novelapdf Chapter 325 Daoist Name: Yu Yao, Guest Elder
Chapter 325 Daoist Name: Yu Yao, Guest Elder
Jade Light Pavilion.
As one of the six sects, this sect is located in Tianshan County, the area with the richest spiritual energy in the Zhao Kingdom.
The mountain gate is located on Yuming Mountain, which is shrouded in clouds and mist all year round, with springs and waterfalls flowing endlessly. It is a universally recognized blessed land in the cultivation world.
This place, where immortal cultivation flourishes, is not only the result of the painstaking efforts of generations of cultivators in the Jade Light Pavilion, but also because there is a fourth-grade high-quality spiritual vein beneath it.
Even the best spiritual veins of the other five sects are only mid-grade fourth rank.
The Jade Light Pavilion does not distinguish between outer and inner sects, but is divided into a system of three halls and nine peaks, with the hall masters and peak masters all being Golden Core cultivators.
Before entering the Jade Light Pavilion, the disciples will undergo a trial. The top ten disciples can choose their preferred peak to cultivate on, while the remaining disciples will be selected by the representatives of each peak.
……
"Speaking of which, it seems this is Fellow Daoist Zhang's first time visiting the sect?"
Five miles away from Yuming Mountain, a man and a woman were riding on clouds toward its summit.
Wherever he went, the disciples below all bowed their heads in respect.
According to the sect rules, disciples of Jade Light Pavilion are prohibited from flying within the main peak area; only Golden Core cultivators are exempt from this prohibition.
The man riding the clouds in mid-air was none other than Zhang Lingyu, who had just broken through to the Golden Core stage.
As for the woman, coincidentally, she was Song Siyu, with whom he had briefly cooperated at the ruins of the Spirit Puppet Sect.
After Bai Yan Zhenjun broke through to the Nascent Soul stage, he no longer served as the peak master of Xiaoyun Peak, and this personal disciple took over the position.
"This is indeed my first time here. I should have come to pay my respects long ago, but I was tied up with clan affairs and was unable to come. I had hoped to have the opportunity to witness the grandeur of the ancestral lineage when I escorted the younger members of the clan to their new home last time, but I missed it again due to unforeseen circumstances. Today, I am finally able to make up for this great regret."
Zhang Lingyu looked down at the endless rows of palaces and pavilions below and answered.
Jade Light Pavilion has a long history, being one of the first sects to rise after the ancient upheavals, with a history of at least seven thousand years.
The land beneath our feet is the result of generations of Jade Light Pavilion cultivators' painstaking efforts; the lineage of Nascent Soul cultivators has never ceased.
"Since this is your first time here, let me give you a brief introduction. It's still quite a distance to the main hall."
Seeing that Zhang Lingyu was still amazed by his own sect, Song Siyu smiled and said:
"Our sect's founding ancestor was True Lord Yun Guang, who was at the Great Perfection of the Nascent Soul stage. It is said that he was a cultivator from the Central Continent who came to the Eastern Continent in search of the opportunity to transform into a Divine Transformation cultivator. Unfortunately, he had no chance to break through even as his lifespan was nearing its end. In order to prevent the loss of his mantle and legacy, he established the Jade Light Pavilion."
"The sect has been passed down for seven thousand years. Currently, there are two Nascent Soul True Monarchs, one is True Monarch Yu Heng, and the other is my master. Including the Golden Core Guest Elders, there are a total of twenty-three Golden Core True Monarchs. The sect has nearly three hundred Foundation Establishment disciples and several thousand Qi Refining disciples."
When she talked about her master, the woman's smile widened.
Now that True Monarch Bai Yan has successfully formed his Nascent Soul, the sect's strength has reached a new level, and it is at the height of its power, vaguely forming a strong suppressive force against the other five sects of Zhao.
If it weren't for the fact that the demonic cultivators of Chu Kingdom were stirring up trouble in the south and the demons of the Wanling Mountains were frequently invading in the north, thus tying down their focus, the Jade Light Pavilion's expansion momentum would have been even stronger.
Given time, the internal landscape of Zhao might truly be rewritten due to the strength of the Jade Light Pavilion.
Even if I were to break through to the Nascent Soul stage in the future, it would still take the Zhang family several thousand years to reach that scale.
What is the foundation of a sect?
This is the foundation of a sect!
"There's no comparison...it's simply incomparable."
Zhang Lingyu, who achieved the Golden Core stage before the age of one hundred, could be described as full of vigor and ambition. However, upon arriving at the Jade Light Pavilion, he truly felt what it meant to be an ant trying to see the blue sky.
"Since you've come all this way, why don't you stay a few more days? It would be a good opportunity to see the cultivation progress of the cultivators in your clan."
Song Siyu continued with a smile, but when her gaze fell upon the sparse disciples below, a shadow fell over her face, and she sighed inwardly.
"The number of cultivators in our sect has dwindled again; it seems they've gone to support the south. I wonder if our sect can survive this chaos."
After breaking through to the Golden Core stage, Song Siyu should have been stationed at Xiaoyun Peak to consolidate her cultivation and refine her natal magic weapon. However, the return of the Heavenly Demon Lord disrupted all previous arrangements.
Under the leadership of this demon lord, the five sects of Chu began to invade the territory of Zhao. The demons of the Wanling Mountains also became restless and followed the demon king to attack Tianliu City.
With attacks coming from both sides, most of the cultivators from the six sects of Zhao Kingdom rushed to the front lines, leaving few behind to guard their sects.
Seeing that the number of cultivators below had reached the minimum standard for those remaining in the sect, he felt very uneasy.
Xiaoyun Peak was already ranked high among the nine peaks of Yuguang Pavilion. Bai Yanzhenjun's achievements have made it the leader. In addition, all the disciples on the peak are sword cultivators. Except for the disciples in the early and middle stages of Qi Refining who stayed behind, almost all of them went out.
Song Siyu was supposed to go south, but the sect considered that she was a newly promoted Golden Core cultivator and a direct disciple of a Nascent Soul cultivator. The Golden Core cultivators of the Demonic Sect were treacherous and cunning, and those who had survived until now were not easy to deal with. In addition, she had never fought against a Golden Core cultivator before, and it would be difficult to end the matter if she accidentally perished.
With the Nine Heavens Demon-Slaying Formation in Tianliu City, it is still relatively safe. It would be a good opportunity for them to use the Demon King to familiarize themselves with the battles between Golden Core cultivators.
Because Yanxing County and Yingchuan County are adjacent, the lightning tribulation triggered by Zhang Lingyu was so powerful that even Tianliu City noticed it.
The Golden Core cultivators responsible for the defense naturally knew that someone was undergoing the Golden Core Tribulation. After checking the relevant intelligence, they already knew who had formed their Golden Core.
The Zhang family is an vassal of the Jade Light Pavilion, and it is only right that the Jade Light Pavilion's Golden Core cultivators go to receive them.
It was originally supposed to be Master Xuan Shui of Yunxia Peak who went, but Song Siyu, considering her relationship with Zhang Lingyu and her familiarity with Qingya Mountain after visiting it once, volunteered.
The two exchanged a few pleasantries upon meeting and then hurried towards the Jade Light Pavilion.
Before long, they had arrived outside the main hall.
"Peak Master Song, True Man Zhang, the Sect Leader has been waiting for a long time, please come in." Upon seeing the two land, the cultivators at the door hurriedly bowed.
Before Song Siyu returned, she had already sent a message to the sect.
"Thank you for your help." Zhang Lingyu thanked her and followed Song Siyu into the main hall.
After walking for a while, they saw a middle-aged man in a blue robe sitting in the head seat, holding a book in his hands and studying it carefully.
The man wasn't particularly handsome, but he had a friendly demeanor. Yet, after just one glance, despite the man's lack of hostility, Zhang Lingyu felt a cold sweat break out on his back.
Four words popped into my mind.
Golden Core complete!
As the head of the Zhang family and an vassal of the Jade Light Pavilion, Zhang Lingyu had long seen the portrait of this middle-aged man. He was none other than Bai Yuhuan, the Jade Light Pavilion's leader and a Golden Core Perfection True Person.
In fact, this sect leader was already a peak Golden Core cultivator decades ago, but for some reason, he has yet to receive the infant spirit.
Over the past few hundred years, Jade Light Pavilion has produced many geniuses, among whom Master Bai Yan is undoubtedly the most outstanding. It is said that when choosing the next sect leader, he was the most popular candidate.
Urgent! Major plot twist! Watch now!
But in the end, it was snatched away by Bai Yuhuan. At that time, although the sect leader had good aptitude, his battle record was not particularly outstanding, which made many people indignant.
In Zhang Lingyu's view, the ability to surpass Bai Yan and many other geniuses to seize the position of sect leader must be due to extraordinary means; otherwise, Jade Light Pavilion would not have achieved what it has today.
As for why the fetus has not yet formed, it is probably still in the process of preparation.
"True Monarch Bai Yan is exceptionally talented, so it's inevitable that he'll be the first to reach the Nascent Soul stage. Furthermore, he has no intention of seizing the throne. The Jade Universe Sect Leader knows he can't compare to his junior brother, so choosing a steady and methodical approach is a sound choice."
If it weren't for this turmoil, perhaps in a few decades, the Jade Light Pavilion would have produced its third Nascent Soul cultivator, and it would have been only a matter of time before it ruled over the Zhao Kingdom and the surrounding countries.
"Sect Leader, this is Zhang Lingyu, the patriarch of the Zhang family in Yingchuan County. He successfully formed his core two days ago and has come here specifically to pay his respects." Song Siyu bowed and spoke first.
"This junior is Zhang Lingyu from the Zhang family of Yingchuan, with the Daoist name [Yuyao]. I pay my respects to the Sect Leader."
"Yu Yao... Zhang Lingyu."
Upon hearing Zhang Lingyu speak, Master Yuhuan finally shifted his gaze from the Taoist book and looked down at Zhang Lingyu, who was bowing respectfully.
"Jade...Radiance...that character isn't bad."
The character 曜 (yào) means to shine, signifying brightness and brilliance.
The Zhang family fled from the State of Chu to Yingchuan, where they settled for hundreds of years and finally became a Golden Elixir Immortal Clan.
As a Golden Core cultivator nurtured solely by the Zhang family, he naturally carries the hopes of the entire clan, leading the family to even greater heights.
Originally, there was another Zhang Yuanhua ahead of him, but in his opinion, both the pills and spiritual items needed for breaking through realms were provided by the Chen family, and after achieving success, he became a guest of the Chen family.
He cannot be considered the first Golden Core cultivator in the Zhang family.
"If we are to lead our people to grow and prosper, the first thing we must do is survive the upcoming turmoil, and achieve a new Golden Core..."
A hint of sadness flashed across Jade Emperor's face, but he was still very happy. More Golden Core cultivators meant more power, which could reduce the casualties among the sect's disciples. Golden Core cultivators weren't exactly commonplace.
He immediately stood up and went forward to greet him, smiling:
"So it's Fellow Daoist Yuyao. I heard your name from Xuanhao in my younger days. Judging from your appearance, you should be under a hundred years old. Like Siyu, you are a person of extraordinary talent. Now that you have reached the Golden Core stage, there is no need to address you as a senior. You should address me as Fellow Daoist."
"Sect Leader, you flatter me. You were already a renowned figure in the cultivation world of Zhao before I was even born. I dare not address you as a fellow Daoist."
Zhang Lingyu dared not agree. If he were to address the other person as a fellow Daoist, he would have to wait until he reached the late stage of the Golden Core realm, but by then the other person might have already formed their Nascent Soul.
Seeing his refusal, Master Yu Huan didn't say anything more, but smiled and said, "Very well, since calling you 'fellow Daoist' is inappropriate, and calling you 'Yu Yao' sounds too unfamiliar, how about just calling you 'Ling Yu'?"
Zhang Lingyu nodded.
"Then what brings Lingyu here today?"
Zhang Lingyu nodded.
"Then what brings Lingyu here today?"
"Respected Sect Leader, my family has been under the protection of the Supreme Sect since its founding. As a cultivator from a vassal family, I should come to pay my respects after breaking through to the Golden Core stage. Furthermore... now that the demon race and demonic cultivators are launching a large-scale attack on our Zhao Kingdom, and my family is supporting Tianliu City, even though I have become a Golden Core cultivator, I should still obey the orders of the Supreme Sect."
Although there is no explicit rule that newly promoted Golden Core cultivators must pay homage to the sect leader, this has been an unspoken rule since ancient times.
It was called a visit, but it was really just a show of loyalty.
You can either fully join the sect or become a guest elder.
Of course, you can choose not to join, but in the days to come you will have to face the open and covert suppression from Yuguang Pavilion, and you will have no choice but to swallow your anger.
There's nothing I can do; you've only become a Golden Core cultivator, not a Nascent Soul cultivator.
One cannot escape the status of a vassal for life without achieving the Nascent Soul stage.
Unless the Jade Light Pavilion is destroyed.
"Lingyu, you have just broken through to the Golden Core stage. You could have stabilized your cultivation first before coming to visit. There's no need to rush."
Master Yu Huan smiled and continued, "Then, Ling Yu, what is your choice?"
"This junior wishes to serve as a guest elder," Zhang Lingyu replied.
Guest elders generally do not participate in the daily affairs of the sect or the teaching of disciples. They only intervene when the sect faces a crisis of survival or when needed in daily life, and they have a great deal of freedom.
In terms of daily salary, they are not much different from the elders within the sect. However, when it comes to the core inheritance of the sect and the real power of the sect, they have to step aside.
Fortunately, he was not prohibited from entering the Merit Pavilion within the sect, which was used to exchange for daily cultivation materials.
Zhang Lingyu's growth to this point is due to the intelligence system; obtaining various opportunities requires him to travel around and he must not be bound to the sect.
"Fellow Daoist Zhang, why don't you reconsider?" Song Siyu, who was standing to the side, advised.
In her view, Zhang Lingyu's ability to form his core so quickly showed that his aptitude and temperament were no less than those of the core disciples in the sect.
If one were to fully join the Jade Light Pavilion, with the sect's vast resources supporting them, their future achievements would not be too low. Even if they could not reach the Nascent Soul stage, they could still achieve something in the later stages or even at the peak. At that time, they would be among the few people in the sect who hold great power.
If one is merely a guest retainer, one must rely on one's own hard work to obtain various cultivation resources, which would waste a great deal of time.
During this time, he also had to be distracted by family affairs.
In her mind, the reason why Zhang Lingyu was unwilling to fully join the Jade Light Pavilion was mostly because he couldn't let go of his family. Even if he joined the Jade Light Pavilion, the Zhang family could still enjoy endless glory and be protected by the sect.
Who would dare to bully a family whose Golden Core Ancestor is still alive and who is also an elder of the Jade Light Pavilion?
Besides, there's still Zhang Yuanhua, the Golden Core cultivator.
The blood pact signed with the Chen family was not permanent, but only for thirty years.
Song Siyu really didn't want to see a genius's future ruined because of his family, but she was just an outsider and there were some things she couldn't say.
"I understand what Fellow Daoist Song means, but I still have a family and cannot abandon them. Also, I would like to go out and have a look around after the chaos ends."
Zhang Lingyu politely declined, saying, "However, fellow Daoist and Sect Leader, please rest assured that now that I have become a guest elder of the sect, I will certainly do my duty and protect the safety of the sect."
"Lingyu has lofty ambitions. Since that's the case, we won't try to persuade you any further. Whether you're a formal elder or a guest elder, the sect will treat everyone equally. You don't need to worry about that, Lingyu. If you ever want to formally join, we won't refuse you."
Master Yu Huan smiled. All Golden Core cultivators from wealthy families have this common problem. But when they find it difficult to advance their cultivation after decades or even centuries, they will naturally understand.
Wasn't Master Xuanhao just like that back then?
Normally, he would have tried his best to win it over, but at this critical juncture, having one more Golden Core cultivator would be a good thing, and saying too much would be counterproductive.
He smiled and said, "Siyu, take Lingyu to register first, sign the blood pact, and receive the token and robes of the sect's guest elder. Then take him around the sect."
"Since Lingyu, your home is in Yingchuan County, you can go to Tianliu City with Siyu to assist in the defense. If there are any further deployments, the sect will send a message."
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