Chapter Twenty: Generations
At the foot of Treasure Divide Cliff.
Many elders from the Four Halls and Seven Peaks, who normally secluded themselves in cultivation or wandered through the world, gathered in small groups.
With the opening of Treasure Divide Cliff, newly admitted disciples who completed the inheritance of spiritual treasures might catch the attention of these elders, earning a chance to become their personal disciples.
Those fortunate enough to receive a spiritual treasure’s inheritance were destined to reach the Divine Wandering Realm within decades; some exceptionally gifted disciples might even ascend to the ranks of the top three realms.
Naturally, the elders of the Four Halls and Seven Peaks were unwilling to let pass any opportunity to enhance their own legacies.
Yan Qingshu stood beneath a towering Celestial Qilian Tree, her expression calm. Beside her was Chen Jianzhi from the Clear Law Hall, equally silent.
Time passed swiftly. By now, many novice disciples had descended the mountain, heads lowered and hands empty, their embarrassment deepening in the presence of so many elders.
The great cultivators of the Four Halls and Seven Peaks remained silent, their gazes serene. Obtaining a spiritual treasure’s inheritance within Treasure Divide Cliff was exceedingly difficult; failure was the norm.
In hundreds of years of Daoist history, the names of those who received an inheritance on their first visit to Treasure Divide Cliff could scarcely fill a single Dao register.
Suddenly, a young disciple hurried down the mountain, carrying a rusty lantern fish. He was promptly called over by one of the Seven Peaks elders.
The elder, white-haired and bearded, beamed with joy, grabbing the youth and vanishing into the sky.
Afterwards, the disciples participating in the event descended one after another—some holding various spiritual treasures, most empty-handed.
Certain blue-robed stewards from the Seven Peaks began selecting on behalf of their respective immortal peaks.
Yet the Four Hall elders remained aloof, gazing quietly toward the mountain summit.
The Four Hall elders had always been extremely cautious in choosing disciples, considering not only talent but many other qualities.
...
Jiang Shaoqiu gripped a green ruler tightly, his face radiant with excitement as he walked down the mountain.
Elder Xu Qingmei of the True Passage Hall spotted the three-foot-long ruler, shimmering with a pale light, and exclaimed in astonishment, “This is... the Cosmos Ruler. I never expected this spiritual treasure to emerge.”
Elder Daochen of the Clear Law Hall nodded slightly, saying, “It was by this treasure that Ancestor Pure Yang once dominated the Spirit Wild. I’m surprised this boy, whose talent is merely above average, managed to gain its recognition.”
The lean Daoist from the Abyssal Saint Hall sat quietly in meditation, indifferent.
Meanwhile, Zhou Yi from the Derivation Hall rose to his feet, intent on accepting the disciple into his hall.
The other three elders smiled, making no effort to compete.
They all knew Pure Yang Ancestor hailed from the Derivation Hall; thus, the boy inheriting his treasure naturally belonged there as well.
Jiang Shaoqiu respectfully bowed to Zhou Yi and, under the envious gazes of the crowd, took his place behind the elder.
Thus, the Four Halls finally welcomed their first new personal disciple.
...
A peal of thunder echoed from the forest.
Clouds billowed, lightning flashed, and suddenly a silver streak shot forth from the cloudbank.
Trailing the silver light was a handsome youth—Ye Zhiqiu.
Ye Zhiqiu gripped a pair of five-foot-long twin maces in his right hand; their bodies flowed like water, faintly emitting the sounds of wind and thunder.
“Innate spiritual treasure.”
“One of the few innate treasures within Treasure Divide Cliff—the Thunder Maces.”
“Such extraordinary talent and profound fortune—truly a child of destiny.”
The elders of the Four Halls and Seven Peaks all turned their admiring gaze upon the handsome youth.
---
Daochen Master was the first to speak: “Excellent. Would you be willing to join my Clear Law Hall?”
Ye Zhiqiu, his mind unsettled, made no attempt to consider deeply; he simply bowed to the elders and quietly took his place behind Daochen Master.
The other three elders sighed softly.
What a pity.
This was a prodigy with hopes of ascending to the top three realms, perhaps even reaching that elusive transcendence.
Yet none of them contested for him; Clear Law Hall had favored Ye Zhiqiu early, guiding his cultivation even before his initiation.
Now was not the time to challenge them, nor to create unnecessary enmity.
Xu Qingmei smiled softly, withdrawing her gaze from the youth and instead looking toward the meditative, slender Daoist. She asked, “Elder Daofan, have you also found a disciple to your liking today?”
Her words brought a sudden hush upon the gathering.
Elder Daofan was the Abyssal Saint Hall elder, second only to the sect master in authority.
Abyssal Saint Hall had not accepted new disciples for decades, save for one rebellious senior disciple.
It was said the sect master had secluded himself for decades, never appearing; rumors even whispered he had transcended his mortal shell.
In previous visits to Treasure Divide Cliff, Elder Daofan had not appeared. Why did he come this time?
Was he seeking a disciple for himself, or... had the reclusive sect master decided to accept a disciple?
If it were the latter, it would shock the entire Daoist sect—even the other sects across the Spirit Wild and Mountains and Seas would be astonished.
Daofan Master remained expressionless, calmly saying, “I am here at the sect master’s behest.”
“At the sect master’s behest.”
Such direct words caused Xu Qingmei, who had intended only casual conversation, to change expression.
Daochen Master instinctively stroked his beard, pondering. Could it be that a disciple of this generation possessed a talent so extraordinary as to alarm the sect master? If true, it was astounding.
Zhou Yi gazed toward the distant sea of clouds, as if remembering something.
Had the sect master, secluded for decades, finally crossed the legendary barrier between heaven and earth?
...
A clear, joyful laugh broke the silence.
A little girl with twin braided pigtails skipped cheerfully toward the crowd.
She carried no spiritual treasure, but at her slim waist hung an ancient jade pendant emitting a gentle yellow glow.
The light seeped continuously into her body, enveloping her completely.
Everyone’s attention was drawn to this sight.
Spiritual treasures capable of cleansing one’s constitution existed, but those able to perpetually manifest the true meaning of the Dao and purify the mind were exceedingly rare.
Some recognized the pendant’s origin, while others looked on in confusion.
Xu Qingmei and Yan Qingshu from the True Passage Hall were visibly shocked, rushing forward.
...
The little girl had barely descended the mountain when two slender figures surrounded her, startling her. She glanced nervously at them. “You... what do you want?”
Yan Qingshu smiled gently.
Xu Qingmei gazed at the ancient jade pendant, her eyes full of memories. She pointed to it, speaking softly, “Don’t be afraid. I just wish to ask you something.”
“How did you acquire this pendant?”
---
Shang Yingluo blinked, replying, “I was just walking on the mountain, and then a light shot toward me. After that, it was in my hand.”
“So you are the chosen one,” Xu Qingmei murmured.
Yan Qingshu stepped forward. “Would you be willing to join my True Passage Hall?”
Unexpectedly, the little girl remained silent.
Shang Yingluo’s talent was the most outstanding among this generation of disciples, even surpassing those of the past several decades.
Not only the True Passage Hall, but all Four Halls wished to claim her.
She pondered, somewhat conflicted, then turned and asked, “Shen Yu, what do you think? Should I go?”
...
The light radiating from the girl was so dazzling that the crowd almost overlooked the delicate youth behind her.
Shen Yu, his face pale, had noticed the green ruler, the thunderous maces, and finally the jade pendant emitting mysterious yellow energy as he descended.
He had seen the pendant atop the mountain, but had not expected its miraculous powers.
Yan Qingshu’s gaze was complex. “This Clear Heart Jade Pendant is from my True Passage Hall. It was my master’s relic, dormant for over a century.”
Gasps erupted all around; none had expected this treasure to be the possession of the previous True Passage Hall master.
Shen Yu asked, “So you and the current True Passage Hall master are fellow disciples?”
Yan Qingshu nodded, “Yes.”
Shen Yu rubbed the little girl’s head, saying seriously, “Then what’s there to hesitate about? If you go, your seniority will be higher than the others.”
...
Yan Qingshu and Xu Qingmei were puzzled, glancing at the young man in confusion. Shang Yingluo blinked repeatedly, even more bewildered.
Shen Yu said, “Since you’ve inherited the Clear Heart Jade Pendant, doesn’t that mean you’ve received your master’s legacy? By rights, you should be their junior disciple.”
He then looked around at the new disciples, stating, “And your seniority would make you their uncle.”
By Shen Yu’s logic, this seemed to follow, but a little girl suddenly outranking everyone was absurd.
Would the True Passage Hall master—a female true immortal whose cultivation nearly reached the world’s pinnacle—agree?
Yan Qingshu was silent for a moment, then said seriously, “I must consult the hall master about this.”
“Agreed.”
The clouds shifted, and a voice echoed from their depths.
Another wave of commotion swept the gathering; everyone exchanged looks, astonished that even the great cultivator had been stirred.
More incredible was her assent.
Shen Yu remained composed. When the jade pendant appeared, he had sensed the immortal woman’s presence.
Shang Yingluo’s background was unusual; becoming the master’s junior disciple would save her much trouble.
The little girl tugged Shen Yu’s sleeve, asking, “What about you? Will you come too?”
Just as Shen Yu was about to reply, someone interrupted.
“Does he have the qualification?”