188: Chapter 188 Guest Elder

"And you all are?"

Changqing True Person's gaze fell upon the four of them.

Subsequently, the four of them each stated their names.

They didn't hide anything and used their real names; only this way would they avoid raising suspicion.

As for their origins, they stuck to the story Chen Xianting had used before.

They were all Loose Cultivators who had luckily chanced upon opportunities. They met by accident and had been traveling together ever since, seeking the Immortal Dao.

Not long ago, they arrived in Shangqiong Prefecture. After wandering around, they somehow heard that there were great opportunities within the Duantian Forbidden Land.

Thus, the four of them entered the Duantian Forbidden Land to seek those opportunities, but who would have thought they would be trapped inside for several days.

It wasn't until Deng Tianhao appeared that they were safely led out of the Duantian Forbidden Land.

"According to the regulations of my Shangqiong Sect, to become a Guest Elder of the Sect, one must possess at least a Late Foundation Establishment Stage cultivation."

"All four of you are at the Foundation Establishment Peak, so your Realms are naturally fine, but..."

Changqing True Person paused for a moment before continuing, "You need to take a walk through the Heart Refining Pool to ensure you don't have any ulterior motives for joining my Shangqiong Sect."

The Heart Refining Pool was personally established by the Shangqiong Sect's Ancestral Master, Shang Qiong True Monarch, specifically to temper the mental states of the Sect's Disciples.

Of course, it could also be used to test whether Disciples had divided loyalties, or if outsiders wishing to join the Sect were coming with ulterior motives, and so on.

"That is perfectly acceptable."

Chen Xianling spoke calmly.

Any major power, when recruiting Guest Elders and Deacons, would conduct a selection process; they wouldn't just let you join directly.

The larger the power, the more this was the case.

Being too disorganized would easily lead to the collapse of the power's basic structure, affecting the whole and leading to destruction overnight.

"Since the four of you have no objection, then let us return to the Sect."

With a wave of Changqing True Person's large sleeve, a dark-green flying boat as massive as a small mountain hovered in the air.

"Let's go, young friends."

Deng Tianhao was the first to board the flying boat.

Chen Xianting's group of four followed closely behind.

Once they had all entered the flying boat, the Divine Ability and Dharmic power within Changqing True Person surged. The flying boat shrank until it was only the size of a palm and was held in his hand.

Then, this Purple Mansion True Person tore through the void, stepped into the Great Emptiness, and flew toward the location of the Shangqiong Sect.

Half a day later.

Outside the Shangqiong Sect.

Changqing True Person's figure stepped out from the Great Emptiness. The dark-green flying boat rapidly expanded, and five figures walked out one after another.

"Is this the Shangqiong Sect? It looks quite impressive."

Chen Xianting remarked with a sigh of admiration.

Below, mountain after mountain of Spiritual Mountains towered, with thousands of spiritual glows and ten thousand strands of immortal mist. Spiritual Qi rose and fell like the tides.

Furthermore, jade pavilions and spiritual halls were situated atop the Spiritual Mountains. Streaks of rainbow light and flowing light flashed across the heavens, revealing the figures of various Cultivators.

A Sect gate at least a hundred zhang high stood on the ground, with the three words 'Shangqiong Sect' written on it. The calligraphy was fluid yet powerful, revealing a boundless Concept.

"This was personally inscribed by our Shangqiong Sect's Ancestral Master, Shang Qiong True Monarch."

When Changqing True Person mentioned his own Ancestral Master, he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride.

Looking across the vast Chongming Realm, there were only so many powers that had produced a Golden Core True Monarch, and the Shangqiong Sect was one of them.

"I wonder what path your Sect's Shang Qiong True Monarch followed?"

Chen Xianling inquired.

"From the highest heavens to the Yellow Springs, gazing through the Nine Heavens and beyond."

Changqing True Person first recited a line of poetry and then replied, "Our Ancestral Master followed the Neon Path. With one hand, the Shangqiong Biluo Divine Light sweeps away the sun and moon; with the other, the Yellow Springs Crossing Nether Light clears the Nine Heavens. Among many Golden Core True Monarchs, he could be called a 'Great' one!"

"I didn't expect your Sect's Shang Qiong True Monarch to be a Great True Monarch. Truly remarkable."

Hao Wujiu was somewhat surprised.

What was a Great True Monarch?

One must condense eighty-one strands of Golden Nature and step into the Golden Core Peak to be called a Mighty One among True Monarchs, honored as a Great True Monarch.

A True Monarch at this Realm already had the qualifications to seek the Earth Immortal Dao.

Using the Golden Core as the root to nurture the Nascent Soul.

When the Golden Core shatters and the Nascent Soul emerges, and one crosses the Immortal Ascension Tribulation, one can become a Venerable, an Earth Immortal, and live as long as the world.

"Alright, Nephew Changqing, you have important matters to attend to. I will take them to the Heart Refining Pool myself."

Deng Tianhao interrupted their conversation.

"Martial Uncle, are you sure you don't want me to accompany you?"

Changqing True Person was somewhat helpless; this Martial Uncle Tianhao's status was very special.

In terms of status, he was equivalent to a Grand Elder within the Sect.

Even though he was the current Dao Seed of the Shangqiong Sect, he still had to listen to this Martial Uncle.

"Just report truthfully to Sect Head Junior Brother. I will personally guarantee these four. If anything goes wrong, I will take full responsibility."

Deng Tianhao's attitude was firm. Without waiting for Changqing True Person's agreement, he led Chen Xianting's group into the Shangqiong Sect and toward the Heart Refining Pool.

The Disciples guarding the Sect gate all knew him; they saluted one after another and allowed him to lead the people inside.

"Sigh."

Changqing True Person shook his head with a soft sigh and said nothing more.

A moment later.

Shangqiong Sect, Sect Master's Great Hall.

"Master, that is how things happened."

Changqing True Person stood below, informing his Master—the Sect Master of the Shangqiong Sect, Zhang Qiong, a Late-stage Purple Mansion True Person with Four Divine Abilities—of everything that had occurred in the Duantian Forbidden Land.

"What do you think of those four? Did they come to my Shangqiong Sect with an ulterior motive?"

Zhang Qiong put down the scroll in his hand and looked up at Changqing True Person.

The latter's brows furrowed into the shape of the character 'river' as if in deep thought. Only after a long while did he respond:

"Master, any external Guest Elder or Deacon comes with a purpose, either seeking the protection of the Shangqiong Sect or requiring its resources. But these four give me a strange feeling."

"Oh?" Zhang Qiong became interested; he rarely saw this Prodigy Disciple of his show such an expression. "Tell me in detail."

"Those four don't seem like they're here to seek the Shangqiong Sect's protection, nor do they seem like they're here to use the Sect's resources to break through to the Purple Mansion. It's more like they joined the Shangqiong Sect simply because they appeared in Shangqiong Prefecture."

"If they had appeared in another prefecture, they would probably have joined that prefecture's overlord-level power. With their talent, I doubt any power would refuse them."

Changqing True Person voiced the thoughts in his heart.

"Is that so?"

Zhang Qiong tapped the desk, pondering for a moment before speaking, "Changqing, you frequently mention their extraordinary talent. How do you think they compare to you?"

He knew how much pride his Disciple held in his heart.

As the Dao Seed of the Shangqiong Sect, and having broken the record for the fastest Breakthrough to the Purple Mansion since the Sect's founding, Changqing True Person had every right to be proud.

For Changqing True Person to think their talent was extraordinary meant that Chen Xianting and the others' talent was indeed very high.

"None of the four have poor talent. Among the two female Cultivators, there is one I cannot see through; I don't know what path she Cultivates. The other should be a Cultivator of the Supreme Fire path; her body seems to contain a very... terrifying power. If it were to erupt, it would be enough to kill a Purple Mansion True Person."

"As for the two male Cultivators, one of them carries a very high-grade Dao-protecting treasure that I cannot see through. As for the other, I can sense that the Dharmic power in his body is as hot as a great sun, bright and boundless; he should be a Cultivator of the Solar Path."

After Changqing True Person finished speaking, he looked at his Master, waiting for the decision of the Shangqiong Sect's Sect Master.

"A Cultivator of the Solar Path..."

Zhang Qiong thought for a good while before saying, "Place these four on the high-priority observation list. If the Heart Refining Pool finds no issues, let them serve as Guest Elders and go to... guard Heimang City. Elder Chang's term is almost up."

"Yes."

Changqing True Person received the order, bowed with cupped hands, and left the Sect Master's Great Hall.

The Shangqiong Sect's Sect Master's gaze shifted elsewhere, seemingly seeing the four people currently undergoing verification in the Heart Refining Pool. His eyes were deep, and it was unclear what he was thinking.

"Senior Brother, have you still not given up?"

...Shangqiong Sect, Heart Refining Pool.

It wasn't until Ming Changzhi walked out and the Heart Refining Pool showed no abnormalities that Chen Xianting and the others breathed a sigh of relief.

With this, all four of them had passed the Heart Refining Pool's test, proving they had no dark or strange thoughts toward the Shangqiong Sect.

"Heimang City?! What was my Junior Brother thinking? That city borders Hun Prefecture! They aren't Purple Mansion True Persons; how can they suppress those lawless Cultivators?!"

"Besides, they are Guest Elders; they have the right to refuse!"

At this moment, Deng Tianhao was furiously roaring into a sound-transmitting jade talisman.

"Martial Uncle, this is Master's decision; it's not something I can change."

"If they refuse to guard Heimang City, then Master will not agree to them becoming Guest Elders of our Shangqiong Sect."

Changqing True Person's slightly helpless voice came from the sound-transmitting jade talisman.

"...How about this, they will go to Heimang City after one of the four breaks through to the Purple Mansion?"

Deng Tianhao's tone softened slightly, carrying a hint of compromise.

"I will ask Master."

"Master says that is fine, but you cannot go to the Duantian Forbidden Land for one sixty-year cycle; you must stay within the Sect and go nowhere!"

Changqing True Person said.

"I... understand."

Deng Tianhao took a deep breath and put away the sound-transmitting jade talisman.

"Uncle Deng, there's no need for that. We will go and guard Heimang City."

The four of them walked over, and Chen Xianting was the first to speak.

Their fundamental purpose for joining the Shangqiong Sect was to obtain information about this Realm. It didn't matter where they were, as long as they could enter the Library Pavilion.

"No, girl, Heimang City is different. It's too chaotic there, filled with all sorts of lawless individuals. It's so chaotic that even the Shangqiong Sect cannot manage it and can only defend passively."

Deng Tianhao shook his head, his tone serious.

Then, he explained the origin of Heimang City to the four of them.

This city was built at the border of Shangqiong Prefecture and Hun Prefecture.

Hun Prefecture was the most chaotic prefecture among the thirty-five prefectures of the Profound Domain, one of the eight domains of the Chongming Realm. It was also the largest prefecture, comparable in size to four or five other prefectures combined.

The internal forces were intricate and complex, with countless cruel and bloodthirsty individuals.

Furthermore, any outcasts from major powers who had committed great crimes would flee to Hun Prefecture to hide.

According to statistics, there were no fewer than a hundred Purple Mansion Factions within Hun Prefecture. The leaders of these forces were all bandits, thieves, chieftains, and the like.

It wasn't that the other prefectures didn't want to clean up this large prefecture, but rather that they were powerless to do so.

The three most powerful Purple Mansion Factions in this prefecture were all overseen by False Core Great Powers, and they all possessed Magic Treasures obtained from the Immortal Caves or tombs of unknown Golden Core True Monarchs.

With these three Magic Treasures, the price each family would have to pay to thoroughly clean out Hun Prefecture was too great—too great to be acceptable.

Thus, as time went on, Hun Prefecture remained.

As a prefecture bordering Hun Prefecture, Shangqiong Prefecture was often raided by Cultivators from Hun Prefecture.

Therefore, after the Shangqiong Sect rose to power, they established Heimang City at the border of the two prefectures and set up a third-rank top-grade grand array.

Generally speaking, the Cultivators appointed to guard Heimang City were Purple Mansion True Persons. Only a Purple Mansion level cultivation could fully activate the grand array and make those Cultivators from Hun Prefecture wary.

As for Foundation Establishment Great Cultivators, even if their strength was Heaven-Defying, they were not taken seriously. Below the Purple Mansion, all were mere ants.

If Chen Xianting and the others went to guard Heimang City with Foundation Establishment cultivations, they would likely be dead in Heimang City before the next day.

"So that's how it is."

Chen Xianting nodded and then asked:

"Then, Uncle Deng, is it worth it for you to do this for us?"

"The fact that you could stay in the Duantian Forbidden Land for so long and remain unharmed already says everything."

Deng Tianhao smiled freely.

Then, he took everyone to handle the Sect entry procedures, cultivation assessments, and so on.

A few days later, the four of them officially became Guest Elders of the Shangqiong Sect and temporarily settled down.