation techniques.
During this Six Paths Conference, Lu Changsheng brought glory to the Sect, and the senior brother Li Changye allocated 100,000 Sect Contribution Points as a reward. Lu Changsheng could use these 100,000 Sect Contribution Points to exchange for various magical treasures, cultivation techniques, and elixir pills at Mount Shu.
For Lu Changsheng, Sect Contribution Points were quite important because the Disciple Apprenticeship Simulator could not return specific magical treasures, cultivation techniques, and elixir pills according to Lu Changsheng's wishes. However, in Mount Shu's Scripture Pavilion and Elixir Pavilion, one could choose the appropriate cultivation techniques and elixir pills and then bestow them upon disciples to obtain more advanced cultivation techniques and elixir pills from the system.
100,000 Sect Contribution Points should be enough to select a suitable set of cultivation techniques and magical treasures for Mo Huazhi.
"Master, why are you so good to your disciple?
Mo Huazhi couldn't help feeling moved; she, who had lost her family at a young age, was experiencing warmth for the first time.
"Lam the same to every disciple, not just you."
"Right, Master is the best person in the world! Lian can swear to it! Lian's bright eyes were filled with admiration for Lu Changsheng. When she was naive, she used to think that all masters would initiate their disciples with power-infusing and generously bestow various magical treasures, elixir pills, and cultivation techniques. But as Lian grew up, she learned from other Mount Shu disciples that not all masters were so generous. Her own master was simply an exceptionally good person, even using various precious elixir pills to concoct medicinal baths for her Body Refinement. There surely was no better master in the world.
"It must have been my late father's spirit manifesting, leading me to good fortune and encountering such an exceptionally good person as master. Zhi'er will definitely cherish this."
Mo Huazhi also gradually began to admire Lu Changsheng. "Junior Brother, you take good care of your two disciples later. Li Changye suddenly communicated telepathically with Lu Changsheng. Lu Changsheng looked sharply to the south, only to see waves of Demonic Qi rapidly approaching the dilapidated Daoist Temple.
"Senior Brother, that's the real purpose of you and Master's journey, isn't it? Lu Changsheng knew that his senior brother had likely brought Lian on this journey for a sting operation.
Li Changye laughed,
"Exactly so."
"You two, hide behind me."
Lu Changsheng stood up, shielding Lian and Mo Huazhi, his two young disciples.
Other Mount Shu Elders resting in the Daoist Temple also sensed the approaching Demonic Qi, stood up, and their faces became serious,
"Reincarnation Hall, and the presence of the Demon Race!"