The Inner Sect Disciples Are Decided, and the Inner Sect Disciples Are Invited to Discuss Matters

Above the beautiful mountains and rivers.

Outside Serene Peak Dojo, countless Disciples of the Jie Sect gazed at the Figure in Black in the sky, their hearts shaken.

They had once believed that, aside from Senior Disciple Duobao, no one else in the sect could serve as the First Disciple of Intercepting Sect. Yet today, it seemed that even Senior Disciple Duobao fell short before this man!

But that made sense.

They had heard that this man had followed their teacher for millions of years, before their teacher had even become a Saint.

How could he lack abilities to protect himself?

Just as the many disciples stood dazed, a majestic and sacred voice echoed through heaven and earth. "Qingyuan, Duobao, Jin Ling, Wudang, enter Shangqing Palace. Everyone else, disperse at once."

"Teacher?"

All the Disciples of the Jie Sect were startled and hurriedly knelt in reverence.

Qingyuan, Duobao, and the others likewise performed a formal salute. Only after that vast Saintly might faded did they rise and head there together.

"Senior Disciple Qing, why do you think Teacher summoned us?" Holy Mother Wudang asked curiously.

"I do not know either."

Though Qingyuan had some guesses, he did not voice them.

Daoist Duobao seemed to think of something, and his expression dimmed somewhat.

Soon, the group arrived outside Shangqing Palace. After paying their respects outside the hall and receiving permission, they entered together.

The hall's decorations were simple.

A handsome young man sat cross-legged atop a meditation cushion. Golden light above his head split into five colors, while purple qi lingered around his green robes.

Though he did not deliberately display his power, every gesture carried boundless and mighty heavenly authority. He was imposing without anger, inspiring reverence in all who saw him.

"Greetings, Teacher!"

The four of them knelt respectfully.

"Mhm, rise."

Sect Master Tongtian nodded. His calm gaze rested on Qingyuan for a long while before he said, "Disciple, congratulations. You have found your own Dao."

"My own Dao?"

Qingyuan was somewhat curious.

He did not know whether the Dao his teacher spoke of was the Sword Dao, Formation Dao, Pill Dao, and the like that he had comprehended.

Though he did not understand, he still bowed and respectfully said, "Thank you for your favor, Teacher."

"One who cultivates must uphold the Dao. Only by possessing one's own Dao can one walk far in the Primordial Wilderness. Originally, you and I had no fate as master and disciple. Duobao, Jin Ling, and Wudang had all comprehended their own Dao, while you had long remained lost and confused. Yet you have accompanied me for many years, so I had hesitated over the matter of Inner Sect Disciples. Fortunately, you have comprehended your own Dao and retained a thread of your own opportunity. What if I formally accept you as my disciple?"

Sect Master Tongtian smiled faintly. "Qingyuan."

"This disciple is here!"

"From today onward, you are formally the Inner Sect Senior Disciple under my seat, the First Disciple of Intercepting Sect. I bestow upon you the High-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, the Yin Yang Two Forms Lamp. I have seen that you refined the source of Drowning Water into a profound Divine Ability, but lone yin cannot give birth. I bestow this treasure upon you in the hope that you will comprehend Yin-Yang and complete the Five Elements. Do not forget the importance of the Five Elements."

"Thank you for this treasure, Master!"

Qingyuan was immensely grateful. He knelt and accepted the treasure.

How could he not know that Sect Master Tongtian had seen his considerable attainments in the Sword Dao, Formation Dao, and Pill Dao?

And that because he had failed to enter the Golden Immortal realm due to not fully comprehending the Five Elements Law, his master feared that he would neglect the fundamentals for the trivial and had therefore bestowed this treasure upon him?

"The changes in you are somewhat great. Though I am a Saint, I cannot peer into all living beings of the Primordial Wilderness. You must grasp your path well and do not stray onto an evil road."

Sect Master Tongtian's calm gaze swept across Qingyuan.

"Thank you, Master!" Qingyuan knelt and gave thanks.

How could he not know that his teacher was referring to the changes in his foundation?

Fortunately, Great God Pangu had transformed into all things, and the Primordial Wilderness was currently flourishing.

There were simply too many unstable factors.

And Sect Master Tongtian was the most open-minded and kind Saint.

He would not hold this matter against him.

"Duobao, you have fate with me and may enter the inner sect." Sect Master Tongtian said indifferently, "You are a Primordial Exotic Species and do not lack Dharma treasures, so I shall bestow upon you an unusual creature instead. This creature is called the Treasure Seeking Golden Cicada. It too is an object that gathers fortune, seeks treasures, and seizes opportunities. I specially grant it to you."

Afterward.

A tiny, gleaming golden cicada flew toward Daoist Duobao.

Daoist Duobao was overjoyed. After receiving it, he knelt and said, "Thank you for your generous favor, Master!"

Qingyuan, watching from the side, had a flicker in his eyes.

Treasure Seeking Golden Cicada?

Could this be Jin Chanzi?

"Jin Ling, you may become an Inner Sect Disciple under my seat. I bestow upon you the High-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, the Dragon Tiger Jade Ruyi. I hope you uphold your own Dao and do not forget your Self."

Sect Master Tongtian waved his hand.

The majestic Jade Ruyi flew toward Golden Spirit Holy Mother.

The more Golden Spirit Holy Mother looked at it, the more she loved it, and she hurriedly offered her thanks as well.

"Wudang, you have fate with me and may become my Inner Sect Disciple. Today, I bestow upon you the High-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, the Mountain Driving Whip."

Sect Master Tongtian waved his hand.

At once, a Divine Whip the color of the Earth Element flew over. "Cultivate well."

"This disciple, Wudang, thanks Master for bestowing this treasure!!" Wudang was equally delighted and knelt in thanks.

"Mhm. You may leave for now. Return and rest well."

Sect Master Tongtian issued an order to dismiss them. The disciples bowed, then quickly departed. The four of them went down the mountain together, and once they had left Shangqing Peak—

Golden Spirit Holy Mother suddenly smiled and congratulated him. "Greetings, Senior Disciple Brother!"

"Greetings, Senior Disciple Brother!" Holy Mother Wudang replied in a muffled voice, then laughed. "Senior Brother, earlier, I saw the staff technique you used to knock Senior Disciple Duobao's head full of bumps. Its momentum was terrifying. When you have time someday, could you give your junior sister some pointers?"

"Of course. If Junior Sister wishes to learn, I will naturally teach you everything I know."

Qingyuan nodded warmly and looked toward Jin Ling and Duobao. "The same goes for you two. Though I cannot, like Master, possess the great power and aspiration to spread the Dao to all beings of the Primordial Wilderness, if I can guide my junior brothers and sisters in cultivation, I will be satisfied."

"S-Senior Disciple Brother, are you really willing to teach me spells and Divine Abilities?"

Daoist Duobao still found it hard to believe what Qingyuan had said before. He had only thought Qingyuan was putting on a show because there were many people present.

"If Junior Brother wishes to learn, why would I not teach you?"

Qingyuan smiled.

Teaching you is no problem at all. The more you learn, the slower your progress will be, while I can go all out.

"Truly?" Duobao hesitated.

"I swear to the Heavenly Dao that regardless of foundation or origin, whether from within or outside the sect, anyone who wholeheartedly seeks the Dao and is a kind living being may ask me, Qingyuan, for spells and Divine Abilities, and I will teach them all. Should I fail to do so, may heavenly lightning strike me down and may I die a miserable death!"

Qingyuan solemnly swore an oath to heaven and earth.

A muffled rumble of thunder sounded, proving that the oath was genuine.

"You..."

Daoist Duobao's expression shifted. Respect flashed through his eyes, but he still said seriously, "Even so, I will still challenge you in the future!"

"As long as Junior Brother wishes to challenge me, I will naturally accompany you at any time!"

Qingyuan smiled. "Junior Brothers, Junior Sisters, might you take a few steps aside with me?"

"Alright!"

No one refused. They followed Qingyuan to his dojo at Serene Peak. He sent away his two disciples, Yun Zhongzi and Wuzhiqi, and descended with the others into a broad, level courtyard.

The willow tree in the courtyard was lush and verdant, blotting out the sky and sun.

Even they could not help but praise it as a fine willow tree.

"Greetings, Master. May Master be blessed!"

Willow Immortal waved its willow branches in excitement, then saluted Duobao and the others.

Qingyuan invited them to sit on stone stools beneath the willow tree, then brought out some spiritual fruit and Immortal Dew to entertain his guests.

"Senior Disciple Brother, why have you called us here? What business do you have?"

Holy Mother Wudang casually picked up a peach and bit into it, while Duobao and Jin Ling were more reserved.

"I invited you, Junior Brothers and Junior Sisters, because there is an important matter I wish for the three of you to accomplish together."

Qingyuan's expression turned solemn, making Duobao and the others grow serious as well. They all spoke up to ask.

"Senior Disciple Brother, what matter could make you so serious?"

"If there is something you need done, just give the word. If we can accomplish it, we will do it..."