Chapter 1 A Grand Beginning

"Eldest Brother, the Da Luo Grand Assembly begins tomorrow. The Sect Leader requests your presence at the Da Luo Palace for preparations."

The voice of a disciple, or so it seemed, echoed from outside the door.

Inside, Lu Changsheng frowned, scribbling a pill formula.

However, this so-called formula was entirely of his own concoction.

Writing pill formulas wasn't particularly difficult. Medicinal herbs were categorized by the Five Elements, and a reasonable combination of these elements formed a pill formula. If one desired a unique formula, minor adjustments were required.

Thus, in less than ten days, Lu Changsheng had written over a dozen different formulas.

Whether they would be effective remained to be seen, as none had been tested yet.

"Eldest Brother!"

The gentle call sounded again, drawing Lu Changsheng back to reality.

"Mm," he responded faintly. After stretching his limbs, he headed straight for the door.

The disciple outside stood respectfully. As Lu Changsheng emerged, the disciple cautiously looked up, his face immediately lighting up with awe.

Clearly, another superficial man.

The Da Luo Palace was situated in the central area of the Da Luo Holy Land. Red Peak wasn't too far from the Da Luo Palace, but still several dozen *li* away, so the mode of transportation was naturally a magical artifact, such as a flying sword.

However, the sect had arranged for Lu Changsheng not a flying sword, but a jade boat, a level above a flying sword.

Stepping onto the jade boat, the artifact swiftly soared into the sky, noiseless and pollution-free. Its speed was rapid, yet it didn't feel too fast. The jade boat was equipped with formations that blocked the violent winds, ensuring a smooth flight and allowing one to calmly admire the scenery.

From the jade boat's vantage point, the Da Luo Holy Land was magnificent and glorious, with towering pavilions and jade palaces, purple halls and golden towers, mountains rising like a star map, and flourishing vegetation. It was truly a holy land of immortals.

Any single spot could be selected as a top-ten scenic attraction, perfect for retirement and health preservation.

And the most magnificent and imposing of all was, of course, the Da Luo Palace.

The Da Luo Palace wasn't a single hall, but a complex of hundreds of halls. Each tile was made of five-colored glazed ceramic, shimmering with rainbow hues under the sunlight. Cranes danced in the air, rainbow bridges spanned the distance, and ancient chanting resonated, highlighting the extraordinary nature of the Da Luo Palace.

Looking up, even without the ability to read auras, one could see the purple qi above the Da Luo Palace, representing supreme good fortune.

One of the ten great holy lands in the world, its reputation was well-deserved.

However, at this moment, numerous figures were bustling about the Da Luo Palace, decorating and hanging lanterns everywhere, creating a lively atmosphere.

With the Da Luo Grand Assembly taking place tomorrow, the entire sect was naturally mobilized.

"Will this Da Luo Grand Assembly invite outsiders?"

On the jade boat, Lu Changsheng inquired, speaking to the young disciple behind him.

The latter was taken aback for a moment, seemingly surprised that Lu Changsheng would take the initiative to speak to him, making him somewhat flustered. However, he quickly regained his composure and replied, "Replying to Eldest Brother, this Da Luo Grand Assembly is primarily to formally appoint you as Eldest Brother, so invitations have not been widely sent out."

"No outsiders invited?"

Lu Changsheng frowned slightly, but remained silent.

Inwardly, he pondered.

This script was off.

Logically, his appointment as Eldest Brother should be witnessed by the righteous path of the world, with many young talents like himself in attendance.

Then, according to the script, a few arrogant geniuses would appear, verbally humiliating him. At this point, the system within him should activate. Even if it wasn't a system, activating an old grandpa would be better than this unremarkable situation, right?

"With Eldest Brother's outstanding abilities, it might not be long before you are titled Da Luo Holy Son. At that time, the Holy Land will surely invite famous righteous sects from all over the world to participate in the Holy Son Assembly," the young disciple said foolishly, unaware of what his Eldest Brother was scheming.

At the same time, the jade boat arrived at the Da Luo Palace.

"Eldest Brother, please!"

The young junior apprentice-brother invited Lu Changsheng to disembark.

"Thank you, Junior Apprentice-Brother. This Senior Brother has nothing to give you. This pill formula is a gift to you. Work hard. Seeing that you are still an inner disciple, you must know that the road ahead is long and winding, and I will search high and low."

The matters of the Da Luo Grand Assembly had to be handled these next few days, so the matter of refining pills could only be put aside for now. He didn't know what to do with the dozens of pill formulas in his possession. This junior apprentice-brother was a good choice, allowing him to try refining them. If good pills were produced, all would be well. If not...

Sorry, Junior Apprentice-Brother, you and I are strangers. Why force a relationship?

If something went wrong with the refined pills...

This Junior Apprentice-Brother, you are not skilled at refining pills. Why forcibly frame me? Guards, drag him to the Cliff of Repentance for ten years of confinement.

Lu Changsheng had already thought of a countermeasure for all consequences. It was a bit shameless, but as long as he wasn't implicated, all would be well. After all, the title of Eldest Brother could not be questioned.

Lu Changsheng's thoughts were rather strange, but the young junior apprentice-brother was different. He had been ordered to bring this Eldest Brother over, and also wanted to witness this legendary figure. He simply hadn't expected that this Eldest Brother would be so courteous and even give him a pill formula.

Truthfully, he had been considering whether to choose a left-path technique to cultivate. Now that Lu Changsheng had sent him a pill formula, it only strengthened his determination to refine pills.

Immediately, Li Chun said gratefully, "Thank you, Senior Brother, for bestowing the formula. This Junior Brother will surely not disgrace Senior Brother's name."

"Don't be like this. Since it is a gift to you, then this pill formula is yours. This Senior Brother comprehends the Great Dao of Non-Attachment. All fame and fortune are merely fleeting clouds of the past. However, if you truly refine a good pill, remember to notify Senior Brother. Consider it a stroke of good fortune."

Ending the conversation, Lu Changsheng walked directly into the Da Luo Palace.

Outside the Da Luo Palace, from bottom to top, there was a Heavenly Ascent Ladder, made of top-grade mutton-fat jade. This kind of spiritual jade was extremely precious. Ordinary cultivators couldn't even afford a piece, and only the Da Luo Holy Land dared to use this jade to build nine hundred and ninety-nine heavenly steps.

There was no one beside the Heavenly Ascent Ladder, but tomorrow inner disciples would stand on either side to hold the ceremony, displaying grandeur.

Nine hundred and ninety-nine heavenly steps sounded lofty, but walking them would cost one's old life.

Ten steps made a *zhang*, and nine hundred and ninety-nine steps were roughly a hundred *zhang*, which was three hundred meters in height.

Fortunately, he had some cultivation, and although he was weak, he wasn't so weak that he couldn't climb a mountain.

However, when Lu Changsheng stepped onto the Heavenly Ascent Ladder, he couldn't help but feel depressed.

There was a strange formation on the Heavenly Ascent Ladder that restricted magical power. The meaning was simple: he had to climb up step by step.

"When I become the Sect Leader, I must abolish this damn rule."

Although he was grieved, Lu Changsheng's expression was very calm, exuding an indescribable demeanor.

A white robe, as if a banished immortal had descended upon the world.

At this moment, a great wind arose, and the corners of Lu Changsheng's clothes fluttered.

After about half an hour, Lu Changsheng reached the top of the Heavenly Ascent Ladder, but he was also very tired.

"Disciple!"

Just then, a familiar voice sounded.

It was the voice of Qing Yun Daoren.

Before Lu Changsheng could rest, he couldn't help but look over.

Three old men were standing in the main hall, stroking their beards and looking at him with smiles.

For some reason, Lu Changsheng felt an inexplicable urge to curse.