Outside Shangqing Peak.
A towering mountain stood nearby.
Qingyuan had named this mountain Awakening Peak. A complex of palaces had been built atop it, and the plaque above the gate tower at the front bore the three words: "Inspection Department."
The mountain was called Awakening Mountain because Qingyuan, the First Disciple of Interception Sect, wanted the disciples to keep the sect rules and discipline firmly in mind and reflect upon themselves every day. Thus, he named it Awakening Peak.
Ever since Qingyuan had purged the Interception Sect of disciples who committed evil and atrocities, then taught the Chan Sect Immortals a lesson to vent everyone's anger, his prestige had reached its peak. Daoist Duobao, Golden Spirit Holy Mother, Holy Mother Wudang, and the other Inner Sect Disciples, along with outstanding Outer Sect disciples, all acknowledged their Senior Disciple Brother and worked diligently for the Inspection Department.
The Inspection Department had begun with merely ten people.
It had now grown to nearly a hundred.
Four sections had been established within the department: the Police Section, Punishment Section, Investigation Section, and Rules Section. Like a sharp sword, they hung over the heads of every Interception Sect disciple.
Over the past century or so, the institution's operation had greatly improved the Interception Sect's conduct.
Yet what gave Qingyuan a headache was this:
His master, Sect Master Tongtian, truly accepted everyone who came. But after taking them in, he neglected them. Most living beings also followed the laws of beasts—brutal, violent, scheming, selfish, and extremely difficult to restrain.
Even though the Inspection Department had suppressed disasters time and again,
such things rooted deep in their bones could not be bound by sect rules alone.
Faced with this situation,
Qingyuan had no solution for the time being.
After more or less perfecting the Inspection Department, he allowed it to develop on its own and did not interfere too much in its evolution.
The seed had been planted; all that remained was for it to take root, sprout, and grow into a towering tree.
Once rules and discipline were deeply ingrained in the hearts of most disciples, a unique "organizational culture" would form. Any disciples who joined later and refused to obey would be met with the disdain and contempt of "public opinion," gradually assimilating into this mindset.
It was like relieving oneself anywhere.
Qingyuan had seen quite a few living beings daring to defecate right in front of everyone.
Afterward, they would even turn around to inspect the result.
Once sect rules prohibited relieving oneself anywhere and promoted civilized conduct, there were far fewer people doing it wherever they pleased.
Qingyuan did not dare hope that every Interception Sect disciple would become "cultured and reasonable."
He only hoped to slowly enlighten these disciples and establish rules and ideals within the Interception Sect. That alone would make his efforts worthwhile.
Serene Peak.
Within the surging Great River,
two figures were fighting atop the water, each wielding a long staff.
One figure stood as steady as a mountain, calm and composed.
The other, a furious ape, unleashed a heaven-shaking offensive, yet could not harm the Youth in Black in the slightest. Instead, he was sent flying tens of thousands of meters by a seemingly casual staff strike before crashing heavily into the river.
Splash~
The water parted.
Wuzhiqi poked his head out of the water and said admiringly, "Master, your staff techniques are incredible! You clearly suppressed your Daoxing to the Mid-stage Profound Immortal realm, so how could you still suppress me so completely? It felt like you had already predicted every direction I would strike from."
"Great Dao is Simple. No matter what staff technique you cultivate, it must ultimately lead to the Laws of Staff Dao. If you comprehend the Laws, you will naturally be able to seize the initiative and defeat your enemy."
Qingyuan smiled gently and beckoned. "Come. I'll teach you a new staff technique."
"Thank you, Master!"
Wuzhiqi's eyes lit up, and he hurried over.
Afterward,
he received one of the Four Pole Techniques of Earth, Water, Fire, Wind from Qingyuan: the Water Staff Dao.
Wuzhiqi's face was filled with reverence, and he finally knelt in thanks.
"Go to the Inspection Department later and call your senior brother over to my place. I have some matters to instruct him on."
Qingyuan patted Wuzhiqi's shoulder and helped him up.
"Alright!"
Without giving it much thought, Wuzhiqi turned and flew toward Awakening Peak, calling back Yun Zhongzi, who served as the Investigation Section's deacon.
"Master, what did you need me for?"
Yun Zhongzi arrived outside the pavilion and respectfully bowed.
"I'll be leaving for a while. I don't know exactly when I'll return. Stay in the Interception Sect and watch over the Inspection Department in my stead. Do not let the disciples venture farther and farther down the path of crime. If there is anything you cannot handle, ask your Martial Uncles Duobao, Jin Ling, and Wudang to step in and preside over the situation. If you cannot suppress it, stall for time and wait until I return."
Qingyuan pushed the Yin Yang Two Forms Lamp before Yun Zhongzi and said solemnly, "I grant you this treasure for protection. Be careful."
[ Ding! The host has bestowed the High-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure Yin Yang Two Forms Lamp upon disciple Yun Zhongzi. Critical-hit feedback activated!! Rewarding the host with Nine Heavens Breathing Soil *1 grain, Three Lights Divine Water Origin Pool *1, Taiji Four Symbols Nine Dragon Lamp *1!! Please keep up the good work!! ] [ Nine Heavens Breathing Soil: A small pinch; one grain of dust can transform into Great Thousand Worlds and nurture countless plants and trees! ] [ Three Lights Divine Water Origin Pool: A primordial water pool of all worlds formed after Heaven-Opening from the fusion of Fiend God remains with Clear Qi, Turbid Qi, Slaughter Qi, Killing Aura, and various other types of Qi. Every ten thousand years, it can produce one drop of Three Lights Divine Water. ] [ Taiji Four Symbols Nine Dragon Lamp: Top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure. Taiji Yin-Yang and the Four Symbols form the foundation of this spiritual treasure. Innate Yin-Yang Two Qi, along with the Four Symbols spirits Azure Dragon, Vermilion Bird, Black Tortoise, and White Tiger, suppress its origin. It contains the essence of nine Nine Heavens Divine Fire Dragons. When activated, Yin-Yang protects the Primordial Spirit, the Four Symbols protect the physical body, and all evil struggles to invade. It can also use the nine dragons to destroy enemies! ]
Qingyuan was stunned inwardly, hardly daring to believe it.
Good heavens, the rewards were this generous?
If he found a Supreme Treasure such as the Chaos Pearl in the future and bestowed it upon a disciple, what kind of treasure would the system return?
"Thank you, Master!"
Yun Zhongzi accepted the Yin Yang Two Forms Lamp with both hands.
He asked worriedly, "Master, if you give this treasure to me, what will you use while traveling through the Primordial Wilderness?"
"Rest assured, I have my own arrangements. Your safety is what matters most."
Qingyuan smiled and patted his shoulder, then looked at the Monkey beside him and said solemnly, "Wuzhiqi."
"This disciple is here!!"
Wuzhiqi dropped to his knees with a thud.
"While I am away, assist your senior brother well and protect him."
"This disciple obeys!"
"Good. Today, I shall give you a magic treasure. Remember to cultivate diligently and curb your impatience."
Qingyuan spread out his hand.
A White Jade Pillar as tiny as an embroidery needle appeared in his palm.
With a mere thought,
it expanded to twelve feet in length and the thickness of a bowl's mouth. He bestowed it upon Wuzhiqi.
After Wuzhiqi had completely switched to cultivating the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Technique, his body had become impervious to blades and weapons. He was also at the Mid-stage Profound Immortal realm, and very few people in the entire Interception Sect could suppress him.
He did not need any protective magic treasure.
Yun Zhongzi, on the other hand, was rather frail...
"What an excellent staff weapon!"
Wuzhiqi took the weapon, his face filled with fervor.
This Wind Thunder Pillar was exquisitely crafted. Aside from its white jade luster, its body was engraved with dense Dao Patterns of the Laws of Wind and Thunder, along with auspicious dragons and phoenixes. It was exceptionally beautiful.
After refining it slightly
and discovering that this Innate Spiritual Treasure was as heavy as Great Thousand Worlds and contained the Laws of Wind and Thunder,
Wuzhiqi was deeply moved. He knelt on the ground and kowtowed heavily, his eyes turning red as he said, "I was born in the Primordial Wilderness and endured countless dangers, crises, deceit, and betrayal along the way. Master, you are the first person in this world to treat me so well. From now on, I will serve you faithfully. Whoever dares harm my master or bear ill will toward my master, I will kill him!!"
"Ah, don't be so full of Killing Aura. Cultivate well—that will be the greatest repayment to me."
Qingyuan smiled and helped Wuzhiqi up.
He gave his two disciples a few more minor instructions.
Afterward, he went to the Inspection Department to instruct everyone not to quarrel with the Chan Sect. Only then did he Ride Clouds and Drive Mist away from the Kunlun Mountains...
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