Chapter 786

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Protagonist:

Xu Zhangqing

The vast auspicious clouds seemed to sense a certain majesty, spontaneously retreating to both sides, revealing a sky clear as if washed.

Suddenly, a phoenix cry that shook the universe came from afar, golden flames sweeping in from the east, dyeing half the sky into a sea of fire.

"It's here!"

Someone cried out in a low voice, subconsciously holding their breath.

Within the flames, a carriage a hundred zhang tall slowly drove forth; its body was engraved with intricate fire runes, each rune circulating scorching spiritual power, as if capable of burning heaven and destroying earth.

At the four corners of the carriage hung massive bronze bells; their tolling held not a shred of clarity, carrying the heavy resonance of metal and stone, causing listeners' divine souls to tremble.

This is the Dongting Immortal Sect's improved superweapon, the Jingyuan Mountain Carriage.

Above the carriage, a fire phoenix with a wingspan exceeding a hundred zhang flapped its wings and circled; wherever its feathers brushed, the air was scorched and twisted, leaving lingering trails of flame in midair.

The fire phoenix's eyes were like two crimson pearls, exuding a haughty arrogance that looked down on the world.

The flames surrounding it were not ordinary fire, but spiritual fire containing the power of laws.

Ordinary cultivators touching even a trace would perish body and Dao, divine soul annihilated.

Just then, the door of the Jingyuan Mountain Carriage slowly opened, and immediately a figure stepped out unhurriedly, standing at the front of the carriage.

This person was precisely Chao Jin.

Height one meter nine, figure straight and tall like a pine, a single crimson-gold dharma robe trailing the ground.

On the robe was embroidered the pattern of a prairie fire sea; with his movements, the fire patterns seemed truly to be burning.

A head of white hair reached his waist, not the withered white of extreme old age, but pure as ice and snow, yet dense as a waterfall, cascading down his shoulders and back.

Most peculiar were the hair tips; the end of every strand was slowly disintegrating, turning into gray powder that drifted on the wind, vanishing the moment it touched the ground.

He bore a pair of sword brows, the peaks sharp as knives; his eyes were the standard phoenix eyes, the outer corners slightly upturned, revealing a few parts cold indifference and majesty.

High-bridged nose, a typical aquiline nose.

Lips extremely thin, not a trace of blood color.

On his forehead, extending upward from the glabella were three crimson-gold fire patterns, in a trident shape, the pattern ends reaching the hairline, circulating faint golden light.

At the outer corner of each eye was an arced fire pattern, winding along the direction of crow's feet to the temples, contrasting with the white hair, exceptionally striking.

At the jawline, a slender circular fire line encircled half the chin, then extended down along the neck, disappearing into the robe collar.

Before the crowd could examine him closely, a terrifying pressure erupted from Chao Jin's whole body.

His Primordial Spirit unfolded, a Daoist figure one zhang tall.

Features identical to Chao Jin's, yet even more majestic.

Clad in the Burning Heaven Robe, waist bound with the Fire Jade Belt, feet treading Fire Lotus Boots, sitting cross-legged on a crimson lotus.

Atop his head a Red Fire Lotus Crown — not a physical object, but condensed from nine crimson fire lotuses, each lotus having nine petals.

At the glabella a flame mark, a wisp of Innate Fire Seed.

Around his body circled four fire rings.

Representing respectively: Burning Heaven, Prairie Fire, Melting Gold, Forging Soul.

One ring further out, nine clusters of differently colored flames floated.

They were respectively: Prairie Fire Flame, Volcano Fire, Netherworld Fire, Lightning Strike Fire, Soul Fire, Spiritual Fire, Mortal Fire, Heavenly Fire, Root Fire.

"Hiss!"

"What powerful pressure!"

"Is this the strength of a Divine Transformation Expert?"

Seeing this scene, a cultivator couldn't help but tremble all over.

Even separated by several li, one could feel that suppression originating from the divine soul.

Chao Jin's gaze swept over the crowd, his eyes indifferent; he slowly spoke, his voice not deliberately amplified, yet clearly transmitted into every person's ears, as if echoing in the depths of the divine soul: "I, Chao Jin, today succeed to the Dongting Immortal Sect Master position!"

As his words fell, his Primordial Spirit stirred slightly, his palm lightly raised, and the vast flames and rosy clouds surged in response; the Jingyuan Mountain Carriage emitted rumbling booms, the fire phoenix flapped its wings again, issuing a phoenix cry that resounded through heaven and earth, as if celebrating the new master's ascension.

At this moment, most people were stunned.

They knew the opponent was strong, but didn't expect him to be strong to this degree.

Even quite a few fellow Divine Transformation stage Great Powers had subtle expressions.

Chao Jin's voice continued: "The Dongting Immortal Sect has stood for myriad years, experiencing ups and downs.

Today, though encountering the predicament of a hundred-year calamity, it is not the end of the road.

I swear here, with my lifelong strength, to protect the sect's orthodox lineage, to lead Dongting forward.

Consolidate the foundation within, repel demons without.

Widely recruit worthy talents, revive prestige.

All disciples of my Dongting Immortal Sect, be of one heart and virtue, together resist the calamity, not disappointing our predecessors' hopes, not disappointing the Heaven and Earth Great Dao!"

As his words fell, he waved his hand, and crimson-gold fire transformed into countless light points, scattering across the entire Dongting Immortal Sect.

Any cultivator touched by the crimson-gold light points felt their divine soul turn clear and bright.

The magic power and spiritual power within their bodies also became increasingly smooth; even cultivators whose cultivation had stagnated faintly sensed a trace of breakthrough opportunity.

"One heart and virtue, together resist the calamity!"

"Not disappointing predecessors' hopes, not disappointing Heaven and Earth Great Dao!"

"I, Disciple, this humble one, pay respects to the Dongting Immortal Sect Master!"

Cheers rose from all directions; whether disciples of the immortal sects or guests come to observe the ceremony, all were infected by Chao Jin's aura, their eyes full of awe.

Then the gift-giving segment began.

Representatives of the various sects stepped forward one after another to present congratulatory gifts to the new Sect Master.

Vice Sect Master Zhao Tianxiong of the Longhu Immortal Sect stepped forward first, holding an ancient jade box in his hands, and said in a loud voice: "This is the sincerity of the Longhu Immortal Sect, a Zhenyue Dragon-Pattern Jade.

This jade was taken from the far northern lands, refined by fusing ten adult dragon scales.

It contains the heavy earth attribute Law Power and dragon might, capable of suppressing the sect's Air Luck and resisting Divine Soul attacks."

As he spoke, he opened the jade box, and a thick yellowish-brown Spiritual Light shot into the sky; the Zhenyue Dragon-Pattern Jade inside the box was smooth and lustrous all over, carved with intricate dragon patterns, and as the dragon patterns flowed, faint dragon roars emanated, full of imposing pressure.

Many people of low realm and cultivation subconsciously shrank back.

Chao Jin nodded slightly: "Thank you, Vice Sect Master Zhao; the Dongting Immortal Sect accepts this generous gift from the Longhu Immortal Sect."

Next, Qingyue Immortal Maiden of the Yao Yue Immortal Sect slowly stepped forward, holding a jade scroll in her hands, and said softly: "This is the Yaotai Yuehui Tu, painted in the Ancient Period, recording the tidal changes of Taiyin Star Power, capable of guiding disciples to absorb Taiyin Star Power for cultivation, especially suitable for Water Spiritual Root Cultivators."

The picture also secretly contains an Ancient Juli Juling Zhen; once laid out, it can gather Taiyin Star Power and Water Spiritual Qi within a thousand li, providing the sect with endless cultivation resources.

This picture is today gifted to the Dongting Immortal Sect, wishing the friendship between the two sects to last forever."

She unfurled the jade scroll, and a clear, cold moonlight emanated from the scroll; the tidal patterns on the jade scroll seemed to come alive, slowly flowing, making one feel a vast Taiyin Power.

Chao Jin still had an indifferent expression, but also expressed his thanks: "Immortal Maiden Qingyue is too courteous; thank you for the generous gift from the Yao Yue Immortal Sect."

Representatives of the other sects also stepped forward one after another to present gifts.

Qingxuan of the Qingyun Sect presented a thousand-year Xuanbing Ice Lotus; this lotus grows in the extremely cold lands of the Demon Realm and can be refined into top-grade Pills that enhance Divine Soul strength.

The other sects were unwilling to be outdone; some presented the rare mineral "Xingyun Iron," some presented the ancient Magic Tool "Zhenshen Bell," and some presented the rare Spirit Pet "Seven-Colored Spirit Deer."

Every gift was worth a fortune, fully showing their intent to curry favor!