Chapter 76: Seeking Apprenticeship

Inside a room adorned with shades of blue and gray, various paintings hung on the walls. These depicted graceful celestial maidens, radiant divine beasts, and peculiar symbols never seen before. Each painting emitted subtle fluctuations of spiritual energy. If one stared at them for too long, the subjects within would seemingly ‘come alive’, affecting the viewer’s mind, potentially leading to severe mental confusion.

At the center of the room sat an elderly man clad in dark-blue Daoist robes upon a black meditation cushion.

As the newcomers entered, the old man opened his eyes and glanced towards them.

“Five individuals?”

The elder’s voice was somewhat raspy, yet upon closer listening, it seemed distinctly different, as if multiple people were speaking simultaneously.

A Foundation Establishment Immortal Cultivator!

Despite no explanation given, everyone instinctively held their breath upon seeing the old man. The aura he exuded was unmistakably beyond that of any Qi Refinement Art practitioner.

The flowing Dao resonance emanating from him could only belong to a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Additionally, the sense of profound age conveyed by his presence felt like an accumulation over time, creating an illusion of vast experience.

“…and some were misled by Sect Uncle Chengfeng,” Huang Butong began, but his words were abruptly cut off as the elderly man inside closed his eyes.

“Never mind, take them directly to the Dao Academy. Let Wang Zhong provide their entry supplies.”

“Yes, Shizun,” both Hu Qiudao and Huang Butong responded simultaneously, bowing respectfully before leading Chen Luo and the others out of the room.

The so-called apprenticeship ceremony had ended hastily, with the master not even sparing them a proper glance.

The five new disciples followed, looking utterly bewildered.

As they exited the chamber, the bronze door slowly closed behind them. Chen Luo glanced back through the narrow gap.

Inside, the old man was now completely shrouded in mist.

Amidst the swirling fog, he seemed to glimpse a graceful celestial maiden dancing, yet also perceived a blood-soaked butcher wielding a knife.

Xin Mo! The thought instantly resonated from the mummified brain within his mind.

This fixation was deeply ingrained, similar to how Chen Luo initially encountered the traveler’s memory containing a body tempering elixir formula.

“Well, let’s go. Having met your Shizun completes your formal entry into the sect.”

Upon exiting the room, Hu Qiudao and Huang Butong straightened their backs once more.

“Don’t be surprised; Shizun is an esteemed Foundation Establishment cultivator, blessed with five hundred years of longevity on the immortal path. He exists on a different level from us mere mortals. Even if we diligently cultivate to the pinnacle of Qi Refinement without any extraordinary fortune, at most, we could hope to live for one hundred fifty years, with even less time spent within the sect. Over these many years, Shizun has taken countless disciples and bid farewell to numerous individuals.”

Huang Butong’s words trailed off, but everyone understood his unspoken meaning.

The peak lord of Wu Dao Peak was not entirely devoid of emotions; it was simply that having witnessed so much life and death, he chose not to waste time on such matters.

From the perspective of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, this mindset was quite comprehensible.

Every year, the Divine Lake Immortal Sect admitted new disciples. Those unable to remain would stay only two or three years before being replaced by fresh entrants. With constant comings and goings, they all became transient figures. Remembering those who couldn’t endure was deemed futile, as by the time the mountain dwellers emerged from seclusion, the outsiders might already have passed away.

After leaving the training side-hall with the group, Hu Qiudao departed.

His task was complete, and the rest fell upon Huang Butong. Unlike Hu Qiudao, Elder Brother Huang spoke very little. Without considering the tiger-headed puppet in his hand, he gave off the impression of a reserved ascetic, one who preferred silence over words.

“Elder Brother Huang, is this the atmosphere throughout our Peak of Enlightenment?” asked the female cultivator, Huang Ying, somewhat nervously.

During their journey, Chen Luo had also learned her name. The three male cultivators accompanying them were Fu An, Xun Xian, and Yao Zhenghai. They had all met on the flying boat, including those deceived by Issuing Immortal Crane; they formed a group together. It seemed akin to a ‘Luxury Nation Fellowship,’ though such fragile alliances had already become largely nominal by this point.

“Regretting it now?”

Huang Butong didn’t turn around, but it was the tiger-headed puppet on his right hand that spoke.

Everyone had grown accustomed to the fact that Elder Brother Huang’s cultivation had encountered mishaps, making the tiger-headed puppet an extension of himself.

“Our Peak of Enlightenment is relatively decent; it’s the atmosphere at neighboring Beast Control Peak that’s truly dreadful. Every day, they must shovel spirit beast droppings in the spirit garden - the smell on them, tsk tsk.” The tiger-headed puppet didn’t wait for a response and continued speaking on its own.

“The other peaks are much the same. Initially, it’s never easy. After all, cultivation itself is about contending with fate against the heavens. There’s no smooth path to becoming an immortal.” When mentioning cultivation, the tone of the tiger-headed puppet turned noticeably serious.

As they conversed, the group arrived at yet another side hall.

Knock, knock, knock.

Huang Butong forcefully pounded on the door, his demeanor markedly different from when he met Daoist Wuwei earlier.

With a clatter, the wooden gate swung open.

On the left side behind the door stood a two-meter-tall wooden puppet holding the bolt; it was responsible for opening the entrance just now.

“So slow! Eventually, I’ll replace you,” Huang Butong glanced disdainfully at the puppet before leading everyone inside.

Upon entering the side hall, the scene transformed dramatically.

From the outside, the side hall appeared small, but inside, it revealed a vast and unexpected space. The walls were densely covered with immortal script, interconnected by curved lines forming a massive edict-like pattern. With Chen Luo’s current level of expertise, he could barely discern that this design was related to formations; anything more intricate eluded his understanding.

Shelves on both sides were filled with various materials, including medicinal herbs, minerals, and some specialized components.

“Don’t touch anything randomly, and keep your eyes focused. Encountering dangerous items here can be fatal,” Huang Butong cautioned without turning back as he led the way.

Hearing this, the group promptly restrained their curious gazes. Following Huang Butong, they traversed through the shelving area until reaching its end. After passing a small door, other individuals gradually came into view.

“Elder Brother Huang, bringing new recruits again?”

It seemed everyone recognized Huang Butong, greeting him warmly.

He responded with mere nods, while the tiger-headed puppet remained exceptionally lively, engaging each person with a comment.

“Ah, Li Shimei, haven’t seen you in days. You seem to have grown even taller.”

“Sun-shidi, you’ve gotten even stronger again! From what I see, you should have chosen Divine Fire Peak to become a blacksmith.”

“Oh! Zhou-shixiong, still haven’t left yet?”

After passing two more small rooms, they finally reached their destination - the busiest area with a tiny window set into the wall opposite them.

Inside sat a wiry old man with graying hair.

He rocked leisurely on his chair, exuding an air of authority. All disciples approaching this place would lower their voices respectfully when speaking to him.

“Get lost, trying to run tabs here? Now beat it!” The irritable voice of the old man erupted as they neared.

A disciple, who had been scolded, turned beet red but quickly suppressed his embarrassment upon noticing Huang Butong’s group. After apologizing, he bowed and departed with his head down.