Starting with the creation of the Immortal Clan through the compilation of the family genealogy.

Chapter 49 The Apprenticeship Banquet and the Emperor's Banner Emerging from Black Qi

"Well, hehe, I'll tell you how to activate this formation later."

There's also talisman making and rune formation; I can pass on some of my insights and experiences to you later. Whatever you want, I'll give you later. Where's my precious apprentice?
"When will our apprenticeship ceremony begin?" Yun Songzi rubbed his hands together, looking impatient.

Seeing his reaction, Meng Xihong couldn't help but chuckle: "Senior Yun Songzi's arrival today was so sudden that my wife was unprepared, and our Meng family was caught off guard."

"Why don't you rest in the guest room for the night, and then we can choose an auspicious day tomorrow for the formal ceremony? What do you think?"

"Alright, alright, no rush, no rush," Yun Songzi said, but his hands didn't stop. He made a hand seal, narrowed his eyes, and pondered for a moment.

Suddenly, he laughed and said, "I just calculated the timing of the day, and tomorrow at Chen Shi (7-9 AM) will be an auspicious time to become your disciple!"

"Then let's set the date for tomorrow at Chenshi (7-9 AM), and hold the ceremony in the main hall of our house."

The next day at dawn, in the Meng family hall.

The altar had already been set up, with the tablets of Heaven and Earth on it, and red candles burning brightly on both sides, their flames steady, filling the room with a pleasant fragrance.

Today, Yun Songzi changed into a moon-white Taoist robe with dark gold cloud patterns embroidered on the collar and cuffs. Although it was already mottled, it had been starched and washed meticulously.

He sat upright in the grand master's chair, his usually slightly playful eyes now filled with solemnity. His fingers unconsciously rubbed his cuffs, and when his gaze fell on the small figure in the hall, he couldn't help but let his eyes soften.

[Daily Divination, Today's Hexagram: Neutral. The stars shift and the constellations change; the foundation is initially solidified. It is auspicious to take on a master or apprentice, to enlighten and enlighten the mind; fortune is gradually rising. Avoid: impatience, haste, and short-sightedness.]

"It really is a good day," he thought to himself.

Meng Yanwei was wearing a newly tailored robe, his small face tense, but he tried his best to straighten his back.

He took a deep breath, and with the encouraging gazes of Meng Xihong and Bai Muyun, his footsteps on the blue bricks were crisp and firm.

He walked to the prayer mat, straightened his robes, and knelt down on both knees. His movements were childish but solemn.

“Disciple Meng Yanwei is just over six years old,” a clear child’s voice echoed in the swirling sandalwood incense, carrying the purity unique to children, yet each word was clear, “Today I wish to become a disciple of Master Yun Songzi, to abide by the sect rules, to diligently cultivate the Great Dao, to respect my master and the Dao, and to bring glory to my sect! I humbly request that my master accept me!” As he finished speaking, he lightly tapped his forehead, touching the blue felt on the prayer mat.

Yun Songzi slowly raised his hand, gesturing for Meng Yanwei to stand up.

Only after the child knelt down properly did he composed himself, speak solemnly, and his voice carried a special kind of authority.

"Good. Now that you have entered the Haoran Academy, you must abide by three rules: First, you must not betray your master or ancestors, or your Dao heart will be shattered; second, you must not bully the weak, or your cultivation will be ruined; third, you must not let your mind be clouded, or you will be expelled from the sect. Do you remember them well?"

"Disciple will remember Master's teachings!" Meng Yanwei kowtowed again, his forehead pressed against the blue brick. "I will never dare to disobey in this lifetime!"

A hint of approval flashed in Yun Songzi's eyes, and he said loudly, "Perform the apprenticeship ceremony!"

Meng Yanwei kowtowed as instructed, bowing to heaven and earth: "I revere the creation of heaven and earth, and beseech you to grant me the opportunity to attain the Great Dao!" A slight knocking sound came from the blue bricks, but it seemed to strike the hearts of everyone present.

He bowed to his master twice: "Thank you, Master, for accepting me and passing on the Great Dao!" When he looked up, he met Yun Songzi's gentle gaze, which contained expectation and love, gradually calming his tense emotions.

He bowed three times to his parents: "I am deeply grateful to my parents for raising me; their kindness is as heavy as a mountain!" Bai Muyun quickly helped her son up, tears welling in her eyes.

The moment the ceremony concluded, the red candles in the hall suddenly burst into a burst of light, and the sandalwood incense smoke in the cauldron rose abruptly, condensing into a faint pillar of light in the air.

Yun Songzi smiled and stood up, personally helping Meng Yanwei up. When her fingertips touched the child's slightly cool arm, she specially warmed it with her spiritual power.

“Good boy,” he said in a very gentle voice, raising his hand to straighten Meng Yanwei’s slightly disheveled collar, “there must be a gift when you become an apprentice.”

After saying that, he took out a jade pendant from his sleeve. The jade was as warm and smooth as mutton fat, and it was warm to the touch. Intricate calming runes were carved on it.

"This is a Tranquilizing Jade. Wearing it close to your body can calm your mind and nourish your meridians. It will be much more effective than the one you are wearing now. In the future, when you meditate and cultivate, it will protect your mind and prevent it from getting distracted."

He personally tied the jade pendant around Meng Yanwei's neck, gently touched the child's cheek with his fingertips, and his eyes were filled with affection.

"From now on, you will be my personal disciple. Although the academy is in ruins, your master's treasures will certainly not be lacking." Meng Yanwei touched the warm jade pendant around his neck and nodded vigorously: "Thank you, Master!"

Meng Yanqing looked at her younger brother with envy and joy in her eyes, while Meng Yanning curiously stared at the jade pendant around her older brother's neck, her little hand involuntarily tugging at her mother's clothes. Bai Muyun gently held her daughter's hand, her eyes filled with satisfaction.

Immediately, Yun Songzi's smile vanished, and his expression became extremely solemn. He slowly walked into the hall, his spiritual energy surging around him, and his originally peaceful aura suddenly became as heavy as a mountain.

Meng Xihong was slightly startled. Yun Songzi's cultivation was truly unfathomable. Just sensing his aura, he felt that it was as deep and boundless as an abyss. It seemed that his master had not made a wrong choice for Yan Wei. Meng Xihong felt relieved.

"Yan Wei, step forward."

Meng Yanwei walked up to him as instructed, and saw Yun Songzi with his eyes slightly closed, his hands forming a mudra, and chanting incantations.

As the incantation was recited, a drop of golden essence blood slowly oozed from between his brows, hovering in the air and emanating an ancient and majestic aura.

My dear disciple, I possess nothing of value, and Haoran Academy is now reduced to mere ruins. But this item is a priceless treasure passed down through generations of our academy: the Emperor's Banner!
"I hereby pass this on to you, hoping that you will use your righteous spirit to suppress evil and protect all living beings!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he pointed his fingertip, and the drop of blood essence burst open, turning into a golden light that surged into the void.

In an instant, the entire hall seemed to be pulled into an ancient time and space, and a vast and boundless pressure descended from the sky. A faint golden light seeped out from the cracks in the blue bricks, and the candlelight flickered violently but never went out.

An ancient black banner slowly emerged in the golden light. The banner was about a foot long and made of an unknown animal hide. The edges were worn and worn, yet it exuded the vicissitudes of thousands of years.

However, the moment it appeared, the banner moved without wind, and countless fine golden runes on it suddenly lit up. These runes were not the writing of this world, but totemic marks left by the ancient people. As they flowed, it seemed as if mountains and rivers rose and fell within them.

What is even more stirring is that as the banner flutters, a deep and majestic chanting can be faintly heard. The voice does not seem to come from a single person, but rather like the joint prayer of millions of ancestors, filled with reverence for heaven and earth and protection for humanity. It is vast and powerful, reaching straight to the heart.

"That's... the will of our ancestors?" Meng Xihong exclaimed in shock, his eyes filled with astonishment.

On the banner, wisps of black energy flowed slowly. This black energy was not evil; on the contrary, it carried an extremely strong and yang suppressive power, and wherever it passed, the air seemed to be purified.

This is the darkest light that can cleanse all evil influences and leave no place for demons to hide.

Just then, the Ningxin Jade around Meng Yanwei's neck suddenly shone brightly, resonating strongly with the runes on the Human Emperor Banner, and a strange wave spread out.

Upon seeing this, Yun Songzi's eyes were filled with surprise and relief. This child and the treasure had such a wonderful connection; he was truly a chosen one.

"All evil spirits and heretics, may all enter my Emperor's Banner!" Yun Songzi stood tall, his voice booming like a great bell, carrying an aura of dominance over the world.

"This banner recognizes its master, requiring a blood-and-soul bond. Today, I will sever my connection with it to help you begin your inheritance!"

Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood, which splashed onto the Emperor's Banner and was instantly absorbed by the banner.

His face turned pale at a visible speed, his breath suddenly weakened, and his body swayed.

But his eyes burned with a fierce flame, and his gaze toward Meng Yanwei was full of satisfaction and expectation.

"Master!" Meng Yanwei exclaimed in surprise, trying to step forward but was blocked by a gentle force.

Yun Songzi waved his hand, forcing a smile, and said, "It's alright... It's worth it for my precious disciple!"

He watched as the runes on the Emperor's Banner gradually resonated with Meng Yanwei, and the Ningxin Jade around the child's neck also lit up. He could no longer hide the love and pride in his eyes.

"Good child, grasp it. From this moment on, you are the new master of the Emperor's Banner. Remember, it protects not just one person or one family, but all living beings under heaven!"

But Meng Xihong stroked his chin, staring strangely at the black mist emanating from the "Kuku" (a mythical creature). The more he looked, the more familiar it seemed, and he muttered to himself unconsciously.

"Um... Senior Yun Songzi, is this banner... legitimate? To me, it looks similar to the Yin Soul Banner that the Yin Sha Sect people practice, and it's really emitting black energy~"

Yun Songzi was immersed in the solemn atmosphere of inheriting the secret treasure when he heard these words. He almost couldn't catch his breath and his defenses crumbled, his old face turning bright red.

"You insolent brat! What do you know! This is the black light of demon suppression formed from pure and righteous energy! The stronger the demon it suppresses, the more powerful the banner's might becomes, and this is how it manifests outwardly! This is a symbol of supreme merit! Glory! Do you understand?!"

Meng Xihong still wore a "don't try to fool me" expression, muttering under his breath, "But it's still emitting black smoke... it doesn't look like something a good person would take..."

"You! You brat! You're not worth discussing things with! You've infuriated this old man!" Yun Songzi was so angry he jumped up and down. Seeing that he couldn't reason with this fool, and noticing his precious disciple blinking his clear eyes curiously at the banner emitting black smoke, he was afraid that Meng Yanwei would be led astray by this unreliable father.
He immediately flung his sleeve in an annoyed tone, "I am currently handing over the sect's most treasured artifact to my personal disciple. No idlers, please keep quiet! Get out!"

A gentle yet irresistible force surged forth, catching Meng Xihong off guard. He was actually swept out of the hall by Yun Songzi's sleeve, and with a "bang," the door slammed shut.

Meng Xihong stood outside the door, stunned for a long while, before laughing angrily, "Hey! Old Taoist! Be reasonable! This is my house! That's my son inside!"

A powerful roar came from inside the door: "He is now my last disciple, my personal student! Closer than you! He's no longer yours!"

The father and son were bickering through the door, and Bai Muyun, who was in the hall, covered her mouth and chuckled. Ji Beichuan, Zhang Xianghua and others couldn't help but laugh as well.

At this moment, a sudden change occurred!
The Emperor's Banner, suspended in the air, seemed to be deeply attracted by some pure and flawless quality about Meng Yanwei. Suddenly, it emitted a joyful buzzing sound, its dark light blazing brightly, and it even transformed into a stream of light, throwing itself into Meng Yanwei's arms!
Meng Yanwei's body trembled slightly, and a powerful aura of righteousness naturally emanated from him. His literary talent instantly condensed, his character naturally emerged, and his eyes shone with wisdom.

It was actually under the active recognition of the Human Emperor Banner and the feedback of its energy that his literary cultivation broke through the bottleneck instantly and stepped into the second realm, the "Enlightened Mind" realm!
"Literary talent and integrity, naturally revealed! Heaven bless Haoran! Heaven bless my academy!" Upon seeing this, Yun Songzi trembled with excitement, tears streaming down his face, a thousand times happier than when he himself broke through.

"This treasure has automatically recognized its master; this is the divinely ordained heir! Hahahaha! I am not alone on this path! I am not alone on this path!"

He took a deep breath and transmitted the incantation of "Righteous Qi Technique" into Meng Yanwei's mind through spiritual power.

"Yan Wei, this technique is perfectly suited to your spiritual root and literary talent. It can help you unleash the full power of the Human Emperor Banner. From now on, cultivate diligently and do not waste this great opportunity!"

Meng Yanwei was immersed in the wonderful experience of both inheritance and breakthrough, his little face full of solemnity as he nodded vigorously.

(End of this chapter)