Gateway of Immortality-Chapter 890: True Disciple

The incarnation had originally come to visit the Daoist boy hoping to draw closer to him, so he could rely on his influence later. He never expected the Daoist boy to directly accept him as a true disciple.

"Follow me!" The Daoist boy first sent out a Sound Transmission Talisman toward Jade Finger Peak. Then, with a wave of his sleeve, he led the incarnation straight to the mountain’s summit.

The incarnation remained cautious, fully suppressing his aura. However much the Yin-Yang Branch had declined, there were certainly still Core Formation experts dwelling on the mountain.

They arrived at a wooden tower. The tower was peculiar, suspended in mid-air between the two Yin-Yang Peaks, supported only by a single stone bridge, an extremely perilous location.

The Daoist boy pushed the door open and entered. The interior was empty. At the center stood a statue several zhang tall, depicting a lean Daoist. The Daoist’s eyes seemed distant, his bearing extraordinary. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

The statue was carved from spiritual wood, reinforced with barriers. Though it had been placed here for countless years, its surface remained polished and new.

"This is the founder of our Yin-Yang Branch, Daoist Yin-Yang."

With his back to the incarnation, the Daoist boy lit a stick of incense and bowed reverently toward the statue. "Disciple pays respects to the grandmaster!"

The incarnation’s heart tightened, and he dropped to his knees. Daoist Yin-Yang had been a famous Spiritual Infant expert in Canglang Sea and the founder of the Yin-Yang Branch of Landou Sect.

"Master is not in the sect now, but he once instructed me to handle this matter. Swear an oath against your heart devils. I will first pass you the first stage of the Yin-Yang Tiandou Secret Technique. When Master returns, we will report it to him then..." the boy said.

It was only the first stage. The incarnation felt a flicker of disappointment but obeyed, swearing the oath. The boy sent out a stream of light from his fingertip, which entered the incarnation’s brow.

The incarnation’s body trembled slightly, then a scripture appeared in his mind. As the boy had said, it contained only the first stage of the Yin-Yang Tiandou Secret Technique, the Qi Refining Realm portion.

"Do not underestimate this most basic first stage. It is the very essence of the entire art. The grandmaster used this foundation to comprehend the true meaning of yin and yang, shaking Canglang Sea with his might." The boy’s expression grew solemn as he recounted the grandmaster’s achievements.

Hearing this, the incarnation secretly praised his own judgment. The ancient scroll of the Yin-Yang Tiandou Secret Technique preserved only the first stage, yet Daoist Yin-Yang had created all the subsequent levels on his own. The incarnation could not help but feel astonished.

Senior Qingzhu had been a peerless genius who created the killing symbol only because the Primordial Spirit Sword Nourishment preserved five stages, enough to guide him up to Core Formation.

But the Yin-Yang Tiandou Secret Technique had preserved only the first stage. It was extremely incomplete. Daoist Yin-Yang could have begun creating arts since the Foundation Building Realm.

Most likely Daoist Yin-Yang already cultivated through yin and yang, and after advancing he discovered the Yin-Yang Tiandou Secret Technique, grasped its true meaning, and gradually created the later stages. No one alive could be so heaven-defying. Even so, this was already astounding. His talent must not have been inferior to Senior Qingzhu’s. The incarnation memorized the art while listening to the boy’s explanations, his heart turning with these thoughts.

The Daoist boy continued, "When you return, find Senior Brother Lu to replace your jade records. When Master returns to the mountain, further arrangements will be made. From now on, you shall cultivate the Yin-Yang Tiandou Secret Technique. Strive to nurture the first wisp of yin-yang qi in your dantian. When the Dongming Island Dharma Assembly begins in two months, you may also go and gain some experience."

"Senior Uncle Yang, what is this Dongming Island Dharma Assembly?" the incarnation asked curiously.

The Daoist boy glanced at him. "I forgot, the Dharma Assembly has nothing to do with outer sect disciples, so it is normal you have never heard of it. This assembly is where Landou Island and several nearby sects each send their true disciples to compete. Because it is held on Dongming Island, it is called the Dongming Island Dharma Assembly. Dongming Island is a secret isle off Landou Island that only opens for the assembly."

"Ah," the incarnation exclaimed. "But all the true disciples of the sects are Foundation Building seniors like Senior Uncle Yang. If I attend, won’t I only be at the bottom?"

"Did you think you could win a place?" The Daoist boy sneered. "Other small sects are not as strict as ours in their requirements for true disciples. Many only send Qi Refining disciples. You need not aim for a high ranking. Simply display your true strength and treat it as training. Besides, the rewards of the assembly are not bad, and will benefit your cultivation. Were it not for this rare opportunity, there would be no need to hurry your acceptance as a true disciple."

"I understand and will devote myself to diligent cultivation." Though he said this, the incarnation had no real interest in the assembly.

Back in the Small Cold Domain, he had not even joined the righteous sects’ great competitions. Now, he was even less tempted. However generous the rewards, they could not catch his eye.

Still, he could not refuse the Daoist boy’s demand and planned only to go through the motions.

But the mention of Dongming Island stirred his thoughts. Could it somehow be linked to Douniu Peak? A secret isle, a forbidden ground...

Yet on reflection, it seemed impossible. Dongming Island was not exclusive to Landou Sect. When the assembly began, neighboring sects would gather there. How could the handed-down teaching of one branch be hidden in such a place?

After a series of formalities, nearly an hour later the incarnation finally flew out of Yin-Yang Peak and returned to Jade Finger Peak to update his jade records.

"So I have been made a true disciple already, sooner than I anticipated. But I cannot truly cultivate the Yin-Yang Tiandou Secret Technique. With my true body’s help, I may be able to feign enough to deceive the Daoist boy, but before Daoist Huayang, who is deeply versed in this art and a Core Formation cultivator, I would surely be exposed. I can only pretend to find no entryway, unable to produce yin-yang qi, and stall for time while I continue to search for information..."

As a true disciple, his movements indeed became far more convenient. Places forbidden to outer sect disciples were now open to him without obstacle.

He did not rush to leave Jin Yan’s stone hall either. Using his dual identity, he successfully slipped into some hidden places, secretly commanding the Sky-Eyed Butterfly to open its gaze and investigate while probing in many directions.

Unknowingly, the date of the Dongming Island Dharma Assembly drew near.

The Daoist boy became more attentive toward him, but when he still failed to cultivate yin-yang qi, the boy could do nothing but scold him harshly, even starting to wonder if his own judgment had been mistaken.

After another stern reprimand, the incarnation returned to his cave dwelling, where he found two figures waiting at the entrance. One of them was Fang Ting.

During this period, Fang Ting often visited. Her background in Landou Sect was no secret, and the Daoist boy had even reminded the incarnation not to neglect her because of what had happened before.

Since she had not delayed his proper business, and her identity might prove useful, the incarnation had always humored her patiently.

But a month earlier, Fang Ting had begun bringing another person with her. It was Zhao Songqiao, who had joined them in attending Yanmiao Pavilion’s disciple recruitment ceremony.

"Senior Brother Zhang!" Fang Ting waved happily when she saw him.

Zhao Songqiao beamed with a wide smile and cupped his hands. "I missed Junior Brother Zhang’s tea, so I came again to trouble you."