Tianyan Sect, Starfall Peak.
Lin Yuan stood on the edge of a solitary peak, the mountain wind whipping at his simple blue robe. Ever since he inexplicably arrived in this world of cultivation, inheriting the mantle of his unexpectedly fallen master and becoming the master of Xingyun Peak of the Tianyan Sect, something called the "Myriad Paths Disciple Recruitment System" had been imprinted deep within his consciousness. However, the system's cold notification still echoed in his ears: The first disciple must be the reincarnation of an empress for the system to activate!
"This is outrageous!" Lin Yuan roared inwardly. The cultivation realms in this world are clearly defined: Qi Induction, Yuan Transformation, Spiritual Platform, Divine Treasury, Void Penetration, Delusion Breaking, Tribulation Crossing, Human Immortal, Earth Immortal, Heavenly Immortal, Immortal King, Emperor Venerable… Even the sect master of the Heavenly Evolution Sect was only at the Immortal King realm, and the original Lin Yuan was a universally acknowledged cultivation failure, barely reaching the Qi Induction realm. If it weren't for his master's legacy and protection, he would have been kicked out of the sect long ago.
Year after year, at the founding ceremony of the Tianyan Sect, Lin Yuan arrived full of hope each time, only to find no one choosing his Starfall Peak. Lin Yuan's name had long become a laughingstock, a cautionary tale used by elders of various powers to admonish their juniors: "Better to enter the mortal world than Starfall Peak! To take Lin Yuan as your master is to sever your path to immortality!"
Lin Yuan sighed deeply. The sect's new disciple assessment had concluded the day before yesterday, and today was the master selection ceremony. Did he still have a chance?
Just then, a beam of light tore through the clouds and crashed down onto the precipice. An elder dressed in a dark green Daoist robe stood there with a solemn expression; it was none other than the steward elder, Zhou Tong.
"Peak Master Lin," Zhou Tong's voice was deep, "you have failed to recruit any disciples for six consecutive years! The sect rules stipulate that if a peak master has no disciples for seven consecutive years, he/she shall be stripped of his/her position. Do you understand?"
Lin Yuan's expression somber: "This disciple understands."
Zhou Tong's expression was complex as he added, "Peak Master Lin, if you lose your position, with your Qi Refining cultivation and aptitude, you won't even meet the outer sect standards. According to the sect rules, for multiple offenses combined, you should... be expelled from the Tianyan Sect! Do you understand?"
Lin Yuan's lips twitched, his voice chilling: "This disciple...understands." Expelled from the sect? That was tantamount to a death sentence for him in this world!
Zhou Tong nodded slightly, and a burst of mysterious light rose again as he soared into the sky, leaving only his voice echoing: "Peak Master Lin, I wish you good luck at today's Master Selection Ceremony."
Watching the disappearing light, Lin Yuan frowned. How to take on a disciple? A thought flashed through his mind like lightning—spare resources! His master's legacy was abundant, with spirit stones and pills piled up like mountains; he had only used a tiny fraction of it over the years. Today was his last chance. The Empress? He dared not hope for that anymore; he only asked for one disciple to protect Starfall Peak!
"With a generous reward, there will surely be brave men! If we can't beat a genius, can't we at least beat a good-for-nothing?" With this thought, Lin Yuan felt a little more at ease, and a bit of confidence rose in his chest. He turned around and stepped into the simple cave behind him, which was shrouded in starlight, and waited for the ceremony to begin.
...
The following day, the Tianyan Sect held its grand ceremony for selecting a master, a spectacle of unprecedented scale that stirred up a storm within a million miles!
The Heavenly Evolution Sect boasts a long and illustrious lineage, having produced emperors and survived ancient calamities without its destruction, possessing unfathomable depths. Its supreme cultivation technique, the "Zhou Tian Xing Chen Jue," is one of the few emperor-level techniques in the Eastern Region, renowned for its formidable reputation! Therefore, the Heavenly Evolution Sect has long been a sacred place in the hearts of countless cultivators in the Eastern Region.
At this moment, the young talents who have passed numerous tests gather at the "Questioning Square," gazing up at the celestial peaks suspended above the sea of clouds, their hearts surging with emotion.
Spiritual peaks, like stars suspended in the sky, emanate a dense spiritual energy that manifests as tangible starlight, swirling around their forms and radiating auspicious wisps. Pavilions and towers atop these peaks appear and disappear amidst the clouds and rosy light, resembling celestial palaces. In the distance, at the Trial Star Tower and the entrances to numerous secret realms, ancient Dao patterns flow like a galaxy, their awe-inspiring power palpable even from afar. The entire Tianyan Sect exudes a magnificent and boundless aura, permeated with starlight.
Towering peaks rise one after another, and rivers of clouds surge and flow, the sect's territory stretching for tens of thousands of miles. At this moment, celestial birds and auspicious beasts soar in the sky, their clear and melodious calls cleansing the mind and spirit, bringing a sense of peace and tranquility.
At the center of the crowd stood a solitary figure draped in a flowing, moonlit gown. Her beauty was breathtaking, her skin like ice and jade, her figure graceful and exquisite. The gown danced lightly in the wind, outlining her stunning curves. Countless fervent gazes were fixed upon her.
She is none other than the champion of this year's assessment—Feng Qinghuang! Her cultivation has reached the mid-stage of the Breaking Illusion Realm, surpassing all her peers and even many inner sect deacons! Her talent even caused the sect's treasure, the "Evolutionary Heaven Instrument," to roar, alarming the Supreme Elder who was in seclusion, who praised her as "a rare celestial seedling!"
Even before the selection of a master had begun, she had already become the focus of secret competition among the peak masters.
A young man in brocade robes, holding a jade-shaped folding fan, approached with an elegant demeanor and a warm smile: "Fairy Qinghuang, I am Zhao from the Zhao family of Yunzhou..."
"Shut up." Before the words were even finished, Feng Qinghuang spoke coldly, without even opening her eyes, completely ignoring the other party.
She is the Empress of the Celestial Dynasty! Thousands of years ago, the Celestial Dynasty suffered a cataclysmic event, surrounded by powerful enemies and plagued by internal strife, leading to its collapse and the bloodshed of its people. She escaped by reincarnating using a fragmented ancient secret technique. However, the technique's incompleteness resulted in a shattered foundation for her cultivation, a fragmented soul, and numerous hidden dangers. The Heavenly Evolution Sect's supreme cultivation technique, the "Zhou Tian Xing Chen Jue," is rumored to be able to draw upon the power of the celestial sphere, excelling at repairing one's foundation and nourishing the soul. If one could comprehend its ultimate mysteries, it might even be possible to reach the legendary realm of "Star Lord." This is precisely why she is willing to do anything to join the Heavenly Evolution Sect!
She seeks revenge! She will reclaim the throne! With her talent, she is sure to gain the qualification to comprehend the "Zhou Tian Xing Chen Jue"!
At this moment, majestic immortal power descended from the sky, and the aura of the Immortal King realm enveloped the surrounding area.
"Buzz—!"
The figures of the sect leader and the peak masters appeared on the high platform of the square amidst the starlight.
Feng Qinghuang's eyes flickered slightly, and she understood: it seemed that those slumbering ancient ancestors at the Emperor Realm would not appear today. As a pillar of the Eastern Region, the Heavenly Evolution Sect's foundation far exceeded its outward appearance. Although the sect leader was a Celestial King, there must be Emperor Venerables lying dormant within the sect. However, the sect remained aloof from worldly affairs and did not get involved in conflicts; unless there was an earth-shattering event, Emperor Venerables would not easily appear.
On the square, the new disciples were filled with excitement, and the crowd was bustling with activity.
"Silence!" Sect Master Xingyun Immortal King flicked his sleeves, his voice booming like a bell, "The Heavenly Evolution Sect's Master Selection Ceremony begins! You may choose your own spiritual peaks to become disciples and seek the Dao!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the young cultivators erupted in excitement.
"I want to enter the Pill Refining Peak! To seek the true understanding of the Dao of Alchemy!"
"Sword Echo Peak! My swordsmanship resides here!"
"Wanfa Peak! All-encompassing!"...
Crowds surged toward the areas where the peaks were located.
Only the corner of Starfall Peak where Lin Yuan was located was deserted and empty.
Several peak masters glanced at Lin Yuan, their eyes full of mockery.
"If Lin Yuan can recruit a disciple today, I will destroy my Dao heart and go into seclusion for a hundred years!"
"Having had no disciples for seven consecutive years, he should be expelled from Tianyan. It's the will of the people!"
"Exactly! Every time we spar with other holy lands, their saints always mention Lin Yuan to mock our Tianyan. Such humiliation must be eradicated today!"
Lin Yuan took a deep breath, making one last desperate attempt, and declared loudly, "Anyone who joins the Starfall Peak sect may use all the resources within the peak! As everyone knows, my master's legacy is abundant, with spirit stones and pills piled up like mountains!"
Upon hearing this, the entire plaza fell into a deathly silence. Elders and disciples alike focused their gazes on Lin Yuan.
After a brief silence came an even greater uproar and pointing fingers.
"Haha! Our clan elders warned us long ago: We'd rather die than enter Starfall Peak!"
"My father said that if I dare to worship Lin Yuan, he will destroy my spiritual roots and expel me from the family!"
"Sigh... Peak Master Lin's cultivation is even inferior to us newly recruited disciples. How can he have the face to accept disciples? If it were me, I would have already sought a crack in the ground to crawl into..."
Lin Yuan's face turned ashen, and he almost ground his back teeth to powder.
"Damn it! Even our ultimate resource-based strategy has failed?" He was disheartened and prepared to turn and leave. It seemed that Starfall Peak's fate was sealed!
Just then, a clear, calm voice pierced through all the noise:
"I wish to enter Starfall Peak and become a disciple of Peak Master Lin."
The entire room fell silent for a moment; you could hear a pin drop!
Because the speaker was none other than the stunning champion of the assessment—Feng Qinghuang!
Everyone was stunned, wondering if they were hallucinating. Feng Qinghuang was going to enter... Starfall Peak?!
Sect Master Xingyun Immortal King was dumbfounded. He and the other peak masters were still secretly competing to see who could take in such a promising immortal talent, and she actually chose that good-for-nothing from Xingyun Peak?!
Lin Yuan whirled around, his eyes nearly popping out of their sockets. Wasn't this the champion, Feng Qinghuang? She…wanted to become his disciple? Really?!
The sect leader and the others instantly appeared in front of Feng Qinghuang, urgently dissuading her: "Qinghuang! You absolutely mustn't!"
Feng Qinghuang's expression remained unchanged, her eyes seeming to sparkle like a river of stars: "Sect Master, this disciple's mind is made up."
The sect leader was heartbroken: "Child! Lin Yuan himself struggles to understand the Dao, how can he teach you? He might ruin your foundation for immortality!"
Dan Ding Peak Master, Jian Ming Peak Master, and others spoke up one after another:
"A celestial seedling has fallen to the stars, a bright pearl has been obscured by dust—what a waste of heaven's bounty!"
"Lin Yuan himself is only at the Qi Refining Realm, yet he's misleading young disciples!"
"Qinghuang, don't make a mistake!"
However, Feng Qinghuang simply shook her head slightly, walked calmly to Lin Yuan, and solemnly performed the traditional apprenticeship ceremony: "Disciple Feng Qinghuang greets Master!"
She had already made her decision. She carried a shocking secret, and if she were to become a disciple of another peak master, it would be easily exposed. Becoming Lin Yuan's disciple? In her view, it would be merely a nominal position. How could a peak master whose cultivation was inferior to a new disciple possibly restrain her? She would have absolute freedom, which would be perfect for her!
Just as she bowed down—
"Ding! Target matching the criteria for 'First Disciple' detected: Emperor Qingtian (Reincarnated Cultivator)!"
"The Myriad Paths Apprentice Recruitment System is activating... Estimated time: one hour!"
A notification sound rang in Lin Yuan's mind, causing him to blurt out, "Holy crap?!" This Feng Qinghuang is actually the reincarnation of the Empress?!
The sect leader and the others looked even more desperate when they saw Lin Yuan's discomposure.
Sect Master Xingyun Immortal King forced a smile and turned to Lin Yuan: "Peak Master Lin! Qinghuang is young and doesn't understand the implications! She wants to become your disciple, you...you can refuse!"
The other peak masters instantly surrounded Lin Yuan, their noise almost lifting the roof off:
"Lin Yuan! Refuse it now!"