There are no ancestors at all; I made them all up.

Chapter 94 The Ancestral Master's Appearance [First Update]

The silver chain shattered, sending dust flying everywhere!
The white-bearded old man groaned, his face turning deathly pale, his breath churning. He abruptly looked up, staring intently at the mist-shrouded Dingyuan Main Peak, his eyes filled with a mixture of surprise, doubt, and apprehension.

"Excellent! What a fine Hidden Star Sect!"

He never expected that his opponent could crush his killing move with just willpower!
The middle-aged man carrying a sword frowned, the ancient sword behind him humming incessantly. His sharp gaze swept across the main peak before settling back on Chen Qing, his voice tinged with confusion: "The calculations clearly show that this journey should proceed without hindrance..."

The words have not yet been spoken!

"boom!"

An even more powerful and vast pressure suddenly descended!

The white-bearded old man and the middle-aged man carrying a sword felt as if they were being crushed by a mountain. The solid rocks beneath their feet cracked silently, and the protective spiritual light around them flickered wildly!

Yu Xuan Daoist groaned and staggered back several steps, his face drained of all color.

Blood trickled from the corner of the white-bearded old man's mouth, his eyes flashing with fierce light, filled with extreme resentment. But in the end, he suppressed his anger, restrained his aura, glanced deeply into the depths of the clouds, and when he turned back to Chen Qing, his gaze was icy cold, filled with intense killing intent and a trace of twisted regret!
The middle-aged man carrying the sword also stopped, and his gaze toward Chen Qing was exactly the same.

Only Yu Xuan, after the pressure eased slightly, looked at Chen Qing with complicated emotions and sighed, "So be it! The Great Dao is profound and mysterious, and cause and effect are hard to sever. However, Li Qing, our fate is not over yet, and we will meet again someday!" After saying this, he turned into a gray light and fled first.

The white-bearded old man and the middle-aged man carrying a sword gave Chen Qing one last cold glance before transforming into two streaks of light and disappearing into the horizon.

After weighing his options, Chen Qing released the hand seals and solemnly cupped his hands towards the main peak, saying, "Thank you for your help!"

From the depths of the clouds atop the peak, the voice came again: "Young friend, there's no need to be so polite. Just now, you had already completed your hand seals and drawn your energy without releasing it, clearly indicating that you already had a way to deal with the situation. I was merely adding to your success and going with the flow. Please come up the mountain for a chat."

As soon as he finished speaking, the surrounding mountain mist surged and gathered, condensing into a cloud carpet beneath Chen Qing's feet, lifting him up and flying towards the depths of the main peak.

From the air, Chen Qing was able to overlook the mountain gate.

The continuous mountain ranges still retain their grandeur, yet a hint of decay remains.

A dozen or so spiritual peaks are shrouded in mist, several of which have dimmed spiritual light and dilapidated palaces, clearly abandoned for a long time. On the peaks where traces of human activity remain, figures are few and far between. The buildings are either built against the mountains or scattered in the valleys, no longer at their peak. The spiritual fields are crisscrossed, but few people tend to them.

The entire sect resembled an old, ornate robe; the skeleton remained, but the interior was somewhat hollow.

"Strange, it still has the reputation of a prestigious sect, so why are there so few disciples? Could it be that the foundation I left behind was too weak?" After a moment's hesitation, he nodded, "It was indeed exceptionally weak!"

Just as he was thinking this, as the clouds carried him over a mountain peak located in the center of the sect, a faint feeling of unease arose within him.

"On this peak..."

Before he could think further, Chen Qing had already landed steadily on the summit of a verdant mountain.

This peak is not the highest, but its spiritual energy is pure and gentle. Several simple bamboo huts are built on the cliff, creating a serene and elegant atmosphere.

Inside the bamboo hut, a Taoist priest sat cross-legged on a futon, dressed in a simple blue robe. His face was slender and his eyes were as gentle as a spring. His aura blended seamlessly with the mountain breeze, bamboo shadows, and drifting clouds.

As Chen Qing stepped into the hut, he felt that every blade of grass, every tree, and every breath he took resonated with the Taoist's aura, as if he were an extension of this natural world.

"The Qi unites with Heaven and Earth!"

Chen Qing was slightly shaken. This was the method he had comprehended and created, but the Taoist in front of him had clearly reached the realm of perfection, returning to simplicity and authenticity, which was even better!
The Taoist's gaze fell on Chen Qing, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes before turning into a gentle smile: "Judging from the words of those fellow Daoists from Taiyi Dao Palace, young friend, you have come from afar to join the Hidden Star Sect?"

"Indeed." Chen Qing cupped his hands, neither humble nor arrogant, "My desire to seek the Dao is sincere."

The Taoist remained silent for a moment before saying, "I observe that your aura is deep and concentrated, indicating that your Yin Spirit has already been formed and your foundation is profound. Your life and nature are intertwined, and your future path is already set. What do you seek here? Is it the Great Dao of the Golden Elixir?"

Chen Qing said frankly, "Those who cultivate themselves seek nothing more than longevity and long life."

Upon hearing this, the Taoist nodded, his expression becoming more solemn: "In that case, there are some things I must say, otherwise when your path to enlightenment is obstructed, that will be the day when enmity arises, which is not the way of my Hidden Star Sect."

Chen Qing felt a slight stirring in his heart and waited for what would happen next.

"Our Hidden Star Sect has inherited four methods that directly lead to the Golden Core Path!" The Daoist's voice was deep and clear: "Young friend, your Yin Spirit has been forged, and the initial form of your path has appeared. If it does not conform to any of these four paths..."

He looked directly at Chen Qing and said, "The road ahead is like a precipice! If I were to covet your talent and deceive you into taking me in, wouldn't I be cutting off your path to enlightenment with my own hands? This would be an act of annihilation, and it is unacceptable!"

"Four?" Chen Qing frowned slightly, and after thinking it over, he suddenly understood.

The path of cultivation, from the very beginning of drawing qi into the body, involves the attributes of the absorbed spiritual energy, the methods and techniques practiced, and the foundation for condensing one's natal talisman, progressing layer by layer, laying an irreversible foundation for the Yin Spirit and even the Golden Core!
Just like my own incarnation in the dream, with the Taiyin as the root, I merged the two extremes of Buddhism and decay to forge the "Silent Vajra Treasury of Yin Sutra". This path has been completed. If I want to change course, I will have to destroy my own foundation and start all over again!
The cost would be so high that it's practically impossible.

He pondered for a moment and then asked, "May I ask which four roads? Could you please specify?"

Seeing that he showed neither disappointment nor eagerness, but instead calmly inquired, with even greater approval in his eyes, the Taoist priest told him the truth:

"Firstly, it is the 'Great Dao of Primordial Qi,' which inherits the Dao of the True Lord and the Ancestor. It takes primordial qi as its foundation, evolves into all methods, encompasses all things, and is the most magnificent and righteous."

"Secondly, there is the 'Mysterious Nether Ice Soul Path,' which uses the extremely cold ice soul as its foundation, condenses the Mysterious Nether True Meaning, freezes the void, and extinguishes life."

"Thirdly, it is called the 'Illusory Sea Mirage Path,' which uses the power of the thoughts of all living beings and the transformation of reality and illusion to prove the Tao, and is mysterious and unpredictable."

"Fourth," he paused slightly, "is called the 'True Dragon Ascension Method.' This path is special, and only those who possess the bloodline of a true dragon or are of a different species of dragon can cultivate it. It was left behind by one of our sect's ancestors who possessed dragon blood."

"The Way of Primordial Qi, the Profound Nether Ice Soul, the Mirage of the Illusory Sea, the True Dragon Ascending to Heaven..."

Chen Qing silently recited the names of the four Golden Core paths.

Without a doubt, the first path must have been left by him, perfected by his disciples to the Golden Core stage. As for the Profound Nether Ice Soul, he had no clue, thinking it might have been created by an outstanding disciple in later generations. As for the name Illusory Sea Mirage, Chen Qing guessed it might be related to Qingqiu illusion techniques. As for True Dragon Ascension, since it was a bloodline limitation, it might have been created by Yin Lin'er, after all, his disciple was a human-dragon hybrid.

Although none of these four paths fit Li Qing's identity, Chen Qing is the Hidden Star Ancestor, so how could he not join his own sect?
With this thought in mind, Chen Qing changed the subject: "The Taiyi Dao Palace has a profound foundation. Could it be that it has many Golden Core Dao paths to choose from, which is why it is so eager to recruit?"

The Taoist laughed and said, "The path to the Golden Elixir involves the profound mysteries of the origin of heaven and earth. How can it be easily created? The Taiyi Dao Palace has a deep foundation and has accumulated to this day, but there are only a dozen or so methods that can directly lead to the Golden Elixir."

"More than ten?" Chen Qing felt a chill run down his spine.

This has far exceeded his expectations!

The profound foundation of Taiyi Temple is indeed unfathomable!

But then an even bigger question arose in his mind, and he asked: "If that's the case, why didn't they check if my path was compatible when they recruited me? If all paths are incompatible, wouldn't they be leading me astray?"

The Taoist sighed, looked at Chen Qing, and slowly said, "To them, you yourself are the greatest 'foundation'! Taking a chosen one like you into their ranks is like adding fuel to the fire of their sect's fortune! As for whether your personal path to immortality will be severed..." He shook his head slightly, "In their eyes, in the face of the sect's overall fortune, personal gains and losses are merely trivial matters!"

Chen Qing immediately frowned.

Seeing his expression, Qingyuan asked again, "Among the four paths of our sect, is there anyone who can inherit your Dao foundation?"

The bamboo hut was silent for a moment.

Chen Qing truthfully replied, "My foundation and the four Great Paths are different, making it difficult for us to be compatible."

A deep regret flashed across the Taoist's eyes, but he quickly recovered and said gently, "It's alright. The Great Dao is open to all, and everyone has their own path. If you trust me, I can write a few letters to recommend some sects that align with your path. With your talent and potential, there should be sects willing to accept you wholeheartedly."

"What about the Hidden Star Sect?" Chen Qing suddenly asked, "Don't they want me to join them?"

"I do!" the Taoist answered decisively, his gaze open and honest. "Your talent is unparalleled in the world! If you could join my sect, it would be a great fortune for the Hidden Star Sect! But precisely because we are so eager to find talent, we are even more afraid that forcing you might create enmity between us! This is not the foundation of our Hidden Star Sect!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Qing smiled and said, "In that case, I will join the Hidden Star Sect. The reason is simply that it suits my taste."

The Taoist priest was slightly taken aback, then clapped his hands and laughed heartily: "What a delightful sight! This is the true meaning of the Great Dao! The path is guided by fate! I am Qingyuan, the current sect leader of the Hidden Star Sect!"

"Greetings, Sect Master." Chen Qing then asked, "What are the rules for entering the sect? Is there a distinction between outer and inner disciples? And which elder should one take as one's master?"

"No rush," Qingyuan Daoist said with a warm smile. "There is an ancient ritual for entering our sect. All newcomers must first go to Hidden Star Peak to pay homage to the treasure left by the patriarch. If one can gain the approval of even a wisp of its spiritual essence, it will have wonderful uses. After this ritual, we can discuss other matters later."

He flicked his finger, and a talisman of pure light shot through the air.

Before long, a streak of azure light descended, transforming into a young Taoist priest dressed in a water-infused robe. His face was handsome, and his aura was refined and restrained; he was also at the Yin Spirit realm!
The Taoist bowed to Qingyuan and said, "Master."

“Mingxin,” Qingyuan pointed to Chen Qing, “lead this young friend to Hidden Star Peak to pay homage to the ancestral master’s treasure.”

Daoist Mingxin was clearly taken aback: "Master, today is the sixth day since the mountain opened, and no one has climbed it for the past three days..." His gaze swept over Chen Qing, and sensing the heavy aura around him, he was even more surprised and suspicious, "This fellow Daoist's cultivation is profound. May I ask where his original master came from?"

Chen Qing shook his head and said, "I have no sect or school, I am just a wandering cultivator in the mountains, I just cultivate on my own."

"Self-enlightenment and self-cultivation?!" Mingxin Daoist's face was filled with disbelief. "The Yin Spirit Realm can be attained through self-enlightenment?"

Qingyuan Daoist coughed lightly and said, "The Great Dao has three thousand paths, all under your feet. Mingxin, do not delay, quickly lead the way."

Mingxin Daoist then came to his senses, suppressing the shock in his heart, and cupped his hands to Chen Qingyi: "Fellow Daoist, you are fortunate. Please follow me."

He formed a hand seal, and clouds gathered beneath his feet, supporting Chen Qing. The two transformed into a streak of light and flew straight to the mountain peak that had previously stirred Chen Qing's heart.

As soon as the two left, a slender figure arrived from afar on a cloud, landing and saying, "Senior brother, this person today has some connection with the Taiyi Dao Palace, who knows..."

"The Taiyi Dao Palace acts with absolute dominance, never with any underhanded tactics," Qingyuan interrupted, shaking his head. "The reason I woke up was due to a sudden whim, which must be related to this young friend. I should guide him into the sect."

the other side.

As they flew away, Chen Qing casually asked, "You mentioned the date for establishing the sect and accepting disciples earlier?"

“Indeed,” Mingxin explained, “The sect holds its annual retreat for seven days to recruit talented individuals. Today is the sixth day, and according to custom, few people have arrived.” He couldn’t help but glance at Chen Qing again, “I never expected to welcome someone like you, fellow Daoist.”

As we spoke, we arrived at the solitary peak, its summit adorned with ancient palaces that exuded the aura of time.

Mingxin led Chen Qing into the palace.

The hall was dimly lit, with many portraits hanging on the walls on both sides. The people in the paintings wore Taoist robes of various colors, and their demeanor was either dignified, transcendent, or contemplative.

Master Mingxin took the initiative to introduce them, saying that these were all past sect leaders and senior masters who had made great contributions to the sect.

Chen Qing's gaze swept over the portraits and went straight to the deepest part of the hall, where another portrait hung!
The figure in the painting is clad in a dark robe, with a starlight shining on his forehead. He stands on a phantom lotus platform, one hand behind his back, the other holding an ancient wine cup. His body is enveloped in a misty aura, with wisps of pale flames flowing endlessly around him, exuding natural majesty!
"This is our sect's true founder, the ancestor of the Xingxiu Dao's revival, the Hidden Star Ancestor!" Mingxin's voice was full of reverence, and he bowed deeply to the portrait after speaking.

After standing up, he solemnly said to Chen Qing, "Fellow Daoist, please take three steps in front of the portrait and calm your mind!" After speaking, his ten fingers flew, forming hand seals and chanting incantations.

"Om-"

Below the portrait, the illusory image of the blue lotus suddenly burst forth with light!

A bluish light flowed, solidifying as if it were real!
A nine-grade azure lotus platform, its entire body as white as jade and faintly glowing with a bright yellow luster, slowly condensed and manifested from the void! A single orchid leaf unfurled at the lotus heart, and layers upon layers of lotus petals flowed with Daoist runes!
　I got home a little late today. I just finished, so I'll probably be at least 3 AM by now.

　　The second update might be quite late...

　　
　
(End of this chapter)