The eting adjourned.
Chen Jichuan returned to Qingniu Peak from Fla Light Peak and summoned twelve disciples, including Li Ji and Gu Zhengyang, as well as twenty-two late-stage Qi Refinent cultivators like Ding Xuan and Lu Daren.
These people were all recruited by him during his ti at Nine Yang Island.
Among them, Li Ji, Gu Zhengyang, and the others were selected from the Heaven nding Sect Outer Disciples. They possessed decent talents, were diligent in learning, and cultivated arduously.
Promising talents deserving cultivation.
However, each of them had only joined the sect recently, with most of them cultivating for rely thirty to forty years. The majority remained stuck in the Innate Realm, except for Li Ji, Gu Zhengyang, Liu Han, and Chu Zhongyou, who had distinguished themselves by breaking through and becoming Qi Refinent cultivators.
But unfortunately.
These four individuals were rely at the Early Stage of Qi Refinent and were unlikely to reach late-stage Qi Refinent before the age of a hundred. Achieving True Inheritor status seed out of reach.
Yet this was fairly typical.
In the vast Heaven nding Sect, with tens of thousands of disciples, only over four hundred managed to make it onto the Immortal List. Even though Chen Jichuan had carefully selected twelve disciples, the number was too small to produce a True Inheritor easily.
He wasn’t too demanding, however.
Besides these disciples.
Ding Xuan, Lu Daren, and others were already in the late-stage of Qi Refinent. So of them were previously Heaven nding Sect True Inheritors but couldn’t break through to Second-order before turning two hundred, and so transitioned to stewards within the sect.
Take Ding Xuan, for example.
Others, like Lu Daren, failed to advance to late-stage Qi Refinent before reaching a hundred years old, unable to qualify for True Inheritor ranking, ending up as miscellaneous disciples or third-class stewards.
The Heaven nding Sect was structured into Six Halls and Thirty-Six Peaks, with even more detailed hierarchies below, operating under a rigid system.
Sect Master, Grand Elder, and the Six Hall Masters naturally held the highest positions.
Below them were the Thirty-Six Peak Masters and Six Hall Chamber Elders, such as Luo Pu from the Five Directions Hall and True Person Jiulong from Danyi Hall, possessing high cultivation and lofty status.
Further below were regular Second-order cultivators.
This included figures like Chen Jichuan, Cui Xiong, Zhu Yu, and Li Yun’ai, all acting as Dharma Protecting Elders. Similarly, at the subordinate levels of the Peak Masters were various Transmission and Law Enforcent Elders.
Their cultivation and status were equally significant.
Separate from the Six Halls and Thirty-Six Peaks system were auxiliary sects like the Nine Refinent Immortal Mansion, whose sect leaders and masters often had statuses equivalent to the Heaven nding Sect Dharma Protecting Elders or Thirty-Six Peak Elders.
These positions were all occupied by Second-order True Persons.
Below them were the Qi Refinent cultivators.
Including Hall Masters, Deacon Elders, Third-class Stewards, Third-class Chiefs, miscellaneous disciples, etc.
Take Chen Jichuan, for example.
As a Dharma Protecting Elder of the Five Directions Hall, he was entitled to oversee five ’Hall Master’ positions and twenty-five ’Deacon Elder’ roles. This brought him not only substantial stipends but also nurous privileges.
However, whether Hall Masters or Deacon Elders, competition was fierce.
Consequently.
Many late-stage Qi Refinent cultivators like Ding Xuan and Lu Daren could only hold Second-class or even Third-class Steward titles. Forget Hall Masters or Deacon Elders; even reaching First-class Steward was out of reach.
Thus.
When Chen Jichuan ascended to Second-order, was promoted to Dharma Protecting Elder of the Five Directions Hall, and took charge of Nine Yang Island, many late-stage Qi Refinent cultivators eagerly sought to serve under him.
Everyone knew that as a newly promoted elder, Chen Jichuan had few capable subordinates. The earlier they pledged loyalty, the more promising their future prospects.
...
Leaving the cave mansion.
Ding Xuan, Lu Daren, and others traveled in groups of twos and threes, gathering to quietly discuss. Among them, so were doubtful, others apprehensive, but a few were visibly enthusiastic.
Ding Xuan belonged to the latter category.
"Brother Lu,"
"It’s said that treasures abound in the ’Earth Cave,’ and the sect has reaped substantial gains in recent years. However, the control over it is too strict, so we haven’t been able to access it. Who would have thought this ti True Person Dai would personally venture into the Earth Cave? This could be a monuntal opportunity for fortune! Perhaps we might even stumble upon a chance to soar upward and achieve True Person status!"
Fire burned in Ding Xuan’s heart.
Although he had spent years on Nine Yang Island, he was far from isolated and kept himself well-inford about the sect’s happenings.
Surviving for people like him ant always being sharp to the sect’s news.
Day and night, he yearned to ascend to Second-order or achieve wealth and status, making him highly alert to every piece of information. And the Heaven nding Sect was precisely where all kinds of intelligence converged. Without it, given their cultivation level, they would rely be minor overlords wherever they went. Those without ambition had long petitioned for transfers outside the sect.
Thus.
The news of the ’Earth Cave,’ though not yet widely spread, had already been ticulously investigated by eager disciples like Ding Xuan.
Lu Daren undoubtedly was no exception.
"The ’Earth Cave’ is indeed a rare opportunity for us. However, I’ve heard that it’s fraught with dangers. Plus, the Earth Cave we’re heading to this ti is of Second-order, aning it will undoubtedly be populated by Second-order Evil Gods and Demon Kings. This won’t be like the low-level Earth Caves ntioned in the sect rumors. We must stay utterly vigilant."
Lu Daren’s eyes glead as he viewed this expedition as a chance to ascend to Second-order.
Unlike Ding Xuan.
Lu Daren was slower to grasp the path early on, stuck at the Early Stage of Qi Refinent before turning one hundred and unable to beco a True Inheritor of the sect. It was only after a century that he started truly progressing, his cultivation advancing rapidly. Now, at a little over two hundred years, he had reached the Qi Refinent Tenth Layer, no weaker than Ding Xuan, with only one last step remaining to Second-order.
Yet this final step trapped countless talents, and Lu Daren lacked confidence.
If he could enter the ’Earth Cave’ and spend nearly a century in rigorous cultivation, his hopes of breaking through would significantly increase, fueling his anticipation.
The more hopeful he felt, the more cautious he beca.
Having missed becoming a True Inheritor, unlike Ding Xuan and others who once enjoyed prominence, Lu Daren spent the past century experiencing the ups and downs of interpersonal dynamics, which shaped a more reserved personality.
"Brother Lu is correct."
"True Person Dai instructed us to recruit so more chiefs and miscellaneous disciples for contingency. I might as well take this chance to visit a few friends for assistance, borrow so Magical Treasures and Pills, just in case we’re underprepared when the ti cos."
Ding Xuan smiled at Lu Daren, visibly eager.
"Precisely my thought."
Lu Daren nodded with a smile.
The two were brimming with anticipation and imdiately descended the mountain, each going their separate ways to contact allies.
...
The Heaven nding Sect ranked among the Seven Immortal Sects of Central Continent, truly a behemoth.
This ti.
The sect’s high-ranking mbers placed great emphasis on the ’Earth Cave.’ Once mobilized, the Heaven nding Sect demonstrated terrifying power.
It wasn’t just the Heaven nding Sect, though.
All Seven Immortal Sects were captivated by the ’Earth Cave’ and mobilized jointly, turning the vast Central Continent and even the entire Slaughter Ring Sea upside down.
Certainly, Chen Jichuan operated orderly.
He managed the affairs of Qingniu Peak, left behind eight disciples who hadn’t reached the Qi Refinent Realm, and took the other four disciples along with Ding Xuan, Lu Daren, and other twenty-two Second-class and Third-class stewards, heading to Fla Light Peak, where they joined Luo Pu and others. Gathering together at the mountain gates, they joined forces with True Person Jiulong of Danyi Hall, accompanied by several Dharma Protecting Elders from Danyi Hall, Law Enforcent Hall, and Examination Hall, embarking upon Mount Tailao in mighty formation.
...
A fleet sailed through the skies majestically.
Standing on the deck of a ship, Chen Jichuan gazed at the surrounding scenery, processing information about the ’Earth Cave.’
"According to the intelligence distributed by the sect, the Second-order Earth Cave contains nurous Evil Gods and Demon Kings, each occupying a mountain or a plain, commanding hundreds or thousands of minions and claws, along with tens of thousands of devotees—a chaotic interplay of forces."
"Moreover, the area is vast and sparsely populated, making it difficult to investigate thoroughly in a short ti."
"The sect’s current plan is for each Dharma Protecting Elder to secure a mountain, offering mutual support, and then gradually extend outward. On one hand, solidly tapping into various Earth Cave resources while, on the other hand, probing intelligence."
This ti, Chen Jichuan brought plenty of subordinates.
Including four Qi Refinent disciples, Ding Xuan, Lu Daren, many stewards, miscellaneous disciples in the Early Stage of Qi Refinent, and mid-stage managers.
Altogether, his team of Qi Refinent cultivators amounted to nearly two hundred.
This was just under his command alone.
Among Luo Pu’s six Dharma Protecting Elders, the other five were more senior, commanding even more capable and elite subordinates, surpassing Chen Jichuan both in number and quality.
"What incredible depth."
Witnessing the Heaven nding Sect’s mobilization left Chen Jichuan in awe.
Under his jurisdiction alone, he rivaled the sizeable Nine Refinent Immortal Mansion. As one of the Seven Immortal Sects, the sect’s enormity was indisputable.
...
"True Person Dai,"
"Co quickly! Luo Pu has so seniors to introduce."
Chen Jichuan was engrossed in thought when Luo Pu summoned him. On arrival at Luo Pu’s ship, it was bustling with activity.
Among them, Chen Jichuan recognized the Five Directions Hall personnel, led by Luo Pu, followed by Dharma Protecting Elders Zhu Yu, Li Yun’ai, Sun Ji, Sima Han, and Wu Yunshan.
Yet several others were unfamiliar.
Luo Pu introduced him enthusiastically, from the Dharma Protecting Elders of Danyi Hall, Examination Hall, and Law Enforcent Hall to one vibrant old man: "This is True Person Jiulong of Danyi Hall, a master of formations. Although you haven’t t, since you’ve spent thirty years on Nine Yang Island, you must be familiar with his work."
"Honored to et Senior Jiulong."
"I’ve long admired your ’Nine Dragons Embrace Nine Yangs Burning Truth Formation’ on Nine Yang Island."
Hearing the introduction, Chen Jichuan imdiately gave the elder a respectful bow.
True Person Jiulong was affiliated with Danyi Hall yet specialized not in alchemy but in formations, achieving Formation Master-level expertise. In the Heaven nding Sect, fewer than ten individuals could surpass him in this field.
Chen Jichuan had personally experienced the formidable formation on Nine Yang Island.
The very formation was sothing Jiulong True Person had arranged in his younger years. With his formation skills further advanced, redoing it would undoubtedly heighten its power substantially.
Although Chen Jichuan primarily focused on cultivation, alchemy, and artifact refining now and had no ti for formation studies, befriending a formation master was unquestionably advantageous.
From what he learned.
True Person Jiulong was in his twilight years. Building a connection with him now might even lead to pivotal insights when he eventually departed.
"True Person Dai, you’re too kind."
Despite his advanced age, True Person Jiulong’s voice was robust and full of vitality. Cheerful and approachable, he smiled at Chen Jichuan. "Though I’ve been grounded in formation studies, I’ve heard of how our sect produced a real talent like you—dominant on the Immortal Leaderboard for a hundred years and capable of killing five Second-order demons while still in the Qi Refinent Realm. Truly remarkable!"
True Person Jiulong looked at Chen Jichuan with eyes and deanor filled with admiration.
As soone close to his lifespan limit, with no contention left in his heart, he harbored goodwill toward promising newcors like Chen Jichuan.
"I dare not accept such praise."
"Senior’s formations are transcendent, a match for thousands. You’re renowned far and wide, while I’m just a lone cultivator. I’ll surely seek your guidance in the future."
Chen Jichuan, adept at handling interactions, flattered appropriately.
Having ascended to Second-order recently, he lacked many established relationships.
This ti, the opportunity to travel alongside esteed sect mbers, coupled with Luo Pu and Jiulong True Person’s deliberate intent to foster camaraderie among them, beca an opportune mont for building rapport.
As conversation flowed.
They bonded quickly.
Ti flew by.
Two months passed in a flash.
...
Reviews
All reviews (0)