Building a sect from scratch.

However, when Fang Xianyu said that "she amazed many people," she was not referring to Wei Congrong leaving Penglai Sect, but rather to her foundation building in the wilderness of Duguang at the age of fifteen, and her communication with Jianmu and gaining Jianmu's approval.

There are many cultivators in the Guixu Realm, and countless sects and forces within the Ten Continents and Three Islands. There are also countless young Foundation Establishment cultivators, but there are very few who can communicate with the Jianmu.

Jianmu is a sacred tree that connects heaven and earth, and it is said that in ancient times, the gods traveled to various celestial realms through Jianmu. Of course, nowadays no one knows how to use Jianmu, so gradually, people's worship of it has diminished.

Even so, Jianmu still holds an unparalleled and prestigious position in the hearts of cultivators in the Guixu Realm. To communicate with Jianmu means to gain its approval and obtain its essence.

Once a Jianmu fruit is obtained, a recognized cultivator can use spiritual power to stimulate its growth and plant Jianmu seedlings.

The Jianmu tree requires neither water nor soil, and once mature, only its owner can harvest its fruit. The fruit of the Jianmu tree is an excellent celestial-grade spiritual material, usable for cultivation, weapon crafting, and alchemy, with remarkable effects.

Within the Ten Continents and Three Islands, only the Taiyi Qiankun Sect and Danxue Mountain are known to have living Jianmu seed plants, so Wei Congrong's appearance at the time was nothing short of astonishing—this is also one of the main reasons why the Taiyi Ziwei Sect later risked confronting the Penglai Sect to take in Wei Congrong.

Of course, since Wei Congrong led all his disciples to "betray" the Taiyi Ziwei Sect last night, he naturally wouldn't leave the Jianmu Zizhu in the sect.

She smiled when she heard Fang Xianyu's words and casually took out a small twig from her sleeve.

As soon as the saplings sprouted, they grew rapidly in the wind, quickly becoming taller than a person, with lush foliage and abundant fruit. Even the spiritual energy within the hall seemed to have increased significantly.

Fang Xianyu examined the sapling closely: "It's a Jianmu tree."

She had only seen this thing a few times at the Taiyi Qiankun Sect during her first playthrough. Compared to traditional trees, the Jianmu seed sapling was more like a "model," which could be large or small, tall or short. The one at the Taiyi Qiankun Sect was deliberately forced to grow into a towering tree a hundred meters tall to make it imposing, while the one in front of her seemed to be scaled down proportionally, looking quite adorable.

"Exactly. Since Sect Master Fang has taken me in, I can't just sit back and do nothing."

Kui Congrong said, "This Jianmu tree can produce more than a hundred Jianmu fruits every year. The area within a hundred miles of where it is planted can also enhance the spiritual energy. I wonder if Sect Master Fang has a place he prefers to plant it?"

Fang Xianyu replied, "This is your own private property. You can plant it wherever you like. However, if you plant it on the territory that the Taiyin Sect disciples have already designated, you should still inform them and ask for their consent."

Kui Congrong said in astonishment, "You...don't want the fruit of the Jianmu tree?"

"If I need it, I'll buy it from you. I can't just take your things for free."

Upon hearing this, Kui Congrong became even more shocked.

Fang Xianyu and Elder Lu Ying had implied that she didn't have to be forced to join the sect, yet she remained unmoved when faced with the incredibly precious Jianmu seed!

Elder Lu Ying quickly explained, "The Taiyin Sect doesn't even collect agricultural taxes from ordinary people, let alone the private property of a cultivator like you!"

Fang Xianyu added, "Moreover, it is truly a blessing for our Taiyin Sect that you are willing to settle here. How about this: if you are willing, after the Taiyi Ziwei Sect is conquered, you can take up residence at Rongyu Mountain, and I will send disciples to assist you with miscellaneous tasks. Alternatively, you can choose to live in seclusion wherever you wish." Rongyu Mountain is the mountain range where the Taiyi Ziwei Sect is located, stretching for hundreds of miles from east to west. It is abundant in flowers and trees, with complex terrain, rich spiritual energy, and countless rare herbs and treasures. It guards two Nine Nether Passages, more than a dozen secret realms and small grotto-heavens. Overall, it is far superior to the current location of the Taiyin Sect.

Kui Congrong was shocked, but hesitated even more: "Then... on what grounds did I occupy Rongyu Mountain?"

Unexpectedly, Fang Xianyu said something that almost made her question her life: "From now on, that place will be called by its original name, Rongyu... By the way, fellow Daoist, would you like to become a mountain god and enjoy the offerings of our sect?"

The mountain god is a god! A god with a position! How come he's being treated like an ordinary cabbage by this Sect Master Fang, being distributed so casually?

Besides, Kui Congrong didn't become a god. Is it because she didn't want to?

She hasn't even achieved immortality, so how could she possibly attain godhood?!
“Theoretically speaking, it is possible,” Fang Xianyu said, as if he could see the doubt and disbelief in Wei Congrong’s eyes. “Gods are not of high or low status, but their divine duties are of different sizes. It is the most difficult for the gods of the sun, moon and stars to attain enlightenment, while it is much easier for the gods of mountains, rivers and lakes. And there is a secret in this matter—divine duties can be stolen and forcibly obtained.”

At this point, Fang Xianyu gave a mocking smile: "Otherwise, why do you think the two Si Yin and Si Yang of the Ziwei Sect would take such Taoist names? It's just to prepare for stealing divine positions! It's a pity that the gods who control the sun and moon are still alive, so their wishful thinking is probably going to fall through and is destined to be useless."

Kui Congrong was somewhat stunned.

She hadn't expected this reason, or rather, because beings like immortals and gods were too far removed from her, and she had never considered it.

Jiao Xueling couldn't take it anymore, and she eagerly asked, "Sect Master Fang, do you mean there's a way to directly attain divine office without cultivating an immortal body?"

"In a sense, yes. But this shouldn't be called a 'preaching' ordination; I'd rather call it a 'job application,' an ordination that is 'begged' for."

Fang Xianyu explained, "There is an Earth Immortal in my sect, whose title is Huang Gong. He is the mountain god of Taiyin Mountain. He is not only a demon cultivator, but his cultivation is also less than two hundred years old, and his cultivation level is only equivalent to the Golden Core stage of human cultivators."

Kui Congrong wasn't surprised at all, and said, "Earth Immortals... I have heard of them. Within the Ten Continents and Three Islands, there are many Earth Immortals who are naturally connected to mountains, rivers, lakes, and seas. Therefore, although their cultivation is low, they are naturally endowed with immortal bodies and divine positions..."

“Some are indeed born with a divine position, possessing an immortal body from birth, while others, a very small number, ‘seek’ it themselves, like Master Huang of my Taiyin Sect,” Fang Xianyu gently shook his head and explained in detail: “The simplest way is to have the people living nearby offer incense in the name of the mountain god, and then take the initiative to shoulder the responsibilities of the mountain god. Whether it is fighting against natural disasters or protecting living beings, they can gradually strengthen the connection with the divine position you ‘seek’. Once heaven and earth recognize your identity, the divine position you seek will truly belong to you.”

Jiao Xueling's expression was complicated: "It's that simple!?"

Fang Xianyu smiled and said, "It's that simple."

Kui Congrong was still somewhat skeptical: "If it were really that easy, then why have so many cultivators throughout history failed to achieve it? Even the God of Penglai only attained enlightenment after cultivating an immortal body!"

"It's precisely because they are cultivators that they didn't succeed. Those who succeeded, or came close to succeeding, were all spirits and demon cultivators,"

Fang Xianyu sighed softly and replied, "That's because cultivators have always been high and mighty, having already divided all living beings into different classes. How could they possibly be willing to protect those struggling creatures?" (End of Chapter)