Chapter 113 - 74: The Passing of a Golden Age (Part 2)

Chapter 113: Chapter 74: The Passing of a Golden Age (Part 2)

’In this generation of Yuxiao, with Eldest Senior Brother leading the way, Junior Sister Lin and Junior Brother Fang have successively formed their Pills. The number of Top-grade Golden Cores is unprecedented. I thought we were at the height of our power, but it seems we are still far behind the three great sects.’

Just then, Lin Ling’s eyes lit up. She saw Xuzhuang enter the hall with a white-haired Daoist. It wasn’t the place to shout, so she waved to greet him, attracting the attention of many.

Yue Yujie’s brow furrowed for a moment. "Junior Sister," he said coolly, "this is a solemn occasion. You should be more mindful."

Lin Ling sheepishly drew back her hand. She knew this Senior Brother Yue was usually a bit of a rogue and had a dry sense of humor, but he was always serious when it mattered. Thus, she didn’t dare say more.

However, an elder at the front turned around and chuckled. "The ceremony hasn’t started yet. It’s fine for you to go talk with the members of the Tai Su Sect."

Lin Ling replied resentfully, "There’s no need. We’ve already paid Senior Brother Xu a visit before."

The elder stroked his long beard and said thoughtfully, "So that’s Xuzhuang? Truly extraordinary."

Xuzhuang had, of course, seen Lin Ling wave, but he only gave a slight nod in acknowledgment. He and Yue Junlan followed the guidance of a servant disciple to the front of the crowd. Suddenly, he stopped. Standing alone to the side was a Daoist with purple hair, a white beard, a Double Moon Robe, holding a duster, and wearing Daoist sandals. It was Venerable Moonlight.

Xuzhuang’s heart stirred. ’It’s been over thirty years. Venerable Moonlight seems to have aged a great deal.’ What surprised Xuzhuang was that the Xingyue Marketplace was not a sect, much less a true affiliate of Tai Su. ’Why would he be at the grand ceremony?’

Seeing Xuzhuang look over, Venerable Moonlight gave a smile and offered a slight bow. Xuzhuang returned the courtesy without hesitation, then thoughtfully followed the servant disciple and Yue Junlan into the crowd.

The occasion today was special, so this group were all wearing Tai Su ceremonial robes, but they were all familiar faces. The one in the lead was Han Wang, and the rest were Nangong Yang, Sun Suzhen, Sword Step Master, and a woman he had never met before.

Nangong Yang had the appearance of a young man, his hair held up by a golden crown, and his eyes always carried a faint look of arrogance. Because he was good friends with Sun Suzhen, Xuzhuang had met him a couple of times over the past ten years and considered him an acquaintance.

The remaining woman wore a white jade swaying hairpin and dangling pearl earrings. Her face was lovely, and she too was dressed in a Tai Su ceremonial robe.

Considering the status of everyone present, it was obvious that this must be the last remaining True Disciple of the twelfth generation, Yun Yaoguang.

And so, the seven contemporary True Disciples of Tai Su were finally gathered together. However, he imagined that soon after the ceremony ended, Han Wang and the others who had already reached the Nascent Soul realm would go their separate ways. And though those who came after them might not be far apart in age, they would already be a generation behind. The golden age of the seven great True Disciples was coming to a close.

As Xuzhuang and Yue Junlan joined the group, Han Wang was the first to turn around. He smiled and said, "Junior Brother Yue, Junior Brother Xu."

Yue Junlan gave a cool nod. He only exchanged a few brief words with the others, but everyone knew his personality and didn’t take it to heart.

Xuzhuang bowed and replied, "Senior Brother Han, it’s been a while."

Han Wang smiled and nodded. The two exchanged a few words before Yun Yaoguang came to their side, a beaming smile on her face. "Senior Brother Han," she said, "is this Junior Brother Xu?"

Xuzhuang hadn’t expected this senior sister, with whom he had no real connection, to be the first to speak to him. Slightly surprised, he replied, "I am. I’ve heard much about Senior Sister Yun."

Yun Yaoguang waved her hand. "You’re too kind, Junior Brother. You’re the one who’s truly famous. I even heard rumors about you while I was a guest at the Spirit Treasure Sect. Everyone says that if you hadn’t made your debut a bit later, you could have been named the Twin Prodigies alongside Zhong Shenxiu..."

Xuzhuang shook his head. "I am hardly worthy of such a title."

This wasn’t said out of a lack of confidence. Rather, ever since one of the last two people to bear the title of "Twin Prodigies" became Ancestor Grandmaster Shangxuan, the Divine Continent had rarely bestowed such a title upon any young genius.

And after the other prodigy betrayed the Xuan Sect, only to return after achieving Pure Yang and establishing the Taixuan Sect’s Meteor Dojo, this piece of history, silent for thousands of years, was brought up once more, so there was no need to elaborate further.

Hearing this, Yun Yaoguang just smiled and quickly changed the subject, seeming as though she had only intended to get acquainted with Xuzhuang. After the few of them chatted for a moment, Sun Suzhen suddenly came over and asked, "Junior Brother Xu, have you cultivated the *Superior Technique of Myriad Rivers Returning to the Source*?"

Xuzhuang was slightly taken aback. "I have not. Why do you ask, Senior Brother?"

"You haven’t?" Sun Suzhen said. "Right now, besides me, no one else in the sect has cultivated the *Superior Technique of Myriad Rivers Returning to the Source* to a high level. It’s arduous to fumble through it alone."

"Now that the teachings of the *Superior Technique of Myriad Rivers Returning to the Source* have been completed, pointing directly to the Pure Yang Merit, I thought you would choose to cultivate it. That way, I would have someone to discuss the profound Dao with."

Xuzhuang understood. "Though I achieved Nine-Orifice Pill Formation, when cultivating true techniques, quality is more important than quantity. For now, I have no plans to cultivate the *Superior Technique of Myriad Rivers Returning to the Source*."

Sun Suzhen said, "That is a great pity."

At this moment, Sword Step Master, who had been cool and detached, suddenly interjected, "Senior Brother Sun, what do you mean by that?"

The two turned to look at her. Seeing the doubt in Sword Step Master’s eyes, she spoke more than she usually did, a rare occurrence. "Why would Junior Brother Xu switch to cultivating the *Superior Technique of Myriad Rivers Returning to the Source*?"

Yun Yaoguang grinned. "Junior Sister Bu, you’re the same as ever, caring for nothing but cultivation and swordsmanship. You must not have read the *Three Phases*..." She suddenly cut herself off, thought for a moment, and then relayed the rest of her message via voice transmission.

Xuzhuang didn’t mind. The *Secret Record of the Three Phases, Six Seals, and Nine Orifice Condensing Pill* had already been added to the Langhuan Tower, so it was perfectly normal for them to have read it. ’Besides, this Pill Condensation Technique... as the Book Immortal Taoist said, it can’t be called a superior method. My experience had too many unique factors that can’t be replicated.’

Yun Yaoguang told Sword Step Master about the *Secret Record of the Three Phases, Six Seals, and Nine Orifice Condensing Pill*. A thoughtful look appeared in Sword Step Master’s eyes, and she fell silent. Yun Yaoguang then turned her gaze back to Xuzhuang, a sudden conflict rising in her heart.

’The truth is, after reading the *Secret Record of the Three Phases, Six Seals, and Nine Orifice Condensing Pill*, I made some rough calculations and concluded that achieving Nine-Orifice Pill Formation should be utterly impossible. I’m incredibly curious how Xuzhuang managed it, but I also know that such matters are likely not for outsiders to hear about.’ In the end, she didn’t voice her question.

The group chatted for a while longer, but soon sensed the Celestial Time was approaching. They all ended their conversations, and not long after, the hall fell completely silent.

Another quarter of an hour passed. Suddenly, the ceremonial disciples chanted in unison, "The hour has arrived! We respectfully welcome Daochen Zhenren!"

Following the disciples’ chant, a long, sonorous bell toll echoed between heaven and earth, ringing twelve times. It was immediately followed by a chorus of immortal music as celestial flowers rained down from above. Daochen Zhenren entered the grand hall with the ceremonial procession. Golden lotuses bloomed in his wake, stretching all the way to the foot of the Ancestral Master Jade Statue.

Master Yuanhua was already waiting there. Seeing Daochen Zhenren approach, a look of gratification filled his eyes. Without many words, he lit three sticks of Immortal Incense and handed them to Daochen Zhenren.

A Primordial Spirit True Man must respect the ancestors but does not need to kowtow. Daochen Zhenren bowed slightly to accept the Immortal Incense. He bowed once to the sect ancestors, once to the Sect Founding Ancestor Grandmaster, and once to the Revival Ancestor Grandmaster, before placing the incense into the Incense Burner.

Afterward, Master Yuanhua took a jade plate from a Daoist Child’s hands. On it rested the Dharma Seal, a golden book, a jade register, and other items, which he presented to Daochen Zhenren.

The ceremonial disciples chanted in unison, "The rite is complete! Congratulations to the twelfth-generation Sect Leader, Daochen Zhenren, on his succession!"

In response, everyone in the hall shouted in unison, "Congratulations to Daochen Zhenren on achieving the Primordial Spirit and inheriting the great seat!"

A look of profound emotion appeared in Daochen Zhenren’s eyes as he lightly recited:

"Born beyond the Profound Yellow, my cultivation a dream among clouds."

"A thousand years on a long path, I grasped the truth to form a cloud of triumph."

"Today I take the Ancestor’s seal, to be revered as Sect Leader of all!"

—

The ceremony in the Sect Leader’s Grand Hall concluded, and everyone began to leave. Xuzhuang was walking out with the seven great True Disciples when a Daoist Child hurried over from the side, bowed, and said, "Junior Martial Uncle Xu."

Xuzhuang stopped and asked, "What is it, child?"

The Daoist Child said respectfully, "The Master has issued a decree, summoning Junior Martial Uncle to the Cloud Palace for a meeting."

"Oh?" Xuzhuang replied. "Thank you, child. I understand."

The Daoist Child bowed once more before quickly departing.

Xuzhuang pondered for a moment, wondering what the Master could want with him. Deciding not to dwell on it, he left the grand hall, summoned a streak of light, and flew up into the clouds, heading for the Cloud Palace.