3 Chapter 3 Meeting the Master_1

The Temple Master spoke seriously, "No matter if Ji Changsheng is the reincarnation of a True Immortal or not, or if he has inadvertently helped our Mystic Temple by exposing a conspiracy plot, he is a merit seed we need to fully support in our Mystic Temple. Moreover, if Ji Changsheng is not the reincarnation of a True Immortal, we should cultivate him even more meticulously."

The other masters nodded their agreement.

Giving face to the Temple Master was one aspect. On the other hand, a reborn True Immortal has its own origins. But if Ji Changsheng was a blank slate, it's obvious he would feel a stronger sense of belonging to the Mystic Temple.

Furthermore, the Mystic Temple is after all part of the Righteous Path.

Ji Changsheng was young, but he had already made an enemy of the Sky Devil Sect Leader.

If the Mystic Temple didn't shelter Ji Changsheng, how could they claim to fight against the demons and protect the path.

"I think Ji Changsheng could enter my sect..."

Before the Master could finish, Li Changxi interrupted, "Master, I have already promised Ji Changsheng. He merits recognition for exposing the Sky Devil Sect's infiltrator. As long as he can pass the Inner Sect Disciple examination, he can join my sect."

The Master and the other sect leaders were shocked.

This was even more terrifying than hearing of Old Devil Yu's schemes.

The Master instinctively responded, "Absolutely not."

Li Changxi's face sank instantly, "Master, do you, like everyone else, believe that I can't be a good mentor?"

Master: "..."

What could he say to save her face?

The Master was in a dilemma.

The other sect leaders didn't feel the same pressure. A burly man with a curly beard candidly said, "You had eight disciples, and eight disciples died. Ji Changsheng is a good kid, spare him."

Li Changxi spoke nonchalantly, "Life is but a dream. Why be so attached to life and death? The richness of life lies not in its length but in its breadth. Studying under me for ten years is far better than living hollow lives for a hundred years. Besides, the essence of cultivation is to go against the heavens, life and death are common events. The strength of my past eight disciples was insufficient, hence they couldn't break through life and death illusions. Ji Changsheng is different, he was able to condense merit petals even in the Qi Refinement Realm. I am confident he can inherit my legacy and shatter illusions, ascending to be a True Immortal."

The big-bearded man sighed deeply,"Damn it, she actually believes she's gotten this far through her own ability. She must've forgotten her medicine today and gone crazy again."

Li Changxi scoffed, "A mere Body Integration practitioner dares to disrupt my Dao heart. I'm perfectly normal, it's you who are deceived by illusions. Enough, a summer insect cannot speak of ice, a cricket has no concept of seasons, there's no use explaining certain things to you. In short, only I can teach a merit seed like Ji Changsheng. To let you teach him would be a waste of talent."

Everyone chuckled.

The Master cleared his throat and made a final decision, "Let Ji Changsheng choose for himself."

...

While the Master and other sect leaders were discussing, Ji Changsheng felt that he was on the verge of losing control of his cultivation, and he would soon successfully achieve Foundation Establishment.

Foundation Establishment is the second threshold of cultivation, and an important stage for distinguishing the talents of cultivators during the early stages.

The Qi Refinement stage is meant to exclude creatures without the talent for cultivation, while the Foundation Establishment stage screens out those who have some talent for cultivation. In general, the elimination ratio at this stage is ten-to-one.

Ever since the Foundation Establishment Pill appeared, the Foundation Establishment process has become relatively easier, but it also just increased the Foundation Establishment ratio to 8:1.

Within the Soul Drawing Array, Ji Changsheng hesitated slightly. As a spy, would it be too much to stand out?

A moment later, Ji Changsheng decisively stepped into the Foundation Establishment Stage.

A spy? What spy?

I am the first-ranked new Inner Sect Disciple in Mystic Temple, a candidate for future Mastery in the Mystic Temple, and a rising star of the Righteous Path, what should I be afraid of?

Besides, a merit seed like me couldn't possibly lay low if I wanted to, my abilities don't allow it.

When he was with the Sky Devil Sect, he kept a low profile, so he was sent to Mystic Temple for a suicide mission by an outer elder of the Sky Devil Sect. The higher-ups of the Sky Devil Sect wouldn't even stand up for him.

Learning from the past, he decided to become an unshakeable genius in the minds of the higher-ups at the Mystic Temple.

Having made up his mind, Ji Changsheng had successfully become a cultivator at the Foundation Establishment stage. He also noticeably felt a sudden increase in the Evil Blood Energy within his body, his physique become at least ten times stronger than that of the Qi Refinement Realm.

The cultivation of Merit Energy and Evil Blood Energy could proceed side by side. Confirming this deepened Ji Changsheng's determination to follow the path of righteousness.

Ji Changsheng's breakthrough naturally drew the attention of the Master.

"Ji Changsheng's merits can instantly promote him to the mid-stage peak of the Foundation Establishment stage, and his physique also far exceeds the average Cultivator. Wait, why is there also Evil Blood Energy in his body?"

With a sharp eye, the Master noticed some signs, though Ji Changsheng made great efforts to conceal the Evil Blood Energy within him.

Li Changxi quickly added, "When he discovered that Bing Ziping was a Sky Devil Sect infiltrator, any normal person might have only focused on their own safety to avoid trouble. But Ji Changsheng resolutely reported the information to me. This shows he is decisive and is not an ordinary Cultivator who has only kindness but lacks means. Considering his character, he must have fought against and eliminated demons in the past, so having traces of Evil Blood Energy is not strange."

After pondering for a moment, the Master slowly nodded; "Makes sense."

Whether it makes sense or not depends on the Master's thoughts.

Since Ji Changsheng had provided significant information by reporting the illegitimate son of the Sky Devil Sect Leader and displayed considerable talent, coupled with Li Chang Xi's support, naturally the Master would agree.

At a critical time, a person's weight and their background and connections would determine the direction of the situation.

If Ji Changsheng's possession of Evil Blood Energy was discovered before this Inner Sect examination, he would undoubtedly be investigated.

But now... what Ji Changsheng needs to decide is which sect Master he should join.

Seeing that Ji Changsheng had successfully reached the Foundation Establishment stage and was still showing signs of continued cultivation progress, the Master proactively grabbed Ji Changsheng from the Soul Drawing Array to prevent him from recklessly increasing his cultivation and potentially destabilizing his foundation.

Before Ji Changsheng could react, an Outer Sect Elder promptly spoke, "The Temple Master is present, as well as the Masters of the eight sects within our Mystic Temple, don't you know to bow?"

Ji Changsheng quickly bowed in response.

The Master chuckled, "No need for formalities, Ji Changsheng. I heard you reported an infiltrator from the Sky Devil Sect?"

"Yes."

The Master looked at Ji Changsheng, the more he saw, the more he liked him, after all, he was the first unparalleled genius after his own ascent to mastery.

However, despite his fondness, he couldn't help but feel like teasing.

"Do you know the identity of the infiltrator?"

Ji Changsheng was taken aback, genuinely surprised, "An infiltrator from the Sky Devil Sect, what identity could he have? Shouldn't he be just an ordinary disciple from the Sky Devil Sect?"

"Unfortunately, you got lucky and ran into a special infiltrator."

Ji Changsheng: "?"

The Master chuckled, "The infiltrator you reported is the illegitimate son of Old Devil Yu."

Ji Changsheng remained puzzled: "Who is Old Devil Yu?"

During his time in Sky Devil Sect, he kept a low profile and did not concern himself with the world's changes, focusing only on cultivating and seeking revenge on the Sky Devil Sect Disciples who had slaughtered his village, so he didn't know much about this world.

This also matches a common small-town child's understanding of the world.

After coming to the Mystic Temple, he also acted humbly, never deliberately prying into matters that he ought not to know.

So when the Master mentioned Old Devil Yu, he genuinely had no idea who that was.

And then...

"I did forget that you were from a common background. Old Devil Yu is the leader of the Sky Devil Sect, the strongest Devil Leader in the world."

Ji Changsheng's mind buzzed, and he felt as though he had plunged into an ice cave.

Holy shit!

I casually reported an undercover agent, and he turned out to be so influential?

Is this the level of the illegitimate child of a Devil Sect Leader?

Does the Sky Devil Sect Leader have a mental illness? Why would he send his own son to party in the Mystic Temple's graveyard?

I've made enemies with the world's most potent Devil Leader at the very beginning?

I, a Sky Devil Sect infiltrator, have killed the Sky Devil Sect Leader's son?

At this moment, Ji Changsheng deeply regretted it; he should have been more merciful to his colleagues.

The Master and the other masters fully understood Ji Changsheng's confusion and fear.

Any cultivator of Foundation Establishment Stage who kills the illegitimate child of the world's most potent Devil Leader would be terrified.

However, the Master still admired talents and quickly said: "You don't have to worry too much. Since you have joined the Mystic Temple, we will protect you. Old Devil Yu may be powerful, but he can't harm the Mystic Temple. No one can touch anyone the Mystic Temple wants to protect."

When he finished speaking, the Master's domineering and arrogant attitude was not concealed at all.

Ji Changsheng's mood did not improve much because of this.

He bitterly smiled, "There is a saying about a thief fearing every day, but there is no thief being feared every day. If the Sky Devil Sect Leader wants to kill me, there are too many ways."

He is a Sky Devil Sect infiltrator.

God knows if there are other infiltrators in the Mystic Temple.

Ji Changsheng did not feel safe at all.

The Master understood Ji Changsheng's thoughts and comforted him: "Don't worry, there are rules in the world of cultivation. Old Devil Yu, with his status and position, is not allowed to act against you. If he does, we, the Mystic Temple, will counterattack in equal measure, if not double. Ji Changsheng, you have officially joined the Mystic Temple's inner sect. If any high-ranking Devil Sect experts attempt to bully the weak, if they lay a finger on you, the Mystic Temple will end ten of their true disciples."

Ji Changsheng took a deep breath and sincerely thanked the Master: "Thank you for your protection, Master."

He believed that what the Master said was true, and the Mystic Temple did have the ability to do so.

But it's useless.

Old Devil Yu has lost a son.

The blood feud of a murdered son is not to be reconciled.

Expecting Old Devil Yu to stick to the rules in the face of this hatred is an ostrich policy.

You can't expect a white-haired person sending a black-haired person to a Demon Leader to play by the rules.

That's too naive.

All of a sudden, Li Changxi said: "The news of you reporting Bing Ziping has not been spread around, Old Devil Yu should not know this."

Ji Changsheng's eyes lit up.

Right.

He only told Li Daoyan, who then informed Li Changxi, and Li Changxi told the higher-ups of Mystic Temple.

As long as these people do not leak the news, Old Devil Yu should remain unaware.

The Master also realized this and nodded: "I will make everyone who knows swear an oath to Heaven not to spread the news. Since you are a disciple of the Mystic Temple, we will naturally protect you."

"Thank you, Master. Thank you, Master Li."

Ji Changsheng still hadn't completely let his guard down, but at least he found some comfort.

"Alright, the reason you were called here was to choose a master. We acknowledge both your talent and merit, and I would like to take you under my tutelage, do you agree?"

The Master proactively extended an olive branch.

Ji Changsheng agreed wholeheartedly.

The Master's sect is naturally the strongest and represents the sturdiest support.

Besides, the Master's undisguised admiration for him was something he noticed. If he became a disciple of the Master, his future would theoretically be bright.

However, the threat from Old Devil Yu felt like a thorn in his side, even though the Master said he would have all the knowledgeable people swear an oath to Heaven, Ji Changsheng couldn't fully drop his guard.

In the world of cultivation, even the dead couldn't keep a secret.

He found it hard to feel secure.

So Ji Changsheng hesitated for a moment before boldly asking, "Forgive my audacity, but may I ask who is stronger, the Master or Old Devil Yu?"

The Master: "..."

Ji Changsheng was quite disappointed.

The Master's silence spoke volumes.

He looked towards the other masters.

But none of them said a word.

Ji Changsheng felt even colder.

It seemed he wouldn't be able to find a master stronger than Old Devil Yu.

At that moment, Li Changxi stepped forward, her tone full of mirth, "Old Devil Yu is the most potent Devil Leader in the world. Even in our Mystic Temple, the only one who could confidently best Old Devil Yu is also the universally acknowledged number one person in the world—Fairy Linglong. Unfortunately, Fairy Linglong's entire focus is now on surviving her tribulation and ascending, so she definitely won't take you as her disciple."

Before Ji Changsheng could be disappointed, Li Changxi continued, "Fairy Linglong is my mom!"

Without a second word, Ji Changsheng bowed in reverence, "Greetings, Master!"