Xie Liang maintained the same stern demeanor as when he lectured in the hall, his face expressionless. Yet, when he noticed Yu Ci’s gaze, he slightly inclined his head.
“I came tonight to express my gratitude.”
“Huh?”
Yu Ci felt utterly bewildered, as if lost in a fog. He had no recollection of ever helping such a powerful figure.
In the time it took for these few words, the group had already entered the room. Only then did Yu Ci realize, in his absentmindedness, that he had led his guests to the wrong place. The room he had been staying in earlier was not for receiving visitors; it was a quiet resting chamber with only a small table. Guests had to sit on the floor, and the table itself was cluttered with random items.
Yu Zhou stroked his beard and chuckled, prompting Yu Ci to set his confusion aside and offer an apologetic smile. “The room is a bit messy…”
“No matter.”
Yu Zhou was completely unbothered. Waving a hand, he walked over and knelt casually by the table. Despite his informal posture, his presence dispelled any sense of hierarchy. Xie Liang followed suit, taking a seat beside him.
Seeing this, Yu Ci felt even less at ease, as though his own composure fell short by comparison.
Bao Guang, ever proactive, hurried to prepare tea.
Yu Ci also composed himself, taking a seat across the table from Xie Liang.
Though his mind was settling, his doubts lingered. As soon as Yu Ci sat down, he asked, “Forgive my ignorance, but I am uncertain what matter Daoist Master Xie refers to with this ‘gratitude.’”
“It concerns medicinal herbs.”
Before Xie Liang could respond, Yu Zhou interjected with a chuckle. “You may not be aware, but the herbs I had you search for previously were precisely what Brother Jie urgently needed. When he saw them today, he was thoroughly satisfied and insisted on personally expressing his thanks.”
Yu Ci hadn’t expected such a development. While he was still processing this revelation, Xie Liang actually leaned forward and offered a respectful bow. Though Yu Ci considered himself bold, the sight of a Void Stepping Immortal exhibiting such sincerity left him momentarily flustered.
Gathering his wits, Yu Ci returned the gesture. “I dare not accept such courtesy. To be of assistance to Daoist Master Xie is an honor in itself.”
These words were, of course, polite formalities. He glanced briefly at Yu Zhou, who simply stroked his beard with a faint smile, giving no additional hints. This only deepened Yu Ci’s sense of curiosity.
Unexpectedly, Xie Liang replied in a straightforward manner: “This has nothing to do with the titles of Daoist Master or disciple. At the time, you were not yet part of the sect but still helped me find the herbs without asking for compensation. It is only proper for me to come and thank you in person.”
His tone was as stiff as ever, and his demeanor even more rigid. Yet, Yu Ci found himself increasingly fond of this Daoist Master Xie. He neither wielded his authority to oppress others nor considered it beneath him to show respect to someone of lower status. Addressing matters with fairness and integrity—this was the kind of demeanor befitting an Immortal, inspiring admiration.
Yu Ci, being skilled at reading people, quickly adjusted his approach to match Xie Liang’s temperament. After exchanging a few more humble remarks, he suddenly recalled a phrase Xie Liang had used earlier:
“At the time?”
Turning his gaze toward Yu Zhou, he saw the elder daoist place a hand over the box containing the Dragon Fish Grass. With a smile, Yu Zhou explained, “The second reason we came today relates to my suggestion: This Dragon Fish Grass of yours is exceptional. If you exchange it for a mere 2,500 merit points, I’d feel regret on your behalf. Brother Jie is skilled in multiple disciplines, particularly in medicinal and alchemical arts. Since he’s here today, I invited him to assess the grass and suggest either a fairer valuation or a sustainable use for it. After all, we shouldn’t resort to short-sighted measures like killing the goose that lays the golden eggs.”
Yu Ci hadn’t expected Yu Zhou to still be concerned about this matter. His feelings were a mix of helplessness and gratitude.
The elder daoist truly seemed to have a natural rapport with him and had supported him in various ways. Yu Ci could clearly sense this goodwill. However, their perspectives didn’t entirely align. To Yu Ci, while the Dragon Fish Grass was undoubtedly rare, it wasn’t irreplaceable. What he valued more was the opportunity to join the Rifting Earth Sect and learn the art of immortality.
He firmly believed that once he truly began cultivating path to immortality, enhancing his abilities further, and with the Divine Map as his foundation, obtaining such treasures would only be a matter of time. There was no need to fuss over the details at this stage.
Clearly, Yu Zhou had a different perspective.
That said, Yu Ci wasn’t so ungrateful as to reject the elder’s goodwill outright. Yu Zhou had paved the way and bridged the connections for him. It would be foolish to squander such efforts with unnecessary obstinance.
With these thoughts in mind, Yu Ci masked his true feelings and first expressed his gratitude to Yu Zhou and Xie Liang. Following the elder’s gesture, he respectfully handed the stone box to Xie Liang with both hands.
Xie Liang accepted the box but didn’t immediately open it. Instead, he seemed to deliberate for a moment, his sharp gaze sweeping across Yu Ci’s face—just as it had in the Prominent Virtue Hall earlier.
Yu Ci froze slightly, watching as Xie Liang placed the box back on the table.
“Brother Yu, let’s not rush. I have a few questions… may I?”
The latter part of this was directed at Yu Ci. While Yu Ci wanted to glance at Yu Zhou to gauge his stance, for some reason, when Xie Liang’s gaze locked onto him, his entire body felt stiff. Even a simple reflex to shift his eyes was paralyzed.
What power! Though it didn’t possess the overwhelming grandeur of Jin Huan’s Great Radiant Sun Technique, its oppressive force seemed to dominate in subtler, more complete ways. Yu Ci couldn’t help but wonder if this Immortal could slay him without even lifting a finger.
While Yu Ci didn’t believe Xie Liang intended him harm, the feeling of being utterly overpowered was deeply unpleasant. He took a slow, steady breath, maintaining composure as he replied with measured politeness, “Please, Daoist Master, speak freely.”
Xie Liang’s expression betrayed no emotion as he asked, “Today, you’re exchanging the Dragon Fish Grass, a treasure of heaven and earth, to gain the status of an external disciple. What is your ultimate goal?”
Yu Ci answered without hesitation, “immortality, then ultimately immortality.”
Xie Liang stared at him for a moment before continuing, “As an external disciple, you are entitled only to an innate Qi cultivation technique, which, at best, can help you condense a Yin Spirit. Achieving the Core Refinement method is but a distant hope. As for Void Stepping techniques and tribulation secrets, they are even more remote. What means do you have to pursue immortality?”
Yu Ci frowned and responded, “The sect has not closed off the path for outer disciples to progress. I saw in the Hall of Collective Merit that merit points can be exchanged for pill formulas…”
Xie Liang interrupted him. “Now, there’s an advanced pill formula available that requires no merit points. All you need to do is not betray the sect…”
“Daoist Master Xie!”
Yu Ci interrupted Xie Liang just as sharply, showing no politeness. “If I understand correctly, my trade of the Dragon Fish Grass was for the qualification to become an outer disciple, not just for the path to immortality alone. By trading the Dragon Fish Grass for this qualification, I have chosen the path that follows. Once I enter the sect, I will naturally abide by its rules regarding what should and should not be done.
“Even if we take a step back, if I traded the Dragon Fish Grass solely for the path to immortality, that exchange was also within the boundaries of what the sect allows and even encourages. Isn’t that the very purpose of the Hall of Collective Merit? Why must you be overly demanding, Daoist Master?”
Although Yu Ci was aware that Xie Liang was likely testing him, he was still annoyed. Investigating his intentions was one thing, but doing it in such a way suggested they thought him utterly foolish.
“Well said.”
Xie Liang’s rigid face showed no change in expression, but he slightly bowed, as if apologizing for his earlier actions. He then said, “You understand this principle, but there are others who do not.”
As he spoke, he looked at the old daoist, Yu Zhou.
This subtle shift in focus puzzled Yu Ci, but Xie Liang seemed to have no intention of concealing anything. He directly stated, “Senior Brother Yu, I have always disapproved of merit point transactions in the Hall of Collective Merit. This disciple understands that the Hall of Collective Merit offers opportunities rather than tangible rewards, but you fail to grasp this point. Over the years, you have recommended many disciples to the sect, but their quality has been inconsistent. This should serve as a warning.”
Yu Zhou’s gray-white brows furrowed, his expression displeased. “The Hall of Collective Merit has been established for three tribulations, and it has its reasons. At the very least, without this method, those seeking immortality but unable to attain it would have no path forward.”
The “tribulation” mentioned by the old daoist was a unit of time. One tribulation equaled 3,600 years, derived from the cultivation world’s major “Fourty-Nine Tribulations,” which occurs every 3,600 years and impacts all cultivators, symbolizing one cycle of existence.
Anything measured in “tribulations” was unquestionably ancient.
Xie Liang still shook his head. “The pursuit of the immortal path depends first on opportunities. The sect established the Hall of Collective Merit to provide an exchange platform for disciples internally, broadening their perspectives and increasing their chances of encountering opportunities. Externally, it gives those who seek immortality a chance to ascend, but it is only a chance.
“The sect is incredibly selective when choosing disciples, considering not only opportunities but also comprehension, innate talent, and virtue. However, the outer disciples you’ve chosen through the Hall of Collective Merit often start with the wrong mindset. They are too enticed by external rewards and believe that acquiring merit points will automatically lead to progress, failing to understand that merit points have no intrinsic value and that the resources obtained through them are not the ultimate goal of cultivation. A single misstep leads to continual errors, which is a real pity.
“While it’s understandable for them to be trapped in such misconceptions due to their lack of insight and comprehension, if you, Senior Brother, also fall into this trap and even mislead them from the beginning, how absurd is that? Take this disciple you’ve recommended. While his initial reasoning is sound, I fear it was your influence that led to his flawed perspective!”
Yu Zhou coldly chuckled. “I know you have a strong opinion about the Hall of Collective Merit, but the sect’s principles of morality, learning, discipline, and verification all lead to the Dao. This has been validated by our ancestors. The Hall of Collective Merit is a critical component of the verification path. If you wish to challenge this, take it up with our venerable uncles.”
Xie Liang’s lips tightened, showing the most noticeable expression he had displayed that day. “The verification path emphasizes proving the Dao through strength, aiming to quantify everything, but when it comes to transcending tribulations, one must ultimately return to refining the heart.
“Look at yourself, Senior Brother. Over the years, the sect has allowed you to study countless secret pill formulas and even made an exception to teach you the ‘Soaring Feather Hidden Form Ascension Method,’ all in the hope of helping you overcome the Form Anchoring Barrier. Yet to this day, you remain trapped by your self-imposed limitations, wallowing in self-pity. Is this a matter of insufficient resources?”
The Form Anchoring Barrier referred to the 300-year lifespan limit of Core Refinement cultivators, a well-known cultivation bottleneck, even to someone like Yu Ci, who had only a superficial understanding of such matters.
Having listened for so long, Yu Ci, though unclear about the principles of morality, learning, discipline, and verification, found himself more aligned with Xie Liang’s views. However, he also felt that Daoist Master Xie’s manner of speaking was utterly tactless. Though clearly well-intentioned, every word pierced Yu Zhou’s sore spots. This was less a persuasion and more an argument!
As expected, Yu Zhou’s expression grew increasingly grim.
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