Fantasy: I, the Great Celestial Venerable of the Dao

Even including the outstanding individuals among the new generation, such as the "Three Immortals and Seven Sons" who have reached the highest level of spiritual attainment, the total number is still less than thirty.

This demonstrates the value of high-end combat capabilities.

There are slightly more deacons and elders, but they also need to be rigorously assessed.

This entirely new structure completely shattered the old pattern that had existed in the Qingyun Sect for over 1,700 years.

Unnecessary constraints were removed, laying a solid foundation for future large-scale expansion.

Of course, any change is accompanied by a period of adjustment.

In the first two months, disagreements and confusion inevitably arose between the various departments regarding the division of responsibilities, personnel cooperation, and resource handover.

However, under Dao Xuan's overall command and Wan Jianyi's iron-fisted enforcement, the situation remained stable.

All problems were quickly sorted out and resolved.

Two months later, Qingyun Sect had been completely transformed.

The various halls gradually began to operate smoothly, and the disciples found their place in the new system.

The enthusiasm for cultivation is at an all-time high, and the overall strength is rising rapidly at a visible speed.

Seeing that the internal integration had yielded results, Dao Xuan discussed the matter with several core elders, including Wan Jianyi and Tian Buyi.

Make a world-shaking decision:

We open our gates wide and welcome disciples!

The news swept across the country like a whirlwind.

Today, Qingyun Sect is the undisputed number one cultivation holy land in the world, with unparalleled appeal.

In an instant, countless young men and women harboring dreams of immortals and heroes flocked to the scene.

Amidst the anticipation and reluctance of their families, people flocked to Qingyun Mountain from all corners of the country.

The matter of recruiting disciples was personally overseen by Elder Wan Jianyi, the Law Enforcement Elder.

He and several elders set up two levels of barriers.

The first is "Questioning the Heart," which tests one's character and perseverance;

The second is the "Spirit Testing Platform," which examines one's aptitude and inherent qualities.

The two challenges seem simple, but they are actually very profound and can directly address one's true nature.

We screen out those who are dishonest, weak-willed, or mediocre.

Ultimately, of the tens of thousands of young people who came seeking fame, only a little over a thousand were able to stand within the gates of Qingyun Mountain after going through layers of selection.

Although their numbers have drastically decreased, those who remain are all promising talents with excellent character and aptitude.

These new disciples were properly settled and incorporated into a unified introductory school, where they were given initiation and instruction by a dedicated master of martial arts.

……

On this day, Dao Xuan finished handling all the sect's affairs in the Jade Purity Hall.

Just as he was about to close his eyes and regulate his breathing, he suddenly felt a series of rapid tremors coming from a warm, jade-like bead in his arms.

His expression shifted slightly as he took out the Spirit Pearl and channeled a stream of magical power into it.

The pearl's surface shimmered with light, revealing the phantom of an old man wearing a Taoist crown, with a hint of worry between his brows.

It was none other than Dugu Yuyun, the leader of the Shu Mountain Sect.

"Brother Dugu, it's been a long time since we last contacted each other. What brings you here?"

Dao Xuan spoke calmly and slowly.

In the video, Dugu Yuyun cupped his hands in greeting, his tone carrying a rare hint of seeking advice:

"I apologize for disturbing your peaceful cultivation, Master. I have a truly thorny matter to ask you: have you ever heard of the term 'poisonous person'?"

Poisonous person?

Dao Xuan's mind trembled slightly upon hearing this. Those two words...

It instantly triggered fragments of memories belonging to another timeline, hidden deep within his consciousness.

The so-called "poisonous person" seems to be related to the Tang Clan of Sichuan.

It is made using a secret method with rare poisons, and it looks like a walking corpse. It is fearless and has a deadly poison.

It can spread rapidly through biting, a terrifying existence like a plague.

However, his face remained expressionless, still calm and composed.

He frowned slightly, revealing just the right amount of doubt:

"A poisonous person? This thing... I've never heard of it before. Brother Dugu, what exactly happened?"

Seeing that Dao Xuan also didn't know, Dugu Yuyun's worry deepened, and he sighed:

"Alas, this matter is rather strange. Recently, a group of strangely shaped 'poisonous people' have suddenly appeared in Yuzhou City."

They possessed immense strength, were impervious to ordinary swords, and their bodies were imbued with a rare poison.

Anyone bitten or scratched by it will, within a few hours, also become a mindless, poisonous person who only knows how to kill and spread the poison!

Its infectious power is extremely terrifying; it can spread rapidly within ten days.

Many villages and towns in and around Yuzhou City have been affected by the disaster, resulting in numerous deaths, injuries, and people being forced to relocate.

He paused, the image appearing slightly blurry due to the fluctuations in magical power:

"Our Shushan Sect has dispatched several elite disciples down the mountain to deal with the situation. Although we have the advantage of flying sword magic, the number of these poisonous people is growing too fast."

Moreover, its toxicity is bizarre, capable of corrupting spiritual light and eroding the body's protective aura.

The disciples found it quite difficult to cope, and progress was slow.

If this continues, it could lead to a major disaster that sweeps across the region!

"Your Excellency is learned and knowledgeable; do you have any effective strategies against such evil beings?"

Dao Xuan remained silent for a moment, then looked through the window of the Jade Purity Palace towards the distant horizon.

A sense of gloom seemed to be gathering there. He spoke slowly, his voice as steady as a mountain:

"Brother Dao, please calm down. Since this matter concerns the safety of all living beings, how can our Qingyun Sect sit idly by?"

Let me explain the known details in detail so that we can discuss them together.

If necessary, disciples of Qingyun Mountain may also descend the mountain to assist their fellow cultivators of Shu Mountain in vanquishing this evil spirit!

Afterwards, Dugu Yuyun recounted the story of the poisoner in detail.

Dao Xuan then decided to send Qingyun disciples to Yuzhou City to assist Shushan in handling this matter.

After the call with Dugu Yuyun ended, Dao Xuan Zhenren sat quietly in the Yuqing Hall.

Unconsciously, his fingertips caressed the now-warm and smooth spirit bead.

The poisonous man wreaked havoc in Yuzhou. This event seemed sudden, but it was subtly imbued with an unusual and sinister aura.

Even the disciples of Mount Shu found it troublesome, which shows that it was not an ordinary demon at work.

Dao Xuan silently recited the mantra, then summoned the young Daoist boy who was standing outside the hall.

His voice was clear yet carried an undeniable decisiveness:

"Go and summon Qi Hao, Lin Jingyu, Li Xiaoyao, and Zhao Ling'er to come to Yuqing Palace to see me immediately."

In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, four figures hurried through the clouds and corridors and arrived at the main hall.

Leading the group was Qi Hao, the eldest disciple of Dragon Head Peak, who was calm and capable.

Over the years, he has assisted Wan Jianyi in handling sect affairs and has earned a great reputation.

Following that was Lin Jingyu, whose cultivation had improved rapidly in recent years, and whose brows now hinted at a sword-like aura.

Then there's the exceptionally talented Li Xiaoyao.

And Zhao Ling'er, the beautiful and ethereal descendant of Nuwa, whose body exudes a subtle spiritual aura.

"Disciple pays respects to Master (Senior Uncle)!" The four bowed in unison, their voices echoing through the hall.

Dao Xuan's gaze swept over these four outstanding members of the new generation of Qingyun, and he nodded slightly:

"No need for formalities. Urgent news has arrived from Mount Shu: a 'poisonous person' has suddenly appeared in Yuzhou City."

The people are suffering, and the situation is critical.

Although the fellow practitioners of Shushan have tried their best to deal with it, this thing is strange and spreads extremely quickly.

"You four are to depart immediately for Yuzhou to assist the Shushan Sect in investigating the root cause of the poison and eradicating the scourge."

"Your disciple obeys!"

Upon hearing this, the four showed no fear in their eyes; instead, a gleam of eager anticipation ignited within them.

The four men accepted the order and withdrew. After tidying up briefly, they transformed into four sword lights of different colors.

It soared into the sky from Tongtian Peak, tearing through the clouds, and sped towards Yuzhou City in the southwest.

……