Chapter 209: with translation of chapter title

Yan Buji's complexion was somewhat unpleasant; seeing that the new cultivation method he had comprehended was about to be completed, anyone interrupted like that would be in a bad mood.

But Elder Ming Zhong stood up, walked over, and said with a smile, "How should I address you, fellow Daoist?"

"I am Yan Buji."

"Yan Buji, although you have gained insight into the Orthodox Source Marvelous Method, now is not the time. You are already able to actively comprehend the earth veins, which is already beyond my imagination." Elder Ming Zhong said with a smile.

"Earth veins... the Orthodox Source Marvelous Method—could it still be a cultivation method that relies on the earth veins?" Yan Buji's complexion looked strange.

"I'll explain the details later; for now, let me bring you into the sect. If you later join the main peak, come find me."

"Yes, thank you, Elder."

It seems the Orthodox Source Marvelous Method is not as simple as I imagined; otherwise, the other party wouldn't have said that.

Upon entering the main hall, Yan Buji followed the new disciples of the Clear Wind Observatory and together they bowed before the statue of the Dao Ancestor.

"The way of the Dao has a path called cultivation; the gate of the Dao is called diligence."

"If one can keep an ordinary heart turned toward cultivation, the Great Dao returning to its source is indeed true."

"Truth is also falsehood, falsehood is also truth; the clear wind and bright moon accompany this body."

"Cultivating the Dharma brings many benefits; eliminating evil desires yields cool clarity."

"The mind is like a monkey, the intention like a horse; binding the mind and restraining the intention returns one to nature."

"When the wind is trapped and the rain ceases, the clouds and mist disperse; it is good to face the mountain people of this Dao."

"Only by inverting Kan and Li does the breath become the divine fire that seeds the golden lotus."

"Refining the void to become the Dao prolongs life and destiny; when accomplishment is achieved, the source Dao leads to ascension."

After Yan Buji followed the crowd in finishing the recitation of the sect's entry mantra, Elder Ming Zhong stepped out and smiled at everyone, saying:

"Fellow disciples, those of you without any cultivation may freely choose to take a master among the surrounding Elders. If no one chooses, you will first cultivate at the foot of the mountain."

"Yan Buji, come here."

"Yes."

Yan Buji entered with some skill and already possessed cultivation, so he did not need to act together with those newly arrived mortal disciples.

Many of the surrounding Elders looked at Yan Buji; although he was rather old, Elder Ming Zhong seemed to take a liking to him.

Elder Ming Zhong looked around and asked, "Is anyone willing to take this disciple?"

The surrounding Foundation Establishment Elders all shook their heads; perhaps they were too busy with their own affairs to take on a disciple, or perhaps they saw Yan Buji's aptitude as merely average and had no interest.

Elder Ming Zhong chuckled and said, "Well then, today I am here; Yan Buji, are you willing to become my disciple?"

Yan Buji staggered, knelt, and kowtowed, saying, "Disciple Yan Buji pays respects to Master!"

"Good, good, good! It's better to pick a day than to wait for an auspicious one; let's just hold the initiation ceremony today as well!" Elder Ming Zhong laughed.

"Huh?"

The surrounding Elders wore strange expressions, wondering why he was in such a hurry.

Although the Daoist sect has few rules, the initiation ceremony is not that simple. It represents a senior cultivator's esteem for a junior, believing the latter is qualified to inherit his mantle and, by extension, telling others that this is his disciple—this is what is meant by establishing a foothold.

Once a foothold is established, if this newly entered disciple causes any trouble, you as the master cannot think of withdrawing; you will also be held accountable.

Thus, the foothold in the cultivation world comes about this way: aptitude accounts for the major part, but background and connections also constitute part of the foothold.

One certainly couldn't become a demonic cultivator that everyone shouts at, could one?

Indeed, in that case one wouldn't need to worry about a foothold; then those hunting demonic cultivators would not bother with rules, and any means could be used against you.

"Could it be that Yan Buji still has some special quality?"

"I heard that Elder Ming Zhong used the Orthodox Source Marvelous Method for this examination..."

"Oh, no wonder! Elder Ming Zhong's Shaking Dragon Scripture has no heir to be found; his lifespan is nearing its end, so he must hurry to pass on his mantle."

Upon thinking that, the surrounding Elders also found it strange that Yan Buji actually had talent in this area.

Actually, it doesn't matter; the Shaking Dragon Scripture is not some extraordinary cultivation method—it's merely quite formidable for locating earth veins.

The initiation ceremony proceeded smoothly; Elder Ming Zhong pulled a few Elders to sit aside, and Yan Buji, observing the process, voluntarily went up to offer tea to Elder Ming Zhong.

After presenting the tea, Elder Ming Zhong smiled and said, "The sea gives birth to the bright moon; the dragon lies hidden in Qian Yuan. This is the Daoist name ordering of the Clear Wind Observatory: I belong to the Ming generation, and you belong to the Yue generation. Though you are already advanced in years, you have a resolute heart for cultivation; the Dao is long and arduous, yet you also possess the wisdom to assess the situation and act accordingly. Therefore I bestow upon you the name 'Yue Jin,' hoping you will advance month by month, making rapid progress."

"Yue Jin?"

Yan Buji looked grateful: "Yes, disciple Yue Jin, thank you, Master."

Saying that, Elder Ming Zhong took out an object from the Storage Accumulation Device—a peculiar metal compass—and handed it to Yan Buji.

"Since you have become my disciple, as your master I will now give you this 'Subdue Flood Disk'; I hope you will make good use of it in the future."

Having unexpectedly obtained an Accumulation Device, Yan Buji was naturally delighted and accepted it with profuse thanks.

Seeing that, the other Elders naturally understood the situation.

"Junior Nephew, I am Elder Ming Zhong's junior brother, Ming Xuan. Here is a bottle of Essence Yuan Pills; consider it my congratulations to Elder Ming Zhong on gaining a disciple, and I present it to you."

"Thank you, Uncle Ming Xuan."

Yan Buji happily accepted the gifts from his uncles and aunts; thus today's initiation ceremony can be considered formally concluded.

Afterwards, Elder Ming Zhong took Yan Buji to tour various places of the sect; after getting a clear picture of the environment, he brought Yan Buji to the third peak on the left side of the main peak.

"Yue Jin, this place is the origin of the Clear Wind Observatory's fire vein; ordinarily the fire qi is very strong, but it allows you to truly experience the distinct nature of this earth vein." Elder Ming Zhong laughed.

"Master, disciple Yue Jin has just entered the sect and still doesn't understand; isn't this fire vein used for refining pills and forging artifacts?" Yue Jin asked.

"Indeed, that is the case." Elder Ming Zhong nodded: "But actually, since you have gained some insight into the Orthodox Source Marvelous Method, you must also be curious as to why your master interrupted your comprehension."

"Yes."

"Because you have not yet formally begun cultivating the Shaking Dragon Scripture; if you attempt to comprehend without first dispelling the baleful qi of the earth veins, it is easy for that baleful qi to invade your spiritual awareness, causing a serious illness that is hard to recover from."

"The Shaking Dragon Scripture?!"

Elder Ming Zhong nodded and laughed: "This is why I took you as my disciple; after so many years, I have never before seen someone who can sense the earth veins this quickly. Since I obtained the Shaking Dragon Scripture, I have studied it day and night, and even now I have only reached the third level. I will transmit the first level of the Shaking Dragon Scripture to you; in the future, besides your morning lessons and task assignments within the observatory, you should diligently study this Shaking Dragon Scripture. When you have completed the first level, come find me again—I will be in the Dao Cang Ge of the main peak."

After Elder Ming Zhong handed the first level of the Shaking Dragon Scripture to Yan Buji, he gave a few instructions regarding the Clear Wind Observatory, then flew away.

Yan Buji drew a deep breath, entered the stone room on the mountain, and began a new round of cultivation.

"This is what it feels like to join a force? Not bad. However, Clear Wind Temple is still too small, there isn't much profit." Yan Buji pondered.

But he doesn't really need resources now; of course there are definitely things worth fighting for.

But for now, he should still peacefully complete his master's mission, then experience a bit of the daily life of Clear Wind Temple.