Chapter 5: Joining the Sect

Wasn't that Ji Ning, who had saved them before, along with the divine beast Whitewater Marsh?

For a moment, Meng Jun, Meng Yan, and Meng Xin felt extremely complicated.

“Young master Ji Ning is so formidable,” Meng Xin murmured to herself.

“I thought Brother Ji Ning was extraordinary back then,” Meng Yan said with emotion.

Meng Jun's face darkened.

Earlier, traveling together to Anchan City, their exchanges had made Meng Jun realize that Ji Ning was inexperienced and stingy, so he had stopped flattering Ji Ning. He hadn't even bothered to keep up the pretense, knowing Ji Ning must have noticed, but he hadn't cared. Now he understood that trying to mend their relationship was probably too late.

“A noble acting like a native—how glorious!” Meng Jun thought bitterly. “And wearing that beast hide, so pretentious! Just wait, I don't believe I can't surpass you in the future!”

While the three Mengs were lost in their thoughts, their Third Uncle began to speak.

“Ji Ning from the Treasure Exchange Pavilion? Young master Ji?” the bald middle-aged Third Uncle said in surprise, then regretfully, “Ah, I didn't expect young master Ji to have such status. I missed the chance to befriend such a remarkable person. What a pity.”

Meng Jun's face grew even darker.

Just wait.

I'll make you look up to me too!

…

Being welcomed by so many beauties and men, all Zifu-level demon or immortal cultivators, deeply impressed Ji Ning. Having great demons and immortals serve as attendants showed the power of the three Celestial Fox Immortals and how much the Anchan Marquis's estate had invested in the Carefree Grotto.

“You can have a great time in the Carefree Grotto; even immortals dare not cause trouble here.” Beishan Baiwei led Ji Ning inside.

The two walked along a wide, winding corridor, with Whitewater Marsh and the maid easily keeping up.

They soon covered over thirty li, which was quite close for cultivators. What amazed Ji Ning was that the corridor's ceiling was studded with huge luminous pearls, casting a beautiful glow. Ji Ning had some knowledge, but such large pearls had never existed in the Ji clan.

“These pearls are harvested from the depths of the North Sea with immense effort. Each is a precious material for making magic treasures, providing light and attracting natural energy. A single pearl is worth nearly an Earth-grade treasure,” Beishan Baiwei said softly. “The pearls and other decorations in the Carefree Grotto would astonish even an immortal.”

Ji Ning was stunned.

Extravagant, truly extravagant!

“They're trying to rival the Treasure Mountain,” Beishan Baiwei whispered. “The Carefree Grotto's luxury is no less than the Treasure Mountain's.”

Suddenly, a pink-clad woman with furry ears and a fox tail approached. Her smile was naturally seductive, and as she walked, her hips swayed and her tail flickered, stirring hearts. Ji Ning was momentarily stunned but quickly regained composure.

“Oh?” The woman glanced at Ji Ning with slight surprise, then smiled. “This must be young master Ji, here for the first time, I presume.”

“My brother Ji Ning is new to Anchan City, so I brought him to see our Carefree Grotto,” Beishan Baiwei laughed. “He wasn't bewitched by you, Miss Ziyi. Are you unhappy?”

“How dare I?” Miss Ziyi smiled. “The usual place, Master Baiwei?”

“Of course,” Beishan Baiwei nodded.

Miss Ziyi took a careful look at Ji Ning, then led the way. Ahead was a grand hall several li in radius, its ceiling adorned with pearls of various colors, and on the floor were coral and other decorations over ten zhang tall.

The hall was arranged like a fairyland.

Even with his past life memories, Ji Ning was awed. A hall several li in radius, filled with such wonders, was more stunning than anything in his previous life.

In the hall, dozens of women danced gracefully, and dozens of musicians played various instruments.

“Master Baiwei, young master Ji, please.” Miss Ziyi led them along a curved, suspended corridor and pushed open a door, revealing a quiet, elegant room over ten zhang in diameter.

“Arrange the Hundred Treasures Feast,” Beishan Baiwei ordered directly.

“Yes.” Miss Ziyi withdrew.

Only Ji Ning, Beishan Baiwei, Whitewater Marsh, and the maid remained in the quiet room.

“Truly a masterpiece,” Ji Ning said, walking to the edge of the room. Through the open window, he could overlook the grand hall below.

“This is nothing,” Beishan Baiwei said in a low voice. “The Carefree Grotto has many other places to enjoy, some even I can't enter. For example, the legendary ‘Immortal Hall.’”

“Immortal Hall?” Ji Ning was surprised.

“Yes, only immortals or those of high status can go there. It's said that the attendants there are usually Nascent Soul Daoists, and occasionally one of the three Celestial Fox Immortals will come out to greet guests,” Beishan Baiwei said. “Anchan City is the center of the entire Anchan Commandery, so most immortals gather here. They often hold gatherings at the Carefree Grotto, but they enter directly through the air via a special corridor.”

Ji Ning nodded.

Immortals?

Given the vastness of Anchan Commandery and the long passage of time, there were indeed many Earth Immortals and Sanxians. Only sects with immortals could be considered top-tier. Sects without immortals, like Snowdragon Mountain, were clearly inferior.

These immortals were the pinnacle of Anchan Commandery, determining its direction and the rise and fall of tribes and sects. Even the Anchan Marquis's estate needed to win them over.

……

Platters of rare delicacies and fine wines were served, and a separate feast was even laid out for the Whitewater Marsh, stocked with its favorite foods. These dishes were exquisite, of extraordinary origin, and as the attendants introduced them, Ji Ning found his appetite stirred.

They ate for a long time.

"You may withdraw," Beishan Baiwei ordered the attendant.

"Yes." The female attendant bowed respectfully and left.

"Ji Ning." Beishan Baiwei raised his beast-head wine goblet. "You mentioned earlier that you wished to join a sect. Have you made a choice?"

"Not yet," Ji Ning shook his head. "Brother Baiwei, do you have any recommendations?"

Beishan Baiwei asked, "What are your requirements?"

"I hope the sect has divine abilities, top-tier qi-refining techniques, and preferably excels in swordsmanship," Ji Ning said. Divine abilities and qi-refining techniques were the foundation of his cultivation... but his path of enlightenment was the Sword Dao. On the path of immortality, enlightenment was the true foundation.

"Oh?" Beishan Baiwei pondered briefly, then smiled. "You want divine abilities, top-tier qi-refining techniques, and expertise in swordsmanship... I do have a sect to recommend."

Ji Ning's eyes lit up.

"This sect is called the Crackling Heaven Sword Sect." Beishan Baiwei said confidently, "The Crackling Heaven Sword Sect is one of the top three super sects within Anchan Commandery. You had a conflict with the Snowdragon Mountain before, right? Compared to this, Snowdragon Mountain is nothing. The Crackling Heaven Sword Sect has at least three Celestial Immortals alone! And dozens of Primal Daoists! Its disciples at the Zifu stage number over ten thousand!"

Ji Ning was inwardly stunned.

Dozens of Primal Daoists and at least three Celestial Immortals. That alone made Ji Ning tremble. A single Celestial Immortal was enough to form a super power; at least three Celestial Immortals—no wonder it was called one of the top three super sects in Anchan Commandery.

"The Crackling Heaven Sword Sect dominates through the sword," Beishan Baiwei continued. "You can tell from its name—it's famous for sword control. Since its founder, Patriarch Crackling Heaven, established it eighty million years ago, it has endured. Patriarch Crackling Heaven was a Sanxian who lived for hundreds of thousands of years—truly remarkable."

"With such a long history, the accumulated sword arts over generations must be countless." Beishan Baiwei looked at Ji Ning. "The sect likely has at least two or three divine abilities, and plenty of top-tier qi-refining techniques—otherwise, it wouldn't have produced so many Celestial Immortals over the ages."

Ji Ning nodded with delight.

A good sect.

A big tree provides good shade. To borrow the sect's power to advance further, naturally a strong sect was preferable.

"The Crackling Heaven Sword Sect has a branch in Anchan City. They usually recruit disciples in the twelfth month. Although it's over a month away... I'll take you there tomorrow, and with a word, we can settle it early." Beishan Baiwei said.

Ji Ning showed joy: "Thank you, Brother Baiwei."

"Haha, Ji Ning joining the Crackling Heaven Sword Sect is their fortune." Beishan Baiwei smiled. Suddenly his eyes brightened as he looked down through the window at the distant corridor entrance and called out loudly, "Brother Zhou Li!"

A white-robed man below looked up and smiled: "Brother Baiwei."

"Brother Zhou Li, care to come up for a chat?" Beishan Baiwei called.

"Alright." The white-robed man nodded with a smile and walked toward the suspended corridor.

……

Beishan Baiwei quickly said to Ji Ning, "This Zhou Li is a disciple stationed at the Crackling Heaven Sword Sect's branch in Anchan City, a Wanxiang Adept. His Zhou clan has some influence in the sect. If we speak to him and he agrees, your entry into the Crackling Heaven Sword Sect is settled."

Ji Ning understood.

A knock sounded. Beishan Baiwei personally rose to open the door, and Ji Ning naturally stood to greet.

"Haha, Brother Zhou Li, I was just talking about your Crackling Heaven Sword Sect when I ran into you—what a coincidence!" Beishan Baiwei said. "Let me introduce you first—this is my close friend, Ji Ning!"

"Brother Ji Ning." Hearing Beishan Baiwei say 'close friend,' the white-robed man Zhou Li did not dare to be negligent and immediately cupped his hands.

"Brother Zhou Li." Ji Ning responded.

Beishan Baiwei said, "Come, sit inside."

"No need." The white-robed man Zhou Li quickly said, "I came here by invitation and must meet others. If Brother Baiwei has something to say, please speak directly."

Beishan Baiwei said directly, "Then I'll be blunt. My brother Ji Ning has heard of the Crackling Heaven Sword Sect's reputation and wishes to join your sect. I'm telling you, Brother Zhou Li, and I believe if you put in a word, it can be settled directly."

"Oh?" The white-robed man Zhou Li looked at Ji Ning and asked, "Brother Ji Ning, what cultivation level have you reached?"

Ji Ning said, "I cultivate both qi and divine body, both at the early Zifu stage."

"Haha, early Zifu is good." The white-robed man Zhou Li's expression relaxed, and he smiled confidently. "The problem with accepting disciples is when they've practiced some shallow techniques that ruin their future. You at early Zifu—you haven't been set yet. I'll just say a word, and when the twelfth month comes, you go to our Crackling Heaven Sword Sect branch and you can join directly."

"Good." Beishan Baiwei praised with a smile. "Ji Ning, come the twelfth month, you'll be a disciple of the Crackling Heaven Sword Sect."

Ji Ning nodded lightly.

The Crackling Heaven Sword Sect?

He would be a disciple of the Crackling Heaven Sword Sect from now on?

……