Chapter 116: Chapter 109: The Day of Rising Fame

Ancient Mountain Peak.

This is a towering and majestic peak, seemingly reaching the heavens.

Yet on ordinary days, it is shrouded in thick mist, hidden within the Nine Rivers Marsh, making it invisible even to the disciples of the Daoist School, as if it does not belong in this space.

But today, the mist has cleared, revealing the true appearance of this peak.

The contours of the mountain are picturesque, imposing and rugged, with ancient trees towering high. The golden rocks shine brilliantly, the large lake at the summit is like a sea with azure waves surging, as if all kinds of extraordinary landscapes in the world are fused into this peak.

At the top of the peak, amidst the drifting clouds, in a Cyan Jade Hall, jade thrones are lined up, the sound of strings and flutes echoing continuously, enhancing the place as if it were an Immortal Realm.

"Swish!"

"Swish!"

Escaping lights come from all directions of the Daoist School, and settle down in order according to their respective cultivation islands.

Even at a rough count, there are many dozens of people, among whom many look weary as if having traveled from faraway places. Yet upon seeing the mysterious scenery of the Ancient Mountain Peak, anticipation arises in their eyes.

But some, looking at those confident and flamboyant disciples in front of the Jade Hall, have a solemn expression on their faces.

In front of the Jade Hall, there are twelve rows, excluding a row on the side, each row has one or two people, either male or female, all of them showcasing extraordinary demeanor and boundless confidence.

Celestial Spirit, Cyan Flame, Yingyue, Azure Firmament, Formless, Ruyi, Jade Flask, the Seven Veins of the Daoist School.

These Seven Veins are the largest forces within the Daoist School and its core, nurturing true prodigies, almost a different world from the Hidden Flood Dragon Institute.

Besides the Seven Peaks, there are five great surnames: Feng, Su, Zhou, Si, and Bian.

The Seven Veins and the five great surnames are deeply intertwined, with each entwined within the other, yet balancing each other; their relationships are extremely complex.

These two branches are also known as the master-disciple and noble family branches, holding the true power within the Daoist School, backed by the Golden Core.

Apart from these two branches, there’s also the Humble Lineage branch, who are disciples of the Hidden Flood Dragon Institute, neither part of noble families nor having a lineage of masters teaching them. They are left dispersed by the Daoist School, and their success depends solely on personal opportunity and Qi Fortune.

Anyone not related to the Golden Core is considered of humble lineage.

To become a Golden Core is to completely break the class barrier.

But how difficult it is to become a Golden Core, which is also why the structure of the Daoist School is so stable.

Nonetheless, the number of humble lineage disciples is vast, and with great numbers comes great potential. At this moment, the hall is filled with Qi Refining Ninth Layer disciples of the Hidden Flood Dragon Institute, almost equal in number to the Seven Veins and the noble families.

But currently, the three parties do not converse, silent as can be, forming a tripartite standoff.

As time goes by, the escaping lights within the Jade Hall become fewer and fewer; it seems that almost all the cultivators hoping to reach Foundation Establishment are present.

And at this moment, two escaping lights arrive fashionably late.

The leader is an exceptionally beautiful woman, her ornaments jingling, skin as white as snow, her face bearing a gentle smile. Yet in her eyes, a red flame flickers occasionally, as if she has ingested some exotic fruit, with a dormant sense of dominance.

Upon seeing this woman, many turned their gazes toward her.

The Bian Family’s girl!

A Golden Core has a thousand-year lifespan, and upon branching out and having descendants, numerous generations follow. Even subtracting those unable to cultivate, the number remains large, traditionally living on their respective islands with numerous servants and guards.

But those truly held in high regard, considered part of the direct line, are few, just one or two.

And in the current generation of the Bian Family, the most favored is naturally Bian Chuyao.

This woman, though only at the Qi Refining Realm, was granted Kite Cloud Valley in the Tier Three Spirit Island by the Golden Core Ascendant, as her cultivation estate, sparking envy among countless cultivators.

Therefore, her appearance immediately garnered many gazes.

The young man accompanying Bian Chuyao also caught everyone’s attention.

However, before anyone could ascertain the relationship between the two, they separated; Bian Chuyao’s escape light swiftly landed at the front of the Jade Hall, sitting at the Bian Family’s seat.

Meanwhile, the young man landed his escape light early, sitting at the humble lineage’s seat at the end of the Jade Hall.

A humble lineage cultivator?

At the front of the Jade Hall, many Seven Vein disciples and noble family disciples frowned.

Although the Bian Family’s girl appeared approachable, her heart was exceedingly proud. She disregarded the gossip and entered the hall directly with a humble lineage disciple?

Instantly, everyone was curious about Gu Yuan’s identity.

And as spiritual senses continuously exchanged, Gu Yuan’s identity gradually became known to all.

A disciple from a remote small sect, having secured Sword Fox Immortal’s bounty, gained admission to the Daoist School for cultivation, without a master, not engaged to any noble family disciples, aside from a good appearance, he seemed quite ordinary.

Wait... in just five years, he advanced from Qi Refining Fourth Layer to the peak of Qi Refining Ninth Layer, and even comprehended the Foundation Establishment Method?

Immediately, numerous gazes converged on Gu Yuan.

Even a few of the extraordinary men and women at the very front briefly turned their eyes. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

But Gu Yuan remained unmoved, simply sitting silently, calmly facing the many curious gazes.

Yet, he understood within his heart, as long as this succeeded, from today onwards, he would no longer be an obscure figure in the Daoist School.

Making his mark, gaining fame—it all starts today!

...

...

"Ding!"

"Ding!"

"Ding!"

As the jade seats filled up, a jade bell rang quietly three times, its sound mellow and gentle, like a fine drizzle in spring, resonating through the entire hall, and all the cultivators fell silent.

Then, at the front of the hall, on a cyan jade meditation cushion, appeared an elder wearing a white Daoist robe, with crane-like white hair and youthful features, his eyes bright and full of spirit.

The elder’s state seemed somewhat peculiar, for the hairs on his shoulder, his eyes, and skin would occasionally flash with golden light, resembling streaks of golden lightning, dazzling and splendid.

Gu Yuan looked up, had a single glance, and withdrew his gaze, not daring to look more.

He knew this was a formidable person at the Foundation Establishment Peak, having already comprehended a hint of gold-attribute, needing only the last step to achieve the Golden Core, enjoying a thousand-year lifespan!

Although the Golden Core did not arrive, sending a figure like this showed how much the Daoist School valued the Flowing Cloud Banquet this time.

"Greetings to all disciples!"

The elder’s momentum was robust but not intimidating. He looked around the hall, seeing the talented individuals gathered inside, an immediate hint of a smile appeared on his face.

All the disciples returned the greeting.

"Do not be anxious, I am the Peak Master of the Ancient Mountain Peak, appointed by the Daoist Academy Decree to preside over today’s Flowing Cloud Banquet. You may call me Junior Martial Uncle Huo!"

"Greetings, Junior Martial Uncle Huo!"

All the disciples bowed their heads and shouted in unison.

Seeing the disciples full of vigorous spirit, the smile on the elder’s face grew wider, as if reminiscing the old days.

"According to the Daoist Academy Decree, today at the Flowing Cloud Banquet, various spirit fruits and delicacies are bestowed, and I shall also impart the Dao and answer questions for the many disciples."

"However, I suspect the many disciples here today are not here for these trivial matters."

"In the grand path struggle, our Daoist School’s resources are limited and can only nurture those with incomparable bravery and unmatched potential. So today, there will be joy and sorrow, but as cultivation is such, the Daoist School cannot allow every disciple to ascend the supreme path."

"If there are any who fail today, will there be any complaints?"

The elder surveyed the room, asking aloud.

"The grand path contends, the disciples will have no complaints!"

An orderly response resounded in the hall, the confident and flamboyant aura seemed to shoot straight into the clouds.

No one present today was thinking of failure.

"Good!"

"Then magical combat shall determine, who wishes to step forward and claim the first strand of Spiritual Qi?"

The elder swept his wide sleeve, and a golden strand of Spiritual Qi, like cloud or mist, swirled endlessly in the air, akin to a golden glow, shimmering brilliantly.