Chapter 136: Disciples of the Main House, Disciples of the Branch House!

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A burst of dazzling light flashed before his eyes.

When his vision returned, Qi Xiu found himself standing within a vast, magnificent hall.

Countless enormous and imposing statues stood throughout the grand殿堂, as though they had witnessed the passage of a thousand years. The hall soared into the clouds, its ceiling nowhere in sight.

The chamber was spacious and majestic, its floor paved with stone tiles polished smooth as mirrors. Massive pillars supported the roof, their surfaces carved with countless ancient patterns and inscriptions.

Light streamed down through the stained-glass skylights high above, filling the place with an aura of mystery and antiquity.

As Qi Xiu raised his head to gaze at the towering statues, a deep, thunderous murmur suddenly rang in his ears, like ancient gods and Buddhas chanting archaic scriptures.

The scripture sounded like thunder.

It contained an overwhelming, profound meaning, yet vanished as swiftly as lightning.

Before Qi Xiu could listen carefully, the chanting had already disappeared, leaving no trace of its source.

“These are the sages and great predecessors of our Divine Firmament Sect. Impressive, aren’t they?”

A curly-bearded old Daoist had appeared behind him at some unknown point. He wore a deep-blue Daoist robe and stood with his hands clasped behind his back.

Qi Xiu glanced at the old man in surprise. His eyes shifted slightly as he cupped his hands.

“May I ask who you are, Senior?”

“Yun Xiong of the Divine Firmament Sect.”

“Greetings, Senior Yun Xiong. I am Qi Xiu.”

Sensing an aura from the curly-bearded Daoist that inspired the same awe as a towering mountain, Qi Xiu understood that the man was clearly an eminent elder of the Divine Firmament Sect. He respectfully bowed.

“No need to be so formal. Our Divine Firmament Sect is nothing like those chaotic sects and grand religious institutions. We do not concern ourselves with so many pointless formalities and rigid rules.

“Of all those who took the entrance examination this time, your performance could be called the best.

“Courage, intellect, talent, comprehension... as well as character and luck.

“Of these six criteria, you were not the foremost in every category. But taken together, your overall score was the highest.

“Especially in the final trial.

“Why did you dare to remain where you were? Were you truly not afraid of being torn to pieces by those abominations?”

Yun Xiong looked at Qi Xiu with great interest and asked the question curiously.

The secret of the final trial was known only to him and Yun Qing. It was impossible for it to have been revealed to a third person.

Moreover, Yun Qing had entered the sect alongside him. He would never have leaked the questions.

There was only one explanation.

The young man before him possessed some special ability.

“Perhaps... it was simply luck.” Qi Xiu gave a modest answer and did not elaborate.

“Hah! You little rascal.”

Everyone had their own secrets. Since Qi Xiu was unwilling to say more, Old Daoist Yun Xiong did not press him.

“If you do not wish to speak of it, then this old Daoist will not ask again.

“In this examination, you and the son of the Slaughter King, that boy from the Chi family, both ranked among the top three.

“Therefore, you need not enter the inner sect. You may become direct disciples of our Divine Firmament Sect immediately.

“Before that, however, this old Daoist must make two matters clear to you.

“Listen carefully. Make sure you understand.”

“Please go on, Senior.”

Qi Xiu straightened his back and listened solemnly.

“The first matter is this.

“Our Divine Firmament Sect accepts disciples differently from other sects. Whether you have already learned a form of cultivation or come from an unorthodox path, all are treated equally.

“As long as you are not a great villain, an evil cultivator, or a demon, you may enter our sect.

“But after joining us, should you give birth to wicked thoughts and use our sect’s arts to commit evil, then no matter how far you flee or how many ages pass, our sect will capture you and bring you back.

“You will be subjected to the eternal bombardment of heavenly thunder upon the Thunder Punishment Platform.

“Life after life, you will be unable to live, yet unable to die.”

As he spoke, lightning glimmered within Yun Xiong’s eyes. His very body seemed to resound like thunder, radiating an immense and terrifying might. Even the surrounding space trembled faintly.

Yet beneath that overwhelming thunderous威势, Qi Xiu’s gaze remained clear and limpid. There was not the slightest trace of panic or fear in his expression.

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Seeing Qi Xiu’s reaction, Old Daoist Yun Xiong revealed an even more satisfied look.

“Good. A bright and upright lad with a clear conscience.

“The second matter concerns the disciples of our Divine Firmament Sect. They are divided into two categories: core-line disciples and branch-line disciples.

“Core-line disciples belong to the direct succession of our sect. They are the ones who will inherit our tradition in the future, and most are raised and trained from childhood.

“Some are also the children born to disciples of our sect and their Dao companions.

“They cultivate our sect’s fundamental canon, the Nine Heavens Divine Firmament Thunder-Commanding True Scripture.

“You ranked first in this examination. If you are willing, you may also become a core-line disciple of our Divine Firmament Sect.

“However, to become a core-line disciple, you must first enter the Thunder Pool and wash away all your current cultivation.

“The Nine Heavens Divine Firmament Thunder-Commanding True Scripture is fierce and domineering. It is difficult to merge with other forms of true energy, so you must begin cultivating it from the very start.

“Are you willing?”

The moment Yun Xiong finished speaking, Qi Xiu’s expression grew solemn.

Abandon the profound principles of the Primordial Dragon-Tiger True Scripture and switch to the Nine Heavens Divine Firmament Thunder-Commanding True Scripture?

If he had been some rootless and impoverished wandering cultivator, this would not have been a choice at all. It would have been the only answer.

As the fundamental canon of the Divine Firmament Sect, the Nine Heavens Divine Firmament Thunder-Commanding True Scripture was an unparalleled scripture that led directly to the Great Dao of the Divine Spirit.

The Divine Firmament Sect was also a superlative religious institution with an ancient inheritance. Its roots could even be traced back to the Middle Ages.

The essential barriers and profound mysteries within the Nine Heavens Divine Firmament Thunder-Commanding True Scripture had long since been explored and clarified by countless predecessors.

With those elders of the sect guiding and protecting him, his path of cultivation would be smooth from beginning to end, allowing him to advance with tremendous speed.

But for him...

The profound principles of the Primordial Dragon-Tiger True Scripture had been created specifically for him, tailored to his own circumstances.

The hardships involved were impossible to describe.

He had poured countless hours and efforts into it, endured innumerable setbacks, and only then succeeded in cultivating it.

Was he really supposed to abandon it just like that?

“May I ask, Senior, what exactly are branch-line disciples?”

Unable to make a decision so quickly, Qi Xiu could only ask Old Daoist Yun Xiong about the nature of branch-line disciples.

Seeing that Qi Xiu had not immediately chosen to become a core-line disciple, Yun Xiong’s face revealed a trace of regret.

Still too young.

But at his age, that was only natural.

“Branch-line disciples differ little from core-line disciples.

“Other than being forbidden to cultivate the fundamental canon, the Nine Heavens Divine Firmament Thunder-Commanding True Scripture, their treatment is essentially the same.

“However, branch-line disciples may not hold official positions within the sect.”

Qi Xiu nodded slightly upon hearing this.

The difference between core-line and branch-line disciples appeared insignificant at first glance.

In truth, both distinctions struck directly at the heart of the matter.

The Nine Heavens Divine Firmament Thunder-Commanding True Scripture was very likely the foundation of the Divine Firmament Sect’s many thunder arts. Being unable to cultivate the complete canon meant that learning the other thunder arts would require twice the effort for half the results, or perhaps even leave one unable to achieve anything at all.

And being unable to hold a position within the sect meant that branch-line disciples would forever remain disciples. They could exist only at the lowest levels and would never be able to enter the core structure of the Divine Firmament Sect.

Still, Qi Xiu understood both restrictions perfectly.

The Divine Firmament Sect was a great sect, not a charitable association.

Wanting the benefits without truly joining the sect—where in this world could one find such a good bargain?

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The Divine Firmament Sect was already being extraordinarily generous by allowing wandering cultivators and practitioners of unorthodox paths to study its thunder arts as branch-line disciples.

Across the entire Dianchuan region, and perhaps even throughout the Great Xuan Dynasty, there were likely very few sects with the same breadth of spirit as the Divine Firmament Sect.

“Regarding the distinction between core-line and branch-line disciples, Senior, might you give me a few more days to consider?”

For the moment, Qi Xiu could not decide whether he should abandon the Profound Principles of the Primordial Dragon-Tiger True Scripture and instead cultivate the Divine Firmament Sect’s Nine Heavens Divine Firmament Thunder-Commanding True Scripture. He could only ask Old Daoist Yun Xiong for a few more days.

“That is no problem. There is plenty of time. You may think it over carefully before making your decision.

“This concerns the path you will walk for the rest of your life. There is no need to rush. Simply follow your heart.”

After offering Qi Xiu a few words of reassurance, Yun Xiong led him toward the exit of the hall.

“Come. I will first take you to see where our branch cultivates.”

Before his voice had even faded, Old Daoist Yun Xiong transformed into a fierce streak of thunderlight, wrapping Qi Xiu within it as they burst from the ancient hall.

How fast!

Within the thunderlight, Qi Xiu’s face was filled with astonishment.

Looking outward through the radiance, he saw the surrounding scenery change countless times in the space of a breath.

Senior Yun Xiong’s thunder-escape technique was at least ten times faster than my Water-Prowling Escape Light!

They raced like wind and lightning toward a lofty mountain peak that pierced the clouds.

The entire mountain shimmered with clusters of deep azure.

The blue came from more than a hundred Cloud Grape vines, their twisted bodies reaching toward the sky. Their branches crossed and tangled together, swaying gently in the breeze.

The azure grape clusters bathed in the light seemed to radiate an entrancing aura. Each bunch of blue grapes was crystal-clear, plump, and alluring.

By then, evening was drawing near.

As dusk descended, the setting sun stained the entire mountain in warm yet mysterious shades of violet.

“This is the dao sanctuary of our branch, Cloud Grape Peak.

“The grapes growing on this mountain are called Cloud Grapes. They are born from the essence of thunder, and both their skins and flesh are greatly beneficial to those who cultivate thunder arts.

“Their seeds can also be used as the primary material for Fire Thunder Seeds.

“The finances of our branch—our food, clothing, daily necessities, and cultivation materials—all depend on these Cloud Grapes.”

Pointing toward the dense clusters of Cloud Grape vines covering the mountain, Yun Xiong wore an expression of pride.

“Finances? Does the sect not provide for you?” Qi Xiu opened his mouth, feeling that the Divine Firmament Sect was rather different from the sects he had imagined.

“The sect provides a damn—”

Yun Xiong abruptly swallowed the disrespectful words. He gave an awkward laugh and continued:

“After all these years of reform, our Divine Firmament Sect is no longer like those old sects and ancient schools that live off communal provisions.

“Now, every branch and lineage is responsible for its own profits and losses. We encourage innovation and competition.

“You may make offerings to the sect.

“But you may not ask the sect for money.

“To put it simply, everything in cultivation depends on yourself!”

As he spoke, Yun Xiong brought Qi Xiu to the summit of Cloud Grape Peak. The vast complex of buildings constructed along the mountainside did not appear particularly large.

Yet the instant they landed upon the broad stone steps and square paved with white jade, the scene before them suddenly expanded to more than a hundred times its former size, becoming vast and boundless.

Was this the same kind of wondrous formation that had been used aboard the ship?

Looking at the abruptly enlarged complex of buildings, Qi Xiu’s eyes flickered strangely.

Back on the ship, Zhu Mo had once tried to ask the old man in charge of the vessel about the formation aboard it.

Unfortunately, the shipmaster had been a man of few words and had offered no answer.

Now it seemed that formations of this kind were quite common within the Divine Firmament Sect.

...

The Profound Principles of the Primordial Dragon-Tiger True Scripture, or the Nine Heavens Divine Firmament Thunder-Commanding True Scripture?

Which one do you think is better?

End of Chapter