Chapter 179 - 165: The Situation Within Bixia Sect
Chapter 179: Chapter 165: The Situation Within Bixia Sect
Though his thoughts raced, Lu Zhao’s expression remained impassive. His gaze swept over the dignified Ancestral Hall as he cupped his hands in a salute. "Thank you for the guidance and care, Senior Brother. This matter concerns the planning of my Dao path, so I will certainly consider it carefully."
Seeing that he didn’t agree immediately, Chen Chumo didn’t press the issue. It seemed enough that Lu Zhao was willing to consider it. "Good. It is a fine thing for a Junior Brother to be ambitious. Please, follow me. The timing is perfect." He took the lead, ascending the steps.
The two ascended the steps and entered the main hall. The moment they stepped inside, an even more solemn and dignified aura, one that seemed to have settled over a thousand years, washed over them, mixed with the unique scent of incense.
The hall’s interior was vast and tall. Massive pillars supported a dome like the vault of heaven, and the light was somewhat dim and mysterious. Only in the deepest part of the hall, upon a huge jade pedestal, stood an enshrined statue of a Master, about thirty feet high.
The statue was carved from a single, enormous piece of Spirit Jade. It was exquisitely lifelike, with a gaunt and ethereal face, a long, three-stranded beard, and eyes so deep and distant they seemed to pierce through the endless river of time, quietly watching every junior Cultivator who entered the hall.
Before the statue, two rows of giant Everlasting Lamps made from Ten-Thousand-Year Oil burned slowly, casting a steady, soft, warm glow. The flickering flames cast shifting patterns of light and shadow across the statue’s gaunt face, adding to its sacred and solemn air. The master depicted by the statue was none other than the founding ancestor of the Bixia Sect, the Golden Core Cultivator—Bixia Master!
Following Chen Chumo’s guidance, Lu Zhao took a deep breath, stood solemnly before a meditation cushion on the floor in front of the ancestral statue, and meticulously performed the ritual of three bows and nine kowtows as instructed.
After the ceremony, Chen Chumo stood to the side below the statue and, in a steady, solemn voice, briefly recounted the tale of Bixia Master. He spoke of how the founder had searched for a Spirit Vein in a chaotic era, surrounded by powerful rivals and plagued by Demon Beasts; how he had survived a near-death ordeal to finally discover this rare Tier Three High-Grade Spirit Vein.
He described how the Master used his supreme Magical Power to subdue the entrenched Demon Beasts, how he widely accepted disciples and humbly established the Mountain Sect, and how, amidst myriad difficulties, he expanded its foundation piece by piece, established the Sect’s rules, and ultimately laid the groundwork for the Bixia Sect’s glorious Daoist Lineage, which had now endured for three thousand years.
The ceremony was dignified yet concise. Once it was complete, Chen Chumo spoke gently, "Junior Brother, as for your Daoist title, I will not choose it for you. You must deliberate and decide for yourself."
Hearing this, Lu Zhao lowered his eyes and sank into a moment of thought. He then looked up, his voice clear and firm. "The two words ’Spirit Puppet.’ That will be my Daoist title."
"Spirit Puppet?" Chen Chumo’s eyes lit up, and the corners of his mouth lifted into a smile. "Excellent! Simple, clear, and it reflects your true nature." Seeing that Lu Zhao had made up his mind, Chen Chumo said no more on the matter. "Very well. I will report it to the Sect immediately. From now on, ’Spirit Puppet’ will be your official title, Junior Brother."
His smile faded as he flipped his hand over, revealing a smooth, exquisite White Jade Token. The Token pulsed with Spirit Light, emanating an extraordinary aura. "This is your Foundation Establishment Token. Keep it safe, Junior Brother." As he spoke, he solemnly placed the Token in Lu Zhao’s hand.
The moment the Token touched his palm, a gentle, cool sensation spread from it. On the front, the word "Bixia" was carved in a simple yet powerful seal script. On the back, the inscription "Inner Sect Steward · Lu Zhao" was engraved in neat, small characters. The script was clear and held a unique personal aura. This Token was far more than a mere Identity Token; it was a precious Magical Artifact that could resonate with the Sect’s Arrays.
"Junior Brother Lu, this is your Identity Token as an Inner Sect Steward. You must keep it safe and never lose it or let it be taken from you," Chen Chumo instructed in a grave and earnest tone, his expression exceptionally serious. "With this Token, you will have free access to the 3rd Layer of the Sect’s Library Pavilion. It houses a comprehensive collection of rare manuals and secret tomes that our Sect has meticulously prepared for Foundation Establishment Cultivators, covering everything from Cultivation Techniques and Magic essentials to the Cultivation Hundred Arts, such as Alchemy, Artifact Refining, Talisman Making, Arrays, and even Beast Taming and Horticulture."
His tone then shifted as he added with an understanding look, "However, you must also understand, Junior Brother, that while some of the contents of such an important place—namely the basic Magic and general knowledge scrolls required for the Foundation Establishment Stage—are completely free to read and copy, the rest, such as the top-notch manuals for Secret Techniques, core skills, and powerful Magic, all require Great Merit to be exchanged."
"As you have just entered Foundation Establishment, you have not yet accumulated any Great Merit, but there is no need to worry. The Sect is considerate toward newly-advanced Cultivators. Every new Foundation Establishment Cultivator is permitted to use this Token to receive one Middle-Grade Cultivation Technique for free."
He stressed slightly, "This Middle-Grade Cultivation Technique will usually include several practical types of Magic and even one or two Core Secret Techniques. Its depth and power are more than sufficient to support your Cultivation and Magical Combat needs throughout the early-stage, and perhaps even the middle-stage, of Foundation Establishment."
"Generally speaking, unless one hits an unbreakable bottleneck and needs to draw inspiration from other sources, or wishes to find a different path more suited to oneself, we Foundation Establishment Cultivators do not rashly spend precious Great Merit to exchange for other Secret Techniques. After all, a jack of all trades is a master of none. The path of Cultivation values focus."
After explaining the matters of the Token and the Library Pavilion, Chen Chumo continued, "Furthermore, as an Inner Sect Steward, although you won’t be burdened with common tasks like the Outer Sect Stewards or Outer Disciples, you are still required to complete one mandatory mission every five years."
"However, unlike Qi Cultivators, we can choose to complete it earlier or later at our own discretion, as long as one is completed within each five-year period. There’s quite a bit of leeway. And even if... by some chance you fail to complete it, the punishment is relatively mild, usually just a deduction of that year’s Spirit Stone or Pill supply."
"As for you, Junior Brother, you are exempt from missions for the first ten years after your Foundation Establishment. You can use this time to upgrade your Magical Artifacts and Cultivation Technique, and only undertake a mission once your combat strength is more secure."