Chapter 145: 116, Gathering the morning glow in the Purple Magpie Valley, the eternal evergreen Daoist law of the door (2)
The Nine Mountain Great Halls and the Thirty-six Prominent Clans are the second and third tiers of the Aristocratic Families, respectively. Of course, these numbers are merely referential; in reality, there are far more Aristocratic Families than these figures suggest.
"Sea Moon Body, born once every 150 years..."
"It can’t be considered a top-tier physique. Its main advantage is allowing one to draw upon moonlight to refine the body in the Immortal Foundation Realm, and it offers a slightly better chance of success in the Returning Core and Dao Pill Realms," someone commented.
As a general rule, the rarer a physique, the more challenging its birth. According to the Sect’s Classics, a Sea Moon Body is invariably born within its governed territories once every 150 years. Other innately born physiques follow a similar pattern, with only minor variations in the intervening years.
「...」
"It seems Zhou Mingcang is the second one to choose, opting to join the Family Line."
Xu Xing, standing to the side, remained silent, his thoughts racing. There are two paths upon entering the Immortal Sect. If he hadn’t encountered any mishaps, it was likely due to pressure on the Sect from the Family Line. This has been the case throughout generations with the conscription system, the ’recommendation of the filial and incorrupt’ system, and the Imperial Examinations. Once implemented for a period, they inevitably become subject to the interference and manipulation of powerful aristocratic families. It can be considered a seizure of power from the Sect at its very source, directly monopolizing talent. The Master and Disciple Lineage, on the other hand, is like a ’cold stove.’ For those with low aptitude, tending this ’cold stove’ is utterly useless; others wouldn’t even bother to acknowledge them. However, those with high aptitude can help the Master and Disciple Lineage regain power. And coincidentally... he is one of those with high aptitude.
Perhaps, by now, I’ve already caught the attention of the Sect’s upper ranks. Xu Xing mused with a faint smile.
「...」
"Esteemed Supervisors," Zhou Mingcang began, standing on the steps of the Immortal Palace hall, his own considerations in mind. "I’ve heard that Purple Magpie Valley will open this year. How about I postpone choosing a marital alliance until after I have explored Purple Magpie Valley?"
While on the luan’s back, he had already heard the Celestial Messenger’s explanation of the Aristocratic Family hierarchy. Seeing that he hadn’t succeeded in attracting the Five Palace Crown Clan or the Nine Mountain Great Halls, and had only drawn the attention of the Thirty-six Prominent Clans, he felt a pang of disappointment. However, Purple Magpie Valley represented an opportunity for him. As long as he performed exceptionally well there and obtained the ’Purple Magpie Morning Glow’ fortuitous encounter, his value would surely rise, perhaps even enough to capture the notice of the Nine Mountain Great Halls.
The Immortal Foundation Realm has nine stages, with Condensing Resplendent Clouds being the first major hurdle. After entering the Immortal Foundation Realm, cultivators must begin "Condensing Resplendent Clouds." Upon reaching this stage, they can, like the Immortals in ancient legends, ride the clouds and mist, subsisting on wind and dew.
Cultivators in the Immortal Foundation Realm can use their Magic Power to condense Cloud Mist. However, such Cloud Mist is typically of lower quality, capable of producing at most three rays of auroral light. But by leveraging external forces combined with their own Magic Power to condense this Cloud Mist, they can generate up to nine rays of auroral light.
The Morning Glow in Purple Magpie Valley is a premier Spiritual Object for "cloud condensation." It is also an opportunity bestowed by the Flying Feather Immortal Palace upon its Commoner Disciples.
Such opportunities for Commoner Disciples exist across the various lower-level realms. However, they are exceptionally scarce, compelling these disciples to fiercely contend for any chance of acquisition. This is considered the final thread of hope, ensuring their path to ascend the Immortal Path is not entirely severed...
Zhou Mingcang was confident; in the Mortal World, the Innate Martial Art he had practiced the longest was movement techniques. Furthermore, aided by his Sea Moon Body, his footwork was exceptional. Even if he couldn’t surpass all contemporary Immortal Geniuses, Purple Magpie Valley opened only once every thirty years. Within this thirty-year span, his Sea Moon Body was indeed considered a precious physique.
Furthermore, Sect disciples are granted only a single opportunity to enter Purple Magpie Valley, and this is exclusively restricted to newly joined Outer Sect Disciples of the Immortal Sect.
"However..."
As the Celestial Messenger nodded, the supervisors from the various Prominent Clans retreated one by one. The entrance to the Immortal Palace returned to silence.
"Zhou Mingcang, this is as far as I’ll accompany you," the Celestial Messenger stated, his gaze indifferently sweeping over Zhou Mingcang, who stood respectfully on the ground. "You rejected the ’Palace Choosing A Son-in-law’ opportunity this time. Next time, if you fail in Purple Magpie Valley, any Prominent Clans that approach you will only be from ranks below the Thirty-six Prominent Clans. This is a Sect regulation..."
Even if the Aristocratic Families were desperate for Immortal Geniuses, this was not leverage for some geniuses to hold out for a better offer. Aristocratic Families cannot be slighted; this is a measure by which they uphold their prestige and honor. No one would dare to rashly transgress this rule, for the price of doing so would be immeasurable.
"Disciple understands," Zhou Mingcang said, cupping his hands in a salute.
「...」
As Zhou Mingcang stepped into the Lu Shi Pavilion, Xu Xing watched his departing figure and shook his head.
In the Instance World, his cultivation in the Immortal Foundation Realm had stalled, with no subsequent Cultivation Methods available. Consequently, he had been continuously practicing the two Innate Martial Arts: ’Reed Crossing the River’ and ’Flying Swallow Step’. The time ratio was one to thirty-six. Three years in Reality corresponded to over one hundred years in the Instance World. He had practiced both these techniques to consummate mastery. Furthermore, his aptitude surpassed Zhou Mingcang’s. Given a hundred years—and Zhou Mingcang, by appearance, was merely in his twenties or thirties—even with more practice, how could Zhou Mingcang possibly compare to him...?
To inadvertently sever someone else’s Immortal Fate... A strange sense of guilt washes over me... Xu Xing dispelled the distracting thoughts from his mind, offered a carefree smile, and followed him into the Lu Shi Pavilion.
「...」
「...」
"Place of origin, name, age, cultivation level..."
Inside the Lu Shi Pavilion, a middle-aged man dressed as a Daoist Priest scrutinized Xu Xing. He had just finished registering Zhou Mingcang, the Sea Moon Body, and seeing an ordinary disciple follow behind, he now lacked interest.
Zhou Mingcang wore a Red Tassel Coiling Dragon Jade Pendant at his waist. This was the mark of a True Biography candidate. In contrast, Xu Xing’s waist was bare; he was merely dressed as a scholar in a green robe.
Even among True Biography candidates, there were distinctions in status. The highest was the Purple Ribbon Gold Seal, followed by the Green Ribbon Jade Seal, and the lowest was the Red Tassel Coiling Dragon Jade. If Xu Xing had taken the second option, he would now be wearing a Green Ribbon Jade Seal.
"Place of origin, formerly Fengxi Country, now Emperor Xu Xing of Siming Country, under the Year name, Tiande..."
"Name, Xu Xing..."
"Age, twenty-eight."
"Cultivation, Late Innate Stage..."
Xu Xing cupped his hands towards the middle-aged Daoist Priest and relayed his information in full detail.
The monumental changes in the Mortal World of Fengxi Country could not escape the notice of the Aristocratic Families. His entry into the Flying Feather Immortal Palace could only keep them in the dark temporarily, not for a lifetime. Shui Hongyao had placed him a thousand li distant from the Immortal Palace, allowing him to tread the Immortal Path alone, solely to shield him from some initial troubles. Between the two choices, he had selected the first; the Aristocratic Families would not overtly interfere with him henceforth. This was a Sect regulation.
"A mortal... Emperor..." The middle-aged Daoist Priest currently registering names was momentarily stunned. He sized up the scholar in a green robe before him: his demeanor seemed somewhat scholarly and frail, with fair skin and a handsome countenance. No matter how he looked, he appeared to be an ordinary Scholar from the Mortal World, not an Emperor capable of toppling a nation...
This aptitude... could it be... The middle-aged Daoist Priest sucked in a cold breath. Twenty-eight years old, Late Innate Stage—such aptitude surpassed that of ordinary Immortal Geniuses. For instance, Zhou Mingcang of the Sea Moon Body, whom he had just seen, was thirty-four when he reached the Late Innate Stage.
It must be the Human King physique! he affirmed.
Having processed all this information, the middle-aged Daoist Priest’s gaze towards Xu Xing warmed with a hint of cordiality. He also surmised why Xu Xing wasn’t wearing a Green Ribbon Jade Seal: Xu Xing had most likely chosen the first option, thereby becoming a member of the Sect’s Master and Disciple Lineage.
"Here is your identity Token, along with two sets of dust-repelling magic clothes. You will temporarily reside in the Sea Waterlight Court; the environment there is quite good. Your assigned dwelling is Room A..."
"After you have successfully built your Immortal Base, return to the Lu Shi Hall, and you will be assigned a different Cave Mansion. Then, you will no longer have to share your lodgings."
The middle-aged Daoist Priest handed Xu Xing a palm-sized Yellow Cloth Bag as he spoke.
"Oh, which Cultivation Method do you wish to choose?" he added.
The Lu Shi Pavilion was responsible for matters such as the registration of names, assignment of duties, and Dharma titles for Immortal Sect disciples. However, disciples newly initiated into the Sect were not required to make an additional journey to the Heavenly Book Pavilion to find Cultivation Methods for continuing their practice in the Immortal Foundation Realm.
As he spoke, he handed Xu Xing a booklet. This booklet listed the Cultivation Methods available for Sect disciples. Among them, The Eternal Green Dao Sutra, Weak Water Scripture, and others were the most frequently chosen.
Xu Xing also saw the Eight-Armed Vajra Sutra listed within it.