As the head of the sect of Ten Thousand Ways, Zheng Dongliu is not someone who is aloof and secluded. On the contrary, he leads a group of his personal disciples to visit and inspect both the inner and outer gates of the sect at regular intervals.
He is well-versed in all matters, from the vice-head of the sect to the lowest servant.
As an old senior in the cultivation realm, Zheng Dongliu maintained his integrity, thus the whole of the Ten Thousand Ways sect was united, and they managed to hold onto their position as the largest sect in the realm of cultivation.
Descending the stone steps connecting various parts of the mountain gate, Zheng Dongliu, with a straight posture and hands behind his back, walked with a steady pace. Though he hadn't unleashed any spiritual power, his slender figure exuded an aura of a fierce tiger descending from the mountains.
People inside the sect stepped aside and bowed in respect as Zheng Dongliu walked past.
Zheng Dongliu returned the smile and acknowledged the bow with a kind expression, looking just like a friendly elder.
Behind him, the group of personal disciples from the Taiyi Peak, like a herd of young beasts, had already made a name for themselves in the cultivation world.
According to the rules of the Ten Thousand Ways sect, personal disciples who have reached the level of combining the Dao and practicing within the inner gate can become founders of their own sect and leave the discipleship, but many have left while even more remain. After all, those in the outer gate want to become the inner gate, and those in the inner gate want to become personal disciples. If one tries hard enough, it might just happen.
Among them, becoming a personal disciple meant taking over the mantle of their masters and shouldering the responsibilities of the Ten Thousand Ways sect.
Because becoming a personal disciple is a result of a mutual choice.
This rule exists because some disciples come from royal families or prestigious families, and some of them are destined to return to their families after they have learned their skills, so they cannot stay in the Ten Thousand Ways sect.
Therefore, the personal disciples of the Ten Thousand Ways sect are the future of the sect.
"I've done the math, Master's esteemed self pays a visit and gives guidance once every six months. This time, it's not even half a year yet," Zhao Shize whispered to Guan Wen. "What do you think is the reason for this early visit?"
Each time a cultivator breaks through a realm, their lifespan increases significantly. However, in the existing cultivation system of the human race, the progress of cultivators in the early stage is a bottleneck, with half a year being the benchmark. Therefore, Zheng Dongliu visits and gives guidance once every six months.
"Perhaps it's because Master Brother has combined the Dao," Guan Wen whispered back, "Although not the youngest of those who have combined the Dao, but the youngest of those who have combined the Dao at the middle stage, plus the fact that over five thousand disciples were recruited this year, it is definitely to let those junior brothers and sisters see more of Master Brother. What do you think, Second Master Brother?"
Saying that, Guan Wen reached out again to touch the Pure Yang Boy, Jiang Wuaya, who quickly dodged and glared at her: "Just follow the sect master and Master Brother. Don't ask so many questions."
"Humph~"
Guan Wen glared at Second Master, then respectfully glanced at the back of the sect master.
It is well-known that the Ten Thousand Ways sect became the leader of the cultivation world under Zheng Dongliu's leadership.
Moreover, he abolished the position of Supreme Elder, with a very simple reason: the Ten Thousand Ways sect doesn't need a "sword" that only emerges to show its might and support in times of crisis. All it needs are each department fulfilling its duties, making the whole world respect it and dare not trample on it!
In the words of the sect master, deities who have reached the Shenglin realm are eligible to become Supreme Elders, and these are mainly elderly officials who have been trapped in this realm for a long time. It is better to use resources to keep them secluded than to waste resources on them. Instead, they should be more active, provide more guidance to disciples, experience more of life's ups and downs, changes in nature and the world around them. This is definitely more useful than simply secluding themselves.
After all, the Shenglin and Shenyin realms are profound levels that connect to the heavens and the earth. What is the meaning of seclusion if one only knows of it?
That's why the sect master incurred the wrath of many people at first, but he was able to defeat them all with ease.
The resentful ones left the sect, while those who respected and feared the sect master continued to serve the sect out of respect and fear.
Later on, with the resources saved from not supporting the Supreme Elders, they were all used to cultivate the younger generation. Once the younger generation grew up, they completely replaced the older generation, ensuring there were no internal troubles for the Ten Thousand Ways sect.
During the transition between the old and new generations, Zheng Dongliu alone carried the entire Ten Thousand Ways sect.
As a result, with his Shenyin realm, he should have a much longer and tougher lifespan. However, he started showing signs of aging at over ten thousand years old.
Just thinking about the master's glorious history, Guan Wen couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration in her heart. If she had been born in the same era as the sect master and had also been a member of the Ten Thousand Ways sect, it would have been amazing.
So, she whispered again to Jiang Wuaya about the master, as Ji Wencheng, one of the vice-chiefs and one of the master's top disciples.
"Xiang'an, come over."
Zheng Dongliu lowered his voice slightly, and Jiang Wuaya and the others, understanding the unspoken meaning, fell back a bit to give the sect master and the senior brother some private space.
Lu Jiang'an followed the sect master half a step behind, and Zheng Dongliu whispered into his ear, "How is the underworld?"
Lu Jiang'an thought for a moment and said, "Fengdu Emperor is quite busy, and he was very unhappy when he heard that another period of great contention was approaching."
"Hahaha, still the same old him..." Zheng Dongliu let out a hearty laugh. "I feel sorry for him."
"Master and he are the same," Lu Jiang'an whispered, "Each has their own tenacity."
"We're just doing what we should," Zheng Dongliu shook his head, changing the subject. "You learned a lot from chatting with him, right?"
"Yes," Lu Jiang'an smiled slightly, "Disciple's path to the Dao is now complete."
"Very good, very good, very good," Zheng Dongliu smiled and touched his beard, turning to look at him with a heavier tone of voice. "This time, it's not for me but for you. I want you to inherit the position of the Saint Son!"
Lu Jiang'an lowered his head slightly and answered decisively, "Disciple will follow the command."
Zheng Dongliu nodded, then looked ahead again, his gaze somewhat gloomy.
Lu Jiang'an knew what the sect master was thinking.
The Ten Thousand Ways sect has had many Saint Sons, but all of them have died—all killed by other cultivators.
This is because the Saint Son is the successor to the Ten Thousand Ways sect established by Zheng Dongliu, so the upper realms and other ethnic groups have never hesitated to act.
Because they don't want to see another Zheng Dongliu.
So Lu Jiang'an well understood what being the Saint Son of the Ten Thousand Ways sect meant.
With hands once again behind his back, Zheng Dongliu spoke softly, "You should not emulate those who have passed away. You want to become like me..."
"I can only hold on to this place," Zheng Dongliu replied.
Lu Jiang'an nodded, his voice calm, "I am not the sect master."
Hearing Lu Jiang'an's resolute response, Zheng Dongliu's smile on his withered face grew a little more pronounced, "Good, good. Becoming an immortal is not about becoming someone else... I'm being a bit forward to ask you, but what is it that drives you to become an immortal?"
"For...," Lu Jiang'an hesitated, his eyes showing a hint of helplessness.
Had it been in the past, he would have answered without hesitation, "To become an immortal" or "to transcend". But now, an involuntary image of his master, Nanzhi, sister-in-law, and a certain figure that sent shivers down his spine involuntarily emerged in his mind.
"Hmm?" Zheng Dongliu looked curiously at Lu Jiang'an, "Is it hard to answer?"
Lu Jiang'an took a deep breath and opened his mouth slowly, "Freedom."
He really yearns for "freedom" now, since they always try to do him "harm".
Hearing Lu Jiang'an's answer, Zheng Dongliu's smile grew even more pronounced.
"Freedom" are two words that are very profound.
The elderly man gently touched his beard, "Well said!"
