Chapter 64: Chapter 641 Want to Ask the Taoist Priest to Be My Master
“On this journey, as commanded by my sect, I have descended the mountain to slay demons and eradicate the strongholds of the Demon Sects. I must fulfill this righteous duty.”
“Elder Lu’s heart is truly compassionate, an exemplary role model for our kind.”
“With Elder Lu taking action, it will surely be as easy as flipping one’s hand.”
“This is indeed a fortunate occurrence for the common people of Great Xia.”
The scholars of Xia Kingdom continued with their flattery.
“Master, Lian has killed two elders of the Reincarnation Hall, and three disciples. How’s that?”
Lian returned, holding the corpse of a third-level Nascent Soul Realm elder from the Reincarnation Hall, only wishing to hear Lu Changsheng’s praise.
The entourage from Xia Kingdom fell silent, utterly astonished.
Is this a normal fifteen-year-old girl?
To single-handedly kill a second-level Nascent Soul Realm elder and a third- level Nascent Soul Realm elder of the Demon Sects, as well as three disciples from the Golden Core Realm?
Such talent was, to put it mildly… excessively monstrous.
And Lu Changsheng, who had taught such a disciple, was truly a remarkable individual.
The Second Princess of Xia Kingdom sent a Great Confucian back to the Literary Court to request the aid of the State Preceptor.
Lu Changsheng and his party waited in Heyang City for the arrival of the State Preceptor of Xia Kingdom.
Xia Kingdom had stood for ten thousand years. Although its foundation was far weaker than that of the six Orthodox Sects, it had also gathered a group of cultivators, and with many talented princes and princesses cultivating in the six Orthodox Sects, Xia Kingdom had its own strength.
Moreover, Xia Kingdom was dependent on Mount Shu, offering a large number of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures to Mount Shu every year, under its protection.
The lord of Heyang City immediately provided the best residences for the princess and the people of Mount Shu.
“Daoist Lu has saved the lives of a million people in Heyang City, a feat of immeasurable merit. I have instructed an artist to paint Daoist Lu’s portrait. The citizens of Heyang City plan to enshrine the portrait in their homes, offer incense and bow daily, and on an auspicious day, we intend to create a clay figure in the Daoist Temple to protect Heyang City.”
The lord summoned an artist to paint the likeness of Lu Changsheng.
Lu Changsheng did not object.
Saving the citizens of Heyang City was indeed a meritorious deed.
The worship of portraits and clay figures by the common people, if done with sincerity, could generate an intangible Power of Faith that would bless oneself.
The Ancestral Master of Mount Shu once granted great favors to the ancestors of the people of Xia State, even establishing Mount Shu to protect their descendants. After tens of thousands of years, the people of Xia State still have not forgotten the Ancestral Master’s kindness, and the incense offerings have never ceased.
Although Lu Changsheng did not have the same influence as the Ancestral Master of Mount Shu, he had also acquired a share of the Power of Faith.
Si Yan, the Second Princess of Xia Kingdom, prepared a banquet to invite the people of Mount Shu.
As Xia Kingdom was within Mount Shu’s sphere of influence, strengthening ties with the people of Mount Shu was greatly beneficial to Xia Kingdom.
Si Yan, born into the Xia Kingdom’s royal family, naturally understood this principle.
“Daoist Lu, I have a favor to ask.”
After three rounds of wine and a spread of nuanced dishes, the slightly tipsy Si Yan’s cheeks were tinged with a faint blush.
“Please speak.”
Because Mount Shu’s status was aloof, its elders need not be overly courteous to Xia Kingdom’s royal family.
Si Yan nervously said, “I would like to become Daoist Lu’s disciple.”
Become a disciple?
While Lu Changsheng would have liked nothing more than to have as many disciples as possible, the Disciple Apprenticeship System showed no reaction at all.
Only those recognized by the Disciple Apprenticeship System as unparalleled geniuses could trigger a reward.
The talents of the Second Princess of Xia Kingdom were considered quite good; otherwise, she wouldn’t have been able to reach the Dao Palace Realm.
But her talents did not qualify her as an unparalleled genius.
Lu Changsheng tactfully declined, “Your Highness is intelligent and talented. However, I already have three disciples and must also attend to my own cultivation. I am unable to split myself further and am not accepting disciples at this time.”
The Second Princess hesitated, “In that case… does Daoist Lu require any maids?”
“Your Highness, this must not happen!”
“How could a princess of Great Xia serve as a maid?”
When the scholars of Xia Kingdom heard what the Second Princess intended, it seemed that she wished to become a servant to Lu Changsheng, and they were greatly shocked, hastily advising against it.
Though Mount Shu’s status towered above the Great Xia dynasty, Si Yan was a princess after all, and a princess at the Nascent Soul Realm at that, to serve as a maid to an elder of Mount Shu was indeed to lower herself excessively.
“Hacknot formaids.”
Lu Changsheng, knowing that the other party was advancing by retreating, still politely declined.
“Such a pity.”
Si Yan sighed faintly.
With her insight, she knew that Lu Changsheng’s future achievements would definitely surpass the Dao Palace Realm. To become his maid could give her an opportunity to follow him as a disciple in the future.
Her talents and beauty stood out in the Xia Kingdom, yet Lu Changsheng remained unmoved, truly a peerless great man.
Si Yan’s respect for him grew even more.
Lu Changsheng and his companions waited in Heyang City for three days until the State Preceptor, who presided over the Literary Court of Xia Kingdom, arrived, causing the whole city to tremble.
“Lord of Heyang City welcomes the State Preceptor.”
“Dispense with the formalities.”
The State Preceptor, wearing the Four-Corners Peace Headband and a dark robe, emanated Magnificent Righteous Qi, inspiring awe in others.
Dozens of Great Confucians from the Literary Court followed on either side of the State Preceptor.
The lord of Heyang City stood with solemn respect.
The State Preceptor, who oversaw the Literary Court, was a seventh-level Dao Palace Realm Great Confucian and one of the few with the highest cultivation in the Xia Kingdom.
What was most exceptional was that the State Preceptor was not a disciple of one of the six major sects but a powerhouse at the Great Accomplishment stage of the Dao Palace Realm cultivated by the Literary Court itself. Even the Emperor of Xia held him in high honor.
“State Preceptor.”
“Princess Your Highness, I am already informed of what happened in Heyang City. The task of eradicating the Reincarnation Hall stronghold will be handled by our Literary Court. With us taking charge, we are bound to succeed.”
The State Preceptor’s attitude was slightly arrogant; with his seventh-level Dao Palace Realm cultivation, he stood out even among the younger generation of elders in Mount Shu, let alone in Xia Kingdom.
“Master, this person sure talks big.”
Lian pouted her lips. So what if he’s at the seventh level of the Dao Palace Realm? What’s he showing off for?
Her master was an Immortal in secluded cultivation on Mount Shu.
“Disciple, do not be rude.”
Lu Changsheng couldn’t help it; his apprentice was too straightforward.
The State Preceptor noticed Lu Changsheng and his disciple, his eyebrows furrowing slightly, “Lu, you saved the Princess, and our Xia Kingdom will surely thank you substantially. However, attacking the Reincarnation Hall stronghold is exceedingly perilous, and the Demon Chief overseeing it could have a cultivation even beyond the Blood Refining Elder, not something you can contend with. You and your Mount Shu contingent should follow my command, and together with our Literary Court, we will eradicate the Demon Sects stronghold.”
“Agreed.”
Lu Changsheng was always willing to go along, and he did not object to the State Preceptor taking the lead.
The State Preceptor, having achieved his cultivation without studying in the six major sects, had a certain pride and self-assuredness against the sects.
However, his and his third disciple Mo Huazhi’s talents could not compare.
Mo Huazhi was endowed with the Body of the Literary Sage, a future beyond limits. To become a State Preceptor in the future would be well within her means.
Si Yan flipped her wrist, and a map appeared: “One stronghold of the Reincarnation Hall is located at Tianyu Mountain.”
“We should set out as soon as possible and strike Tianyu Mountain with the element of surprise.”
The State Preceptor led the team and flew towards Tianyu Mountain.
“Tianyu Mountain, lying between the Xia State and Liang Kingdom, is the border of Mount Shu, Inquiry Immortal Pavilion, and Martial Alliance, the three major sects. It is a lawless area that does not attract much attention, no wonder Reincarnation Hall set up a stronghold there.”
As Lu Changsheng hurried along, he searched his Sea of Consciousness for records about Tianyu Mountain.
The State Preceptor quietly observed Lu Changsheng, who always only revealed cultivation at the second or third level of the Dao Palace Realm, eluding easy understanding, “Why can’t I see through his cultivation? It shouldn’t be…”