Chapter 98 - Arc 7: Dragon Ascension Gate | Chapter 98: Counsel

Translator: Lynn

Upon hearing their words, Xu Ziqing smiled and replied, “It’s only been a short while since I established the foundation, and I have some thoughts, but they’re not of great significance. However, I’m curious, do you two have any particular sects in mind?”

Diao Zimo and Luo Hou exchanged glances, and Diao Zimo spoke up first, “We may not be considered successful yet, but we both have certain sects in the big world that we admire.”

Intrigued, Xu Ziqing asked, “Which sects are those?”

Diao Zimo explained, “My teacher once mentioned that as a practitioner of thunder techniques, if I want to make a name for myself in the big world, I should either join Wanlei Sect or invest in a major sect that embraces various disciplines for the future.”

Listening to him, Xu Ziqing sensed that there was more to his explanation, so he signaled his attentiveness.

Diao Zimo continued, “Wanlei Sect, while being a small sect now, lacks the vast resources of the giant sects. So it might not be advisable. As for sects that welcome practitioners from different backgrounds, there are Jinghua Sect, Haotian Sect, Duanqing Sect, Danxia Sect, and others. Haotian Sect and Duanqing Sect both have schools of thunder techniques, so they are worth considering.”

Luo Hou added, “I heard that Duanqingzong requires its followers to eliminate all emotions and desires, which doesn’t align with my chosen path of forgetting emotions and desires. I’m not fond of it.”

As they spoke, both Diao Zimo and Luo Hou expressed interest in Haotianzong but were still considering their options.

Upon hearing their choices, Xu Ziqing divided a strand of his consciousness and sent it into his storage ring. He asked, “Brother Yun, have you heard of Wanlei Sect and the other five sects?”

Yun Lie replied, “Wanlei Sect has been around for millions of years. It was once a giant in the immortal realm, but it gradually declined, and now it holds only a seventh-rank status, reduced to a small sect. Haotian School and Duanqing School are ranked fifth, while Jinghua School and Danxia School are both sixth-ranked, making them medium-sized sects.”

Xu Ziqing couldn’t help but be astonished. Diao Zimo was an outstanding disciple of the Leihuo Sect, so the information he received must be valuable. However, even with that, they only had knowledge about medium and small sects in the big world. It highlighted the vast difference between the big and small worlds.

In reality, anyone from the small world who could enter the big world was already top-notch, and they were highly sought after by many medium and small-sized sects. However, in the big world, those with exceptional talents were exposed to countless sects and choices. Usually, the talents in the small world end up in medium-sized sects, and a few might join small-scale sects. The sects mentioned by Diao Zimo were all in the category of medium and small-sized sects.

Xu Ziqing understood this insight thanks to Yun Lie. If he had been wandering alone without meeting Yun Lie, he might have managed to survive, but he would not have been as well-informed as he was now.

As Diao Zimo and Luo Hou waited for a response, Xu Ziqing thought for a moment and then asked, “Why don’t you consider the sect to which Senior Tang belongs? He demonstrated various remarkable abilities, which were quite impressive.”

Diao Zimo paused and then smiled, “I won’t hide it from you, fellow Daoist Xu. I chose Haotianzong because some senior disciples from my Leihuo Sect joined that sect many years ago. So, if I were to go there, I would have some fellow disciples, making it more convenient for seniors to look after me.” He glanced at Luo Hou and continued, “I invited Brother Luo earlier because I saw that he is straightforward and magnanimous, with exceptional talents. I believed we could be friends. Now, inviting you, Fellow Daoist Xu, is for the same reason. What do you think?”

Diao Zimo’s reasoning was quite straightforward and easy to understand.

Now that the foundation building was complete, they knew that help from the big world was essential. The key factors were character, talent, and connections.

Luo Hou lacked both character and talent. He mentioned that no one from his school had entered the big world for many years, so it wouldn’t be too difficult to become friends with Diao Zimo and establish connections. Xu Ziqing, on the other hand, excelled in both character and talent. As for connections… they came from the companions behind him.

Diao Zimo had already noticed that four people remained in the Loose Cultivator Alliance, each extraordinary and morally upright. Xu Ziqing had befriended Su Xin, Zhuo Hanyan had already established her foundation, and Ran Xingjian was about to establish his in the next few months. It seemed like they wanted to join the same sect in the big world. Given that their practices were different, only a sect like Haotian Sect, which accommodated various techniques, could accept them all. Together, they would have six members, including two with single spiritual roots and four with double spiritual roots. Haotian Sect should have no reason to reject them.

Diao Zimo thought his plan was ideal, a win-win situation.

However, Xu Ziqing thought it over and declined, “Since you’re being candid, I won’t lie either. Once, I was just a casual cultivator with low aptitude. However, I met a friend from the big world, and my last wish is to enter the Wuling Immortal Sect where he lived. So, I can only…” He paused, “I hope you understand.”

Both Diao Zimo and Luo Hou had expected this, but they were still a little dazed. Suddenly, Diao Zimo’s voice lost its steadiness, “Are you talking about Wuling… Immortal Sect?”

Xu Ziqing nodded, “Yes, Wuling Immortal Sect.” He was puzzled, “Why?”

Diao Zimo’s expression became complex, “Master Diao once said that any sect in the big world with the word ‘immortal’ in it is a powerful sect that has produced immortals. It’s truly a blessing to know people from such a sect.” Although he was envious, he didn’t mention the death of his friend.

Xu Ziqing was surprised but then learned more from Yun Lie, asking for clarification. Yun Lie confirmed, “Yes, that’s true, but it’s not the whole story.”

Xu Ziqing was even more amazed.

Immortals!

The term “immortals” referred to beings who had mastered the laws of nature, comprehended the essence of heaven and earth and attained a state beyond mortal bodies. They were legendary figures who possessed boundless supernatural powers and could ascend to the heavens. In the small world, Jindan Daoists were already at the pinnacle, but in the big world, there were traces of immortals. The sects that had disciples become immortals must be majestic and extraordinary!

Xu Ziqing then understood Yun Lie’s unfinished explanation. He had been surprised before, but now he wasn’t afraid. If he had decided to cultivate immortality, he must strive to become immortal. If no one could become an immortal, what was the purpose of cultivating immortality? He realized that he needed to work even harder.

After calming down, Xu Ziqing inquired calmly, “Brother Yun, to earn the name ‘Wuling Immortal Sect,’ the sect must have produced immortals from generation to generation. But since no one from the sixth generation will become immortal, they will lose their rank. What are the requirements for them to be promoted back to the first rank?” As he asked, he sensed a slight chill as his friend in the ring swept over his spiritual consciousness.

Yun Lie explained, “For a second-rank sect to be promoted to the first-rank, they can only regain their status by having three generations of disciples who become immortals in succession.”

Three immortals in ten thousand years. Even with many geniuses, this number was exceedingly difficult to achieve. Xu Ziqing couldn’t help but sigh. He realized that in the future when he worshipped his master, he must practice even more diligently.

Diao Zimo’s expression changed several times before he clapped his hands and said, “Forget it, I, Diao, shouldn’t be afraid of challenges!”

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