Starting from the Tiger Demon Yaksha, the demon immortality

Chapter 252 261 True Disciple Treatment, Divine Weapon in the Mountains

Half-brothers?
Li Cunxiao was stunned for a moment upon hearing this, and it took him a while to understand what the other party meant.

The Li clan of Longxi is one of the five surnames and seven prominent clans, a large clan that has existed for two dynasties and has tens of thousands of members.

However, many members of the collateral branches of the clan cannot enjoy this glory. As their bloodline thins with each generation, they are no longer connected to the main family except for records in the family genealogy.

However, there are exceptions. When you have enough talent, or to put it more simply, enough influence, you have the hope of "returning to your ancestral home".

Just like the Li family of the Qin Dynasty, who claimed to be from the Longxi Li clan. In reality, Emperor Gaozu and Emperor Taizong were indeed from Longxi and were indeed surnamed Li, but they were not from the Longxi Li clan.

This is similar to how the later Qing dynasty adopted Taoism as its state religion, posthumously recognized Li Zu of the Taoist sect as its ancestor, bestowed upon him the title of emperor, and honored him as the Supreme Emperor of the Mysterious Origin. It was just a routine practice of elevating one's own status.

Where there is demand, there will be supply. The Li family of Longxi naturally had little objection to this. As long as the other party was surnamed Li, held a high-ranking official position, and had a decent reputation, they were happy to have such an outstanding descendant "recognize their ancestors and return to the clan".

Li Siqi's meaning was simple: his junior brother was exceptionally handsome and had the appearance of a dragon and phoenix. Since his family did not have a genealogy, perhaps he was a descendant of a clan who had been scattered to other places due to war?
It doesn't matter if they are from different fathers or mothers, they are still connected by blood!
"I am moved by your kindness and love for your family, but this matter cannot be decided hastily."

Li Cunxiao effortlessly broke free from the arm. Only then did he notice the gazes around him. But those from high-ranking families had all grown up together and their skin was as thick as a city wall.

Upon hearing this, he only showed a slight hint of apology:

"I'm being too hasty, brother. But as the saying goes, 'A teacher for a day is a father for life.' Junior Brother Li and I are from the same sect, and our master is also a member of the Li family of Longxi. With such a connection, it would be a wonderful thing for him to become my godfather."

"Cough cough," Taiyi couldn't hold it in any longer and coughed several times before Li Siqi finally closed his mouth with some regret.

"Hahahaha, no matter what, Junior Brother Taiyi has taken on a good disciple, which is truly enviable."

Changsun Chi stepped in to smooth things over, and the other two sect leaders nodded in agreement.

It's clear to everyone that Li Siqi has accepted his defeat wholeheartedly, and the position of Qinglong Pavilion Master is now firmly in Li Cunxiao's grasp.

Perhaps this young man is not even a true disciple yet, but the three are certain that Yan Daotong, who knows the value of improving the Tranquilizing Pill, would not leave such a loophole.

I'm afraid that once the onlookers are dispersed, he'll immediately make his word and decide on this matter.

Yan Daotong's actions were actually even faster than everyone had anticipated.

"Today's competition is for fellow practitioners to learn from each other. We can learn from others' experiences to improve ourselves. Victory or defeat is only temporary, but the experience is lifelong."

"However, Li Cunxiao, an inner disciple of Qinglong Peak, is exceptionally talented and admired by his fellow disciples. The quality of the pills he refined in this competition is also outstanding."

"In this perilous world, we desperately need insightful individuals to uphold the righteous path. Therefore, in my capacity as the leader of the Louguan Sect, I hereby appoint Li Cunxiao as its true successor!"

what? !

Yan Daotong's voice was not loud, but it resounded for miles around. The powerful and influential people watching exclaimed in surprise, and the disciples and elders whispered among themselves, creating a great uproar.

"How can one pass on true knowledge without achieving merit and gaining the respect of the people?"

"Why not? Senior Brother Li has only been a disciple for three months, yet he has already surpassed Senior Sister Ye and Senior Brother Li, who have been disciples for over ten years. If such a person is not to be a true disciple, then who is?"

"Without rules, nothing can be accomplished. If this sets a precedent, what will happen if a disciple wants to be promoted in the future?"

"What about the future? We're caught between the imperial court and the puppet Qi regime. We should be prepared for danger even in times of peace, and use talent without being bound by convention. Looking back and forth will only lead to the destruction of the legacy left by our ancestors!"

"."

The crowd was noisy and chaotic.

Opinions varied, with some supporting and others opposing, but none of this could influence the final decision.

As soon as Yan Daotong finished speaking, his gaze shifted and landed on the four sect leaders.

Taiyi Zhenren, needless to say, was the first to speak up in support:
"can."

As if they were on repeat, Changsun Chi, Yuchi Mu, and Qin Li also spoke one after another.

"Can"

"Can"

"Can"

With a terrestrial deity and four grandmasters having made their decisions, there was no room for further discussion.

Looking at Li Cunxiao's youthful face and considering his age, Du Guanglei was filled with mixed emotions, but he quickly composed himself, becoming serious and solemn, and issued the order from the platform:

"Li Cunxiao, an inner disciple of Qinglong Peak, is exceptionally talented and admired by his fellow disciples. He rose to prominence at a young age and his alchemy skills are exquisite and unparalleled."

"With the special permission of the current sect leader and the approval of all four lineages, he has been specially promoted to be a true disciple!"

After Du Guanglei finished speaking, the Dao soldiers below the stage, arranged in order of distance, all spoke up in unison, their voices echoing from above and seeping down layer by layer.

With the sect leader's permission and the four sect leaders' approval, Li Cunxiao's promotion to true disciple is a foregone conclusion.

Those who had previously voiced their objections dared not utter a word and could only join the cheering crowd. For a time, the empty valleys and mountains echoed with congratulatory voices.

Such a scene, which attracted so much attention, was something that even Li Cunxiao had never experienced before. He couldn't help but widen his eyes slightly, as if he wanted to take in everything below the stage.

"The youngest true disciple in the history of Louguan Taoism," Guo Zhao exclaimed, while Qin Sixing and Cheng Ruoshui beside him also had complicated expressions.

"More than that, he is the youngest Heavenly Ladder Warrior in the history of the sect."

"Do you think he'd break through the barrier at the age of thirty?"

“You’re being a bit too kind with your words,” Li Siqi suddenly interjected, her expression revealing a hint of protectiveness.

"Leaving aside how time-consuming the twenty-four vertebrae are, how difficult is the hurdle of life and death? The matter of cultivation should be left to nature; how can it be forced?"

If you can't force it, then why are you even holding this competition?
Changsun Chi and the other two secretly grumbled to themselves, but at the same time, they couldn't help but feel a bit of admiration.

Although they were both from noble families and had a wide circle of friends since childhood, it would be very difficult for them to become sworn brothers with their rivals who were gritting their teeth just moments before.

It can only be said that they truly deserve the reputation of the Longxi Li clan, which spanned two dynasties.

'However, of the five surnames and seven prominent families of today, the Lu of Fanyang, the Li of Zhaojun, the Cui of Boling, and the Cui of Qinghe have long since declined, leaving only the Zheng of Xingyang, the Li of Longxi, and the Wang of Taiyuan.'

'The leaders of these three groups must be overwhelmed by the fragmented situation and are currently making moves to recruit talent from all sides.'

A few thoughts flashed through their minds, but were quickly drowned out by the deafening noise.

Li Cunxiao followed behind Taiyi Zhenren, step by step weaving through the crowd.

His cultivation has become increasingly profound, and his five senses are now keen, so he can naturally hear some discordant voices in the crowd.

However, such voices were only from a minority, and the majority of people expressed their support for the leader's decision.

The youngest true disciple in history and the youngest ladder holder—these two things alone are enough to impress many people.

Furthermore, there's no point in opposing the decisions of these grandmasters.

The will of the strong is the rule of the weak. Violating the rule, regardless of right or wrong, will result in punishment.

In Louguan Sect, Yan Daotong and the four sect leaders were the ones who set the rules. All the elders and disciples who understood this wholeheartedly praised the sect leader's wisdom.

In extraordinary times, extraordinary measures must be taken to achieve extraordinary results.

The sect leader is farsighted; can we possibly comprehend his thoughts?
Whether the elders and disciples truly understood is hard to say, but Master Taiyi knew what his senior brother was thinking.

After the disciples dispersed, the masters went straight to the main hall of the Three Pure Ones.

Before anyone could speak, the old Taoist priest took out a pill formula and lightly placed it in front of Yan Daotong:

"This is the improved formula for the Tranquilizing Pill."

"Oh?"

The three of them, Changsun Chi and Yan Daotong, all had burning desire in their eyes, but none of them made any move. They simply watched as Yan Daotong took the pill formula, glanced at it, and then closed his eyes, seemingly deducing something.

A moment later, when he opened his eyes again, his face was beaming with joy.

"Excellent. After the formula was improved, the amount of ingredients used was reduced by almost half, which is enough to double our production of Tranquilizing Pills!"

"Junior brother, was this pill formula really derived by Li Cunxiao alone?"

Seeing the astonishment on his senior brother's face, Taiyi's nostrils practically flared to the sky, and he let out a soft snort:
“I would never stoop to lying. I didn’t interfere with this formula at all; Li Cunxiao figured it out entirely on his own.”

"Sigh~"

Short, rapid breaths rang out one after another, and the candlelight in the Sanqing Hall dimmed slightly due to the lack of air before returning to normal.

"This is really true."

The eyes of the sect leaders shone, and their gazes involuntarily fell on the pill formula in Daotong Zhenren's hand.

But the latter ignored all of this and simply slipped the prescription into his sleeve.

Elixirs and pills, like divine martial arts manuals, are the foundation for the survival of a sect.

Historically, only the sect leader has been qualified to read the entire book; others, even the sect master, can only grasp a portion of it.

Like Changsun Chi, all he possessed were the divine martial arts of the Vermilion Bird lineage, as well as some commonly used pill formulas and secret recipes accumulated by successive sect leaders.

As for alchemy kings like the Four Gods Great Elixir and the Four Symbols Two Elements Golden Elixir, no one except the sect leader and the Taiyi who controls the furnace is qualified to know the formula.

The same applies to alchemical formulas, not to mention the Lingbao Four Symbols and Two Elements Banner passed down through generations.
"Now that Li Cunxiao has been promoted to the position of true disciple, he should receive all the appropriate benefits."

"The land and property need not be elaborated upon. I will also allocate another Four Symbols Pill and allow Li Cunxiao to enter the back mountain of White Tiger Peak to select a divine weapon."

"As for the ceremony, it can be left until the Double Ninth Festival, when the sect assessment will be held together."

Yan Daotong's first few sentences were fine, but when he mentioned elixirs and divine weapons, Yuchi Mu and Qin Li couldn't help but frown.

“Master, the Four Divine Pills can only be produced once every five years, so the output is limited. Just a few months ago, Ruoshui's quota was given to Li Cunxiao. If we give it to him again now, he won't be able to process it all, will he?”

"Yes. Speaking of divine weapons, I think Li Cunxiao's Wind and Fire Wheels were made by Junior Brother Taiyi. A set of mid-grade divine weapons would be enough for him."

“I don’t object to him choosing a divine weapon, but even if he gets a top-grade divine weapon to recognize him as his master by entering the back mountain of White Tiger Peak, can he afford it with his current level of only being at the entry level of the Heavenly Ladder?”

Upon hearing this, Taiyi Zhenren's eyes widened, and he was about to speak when Yan Daotong waved his hand and simply said:
"Those who have rendered meritorious service will be rewarded. I have already made a decision on this matter. Disperse."

After a moment of silence, the group finally nodded in agreement, bowed, and took their leave.

Watching the four figures disappear into the distance, Yan Daotong couldn't help but sigh.

Louguandao was close to the imperial court, and its members were all powerful and influential people.

While it received abundant resources in its early years, the sect is now crumbling, and the complex web of interests within is gradually eroding its cohesion.

"You will rise to power by this very means, and you will also fall by the same means. My fellow disciples' hearts are no longer with the sect."

Yan Daotong's face showed a weariness that no one else had ever seen, but he quickly composed himself, took out the improved formula for the Tranquilizing Pill from his sleeve again, examined it carefully, and muttered to himself:

"He is barely twenty years old, yet his martial arts and alchemy are both outstanding. A prodigy, comparable to Emperor Taizong of this dynasty. Perhaps the future of our Louguan Sect holds great promise."

"Elder, has anyone from the clan replied?"

As dawn broke, birdsong could be heard echoing in the back mountains of Qinglong Peak. Li Siqi was already sitting in front of a mirror, having his personal servant tidy his hair and put on a golden crown.

"Young master, there has been a reply. The clan chief says he is aware of the situation and will respond in a few days."

"After some time?"

Li Siqi frowned, startling the servant beside him.

"Haven't I made myself clear enough? Li Cunxiao is an unparalleled genius. If he slows down even a few steps, he might be recruited by others. How can we treat him lightly!"

He waved his hand to dismiss the servants, snatched the letter from the old man's hand, and read it quickly. His expression first relaxed a little, then he frowned again.

After returning home from the alchemy competition that day, Li Siqi immediately wrote a letter and sent it to Longxi.

The letter detailed the entire competition, emphasizing Li Cunxiao's unparalleled talent and strongly requesting that the clan immediately send an elder to make contact.

When he heard the clan chief want to postpone the time, he thought it meant that the other party did not believe him.

Fortunately, as I read on, I learned that it wasn't that he was unwilling to make contact immediately, but rather that Prince Qi, Li Zhengchen, was currently fighting against Li Yazi, the only biological son among the Twelve Protectors, who was also the third Protector under Prince Jin, Li Yisheng.

Therefore, the other party stated in their letter that the scope of this engagement was limited and primarily a probing exercise. They anticipated that once the Prince of Jin's offensive subsided, approximately one or two months later, they would send someone to Huayin County.

"Prince Qi, Prince Jin!"

Li Siqi sighed. Everyone else said how glorious the five clans and seven prominent families were, but only he knew how difficult life had been for the Li family of Longxi in recent years, sandwiched between several military governors and regional warlords.

The Li clan of Longxi has only one Grandmaster in this generation, Taiyi. However, this Grandmaster doesn't like to deal with clan affairs, and the clan leader himself has only broken through the Xuan Gate in cultivation.

"Therefore, it is even more important to cultivate a good relationship with Li Cunxiao. This step is crucial for me and for my family."

Thinking of this, Li Siqi glanced at the water clock on the table, estimated that it was about time, and hurried to Li Cunxiao's courtyard.

"Junior brother, let's go. I'll take you to White Tiger Peak to select a divine weapon."

"Thank you for your trouble, senior brother," Li Cunxiao said as he walked out of the courtyard. This was what he had arranged with the other party.

"We're all fellow disciples, saying that would make us seem distant."

Li Siqi looked eager and led the way, sharing his experience in choosing divine weapons in an attempt to build rapport between the two.

But then, a beautiful figure entered their field of vision, and the two of them froze.

"Senior Sister Ye (Junior Sister)?"

Ye Shuyi moved gracefully, her smile captivating, her gaze fixed intently on Li Cunxiao:
"Junior brother, I also happen to be going to select a divine weapon. How about we go together?"

(End of this chapter)