Chapter 71: The Mountain Peak and the Act of Apprenticeship

This hidden branch was originally established to nurture disciples with the Five Elements Dao Body, specifically selecting those with exceptional talent. Later on, however, the sect discovered that besides the Five Elements Dao Body, there were other equally outstanding Dao constitutions, such as the Yin-Yang Dao Body, the Mysterious Light Dao Body, the Primordial Void Dao Body, and others that did not belong to the five elements.

Such disciples could not be raised on any of the five peaks, for fear they would be wasted. Gradually, the hidden branch became an all-encompassing place; as long as one didn't possess a Five Elements constitution, they would be sent here. It went from being the strongest branch to a miscellaneous one.

Though still formidable, its strength varied greatly—some exceptionally powerful, some weak to the extreme. It was a branch with high potential but also a low floor.

Currently, among the Five Elements Sect, the Metal branch is the strongest, the Water branch the weakest, and the Hidden Branch ranks third, which is decent.

The booklet Elder Black-and-White gave him not only introduced the sect’s rules but also outlined the current state of affairs, included a map of the Five Elements Sect, and contained his personal suggestions.

In his own words: the Hidden Branch is second to none under heaven.

…

Cao Chengyu, however, found the Hidden Branch quite promising. For long-term development, it was a good choice. In the short term, though, the Water Branch would benefit him most, as he could leverage Lan Lou to quickly establish himself in the sect.

He could cleanse his identity.

If he guided Lan Lou to use Qimen Divination to investigate Dayue, he might firmly establish himself as a good person.

Moreover, in a sect as vast as the Five Elements Sect, he doubted there was no Qimen expert present. In the past, he hadn’t encountered the art, but now that he had learned it, Cao Chengyu even picked auspicious days for his outings.

Qimen Divination was also very helpful for guiding the development of a sect.

In Dayue, such arts had all but vanished. Aside from the Minor Liuren method, which Wanxiang kept in the Skymonitoring Pavilion's library to select inheritors, there were simply no other techniques.

The Five Elements Sect was different. There should be at least some awareness.

Unless they believed it would not affect the Martial Kingdom or the interests of the Five Elements Sect, they would otherwise surely intervene.

He pondered for a long time.

In the end, Cao Chengyu decided he had to test the sect’s attitude, as it would influence his plans regarding Dayue.

That place was his homeland; if possible, he would save it.

And then there was that boy, Xiao Yan. If danger was a concern, he could guide him to investigate.

Thus, after three days of quiet cultivation—

The initiation ceremony took place today.

At the appointed hour, Elder Black-and-White came to escort him to the mountain-choosing plaza.

Participating as well were the twenty-two others who had entered the sect with him. The ritual was simple: offerings to the ancestors, reciting the sect rules, and swearing an oath—then it was done.

Inner disciples each had a soul lantern, lit with their spiritual power. If they died in the outside world, the lantern would extinguish, prompting the sect to send disciples to investigate, collect their remains, and avenge them.

After these formalities, there was no appearance by the branch leaders to select disciples. Instead, Elder Black-and-White presided, while a disciple named Qin Huan produced a scroll.

Infusing it with spiritual energy, silhouettes appeared before them as Qin Huan introduced each one in turn.

“This is Elder Wei Qian, steward of the Metal Branch, middle Purple Mansion stage.”

“This is Elder Wu Gui, steward of the Fire Branch, peak Purple Mansion stage.”

“This is…”

As the introductions went on, Cao Chengyu realized that those who entered via this third method—wandering cultivators—rarely produced geniuses.

Only during the first type of disciple recruitment did the branch leaders attend in person, and even then, only when their schedules allowed. Otherwise, they appeared this way.

Choosing a mountain also meant choosing a master. If the master had time, he would offer guidance; if not, you were left to your own devices. Upon entry, you would be taught a basic cultivation method and shown the path. After that, it was all up to you.

Depending on the master, there would be an evaluation every one to three years. Progress quickly, and you would learn more; progress slowly, and you might find your master replaced.

In short, it was very much a laissez-faire system.

You were given what you were due, and occasionally the master might lecture, but only if he had time.

Unless the master was nearing the end of his days and knew he could not break through to the next great realm, in which case he might devote himself to teaching and grooming disciples for the sect.

The younger Purple Mansion elders, however, barely had enough time to cultivate for themselves, let alone guide others. You were left to your own devices.

The booklet was clear on this: not everyone was suited to be a teacher.

Cao Chengyu weighed his options according to his needs, ultimately giving up on the Water and Hidden branches in favor of a slightly above-average choice.

He chose the Daoist of Divine Fire, renowned for mastery in both alchemy and artifact forging, steward elder of the Fire Branch, and a peak Purple Mansion cultivator.

He truly needed higher-level techniques in these two arts; otherwise, when his own cultivation rose, he would struggle to keep pace.

Moreover, it wouldn’t do to approach Lan Lou as a master rashly; if his true identity were discovered, he would be done for. Better to choose a reliable backer of a teacher first—one who could serve as a shield if trouble arose.

He’d also heard that Xiao Yan, after being brought to the Five Elements Sect by Master Chen, had stayed in the Water Branch for a while before transferring to the Fire Branch.

He was now apprenticed under this same Daoist of Divine Fire.

Just as Cao Chengyu pointed to the Daoist’s silhouette, intending to imprint it with his inner disciple’s token, Elder Black-and-White grew anxious, thinking to himself:

This lad really doesn’t know what’s good for him.

I went to all this trouble to arrange this and that, and before I could even tell the other elders that I’d found a genius to recruit under my name, he chooses someone else. Damn it.

Seeing his prospective disciple about to pick another master, he swiftly formed a hand seal behind his back.

The image of the Daoist of Divine Fire abruptly changed to that of the Black-and-White Elder. Cao Chengyu, having completed the imprint, sensed something was amiss.

Just now it was a fiery red robe, so how had it turned black? He looked up.

Good heavens, wasn’t that Elder Black-and-White himself?

Turning, he saw the old man beaming at him in satisfaction.

…

The die was cast. He was no fool and understood the old man’s intentions, though he felt a twinge of awkwardness.

“Greetings, Master.”

“Very good,” Elder Black-and-White said, stroking his beard, clearly delighted with Cao Chengyu.

“With this ceremony complete, you are now my disciple, the disciple of the Yin-Yang Daoist. Come, let me introduce you to your fellow apprentices.”

“Very well…”

And so, Cao Chengyu was whisked away on a cloud by the Yin-Yang Daoist, while Qin Huan could only smile wryly from the side.

“The elder’s temperament…”

The others who had just chosen their masters were also speechless, though a trace of envy flickered within—being forcibly taken as a disciple by a steward elder meant you would be groomed as a seedling, while their own futures remained uncertain.

All along the way, Cao Chengyu was subjected to the grand history of the Hidden Branch, feeling somewhat disgruntled, convinced the old man had sabotaged his plans.

No wonder, after showing his talent, none of the higher-ups had contacted him. He thought he’d need to prove himself further, but the truth was he’d already been hidden away by the Yin-Yang Daoist.

All for the sake of taking him as a disciple.

The Hidden Branch was not located on any of the Five Elements peaks, nor on either the north or south bank, but rather stood alone on a strange peak behind the five mountains.