Sage's Decree

Yuqing Zhenren had invited him alone? Li Su's heart stirred slightly. He signaled Zhiwei, Ming Chen, and the others to wait, then followed the young Daoist boy toward a palace floating atop auspicious clouds behind the plaza.

The palace was called Yuqing Hall. It was not extravagant, yet it possessed an ancient, imposing air and overflowed with Daoist essence. Upon entering, Li Su saw Yuqing Zhenren sitting alone on a meditation cushion, smiling at him.

"This disciple, Mo Xing, pays his respects to Senior Yuqing." Li Su bent his bamboo body slightly in salute.

"No need for such formalities." Yuqing Zhenren flicked his whisk. "Little Friend Mo Xing, do you know why I summoned you here alone?"

Li Su pondered for a moment. "Is it because of this junior's karmic fate assessment?"

"Yes, but not entirely." Yuqing Zhenren's gaze was profound. "Top-grade Class A aptitude and deep karmic fortune are certainly remarkable, but Kunlun Mountain is not without talents of this sort.

What truly drew the attention of this humble Daoist and several fellow disciples present was the word 'unfathomable,' as well as the Dao you manifested in the Myriad Phenomena Illusion."

He paused, then continued, "'Unfathomable' means that your Dao path and future are entangled with far-reaching matters, perhaps even the arrangements of the Sect Master and several martial uncles.

And the Dao you manifested draws strength from destruction, holds fast amid slaughter, fuses countless methods, and forms its own path. It may seem somewhat different from the tranquil, effortless Dao I cultivate, yet it secretly accords with the mutual generation and restraint of heaven and earth's yin and yang.

The principle of natural selection is one thing, but even rarer is your unyielding resilience and your will to protect your own Dao. Such temperament is exceptionally suited to the true meaning of our Jade Clarity lineage: 'expounding the Heavenly Dao' and 'seizing a thread of heavenly opportunity.'"

Li Su listened quietly, thoughts racing through his mind.

"Therefore, after discussing this with several fellow disciples and seeking the Sect Master's decree..." Yuqing Zhenren's tone turned solemn. "Mo Xing, are you willing to enter this humble Daoist's sect?"

To become the disciple of a Golden Immortal? This was undoubtedly an enormous opportunity! Yuqing Zhenren was Yuanshi Tianzun's personal disciple and held an exalted position within the Jade Clarity Sect.

Yet Li Su's goal had always been the Sage at the very summit! After hesitating for a moment, he said respectfully, "I am deeply grateful for Senior's favor.

It is only that... this junior has traveled thousands of miles. What my heart seeks is the summit of Kunlun Mountain, in the hope that I may... enter the Sage's sect and listen to the supreme truths of the Great Dao."

His words were tactful, but his refusal was clear.

Rather than taking offense, Yuqing Zhenren revealed a knowing smile. "Just as expected.

This humble Daoist merely asked as a matter of form. Your karmic fate and Dao path truly make me less than the most suitable choice of master."

Then he changed the subject. "The Sect Master's decree has already foretold it: you are permitted to climb the mountain, and all opportunities must be fought for by yourself.

If you can pass all the trials to come and reach Jade Void Palace, you may perhaps be granted an audience with the Sage."

Fight for it himself! Go straight to Jade Void Palace!

Li Su was thrilled, though he forced himself to remain calm. "Thank you for the Sect Master's grace! Thank you, Senior, for informing me!"

"Mhm." Yuqing Zhenren nodded. "The path up the mountain is no smooth road; it is also a test.

There are many secret realms, trials, and even competition among fellow disciples on the mountain. Take care of yourself. Furthermore..."

He looked at Li Su meaningfully. "The things you carry are implicated in far-reaching matters. That relic of Fan concerns certain secrets of the West, while that Buzhou essence...

is also connected to ancient events. You must handle them cautiously in the future. Do not reveal them lightly, lest you invite unnecessary trouble."

Li Su's heart tightened. The other man had indeed seen through some of the origins of the jade pendant and the Bedrock Rune! He hurriedly said, "This junior will remember Senior's teachings."

"Go. Climb the mountain on time tomorrow." Yuqing Zhenren closed his eyes and said no more.

Li Su respectfully took his leave.

After leaving Yuqing Hall, Li Su could not calm his heart for a long while. The Sage's decree, permission to climb the mountain, the elder's warning... the road ahead had become clearer, yet it also seemed to conceal even greater storms.

After returning to his quarters, he briefly told Zhiwei, Ming Chen, and the others what had happened. They were all happy for him, though they could not help feeling envious as well.

Early the next morning, the one hundred and three cultivators who had passed the initial test gathered in the plaza. A Jade Clarity elder at the True Immortal level appeared and led them beneath the enormous white jade archway, where they looked up at the Kunlun immortal stairway stretching into the clouds.

"The path up the mountain begins beneath your feet. Whether you can seize your opportunities depends entirely on yourselves. Go!" After saying this, the elder stepped aside.

The crowd took a deep breath and, filled with excitement and anticipation, stepped onto the white jade stairs leading toward the Kunlun immortal realm.

With one step, it felt as though they had entered another world.

Dense heavenly and earthly spiritual energy, rich as liquid, rushed toward them. The resonant tones of the Great Dao seemed to echo faintly in their ears, refreshing their minds and even loosening the bottlenecks in their cultivation.

Yet before they had gone far, forks appeared in the stairway ahead. Clouds and mist shrouded them, concealing where they led, while faintly distinct pressures emanated from each path.

"Each path seems to have different trials, and different opportunities as well!" a cultivator shouted.

Everyone chose the route that resonated most strongly with them. Ming Chen and the other two chose the central path, where immortal light was brightest, and bid Li Su farewell.

Zhiwei chose a narrow trail suffused with stronger lunar radiance.

Li Su stood where he was. The Bedrock Rune and the damaged jade pendant faintly resonated, eventually pointing toward a relatively secluded path on the right, where the mist was thicker and the pressure seemed greatest.

He did not hesitate and stepped onto that path.

Clouds and mist curled around him as the stairway wound upward. The pressure grew ever stronger, as though he were carrying a mountain on his back. But Li Su's bamboo body was resilient, and his steps remained steady.

After an unknown length of time, the mist ahead thinned somewhat, revealing a small platform.

Sitting upon it was a Daoist in crimson robes, with a large red gourd hanging from his waist. He had a round face and a beaming smile.

When the Daoist saw Li Su, his eyes lit up. He burst into laughter. "Wonderful, wonderful! After waiting so long, an interesting one has finally come! You bamboo spirit, come, come, come—keep this humble Daoist company for a little fun!"