A Test of Character, Becoming Shangqing's Disciple (Seeking Collections, Reads, and Votes!)

The Daoist walking in the middle had a white beard and brows, hair like a crane's feathers, and the face of a child. His complexion was rosy, his expression serene, and his gaze profound, as though he had seen through the true meaning of the Heavenly Dao and grasped the birth and death of all things beneath heaven and earth.

The middle-aged Daoist on his left had an aura that merged with heaven and earth. With thick brows and large eyes, he inspired awe without anger; from head to toe, he was Filled With a grand and majestic authority, like the lord of all creation.

Finally, the Daoist in azure on the right stood straight as a pine, his long hair draped over his shoulders and his face brimming with heroic spirit. An edge of vigorous, youthful vitality surged from his body.

The auras of these three were in harmony, and their features resembled one another, as though they were the youth, middle age, and old age of the same cultivator.

"This humble cultivator Lu Yuan of Qingxu Mountain pays respects to the Sanqing Dao Venerable!"

Seeing the Three Pure Ones enter the divine hall, Lu Yuan hurriedly bowed in salute. His face was full of reverence, and not a trace of Distracting Thoughts stirred in his heart.

"Oh? You, a minor cultivator of Qingxu Mountain, actually recognize us Three Pure Ones?"

Shangqing Tongtian Daoist swept his gaze over Lu Yuan, a hint of amusement appearing on his face. This disciple destined by heaven of his had a fair bit of quick wit.

"Reporting to Dao Venerable, though this humble cultivator has never met the three Dao Venerables, I have long heard of the supreme renown of the Sanqing Dao Venerables.

The three Dao Venerables are Pangu's Orthodox Lineage, all peak figures among the Great Divine Ability Users of the Primordial World. In the future, even the fruition of Hunyuan Sagehood will be within easy reach!"

Lu Yuan spoke with a reverent expression, every word utterly sincere.

"This minor cultivator has some knowledge indeed, to actually recognize the renown of us Three Pure Ones!"

Hearing Lu Yuan's "flattery," Yuqing Yuanshi Daoist, with his thick brows, large eyes, and naturally imposing presence, could not help nodding slightly. The stern expression on his face relaxed as well.

"Lu Yuan, what gains have you made in the palace of Earth Emperor Yuejian? Could you take them out for us to see?

This old Daoist has always deeply admired this Earth Emperor Heavenly Emperor, this Lord of Gods and Demons. Could you let this old Daoist feast his eyes upon them and see the relics Yuejian left behind?"

Grand Pure Daoist, who had remained silent until now, turned his gaze toward Lu Yuan and suddenly spoke.

Beside him, Yuqing Yuanshi Daoist and Shangqing Tongtian Daoist immediately understood that Grand Pure Daoist intended to test Lu Yuan's character.

If his character did not pass muster, then even if he possessed a heaven-ordained affinity and rare roots, he would not be admitted beneath the Three Pure Ones.

After all, what a heaven-shaking opportunity was it to enter the sect of Pangu Sanqing?

The disciples of the Three Pure Ones need not have lofty origins, exceptional aptitude, or even abundant fortune. The Three Pure Ones had resources and secret arts enough to make up for the deficiencies of those beneath them.

But if one's character alone did not pass muster, then the stronger one's Dharma power and divine abilities became, the more one would act with reckless abandon and Poison the Common People.

Thus, Yuqing Yuanshi Daoist and Shangqing Tongtian Daoist remained silent, their gazes fixed on Lu Yuan as they waited for his answer.

"Reporting to Dao Venerable, this humble cultivator obtained two Innate Spiritual Treasures in this Heavenly Emperor's palace, along with some Innate Spiritual Items and Postnatal Immortal Roots.

Of the two Innate Spiritual Treasures, one was the 'Profound Yellow World-Generating Bead,' born in accordance with the Profound Yellow Great Dao. It possesses forty-eight Innate Divine Prohibitions and ranks among the foremost Innate Spiritual Treasures.

The other Innate Spiritual Treasure is the 'Banana Leaf Fan.' It contains the origin of earth and was the earliest-ripened leaf of the Innate Spiritual Root, the Banana Tree.

After Earth Emperor Heavenly Emperor plucked it, he refined it into a palm-leaf fan spiritual treasure, using it as a fan to cool himself in his leisure hours."

Having said this, Lu Yuan summoned the two Innate Spiritual Treasures from his Purple Mansion Ancestral Aperture and Spirit Platform Secret Realm, then respectfully presented them to Grand Pure Daoist.

"So this Earth Fan was actually within the palace of Earth Emperor Heavenly Emperor. You, minor cultivator, truly have fine luck..."

Looking at the bead and fan before him, Grand Pure Daoist revealed a trace of surprise.

The foremost Innate Spiritual Treasure, the Profound Yellow World-Generating Bead, was an Innate Spiritual Treasure with forty-eight Innate Divine Prohibitions. Even among the Great Divine Ability Users of the Primordial World, not every one possessed such a treasure.

For instance, Northern Darkness Demon Master Kunpeng...

That Lu Yuan could obtain this foremost Innate Spiritual Treasure of the Profound Yellow lineage showed that his fortune was extraordinary and his Dao fortune deep.

As for that earthen-yellow palm-leaf fan spiritual treasure, like the Fire Fan used to tend the alchemical flames in Eight Sceneries Palace, it was a Mid-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure with twenty-four Innate Divine Prohibitions.

Turning the palm-leaf fan over in his hand, Grand Pure Daoist secretly nodded. He was rather approving of Lu Yuan's honest, steady character.

On the other side, after Lu Yuan brought out the two Innate Spiritual Treasures, Yuqing Yuanshi Daoist looked rather "sourly" at Shangqing Tongtian Daoist and sighed softly. "Third Brother, your future personal disciple truly has fine opportunities and fine fortune, to actually have a foremost Innate Spiritual Treasure at his side."

Glancing at Yuqing Yuanshi Daoist, Shangqing Tongtian Daoist said with an amused expression, "Indeed. Even the three of us do not possess many foremost Innate Spiritual Treasures.

If Second Brother does not mind, then later I can have this disciple of mine hand that 'Profound Yellow World-Generating Bead' to you, his Second Martial Uncle, to play with..."

"Hmph, Tongtian, you are truly presumptuous. What do you take your second brother for...?"

A flame instantly flared in Yuqing Yuanshi Daoist's heart. He had only just snapped out a rebuke when he saw the teasing look in Shangqing Tongtian Daoist's eyes. With a cold snort, he said, "Hmph. Childish..."

Naturally, Lu Yuan noticed none of the exchange between the two brothers. After all, the perspective of Great Divine Ability Users existed on a different plane from that of ordinary cultivators.

At this moment, he looked at his nose, his nose at his heart, his face full of reverence as he waited obediently for Grand Pure Daoist's judgment.

After all, having coldly watched countless schemes, intrigues, and deceptions in his previous life, he could see through Grand Pure Daoist's little test after being steeped in such things.

After examining the bead and fan, Grand Pure Daoist returned the Innate Spiritual Treasures to Lu Yuan. Seemingly quite satisfied, he looked at him and said, "Lu Yuan, you presented the relics of Earth Emperor Heavenly Emperor and allowed this old Daoist to feast his eyes to his heart's content.

To settle this karma, this old Daoist may grant you one request. What do you seek?"

"This humble cultivator has admired the three Dao Venerables for a long time. I ask only to serve the three Dao Venerables. I beg Dao Venerable to bestow your compassion!"

Seeing his opportunity arrive, Lu Yuan dropped to his knees without the slightest hesitation and knocked his head against the ground three times.

"You, minor cultivator, are rather clever, but unfortunately, this old Daoist accepts no disciples..."

Grand Pure Daoist looked at Lu Yuan, and a rare trace of a smile appeared on his face. He then turned to Shangqing Tongtian Daoist. "Third Brother, this person has affinity with you. His roots, aptitude, and character are all excellent. Take him as your disciple."

Hearing this, Lu Yuan's heart pounded wildly as he knelt upon the ground. Then he looked toward Shangqing Tongtian Daoist and, summoning his courage, said, "This disciple pays respects to Master! May Master soon Prove the Dao of Hunyuan and enter the Primordial Saint Realm, transcending into immortality, indestructible through ten thousand kalpas!"

In order to enter the sect of the Three Pure Ones and pave the way for his future Dao path, Lu Yuan had utterly cast aside all concern for his pride.

Glancing at the well-behaved, honest-looking Lu Yuan, Shangqing Tongtian Daoist smiled. "Since you possess such a Dao-heart, I shall accept you as my disciple. From this day onward, you will be the third personal disciple under my lineage.

You were the first wisp of pure and turbid qi between heaven and earth to take form. After Master Hongjun expounded the Immortal Dao of the Mysterious Gate at Purple Cloud Palace, you became the disciple of me, the Shangqing Daoist Tongtian.

Today, I bestow upon you the Daoist name 'Qingxuan.' I hope that in the future, you will uphold your heart and walk the Dao, and not squander the providence and fortune upon you!"

As Shangqing Tongtian Daoist examined Lu Yuan, he was exceedingly pleased within. This disciple of his possessed excellent qualities in every regard—whether Innate Foundation and aptitude, or temperament and Dao-heart.

Moreover, he had a nimble, adaptable wit, knowing full well what immense fortune it was to enter beneath the Pangu Sanqing.

"This disciple, Qingxuan, pays respects to Master, Eldest Martial Uncle, and Second Martial Uncle. May Eldest Martial Uncle, Second Martial Uncle, and Master soon attain the Dao and pluck the Dao Fruit of the Primordial Saint Realm!"

Having fulfilled his wish of taking Shangqing Tongtian Daoist as his master and entering the Pangu Sanqing's lineage, Lu Yuan was beside himself with excitement.