Chapter 177: Golden Core Disciples

Golden light, formed by the illusionary restriction, created a wall that sealed off the forbidden area.

*Bang! Bang!*

Under the impact of the fiendish qi, the restriction vibrated continuously, producing a series of loud thuds.

However, the fiendish qi had already reached its limits by the time it got here, and its intensity quickly weakened.

Seeing the fiendish qi outside beginning to recede, Yu Daiyue's expression brightened. Then, recalling something, he turned to instruct Qin Sang, "Junior Brother Qin, after the fiendish qi withdraws, you and I will search the grotto separately. Junior Brother Li is Uncle Fengming's direct disciple and possesses a protective artifact bestowed by him. As long as he didn't fall into the chasm, there's a chance he might have survived. We should try our best to rescue him; otherwise, it will be difficult to explain to Uncle Fengming."

Qin Sang had already planned to find an opportunity to throw Wu Yuesheng's belongings into the chasm, so he readily agreed. He also added, "Fellow Daoist Baiyun is a rogue cultivator, so it's hard to say. I remember Senior Brother Wu was a disciple of Uncle Che Yutao. In that case, shouldn't Senior Brother Wu also have a chance of survival?"

"Unlikely!"

Yu Daiyue shook his head, his tone subtly tinged with resentment. "Junior Brother Qin, you may not know this, but Golden Core cultivators, striving to form nascent souls, must dedicate themselves entirely to the Dao, leaving no room for distraction. There's little difference between them and us in that regard. How many of them are willing to take on disciples?

To prevent a lack of successors, our Shaohua Mountain sect compels its Golden Core cultivators to accept a sufficient number of disciples and guide their cultivation. Consequently, while many disciples enter the tutelage of Golden Core cultivators, they are categorized into different tiers. Only a handful of individuals, all possessing exceptional talent, truly receive significant attention.

Junior Brother Wu is no match for Junior Brother Li. Junior Brother Li's talent is outstanding, and Uncle Fengming values him highly, which is why he was bestowed an artifact immediately after breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage. It's said that even the cultivation technique Junior Brother Li practices was chosen by Uncle Fengming. This is what a true direct disciple looks like.

As for me, I've only met my master once, on the day I became his disciple, and received a few pointers. After that, I was left to rely on myself. Perhaps my master doesn't even remember having a disciple like me. I won't gain his recognition unless I break through to the late Foundation Establishment stage.

Fortunately, we have the sect to rely on, making us stronger than rogue cultivators outside. But even so, I've already idled for decades in the early Foundation Establishment stage, seeing no hope of breakthrough. Otherwise, why would I have ventured to the Mortal World Gourd?"

Junior Brother Wu is even worse off. On the day he sought to become a disciple, Uncle Che reportedly had a sudden epiphany and needed to go into seclusion for contemplation. He was turned away without even being allowed into the cave dwelling. How could he have been bestowed with an artifact?"

In the cultivation world, whether righteous or demonic, the master-disciple relationship is highly valued. Once one becomes a disciple of a master, it's no longer just a nominal hierarchy like within the sect.

Before formally becoming a disciple, listening to lectures at Daomen Peak was a fair transaction, exchanged for spirit stones earned as a handyman; no one owed anyone anything.

However, a master bestows the grace of imparting knowledge, teaching skills, and dispelling doubts upon their disciples. This relationship is even closer than that of Dao companions. It is only natural for a master to value their disciples and for disciples to revere their master.

This bond cannot be altered, even if heaven and earth were to overturn.

In time, even if a disciple's cultivation surpasses their master's, they must still treat their master with utmost respect, without the slightest hint of disrespect. Otherwise, they would be scorned by all under heaven.

Aside from Senior Brother Wen, Qin Sang had limited contact with other Foundation Establishment cultivators, and such private matters were difficult to inquire about. Hearing Yu Daiyue's explanation, Qin Sang finally understood the hidden intricacies, and his last shred of regret vanished.

With his abysmal talent, even if he hadn't encountered the cauldron incident, he wouldn't have received much attention even if he were lucky enough to become a disciple of a Golden Core cultivator. It would have been no different from his current situation, and perhaps it was better to be a free wanderer.

Qin Sang had initially worried that Wu Yuesheng might possess artifacts bestowed by Uncle Che, which could potentially contain a hidden mark left by the uncle. Not knowing which one it might be, he had decided to discard all of them.

However, since none of those artifacts were bestowed by Uncle Che, and Wu Yuesheng was essentially unloved and uncared for—Uncle Che was indifferent to his fate—there wouldn't be a Golden Core cultivator personally investigating. Thus, keeping them was harmless.

The Blazing Flame Sword was Wu Yuesheng's life-bound spiritual sword, cultivated with his very essence. The sword bore Wu Yuesheng's aura, which would be difficult to completely erase in a short time. Therefore, only the Blazing Flame Sword and some related items needed to be destroyed.

After waiting for a while longer, the rumbling sounds from outside gradually faded, and the golden light of the restriction ceased to fluctuate.

Qin Sang and Yu Daiyue exchanged glances. Together, they manipulated the array instruments to open the restriction. Before them, only wisps of fiendish qi, incredibly cold, remained in the main hall.

However, such a small amount of fiendish qi posed no threat to them. The two immediately split up as agreed.

Qin Sang headed straight out of the grotto, rushing along. As he neared the cave entrance, he used his Cloudfall Wings to conceal his presence.

Returning to the chasm, he saw that the soaring fiendish qi had already receded. The shadowy wind barrier in the sky had been directly torn open, leaving a huge gap. Even the cliff face tightly embracing the top of the chasm had a massive round hole, through which the blue sky was visible.

It was precisely midday, with the blazing sun high above. Sunlight streamed into the chasm, creating a rather peculiar scene.

Even the scorching sun could not dispel the bone-chilling cold. Deep within the chasm, dark qi billowed ominously, as if a black dragon were churning inside, appearing terrifying.

Qin Sang cautiously protected himself, approached the fiendish qi, and quietly tossed in the Blazing Flame Sword and other items, watching as the fiendish qi engulfed them. Then, he returned to the grotto and began searching patiently.

Eventually, the two reconvened above the chasm. They had thoroughly searched the entire branch hall of the Heavenly Corpse Sect but could not find Li Zai, nor any of his belongings. It was highly probable that Li Zai had failed to escape into the grotto and had been swallowed by the fiendish qi.

Yu Daiyue gave a wry smile. "Junior Brother Qin, we must agree on a plausible excuse before reporting to the sect. If Uncle Fengming becomes enraged, I'll be stripped of my skin, even if I don't die."

Qin Sang nodded. With three fellow disciples dead after this expedition, the sect would certainly not ignore it. Fortunately, he wasn't the one who proposed the venture, so Yu Daiyue would bear more pressure than him.

The shadowy wind barrier was slowly recovering. The two hastily flew out of the chasm on their swords and were appalled by the sight around the mountain peak. The surrounding area, affected by the fiendish qi, was desolate: vegetation had withered, all life had perished, and the ground had turned black, like a land of death.

Such a significant disturbance might attract unwanted attention. The two dared not linger and swiftly flew towards the direction of their sect.

Flying on their swords, which was faster than using flying artifacts, they were nearing Shaohua Mountain within a month. Qin Sang found an excuse to part ways with Yu Daiyue, hid some sensitive items, and had just arrived at Huilong Temple when he saw an old man in a crescent-moon Daoist robe float gracefully towards him.

"Greetings, Senior Brother Chu."

Qin Sang recognized Senior Brother Chu as the head of the Enforcement Hall. It seemed Yu Daiyue had already reported the events.

"Junior Brother Qin."

Senior Brother Chu spoke without severity, "You must know why I'm here. If you have no urgent matters, please return to the sect with me. I heard that Junior Sister Qingting entrusted her final wishes to you?"

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