12 Chapter 11: Learning from the Master_1

At the peak of the Sky Gate Mountain, within the Primordial Palace, Lu Yang stood upright, respectfully awaiting the arrival of his master.

The interior of the Primordial Palace was cold and silent, dust-free with wisps of rising smoke calming one's spirit.

Lu Yang noticed that three plaques were enshrined inside the hall, belonging to Daoist Xiantian, Celestial Master Guiyuan, and Vast Sea Daoist Lord respectively.

These three were familiar to Lu Yang, they hold an exceptionally special significance within the Seek Dao Sect:

Twelve hundred thousand years ago, Daoist Xiantian, who emerged from a Taoist temple, established the Seek Dao Sect. At that time, he was just an ordinary cultivator. There were thousands like him in the Central Continent. Therefore, the Seek Dao Sect initially only existed as a minor sect.

A hundred thousand years ago, during the times of great chaos, the Seek Dao Sect produced an extraordinary genius. Although he didn't rank in the top fifty in terms of natural talent for cultivation, he was intelligent, good at making friends, and possessed a hefty dose of righteousness. Moreover, he was blessed with fortune. He rose during the chaotic era, riding the trend of the times, standing at the forefront of the era, unmatched in his brilliance and cultivation. He was known as Celestial Master Guiyuan.

The Seek Dao Sect flourished under the Celestial Master Guiyuan, and became one of the top sects at that time. On the occasion of the twenty-thousand-year celebration of the Seek Dao Sect, many close friends came to congratulate. He seized this opportunity, jointly with four other supreme cultivators of that time, to confirm the appellation of the "Five Great Immortal Sects" and gained worldwide recognition.

However, nothing in the world is everlasting and always glorious. Fifty thousand years later, the Seek Dao Sect declined. The elder members were either nearing the end of their lives or died unexpectedly. Few could support the situation, and none of the disciples were promising. They were at a loss, ironically facing the embarrassing situation where they were rumored to be expelled from the Five Great Immortal Sects.

Perhaps the Seek Dao Sect truly possessed good fortune. One day, an elder member of the Seek Dao Sect was exterminating a demon outdoors when they rescued a child from ruins. They brought the child back to the sect, and thereafter were astounded to discover that the child was a rare cultivating genius. Conforming to expectations, the child rapidly advanced in cultivation, becoming the most powerful Transcendence Tribulation Stage cultivator of the time within a few short years.

That child was known as Vast Sea Daoist Lord, later referred to by the people of the posterity as the revivalist of the Seek Dao Sect. He prolonged the glory of the Seek Dao Sect by fifty thousand years, stretching on until this very day.

"Eldest Senior Sister, where's our master?" Lu Yang turned around. He had been waiting in the hall for a considerable amount time, but no one showed up except Eldest Senior Sister.

"Master is currently in seclusion, cultivating during a crucial period and cannot separate himself. I'm acting on his behalf to accept you as a disciple and instruct you in cultivation."

"Before starting formal cultivation, I'll give you a brief introduction to our sect. There are very few rules set by our master. As long as you don't go too far against morals and ethical standards, causing disaster to both heaven and earth, he won't intervene."

"However, my bottom line is higher than his. What he won't manage, I will."

"Master has four disciples, including you and me. Above you, there's one senior brother and one senior sister. One of them usually stays in the Western Buddha Country, the other in the Southern Demon Realm. They hardly ever come back to the sect, making it challenging to meet them."

"You may have the opportunity to see them when your cultivation has achieved considerable progress and you have had the chance to travel around. For now..." Yun Zhi paused for a moment, taking out three portrait scrolls, arranging them side by side. They were Lu Yang's yet-to-meet master, second senior brother, and third senior sister.

The three people depicted in the portraits were smiling brightly.

The master, with white hair and clear eyes, did not appear as muddled like other old people. He seemed like a free and uninhibited individual who fancied games and worldly life.

The second senior brother had a gentle smile, his dashing facial features sparkling and elegant.

The third senior sister was charming in countless ways, an exceedingly beautiful woman that could bring calamity to a nation.

"Master specifically instructed me that the sect has five of us in total including you. As there are only two of us present at your initiation ceremony, Master has prepared these portraits to represent their presence."

Lu Yang glanced at Eldest Senior Sister and then at the vivid black-and-white portraits around him, which seemed to be watching him. He couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine.

It was as if the whole sect was destroyed, leaving only him and Eldest Senior Sister.

Three sticks of incense appeared in front of Lu Yang. Yun Zhi handed them over, "These are Message Incense sticks. They can transmit your thoughts. Offering three sticks to the master conveys your gratitude and respect."

The three incense sticks were lit and inserted into the small incense burner in front of the master's portrait, "Under the witness of the Ancestors and with Master above, please accept your disciple's salute."

Now it felt more appropriate than ever.

After finishing the ceremony of becoming a disciple, Lu Yang asked with hesitation, "Eldest Senior Sister, I know it's a bit disrespectful to ask but, our master is really still alive, right?"

Lu Yang was afraid that Yun Zhi would sneer and say something like, "The master has fallen, and the top brass have been keeping it under wraps. I can't keep you around now that you know this secret."

Yun Zhi was utterly confused, not understanding why Lu Yang would ask such a question.

"Obviously, he is alive."

"I've looked at your exam grades from the Teaching Peak. You've memorized the locations of the human body's acupoints and meridians quite accurately, and you can recite and write the basic heart methods. That's quite remarkable. Your enthusiasm for learning deserves praise."

"Now let's start with the formal cultivation."

Upon hearing this, Lu Yang's face showed a look of real excitement and he listened more carefully.

He could finally begin cultivation.

As the official cultivation began, Eldest Senior Sister started, "This is my first time teaching a disciple, and this is your first time being a disciple. Let's bear with each other."

"But don't worry, I've made sufficient preparations for today."

Yun Zhi carefully lined up various small medicine jars, each labelled with the name of an elixir. Lu Yang had heard about some of them:

The White Bone Pill that can bring one back from the brink of life and death.

The Seven-Level Buddha Pill, one of the objects created by the Buddha Country to accumulate merits. Everyone who took the Seven-Level Buddha Pill gave a share of their merit to the Buddha Country.

The Nine Revolutions Reincarnation Pill. There's a saying in the cultivation world that one can exchange nine deaths for a new life with this pill.

With these elixirs, it would be challenging for Lu Yang to die even if he wanted to.

"Body refinement comes before Qi refinement in cultivation. Since you've never experienced body refinement training, we shall start from zero."

Yun Zhi casually broke through the space to take out two big water tanks from her storage space. Listening to the dull sound of the water tanks hitting the ground, Lu Yang's heart sank, sensing a foreboding sign.

"Sword cultivation emphasizes sword intent and arm strength. Therefore, the first step in body refinement is to focus on the training of arm strength. I will demonstrate only once, you observe carefully."

Yun Zhi stepped on the edge of the water tank as if it was flat ground. Then she caught the edge of another water tank with one hand and slightly lifted it. She let go of it before it land and repeated the process with her other hand. She repeated the process smoothly, making the training process pleasing to the eye.

If you don't consider the feelings of your arm, this method indeed can train one's arm strength.

"It's enough once you're able to reach this level."

Having put down the water tank, Yun Zhi spoke lightly.

Lu Yang swallowed fearfully. Even without lifting it, it was clear that the water tank was half his height. If he were to fit into the tank, it was big enough to bury him with sand and soil.

Such a gigantic tank was to be tossed and turned? This seemed like a death wish.

Lu Yang bravely latched on one hand, holding his breath, and made all his moves in one go.

He couldn't lift it.

He exerted force with both hands, then, using all his might, the water tank merely wobbled reluctantly, as if acknowledging Lu Yang's efforts.