Chapter 586: The Qian Dao Zong Sect
Chapter 586: The Qian Dao Zong Sect
Mo Hua was also taken aback by Wen Renwan's reaction, which was somewhat unexpected.
"Is the initiation token of the Qian Dao Zong Sect very precious?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.
Yu'er, sitting by their side and still eating, looked at her mother with a confused expression.
Wen Renwan sighed, "The initiation token signifies 'admission without examination'. In the Qian Xue Province, from the largest to the smallest sect, such tokens are highly valued, especially for a top-tier sect like the Qian Dao Zong."
"Top-tier?" Mo Hua paused momentarily before recalling Wen Renwan's earlier words, "The Four Great Sects?"
"Mhm." Wen Renwan nodded slightly, "In the Qian Xue Province, a fifth-grade land brimming with Taoist sects, there are thousands of sects, big and small, adding up to nearly ten thousand."
"Among them, the most revered upper-class sects include the 'Four Great Sects', the 'Eight Great Gates', the 'Twelve Streams'..."
"In addition, there are numerous sects that are not as deeply rooted but possess considerable strength. These sects are collectively referred to as the 'Hundred Gates of Qian Xue'."
Mo Hua quietly repeated the names to himself, committing them to memory—the Four Great Sects, the Eight Great Gates, the Twelve Streams, and the Hundred Gates of Qian Xue.
Wen Renwan continued, "Among all the sects in the Qian Xue Province, if we're discussing the purity of their Taoist lineage, the Four Great Sects are the strongest, followed by the Eight Great Gates."
"The Twelve Streams can rival the Eight Great Gates, but they tend to specialize in specific paths, such as the Duan Jin Gate's focus on sword control, the Wan Fa Gate's expertise in spellcasting, and other sects that focus on formations, pills, talismans, beast taming, martial arts, and so on."
"As for the Qian Dao Zong, it is one of the top-tier sects among the Four Great Sects, ranking among the very best."
"One of the best..." Mo Hua frowned, his confusion evident, "So, is it the first or the second-best?"
Wen Renwan's expression grew complex as she lowered her voice, "Well...that's a tricky question."
"Each of the Four Great Sects claims to be the very best and refuses to acknowledge any other sect as superior. So, while they are all considered the best, it's not explicitly stated which one holds the top position."
Mo Hua opened his mouth, finding it intriguing how these sects seemed to constantly vie for the top spot.
"Therefore," Wen Renwan emphasized, "as one of the Four Great Sects, which are the pinnacle of sects in a fifth-grade province, the requirements for admission are extremely stringent. Naturally, an initiation token that grants admission without examination is incredibly precious..."
"Even for prominent families like the Shang Guan and Wen Ren clans, such tokens are extremely rare."
Wen Renwan let out a sigh.
Mo Hua, on the other hand, appeared somewhat dazed.
He had never imagined that the item his master had left him would be something so valuable.
After a moment's pause, Wen Renwan suddenly recalled something important and cautioned, "Keep that initiation token safe, and don't mention it to anyone."
"Yes!" Mo Hua nodded in agreement.
Seeing Mo Hua's calm demeanor despite possessing such a treasure, Wen Renwan secretly approved, but then her curiosity got the better of her, "Where did you get that token, anyway?"
"I picked it up!" Mo Hua replied.
Wen Renwan was taken aback, "You...picked it up?"
Could one simply stumble upon an initiation token of the Qian Dao Zong Sect?
Mo Hua had clearly rehearsed this explanation, "Years ago, while hunting demons in a remote mountain range near Li Zhou, I happened upon a storage bag by chance. Inside was a token emblazoned with the words 'Qian Dao Zong'.
"I made some inquiries and learned that it was an initiation token for the Qian Xue Province. Although the province is far from here, I felt that having found it was a stroke of fate, an opportunity not to be wasted. So, I traveled far and wide to reach Qian Zhou, hoping to join the sect and learn about the path of cultivation."
It was a simple yet extraordinary tale of a seeker's journey.
Part truth, part fiction.
It sounded humble, yet there seemed to be no flaws in his story.
Wen Renwan was skeptical yet thoughtful. Some people were born with better luck than others, and perhaps this was one of those cases.
Moreover, the speaker was Mo Hua, the man who had just saved her child.
For now, she chose to believe him.
However, Mo Hua had his own concerns, "Aunt Wen, will this initiation token truly grant me admission without the need for an examination?"
"Of course..." Wen Renwan began, but then hesitated, her brow furrowing slightly.
Logically speaking, presenting the token upon initiation should be sufficient for admission to the sect. After all, the distribution of initiation tokens was highly regulated, and they were not given out lightly.
When accepting new disciples, the sect would carefully scrutinize the individual's karma. As long as the bearer of the token had a clean background, free from evil deeds and ill-gotten gains, and had not resorted to murder or theft to obtain it, the sect would usually accept them without issue.
Even if it had been "picked up," as Mo Hua claimed, the sect would view it as a stroke of heavenly fortune and would not refuse.
However...
Mo Hua's case was a bit unique.
The Qian Dao Zong Sect was massive, and every spot for new disciples was highly coveted.
Additionally, Mo Hua was a rogue cultivator with no background to speak of, and more importantly, his spiritual root...
Wen Renwan asked in a low voice, "Mo Hua, what type of spiritual root do you have?"
"A lower-middle grade five-elemental spiritual root," Mo Hua replied honestly.
As expected...
Wen Renwan sighed.
That spiritual root was far from impressive; in fact, it barely met the minimum requirements for admission to most sects.
Not wanting to dampen Mo Hua's spirits, she offered some reassurance, "The Qian Dao Zong is a large sect that values their word. I believe they will accept you."
Mo Hua understood that Wen Renwan was trying to comfort him, so he smiled and said, "Thank you, Aunt Wen."
However, he, too, had his reservations.
The Qian Dao Zong Sect was even more vast and prestigious than he had imagined, and the requirements for admission were likely much higher.
He knew that actually joining the sect might not be as easy as he had hoped...
Nevertheless, where there's a will, there's a way. He would just have to see for himself.
Wen Renwan added, "Finish your meal and rest for the night. Tomorrow, I'll arrange for a carriage from the Wen Ren family to take you safely to the Qian Dao Zong Sect."
Mo Hua expressed his gratitude and then remembered something else. Lowering his voice, he asked, "Aunt Wen, is it possible to keep my rescue of Yu'er a secret from others?"
"You can tell me anything," Wen Renwan assured him.
Mo Hua whispered, "I'd like to keep the fact that I saved Yu'er a secret. Can you not mention it to anyone else?"
Their plot must be far-reaching.
Mo Hua was just lucky to have stumbled upon Yu'er and saved her.
But if these people were to find out that it was this child, Mo Hua, who ruined their plans, then this good fortune would turn into a calamity.
Mo Hua is still just a child, and more importantly, a rogue cultivator with low cultivation, no power, and no background. I'm afraid he would truly...
Die a miserable death!
Wen Renwan's heart trembled, and she felt a pang of sorrow.
She knew the pain of losing a child.
Mo Hua also had parents, and if he lost his life because he saved Yu'er, how heartbroken would they be?
She would also feel guilty for the rest of her life...
Wen Renwan said solemnly, "Rest assured, I will make sure that everyone who knows about this will keep it a secret and not breathe a word of it to anyone!"
Mo Hua smiled brightly and said, "Thank you, Aunt Wen!"
Seeing Mo Hua's clear smile, Wen Renwan felt slightly more at ease.
After that, Mo Hua rested for a night in Qingzhou City and spent some time playing with Yu'er before departing the next day in a Wen Ren family carriage, heading north towards the boundary of Qian Xue Province...
Qian Xue Province, a place renowned for its scholarly pursuits.
Along the way, countless sects could be found.
Amidst the mist and clouds, numerous Daoist courts stood tall, each with its own unique and magnificent architecture. The scenery was truly breathtaking.
The mountains were bathed in a radiant glow, and the cries of spiritual beasts echoed through the air, creating an otherworldly atmosphere.
Cultivators dressed in various sect robes came and went, their flying lights crisscrossing in the sky.
Mo Hua was deeply shaken by this sight.
"This is... Qian Xue Province..."
"This is... the largest place of learning and cultivation in Qianzhou..."
Along the way, the breathtaking scenery was everywhere, and Mo Hua stuck his small head out of the carriage window, taking in the sights and feeling a sense of wonder.
The sound of horse hooves was gentle and soothing.
The mountain road was hidden within the clouds and mist, making the journey feel like a ride through the clouds.
After two days, the carriage arrived at Qian Dao Zong.
From a distance, they could see a massive mountain that seemed to pierce the heavens. Palaces and courtyards were scattered across the mountain, majestic and grand, obscured by clouds and mist, resembling a celestial jade capital.
"Qian Dao Zong..."
Mo Hua felt a mix of nervousness and anticipation, with a hint of unease.
The carriage stopped at the foot of the mountain.
One of the Wen Ren family guards bowed and apologized, "Young Master Mo, Qian Dao Zong has strict rules, and they don't allow carriages to go up the mountain. We can only send you off here, please accept our apologies."
"It's alright."
Mo Hua waved his hand, thanking the guard, and then proceeded to walk up the high steps towards the mountain gate of Qian Dao Zong.
Up close, the mountain gate was even more magnificent, with golden sculptures and a majestic aura.
Along the way, there were other students who had also parked their carriages and dismounted, walking up the mountain. They seemed to be intending to join Qian Dao Zong as well.
However, they were dressed more lavishly, with a more arrogant demeanor, and they had family elders and guards accompanying them.
In contrast, Mo Hua was alone and dressed simply.
Fortunately, he was used to it.
As Mo Hua walked, he soon reached the mountain gate of Qian Dao Zong.
In front of the gate was a tall threshold, almost taller than Mo Hua, blocking the way for those ascending the mountain and for Mo Hua as well.
Several disciples of Qian Dao Zong were guarding the gate and stopped Mo Hua, inquiring about his purpose.
Their tone was polite, but underneath, there was a hint of contempt and arrogance.
"I have an initiation token, and I wish to join the sect..."
Mo Hua presented the initiation token.
The disciples of Qian Dao Zong were shocked and exchanged glances. One of them said, "Please wait here while I report this to an elder for a decision."
Then he added, "Please fill out your background and cultivation history..."
Mo Hua looked at the so-called "background and cultivation history" form, which asked for information about his home, background, and spiritual root.
Mo Hua filled it out truthfully.
The disciple collected Mo Hua's background information and then took out a seal box to store the initiation token. He then entered the mountain gate and walked along a wide jade path for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea before arriving at a hall.
In the hall, several elders of Qian Dao Zong were discussing matters.
The disciple presented the seal box and explained the situation.
The elders were surprised to see the initiation token. "Initiation token?"
They looked at the chief elder and asked, "Elder Shen, what do you think?"
The chief elder, Elder Shen, had deep wrinkles on his face, and his robe bore four golden stripes, indicating his high position and authority.
Elder Shen took the initiation token and frowned upon seeing the words on it.
"Elder Shen, is there a problem?" one of the elders asked upon noticing his expression.
Elder Shen shook his head and passed the initiation token to the others, saying, "Take a look at this..."
The other elders were puzzled and took the token to examine it, only to be taken aback.
One of them slowly read out loud, "'He who bears this token shall not be refused...'"
"Shouldn't it say, 'He who bears this token, we humbly welcome'?"
"Yes, why is it phrased like a 'command'?"
"Is this initiation token... fake?"
Elder Shen shook his head. "It's real, but it's an 'old' one..."
"Old?"
The elders were surprised.
Elder Shen nodded. "It's from the sect's old calendar..."
Elder Shen looked at the initiation token and sighed softly, "This is... a batch of rather ancient 'initiation tokens'. Back then, Qian Dao Zong was in decline and lacked strength, so we had to be mindful of others' faces. Hence, the tone of these initiation tokens is like a 'command'..."
"'Shall not be refused' means that Qian Dao Zong cannot reject it..."
"However!"
Elder Shen's eyes shone with determination, and his voice resonated with confidence. "Through the hard work of our successive sect leaders and the diligence of generations of cultivators, our sect has united and worked tirelessly to reach new heights!"
"Today, our Qian Dao Zong is no longer what it used to be!"
"Our disciples are all proud talents, with top-notch qualifications!"
"Now, we are one of the Four Great Sects, the largest sect in Qian Xue Province!"
"As such, we have changed the format and wording of the initiation tokens.
Elder Shen's words resonated powerfully.
The other elders felt their hearts stir, sharing in this pride.
One elder asked, "Since this initiation token is from an old debt and isn't exactly glorious, should we... refuse it?"
Elder Shen pondered for a moment before shaking his head, "There's no need to be so hasty, we must consider all possibilities..."
"Although these past events are not glorious, they are undeniable facts."
"We cultivators must remember past humiliations and keep them in mind, so that we can bear the burden and continue to grow stronger, ensuring the longevity of our Qian Dao Zong for thousands of millennia!"
The elders took the opportunity to flatter him:
"As expected of Elder Shen!"
"Far-sighted and visionary!"
"Magnanimous and open-minded!"
...
Elder Shen waved his hand modestly, then asked, remembering something, "What about this disciple's talent?"
Someone handed over a document detailing the disciple's "background."
Elder Shen only needed one glance before his eyebrows furrowed tightly.
"A rogue cultivator..."
"...from a remote area far from Li Zhou..."
"...with a lower-middle grade five-elemental spiritual root..."
Elder Shen found it hard to look at.
The other elders perused the document as well, and one of them couldn't help but laugh, "Under 'specialty,' he wrote... array formations?"
The rest of them paused, then joined in the laughter.
"He's quite bold to write that..."
"Probably didn't have anything else to write..."
"Array formations...?" An elder shook his head. "My family's great-great-grandson has an extremely high talent for array formations, and even I wouldn't dare to claim that he's skilled in them, much less proficient..."
"Truly... ignorance is bliss..."
"After all, a cultivator from a small place might learn a few array formations and think highly of himself, unaware of the vast world beyond..."
An elder laughed, "Why don't we ask him how many array formations he knows?"
"You really have too much free time..."
"What's the point of asking? Can he even draw a second-rate array formation?"
"Don't underestimate fellow cultivators..."
"That's true, but this is Qian Zhou, the center of learning and cultivation. All the talented cultivators gather here, so we don't need one 'array formation genius'..."
...
After discussing for a while, someone asked curiously, "How did he get this initiation token?"
"That's a good question..."
"It's an old initiation token, probably something he stumbled upon, right?"
"Where would he find such a thing? Unless he... killed someone and stole it?"
"Or perhaps he's someone's pawn?"
Elder Shen shook his head, "I did a quick calculation earlier, and while it's a bit vague, it seems mostly clean. It's likely that he really did come across it by chance..."
An elder clicked his tongue in admiration, "What incredible luck..."
"Indeed, to even find an initiation token..."
Elder Shen nodded, "Some people in this world do have extraordinary luck..."
"Since this child has such fortune, then..." an elder probed, gauging Elder Shen's opinion.
Elder Shen pondered for a moment before speaking slowly, "Fortune is one aspect, but..."
Elder Shen's expression turned slightly arrogant as he sighed, "My Qian Dao Zong is so grand that he cannot possibly bear such fortune!"
The elders were stunned, and they all exclaimed, "Elder Shen's words are truly wise!"
"Too much fortune isn't always a good thing..."
"A person with thin luck cannot handle such overwhelming fortune..."
"This is also for his own good..."
...
"However..." one elder expressed his concern, "If we refuse, won't it damage the prestige of our Qian Dao Zong?"
After all, those who hold initiation tokens are usually not refused.
If they were to reject him, they might be seen as "untrustworthy," and that wouldn't reflect well on them...
Elder Shen frowned, thinking for a moment before speaking solemnly, "It's not a 'refusal,' it's a 'pending decision.'"
The elders were taken aback.
"Pending decision?"
Elder Shen nodded, "It's not a refusal, but a special case that requires careful deliberation..."
Careful deliberation.
If it was to be deliberated, how long would it take? A month? A year? Or even a decade? Would there even be a decision, and what would it be...?
That was for Qian Dao Zong to decide, and no one else had a say in the matter.
Elder Shen didn't need to say these things, but everyone understood.
The elders nodded in agreement, "That's the best option..."
"Indeed, it's a significant matter that requires careful deliberation..."
"As expected of Elder Shen, handling matters with grace and precision, knowing just the right balance..."
...
"Then what about the initiation token?" someone asked.
Elder Shen waved his hand dismissively, "Just record it in the cultivator's background information."
Initiation tokens were precious, with one token per person. Once it was recorded in the background information, the token would be returned, and no one else could use it.
And with a "pending decision," the matter of the disciple's admission would be stalled.
Elder Shen nodded slightly.
The initiation token flashed with a soft light as it was recorded in the background information.
Elder Shen added the words "pending decision" to the background information and then tossed it aside, letting it gather dust at the bottom of the pile.
As he threw it away, he glanced at the name on the document.
"Mo Hua..."
This name didn't leave much of an impression on Elder Shen, and he quickly forgot about it...
I did my best!
Two chapters, nearly 10,000 words!
(End of Chapter)
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