Xuanwei felt as though he had had a very, very long dream.
In the dream, he was no longer that wisp of immortal qi trembling in a crack on Kunlun Mountain, barely surviving from one day to the next. Instead, he had become Chen Beixuan again, a corporate drone working overtime at a major internet company, furiously cursing product managers' requirement documents. His keyboard sparked from the pounding, coffee gave him acid reflux, and the project manager's droning talk of "blessings" still echoed in his ears...
"Wake up! Junior Brother Xuanwei! Wake up!"
A solid, somewhat anxious voice was like a clear spring, dispersing the suffocating nightmare. Xuanwei struggled to "open his eyes"—that was, gather his consciousness—and Ma Sui's plump face, filled with worry, came into view.
"Ma... Senior Brother Ma Sui?" Xuanwei felt that his immortal qi body was as weak as a cloud that could disperse at any moment, without even the strength to form a humanoid shape of earth. "Where... where am I? Has the Demon Race been driven back?"
"They have, they have! It was all thanks to you turning the tide, Junior Brother!" Seeing him awake, Ma Sui immediately broke into a broad smile, gesturing excitedly with his chubby hands. "You're in a quiet chamber in a side hall of Biyou Palace. Master personally brought you back! You really scared the hell out of me, kid!"
Biyou Palace? Master?
Xuanwei jolted, and his immortal qi body became a little more solid. Only then did he notice that he was floating above a cloud bed made of warm jade. Surrounding him was incomparably pure innate clear qi, slowly nourishing his nearly exhausted origin. This environment, this treatment... he was VIP among VIPs!
[Host consciousness detected awakening. Beginning comprehensive status scan...] [Energy Level: 8% (extremely weak, recovering slowly). Origin Injury: Moderate (Remnant Seed of Jianmu is continuously repairing it). Chaos Bead Status: Stable (repair progress: 5.1%).] [Overall Assessment: Host successfully pulled off something earth-shattering... then nearly got himself killed doing it.]
Xuanwei: "..." This lousy system was getting better and better at roasting him!
He recalled how, in order to block the Golden-winged Great Peng Bird's killing blow, he had nearly drained the powers of the Chaos Bead and the Remnant Seed of Jianmu, forcibly deploying [Chaos Domain] and simulating [Supreme Pure Sword Intent]. It had felt like using a tiny water pipe to erupt a volcano. It had been exhilarating, sure, but the aftermath was truly lethal.
"Senior Brother praises me too highly. I was pushed into a corner at the time and acted recklessly..." Xuanwei tried to be modest, maintaining his low-key(?) persona.
"Acted recklessly?" Ma Sui's eyes widened. "Junior Brother, you're far too modest! That move of yours directly blocked an enraged strike from a peak Golden Immortal! The news has spread across all of Golden Ao Island! They say that you, Xuanwei, used the body of a Celestial Immortal to stand against a Golden Immortal, protecting the mountain gate formation. They call you an unprecedented genius of the Interception Sect! Even... even Eldest Senior Brother Duobao personally praised you for your 'merit in protecting the sect'!"
Xuanwei was stunned. Well, damn, public opinion had changed direction quickly! Just days ago, people had been muttering in private that he was a "nepotism hire," and now he had become a "genius who protected the sect"? Sure enough, strength—and displayed strength—was what truly mattered!
"Oh, right." Ma Sui leaned closer, lowering his voice, his face unable to conceal his excitement. "Master... seems to be planning to formally accept you as his disciple!"
"What?!" Xuanwei nearly leaped from the cloud bed—if he could have leaped. "Formally accept me? Wasn't I merely a registered disciple?"
"Hehe, why would a registered disciple need such a grand ceremony?" Ma Sui rubbed his hands together. "I heard that Master has already issued a decree. In three days, a 'Register Bestowal Ceremony' will be held in Biyou Palace's main hall. Before all the fellow disciples, your name will officially be entered into the Supreme Pure Treasure Register! That's treatment reserved for a personal disciple!"
A personal disciple! A personal disciple of Sect Master Tongtian!
Xuanwei felt his immortal qi core tremble, as if countless fireworks were exploding inside his consciousness! This was ten thousand times more exciting than getting some top-tier offer and achieving financial freedom in his previous life! It meant that from now on, he would be a true disciple of a Saint, part of the core among cores of the Interception Sect! He would no longer need to worry about Uncle-Master Yuanshi wanting to "return him to his origin" at every turn, nor would he need to fear petty people like Lingxiao secretly tripping him up!
"This... this truly is..." Xuanwei was so excited that he could barely speak coherently. "Master has shown me such favor. How could this disciple possibly deserve it..."
"Stop being modest, Junior Brother!" Ma Sui patted him—or rather, his immortal qi. "With your abilities and temperament, you deserve it! Prepare well. Three days from now will be the great day when you make your name!"
After seeing off Ma Sui, who was more excited than if he himself had gained a disciple, Xuanwei remained alone in the quiet chamber, unable to calm down for a long while.
A blessing in disguise? This was practically the super-plus version of falling off a cliff, finding the Nine Yang Divine Skill, and having a white ape bring him peaches!
He examined himself internally. Although he was still weak, he could feel that after that extreme exertion, his immortal qi origin had become tougher, and his affinity with Chaos Qi had also increased slightly. Though the Remnant Seed of Jianmu had suffered tremendous depletion, the vitality it fed back was purer, and its fusion with him had deepened. The Chaos Bead, meanwhile, was as steady as a rock, its 5.1% repair progress gleaming brightly.
It seems that occasionally courting death... no, I mean, taking on an extreme challenge, does have its benefits.
The three days passed swiftly as Xuanwei frantically absorbed innate clear qi to recover while anxiously preparing for his "interview."
During that time, many Interception Sect disciples, both familiar and unfamiliar, sent pills and spiritual materials to congratulate him—or invest in him. Even those inner disciples who had previously disliked him put on smiling faces. Xuanwei accepted every gift politely, gaining a profound understanding of the phrase, "Once you rise to power, visitors crowd your doorstep."
Of course, he had not forgotten the "Light Cocoon neighbor" still crying hungrily beneath the Medicine Garden. He specifically asked Ma Sui to periodically send it some ordinary spiritual qi, lest it become too hungry and cause another earth-shaking commotion.
At last, the day of the Register Bestowal Ceremony arrived.
On that day, the bells of Biyou Palace's main hall rang nine times, and immortal music resounded! Auspicious clouds paved the way, while countless streams of radiant qi filled the air! Countless Interception Sect disciples arrived, from outer disciples to inner disciples and then renowned core disciples such as Daoist Duobao, Golden Spirit Mother, Mother Wudang, Turtle Spirit Mother, Zhao Gongming, and the San Xiao sisters. Immortals gathered in clouds; it was an unprecedentedly grand occasion!
Xuanwei wore a brand-new moon-white robe for personal disciples of the Interception Sect, delivered by the Water and Fire Attendant Maidens and manifested from his immortal qi body. Amid gazes of curiosity, envy, and scrutiny, he walked—or floated—step by step toward the center of the great hall.
He could feel the vast and magnificent Saint's might atop the elevated cloud bed, carrying supreme sharpness and vitality. He could also sense Daoist Duobao's encouraging gaze from within the crowd, the smiling looks of the San Xiao sisters—especially Bixiao—and... Lingxiao's jealous glare from some corner, as though it could spit fire.
Jeez, this guy's resentment is practically becoming tangible. Xuanwei mocked inwardly, though his face remained solemn and dignified as he tried to look like an enlightened immortal... qi.
"Xuanwei." Sect Master Tongtian's clear yet majestic voice rang through the hall like a great bell, suppressing every other sound.
"This disciple is here!" Xuanwei hurried forward and bowed.
"You were originally but a wisp of innate immortal qi. Though your foundations were not supreme, your spirituality was naturally formed, your will resolute, and your fortune profound. You possess talent in formations, Spiritual Plants, and even defending the sect and upholding the Dao." Sect Master Tongtian spoke neither hurriedly nor slowly, yet every disciple heard him clearly. "Today, in the name of the Supreme Pure Saint, I, Tongtian, formally accept you into my sect. Your name shall be entered into the Supreme Pure Treasure Register, and you shall become my personal disciple! I grant you the Daoist title—Xuanwei! May you diligently cultivate the Great Dao, abide by the sect rules, spread the might of the Interception Sect, and seize a sliver of vitality for all living beings!"
As his words fell, Sect Master Tongtian raised two fingers like a sword and pointed through the air!
A clear and vast immortal light containing supreme Dao Rhyme of severing the heavens shot from his fingertips, instantly plunging into the core of Xuanwei's immortal qi body!
Boom!
Xuanwei felt an immense, pure power merge into him. It did not forcibly raise his cultivation; rather, it was like a supreme "Dao Seed," branding itself into the deepest recesses of his origin! In that instant, his connection to the fortune of the entire Interception Sect became incomparably close. It was as if he could hear the prayers of all immortals and feel the sect's rise and decline! At the same time, the deeper mysteries of the Supreme Pure Immortal Method and divine abilities flooded into his consciousness like a tidal wave!
[Saint-grade origin imprint detected! Host has officially entered the core sequence of the Interception Sect! Fortune binding deepened!] [Title acquired: "Supreme Pure Personal Disciple"! Effect: Cultivation speed increased by 30% within Interception Sect territory. Comprehension of Interception Sect techniques and divine abilities greatly increased!] [Supreme Pure Immortal Method has automatically advanced to its complete version! More high-level divine ability cultivation permissions unlocked!] [Main quest "Change the Fate of the Interception Sect" weight increased! Please keep up the good work!]
The system notifications were like heavenly music! Xuanwei forcibly suppressed his wild joy and respectfully performed three bows and nine kowtows. "This disciple, Xuanwei, thanks Master! I shall surely give my all, bring glory to our lineage, and never disappoint Master's grace!"
"Good." Sect Master Tongtian nodded slightly, apparently quite satisfied with Xuanwei's composed—outwardly—performance. "Now that you have entered my lineage, you should have a Dao treasure to protect yourself. I shall grant you this item."
With a sweep of his sleeve, a banner radiating azure, yellow, red, black, and white light, its aura ancient and profound, slowly floated down before Xuanwei.
The instant the banner appeared, the spiritual qi throughout the hall seemed to freeze! Many disciples let out low cries of astonishment!
"That is... one of the Five Directional Banners... the Central Wuji Apricot Yellow Banner—a replica?!"
"Though it is a replica, it contains a trace of the Innate Wutu Source. Its defensive power is astonishing; it is a top-grade Acquired Spiritual Treasure!"
"Master actually gave such a treasure to Junior Brother Xuanwei?! What tremendous favor!"
Xuanwei stared at the treasure banner shining before him, sensing within it a power that shared the same origin as his Wutu Source Core, yet was far vaster and heavier. His heart pounded wildly! This was an amazing treasure! His ability to preserve his life had risen by an entire level!
"Thank you, Master, for granting me this treasure!" He bowed once more and happily stored the Apricot Yellow Banner replica away—merging it into his immortal qi core.
With that, the Register Bestowal Ceremony concluded perfectly. Xuanwei had officially become a personal disciple under Sect Master Tongtian, his status equal to that of core disciples such as Duobao and the San Xiao sisters!
The atmosphere in the hall was lively, and countless disciples came forward to offer congratulations. Daoist Duobao rarely revealed a hint of a smile and gave him a few words of encouragement. The San Xiao sisters also approached. Yunxiao remained cool and aloof, but her gaze was gentle; Qiongxiao offered warm congratulations; while Bixiao directly patted him with a grin. "Not bad, Little Junior Brother! From now on, we're truly one of our own! Remember to grow more tasty spiritual fruits for your senior sisters!"
Xuanwei responded to each of them, feeling as though he had reached the pinnacle of life.
However, just as host and guests were all enjoying themselves—aside from a certain resentful fellow in a corner—a disciple guarding the mountain gate hurried inside and reported with a grave expression:
"Reporting to Master! Several fellow Daoists from the Western Teachings have arrived outside the mountain gate. Their leader calls himself... Maitreya! He says he sensed a 'great opportunity' appearing in the east, one that has an affinity with the west, and has come to... pay respects to Master. He also wishes to meet the newly promoted personal disciple, Senior Brother Xuanwei!"
The laughter and conversation in the hall abruptly stopped.
Western Teachings? Maitreya? Affinity?
The smile on Xuanwei's face instantly froze, and his heart skipped a beat.
Well, damn. He had just settled his internal status issue, and now the outside "alms-begging" gang had come knocking? And they were after him and the treasure he had just received?
This Primordial World really would not let anyone have a moment of peace!
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