Inside Daoist Duobao's cave.
Daoist Duobao's expression shifted as he received a reply from his master.
A look of understanding flashed across his eyes. He then turned to Kong Xuan, a smile appearing on his face.
"Fellow Daoist Kong Xuan, Master already knows about this."
"Master is pleased that you're willing to join the Interception Sect."
"Come with me. Master will personally preside over your initiation ceremony at Biyou Palace."
At those words, Bi Xiao's beautiful eyes shone even brighter.
Master was going to preside over the initiation ceremony himself!
That was an exceptionally high honor!
Ordinary Outer Disciples, and even some Registered Disciples, were usually taught by Personal Disciples like them on their master's behalf, then simply added to the register.
Only Personal Disciples like them, or others whom Master valued highly, had their ceremonies presided over by him personally.
That showed just how much Master valued Kong Xuan!
Xuandu was also slightly moved.
Since Master Tongtian was making a personal appearance, he clearly thought highly of Kong Xuan.
That was exactly what Xuandu wanted.
The higher Kong Xuan's standing, the more he could help the Interception Sect in the future—and the greater the benefit to Xuandu from the feedback on Kong Xuan's pedigree.
"Thank you, Fellow Daoist."
Kong Xuan remained composed and cupped his hands slightly. Yet he, too, felt a greater measure of respect and anticipation toward the Sage Tongtian he had not yet met.
Daoist Duobao said no more. He rose and swept his sleeve.
Immortal light surged, carrying Xuandu, Kong Xuan, and Bi Xiao away from the cave in an instant and toward the central area of Biyou Palace.
The inner reaches of Biyou Palace were quite different from its outer areas.
The Daoist aura was denser, almost tangible.
Fine threads of Sword Qi seemed to weave through the void, cleaving Yin Yang and separating the clear from the turbid.
A magnificent main hall stood at the center of an endless sea of Daoist aura.
A plaque hung above its entrance, inscribed with three Primordial Divine Script characters: Biyou Palace!
The strokes danced like dragons and snakes, Sword Intent soaring skyward, as if they embodied the supreme will of Intercepting Heaven Taking Dao.
At that moment, the doors of the hall stood open.
Wisps of clear, misty Daoist energy flowed from within, refreshing the spirit.
Daoist Duobao led the way, his expression solemn.
Xuandu, Kong Xuan, and Bi Xiao followed him into the hall.
The hall was vast and deep.
A river of stars flowed across the domed ceiling, while clouds and rosy light spread across the floor.
There were no unnecessary decorations on either side—only strands of Sword Intent and Daoist aura, some stronger and some weaker, but all exceptionally pure, lingering in the air.
Sect Leader Tongtian was already seated upon a cloud bed.
He still wore his blue robes, and his features were ordinary, yet he seemed to be the center of the entire world.
His aura blended with the entire Biyou Palace and even Golden Ao Island itself.
He merely sat there in silence, yet naturally radiated a supreme bearing, as if he could seize the Heavenly Secret and transcend all things.
"Your disciples pay their respects, Master!"
Daoist Duobao and Bi Xiao immediately bowed.
Xuandu bowed as well.
"Your disciple Xuandu pays his respects, Master."
Kong Xuan's gaze sharpened as he sensed the Sage's Might, as deep as the sea and towering above the myriad Daos. Even his pride could not help but abate.
He stepped forward and bowed with cupped hands, following the ancient rites of the Great Wilderness. His voice rang clear.
"Kong Xuan of the Phoenix Clan pays his respects to the Sage Tongtian!"
Sect Leader Tongtian's gaze fell upon them. He first glanced over Duobao and Bi Xiao, giving a slight nod.
Then he looked at Xuandu, his gaze lingering on him for a moment as a hint of inscrutable scrutiny flickered deep in his eyes.
At last, his gaze settled on Kong Xuan.
It was calm, yet seemed able to pierce every illusion and look straight to the source.
Kong Xuan felt as though nothing about him, within or without, could escape that gaze.
The Phoenix Clan Mark deep in his bloodline, the flow of the Innate Five Elements, the formation of his Grand Unity Dao Fruit... all were laid bare.
His heart tightened, but he offered no resistance and accepted the scrutiny openly.
After a moment, Sect Leader Tongtian spoke. His voice was mild, yet filled with boundless authority.
"Son of Primordial Phoenix, Innate Five Elements, Grand Unity Dao Fruit."
"Your pedigree and cultivation are both outstanding."
"Since you wish to join my Interception Sect, do you understand the Dao of my sect?"
Kong Xuan's expression turned solemn. He answered in a deep voice.
"The Dao of the Interception Sect lies in seizing a Glimmer of Hope!"
"Teach Without Discrimination, and bring the Myriad Immortals to Court!"
"We do not revere Heaven and Earth or worship spirits and gods. We honor only our own Dao and seek only Transcendence!"
His words rang out with conviction, carrying a resolute determination as he expressed his own understanding.
A hint of approval flashed through Sect Leader Tongtian's eyes.
This young man had not only an extraordinary pedigree and cultivation, but also excellent character and comprehension.
"Good."
He nodded slowly.
"Since you understand this, from this day on, you are a disciple of my Interception Sect."
As his voice fell, Sect Leader Tongtian joined his fingers like a sword and pointed into the air.
A stream of clear, misty immortal light shot from his fingertip and entered Kong Xuan's brow.
"This is the Shangqing Gongfa, the fundamental cultivation method of my Interception Sect."
"Study it diligently, and do not squander this opportunity."
Kong Xuan's whole body trembled. Countless profound formulas and insights into the Great Dao flooded into his Divine Soul.
They were profound and vast, far surpassing the inheritance of the Phoenix Clan!
He was shaken—and overjoyed.
The Great Dao personally imparted by a Sage!
It truly was extraordinary!
He immediately calmed his mind and bowed in gratitude.
"Kong Xuan thanks Master for imparting the Dao!"
At the same time,
the long-awaited System Prompt Sound finally rang out crisply in Xuandu's mind!
[Ding! Detected that a being (Kong Xuan) with a pedigree rating of top-tier or higher has successfully joined the Interception Sect!] [Specific task completed!] [Reward issued: Successfully unlocked the Root Sum Feedback Function!] [Current functions: Cultivation Sum Feedback (ongoing), Root Sum Feedback (ongoing)] [Beginning real-time calculation of the combined pedigree of Interception Sect disciples... Calculating...]
Xuandu's joy nearly overflowed!
It worked!
At last, it was unlocked!
Once the calculation was complete, he would be able to improve his own pedigree.
Then, combined with the cultivation feedback from Kong Xuan, he could break through to the Golden Immortal of the Origin!
Xuandu took a deep breath, tamping down his churning emotions. His gaze grew even more resolute.
Seated high upon the cloud bed, Sect Leader Tongtian took in every expression below.
Duobao's composure, Bi Xiao's curiosity, Kong Xuan's respect and contemplation.
And... Xuandu's fleeting excitement and resolve.
His gaze lingered on Xuandu once more for a moment, and he understood.
This young man truly had a great secret.
But he still did not expose him.
As long as Xuandu's heart was with the Interception Sect, some secrets could instead be opportunities.
"Duobao."
Sect Leader Tongtian spoke.
"Your disciple is here," Daoist Duobao answered with a bow.
"Now that Kong Xuan has joined the sect, make him a Personal Disciple. Find him a cave on Golden Ao Island where he can cultivate in peace."
"Yes, Master."
A Personal Disciple!
His status now stood alongside that of Daoist Duobao, Saint Mother Wudang, and the others.
This showed just how highly Sect Leader Tongtian regarded Kong Xuan.
Kong Xuan thanked him once more.
With the arrangements made, Sect Leader Tongtian said no more. His figure slowly faded, merging with the Daoist aura of Biyou Palace.
With the Sage gone, the pressure in the hall eased considerably.
Daoist Duobao looked at Kong Xuan and smiled.
"Congratulations, Junior Brother Kong Xuan."
Bi Xiao chimed in cheerfully.
"Congratulations, Senior Brother Kong Xuan!"
Kong Xuan returned each of their courtesies, his manner now much more humble.
Now that he had joined the sect, he would abide by its rules.
Daoist Duobao turned to Xuandu, his gaze profound.
"Junior Brother Xuandu, you deserve great credit for recommending Junior Brother Kong Xuan to the sect."
Xuandu quickly replied modestly.
"You flatter me, Senior Brother. This was Junior Brother Kong Xuan's own destiny. I merely happened to be there."
Duobao made no comment. He simply gave Xuandu a long look.
"You two have not been in the sect long. You should cultivate diligently and stabilize your realms."
"If you have any questions, you can come to me or ask your fellow disciples."
"We will heed your advice, Senior Brother," Xuandu and Kong Xuan answered together.
Afterward, Daoist Duobao personally arranged a cave for Kong Xuan, and Bi Xiao followed along, curious to see it.
Xuandu took his leave and returned to his own cave.
The system had just notified him that the pedigree sum calculation was complete.
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