Chapter 60

Yue Qing invited Mingyizi and the others into the Tian Shu Hall, where everyone introduced themselves. Ke Yi first thanked Yue Qing: "Thank you, Daoist Yue, for recommending me to the Great Master, allowing me to join the Chunyang Sect and gain this rare immortal opportunity, avoiding the suffering of being killed in ten years and directly reaching the realm of celestial immortals. Such a great favor is like being reborn, and I will always remember it and repay it in the future!"

Yue Qing quickly responded humbly: "Daoist Mingyizi inherits the Dao of Master Lü and founds the Chunyang Sect, Daoist..."

Before he could finish, more people arrived, causing even greater excitement. They were the Abbot of Jinfoshan's Jin Fo Temple, Master Zhinfei, the hidden sword immortal Mr. Zhong from Chengdu in eastern Sichuan, the Tianchi Shangren from Moyun Ridge in Changbai Mountain, and Youlongzi Wei Shaoshao from Fengxiangxia in Wushan. These four were all renowned figures of the Kunlun Sect, especially Master Zhinfei, who was the eldest disciple and the chief of the nine elders, proficient in both Buddhism and Daoism, with profound and unfathomable Daoist arts. They were collectively known as the Four Friends of Kunlun and were well-known among the immortal practitioners. Upon their arrival, many people came forward to greet them.

Master Zhinfei said, "We have been invited by Daoist Yue and Immortal Xu, and we have come to assist with the Taiyi Tian Gong Furnace."

Everyone was discouraged again, realizing that these were also invited by Yue Qing. Some, like Lin Yuan, were uneasy, speculating: What is Yue Qing up to?

Yue Qing welcomed the Four Friends of Kunlun into the hall. Everyone had heard of their names and came forward to speak. The Four Friends of Kunlun also knew the reputations of these people. They were surprised to see the Liu brothers come out of seclusion and to hear that Mingyizi and the others had obtained the Daoist books of Master Lü and founded the Chunyang Sect in the Hanxu Immortal Mansion on Mount Taihang.

Lingxu Zi said, "A while ago, my disciple Yang Li brought back a letter from Daoist Yue, saying he would recommend me to the Chunyang Sect to inherit the Dao of Master Lü. At the time, I was half-believing and half-doubting, as I had never heard of a Chunyang Sect, and I couldn't imagine how such a rare immortal opportunity could fall into my hands. Unexpectedly, after half a day, the three senior brothers arrived in the South China Sea, and I realized that Daoist Yue's words were true. They invited me to join the sect, making it seem as if I had some extraordinary talent, which I am ashamed to admit!" He called over Yang Li, "Thanks to Daoist Yue's high regard for my disciple, it is his fortune to receive your guidance. I have brought him here to formally become your disciple."

Yang Li came forward, holding the twin swords given by Yue Qing, and knelt to pay respects to his master. In the presence of everyone, he served tea and performed the ritual. Yue Qing said, "From now on, you are my first disciple. Currently, your master is poor and cannot give you good magical treasures as a gift. Once the Tian Gong Furnace is complete, I will make up for it." He asked Yang Li to go and talk with Lu Rongbo and the others, then said to Shuiyun Zi Su Xianxiang, "I have heard of your reputation and am very pleased that you have come to Wutai Mountain as a guest. In the future, our two sects will be neighbors, and we should visit each other often."

Su Xianxiang humbly replied, "My reputation is not worth mentioning."

Lingxu Zi, being the most outgoing and familiar with everyone, spoke the most: "The cave of the third senior brother is on the eastern side of Mount Taihang, about 200 miles from the Hanxu Immortal Mansion. Two years ago, he fought alone against the demons of Mount Taihang, using the Ten Thousand Sands Sword to counter their magic. The first and second senior brothers were alarmed by the commotion and came to help, destroying the demon lair. Since then, the two sects have had frequent interactions. Later, the first senior brother invited him to join the sect, adding another expert to the Chunyang Sect."

Su Xianxiang said, "The demons of Mount Taihang are the disciples of Chanxin the Monk. Chanxin the Monk once fought with the Long Eyebrowed Immortal of the Emei Sect and lost half his body. He vowed revenge but knew he could not win, so he went to Mount Taihang to practice in secret. He has been there for two or three hundred years. His disciples were driven away and gathered on Mount Taihang, forming a sect that committed all kinds of evil. I had long intended to eliminate them. Last summer, they captured my disciple. I was ashamed and, in a fit of anger, went to the mountain alone. If it weren't for the help of the two senior brothers, I would have been in grave danger."

Mingyizi said, "Among the four of us, the third senior brother has the highest talent and the deepest Daoist arts. When we arrived, he had already killed over twenty demons with the Ten Thousand Sands Sword. Even if we hadn't come, he could have defeated them alone."

Su Xianxiang was about to be humble, but Lingxu Zi laughed, "Stop flattering each other! If people see us doing this, they will think our Chunyang Sect is all about this, and they will laugh at us!" His words made everyone in the hall laugh.

After some casual conversation, Wu Li and Si Taixu arrived from Laoshan. They were also famous sword immortals, known for their battle at Jinbian Cliff with Zhu Mei. Wu Gong was quite proud and greeted the Wutai Sect members with great courtesy, announcing that he and his junior brother had founded the Laoshan Sect and inviting them to their inauguration. Then he went to the Tian Shu Hall with Yue Qing.

The Wutai Sect members were visibly upset. All these experts were invited by Yue Qing. They had planned to join forces to pressure Yue Qing, and some, like Long Fei, even wanted to destroy the Tian Gong Furnace to extort new magical treasures. Seeing so many people supporting Yue Qing, they began to lose heart.

Around noon, the Four Friends of Wudang and their master, Ling Lingzi, arrived. Ling Lingzi was thin and wore a white Daoist robe, with a face full of deep grievances. After the death of the Taiyi Hunyuan Ancestor, he looked down on the Wutai Sect disciples and gradually distanced himself. This time, he decided to come personally after hearing the Four Friends of Wudang praise Yue Qing's ambition. If Yue Qing truly had the potential to achieve great things, he would assist him to repay the kindness of the Taiyi Hunyuan Ancestor. If Yue Qing was only interested in power and conflict, he would warn the Four Friends of Wudang not to associate with the Wutai Sect anymore.

Ling Lingzi, like the Four Friends of Kunlun, was a generation older than Xu Feinian and the others, so everyone treated him with great respect. Some, like Fayuan and Zhitong, tried to build relationships, constantly coming to chat and escorting him into the Seven Stars Palace.

At noon, everyone urged Yue Qing to come out. Yue Qing did not delay and led the Tian Shu Hall members to the main hall. Two rows of seats were already set up, with the main seats occupied by Jinshen Luohan Fayuan, Xuan Du Yushi Lin Yuan, Riyue Monk Qianxiao, Wan Miao Immortal Xu Feinian, Seven-Handed Night Fork Long Fei, Iron Flute Immortal Li Kunwu, Stone Scholar Xing Zheng, Black Headed Monk Tan Gan, Fat Demon Lord Bai Xiao, Fire-Winged Vajra Hu Shi, Lotus Venerable Sun Fu, White Water Immortal Liu Quan, and Yue Qinbin, making a total of thirteen first-generation disciples.

The last seat was given to Zhitong. Although his seniority was not enough to sit there, he was a direct descendant and had operated the Ciyun Temple for many years, with Daoist arts deeper than some of the junior uncles. After discussing with Fayuan, Yue Qing gave him a seat to show respect for the deceased Great Master Tuotuo.

However, Zhitong was not grateful. According to his plan, he should have been the one to host the meeting or sit in the main seat. Seeing Liu Quan in front of him, he pointed at Liu Quan and loudly said, "This person is not from our Wutai Sect. Why is he sitting here, involving himself in our core affairs?"

Liu Quan's face turned red with anger, and he was about to stand up, but Yue Qing gestured to stop him and said to Zhitong, "I have already told you about Liu Quan. Whether you accept it or not, we will discuss it later. Please sit down."

Zhitong said, "Since it's not decided yet, he should be asked to leave first. We will decide later whether to let him in."

Tan Gan and Bai Xiao were stirring up trouble, and Long Fei also chimed in, "Exactly! Our Wutai Sect is the best among the Daoist sects, and this Seven Stars Hall is where the Great Master used to manage the sect. It's not a place for just anyone to enter!"

Yue Qing looked at him, "Is that so? If I remember correctly, Long Senior Brother, you are no longer part of our Wutai Sect, right? You betrayed your master and joined the White Bone Spirit Lord of Mount Lu, which is known to everyone. By that logic, you shouldn't be here either!"

"I..." Long Fei was speechless, "Back then, the Wutai Sect was divided, and I just made a temporary decision..."

"So, you mean joining the White Bone Spirit Lord was just a temporary decision to use his power to avenge our master? In that case, you are still our hero."

"You are talking nonsense!" He couldn't admit it, or the White Bone Spirit Lord would not treat him well. He was at a loss for words and could only sit down angrily.

Seeing Long Fei back down, Zhitong lost his momentum. He thought, "I must argue my case and force Liu Quan out, then join with the other uncles to kill him at the foot of Wutai Mountain to avenge my two disciples!"

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