As the head of Wandao Zong, Zheng Dongliu was not a type who kept to himself and rarely left the main hall. Instead, he would often lead a group of his personally trained disciples to tour the inner and outer doors 'for inspection'.

    Zheng Dongliu had a comprehensive understanding of all levels in the Wandao Zong, from the vice sect head to even the lowest-ranked chores.

    As a revered elder in the cultivation world, Zheng Dongliu conducts himself with integrity, which is why Wandao Zong enjoys unity from the top to the bottom and maintains its position as the top sect in the cultivation realm.

    Descending the stone steps that connected various parts of the mountain gate, Zheng Dongliu stood tall and straight, with his hands on his back. Although he didn't seem to be releasing any lingering power, his emaciated body exuded an aura of a fierce tiger about to pounce down the mountain.

    Upon seeing the sect members part ways in fear, stand on either side to bow and greet, paying respects to the sect master.

    Zheng Dongliu also returned a smile, looking like an affable elder.

    Behind him, the numerous disciples that were personally trained by Zheng Dongliu at Taiyi Peak had already become sharp-witted in the cultivation world.

    According to the rules of Wandao Zong, personally trained disciples who have reached the stage of merging with their path, inner door disciples who have become saints, and outer door disciples who have achieved the level of sitting in the reflection can leave their disciple status to establish their own sects and schools outside. However, while some leave, more remain. After all, why not strive for it? There's a chance that an outer door disciple could become an inner door disciple, or an inner door disciple could become a personally trained one.

    Among them, to become personally trained disciples means not only inheriting their seniors' robes and assuming the burden of Wandao Zong.

    This is because personally trained disciples are a result of a mutual selection process.

    The reason for this rule is that some disciples come from imperial courts and noble families, and among them, some are destined to return to their families after studying, and cannot stay in Wandao Zong.

    Therefore, personally trained disciples of Wandao Zong are the future of Wandao Zong.

    "After doing some calculations, I found out that the sect master goes 'inspecting and guiding' every six months. This time has not been 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, under the current cultivation system of the human race, cultivators at the early stages face a major challenge every six months. This is why Zheng Dongliu conducts his inspections and guidance every six months.

    "Maybe it's because the senior brother has reached the merging stage," Guan Wen whispered in response: "Although he is not the youngest to have reached the merging stage, combined with his being in the mid-stage of the youngest merging stage, and adding this year that he has taken on over 5,000 disciples, it is certainly necessary for those disciples to witness the senior brother, isn't that what you think, second brother?"

    Speaking of this, Guan Wen tried to reach out and touch the Pure Yin Boy, Jiang Wuyaya. Jiang Wuyaya quickly dodged her and glared at her: "Just follow the sect master and the senior brother. Don't ask so many questions."

    "Oops~"

    Guan Wen gave the second brother a cold look and then respectfully looked at the back of the sect master.

    It is well known that Wandao Zong, under the leadership of Zheng Dongliu, has become the leader of the cultivation realm.

    Moreover, he abolished the position of the Supreme Elder, with a simple reason: Wandao Zong does not need a 'backing' Supreme Elder who only shows up to be imposing in times of crisis. It needs instead a set of 'sharp swords' that each carry out their duties, instilling fear and respect across the land, and never dared to disgrace them!

    In the words of the sect master, those who have the qualifications to be Supreme Elders are long-term stagnant strong cultivators who have been serving in these positions for a long time. It is more practical to assign them tasks, guide and mentor disciples, gaze at the alternation of the sun and moon, mountains and rivers, as well as the various aspects of life, rather than wasting resources on them to cultivate and close their doors. This is definitely more beneficial than purely cultivating alone.

    After all, Shenlin and Shenyan are profound realms that connect heaven and earth. What's the point of knowing only the meaning of cultivating alone?

    Because of this, the sect master initially offended many people, but they were all defeated by him.

    Those who harbor grudges leave the sect, and those who respect the sect remain in it, maintaining their respect.

    Later on, with the resources freed up from not needing to support the Supreme Elders, all of it was used to cultivate the younger generation. Once the younger generation grew up, they completely replaced the previous elders, ensuring that there were no internal worries for Wandao Zong.

    During the transition between the old and the new, Zheng Dongliu alone shouldered the entire Wandao Zong.

    Thus, even though he should have had a longer and tougher life at the Shenyan stage, his true age began to show 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 master and also been a member of Wandao Zong, her life would definitely have been exciting.

    Therefore, Guan Wen whispered again to Jiang Wuyaya about the master, as Ji Wencheng, one of the disciples of the master and a vice-chief of the sect, was one of his top students.

    "Jin An, come here."

    Zheng Dongliu lowered his voice slightly, and without saying a word, Jiang Wuyaya and the others intuitively fell behind, giving the sect master and the senior brother some private space.

    Lu Jian'an followed behind the sect master, half a step behind, and Zheng Dongliu transmitted his voice, asking, "What about the Underworld?"

    Lu Jian'an thought for a moment and said, "Fengdu's Great Emperor is quite busy. When he heard that another major era of strife is coming, he was quite unhappy."

    "Hahaha, still the same old him..." Zheng Dongliu let out a hearty laugh. "I feel sorry for him."

    "Master is the same," Lu Jian'an whispered. "They both have their own pursuits."

    "We are just doing what we should. You don't need to exaggerate," Zheng Dongliu shook his head and changed the subject: "You must have learned a lot from talking to him for so long."

    "Yes," Lu Jian'an smiled slightly: "The great path of my cultivation is now complete."

    "Good, very good. Very good." Zheng Dongliu stroked his beard and smiled. Turning his head towards him, he spoke in a louder tone: "This time, my old man's birthday celebration is not for me, but for you. Old man wants you to inherit the position of the Saint's Son!"

    Lu Jian'an slightly bowed his head and responded without hesitation: "Disciple obeys."

    Zheng Dongliu nodded, and looking forward again, his gaze was somewhat dim.

    Lu Jian'an knew what the sect master was thinking.

    Wandao Zong had not established a Saint's Son without incident before; however, all of them had died—killed by others.

    It was because the Saint's Son was established by Zheng Dongliu as the successor of Wandao Zong, so that the upper realm and foreign races were ruthless without mercy.

    Because they do not want to see a second Zheng Dongliu.

    So Lu Jian'an was fully aware of what it meant to be the Saint's Son of Wandao Zong.

    Re-taking his hands on his back, Zheng Dongliu whispered, "You don't have to learn from those who have passed away to become like me..."

    "I can only hold on to this place," he said.

    Lu Jian'an nodded, his voice calm: "I am not the sect master."

    Hearing Lu Jian'an's resolute response without hesitation, the smile on Zheng Dongliu's withered face grew more intense: "Very good, very good. It is not to become someone else that one strives for immortality..." He then asked, "May I ask, what prompted you to strive for immortality?"

    "To..." Lu Jian'an paused for a moment, a hint of helplessness flickering in his eyes.

    Had it been before, he would have answered "immortality" or "liberation" without hesitation. But now, an involuntary image of his master, Nanzhi, his sister, and a certain figure that caused him to tremble with fear ...

    "Hmm?" Zheng Dongliu looked curiously at Lu Jian'an, "Is it hard to answer?"

    Lu Jian'an took a deep breath and slowly opened his mouth, "Freedom."

    At this moment, he really yearned for 'freedom', because they always had plans to "scheme against" him.

    Hearing Lu Jian'an's response, Zheng Dongliu's smile became even more pronounced.

    "Freedom" are two words that are profound and elusive.

    Old man gently stroked his beard: "Well!"

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