https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-766-Becoming-a-Disciple-at-Lingxu-Grotto/13466374/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-768-The-Big-Picture-Requires-Flexibility/13466379/
Chapter 767: Inquiring About the Great Law of the Golden Immortal
Chapter 767: Inquiring About the Great Law of the Golden Immortal
Upon his return, Lingxu Zi was still preoccupied with the monks of the Bodhi Sect. He couldn’t simply let his young disciple vanish without a trace, and for the moment, he had no other concerns.
Additionally, like everyone else, he was somewhat curious about Shen Yi’s background.
This young man had once been a disciple of a Six-Winged Silk Worm.
If anyone were to take him in now, it would be like lowering themselves to the level of a demon cultivator, which would indeed be a disgrace.
Moreover, his Senior Brother Qingguang had caused so much trouble, yet he was unwilling to take any responsibility. Instead, he left it to Lingxu Cave to clean up the mess. If he were to accept Shen Yi, wouldn’t it make him look weak?
At the level of an Eternal Transcendent Immortal, one transcends life and death. Apart from the Supreme Dao, what mattered most was one’s reputation.
But the situation was different now.
Even a carefree Golden Immortal wouldn’t want to be looked down upon by the sect leaders.
Lingxu Zi was no exception.
However, the actions of his eldest disciple had left him with no hope.
In such a situation, a young and capable cultivator who had come to him of his own accord was indeed tempting.
Generally, few Golden Immortals would take in a Third-Grade cultivator as a disciple, for it was difficult to mold them at that level.
At that stage of cultivation, how could they not have a lineage? If they could betray their original sect, they could just as easily betray their new master.
But this Grand Emptiness Zhenjun was different. His sect had been destroyed, leaving him without support. Even after escaping, he still thought about avenging his master, showing loyalty and righteousness.
In light of these virtues, the minor stain of having once been a disciple of a demon seemed insignificant.
As for Yunmiao’s claim that the elder disciple’s misfortune was related to Shen Yi, it was questionable how much truth there was in his words, given the disciple’s desire to shirk responsibility.
But even if we assume the worst...
Lingxu Zi cast a sideways glance at the young man. What he needed now was someone to fight for Lingxu Cave, not necessarily to cultivate a genuine master-disciple bond.
"Follow me back."
Lingxu Zi waved his fly whisk and summoned an Auspicious Cloud to carry Shen Yi. "Since you've entered my door, you should avoid using underhanded methods unless absolutely necessary", he said. "A true immortal should have the dignity of an immortal."
He was referring to the Grand Emptiness realm.
As a disciple of the Golden Immortal of the San Xian Jiao, it was acceptable to use magic in battle, but there was no need to hide when traveling. It was undignified and would invite ridicule.
"Understood, Master."
Shen Yi nodded, and the two of them rose into the sky on the cloud.
He had once dreamed of being a white-robed immortal with a noble and transcendent demeanor. Now, that dream had come true. He wasn’t just an immortal; he was a genuine disciple of a Golden Immortal. Even if he met the leaders of the Three Pure Sects, he could call them Grandmaster.
This status was among the highest in the entire world.
Shen Yi gazed down at the Auspicious Cloud, through the mist, and saw the ravaged lands of the Middle Earth. The contrast made him feel a bit queasy.
"Ah." He closed his eyes.
He had finally secured a foothold in the Northern Continent and ensured his survival.
But more importantly, he now had the chance to learn the great immortal techniques that promised eternal life.
Soon, Lingxu Zi returned to Half-Fallen Cliff with Shen Yi in tow.
"..."
When Yunmiao Zhenjun saw Shen Yi’s figure, his heart sank to the bottom.
He had guessed correctly. His master had left the mountain specifically to support this disciple of the demon.
Now, bringing him back made the implications clear.
Yunmiao Zhenjun clenched his teeth. If this had happened before, he wouldn’t have objected. But since meeting Youyao, things had changed.
It was clear from the establishment of the Grand Emptiness Zhenjun shrine that this person was not as easily controlled as he had thought.
Moreover, his master had been increasingly dissatisfied with him. If this demon disciple were to join Lingxu Cave, it would significantly affect his position as the eldest disciple, perhaps even replacing him.
But no matter how much he resisted...
Yunmiao Zhenjun could only watch as Shen Yi descended.
He forced a smile, his voice slightly hoarse. "Junior Brother Danhuang, it’s good to see you again."
"Senior Brother."
Shen Yi responded casually and followed the silent Lingxu Zi to the back of the cliff.
Yunmiao Zhenjun watched them disappear from view, his face growing more bitter. His master preferred to trust an outsider rather than give him, who had followed him since childhood, another chance.
If that’s the case, he would have to prove to the other party who truly represents the future of the Lingxu Grotto lineage!
With that thought, Realman Yunmiao turned resolutely and rode the clouds toward Qingguang Mountain.
...
At the foot of Half-Fallen Cliff stood another Daoist temple.
Unlike the seemingly endless stone steps of Qingguang Mountain, this temple was situated on the branches of a massive tree that extended from the cliff.
The temple was serene, with only eight meditation cushions.
Lingxuzi lifted his robe and sat cross-legged, gesturing for Shen Yi to take the place previously occupied by Lingsu.
"You once cultivated in the Southern Continent, far from our sect, and your techniques and methods are lacking."
"But the path of cultivation is arduous, and even a teacher like me, a Golden Immortal, cannot make up for your deficiencies in a short time. Not even the sect leader could manage that."
"Instead, tell me, what do you lack the most right now?"
Lingxuzi needed a fierce and capable warrior, not a well-rounded disciple, so he didn’t bother with formalities.
"Disciple lacks..."
Shen Yi paused for a moment, then raised his head. "The great techniques for attaining Golden Immortal status."
Lingxuzi was taken aback. He had expected the other party, having finally joined a major sect in the Northern Continent, to ask for serious techniques and magical treasures.
But he hadn’t anticipated that this young man was seeking something so intangible.
Attaining Golden Immortal status was indeed important, but it wouldn’t solve the immediate crisis and wouldn’t help in the current tribulations.
Thinking of this, Lingxuzi’s brow furrowed. He had taken in this person despite the risk of offending Senior Brother Qingguang, not to let him seek immortality leisurely at Half-Fallen Cliff.
"Since you have joined the Lingxu Grotto, you will not lack great techniques. However, you are already in the midst of tribulations and have secured a Daoist seat. This will inevitably bring many troubles. You must first focus on overcoming these tribulations. Afterward, with the support of human offerings, you can pursue Golden Immortal status more efficiently."
Lingxuzi gently chided the young man, hoping to make him understand the reason for accepting him.
"Show me your cultivation level."
"..."
Shen Yi didn’t hesitate. He had expended vast amounts of Beastly Lifespan to advance the Divine Void Dao Fruit to his current realm, all for the sake of demonstrating his cultivation today.
He slowly spread his palms, and thick black clouds surged from his sleeves, quickly spreading throughout the temple.
Seeing the cultivation that had reached the pinnacle of the Nine-Nine Transformations, Lingxuzi’s face didn’t show any joy. Instead, his brow furrowed even more.
To resist Youyao’s attacks, this level of cultivation was just the bare minimum. He had expected the other party to have some extraordinary abilities, such as a stable Dao path or an extraordinary vision.
But now, it seemed that the path derived from the Divine Void Dao Fruit was vast but hollow, formless and soulless. Due to its grand vision and lack of solid foundation, it was actually inferior.
Not only was it unremarkable, but among the top disciples of the various lineages, it would be considered mediocre.
Even Lingxuzi began to doubt whether the conflict over Kaiyuan Manor was truly due to Youyao’s underestimation.
Shen Yi observed the old man’s changing expressions but wasn’t surprised.
His Divine Void Dao Fruit was meant to complement the Golden Body Dharma Image. They should be viewed together, and looking at one in isolation naturally made it seem meaningless.
"Alas."
Lingxuzi sighed silently. He had already taken in the disciple, and there was no turning back.
He would have to make do with what he had.
He had set his expectations too high. For a disciple to achieve Third Grade perfection in the Southern Continent, under the control of the Bodhi Sect, was already no small feat. He couldn’t ask for more.
"Given your current situation, holding onto Kaiyuan Manor would be a fortunate outcome. Do not be overly ambitious."
If Shen Yi could dominate one of the four manors, like Youyao and Lishan, and have a chance to ascend to the rank of Immortal Emperor, it would be a great honor for the Lingxu Grotto.
But from the looks of it, holding onto one manor and maintaining a mid-level position would be a good enough outcome, avoiding embarrassment for his lineage.
Lingxuzi waved his fly whisk: "I will impart the Supreme Clarity Technique and a Triple-Quenched Spirit Treasure to you. Study them well; they will be sufficient for your protection."
"Thank you, Master."
As the fly whisk waved in front of him, Dao patterns flowed into his brow. After digesting the new information in his mind, Shen Yi looked down and saw a three-foot-long, ancient and elegant sword on his knee, radiating a chilling aura.
White robes and a sword... everything was now in place.
This was the treatment a direct disciple of a major sect should receive.
But—
Shen Yi looked up. "Master, what is a Spirit Treasure?"
Although he, Shen Yi, had always appeared naive and unsophisticated since Qingzhou, this time it was different.
Back in the Southern Continent, even tools like the Fire Dragon Chariot and the Nine Radiance Banner had to be bestowed by Crane Child, and the elders treasured them as if they were gems. In such circumstances, it was perfectly normal for him to be unfamiliar with these things.
Sure enough, Lingxuzi didn’t find it strange, his eyes slightly proud. "Only those objects that were born with the heavens and earth can be called Spirit Treasures... of course, such innate treasures are extremely rare and can only be possessed by those with great destiny. However, as a Golden Immortal like me, I also need some handy tools for daily duels."
"Crafting artifacts is the foremost of the hundred arts of cultivation, ranking alongside alchemy."
"Using Disaster Force to temper a magical treasure until it imbues with a touch of heavenly spirit can create an object akin to a spirit treasure. Each tempering consumes a full hundred thousand calamities, more than the foundation required for your Third Grade path."
"If it were to undergo nine temperings, it might rival a true innate spirit treasure."
Worried that Shen Yi might misinterpret the significance of a spirit treasure, Lingxu Zi added:
"Ultimately, spirit treasures are meant for Golden Immortals. For instance, this Wuwei Sword, which has undergone three temperings, isn't enough to grant you the power of three hundred thousand calamities. With your Great Emptiness Immortal cultivation, you can only harness a fraction of its potential."
"..."
Even with his Beastly Lifespan, Shen Yi had consumed far more Disaster Force than a typical cultivator. Yet, upon hearing this figure, his pupils couldn't help but constrict.
He had been simultaneously advancing along two paths to their perfection, yet in terms of Disaster Force, he had only managed to match half of what this inanimate object possessed?
"Let me clear your eyes for you."
Lingxu Zi waved his hand in front of Shen Yi's eyes.
Shen Yi felt a cool sensation in his eyes, and then, just as he had in the imperial city's wine pool, he could see the Disaster Force within the Wuwei Sword with his naked eye.
"In the future, you must rely on these eyes to gauge your opponent's true strength before making any decisions."
Lingxu Zi was pleased with Shen Yi's reaction. He had deliberately done this to prevent the Southern Continent cultivator from fully understanding the benefits he had received, ensuring he would not wholeheartedly dedicate himself to Lingxu Cave.
However, the surprise on Shen Yi's face was fleeting. Under the old man's watchful gaze, he quickly put down the sword and looked back, showing no excessive greed.
"..."
A hint of displeasure crept onto Lingxu Zi's face. He knew exactly what the young man was thinking.
After a long moment, he reluctantly lifted his fly whisk: "I will impart the great technique to you, but you may only observe. If you wish to truly practice it, you must first seek my approval."
"It's not that I want to hinder your cultivation, but the path to enlightenment is fraught with difficulties. If you make a mistake, it could render thousands of years of hard work futile, and you would have to start all over again. It would be a terrible waste."
The three sect leaders, the five imperial lords, and even the nine true buddhas of the Bodhi Sect, though they each have different great techniques for enlightenment, are all essentially doing the same thing.
They aim to establish a connection with the Heavenly Dao, then channel the path they have walked into a Dao Fruit or a position, merging it with the Heavenly Dao.
The title of Eternal Transcendent Immortal, in contrast to Great Emptiness Immortal, incorporates the character for "gold", signifying a golden body.
The term 'transcending the two realms' means that after reaching the Second Grade, the physical body in the world is merely a vessel. The Dao Fruit is the true self, which resides within the Heavenly Dao, coexisting with it, eternal and unextinguished.
It might sound familiar, but in essence, this is the final step for cultivators to emulate the True Deities.
True Deities can be reborn from a single drop of blood because they are manifestations of the Heavenly Order. By hiding their true selves within the Heavenly Dao, cultivators can achieve the same effect.
If the physical vessel in the world dies, as long as sufficient Disaster Force has been stored in the Dao Fruit, a new vessel can be immediately recreated. If Disaster Force is insufficient, the Dao Fruit can slowly accumulate it within the Heavenly Dao until the day of awakening.
Lingxu Zi was reluctant to impart the great technique to Shen Yi because it would be detrimental to Lingxu Cave.
If this young man, unable to resist the temptation of immortality, decided to forcefully ascend to the Golden Immortal stage without enough Disaster Force to reshape his Dao Fruit, and failed, the Dao Fruit would be destroyed. Not only would he be unable to participate in the great calamity, but he would have to spend thousands of years like a waste of time at Half-Fallen Cliff, until the Dao Fruit was reshaped.
Even if he were lucky enough to successfully ascend to the Golden Immortal stage, he would have transcended the Two Realms. Who would still participate in the great calamity? In the vast San Xian Jiao, with so many fellow disciples, who would allow a Golden Immortal to bully the younger generation?
Shen Yi is not a direct disciple, and Lingxu Zi has no desire to do the hard work for others.
This Grand Emptiness Zhenjun must remain at the Third Grade, and can only be at the Third Grade!
Until the great calamity ends, and he secures eternal incense for Lingxu Cave, ensuring he can hold his head high before his sect master, only then will it be complete.
(End of Chapter)
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