On Golden Ao Island

Fang Yang had been to Golden Ao Island before.

Back then, after cultivating the Shangqing Divine Firmament Art to become immortal, he had immediately received the guidance of Shangqing Immortal Light and ascended to Golden Ao Island. Otherwise, as a mere Heavenly Immortal, he could never have crossed the vast ocean to reach Golden Ao Island.

He might have been devoured by the demons of the sea, or by his junior brothers and sisters, before he even found Golden Ao Island.

The Interception Sect was a mixed bag internally, something Sect Master Tongtian himself acknowledged. He had hoped his disciples would resolve their own problems, but they apparently had no intention of addressing the sect's issues.

That was precisely what had benefited Fang Yang, allowing him to become a Core Disciple in one stroke.

So whether something was good or bad depended on which side one looked at. In a sense, Fang Yang ought to thank those junior brothers and sisters of his who were so "true to their nature."

Compared to his first visit to Golden Ao Island, Fang Yang felt completely different this time.

This Saint's Dojo finally had a place for him. He was now qualified to establish his own small dojo here, browse the Interception Sect's scriptures whenever he wished, and freely mobilize the resources of the sect's treasury.

It was not currently the time when Sect Master Tongtian gave lectures, so Golden Ao Island was rather deserted.

Within the Interception Sect, only Core Disciples could freely enter and leave Golden Ao Island. Outer Disciples could not enter without a summons from Sect Master Tongtian.

In other words, only the Four Core Disciples and their disciples were currently on Golden Ao Island.

Daoist Duobao had already taken disciples. His First Disciple, Saint Mother Huoling, had already reached the Golden Immortal Realm. His Second Disciple was Aynafava, who was at the Mysterious Immortal level but was highly skilled in mechanisms and contraptions.

Saint Mother Jin Ling had one disciple, the One Qi Immortal Yu Yuan. Yu Yuan's cultivation was slightly weaker than Saint Mother Huoling's.

Saint Mother Wudang had two female disciples, Mulan Xian and Lihua Xian. While traveling in a small world, they had committed a grave error and were demoted into reincarnation by Saint Mother Wudang. They had to endure the tribulations of love through a thousand lifetimes before they could return.

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

The personal disciples of the Four Core Disciples could not be considered Core Disciples of the Interception Sect, but Sect Master Tongtian had classified them as inner sect members and given them the title of Inner Disciple.

Inner Disciples could enjoy certain privileges reserved for Core Disciples.

Core Disciples and Inner Disciples were the true core of the Interception Sect. Their fate was tightly bound to that of the sect. If the Interception Sect flourished, their fate flourished alongside it; if the Interception Sect perished, their own fortune would be damaged.

Of course, Fang Yang did not care about such a minor restriction.

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

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

The moment Fang Yang stepped onto Golden Ao Island, Water Fire Boy gave him an enthusiastic welcome.

A boy dressed in a vermilion Daoist robe, with a face like cinnabar, stood respectfully ahead and bowed to Fang Yang.

"Little Uncle-Master, Master calculated that you would return to Golden Ao Island and specifically ordered this child to come welcome you."

Fang Yang's mind drifted for a moment upon hearing this.

He had originally planned to visit the Myriad Laws Pavilion, consult its scriptures, and learn the remaining Heavenly Dipper Great Law on his own. He had not expected Sect Master Tongtian to personally impart the Dao to him.

This was a Saint's lecture on the Dao. Countless Great Luo Golden Immortals could only dream of such an opportunity.

Right. I have a master now. I no longer need to become successful through self-study like before.

When Fang Yang arrived, two female immortals stood atop a divine mountain, their gazes piercing through the void and falling upon him.

Both female immortals had proven Dao to Great Luo, and their magical power was extraordinarily profound. Though neither made a move, they radiated the majesty of gods and demons.

The female immortal on the left wore a White Lotus Crown and a Void White Lotus Robe. Her gaze was deep, while behind her head lay a vacuum world of Nirvana, untouched by external paths. White lotuses bloomed throughout it, making her appear supremely sacred.

She was Saint Mother Wudang.

Saint Mother Wudang's cultivation was extremely high, and her foundation was deep. Sect Master Tongtian valued her greatly.

Among the Four Core Disciples, Daoist Duobao oversaw the sect's rules, while Saint Mother Wudang was responsible for imparting the Dao. Her status in the Interception Sect showed faint signs of becoming equal to Daoist Duobao's.

The female immortal on the right was Saint Mother Gui Ling. Her features were rather upright, and her figure was broad. She wore a Green Plaid Long Shirt and a Small Green Cap, giving her a particularly spirited appearance.

Saint Mother Gui Ling dressed lightly, but her temperament was anything but mild. She was the most hot-tempered female immortal in the Interception Sect.

"Is this our little junior brother? His cultivation is just as the rumors said. He really is only in the Golden Immortal Realm."

This was not Saint Mother Gui Ling's first time seeing Fang Yang, but just as before, she found nothing particularly remarkable about him.

Fang Yang's cultivation was far too low. Even Daoist Duobao's disciple, Saint Mother Huoling, was about to advance to the Taiyi Golden Immortal Realm. In other words, Fang Yang's cultivation was not even comparable to that of a junior.

She could not understand why Sect Master Tongtian had accepted Fang Yang as a Core Disciple. Would it not have been more appropriate to let Fang Yang take Daoist Duobao as his master?

Saint Mother Wudang, however, had a different view.

"Junior Sister, do not forget that when you and I entered Master's sect, we were not even Golden Immortals. We cultivated under Master for tens of thousands of epochs before attaining the cultivation of Great Luo Golden Immortals. Besides, Master has always taught without discrimination. So long as he wishes it, there is nothing wrong with accepting even a mortal as a Core Disciple."

Saint Mother Wudang believed in Sect Master Tongtian's judgment. Sect Master Tongtian might misjudge a person's character because the other Saints obscured it, but he would never misjudge someone's ability.

Whenever Sect Master Tongtian accepted a Core Disciple, he tested that disciple beforehand. A Jie Sect Core Disciple possessed the ability to influence the world's overall situation. No matter how unconventional Sect Master Tongtian was, he would never overlook the importance of such a matter.

"Senior Sister is right. Since he can become our junior brother, Little Junior Brother must have exceptional qualities. Still, Master bestowed Qingcheng Grotto-Heaven upon him. First Senior Brother is probably not going to be very happy about that. First Senior Brother cultivates the Only I Am Supreme Dao, and his temperament has become increasingly extreme."

A trace of worry appeared in Saint Mother Gui Ling's eyes. It was unclear whether she was worried for Daoist Duobao or for the unity within the Interception Sect.

Saint Mother Wudang chuckled softly. "Junior Sister, you are overthinking it. First Senior Brother respects Master and the Dao above all else. Qingcheng Grotto-Heaven was a gift from Master to Little Junior Brother. If he made trouble for Little Junior Brother, he would be expressing dissatisfaction with Master. Do you think First Senior Brother would be dissatisfied with Master?"

"Senior Sister, you know that is not what I meant."

Saint Mother Gui Ling shook her head. "First Senior Brother himself will not do anything, but those people on Penglai Island may not be the same. For a long time, First Senior Brother has turned a blind eye to what they have done. They are grateful for First Senior Brother's favor. I am afraid things will not be so simple."

Saint Mother Wudang cast Saint Mother Gui Ling an indifferent glance. "Junior Sister, you are completely mistaken about this. If Little Junior Brother were merely an Outer Disciple, what you described might indeed happen. But Little Junior Brother is a Core Disciple. Whoever entertains thoughts of moving against him will be walking a dead end."

Saint Mother Gui Ling was slightly stunned, then her pupils rapidly contracted. Only after a long while did she speak. "I only hope our junior brothers will not be foolish!"