A Great Ideal, Though They All Began from Humble Roots

Old Man Sun seemed to have heard a joke and retorted, "The cultivation method was passed down from the Immortal Realm. Those important figures in the Immortal Realm are busy with countless affairs of state. Who would really Lower Realm someone in the mortal realm used such a trivial matter to start a sect?"

He pointed to the ceiling, his tone carrying a hint of world-weary indifference. "Nobody cares!"

"If we just turn a blind eye and nothing serious happens, who's going to actually investigate this?"

Qin Wangchuan silently sipped his tea, but a hint of anger flashed in his eyes.

Ultimately, the root cause lies in the inaction of the Qin Clan in this area.

As the sun set, Jiang Yan dragged his increasingly exhausted body back, but his eyes shone with an astonishing brightness.

"Eldest Brother, are you closing up shop yet?"

"Um."

Old Man Sun, an Alchemist, smiled and began tidying up his bottles and jars, "Young man, will you come again tomorrow?"

"I have something to do tomorrow, so I'll take a day off," Qin Wangchuan replied.

Upon hearing this, Old Man Sun's face revealed an expression of "I knew it."

"I knew I couldn't persuade you young people."

He sighed, took out an ancient-looking token from his pocket, and placed it in Qin Wangchuan's hand.

"Nine out of ten people who go to the Qin Clan to seek the Dharma will be rebuffed. This token is of Grade A; although it's not particularly valuable, it will save you some trouble. Take it."

"Don't lose it, you have to give it back to me!"

Qin Wangchuan took the token and examined it. He saw that the front of the black token was engraved with a vigorous "Qin" character, while the back had a "Jia" character in a flowing, elegant style.

This is a unique identity credential in Qin City —it is awarded to those who demonstrate outstanding performance based on their length of stay and behavior within the city.

A Grade A token represents the highest level of recognition an ordinary cultivator can obtain.

It's clear that Old Man Sun has been in this city for a long time.

Qin Wangchuan did not refuse and nodded to accept it.

On the way back, Jiang Yan muttered like a chatterbox:

"Eldest Brother, all seven of those challengers today used different fighting styles! Although I only won against one, they don't know that they were all my sparring partners!"

He suddenly remembered something, scratched his head and chuckled sheepishly, "It's just a pity for my Eldest Brother, giving away so many talismans for nothing, what a huge loss..."

Qin Wangchuan walked with his hands behind his back down the street as the lights began to twinkle, and asked in return, "Are they all your sparring partners?"

"Then how do you know you're not their sparring partner?"

"Huh?" Jiang Yan scratched his head, seemingly agreeing with the statement.

"Then... Eldest Brother," he jogged a few steps to catch up, "With my current strength, am I qualified to win the Martial Arts Competition?"

Qin Wangchuan continued walking, "Your opponents are all Protagonist who jumped out of novels. Today Level-Up Kill, tomorrow they'll wipe out an entire family, and the day after tomorrow they'll dominate the Myriad Ages."

"I had absolutely no idea how you won."

Jiang Yan shrank back and muttered under his breath, "Is it really that scary..."

"However," Qin Wangchuan changed the subject, "You might still have a chance."

"If you can comprehend even a portion of the Secret Method passed down by the Qin Clan Divine Son over the years, winning this Martial Arts Competition shouldn't be too difficult."

"Eldest Brother, do you have the Qin Clan Secret Technique?" Jiang Yan's eyes lit up immediately, and he eagerly stepped forward.

During his time in the city, he had already heard about how incredibly powerful the Qin Clan Secret Technique were.

"Not now."

The next day, Qin Wangchuan led the two people and the bird to a teahouse opposite the Qin Clan's Scripture Library pavilion.

He sat down by the window on the second floor, his gaze sweeping over the bustling crowds on the street and landing on the magnificent Thirty-Three Story Pavilion in the distance.

That was the only building in the Qin Clan that was open to the public.

Qin Wangchuan took a sip of tea and tossed Old Man Sun's token to Jiang Yan: "Go give it a try."

Jiang Yan took Mr. Sun's token with the word "A" engraved on it and went downstairs excitedly.

The area in front of the Scripture Library was packed with people, with queues stretching for half a street.

Holding the token, he quickly weaved through the crowd amidst their disapproving gazes, heading straight for the front.

In the teahouse, Ye Jianwei sat quietly to one side.

Her eyes, veiled by White Veil, gazed in the direction of the Scripture Library. Suddenly, she spoke softly, "Young Master, indeed, many people were kicked out."

"I saw it." Qin Wangchuan's gaze remained fixed on the view outside the window.

"Those who were kicked out varied in strength, but they weren't, as the waiter had said, accepting bribes." She tilted her head slightly, as if sensing something, "More like... a selection process."

Qin Wangchuan did not reply.

He already had a vague feeling that there was probably something more to this.

Before half a cup of tea had been brewed, Jiang Yan was kicked out and returned to the teahouse looking completely bewildered.

"Eldest Brother..." Jiang Yan scratched his head, his face full of confusion, "I was kicked out..."

"Tell me in detail," Qin Wangchuan, setting down his teacup.

"I used my token to cut in line to the very front, but before I could even get my footing, the Qin Clan at the front glanced at me and said, 'Unqualified.'"

"And then... and then I got kicked out."

Qin Wangchuan tapped the table lightly with his fingertips. "Did you say anything else?"

"No!" Jiang Yan shook his head vigorously.

Qin Wangchuan took out a Jade Pendant from his robes. "Go again. Show this Jade Pendant to the person who kicked you out, and make him come see me."

Jiang Yan took the Jade Pendant. It felt cool to the touch and looked simple and unadorned, but he was really unsure of its quality.

Seeing that Qin Wangchuan's expression remained unchanged, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and turn around.

The queue in front of the Scripture Library was still long.

This time, he attracted attention as soon as he appeared at the end of the line.

"Hey? Isn't that the kid who got kicked out earlier?"

"Why are you back again? You're really shameless."

"I guess they're still not giving up and want to try their luck again."

The discussions were tinged with a sense of schadenfreude.

Jiang Yan lowered his head and strode forward under the gaze of everyone.

Qin Ming was in a good mood today.

Despite possessing a special physique, he, as a member of a collateral branch of the Qin Clan, was willing to perform reception duties in the Scripture Library.

Although, this job is somewhat tedious.

As he mechanically checked the qualifications of these cultivators, he caught a glimpse of a familiar figure out of the corner of his eye—it was the kid he had just kicked out.

His brows furrowed immediately, and he snapped, "Why are you here again? Didn't I just tell you you weren't qualified?"

"Did you hear that? Deacon Qin said you're unqualified, get out of here!"

Just as the angry shouts of several passersby began, Jiang Yan hurriedly raised the Jade Pendant.

Time seemed to freeze at that moment.

Qin Ming's words of rebuke abruptly stopped, and his pupils suddenly contracted.

The moment the Jade Pendant was revealed, without even needing to see the patterns clearly, Qin Ming instantly recognized its origin from the unique Dao Rhyme it exuded—this was clearly a token that only a direct descendant of the main family could possess!

"The clan's jade Jade Pendant?!"

"Clang--"

It's unclear who knelt down first, but then a cacophony of clanging armor spread like a tidal wave.

All the Qin Clan guards bowed their heads and knelt down. The once noisy crowd was now Deathly Stillness silent, and countless eyes were focused in horror on the seemingly ordinary Jade Pendant.

Qin Ming knelt on one knee and carefully took the Jade Pendant; it looked genuine no matter how you looked at it.

But the question is, how could this thing possibly be here?

When his fingertips touched the bold, calligraphic "nine" on the back, he shuddered violently.

"It is... the Divine Son!"

Qin Ming looked up, his voice trembling. "Who gave you this Jade Pendant?"

Divine Son...?

It's over!

Eldest Brother, you're not joking, you really are impersonating someone's Divine Son!

Jiang Yan's face turned pale as soon as he realized this.

I thought to Eldest Brother, "Isn't this setting me up? What if people find out he's an imposter? I'll be torn apart in the street!"

As for this Jade Pendant, it goes without saying that it's fake.

Fortunately, these people were all idiots and didn't seem to notice.

Seeing his sudden change from arrogance to obsequiousness, Jiang Yan felt an unprecedented surge of pleasure, and his tone unconsciously carried a hint of confidence. "This was given to me by my Eldest Brother."

After saying that, he turned and pointed to the teahouse across the street, "He wants you to go over there..."

"Your Eldest Brother?" Qin Ming was taken aback upon hearing this, his gaze turning towards the teahouse with suspicion and uncertainty.

He then carefully held the Jade Pendant in his palm, gave a few instructions to the guards, and hurried towards the teahouse.

After Qin Ming's figure disappeared, the guards who had been kneeling on the ground dared to slowly get up, and when they looked at Jiang Yan again, their eyes were full of awe.

Jiang Yan suppressed his anxiety, but cleared his throat with feigned composure:

"Can I go in now?"

Several guards bowed and made way, their voices extremely respectful. "Of course, please come in—"

This unexpected courtesy startled Jiang Yan. He dared not linger, fearing that staying even a moment longer would give him away.

He immediately stepped across the threshold and his figure quickly disappeared into the Scripture Library.

He was filled with anxiety and muttered to himself:

"Eldest Brother, you'd better hold on a little longer, don't let it show you're fake, otherwise... I'll be chopped into mincemeat before I even get a second look!"

Qin Ming, holding the Jade Pendant, strode into the teahouse, dismissed the waiter who approached him, and looked around.

The closer one gets, the clearer the oppressive aura emanating from the depths of one's blood becomes.

It wasn't an aura that was deliberately released, but rather the natural Dao Rhyme charm and majesty that the Qin Clan exuded after being nourished by the Divine Tree.

He almost held his breath as he stepped onto the second floor, following the source of the aura that made his Divine Soul tremble slightly, and stopped outside the door of a Private Room.

He cautiously raised his hand, but before his knuckles even touched the door, a clear, cold female voice came from inside:

"Enter."

Qin Ming took a deep breath and gently pushed open the door.

In an instant, it felt as if I had stepped into another realm.

The noise outside was completely shut out, Private Room was dimly lit, with only one window letting in daylight, outlining the silhouette of a boy sitting with his back to the light.

His face was hidden in the shadows and could not be seen clearly.

Only a pair of eyes, like molten gold burning in the dark night, indifferent and majestic, with a detached air that looked down upon the world, were quietly fixed on me.

Qin Ming was terrified, almost suffocating.

Although he had never seen the legendary Divine Son in person, the images and portraits circulating within the Lineage had already deeply etched that face into the soul of every member of the Qin Clan!

No confirmation is needed at all; the resonance of blood ties and the trembling of the soul are both screaming for the same answer—

"Thump!"

Without hesitation, Qin Ming knelt down on both knees, bowing his head in the most solemn clan salute, his voice trembling with extreme reverence:

"Qin Ming, a descendant of the Qin Clan branch in the Tongtian Realm, pays respects to His Highness Divine Son!"

The figure in the shadows did not respond; the Private Room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Only the silent pressure felt real, weighing heavily on Qin Ming's spine and Divine Soul.

After a long while, just as Qin Ming's forehead was beaded with cold sweat and he could barely bear the terrifying silence, the Divine Son in the shadows finally moved.

Qin Wangchuan twitched only one finger very slightly.

Immediately, a calm and even voice echoed in the Private Room from the shadows, clearly reaching Qin Ming's ears:

"Qin Ming, the seventh branch of the collateral bloodline of the Tongtian Realm, was born on a night of spiritual rain. His mother's body was damaged, and he was born with congenital defects, but his will was unyielding..."

The voice was neither hurried nor slow, recounting his life from birth, his frail childhood, his secret cultivation, to the accidental activation of the "Hundred Passages Spirit Body" hidden within him, which he kept secret, and his willingness to preside over the Scripture Library.

This detailed and detailed account was certainly not intended to inform Qin Ming himself.

Rather, it is said that the Divine Son, seated in the shadows, knows.

Qin Ming trembled violently, his body shaking like a leaf as he lay on the ground, his heart filled with turbulent emotions.

The person hidden in the shadows recounted every unknown detail, even the inner journey he himself had almost forgotten, word for word.

Before the Divine Son, I felt as if I were naked, with no secrets whatsoever!

"... Possessing the Hundred Passages Spirit Body, he has remained hidden until now, and his temperament is still acceptable."

Qin Ming breathed a sigh of relief when the last four words were uttered.

I was almost completely exhausted, and all that remained in my heart was endless awe and submission.

Qin Wangchuan finally spoke:

Do you know why I have come?

In the shadows, those eyes, like molten gold, shifted slightly before settling on Qin Ming.

Just being stared at made Qin Ming feel the surrounding space squeezing him, his soul groaning, as if he would be completely crushed in the next instant.

"This disciple understands that the Divine Son has come regarding the matter of those seeking the Dharma being persuaded to withdraw."

Qin Ming dared not hesitate for a moment, enduring the oppressive force that almost made his soul disappear, he touched his head to the ground and reported in a rapid yet clear voice:

"My Divine Son, please understand! This matter... this matter does indeed violate the Lineage's official rules, but it was truly unavoidable!"

"Since the Daoist Canon was released, those seeking its teachings have flocked like carp crossing a river. However, those of mediocre talent find it like reading a heavenly book, unable to grasp its essence even after months of searching. Instead, they crowd the Scripture Library, delaying truly promising individuals. Even worse..."

His voice was filled with deep fear. "Many unscrupulous individuals have infiltrated among them! Some want to steal the core inheritance, some want to tamper with the foundation of the Dao, and some even attempt to plant vicious restrictions in the cultivation techniques, trying to pollute my Qin family's lineage from the root!"

"This disciple possesses the 'Hundred Passages Spirit Body,' granting me a keen sensitivity to the aptitude and temperament of cultivators. This is why I have to set up thresholds, not only to weed out those who are unworthy of cultivation, but also to rigorously guard against those harboring malicious intentions!"

After saying this, Qin Ming kowtowed heavily:

"Your subordinate acted on your own initiative, violating clan rules, and is willing to accept any punishment! You only Divine Son... to investigate the hidden truth behind this!"

After he finished speaking, the Private Room fell into Deathly Stillness.

In fact, Qin Wangchuan understood the whole story the moment he heard the term "Hundred Passages Spirit Body".

By screening those who seek the Dharma, the entire Scripture Library can operate more efficiently.

But...

In the shadows, those eyes, like molten gold, narrowed slightly, gleaming with a chilling light.

"I've heard some rumors," Qin Wangchuan's voice was calm and even, yet carried a chilling edge, "Saying that you abused your power, accepted bribes, and allowed high-ranking officials and nobles to enter while rejecting all those from humble backgrounds and Rogue Cultivator."

Every word struck Qin Ming like a heavy hammer.

He suddenly looked up, his face ashen. "Since I took on the role of steward, many of those rejected have been scions of the Aristocratic Clan, while others have entered, including some from humble backgrounds and Rogue Cultivator. There has never been any favoritism!"

"As for bribery... indeed, every day there are those who are rejected who try to pave the way with lavish gifts."

"But I can swear an oath on the Great Dao that I have never accepted even the slightest benefit in all these years!"

Qin Ming spoke with conviction; anyone who had accepted even the slightest gift would not have dared to say such a thing.

Qin Wangchuan nodded slightly upon hearing this, his eyes gleaming with golden light.

A brief silence fell over the Private Room, broken only by Qin Ming's tense breathing.

"In the neighboring city," Qin Wangchuan's voice rang out again, tinged with scrutiny, "Someone has borrowed my Qin Clan Cultivation Method to establish their own sect. Are you aware of this?"

Qin Ming took a deep breath and respectfully replied, "Your Divine Son, this matter... I am aware of it. Moreover, it was deliberately allowed to happen after I discussed it with my Lineage."

He raised his head, his eyes gleaming with fervent light, his voice trembling slightly with excitement. "Because this action is precisely to fulfill Your Divine Son's command to 'spread the Qin Clan Cultivation Method throughout the heavens.'"

"At the same time, this is also the ideal I have pursued all my life!"