"Speak freely and without reservations," Zhang Jianlin said with a smile. "In truth, we are just like you; we also came from the surrounding worlds. In fact, most of the higher-ups in the Nine Cauldrons Sect came from those same worlds. From that perspective, we should be on the same side."

Beside him, Qin Yi nodded slightly. "The legacy of the Artifact Sect lasted for a full three thousand years. After such a long time, even the most ancient immortal sects grow corrupt. A few hundred years ago, when we outside cultivators first entered the Artifact Sect, our status was incredibly low. Not only were we suppressed in every way, but we were also treated as mere servants by the local disciples of the sect, who beat or killed us at their whim. This was especially true during the period when the war against the Lunar Fiend Empire was failing... They treated us as nothing more than cannon fodder. It was for this very reason that we were forced to stand up and revolt, establishing a sect of our own, the Nine Cauldrons Sect.

"The Nine Cauldrons Sect does not follow the old ways of the Artifact Sect or other traditional sects. Among all cultivators, there is no distinction of nobility or lowliness in terms of personal character; differences only exist in terms of rank and duty. Even the most ordinary disciple needs only to show respect when facing the sect master; there is no need to kneel. Likewise, although we serve as elder and deputy hall master, you may view us as ordinary fellow cultivators."

Zhang Jianlin continued with a smile, "In terms of status, we are equals. The sect master once said that anyone with the ability and the capacity to earn the recognition and respect of others can occupy a high position. If one day in the future someone proves capable of serving as the sect master, he would be more than happy to abdicate and yield his position to that superior talent. To him, that would mean a better leader had appeared, and under such leadership, the lives of everyone in the Nine Cauldrons Sect would surely be better than they are now."

Listening to their words, Yaoguang realized they had picked up on his desire to maintain his independence. He was unwilling to live under the thumb of others.

However, he felt somewhat surprised. Although he had heard from various sources that the sect master of the Nine Cauldrons Sect was a man of great courage and possessed a heart as vast as the sea, hearing reports was one thing; experiencing it firsthand was quite another. Anyone could spread propaganda, after all. Yet, listening to Zhang Jianlin and the others, it seemed this was the internal consensus of the Nine Cauldrons Sect.

"Sect Master Li is truly a man of great character," Yaoguang remarked.

Zhang Jianlin smiled faintly and adjusted a refined artifact in his hand. A projection appeared directly in front of Yaoguang. It was the Code of the Nine Cauldrons Sect.

General Principles

First Principle: The Nine Cauldrons Sect is a republican sect led by the cultivator class and founded upon its citizens and sect personnel.

Second Principle: All power within the Nine Cauldrons Sect belongs to its citizens.

Third Principle: All citizens and sect personnel are equal.

Yaoguang quickly scanned the sect's regulations. As he looked through them one by one, he indeed found the statements Zhang Jianlin had mentioned.

The sect master of the Nine Cauldrons Sect was to be elected by the collective body of sect personnel.

Yaoguang knew that the citizens they wrote about in the rules were those who joined departments like the Energy Department, Transport Department, or Communications Department. They served as the operational foundation for the many institutions within the Nine Cauldrons Sect's jurisdiction.

As for the sect personnel, that went without saying: registered disciples, official disciples, core disciples, and true disciples, as well as attache, officers, chiefs, protectors, and elders all fell under this category.

Rules were always established by the strong. However, Yaoguang had not expected that the Nine Cauldrons Sect would actually write these rules into their official code. Although the powerful never truly had to follow rules, if he ever became strong enough and truly wished to take action, these rules could serve as a moral justification to prove the legitimacy of his deeds.

If he could think of this, the people who drafted these rules certainly could as well, yet they still chose to include them.

"The higher-ups of the Nine Cauldrons Sect are truly brave," Yaoguang praised, this time with genuine sincerity.

After a long moment, he asked, "With these rules in place, isn't the sect afraid that an outside powerhouse might one day use their strength to usurp control?"

"As I said, everyone differs only in duty, not in inherent status. If someone wishes to seize control, they would first have to be confident about one of two things: either that they have earned the recognition of everyone, or..." Zhang Jianlin gave a thin smile, "that they possess the power to suppress everyone single-handedly!"

He paused briefly. "In the former case, their ability will be recognized by all, and the sect master would be happy to step down for someone more capable. As for the latter... If they truly possess the strength to suppress everyone alone, then we wouldn't have any choice in the matter anyway."

Yaoguang nodded upon hearing this. Next to them, Qin Yi found nothing wrong with the questions Yaoguang was asking, nor did he think Yaoguang had a rebellious character. People like them were different from the local cultivators. They had lived in small worlds and had survived the brutal selection process required to reach Cangwu. Every one of them had been an outstanding figure in their respective worlds. It was only natural for them to have high ambitions.

According to the sect master, it was vital to maintain this kind of vitality, sharpness, and drive. Only then would those in lower positions feel the urge to push forward and strive for greatness, and find the firm motivation and drive needed to cultivate and grow. That was the only way for the Nine Cauldrons Sect to achieve rapid progress, reclaim the territories of the original Artifact Sect, return to the ranks of the Ten Great Immortal Sects, and stand at the peak of the world once more. Therefore, the Nine Cauldrons Sect did not fear ambition; what it feared was a lack of ability.

"I find it strange," Yaoguang said, glancing at Lin Sen. "I am merely a high-tier cultivator. Surely I am not worth the trouble of two high-ranking officials coming in person to invite me. Even if I displayed some talent when helping with the Immortal Shadow 60 project, it shouldn't have been enough for the two of you to make a move."

Zhang Jianlin and Qin Yi exchanged a look. They knew they were making progress.

"Let me explain," Zhang Jianlin said with a smile. "First of all, what you displayed was not just 'some' talent; it was exquisite ability in artifact refinement. Based on your improvements to the Immortal Shadow 60, I estimate that your level is likely no lower than that of an artifact-refinement master. It is only because of your cultivation level and the equipment holding you back that you haven't been able to display the full extent of your ability."

"An artifact-refinement master?" Lin Sen, standing to the side, was secretly shocked. He had not expected Zhang Jianlin to hold Yaoguang in such high regard.

"Body refinement is different from qi refinement or psyche refinement. Psychic will can be a great deterrent and possesses high killing power, but it is not suited for the delicate work required in artifact refinement, alchemy, arrays, or talisman crafting. Although our Nine Cauldrons Sect has many great cultivators, eighty to ninety percent of them are star lords focused on body refinement," Zhang Jianlin continued his explanation.

"Among the remaining personnel, not everyone chooses to master a secondary profession. Even if they do reach the master level, it might not be in the field of artifact refinement. Therefore, there are only a few dozen artifact-refinement masters in the entire sect. If you look at the Nine Heavens Domain specifically, there might not even be one." He looked at Yaoguang. "Now you see how much weight you carry."

"You flatter me. I am still quite far from being an artifact-refinement master," Yaoguang replied. His progress in artifact refinement was currently at 71% of the ninth tier, and to truly compare to an artifact-refinement master, he would need to reach at least 80%.

"You are far too modest," Zhang Jianlin said with a smile. "Now, onto the second point."

At this, his expression grew somewhat solemn. "You have dual-cultivated in two major systems: body refinement and psyche refinement."

"Dual-cultivated?" Yaoguang was left stunned for a moment. Then, understanding dawned on him.

The key lay in dual-cultivation! In this world, the difficulty of dual-cultivation was immense; it was far more complex than simply changing majors or disciplines. Those with the talent for dual-cultivation were often selected for priority training. However, many such talents would end up distracted from attempting to master two systems simultaneously, resulting in achieving nothing on either path.

Su Yaoguang himself had not thought dual-cultivation was particularly remarkable, but judging by the attitudes of Zhang Jianlin and Qin Yi, that did not seem to be the case.

"Starting three hundred years ago, the paths of cultivation have undergone round after round of optimization and refinement. That process has reached its peak today, but, at the same time, it has begun to face various problems, and might have even reached a dead end," Zhang Jianlin said, pausing for a moment. "The path of cultivation should never focus on only one direction. Only when essence, qi, and psyche advance together can it be considered a broad and true path."

"A dead end?" Yaoguang asked, somewhat surprised.

"If you pay close attention, you will notice that in the entire Great Cangwu World, no one has successfully formed a Golden Core for over a hundred years. The Golden Core cultivators currently existing in the world are all survivors from the era of the great war against the Lunar Fiend Empire. While every one of those Golden Core cultivators possesses unimaginably formidable strength, their supernatural abilities are far from comparable to the destructive power they command."

"Destructive power..." Yaoguang mused, reaching an understanding.

"Yes. To cope with the war, everyone sought to acquire more destructive power. The world has entered an era where destructive power is in serious surplus. A powerful Golden Core cultivator can even bring an extinction-level disaster to the entire Great Cangwu World. Yet, they cannot even break through the upper limits of their lifespan." Zhang Jianlin sighed. "Is it reasonable for a being whose power rivals the sun in the sky to have a lifespan of only a few hundred years?"

It is not reasonable. Yaoguang immediately reached that conclusion.

Zhang Jianlin continued, "Based on the joint research of top sects and elite cultivators, they have concluded that dual-cultivation is the future for cultivators. Focusing on only one thing, especially if it is the frantic pursuit of destructive power, is going down a path of no return. Small sects have no choice; without enough strength and destructive power, they risk annihilation. Unlike them, great sects must look not only at the present but also toward the future."

Zhang Jianlin looked at Yaoguang, his eyes gleaming with intensity. "Cultivators like you, who possess the talent for dual-cultivation, represent the future of the great sects. In the future, if one of you can break through to the Golden Core Realm, that will be a true Golden Core, one that can operate stably without requiring the strength of an entire sect to maintain it!"

Beside him, Qin Yi added, "Word is spreading among the higher-ups of the Great Cangwu World that whichever sect can train a new Golden Core powerhouse from the new cultivation system will be the one to dominate the world and lead the future!"

The two finished speaking and looked at Yaoguang. Yaoguang now understood why a high-tier cultivator like himself was worth the personal invitation of two great cultivators.

"So, Yaoguang, what do you say...?"

"I think..." Yaoguang glanced at the rules established by the Nine Cauldrons Sect. He smiled. "With such a relaxed environment and a sect master whose heart is vast enough to embrace the world, I see no reason to refuse."