Chapter 73

The Daoist Master waved his hand and said, "This is no problem. Let Shen Lian and Lu Shouyi first go through the initiation ceremony."

The Three Questions Daoist retreated to the side. The Master was the person he most revered in his life, for although he was not a direct disciple, after his master and grandmaster passed away, all his cultivation issues were personally guided by the Master.

Though they did not have the name of master and disciple, they had the reality of it.

Shen Lian and Lu Sheng stood before the Daoist Master.

The Master's face was solemn as he said, "In the beginning of ancient times, there was no one to transmit the Dao. Later, when the deities and Buddhas manifested, the proper methods of cultivation were passed down, giving us mortals the hope of immortality.

Later, the Grand Master of Taiyi established the nine stages of cultivation before immortality, which integrated the chaotic levels of cultivation in our Daoist sect, and is the righteous path.

Our sect's founder, Yuanqing, once listened to the teachings at the feet of the Grand Master of Taiyi. After the Grand Master disappeared, he passed down the Qingxuan Dao here.

The five peaks of Qingxuan are filled with the Grand Master's lingering influence. Those with a connection can naturally understand and benefit from it in their cultivation.

Since the time of Founder Yuanqing, our sect has gone through thirty-three generations, producing forty immortals, all of whom left their images in the Taowei Pavilion.

Some of these immortals either perished in calamities or roamed the star rivers. Currently, our sect has only one immortal, who guards the mountain gate. If you become a true disciple, you will have the chance to meet him."

Lu Shouyi asked, "What is a true disciple?"

The Master slowly replied, "To achieve the 'return to the elixir' through one's own strength is to be a true disciple, and a true successor of our Qingxuan Dao."

Shen Lian suddenly asked, "May I ask, Master, what is the difference between a true disciple and an ordinary disciple?"

During this time, he rarely showed himself and instead quietly observed Qingxuan.

In general, those he encountered, whether it was the Three Questions or the Master, did not have a particularly high demeanor.

Of course, Shen Lian could not see through their cultivation levels or had no reference.

The Master lightly stroked his beard and softly laughed, "Shen Lian, what do you think the difference would be?"

Shen Lian faced the Master calmly and said, "Different in action, but not in heart."

The Master did not show any particular expression and said indifferently, "Since Hong Shixiong has already passed you the Xuanji Gong, you don't need to look for other cultivation methods. Recently, the yinyu in the sect is insufficient, so you will go to the Yuh River to collect twenty pieces each month, and then hand them over to me."

The Three Questions Daoist hesitated and said, "Master, twenty pieces might be too many."

"Too many? Then add ten more, thirty pieces each month," the Master replied softly.

The Three Questions Daoist did not dare to speak again, and Shen Lian showed no signs of joy or anger.

The Three Questions Daoist saw Shen Lian's expression and shook his head slightly. This kid doesn't know the severity of the Yuh River. Collecting thirty pieces of yinyu each month will be a tough task. Perhaps it's because Shen Lian's words were too sharp that the Master is punishing him with this arduous task.

The Master then said, "Shen Lian, are you willing?"

Shen Lian nodded.

The Master then said to Lu Shouyi, "Daoist Baishi has already informed me. Moreover, you have passed the Heart Inquiry, which shows your Daoist nature. From now on, you will be my indoor disciple and cultivate with me. Of course, according to the rules, you still need to live in the lower courtyard."

Lu Shouyi was initially delighted, then he looked at Shen Lian and said, "Master, why don't you also take in Shen Shixiong? His talent and insight are much better than mine, and he already has a foundation in cultivation." He was quick to change his address.

The Master said, "You take care of yourself. Who Shen Lian worships as his master is not something you need to teach me."

Then the Master waved his hand and said, "You two wait outside, Three Questions stay."

Shen Lian and Lu Shouyi had to leave.

After leaving the hall, Lu Shouyi said, "Shen Xiong, I didn't expect to be able to become the Master's disciple."

Shen Lian smiled slightly and said, "Lu Xiong, you should seize this opportunity and strive to achieve the 'return to the elixir' and seek immortality."

Lu Shouyi said, "Of course, it's a pity that Master didn't take you in as well. Could it be that you are to be taken in by the red-robed Shixiong from that day?"

"Who knows? Being able to enter the immortal stream and learn the methods of immortality, I am already content." Shen Lian seemed not to care about the Master's somewhat harsh treatment or lack of favor.

It's also hard to believe that a Daoist of the caliber of the Qingxuan Master would look at people with the same prejudices as ordinary people. There must be some other reason.

If being taken in by the Master could lead to the 'return to the elixir' and the pursuit of immortality, then Qingxuan would already be full of immortals.

The so-called Senior Brother Chen would not have been stuck at a certain level for forty years without any progress.

Entering Qingxuan was to better understand cultivation, not to rely on others for cultivation. Shen Lian was very clear about what he needed.

******

The Three Questions said, "The Master seems to not like Shen Lian."

"When this child passed the Heart Inquiry, I was also observing. He indeed has a clear mind and is a promising talent. Senior Brother Hong insisted that I take Shen Lian as my disciple, but I did not agree."

"Why is that?" The Three Questions Daoist was particularly puzzled. In the path of cultivation, talent, though not the most important, is still essential. Moreover, Shen Lian has a deep spirit and excellent stability. If he cultivates Senior Brother Hong's 'Ziwei Dongxuan Zhenjie,' he might become the best below the 'return to the elixir' stage, and even surpass cultivators below the sixth stage of the 'return to the elixir.'

"The heavenly secrets cannot be revealed." The Master smiled faintly, his expression inscrutable.

"Why did you agree to Daoist Baishi's request to take Lu Shouyi as an indoor disciple?" The Three Questions Daoist found this even harder to understand. The Master had only taken two disciples before.

"Lu Shouyi is 'righteous and sincere in friendship, pure in heart.' His future achievements might even surpass those of Chen Jianmei. Although I praised Chen Jianmei with 'half a life of cultivation unknown, one day of enlightenment shocking the world,' I fear his rigidity might lead to his downfall, which would be a pity."

The Three Questions Daoist did not understand why the Master held such a high opinion of Lu Shouyi, thinking it impossible for this kid to surpass Chen Jianmei in the future.

The Master then said, "After these trivial matters, it's your turn."

"I am unworthy, Master." The Three Questions Daoist lowered his head.

"If you ask me for an external elixir now, I will still give it to you. Although the sect does not have many, I can still give you one."

The Master looked at the Three Questions Daoist, with a hint of sigh.

"If I take it, how will the senior brothers in the upper courtyard be appeased? The opportunity to live for three hundred more years, who wouldn't want it? Moreover, I do not wish to live for three hundred years in vain. I only hope to be able to join the sect in the next life."

"Those with a fiery temper burn everything they touch; those with a cold heart kill everything they encounter. Those who are rigid and stubborn are like stagnant water and rotten wood, with no life left. These three are not suitable for cultivation. You are too rigid and stubborn. Well, well, do as you wish."

In the hall, the Three Questions Daoist knelt down and bowed three times to the Master with a near-reverent attitude.

Each bow drew blood.

The Master did not stop him, letting him finish.

PS: Thank you to Gu Cangmen for the 30,000 reward (congratulations on becoming the first sect leader of this book), and also to book friend 150803022218844 for the 588 reward, Shuang Qiuyue Leng for the 588 reward, and Yan Xunchang, Zai Na Manghuang De Dao Lu, hndwy, and Qianxu Zi for their rewards.

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