Chapter 565: The Master

Even worse, the sect had installed methods to block sensory detection.

Once a simulated body entered the hall, all connection would be lost; the operator had no idea whether their simulated body inside the Ascension Hall was safe or not.

Those who pushed their simulated puppets forward while secretly hiding at the back of the line…

That would be terrible.

Looking at the entrance of the Ascension Hall, the four of them felt deep pain at the sight of the simulated bodies rendered inert by the prohibition runes.

These were all spirit coins!

Is it easy for us "cautious stream" cultivators to earn money?!

Not to mention, even if you barely manage to find a hidden spot, gather a bit of Qi, and craft a few artifacts or a couple of array bases…

Finding a stable, safe channel to sell them is still a huge problem.

Selling on the Spirit Net risks being tracked, and you must submit relevant data to the platform.

If you go to the underground black market, someone might see your wealth and chase you down to kill you…

Sigh~

Even after all that, you're only slightly better off than sword cultivators and body cultivators—is this easy?!

Moreover, due to the Ascension Hall's powerful prohibition system, all their disguises failed at once.

This made them, who had not shown their true faces in a long time, extremely uncomfortable.

As a result, everyone tried to squeeze toward more concealed positions, but the sect required them to maintain at least one and a half meters distance from each other…

The four of them sighed again inwardly.

The world holds too many prejudices, the sect is too ruthless—the "cautious" path is truly difficult!

Zhao Ruohan, however, thought little of it; she merely stared blankly at the central Ascension Platform within the Ascension Hall.

Approximately half an hour later.

The second batch of Ascension Envoys from Taishang Daozong had finally all entered the Ascension Hall.

In front of the Ascension Hall, piles of deactivated simulated puppets had accumulated.

On the side, several people had pale faces.

Clearly, they had placed their simulated puppets at the front to scout, while hanging back at the tail of the line—only to suffer heavy losses due to the Ascension Hall's prohibition mechanism.

On the high cloud terrace, Cheng Junming calmly flicked his fly whisk, his immortal bearing serene.

He knew these little rascals would bring out a bunch of simulated bodies; luckily, he had foresight and moved the assembly time up by an hour.

His gaze swept over the restless figures below, paying special attention to those disciples whose simulated bodies had suffered heavy losses and whose faces had turned pale.

Cheng Junming was deeply satisfied.

This time, these little rascals should learn a lesson.

Thinking this, he flicked his fly whisk again.

Hum~

A ring of shimmering clear light spread outward, gradually covering the entire Ascension Hall.

Where the clear light passed, the deactivated puppets piled at the hall's entrance trembled, rose from the ground, and split into several portions, returning to their respective owners.

The cautious stream cultivators who had lost their simulated puppets were astonished to find their connection restored.

"Do not forget today's lesson—know that diligent cultivation is the true path."

Spending all day fiddling with these heretical tricks.

We are Taishang Daozong!

Taishang Daozong, one of the Seven Great Xian Sects of the Xuan Realm, okay?!

Does the sect not have the power to protect you little rascals?!

Instead of this, why not spend more time on cultivation? At least produce one or two more HeDao cultivators.

"Disciples humbly remember!"

Everyone bowed solemnly and spoke in unison.

At the same time, they silently resolved to work harder, striving for the day when their simulated puppets would no longer be exposed.

They had not expected the sect to pull this stunt to spur them on.

They had truly misunderstood…

Seeing their reaction, Cheng Junming nodded in satisfaction.

"Now, please welcome Li Ming, Inner Disciple Officer of the Wanfa Pavilion, who is about to achieve HeDao."

The reason he had assembled them an hour early was not only to give them a lesson, but more importantly, this.

As soon as he finished speaking, a clear aura slowly rose above the cloud terrace, and a slender figure clad in a green Daoist robe appeared beside Cheng Junming.

"Master."

Li Ming bowed respectfully to Cheng Junming.

After Cheng Junming gave a slight nod, he turned to face the crowd inside the Ascension Hall.

Yet inside, he felt somewhat frustrated.

After these days of observation, Li Ming had realized Taishang Daozong's situation was far worse than he imagined—how could a few words change it?

Never mind—do my best.

……

……

Xiang Jianzong.

In contrast to Taishang Daozong, few people had gathered near the Xiang Jianzong's outer sect Ascension Hall.

Inside the hall, only a few Tongxuan Taishang and the Xiang Jianzong's sect leader, Du Ruoheng, had arrived ahead of time.

A small courtyard in the outer sect.

Zhang Yunlu held her phone in one hand and locked the door with the other.

My most revered master: "After the mission begins, think thrice before acting."

My most revered master: "Don't be as reckless as your senior sister."

My most revered master: "Come to think of it, since you became my disciple, one thing after another has happened—I haven't fulfilled much of my duty as a teacher."

My most revered master: "/sigh little yellow duck"

My most revered master: "When you return from this mission, I'll assign you more tasks; once your cultivation reaches a certain level, I'll promote you to the inner sect."

Zhang Yunlu read through each message sent by Bie Xuening.

At first, she had considered replying, but her master typed far too quickly.

She had barely typed a few characters when the next message arrived.

She simply watched as Bie Xuening sent message after message, chattering on.

Only then did Zhang Yunlu finally get a chance to reply.

Lucky Little Zhang: "Don't worry, Master, I understand—you needn't be concerned."

My most revered master: "Alright, I won't nag anymore. Just be careful yourself."

Lucky Little Zhang: "Okay."

After typing those two characters, Zhang Yunlu waited a minute, confirmed no further messages came, then slipped her phone back into her pocket.

She turned and walked toward the Ascension Hall.

Although she had long realized her master's personality wasn't as cold and aloof as he appeared.

But after spending this time with him, she had discovered another trait of his—

Her master was actually someone who struggled to express his emotions.

emm…

According to her senior sister, if her master were just a little more proactive, given how handsome he is, his junior sister would've already won him over…

Cough!

Better not speak ill of one's seniors.

That's what my senior sister said!

…

…

Sword Lord Hall.

Inside the training ground.

Besides Bie Xuening and Xu Xing, Xiang Yuanjun was also there.

Bie Xuening put down her phone and looked downward.

Still, she worried about her little disciple, given her lack of mission experience compared to the rebellious disciple.

And the complexity of this Ascension Mission far exceeded that of any ordinary past mission…

"Sword Lord, you needn't worry—I think your little disciple is quite capable," said Xiang Yuanjun.

"I know that well," said Bie Xuening coolly.

Seeing this, Xiang Yuanjun let out a light laugh.

She understood Bie Xuening's thoughts all too well.

It was simply that she feared she hadn't fulfilled her duty as a teacher.

But…

It was no wonder she felt this way.

After all, that elder from back then truly was an excellent teacher… (End of Chapter)