Looking down from the Spirit Boat at the Blue Moon Immortal Sect, now razed to the ground, Li Xinnian felt a complex mix of emotions.
He was three hundred and thirty-eight years old and had served as the Family Head for over two hundred years, yet today was the first time he had truly presided over a battlefield.
The Azure Cloud Prefecture had once again bared its ferocious fangs, striking awe into those who harbored ill intentions.
He should have been filled with pride, yet he found himself reflecting with introspection.
"We drove back the Wu Tribe and exterminated the Hidden Zhao Clan. Yet, simply because my Azure Cloud Prefecture is situated on fertile land, we are still eyed greedily by snakes, rats, and insects, as well as the lions and tigers of the Imperial Court.
Perhaps it is because I have been too complacent that we have incurred such contempt."
"Xinnian, Ancestor Lan of the Eternal Immortal Sect has arrived in person." Nangong Qingya's voice sounded in his ear.
Li Xinnian turned his head to see the three figures from the Eternal Immortal Sect approaching.
After a round of greetings, Ancestor Lan immediately brought up the matter of accepting disciples.
Li Xinnian consulted his two great-grandsons.
He had never been opposed to clansmen cultivating in other sects; after all, he himself had cultivated in the Skyveil Sect since childhood.
While it was true that the cultivation methods and techniques the family had plundered over the centuries were excellent, every person's innate Spirit Roots and constitution were different.
Finding a truly suitable teacher in this world was no easy task.
"Family Head Li, if these two great-grandsons of yours were to cultivate under this Daoist's guidance, their future prospects would be limitless."
Ancestor Lan noticed Li Xinnian's hesitation and smiled.
"My Eternal Immortal Sect possesses a Five Elements Dao Field. It is an excellent place for a Five Elements Dao Body to cultivate, allowing one to achieve twice the results with half the effort."
"I observe that Li Jianning's constitution is quite peculiar. It seems some Fellow Daoist at the Void Refining Realm must have assisted him, helping him open five separate Dantians.
This allows his cultivation of the Five Elements Spirit Roots to proceed no differently from an ordinary person's."
"Li Jianning has carved out a new path in the Daoist arts, effectively laying down the most solid of foundations.
This Daoist is now ninety thousand years old; I have seen my fair share of prodigies under the heavens and have collected numerous peculiar cultivation techniques.
Among them is a technique left behind by one such prodigy, which is perfectly suited for Li Jianning's cultivation."
Hearing this, Li Xinnian furrowed his brows. "'Left behind'? Where is that prodigy now?"
Ancestor Lan replied with confidence, "Died from backlash—body exploded. A pity that he did not receive this poor Daoist's personal guidance; otherwise, how could it have come to such an end?"
"...."
Li Xinnian fell silent for a moment.
The brothers, Li Jianshu and Li Jianning, exchanged a glance, the corners of their mouths twitching.
They recalled that there had been a senior in the Eternal Immortal Sect who had attempted to break through with the Five Elements Dao Body—and he, too, had perished.
To the side, Duanmu Qi looked up at the sky and let out a long sigh, seeming to recall some unbearable memories.
"Family Head Li, Ancestor Lan... Ancestor Lan is most skilled at guiding disciples. I, too, was taught by Ancestor Lan and was able to achieve success."
Li Xinnian vaguely understood why the Eternal Immortal Sect, despite being such a massive sect, had a population of only a mere three thousand.
...
[With Li Xinnian's approval, your descendant Li Jianning has obtained a new identity: Disciple of the Eternal Immortal Sect.]
[Obtained a gift from Ancestor Lan—Supreme-Grade Spirit Artifact: Five Elements Severing Halo.
Uses Five Elements Spiritual power to lock onto an enemy and take their head from a kilometer away.]
Having successfully accepted a disciple, Ancestor Lan was overjoyed.
"Good! This Daoist shall gift you a Spirit Weapon. Do not look down on it just because it is a Spirit Artifact; if you refine it into your Lifebound Spirit Artifact, it can eventually evolve into a Dharma Treasure, serving you well all the way to the Nascent Soul Realm."
Li Jianning held the peculiar weapon in his hand—a semi-circular dome with sharp blades arranged around its rim, connected at the top to a long chain.
"Thank you, Ancestor Lan!"
Li Jianning absorbed the Five Elements Severing Halo into his body.
Ancestor Lan nodded with gratification, then turned his gaze toward Li Jianshu.
"Li Jianshu, my Eternal Immortal Sect possesses a Thunder Pool that can also support your cultivation all the way to the Nascent Soul Realm.
Your lightning arts require Heavenly Thunder Tribulations; this pool could save you a hundred years of effort. Why are you unwilling to join my sect?"
"I thank Ancestor Lan for your appreciation." Li Jianshu shook his head.
"I still have many juniors within the Eternal Immortal Martial Grotto-Heaven who need my guidance, and I must also remain at home to care for my father. I fear I have no destiny with the Immortal Sect."
Li Jianning's expression changed instantly. He hurriedly released the Five Elements Severing Halo from his body, intending to hand it back to Ancestor Lan, but was stopped by Li Jianshu.
Li Jianshu smiled. "Jianning, you often say that the two of us possess only mediocre aptitude and that we would likely achieve nothing of note in this lifetime. But now, after all our hardships, sweetness has finally come.
You have overcome the constraints of the Five Elements Dao Body, and receiving personal guidance from Ancestor Lan is a tremendous opportunity for you. Just go and cultivate; I will remain at home to fulfill our filial duties on your behalf. I am sure Father will not blame you."
"Big Brother..."
Witnessing this display of brotherly devotion, Ancestor Lan nodded in appreciation.
With a brother like this, Li Jianning's character surely could not be poor, making him worthy of careful instruction in the future.
Li Xinnian felt a sense of relief. In truth, even if Jianshu had wanted to go, he would have stopped him.
These two great-grandsons of his possessed completely opposite temperaments.
Jianning had always followed the rules and been content with his lot; he was quite honest. If he went to the Eternal Immortal Sect, he wouldn't cause any trouble and would simply dedicate himself to cultivation.
Jianshu, however, was different.
That child was swift and decisive in his actions, and he could not tolerate a single grain of sand in his eyes.
Even the devil cultivators in the Thunderfire Demon Cave dared not provoke him in the slightest. If anyone did cross him, it would truly become a feud that would not end until one side was dead.
If he were to go to the Eternal Immortal Sect, he would likely offend a great number of people.
Amidst these thoughts, he saw Duanmu Qi approaching.
After witnessing last night's battle, Duanmu Qi dared not show even a hint of disrespect.
The Azure Cloud Prefecture was truly united as one. In his eyes, it stood like a towering tree reaching into the heavens; the stability of the Li Clan's foundation was comparable to a legacy built over ten thousand years.
"Family Head Li," Duanmu Qi said in a deep voice, "we need to discuss the matter of the Immortal Suppression Department. In this campaign, all five of our great forces have suffered heavy losses; we can no longer place our trust in that Commander, Wu Neng."