Chapter 587: Qiandao Sect

Mo Hua was also stunned.

Wen Renwan's reaction caught him off guard.

"Is the Qiandao Sect's entry permit… very valuable?"

Yu, eating nearby, looked at her mother with a dazed expression.

Wen Renwan sighed: "An entry permit means 'waiver of entrance exam.' In Qianxue Prefecture, from the largest to the smallest sect, every entry permit is highly valuable—let alone one from a top-tier sect like Qiandao Sect."

"Top-tier?" Mo Hua blinked, then remembered Wen Renwan's earlier words: "The Sida Sect?"

"Mm." Wen Renwan nodded slightly. "In Qianxue Prefecture, a fifth-rank region, Daoist sects abound—there are not ten thousand, but several thousand in total."

"Among the most esteemed upper-tier sects are the 'Sida Sect,' 'Bamen,' and 'Shierliu'…"

"Then there are some sects with considerable strength but lacking deep roots—these are collectively called the 'Qianxue Hundred Sects'…"

"Sida Sect, Bamen, Shierliu, Qianxue Hundred Sects…" Mo Hua murmured silently, committing them to memory.

Wen Renwan continued:

"Among all sects in Qianxue Prefecture, in terms of Dao lineage, the Sida Sect are the strongest, followed by the Bamen…"

"The Shierliu can rival the Bamen, but they specialize in one path, with inherent bias—like Duanjin Gate's sword control, Wanfa Gate's spellcraft, and others specializing in arrays, pills, talismans, beast taming, martial arts, and so on…"

"And Qiandao Sect is among the top two of the Sida Sect in Qianxue Prefecture."

"Top two…"

Mo Hua frowned. "So is it first or second?"

Wen Renwan's expression grew complex; she whispered:

"That…"

"Each of the Sida Sect claims to be first and refuses to be second. So all four are top two—but no one dares openly say whether they're first or second…"

Mo Hua opened his mouth.

They could really be this… scheming…

"So," Wen Renwan said firmly, "as a top-tier sect of a fifth-rank prefecture, the Sida Sect's entry requirements are extremely strict—thus, an exam-waiver entry permit is naturally exceedingly rare…"

"Even for clans like Shangguan and Wenren, it is extremely scarce."

Wen Renwan sighed.

Mo Hua fell into a daze.

He hadn't expected the item his master left him to be this valuable.

As soon as she finished, Wen Renwan remembered something and warned:

"Keep this entry permit safe. Don't tell anyone about it."

"Mm!" Mo Hua nodded.

Seeing Mo Hua's calm demeanor despite carrying such a precious item, Wen Renwan nodded inwardly—but then she grew curious:

"Where did you get this token?"

"I found it!" Mo Hua said.

Wen Renwan froze. "Found… found it?"

Could you even find a Qiandao Sect entry permit?

This excuse came naturally to Mo Hua:

"Years ago, while hunting demons in a great mountain in Lizhou, I happened upon a storage bag. Inside was a token bearing the words 'Qiandao Sect.'"

"I inquired a bit and learned it was an entry permit from Qianxue Prefecture."

"Qianxue Prefecture is far from Li Prefecture, but since I found it, I thought it a fate I shouldn't waste—I traveled over mountains and rivers to come to Qian Prefecture, hoping to join a sect and learn Daoist knowledge…"

It was a simple, unadorned tale of seeking the Dao.

Half-truth, half-fiction.

It sounded crude, yet had no obvious flaws.

Wen Renwan was skeptical but thought: some are born with great fortune—it wasn't that unusual.

Besides, the one speaking was Mo Hua, who had just saved her child.

Wen Renwan chose to believe him.

But Mo Hua had concerns: "Wan Yi, can this entry permit truly waive the entrance exam?"

"Of course…"

Wen Renwan halted mid-sentence, frowned, and hesitated.

Logically, holding the permit should allow entry—there was no issue.

Entry permits were issued with extreme strictness; not just anyone could receive one, nor could just anyone obtain one.

When entering, the sect would slightly calculate karmic ties.

Anyone holding an entry permit, as long as their origin was upright, had no evil karma or evil consequences, and hadn't murdered to seize treasures, stolen others' fortunes, or plotted ill intent, was acceptable.

Even if one "found" it, it was still fate ordained by Heaven—the sect would not refuse.

But…

Mo Hua was somewhat special.

Qiandao Sect was too large; every slot was precious.

And Mo Hua was a lone cultivator with no background—more importantly, his spiritual root…

Wen Renwan whispered: "Mo Hua, your spiritual root…"

"Mid-low grade small Five Elements spiritual root," Mo Hua replied.

As expected…

Wen Renwan sighed.

This spiritual root is far too poor—it doesn't even touch the floor of entry-level standards…

But Wen Ren Wan didn't want Mo Hua to be heartbroken, so she said: "Qiandao Sect is a major sect; it values integrity and will surely accept you."

Mo Hua knew Wen Ren Wan was comforting him, so he smiled: "Thank you, Xu Wanyi!"

But he also had some expectations.

Qiandao Sect is much larger and has far higher thresholds than he imagined.

It seems truly entering Qiandao Sect won't be easy…

Still, when you reach the mountain, a path will appear—you must go anyway.

Wen Ren Wan also said: "After you finish eating and rest tonight, tomorrow I'll have the Wen family's carriage take you safely to Qiandao Sect…"

Mo Hua thanked her with a smile, then remembered something and whispered softly:

"Xu Wanyi, there's one more thing…"

Wen Ren Wan said: "Go ahead and say it!"

Mo Hua whispered: "Can you keep quiet about me saving Yu'er?"

Wen Ren Wan froze, then understood.

Someone who could scheme against the Shang family and the Wen family's direct line—and conceal heavenly fate so neither great clan could trace the karmic thread—

must have immense power behind them.

Their ambitions must be far-reaching.

Mo Hua merely got lucky and happened to save Yu'er.

But if those people learned it was this child, Mo Hua, who ruined their plans, that luck would turn to doom.

Mo Hua is still just a child, a lone cultivator, with low cultivation, no power, no influence, no background—he'd likely…

Die without a grave!

Wen Ren Wan's heart trembled, a pang of sorrow rising inside.

She knew the pain of losing a child.

Mo Hua has parents too—if he died because he saved Yu'er, how heartbroken would his parents be?

I'd carry guilt for the rest of my life…

Wen Ren Wan solemnly said: "Rest assured—I'll make every person who knows this swear silence, not a whisper will leak out!"

Mo Hua beamed, "Thank you, Xu Wanyi!"

Wen Ren Wan looked at Mo Hua's clear smile and felt slightly reassured.

After resting one night in Qingzhou City and playing with Yu'er for a while, Mo Hua boarded the Wen family's carriage and headed north toward the Qiandao State border…

The Qiandao State border is a land famed for learning.

Along the way, sects number beyond count.

Amid swirling mists, Dao courts stand tall, pavilions scattered like stars, majestic and grand, veiled in clouds and mist, as if a white jade palace from heaven.

Radiant auroras spread across the mountains, spiritual beasts cry out clearly, as if in a fairyland.

Cultivators in robes of various sects come and go, their aura-traveling lights crisscrossing.

Mo Hua was stunned.

"This is… the Qiandao State border…"

"This is… the greatest place in the entire Qi Province for seeking the Dao and learning…"

Along the journey, wonders filled his sight; Mo Hua leaned his small head out the carriage window, watching all the way, filled with awe.

The sound of hooves drifted gently.

The mountain path vanished into mist.

Traveling felt like riding on clouds.

Two days later, the carriage arrived at Qiandao Sect.

Far off, a colossal mountain peak stood towering to the heavens, palaces lined along its slopes, pavilions scattered like stars, majestic and grand, veiled in clouds and mist, like a white jade palace from heaven.

"Qiandao Sect…"

Mo Hua felt nervous, yet hopeful, his heart uneasy.

The carriage stopped at the foot of the mountain.

A Wen family guard bowed and apologized: "Young Master Mo, Qiandao Sect has strict rules—carriages and horses are forbidden up the mountain. We're truly sorry, but we can only take you this far."

"It's fine."

Mo Hua waved his hand in thanks to the guard, then walked straight up the towering steps toward Qiandao Sect's main gate.

Up close, it was even more gilded and jade-decorated, radiant with divine aura.

Along the path, other students gradually arrived, dismounting from carriages and horses, walking up the mountain—clearly also seeking to join Qiandao Sect.

But they wore more luxurious robes, carried more arrogant expressions, and were guarded by family elders and surrounded by retainers.

Mo Hua, by contrast, wore plain clothes and walked alone.

Fortunately, he was already used to it.

Mo Hua walked on alone until he reached Qiandao Sect's main gate.

Before the gate stood a towering threshold, nearly taller than Mo Hua himself, blocking those who wished to ascend—and blocking Mo Hua.

Several Qiandao Sect disciples guarded the gate; seeing Mo Hua, they stopped him and asked his purpose.

Their tone was courteous, but beneath it lay condescension and arrogance.

"I have a Ru Sect permit—I wish to join…"

Mo Hua presented his Ru Sect permit.

The Qiandao Sect disciples were stunned, exchanged glances, then one said:

"You wait here—I must report this and ask the elder to decide."

He added, "Fill out your cultivator registration and biography…"

Mo Hua looked at the so-called "registration and biography"—it merely required writing his home, origin, and spiritual root.

Mo Hua filled it all out truthfully.

The disciple collected Mo Hua's registration, then took out a sealed box, stored the Ru Sect permit inside, and entered the mountain gate. He walked along the broad jade road for the duration of a tea break, arriving at a hall.

Inside the hall, several Qiandao Sect elders were in council.

The disciple presented the sealed box and explained the matter.

The elders all showed surprise. "Ru Sect permit?"

They turned to the head seat and asked, "Elder Shen, what do you think?"

Elder Shen, seated at the head, had deep nasolabial folds and golden threads woven into his robe—clearly a figure of high rank and power.

Upon hearing this, Elder Shen took the Ru Sect permit, saw the characters on it, and suddenly frowned.

"Elder Shen, is something amiss?" one elder asked.

Elder Shen shook his head and passed the permit along. "Take a look…"

The other elders, puzzled, took it and stared in shock.

One elder slowly read aloud: "Those bearing this permit shall not refuse…"

"This character… isn't right…"

"Shouldn't it be 'We humbly beg your acceptance'?"

"Exactly. Why is it phrased like an imperial decree?"

"Is this Ru Sect permit… fake?"

Elder Shen shook his head. "It's real—just an 'old' one."

"Old?"

The elders were taken aback.

Elder Shen nodded. "This is from the sect's old records…"

Elder Shen gazed at the Ru Sect permit and sighed softly:

"These are among the earliest batch of 'Ru Sect permits.' Back then, Qiandao Sect was in decline, weak in strength, forced to kowtow to others—so the permits from that era used the tone of an imperial decree…"

"'Shall not refuse' meant Qiandao Sect could not refuse…"

"But!"

Elder Shen's gaze sharpened, his voice rising: "Through generations of our sect's leaders, diligent governance, countless cultivators striving hard, the entire sect united in purpose, working tirelessly—we have grown strong to this day…"

"Qiandao Sect is no longer what it once was!"

"Our disciples are all prodigies, all top-grade talent!"

"Now, we are the foremost of the Four Major Sects! The largest sect in Qianxue Province!"

"Therefore, the format and wording of the Ru Sect permit were changed."

"No longer 'shall not refuse'—but 'we humbly beg your acceptance!'"

"Others now beg us to 'accept' them into our sect—not we being ordered by others to take in disciples!"

Elder Shen's words rang with authority.

The elders all felt stirred, proud to be part of it.

One elder said, "Since this permit is an old debt and somewhat shameful, should we… refuse it?"

Elder Shen thought for a moment, then shook his head:

"Don't be so hasty. Everything requires careful consideration…"

"Though these past events are not glorious, they are undeniable facts."

"We cultivators must remember past humiliations, keep them etched in our hearts, so we may carry the burden and grow ever stronger, ensuring Qiandao Sect stands for ten thousand years!"

The elders all offered flattery:

"No wonder you're Elder Shen!"

"Far-sighted!"

"Grand vision, extraordinary magnanimity!"

…

Elder Shen waved slightly, then remembered something and asked:

"What is this disciple's aptitude?"

Someone handed up a copy of the "registration."

Elder Shen glanced at it once, then tightened his frown.

"A cultivator from outside a sect…"

"And from a remote region of Li Province…"

"Mid-low grade Five Elements spiritual root…"

Elder Shen found it almost unbearable to look at.

The other elders passed the registration around; one couldn't help laughing: "Under 'specialty,' it says… Array?"

The others froze, then burst into laughter.

"He really dares to write that…"

"Probably had nothing else to put down…"

"Array…" one elder shook his head. "My fifth-generation great-grandson has extraordinary array talent—I wouldn't even let him pursue that path, let alone claim mastery…"

"Truly… ignorance is fearless…"

After all, cultivators from small places may learn a few formation arrays and think themselves extraordinary, unaware of the towering mountains and vast seas, of heavens beyond heavens...

An elder chuckled: "Why not ask him exactly how many formation arrays he knows?"

"You're really idle..."

"What good would asking do? Can he even draw a second-rank formation?"

"Don't underestimate any cultivator under heaven..."

"That's true, but this is Qian Province, within the Qian Scholar Realm—geniuses of the cultivation world all flock here; one more 'formation prodigy' won't make a difference..."

After some discussion, someone curiously asked:

"How did he get that Ru Sect token?"

"That's true..."

"Could it be an old 'Ru Sect token' he just picked up?"

"How easy is it to pick one up? Could it be... murder and theft? Stolen?"

"Or perhaps, someone's pawn?"

Elder Shen shook his head, "Just now I did a slight calculation—it was vague, not precise, but it seemed clean, no issues, no 'evil cause, evil effect.' Probably just sheer luck he found it..."

One elder sighed in admiration: "What luck..."

"Indeed, he even found a Ru Sect token..."

Elder Shen nodded: "There are indeed people in this world who possess extraordinary fortunes..."

"Since this child has such fortune, then..." One elder probed Elder Shen's thoughts.

Elder Shen pondered for a moment, then said slowly: "Having fortune is one thing, but..."

Elder Shen's expression carried a hint of arrogance as he sighed:

"Qiandao Sect's great fortune—this man cannot bear it!"

The elders froze, all astonished:

"Elder Shen, you speak truly well!"

"Too great a fortune isn't always good..."

"Those with thin blessings cannot hold such overwhelming wealth..."

"It's for his own good..."

"But..." Another elder hesitated, "If we refuse, won't it damage Qiandao Sect's Pei Weixin?"

After all, Chilingru Sect rarely refuses.

If we refuse, we might be called untrustworthy—it would spread and sound terrible...

Elder Shen frowned, thought briefly, then spoke earnestly:

"It's not 'refusal'—it's 'pending deliberation...'"

Everyone froze.

"Pending deliberation?"

Elder Shen nodded: "Not refusal—this matter is unusual and requires careful deliberation..."

Careful deliberation.

If it's deliberation, then how long? A month? A year? Ten years? Will a decision ever be reached? What will the outcome be...?

That becomes Qiandao Sect's affair—no one else has a say.

Elder Shen didn't say these words aloud, but everyone understood.

Everyone nodded in agreement:

"This is best..."

"This matter is too grave—it truly requires careful deliberation..."

"No wonder Elder Shen handles affairs with such grace—perfect balance, perfect restraint..."

"Then what should we do with the Ru Sect token?" someone asked again.

Elder Shen shrugged: "Just register it in the cultivator registry."

Ru Sect tokens are precious—one token per person. Once registered, even if returned, no one else can use it.

And once 'pending deliberation' is noted, the bearer's entry into the sect is effectively stalled.

But once it was marked "under deliberation," the matter of the bearer entering Ru Sect came to a halt.

Elder Shen gave a slight nod.

The Ru Sect token glowed faintly as it was registered.

Elder Shen annotated "pending deliberation" on the registry, then tossed the registry aside, burying it under documents, letting it gather dust.

As he tossed it, he caught sight of the name on the registry.

When he dropped it, he saw the name listed under native place.

That name—Elder Shen glanced and forgot it, gave it no real thought...

This name, Elder Shen glanced at and forgot, not giving it much thought…

Nearly ten thousand characters in two chapters.

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