Wei Yuan turned around and saw a towering cultivator standing not far away. He was nine feet tall, a full two heads taller than ordinary people, with a thick, short beard and imposing features. This man was leading a boy who had just disembarked from the Immortal Boat.
The cultivator's eyes were sharp as lightning. When Wei Yuan's gaze met his, it was as if he had been struck by lightning; something intangible within him stirred, restless.
A hint of surprise flashed in the cultivator's eyes before he subdued the brilliance within them, then said, "The question you ask is an eternal conundrum, one that scarcely anyone has been able to answer through the ages. Those who might are not willing to. If you hold such a desire, remember this question and seek the answer slowly in your cultivation! This is my grandson, Xiao Yu. If you don't mind, from now on, you two can support each other on the Immortal Path, and perhaps both of you will travel far."
The cultivator lifted the boy and placed him in front of Wei Yuan. Both Wei Yuan and the boy instinctively turned their heads away, unwilling to look at each other.
The boy was extremely delicate in appearance—the very Xiao Yu who had futilely hacked at Wei Yuan hundreds of times with a sword, then had his waist severed by a spear. Remembering how he had ruthlessly struck down the opponent, letting him die without dignity, Wei Yuan felt somewhat guilty upon facing the victim now.
The burly cultivator slapped Xiao Yu on the head and said, "Won't you greet your Senior Brother!"
The boy, looking to the side with stubbornness, declared, "He might not be older than me!"
The cultivator landed another slap, "You can't defeat him now, so naturally you should call him Senior Brother!"
The boy asked, "What if one day I can beat him?"
The cultivator paused, then said, "Then, naturally it's up to you."
Only then did the boy turn his head back, staring straight at Wei Yuan's chest and without making eye contact, said stiffly, "Xiao Yu has seen the Senior Brother."
Wei Yuan quickly responded, "Wei Yuan; I am unworthy of such a title from Xiao Yu."
The burly cultivator said impatiently, "Enough, enough; don't fuss about so much with these formalities. As long as you always remember the question you asked today, don't end up like those masters and grandmasters of yours."
Zhang Sheng was visibly displeased, "What is inappropriate about my teacher and me, I ask the elder to clarify!"
The burly cultivator laughed heartily and said, "Don't you know the reputation of your Sky Blue Hall lineage? One and all, arrogantly self-righteous, thinking you stand above all disputes, yet in the end, it's all for yourselves. You've been out of worldly affairs for six years, I can't be bothered to explain."
The burly cultivator grabbed Xiao Yu and headed towards a distant hall. With one step, he had already vanished from where he stood.
At that moment, another girl approached, bowing respectfully to Zhang Sheng first, "Mr. Zhang Sheng, greetings!"
The girl was truly beautiful, with a pleasant voice and showed respect for her seniors. Zhang Sheng was quite impressed and replied with a smile, "The Bao Family produces talents generation after generation, it seems this generation will surpass the previous ones."
The girl bowed again, "To be praised by Mr. Zhang Sheng, I am reassured. It seems I did not make a mistake by entering Taichu Palace."
Zhang Sheng noticed a hint of gold light flickering between the girl's eyebrows. He was suddenly struck by a realization and in surprise said, "Right, I heard that someone from the Bao Family of this generation has received the Great Treasure Flower Pure Land Dharma Form heritage, could it be you?"
The girl said, "The Pure Land Dharma Image is but an external thing. Since I have joined Taichu Palace, with apt masters available and spare no effort, within a hundred years, I will be able to cultivate a Dharma Image that is no less than those of the Pure Land heritage. The Immortal Path is long; Dharma Images are merely waystations and not worth clinging to."
The Buddhist Dharma Image hereditary power is widely recognized as the foremost in the world. For the girl to forsake it so easily, yet speak in such a manner, displayed a grandeur that even Zhang Sheng admired.
The girl looked towards Wei Yuan and said, "Since we are from the same sect and batch, I will inevitably need Senior Brother Wei's care in the future."
"Of course!" Zhang Sheng promptly picked up Wei Yuan and placed him in front of the girl, saying, "Wei Yuan, come and meet Sister Bao Yun!"
Wei Yuan turned his head away, not daring to look at Bao Yun, and Zhang Sheng slapped him, "Where are you looking?"
Wei Yuan had no choice but to muster his courage and greet her, "Wei Yuan has met Junior Sister."
Zhang Sheng slapped him again, "You're impolite! Call her Senior Sister!"
Wei Yuan then said, "Wei Yuan has met Senior Sister."
Bao Yun stared at Wei Yuan with a pair of bright eyes, making him feel very uncomfortable, then she covered her mouth and laughed, saying, "In the future, I will undoubtedly ask for Junior Brother's guidance."
The expressionless old man behind Bao Yun then said, "The hour is almost upon us; we should go inside."
Zhang Sheng checked the hour also and proceeded to step into the great hall with Wei Yuan.
Inside the hall, several dozen Ritual Daoists and cultivators were busy. When Wei Yuan entered the hall, he suddenly felt something unusual behind him. He turned around to see that another Immortal Boat had landed in the square, and more people were disembarking, indicating that another group of new disciples had arrived.
A Ritual Daoist quickly approached and said to Zhang Sheng with a smile, "Junior Brother Zhang, it's been many years! I heard you've taken on an excellent disciple, possessing the charm of your younger days, which is truly delightful and commendable!"
Zhang Sheng smiled and returned the greeting. The Daoist scrutinized Wei Yuan carefully then said, "This must be Wei Yuan, I've heard he brings great honor to the True Monarch! Junior Brother Zhang, you should be familiar with the initiation process, so I won't speak at length. In three days, once disciples from all states have arrived, it will be the grand ceremony of worshipping the ancestors. However, this year adds another process, choosing the method of teaching after worshipping the ancestors. Not sure whether you're going to choose independent teaching or centralized teaching?"
Zhang Sheng was somewhat puzzled and asked, "What is centralized teaching?"
The Daoist then explained, "Previously, new disciples were taught individually by each hall after entering the palace. But this year, the True Monarch Yan Shi proposed to extract generic subjects like cultivation fundamentals, history of the Human Clan, and basics of Dao Foundation, to be taught by capable individuals drawn from within the palace, while each palace and hall would still teach their unique Dharma techniques. This then is centralized teaching. It's the first year, so new disciples can decide for themselves whether to participate in centralized teaching."
"Dingxin Sect is moving so quickly?" Zhang Sheng frowned slightly.
The Daoist did not answer, but instead said, "You can make a decision after worshipping the ancestors. Let me first register your name, and then I'll take you to your quarters."
The Daoist used the Jade Scroll in his hand, and details like Wei Yuan's appearance, place of origin, and lineage appeared on one of its pages. After registering the information, the Daoist led Zhang Sheng and Wei Yuan out of the great hall, and with a sweep of his robe sleeves, a cloud enveloped the two.
Wei Yuan felt the scenery changing rapidly before his eyes, speeding like a sharp arrow, much faster than any legendary galloping horse.
About a quarter of an hour later, the Daoist stopped using his Daoist skill, and a serene valley appeared before Wei Yuan. A few streams flowed through the valley, dotted with tranquil courtyards in groups of three or five.
In front of Wei Yuan were three adjacent small courtyards, surrounded by several tall and remarkable trees bearing abundant fruit.
Wei Yuan followed the Daoist into the left courtyard, and the Daoist said, "This will be your residence, where you will live until you have forged your Dao Foundation. All supplies issued to new disciples have already been placed inside for your use. Your master is well aware of the rules within the palace, so I won't belabor them. A map of the Mountain Gate is on the desk inside, indicating the areas you may visit. Junior Brother Zhang, shall I briefly talk about the centralized teaching now?"