Zhou Wuji defeated Xinru and then stomped hard on Dragon Elephant Temple's head.
He also wrote a poem mocking Dragon Elephant Temple for being strong but brainless; these two lines were truly malicious.
Everyone at Dragon Elephant Temple was furious. Puren, the leader, had the worst temper. He was so angry that his thick eyebrows stood on end, and he really wanted to go up and kill this young Daoist who was spouting nonsense with one palm.
But he was ultimately rational; no matter how furious he was, he wouldn't actually take action.
Even if there weren't a group of True Person watching, he, a Vajra Third Rank Vajra of Buddhism, couldn't attack a young Daoist just because of a few words.
Puren, however, lacked quick wit and didn't know how to resolve the predicament before him.
With his Xinru utterly defeated under the watchful eyes of tens of thousands in Jingyang City, everything Zhou Wuji said made sense.
Moreover, these few lines are very catchy, and they can easily spread regardless of whether one understands their meaning.
At that time, everyone at Dragon Elephant Temple will be branded with the infamous reputation of "How can those with anger and ignorance see Prajna?" It will be too difficult to salvage their honor.
Puren understood human nature well. Ordinary people don't care about facts or truth; they just talk a good game and love to despise others.
Dragon Elephant Temple, in particular, is very prestigious. Once any gossip gets out, everyone can't help but repeat it several times.
Ordinary people can gain great satisfaction by belittling and despising Dragon Elephant Temple.
Moreover, there are Daoist sects involved; these Daoists will undoubtedly exaggerate and spread such rumors.
Ln
FE
The reputation that Dragon Elephant Temple had built up over two hundred years, while not entirely destroyed, was certainly largely ruined by that foul-mouthed brat Zhou Wuji.
Puren understood the gravity of the situation, but he was powerless to do anything about it. He could only force himself to remain calm and comfort Xinru: " Zhou Wuji cunning; this battle is not your fault."
Xinru's handsome face was unusually pale, and his bright eyes were somewhat dim. Zhou Wuji's sword strike was extremely sharp and had seriously injured his heart meridian.
If it weren't for his mastery of the Dragon Elephant Prajna Art, he would have been lying down by now. It's not just that he lost, but that he lost so badly.
Xinru was also quite ashamed. " Zhou Wuji's Swordsmanship is too strong. His sword transforms into the bright moon, creating a play of illusion and reality. He has truly reached the realm where the heart becomes the bright moon, illuminating mountains and rivers."
Puren sighed, "His Swordsmanship is indeed formidable—"
As Third Rank Vajra, and being outside the arena, Puren naturally had a clearer view.
He had to admit in his heart that Zhou Wuji's Swordsmanship and True Qi were both Xinru to Xinru's.
Even if the two fought ten more times, Xinru would still have a hard time winning even one.
Everyone at Dragon Elephant Temple was dejected, but the various sects of Daoism were quite excited.
Leng Yiming, Li Yiyang, and Zhang Zhichun also congratulated Zhou Wuji in person, praising him generously.
Fortunately, Zhou Wuji won first place at this Dharma assembly, which restored face for the Daoist sect.
If Xinru were to win the championship, and the five major sects of Daoism were to be no match for Dragon Elephant Temple, it would be truly shameful!
The several True Person appreciated this gesture, and although they wouldn't give Zhou Wuji Zhou Wuji substantial reward, he had gained a certain status in their hearts.
This kind of recognition is still very important.
For example, geniuses like Lu Wuyuan and Leng Wuyou only have a considerable reputation within their own sect, but outsiders don't recognize them.
Even if some people were not Qi Ingestion Zhou Wuji before, after this battle, no one was convinced anymore.
Among the five sects of Jingyang Daoist School, no one of the Wu generation is qualified to compare with Zhou Wuji.
True Person Zhihua ascended the high platform and publicly announced Zhou Wuji as the leader of this Dharma assembly, thus officially concluding the assembly.
After accepting the congratulations from the cultivators of various sects of Daoism, Zhou Wuji returned to the Upper Court with Zhiyuan, Wuming, Wuleng, Yang Tie Ying, and others.
Yang Tie Ying was unusually excited the whole way, talking non-stop. But he kept repeating how powerful Zhou Wuji was and how pathetic the monk was—
Fortunately, Yang Tie Ying was there, otherwise the atmosphere would have been too awkward.
Upon returning to the Upper Court, Zhou Wuji hurriedly followed Zhiyuan back to the Flying Profound Hall.
Zhiyuan that Zhou Wuji was somewhat embarrassed, the old man smiled meaningfully but offered no advice.
The old man understood this perfectly well; matters between men and women are complicated and don't always follow any logic.
Although he and Zhou Wuji were close, he couldn't offer advice on such matters.
Zhou Wuji dismissed his apprentice, returned to his room to do his routine exercises, and then washed up and rested.
The next morning, Zhou Wuji went to the Yuheng Hall to pay his respects to the True Person Zhihua.
Before Zhou Wuji could speak, True Person Zhihua said, " The Swordsmanship cannot be passed on, but other matters can be discussed."
Zhou Wuji sighed softly, "Why would True Person go to such lengths? I've come to discuss the Water Mirror Technique."
"What's your explanation?" True Person Zhihua asked.
" The Water Mirror Technique within this jade stone can be replicated. I can replicate several thousand of them, establish a standard model, determine the basic rhetoric for preaching, provide simple training to cultivators in each academy, and unify the preaching method—"
Zhou Wuji had already thought about this, and he immediately explained his ideas in detail.
True Person Zhihua nodded. She had been considering this matter last night, but her ideas were not as mature as Zhou Wuji's.
She said, "This matter is indeed very important. I will personally go to the abbot of this temple to explain it to him. I will also report it to the Heavenly Master's Manor."
"Regardless of the Heavenly Master's Manor, this academy will surely grant you a great service. You won first place at the Jingyang Dharma Assembly and even surpassed the monks. Although your poem was rough, it was direct and powerful."
"All things considered, it's quite a great achievement."
The Jingyang Dharma Assembly is held only once every five years. The prestige of the Jingyang Upper Court has been declining over the decades, so Zhou Wuji's victory this time is very meaningful and has greatly enhanced the prestige of the Upper Court.
True Person Zhihua felt it was a great achievement, not an exaggeration at all.
She said, "With these two great achievements and your outstanding cultivation, you should be able to become a candidate for a True Disciple Candidate."
Zhou Wuji; becoming True Disciple Candidate meant he was very close to becoming True Disciple.
"But don't rush. Our institute always has a complicated process, and the elders have to hold meetings to discuss things."
True Person Zhihua said, "Everything goes smoothly, and you can go to our academy next year."
" True Disciple Candidate must face all sorts of difficulties, as well as the open and covert attacks from various factions within the academy."
True Person Zhihua said solemnly, "That is the real test."
Zhou Wuji was full of confidence. "These are not problems at all; the True Disciple Non-Self!"
True Person Zhihua nodded in agreement. "Although the geniuses in our academy are strong, they have not experienced enough trials and tribulations, and their magnanimity is far inferior to yours."
She then added, "If I were to give you two great achievements, don't use them yet. I'll arrange things for you."
Zhou Wuji didn't ask any further questions and immediately nodded in agreement.
The next day, Abbot True Person Zhiyun personally convened a grand assembly. All the cultivators of the Upper Court gathered at the North Pole Heavenly Emperor Hall. Abbot True Person Zhiyun publicly praised Zhou Wuji, believing that winning the Dharma Assembly had greatly enhanced the prestige of the Upper Court, and that Zhou Wuji was a role model for everyone in the Upper Court.
True Person Zhiyun also gave Zhou Wuji ten Five-Transmutation Purple Gold Pill as a reward, and rewarded him with sixty Heavenly Authority Hall Secret Realm, and promoted Zhou Wuji to the head of the Heavenly Pivot Hall.
This promotion, however, was expected by everyone.
Zhou Wuji was originally a cultivator of the Heavenly Pivot Lineage. Now that he has made great contributions and his cultivation is at the top level of the Fourth Rank, far surpassing Lu Wuyuan, it is natural that Zhou Wuji should serve as the head of the Heavenly Pivot Hall.
After the conference concluded, True Person Zhiyun personally led Zhou Wuji to the Heavenly Pivot Hall, introducing Zhou Wuji's identity to the elders and deacons.
The Heavenly Pivot Hall had always been controlled by Lu Zhijing. Now that Lu Zhijing was far away in Yunyang, Lu Wuyuan assembly, was too ashamed to return to the Upper Court, he also went directly to Yunyang.
Now, only a few elders and deacons remain in the Heavenly Pivot Hall, so in principle, the head of the hall should be in charge.
True Person Zhiyun knew things wouldn't be so easy; after all, Lu Zhijing was the Palace Master, and even if he wasn't in the Upper Court, he would eventually return.
With Lu Zhijing around, I'm afraid no one will pay any attention to Zhou Wuji, the head of the group.
Therefore, True Person Zhiyun personally came forward to let everyone in the Heavenly Pivot Hall know that Zhou Wuji was one of his people.
After True Person Zhiyun left, the stewards and elders were all quite polite to Zhou Wuji, with Elder Zhixing being the closest to Zhixing.
The Heavenly Pivot Hall has many cultivators, a complete organizational structure, and holds the power to pass on Secret Method, teach disciples, and hold religious ceremonies.
The Heavenly Pivot Hall itself is very wealthy and possesses abundant cultivation resources, among other things.
Zhou Wuji, however, had little interest in this. His goal was to True Disciple, and he had no interest in scheming and fighting with a group of old Daoists in the Heavenly Pivot Hall.
Especially with Lu Zhijing still here, given that the other party is Third Rank True Person and a Palace Master, he is no match for this old Daoist.
Instead of wasting time and energy on this, it's better to focus on self-cultivation and doing your own thing well.
Zhou Wuji stayed in the Heavenly Pivot Hall for two days, mainly to check the Heavenly Pivot Hall's mastery of the Secret Method of this lineage. He found no difference between the Secret Method he had learned and those he had learned.
Zhou Wuji was completely relieved.
He found True Person Zhiyun and asked to enter the Heavenly Authority Hall Secret Realm for cultivation, which was granted.
The Heavenly Authority Hall Secret Realm boasts beautiful scenery and pure spiritual energy. Most importantly, there are no outsiders, thus eliminating all kinds of distracting thoughts and worries.
Whether it's Daoism or Buddhism, cultivation is an extremely personal matter.
Without external interference, people can more easily understand themselves and their true nature.
Watching the clouds rise and fall, the sun rise and set each day, Zhou Wuji let go of all his calculations, gradually adapting to the quiet yet solitary state, and finding a sense of spiritual cultivation amidst the wind and clouds.
He has always been busy cultivating, busy fighting, and busy doing things.
When he last came to the Heavenly Authority Hall Secret Realm, he was eager to gain results in his cultivation. He was even more impatient to cultivate in the Heavenly Pillar Treasure Light Grotto-Heaven.
During his time in the Heavenly Authority Hall Secret Realm, Zhou Wuji didn't set any goals. He simply cultivated and enjoyed the tranquility and solitude of the realm.
Without needing to exert effort in cultivation, Zhou Wuji naturally practiced breathing exercises every day, thus finding the free and natural state of a cultivator.
Over the course of several dozen days, he successively broke through the sixth level of the Heavenly Realm.
At this point, the spine had traversed sixteen heavens. The total amount of True Qi True Qi increased by another five thousand, equivalent to an increase of about twenty percent.
This progress is significant and rapid.
According to the Secret Method of the Heavenly Pivot Lineage, the Thirty-Three Heavens of the Spine are divided into three levels. The first sixteen heavens are the easiest and are called the Desire Heaven.
The next fourteen heavens are called the Form Heaven, and the next three heavens are called the Brahma Heaven.
The Desire Heaven is tangible and has form, making it the easiest to grasp. The Form Heaven, however, is tangible but without form, increasing the difficulty of cultivation tenfold.
Brahma Heaven is formless and without appearance, making him the most difficult to reach.
Throughout history, 80% of Fourth Rank cultivators have been stuck in the Form Heaven and unable to advance. The remaining 19% are stuck in the Brahma Heaven.
Zhou Wuji mastered the Northern Dipper Tianshu Scripture to perfection and knew the location of each level of heaven. However, the difficulty of tempering the acupoints did not decrease.
Upon arriving in Form Heaven, it would take at least twenty days to refine a single acupoint. This was quite different from what he had anticipated.