Chapter 22

"Master Huang Yidao is merely a fifth-generation disciple of the Lingyun Sect. He is young, not much older than me, yet he can already control a flying device. I wonder when Xuer will be able to achieve such a feat—"

Huang Yi, who was in front, immediately curled his lips, revealing a hint of smugness. Yue Fei, however, couldn't help but chuckle, feeling somewhat amused and exasperated.

Seeing Chuxue look at him in confusion, and considering the unpleasant expression of the 'Master Huang Yidao' in front, Zong Shou quietly explained.

"Xuer, you're making a fuss over nothing. What flying device? It's just that this magical tool is somewhat extraordinary!"

With a step, a gust of force pushed away the surrounding clouds, revealing the intricate runes drawn beneath. Chuxue glanced at it and immediately realized that this spirit array was indeed crafted by a master. It seemed to have all its functions reduced, only used for flying. Moreover, it was very inflexible, only capable of vertical and short-range movement.

A magical tool that was almost useless could be controlled not only by a master of the 'flying device' level but even by a lowly 'spirit communication' level spirit cultivator.

Her face turned slightly red, and then Chuxue also chuckled. Huang Yi, in front, was somewhat embarrassed. However, his face was clearly at a certain level, and he quickly recovered, only giving Zong Shou a slightly surprised look.

Zong Shou originally wanted to make a few more jibes, but then thought, why should he argue with this junior of the Yunling Sect? In the end, he just 'hmm'ed and said no more.

Spirit Master cultivation is divided into nine realms. These nine realms can be roughly divided into three stages, corresponding to the three wheels of martial artists: Heaven, Earth, and Man.

The realms of Calm Mind, Soul Observation, and Spirit Nourishment are the Spirit Communication stage. At this stage, one can use and create talismans, as well as some very weak Dao techniques.

The realms of Out-of-Body, Night Travel, and Return to Life are the Flying Device stage, where one can control and create magical tools. During the low spirit energy period, the Flying Device level is basically the highest level of spirit cultivator.

The final realms of Day Travel, Body Shaping, and True Form are the Spirit Control stage. At this stage, one can freely control the spirits of all directions and perform Dao techniques without the need for incantations or hand seals. Every movement carries immense power.

In his previous life, these Lingyun Sect disciples loved to use such special magical tools to pretend to be Flying Device cultivators, to maintain their facade.

However, as the truth spread among players, these tools could only be used to intimidate newbies and system characters.

When they reached about ten thousand feet high, Huang Yi made a hand seal and said the word 'summon.' The 'cloud' then descended forward.

The terrain here was extremely flat, a platform protruding from the waist of the mountain, with a space of ten thousand feet. Directly in front was a massive Daoist palace.

Outside the palace gate stood dozens of Daoists. There was also a group of children lined up neatly, all with solemn expressions.

Huang Yi descended in front of the palace gate and immediately bowed to an old Daoist in silver robes, saying, "Uncle Master Lin, the Demon King Zong Weiran of Qiantian Mountain wishes to have his son join our sect. With the Lingyun Zhu Order, I dare not refuse!"

The old Daoist's eyes were half open and half closed. Only after Huang Yi finished speaking did he glance over. Yin Yang also wisely raised the token. The old Daoist's eyes flickered, and he nodded slightly, waving his sleeve and saying, "I understand. Go directly to the head seat. However, Elder Lingwei is not in the Yueling Pavilion. He should be at the Yuling Dao Palace—"

Huang Yi bowed deeply again and then walked inside. Zong Shou followed slowly, but just as he stepped in, a cold snort came from the group of children. "Is the Zong family of Qiantian Mountain so impressive? I can't stand people who rely entirely on their ancestors' protection!"

Zong Shou blinked and looked into the crowd. This glance immediately made his heart tremble.

Apart from the annual grand selection, the Lingyun Sect also had dedicated personnel searching for talents throughout the Cloud Realm. They would select outstanding individuals and bring them directly to the mountain to become inner disciples.

These children, the oldest of whom were no more than fourteen, should be the geniuses collected by the Lingyun Sect from various places.

He hadn't paid much attention before, but now, upon closer inspection, he immediately recognized over a dozen figures who would later become famous in the Cloud Realm. Among them, three or five had even faced him as NPCs in the Divine Emperor game, thousands of years later. Of course, they were virtual characters created by the developers based on ancient records, not the real people. Their gazes all contained a hint of disdain.

However, he couldn't see the person who had just mocked them.

The surrounding Daoists also smiled, pretending not to hear, and ignored it. Huang Yi was the same, walking straight ahead. Only Chuxue looked somewhat indignant.

Zong Shou laughed wryly. The style of the Lingyun Sect disciples had always been like this, looking down on the weak and valuing the strong. They considered themselves a high-ranking sect and looked down on all those from the Eastern Cloud Continent. The competitive atmosphere within the sect was also extremely intense. In his previous life, this was the point he despised most about the Lingyun Sect.

In this life, it was even more annoying when it happened to him.

The palace gate led to a huge training ground, almost occupying half of the Daoist palace.

As they passed through, Zong Shou deliberately looked at the stone platforms on both sides of the palace gate, a hundred feet behind. He had seen these places countless times, and they were extremely familiar to him.

According to legend, the left platform was the Heavenly Talisman Platform, where no one could draw the talismans. The right platform was the Bright Sword Platform, where no one could break the sword formation.

At least before the Divine Emperor era, the legends were true. Even the Heaven Rank powerhouses were helpless against them, once causing all the martial artists and spirit masters of the Eastern Cloud Continent to feel great shame.

Faintly visible on the left platform were twelve stone steles, towering high. On the right were eighteen puppets, silent and motionless.

Zong Shou's lips curled coldly, and he retracted his gaze without lingering.

Passing through the training ground, they came to a cluster of ancient halls, with vermilion cloud-painted walls and golden glazed tiles, exuding an extremely luxurious aura.

Just as they stepped into the second hall, a middle-aged man in silver robes stepped out of the door.

Seeing the four of them, his eyes flickered, and then his expression turned slightly stern as he said to Huang Yi, "Who are these three? Why are they here?"

Huang Yi didn't find it strange and directly repeated his previous answer, "Disciple greets Uncle Master Liang Miaozhi. These three are guests from Qiantian Mountain. The Demon King Zong Weiran of Qiantian Mountain wishes to have his son join our sect. With the Lingyun Zhu Order, I led them inside."

"Zong Weiran of Qiantian Mountain? Is he the one rumored to have recently perished?"

Liang Miaozhi directly reached out, and a blue light shot towards the Lingyun Zhu Order in Yin Yang's hand, making it impossible for Yin Yang to hold on, and it flew out of his hand. Liang Miaozhi held the token, glanced at it indifferently, and then sneered, "So it's a gift from my senior brother Yun. Truly generous. But do you think you can join our Lingyun Sect just with this token? I, Liang Miaozhi, hold a position in the Jiyi East Hall. If I let a dual-meridian waste join our sect, how could I face it?"

Hearing the last few words, Yin Yang knew it was bad, and his face turned extremely ugly. Chuxue was flustered, looking up at Liang Miaozhi with a blank expression.

Huang Yi was also slightly stunned, hesitating, "Uncle Master, is this appropriate? The Lingyun Zhu Order is a rule set by the founding ancestor ten thousand years ago. This is a high-quality golden token. According to the rules, as long as the request is not too excessive, it should be granted. Allowing one person to join our sect is a precedent that has been set before."