Mo Qi always felt she was preoccupied with something, wanting to inquire but not knowing where to start. So, feigning fear, he said, "I'm unfamiliar with this place and I'm so scared being alone."
Long Ji shot him a glare, "Is there anything you're afraid of?"
Mo Qi glanced at her again, descended from the clouds, and headed towards the ground.
Finally, he landed on a mountaintop. Looking around, there was no sign of human habitation, though the scenery was pleasant.
He had no mind to appreciate the scenery; he needed to find a place to stay first.
Just then, a figure appeared in mid-air, "Teacher Mo, are you well?"
Mo Qi looked up and saw Xing Mian!
Mo Qi felt immense surprise, "You're here too?"
Xing Mian's figure flickered, "I'm in the Southern Continent. I'm using the Thousand Mile Soul Chasing technique to speak with you."
Ah, so it was a technique similar to the Qian Kun Mirror.
Mo Qi couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed.
"What I'm about to tell you is very important, which is why I'm using this technique despite injuring myself," he said, his figure disappearing momentarily before reappearing.
"Now that you're here, you will inevitably participate in the Investiture of the Gods, but you must not die," Xing Mian stated.
Wasn't that obvious? Who wanted to die?
"If you die, you'll be placed on the Investiture of the Gods list and must be deified," Xing Mian continued.
There was such a good thing? Mo Qi felt his worldview was being overturned.
"Then wouldn't it be better if I just committed suicide?" Mo Qi asked, confused.
"Alas," Xing Mian sighed, "Becoming a god has its benefits, but it's a double-edged sword, with both advantages and disadvantages. For most people, becoming a god can instantly boost their cultivation, grant them top-tier resources, and bestow authority. But for those with immense potential for growth, it's a hindrance. Deified beings have divine bones and are subject to many restrictions. The most direct restriction is facing a heavenly tribulation once every ten thousand years, which causes a significant decline in their cultivation. Furthermore, it's extremely difficult for deified beings to break through to the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm; they are as rare as phoenix feathers and dragon scales."
Mo Qi was certainly enlightened!
"For example, the disciples of the Jade Pure, Supreme Pure, and Grand Pure Sects. Their leaders are the Three Heavenly Venerables who usually reside beyond the heavens. Therefore, their disciples have exceptionally high aspirations, aiming directly for beyond the heavens, and do not wish to become gods, viewing it as a burden," Xing Mian continued calmly. "I see you have remarkable bones and extraordinary talent, and you're also very lucky, reaching the True Immortal realm with ease. Since you've come this far, I advise you not to become a god. Strive to achieve the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm, and then venture into the outer heavens. Alright?"
"This..."
"Here's another piece of advice: joining the Three Sects will help you soar," Xing Mian interjected before Mo Qi could speak.
"This..."
"As for the Investiture of the Gods, don't take it too seriously. You can snatch some magical treasures, mediate disputes, or even disrupt the entire affair."
"Disrupt it?" Mo Qi was startled, thinking he had misheard.
"You heard correctly. Think about it, so many people in our Southern Continent wish to be deified but cannot. You, on the other hand, are being forced to be deified when you don't want to. Is that fair?" Xing Mian said with some indignation.
"It's unfair," Mo Qi immediately responded, infected by the sentiment, and said indignantly.
"Jiang Xia holds the Investiture of the Gods list. Upon death, one's name is inscribed on the list. I think you could snatch the Investiture of the Gods list then and create some difficulties for them, letting them know our anger," Xing Mian said with a sinister smile.
Mo Qi, however, said sternly, "We must indeed snatch it. After I get it, I will change the names on it to those of the heroes who guarded the Southern Continent's barrier, guarded the Cliff of Soul Seizure, and guarded the New Wilderness. I believe they are the ones most deserving of deification."
Xing Mian nodded repeatedly, "That's a good idea, but be careful not to get yourself killed."
Mo Qi appeared nonchalant, "First, point me in the direction of joining the Three Sects."
Xing Mian raised his hand and pointed towards the east.
Mo Qi followed the direction he indicated and flew off.
He continued until he reached the Eastern Sea of Hongmeng and arrived at an island. The island had rolling mountains, lush forests, and was dotted with red walls and green tiles.
As Mo Qi walked up the mountain path, he saw many people in Daoist robes ascending and descending the steps, some in groups of three or five, others alone.
They all had peculiar appearances, and many were clearly demons.
Mo Qi felt very surprised. Had Xing Mian given him the wrong directions?
How could a place overrun by demons be the abode of the Three Sects?
But upon asking, he was stunned. They said this was indeed the territory of the Supreme Pure Sect.
Continuing forward, after climbing countless stone steps, he arrived at a memorial archway inscribed with three powerful characters: "Biyou Palace."
To the left of the archway, a long queue had formed, seemingly quite lively. He wondered what it was for.
Mo Qi went forward to inquire and learned that it was for registering to join the sect!
Perfectly aligned with his intentions!
Mo Qi unhesitatingly joined the end of the line.
Someone in the crowd was discussing, "I heard that many people died in the Investiture of the Gods battle, which is why they are recruiting now. Otherwise, we wouldn't have this chance. We're lucky this time."
"Yes, I heard their senior disciple, Qian Gongming, was killed. So, the Supreme Pure Sect is actually no match for the Jade Pure Sect. Although the Jade Pure Sect has fewer members, they have twelve Grand Unity Golden Immortals. The Supreme Pure Sect, apart from their leader who is a Saint, has very few Grand Unity Golden Immortals. They already had few, and recently they've lost a few more, like Qian Gongming."
"It's most regrettable that the sisters Yunxiao, Bixiao, and Qiongxiao were also killed. I heard their names are on the Investiture of the Gods list. The Sanxiao sisters were the face of the Supreme Pure Sect in terms of beauty. And their strength wasn't weak either; it seems Yunxiao was also a Grand Unity Golden Immortal."
"Then why are we joining the Supreme Pure Sect? Are we seeking humiliation?"
"You're overthinking it. It's good enough to be able to join the Supreme Pure Sect. Is the Jade Pure Sect a place you can just go to if you wish?"
"But why would the Supreme Pure Sect fight the Jade Pure Sect? Aren't the Three Sects united?"
"Who knows? Perhaps the disciples of the Supreme Pure Sect are mostly relatives of the officials of the Yin Dynasty, while the disciples of the Jade Pure Sect are mostly relatives of the officials of the Zhou Dynasty."
Listening to these discussions, Mo Qi couldn't help but ask, "Do you know Kong Xuan?"
Unexpectedly, someone in the crowd did know Kong Xuan. He replied, "He's the Deputy General of Sanshan Pass."
Deputy General? This Kong Xuan actually boasted about being a General.
After the registration was complete, everyone, led by Daoist Wubao, entered the testing grounds.
There were three tests, and only after passing all three could one be admitted to the sect.
Many disciples were already standing by the side. These testers could recognize and name them one by one: "That's Daoist Duobao, that's Holy Mother Guiling, that's Holy Mother Huoling, that's Holy Mother Jinling, that's Lingya Xian, that's Qiushou Xian, that's Wuyun Xian, that's Jinguang Xian..."
The disciples, however, shook their heads at this group of people. Only a few focused their gaze on Mo Qi; he was an absolute treasure.
Mo Qi understood the meaning behind their gazes. The testers around him were all sorts of misfits. Most of them hadn't even undergone their tribulations. Many were at the Nascent Soul stage trying to get by, and some were even at the Foundation Establishment stage.
They thought that if they were lucky enough to be accepted, they would soar to the heavens.
After joining, if they didn't want to strive, they could go to the Investiture of the Gods battle and die. At that time, the celestial realm would bestow divine bones, their cultivation would advance by leaps and bounds, and they would directly transition to the Heavenly Immortal level. If they still wanted to strive, they could cultivate diligently within the sect. Here, there were abundant immortal cultivation resources, and one day of cultivation here was equivalent to a year outside. This was also a divine opportunity.
Mo Qi suddenly felt a sense of pride. Everywhere he went, he was looked down upon, and he always had to prove himself with his strength.
He never expected that he would one day win based on his "looks."
This feeling was truly strange!
Daoist Duobao directly called out, "That young man can be my disciple."
Holy Mother Jinling immediately interjected, "On what grounds? I think he can be my disciple."
Holy Mother Huoling was not to be outdone, "I can also take him as a disciple."
From the discussions of the testers, Mo Qi learned that Daoist Duobao and Holy Mother Jinling were Grand Unity Golden Immortals, and Holy Mother Huoling was a Golden Immortal. Mo Qi looked down on all of them.
Not long ago, he had encountered a Golden Immortal whom he had blasted into a pulp, and a Grand Unity Golden Immortal whom he had beaten into submission without daring to approach. How dare they offer to be his master?
The first test was the Refinement Pool test.
The Refinement Pool contained the Supreme Pure Holy Water, unique to Biyou Palace, used for cleansing marrow and forging bones. Most people who entered would emerge as mere skeletons. Those with higher cultivation could enter to cleanse their meridians and promote the circulation of their soul sea, thus enhancing their cultivation. However, it was not advisable to stay for too long. Those below the Saint realm could not stay for more than an hour.
Enduring for fifteen minutes was considered passing the test.
Generally, cultivators at the Human Immortal realm or above could endure for fifteen minutes.
Therefore, Daoist Wubao repeatedly emphasized, "Those below the Human Immortal cultivation realm must not attempt this lightly, or you will bear the consequences yourself."
Yet, there were still those who refused to believe. As soon as Daoist Wubao finished speaking, several people jumped in with splashes.
The Refinement Pool bubbled, and piles of white bones floated to the surface.
The rest were all horrified. It seemed that taking shortcuts was not so easy.
Many people left on the spot!
The once bustling crowd, with thousands of people, thinned out in an instant, leaving only about a hundred people.
These hundred or so people tremblingly jumped into the Refinement Pool, while Mo Qi strode in confidently.
Daoist Wubao continued, "During the test, we will not inform you of the time. If you feel you cannot bear it, get out. Do not force yourself, or you will bear the consequences yourself."
"Isn't this a trap?" Several people, afraid they couldn't gauge the time, got out and left.
The remaining people continued to endure.
Those people seemed to be in great pain, gritting their teeth, their bodies trembling uncontrollably. Some even let out piercing groans and wails.
It made one's hair stand on end. Those on the shore couldn't help but shout, "If you can't take it, don't force yourself, please."
However, Mo Qi felt nothing, swimming around with ease and grace.
He found it strange. Was it that painful?
However, after a moment, he finally felt a force circulating through his meridians. It felt a bit itchy, as if it were cleaning out impurities or clearing pipes.
His soul sea began to circulate on its own. His meridians felt unprecedentedly soothed, and his spiritual energy flowed like a spiritual snake, smoothly converging the spiritual energy from various acupoints and meridians, gradually becoming more potent.