Fantasy: I, the Great Celestial Venerable of the Dao

The heads, elders, and core disciples of the various branches of Qingyun, who had been waiting there, bowed in unison.

His voice was filled with heartfelt reverence.

Dao Xuan nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping calmly over the crowd before finally settling on a young man standing at the front of the disciples.

The young man was in his early twenties, with a handsome face, bright eyes, and a hint of unruliness between his brows.

However, his aura was quite refined.

It was Li Xiaoyao, a disciple he had taken under his wing a few months earlier.

Dao Xuan nodded to everyone and then led them into the Jade Purity Hall.

After taking their seats, Dao Xuan said, "Thank you all for your hard work this time, junior brothers and sisters. Junior Brother Wan has also worked hard in overseeing Qingyun Sect."

Upon hearing this, the elders and chief ministers, led by Wan Jianyi, quickly replied, "You flatter us!"

The Jade Purity Hall was already piled high with jade slips and documents, awaiting his review.

As the leader of the most powerful sect in the world, especially after his reputation grew even greater.

There are many matters that require his decision.

From the allocation of resources among different sects and the assessment of disciples' promotion, to major diplomatic exchanges with allies such as Shushan and Tianyin Temple.

Even the movements of demons reported from all over China... countless pieces of information converge here.

Dao Xuan sat calmly on the throne of the sect leader.

His divine sense instantly covered all the jade slips.

His fingers would occasionally flick out in the air, and beams of spiritual light would enter the jade slip, either approving, rejecting, or giving specific instructions.

The efficiency is astonishing.

Only when it involves major decisions will he pause for a moment to ponder.

But they can quickly make judgments that best serve the interests of Qingyun Sect and the righteous path.

Under his leadership, the entire Qingyun Sect, this massive machine, operated efficiently and systematically.

His prestige and power ensured that all his decrees were carried out smoothly, and no one dared to disobey them.

The sect's atmosphere is thriving and prosperous.

After finishing, he took Zhao Ling'er and Li Xiaoyao back to their residence.

"Free and easy," Dao Xuan said, his voice not loud, yet it carried an air of authority.

Li Xiaoyao shuddered and quickly stepped forward, bowing respectfully:

"Disciple is here! Congratulations to Master for suppressing the demon's lair and upholding the divine might of Qingyun!"

While offering his congratulations, he couldn't help but steal glances at Zhao Ling'er beside Dao Xuan, a hint of curiosity flashing in his eyes.

Dao Xuan was well aware of his subtle actions, but he didn't point it out, simply saying:

"How has your cultivation been these past few days? Come with me."

With that, he flicked his sleeve and, along with Zhao Ling'er and Li Xiaoyao, transformed into a gentle breeze and vanished from the spot.

Inside the ancestral hall, incense smoke curls upwards.

Dao Xuan stood with his hands behind his back before the ancestral tablets of past masters, without turning around.

Zhao Ling'er stood quietly to the side, curiously observing this most solemn sacred place of the Qingyun Sect.

"Perform the sword technique you have practiced once, and let your master see it."

Dao Xuan's voice echoed in the empty ancestral hall.

Li Xiaoyao has made great progress since he came to Qingyun Sect. Under the nourishment of the Water Spirit Pearl, all his meridians are open and he has been able to draw Qi into his body.

After arriving at Qingyun Sect, he made rapid progress under the tutelage of Wan Jianyi and others.

He has actually broken through to the third level of Jade Purity.

This is all that an ordinary person can achieve in decades!

Upon hearing this, Li Xiaoyao's expression turned serious, and he suppressed all his playful thoughts.

He took a deep breath, his spiritual energy surging within him, his hands forming a sword incantation, and he uttered a low shout:

"The righteous spirit of heaven and earth endures forever; we do not seek to slay immortals, but only to vanquish ghosts and gods! By imperial decree!"

"Buzz!"

A sharp, azure sword light burst forth from his fingertips.

With an unwavering determination to vanquish evil, they fiercely slashed at the testing stone reserved in the center of the ancestral hall!

Where the sword flashed, the air hissed sharply, its power was quite remarkable!

However, just as the sword light was about to strike the testing stone...

Dao Xuan didn't even turn his head; he simply raised his right hand casually and lightly tapped the air with his index finger.

"Certainly."

Words become law!

That sharp "Demon Slayer" sword light seemed to sink into an invisible quagmire.

When they were only three feet away from the sword-testing stone, they were frozen in mid-air!

The sword light remained in its downward slashing posture, and the energy continued to flow, but it could no longer advance even an inch!

Li Xiaoyao was dumbfounded.

He felt as if his connection with the sword light had been forcibly severed by an irresistible force.

Dao Xuan then slowly turned around, looking calmly at Li Xiaoyao:

"It is similar in form but not in spirit. The true meaning of 'slaying ghosts and gods' lies in the indignation and the desire to protect in one's heart, rather than the mere act of killing."

Your temperament is impulsive, and although you have excellent aptitude, you have not truly grasped the essence of this move.

The sword energy appears fierce, but it is actually unstable and lacks a solid foundation. How can it possibly slay true demons and gods?

Dao Xuan said this, but what he was thinking was different: his disciple was indeed exceptionally talented.

I never imagined that he would grow to this extent in just a few months.

After saying that, he pointed his finger again, and the frozen sword light shattered inch by inch like glass, turning into specks of spiritual light and dissipating.

Li Xiaoyao blushed deeply and lowered his head, saying, "This disciple... knows his mistake."

"However, I really didn't expect that your Uncle Wan would actually pass on the True Technique of Slaying Ghosts and Gods to you."

This is his signature move, so you must practice it diligently and not tarnish your reputation as Uncle Wan!

I'll go into seclusion again.

You can leave the seclusion after you've severed the waterfall at the back of the mountain in three breaths!

"Yes, Master."

Li Xiaoyao dared not utter a single complaint and obediently accepted the order and withdrew.

He knew that his master was giving him a warning, but it was for his own good.

"Wait!" Before Li Xiaoyao could go down, Dao Xuan called out to him again.

Then, pointing to Zhao Ling'er, he said, "This is your junior sister. You two should get to know each other."

"Greetings, Senior Brother!" Zhao Ling'er bowed slightly to Li Xiaoyao.

"Greetings, Junior Sister." Li Xiaoyao returned the greeting.

Dao Xuan smiled inwardly upon seeing this, wondering if the two of them still had that kind of fate.

After that, Li Xiaoyao went downstairs.

After Li Xiaoyao left, Dao Xuan looked at Zhao Ling'er, his gaze softening considerably:

"Ling'er, you possess the bloodline of Nuwa and are born with spiritual power, but your path is ultimately different from that of Qingyun Daoist."

During this time, you are free to browse the scriptures in the library.

I'm sending you the book "Taiji Xuanqing Dao" (太极玄清道), you can take a look at it.

Or they can exchange ideas with disciples from other lineages, learn from each other's strengths, and solidify their foundation.

Zhao Ling'er nodded obediently, "Thank you, Master."

Her voice was clear and melodious, with a natural charm.

……

Time flies, and things change like clouds drifting by.

In the blink of an eye, ten years have passed.

Over the past decade, China has enjoyed a rare period of peace.

The Myriad Tribulations Nether Spring was sealed by Dao Xuan Da Zhenren with supreme divine power, and the demonic energy no longer leaked out. Instead, it began to slowly transform into spiritual energy.

This has led to the gradual prosperity of the area surrounding Tianxin Valley.

The righteous alliance gained immense prestige, and evil forces lay dormant, daring not to cause trouble easily.

As the leader of the righteous path, Qingyun Sect, under the leadership of Dao Xuan, entered an unprecedented golden age.