Mountain Venerable and Sea Immortal

The outer gate welcomes the mundane, while the inner gate conceals the great Dao.

The grand ceremony for accepting disciples, marking the centennial of the sect, officially concluded amidst cheers from the crowd. The Xuan Yang Sect Master rode a cloud in the lead, his robes billowing like a vast, sweeping wind; the five elders, including Wu Dao and Guan Hai, stood on either side, their spiritual light shimmering, their auras as solid as mountains.

The two hundred newly recruited inner disciples stood solemnly in their robes. Lin Yan, Yun Xi, Ye Qing, Yi Azhu, Chen Dagang, Shen Yue, Su Lingyue, and others were among them, each one full of vigor and spirit, like a row of pine trees in formation.

As the group approached Fengxian Bridge, the clouds parted and the mist dissipated, and celestial music drifted in the air. The ancestral temple of cultivation, supported by the ancient spiritual veins of the East Sea, shone brightly amidst the sea of ​​clouds.

At the bridgehead, the Xuan Yang Sect Master stood as still as a mountain, his voice calm yet resounding throughout the entire area: "The bridge is named Fengxian. Cross the bridge and enter, where worldly ties are temporarily severed, and the Dao heart begins to be clear. Entering the inner sect of Laoshan, one must cultivate longevity, guard the spiritual veins, and refrain from private duels, betrayal of the sect, and collusion with demons and evil spirits. Violating these three prohibitions will result in the soul being scattered and the path to immortality forever severed."

The two hundred newly recruited disciples bowed in unison, their voices surging like a tide: "We will strictly abide by the sect's precepts!"

Lin Yan took a deep breath of spiritual energy, and the true energy in his meridians flowed like a spring. He stepped onto the stone bridge, followed closely by two hundred disciples, while the elders and sect leader accompanied him in mid-air.

As the turbid air descends, the shackles of worldly life loosen.

Two steps to cleanse the marrow with spiritual energy, and the whole body feels comfortable and unobstructed.

The three-step mist suddenly dissipated, revealing the entire inner gate of Laoshan Mountain to everyone.

In the Taiqing Inner Palace to the south, the Sanqing Hall stands majestically, the Xuanyuan General Altar is magnificent, the Sanhuang Hall contains Taoist scriptures, and the Mingxia Cave is a place where spiritual energy is transformed into liquid, serving as the core of the sect's inheritance.

To the east, the Mingxuan Heavenly Pass stands, nestled against the sheer cliffs. The Lingxiao Palace is a place for observing stars and predicting calamities. Celestial tea grows atop the Heavenly Tea Peak, while the Jueyun Plank Road guards this natural barrier.

In the Northwest Hualou Danfu, the alchemy furnace is faintly visible, the weapon-refining field has its malevolent aura contained, and the Gathering Immortal Altar retains the ancient charm.

To the north lies the Nine Water Spirit Mansion, where nine rivers converge. The Tide Sound Waterfall cleanses the marrow and strengthens the meridians, while the Spirit Pool provides warmth and nourishment, making it the perfect place for water spirit cultivators to practice.

The Taiping Xuanfu in the Northeast is a majestic place with a deep and secluded Demon-Locking Well. The Mitian Cave serves as a secret training ground and guards the mountains, seas, and coastal defenses.

The Xuan Yang Sect Master slowly spoke, his imposing aura spreading in all directions:

"The outer sect selects its members, the inner sect proves their path. From this day forward, you two hundred newly recruited disciples officially enter the inner sect of Laoshan, where you will enjoy the nourishment of the spiritual veins and receive guidance from the elders."

"Existing inner disciples should guide newcomers into the Dao; all elders should perform their duties, transmitting the Dharma and protecting the Dao, and must not slacken their efforts."

"The path to immortality is long and arduous, and only the strong are respected. Regardless of whether you are a new or old disciple, only through diligent cultivation can you have the chance to ascend to the summit, overlook the East Sea, and reign supreme over Mount Lao!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the sea of ​​clouds surged, cranes cried out, and the sounds of bells and tripods echoed through the mountains.

The original inner sect geniuses on both sides had different expressions: some were indifferent, some were scrutinizing, and some were filled with fighting spirit.

The two hundred newly recruited disciples were excited, their eyes burning with the desire to seek the Dao.

Yunxi's sword intent grew increasingly clear, Ye Qing's wood-type spiritual energy trembled slightly, Yi Azhu's water spirit body resonated with Jiu Shui's aura, and Chen Dagang straightened his body, his eyes filled with determination.

Standing at the head of the new generation, Lin Yan gazed upon this magnificent immortal abode, his heart surging with pride. He possessed the inheritance of the Azure Sea Emperor, and the Sea-Gazing Inkstone shone with a subtle spiritual light, his pure water spiritual root resonating with the Nine Water Spiritual Veins. Past hardships had paved the way; today, entering the inner sect, the Great Dao had begun. He would forge ahead in this mountain and sea immortal abode, overcoming all obstacles to cultivate the supreme Dao.

As soon as the Xuan Yang Sect Master finished speaking, he waved his sleeve, and spiritual light suddenly rose in the void. Two hundred luminous white jade tokens appeared out of thin air, hanging in front of the newly recruited disciples like stars.

Before anyone could reach out, the jade tokens flew over on their own, and wisps of warm spiritual energy slowly seeped into their consciousness, clearly imprinting the supreme rules of the Laoshan inner sect into everyone's mind.

The inner sect does not have a dictatorship. Instead, the five elders and the reclusive supreme elders form the Xuan Yuan Elder Council to discuss all major matters, including the forbidden areas of the mountain gate, the inheritance of fortune, and external and internal threats.

Sect Leader: Oversees all affairs of the sect, makes final decisions, and is the nominal supreme authority of the sect.

The Supreme Elder: He secluded himself in the forbidden area of ​​Jufeng Mountain year-round, detached from worldly affairs, and only appeared to maintain order when the mountain gate was about to collapse or when unusual events occurred in the forbidden area.

The Five Elders: Each in charge of one prefecture, wielding real power, and respectively in charge of five major powers: cultivation inheritance, mountain protection formations, alchemy and weapon resources, qi cultivation and healing, and law enforcement and demon suppression.

Within his divine sense, the detailed breakdown of the powers and responsibilities of the five departments unfolded in sequence:

I. Taiqing Inner Palace - Elder Wudao

His Daoist name is Wudao, his cultivation level is early Nascent Soul stage, and he is the head of the inner sect, second only to the sect leader and the Supreme Elder.

1. In charge of the orthodox Taoist teachings of Laoshan, presiding over the transmission of scriptures, preaching, bestowing titles and investiture, and managing the Sanqing Hall, Mingxia Cave, and Zifu Scripture Pavilion.

2. Preside over the inner sect promotion, apprenticeship, and initiation ceremonies, coordinate the relationship between the five prefectures, and represent Laoshan in external negotiations.

3. They hold three core powers: granting cultivation techniques, appointing and dismissing disciples, and interpreting the lineage. They also have the power to veto major matters.

II. Elder Guanhai of Mingxuantian Pass

His Daoist name is Guanhai, and his cultivation level is at the Great Perfection of the Golden Core Realm and half-step into the Nascent Soul Realm. He serves as the Grand Guardian of the Mountain and his combat strength surpasses all other elders.

1. Guard the easternmost natural barrier, and oversee the Mingdao Temple, the Tiancha Peak defense line, and the Jueyun Plank Road killing formation.

2. Observe the stars and predict omens, foresee celestial calamities, command secret guards and scouts, guard mountains and seas, eliminate mountain demons, and resist foreign invasions.

3. In wartime, the entire mountain's defense forces can be mobilized temporarily, and the authority to control formations, military power, and supervise tribulation crossings can be exercised.

III. Elder Dan Chenzi of Hualou Danfu

His Daoist name is Dan Chenzi, and his cultivation level is late-stage Golden Core. He is a supreme master in both alchemy and artifact crafting within the inner sect. He resides at the Gathering Immortals Alchemy Platform and oversees the Yunyanzi Cave and the ancient alchemy and artifact manuals.

1. Oversee the resources of spiritual herbs, mineral veins, and secret realms; assess the grades of alchemists and artifact crafters; and allocate the supply of elixirs, magical artifacts, and talismans throughout the mountain.

2. Hold the power over resource allocation, the approval of alchemy and artifacts, and the exploitation of spiritual veins.

IV. Elder Yulan of the Nine Waters Spirit Mansion

Her Daoist name is Yulan, and she is a female cultivator at the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm. She specializes in nurturing her disciples' foundations and healing injuries.

1. In charge of the Azure Bamboo Spirit Pool, the Pure Heart Courtyard, and the Tide Sound Waterfall Spirit Spring, responsible for healing disciples' injuries, repairing their Dao foundation, and cleansing their marrow and meridians.

2. Preside over the new disciples' Qi cultivation and foundation building, nourish and regulate their health, distribute elixirs and spiritual liquids, and record the disciples' cultivation level and physical condition.

3. Possess the right to use the Spirit Pool, priority in healing, and the right to the disciple's identity.

V. Elder Xuanzhen of Taiping Town Xuanfu

His Daoist name is Xuanzhen, and his cultivation level is late-stage Golden Core. He is the Supreme Judicial Officer of the Inner Sect, possessing the greatest prestige. He is in charge of the True Martial Law Hall, the Demon-Locking Well, and the Heaven-Seeking Cave Trial Realm.

1. Formulate sect rules, adjudicate violations, enforce punishments, suppress mountain and sea demons, and guard serious criminals and prisoners.

2. Presides over trials of character and tests of inner demons, possesses independent law enforcement authority, and can directly apprehend criminals.

3. Possess the power to preside over judicial trials, the execution of punishments, and the tests of justice.

After everyone had finished digesting the information, the Xuan Yang Sect Master's voice resounded through the mountains as he reiterated the ironclad rules of power: "The Sect Leader oversees personnel affairs, Xuan Qing manages the inheritance, Guan Hai safeguards security, Dan Chen manages resources, and Yu Lan oversees cultivation."

"For forbidden areas of cultivation techniques, decisions must be made jointly by the Enlightenment Master and the Sect Leader; for formations and military affairs, decisions must be made jointly by the Sea Observer and the Sect Leader; for resource allocation, decisions must be made jointly by Dan Chen and Yu Lan; for sentencing and punishment, Elder Xuanzhen may make the decision alone, and others may not interfere."

As the jade token's spiritual light slowly dissipated, the structure, authority, rules, and future of the Laoshan inner sect became completely clear in the minds of all the newly recruited disciples.