I'm afraid you can't afford it, senior.

The Phoenix Feather Sect of today has undergone a tremendous transformation.

Over two million people live together in the same sect, with each person occupying a mountain range cave dwelling, making the entire sect a vast blessed land.

The overall area is much larger than that of an average large city.

Between the mountains and cave dwellings, there are roads connecting in all directions.

The paths crisscross, well-arranged, with a grand and majestic terrain that also possesses a delicate and exquisite feel.

Some brew wine and discuss the Dao in the mountains, while others walk together, conversing about ancient and modern times, though most cultivate in their caves.

Overall, it gives a sense of prosperity, thriving, and flourishing.

Elegant, harmonious, peaceful! This was Dugu Feng's most direct impression of the Phoenix Feather Sect.

Led by an Outer Sect Disciple, the group traveled over mountains and through valleys, and as they passed the Heavenly Dao Institute, a melodious bell rang out, echoing through the mountains.

"This is..."

Dugu Feng paused his steps!

The bell was melodious, ancient, revealing an epic sense of vicissitude.

As the sound resonated, it seemed as though one's soul was being cleansed, causing people to unconsciously relax their entire bodies, and their minds received a wave of enhanced evolution.

Dugu Feng's expression showed a hint of emotion.

A single bell sound, and even a powerful expert like him felt its infinite wondrous uses.

Then, what level of quality had the bell itself reached?

Could it be a Saint-grade item?

"Hoo..."

His chest rose and fell slightly.

A surging wave of emotion welled up in his heart.

His gaze followed the direction from which the bell sound emanated, and in the distance, above a plaque, he saw three large characters written in a majestic, flowing script—Heavenly Dao Institute!

From within the Heavenly Dao Institute, one could vaguely hear sounds of teaching, imparting knowledge, and answering questions.

A sect, within it, actually had a place similar to an academy, and the key was that he couldn't see through this academy.

At this point, the entire Phoenix Feather Sect gained a few more layers of mystery in Dugu Feng's eyes.

Just then, the Disciple leading the way said to the two, "Sirs, this is where my Master resides."

These words surprised Dugu Feng.

"Your Master, is he Zhong Qing?"

"That's right!"

A look of pride appeared on the leading Disciple's face.

If there was one thing he was most proud of in his life, it was becoming Zhong Qing's Disciple.

This statement somewhat surprised Dugu Feng.

He hadn't expected Zhong Qing to have even taken Disciples.

This seemed logical, yet also unexpected.

After all, in some smaller sects, those in the Three Yang Realm could establish their own mountain peaks, open their own lineages, and widely recruit Disciples.

With Zhong Qing's cultivation, he was definitely qualified to take Disciples and establish a sect.

What he hadn't expected was that with Zhong Qing's monstrous talent, at this time, he shouldn't be diligently cultivating on the path of cultivation? Why would he take on Disciples, thereby diverting his energy and time.

However, remembering the purpose of his trip, Dugu Feng's thoughts shifted.

If he could successfully recruit Zhong Qing on this trip, wouldn't the person before him then be his Disciple's Disciple?

With a slight flicker in his eyes, he said to the Outer Sect Disciple leading the way, "I observe that your vital energy is smooth, and your cultivation is not bad. With such innate bone structure, to reach this realm at your age, you must have endured many hardships."

Upon hearing this, Liu Tianming's expression became a little strange.

Cultivating under his Master, enduring hardships?

Although they weren't like the Heavenly Dao Institute Disciples, who could freely consume various spiritual pills and elixirs every day.

However, the distribution of cultivation method resources could also be described as extremely luxurious, many times more comfortable than other cultivators in the outside world.

Their cultivation, while not achieved by simply cultivating casually, still increased rapidly every day.

This?

Considered hardship?

However, thinking that Dugu Feng was unaware, he didn't say much, only nodded modestly, "Senior has keen insight."

The latter smiled, revealing a wise expression that seemed to see through everything: "In this era, cultivation is not easy, and it's even harder to make a name for oneself."

"Today, thank you, young friend, for leading the way."

"Cultivators will inevitably face conflicts and battles in the future. I have an Emperor-grade divine weapon here; it's nothing rare, but I hope it can provide some assistance for your future cultivation."

The reason for such generosity was actually that Dugu Feng considered this young Disciple before him to be his future Disciple's Disciple.

Liu Tianming looked at the divine weapon before him and, to be honest, was a bit reluctant to take it.

This wasn't to say that an Emperor-grade divine weapon wasn't valuable.

On the contrary, within the original Phoenix Feather Sect, there were hardly any Emperor-grade divine weapons to be found in the entire sect.

However, ever since Zhong Qing arrived, Emperor-grade divine weapons were no longer considered rare among the sect's Disciples.

Many sect Disciples primarily equipped Venerable-grade divine weapons.

These days, within the sect, if you were to go out with an Emperor-grade divine weapon, it would be a bit embarrassing.

However, as the saying goes, one should not refuse a gift from an elder.

After a moment of hesitation, he still accepted it into his bag.

"Thank you, Senior, for the treasure!"

This demeanor made Dugu Feng look at him with higher regard.

Neither humble nor arrogant, not swayed by external things, nor saddened by personal misfortunes.

If it were an ordinary cultivator, obtaining an Emperor-grade divine weapon, they would probably be overjoyed and lose all sense of direction.

They might even wish to announce to the entire world that they had become the master of an Emperor-grade divine weapon.

But the person before him was able to remain calm and composed.

Regardless of his aptitude, this mental fortitude alone was enough to surpass ninety-nine percent of cultivators in the world.

However, how could he know that it wasn't that Liu Tianming had truly reached that state of mind.

Rather, under Zhong Qing's guidance, his horizons had broadened, and ordinary Emperor-grade divine weapons truly weren't placed in his eyes.

Dugu Feng glanced at Liu Tianming, and as if casually, asked, "May I ask how many Disciples your Master has?"

After all, he had just received a treasure from him.

Liu Tianming didn't hesitate much.

He immediately replied, "Many!"

Dugu Feng was surprised.

He had originally thought that even if Zhong Qing took Disciples, three to five would be the limit, but he hadn't expected to receive such an answer.

However, he had made up his mind that Zhong Qing's Disciples would naturally be his future Disciple's Disciples.

If he could give them some welcome gifts, it would undoubtedly be a very effective way to gain favor in front of Zhong Qing.

At the same time, he could also appropriately demonstrate the profound heritage of a Sword Dao Supreme in front of Zhong Qing.

Master chooses Disciple, Disciple chooses Master.

If a Disciple doesn't know how powerful their Master is, the path to taking Disciples will naturally not be too smooth.

And how to demonstrate strength?

Directly releasing one's cultivation is a very crude method and can easily cause resentment.

However, subtly demonstrating financial and material resources is undoubtedly an excellent choice.

Thinking of this, Dugu Feng spoke again.

"Your Master and I hit it off immediately, and I can be considered an elder to you all. This visit, I've brought some humble gifts."

"May I ask how many fellow Disciples you have, young friend? Could you gather them?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Tianming's expression became extremely strange.

He understood now; this person before him actually wanted to give welcome gifts to all his fellow Disciples.

After a moment of contemplation, a look of deep struggle appeared on his face. At this point, he truly didn't know how to speak.

Seeing this, Dugu Feng asked, "Is there some difficulty?"

Liu Tianming shook his head: "There's no difficulty, I'm just afraid... Senior, you might not be able to afford it!"

...