Chapter 35: The Guidance of Immortal Diancai

In the hall there was no one else, only the black-robed, black-haired man 'Immortal Diancai' sitting cross-legged on a jade bed.

As soon as Ji Ning stepped into the hall, he bowed respectfully: "Master."

Immortal Diancai nodded slightly, glanced at Ji Ning, and a hint of a smile appeared between his brows: "Ji Ning, I heard that yesterday you successively defeated two of your senior fellow apprentices?"

"Yes," Ji Ning replied. "But my senior fellow apprentices and sisters probably won't let it rest at that. They will likely challenge me again today, so I came to you, Master, hoping for some guidance."

"Mm, you are still down-to-earth, not becoming complacent after defeating two Zifu-level disciples."

Immortal Diancai nodded. "All those admitted into our Black-White College are peerless geniuses. The third-generation disciples are mainly divided into Zifu cultivators and Wanxiang Adepts."

Ji Ning listened attentively.

"In our Black-White College, there are over a hundred Zifu disciples and over two hundred Wanxiang Adepts. Why?" Immortal Diancai said. "These disciples are not low in cultivation level. If they wanted to step into the Wanxiang Adept realm, they probably all could have become Wanxiang Adepts. The reason there are still over a hundred Zifu cultivators is, first, they want to solidify their foundations and lay the groundwork for becoming Celestial Immortals. Second, they want to reach a higher level of insight, so that when they encounter the Three Calamities and Nine Tribulations, they will naturally have a greater chance of success."

Ji Ning nodded.

The Three Calamities and Nine Tribulations... As a cultivator, Ji Ning naturally knew about the Three Calamities and Nine Tribulations. The power of these calamities and tribulations depended, first, on time—the later they occurred, the greater their power. Second, on merit and sin—those with great sin faced greater tribulations. Third, on the level of strength—for the same cultivation time, the tribulations of a Primal Daoist would be stronger than those of a Wanxiang Adept...

Of course, there were many other reasons. The unpredictable power of the Three Calamities and Nine Tribulations was like a guillotine hanging over every cultivator's head.

But one thing was common: a high level of insight! A powerful soul! A firm Dao-heart! The more solid the foundation, the greater the chance of surviving the tribulations.

"Precisely because of the Three Calamities and Nine Tribulations and the need to lay the foundation for Celestial Immortality, no one rushes to break through," Immortal Diancai said. "Generally, newly admitted disciples stay at the Zifu level for about ten years. Those with slightly weaker comprehension might stay for fifty or sixty years. Those with extremely high talent might break through after only a year or two."

"Thus, Wanxiang Adept disciples are the elite among the third-generation disciples." Immortal Diancai looked at Ji Ning.

Ji Ning nodded. He understood.

"The Wanxiang Adepts of our Black-White College are different from those of other sects. They are geniuses among Wanxiang Adepts!" Immortal Diancai said. "Other sects occasionally have one or two Wanxiang Adepts who reach the 'Dao Domain.' But in our Black-White College, almost every Wanxiang Adept disciple has reached the Dao Domain."

Ji Ning was startled.

"There are even more formidable ones who have deeply comprehended one Dao and also gained many insights into other Daos, reaching the 'Dao Domain' in multiple Daos. This is the Multi-Dao Domain!"

"And there are even more heaven-defying ones who, while still Wanxiang Adepts, have comprehended a complete 'Dao.'"

Ji Ning's expression changed.

A complete 'Dao'?

"In other sects, generally only Immortals comprehend a complete 'Dao.' But in our Black-White College, every Primal Daoist has comprehended a complete 'Dao.' Even among the Wanxiang Adept disciples, the most heaven-defying and monstrous few have also comprehended a complete Dao. But Ji Ning, you need not feel ashamed. Among these geniuses who have comprehended a complete 'Dao,' two are reincarnated Immortals, and the other three have also cultivated for over two hundred years. They may break through to Primal Daoist at any time."

"Once you have been in the Black-White College for a while, you will know that there is a hidden rule: one only breaks through to become a Primal Daoist after comprehending a complete 'Dao.'" Immortal Diancai looked at Ji Ning.

Ji Ning fully understood.

The Wanxiang Adept disciples were the true elite. Like himself, once his Zifu lake expanded and accumulated to its limit, he would probably not hesitate to break through to Wanxiang Adept. Thus, those who lingered among the Zifu disciples were, relatively speaking, the lower-middle tier among a group of peerless genius disciples.

"Wanxiang disciples can be divided into three levels. The first level is those who have only reached the Dao Domain."

"The second level is those with the Multi-Dao Domain."

"The third level is those who have comprehended a complete 'Dao.'"

Immortal Diancai looked at Ji Ning. "Don't worry. This time, your senior fellow apprentices and sisters won't act lightly. First, the strongest among the Zifu cultivators will step forward. If he cannot defeat you, then the Wanxiang Adept disciples will step in. Regardless, the top few who have comprehended a complete 'Dao' will not act. That would be bullying the weak."

Ji Ning nodded.

"Master, how many reincarnated Immortals are there among the Wanxiang Adepts?" Ji Ning asked curiously.

Immortal Diancai smiled. "You disciples are always curious about reincarnated Immortals. In fact, even you could be a reincarnated Immortal. Among the Wanxiang Adept disciples, there are three confirmed reincarnated Immortals. Two have cultivated for eighty years and have comprehended a complete Dao, and one has cultivated for twenty years."

"Having heard all this, you should understand now," Immortal Diancai said with emotion. "The ones you defeated were merely two among the Zifu cultivators, not even the strongest. Let alone the many Wanxiang senior fellow apprentices and sisters."

"Disciple understands," Ji Ning nodded.

"Alright, show me your sword technique," Immortal Diancai said. "Go ahead and demonstrate; you won't damage this hall."

"Yes." Ji Ning no longer hesitated and immediately displayed his current strongest sword art—the Three Talents Lotus Sword.

Ji Ning held the Northmoon Sword and thrust it out.

The sword struck out in three colors, with lotus blossoms blooming one after another, extremely beautiful. Yet within the beauty, a thread of sword light was terrifyingly powerful.

"Three Powers Lotus Sword?" Immortal Diancai smiled. "The Minor Five Elements Sword Record—I have studied it myself. The sword you just executed has at least a hint of its essence."

"A hint?" Ji Ning blinked. "Only a hint?"

Immortal Diancai shook his head. "What more do you expect? The Three Powers Lotus Sword emphasizes 'Three Powers'—it requires balance! But your insights on the three paths are clearly unbalanced; your Rainwater Dao is far stronger, while the other two are much weaker."

Ji Ning was speechless.

"You have only comprehended one Rainwater Sword Domain. If you comprehend the other two Dao Domains, then you will be able to execute the true Three Powers Lotus Sword," said Immortal Diancai.

Ji Ning nodded in agreement. Indeed, the Three Powers Lotus Sword required balance among the three, and his insights into the Dao were far from balanced.

"Your insights on the Rainwater Dao are stronger," said Immortal Diancai. "Since that's the case, I will modify the Three Powers Lotus Sword for you, turning it into the 'New Three Powers Lotus Sword.'"

Then, Immortal Diancai pointed with his sword finger.

Chi!

A sword light appeared in the air, and wherever it passed, lotuses bloomed. However, among these lotuses, the green color was clearly more vibrant, while the other two colors served only as supplements.

...

After more than two hours, Immortal Diancai's guidance finally came to an end.

"I have thoroughly analyzed and explained to you the mysteries of the New Three Powers Lotus Sword and the first stance of the Three-Foot Sword," said Immortal Diancai. "Given your current level, focus all your efforts on studying these two sword techniques. Once you can execute both, come find me again."

"Yes," Ji Ning said gratefully, bowing.

Truly, listening to the teacher's words was better than a year of self-study.

He already had some understanding of the New Three Powers Lotus Sword and would likely be able to execute it soon. As for the original Three Powers Lotus Sword with its true power, it would be best to wait until he comprehended all three Dao Domains. Only by combining the three would the Three Powers Lotus Sword unleash its maximum power. For now, he only had a superficial grasp.

As for the first stance of the Three-Foot Sword, it was far too profound. The Three-Foot Sword emphasized the heart; cultivating the sword was also cultivating the heart.

"Swoosh!"

Ji Ning quickly boarded his boat and left his master's location.

...

The Golden Crow hung high in the sky. The Dao Discussion Hall on the Dao Discussion Peak was bustling with activity today. Streams of light flew in from all directions—some riding flying swords, some on boats, some on chains, gourds, red cloth, banana leaves, and other peculiar treasures—all flying into the Dao Discussion Hall.

"Senior Brother Bingchan, aren't you out on a mission?"

"I happened to be at the Yinglong Guard post and heard that our newly admitted junior disciple, Ji Ning, had defeated two Zifu disciples. I was curious, so I came to take a look."

"Many senior brothers and sisters have come today. Our Black-White College hasn't been this lively in a long time."

Two figures chatted as they flew into the Dao Discussion Hall.

In the center of the Dao Discussion Hall was the arena, while the spacious area around it was filled with scattered chairs. Disciples of higher status in the sect often sat directly, while some Zifu disciples stood aside chatting, not rushing to take seats. Who knew how many senior brothers and sisters would come today?

"Senior Brother Beishan Xuantang has also come."

"Senior Brother Juhua is here too."

As leading figures among the Wanxiang Adepts with considerable fame and status appeared one after another, the eyes of some junior disciples who had joined later grew eager. Joining later meant fewer experiences in the outside world. Meanwhile, senior brothers who had joined over a century ago already had many remarkable deeds circulating outside. Among the Wanxiang Adepts of the Black-White College, it was common for them to fight above their level against Primal Daoists.

"It's Senior Brother Huosheng."

"Senior Brother Huosheng!"

"Senior Brother Huosheng has come too!"

The many disciples already present in the Dao Discussion Hall—both Zifu and Wanxiang—all turned to look. A bald, handsome young man in a fiery red robe walked in barefoot. On his forehead was a swastika divine mark. Wherever he stepped, it was as if a sea of fire had appeared, and the temperature around him rose sharply.

Huosheng!

He was an absolute leader among the third-generation disciples of the Black-White College. Although not a reincarnated immortal, he had still comprehended a complete 'Dao' and could become a Primal Daoist of the college at any time.

"Senior Brother Huosheng." Beishan Xuantang was the first to approach him.

"Xuantang." Huosheng glanced at Beishan Xuantang and said calmly, "Has the newly admitted Junior Disciple Ji Ning arrived?"

"Not yet. A junior brother was sent to invite him from his Northmoon Peak, but he hasn't come yet," said Beishan Xuantang.

Huosheng nodded and walked directly to one of the stone chairs at the front and center, sitting down. The few fellow disciples gathered around Senior Brother Huosheng were also formidable figures in the sect. The other Zifu disciples could only watch from afar, as they had no close ties with him.

...