Core Disciple

"We Saints evolved the workings of the mind, and thereby became the workings of Heaven. If we directly expound the principles to all living beings, they will fear our existence. Even if they do not agree in their hearts, they will still conform in their actions."

"The purpose of teaching and guiding is to expound the Dao among all living beings, perfect the laws of Heaven and Earth, and make the world more complete, ultimately leading all living beings beyond the mortal world to the Other Shore."

"Your master, your Grand Uncle-Master, your Second Uncle-Master, and our two junior brothers in the West—we Saints may have different ideals, but in the end, our purpose is the same."

In the past, Sect Master Tongtian had only spoken of such matters in front of the Four Core Disciples. Core Disciples were the ones closest to him, the people most capable of carrying his Dao lineage forward.

Now, he was willing to tell Fang Yang these things because Fang Yang's understanding of Intercepting a Glimmer of Life surpassed even that of the Four Core Disciples.

Daoist Duobao understood Intercepting a Glimmer of Life as giving every living being driven to desperation a chance to survive.

Saint Mother Jin Ling believed that Intercepting a Glimmer of Life meant doing what one knew to be impossible—knowing there was a tiger on the mountain, yet heading straight for it.

Saint Mother Wudang's plan was to create an ideal world where nothing was born or died, and nothing increased or decreased, then guide all living beings into it.

Saint Mother Gui Ling's approach was more idealistic. She believed that as long as living beings could understand one another, and all under Heaven were united, every living being would receive a glimmer of life.

Fang Yang had no idea what the Four Core Disciples understood Intercepting a Glimmer of Life to mean. Whatever their views, he neither supported nor opposed them.

Sect Master Tongtian asked with interest, "How do you intend to put our sect's teachings into practice?"

The question stumped Fang Yang, because he had never considered giving all living beings a glimmer of life.

He knew his own limitations better than anyone. He hadn't even secured a glimmer of life for himself yet. How could he possibly give one to all living beings?

Lying in front of a Saint was foolish, so Fang Yang decided to speak honestly about what he truly thought.

He first bowed to Sect Master Tongtian, then said:

"Master, you are a great Saint and a great sage. You possess boundless magical power and can protect all living beings across the Three Realms and Six Paths. I cannot. I am still under your protection. As I am now, I have no power to give all living beings a glimmer of life."

At his words, the entire void fell silent.

The smile vanished from Sect Master Tongtian's face. He was used to disciples telling lies, boasting, and spouting empty words, but this was the first time he had met one so frank.

Sect Master Tongtian knew all too well how many of the Sect of Interception's disciples were actually trying to give living beings a chance at survival. He didn't expect Fang Yang to do so. Even he himself might not be able to secure a glimmer of life.

But Fang Yang had been too direct, without the slightest attempt to soften his words.

"Fang Yang is right! I am of Orthodox Pangu, and I have attained a Saint position, revered by all living beings. Heaven and Earth have given me far too much. I have both the responsibility and the ability to do this. Fang Yang is merely a member of the Human Clan. He cannot even control his own fate, so how could he give all living beings a glimmer of life?"

For a moment, Sect Master Tongtian thought of many things. Still, he did not entirely agree with Fang Yang.

Those with great power had their own way of giving others a chance; those with little power had theirs.

The teachings of the Interception Sect were not meant to make every living being a Saint, but to help each one find their own worth.

Teach without discrimination meant teaching more than just the Dao and its techniques. It also meant teaching the principles of survival and development.

Among the Interception Sect's disciples, some excelled at business, some at medicine, some at mechanical arts, some at crafting artifacts and refining pills, and some at composing poetry... Every skill they mastered was closely connected to the daily lives and livelihoods of all living beings.

Having little power was no excuse for failing to give others a glimmer of life.

But Sect Master Tongtian did not correct Fang Yang then. He believed that if he corrected him outright, Fang Yang would come to depend on him and lose the ability to solve problems for himself.

Sect Master Tongtian had overestimated Fang Yang. Fang Yang was not that virtuous. He could handle small-scale efforts, but he probably lacked the conviction to become a hero or a savior.

What Fang Yang had said was true, and he had not lied. But the part he had left unsaid was exactly what Sect Master Tongtian had been pondering.

How could Fang Yang not know that Intercepting a Glimmer of Life did not simply mean rescuing people from danger? It meant allowing all living beings to live the most brilliant lives they could.

The value of life did not lie in its length, but in how living beings made use of it.

"Fang Yang, hear my decree!"

Sect Master Tongtian suddenly grew solemn, his divine gaze fixed directly on Fang Yang.

Fang Yang's heart tightened. He hurriedly bowed. "Your disciple accepts the decree."

He felt uneasy. What if Sect Master Tongtian sent him to preach on the Great Desolation Continent? What would he do about his cultivation? A Golden Immortal's cultivation was inadequate, even within a Saint Great Sect, let alone in the Primordial Wilderness.

"Fang Yang, an Outer Disciple of the Interception Sect, has a deep Root Nature and unique insights into the way of teaching and guiding. In my capacity as Sect Leader of the Interception Sect, I promote Fang Yang to the inner sect and make him the fifth Core Disciple under me. I also bestow Qingcheng Mountain upon him as his cultivation abode."

Sect Master Tongtian's voice boomed beside Fang Yang's ears like thunder. His whole body trembled, and he could hardly believe what he had heard. He had dreamed of becoming a Core Disciple, but he had never dared to expect it.

What sort of status did a Saint's personal disciple have? Even those listed on the Investiture of the Gods held an exalted position. After Saint Mother Jin Ling had been listed, she became the foremost of the stars, Doumu Yuanjun.

"Your disciple pays his respects to Master!"

Fang Yang steadied himself, then hurriedly kowtowed and performed the formal rites of becoming a disciple.

He wasn't going to be modest. With such an immense opportunity right in front of him, his first instinct was to seize it. Sect Master Tongtian wasn't an outsider. A little politeness in front of strangers was understandable, but acting modestly before his own master would have been far too insincere.

Fang Yang's reaction made Sect Master Tongtian laugh heartily. He raised a hand, and a gentle golden light enveloped Fang Yang, lifting him softly to his feet.

"Good. A cultivator should act decisively when an opportunity presents itself. Now that you are a Core Disciple, you may enter Golden Ao Island at any time and ask me about cultivation. Your cultivation is still shallow, so I will not grant you an Innate Spiritual Treasure yet, lest it interfere with your progress. Once you reach the Taiyi Golden Immortal realm, I will grant you one."

"If you need cultivation resources, you may go directly to the Myriad Phenomena Pavilion and find the Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures you need there."

Fang Yang listened to Sect Master Tongtian's instructions, his heart swelling with excitement.

He had long heard that Sect Master Tongtian had once acquired a river of Innate Myriad Treasures in the Outer World. That river was wondrous beyond compare, filled with countless resources and treasures.

Daoist Duobao had once fished three Innate Spiritual Treasures out of the Innate Myriad Treasures River, causing a sensation throughout the Interception Sect. The river had been placed in the Myriad Phenomena Pavilion.

"Your comprehension is decent. I will first pass on our sect's supreme divine art, the Heaven Intercepting Seven Swords. Even your eldest senior brother has only mastered the first six swords."

With that, Sect Master Tongtian touched Fang Yang's brow, sending the cultivation method for the divine art into his memories.