"Let's go. Let's try again!"
Wang Tiezhu called out and charged toward the Jade Platform first.
Li Qinglan refused to be outdone and followed closely behind.
Watching the boiling scene before him, Hua Yuntian pressed his lips together, a flicker of confusion crossing his eyes.
In such a short time, the Taishi Sect had changed beyond recognition.
Given time, when this new batch of disciples grew up, what kind of grandeur would they bring?
Come to think of it… joining this sect might not be such a bad deal after all.
As if having figured it out, the resentment Hua Yuntian had held since joining the sect inexplicably faded a little.
Before the main hall, in the square, Ye Qingshuang tightened her grip on the Ice Soul Sword. Her small figure stood unusually calm amid the surging crowd, yet her gaze was sharper than ever.
Grow stronger!
Grow even stronger!
Only with enough power could she protect the foundation her master had built with his own hands!
...
Three days later, the sect's main hall loomed solemn and majestic.
Jiang Munan wore the newly tailored uniform of a personal disciple and knelt respectfully in the center of the hall.
Jiang Ling sat high on the main seat, an invisible aura swirling behind him, his dignity profound.
"Jiang Munan, your will is as firm as iron, your perseverance divine. You reached the ninetieth step of the Jade Platform, proving that your heart shines brighter than the sun and moon, your will shakes mountains and rivers. As my disciple, I hope you uphold this resolve, cultivate the Great Dao diligently, assist the sect, and together forge the foundation of an eternal unrivaled power!"
"This disciple Jiang Munan kowtows in gratitude to Master's great grace! I will do everything in my power, even if it costs my life, to assist you, revitalize Taishi, and never regret it even in death!"
Jiang Munan kowtowed in excitement. His voice was weak, but every word rang clear and firm.
"Very well."
Jiang Ling nodded slightly, then casually took out a jade slip.
With a flick of his finger, the slip turned into a stream of light and fell into Jiang Munan's hand. His tone was calm yet meaningful:
"Since you have become a personal disciple, you shall receive the foundation of the Dao. This Basic Breathing Art is the sect's foundational technique. Every disciple receives one. Take it and comprehend it carefully."
Jiang Munan accepted the jade slip with both hands; it felt warm to the touch.
Basic Breathing Art?
It didn't sound like an immortal scripture…
Though confused, he stored it solemnly and kowtowed again.
"Thank you, Master, for bestowing the art! This disciple will study it wholeheartedly and live up to your expectations!"
The moment Jiang Munan's fingertips touched the jade slip—
[Ding! Awarding personal disciple Jiang Munan the Basic Breathing Art triggered ten-thousandfold return!]
[Return successful!]
[Congratulations, Host! You have obtained the Immortal-grade skill Primal Wood Creation True Interpretation!]
Another Immortal-grade technique!
Jiang Ling narrowed his eyes slightly, gazing at the kneeling Jiang Munan, a hint of deep meaning flashing in his gaze.
No wonder the system had issued a special mission for this boy—he was also someone with great destiny.
What was wrong with this Canglan Realm, anyway?
There were far too many destiny-blessed individuals. He had already taken in four in such a short time.
They were practically a dime a dozen!
Despite his inner complaints, Jiang Ling took out the Primal Wood Creation True Interpretation and gestured for Jiang Munan to approach.
"That Basic Breathing Art is only for laying your foundation. Everyone in the sect has one. This Primal Wood Creation True Interpretation is the true Immortal-grade technique I wish to grant you."
With that, he handed over the jade slip.
It looked ordinary, no different from the Basic Breathing Art on the surface.
Hua Yuntian, standing nearby, suddenly lifted his head. His previously indifferent face twisted with shock.
Another Immortal-grade technique?
How was that possible?!
Did Immortal-grade techniques grow on cabbages, appearing one after another?
If he had barely believed that Jin Cancan and Ye Qingshuang might be cultivating Immortal-grade techniques before…
Now he suspected that Jiang Ling was just bragging, deliberately passing off a Heaven-grade technique as Immortal-grade.
After all, these ants had no real knowledge; they could easily mistake a fish eye for a pearl.
With that thought, Hua Yuntian felt strangely balanced. He stared at the jade slip in Jiang Ling's hand, a cold sneer tugging at his lips.
As long as it wasn't truly Immortal-grade, no technique could compare to his Nine Revolution Profound Yuan Art!
Jiang Munan's reaction was completely different.
An actual Immortal-grade technique?!
He instantly perked up and stepped forward in two quick strides, taking the slip from Jiang Ling.
Buzz…
The moment Jiang Munan took hold of it, a drastic change erupted inside the hall!
The seemingly ordinary jade slip burst forth unimaginably brilliant immortal radiance in his palm.
Ten thousand feet of azure mist flooded the hall, broke through the roof, and shot straight into the nine heavens.
A vast, boundless aura of life origin surged out like a broken dam, sweeping across heaven and earth!
The sight outside the hall was even more terrifying.
Withered weeds grew wildly at a visible speed, sprouting ears and blooming.
On broken branches, tender green shoots emerged instantly and unfurled into leaves.
Even on the surface of a long-dead stone at the edge of the square, a layer of moist moss seeped out.
Above the sky, immense Wood Qi converged madly, forming the phantom of a colossal ancient tree that reached heaven and earth.
Its gnarled branches coiled like dragons; dao patterns flowed through its veins, as if supporting the very origin of life since the beginning of heaven and earth.
A majestic, ancient life pressure spread out, covering the entire Taishi Mountain Range.
All plant spirits and monsters swayed and bowed toward the main peak!
In this moment, ten thousand trees bowed, a hundred grasses paid homage!
The commotion was earth-shaking.
Fortunately, the mountain-protecting immortal formation activated in time, suppressing all movement within its bounds, preventing it from spreading and alerting the outside world.
Inside the hall, everyone was stunned, frozen in place.
Jiang Munan held the jade slip, which now glowed like a core of life, exuding endless dao resonance. His mind went blank.
A single casual gift from his master… was actually a supreme immortal scripture pointing directly to the origin of the Life Great Dao?!
This… how could this be?
Was he still trapped in an illusion from the Jade Platform?
Jiang Munan pinched his thigh hard. The pain made his mouth twist, and he nearly jumped up.
It was real!
The immortal scripture his master had given was genuine!
His hands trembling, Jiang Munan clutched the slip tightly. His gaze toward Jiang Ling overflowed with reverence.
In this moment, his sense of belonging to the Taishi Sect peaked!
Hua Yuntian, on the other hand, felt as if struck by ten thousand thunderbolts. His face turned ashen, and he staggered back, slamming his spine into a hall pillar without noticing.
He stared fixedly at the soaring immortal radiance and boundless life dao resonance; his very soul trembled.
Immortal-grade!
This was genuine, authentic Immortal-grade origin aura!
Older and nobler than any inheritance he had touched at the peak of his past life!
Immense absurdity and piercing regret instantly devoured him.
If he hadn't discarded the Basic Breathing Art like trash back then… would it have been…?
Pfft!
Overwhelmed by rage and regret, a sweet taste rose in his throat. A trickle of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth, and his body swayed unsteadily.
In this moment, the pride Hua Yuntian had carried across two lifetimes was completely shattered.
Reverence and regret, which he could not deny, intertwined and echoed in his heart!
But there was no medicine for regret in this world. What was done could not be undone.
Hua Yuntian could only swallow his anger and cultivate his Nine Revolution Profound Yuan Art even more diligently, trying to prove that his technique was no worse than anyone else's.
Of course, that was a story for later.
Right now, not far beside him, Ye Qingshuang's calm little face shattered completely, her pupils contracting violently.