Chapter 124 - 80: Visitor from Beyond the Heavens (Part 3)

Chapter 124: Chapter 80: Visitor from Beyond the Heavens (Part 3)

Zhou Jun, however, had obtained an Immortal Mansion left behind by a Cultivator known as the "Five Elements Wanderer." The Five Elements Wanderer claimed to be a Primordial Spirit cultivator from the Profound Yellow Realm who had unexpectedly passed away in the mortal world, leaving behind his legacy and a Talisman Treasure to return to the Profound Yellow Realm.

Zhou Jun had thus embarked on the path of cultivation. Finding the practice arduous and full of hardship in the mortal world, he steeled his resolve, activated the Talisman Treasure, and came to the Profound Yellow Realm to continue his journey.

Xu Zhuang and Sun Suzhen frowned deeply as they listened to his story. When he finished, Sun Suzhen said with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile, "So that’s how it is. You’re quite the fortunate one."

"However... I’ve never heard of a Five Elements Wanderer in the Profound Yellow Realm who managed to reach the Primordial Spirit stage."

Zhou Jun swallowed hard. But then, to his surprise, Daochen Zhenren suddenly spoke. "Ah, the Five Elements Wanderer. He hasn’t been heard from in a very long time. To think he passed away while traveling beyond this world."

Xu Zhuang and Sun Suzhen were both taken aback. They then heard Daochen Zhenren sigh, "Still, for his successor to return to the Profound Yellow Realm is a welcome turn of events."

With that, a faint smile touched his lips as his gaze fell upon Zhou Jun once more. "Zhou Jun, you’ve been subjected to our questioning since the moment you awoke, yet I imagine you still don’t know who we are."

"Listen closely. I am the Sect Leader of the Tai Su Sect, an orthodox sect of the Divine Continent. You were born into a humble life and grew up in the mortal world. That you could obtain an immortal opportunity means you are blessed with good fortune. That you could achieve success in Qi Cultivation means you have aptitude. And that you could let go of your past, take hold of your future, and cross the void to the Profound Yellow Great World in search of the Dao means you have the right disposition. You have endured the hardship of being detained and questioned by me, so I shall grant you a choice of three forms of compensation."

"First, you may choose one scroll of Daoist arts from the Tai Su collection, excluding our secret techniques."

"Second, you may choose any one Magical Artifact from the Tai Su treasury."

"Third! You may be granted the qualification to enter the Tai Su Orthodox Sect and pursue your cultivation."

With that, Daochen Zhenren closed his eyes to rest, seemingly having no intention of saying anything more, leaving Zhou Jun to make his choice.

Xu Zhuang and Sun Suzhen each wore a different expression, but seeing Daochen Zhenren’s stance, they also remained silent.

Zhou Jun seemed utterly stunned by this heaven-sent fortune, and it took him a long moment to compose himself. But then, with a look of firm resolve, he cupped his hands and said, "This disciple, Zhou Jun, wishes to offer up the Daoist arts of the Five Elements Wanderer and enter the Tai Su Orthodox Sect."

The moment he spoke, the corner of Xu Zhuang’s mouth curled up, and Sun Suzhen, unable to contain herself, burst into hearty laughter.

Daochen Zhenren shook his head and chuckled. "Lad, do you think I covet your Daoist arts?"

Daochen Zhenren’s smile vanished, and his tone became stern. "My Tai Su Orthodox Sect has existed for millennia, producing countless Top-grade Golden Cores and generations of Primordial Spirit True Men. If we forced our disciples to surrender every fortuitous encounter, and if we resorted to trickery and force to seize opportunities from Loose Cultivators, how could we maintain unity in the sect? How could our disciples ever develop the proper disposition and Dao heart for cultivation?"

"Mark my words. The Daoist arts, the Magical Artifact—whatever you choose, the Tai Su Sect will not go back on its word. If you truly wish to enter the Tai Su Orthodox Sect, what I have granted you is merely a qualification. You have not yet passed the trials!"

These words made Zhou Jun flush red, but a brilliant light ignited in his eyes. While he didn’t think his own caution was wrong, it was precisely this contrast that made him all the more captivated by the magnanimity of a truly orthodox sect.

’This is what I have been yearning for.’ Zhou Jun steeled his resolve and said in a deep voice, "Zhenren, this disciple still chooses the third option."

Daochen Zhenren smiled and leisurely uttered a single word: "Good." He then summoned a young boy. "Child, take this person to the Void Form Temple. He will start as a Daoist Child!"

A flicker appeared in Xu Zhuang’s eyes. He cupped his hands and said, "Sect Leader Senior Brother, this new disciple of mine has only just begun his path. Why not have him accompany Zhou Jun? They can be sent to the Void Form Temple to cultivate together."

Yuan Hao never expected to be mentioned. He jerked his head up just in time to see Daochen Zhenren’s gaze sweep over him. "Good," the Sect Leader said softly.

Seeing Daochen Zhenren’s assent, Xu Zhuang turned back to Yuan Hao. "Go on. Once you arrive at the temple, be sure to observe the proper etiquette and cultivate diligently."

Yuan Hao formally cupped his hands in response. "Yes." He then saw the young boy lead the youth named Zhou Jun over, and the two of them were guided out of the palace.

The moment they stepped out of the Cloud Palace, both of them visibly relaxed. Yuan Hao stretched his long, ape-like arms and scratched his head, while Zhou Jun thought to himself, ’Five Elements Child, that Five Elements Wanderer you told me to mention... he’s actually a real person?’

Zhou Jun was not expecting the reply that rang out in his mind: ’I don’t know.’ The Five Elements Child’s voice continued calmly, ’The Five Elements are the foundation of all matter in esoteric teachings. The Five Elements Dao is all-encompassing. Across the myriad heavens and countless realms, there are innumerable Cultivators. Five Elements Wanderers, Five Elements True Men... if there aren’t tens of millions of them, there are at least millions. If this particular realm hadn’t had one, it would have just been your bad luck, a sign your fortune had turned. You couldn’t blame the story I fabricated for you.’

Zhou Jun was instantly at a loss for words.

Back in the Cloud Palace, Sun Suzhen asked doubtfully, "Sect Leader Senior Brother, what that Zhou Jun said seemed detailed, but it felt like a mix of truth and lies. Why...?"

Xu Zhuang then asked, "Sect Leader Senior Brother, do you really know a Five Elements Wanderer?"

Daochen Zhenren smiled faintly. "True or false, what does it matter? It is true that he has a heart that seeks the Dao, and it is also true that he has an affinity with our Tai Su Sect. That is enough."