A thousand enlightenments in one night, starting from being a menial apprentice.

Gu Daoling had already reached the late stage of the Cave of Enlightenment Realm, but at this moment, he was bound by an inexplicable force, his whole body stiffened, and he couldn't even move his fingers.

He tried to channel the power of the laws within his dantian, but to no avail. He could only watch helplessly as he hurtled through the valley, the trees and forests flashing past him like fleeting shadows...

"Oh!"

With a loud bang, Gu Daoling crashed into a mountainside.

The moment he crashed into the mountainside, he suddenly felt the mysterious force binding his body dissipate.

Gu Daoling's figure flashed like a black light and hovered in mid-air in the valley.

He stared in astonishment at the crater he had created on the mountainside, from which countless large and small pieces of rock were falling in a flurry...

Gu Daoling's divine sense penetrated his body, yet he was unharmed. Duan Rong seemed to have only been joking with him.

However, looking at the huge stone pit on the mountain and the sense of powerlessness he felt from the mysterious power that had just imprisoned his entire body, he was certain of one thing: Duan Rong had indeed condensed his Nascent Soul.

After all, he was a cultivator in the late stage of the Cave of Enlightenment Realm. If he had not reached the Nascent Soul Realm, how could he have so easily made him look so disheveled?

Duan Rong stood in the courtyard, watching Gu Daoling fly away, a hint of disappointment flashing in his eyes.

He dispatched Gu Daoling with a single palm strike, not only because Gu Daoling and Zhu He had both come to harass him, but more importantly, because Duan Rong had used that palm strike to examine the surge of the law power within Gu Daoling's dantian.

Given Duan Rong's current cultivation level and the strength of his divine soul, Gu Daoling couldn't sense his probes at all.

After Gu Daoling flew away, a hint of disappointment flashed in Duan Rong's eyes, because the power of laws surging within Gu Daoling's dantian was still quite unfamiliar to Duan Rong.

After all, when he was in the Cave of Enlightenment Realm, he possessed the power of seventy-nine laws within his Cave of Enlightenment. If Gu Daoling's power of laws were within his seventy-nine laws, then he would have a way to help Gu Daoling further break through to the Great Perfection of the late Cave of Enlightenment Realm.

But unfortunately, that's not the case.

Inside Lü Yinlin's cave, when Lü Yinlin told him that the most important thing for the sect's patriarch was to cultivate the next generation of Nascent Soul cultivators, Duan Rong thought of Gu Daoling.

To be honest, he wasn't interested in becoming the patriarch of the Taiyi Sect. If he could help Gu Daoling condense his Nascent Soul, he could simply pass the patriarchship to Gu Daoling.

However, it now seems that things are not so simple.

If the power of the laws that Gu Daoling comprehended is within the seventy-nine laws he has grasped, then he does have a way to deal with it.

Because of the devouring of the artifact spirit, he not only perfected all seventy-nine laws of power, but more importantly, his profound attainments in calligraphy and painting reached a wondrous state of communication between humanity and heaven.

Therefore, he could use the art of calligraphy and painting to imprint the power of the laws, allowing Gu Daoling to comprehend them. In this way, he could stimulate Gu Daoling to break through his comprehension.

However, after his initial investigation, he found the laws governing the ancient tomb cave to be completely unfamiliar. This left him at a loss.

His disappointment wasn't because Gu Daoling couldn't advance, but because he still had to continue being the sect's patriarch. Lü Yinlin had told him in the cave not to be like him, only managing to cultivate the next generation of sect patriarchs when he only had five hundred years left to live.

Duan Rong sighed, turned around, and went to play chess with Shen'er and Qian'er under the big locust tree. He had already reached the Nascent Soul Realm and originally thought he could roam freely in the world, but unexpectedly, there were still many things he felt uncomfortable about. After all, he had received a lot of protection from the Taiyi Sect and Lü Yinlin. Lü Yinlin passed the position of sect patriarch to him, so he had no choice but to accept it.

How can one find true freedom amidst the karmic consequences of this mundane world?
The courtyard next to where Duan Rong and his friends played chess was Lü Zhongtang's courtyard.

Since Duan Rong returned, Xiao Yu has basically stopped cooking dinners. They all eat dinner at Lü Zhongtang's place, which is a kind of family reunion. It has become a tradition.

It was dusk, and there was still more than an hour before dinner.

Lu Zhongtang and Li Baoyue sat in the study, the door closed, both looking at the butler Han Cheng standing not far away with somewhat solemn expressions.

Lu Zhongtang said, "You mean, Ancestor Lu passed the position of sect patriarch to Duan Rong?"

"That's right," Han Cheng said. "The news has spread throughout all the peaks of the sect. At the Elder Council meeting, Elder Lu personally announced it in public. Now, my son-in-law is already an ancestor of the sect."

There was a hint of joy in Han Cheng's voice, because he felt this was a great joy.

Lu Zhongtang's lips trembled slightly, because the news was too shocking for him. He had never imagined that one day Lu Yinlin would no longer be the sect's patriarch. He also never imagined that Duan Rong would actually be the sect's patriarch.

Li Baoyue, however, asked from the side, "It seems that to become the patriarch of a sect, one must have the cultivation of the Nascent Soul Realm, right?"

Lu Zhongtang was stunned by the news of Green Shade Lin's abdication and didn't immediately grasp Li Baoyue's quick thinking. Only after Li Baoyue asked did he realize and ask, "Right. The sect's patriarch must be at the Nascent Soul stage, right?!"

Han Cheng said, "I heard that the strange phenomenon that occurred three months ago was triggered by my son-in-law condensing his Nascent Soul in the valley..."

Lu Zhongtang said angrily, "What do you mean 'I think I heard'?! Go out and find out for sure."

Han Cheng said, "Yes, sir. I will go and inquire again immediately."

After Han Cheng left, Lü Zhongtang sat there as if in a daze, muttering to himself, "Duan Rong really condensed his Nascent Soul? But he's only in his early thirties!"

Li Baoyue said, "I also heard about the strange phenomenon that stretched for hundreds of miles three months ago. At the time, it was said that it was caused by the ancestor practicing his skills. You even went to Chu Wushang to ask about it yourself. After the phenomenon dissipated, you wanted to go into the valley to pay your respects to the ancestor, but Chu Wushang turned you away."

Lu Zhongtang seemed not to hear Li Baoyue's words, and continued to mutter to himself, "Something's not right. This is eerie!"

Lu Zhongtang found it hard to accept that Duan Rong had condensed his Nascent Soul at just over thirty years old.

Such a prodigy, in the tens of thousands of years of cultivation history of the Nine Provinces, there is only one person with the Spirit Foundation stage. Could Duan Rong be the second Spirit Foundation stage cultivator?

Li Baoyue's eyes flickered, but she suddenly asked, "Does Qingzhu know about Duan Rong condensing his Nascent Soul?"

This time, Lü Zhongtang, who had been staring blankly, suddenly turned to look at Li Baoyue and asked abruptly, "What did you just say?"

Li Baoyue said, "I wonder if Qingzhu knows about this?"

Lu Zhongtang's expression hardened, and he said, "Go and find her quickly."

“Now?!” Li Baoyue asked.

“Of course, now!” Lü Zhongtang said, “Go quickly! I’ll wait for her here.”

Li Baoyue had no choice but to get up and go find Lü Qingzhu. When Lü Qingzhu asked her what she wanted, she didn't say, only that Lü Zhongtang had summoned her.

As soon as Lü Qingzhu entered, she noticed that Lü Zhongtang's expression was somewhat strange, unlike his usual calm and easygoing demeanor. She immediately asked, "Father, is something wrong?"

Lu Zhongtang said, "Qingzhu, let me ask you something. Did you know that Duan Rong has condensed his Nascent Soul?" Lu Qingzhu frowned slightly. Of course she knew about this, but Duan Rong had also told her to keep it a secret for the time being.

Instead of answering, Lü Qingzhu turned the tables and asked Lü Zhongtang, "Where did Father hear this news?"

There's a neutral term for this kind of news. But when Lü Qingzhu uses it here, it carries a dual meaning.

Lu Zhongtang said, "It's all over the sect. The patriarch personally announced it at the elders' meeting. Duan Rong is now the sect's patriarch."

Lü Qingzhu smiled upon hearing this. She had been in seclusion for cultivation recently and knew little about these matters. Since Lü Zhongtang said so, it was clear that the matter had already spread throughout the sect, so there was no need to keep it a secret anymore.

Lü Qingzhu then said, "He has already condensed his Nascent Soul."

Lu Zhongtang stared at Lu Qingzhu in astonishment and said, "Are you sure?!"

According to Lü Qingzhu, Duan Rong condensed his Nascent Soul at the age of thirty-something, so wouldn't that make him a second Spirit Foundation cultivator?
Lu Zhongtang knew Duan Rong was a prodigy, but he never imagined he could be this prodigy!

Lü Qingzhu said, "Of course, I have seen his natal nascent soul."

After Lü Qingzhu finished speaking, she smiled slightly, a hint of shyness appearing on her face, because she remembered that she and Duan Rong had been studying one of the thirty-two aspects of the Nascent Soul, namely the Hidden Yin Aspect.

Upon hearing this, Lü Zhongtang and Li Baoyue exchanged bewildered glances.

Before we knew it, it was dinnertime.

Duan Rong and Xiao Yu brought Shen'er and Qian'er to this courtyard.

The family enjoyed a happy dinner together, and afterwards Duan Rong would stay in the two courtyards in turn.

As usual, Duan Rong took Shen'er's hand and stepped into the flower hall.

Xiao Yu followed behind with Qian'er.

Shen'er and Qian'er were still arguing about the chess game they had just played, one after the other, while Xiao Yu had a faint smile on her face.

As soon as Duan Rong stepped into the flower hall, the dining table was filled with various dishes, just like always.

But at the entrance, as soon as Duan Rong entered, Lü Zhongtang and Li Baoyue suddenly prostrated themselves on the ground and shouted, "Disciples pay homage to the Ancestor!"

Duan Rong was stunned at the doorway. He never expected Lü Zhongtang to suddenly pull such a stunt.

Although Lü Zhongtang and Li Baoyue were kneeling, Lü Qingzhu stood to the side, simply smiling at Duan Rong.

Lü Zhongtang turned to look at Lü Qingzhu and said, "Qingzhu, you kneel down too."

Lü Qingzhu did not answer, she just stood there.

Lu Zhongtang had no choice but to kneel down, but when he turned around, he glanced at Xiao Yu behind Duan Rong.

Xiao Yu noticed Lü Zhongtang's gaze and her heart skipped a beat. Lü Zhongtang had just called Duan Rong "Ancestor," and that title... seemed to be the same one Zhu He had used when he came before.
Xiao Yu seemed to realize something and was about to kneel down before Duan Rong at the door.

Since Lü Zhongtang had already performed the most obeisance to Duan Rong, how much more so would she?
Just as Xiao Yu was about to make a move, Duan Rong noticed and coldly shouted, "Xiao Yu, don't move."

Xiao Yu paused slightly. Having been with Duan Rong for a long time, she had already sensed his hidden anger and was momentarily at a loss. At this moment, Lü Qingzhu shook her head at her.

Xiao Yushen glanced at Lü Qingzhu and finally stood still. Because she was the legal wife, and Lü Qingzhu was a concubine. If Qingzhu didn't kneel, she didn't have to either. This logic was sound.

Seeing that Xiao Yu had stopped standing there, Duan Rong's anger subsided slightly. He went over and helped Lü Zhongtang and Li Baoyue up, saying, "Father-in-law, Aunt Yue, why are you doing this? Aren't you making me feel uncomfortable?"

Lu Zhongtang was helped up by Duan Rong. Looking at Duan Rong, he couldn't help but ask again, "Duan Rong, have you really condensed your Nascent Soul?"

When Lü Zhongtang asked him this directly, Duan Rong had no choice but to nod and say, "Yes."

Lü Zhongtang said, "Now that you are the patriarch of the sect, such a ceremony is absolutely necessary."

Duan Rong said, "Outside, I am naturally the patriarch of the sect. But in these two residences, I am Xiao Yu and Qingzhu's husband, and Shen'er and Qian'er's father. Even if my father-in-law doesn't acknowledge me as his son-in-law, does he also disown Shen'er and Qian'er?"

Lü Zhongtang said, "That's not how it's calculated. Family etiquette is a minor matter. As the patriarch of the sect, you cannot disregard the proper order of seniority!"

In fact, what Lü Zhongtang said makes sense. The sect's patriarch is the most important ceremony, while family rites are only minor.

Duan Rong replied, "So, Father-in-law, you're kicking me out? It seems I won't be able to return to this house anymore!"

Before Lü Zhongtang could react, Li Baoyue had already seen Duan Rong's resolute attitude. She immediately pulled Lü Zhongtang's sleeve and said with a smile, "That's not what I meant, sir. Don't misunderstand. I think we should do this: since you've accepted our bow today, the grand ceremony with the sect's patriarch is over. From now on, we'll observe the grand ceremony when we're out, and the smaller ceremony when we're inside the Lü family residence."

Upon hearing this, Duan Rong smiled and said, "Aunt Yue's words are very heartwarming."

Li Baoyue smiled and said, "Then, son-in-law, let's take a seat. If we wait any longer, the food will get cold."

Everyone took their seats, but Lü Zhongtang remained somewhat uncomfortable throughout the entire dinner. He had carried his unpleasant experience with Lü Yinlin into the current situation, and was simply not yet accustomed to Duan Rong's new identity.

The fact that Duan Rong had achieved the Nascent Soul Realm and become the patriarch of the Taiyi Sect was not only a hot topic of discussion among the various peaks of the sect, but soon the news spread throughout all the sects of the Nine Provinces.

In an instant, the situation was naturally in turmoil. First of all, it was difficult for the various sects to determine whether the news was true or false.

At the Lü family residence, Lü Zhongtang initially felt somewhat uncomfortable, but Duan Rong invited him for tea every day, and the two continued to chat happily. Gradually, Lü Zhongtang realized that although Duan Rong had become the sect's patriarch, he was still, after all, his son-in-law. The various defenses and barriers he had developed due to past traumas slowly dissipated in his pleasant conversations with Duan Rong.

That afternoon, Duan Rong and Lü Zhongtang were drinking tea in the pavilion in the courtyard, chatting as they drank.

Butler Han Cheng suddenly came over with Zhu He.

Duan Rong and Lü Zhongtang were still sitting in the pavilion when they saw Zhu He in the distance.

Zhu He went to the neighboring courtyard first. Xiao Yu said that Duan Rong was here, so Zhu He came over. Han Cheng saw that he was the sect leader and did not dare to delay, so he brought him in directly.

Han Cheng was, after all, just a steward. Although he knew that Duan Rong was the sect's patriarch, he had not yet fully realized the significance of this identity.

Even if the Taiyi Sect Master came, Duan Rong should have been made to wait outside the door. He should have come in to report, and according to Duan Rong's wishes, should he have summoned Zhu He in or let him leave?

However, upon seeing Zhu He's identity as the sect leader, Han Cheng became flustered and lost his composure. This was because Lü Zhongtang had lived in seclusion for many years, and Han Cheng, as the steward, lacked sufficient experience in many areas. (End of Chapter)