Primordial Era: Reborn as a Qi Immortal, Steadily Cultivating

Chapter 114 Three Laws and Three Barriers
Three days is but a fleeting moment for those immortals who cultivate without regard to time.

However, in the hearts of the countless creatures of Skull Mountain, it was a long wait that could change their own destiny.

The mountain lord wishes to formally establish his sect on the Five Elements Platform and recruit disciples!

The news spread instantly to every corner of the entire sacred mountain!
Countless creatures from Skull Mountain emerged from the mountains, valleys, dense forests, and secluded ravines, filled with excitement and trepidation.

They transformed into streaks of light, converging towards the Yuandao Palace, which was already filled with immortal energy and Daoist charm.

Three days later, in front of the Five Elements Platform.

It was already crowded with people, and auspicious clouds were swirling around.

Looking around, it was completely dark.

It turned out to be a gathering of hundreds of powerful Skull Mountain cultivators.

Among them, even the weakest among them had condensed the Dao Fruit of the Earth Immortal, and there were more than ten Heavenly Immortal cultivators, and even three with profound magical power who had already glimpsed the wonders of the Profound Immortal.

Such a grand scene is rare even since the birth of Skull Mountain.

This clearly demonstrates how profound the foundation of the Skull Mountain lineage has become during this period of recuperation and development.

"when--!"

A clear and melodious bell rang out from the highest point of the Yuandao Palace!

The sound of the bell contained the supreme Taoist charm of purifying the mind and cleansing the dust, and it instantly spread throughout the entire immortal mountain, making the Five Elements Platform, which was originally somewhat noisy and bustling, completely silent in an instant.

All living beings were startled and raised their heads in unison.

They cast their gazes, filled with reverence and awe, toward the enormous platform where the five elements flowed and the Daoist principles were naturally manifested.

In the center of the high platform, Ma Yuan's figure in a blue robe had already quietly appeared.

He stood with his hands behind his back, his body devoid of any magical power, yet he seemed to be one with the entire world.

Behind him stood Shiji, Heifeng, and Cangyun, who stood respectfully in attendance.

"Today, I have summoned you all here to establish an unchanging lineage for my Skull Mountain lineage."

Ma Yuan's voice, calm yet vast, clearly reached the ears of every living being.

"From this day forward, I will officially open my school and accept disciples here."

"However, not just anyone can join my school."

His gaze swept over the expectant faces below, and his voice became more solemn.

"Anyone who wishes to join my school must remember these three rules. Those who violate these three rules, no matter how deep their roots or how extraordinary their talent, will have no chance to become my disciples."

"First, one's Daoist heart is paramount, while one's foundation is secondary."

Ma Yuan slowly began to explain his principles for accepting apprentices.

"Many seek the path of the Great Way, yet few attain it. The root of this lies in the 'heart.' My disciples do not value karmic connections or good fortune, but only the heart and nature that seek the Way."

Those whose hearts are impure, who have committed too many killings, and whose conduct is base, even if they possess extraordinary abilities, are not allowed to join my school!

Only those with a sincere heart and a steadfast commitment to the pursuit of truth will have a sliver of opportunity.

"Secondly, if the cause and effect are clear, one will not accept robbery."

"My Skull Mountain lineage seeks the path of seclusion and cultivation, the path of immortality that allows one to roam freely between heaven and earth, not the path of worldly strife and bloodshed that stirs up storms."

Therefore, my sect only accepts cultivators who have a pure conscience and are free from worldly attachments.

Those who have excessive entanglements with powerful clans or the lineages of sages from the outside world, or who bear immense karmic burdens and are destined to enter that great calamity, are all ineligible to become my disciples!

Thirdly, respect teachers and value the way of the school, and strictly abide by the rules of the school.

Ma Yuan's voice became authoritative again.

"If you are fortunate enough to become my disciple, you should know that there is a proper order of seniority and distinction between superiors and inferiors. As master and disciple, you should respect your teacher and value the Way, and you must not disobey in the slightest."

"Having entered this sect, you must strictly abide by its rules and regulations, and must not bring any external calamities or misfortunes into the sect. If you violate these rules, do not blame me for expelling you without regard for past favors!"

Three ironclad rules, concise and to the point.

Upon hearing this, the thousands of creatures below all stiffened, and a sense of awe arose in their hearts.

"Today, I will set up three checkpoints before this Five Elements Platform."

Ma Yuan's voice rang out again.

"Anyone who can pass these three tests can become my disciple."

Once he finished speaking, he no longer hesitated for a moment.

With a flick of his sleeve, a thick, ink-black aura silently floated in his palm.

It was the Chaos Primordial Evil obtained from slaying the ferocious beast Taotie!

"This is the first trial: Thunderous Refinement of Form!"

Ma Yuan flicked his finger, and the chaotic primordial energy transformed into a stream of light, instantly merging into the five-colored lightning pool that was already shimmering with lightning!
"boom--!"

In an instant, the entire Thunder Pool surged violently!
"This malevolent energy is formed from the remnant will of the Chaos Demon God, and it is most capable of invading a cultivator's primordial spirit and polluting their foundation. The lightning of the Thunder Pool, on the other hand, tests your physical body and constitution."

Ma Yuan's voice was cold and ruthless: "Anyone who wishes to enter my sect must undergo forty-nine tribulation lightning strikes in this Thunder Pool to temper their body. Only those whose form and spirit remain intact and whose Dao heart does not falter can be considered to have passed."

"This test will examine not only your resolve in the path, but also your foundation."

If your foundation is too weak, or your resolve in the Dao is even slightly wavering, I advise you not to attempt this lightly, lest you end up annihilated, body and soul!

Upon hearing this, many of the thousands of living beings below immediately showed expressions of horror, looking at the Thunder Pool that had long since transformed into a demonic realm, their eyes filled with fear.

They knew that this step would eliminate the vast majority of cultivators!
Ma Yuan ignored everyone's reactions and simply turned his gaze to Shi Ji beside him.

Shi Ji understood immediately and took a step forward, arriving at the second position of the Five Elements Platform.

She gently tossed the Illusionary Light Mirror, a top-grade innate spiritual treasure that had been refined to perfection, from above her head.

The precious mirror grew larger in the wind, eventually reaching a size of ten thousand feet.

The mirror surface shimmered with light, revealing a space that was both real and illusory, seemingly created out of thin air behind the Thunder Pool.

Inside, pavilions and towers stand amidst melodious music, creating a wondrous world that seems like a supreme fairyland.

"This is the second test: the precious mirror reflects your heart!"

Shi Ji's clear, cold voice then rang out.
"All those who pass the first test must enter this illusionary realm."

This realm can stir up the deepest desires and obsessions in your hearts, breeding endless inner demons. Only those with a clear and tranquil mind, capable of seeing through illusion to the true self, can emerge peacefully within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

"As for the third challenge, it is about tracing the cause and effect!"

Ma Yuan spoke slowly.

"Those who pass the first two trials must come before me so that I may personally investigate the cause and effect of their actions."

"Only those who have no great karmic burdens, whose six senses are pure, and who truly have a master-disciple connection with my Skull Mountain lineage, can ultimately become my disciples!"

Three checkpoints, each building upon the last, and each linked to the next.

The first step, the Thunderous Refinement, tests one's foundation and perseverance.

The second treasure mirror reflects the heart, testing wisdom and character.

The third cause-and-effect tracing tests the law of cause and effect and purity.

(End of this chapter)