Chapter 31: Seclusion

The Xia Emperor smiled and said no more. Ji Ning and the others were originally from the Grand Xia Dynasty's world. As the saying goes, 'One does not let water flow to others' fields.' Naturally, they would win over those who might become powerful figures in the Three Realms to their side. How could they let them go?

"You old fellow," Lü Dongbin said with a curl of his lip. "Look at you, grinning smugly. Haven't you noticed that Ji Ning's strength is improving, and his opponent, Xiamang Zishan, is at a disadvantage? He's a member of your Xiamang clan."

"Indeed, Zishan will lose this battle," the Xia Emperor said calmly. "I have no complaints if he loses to Ji Ning. Besides, Zishan's temperament... is too arrogant. As the saying goes, what is too rigid is easily broken. Given our master's nature, even if he had to choose between him and Ji Ning, I'm afraid he would choose Ji Ning."

"This Xiamang..."

The other Pure Yang True Immortals all shook their heads.

But since the Xia Emperor had said this, they had to give up their designs on Ji Ning. In truth, the Three Realms were currently seething with undercurrents, and the Grand Xia Dynasty's world was a major world with extremely strong fortune. It was indeed very promising as a birthplace for future powerhouses of the Three Realms.

But they were unclear just how great the impending turmoil and calamity would be.

The greater the turmoil, the more likely it was that great figures would emerge, and even 'Dao Ancestor'-level existences might appear in numbers. However, scattered across the Three Thousand Major Worlds and the countless minor worlds, it was hard to say what kind of powerhouses the Grand Xia Dynasty's world would produce.

"Slovenly True Man is a disciple of Lord Xuánwu, and he is one with great fortune."

"Among the top three, another will be chosen by the Redmoon Dao Ancestor, also one with great fortune. It's already remarkable if this Immortal Destiny Gathering produces two or three great figures."

With such thoughts, their desire for Ji Ning was not very strong. After all, Ji Ning was only at the Wanxiang level now; no one dared to say how far he would go in the future.

…

Inside the sealing grand formation.

Xiamang Zishan grew more alarmed as the battle continued. The six flying swords before him were like a delightful melody, a beautiful dance. Watching Ji Ning's sword art was a pleasure! But this 'pleasure' was something Xiamang Zishan could not afford. He only felt increasingly stifled; no matter how he resisted, he was at a disadvantage!

Ji Ning's sword was too incredible.

Sometimes violent, sometimes gentle, sometimes swift, sometimes slow... Xiamang Zishan was thrown into confusion, wounds appearing on his body again and again, blood splattering, and his divine body recovering each time.

"No."

"I won't accept this. I want to win. I must win." Xiamang Zishan's eyes flashed with lightning and thunder, and he grew even more frenzied.

If his earlier domineering manner was a boldness that won people's hearts, then...

Now Xiamang Zishan's frenzy was a hysterical madness, the madness of despair.

He was struggling to hold on!

Fortunately, he was holding on, allowing Ji Ning to remain immersed in that wonderful state longer. This state of no thought was not truly without thought; rather, everything followed instinct, an invisible guidance of the Heavenly Dao... Simply put, it was 'divinely inspired,' a rare peak state.

Some poets could suddenly be divinely inspired to write poems that would be passed down for ages. But in a lifetime, they might only produce one or two such works.

Ji Ning was now in such a wonderful state.

"I concede!" Suddenly a reluctant voice rang out.

Ji Ning was startled awake.

Swoosh.

Ji Ning stopped. He saw blood all around, and half of Xiamang Zishan's body was in the distance. His body quickly flew together and began to heal, but his bloodstained eyes were full of unwillingness.

"What a pity it ended so soon." Ji Ning understood how rare that state was. If only Xiamang Zishan had held on a little longer. But his divine power was already more than half consumed; this battle had lasted long enough.

Then joy surged in Ji Ning's heart: "I won!"

"I won."

"Won."

"Top three. The scenes of my battle will be sent by the Xia Emperor to the Redmoon Dao Ancestor. Perhaps the Redmoon Dao Ancestor will choose me as a disciple." Ji Ning hoped and longed. "But it would be best if I could win first place in this Immortal Destiny Gathering. That way, my chances of being chosen by the Redmoon Dao Ancestor would be greater."

…

"He won!"

In the imperial city square, among the teams from the three thousand six hundred commanderies, many in the Anchan commandery team cheered. Although they came from various powers within Anchan commandery, at this moment they were all people of Anchan. They had been disappointed when Slovenly True Man lost, but now that Ji Ning had made it into the top three, each of them felt immense pride.

"Senior apprentice-brother, senior apprentice-brother, I knew you could do it. Haha, that Xiamang Zishan was ranked first by the Heavenly Treasures Mountain, but he was still defeated by my senior apprentice-brother." Mu Zishuo was extremely excited and shouted loudly, "First place, first place, win first place in the Immortal Destiny Gathering."

"Win first place." Xiaoqing also spoke in human voice, letting out excited cries.

The Whitewater Hound also laughed.

There were laughter and cheers all around.

…

Yu Wei watched Ji Ning from afar as he walked out of the sealing grand formation. At this moment, all the Celestial Immortal patriarchs in the Heavenly Tribute Hall were looking at Ji Ning; he was the most dazzling existence.

Yu Wei also felt a surge of excitement for Ji Ning.

"Mm." Yu Wei was extremely excited. "He's in the top three. Perhaps Ji Ning can become a disciple of a Dao Ancestor."

…

Nine Lotus also watched from afar, a faint smile appearing on her face. At this moment, her heart was very calm. She still felt jealousy toward Ji Ning and Yu Wei, but toward Ji Ning alone... she only had blessings.

…

Thus, the most important top three of the Immortal Destiny Gathering were decided. The three of them stood side by side in the main hall of the Heavenly Tribute Hall, awaiting the command of the Grand Xia Emperor.

The Celestial Immortal patriarchs looked at them with envy in their eyes.

"One of the three will become a disciple of a Dao Ancestor."

"Such an opportunity is something we can never encounter."

"Perhaps in the future, one of them will become someone we must treat with great respect." The Celestial Immortal patriarchs sighed with emotion.

However...

Only one of the three would become a disciple of the Redmoon Dao Ancestor.

The other two would be far inferior. With luck, they might be accepted as disciples by a Pure Yang True Immortal. But the difference between becoming a disciple of a Pure Yang True Immortal and a disciple of a Dao Ancestor was enormous.

Once one became a disciple of a Dao Ancestor, it was almost certain that they would become a Celestial Immortal.

As for disciples of Pure Yang True Immortals, too many failed their tribulations. They could only be said to have a much higher chance of succeeding in the tribulation compared to ordinary cultivators. Among ordinary cultivators, perhaps not even one in a hundred thousand Return to Void Earth Immortals could become a Celestial Immortal. As a disciple of a Pure Yang True Immortal, receiving the true immortal's dedicated guidance, perhaps one in ten might become a Celestial Immortal.

It also depended on the person.

Some were good at teaching disciples, others were not.

For example, in teaching disciples, Lü Dongbin was clearly better than the Xia Emperor and others. Among Lü Dongbin's disciples, there was even a Pure Yang True Immortal. This was a celebrated tale in the Three Realms.

…

The Xia Emperor looked down at the three young men below and said with a smile, "I must congratulate you. This is a great joy. In the distant future, you will understand how special this Immortal Destiny Gathering was for you! This is a crucial turning point in your fate. Clearly, all three of you will soar to great heights, but who will fly higher is hard to say."

Ji Ning, Wood Element True Man, and Blackstone True Man all listened obediently.

"One of you three will definitely become a disciple of a Dao Ancestor," the Xia Emperor announced. "As for the other two, I can promise you that you will also be accepted as disciples under a Pure Yang True Immortal."

Whoosh.

The nearly thousand Celestial Immortals below were shocked.

What?

It was one thing for a Dao Ancestor to take a disciple, but the other two in the top three would also become disciples of Pure Yang True Immortals? Pure Yang True Immortals did not easily accept disciples. Why would they take two at once this time?

"It seems this Immortal Destiny Gathering is truly extraordinary. First, a Dao Ancestor chooses a disciple, and now Pure Yang True Immortals are also choosing." These Celestial Immortals realized the special nature, but because their status was not high enough, they were merely slow to catch on.

The great powers and experts in the Three Realms had long sensed that a turmoil was approaching.

This turmoil in the Three Realms would likely not be small.

Naturally, they had made their arrangements early!

"Disciple of a Dao Ancestor." Ji Ning, Wood Element True Man, and Blackstone True Man all thought about becoming disciples of a Dao Ancestor.

Pure Yang True Immortal?

The difference between a disciple of a Dao Ancestor and a disciple of a Pure Yang True Immortal was a hundredfold or a thousandfold. Especially for Ji Ning, who already had the legacy of the Three-Life Daoist and the guidance of various 'Daos' and even 'Great Daos' in the Star Hall. A Pure Yang True Immortal held little appeal for him. He still longed to become a disciple of a Dao Ancestor.

"Of course, you all want very much to become disciples of a Dao Ancestor, so the final battles are very important," the Xia Emperor said. "In one hour, the three of you will engage in the final duels, divided into three matches."

Ji Ning vs. Blackstone True Man.

Wood Element True Man vs. Ji Ning.

Blackstone True Man vs. Wood Element True Man.

Three matches... each person would fight the other two separately.

"I will record these three matches using the water seal technique and send them to my master. He will watch your three matches and decide whom to choose as his disciple," the Xia Emperor said. "In these three matches, it is more important that you display your abilities to the fullest. Even if you win first place in the Immortal Destiny Gathering, it does not guarantee you will become a disciple of a Dao Ancestor. It depends on the Dao Ancestor's choice. Of course... winning first place may increase your chances."

Ji Ning and the other two waited silently.

"Now, you three will enter the Brightmoon Landscape Painting. One hour outside equals one month inside for seclusion," the Xia Emperor said. "Use this month to absorb the experience from this Immortal Destiny Gathering and prepare for the final matches."

"Yes." Ji Ning and the other two replied.

The Xia Emperor unfurled the scroll. The Brightmoon Landscape Painting hovered, and with a whoosh, it sucked Ji Ning, Wood Element True Man, and Blackstone True Man inside.

…

Inside the Brightmoon Landscape Painting, under the moonlight, Ji Ning sat cross-legged on a mountaintop. In two other corners, Blackstone True Man and Wood Element True Man also sat cross-legged.

At this moment, the three were each other's greatest competitors.

Among them... only one could become a disciple of a Dao Ancestor.

"Hmm?" Ji Ning sat cross-legged and began to recall the insights gained from his battle with Xiamang Zishan. A flood of realizations surged into his mind...

…