Chapter 57: Yuanhe Immortal Prefecture, Choosing the Dao Scripture (Part One)

Upon the Lingjiang River, Yuyong City was roughly the final city bordering the Lingjiang River along its water vein’s path.

They had already left the Jiangnan Circuit. Ahead lay an even more massive water vein—the Yong River water vein. The immense Yong River water vein surged mightily; it was one of the large water veins branching off from the main water vein of Dongyue Province.

It more resembled a boundless, vast marsh.

Turbid and vast like the Northern Dark Sea!

On the large ship, numerous young boys and girls from various regions of the Great Zhou Imperial Court could see enormous, strange creatures frolicking within the endless expanse of the great marsh, even colossal beasts like Kun fish.

Many youths’ expressions changed slightly. The aura emanating from those giant Kun far surpassed that of some great demons. Had it not been for the reassurance from some elders of the Chengyuan Immortal Sect aboard the massive ship, who claimed they were exotic beasts raised loosely by the sect, many youths would have already lost their composure.

This was a series of marsh blessed lands and grotto-heavens where several gigantic water veins converged. Rumor had it that within this inland great marsh, settled sects and schools were as numerous as fish crossing a river.

But the Chengyuan Immortal Sect held the majority share.

In general, Dongyue Province had countless sects, large and small, with the Twelve Orthodox Mystic Gates being the main ones.

However, the Twelve Orthodox Mystic Gates were not fixed and unchanging. Beneath the Twelve Orthodox Mystic Gates of the Dharma Lineages, there were many great immortal sects possessing the strength to contend for the orthodox status of the Dharma Lineage Mystic Gates.

Under the direction of the Upper Three Palaces, every century, many great immortal sects participated in a Heavenly Gate competition. The Twelve Dharma Lineages would send young disciples to determine the victors, establishing the sect rankings for each Dharma Lineage. The sect that ranked first would shift its position, guarding the Central Palace, replacing the previous generation’s orthodox Mystic Gate sect, and possessing various privileges and honors.

Therefore, each Dharma Lineage sect spared no effort in cultivating the young generation of disciples. This was not only to foster rising talents and pass on the legacy but also to fight for the greatest benefits for their sect and redistribute resources.

The Chengyuan Immortal Sect was one of the great immortal sects in this generation with high hopes of contending for the orthodox qualification of the Primal Yang Dharma Lineage Mystic Gate.

Many disciples clearly understood that the competition among disciples began the moment they entered the sect!

On the ship at that time, dozens of Chengyuan Immortal Sect disciples gathered in small groups. Their gazes occasionally swept over several figures on the deck, and many also fell upon the cabins, their eyes carrying scrutiny and assessment as they whispered and exchanged words.

Many glances landed on a purple-robed youth on the deck, surrounded by numerous boys and girls of noble bearing.

“That one should be Li Rui, son of the Prince of Jin from Dingzhou, a true imperial noble. I heard he possesses two Immortal Roots—quite rare. His aptitude surpasses even those disciples with exceptional bone structure. He has great hope of becoming a True Inheritor in the future!”

“Indeed. And there’s Princess Ao Yi from the Jinhu Dragon Palace, Dragon Scion Ao Tai from the Yong River Dragon Palace—all from prestigious backgrounds. Have you decided whom to pledge allegiance to?”

Many disciples’ eyes lingered on two other Inner Sect disciples who clearly had a different, imposing, and authoritative aura.

“Having an Inner Sect disciple looking out for us within the sect will make our days in the Outer Sect much easier!”

“Brother Jin has keen insight; it seems you’ve already made up your mind!”

“Likewise, likewise!”

Amidst the lively conversations, many boys and girls had already secretly made their decisions in their hearts.

Outer Sect Disciples still had to enter and cultivate in the Dao academies established by the Chengyuan Immortal Sect in various immortal prefectures. But Inner Sect Disciples had already stepped into the sect in one stride and could directly enter the sect’s blessed lands and grotto-heavens.

They even had the chance to obtain their own residence cave dwelling within a blessed land or grotto-heaven.

Having a residence cave dwelling meant one could openly assist some Outer Sect Disciples, allowing Outer Sect Disciples and miscellaneous-duty disciples to attach themselves to them. How could that not be enviable?

“And there’s Zhongli Hao, son of the current sect master of the Chongming Sword Sect—also of extraordinary origin. Although he only has five Dao Bones, once he enters the sect, he will certainly become an Inner Sect Disciple!”

“Chongming Sword Sect? I heard that’s also a Dharma Lineage sect. Why isn’t he cultivating within the Chongming Sword Sect and instead wants to join our Chengyuan Immortal Sect?”

Many boys and girls looked towards a youth dressed in splendid robes, chatting and laughing with several other disciples, their gazes carrying a peculiar respect.

A young disciple dressed like a scholar gently waved his folding fan, shaking his head and saying quietly.

“That’s obvious. The Chongming Sword Sect is, after all, merely a second-rate sect. How can it compare to our Chengyuan Immortal Sect with its thousands of years of heritage? Our sect’s Four Methods and Four Formulas, thirteen orthodox Earth Immortal methods—even in Dongyue Province, their fame is like thunder to the ears!”

After saying this, he added, “I have also heard of another who possesses an Innate Dao Body. He was also directly promoted to Inner Sect Disciple!”

Hearing this, the disciple who spoke earlier couldn’t help but laugh.

“We needn’t waste effort on that one!”

“Although he has exceptional bone structure, his background is simply too shallow. Even if we pledged allegiance to him, he couldn’t become influential or gain support in a short time. It’s far less effective than pledging to those other disciples from prestigious families. We could seek guidance anytime, receive abundant resources, and have senior support within the sect—deeply rooted and formidable.”

On the ship, many young boys and girls, already worldly and of noble birth, were more adept at maneuvering, observing words and expressions compared to some disciples from farming families.

Before long, clearly distinct factions began to appear. Many took this opportunity to step forward, and amidst conversation and laughter, they had already drawn closer relationships.

Returning from the Primordial World, Lin Yuan had noticed the commotion on the Dharma ship early on, but he didn’t pay it much mind. He had been in his cabin, contemplating the changes brought by the Dao Fruit.

This Dao Fruit was born in response to the four Ancient Gods of the Witch Clan, containing the transformations of the four seasons and the cycles of Yin and Yang, life and death. After merging with the Innate Twenty-Four Dao Diagrams, the Twenty-Four Dao Charts were directly perfected.

If nothing unexpected happened, Lin Yuan only needed to sleep for about ten thousand years in the Primordial World to achieve the status of an Innate Divine Demon in one go.

In the Primordial World, since the Dragon Han Calamity, all Innate Divine Demons that were meant to emerge had already emerged. For the remaining ones who could reverse their bodies into Innate Divine Demons, even in the vast Primordial World, only those under the tutelage of Innate Dao Lords, aided by the Dao Lords, or through serendipitous chances, could achieve Innate Divine Demon status from an Innate Being body.

What a tremendous opportunity achieving Innate Divine Demon status was!

A flicker of helplessness passed through Lin Yuan’s eyes.

Returning to the Main World did not interrupt this process; it merely slowed it down.

It seemed that upon returning to the Main World, the strands of Fortune/Luck from the four seasons and several Innate Dao Lords obtained in the Primordial World were blocked in the Primordial World. Consequently, the Innate Divine Demon transformation slowed.

Over the past few days, having roughly understood this reason, Lin Yuan slowly let out a sigh of relief in his heart.

If the Innate Divine Demon transformation had stopped completely, that would have been a huge loss.

Now, it was fine.

About half a day later, the disciples on numerous Dharma ships saw a colossal immortal prefecture standing amidst the vast expanse of water and sky. Around it, countless white clouds were faintly visible, and numerous immortal prefectures stood within the marsh’s mist and clouds.

The Dharma ship sailed forward, passing through the water veins of many immortal prefectures. Along the way, splendid scenery stretched continuously: flying waterfalls, immortal mountains with deer calls, countless spirit beasts running about, golden bridges spanning the sea, and countless powerful immortal lights shimmering… Even many boys and girls from large cultivation families stared dumbfounded, their hearts swaying with excitement.

After an unknown length of time, a huge water-route immortal prefecture faintly appeared within the sea of clouds. Enveloped in mist and clouds, the prefecture was immense beyond compare, with countless spiritual mountains. Rows upon rows of palaces, towers, and pavilions were faintly discernible among the spiritual mountain blessed lands.

“Alright, we’ve reached Yuanhe Immortal Prefecture. Outer Sect Disciples may disembark here. Inner Sect Disciples also need to go ashore here. Take your identity jade tokens and proceed to collect your Dao Scriptures and benefits first!”

At that moment, three Daoists appeared from the second-floor cabin of the Dharma ship, looking down at the many disciples. The leading Outer Sect Elder swept his gaze over the several Inner Sect Disciples, especially lingering on a few boys and girls with relatively shallow foundations who had been admitted as Inner Sect Disciples, his expression indifferent.

“Although you are Inner Sect Disciples, according to the regulations, you still need to complete the coursework for Outer Sect Disciples and choose a Dao Scripture as your foundation. Only when you have cultivated it successfully can you leave Yuanhe Immortal Prefecture and enter the superior grotto-heavens of the sect!”

After a slight pause, this Outer Sect Elder raised his gaze and slowly said.

“You are all disciples personally sent to the sect by this elder, so you can be considered half registered disciples under me. Before parting, this elder gives you a piece of advice!”

“Please bestow your guidance, Elder!” Upon hearing this, the many boys and girls hurriedly stood up. Even the dozen or so Inner Sect Disciples looked on with respect.

According to the customary rules of many immortal sects, this elder could be considered their mentor.

Seeing this, the Outer Sect Elder paid it no mind and spoke on. “Let me state the unpleasant truth upfront. Prepared Inner Sect Disciples entering the sect indeed receive many more preferential treatments and generous gifts compared to Outer Sect Disciples. Without unexpected circumstances, you will soon stand out from the crowd!”

“But if, despite possessing so many preferential treatments and privileges, you still fail to compete with other Outer Sect Disciples, it means you are all worthless, beyond teaching, like mud that can’t be propped up, not worth the sect expending great effort on you. Your status as Inner Sect Disciples can likewise be taken over by Outer Sect Disciples!”

The phrase “taken over” struck like a thunderclap. The many Outer Sect Disciples on the Dharma ship were jolted, and each Inner Sect Disciple’s expression also changed slightly.

Among the crowd, Lin Yuan’s expression remained unchanged. He glanced at the more than ten prepared Inner Sect Disciples. Some wore peculiar expressions—arrogant, aloof, self-assured, indifferent… Most of the prepared Inner Sect Disciples came from prestigious families with incredibly solid foundations. Probably within a few days, some would effortlessly complete the refinement of their foundations and enter the Inner Sect.