150: Chapter 150 Establishing a Sect and Accepting Disciples

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Inside and outside the Luoxia Sect, order had been preliminarily restored.

Damaged city walls were being repaired, collapsed buildings were being rebuilt, and the outermost three layers of the City Protecting Great Formation's light screens had been relit.

Even more eye-catching was a "Monument to the Fallen Heroes" erected in the center of the Sect's square, standing ten zhang tall.

The monument's body was cast from starfall iron, its surface engraved with the names of the War Department Cultivators who perished in this battle.

A dragon pattern jade was inlaid at the top of the monument, emitting a gentle light day and night, nourishing the monument and soothing the heroic spirits.

This was personally designed by Lin Yue and forged by Lin Yan.

On the day the monument was completed, the entire Sect stood in solemn silence, mourning for the time it takes an incense stick to burn.

"Their blood will not have been shed in vain."

Standing before the monument, Lin Yue's voice spread throughout the entire Sect:

"From today onward, the families of all those who fell will be supported for life by the Sect. Their children will have priority admission to the Hidden Dragon Academy and enjoy the treatment of Core Disciples."

"And as for us, the living—"

He turned, facing all the Sect members:

"We must become stronger, strong enough that no one dares to invade, strong enough to protect everything we wish to protect."

"To that end, I announce three matters."

Lin Yue raised his first finger:

"First, the Hidden Dragon Academy is officially upgraded to the 'Starfall Dao Academy,' establishing four branches: 'Stars,' 'Dragon Soul,' 'Battle Formation,' and 'Pill and Artifact,' with Fellow Daoist Star Radiance, Lin Hu, Lin De, and Lin Shi temporarily serving as Branch Heads."

"All Disciples will be assigned to the four branches according to their talents and specialties, enjoying ten times the Sect contribution exchange privileges."

"Second, the Sect treasury is fully opened. All spoils from this battle, except for evil and tainted items, can be exchanged according to contributions. Among them are three fourth-tier Cultivation Techniques, seventeen third-tier Cultivation Techniques, and over a hundred second-tier Cultivation Techniques."

"Third..."

He paused, his voice suddenly rising:

"Effective immediately, the Luoxia Sect officially begins accepting Disciples! All citizens of the Southern Region, aged twelve or above with clean backgrounds, can participate in the 'Mountain Opening Ceremony' three days from now!"

As his words fell, the entire place erupted.

Opening the Sect to accept Disciples!

This meant that the Luoxia Sect was no longer a Family-style power, but a true Sect!

A Dao lineage that could be passed down for thousands, even tens of thousands of years!

"The Sect Master is wise!"

"Long live the Luoxia Sect for generations!"

Cheers roared like mountains and seas.

Looking at the excited crowd, Lin Yue's lips curved slightly upward.

These three decisions were the result of his careful consideration.

Upgrading the Hidden Dragon Academy was to systematically nurture talent. Opening the Sect treasury was to rapidly enhance overall strength. Opening the mountain to accept Disciples was to expand the Foundation and absorb fresh blood.

For a Sect to truly rise, it cannot rely solely on a few experts, nor can it rely solely on one Family.

It must... have a Legacy, have depth, and have a continuous influx of new blood.

And these three matters were the starting point of the Luoxia Sect's depth... The news of the Mountain Opening Ceremony spread through the Southern Region like a whirlwind.

In just one day, thousands of youths, boys and girls, wanting to become Disciples gathered outside the Luoxia Sect, with even more on their way.

The Southern Region had long suffered under the Black Lotus Cult. Now, with a major power like the Luoxia Sect, which could repel the Black Lotus Cult head-on, opening its doors to accept Disciples, who wouldn't want to strive for a future?

Moreover, the conditions offered by the Luoxia Sect this time were truly enticing.

"I heard the Luoxia Sect's contribution points can be exchanged for fourth-tier Cultivation Techniques!"

"Not just Cultivation Techniques, Medicinal Pills, Magical Artifacts, Formation Legacies... they have everything!"

"My cousin is in the War Department. He said the Sect Master personally promised that all Disciples would be treated equally, judged by their abilities!"

Amid the discussions, countless people eagerly looked forward to it.

Meanwhile, inside the Luoxia Sect, preparations were also in full swing.

"Sect Master, the number of applicants has exceeded eight thousand. It's expected to surpass ten thousand on the day of the ceremony."

In the Council Hall, Lin Laosan reported the data, his eyes showing both excitement and worry:

"With so many people, the assessment venues, personnel, supplies... are all problems."

"If the venues are insufficient, conduct assessments in batches. If personnel are insufficient, transfer them from the War Department. If supplies are insufficient..."

Lin Yue looked at Lin De:

"How is the Pill Hall's inventory?"

"Reporting to the Sect Master, healing and recovery Medicinal Pills are sufficient, but auxiliary Cultivation Pills like 'Marrow Cleansing Pills' and 'Aperture Opening Pills' only have enough inventory for three thousand people."

"What about the Artifact Refining Hall?"

Lin Shi responded:

"Basic Magical Artifacts are sufficient, but there are only twelve 'Spirit Testing Stones' for testing Aptitude. Calculating half a ke per person, at most two thousand people can be tested per day."

"Then test Aptitude first, then conduct Heart-Nature and perseverance assessments in batches."

Lin Yue already had a plan:

"If Spirit Testing Stones are insufficient, use 'Starlight Stones' as substitutes. There are many of these stones. I'll have Senior Haotian allocate a hundred from the Secret Realm."

"For the pill shortage, the Pill Hall must fully operate its furnaces to refine them. If Materials are insufficient, buy or exchange for them. In three days, I want to see at least enough auxiliary pills for five thousand people."

"Yes!"

Lin De and Lin Shi accepted the orders.

"Additionally..."

Lin Yue looked at Lin Cang:

"Grand Elder, you are fully responsible for the security of the Mountain Opening Ceremony. Immortal Master Qingluan and Fellow Daoist Star Dust will assist, but the core defense line must be our own people."

"This old man understands."

Lin Cang nodded solemnly:

"The three thousand Cultivators of the War Department have been divided into three shifts, patrolling day and night. The City Protecting Great Formation is maintained at seventy percent operation and can be activated at full power at any time."

"Very good."

Lin Yue nodded in satisfaction.

Although Lin Cang had only recently broken through to Golden Core, he was experienced and steady. With him in charge, Lin Yue could rest assured to handle other matters.

"If there are no other matters, everyone may go about their duties."

Everyone dispersed.

Only Lin Yue remained in the hall.

He walked to the window, gazing at the Monument to the Fallen Heroes in the square, his eyes profound.

The Mountain Opening Ceremony was not just about accepting Disciples; it was also a... display.

A display to the Southern Region, to the Black Lotus Cult, and to all the forces secretly watching—showcasing the Luoxia Sect's strength, courage, and future.

"Sect Master."

Star Radiance's voice came from behind.

"Fellow Daoist Star Radiance, what is it?"

"Senior Brother Star Dust... has made progress."

Star Radiance's expression was grave:

"Extracting the Evil Seed is more difficult than imagined. That thing's resistance is extremely intense, and... it seems to have some consciousness remotely controlling it."

"Consciousness?"

Lin Yue's eyes sharpened.

"Yes."

Star Radiance nodded:

"Yesterday, at a critical moment of extraction, the Evil Seed suddenly erupted, almost breaking through the Seal. Senior Brother Star Dust sensed that within the erupting power was an extremely obscure Divine Soul fluctuation—cold, greedy, and full of malice."

"He suspects that is... the consciousness projection of the Parasite's main body."

Lin Yue fell silent for a moment.

"Take me to see."

...Underground, in the Evil Suppressing Secret Chamber.

Thirty-six layers of purification Formations were fully activated. In the center of the chamber hovered that dark red heart.

At this moment, the star dragon sealing light net on the heart's surface had become extremely thin, as if it might shatter at any moment.

Star Dust sat cross-legged outside the Formation, his face pale and his forehead covered in sweat.

"How is the situation?"

Lin Yue entered the chamber.

"Very troublesome."

Star Dust opened his eyes, his voice hoarse:

"The core of this Evil Seed has been implanted with a 'Divine Soul Lock.' Forcibly extracting it will trigger self-destruction. But if not extracted, we cannot retrieve the memory fragments within."

"Divine Soul Lock..."

Lin Yue frowned.

This was a common method used by the Spirit Devouring Clan to control Parasites. Once triggered, both the Parasite and the host would have their Divine Souls utterly destroyed.

"Is there a way to break it?"

"Yes, but it requires time."

Star Dust looked at Lin Yue:

"I need one wisp each of 'Star Origin' and 'Dragon Soul Origin' to flush the Divine Soul Lock with dual-Origin power, slowly grinding it away. This process will take at least a month."

"A month..."

Lin Yue pondered.

The time was a bit long, but not unacceptable.

"I can provide the Origin, but..."

He stared at the heart:

"During this month, could it erupt again?"

"I will strengthen the Seal."

Star Dust took out a Jade Slip:

"This is the 'Seven Stars Soul Suppressing Formation' from the Star Track Pavilion. Combined with your star dragon Seal, it should be able to suppress it. But it requires at least three Nascent Soul Cultivators taking turns to maintain the Formation's operation."

"Three Nascent Souls..."

Lin Yue thought for a moment, then nodded:

"Myself, Immortal Master Qingluan, and Immortal Master Xuan Jian—the three of us will take turns. Immortal Master Yunhe will be responsible for overall coordination, with Fellow Daoist Star Radiance and Star Cloud, Star Rain assisting."

"That would be excellent."

Star Dust breathed a sigh of relief.

With three Nascent Souls taking turns, the pressure would be much less.

"Then let's start today."

Lin Yue no longer hesitated. He formed hand Seals, separating one wisp each of Star Origin and Dragon Soul Origin from his star dragon nascent soul, injecting them into the sealing light net.

Star Dust simultaneously activated the Seven Stars Soul Suppressing Formation.

Seven beams of starlight rose from around the chamber, wrapping around the heart like chains.

The heart trembled violently, emitting a soundless shriek.

But this time, under the suppression of the dual Great Formations, it ultimately failed to break free.

Star Radiance wiped the sweat from her forehead.

"It's only temporarily suppressed."

Star Dust's expression remained grave:

"For the next month, we cannot relax in the slightest. Otherwise, not only will all previous efforts be wasted, but it may also trigger the Evil Seed to fully erupt, contaminating the entire earth vein."

"I understand."

Lin Yue nodded.

He looked at the heart slowly beating within the dual Seals, a flash of cold intent in his eyes.

One month.

In one month, he wanted to know who was behind all this manipulation.

He wanted to know how many Parasites were still within the Black Lotus Cult.

He wanted to know... the true purpose of the Spirit Devouring Clan... Three days later, the Mountain Opening Ceremony was held as scheduled.

Outside the Luoxia Sect, a sea of people gathered.

Over twelve thousand youths, boys and girls, guided by War Department Cultivators, orderly entered the temporarily built assessment area.

The assessment was divided into three stages.

The first stage, "Spirit Testing," used Starlight Stones to test Aptitude.

The second stage, "Heart Inquiry," used illusion Formations to test Heart-Nature.

The third stage, "Trial," used actual combat to test perseverance.

Lin Yue did not appear personally. Instead, he stood atop the Sect's highest "Star Gazing Tower," overlooking the entire assessment process.

"Sect Master, the quality of this batch of seedlings is quite good."

Lin Cang stood beside him, holding the newly compiled data:

"Among the three thousand people tested so far, seventy-three have reached 'Upper Grade' Aptitude, with eleven of them approaching 'Genius' level. This ratio is even higher than when the Qinglan Sect opened its mountain back in the day."

"Heroes emerge in troubled times."

Lin Yue was not surprised:

"The Southern Region has been ravaged by the Black Lotus Cult for a century, with people's livelihoods in decline. But those who can survive in such an environment and still have the heart to seek the Dao are inherently strong-willed. Plus..."

He paused:

"The conditions we offered are enticing enough."

Just as he spoke, a commotion suddenly arose from the assessment area.

"Look! That girl... the Starlight Stone is shining as bright as the full moon!"

"Heavens, is this a 'Star Spirit Body'?!"

"The Luoxia Sect has found a treasure!"

Lin Yue's gaze sharpened, looking toward the center of the commotion.

It was a girl about thirteen or fourteen years old, dressed in tattered clothes, with a thin face, but her eyes were astonishingly bright.

The Starlight Stone before her was emitting a radiance more dazzling than all those around her combined!

"Star Spirit Body..."

A flash of pleasant surprise crossed Lin Yue's eyes.

This was an extremely rare Innate Spirit Body, with a natural affinity for the Power of the Stars. If Cultivating star-related Cultivation Techniques, progress would be over ten times faster than an ordinary person!

"This girl, I will personally teach her."

He immediately made the decision.

"Sect Master, this..."

Lin Cang hesitated:

"Her background is unknown. Should we investigate first?"

"It's fine."

Lin Yue shook his head:

"A Star Spirit Body cannot be faked. As for her background..."

He looked at the girl's clear and determined eyes:

"I trust my own judgment."

As his words fell, his figure flashed, appearing in the assessment area.

The crowd automatically parted.

Lin Yue walked up to the girl, asking gently:

"What is your name? Where are you from?"

The girl looked at this man before her, whose aura was as vast as a sea of Stars, and was stunned for a moment before timidly speaking:

"I... I'm called Little Star. I come from 'Liuyun Village' to the north."

"Liuyun Village..."

Lin Yue remembered that it was a small village massacred by the Black Lotus Cult three months ago.

"What about your Family?"

"They're... all gone."

The girl lowered her head, her voice choked:

"The Black Lotus Cult people came. My parents covered for me... I hid in a cellar for three days before escaping."

She raised her head, tears in her eyes but full of stubbornness:

"I want to Cultivate immortality. I want to take revenge. I want... to prevent others from suffering like I did."

Lin Yue was silent for a moment, then gently patted her head:

"From today onward, you are a Disciple of my Luoxia Sect."

"And also my... Personal Disciple."

The entire place erupted in an uproar.

A Personal Disciple of the Sect Master!

What an extraordinary honor!

The girl was also stunned, then immediately knelt with a "thud":

"Disciple Little Star pays respects to Revered Master!"

"Rise."

Lin Yue helped her up, then looked at all the youths participating in the assessment:

"Among you, some may seek revenge, some may seek longevity, and some may simply want to no longer be bullied."

"Whatever the reason, once you set foot on this Dao, remember—"

His voice resonated like a bell in everyone's hearts:

"The Dao is not for bullying the weak with strength."

"The Dao is for protection."

"Protecting Family, protecting the Sect, protecting this land that nurtures us."

"From today onward, you are members of the Luoxia Sect."

"And I will do my utmost to ensure that you all... have the power to protect."

The youths looked at Lin Yue, their eyes filled with longing, excitement, and determination.

The future of the Luoxia Sect lay with these young people.

And what Lin Yue had to do was... hold up a sky for them.