Chapter 26: Chapter Twenty-Six: The Eight Profound Sects, the Six Demon Sects

Bright light filtered through the tree shade, casting rings of shimmering shadows, countless tiny dust motes drifting within, swaying with the wind.

Though the snow had ceased outside, cold rain still drifted through the air, freezing to the bone.

Yet within this modest divine domain, warm breezes lingered, as if it were the gentle warmth of early spring, untouched by the turning of the seasons.

Chen Hang had once curiously asked why this divine domain was so bright, despite having no sun, moon, or stars.

But Tu Shan Ge stammered for a long while, failing to explain clearly, only confusing himself further, until he finally fell silent in frustration.

The divine path scripture he cultivated had been obtained when his former master slew a malevolent mountain spirit or earth deity—it was no grand divine canon, and its terminology and principles were incomplete and unclear.

Shortly after acquiring this scripture, his former master died, and he himself was expelled from the Chi Ming Sect.

The obscure points within it thus had no one to instruct him, nor any means to verify…

“Didn’t you insist on sparring with me yourself? You claimed you’d seen several high-level sword cultivators in Chi Ming Sect and had thus devised a few sword techniques, making you the top sword expert among the three thousand spirit familiars.”

Chen Hang retracted his peach branch and said coolly, “Only a few exchanges have passed—how have you already run out of steam?”

Seeing his boast exposed, Tu Shan Ge chuckled, unashamed.

“Master’s sword technique, though drawn from the mortal world’s swordplay, possesses remarkable depth and carries a certain transcendent aura.”

Tu Shan Ge picked up his magic sword and sheathed it: “Master’s mastery in this realm is surely more than just minor accomplishment.”

“Minor accomplishment.”

“So, so! Master is truly a divine being!”

Tu Shan Ge sighed.

In recent days, he had come to understand Chen Hang’s talent somewhat.

This man was truly a born seed of the Dao!

No matter the method, no matter the technique.

He learned it at once! Mastered it at once!

In just a few days, he had brought the Qi Armor Technique he’d only recently acquired to the Minor Accomplishment realm… Such comprehension was rare even among Chi Ming Sect disciples; perhaps only those destined to inherit the true lineage could match him.

“But it’s only Minor Accomplishment—what is that compared to my senior brother? He has already realized Ten Steps, One Kill. My humble skill…”

Hearing Tu Shan Ge’s flattery, Chen Hang shook his head.

They put away their swords. Tu Shan Ge, observing Chen Hang’s expression, guessed he had something to ask, and before Chen Hang could speak, he led him to the main pavilion, seated him, and served tea.

“Master, what would you like to ask? Speak freely.”

Tu Shan Ge chuckled, “I’ve spent over a decade in Chi Ming Sect. Even idle chatter about the Eight Profound Sects, if spoken outside, would be considered a great secret!”

At this, Tu Shan Ge couldn’t help but feel a touch of pride.

“You’re sharp—I haven’t even stated my purpose, yet you already guessed I had something to ask.”

Chen Hang smiled, lifting his teacup and gently blowing across its surface.

He rarely trained within the Zhen Fa Realm these days, yet had come to Tu Shan Ge’s divine domain precisely because he had a matter to inquire about.

But upon first arriving, he hadn’t wished to be blunt, and had instead been drawn into a sword duel by Tu Shan Ge.

Yet this fox, having long since attained spirithood, though his cultivation was modest, was deeply versed in worldly affairs—he had raised the topic himself before Chen Hang could speak.

“Master usually stays locked in his cave, rarely stepping out—even the meals I send via Ningning go uneaten.”

Tu Shan Ge grinned, clapping his hands: “But today you’ve come to my divine domain—surely you have something important to ask!”

“Correct. It is indeed important. You know Xuan Zhen Sect is a minor house—we lack foundational scriptures and sacred lands. You spent time in Chi Ming Sect, so you’ve seen more than most.”

Chen Hang slowly set down his teacup, fixing his gaze on Tu Shan Ge:

“I wish to ask: how can someone of my background gain entry into a major sect?”

“…”

Tu Shan Ge froze.

The pride on his face stiffened abruptly.

After a long silence, he cleared his throat awkwardly and scratched his head.

“This… is exceedingly rare… The Eight Profound Sects and the Six Demon Sects are mighty forces ruling over Xudu Tian. Their disciples are mostly trained from childhood, with pure lineage. Occasionally, an Elder may take a disciple while traveling, but such cases are vanishingly rare—relying on divine fortune, not worth mentioning!”

Tu Shan Ge now genuinely felt ashamed to look at Chen Hang, only mumbling:

“Master, if this is your concern, I truly have no advice…”

The Eight Profound Sects—

Yu Chen Sect, Chi Ming Sect, Dou Shu Sect, Tai Fu Palace, Zhong Yi Sword Sect, Bei Ji Garden, Yin Jing Sect, Jiu Zhen Teachings.

The Six Demon Sects—

Hu Zhao Sect, Shen Yu Sect, Xue He Sect, Xian Tian Demon Sect, Wen Huang Sect, Xuan Feng Cave.

These were the true rulers of Xudu Tian; thousands of sects across the Nine Provinces and Four Seas survived only by bowing to their will.

Moreover, their influence extended beyond Xudu Tian—they maintained branch halls and offshoots in other heavenly realms and continents, truly worthy of the title “Immortal Great Powers!”

Precisely because of such purity and nobility,

these great sects imposed extreme rigor in selecting disciples: not only must they be trained from childhood, but they must also possess impeccable physical constitution, moral character, primordial spirit, talent, and Dao heart—any one missing, and they are rejected.

Dongmi Province—home to the mountain gates of Yu Chen Sect, Hu Zhao Sect, and Chi Ming Sect.

These two Profound and one Demon sect now defined the cultivation landscape of this province.

Yet within this vast Dongmi, besides these three supreme Immortal powers, there were nine second-tier sects and hundreds of minor sects like Xuan Zhen Sect.

Though Tu Shan Ge had no good advice, after racking his brains, he offered Chen Hang one piece of secret knowledge.

…

“You mean the Flower God Mansion periodically holds a ‘Jie Fang Ban’ to recruit wandering cultivators?”

“Exactly! Though participating in a ‘Jie Fang Ban’ consumes vast resources, and only the final three survivors may join the Flower God Mansion, it is a legitimate second-tier sect—with a Primordial Spirit True Person residing within!”

Tu Shan Ge added: “But to enter the ‘Jie Fang Ban,’ you must pay tribute—it’s a massive sum.”

“How massive?”

“Master, I don’t know the exact amount… but my former master said some wandering cultivators sold their wives and daughters to afford it—so it must be enormous.”

“Not only must you pay tribute, but only the top three survivors may become disciples? That sounds difficult.”

Chen Hang sighed.

Under no other options, the Flower God Mansion could serve as a fallback.

But paying tribute…

It seems I must push myself harder on the Abyss journey—at least I need to collect a few more Yinma plants.

Chen Hang mused inwardly.

In truth, if possible, he still wished to join a true Profound sect like Yu Chen or Chi Ming.

But how exactly to proceed would require deeper thought.

“Thank you, Brother Tu Shan, for your insight. But I have another question.”

Chen Hang hesitated, then remembered this fox had sworn a magical covenant with him—his life and death rested in Chen Hang’s will—and so he revealed nothing:

“Have you ever heard the honorific title ‘Shen Wu Shu Hua Dao Jun’?”

He said:

“Or ‘Tai Shi Yuan Zhen’?”