The Prototype of Myriad Immortals Paying Homage: The First Interception Sect Innovation Seminar

That debate with Guangchengzi, whose ideas differed so greatly from his own, had not dampened Lin Xuan's (Xuanyuanzi's) resolve. If anything, it had acted as a catalyst, strengthening his determination to drive reform within the Interception Sect. He knew that working behind closed doors would never amount to much. Only by spreading new ideas and forging a consensus could they gather a tide of change. The successful pilot programs at the Artifact Refining Hall and Array Court, along with the approval of core disciples such as Turtle Spirit Holy Mother, had given him ample practical experience and a measure of prestige.

A bolder idea had taken shape in his mind: holding an open "Departmental Innovation Seminar" for the entire Interception Sect.

He submitted a detailed proposal to Daoist Duobao. In it, he suggested that the seminar have no barriers to entry or restrictions based on rank; any Interception Sect disciple could attend voluntarily. The discussions would focus on applying "standardization, Modularization, and logic" to the various cultivation arts, with the goal of exchanging experience, exploring problems, soliciting ideas, and jointly deliberating over the Interception Sect's future.

After reading it, Daoist Duobao's eyes flashed. He keenly realized that this was more than a meeting—it was an excellent opportunity to unify ideas, rally support, and showcase the Interception Sect's new spirit! If successful, it would greatly boost morale within the sect, consolidate the gains of reform, and perhaps even attract more discerning people from beyond its ranks. He approved it on the spot and pledged his full support. In his capacity as director of sect affairs, he sent out notices to Jin'ao Island and the sect's various estates and cave abodes scattered across the primordial world.

The news sent shockwaves through the entire Interception Sect. Top-down reform directives and bottom-up discussions were fundamentally different. Many disciples who had been watching from the sidelines—or even resisting reform—were stirred by this unprecedented openness. Those who had already benefited from the pilot programs or were fascinated by new techniques were even more eager to speak their minds.

Half a month later, the seminar was held as scheduled at Dao Discussion Peak, newly expanded in front of Biyou Palace. The peak had been temporarily renovated, its summit leveled and opened up for the dais and speakers' platform. The surrounding mountains formed natural tiered seating, and the mist-shrouded slopes could accommodate tens of thousands.

On the day of the meeting, the sun rose amid a radiant glow. Dao Discussion Peak was packed with people, the scene more spectacular than ever! Nearly every disciple on Jin'ao Island had turned out. Many more arrived from distant estates, along with rogue cultivators and Demon Tribe cultivators who had heard about the event and come out of curiosity, riding Evasion Lights of every color. Humans, demons, spirits... They came in every shape and carried every kind of aura, yet all had gathered here because of the name "Interception Sect" and their curiosity about the "new methods." It was not yet the grand spectacle of Myriad Immortals Paying Homage, but it had begun to take shape as a gathering that embraced all under heaven, a sight of extraordinary diversity.

Daoist Duobao personally presided over the meeting, seated at the center of the dais, with the direct disciples and hall and pavilion leaders on either side. As the specially invited keynote speaker and organizer, Lin Xuan sat just below Duobao.

At the start of the meeting, Daoist Duobao's voice rang out like a bell as he briefly explained its purpose. He emphasized the guiding principles of "sharing knowledge, Mutual Learning and Teaching, and working together to strengthen the Interception Sect," then announced the meeting's opening.

Lin Xuan delivered the keynote address first. Rather than repeat the theories, he used Room Bing at the Artifact Refining Hall and the Array Court's Minor Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation pilot program as examples. With detailed figures and clear comparison charts conjured through magic, he demonstrated the enormous improvements in efficiency, success rates, and resource conservation that reform had brought. Tangible results were more persuasive than any empty sermon.

Then he raised a series of open-ended questions to guide the discussion:

"Does standardization stifle creativity? How do we balance standards and innovation?"

"What standards should the common interfaces on Modularized magical treasures follow?"

"How should a Formation Construction Manual account for complex and changing terrain?"

"How should the role of teachers change under a new system of instruction?"

After the keynote, the venue fell silent for a moment, then erupted in heated discussion. Many disciples stared at the clear data, their eyes alight. So cultivation could be "calculated" this way!

The open-floor discussion was even livelier. A bear demon disciple who had benefited from the program in Room Bing at the Artifact Refining Hall eagerly took the speakers' platform and, in a booming voice, described how he had gone from repeated failures to reliably producing quality Flying Swords. He praised standardization to the skies. A plant spirit who had studied alchemy for many years proposed an early concept for applying Modularization to the improvement of pill recipes, sparking lively discussion among the disciples of the Alchemy Hall. Wuyun Xian of the Array Court took the stage himself to share how he had simplified a complex composite warning formation using logical methods. He also proposed establishing a Formation Module Library.

There were, of course, doubts and debates. A senior artifact refiner argued that relying too heavily on standardized molds might leave disciples less attuned to the subtle properties of materials. An elder skilled in runes worried that fixed Rune Formation Disks would limit disciples' understanding of the source of runes. Lin Xuan did not directly refute these pointed questions; instead, he guided everyone in exploring them together. Disciples who supported the new methods offered their own experiences, pointing out that basic standardized training laid a firmer foundation for later personal experimentation. A productive exchange took shape.

The seminar lasted a full three days. Ideas collided, sparks flew. Many ingenious concepts were born there, and many technical challenges found possible solutions. More importantly, a new ethos—one of daring to question, willingly sharing, and respecting evidence—quietly took root in the hearts of countless Interception Sect disciples.

At the end of the seminar, Daoist Duobao delivered the closing remarks. He praised the results and announced the formal establishment of the Jie Sect Hundred Arts Innovation Committee, with Lin Xuan as its chief advisor, responsible for coordinating the reforms. He also announced the creation of a permanent exchange program and a Contribution Points reward system to encourage innovation throughout the sect.

When the closing bell rang, countless disciples still stood around in groups, discussing the proceedings excitedly and reluctant to leave. Their eyes shone with a light they had never shown before: hope for the future and confidence in their own abilities.

Standing atop Dao Discussion Peak and looking down at the teeming crowd and vibrant scene, Lin Xuan felt his heart swell. This was no longer a loose gathering of disciples. It was beginning to take shape as an "organization," one with shared ideals and a common methodology.

The first Interception Sect innovation seminar had ended in resounding success. It had been more than an exchange of techniques; it had been an awakening of ideas and an evolution of the organization. The grand vision of Myriad Immortals Paying Homage had quietly begun to take shape here.