Demon Sword Sect's Undercover-Chapter 539 - 538 Different Choices

Master Xiao Zhen looked at the young man lying low before him, and even with his extensive experience, he found it difficult to imagine how someone who had only just entered the threshold of the Pulse had climbed to his current position within a mere few decades?

And within the Quanzhen Sect of the powerful Shan Sect, was his brilliance not suppressed?

He did not know who, in the end, would be able to use the stepping stone of becoming a True Disciple of the Anhe Daoist Sect to take that step? This was his intuition, but other Nascent Transformation Masters might have their own intuitions as well—everything was still unknown, one could only do their best.

He had several candidates with this potential, including cultivators nurtured within the Anhe Daoist lineage, several cultivators from the Chu Sect, and now adding Hou Niao to the list; these were all the candidates he could find within the limits of his abilities.

"If you are willing, the Anhe Daoist Sect will make a request to the Shan Sect. I believe the upper echelon of Quanzhen would not refuse such an enticing term—to use their own disciples to occupy the quota of True Inheritors from other Daoist lineages."

Hou Niao understood. Master Xiao Zhen’s proposal was reasonable. If it was because of this, then his choice to meet with him now was also an opportunity for him.

"It’s not easy to handle. Master, you know I don’t have much foundation within the Shan Sect, so even if Anhe makes a request, there’s no guarantee they will send me, they might send someone else?"

For matters like this, if the Anhe Daoist Sect directly requested someone, that would be too obvious; it would make the Shan Sect wonder if their disciple had already made private deals with Anhe? This could lead to a series of problems and would be detrimental to Hou Niao.

Therefore, in most cases, it was the Sect that would put forth candidates, and then Master Xiao Zhen would make the final decision.

For instance, this time Master Xiao Zhen visited the Southeast Chu Sect, he could not privately approach those cultivators of the Natural Realm from the Chu Sect—it would be impolite to the host and could trigger suspicion. He could only work with a list provided by the Chu Sect and then cautiously make a selection. If he was not satisfied with any, the Chu Sect would provide another list.

Similarly, the Shan Sect would do the same, even more so since the Shan Sect did not belong to the Daoist lineage system. For the relationship between them, naturally, they would not send their most outstanding disciples; this was the principle.

Master Xiao Zhen mused, "Indeed, it’s troublesome, but not impossible to manage. For example, you work at the Sikong Mansion, which could provide an opportunity to strive for some missions executed on behalf of Anhe. In this way, we could have intersections, making it more logical and reasonable to make such a request?"

The efforts of the Anhe Daoist Sect in this matter are one aspect—the way you manage things in the Shan Sect is equally important. You have not told me, personally, are you willing to compete for a True Inheritor position in the Anhe Daoist Sect?"

Hou Niao thought it through thoroughly. Master Xiao Zhen spoke frankly, and so did he, "It’s all about competition, whether inside the Shan Sect or facing numerous competitors in the Anhe Daoist Sect. Personally, I would still prefer to get the status of a True Disciple within the inner circles of the Shan Sect Quanzhen, as this would be more beneficial for my future development..."

He did not express some things fully, but a Sword Cultivator who obtained a True Inheritor position within the Anhe Daoist Sect would undoubtedly lose favor inside the Shan Sect, losing the chance to climb further up. Even if others did not say it openly, they would treat him as a half-outsider in secret.

Master Xiao Zhen was not surprised. He who did not make promises lightly, especially when it came to deciding the direction of his Daoist Path, is a quality that an outstanding person must possess—not someone who echoes the opinions of others or pounces on an advantage the moment it presents itself.

"Quite right, no True Disciple position in any Daoist lineage comes without a struggle; competition is the norm. But the competition within the Shan Sect and within the Anhe Daoist Sect is different. For instance, in the Shan Sect, there won’t be an ancestor wholeheartedly supporting you?"

"There’s no need to rush; there are still thirty years. We can just wait and see. You can also use this time to thoroughly clarify your Heart Realm. Cultivating too quickly has one disadvantage; it’s easy to lose oneself. You need to settle."

Thinking for a moment, he took out a Jade Scroll from his storage space, glowing translucently and emitting a lingering aura, "Regardless of whether this matter succeeds or not, it won’t affect my view of you as an Anhe cultivator. This here is the core secret skill of the Anhe Daoist lineage, not passed on to outsiders. Would you like to accept it?"

Hou Niao raised his eyebrows, "You trust me like this? And besides, isn’t it forbidden to privately impart things of the Anhe Daoist lineage?"

Master Xiao Zhen smiled, "I am the patriarch of the Anhe Daoist Sect. What I say is the rule; when others pass it on, it’s private transmission, but when I do, it’s to ’preserve the way and prepare for the capable’!

Remember, this is not because of your former status as someone lying low, but as thanks for what you have done for Anhe over the years. In my eyes, even if you never return to the Anhe Daoist Sect, it does not change the fact that you are from Anhe. The Anhe Daoist lineage is gifted to those who care for Anhe; I see nothing inappropriate about that."

Hou Niao did not play coy and took it with his hand. Judging just by the cultivation techniques and spells, the Anhe Daoist Sect had maintained its inheritance for thousands of years in the Cultivation World of the Jinxiu Continent and ranked just below the Wu Sect in the Southwest region, possessing extraordinary aspects. It was just that the Anhe Daoists had not fully utilized these skills.

Master Xiao Zhen nodded, "In the future, be mindful of moderation in your actions. Even within the Sects, not all are unified—there are those like the grand integration faction of Wu, Qi, and Zhou, and Sects like Chu that stick to their principles; you cannot treat everyone equally. Making friends in the Cultivation World is very important."

"As for Yuan Master, you do not have to worry, I have my own plans for that; moreover, although that old man is unattached to the world, he is fond of you. Do not feel neglected here in this place."

"The Chu Sect is worth associating with, be it for our Anhe or for your Shan Sect."

... Hou Niao left the room. With Master Xiao Zhen there, he did not have to worry about their dialogue leaking out. After all, in the Jinxiu Continent, in terms of hierarchy, Master Xiao Zhen was already at the highest level.

The outside was still festive and lively. It was evident that the relationship between the Chu Sect cultivators was harmonious, a naturally peaceful coexistence that common cultivation Sects lacked. Perhaps, this was what the Daoist Sects should truly be like?

Tan Xiao popped up from nowhere, handing him a cup of wine, "How did it go? Was it smooth?"

Hou Niao responded on the spot, "Smooth! Yuan Master said my bones are uniquely structured and I have a natural celestial quality, deciding to elevate me to the Chu Sect’s True Disciple position, replacing his unprogressive disciple who knows nothing but flattering..."

Tan Xiao snorted with disdain, but did not pursue the matter further. As cultivators, they were all too clear on what concerned them and what questions should not be asked. He had fulfilled his promise to his master, and that was enough, even if it was a little late.

The two stood shoulder to shoulder, watching the couple, old and new, standing together with happiness shining on their faces. Tan Xiao couldn’t help but remark,

"If it’s like this, it’s pretty good, right? This is what life’s all about—simple joys, ordinary days... By the way, have you, a Sword Cultivator, ever had such moments under the flowers and the moon?"

Hou Niao sighed, "I have, but it wasn’t under the flowers and the moon—it was under the moon spending money..."