Cultivation Begins with Daily Intelligence Reports

289: Meeting the Sect Master of Qinglan SectThe nine-colored light of auspiciousness gradually dissipated, and the ascending immortal ladder returned to its simple white jade appearance, but the commotion in Immortal Greeting Valley did not subside for a long time.

Lin Jingyu’s name, as if it had grown wings, was repeatedly praised among the thousands of Cultivators and Qinglan Sect Disciples participating in the trial, filled with endless astonishment and disbelief.

Elder Xuan Yunzi suppressed the excitement in his heart, but his gaze towards Lin Jingyu remained incredibly burning.

Even with that legendary ominous secret.

But for the Qinglan Sect, it was still heartening news.

Even if he were to fall in the future, he could still secure significant benefits for the Qinglan Sect over the next hundred years.

Moreover, having produced such a Prodigy, he, as the organizer, would be able to obtain quite a lot of Sect contribution.

He personally took Lin Jingyu and transformed into a streak of light, flying straight towards the undulating, Spiritual Qi-filled peaks deep within the Qinglan Sect that looked like a fairyland.

Below, Feng Xixi watched Lin Jingyu’s departing back, her beautiful eyes intertwined with worry and pride. Lin Jingyu reaching the summit was certainly a heaven-shaking happy event, but the horrifying rumor lingering in her heart prevented her from being completely happy.

”I hope... it is just a rumor,” she sighed to herself.

The streak of light passed through layers of clouds and mist, skimming over countless pavilions and waterfalls, finally landing on the peak of a massive mountain that was the most magnificent, as if it connected heaven and earth.

Here, clouds and mist curled, and the Spiritual Qi was so dense it had almost turned into liquid. A simple and imposing great hall stood quietly, with three large characters written in ancient seal script on the plaque—Qingyun Hall.

This place was where the Qinglan Sect Sect Master and core Elders discussed matters.

Elder Xuan Yunzi adjusted his robes, his expression becoming solemn, and whispered to Lin Jingyu:

”Jingyu, later when you see the Sect Master and the Elders, you must be respectful, but there is no need to be overly restrained. Your talent deserves a demeanor that matches it.”

”This Junior understands,” Lin Jingyu nodded, his expression calm.

He had experienced life and death, and had even seen the Mysterious Youth at the top of Thunder Mountain. His Heart-Nature had long been honed to be as steady as a mountain. Although he knew that everyone in the hall was a great power at the Golden Core Realm or even higher, he did not feel much timidity.

Stepping into the hall, Lin Jingyu immediately felt several gazes fall upon him. These gazes were calm, yet they seemed to be able to pierce through flesh and blood, peering directly into the Origin of his Divine Soul, carrying a sense of scrutiny and inquiry.

Above the hall, sitting in the main seat was a Middle-aged Cultivator wearing a cyan Daoist robe, with a gentle, jade-like face, and stars seemingly revolving within his eyes as they opened and closed.

His Aura was as deep as the sea, yet he gave people a sense of peace, like a spring breeze. He was the current Sect Master of the Qinglan Sect—Immortal Master Yunlan.

A peerless powerhouse at the Golden Core Perfection Realm, an existence capable of breaking through to the Nascent Soul Realm.

He was the true ruler of Chiyan Prefecture.

On both sides below, there sat more than twenty old men and women with Auras that were either sharp, heavy, or ethereal. They were all Golden Core Elders of the Qinglan Sect, the true pillars of the Sect.

However, he could feel that most of them had only left a trace of their Divine Thought here, while their true bodies were somewhere unknown.

”Sect Master, Elders, Disciple Xuanyun has brought Lin Jingyu, who reached the summit of the ascending immortal ladder in this trial, to pay a visit,” Elder Xuan Yunzi bowed and saluted.

Lin Jingyu also bowed: ”Disciple Lin Jingyu pays respects to the Sect Master and all the Elders.”

”No need for formalities.”

Sect Master Yunlan’s voice was gentle, his gaze falling on Lin Jingyu with undisguised admiration.

”Lin Jingyu, you reached the summit of the ascending immortal ladder and triggered the nine-colored light of auspiciousness; this is a grand event that our Qinglan Sect has not seen in a thousand years. Your perseverance, Foundation, and Dao Heart are all of the highest quality. This Sect is very pleased.”

A ruddy-faced, slightly chubby Elder stroked his beard and smiled: ”Not bad. At the Qi Refining Realm, those who can step onto the eightieth step are already rare, but reaching the ninety-ninth step...”

”Hehe, I have cultivated for hundreds of years and this is the first time I have seen it with my own eyes. Little fellow, you are very good.” This old man was the Hall Master of the Elixir Hall, Elder Xu He.

Another Elder with a withered face but eyes as sharp as an eagle slowly spoke, his voice hoarse but carrying a metallic ring:

”Your bone structure is unique, your Divine Sense is refined, and your Physical Body Foundation is incredibly solid. There is even a hint of Thunder True Intent flowing faintly. It seems that apart from the ascending immortal ladder, you have other significant Opportunities.”

This was the Hall Master of the Law Enforcement Hall, Elder Tie Xing, his gaze like a torch.

The Elders spoke one after another, all full of praise, and the atmosphere in the hall seemed peaceful.

Lin Jingyu listened quietly, his expression respectful, but his heart was as clear as a mirror.

While these praises were genuine, he keenly sensed that hidden beneath them was a trace of extremely subtle... hesitation, or perhaps an indescribable reservation.

Not a single person showed an urgent desire to take him as a Disciple.

Indeed, after some praise, Sect Master Yunlan changed the subject slightly, his tone still gentle but carrying a trace of imperceptible regret:

”Jingyu, your talent is unprecedented. According to the old rules of the Sect, those who reach the summit of the ascending immortal ladder should be taken as a True Disciple by one of the Elders present, or even by this Sect Master himself, and cultivated with all our might.”

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the Elders below, and seeing that no one took the initiative to speak, he continued:

”However, the position of True Disciple is of great importance. It is not only about talent, but also requires consideration of Heart-Nature, karmic affinity, and even... the compatibility of Luck and destiny.”

”The True Disciple quotas under the various Elders may already be filled, or their Cultivation Techniques may not be completely compatible with yours. Making a hasty decision might hinder your future.”

A beautiful woman wearing a water-blue dress with a cold temperament nodded slightly. She was the Peak Master of Ice Lotus Peak, Immortal Master Shuiyue, and her voice was clear and melodious:

”The Sect Master is right. Lin Jingyu possesses Thunder True Intent, so he must follow a path of fierce and swift power, which indeed differs slightly from my ice-type Cultivation Techniques.”

Although she did not explicitly refuse, her meaning was already clear.

Most of the other Elders remained silent, either shaking their heads slightly or gazing at their noses and hearts.

Elder Tie Xing snorted coldly: ”The position of True Disciple is not child’s play. We still need to observe more to test whether his Heart-Nature remains consistent.”

Lin Jingyu was somewhat puzzled in his heart; that so-called ”compatibility of Luck and destiny” was probably just an excuse and a pretext.

As a peerless Prodigy who reached the ninety-ninth step, not fighting to take him as a Disciple was inherently abnormal.

These high-level Sect members must know something, or perhaps even possess more unknown secrets.

They were watching, or rather, waiting for something? Were they afraid of a failed investment, or was there another deep meaning?

He did not feel much disappointment in his heart, but rather, felt completely calm.

His Dao lay in himself, in that mysterious intelligence panel and the Taihao Elixir Canon, and in his own hard work and comprehension.

The title and resources of a True Disciple were certainly tempting, but if he were to be bound by them or drawn into unnecessary conflicts because of it, that would not be good.

If he could not become a True Disciple, he would naturally be downgraded to an ordinary Disciple, which actually suited his original intention of Cultivating in a low-key manner and secretly accumulating strength.

Lin Jingyu’s expression was calm, and he bowed and saluted again, his tone neither humble nor arrogant:

”Disciple understands the Sect’s rules and also knows that my own qualifications are still shallow. Being able to enter the Qinglan Sect to Cultivate is already a fortunate event; I dare not covet the position of True Disciple.”

”I am willing to start as an ordinary Disciple, Cultivate diligently, and solidify my Foundation, in the hope of not failing the kindness of the Sect in accepting me.”