pdf-ebookys Chapter 10 Entering the 31st Gate
Chapter 10 Entering the 31st Gate
Two weeks later.
The day has come for the announcement of the results of the Sanyi assessment.
Early in the morning, Shuiyun walked into the lower courtyard and waved to the children inside.
"Li Cunzhen, Lu Jin, Liu Deshui, come here."
Aside from Li Cunzhen, the other two people who were named were taken aback. They exchanged glances before walking towards Shuiyun.
The four walked outside the courtyard.
Shuiyun first looked at Liu Deshui: "Young Brother Liu, my master has examined you and determined that you are not suited for the Sanyi Sect's martial arts. Please leave."
"Ah?!" Liu Deshui's face twitched violently as he exclaimed anxiously, "Your master? The Great Ying Immortal?"
Shuiyun remained noncommittal and did not look at Liu Deshui again.
Liu Deshui knelt down abruptly, supporting himself with his hands on the ground, and lay prostrate in front of Shuiyun. His already small eyes were wide open as much as he could, and they were already red.
"Senior brother! I may indeed be dull-witted, but my sincerity in joining the Sanyi Sect is no less than anyone else's!"
"If there's anything wrong, as long as Immortal Daying is willing to point it out, this disciple will definitely be able to correct it!"
Shuiyun still didn't look at him again.
Lu Jin looked at Shui Yun, then at Liu Deshui kneeling on the ground, somewhat at a loss.
Li Cunzhen sighed inwardly, thinking, "What a fool I am."
Liu Deshui's lips trembled repeatedly, as if he didn't know what to say, and he buried his head on the ground again.
"Senior brother! Please give your disciple another chance!"
That heartfelt cry would make even an iron man tremble, but Shuiyun seemed not to hear it.
He said calmly, "Li Cunzhen, Lu Jin, come up the mountain with me."
"Senior brother!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Shuiyun started walking, and Lu Jin and Li Cunzhen could only follow.
The three walked for a while, until Lu Jin turned around and could no longer see Liu Deshui.
"Senior brother, I can see that Brother Liu is truly sincere. He is strong and often takes care of us in the lower academy, so why...?"
Lu Jin looked at Shui Yun in confusion.
"Junior Brother Lu, Master has decided to keep you here, so I will call you Junior Brother from now on."
Shuiyun's expression was no longer calm, but somewhat helpless: "This is not a matter of sincerity or not. It is true that the Sanyi Sect's techniques are not suitable for him. He is a good talent. If we force him to take on the role, it will only delay his progress."
Lu Jin didn't quite understand, but she still nodded.
Shuiyun glanced back and continued speaking.
"No matter how sad he is now, it's still better than losing his future."
"You may have heard of Master's reputation, but since you haven't been in close contact with him, you don't really know what kind of person he is. In short, his judgment is never wrong."
"He felt it would be better for him not to accept Liu Deshui, so it must be better not to accept him."
Lu Jin continued, "So... Senior Brother, you didn't even turn your head, just to prevent Brother Liu from having any lingering thoughts, right? After all, a short pain is worse than a long one."
Shuiyun nodded, then changed the subject.
"After we get up the mountain, I'll take you two to change into your Taoist robes first, and then we'll formally become disciples."
"The Xuanmen apprenticeship is about passing on the heavenly methods and becoming a disciple of a master for life. It's not like learning a craft at the foot of the mountain, where there are many rules and procedures. Our Sanyi Sect has always advocated simplicity, but there are still some things that cannot be simplified. You two should be mentally prepared."
Li Cunzhen and Lu Jin bowed and agreed.
Before they knew it, the three of them walked up the bluestone steps to the front of the Sanyi Gate.
Finally, the magnificent mountain gate came into view.
On each side stands a majestic and agile stone statue of a Suanni (a mythical lion-like creature).
In the very center is a lacquered plaque made of mahogany, with the three golden characters "Sanyi Gate" written on it, exuding an ancient charm and natural elegance.
The entire mountain gate is magnificent and awe-inspiring.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
Shuiyun raised her hand and knocked on the door.
Immediately, with a creak, the door was pulled open from the inside by a disciple of the Trinity dressed in white robes.
"Yo, Senior Brother Shuiyun." Upon seeing that the visitor was Shuiyun, the disciple immediately smiled and said, "You've brought them back. These must be Junior Brother Li and Junior Brother Lu. Our Sanyi Sect is now even more prosperous."
Then he squatted down and looked at Li Cunzhen and Lu Jin.
"My two junior brothers, cultivate diligently. You will understand in time what a blessing it is to be able to cultivate with our master."
Shuiyun grabbed the disciple by the collar and lifted him up.
"Alright, alright, you talk too much. They might be here because of Master's reputation. Do you need to interfere?"
"Get up quickly. What kind of image would it be if others saw that all of us from the Trinity Sect were so unreliable?"
The gatekeeper chuckled and clapped his hands upon hearing this.
"Alright, you're the senior brother, I'll listen to you."
Shuiyun nodded and stepped inside.
Li Cunzhen and Lu Jin bowed to the senior brother and followed him inside.
Next, Shuiyun led the two to bathe and change clothes, putting on the loose white Taoist robes that belonged exclusively to the members of the Sanyi Sect.
Li Cunzhen was born with a handsome appearance and a natural inclination towards Taoism, and his temperament was calm and natural.
He looks quite extraordinary when he wears a suit.
Now, dressed in a Taoist robe, she appears even more ethereal and otherworldly, even possessing a hint of otherworldly grace.
Lu Jin, needless to say, was exquisitely beautiful, with white hair like a waterfall, and especially her eyes, which were as clean as the snow on the Tianshan Mountains.
In addition, he wore a neat white Taoist robe.
While not quite a celestial being descended to earth, he certainly possesses the demeanor of a Taoist disciple.
"These two junior brothers this time... are quite interesting."
Shuiyun looked at her two junior brothers with a hint of surprise in her eyes.
While it's true that one's appearance reflects their inner self, and this isn't always the case, those with outstanding temperament often possess abilities and character that surpass those of ordinary people.
Judging from their current appearance, Li Cunzhen and Lu Jin might actually achieve something in the future.
The two of them were unaware of Shuiyun's evaluation, but looking at the Taoist robes they were wearing, they couldn't help but feel a little happy, and occasionally raised their hands to look at the sleeves.
"Alright, come with me to see Master."
Shuiyun waved his hand, signaling the two to follow him.
When they arrived at the open space in front of the main hall of the Sanyi Gate, Zuo Ruotong, Sichong, and the others had been waiting for a long time.
In the middle, there is also a ritual altar made of bamboo and wood.
"They're here," Zuo Ruotong said calmly, then pointed and said, "Kneel properly."
Li Cunzhen looked in the direction Zuo Ruotong was pointing and saw two prayer cushions placed under the altar.
He quickly stepped forward and knelt on the prayer mat.
For the Xuanmen sect, taking a master is a major event. It requires worshipping the ancestral master, reporting and registering the event, and letting them know that the sect has successors. If the ancestral master holds a position in the Heavenly Court, a memorial must also be presented to the Heavenly Court in a jade tablet.
Li Cunzhen naturally dared not be negligent.
Lu Jin also knelt on another prayer mat without hesitation.
Zuo Ruotong nodded, then stood up and walked onto the altar. First, he burned purification talismans to cleanse the altar, and then he chanted divine incantations to purify his body and mind and connect with the holy beings.
"Disciple Zuo Ruotong respectfully informs the Ancestral Master..."
Finally, offer incense to the ancestral master.
Only after the initiation ceremony was completed did it become time for the apprenticeship ceremony to take the master's place.
Zuo Ruotong took out the pre-prepared apprenticeship certificate and handed it to Li and Lu.
Li Cunzhen signed and sealed the apprenticeship agreement, and then solemnly said: "Disciple Li Cunzhen voluntarily enters the Sanyi Sect, and from now on... dares not blame the ancestral master, be diligent at the beginning but lazy at the end, and lightly reveal the divine instructions."
Lu Jin also solemnly said, "Disciple Lu Jin voluntarily joins the Sanyi Sect. From now on... I will not blame the Ancestral Master, for I was diligent at the beginning but lazy at the end, and I will not lightly reveal the divine decree."
After that, the two of them performed the grand ceremony of bowing three times and kowtowing nine times to Zuo Ruotong, and served him tea.
Zuo Ruotong took the fragrant tea and helped Li and Lu up.
He then read aloud the rules and regulations of the San Yi Sect to the two newly accepted disciples.
Thus, from the opening of the altar to the initiation of the saints and the worship and admonitions, the entire process had taken nearly two hours.
The apprenticeship ceremony finally came to an end.
............
After stepping down from the altar.
Inside the main hall of the Sanyi Gate.
Unlike the bustling crowds at previous ceremonies, there were only four people here.
Zuo Ruotong, Li Cunzhen, Lu Jin, and Si Chong.
Lu Jin raised her head and glanced at Zuo Ruotong.
"Master, Brother Li and I entered the sect at the same time. Although he is a few years older than me, I came to the lower courtyard earlier. Please tell me, who is the senior brother and who is the junior brother?"
Li Cunzhen couldn't help but look at Lu Jin.
You, Lu Jin, with your thick eyebrows and big eyes, I never expected you to have such ulterior motives.
But then he thought about it again and had to admit that it seemed like something Lu Jin was capable of doing.
Although Lu Jin usually behaves very well, judging from the Lu family's birthday banquet scene in the original novel, Lu Jin can actually have a childish temper.
For example, when he competed with Zhang Zhiwei of the Celestial Master's Mansion, he was slapped so hard that he burst into tears.
This shows that Lu Jin also experiences the same emotions as ordinary people.
It was only through the influence of her family's traditions, coupled with Lu Jin's own adherence to strict rules and regulations, that she achieved a life of impeccable virtue.
Now is the joyous day that Lu Jin has successfully joined the Sanyi Sect.
In their joy, coupled with their young age and immaturity, it's normal for them to show some competitive spirit.
Unfortunately, this kid miscalculated.
He and I didn't start learning at the same time.
Sure enough, upon hearing this, Zuo Ruotong chuckled.
"Si Chong, Cun Zhen, Lu Jin, I called you here precisely to discuss this matter."
Si Chong was taken aback. Why was this related to me?
He thought his senior brother had called him to do something.
Also, why would the senior brother specifically bring up such a trivial question as who should be the senior brother and who should be the junior brother?
Lu Jin's expression was also somewhat strange.
Only Li Cunzhen could roughly guess what was about to happen.
As everyone's expressions varied, Zuo Ruotong continued to speak.
"Li Cunzhen formally became my disciple half a month ago, so he should be Lu Jin's senior brother."
Before she could finish speaking, and before anyone could be surprised, Zuo Ruotong continued.
"I just didn't want to attract attention, so I didn't make this public before."
Lu Jin was taken aback.
The separation between senior and junior disciples is a minor matter.
However, the San Yi Sect has always required that disciples be accepted only after the lower academy's assessment is completed.
Master actually made an exception for Li Cunzhen!
He was shocked, and recalling Li Cunzhen's unusual behavior in the lower courtyard, he couldn't help but look at Li Cunzhen.
This Brother Li, oh no, I should call him Senior Brother Li now.
What exactly is their background?
On the other side, Si Chong's surprise far surpassed that of Lu Jin. After all, he had spent half his life in the Sanyi Sect, and all his disciples, without exception, had only become disciples after the Lower Academy assessment.
This is Li Cunzhen.
What did your senior brother see in him?
Zuo Ruotong looked down at everyone, taking in their expressions.
He could certainly guess what Si Chong and Lu Jin were thinking.
However, he did not want Lu Jin to know the truth for the time being, so as not to dampen his enthusiasm for cultivation.
His decision not to make the matter public, but only to tell a few people, was also for this purpose.
So he waved his hand.
"Lu Jin, you can go down now. Your Uncle-Master Si Chong and I still have things to discuss. Also, don't tell anyone else about Cun Zhen."
"Your disciple obeys."
Although Lu Jin was puzzled, she still obeyed Zuo Ruotong's order.
After Lu Jin left, Si Chong finally couldn't hold back any longer and asked Zuo Ruotong.
"Senior brother, what do you mean by this? Since I joined the sect, there has never been a disciple who joined before the lower academy examination."
"This rule isn't a big deal, but you still need to give an explanation to the others in the sect."
Zuo Ruotong raised her right hand and pressed it lightly, signaling Si Chong to calm down.
Then, instead of explaining directly, he looked at Li Cunzhen.
"Cunzhen, half a month ago, I taught you the Foundation Establishment Technique of our sect. How much true qi have you accumulated now?"
Si Chong was taken aback again upon hearing this.
Senior brother, aren't you being ridiculous? Li Cunzhen has been staying in the lower courtyard all along, without even a quiet room.
Let alone accumulating true energy, even entering a meditative state would be difficult.
"Replying to Master, this disciple has accumulated 897 breaths of true qi. There are only three more breaths needed to fill the first 100 major acupoints."
Li Cunzhen sensed it for a moment, then answered.
"What?!"
Upon hearing this, Si Chong's wrinkles twitched, his eyes widened, and he showed an expression of disbelief.
He even rushed to Li Cunzhen's side and placed his finger on Li Cunzhen's wrist, channeling a wisp of true energy into him to test Li Cunzhen's authenticity.
half an hour.
"It's actually true."
Si Chong put down Li Cunzhen's hand and muttered to himself.
Suddenly he looked up sharply.
"Senior brother, are you sure you only taught him the cultivation method half a month ago? This is truly unbelievable. Even you, back then..."
He stopped talking halfway through his sentence.
Zuo Ruotong is the leader of the righteous path, the famous Immortal Daying.
How could I possibly misremember something like this?
Moreover, if Li Cunzhen hadn't been exceptionally talented, how could he have been accepted into the program despite the odds?
Therefore, the only explanation is...
Sanyimen has struck gold!
A treasure that holds the promise of taking that step and recreating the breathtaking scenery of the highest realm of the Reverse Rebirth Triple Cultivation!
"Hahaha... Now you know why I accepted him ahead of time, right? It's simply a case of being tempted by a beautiful gem."
A rare, obvious smile appeared on Zuo Ruotong's face.
He patted Si Chong on the shoulder.
He leaned close to Si Chong's ear and spoke in a voice only the two of them, fellow disciples, could hear.
"Si Chong, I called you here specifically so that you would know about this. Remember, Cunzhen is the hope of our Sanyi Sect. It is the ancestral master's divine intervention that has brought good fortune to our Sanyi Sect."
"The road construction is long, arduous, and steep."
"No matter how steep the slope, we must protect him until he reaches us."
Si Chong nodded quickly.
He knew, of course, that the Sanyi Sect seemed to be at its peak, and his senior brother was even considered the leader of the righteous path, alongside the contemporary Celestial Master.
Only family members know their own affairs.
The San Yi Sect's signature technique, Reverse Rebirth Triple Level, has remained untouched for centuries, with no one able to reach its highest level.
Even the sect leader has remained at the peak of the second level.
No one else said anything, and even some ordinary disciples didn't care.
But for those of them who value Trinity more than anything else.
This is a regret that I will never forget.
Now, finally, there is a talented disciple who has the potential to take that step.
We must protect him!
Si Chong quickly agreed, speaking in a voice that only the two of them could hear.
"Senior brother, I understand!"