"Dan Jing Sheng?"
Ji Xiu read out the name, shook his head, "Never heard of it."
"Hahahaha, it's good you haven't heard of it."
Dan Jing Sheng placed a hand on Ji Xiu's shoulder and asked with a smile, "In the future, are you willing to cultivate with me? You just need to change your name."
"My name was given by my Imperial Father, I won't change it, and besides..."
Ji Xiu turned his head and looked at Yun Ze not far away, "I've already taken a master!"
"You silly boy!"
Yan Luoshuang smiled helplessly, "Do you know what you've refused! This person before you is..."
"Hey, I don't like to force others."
Dan Jing Sheng interrupted the Dean and slowly stood up, "Since I have no fate with this child, there's no need to force it.
Luoshuang, I still have matters to attend to in Zhongxuan Heaven, so I won't stay long. Keep in mind what I've told you."
"This... Alright."
Yan Luoshuang cupped his hands to bid farewell to Dan Jing Sheng, "Yan Luoshuang, I respectfully see off the Immortal Venerable!"
Then, with a flash of his figure, he instantly disappeared from everyone's sight, as if he had never appeared, not even a trace of his aura left behind.
Is this the pinnacle of power in this era?
Yun Ze's eyes were filled with longing, wondering if he would ever have the chance to reach that level.
Never mind, the Emperor Realm is still too far away.
If he could achieve the Golden Core Dao, he would already be considered extremely fortunate.
"Boy."
Seeing the Immortal Venerable leave, Yan Luoshuang couldn't help but look at Ji Xiu, "Do you know what you just refused?"
"Immortal Venerable?"
Ji Xiu asked back, "I just heard you call him that, but... what is an Immortal Venerable?"
"Do you know about the Immortal Mansion?" Yan Luoshuang asked instead of answering.
"Of course I do. My elder brother works in the Immortal Mansion."
"An Immortal Venerable is the master of the Immortal Mansion."
Yan Luoshuang stared intently into Ji Xiu's eyes, "And also one of the strongest in this era. If you were to become his disciple, you would already have one foot in the threshold of the Nascent Soul realm.
Now, do you regret it?"
"No regrets."
Ji Xiu met Yan Luoshuang's gaze, his voice unwavering, "Even if I don't become a disciple of some Immortal Venerable, I will still reach the Nascent Soul realm!"
"Hahahaha! Good! Such ambition!"
Yan Luoshuang laughed heartily, placed a hand on Ji Xiu's head, "Then if I don't ask you to change your name, are you willing to become my disciple? I can guarantee you a realm above Nascent Soul!"
"No."
Ji Xiu still didn't hesitate. He tilted his head and asked somewhat strangely, "Dean, is your hearing not good?
I told you, I've already taken a master."
As he spoke, he pointed at Yun Ze, "Look, it's him, although he's not willing to acknowledge me yet."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's gaze fell upon Yun Ze.
If Ji Xiu had refused earlier, it could have been attributed to his unwillingness to change his name and his ignorance of who the Immortal Venerable was.
But now, the Dean himself had spoken, and he wasn't asking Ji Xiu to change his name, yet the boy still stubbornly refused to become a disciple. Could it be that Tu Sheng had cast some spell on him?
"Oh?"
Yan Luoshuang exclaimed, stood up, and looked at Yun Ze, then nodded, "You are Yun Xiao's disciple, aren't you?"
"Yes, Dean," Yun Ze replied with cupped hands.
"Hmm, your disposition is quite good."
Yan Luoshuang nodded slowly and patted Ji Xiu's shoulders twice, "Entrusting this unpolished gem to you to sculpt, do you have the confidence to make it a success?"
"This..."
To be honest, Yun Ze was reluctant to get involved in such trouble.
He wasn't even sure about many aspects of his own cultivation, let alone teaching a disciple. How could he mislead someone?
But before he could refuse, a voice sounded from not far away.
"Naturally, I have confidence."
Everyone turned to see Yun Xiao, dressed in a purple scholar's dress, holding a folding fan, walking slowly from outside the academy.
"Senior Sister Yun."
Everyone quickly cupped their hands and greeted her.
Yun Xiao walked to Yun Ze's side, raised her fan, and tapped him on the head, "Silly, if you don't understand anything, why don't you come ask me? This unpolished gem is someone even the Immortal Venerable wanted to take as a disciple, why are you still hesitating?"
"Yes..."
Yun Ze covered his head and responded, then beckoned to Ji Xiu, "Xiao Xiu, quickly come and pay your respects to your grand-master!"
"Yes!"
Seeing that Yun Ze had acknowledged him, Ji Xiu scurried over and quickly bowed to Yun Xiao, "Grand-disciple Ji Xiu, pays respects to Grand-master!"
"Mmm, good boy, much more sensible than your silly master."
Yun Xiao helped Ji Xiu up and casually took out a Sumeru Ring, "Get up. I don't have many good things on me, so consider this Sumeru Ring a见面礼 (jiànmiàn lǐ - gift for meeting)."
"Thank you, Grand-master!"
Ji Xiu accepted the Sumeru Ring with both hands, his eyes almost squinting with joy.
"Since that is the case, then this unpolished gem will first cultivate in Lingxiao Courtyard and will no longer need to stay in the outer sect."
Yan Luoshuang made the final decision.
He then looked at Yun Xiao and said, "Yun Xiao, come to Wudao Courtyard later. I have something to discuss with the deans of the nine courtyards."
"Yes, Dean."
Yun Xiao responded, then turned to Yun Ze, "Let's go, back to Lingxiao Courtyard first."
"Yes."
Yun Ze, with a beaming Ji Xiu in tow, silently followed Yun Xiao, all the way to the lakeside.
The three of them rowed a boat on the lake, heading towards Lingxiao Courtyard.
As the small boat docked, Yun Xiao turned to Yun Ze, "I need to go to Wudao Courtyard. You take Ji Xiu to find a room in the courtyard to settle down, and then come find me in an hour."
"Master, why don't I go with you? Something happened during this Immortal Ascension Assembly."
"No need."
Yun Xiao shook her head, "If we don't even know about those matters, then Tongtian Academy shouldn't continue to operate.
The Dean is likely calling us over to discuss this matter.
The Immortal Venerable himself has descended, so this matter must be significant. I only hope it doesn't delay our plans. You take Xiao Xiu down first."
"Yes."
Yun Ze responded, then disembarked with Ji Xiu and watched Yun Xiao head towards Wudao Courtyard.
"Master."
Ji Xiu tugged at Yun Ze's sleeve and asked with a smile, "Can I call you this from now on?"
"You!"
Yun Ze rubbed his head, "You insisted on becoming my disciple, I don't know what you were thinking. I only hope you won't regret it later."
"Don't worry, Master, I definitely won't regret it!" Ji Xiu smiled.
"I hope so..."
Yun Ze sighed helplessly, then led him into the island, "Let's go. I don't know if your junior uncle has left yet. If not, he might be able to introduce you."
With such a major event occurring in the Southeast Heaven, the Immortal Venerable personally coming to Tongtian Academy was likely to pick up Dan Chenyu.
He wondered if that girl had left yet. If not, perhaps he could inquire about the current situation from her.
Yun Ze took Ji Xiu to the small courtyard.
He called out several times but received no response from Dan Chenyu, so she must have left.
Leaving without saying goodbye?
That shouldn't be the case. After all, Tu Sheng and she weren't that close. If she had to leave in a hurry, it was normal not to inform him.
There were only three rooms in Lingxiao Courtyard, besides the one Yun Xiao occupied, there were rooms for Tu Sheng and Dan Chenyu.
Now that Ji Xiu had joined, they should technically build another one, but there wasn't enough time today. They would have to build it tomorrow.
Yun Ze arranged for Ji Xiu to stay in Dan Chenyu's room, changed the bedding, and then began to explain the island's layout to him.
After Ji Xiu had familiarized himself, he then taught him the outer sect cultivation method of Tongtian Academy, "Zheng Qi Jue" (正气诀 - Righteous Qi Art).
This cultivation method could be practiced up to the Foundation Establishment realm. After reaching the Foundation Establishment realm, it would naturally be time to study more profound cultivation methods.
As for other things...
Yun Ze gave him a jade slip and let him familiarize himself with everything on the island.
According to the rules, after one month, new disciples would choose their auxiliary cultivation paths, and after three months, there would be a newcomer competition to select the leaders of the new generation.
But he didn't need to worry about these.
Given Ji Xiu's talent, coupled with the spiritual energy of Lingxiao Courtyard, he could participate in the outer sect competition within three months. The newcomer competition would be too easy for him.
Yun Ze had Ji Xiu study "Zheng Qi Jue" on his own, while he quietly watched from the side, ready to guide him.
This was the role of a master.
When a disciple was just starting to cultivate, or was about to break through, or had just broken through, the master would be present to guide them, pointing out any mistakes as soon as they were discovered.
This was called "Yin Zheng" (引正 - Guiding and Correcting).
However, Ji Xiu's talent was too exceptional. This was also reflected in his understanding of cultivation methods. He could even circulate the complete Great Heavenly Cycle after just reading "Zheng Qi Jue" once, without Yun Ze needing to say anything.
Disciples like this were born to be worry-free, weren't they?
Yun Ze stayed in the room for a while longer, then turned and returned to his own room.
However, after he left, Ji Xiu emerged from his cultivation state. He looked into the distance, a cold smile forming on his lips, a smile that was extremely incongruous with his age.
"Change my name, how laughable! Dan Jing Sheng, it seems you still remember me."
"It's fine, I..."
The words abruptly stopped.
Ji Xiu closed his eyes again and re-entered his cultivation state, but soon opened them again.
He tilted his head and asked with some confusion, "Strange, why did I lose focus for a moment just now? Never mind, I'll cultivate for a while longer and then ask Master about it."
With that, Ji Xiu closed his eyes again and continued to circulate his Qi.
...
...
Wudao Courtyard, main hall.
Yan Luoshuang sat at the head of the table, with the deans of the other nine courtyards below him. In front of everyone, a segment was being played on a projection stone.
It was a chasm!
Judging by the weathering of the surrounding rocks, it was not difficult to deduce that the rocks had cracked open not long ago.
Beneath the chasm, dark purple mist continuously emanated.
"This is a projection stone sent by the Immortal Venerable earlier."
Yan Luoshuang said as he put away the projection stone, not offering any opinion, but instead looking at everyone, "What are your thoughts, speak freely."
Everyone exchanged glances, but no one spoke first.
Except for Yun Xiao, everyone present was above the Nascent Soul realm and knew what existed beneath the Nine Netherworlds. Some had even seen it with their own eyes while traveling.
They naturally knew what the chasm in the projection stone represented.
The Gate of Nine Netherworlds!
The appearance of this gate signified that another passage from the Nine Netherworlds had connected to the mortal realm.
Blood seas and mountains of corpses, who knew how many cultivators' remains would be buried there!
"Dean, it's not that I doubt the Immortal Venerable, but... is this really true?"
One of the Nascent Soul cultivators asked, "Wasn't the Gate of Nine Netherworlds only supposed to appear in Zhongxuan Heaven? Why is it appearing in our Southeast Xuan Heaven now?
Could it be the work of the Sacred Spirit Society, trying to sow discord among us?"
"Heh, if the Sacred Spirit Society had such means, capable of deceiving even the Immortal Venerable, why would they need to hide like rats?" another Nascent Soul cultivator sneered.
"Alright, there's no need to argue about the authenticity of this matter."
Yan Luoshuang said, "I called you here not to discuss whether the Immortal Venerable's judgment was mistaken, but to hear your opinions.
This Gate of Nine Netherworlds is within a thousand miles of our Tongtian Academy.
Whether to fight, retreat, or request reinforcements, there must be a plan. I... want to hear your thoughts."
Everyone fell silent again.
They were merely Nascent Soul cultivators. Apart from the Dean, most of the beings above the Nascent Soul realm had gone to Zhongxuan Heaven to fight against the entities beneath the Gate of Nine Netherworlds.
Those beings were the true backbone of Tongtian Academy.
Now that they were all absent, within Tongtian Academy, besides them, the Nascent Soul cultivators, there were only the Dean and a few injured cultivators in the Out-of-Body stage.
With just them, could they fight an entire Gate of Nine Netherworlds?
This was likely a pipe dream!
"No one is speaking?"
Yan Luoshuang asked back, "Then I will decide myself. However, do not accuse me of being dictatorial and disregarding the safety of the academy."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone looked up at Yan Luoshuang.
"Fight!"
Yan Luoshuang uttered only one word, then stood up and said, "But not to fight for Tongtian Academy, but to fight for humanity!
Starting tomorrow, all ten courtyards will prepare for battle. Those above the Foundation Establishment stage will all go to the Gate of Nine Netherworlds and undergo training according to the standards of the Immortal Mansion's regular army, and will be recorded on the merit list!"
"Dean!"
The Foundation Establishment cultivator who had spoken earlier quickly exclaimed, "Dean, please reconsider! The Gate of Nine Netherworlds is no child's play. If everyone above Foundation Establishment participates, then the lineage of our Tongtian Academy..."
"The lineage is not something that can be preserved by hiding!"
Yan Luoshuang interrupted him and then stared at the man, "If Wuli Courtyard does not wish to participate, then withdraw from Tongtian Academy! Go and guard your own lineage!"
"I... Dean, that's not what I meant."
"But that's what I mean!"
Yan Luoshuang's gaze swept across everyone, his sharp aura fully revealed, "All of you are the same. Anyone who is unwilling to participate can withdraw from the academy!
I, Yan Luoshuang, will never stop you!"
"If there are no further objections, then we will proceed to discuss the specific arrangements."