Chapter 185 - 110: Return to Tai Su, Changes in the Sect (Part 2)

Chapter 185: Chapter 110: Return to Tai Su, Changes in the Sect (Part 2)

Xuzhuang was slightly surprised. He knew, of course, that while the quotas for the Innate Tai Su Realm prioritized Nascent Soul true disciples, one still had to register at Dongzhen Hall so the sect could make the arrangements. He just hadn’t thought he’d be a step behind. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "If that’s the case, then it seems I’ll have to wait five hundred years."

Daochen Zhenren laughed heartily. "Alright, Junior Brother, you truly have seen past gains and losses. I’ll stop teasing you. Although the register has reached me, it’s not yet time for the announcement. It’s a simple matter for me to add another name."

Xuzhuang suddenly felt that communicating with this incarnation of Daochen was different; there was less of the natural barrier that usually existed between him and a Primordial Spirit Zhenren. He smiled, shook his head, and cupped his hands. "Thank you, Sect Leader."

Daochen nodded. "Alright. Junior Brother, you haven’t been back to the sect for a long time. I won’t keep you. Go and get some rest."

"Yes." Xuzhuang bowed respectfully, then turned and exited the grand hall. After giving a nod to Zhi Xing, he departed the Cloud Palace.

Soaring away on a beam of light, Xuzhuang plunged into the sea of clouds. He thought for a moment but didn’t immediately return to Chongyun Peak. Instead, after a few moments of flight, he arrived at Xiaotai Peak.

For some reason, Langhuan Tower was rather deserted. This was quite different from the Langhuan Tower in Xuzhuang’s memory, which was never lacking for bookworms.

Xuzhuang shook his head and went directly to the third floor. He glanced around and was surprised to see that the Book Immortal Taoist hadn’t concealed his form. He was reclining contentedly on a cloud bed, casually flipping through a small, blue-covered booklet. Not daring to be disrespectful, Xuzhuang flew forward and bowed. "This disciple, Daomiao, greets Senior Book Immortal."

The Book Immortal Taoist looked up at Xuzhuang, surprised. "Xuzhuang. So it’s you. You’ve already formed a Nascent Soul so quickly."

Xuzhuang replied, "This disciple was merely fortunate."

"There’s no such thing as luck in cultivating the Dao." The Book Immortal Taoist shook his head, his gaze falling back to the booklet before him. "What are you looking for today?"

An idea sparked in Xuzhuang’s mind. He asked, "This disciple is looking for insights on the cultivation and application of Daoist Skills and Divine Techniques, especially the Innate Tai Su Qi Grand Capture, the Tai Su Formless Sword Qi, the Tai Su False Shape Technique, and the Five Elements Escape Skill..."

"Stop, stop, stop," the Book Immortal Taoist said impatiently. "Xuzhuang, there are thousands, if not tens of thousands, of insights on those topics. Did you come here specifically to bother me?"

Xuzhuang said, "Senior, of course not. This disciple is truly seeking something. I beg for your guidance."

The Book Immortal Taoist wordlessly closed the booklet in his hand. Xuzhuang’s eyes were sharp; he caught a glimpse of the title emblazoned on the cover: *The Legend of the Xiaoshan Sword Hero*. He had thought the Book Immortal was reading some profound Daoist Scripture, but it was just a common martial arts story...

The Book Immortal pointed, and several Taoist Registers floated down. "These are reasonably interesting," he said. "Take them and have a look. If they don’t suit you, find what you need yourself."

Xuzhuang quickly accepted the Taoist Registers and bowed again in thanks to the Book Immortal.

The Book Immortal seemed impatient and was about to disappear when he suddenly remembered something. "Did you also ask about the Five Elements Escape Skill a moment ago?"

Xuzhuang replied, "I did."

The Book Immortal Taoist stroked his chin and smiled. "I recently acquired a new Dao Skill here called the *Five Elements Origin Union Art*. It’s quite interesting and might be of great help to your Five Elements Escape Technique."

Xuzhuang’s interest was piqued. "The *Five Elements Origin Union Art*?"

"That’s right." With a casual wave, the Book Immortal Taoist produced a jade slip from thin air and tossed it to Xuzhuang. "This Dao Skill was contributed by a sect disciple. I’ve already reviewed it. It can lead to the Primordial Spirit realm; it’s only a matter of time before it’s classified as an auxiliary teaching."

"Oh?" Xuzhuang said. "If it can lead to the Primordial Spirit realm, then it’s certainly worth studying."

The Book Immortal drawled, "If that were all, it would be nothing special. But many parts of this *Five Elements Origin Union Art* describe the generation, restraint, and transformation of the five elements in a truly profound manner. It explains deep concepts with simple words, revealing great truths through minor details. I suspect the original version of this art was a Superior Dao Skill, no less profound than a true transmission."

Xuzhuang mused, ’To think it’s like that... I wonder what Senior means by this?’

The Book Immortal asked, "Xuzhuang, at your current level of cultivation, I can no longer casually perceive the state of your practice. Let me ask you, how many true arts have you trained in?"

Seeing no reason to hide it, Xuzhuang replied, "This disciple has so far only trained in our sect’s three great true transmissions."

"Oh?" The Book Immortal Taoist seemed somewhat surprised. He mused, "I had assumed that, relying on your Nine Orifice Golden Pill, you would have recklessly cultivated all manner of Dao Skills to expand your foundation..."

After a moment of silence, the Book Immortal Taoist said, "It is better to be proficient than to be prolific. Our sect’s three great true transmissions all come down from the Founder. Ordinary Superior Dao Skills cannot compare. You have chosen well."

Xuzhuang replied, "Yes. Thank you for your praise, Senior."

The Book Immortal Taoist waved his hand. "The Five Elements Dao is a fundamental doctrine of the Taoist School and is compatible with our sect’s techniques. I was initially going to urge you to cultivate this art—it would be far better than you randomly practicing some chaotic hodgepodge of skills. But now that I see you know what you’re doing, I won’t overstep with my advice."

A shiver went through Xuzhuang’s heart as he instantly understood the Book Immortal’s implication. Even with his Nine Orifice Golden Pill, if he were to carelessly cultivate a chaotic mix of Dao Skills, it would likely do more harm than good.

In fact, he had long suspected as much. If not for the fact that the three great Tai Su true transmissions stemmed from the same source yet followed different paths—the ’Marvelous Resonance of the Three Elements’—he would not be so formidable, even with his Nine Orifice Golden Pill. That was why he had always been exceedingly cautious when choosing which Dao Skills to practice.

He hadn’t even dared to rashly cultivate the *Primordial Venerable Dao Transmission and Demon Refining Scripture*, despite having possessed it for so long. Only as his cultivation level rose and his existing skills improved did his understanding of the *Demon Refining Scripture* deepen. He gradually grew confident in his plan and finally made the decision to pursue it.

Regardless, the Book Immortal Taoist’s guidance stemmed from good intentions. Xuzhuang gave a deep bow. "Thank you for your guidance, Senior."

"It’s nothing." The Book Immortal Taoist lay back down on his cloud bed and said lightly, "As long as you have a plan. Whether you choose to cultivate the *Five Elements Origin Union Art* or not, it will definitely benefit your Five Elements Escape Technique. You should take it."

Xuzhuang agreed, putting away the jade slip and the Taoist Registers. Suddenly, an idea formed in his mind.

’By now, how could I not know? The Book Immortal Taoist must be a True Form Treasure, and one with immense power and seniority. He might even have been left behind by one of the sect’s founders. He’s read countless books and is incredibly knowledgeable. Since the Book Immortal Taoist is willing to guide me out of goodwill, perhaps I could discuss the concept I’ve been considering recently...’

After a moment of thought, Xuzhuang took out a blank jade slip and inscribed a text within it with his finger. He respectfully presented it to the Book Immortal Taoist. "Senior, this is a Qimen Taoist Skill I came upon in a recent fortuitous encounter. It is quite profound."

"Oh?" The Book Immortal Taoist chuckled. "Now this is more like it. The recent additions to Langhuan’s collection haven’t even been as interesting as the novels."

He took the jade slip from Xuzhuang, scanned it casually, and murmured, "The Three-Element Elephant Body Technique... Hmm."

——

When Xuzhuang emerged from Langhuan Tower, the sky was already approaching dusk. To his surprise, the first and second floors were now filled with the figures of disciples engrossed in their studies.

Such an anomaly meant something was afoot. But the disciples who visited Langhuan Tower at this time were a hardworking lot; no one was engaging in idle chatter. Not wanting to inquire casually, Xuzhuang simply left the tower and soared away on a beam of light.

Along the way, he was surprised to see many disciples still about, riding magical artifacts on the wind and flying in groups. They seemed to be dispersing from some gathering, and many were deep in discussion. Xuzhuang slowed his flight to listen in, and a flicker of surprise entered his eyes. ’A sect-wide competition?’

’Combat prowess is important, but it’s not the fundamental pursuit of cultivation. The Tai Su Orthodox Sect is a Daoist Sect dedicated to cultivation. We’ve always had minor and major examinations, but never a sect-wide competition. For one to suddenly appear now is rather unexpected.’

’Is this the Sect Leader’s idea, or a decision made by the council of elders?’ Xuzhuang wondered. ’There’s always a reason for such things. Perhaps the sect has undergone significant changes in my absence.’

Xuzhuang had no intention of eavesdropping further. He overheard the disciples below say that the competition for Taoist Foundation Disciples had concluded today and that the Refining Technique Disciples’ competition would be tomorrow. Lingering no more, he spurred his escape light onward and returned to Chongyun Peak.