161: True Transmission Ceremony

Having passed three stages, Chen Cuo secured the True Disciple position with the highest score. As expected, Snowy Mei was second.

But the third place was somewhat surprising; it was Zhang Zhao, not Ling Bu Zi, whom Chen Cuo had always considered a sure bet.

It seemed Zhang Zhao's Soul Refining Method held a significant advantage in the third stage, so much so that his score was almost comparable to Chen Cuo's. One must know that after Yuanyuan True Man's confirmation, Chen Cuo had almost perfectly repaired the Longitudinal Chess World after refining it.

Chen Cuo's score in the third stage was already full marks. The third stage carried significant weight because, due to the Butian Pavilion, all True Disciples needed to participate in repairing the Butian Pavilion, a tongtian spiritual treasure.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Zhao's talent in repairing Magic Treasures was not inferior to his at all.

"True Disciple position, Spirit Treasure renowned, Butian's Spirit, bestowed!"

After being personally confirmed by Yuanyuan True Man, the True Disciple positions were completely settled and now announced to the world.

However, this was not the official start of the True Disciple Grand Ceremony. Before the official start, there was another important ceremony: Butian's Blessing.

Yuanyuan True Man softly recited the sacrificial words, and his whole body's Aura suddenly vibrated, showing its sharp edge, echoing the Butian Pavilion from afar, emitting rays of brilliant light.

At the same time, a powerful, ancient, desolate Aura slowly diffused, as if an ancient barbaric Heavenly God was awakening, and a golden cloud appeared above the Butian Pavilion.

Three wisps of golden Qi light rapidly separated from the cloud and landed on the heads of Chen Cuo, Snowy Mei, and Zhang Zhao.

As soon as the cloud landed, it transformed into an invisible halo, imprinted on the backs of the three. The halo shimmered with five colors, appearing like white jade, crystal clear and lustrous, golden, like a Heavenly God.

Butian Pavilion's Blessing (Blessing)!

At this moment, information was transmitted into Chen Cuo's mind. He immediately knew that this halo had the effect of improving fortune, increasing benefits, and even improving Spiritual Root Aptitude.

A tongtian spiritual treasure, with its heaven-reaching and earth-shattering power, lived up to its reputation.

Moreover, this blessing was invisible to others.

With the fortune halo in place, Chen Cuo felt as if a switch had been flipped within him. Countless pure Spiritual Qi immediately surged into his mind, and his mental agility almost increased several times over.

His brain was like a high-speed computer, with various pieces of information and knowledge flowing rapidly through his mind, allowing him to quickly understand and master them.

He began to circulate his Cultivation Technique, and the five-colored Dao platform in his body guided the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, circulating repeatedly according to the Laws of the Five Elements.

He clearly felt his cultivation rapidly increasing. Each circulation of the Cultivation Technique brought a powerful infusion of Spiritual Qi into his body, a feeling that utterly captivated him.

His Dantian Qi vortex, which he had already compressed several times, had reached a Bottleneck.

However, with this infusion of Spiritual Qi, his Dantian Qi vortex suddenly expanded by a full circle, as if breaking through some kind of limitation. He felt a powerful force surging into his heart, making him uncontrollably excited.

"I'm about to Break through to the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage!" Chen Cuo was ecstatic, a glint of excitement flashing in his eyes.

Although it was only a Breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage and not overly exciting, displaying it publicly was a highlight for gaining attention.

He continued to circulate his Cultivation Technique, guiding the Spiritual Qi to flow within his body.

Chen Cuo felt his body gradually becoming lighter, as if it was about to float off the ground.

His heart stirred; he knew this was a sign of a Breakthrough. He dared not show the slightest slackness and continued to circulate his Cultivation Technique with all his might, guiding the Spiritual Qi to impact the Bottleneck.

In the next instant, the entire Bottleneck broke without a fight.

"Good, good, good, haha! Such fine talent, he should be able to assault the Golden Core Realm before he's a hundred years old! Lingbao Mountain's prosperity is imminent!"

Yuanyuan True Man's heart was filled with uncontrollable joy, yet the surprising events had not ceased.

Snow Mei and Zhang Zhao, seemingly spurred on by Chen Cuo, each took out a Medicinal Pill and swallowed it one after another.

However, Snowy Mei consumed a Qingyuan Pill, while Zhang Zhao consumed a Foundation Establishment Pill, intending to use this opportunity to achieve Foundation Establishment.

In front of Butian Pavilion, in Thousand Island Lake, the ground was paved with exquisite marble, shimmering with a cool light, and in the distance, wisps of mist rose from where the clouds met the water.

Tens of thousands of birds chirped in alarm, white cranes spread their wings, and the divine phenomenon had not yet ceased. A Cultivator, clad in fiery red feathered robes, rapidly arrived by treading on the waves.

Chen Cuo seemed to have some impression of him. Although he had never met the Immortal Master in person, he had seen his portrait in the Bai family. This person was none other than Pavilion Lord Duan Canghai, the Pavilion Master of Fire Phoenix Pavilion.

Seeing him quickly arrive beside Zhang Zhao and conjure a lotus pod to protect him, Chen Cuo naturally understood.

When he had initially speculated that Zhang Zhao was just an ordinary Inner Sect Disciple, it now seemed that was not the case.

It made sense; how could an ordinary Disciple safeguard a mysterious secret method like the Soul Refining Method?

It seemed he had a connection with Pavilion Lord Duan Canghai.

It was as if yesterday was relived; Chen Cuo thought back to his own Foundation Establishment, which seemed not much different.

The Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi became violent again. Snowy Mei and Zhang Zhao frantically absorbed the Spiritual Qi, while Chen Cuo also consolidated his cultivation nearby.

Three months later!

Lingbao Mountain was not the Bai family after all; with ample Spiritual Qi, it didn't matter how much the three absorbed. The final result naturally satisfied both of them: Snowy Mei officially Broke through to the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage, and Zhang Zhao also ascended to become a Foundation Establishment cultivator in one go.

However, by this time, more than three months had passed since the three of them received the Butian Pavilion's blessing.

In the Cultivation world, a single closed-door cultivation for a Foundation Establishment Breakthrough often lasted ten or eight years. Zhang Zhao's speed in achieving Foundation Establishment was already quite astonishing.

Even Chen Cuo's Breakthrough took almost two years, of course, also because he first needed to Break through to the Martial God Realm and comprehend the true meaning of the Martial Dao, which took longer.

If not for Lingbao Mountain's Spirit Treasure Assembly, which was truly a grand event in the Cultivation world, perhaps the various forces who had arrived earlier would have already left.

In the three months of Zhang Zhao's Foundation Establishment alone, Lingbao Mountain frantically auctioned off various Magical Artifacts, and even Magic Treasures, holding various exchange meetings back-to-back, truly aiming to empty the wallets of surrounding major and minor forces.

However, what came next was the main event: the True Disciple Grand Ceremony, officially establishing Chen Cuo and the other two's True Disciple identities, announcing it to the world.

Lingbao Mountain's True Disciple Assembly, held once every hundred years, was neither too long nor too short. As for how grand it was, it wasn't overly so, but for the various small forces dependent on Lingbao Mountain for survival, it was indeed a grand ceremony.

...

On an auspicious day, at a propitious hour.

Coinciding with the winter solstice, Chen Cuo was about to turn seventy, officially becoming a True Disciple of Lingbao Mountain.

On this day, Lingbao Mountain's Sect gate opened, welcoming guests from all directions.

These guests included representatives from other major forces, such as Yuanfu Mountain and Vajra Sect, who also sent people to congratulate. There were also various well-known Loose Cultivators, many of whom had been famous in the Foundation Establishment Realm for a long time. Lingbao Mountain's Magical Artifacts were renowned among Loose Cultivators.

As for other smaller forces, they brought their respective gifts and congratulations to attend this grand event.

In the plaza of Lingbao Mountain, a huge Dao platform was erected.

Above the Dao platform, a flowing Magical Artifact cloud was suspended, with the four large characters "True Disciple Grand Ceremony" written on it.

On both sides of the Dao platform, rows of seats were arranged for the guests. In the very center of the Dao platform, three prayer mats were placed, prepared for Chen Cuo and the other two.

Bai Tang and White Jade Orchid, among others, were also watching Chen Cuo's heroic posture from below. This investment, after all, had been successful.

As a melodious music sounded, the True Disciple Grand Ceremony officially began.

First, Old Man Fuyun ascended the stage to give a speech. Since Ming Long usually presided over the Butian Pavilion, he could not easily leave the Butian Pavilion.

So Old Man Fuyun presided, while Yuanyuan True Man naturally entertained other Golden Core friends and honored guests at the meeting.

Old Man Fuyun wore a magnificent long robe, held a whisk, and smiled as he addressed the crowd.

"Chen Cuo, Snowy Mei, Zhang Zhao, these three Inner Sect Disciples, their nature connected with their instruments, their wisdom born from spirit, excelling among the heroes, augmenting spiritual intent with heart, giving birth to endless life, creating unparalleled fortune..."

"Congratulations to our Sect, for the True Disciple position, and for its long-lasting prosperity!"

"Congratulations to our Sect, for its long-lasting prosperity!"

...

After announcing the True Disciple identities of Chen Cuo and the other two, he presented them with the Butian Token, symbolizing their True Disciple status.

Then, Chen Cuo and the other two stepped onto the stage and bowed to the crowd. They wore unified True Disciple attire, each holding a precious sword, their True Disciple ceremonial swords, looking heroic and dashing.

"True Disciple position, pay respects to the Ancestral Master!"

The three knelt on the prayer mats and kowtowed towards a stone statue with a refined and noble face. This person was the legendary founding Ancestral Master of Lingbao Mountain, Butian Immortal Master.

Finally, there was a grand celebratory banquet.

Lingbao Mountain prepared abundant delicacies and fine wine for the guests to enjoy. As the night passed, Chen Cuo's True Disciple identity would become a shared understanding in the minds of others.