Chapter Twelve: Three Prostrations in the Hall

The sect leader waved his hand and said, “This matter is of no consequence. Let Shen Lian and Lu Shouyi first perform the initiation ceremony.”

Sanwen Daoist stepped aside. Throughout his life, the person he revered most was the sect leader. Though he was not personally taught by the sect leader, whenever his master and grandmaster passed, it was the sect leader who guided him in his cultivation. Though there was no official title of master and disciple, their relationship was in truth as such.

Shen Lian and Lu stood before the sect leader.

The sect leader’s expression became solemn. “At the dawn of antiquity, there was no one to impart the Dao. Only later, when gods and Buddhas manifested their holiness in the world, did proper cultivation methods spread, giving the multitude hope for immortality.

Later, the Lord of Taiyi established nine realms of cultivation before achieving immortality, which organized the chaotic levels of Daoist practice, guiding us on the proper path.

Our founder, Yuanqing, once attended the teachings of the Taiyi Lord. After the lord withdrew from the world, Yuanqing passed down the Qingxuan path on this mountain.

The five peaks of Qingxuan are imbued everywhere with the lingering essence of the Daoist Lord; those with fate will perceive it and be aided in their cultivation.

Since Yuanqing, our sect has passed through thirty-three generations, producing forty immortals, all of whom have left their effigies in the Taiwei Pavilion.

Some of these immortals perished in calamity or roamed the stars. Currently, our sect has only one immortal guarding the mountain gate. If you become true disciples, you will have the chance to meet him.”

Lu Shouyi asked, “What exactly is a true disciple?”

“When you attain success in the ‘Returning Elixir’ through your own effort, you become a true disciple and a true inheritor of Qingxuan’s Daoist tradition,” replied the sect leader quietly.

“May I ask, sect leader, what is the difference between a true disciple and a regular disciple?” Shen Lian suddenly inquired.

In this period, he seldom revealed himself, preferring to quietly observe Qingxuan. In truth, those he encountered, whether Sanwen or the sect leader, were not overly arrogant. Of course, Shen Lian could not discern their cultivation level, nor did he have a reference.

The sect leader stroked his beard with a faint smile. “Shen Lian, what do you think the difference is?”

Shen Lian met his gaze calmly. “There is a difference in practice, but none in heart.”

The sect leader’s expression remained unchanged. “Since Brother Hong has taught you the Xuanji Skill, you need not seek any other method. Recently, the sect is short on Yin Jade. Each month, go to the Nether River and collect twenty pieces for me.”

Sanwen hesitated. “Isn’t twenty pieces too many, sect leader?”

“Too many? Then add ten more. Thirty per month,” the sect leader replied lightly.

Sanwen dared not speak further, and Shen Lian’s expression betrayed no emotion. Sanwen, noticing Shen Lian’s calmness, shook his head slightly. The boy did not yet know the dangers of the Nether River; collecting thirty pieces of Yin Jade each month would be a hard trial. Perhaps the sect leader assigned this arduous task because Shen Lian had been too sharp in his responses.

The sect leader continued, “Shen Lian, are you willing?”

Shen Lian nodded.

The sect leader turned to Lu Shouyi. “Baishi Daoist has already sent word to me. Moreover, your passage through the Heart Road reveals your Daoist nature. Henceforth, you shall be my personal disciple and cultivate with me. Of course, according to the rules, you must still reside in the lower courtyard.”

Lu Shouyi was delighted at first, then glanced at Shen Lian. “Master, why not take Shen as your disciple as well? His talent and insight far surpass mine, and he already has a foundation in cultivation.” He was clever, quickly changing how he addressed the sect leader.

The sect leader replied, “Mind your own affairs. Who Shen Lian takes as his master is not for you to instruct me.”

With a wave of his hand, the sect leader said, “You two wait outside. Sanwen, stay.”

Shen Lian and Lu Shouyi had no choice but to depart.

Outside the main hall, Lu Shouyi said, “Brother Shen, I never expected to become the sect leader’s disciple.”

Shen Lian smiled slightly. “Lu, cherish this chance. Strive to achieve the Returning Elixir and seek immortality.”

Lu Shouyi replied, “Naturally, though it’s a pity the master didn’t take you as well. Perhaps he means for you to study under the Red-robed Uncle from that day.”

“Who can say? To enter the immortal ranks and learn the method of longevity is enough for me.” Shen Lian seemed unconcerned by the sect leader’s strictness or apparent dislike. After all, he would not believe that someone like the Qingxuan sect leader—a truly enlightened one—would judge people with worldly bias. There must be another reason.

If simply becoming the sect leader’s disciple meant guaranteed success in the Returning Elixir and attaining immortality, then every member of Qingxuan would have achieved it long ago. The so-called Brother Chen would not have been stuck at a bottleneck for forty years.

Shen Lian entered Qingxuan to better understand cultivation, not to rely on anyone for his progress. He knew well what he needed.

******

Sanwen said, “Sect leader, you seem not to favor Shen Lian.”

The sect leader replied, “When that child passed through the Heart Road, I observed him closely. He truly has clarity of mind and is a promising candidate. Brother Hong insisted I allow him to take Shen Lian as his disciple, but I did not agree.”

“Why not?” Sanwen was especially puzzled. Though talent is not everything on the path of cultivation, it is indispensable. Moreover, Shen Lian’s spirit is deep and his resolve extraordinary. If he cultivates Uncle Hong’s ‘Purple Star Cave Profound True Explanation,’ he might become the foremost below the Returning Elixir, and possibly surpass even those who have achieved less than six cycles of the Elixir.

“The workings of heaven cannot be divulged,” the sect leader replied with a mysterious smile.

“Why then did you accept Baishi Daoist’s request and take Lu Shouyi as your disciple?” Sanwen was even more confused. The sect leader, though lightly taking Lu Shouyi as his disciple, had only previously accepted two students.

“Lu Shouyi is ‘righteous in friendship, pure in conduct.’ His future achievements may surpass Swordbrow. Though I wrote of Swordbrow, ‘Half a lifetime cultivating unnoticed, once he attains the Dao, the world will be astounded,’ I fear his strength is brittle and may one day cause regret.”

Sanwen never expected the sect leader to hold Lu Shouyi in such high regard, unable to fathom how this youth might one day surpass Chen Swordbrow.

The sect leader continued, “Having settled these trivial matters, it is now your turn.”

“Your disciple is ashamed before you, master,” Sanwen lowered his head.

“If you ask me for the External Elixir now, I would still give it to you. Though the sect does not have many, I am willing to part with one for you,” said the sect leader, looking at Sanwen with a faint sigh.

“If I were to take it, how would the other disciples be appeased? The chance to live three hundred more years is something everyone desires. Yet I do not wish to merely prolong my life; I only hope that in the next incarnation, I may again enter the sect.”

“Those who are rash are consumed by fire, burning all they touch; those lacking compassion are icy, killing all they meet. Those stagnant and stubborn are like dead water and rotten wood, devoid of vitality. None of these are fit for the Dao. You are too stagnant and obstinate. Enough, enough, do as you wish.”

Within the main hall, Sanwen knelt, almost in a state of reverence, and bowed three times to the sect leader.

Each prostration drew blood.

The sect leader did not stop him, letting him finish.

[Author’s note: Thanks to Granary Gate for the reward of 30,000 (Congratulations for becoming the book’s first sect leader), as well as thanks to readers 150803022218844 for the reward of 588, Shuang Qiuyue Leng for 588, and Yan Xunchang, On That Confused Road, hndwy, Qian Xuzi for their support.]