I Seek Immortality Through Serendipity

There is another person, outside the hall, Ding Zhichong, who is Ding Zhixiu’s cousin. There is about a hundred years difference between when they each formed their Golden Core, and he has always followed Ding Zhixiu’s lead.

There must be a reason for him to come here at this moment.

With this thought, Gu Yuan waved his sleeve, and the natural array formation outside the hall opened, responding:

”Fellow Daoist Ding, please come in quickly!”

”Thank you, Fellow Daoist!”

Laughter came from outside the hall, followed by a broad-sleeved young Golden Core cultivator, wearing a crane cloak, with extraordinary poise, striding in under the respectful gaze of the mermaid outside the hall.

Inside the great hall, all the necessary reception items were in place. Gu Yuan led Ding Zhichong to sit behind a jade altar, then waved his hand. The mermaid outside the hall immediately understood, brought spirit tea, presented it to the two, and then slowly left.

The two sat as guest and host, and after carefully observing Gu Yuan, Ding Zhichong couldn’t help but sigh: ”I’ve long heard of Fellow Daoist Donghua’s celestial appearance, blessed with divine charm. Seeing it today, it truly is so! The South Mountain Domain is indeed favored by the Celestial Palace!”

”A remote small domain, it can’t compare to the East Mountain Realm!”

Gu Yuan responded with a smile.

”The Cyan Peak Daoist School is overseen by True Persons with millennia of foundation. It stands as a major sect even in our East Mountain Realm. There’s no need for you to be modest, Fellow Daoist.”

Ding Zhichong smiled, shaking his head, then added apologetically, ”Fellow Daoist Donghua, today I should have come to welcome you to the sect and celebrate with you. However, an unexpected incident occurred within my clan, which I had to attend to, hence I couldn’t greet you in the first instance. I hope you understand!”

”No problem. Several Golden Core members of the Zhang Clan have arranged things for me adequately.”

Gu Yuan smiled, pointing to the luxurious hall in front of him.

”Fellow Daoist, as a Golden Core cultivator of a major sect, entering the Golden Hall is fitting. Yet, I wonder, have the senior brothers verified your token and issued you the Golden Core Jade Talisman of our Thousand Waves Sect?”

Ding Zhichong ignored the Golden Hall and inquired about the jade talisman.

When switching sects for cultivation, the most important thing is the verification of the token and the issuance of the Golden Core Jade Talisman.

Only with the Thousand Waves Sect’s Golden Core Jade Talisman can one truly establish an identity within the sect, freely access the sect’s grand array, and enter the Scripture Hall to receive the Dharma Seal for cultivation.

One can even command the Thousand Waves Sect’s Daoist soldiers and demon pets.

Otherwise, they are ultimately an outsider, merely dwelling here.

”Perhaps it was too rushed, and the jade talisman hasn’t been issued yet.”

Gu Yuan lightly smiled.

At this point, there was no need for Ding Zhichong to say more. Seeing the other’s attitude, he understood that he might have been caught up in the internal strife within the Thousand Waves Sect.

And judging from the current situation, it seems the Ding Family is at a disadvantage.

”Hmph, I knew the Zhang Clan harbors no good intentions!”

Upon hearing this, Ding Zhichong snorted coldly, appearing extremely angry, but then he looked up and earnestly said to Gu Yuan, ”Fellow Daoist Gu, to be frank, this action by the Zhang Clan has nothing to do with our Ding Clan. It’s entirely one-sided by them.”

”Our Ding Clan sincerely welcomes you to our sect for cultivation, and I hope you won’t vent your anger on my elder brother.”

”This matter was originally established by the True Persons of both families to promote cultivation between the two factions. I never expected the Zhang Clan to dare to obstruct it. Truly arrogant and domineering!”

Ding Zhichong seemed extremely dissatisfied with the Zhang Clan, speaking candidly and not holding back in his criticism in front of Gu Yuan, an outsider.

Yet these words meant nothing to Gu Yuan.

Who knows if the Ding and Zhang families are in cahoots, playing good cop and bad cop just to prevent him from entering the Scripture Hall to cultivate?

What matters is not what’s said, but what’s done.

Facing Ding Zhichong’s criticism, Gu Yuan merely feigned surprise and said, ”Is that so? Can this matter of switching sects for cultivation still be achieved? Does your sect intend to issue the Golden Core Jade Talisman?”

”Rest assured, Fellow Daoist, this matter was decided by a True Person. No matter how imposing the Zhang Clan is, they wouldn’t dare to obstruct it.”

”Earlier, I was occupied with miscellaneous matters and couldn’t greet you. If you’re free, please accompany me to the Ancestral Hall, where I’ll personally handle the Golden Core Jade Talisman for you.”

Ding Zhichong waved his sleeve, assuringly.

”Then I’ll trouble you, Fellow Daoist!”

The Ding clan was making an effort, so naturally, Gu Yuan wouldn’t refuse.

”Fellow Daoist, please follow me!”

Ding Zhichong stood up, saluted Gu Yuan, and then the two of them set off on escape light towards a vast cyan lotus leaf.

...

...

This is the largest cyan lotus leaf in the Thousand Waves Sect, spanning a thousand acres, connecting heaven and earth, immensely broad.

On this lotus leaf stands an ancient and solemn great hall, incense curling around, which has been here for countless years.

This is none other than the Ancestral Hall of the Thousand Waves Sect.

In this hall, tablets for three Daoist Embryo Ancestor Masters are enshrined, constantly attended by incense offerings. Gu Yuan’s first requisite for joining the sect is to pay respects to the current Sect Leader, a True Person, and secondly, to visit the Ancestor Hall of the Thousand Waves Sect as a sign of respect.

The issuance of the Golden Core Jade Talisman is conducted in this hall.

”The Ancestral Hall has always been overseen by Senior Brother Hann. Senior Brother Hann is related to my Ding family by marriage; there should be no obstruction here!”

Ding Zhichong led Gu Yuan into the hall, explaining to him.

Gu Yuan nodded slightly, his heart filled with endless emotions.

Within the Thousand Waves Sect, such Golden Core familial ties are surprisingly frequent. Almost all Golden Core cultivators are controlled by noble families, and the dynamics are completely different from the Cyan Peak Daoist School. The strife seems more intense.

Within the Thousand Waves Sect’s Ancestor Hall, there is not much luxury. In the ancient and gray halls, a row of ever-burning lamps shines on a quiet offering table.

On the offering table, three spiritual tablets sit amid the drifting incense, carrying a peaceful aura.

The six-thousand-year legacy of the Thousand Waves Sect relies on these three Ancestor Masters.

To the side of the offering table, a middle-aged cultivator with three-foot-long whiskers stood silently, clad in a gray robe.

”Senior Brother Hann, Fellow Daoist Gu has arrived!”

Ding Zhichong saluted the middle-aged cultivator and introduced him.

”Fellow Daoist Donghua, I’ve long admired you. Seeing you today, your presence is indeed impressive!”

Senior Brother Hann appraised Gu Yuan and spoke with a smile.

”Fellow Daoist Yun Shen, you’re too kind. I’ve also heard of your name in the South Mountain Domain, and it would be my great fortune to experience your Sheng Skill one day!”

Gu Yuan saluted, smiling as he spoke.

The person in front of him was one of the rare great masters of the Sound Dao in the Thousand Waves Sect, renowned for his mastery of the Sound Dao Seal.

In the past, he captured the heart of a Ding Clan maiden with his exceptional talent in the sound arts, and with the Ding Clan’s support, advanced all the way to attain the Golden Core, thus binding him deeply to the Ding family.

”In a few days, it happens to be my wife’s grand birthday. If Fellow Daoist has time, please come for a drink, and I’ll play a tune for you!”

Hann Yunsheng said with a smile.

”Then I’ll take you up on that invitation!”

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Hann Yunsheng’s expression turned serious as he addressed Gu Yuan: ”Fellow Daoist Gu, changing sects for cultivation is no trivial matter. Paying respects to the Ancestor Masters and obtaining the Tassel Jade Talisman means that in the coming century, you can use our Thousand Waves Sect’s name to traverse the world. Within our Daoist School, you’ll enjoy all the Golden Core privileges and offerings, no different from our own sect’s Golden Core members.”

”However, our True Scripture is forbidden to be passed on, and for any other Dharma Seals, a restriction must be established, disallowing them to be passed on. Are you willing to comply?”

”Naturally, I will comply!”

Gu Yuan’s expression became solemn, and he responded in a clear voice.

”Very well, offer incense, pay respects to the Ancestor Masters, and I will bestow upon you the talisman!”

Hann Yunsheng smiled slightly, then took out a golden rhino incense, handing it to Gu Yuan. Gu Yuan accepted it, bowed to the three Ancestor Masters, after which Hann Yunsheng took out a green jade talisman and handed it to Gu Yuan.

On the jade talisman, there were water patterns, vivid and lifelike, akin to waves rolling, exuding a sense of mystical Dao Charm.

Upon receiving the jade talisman, Gu Yuan immediately refined it, and for an instant, the entire world brightened a bit, losing a sense of constraint.

This was the grand array’s authority. Having obtained this talisman, Gu Yuan would no longer be bound by the grand array - not an outsider, and naturally at ease.

”Haha, congratulations, Fellow Daoist! From now on, you can rest assured while cultivating in our Thousand Waves Sect.”

”Come, come, come, let me show you our Thousand Waves Sect’s Scripture Hall!”

Seeing the talisman’s issuance handled so simply, Ding Zhichong was noticeably relieved, taking Gu Yuan by the arm and heading outward.

Hann Yunsheng watched the scene, his gaze sighed subtly, but he did not speak further.

Gu Yuan sensed this, but chose not to inquire, following behind Ding Zhichong as they flew toward a towering cyan hall.

However, before the escape light could descend, Ding Zhichong’s expression subtly changed, turning a bit sullen.

Gu Yuan looked down and saw that above the cyan hall, spiritual light flowed and array patterns shone brilliantly, as if countless invisible sharp swords locked down the entire circulation.

The Palace Protection Array of the Scripture Hall in the Thousand Waves Sect had been activated.