Chapter 41

The disciples of the Xuandao Sect were also sizing up the other side, each one secretly comparing them, especially focusing on the black-robed disciples at the sixth level of the Qi Condensation stage. In addition, Wang Zhuo, with his extraordinary appearance and cultivation at the fifth level of Qi Condensation, also caught the attention of the Xuandao Sect disciples, who noted him in their minds.

As for Wang Lin, a disciple at only the third level of Qi Condensation, he was directly ignored by them.

Apart from Liu Mei, who had slightly noticed him, no one paid him any special attention.

While the elders of both sects were conversing, they were also secretly observing the disciples. The three elders of the Xuandao Sect became increasingly pleased as they looked, thinking that if the Hengyue Sect had only these disciples, they would surely win this time.

However, they had been secretly competing with the Hengyue Sect for many years and knew that the other side was very cunning, often revealing their trump cards only at the most critical moments. For example, while there were many disciples at the sixth level of Qi Condensation here, they were all unfamiliar faces. The disciples from the last exchange were nowhere to be seen.

Those people were the focus of their attention this time!

Patriarch Huanglong's gaze swept over the disciples of the Xuandao Sect, particularly lingering on the male and female with single water elemental roots. He sighed inwardly, thinking that in 500 years, the Hengyue Sect had declined to such a point, with no successors, even failing to match the once obscure Xuandao Sect. He had thought this time they would surely win, but the other side had produced two rare single elemental root disciples, which added to his concerns.

"Must the core disciples in purple robes really step in? But they are all in deep meditation..." Suddenly, Patriarch Huanglong's gaze fell on a disciple standing at the back, his expression changed, and he made up his mind.

"Fine, since the other side has such disciples, the core disciples must step in!"

With that thought, he maintained a calm demeanor and said with a smile, "Daoist Ouyang, the disciples have been traveling for a long time. Let them rest first. We old fellows can have a good chat. Come, please enter the grand hall!" As he spoke, he gestured with one hand and smiled at the other side.

The three elders of the Xuandao Sect all nodded with a smile and followed into the grand hall.

At this point, the elders of the Hengyue Sect also accompanied them in, with Daoist Daohu trailing behind. He glanced at the disciples of both sects and said, "Wang Zhuo, you are responsible for entertaining the disciples of the Xuandao Sect. If anything goes wrong, I will not forgive you!"

Wang Zhuo, clearly prepared for this, immediately replied respectfully, "Master, please rest assured. I will take good care of the disciples of the Xuandao Sect."

Daoist Daohu smiled at the disciples of the Xuandao Sect and said, "Disciples of the Xuandao Sect, if you have any needs, please inform Wang Zhuo. I am old and will not join you young people. You should communicate more; the future of the cultivation world belongs to you!" With that, he smiled and walked into the grand hall.

Once the elders left, the disciples of both sects relaxed. Several female disciples of the Hengyue Sect immediately approached the male with the single water elemental root, chatting and laughing, their eyes filled with admiration.

Around the several sixth-level Qi Condensation disciples of the Hengyue Sect, many disciples of the Xuandao Sect gathered, discussing their experiences.

The other disciples also approached to exchange, and many gathered around the thousand-legged centipede lying motionless on the ground, marveling at it.

Wang Lin glanced around, not wanting to join the crowd, and walked to a corner, sitting on a step, looking at the blue sky and white clouds, basking in the sun, feeling quite at ease.

Among the inner disciples of the Hengyue Sect, there were also many who, like Wang Lin, did not enjoy the crowd. Zhou, a female disciple, was one of them. She saw Wang Lin's relaxed appearance from a distance and walked over.

"Wang Junior Brother, I have been looking for an opportunity to congratulate you on reaching the third level of Qi Condensation. Among the inner disciples, few are as diligent as you." Zhou smiled and sat down on the step beside him without minding the dirt.

Wang Lin smiled and shook his head, saying, "Not as you say. I see most people are devoted to cultivation."

Zhou looked at the white clouds in the sky and sighed, saying, "Wang Junior Brother, don't be too modest. During the four years of seclusion in the back mountain, almost all my fellow disciples frequently left seclusion, but I rarely saw you. Cultivation is a tedious matter. In this regard, Wang Junior Brother, to be honest, I admire you. Reaching the third level in four years requires great perseverance!"

Wang Lin touched his nose and smiled, saying, "Zhou Senior Sister, you have also reached the third level."

Zhou sighed, looking melancholy, and said, "I reached the third level three years ago, but now, one by one, my fellow disciples who were once inferior to me have surpassed me. Perhaps it is because I cannot sever my ties to the mundane world."

Wang Lin fell silent for a moment and said, "The path of cultivation is ruthless. If Zhou Senior Sister wants to progress, you must sever your ties to the mundane world."

Zhou turned her head, her beautiful eyes looking at Wang Lin, and smiled, saying, "Wang Junior Brother, I see you have reached the peak of the third level and can break through at any time. I believe you will surpass me soon."

Wang Lin glanced at her stunning beauty and smiled bitterly, shaking his head, saying, "I cannot break through in the short term. The mundane world is not something that can be severed so easily. I cannot do it."

Zhou was taken aback, hesitated for a moment, and asked, "Wang Junior Brother, may I ask what in the mundane world you cannot sever?"

Wang Lin shook his head, not answering. The image of his parents' aged faces involuntarily appeared in his mind. Filial piety comes first among all virtues. How could he sever his ties to his parents? He could not do it.

Zhou, seeing that Wang Lin did not want to answer, sighed and said, "What I cannot sever is family. Cultivation is too cruel. Perhaps I am not suited for it."

Wang Lin was about to speak when he suddenly sensed something and turned his head. He saw Wang Zhuo in the distance, his eyes filled with intense malice, staring at him and Zhou.

At that moment, Wang Zhuo's voice came from a distance, "Disciples of the Xuandao Sect, the thousand-legged centipede enjoys live prey. During your stay at the Hengyue Sect, the task of feeding the thousand-legged centipede will be entrusted to us. I have a junior brother for whom cultivation is a waste of time. Catching wild beasts to feed the centipede is perfect for him!"

"Wang Zhuo Senior Brother, this is not appropriate. The thousand-legged centipede is still wild and feeding it by a stranger could be dangerous!" The male with the single water elemental root from the Xuandao Sect hesitated and said.

"No problem, Liu Senior Brother. How can cultivators retreat in the face of danger? You are our honored guests, and such menial tasks naturally fall to us at the Hengyue Sect." Wang Zhuo said with a gentle expression.