Zhang Jian’s recent period of intense cultivation lasted longer than ever before.
Previously, he had relied on the Sheji Spiritual Mechanism to quickly achieve his Primordial Spirit, but in truth, he lacked many things. This time, during his retreat, he planned to reacquaint himself with the Hundred Skills of Cultivation.
During this period, Empress Qi successfully gave birth to a second daughter.
Unexpectedly, this second daughter appeared to be more ordinary compared to the three sons and one daughter before her, as if they had already seized all the Heaven and Earth Creation, leaving her with only a middle-ranked Water and Fire Spirit Root and lacking any other Dao Body.
This certainly stirred significant waves within and outside the Great Xia Royal Family.
After all, the exceptional aptitude of Empress Qi’s previously born two sons and a daughter was well recognized.
Especially Zhang Xian, who made quite a name for himself in the Cultivation Realm, possessing a body ranked among the finest Innate Dao Embryos under heaven.
The Innate Dao Embryo Body is inherently close to the Dao, being the body of an Exiled Immortal, destined to tread the Immortal Dao unless one falls, and achieving great accomplishments within the Immortal Dao.
However, concerning this younger daughter, the Great Xia Emperor and Empress showed exceptional affection.
Soon after her birth, she was titled Princess Yang Huang.
...
Within the Tongshan Dao Lineage
At this time, many Primordial Spirit True Monarchs of the Tongshan Lineage gathered to discuss a major event.
That day, Jue Ming Daoist suddenly emerged from seclusion, announcing his Perfect Dao Practice and intention to ascend to the Celestial Palace.
This immediately caused a great stir in the Cultivation Realm!
In the Ancestral Hall, Jue Ming Daoist faced many Second Generation Ancestors, along with some Third Generation peers, Fourth Generation Disciples, and Fifth Generation Disciples, most of whom had achieved cultivation success, either attending as Yin Spirits or seated as Primordial Spirit Masters.
"Fellow Daoists, I owe my early achievement of Perfect Dao Practice to the blessings from our Junior Zhang of the Zhanmo Lineage. I recently received the ancestor’s permission to ascend to the Celestial Realm."
"The third Sect Leader of the Tongshan Dao Lineage will be chosen from among the Fourth Generation Disciples. Everyone may freely suggest their preferred candidate!"
Standing at the head, Jue Ming Daoist wore a smile as warm as spring.
The other Primordial Spirit Masters had already heard the news, but their faces couldn’t hide their envy at this moment.
To ascend to the Celestial Palace and become a Celestial Immortal is a dream for many cultivators.
For Tongshan Dao Lineage cultivators, becoming an Immortal is easy, but ascending to the Celestial Palace is difficult.
Nonetheless, Jue Ming Daoist’s ascension is good news.
With this news, it’s likely that the Tongshan Dao Lineage’s influence in this realm will rise several levels.
At the same time, many of the present Primordial Spirit masters instinctively focused on the imposing Daoist in a Purple Gold Daoist Robe seated below Jue Ming Daoist.
The Daoist had an imposing demeanor, a scholarly expression, and merely smiled slightly as the crowd looked on.
That was Fuyou Daoist!
Dao title Fuyouzi!
In fact, there was little suspense about the third Sect Leader of Tongshan.
All knew that the Qing Yuan Lineage had prepared for this for millennia.
Fuyou Daoist’s enlightenment occurred even before many Third Generation True Monarchs. He was accepted into Jue Ming Daoist’s tutelage during the end of the Middle Ages, having practiced for several millennia, his Dao Practice already at the Primordial Spirit True Monarch level.
Moreover, he had long assisted Jue Ming Daoist in managing the affairs of the Tongshan Dao Lineage Sect, making him quite experienced.
Seated above, Jue Ming Daoist turned his gaze to True Monarch Zhanmo, smiling: "Junior Sister Zhanmo, who do you think is the best candidate for the third Sect Leader?!"
His gaze was probing.
The many Tongshan Dao Lineage cultivators in the hall all turned their eyes to her.
Among the Tongshan’s eight main lineages and various Dao and Magic Veins present, only the Zhanmo Lineage could truly challenge Fuyou Daoist’s status as ’Crown Prince.’
Originally, the Zhanmo Lineage had no say in this matter.
But since Zhang Jian, a Fourth Generation disciple of the Zhanmo Lineage, stepped onto the Saint King Dao, everything changed.
As a Primordial Spirit Grand Master commanding the Sheji Spiritual Mechanism of the mountains and rivers, with the support of the King Jun Golden Man, his influence exceeded that of typical Primordial Spirit True Monarchs.
If he intended to compete, it could pose a threat to Fuyou Daoist.
Of course, given True Monarch Zhanmo’s disposition, the threat wasn’t significant, but if the Zhanmo Lineage remained noncommittal, Fuyou Daoist’s future position as Sect Leader would be uncertain.
True Monarch Zhanmo glanced at Jue Ming Daoist and said calmly: "What opinion could I possibly have? It should be Senior Martial Brother Sect Leader’s choice, Junior Fuyou, who has successfully gained experience and is fit for the position of Sect Leader!"
She glanced at Jue Ming Daoist, expressionless.
Jue Ming Daoist had anticipated this, having early on accepted Zhang Xian as a disciple and recently having entrusted him to Fuyou Daoist for instruction.
What more could True Monarch Zhanmo say?
Of course, True Monarch Zhanmo had consulted Zhang Jian, who was not interested in sect matters.
Given this, Fuyou Master’s succession as the third Sect Leader of the Tongshan Dao Lineage was no different from any other.
With Jue Ming Daoist ’paving the way,’ none of the other main lineage leaders, elders, or the sect’s Second Generation Ancestors had any objections, and Fuyou Master’s third Sect Leader position was soon confirmed.
Afterward, Jue Ming Daoist approached True Monarch Zhanmo to express his gratitude.
"Sect Leader Brother’s gratitude seems distant!"
Jue Ming Daoist was slightly surprised by her response, a smile appearing at the corner of his mouth, which froze almost instantly.
True Monarch Zhanmo continued.
"Instead of pleasantries, perhaps the Junior could bring more benefits to our Zhanmo Lineage in the future, which would be tangible!"
Jue Ming Daoist smiled stiffly at her words.
True Monarch Zhanmo remained unchanged.
He pondered for a moment, then said.
"Junior Sister, the sect will need much assistance from the Zhanmo Lineage in the future!"
He spoke solemnly, sighing slightly.
"Originally, I intended to remain in the mortal realm for a few more centuries, until the situation stabilized, waiting for the Tongshan Dao Lineage to reemerge, but plans don’t always work out. My Dao Practice reached perfection prematurely, and there happened to be a rather decent position available in the Celestial Palace..."
At this, he smiled slightly.
Upon hearing this, True Monarch Zhanmo’s lips pursed slightly.
In the Celestial Realm, each Great Divine Position is coveted, vacating one typically represents a great opportunity eyed by many ordinary Celestials.
Not just in terms of stipends and status, but also due to the vast backing they provide, making cultivation naturally more convenient.
True Monarch Zhanmo, slightly disgruntled, retorted, "Alright, stop showing off here, just get to the point!"
Jue Ming Daoist nodded.
"Junior Sister, the recent occurrence of the Asura Gate in the Two Realms Region might not be incidental. I have received information that similar unusual Outer World passages have appeared in other regions, indicating those Outer World demons and gods might again be conspiring, and Fuyou Daoist’s sway in the sect isn’t as strong as mine. Please lend your support when the time comes!"
"This is for the Qing Yuan Lineage and the Tongshan Dao Lineage!"
He spoke with a dignified expression.
True Monarch Zhanmo pondered slightly upon hearing this, then agreed.
"Rest assured, if you fare well in the Celestial Realm, don’t forget about us Junior Sisters!"
Jue Ming Daoist chuckled at her words, looking at True Monarch Zhanmo with a smile.
"Junior Sister, I’ve noticed a significant change in your personality since accepting Master Zhang as your last disciple!"
True Monarch Zhanmo snorted lightly, ignoring Jue Ming Daoist’s teasing, and sent a message flying toward Haojing City.
...
In Haojing City, within the Yellow Court Blessed Land
The Yellow Court Blessed Land was undergoing a slight transformation, as strands of nine-colored radiance merged into the land from Zhang Jian’s palm, altering its structure.
After some time of integrating the Nine-Colored Earth, his comprehension of the Authority of the Earth deepened, and he gained a new understanding of the Blessed Land Technique of Yellow Court, which he was currently ’fine-tuning’ and practicing.
At that moment, he sensed something, witnessing a stream of light breaking through the void toward him, appearing in an instant before him.
"Ascension Ceremony?"
After a brief glance, Zhang Jian’s expression shifted.
This kind of event was new to him, certainly worth experiencing!