The Dharma Assembly Begins

When the flying vessel descended, the cultivators were greeted by a chain of islands. More than ten small islands, seemingly disconnected yet subtly linked, formed a circle; at its center stood a solitary peak—though not tall, it possessed a rugged, imposing presence.

The flying vessel landed on one of the islands. Its terrain was flat, and several simple buildings had been erected. In the middle stood dozens of stone pillars, each four to five zhang tall, arranged according to a mysterious pattern.

Among the hundreds of cultivators present, some were well-versed in the intricate arts of formation. One immediately exclaimed in awe, "What a brilliant array!"

Ling Yu, ignorant of formations, could only sense the subtlety in the arrangement of the pillars—a unique aesthetic. It reminded her of the moments she drew talismans and dissected the script: sometimes, the twists and transformations of the characters, their splitting and recombining, seemed to hold a hidden order. Each symbol found its most beautiful position.

Fu Changchun put away the flying vessel and approached the houses, where twenty or so cultivators were either standing or sitting, five or six of whom had already formed their foundation.

After all, with seven or eight hundred disciples gathered here, a single Foundation-Building cultivator would hardly suffice to maintain order.

As the Foundation-Building cultivators conversed, Ling Yu felt a tap on her shoulder. "Fellow Daoist Cheng!"

Ling Yu turned to see Fu Yuanqing. The two had parted ways after testing their aptitude, leaving no contact information behind; she hadn't expected Fu Yuanqing to spot her among seven or eight hundred people.

"Fellow Daoist Fu!" Ling Yu smiled. "You have keen eyes—so many people, yet you noticed me."

Fu Yuanqing wagged his finger. "It's not sharp eyes, but a keen sense."

He did not elaborate, but instead asked, "How are you feeling?"

Ling Yu answered honestly, "A bit nervous. I hadn't planned on joining the Tai Bai Sect."

Fu Yuanqing laughed; his ordinary face suddenly animated. "Don’t worry. All the grand sects’ selection ceremonies are much the same, with only subtle differences. Besides, the design of the ceremony is tailored to each person's traits. Since we are sword cultivators, we will be judged by the standards of sword cultivation. Frankly, it’s easier for sword cultivators to join Tai Bai Sect than the Purple Sky Sword School."

"You seem very familiar with the major sects," Ling Yu observed curiously. She had read many materials but none so detailed.

Fu Yuanqing chuckled. "Naturally. I am from Ling Cang."

"Oh?" Ling Yu was surprised. "Since you're from Ling Cang, why not return there? I heard the major sects are stricter when recruiting in Xingluo than in Ling Cang itself."

"It's a complicated matter, related to elders. I won't go into detail." Fu Yuanqing skirted the issue and continued, "The Purple Sky Sword School doesn't demand much in terms of aptitude, but is harsh in other respects—cruel, even. Of all the sects, only theirs may inflict serious injuries during the selection. Tai Bai Sect is different; their standards for aptitude are high, but otherwise the requirements are relaxed. If we were participating in the Purple Sky Sword School ceremony, we would have to fight and scramble—only those who survive the ordeal can prevail."

Ling Yu pondered his words, then looked up at Fu Yuanqing. "You know so much about the Purple Sky Sword School; you must have invested considerable effort. Isn’t it a pity to give up so easily?"

Fu Yuanqing smiled lightly. "Why should I regret it? Cultivation is all about freedom. I once thought the Purple Sky Sword School suited me best, but now that it doesn’t appeal to me, I simply won’t join."

His words were carefree, and Ling Yu was momentarily stunned, her heartstrings subtly plucked. Since childhood, she had yearned for the power and unfettered freedom of immortals, the ability to summon clouds and rain at will. Wasn’t this the attitude she should embrace?

With that thought, she found herself quite in agreement with him. "You’re right, Fellow Daoist Fu. Cultivators seek precisely this kind of freedom!"

Fu Yuanqing looked at her and smiled. "You are truly one of us, Fellow Daoist Cheng. No wonder I felt a kinship with you upon first meeting."

They exchanged a few words, then brought the conversation back to the subject. "Since you are from Ling Cang, you must be familiar with its sects. Why not enlighten this country bumpkin?"

Fu Yuanqing nodded with a smile. "What do you wish to know? Ask, and I will tell."

Ling Yu was unreserved. "Tell me about Tai Bai Sect and the other sects. Xingluo's itinerant cultivators value freedom and think sects are too restrictive. Is it really so once you join?"

Fu Yuanqing shook his head gently. "Xingluo cultivators are not from Ling Cang; they only see the surface. Compared to them, Ling Cang sect disciples have less freedom, but it’s not as dreadful as they imagine."

He explained in detail. "The major sects have similar methods of governance. Take Tai Bai Sect, for example: disciples are divided into three tiers—ordinary, elite, and true disciples. Ordinary disciples have no personal master and are taught collectively in the Hall of Inquiry. Elite disciples have a master and receive guidance from them. True disciples are an honor reserved for those who contribute greatly to the sect or excel remarkably; only Foundation-Building or higher can be granted this title. True disciples possess considerable authority: they can oversee ordinary and elite disciples, directly request an audience with the sect leader, freely enter the Pavilion of Ten Thousand Techniques to select skills… The benefits are endless. Every disciple aspires to become a true disciple."

As Fu Yuanqing spoke, the surrounding cultivators drew near. They were all genuine itinerant cultivators from Xingluo, knowing only the basics about Ling Cang's sects, but lacking such detailed information.

"For disciples like us, upon entry, we become ordinary disciples. If someone has exceptional aptitude or luck, they may be directly accepted by a Core Formation master, but that’s rare. Most must reach Foundation-Building before having the chance to meet a Core Formation master, hoping to attract their interest. If not, they remain ordinary disciples. Only those accepted by a Core Formation master become elite disciples, which simply means having a personal master."

"Doesn’t that put ordinary disciples at a disadvantage?" someone nearby interjected.

Fu Yuanqing shook his head with a smile. "Disadvantage? In Xingluo, can you receive guidance from a Core Formation master without conditions? Think of it the other way: being an ordinary disciple is normal. Besides, there’s nothing wrong with it; sect chores are handled by servants, and as long as we complete a few tasks, we get access to the sect’s resources and can focus on cultivation. Elite disciples may receive more, but they also face more obligations."

"Are the tasks many or difficult?"

"Not really. The sect has nearly a thousand Foundation-Building cultivators—what important tasks would require Qi Refining disciples? The greatest benefit of joining is being able to devote yourself to cultivation and prepare for Foundation-Building." Fu Yuanqing swept his gaze over the gathered cultivators. "Why else would you want to join a sect, if not for Foundation-Building?"

His words left everyone silent. Wasn’t that so? They had all grown up in Xingluo; why did they want to join a sect? For better resources and easier Foundation-Building.

As the conversation continued, the Foundation-Building cultivators of Tai Bai Sect finished their discussions. Fu Changchun stood forward and announced loudly, "The Tai Bai Sect disciples’ selection ceremony will now begin."

At once, silence fell over the island; seven or eight hundred people held their tongues.

Fu Changchun waved his hand, and a dozen Qi Refining cultivators, each carrying a bag of spirit stones, moved to the edge of the stone pillars, embedding the stones one by one into the ground.

Only then did Ling Yu notice faint star charts drawn on the ground around the pillars. The colors were so subtle as to be nearly invisible, but now, as spirit stones were placed at each intersection, the entire star chart became visible.

Once every intersection was filled, a humming sound was heard. Pale white light rose from the spirit stones, extending along the lines of the star chart and converging together. The white light shot skyward, surrounding the pillars and forming a hemispherical barrier that enveloped the entire array.

Ling Yu heard gasps and murmurs nearby: "As expected of a grand sect’s formation!"

"All of you," Fu Changchun spoke again, pointing to an empty space on the eastern side of the array, "there is only one test in this ceremony. Enter the array, and you will be challenged. Those who pass will emerge of their own accord. You may use any magical tools or instruments, but you must not rely on others' strength. Now, please enter."

As soon as he finished, Qi Refining disciples began to announce their names from outside the array.

Seven or eight hundred cultivators, following their sequence numbers and after verifying their tokens, entered the array one after another.

Fu Yuanqing was ahead of Ling Yu and gave her a nod before entering.

Ling Yu followed soon after.

As she entered the array, Ling Yu saw a flash of white light and found herself in another place.

She didn’t act immediately, but steadied herself and looked around.

There was no sun, no moon, but it was bright—presumably daytime. White mist surrounded her, within which dark rocks could barely be seen… No, it wasn’t mist, but clouds.

Ling Yu turned her head and saw, to her right, a cliff suspended in the air, shrouded in endless clouds because of its height.

She stood on a mountain path halfway up the slope, winding toward the summit. The mountain was so tall that even halfway up, it was surrounded by clouds, obscuring the sun.

There was not another soul in sight. The mountain soared, the sea of clouds stretched forever; with only herself left here, she felt increasingly small.

Ling Yu waited for a while, but saw nobody else. She thought to herself: perhaps, not relying on others means precisely this?

She had no companions anyway, so it mattered little. After observing her surroundings, she began to climb toward the summit.

The mountain wall was steep, the path narrow—barely wide enough for one person. A single misstep would surely send her tumbling down. Ling Yu glanced back, then turned her gaze forward—places too high shouldn’t be looked at for long; too much pressure, and one might jump off involuntarily.

The mountain wind was biting, stinging her skin. Stones occasionally rolled down the narrow path. Alone, with not even a bird in sight, it was as if the world were dead. Ling Yu walked slowly, feeling the pressure grow heavier with each step; sweat poured uncontrollably down her forehead.