That old fox always preferred to strike when he could ambush.
"Alright, Elder Lu, you can take this Heart-Connecting Mirror. From now on, the disciples of the Sanyi Sect can use it to train their minds. While its upper limit isn't very high, it's sufficient. Just remember not to let the disciples get lost in it for too long at once. Perhaps once a day, for no more than ten minutes. This illusion is built from their own mental power. Excessive use can lead to mental exhaustion and damage to their minds."
Lu Jin's face lit up with joy, and he laughed as he took the Heart-Connecting Mirror. With this, no matter what, the disciples would have a stable baseline for their mental state. It would also make selecting disciples much easier today. For powerful individuals of their middle-aged generation, breaking free from the Heart-Connecting Mirror wasn't difficult, but for younger Anomalous Humans, emerging from the Genjutsu required either being an outstanding peer or having a truly pure mind. The latter type was more suitable for the Sanyi Sect, as their recruitment emphasized sincerity and harmony of intention.
The further one cultivated Reverse Life Triple, the greater the danger during breakthroughs. If the body's Qi transformation failed, or if it couldn't fully recover afterward, it would be extremely perilous. If only skin and flesh were injured, it would be tolerable, but injuries to meridians, internal organs, or bone marrow would be troublesome. Failure could lead to minor injuries or, in severe cases, completely cut off their future path. For instance, Zuo Ruotong, due to a mishap while cultivating Reverse Life Triple in his youth, had to maintain his Reverse Growth state, appearing as a handsome middle-aged man in his thirties even in old age. Therefore, the Sanyi Sect required disciples to be extremely meticulous during this process, with a mind as pure as possible, and not to rush for success or seek aggressive advancement. Only by letting nature take its course could they smoothly continue on this path; otherwise, they would only harm themselves. This was why Zuo Ruotong didn't accept Liu Deshui back then but recommended him to Yanwu Hall instead.
Under Qingshui's influence, the grand reopening ceremony of the Sanyi Sect's mountain gate became somewhat like an independent admissions process for a university. First, a test paper was given to assess comprehension, followed by a journey through the Heart-Connecting Mirror's Genjutsu, which served as a practical test and interview. Finally, scores were tallied to select the disciples Lu Jin desired. Most Anomalous Humans in the Anomalous Human World had clear lineages and origins; even those from small sects wouldn't easily switch allegiances. However, Lu Jin, as a newly appointed Peak Master of this era, possessed both Reverse Life Triple and Tongtian Lu, and Qingshui held the title of elder in the Sanyi Sect. The total number of unaffiliated individuals and those from various prominent families without clear master lineages, while not excessively large or small, amounted to over a thousand people.
Ultimately, after a series of evaluations, Lu Jin accepted twelve individuals. The youngest was a ten-year-old boy from the Gao family in the Northeast, similar to Zhang Lingyu in his pure and innocent nature. The oldest was a twenty-two-year-old university student who practiced inherited family martial arts, possessing extraordinary comprehension and a clear mind. However, he wasn't the senior disciple among the second-generation disciples after the Sanyi Sect's reconstruction. Above him were Lu Lin and Feng Xingtong, who were the senior and second senior disciples of the Sanyi Sect, respectively.
After the apprenticeship ceremony, Qingshui and Zhao Fangxu proactively invited the many renowned experts present to the back hall of the main hall for a discussion. The progression of events also aligned with Qingshui and Zhao Fangxu's prior estimations. Upon hearing that the hidden truth of the Twenty-Four Solar Terms Valley was related to immortals, and even the Eight Unique Skills originated from it, everyone was moved. Even Lu Jin wanted to try and find clues about Wugensheng within it.
The only exception was Zhang Zhiwei.
"Old Heavenly Master, what do you think? Without you, our chances of success would probably…" Zhao Fangxu looked at the silent Zhang Zhiwei, hesitating. Many of the older generation present were also watching. The middle-aged and younger generations might not know how formidable this Peak Master was, but they were well aware that Zhang Zhiwei had been unrivaled among his peers before the age of forty, and unrivaled in the world after forty. With the Heavenly Master present, they dared to follow blindly, because only then would they believe victory was certain. Even though Lu Jin was also a Peak Master now, they clearly understood there was a difference between a Peak Master who had achieved that status sixty years ago and one who had just achieved it this year.
"I can go. The Jia-Shen Incident has stretched on until now; it's time to resolve it completely this time." Zhang Zhiwei tapped the table, setting the tone.
Zhao Fangxu subtly exhaled in relief. As long as the Old Heavenly Master agreed, the conditions could be whatever he wished.
Zhang Zhiwei stroked his long beard and said, "However, what if I perish there? What about the Heavenly Master's legacy of Longhu Mountain? Even if the possibility is small, it's still possible. I need to go back and prepare. While my fellow daoists here may have personal motives for acting this time, ultimately, dealing with Qu Tong is also helping the country. This is justified, but shouldn't we arrange everything properly before taking action?"
Zhao Fangxu nodded upon hearing this. "Old Heavenly Master makes a good point. Although this endeavor holds considerable certainty, there are always dangers. Each family can go back and handle their affairs first, and then we will reassemble. During this time, if you have any requests, please tell me. I will do my best to fulfill anything within my authority. If not, Professor Zhuo is there to back us up. As long as the requests are reasonable and lawful, there will be no problem."
"Alright. Since Qu Tong and her group are trapped in the Twenty-Four Solar Terms Valley and can't escape, there's no need for us to rush. Let's take a month to handle our current affairs and celebrate the New Year. Then… hm, let this old man calculate… let's set our departure for the eighteenth day of the first lunar month, preferably during the Mao hour. This day happens to be a Heavenly Pardon day, suitable for praying for blessings, dispelling disasters, and transforming misfortune into good fortune." Zhang Zhiwei calculated with his fingers, arranging the schedule.
"Haha, a propitious day calculated by the Old Heavenly Master, it must be a good day! With the Old Heavenly Master leading the way on this journey, I'm sure we'll achieve immediate success and great rewards. This also gives me a good chance to stretch my muscles." Na Ruhuo's face lit up with joy, and he cupped his hands towards the Old Heavenly Master. The others also thanked the Old Heavenly Master.
That night, in the Sanyi Sect's guest room.
"Old Heavenly Master, you invited me here late at night. May I ask the reason?" Qingshui asked, looking at the Old Heavenly Master, who was wearing a white sleeping robe.
"There is something. To say it's important, it's not that important. To say it's not important, it still carries some weight. But this matter can only be known by you and me. In the future, there will only be one more Sixty-Sixth Heavenly Master."
"The 66th Heavenly Master... have you decided who your successor will be?"
Zhang Zhiwei is the 65th Heavenly Master, so naturally, the 66th would be his successor.
"A Heavenly Master... of course, the more excellent, the better. But there's no need to be as excessively excellent as I am; that would be a waste. Someone of Lu Jin's caliber is sufficient. If not, then even Lu Ci and Wang Ai are barely qualified."
Lu Jin is sufficient, and Lu Ci and Wang Ai are barely qualified.
Good heavens, one of them is a Peak Master, openly ranked among the top three in the country, and the other two are also top-tier experts firmly within the national top ten. Yet, to the Old Heavenly Master, they are merely "qualified."
But upon closer thought, Longhu Mountain has produced many Peak Masters throughout its history and has always been the leader of the Orthodox Dao in the world. Perhaps those relatively weaker Heavenly Masters were mostly on par with Lu Ci and Wang Ai, who are in the first tier below Peak Masters.
A Heavenly Master might not be a Peak Master in every generation, but every Heavenly Master, at the very least, has the ability to rank among the top ten in the world and uphold the sect's reputation.
Of course, in the history of Longhu Mountain, this would be considered a period of decline.
"And the biggest difference between past Heavenly Masters and other Anomalous Humans lies in the Heavenly Master's Degree. I cannot tell you the specific information contained within the Heavenly Master's Degree, but I can confirm that it does indeed have the ability to transfer power, as rumored. However, even if successive Heavenly Masters cultivate the same techniques, Qi is ultimately not the Qi of the same person. So there will be considerable loss during the transfer process, and it also depends on what level of cultivation the successor's body can withstand.
Therefore, every Heavenly Master will cultivate back this loss before passing it on to the next.
My own skill is quite good; I recovered the loss in the fifth year after becoming Heavenly Master. Now, I estimate it's grown by more than double compared to then.
If Qianhe were to inherit the Heavenly Master's Degree, I estimate that even Old Lu would need to reconstruct his three Dantians and break through to the third stage of Reverse Growth to contend with him. However, Qianhe is already quite old, and even if he became Heavenly Master, he wouldn't be able to recover this loss before he died of old age.
I inherited the nurturing and guidance of the previous Heavenly Master, and I am determined to pass on Longhu Mountain and the Heavenly Master's Degree even better. Naturally, I hope the next Heavenly Master can further strengthen this legacy.
From the current perspective, Zhang Chulan and Zhang Lingyu are the best. Among the current disciples of Longhu Mountain, only they have a chance to reach Peak Master level.
Zhang Chulan doesn't have deep roots within the sect, but he possesses an extraordinary mind and can wield this power. He can make Longhu Mountain prosper in the great changes of the future. Even if there are some troubles within the sect, I trust his ability to handle these relationships well.
Zhang Lingyu is deeply loved by his senior brothers within the sect, which can foster unity. However, he lacks vision and experience. Although he has made significant progress following Zhang Chulan over the past year, he is still lacking in some aspects and would not be a good helmsman for the vast Longhu Mountain."
"It seems the one you favor is still Zhang Chulan."
"I owe his family, and he himself is quite promising. Anyway, let's not talk about them; let's get back to the main topic."
Zhang Zhiwei sighed softly and sat down in a chair.
"Two months ago, I had Rongshan send you the second-rank Three Caves Five Thunder Lu scripture. Have you comprehended it?"
"I'm still pondering it. Currently, I've only learned the Taiyi Five Thunder Divine Talisman, which is most closely related to Lightning Technique. For the other few, I only have some initial ideas and have just begun studying them."
"So, you've learned a second-rank Talisman?"
Zhang Zhiwei looked seemingly unsurprised.
"That's right, but I've only learned one second-rank Talisman."
"That should be enough. Just your collection of Magic Tools combined with high-tech gadgets for defense, plus the Taiyi Five Thunder Divine Talisman you can casually cast with the Tongtian Lu—tsk, tsk. Aside from me and Old Lu, probably no one else could withstand such a barrage of Taiyi Divine Thunder."
"Not necessarily. I also have other means. If Elder Lu hasn't broken through to the third stage of Reverse Growth, he probably wouldn't be able to stop me."
Only then did Zhang Zhiwei show a look of surprise, scrutinizing Qingshui.
"Then you truly are even more formidable than I was back then. To reach such a level before thirty, you are indeed an unparalleled genius throughout history. You have a knack for academics and inventions, capable of strengthening the nation and enriching the people, and your cultivation talent is extraordinary. Even if Zhuge Liang were reborn, he would be three points inferior to you."
Zhuge Liang is widely regarded as the Anomalous Human closest to achieving immortality and is considered by many to be the greatest minister in history. Comparing someone to Zhuge Liang is undoubtedly high praise, let alone saying Zhuge Liang is three points inferior.
"Old Heavenly Master, you flatter me. Throughout history, how many people's achievements and virtues can surpass those of Zhuge Liang? He is already a cultural symbol representing wisdom and loyalty in the hearts of us Yanhuang descendants. I'm still far from that."
Qingshui shook his head and said.
"It's only a matter of time. Anyway, let's not stray further. There's something I wish to ask of you."
"Please speak, Old Heavenly Master."
"Then I shall. I have lived for so many years and haven't met a worthy opponent for over sixty years, but this journey will undoubtedly be somewhat perilous. So, I must prepare a contingency. The contingency for the Celestial Master's Mansion is a first-rank secret Talisman, which is what the outside world calls the Zhengyi Alliance Talisman, one of the three treasures of the Celestial Master's Mansion."
The three treasures of the Celestial Master's Mansion, besides the Zhengyi Alliance Talisman, are the Yangping Seal of Governing All Merits and the Three-Five Demon-Slaying Male and Female Swords.
These two Magic Tools have saved the lineage of the Celestial Master's Mansion several times during historical crises in the Anomalous Human World.
Their power is terrifying, but they also require an enormous amount of Qi. Generally, only a Heavenly Master who has inherited the Heavenly Master's Degree can use them. They are important trump cards of the Longhu Mountain Celestial Master's Mansion, to be used only for defending the mountain gate and not to be taken out to prevent loss.
However, despite being one of the Celestial Master's Mansion's three treasures, the Zhengyi Alliance Talisman has never been rumored to have any specific abilities.
But tonight, the Old Heavenly Master would personally reveal its secrets to him.
"The position of Heavenly Master is primarily about the Heavenly Master's Degree. The Patriarch created this Zhengyi Alliance Talisman—which is both a Magic Tool and a first-rank Talisman—to prevent a Heavenly Master from dying outside. If a Heavenly Master dies before passing on the Heavenly Master's Degree, a large amount of energy within the Heavenly Master's Degree will be consumed to transfer the Heavenly Master's Degree back to the Zhengyi Alliance Talisman.
Don't think this is simple. I cannot tell you what the Heavenly Master's Degree truly is, but the Zhengyi Alliance Talisman, which can disregard life and death to directly transfer the Heavenly Master's Degree, absolutely deserves its status as a first-rank Talisman.
If one can master it—no, even just learn to repair this first-rank Talisman—one can extend their lifespan and greatly increase their power. If one can fully master it, reversing life and death might not be impossible."
"Repair? Old Heavenly Master, do you mean that the Zhengyi Alliance Talisman incurs damage every time it's used?"
Zhang Zhiwei closed his eyes and nodded, continuing:
"Precisely. As you thought, that is why I asked you tonight whether you have mastered second-rank Talismans."
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