A Mortal’s Journey to Immortality: Wang Yu’s Rebirth as the Reincarnation Dao Ancestor - Chapter 123

Chapter 121 Two Conflicts, Things Don’t Go as Planned

“Indeed, this time there are not only fewer people, but their cultivation levels are also noticeably weaker. Even minor cultivators who have only cultivated basic techniques to the sixth or seventh level are coming to our sect to try their luck. This is not a good sign. Could it be because of the Qingyu Sect thousands of miles away?”

Senior Brother Liu transmitted his voice with a solemn expression.

He needed to inform the sect leader and the four elders about the situation here as soon as possible.

However,

the progress of the five-year recruitment could not be delayed.

“Junior Brother Zhang, you stay here and keep an eye on things. The recruitment will proceed as normal. I will return to the sect and report everything to our elders.”

“Alright, Senior Brother, go and return quickly.”

The pale-faced youth nodded.

With his Foundation Establishment cultivation, he could easily keep the situation under control.

Among the crowd participating in this recruitment, Han Li, with his powerful divine sense, seemed thoughtful after hearing and seeing all of this.

When the White Water Sword Sect started out, it had the secret support of the Star Palace, making it a smooth and successful period.

Intelligence records indicate that at its peak, the White Water Sword Sect boasted over ten Core Formation cultivators who controlled a vast area spanning two to three thousand miles, occupying over a hundred islands, and commanding more than three thousand disciples.

However, in the last few centuries, with the two Heavenly Saints absent, the Star Palace has become increasingly low-key.

A seclusion lasting several centuries is extremely rare.

The major powers of the Inner Star Sea, like cats smelling blood, have begun investigating. Although they don’t know what went wrong with the Heavenly Star’s two Saints’ seclusion, they are growing increasingly restless and impatient.

Various probing attacks are emerging, all watching to see how the Star Palace will respond.

The Inner Star Sea is seething with undercurrents.

In recent years, the Star Palace’s leadership has become increasingly preoccupied with its own problems, and branch sects like the White Water Sword Sect have naturally declined as a result.

The number of Core Formation cultivators within the sect has shrunk to only five.

The number of disciples has also decreased significantly, now only a little over a thousand.

With diminished influence and shrinking territory, the supply of cultivation resources to the sect is becoming increasingly strained.

“I’ve only just dispelled my cultivation and am preparing to enter the sect…”

“I hope I don’t get into any big trouble.”

Han Li thought to himself, a little annoyed.

He was currently just a minor cultivator at the twelfth level of Qi Refining.

This dispelling of his cultivation had greatly reduced his strength, and he didn’t want to get involved in a major clash between sects.

Even if the White Water Sword Sect ultimately won, he might not fare well.

“Maybe…”

“I shouldn’t join the sect for now?”

It wouldn’t be too late to come back in a few years when everything had settled down.

Deep down, he still valued stability.

Just then, as it was getting late, the White Water Sword Sect’s grand opening ceremony for its recruitment began. A

Foundation Establishment stage youth surnamed Zhang came to the front of the crowd and said loudly:

“Welcome, fellow Daoists, to my Changli Island to become disciples. I, Zhang, will now be in charge of the selection of disciples. Please be quiet and listen carefully to what I say, so as not to miss anything…”

The pale-faced youth’s expression was calm.

The cultivators who had been sitting cross-legged and whispering on the platform below all stood up without the slightest negligence and pricked up their ears to listen.

Whether they could join a mid-tier sect with several Core Formation cultivators depended entirely on the person on the high platform.

Naturally, they couldn’t leave a bad impression.

Only Han Li, having changed his plans and not wanting to get involved with the White Water Sword Sect at this time, remained seated with his eyes closed.

With his displayed Qi Refining 12th level cultivation, theoretically he could easily enter a sect like the White Water Sword Sect. But he couldn’t very well come here and then openly declare he didn’t want to join, could he?

That would be tantamount to toying with the entire White Water Sword Sect.

Provoking a Core Formation cultivator was no good.

Helpless, he had no choice but to offend the lesser one—the Foundation Establishment cultivator in charge of recruiting disciples. As long as he offended this guy and he was prevented from entering, it

wouldn’t be seen as him deliberately refusing to join. In this way, when he came again, or even the time after that, no one would criticize him.

Around him…

Seeing Han Li’s unmoved demeanor, some rogue cultivators were initially taken aback, then filled with schadenfreude:

“What’s wrong with this guy? Such arrogance. He doesn’t even stand up to show respect to a Foundation Establishment senior?”

“His cultivation is not low; his basic cultivation technique has already reached the twelfth level. It’s a pity, a pity, a pity he doesn’t know how to behave. He might not be able to enter the sect this time.” “It’s

good that he can’t enter the sect. After all, the number of spots for the minor recruitment is always limited, at least ten, at most twenty. And this guy was definitely a strong competitor for us. Now that he has offended a Foundation Establishment senior from the White Water Sword Sect, perhaps he won’t be able to enter the sect? The vacant spot is equivalent to giving it to us…”

“Exactly, exactly. We’ll definitely have an easier time.”

Han Li heard every word of the whispered exchanges between Qi Refining eleventh and twelfth level cultivators, finding it all too noisy.

These people really are a bunch of clueless little cuties.

Immediately, he opened his eyes and looked at the Foundation Establishment stage manager in charge of recruiting disciples, noticing a fleeting displeasure in the man’s eyes. Clearly, this young man had also heard the deliberate whispers among the crowd.

Seeing this, he thought to himself, “It’s done.”

Five or ten years is nothing.

It’s better to join the sect at a different time.

On the high platform, the pale-faced youth from the White Water Sword Sect spoke solemnly at the opportune moment:

“I presume you all understand the standards for accepting disciples in our sect beforehand?”

The crowd nodded in agreement.

“Then I won’t say more here. Next, those with dual spiritual roots, special physiques, who have cultivated their basic cultivation techniques to the sixth level, and are under twenty years old, may stand on the right.”

Spiritual root aptitude, basic cultivation technique level, and age—these are the three major elements for a sect to recruit disciples.

Upon hearing this, only two people stepped forward.

A man and a woman.

Both were young.

Upon seeing that the two individuals not only possessed exceptional spiritual roots and physiques but also had cultivation levels exceeding the tenth level of Qi Refining, and appeared to be only in their early twenties, the pale-faced youth on the high platform softened his expression, his smile broadening.

“Very well, both of you, please take your seats to the side and await the subsequent tests,”

the youth said, gesturing to fifteen futons on the side.

These were prepared by the White Water Sword Sect for cultivators about to enter the sect.

As for why there were only fifteen?

It was because cultivation resources were scarce, and they couldn’t recruit too many from outside. They could only select the best.

After the two were seated, the pale-faced youth spoke again:

“Now, fellow cultivators who have cultivated the basic techniques to the eleventh level or above, regardless of age or spiritual root aptitude, please step forward.”

This time, thirteen people stepped forward,

including Han Li.

“Well, as long as your backgrounds are not problematic, you can join our sect.”

“As for the remaining fellow cultivators?”

“According to the rules, recruiting fifteen people every five years is enough. The other fellow cultivators who have come from afar must undergo a test if they wish to join our sect. Only those who pass the test will be accepted into our White Water Sword Sect. Otherwise, please cultivate diligently for a few more years.”

The pale-faced youth said calmly.

Upon hearing this, the once quiet square erupted in commotion.

Apart from a few individual cultivators, most of the independent cultivators showed expressions of disappointment.

Everyone had thought that since the White Water Sword Sect had declined in recent years, the threshold for recruiting disciples should have been lowered accordingly.

Unexpectedly, the rules were still as strict as ever.

Those who failed to be selected were immediately disheartened.

Just then, a middle-aged man stepped forward from the crowd, bowing respectfully to the young man on the platform, saying,

“Senior, although I am thirty-eight years old and my cultivation is only at the sixth level of Qi Refining, far below the entry standards of the White Water Sword Sect, I only learned a few years ago, for certain reasons, that I possess a spiritual root—a dual spiritual root of metal and water. I humbly request that you grant me entry.”

Hearing this, the crowd looked on with envy.

“What’s your name?”

“This junior is Zeng Xingcui.”

“Are you sure you are a cultivator with dual spiritual roots?”

“Yes, senior, I guarantee it with my life.”

“Alright, let me check.”

The young man leaped down from the platform, approached the middle-aged man, and placed his hand on the man’s wrist.

Before long, his eyes lit up:

“Not bad, not bad, indeed a dual spiritual root of metal and water. Although you’re a bit old and your cultivation is a bit low, your spiritual root aptitude is excellent enough, and you still have a great chance to reach Foundation Establishment or even Core Formation in the future…”

The young man then looked at the futon where Han Li was seated.

He then asked:

“How should I address you, fellow Daoist?”

“This junior is Han Li.”

“I’m afraid Fellow Daoist Han’s spiritual root aptitude isn’t very good, is it?”

Han Li had thought he couldn’t escape the sect entry test and planned to run away as soon as possible after entering the sect, trying to avoid the petty squabbles of the two major sects. Unexpectedly, things took a turn for the better, and it seemed he was going to be made difficult?

Good, good.

Being made difficult is good.

“Senior, this junior has a four-element pseudo-spiritual root.”

Han Li readily admitted this.

“Pseudo-spiritual root?”

The surrounding crowd was full of surprise.

“A pseudo-spiritual root?”

The pale-faced Foundation Establishment youth was also quite surprised.

He then spoke meaningfully:

“To cultivate to the twelfth level of Qi Refining with merely a pseudo-spiritual root, fellow Daoist, you truly possess great ambition, perseverance, opportunity, and magnanimity. I’m sure you’ll be able to pass the three trials set by our sect…”

What did this mean?

Why wasn’t he being made more difficult, but instead being praised for not rising to show respect earlier?

The crowd was puzzled.

However, the clever ones quickly understood.

The pale-faced youth continued:

“Fellow Daoist Han, this Fellow Daoist Zeng possesses dual spiritual roots, with excellent aptitude. His future achievements are undoubtedly limitless. However, our sect’s rule for accepting disciples in recent years is that after fifteen people are accepted, subsequent applicants must undergo layers of trials. Currently, we certainly cannot add a sixteenth person. However, Fellow Daoist Zeng’s cultivation is ultimately too low, only at the sixth level of Qi Refining. He most likely won’t be able to pass the three trials smoothly in one go…”

Without passing the trials, one naturally cannot enter the sect.

“Such talent, it would be a real waste to leave him languishing outside the gate for several years.”

“I think

it would be better if Fellow Daoist Han went to take the three trials in place of Fellow Daoist Zeng, and Fellow Daoist Zeng could temporarily take this seat, how about that?” “In that case, the two of you would be mutually beneficial! Once Fellow Daoist Zeng’s cultivation has improved, he might even be able to help Fellow Daoist Han! At that time, another good story will be told…”

The young man surnamed Zhang analyzed logically.

Even Han Li couldn’t help but look at him with admiration.

To be able to explain the deliberate obstruction of someone’s path so reasonably, making it so appealing, this person was definitely a talent.

After all, most four-element pseudo-spiritual root cultivators struggling to establish their foundation would be willing to befriend a dual-spiritual root cultivator with a much brighter future.

Han Li was immediately prepared to accept this offer.

However…

before he could even nod…

Laughter echoed from afar:

“So this is the White Water Sword Sect, bullying newcomers like this?”

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound, and five or six miles away, three streaks of light were rapidly approaching.

“They’re cultivators from the Clear Rain Sect,”

someone exclaimed in surprise.

This person had sharp eyes and recognized the clothing of the approaching figures from a distance.

They recognized it as the standard robes of the Clear Rain Sect, thousands of miles away from Changli Island.

“This aura… they’re all Foundation Establishment cultivators.”

“And there are even seniors in the late Foundation Establishment stage!”

The rogue cultivators exclaimed in surprise.

Han Li, however, remained silent, trying to minimize his presence.

The pale-faced youth from the White Water Sword Sect, facing the three Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Clear Rain Sect, remained unfazed and fearless:

“Fellow Daoist Ku, and the other two, this is my sect’s Changli Island. What is the purpose of your uninvited arrival, Clear Rain Sect?”

This composure caused the cultivators present to exchange bewildered glances, while the newly joined White Water Sword Sect cultivators felt a surge of energy and a sense of security.

Only Han Li noticed that the young man surnamed Zhang clenched his fists tightly for a moment, appearing extremely nervous.

“Fellow Daoist Zhang, rest assured, we are not here uninvited, but to deliver a challenge,”

the middle-aged man leading the Qingyu Sect said with a smile.

He then took out a letter from his robes, the so-called sect challenge:

“White Smoke Island, ten thousand miles north of Changli Island, is now within ten thousand miles of Feixia Island, where my Qingyu Sect’s mountain gate is located. According to the rules of the Star Sea, we are qualified to challenge the original island’s occupant and vie for ownership.”

“You want to take White Smoke Island?”

The pale-faced young man was shocked, unable to maintain his composure.

Although White Smoke Island was small, only about twenty miles long, and not particularly rich in spiritual herbs

, it possessed a small spiritual vein and a rich mine that regularly produced mid-grade spirit stones.

It was no exaggeration to say that this mining island was one of the sect’s main resource points.

If White Smoke Island were lost and seized by the Qingyu Sect, the sect’s situation would undoubtedly deteriorate significantly.

“How could this be? Ever since the sect’s prospecting team discovered the existence of a spirit vein beneath White Smoke Island a hundred years ago, the area has been closed to the public. Only the Foundation Establishment stage managers of the sect know anything about the vein. Why is the Clear Rain Sect eyeing that island?”

Something’s not right.

Could it be that news of the underground vein has leaked out?

Fine beads of sweat appeared on the young man’s forehead.

If this were the White Water Sword Sect at its peak, let alone the Clear Rain Sect, even if another sect of similar strength dared to challenge them, they would crush them.

Unfortunately, times have changed.

The Clear Rain Sect possesses a late-stage Core Formation expert! They also have three high-level cultivators in the early to mid-stages of Core Formation! In contrast, the White Water Sword Sect’s five Core Formation experts only have one in the mid-stage; the other four are all only in the early stage.

Decades ago, two late-stage Core Formation senior masters—one passed away peacefully, and the other perished in a battle.

Therefore,

despite having more Core Formation stage cultivators than the Clear Rain Sect…

However, the overall strength gap between high-level cultivators was far too large for their White Water Sword Sect. Even

if their sect leader and four elders joined forces, they might not be a match for that late-stage Core Formation senior from the Clear Rain Sect.

“Alright, the challenge has been delivered. One month from now, please arrange for your sect to send disciples to White Smoke Island to participate in the duel. If my Clear Rain Sect cultivators lose the duel, we will not mention White Smoke Island again for fifty years and will offer some spiritual items as compensation. But if your White Water Sword Sect loses, you must cede White Smoke Island according to the rules…”

The middle-aged man grinned.

The two beside him also had ambiguous smiles.

“So it’s a struggle for interests between two major sects…”

“This kind of open and covert struggle between major sects shouldn’t affect us Qi Refining cultivators, right?”

Everyone lowered their heads and thought to themselves.

They thought it was over.

Han Li also thought so.

Unexpectedly, the leader of the three, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, looked at him with an expression of appreciation and kindness:

“Young friend, the people of the White Water Sword Sect have humiliated you so much. They made you give up the sect’s entry spot that was clearly in your hands. They are completely disregarding the rules. Why would you join such a decadent sect that has no fairness whatsoever? Why not join my Clear Rain Sect? You will surely receive fair treatment there.”

The olive branch extended by the middle-aged man was so sudden and so unexpected.

Even the pale-faced youth from the White Water Sword Sect was stunned.

A terrible premonition suddenly arose within him.

What if… what

if this rogue cultivator at the twelfth level of Qi Refining, who could easily be guaranteed entry into the sect, was snatched away by the Clear Rain Sect in front of so many cultivators? The key point is, the problem wasn’t with the rogue cultivator, nor with the Clear Rain Sect, but with him, the Foundation Establishment manager of the White Water Sword Sect, with his deliberate obstruction! Then… the problem could be big or small.

If word got out, the sect’s reputation would definitely suffer because of his actions.

He wouldn’t get away unscathed.

“This, this…”

The pale-faced youth’s face paled even more.

Looking at Han Li, his gaze was incredibly complex, faintly carrying a hint of hope and pleading.

Why?

If he had suffered the same fate, he would have immediately joined the Clear Rain Sect!

To avoid being bullied again in the future.

Furthermore, joining the Qingyu Sect could serve as a sharp weapon against the reputation of the Baishui Sword Sect, thus guaranteeing investment and promotion from the Qingyu Sect’s higher-ups.

The benefits were numerous.

It’s over.

It’s all over.

“Young friend, our Qingyu Sect sincerely invites you. After joining, you’ll receive excellent treatment.”

The middle-aged leader of the Qingyu Sect, seeing the pale-faced youth’s anxious and embarrassed appearance, smiled even more broadly. His eagerness to recruit Han Li grew even stronger.

He hadn’t expected that simply delivering a challenge would lead to such a great opportunity for merit.

Once he successfully recruited him, he could further amplify the damage to the Baishui Sword Sect’s reputation.

The Baishui Sword Sect was already on a downward spiral; losing its good reputation would make a comeback even more difficult.

And he, a man of bitterness, could also reap the benefits.

It was truly a case of hardship turning into happiness.

Then,

Han Li became the focus of everyone’s attention.

Everyone awaited his response.

In the eyes of everyone else, Han Li had undoubtedly stumbled upon a great opportunity. Because simply leaving this place with the Qingyu Sect members and then showing up at the sect’s gate would be a great achievement. Perhaps, the Qingyu Sect’s higher-ups would be so pleased that they’d reward him with a Foundation Establishment Pill? This was why

the other rogue cultivators were filled with envy and jealousy.

Only Han Li was somewhat unhappy.

He absolutely didn’t want to get involved in this mess.

But the terrible thing was, things didn’t go as planned; his own clever maneuver had landed him right in the very center of the vortex.

This was damn…

(End of Chapter)