https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-650-The-Dragon-Tiger-Fruit-Rank-and-the-Bottomless-Cave/12951945/
Chapter 651: Taking on Disciples
Chapter 651: Taking on Disciples
"Ahem!"
Upon their return, Ye Lan was accompanied by two other demon slayers from Jianyang Prefecture.
Ye Jing's face was pale, clearly bearing severe injuries. Meng Xiuwen, on the other hand, seemed unaffected, chewing on a toothpick with a rather unpleasant expression.
The three stepped into the residence, and Ye Lan performed a telecommunication spell.
Soon, a hunched figure emerged from the ground.
"You're back. How's the situation?"
Min Zhiyan, leaning on a cane, glanced at Ye Jing and sighed inwardly.
This young lady had reached the True Immortal Realm, and she was personally cultivated by Yan Lan General. Her abilities were commendable, and even Min Zhiyan was surprised, indicating that this incident was more serious than expected.
Ye Lan led the group into the courtyard, nodded at Shen Yi, and said softly, "The Divine Kingdom is furious. Seven Treasure Bodhisattva was prepared, and she escaped back to the sect. The Demon Slaying Bureau is cooperating with the court to control the spread of the Lotus Platform Technique, but the effect is minimal..."
Although Ye Jing couldn't reveal her identity as a demon slayer, she was still working with the court.
However, they encountered resistance and were even severely injured.
This could only mean that many of the cultivators and demons who listened to the Bodhisattva's lecture had lost their rationality. Tempted by the path of the Sixth Stage Golden Lotus Practitioner, they were willing to defy the court to bring this technique back to their sects or clans.
"The chaos has just begun." Min Zhiyan frowned deeply.
"This is just the beginning." Meng Xiuwen spat out the toothpick, his eyes turning cold. "With the Golden Lotus Technique in their hands, do you expect them to calmly endure the tribulation of the mortal body?"
The Divine Kingdom wasn't stingy. As long as the sects recruited disciples and imparted teachings through proper channels, the court would never interfere.
However, since the cultivators had found a way to overcome the mental tribulation, any technique above the Seventh Stage inherently shook the foundation of the Divine Kingdom.
Fortunately, those who mastered these techniques were mostly members of the Three Sects or closely related to them, and their numbers were scarce. The court turned a blind eye.
However, Seven Treasure Bodhisattva's abrupt move caught everyone off guard.
"It won't be long before there's rampant worship and shrines everywhere."
Whether it was the Triad Sect or the Bodhimanda Sect, disciples obtained Imperial Aura by following procedures and serving the people of Shenzhou, earning them a portion of cultivation.
But for those unrestrained wandering cultivators, demons, and evildoers, obtaining such a sacred scripture meant they might not be as concerned with appearances when seizing Imperial Aura.
With such a large number, there would surely be some lucky ones who successfully advanced to the Golden Lotus Practitioner realm.
At this level, what they sought was the position of the fruit and the great scripture.
The Bodhimanda Sect didn't need to pay anything and could gain a large number of "disciples" out of thin air. For the Divine Kingdom to maintain this prosperous era, it was as difficult as climbing to heaven.
"What does the Immortal Court say about this?" Meng Xiuwen looked to the side.
"The Immortal Court..." Min Zhiyan sighed and shook his head slightly. "If the Immortal Court wanted to intervene, Seven Treasure Bodhisattva wouldn't have had the chance to go to Crane Mountain."
This was the most puzzling aspect for the Earth God. The Immortal Court and the Divine Kingdom jointly governed the mortal realm, and chaos in the human world didn't seem to benefit the higher-ups.
"..."
Ye Lan's eyes flickered, clearly knowing something, but she didn't elaborate.
The matters between the Divine Kingdom and the Immortal Court were too distant from them. The more pressing issue was the current trouble.
While the Bodhimanda Sect was busy negotiating with the court, they needed to quickly cover up the matter of the Arhat fruit position.
Ye Lan walked slowly towards Shen Yi. "Let Meng Xiuwen handle Jianyang Prefecture. If you have no other matters, come with me."
"Okay."
Shen Yi listened quietly without interrupting.
Having experienced several chaotic periods, he understood that in such a situation, the only useful means of self-preservation was to enhance his strength.
"Tsk tsk."
Meng Xiuwen patted Shen Yi's shoulder and winked at him. This guy, who had shown little interest last time, had caught Ye Lan's attention after just one trip.
Not bad skills.
Thinking of this, Meng Xiuwen muttered softly, "With a little more effort, you can reach the Void Dao Fruit."
Ye Lan shot him a glance, sending him a silent rebuke.
The Yan Lan General was currently more concerned about Shen Yi misunderstanding the situation, thinking he had truly joined under Shen Xu Ancestor. Given her current situation, she wasn't qualified to impart any Dao Fruit to him.
"Let's go. The sooner we leave, the sooner we return."
Ye Lan didn't say more, leading Shen Yi and Ye Jing out of the residence.
Cultivators have always yearned for the freedom of roaming clouds and wild cranes.
Only sects like the Jade Dragon Sect or the White Cloud Cave, which rely on the protection of the Imperial Court, would place their disciples within the jurisdiction of the Divine Kingdom.
True Immortals prefer freedom and avoid dealing with court officials. They typically establish their abodes between celestial mountains and vast oceans.
Divine Void Mountain is located in the seas beyond the Great Southern Continent.
Surrounding the main mountain are over three hundred peaks, stretching endlessly into the horizon, forming a natural grand array. The place is permeated with immortal aura, rivaling even the Heavenly Court.
Among these peaks, eight stand tallest, encircling the main mountain.
It is only when one truly travels across mountains and seas, traversing the vast distances of Shenzhou, that the disparity in cultivation levels becomes increasingly apparent.
Ye Lan, riding on a sword light, was truly a sight of roaming the North Sea and dwelling in Cangwu.
Even with Ye Jing by her side, it was not something a Seventh Rank True Immortal like Shen Yi could catch up to.
Of course, Shen Yi could manifest a Fifth Rank Arhat Golden Body and travel on foot. Even if he couldn't catch up to Ye Lan, he wouldn't be a burden.
But that would attract too much attention, especially since he had obtained his rank through deceit, which was as good as seeking death.
Thus, the trio spent a whole two months just traveling.
"Once we arrive, try to speak less and control your temper," Ye Lan instructed.
As she looked down at the numerous peaks below, a hint of sadness appeared in her eyes when her gaze fell upon the fifth peak.
The second generation of disciples under Shen Xu Ancestor consisted of eight individuals, each establishing their own lineage to carry on the sect's heritage.
Currently, the fifth lineage still existed, but the founder of that lineage had already passed away, leaving behind only a third-generation disciple. Thus, this disciple was known as Grandmaster Ye Lan.
"..."
Shen Yi nodded slightly, but confusion filled his eyes.
If he remembered correctly, Ye Lan had once mentioned that her lineage was almost extinct.
Yet, the peak they were heading towards was bustling with numerous disciples, all engaged in various tasks, creating a lively atmosphere.
The air was filled with the fragrance of medicinal herbs, and as Ye Lan and the others slowly descended, they reached the mountain's waist, feeling a sense of dissonance with the surroundings, as if they were mere outsiders.
Ye Jing quietly followed behind, whispering a reminder to Lord Shen Yi, "When we're in an Immortal Sect, we can't address anyone as 'General' anymore."
"I understand," Shen Yi replied, following Ye Lan up the mountain. As they ascended, he felt the increasing stares of the disciples, and he raised an eyebrow.
No wonder Ye Lan had shown that expression earlier; it was clear that they had been wronged.
It was hard to say how much influence Ye Lan still held in her lineage.
By the time the trio reached the small courtyard at the peak, news of their arrival had already spread to several nearby peaks.
Ye Lan pushed open the courtyard door, and the coldness on her face finally softened.
However, upon seeing the ground free of fallen leaves, indicating regular sweeping, and the hot tea on the stone table with nearly tangible spiritual mist rising from the green liquid, her fingers clenched tightly.
The fifth peak had been occupied, and now even this small courtyard, the only remaining place, was inhabited by others.
The furnishings, once sealed in her memories, had been altered beyond recognition.
"Hmm..."
Ye Lan regulated her breathing, slowly releasing her clenched fingers, and stepped into the inner room.
Her eyes fixed on the small statue of the grandmaster placed on the altar, and her gaze turned icy.
"Why didn't you inform me, Master Sister, before returning?" A handsome young man with disheveled clothes rushed in, leaning against the doorframe with a smile. Noticing Ye Lan's stare at the altar, he touched his ear and said casually, "Since you're rarely here, Master Sister, we, the disciples of the Sixth Peak, maintain this place. I assumed you wouldn't mind if we replaced the grandmaster statue for the convenience of our worship."
"I truly meant no offense, Master Sister, you shouldn't mind, right?"
"..."
Under the young man's gaze, Ye Lan remained unmoved. She extended her palm, grabbed the grandmaster statue, and casually tossed it at his feet.
The statue rolled around, causing the young man's face to pale. "Master Sister! That's your grandmaster! You're being too disrespectful..."
Before he could finish, his words were interrupted by a cold voice.
"Take your father and get out of here."
Ye Lan waved her hand with a hint of disdain, using Spirit Light to sweep the altar clean.
She bent down and retrieved a dusty middle-aged man's statue from the corner beneath the altar. She carefully wiped it with her pure white sleeves several times before placing it solemnly in the center of the altar.
Finally, she pinched a few burnt incense sticks on the altar, lit new ones, and inserted them into the incense burner with precision.
After completing these tasks, she slowly turned around, not even bothering to glance at the young man. She spoke to Shen Yi, "I've sent messages to the other peaks. When the time comes, I'll officially accept you as my disciple."
Technically, there was no need for a third-generation disciple to go through such an elaborate process to accept a disciple.
But Ye Lan was different. Although she was a third-generation disciple within Shen Xu Mountain, she held the position of Peak Master, equal in status to the other seven second-generation disciples.
As she spoke, several powerful auras suddenly enveloped the courtyard.
Their intensity was such that even Shen Yi, who had personally experienced the Fifth Rank Fruit Position, felt a slight sense of awe.
The next moment, three figures with immortal bearing silently landed in the courtyard. Among them were a black-bearded middle-aged man, a white-haired elder, and a charming middle-aged woman.
Seven letters had been sent out, but only three had arrived, and none of them were the man from the statue.
"Look at this, fellow Masters!"
The disheveled youth, agitated and frustrated, pointed at the statue by his feet. He had been too afraid to speak up before, but now he was almost cursing, recounting the previous events with a sense of grievance.
"Lan'er!" The black-bearded middle-aged man, the Peak Master of the Third Peak, spoke sternly, "Muyang is your Master's junior. No matter how dissatisfied you are, how could you show such disrespect to your elders?"
In response to the black-bearded man's rebuke, Ye Lan neither argued nor asked for anyone to intervene. She simply said, "Master Qianfeng, please address me as Peak Master Ye."
This simple statement caused Qianfeng Daoist's face to freeze slightly, and his outstretched finger curled back. He then waved his sleeves in anger, "Fine, fine, Peak Master Ye, it seems I'm the one who doesn't know when to stop."
The other two Peak Masters exchanged glances but didn't interfere.
Ye Lan had assumed the posture of a Peak Master, no longer considering herself a junior. With such a rigid attitude, any further reasoning would be pointless.
"..."
Shen Yi silently observed the scene before him. As an outsider, he could only stand by like Ye Jing, quietly observing.
But many things had become clear.
Despite Qianfeng Daoist's initial criticism, his presence here indicated that he was probably the most neutral among the Peak Masters.
As for those who didn't show up, they probably didn't take Ye Lan seriously at all.
"The time has come."
Ye Lan showed no emotion throughout, as if she were merely following a procedure. The presence or absence of these people meant nothing to her.
"Come here."
She pointed to the spot behind her.
After Shen Yi stood in place, Ye Lan turned to face the statue. She lifted her skirt and knelt directly on the ground, "Today, I, Ye Lan, the Fifth Peak Master, on behalf of my Master, accept a disciple. I accept Shen Yi into the Fifth Peak and appoint him as a third-generation disciple under the Shen Xu Ancestor. From this day forward, we are fellow disciples, bound by life and death!"
As her words fell, she respectfully bowed to the Ancestor's statue.
When she rose, her expression returned to its usual indifference, and she turned to see the guests out.
"..."
The three Peak Masters exchanged complex glances, all looking at the youth in the ink-colored robe.
The Fifth Peak had long been in name only, and Ye Lan, due to a past incident, had rarely returned to Shen Xu Mountain. She had spent years traveling, and no one knew what she had been up to.
Now that she had returned, it seemed she intended to revive the Fifth Peak.
After so many years, her thoughts seemed rather naive. The resources of the Fifth Peak had long been firmly controlled by Muyang, her junior. It wouldn't be easy to reclaim them.
The title of Peak Master alone was far from sufficient.
The disheveled youth, not being a Peak Master, had not received the message. He had no idea why Ye Lan had returned.
Accept a disciple?
For whom? For the Fifth Peak?
Where was the Fifth Peak now?
As he thought this, his eyes twitched, and he glared at the youth in the ink-colored robe. Then, he turned and headed towards the Sixth Peak.
He had worked so hard to become a half-Peak Master; he couldn't let this wretch cause any more trouble!
(End of Chapter)
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