Chapter 190: 131. Breaking the Fourth Level of the Immortal Base, Returning to the Mortal World (4K Chapter) _2
"Wanghai Country, Shanglin Prefecture, Hua Jiutian, born with the Phoenix Dance Body, innately gifted, eligible to be listed among the reserve True Disciples."
The Celestial Messenger on the Luan bird’s back was a graceful woman with a Bamboo Hat veiling her face. At this moment, she took a Jade Gui from her sleeve and recited the young man’s background.
Following this, several Escaping Lights flickered, and the Managers of various Aristocratic Families appeared.
A Manager announced, "The renowned Chen Family of Baoxiang will grant Junior Brother Hua marriage to the legitimate daughter of their third branch..."
Another declared, "The renowned Zhao Family of Anyi will grant..."
One by one, the Managers recited the terms in the marriage proposals.
Is it him?
Shui Hongyao, who had been listening to the words of the various Managers in the hall, saw Xu Xing floating in the air, keeping his distance. Her beautiful eyes shimmered as she instantly remembered the Genius of the Sect whom she had guided from the Mortal World twelve years ago.
In just twelve years, he has reached the middle stage of the Immortal Base?
As a Returning Core Realm cultivator, Shui Hongyao could see the mysterious light emanating from Xu Xing’s Magic Power. Spread Mist, Birth Profound was the mark of the Immortal Base Middle Stage.
He didn’t choose the Family Line and still had such good fortune. It seems he has entered the Master and Disciple Lineage.
The Human King physique is indeed not ordinary.
She marveled inwardly. Both individuals with the Human King physique in the Flying Feather Immortal Palace had chosen the Master and Disciple Lineage, and both had successfully entered it. Compared to other physiques, the Human King physique was truly favored by heaven and earth.
Before Shui Hongyao’s emotions could settle...
「Next moment.」
Several more Escaping Lights flashed out.
A Manager announced, "The Fenggui Mountain Xie Family offers the legitimate daughter of its seventh branch to Junior Brother Hua. Furthermore, the Xie Family will bear all cultivation resources for Junior Brother Hua below the Dao Pill realm."
Another Manager added, "The Rongyang Mountain Wang Family offers the legitimate daughter of their thirteenth branch..."
After the Thirty-six Prominent Clans arrived, two more Nine Mountain Great Halls joined the Palace Choosing A Son-in-law event.
The Fenggui Mountain Xie Family...
The Rongyang Mountain Wang Family...
Hua Jiutian, standing at the entrance of the Immortal Palace, couldn’t help but feel immensely triumphant. Before joining the Sect, Shui Hongyao had told him about the hierarchy within the Family Line. Now, with his qualifications, he had attracted two of the Nine Mountain Great Halls, which was enough to make him feel incredibly distinguished.
He tilted his head slightly and glanced back at the Celestial Messenger on the Luan bird’s back, Shui Hongyao.
Although Shui Hongyao hadn’t said which of the two options—relying on a master or joining a family—was better, nor had she disparaged either choice, Hua Jiutian, having chosen the latter, still felt a pang of shame, as if he had somehow diminished himself.
Seeking help from others is like swallowing a three-foot sword! Relying on others is like trying to ascend the Nine Heavens!
But there was another saying: even a minor official at a prime minister’s gate holds sway. Hua Jiutian, having now won the favor of two major Nine Mountain Great Halls, felt he had the right to look down on ordinary people, even if his path wasn’t perfectly upright.
However—
When Hua Jiutian looked back, he was stunned.
He saw that Shui Hongyao’s gaze hadn’t lingered on him at all. Instead, it was fixed on an immortal floating in the distance, a man in a green robe with the air of a scholar, looking quite ordinary.
Could that person be... Shui Hongyao’s...
No, that’s unlikely.
Hua Jiutian repeatedly tried to guess Xu Xing’s identity. Part of his attention remained fixed on Xu Xing. He watched the green-robed scholar slowly approach the entrance of the Immortal Palace and greet Shui Hongyao. As the scholar drew nearer, Hua Jiutian noticed the Purple Ribbon Gold Seal worn at his waist...
A First-class True Disciple?
Hua Jiutian frowned.
Before Hua Jiutian could continue his wild guesses, Xu Xing, standing in mid-air, cupped his fists towards Shui Hongyao. "Twelve years ago," he said, "thank you, Celestial Messenger Shui, for guiding me from the Mortal World to the Immortal Palace."
Although he and Shui Hongyao had no particular friendship, a Celestial Messenger was like an examiner from the Imperial Examination—someone to whom he owed a debt of gratitude for their guidance. Shui Hongyao had been looking his way, and he couldn’t very well ignore her. He had originally planned to wait until this Palace Choosing A Son-in-law event concluded before descending the mountain, avoiding any display in front of the crowd.
"Guiding new disciples is a Sect responsibility," Shui Hongyao replied, inclining her head slightly in acknowledgment. "Xu True Disciple, you need not dwell on it."
Then, her red lips curved slightly as she spoke softly.
What? Hua Jiutian was shocked. He was only recruited twelve years before me?
In just twelve years, this "Xu True Disciple" was already qualified to be considered an equal by Celestial Messenger Shui Hongyao? He had heard Shui Hongyao’s introduction; he knew she was a Returning Core Realm cultivator.
A day in the mountains is like a thousand years in the mortal world. For cultivators, twelve years of secluded cultivation was but a fleeting moment. Yet, he himself had spent more than twelve years just cultivating to the Innate Realm.
Could it be that he, like me, chose the Family Line?
Did he choose one of the Nine Mountain Great Halls, or perhaps a Five Palace Crown Clan?
Even though Hua Jiutian maintained a composed exterior, devoid of any arrogance, deep down he still clung to the pride from his days in the Mortal World—the pride of being an Immortal Genius, a top martial artist.
"Back then, Xu True Disciple chose the first option..." Shui Hongyao covered her mouth with a light laugh, skillfully guiding the conversation. "Although I admire Xu True Disciple for it, it must be said that most Immortal Geniuses who choose the Master and Disciple Lineage perish prematurely. It truly hasn’t been easy for Xu True Disciple to reach this point."
In the past, Xu Xing might have possessed talent, but not enough to warrant her humbling herself to curry favor. Now, however, Xu Xing was clearly qualified. For a First-class True Disciple, the Returning Core Realm was just the beginning. Although Xu Xing’s current cultivation was lower than hers, it wouldn’t take many decades for him to surpass her. If she still wished to approach Xu Xing and converse with him then, leveraging their current acquaintance, it wouldn’t be as easy as it was today.
"If one could turn back time," Xu Xing casually agreed, "I suppose most would choose the Family Line. At least that path is somewhat easier."
Although his words might sound somewhat boastful and shameless, it was a fact. For many disciples who chose the Master and Disciple Lineage, if truly given another chance, they would opt for the Family Line. The path of the Master and Disciple Lineage was far from easy.
Zhou Mingcang was by no means an isolated case.
He chose the Master and Disciple Lineage?
The first option?
Hua Jiutian, standing nearby, was stunned by this revelation. At that moment, his arrogance completely vanished. He began to re-evaluate his own mindset. The Mortal World was the Mortal World, and the Cultivation World was the Cultivation World. In the Mortal World, he could rise above others due to his innately born physique. But in the Flying Feather Immortal Palace, such physiques were countless, and his was not unique enough to rank him at the top.
"Hua Jiutian, time is up," Shui Hongyao said, her lively conversation with Xu Xing interrupted. She had noticed that the selection period for the Palace Choosing A Son-in-law event was about to end. Apologizing to Xu Xing, she turned her gaze to Hua Jiutian, her expression becoming slightly stern. "Which Aristocratic Family do you choose?"
This... Hua Jiutian hesitated.
If he hadn’t witnessed Xu Xing’s brilliance just now, he would have resolutely chosen the Xie Family or the Wang Family from the Nine Mountain Great Halls. The difference in standing between the Thirty-six Prominent Clans and the Nine Mountain Great Halls was obvious; it required no deep thought.
But having seen the true potential of the Master and Disciple Lineage, how could a proud individual like him willingly attach himself to the coattails of an Aristocratic Family?
"I choose... the Rongyang Wang Family," Hua Jiutian finally said, sighing inwardly as he accepted his fate.
The Aristocratic Families were not to be trifled with. He had already committed to the second option; backing out now would not only offend the Family Line, but the Master and Disciple Lineage might not accept him either. Furthermore, judging from Xu True Disciple’s tone, he understood that the path of the Master and Disciple Lineage was indeed difficult.
Next, the Manager of the Rongyang Wang Family took a carved carriage from his sleeve. Inside the carriage was a groom’s attire. Hua Jiutian entered, was adorned with flowers and scarlet robes, and emerged looking like a highborn young lady on her wedding day.
After a few breaths, two Dragon Horses, one white and one black, appeared before the carriage. They pawed the ground and then galloped towards the Inner Sect. The Manager of the Rongyang Wang Family sat on the driver’s seat of the carriage, acting as the coachman.
Once Hua Jiutian had departed, Shui Hongyao finally had an opportunity to speak with Xu Xing again. "I wonder, Xu True Disciple, what brings you to the Immortal Palace gate today?"
The Shui Family was also one of the Nine Mountain Great Halls. Her own Returning Core Realm cultivation and decent aptitude had saved her from the fate of being married off to some Immortal Genius from a commoner background. Otherwise, she would likely be at home with an Aristocratic Family, managing a household and raising children, rather than serving as a Celestial Messenger. The Family Line offered benefits, but it also came with its own set of constraints.
"It has been twelve years since I left home," Xu Xing said, looking towards Fengxi Country and shaking his head. "It’s time I went back to see it."
"Ah, ’South Garden’s Lost Love, deep feelings for the old sword’..." Shui Hongyao murmured, suppressing her distracting thoughts and nodding in agreement. "Xu True Disciple, you indeed should."