On Golden Ao Island

Golden Ao Island, Fang Yang had been there before.

At that time, after he achieved immortality through the Shangqing Divine Firmament Art, he was immediately guided by the Shangqing Immortal Light and ascended to Golden Ao Island. Otherwise, as a mere Celestial Immortal, it would have been impossible for him to cross the vast ocean and reach Golden Ao Island.

He might have been devoured by sea demons or his Junior Brothers and Sisters before he could even find Golden Ao Island.

The Jie Sect was a mixed bag, a fact that Sect Master Tongtian himself acknowledged. He hoped his disciples would resolve their own issues, but the disciples seemed unwilling to address the sect's problems.

This was fortunate for Fang Yang, allowing him to be promoted to a Core Disciple in one fell swoop.

Therefore, whether something is good or bad must be viewed from two sides. To some extent, Fang Yang should even thank those "true to their nature" Junior Brothers and Sisters.

Compared to his first time on Golden Ao Island, Fang Yang's mood upon entering the island this time was completely different.

This Saint's Dojo finally had a place for him. He was also qualified to establish his own small dojo within the Saint's Dojo, allowing him to access the Jie Sect's scriptures at any time and freely utilize the resources from the Jie Sect's Treasury.

Currently, it was not a period when Sect Master Tongtian was lecturing, so Golden Ao Island was deserted.

Within the Jie Sect, only Core Disciples could freely enter and exit Golden Ao Island. Outer Disciples were not permitted to enter unless summoned by Sect Master Tongtian.

This meant that at this time, only the Four Core Disciples and their disciples were on Golden Ao Island.

Daoist Duobao had already taken disciples. His eldest disciple, Saint Mother Huoling, had already achieved Golden Immortal cultivation. His second disciple was Aynafava, a Mysterious Immortal who was skilled in mechanisms and intelligence.

Saint Mother Jin Ling had one disciple, Yu Yuan, whose cultivation was slightly weaker than Saint Mother Huoling's.

Saint Mother Wudang had two female disciples, Mulan Xian and Lihua Xian. When they were traveling in a small world, they committed a grave mistake and were banished to reincarnation by Saint Mother Wudang, needing to endure a thousand lifetimes of emotional tribulation before they could return.

Saint Mother Gui Ling had only one female disciple, Jia Yin, who cultivated in Huanbo Pool.

The personal disciples of the Four Core Disciples were not considered Core Disciples of the Jie Sect themselves, but Sect Master Tongtian had categorized them as Inner Disciples, granting them the title of Inner Disciple.

Inner Disciples could enjoy some of the privileges that only Core Disciples had.

Core Disciples and Inner Disciples were the core of the Jie Sect. Their destiny was closely tied to the Jie Sect. If the Jie Sect prospered, their destiny would prosper with it. If the Jie Sect was destroyed, their own fate would be damaged.

Of course, Fang Yang did not care about this minor restriction at all.

He was not an Innate Spirit and had no destiny to begin with. Since he had enjoyed the benefits brought by the Jie Sect's destiny, he was willing to bear the backlash of destiny when the Jie Sect was destroyed.

"Welcome back to Golden Ao Island, Junior Uncle-Master!"

As soon as Fang Yang stepped onto Golden Ao Island, he was warmly greeted by the Water Fire Boy.

A young attendant, dressed in a crimson dao robe and with a face like cinnabar, stood respectfully before him and bowed.

"Junior Uncle-Master, Master calculated that you would be returning to Golden Ao Island and specifically sent me to welcome you."

Fang Yang's mind reeled upon hearing this.

He had originally planned to visit the Myriad Laws Pavilion to study the remaining Heavenly Dipper Great Law on his own. He hadn't expected Sect Master Tongtian to personally impart the Dao to him.

This was a Saint preaching the Dao, something countless Grand Unity Golden Immortals yearned for day and night.

"That's right, I have a Teacher now. I don't need to rely on self-study to succeed like before."

When Fang Yang arrived, two female Immortals stood atop a Divine Mountain, their gazes piercing through the void to land on him.

Both female Immortals had attained the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm, possessing immense magical power. Even without making a move, they exuded a divine and demonic aura.

The female Immortal on the left wore a White Lotus Crown and a Void White Lotus Robe. Her eyes were deep, and behind her head was a void world of Nirvana, impervious to external forces. White lotuses bloomed, making her appear incredibly sacred.

This person was Saint Mother Wudang.

Saint Mother Wudang's cultivation was very high, and her foundation was deep. She was highly valued by Sect Master Tongtian.

Among the Four Core Disciples, Daoist Duobao managed the discipline, while Saint Mother Wudang was responsible for imparting the Dao. Her status in the Jie Sect was subtly on par with Daoist Duobao.

The female Immortal on the right was Saint Mother Gui Ling. Saint Mother Gui Ling had a more upright appearance and a larger build. She wore a Green Plaid Long Shirt and a Small Green Cap, giving her a very spirited look.

Saint Mother Gui Ling's attire was rather casual, but her personality was anything but. She was the most hot-tempered female Immortal in the Jie Sect.

"Is this our Junior Brother? His cultivation is just as the rumors say, truly only at the Golden Immortal realm."

This wasn't the first time Saint Mother Gui Ling had seen Fang Yang, but just like last time, she couldn't find anything remarkable about him.

Fang Yang's cultivation was too low. Saint Mother Huoling, Daoist Duobao's disciple, was already about to advance to Grand Unity Golden Immortal. This meant Fang Yang's cultivation was inferior even to a junior.

She couldn't understand why Sect Master Tongtian would accept Fang Yang as a core disciple. Wouldn't it be more suitable to have Fang Yang apprentice under Daoist Duobao?

Saint Mother Wudang, however, held a different view.

"Junior Sister, don't forget, when you and I joined Teacher's tutelage, we weren't even Golden Immortals. We cultivated under Teacher for tens of thousands of Aeons before reaching the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm. Moreover, Teacher has always taught without discrimination. As long as Teacher wills it, accepting a Mortal as a core disciple is not impossible."

Saint Mother Wudang believed in Sect Master Tongtian's judgment. Sect Master Tongtian might misjudge a person's character (with the concealment of other Saints), but he would not misjudge their ability.

Sect Master Tongtian always tested his core disciples beforehand. The core disciples of the Jie Sect had the ability to influence the world's situation. No matter how unconventional Sect Master Tongtian was, he would not overlook the importance of this matter.

"Senior Sister is right. To be able to become our Junior Brother, Little Junior Brother must have something extraordinary about him. However, Teacher bestowed Qingcheng Grotto-Heaven upon Little Junior Brother. Senior Brother probably won't be too happy. Senior Brother cultivates the Only I Am Supreme Dao, and his temperament has become increasingly extreme."

A hint of worry appeared in Saint Mother Gui Ling's eyes, it was unclear if she was worried for Daoist Duobao or for the unity within the Jie Sect.

Saint Mother Wudang chuckled lightly, "Junior Sister worries too much. Senior Brother respects Teacher the most. Qingcheng Grotto-Heaven was given to Little Junior Brother by Teacher. If he has issues with Little Junior Brother, it means he is dissatisfied with Teacher. Do you think Senior Brother would be dissatisfied with Teacher?"

"Senior Sister, you know I didn't mean that."

Saint Mother Gui Ling shook her head. "Senior Brother himself won't do anything, but those on Penglai Island might. For a long time, Senior Brother has turned a blind eye to their actions. They are grateful for Senior Brother's kindness, so things might not be that simple."

Saint Mother Wudang glanced lightly at Saint Mother Gui Ling. "Junior Sister, you are greatly mistaken. If Little Junior Brother were merely an Outer Disciple, what you said might indeed happen. But Little Junior Brother is a core disciple. Anyone who harbors ill intentions towards Little Junior Brother will meet a dead end."

Saint Mother Gui Ling was slightly stunned, and then her pupils contracted rapidly. After a long while, she finally spoke, "I hope my fellow Junior Brothers are not foolish!"