CHAPTER 183: 129. TO BECOME AN IMMORTAL, YOU NEED TO ESTABLISH MERIT (4K CHAPTERS)

As the words "receive punishment" were spoken, Xu Xing suddenly felt an overwhelming magic power descend upon him, attempting to transport him into the inner palace of the Heavenly Gate Palace.

However, the master of this overwhelming magic power was not tyrannical.

Immediately after, a voice transmission entered Xu Xing’s ear, advising him not to resist.

"Disciple understands."

Xu Xing nodded. With a sweep of his hand, he gathered the hovering Giant Sword Daoist Monarch’s Token and the Purple Ribbon Gold Seal, symbolic of a first-class genuine transmission, and clutched them to his chest.

He had not taken these two items earlier.

It was because dealing with the trouble that was Yang Shao was more important.

At this time, the master of this formidable magic power was likely the Giant Sword Daoist Monarch or someone of similar stature, so it was quite necessary for him to hold this Token and the Purple Ribbon Gold Seal.

Those in superior positions invariably enjoyed watching their subordinates fight to the death over the meager benefits tossed their way.

Of course, this was often embellished with many ostensibly noble reasons to appear benevolent. But in essence, it was all more or less the same.

In a daze, it felt as if he had traversed numerous spatial layers. A sensation of weightlessness washed over him, and Xu Xing found himself in the inner palace of the Heavenly Gate Palace, nearly stumbling.

Fortunately, his foundation was solid, and he had painstakingly learned the two Innate Level movement techniques, "Reed Crossing the River" and "Flying Swallow Step." His stance was firm, which prevented him from an embarrassing fall.

After steadying himself, Xu Xing looked up and observed the two men seated on the high seat in the hall. One was clad in a golden robe, powerfully built and imposing, his eyes like gold, shining brilliantly. The other wore a white archer’s robe; he had a broad face, a long beard, and his vital essence was entirely contained. In the Mortal World, one would have mistaken him for a warrior rather than an immortal.

Neither of the two Sect Seniors on the high seat spoke.

They merely observed Xu Xing quietly.

The atmosphere descended into a strange stalemate.

Are they testing my impromptu response capabilities?

That’s it!

When the Giant Sword Daoist Monarch gave me the Token and the Purple Ribbon Gold Seal earlier, his meaning was clear: he wanted me to become his disciple. Yet, I didn’t immediately kowtow in obeisance; I killed Yang Shao first.

That act shouldn’t have angered the Giant Sword Daoist Monarch... otherwise, the punishment he gave me wouldn’t have been so light as to be almost negligible. After I entered the hall, neither the Giant Sword Daoist Monarch nor the other Daoist Lord spoke. They must want to see what method I’ll use to successfully become a disciple.

Simply kneeling and calling him Master would be the worst approach.

After a moment of puzzlement, Xu Xing had an epiphany.

Under normal circumstances of taking a master, this step wouldn’t be necessary. However, cultivators at the level of a Nascent Soul Daoist Lord often acted on whim. Very few sect regulations or customs could restrain them. Their actions were mostly guided by their own interests.

Since the one who gave him the Token was the Giant Sword Daoist Monarch, it was evident that the person seated beside him was also a Daoist Lord. He just didn’t know if it was the Kuimen Daoist Lord or some other Daoist Lord.

Previously, Xu Xing had not immediately accepted the Token, demonstrating his composed nature.

This, the Giant Sword Daoist Monarch and the others naturally appreciated.

However, if one only possessed composure without astuteness, then such composure was hardly commendable.

If, due to this composure, he directly "missed" the opportunity and karmic method of becoming a disciple... that would be Xu Xing’s failing.

In other words, the Giant Sword Daoist Monarch and the others did not dislike people with a composed nature; however, those who only had composure but lacked adaptability would not go far.

Of course, they hadn’t reached the point of refusing to take Xu Xing as a disciple because of this.

The silence upon his entering the hall was merely a spontaneous test for Xu Xing.

"Disciple pays his respects to the two Sect Seniors."

Xu Xing, unhurried and composed, first bowed to the two of them.

When the two Daoist Lords nodded slightly, he paused, appearing to choose his words with great care. Then, he said something that utterly astonished the two Daoist Lords.

"The 14th Layer Heavenly Gate Array... Disciple is confident of breaking through it."

"I beseech you, Seniors, to allow this disciple to return to the 36 Layer Heavenly Gate Array. Rumor in the Pan Palace has it that upon reaching the 15th Layer Heavenly Gate Array, the Kuimen Daoist Lord himself will descend to accept disciples from the Immortal Foundation Stage who have reached that array."

"Although this disciple is untalented, I wish to try."

Xu Xing deliberately lowered his head.

This so-called Pan Palace rumor... was a pretext he had concocted for himself and the Giant Sword Daoist Monarch. In reality, upon reaching the 15th Layer Heavenly Gate Array, the Kuimen Daoist Lord would almost certainly descend personally to accept disciples. It wasn’t a rumor at all, but established custom.

Although he didn’t believe his aptitude was such that the Giant Sword Daoist Monarch absolutely had to accept him, it was clear the Giant Sword Daoist Monarch had taken an interest in him.

Therefore, as long as his words didn’t cause the Giant Sword Daoist Monarch to feel aversion, the composure and astuteness he displayed at this moment would be points in his favor.

Besides, his words were not mere fabrications. They alluded to the customary way of tackling the 36 Layer Heavenly Gate Array.

"’Acts appropriately, excels in strategy and decision-making, adept at leveraging circumstances to pressure others and seize benefits...’" The Giant Sword Daoist Monarch, clad in a white archer’s robe, nodded slightly as he recited the Sect’s assessment of Xu Xing’s character from the Jade Certificate. "To use the rules established by Kuimen as your Argument—you do possess some intelligence and courage."

"However..." At this, the Giant Sword Daoist Monarch’s expression turned stern. "You, a mere cultivator of the Immortal Foundation Realm, dare to speak so insolently before a Daoist Lord? Such audacity!"

When reporting to the yamen, regardless of whether one was in the right or wrong, one would first receive a beating to establish authority. The Cultivation World was much the same. No matter if a younger generation member was right or wrong, they had to humble themselves and act deferentially!

Hearing this, Xu Xing stood his ground, maintaining his posture, his lips sealed, offering no reply to the Giant Sword Daoist Monarch’s words.

Witnessing this stance, the Giant Sword Daoist Monarch understood instantly. He shook his head. "No wonder your voice was subdued after entering the hall, unlike the passionate vehemence when you questioned Yang Shao, all while deliberately affecting a subservient posture..."