Chapter 112 - 74: The Flourishing Times Pass Like Water

Chapter 112: Chapter 74: The Flourishing Times Pass Like Water

As disciples from the Celestial Dao Fields and guests from subordinate sects arrived one after another, the Tai Su Orthodox Sect became unusually lively.

Many disciples from the Celestial Dao Fields, in particular, had long yearned to see the main sect and began touring the grounds. Langhuan Tower, the sect’s "Scripture Pavilion," was their top destination.

After seeing off the party from the Yuxiao Sect, Xuzhuang briefly studied the Profound Fire True Thunder. He was immediately struck by its infinite profundity. He realized that during his cultivation of the Red Fire Gang Thunder to the sixth layer, there were many subtleties and critical points within the thunder skill that he had never understood or even noticed.

So, Xuzhuang headed to Langhuan Tower, intending to look up some written insights on cultivating thunder skills. He couldn’t help but be a little surprised to find the place packed with people.

Of course, the third floor of Langhuan Tower remained tranquil and deserted. The Book Immortal Taoist was unusually visible, half-reclining on a cloud couch. He held a copy of the Ten Thousand Rivers Return Flow Book and seemed to be reading a fascinating part, tapping his fingers against his palm with great relish.

Xuzhuang did not disturb the Book Immortal Taoist. He simply offered a respectful bow before focusing on finding the texts he needed.

Although the Tai Su Sect had no true heritage of thunder skills, its long-standing relationship with the Yuxiao Sect meant that quite a few thunder-based Dao skills had circulated within its walls, along with a wealth of written insights from previous cultivators.

Late that night, Xuzhuang still hadn’t left. He had already browsed through many Daoist Scriptures when a casual interest led him to finish a miscellaneous book reviewing the thunder skills of the Profound Yellow Realm.

The Yuxiao Sect claimed nearly half of the top ten rankings within it, and the Jade Pivot Divine Thunder was even listed as the number one Superior Thunder Skill in the Profound Yellow Realm. Although this was just one author’s opinion, and even if it was slightly biased, it still highlighted the profundity of the Yuxiao Sect’s thunder skills.

What surprised Xuzhuang, however, was that Zhong Shenxiu’s Purple Sky Divine Thunder was not listed. He recalled that the Upper Profound Sect intended to use the All Heavens Divine Thunder Mirror to deduce a true heritage of thunder skills. Perhaps this review had been written before that.

Xuzhuang put down the book. Suddenly, his Spiritual Sense stirred. A streak of light shot up from below and entered the third floor, revealing Yue Junlan’s stern figure.

Xuzhuang’s gaze shifted, as if he had noticed something. After Yue Junlan paid his respects to the Book Immortal Taoist, Xuzhuang bowed and said, "Senior Brother Yue."

Yue Junlan nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over Xuzhuang with a flicker of surprise. "Junior Brother Xu... your cultivation has progressed considerably."

Xuzhuang smiled faintly. "I can’t compare to you, Senior Brother. I have yet to congratulate you on reaching the Nascent Soul realm."

Yue Junlan replied indifferently, "The Nascent Soul realm is nothing to speak of. It won’t be too late for you to congratulate me if I ever achieve the Primordial Spirit realm."

Xuzhuang didn’t mind his tone and asked, "The grand ceremony begins after sunrise. Are you still here in Langhuan Tower to read Daoist Scriptures, Senior Brother Yue?"

Yue Junlan said, "I wish to find and read some records about the Celestial Dao Fields."

Xuzhuang’s expression flickered. "It seems you intend to go to the Celestial Dao Fields and preside over a region, Senior Brother."

Yue Junlan merely gave a slight nod. The two exchanged a few more words before each returned to browsing Daoist Scriptures.

Holding a bamboo scroll, Xuzhuang couldn’t help but feel a little sentimental.

’In the ten years since Daochen Zhenren forged his Primordial Spirit and returned, it’s as if everyone was spurred into action. Several long-standing True Disciples of the twelfth generation—Han Wang, Nangong Yang, whom I’ve only met once or twice, and now Yue Junlan—have all broken through to the Nascent Soul realm.’

’The seven great True Disciples of the Tai Su Sect, once renowned across the Divine Continent and said to be at their peak, have suddenly ’dwindled’ to just four.’

’Meanwhile, my acquaintances Sun Suzhen and the Sword Step Master have also refined their Golden Mercury. I haven’t slowed my own cultivation, but my foundation is so profound that I’m just a step behind them.’

’After the grand ceremony is over,’ Xuzhuang thought, ’I need to refine my Golden Mercury as soon as possible.’

’In truth, as the last True Disciple of the twelfth generation, while I don’t particularly care, I should still try to avoid being surpassed by the thirteenth generation’s True Disciples if I can help it.’

’Besides, I haven’t forgotten the message Zhong Shenxiu had Sun Suzhen pass on to me: in twenty-one years at most, he would gestate his Nascent Soul...’

’I naturally understood his meaning. If I want to have a true duel with Zhong Shenxiu while we’re both still in the Golden Core Realm, I only have twenty-one years. And nearly half of that time has already passed.’

’But when I think of Zhong Shenxiu’s Divine Techniques, which are comparable to Nascent Soul Dao Skills, and other wondrous arts like Returning Wind and Reversing Fire or the Immobility Technique, I feel that even if I refine my Golden Mercury, I might not have a fifty percent chance of defeating him unless I use treasures like my Great Destruction Geng Gold Sword and Primordial Treasure Lotus Parasol.’

Xuzhuang calmed his mind and returned his focus to the present, soon becoming engrossed in the Daoist Scripture. The night passed quickly. As the morning sun rose, its light illuminated the Yunmeng Marsh.

「On the summit of Dubhe Peak.」

Lin Ling and her companions followed their elder to the summit, where a servant disciple immediately greeted them. The disciple respectfully guided their party into the grand hall. Inside, aside from a few guests attending the ceremony, were countless sect members dressed in Tai Su Daoist Robes.

The crowd was subtly divided between members of the Orthodox Sect and those from the Celestial Dao Fields. Among the disciples from the Celestial Dao Fields, there were dozens of smaller factions. This wasn’t due to any animosity or hierarchy among them; it was simply that they were not familiar with one another.

At the front of the crowd stood many High-Achieving Cultivators, who one could tell at a glance possessed extremely profound cultivation. Each was dressed in ceremonial robes and stood fixed in place. Some conversed in low voices, while others kept their eyes closed in meditation.

The Yuxiao Sect was, after all, one of the six major sects and had maintained friendly relations with the Tai Su Sect for generations, so they were certainly not neglected. Their party was guided to a spot at the front of the crowd.

"So many Nascent Soul Venerables..." Lin Ling whispered. "The Nascent Soul Venerables of the Tai Su Sect rarely make appearances on the Divine Continent; they’re very mysterious. If we hadn’t come for the ceremony, it would be a rare opportunity indeed to see so many powerful figures."

Although Yue Yujie remained silent, he couldn’t help the thought that arose in his mind: ’The Tai Su Orthodox Sect... It is truly worthy of its name as one of the top three sects.’