Their battle had lasted for nearly an hour, and the onlookers were completely engrossed.
As the battle deepened, the gap in their strength gradually became apparent; Zhong Yuling was, after all, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.
Ultimately, due to the difference in Realm, Lin Maoshan ended in defeat.
However, the fact that he could fight a Foundation Establishment Cultivator to this extent with his Qi Refining Seventh Level cultivation earned him extremely high praise from everyone.
Time flew by, and the Seven Profound Sect’s Sect Grand Competition lasted for three days.
The Inner Sect Disciples presented a series of spectacular matches, and the ranking of the Inner Sect Disciples’ achievements gradually became clear as time progressed.
Under the watchful eyes of all, the Seven Profound Sect’s Sect Grand Competition finally welcomed its last day.
The sun was exceptionally bright that day, and the Sect Plaza was bustling with people, the atmosphere extremely lively.
After several days of fierce competition, the strength of the Inner Sect Disciples had been fully displayed, and today’s matches were crucial for the final rankings, so everyone took them exceptionally seriously.
After a fierce battle, the final ranking of achievements was finally revealed.
To everyone’s surprise, a normally unassuming Disciple, Ye Chenmi, emerged as a dark horse, winning first place in this Sect Grand Competition.
Fang Shixin spoke on behalf of the Sect Master, Li Mu, commending the Disciples who achieved the top ten rankings in this competition.
Fang Shixin’s speech did not end there; he continued, “Besides the top ten Disciples, there is also a group of excellent Disciples who performed outstandingly in this competition.
Although they did not make it into the top ten, their strength and potential are equally not to be underestimated.
Therefore, I have decided to announce a group of excellent Disciples on the spot to enter the Ancestral Master’s Grand Hall for the upcoming Master-acknowledging ceremony.”
Hearing this, the atmosphere in the plaza once again boiled over, and all the Disciples nervously held their breath, eagerly anticipating Fang Shixin calling out their names.
Fang Shixin began to call out the names of the selected Disciples one by one, and each name announced elicited cheers and applause.
The selected Disciples were all beaming with joy and excitement.
They eagerly stepped onto the high platform, ready to follow Fang Shixin into the Ancestral Master’s Grand Hall.
Those Disciples who were not called had completely different feelings; they were all filled with disappointment and dejection.
Without a Master’s guidance and Legacy, they could only rely on themselves, and their future Dao path would be incredibly arduous.
Inside the Ancestral Master’s Grand Hall, the atmosphere was solemn and dignified.
Li Mu sat upright on the Sect Master’s seat, his gaze like a torch, scrutinizing every young Disciple who entered the hall.
Behind him was a giant portrait of the Ancestral Master, Qixuanzi, stepping on a Flying Sword, accompanied by a Magic Treasure gourd.
Below, seven Sect Elders sat scattered, their expressions serious, occasionally exchanging glances, seemingly secretly selecting their favored Disciples.
A group of young Disciples entered the hall in order, their faces filled with nervousness and anticipation.
This was an important moment on their cultivation journey.
Being able to enter the Ancestral Master’s Grand Hall to acknowledge a Master was undoubtedly a great honor for them.
If they could acknowledge the Sect Master or a Sect Elder as their Master, their future Dao path would be incredibly smooth.
All the Disciples lined up neatly inside the Grand Hall, their figures appearing solemn and dignified under the candlelight.
Then, they spoke in unison, performing a powerful kneeling bow, saying, “Greetings, Sect Master! Greetings, Elders!”
Li Mu sat upright on the Sect Master’s seat, scanning each Disciple.
Then, with a gentle wave of his hand, a soft force lifted the kneeling Disciples.
“Rise!”
Li Mu’s voice carried a certain magic, making everyone present feel awe.
Li Mu’s gaze moved across the Disciples, and after a brief thought, he began to speak, instructing, “The Dao of immortal cultivation is nothing more than the four elements: Law, Wealth, Companion, and Land.
These four are indispensable; only by gathering them all can one obtain a shred of Opportunity to achieve the Dao.”
He paused, then Li Mu continued to explain, “The so-called ‘Law’ refers to the Legacy of cultivation methods.
The same method often produces different effects on different Cultivators.
This is because every Master teaches according to the individual’s Aptitude, imparting methods based on the Disciple’s characteristics.
Therefore, the instruction received by the recipient varies from person to person, and the recipient’s Aptitude, wisdom, and ambition determine the depth of their comprehension of the method and the ultimate achievement they can attain.
Hence, obtaining the Righteous Path Legacy is the most crucial, and Law truly is the first of the four.”
Li Mu’s words were like a clear spring, slowly flowing into the hearts of the Disciples.
They listened with rapt attention, gaining a deeper understanding of cultivation and achieving the Dao.
It turned out that methods were not rigid but needed to be flexibly taught according to each person’s characteristics.
And they finally understood why some Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters progressed rapidly in cultivation while others were slow to Breakthrough.
It turned out that the key lay in the transmission and comprehension of ‘Law’.
Finally, Li Mu looked at the Disciples with sharp eyes and solemnly said, “Today, your ability to join the Sect and acknowledge a Master, receiving orthodox Law transmission, is truly your Opportunity.
I hope you will cherish this Opportunity, Cultivate diligently, and live up to the Sect’s expectations.”
“Disciples will remember!”
The Disciples’ spirits lifted, and they responded in unison.
However, the seven Sect Elders’ eyes lit up at such a novel explanation.
“Sect Master, could you please continue to explain the other three?” Ge Xinyu looked at Li Mu, unable to help but ask expectantly.
“Sect Master’s insight is profound; this explanation is unique.
We wish to hear your views on the remaining three.” Qin Wentong agreed.
The other Elders also looked at Li Mu with expectant gazes, clearly sharing the same thought.
They had cultivated until now, only knowing to follow ancient methods, ancestral Legacies, and Cultivate diligently, never having heard anyone make such a clear and precise summary of cultivation.
Hearing this, Li Mu was momentarily speechless.
Then, he cleared his throat and slowly said, “Since you all have this question, I will continue to explain the relationship of the remaining three!”
“If one has not heard the Dao, the difficulty lies in Law; if one has heard the Dao, the difficulty lies in Wealth.
This ‘Wealth’ is further divided into inner wealth and outer wealth.
Outer wealth refers to all expenses required for cultivation, such as Spirit Stones, Medicinal Pills, Magical Artifacts, and so on, all falling within the scope of outer wealth.
Although these external objects are not the essence of cultivation, they can assist the Cultivator, making their path to the Dao smoother.
However, obtaining outer wealth is not easy and requires effort in cultivation.”
“As for inner wealth, it is even more profound.
It does not refer to Spirit Stones or Medicinal Pills, but rather the Cultivator’s own essence Qi and immortal cultivation Aptitude.
The Dao of immortal cultivation is essentially a continuous refinement of one’s own essence, Qi, and spirit, making them purer and stronger.
Therefore, the cultivation of inner wealth is truly the Foundation of cultivation.
If a Cultivator can skillfully Cultivate inner wealth, they can achieve twice the result with half the effort, and their cultivation progress will naturally be incredibly fast.”
“However, the relationship between inner and outer wealth also needs to be balanced.
Over-reliance on outer wealth while neglecting the cultivation of inner wealth can easily lead to an unstable Foundation and difficulty in sustained cultivation.
Conversely, blindly cultivating inner wealth while neglecting the replenishment of outer wealth may lead to difficulty in Breaking Through Bottlenecks due to a lack of resources.
Therefore, Cultivators need to assess the situation and reasonably allocate their investment in inner and outer wealth according to their own circumstances.”
“You all should understand this principle.
The path of cultivation is long, and one needs to Cultivate both inner and outer aspects to achieve the Great Dao.
I hope you will keep this in mind and never forget this Dao.”
As Li Mu’s words fell, the seven Sect Elders all nodded in agreement, and the Disciples also kept this firmly in mind.
“Next, let’s talk about ‘Companion’.
‘Companion’ refers to companions and fellow Daoists on the path of immortal cultivation.
A good companion can explore the Dao of cultivation with you, supporting each other and progressing together.
On the path of immortal cultivation, finding like-minded companions is undoubtedly a great fortune.”
…
Li Mu continued, “As for ‘Land,’ it represents the cultivation environment.
A cultivation place filled with Spiritual Qi and a serene environment is like a thoughtful mentor, able to give Cultivators endless help and enlightenment.
Cultivating in such a place not only yields twice the result with half the effort but also greatly enhances the Cultivator’s state of mind.”
Li Mu paused, his gaze sweeping towards the Seven Gods Mountain outside the Ancestral Master’s Grand Hall.
Then, he looked at the Disciples and solemnly instructed, “The Seven Gods Mountain where this Seat resides is a blessed land filled with abundant spiritual power, rich Spiritual Qi, and a serene environment.
It is a Holy Land for cultivation that immortal Cultivators dream of.
As Disciples of the Seven Profound Sect, your ability to Cultivate here is truly a great blessing.
Therefore, you must cherish the blessed land provided by the Sect for you, Cultivate diligently, and live up to the Sect’s expectations.”
“We will certainly live up to the Sect’s expectations!” The Disciples listened with surging emotions, responding in unison, their voices loud and firm.
At this point, Li Mu couldn’t help but also have the idea of taking Disciples.
However, he planned to only take a few Named Disciples, and only when their growth rate and demeanor met the requirements would Li Mu consider accepting them as official Disciples.
“Enough idle talk. Now, let us begin the Master-Disciple ceremony.” Li Mu scanned the Disciples present, then continued, “I am willing to accept a few Named Disciples. If you are willing, the Disciple whose name I call should step forward. If not, you may also take another Elder as your Master. The trials for Named Disciples are not easy, so I hope you will consider carefully.”
Upon hearing this, the Disciples all showed anticipation. As Disciples of the Seven Profound Sect, none were unaware of the Sect Master’s importance. The important figures who came to congratulate him at the Sect’s grand ceremony were almost all there for him. To become his Disciple, even a Named Disciple, was more promising than taking a Sect Elder as a Master.
To be accepted as a Named Disciple by Li Mu was a great Opportunity. Moreover, if they performed well, they might even be promoted to a formal Disciple in the future. The Disciples’ gazes all focused on Li Mu, full of yearning.
“Zhao Tianchen, Su Hongxiu, Liu Yuqian, Lin Maoshan, Ji Hao, Xiao Qingyun, Zhong Yuling!”
Li Mu’s gaze swept through the crowd of Disciples as he slowly called out seven names.
The seven people whose names were called were so excited they almost jumped. Their faces flushed red as they excitedly stepped out from the crowd and lined up in front of Li Mu.
Those Disciples whose names were not called showed expressions of envy and disappointment, but they also understood that this was the Sect Master’s choice. They could only place their hopes on the seven Sect Elders.
“You seven, are you willing to become my Named Disciples? My trials are not easy. You need to achieve Golden Core within a hundred years, only then will I consider accepting you as formal Disciples.” Li Mu’s gaze was stern as he looked directly at the seven and asked in a deep voice.
“This Disciple is willing!” The seven knelt down in unison, answering with loud and firm voices.
“Good, since you are willing, then perform the Master-Disciple ritual!” Li Mu nodded, signaling the seven Disciples to step forward and begin this solemn ceremony.
Upon hearing this, the seven immediately stepped forward in unison, walking to Li Mu’s front. They knelt down together and bowed deeply three times. Each kowtow was accompanied by their clear and resonant voices: “Your Disciple greets Master!”
Li Mu watched them perform the ritual quietly, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes. He smiled and greeted them, “All of you, rise!”
The seven respectfully rose, their faces beaming with joy and excitement, and consciously stood on either side behind Li Mu, considering themselves his Disciples.
“Congratulations, Sect Master, on gaining excellent Disciples!”
Seeing this, the seven Sect Elders were overjoyed and congratulated Li Mu one after another.
“I’ve snatched away your beloved Disciples, you shouldn’t be upset.” Li Mu chuckled, responding playfully.
“Sect Master, that’s not true. To be able to join the Sect Master’s lineage is a great Opportunity for them. How dare we have any complaints?” Fang Shixin cupped his hands and smiled, his words filled with respect for Li Mu.
“Indeed, if they joined our lineage, it would probably lead them astray.”
The other Elders echoed him, expressing their pleasure at Li Mu accepting so many Named Disciples.
“You all continue with the Master-Disciple ceremony!” Li Mu was indifferent to their flattery and quickly excused himself, looking at the Named Disciples behind him and saying, “You all follow me.”
With that, Li Mu strode away from the Ancestral Master’s main hall.
Seeing this, the seven quickly followed closely behind Li Mu, their steps hurried yet respectful.
Soon, Li Mu returned to the Sect Leader’s Mansion with the seven Disciples.
As soon as they stepped into the Sect Leader’s Mansion, figures flew towards them. They were dressed in robes of five different colors—yellow, green, blue, red, and crimson—and their brows, appearance, and facial features bore a striking seven or eight-tenths resemblance to Li Mu.
“You really know how to make trouble for us!”
“Exactly, are you implying we have too little to do? We don’t even have enough time to Cultivate, how can we spare time to guide your Disciples?”
“Couldn’t you have informed us before doing this?”
The five figures appeared in front of Li Mu, launching a ‘barrage’ of complaints, their attitudes appearing particularly hostile.
The seven Disciples’ eyes widened, unable to believe that there were people in the Sect who dared to speak to their ‘Master’ in such a manner. Who were these divine beings? Were they all the Sect Master’s brothers?
“I’m thinking of you all. It’s rare to come to this world, so you should leave something behind.” Li Mu smiled slightly, his gaze profound as he looked at the five Soul Transformation Clones in front of him, speaking in a gentle tone.
The five Soul Transformation Clones exchanged glances upon hearing this, a surge of inexplicable emotion welling up in their hearts. Although they were Li Mu’s Soul Transformation Clones, they also possessed independent consciousness and emotions, and they knew that Li Mu’s words were genuinely for their sake, hoping they could leave their own mark in this world.
“You all should first follow these Masters to Cultivate!” Li Mu sensed the attitude of the five Soul Transformation Clones and smiled as he looked at five of the Disciples.
As soon as Li Mu finished speaking, the Golden Core Soul Transformation Clone stepped forward, grabbing Zhao Tianchen’s shoulder like a chick and gesturing, “Kid, follow me and learn well from now on!”
Immediately after, the Fire Elemental Soul Transformation Clone placed a hand on Su Hongxiu. The next moment, both of them transformed into a ball of flame and vanished.
The other three Soul Transformation Clones followed suit, each grabbing a Named Disciple and disappearing.
Soon, only two Named Disciples, Lin Maoshan and Zhong Yuling, remained behind Li Mu.
The two looked at each other, exchanging glances, at a loss.
“Lord Li, you’re back!” Just then, a clear, melodious, and alluring voice came from the inner courtyard.
Lin Maoshan and Zhong Yuling’s spirits lifted simultaneously. They looked towards the newcomer and immediately couldn’t take their eyes off her, unable to believe that such an exquisitely beautiful person existed in the world.
A woman in a white long dress walked gracefully. Her figure was graceful, her face exquisitely beautiful, as if she had stepped out of a painting. Her eyes were bright, and when she smiled, a captivating radiance sparkled in her eyes, making one involuntarily fall into its charm. She exuded an intoxicating aura that drew people in, making them unable to extricate themselves.
Lin Maoshan and Zhong Yuling were both outstanding Disciples of the Seven Profound Sect and had seen many beauties, possessing extraordinary self-control. But at this moment, they felt that the woman before them was more beautiful and moving than any woman they had ever seen before, and they were willing to do anything for her.
“Lord Li, are these…?” Xue’er looked at the two unfamiliar Disciples following behind Li Mu, a curious expression appearing on her face as she asked with doubt.
Li Mu turned to look at Lin Maoshan and Zhong Yuling behind him, smiled slightly, and explained, “These are a few Named Disciples I’ve recently accepted. Among them, this female Disciple, her attribute matches yours, so I plan to have her follow you to learn from now on, and you will personally instruct her.”
With that, Li Mu’s gaze turned to Su Hongxiu, signaling her to step forward and pay her respects.
Upon hearing this, Su Hongxiu immediately understood Li Mu’s meaning. She quickly stepped forward, performed a respectful bow to Xue’er, and respectfully paid her respects, saying, “This Disciple greets Martial Aunt.”
Upon hearing this address, Xue’er’s face immediately bloomed into a brilliant smile. She had initially felt a bit of unfamiliarity towards Su Hongxiu, but this single “Martial Aunt” instantly shortened the distance between them. Her impression of Su Hongxiu greatly improved, finding this woman not only outstanding in appearance but also intelligent and sensible, very likable.
Li Mu cleared his throat, his expression slightly awkward, and quickly corrected, “Don’t call her that. She’s not your Martial Aunt, she’s your Junior Martial Uncle!”
Xue’er, however, didn’t mind at all. Instead, she seemed to quite like the title. She narrowed her eyes, covering her mouth as she chuckled, “It’s fine, it’s fine, I don’t mind!”
With that, Xue’er proactively took Su Hongxiu’s hand and affectionately led her into the Sect Leader’s Mansion. Su Hongxiu was somewhat flattered, but she also felt Xue’er’s warmth and sincerity.
Just based on Su Hongxiu’s calling her ‘Martial Aunt,’ Xue’er was determined to teach this Disciple.
All seven Disciples had been led away by the mysteriously appearing people, leaving only himself. Lin Maoshan looked at Li Mu, his eyes full of anticipation as he asked, “Master, will I… will I Cultivate with you?”
“You’re thinking too much. Just Qi Refining Seventh Level, go into seclusion first. We’ll talk after you achieve Foundation Establishment!” Li Mu glanced at Lin Maoshan, saying with disdain.
Before his words finished, Li Mu waved his hand, and immediately, Lin Maoshan’s figure vanished from where he stood, having been taken into the Painting World Treasure Mansion.
Immediately, Li Mu instructed the Treasure Mansion Spirit to confine him within the Five Elements Spirit Mountain inside the Treasure Mansion for secluded Cultivation. (End of Chapter)
