Chapter 890: True Disciple

The avatar visited the Taoist boy, intending to get closer and build a relationship, hoping to leverage his influence in the future. To his surprise, the Taoist boy immediately proposed to accept him as a true disciple.

"Follow me!"

The Taoist boy first sent a transmission talisman towards Jade Finger Peak, then swept his sleeve and led the avatar directly towards the mountaintop.

The avatar remained cautious, fully concealing his aura. Even if the Yin-Yang lineage was in decline, there were certainly no shortage of Core Formation masters on the mountain.

Soon after, the two arrived before a wooden pagoda on Yin-Yang Peak.

This wooden pagoda was exceptionally peculiar; it was built in mid-air within the "First-Line-Sky" gap between the two Yin-Yang peaks, supported only by a single stone bridge, making its position extremely precarious.

The Taoist boy pushed the door open, revealing an empty interior.

Inside the wooden pagoda stood a several-zhang-tall statue of a lean Taoist.

The Taoist's gaze was profound, and his demeanor was extraordinary.

The statue was clearly made of a special spirit wood, reinforced with magical restrictions. Despite being placed there for countless years, its surface remained as smooth and pristine as new.

"This is the patriarch of our Yin-Yang lineage, Taoist Yin-Yang."

The Taoist boy, with his back to the avatar, lit an incense stick and respectfully bowed to the statue.

"Your disciple greets the patriarch!"

The avatar's heart constricted, and he immediately knelt on both knees.

Taoist Yin-Yang was a renowned Nascent Soul master in the Canglang Sea during his lifetime, and he single-handedly founded the Yin-Yang lineage within the Landou Sect.

"My master is currently away from the sect, but he instructed me to handle your affairs. You must now make a Heart Demon Vow. I will first transmit the first layer of the 'Yin-Yang Heavenly Combat Secret Art' to you, and then report to my master upon his return..."

It was only the first layer. The avatar felt a pang of disappointment but followed the instruction and made the vow.

A streak of light emanated from the Taoist boy's fingertip, merging into the avatar's glabella.

The avatar's body trembled slightly, and then a piece of scripture appeared in his mind. Just as the Taoist boy had said, it was only the first layer of the 'Yin-Yang Heavenly Combat Secret Art', covering the Qi Condensation stage.

"Don't underestimate this foundational first layer. It contains the very essence of the entire cultivation method. Our patriarch comprehended the true meaning of the Yin-Yang path based on this technique, thus establishing his might across the Canglang Sea..."

The Taoist boy's expression was solemn as he recounted the patriarch's deeds to the avatar.

Upon hearing this, the avatar secretly acknowledged his good judgment. The ancient scroll of the 'Yin-Yang Heavenly Combat Secret Art' contained only the first layer, yet the subsequent cultivation methods were all created by Taoist Yin-Yang himself.

This left the avatar astonished.

Senior Green Bamboo was a heaven-defying genius who created his own killing talismans, but he was able to do so because 'Primordial Spirit Sword Nurturing Chapter' had five preserved layers, allowing him to cultivate up to the Core Formation stage.

With only the first layer of the 'Yin-Yang Heavenly Combat Secret Art' in existence, it was remarkably incomplete. Could Taoist Yin-Yang have begun creating his own cultivation methods as early as the Foundation Establishment stage?

"It's more likely that Taoist Yin-Yang initially entered the path of Yin-Yang cultivation, and after achieving some success, he discovered the 'Yin-Yang Heavenly Combat Secret Art'. He then comprehended its true meaning and slowly created the subsequent methods. No one could be so heaven-defying as to start creating from scratch at such an early stage. Even so, his accomplishments are remarkable; his talent is certainly on par with Senior Green Bamboo."

The avatar memorized the cultivation method, pondering these thoughts as he listened to the Taoist boy's explanation.

"Once you return, find Senior Brother Lu to update your jade slip. Further arrangements will be made for you after my master returns to the mountain. From now on, you will switch to cultivating the 'Yin-Yang Heavenly Combat Secret Art'. Strive to quickly manifest the first wisp of Yin-Yang energy in your dantian. When the Dongming Island Dharma Assembly begins in two months, you can also go there to gain some experience..."

The Taoist boy continued.

"Uncle Yang, what is the Dongming Island Dharma Assembly?" the avatar asked curiously.

The Taoist boy glanced at him. "I forgot; the Dharma Assembly has nothing to do with outer disciples, so it's normal you haven't heard of it. This assembly is actually where our Landou Island and some neighboring sects gather to send their true disciples to compete. Since it takes place on Dongming Island, it's called the Dongming Island Dharma Assembly. Dongming Island is a secret island located outside Landou Island, and it only opens during the assembly."

The avatar let out an "Ah" of understanding. "The true disciples from various sects are all seniors at the Foundation Establishment stage, just like Uncle Yang. If a junior like me participates, won't I just end up at the very bottom?"

"Are you suggesting you want to claim the top spot?"

The Taoist boy scoffed. "Other smaller sects don't have requirements for true disciples as strict as our Landou Sect; there are quite a few Qi Condensation disciples who participate. You don't need to aim for a high ranking; just demonstrate your true strength and treat it as a valuable experience. Moreover, the rewards at the assembly are quite good and will benefit your future cultivation. If it weren't for this rare opportunity, there would be no need to rush your acquisition of true disciple status."

"Your disciple understands and will cultivate diligently."

The avatar said this, but inwardly held no interest in the Dharma Assembly.

He had never participated in the Grand Competition of the Eight Orthodox Sects in the Small Cold Domain before, so he was even less tempted now. No matter how excellent the rewards at the assembly might be, they couldn't possibly catch his eye.

However, he couldn't refuse the Taoist boy's request, so he resolved to simply go through the motions when the time came.

Nevertheless, the mention of Dongming Island, a secret island, piqued his interest. He wondered if it might have any connection to Dou Niu Peak.

A secret land... a forbidden land...

On second thought, the avatar dismissed the idea as unlikely.

Dongming Island was not exclusively controlled by the Landou Sect. Once the Dharma Assembly commenced, neighboring sects would gather there. How could a lineage of true disciples be established in such a location?

Following another series of tedious procedures, it was a full hour later that the avatar flew out of Yin-Yang Peak and returned to Jade Finger Peak to update his jade slip.

"He's been accepted as a true disciple, even faster than anticipated. The avatar cannot possibly switch to cultivating the 'Yin-Yang Heavenly Combat Secret Art'. Even if he uses his main body to create a disguise, in front of a Core Formation cultivator like Old Taoist Huayang, who is proficient in this method, he would inevitably be exposed sooner or later. He can only pretend not to grasp the technique, unable to cultivate Yin-Yang energy, thereby buying time to quickly gather information..."

With the avatar now a true disciple, his movements were indeed much more convenient than before. He gained unimpeded access to areas that were forbidden to outer disciples.

He didn't rush to leave Jinyan's stone hall. Leveraging his dual identity, he successfully infiltrated several secret locations, secretly instructing his Heavenly Eye Butterfly to use its scrying ability, while also conducting various investigations.

Before he knew it, the time for the Dongming Island Dharma Assembly was drawing near.

The Taoist boy became increasingly attentive to him, but the avatar's persistent inability to cultivate Yin-Yang energy left the Taoist boy helpless. He even began to question his own judgment.

After receiving another severe reprimand, the avatar returned to his cave dwelling and found two figures standing at the entrance; one of them was Fang Ting.

During this time, Fang Ting visited frequently. Her background was no secret within the Landou Sect, and the Taoist boy had even reminded the avatar not to neglect her because of their previous encounter.

Since it didn't interfere with his main objectives and Fang Ting's identity potentially offered opportunities, the avatar had patiently entertained her.

However, a month prior, Fang Ting had brought someone else with her: Zhao Songqiao, who had also participated in the Misty Pavilion's disciple recruitment ceremony alongside them.

"Senior Brother Zhang!"

Upon seeing his arrival, Fang Ting waved cheerfully.

Zhao Songqiao's old face creased into a wide smile as he cupped his hands and said, "Your elder brother has been craving Junior Brother Zhang's spiritual tea, so I've come to bother you again."