Sect Master Tongtian Bestows the Treasure Register, Shaking Golden Ao Island

Xuanwei felt like he had a very long, long dream.

In the dream, he was no longer a wisp of Immortal Qi shivering in the crevices of Kunlun Mountain, his existence precarious. Instead, he had transformed back into that overworked "bull-horse" Chen Beixuan, toiling away late nights at an internet giant, furiously complaining about the product manager's requirements document. His keyboard spat sparks, his coffee churned his stomach, and the project manager's "report for happiness" mantra echoed in his ears like demonic chanting...

"Wake up! Junior Brother Xuanwei! Wake up quickly!"

A slightly anxious, deep voice cut through the suffocating nightmare like a clear spring. Xuanwei "opened his eyes" with difficulty (coalescing his consciousness), and the first thing he saw was Ma Sui's chubby face, etched with worry.

"Ma... Senior Brother Ma Sui?" Xuanwei felt his true Immortal Qi form was as weak as a wisp about to dissipate, lacking even the strength to form a human shape. "Where... where am I? Have the Demon Race been repelled?"

"Repelled, repelled! All thanks to you, Junior Brother, for turning the tide!" Ma Sui's face broke into a wide grin upon seeing him awake, his chubby hands gesturing excitedly. "You're in a quiet room in a side hall of Biyou Palace. Master personally brought you back! You rascal, you really scared us to death!"

Biyou Palace? Master?

Xuanwei jolted, his Immortal Qi form solidifying a bit. He then noticed he was floating on a cloud bed made of warm jade, surrounded by an aura of incredibly pure Innate Pure Qi, slowly nourishing his nearly depleted origin. This environment, this treatment... it was VIP level!

[Host consciousness detected reviving. Initiating comprehensive status scan...]

[Energy Level: 8% (Extremely weak, recovering slowly). Origin Injury: Moderate (Remnant Seed of Jianmu continuously repairing). Chaos Bead Status: Stable (Repair progress 5.1%).]

[Overall Assessment: Host successfully pulled off an earth-shattering... and almost got himself killed.]

Xuanwei: "..." This lousy system's ability to roast is really improving!

He recalled that to block the Golden-winged Great Peng Bird's killing blow, he had almost completely drained the power of the Chaos Bead and the Remnant Seed of Jianmu, forcibly activating the [Chaos Domain] and simulating [Supreme Pure Sword Intent]. It felt like trying to extinguish a volcano with a small water pipe – exhilarating, but the after-effects were truly life-threatening.

"Senior Brother exaggerates. I was desperate at the time and acted recklessly..." Xuanwei attempted to be humble, maintaining his low-key (?) persona.

"Acted recklessly?" Ma Sui's eyes widened. "Junior Brother, you're too modest! That move of yours directly blocked a furious strike from a peak Golden Immortal! The entire Golden Ao Island is buzzing about it! They say you, Xuanwei, with your Heavenly Immortal body, withstood a Golden Immortal and protected the mountain gate formation. You're a once-in-ten-thousand-years prodigy of our Intercepting Sect! Even... even Senior Brother Duobao personally praised you for your 'contribution to protecting the sect'!"

Xuanwei listened, stunned. Good heavens, the public opinion shifted so quickly! Just a few days ago, some people were whispering that he was a "nepotism hire," and now he's a "prodigy who protected the sect"? As expected, strength (and displayed strength) is the ultimate truth!

"Oh, right," Ma Sui leaned closer, lowering his voice, his face unable to hide his excitement. "Master... he seems to be formally accepting you as a disciple!"

"What?!" Xuanwei almost jumped off the cloud bed (if he could). "Formally accepting me? Not just a registered disciple?"

"Heh heh, would a registered disciple warrant such a grand occasion?" Ma Sui rubbed his hands. "I heard Master has already issued a decree. In three days, at the main hall of Biyou Palace, a 'Bestowal Ceremony' will be held. In front of many fellow disciples, your name will be officially recorded in the Supreme Pure Treasure Register! This is the treatment of a personal disciple!"

A personal disciple! Sect Master Tongtian's personal disciple!

Xuanwei felt his Immortal Qi core tremble, as if countless fireworks were exploding in his consciousness! This was a million times more thrilling than getting any top-tier job offer or achieving financial freedom in his previous life! It meant that from now on, he was a legitimate disciple of a Saint, the core of the core of the Intercepting Sect! He no longer had to worry about Uncle-Master Yuanshi wanting to "return him to his origin" at the slightest provocation, nor would he have to fear scoundrels like Lingxiao secretly plotting against him!

"This... this is truly..." Xuanwei was so excited he couldn't form coherent sentences. "Master's immense kindness, how can this disciple be worthy..."

"Junior Brother, stop being so modest!" Ma Sui patted his (Immortal Qi) form. "With your abilities and your character, you are worthy! Prepare well. In three days, it will be your grand day to make a name for yourself!"

After seeing off Ma Sui, who was more excited than if he himself had taken on a disciple, Xuanwei remained alone in the quiet room, his emotions unable to calm down.

A blessing in disguise? This was practically falling off a cliff and finding the Nine Yang Divine Skill along with a white ape offering peaches, a super PLUS version!

He looked inward. Although still weak, he could feel that after the extreme exertion, his Immortal Qi origin seemed to have been tempered to be more resilient, and his affinity with Chaos Qi had increased slightly. The Remnant Seed of Jianmu, despite its immense consumption, provided purer life force feedback, integrating more deeply with him. The Chaos Bead remained as steady as an old dog, its 5.1% repair progress shining brightly.

"It seems that occasionally courting death... ah no, undertaking extreme challenges, still has some benefits." He thought gleefully.

Three days passed quickly as Xuanwei frantically absorbed Innate Pure Qi to recover while nervously preparing for his "interview."

During this time, many familiar and unfamiliar disciples of the Intercepting Sect sent him medicinal pills and spiritual materials as congratulations (investments). Even some inner disciples who had previously disliked him now wore smiles. Xuanwei politely accepted them all, deeply understanding what it meant to be "popular overnight, with doors bustling."

Of course, he didn't forget his "cocoon neighbor" still crying for sustenance underground in the Medicine Garden. He specifically asked Ma Sui to help send some ordinary spiritual energy over regularly, lest it get too hungry and cause another earth-shattering commotion.

Finally, the day of the Bestowal Ceremony arrived.

On this day, the main hall of Biyou Palace rang with nine bell tolls and played celestial music! Auspicious clouds paved the way, and auspicious energy flowed in streams! Countless disciples of the Intercepting Sect, from outer disciples to inner disciples, to many renowned core disciples such as Daoist Duobao, Golden Spirit Mother, Wudang Mother, Turtle Spirit Mother, Zhao Gongming, the San Xiao sisters, and so on, all attended! It was truly a gathering of ten thousand immortals, an unprecedented grand occasion!

Xuanwei, wearing a brand-new moon-white Intercepting Sect personal disciple robe (transformed from his Immortal Qi form) delivered by the Water and Fire Boys, walked step by step (floating) towards the center of the main hall amidst gazes of curiosity, envy, and scrutiny.

He could feel the magnificent, vast Saintly might emanating from the high platform cloud bed, filled with supreme sharpness and vitality. He could also sense Daoist Duobao's encouraging gaze from the crowd, the smiling eyes of the San Xiao sisters (especially Bixiao), and... from a certain corner, Lingxiao's envious glare that was almost spitting fire.

"Tsk tsk, this guy's resentment is almost tangible," Xuanwei thought inwardly, but his face remained solemn and dignified, trying his best to appear like an enlightened immortal... qi.

"Xuanwei." Sect Master Tongtian's clear and majestic voice echoed through the hall like a great bell, silencing all other sounds.

"Disciple is here!" Xuanwei quickly stepped forward and bowed.

"You were originally a wisp of Innate Immortal Qi. Though your origin is not supreme, your spirituality is natural, your will is firm, and you are blessed with great fortune. You excel in formations, spiritual plants, and even in protecting the sect and defending the Dao." Sect Master Tongtian's voice was unhurried but clearly reached every disciple's ears. "Today, I, Tongtian, in the name of the Supreme Pure Saint, officially accept you into my discipleship, record you in the Supreme Pure Treasure Register, and make you my personal disciple! I bestow upon you the Dao name—Xuanwei! I hope you will diligently cultivate the Great Dao, abide by the sect rules, spread the prestige of my Intercepting Sect, and seize a sliver of hope for all beings!"

As his voice fell, Sect Master Tongtian pointed his fingers like a sword, striking the air!

A clear, vast immortal light, containing the supreme Dao rhythm of Intercepting Heaven, shot out from his fingertip and instantly entered the core of Xuanwei's Immortal Qi form!

Boom!

Xuanwei felt a massive and pure power integrate into himself. It wasn't forcibly increasing his cultivation, but rather like a supreme "Dao seed" imprinted upon the deepest part of his origin! In an instant, his connection with the fate of the entire Intercepting Sect became incredibly close, as if he could hear the prayers of ten thousand immortals and feel the rise and fall of the sect! Simultaneously, a flood of deeper insights into the Supreme Pure Immortal Method and divine secret arts surged into his consciousness!

[Saint-level Origin Imprint detected! Host officially joins the core sequence of the Intercepting Sect! Fate binding deepened!]

[Title acquired: "Supreme Pure Personal Disciple"! Effect: Cultivation speed within Intercepting Sect territory increased by 30%, comprehension of Intercepting Sect techniques and divine abilities greatly enhanced!]

[Supreme Pure Immortal Method automatically upgraded to full version! Unlocked more high-level divine ability cultivation permissions!]

[Main Quest "Change the Fate of the Intercepting Sect" weight increased! Please continue to strive, host!]

The system's prompts were like heavenly music! Xuanwei suppressed the ecstasy in his heart and respectfully performed the three bows and nine kowtows: "Disciple Xuanwei, thanks Master! I will do my utmost to glorify the sect and live up to Master's grace!"

"Good." Sect Master Tongtian nodded slightly, seemingly quite satisfied with Xuanwei's steady (outward) demeanor. "Since you have entered my sect, you should have a Dao treasure to protect yourself. This item, I shall bestow upon you."

With that, he waved his sleeve, and a banner, shimmering with five colors of blue, yellow, red, black, and white, exuding an ancient and profound aura, slowly floated down in front of Xuanwei.

The moment the banner appeared, the spiritual energy in the entire hall stilled! Many disciples let out low gasps of surprise!

"That... is one of the Five Directional Banners... the Central Wuji Apricot Yellow Banner (replica)?!"

"Even as a replica, it contains a trace of the Innate Wutu Source, possessing astonishing defensive power! It's a top-tier Acquired Spiritual Treasure!"

"Master actually bestowed this treasure upon Junior Disciple Xuanwei?! Such favor!"

Xuanwei gazed at the treasure banner, radiating brilliance, and felt a power within it that shared the same origin as his Wutu Source Core, yet was far more vast and profound. His heart pounded wildly! This was truly something good! His ability to survive had just been elevated by a whole tier!

"Thank you, Master, for bestowing this treasure!" he bowed again, and with a delighted grin, tucked the Apricot Yellow Banner (replica) into his embrace (integrating it into his Immortal Qi core).

Thus, the Ordination Ceremony concluded successfully. Xuanwei had officially become a personal disciple under Sect Master Tongtian, his status now equivalent to core disciples like Duobao and the San Xiao sisters!

The atmosphere in the grand hall was jubilant, with many disciples stepping forward to offer their congratulations. Daoist Duobao, in a rare display, showed a hint of a smile and offered him a few words of encouragement. The San Xiao sisters also approached. Yunxiao remained as aloof as ever, but her eyes were gentle. Qiongxiao offered her congratulations softly, while Bixiao, with a cheerful laugh, patted him, "Not bad, little junior disciple! From now on, we're truly family! Remember to grow more delicious spiritual fruits for your senior sister!"

Xuanwei responded to each of them, feeling as though he had reached the pinnacle of his life.

However, at this moment of shared joy (save for a certain individual radiating resentment from a corner), a disciple on guard duty at the mountain gate rushed in, reporting with a grave expression:

"Reporting to Master! Several fellow Daoists from the Western Teachings have arrived outside the mountain gate. The one leading them claims to be... Maitreya! He states that he sensed a 'great opportunity' emerging in the East, which is fated to be connected with the West. He has come to... pay his respects to Master, and wishes to meet the newly appointed personal disciple, Senior Disciple Xuanwei!"

The laughter and merriment in the grand hall instantly ceased.

The Western Teachings? Maitreya? Fate?

The smile on Xuanwei's face froze instantly, and his heart sank.

Well, well, I've just sorted out my internal status, and now the external 'alms-gathering' gang shows up? And they're after me and the treasure I just acquired?

This Primordial World truly doesn't allow for a moment of peace!