Transmigrating over ten thousand years late, I was forced to become a mighty presence

The speaker was none other than Saintess Qing Yu of the Little Clarity Void Grotto Heavens.

Even at this moment, Saintess Qing Yu’s gaze was still filled with disbelief.

"I was merely fortunate enough to capture the gentleman’s compassion," she said.

Ji Zhaoyang shook his head with a sigh, "My talents are dull; they would not have caught the gentleman’s eye. Even holding the ’Root of Heaven and Earth,’ I would have been granted only an opportunity to pay my respects.

However, upon seeing me, he declared that he saw in me a Major Path that did not belong to this world. Thus, he took me as his disciple, hoping that I could forge a path starkly different from that of the Luotian Realm."

As these words were spoken, a glint flashed in the eyes of all the Tao Test participants present. One by one, they realized the reason Ji Zhaoyang was able to become a disciple of the Taoist.

"That’s it, the Taoist must have seen through Ji Zhaoyang’s identity as an outsider, which is why he took him as his disciple!"

"I knew it! Although the ’Root of Heaven and Earth’ is precious, it could not possibly exchange for the status of Taoism’s Great Disciple."

"So that means, if I can meet the Taoist ahead of time, then the position of Taoism’s Great Disciple would be mine?"

With a few sentences, Ji Zhaoyang dispelled their confusion.

No one believed that the Taoist, a figure of such stature, could be bought by a mere ’Root of Heaven and Earth’ for the status of Taoism’s Great Disciple.

The scholars from the Hundred Schools held their status aloft; mere ’Roots of Heaven and Earth’ did not catch their attention.

The reason Ji Zhaoyang became the Great Disciple of Taoism was his identity as an outsider, discerned by the Taoist, not some worldly Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures.

Admiration, regret, wistfulness... various emotions appeared on their faces.

Most of the powers present came from ancient traditions from the heavens, many having participated in multiple All-Worlds Luotian Conventions.

These ancient traditions also preserved through special means some clues regarding top-tier Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures.

If they had the courage of Ji Zhaoyang to go for broke, obtaining those top-tier treasures ahead of time to use as a stepping stone to meet the Taoist, they could have taken Ji Zhaoyang’s place.

Clearly, in reality, there are not so many "ifs," and they missed the greatest opportunity of this Luotian Convention.

Ji Zhaoyang saw the changes in everyone’s expressions, and with a smile that held deeper meaning, he said,

"The master has returned to Linzi for the grand ceremony of discussing the Tao, wishing to use this grand occasion to revitalize Taoism.

Although I have already become his disciple, reviving Taoism requires more than just one or two disciples. All of you are outsiders testing the Tao; if you could meet him, there might still be an opportunity."

At this point, Ji Zhaoyang paused in his speech and, accompanied by a Return-to-Void Great True Being and a Spirit Refining True Being from his following, walked towards the distance.

These words sent a shock through the many Tao Test participants. @@novelbin@@

"There’s still a chance?"

"We too, can join the Taoist school?"

The intent in Ji Zhaoyang’s words could not have been more obvious, practically bluntly telling the Tao Test participants that others could use his method to become disciples of the Taoist.

This instantly set many of the participants’ minds racing, eager to give it a try.

Just then, Ji Xuanyi stepped forward and spoke out sharply,

"If such a good opportunity truly exists, why would he deliberately mention it?

Ji Zhaoyang must be harboring ulterior motives; I urge everyone not to fall for his ruse!"

Ji Xuanyi’s words caused many to shed some of their greed, their expressions turning hesitant.

Ji Zhaoyang’s departing steps halted.

He turned his head to look at Ji Xuanyi, his expression bearing an unabashedly mocking look.

"For Taoism to flourish, it must have a sufficient number of disciples and followers. Since I cannot prevent this, why shouldn’t I act opportunistically and say it upfront?

Moreover, as the Taoism’s Great Disciple, even if you could enter our Taoist sect, you couldn’t possibly threaten my position.

On the contrary, the more you can join our Taoist sect, the more secure my position as Great Disciple becomes."

"If you can’t even comprehend this causality, Crown Prince, have you been dedicating your brain solely to engaging in intrigues and plots?"

The many Tao Test participants’ expressions softened somewhat; Ji Zhaoyang’s words were logical and free of fault.

Looking at Ji Xuanyi’s attitude, it’s as if he was judging a nobleman by the standards of a petty man.

At this moment, Ji Xuanyi’s complexion was an iron blue. Just several hours earlier, he, who held an absolute advantage, had become the weaker party after Ji Zhaoyang became Taoism’s Great Disciple.

Ji Zhaoyang looked at Ji Xuanyi and lifted the Gentleman’s Sword at his waist.

"Crown Prince, your people set up an ambush to kill me, I remember everything very clearly."

"Only now that I have just become Taoism’s Great Disciple, it would seem somewhat like bullying others with the power of Taoism and could affect Taoism’s reputation if I immediately request Jixia Academy to thoroughly investigate this matter, so for now, I am letting it go."

"However, a gentleman can take revenge even after ten years, and although I shall not wait ten years, before the All-Worlds Luotian Convention ends, I will use all my power to settle the score with the Crown Prince properly."

The Gentleman’s Sword emitted a long sword wail, and the unstoppable invisible Sword Intent slashed towards Ji Xuanyi, as if it intended to kill him right there.

Ji Xuanyi’s pupils contracted sharply, and he activated a dragon-shaped jade pendant at his waist. The Protective Golden Light Spell enveloped his entire body, attempting to resist the sword attack.

But as the Sword Intent fell, the blow that seemed ready to kill him turned into a gentle breeze, leaving not even the slightest injury.

"I hope the Crown Prince doesn’t give me another handle to use against him."

Looking again at Ji Zhaoyang, the Great Yin 3rd Prince, Taoism’s Great Disciple was already leading his people away, leaving only Ji Xuanyi with a gloomy expression like still water.

By his side, Zhao Yuan approached and asked in a low voice, "What should we do, Crown Prince?"

Ji Xuanyi’s voice was ice-cold, "This Third Imperial Brother is known for settling scores. His words of reprisal are not to be taken lightly."

"He has become Taoism’s Great Disciple, and we no longer have a chance to act against him, we must come up with a solution before he makes a move."

"You mean?"

Ji Xuanyi glanced at the courtyard before him and then, with a sneer of mockery, he looked towards the departing figure of Ji Zhaoyang.

"He says he’s sparing me for now, but doesn’t he also want to build up his strength before taking action against me?

Even though you hold the advantage, you’ve overlooked one thing.

If I were to also join the Taoist ranks, even as Taoism’s Great Disciple, you wouldn’t be able to lay a hand on a fellow Taoist Brother."

"Clues to top-tier Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures? You, as the Great Yin 3rd Prince, have them, but I, being the Great Yin Crown Prince, know far more."

Ji Xuanyi, with an indifferent expression, took his leave quickly with Marquis of Xinyang Zhao Yuan.

Outside the courtyard gates, various forces looked at each other, no doubt greatly stirred by Ji Zhaoyang’s words before he left, and a buzz of discussion started.

"To have a chance to join Taoism with a piece of top-tier Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, Brother He, don’t you want to give it a try?"

"Ji Zhaoyang has already gotten the biggest benefit; by joining Taoism now, we would only be following behind him, picking up scraps."

"Exactly! Ji Zhaoyang mentioned this to tempt us to join Taoism, and then be at the mercy of Taoism’s Great Disciple. We must not fall for his trap!"

"How precious are top-tier Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures? Even if I had such a treasure, I wouldn’t waste it on the mere position of a Taoism disciple."

"I will never fall into Ji Zhaoyang’s trap."

"Since the opportunity has been lost, I will return to the inn to continue my cultivation."

"I will also go to Jixia Academy to probe. With this, I take my leave."

The Tao Test participants from various forces exchanged words with each other and gradually dispersed from the courtyard gates, blending into the grand Linzi City.

A quarter of an hour later, outside the huge gates of Linzi City, many Tao Test participants who had just left the courtyard reconvened at the city gate.

Their gazes met, and the awkwardness in their eyes turned into competitive hostility.

...

Inside the courtyard, Shen Yuan, who had been watching everything silently, leaned back in his chair.

The bait had been cast, but Shen Yuan, uninterested in the squabbles amongst the fish, focused his attention on the Root of Heaven and Earth in his hands that was revealing anomalies. Find exclusive stories on NovelBin.Côm

This unique spiritual root connected heaven and earth, and its unending power flowed from the cosmos to create this top-tier Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasure.

As Shen Yuan gazed at the Root of Heaven and Earth, the Status Grid of the Taoist seemed to stir faintly, and the Major Path true intent transformed into a few true words that appeared before Shen Yuan’s eyes.

"The Valley Spirit never dies; it is called the Procreative Nature Gate. The gateway of the Procreative Nature, it is named the Root of Heaven and Earth. Endlessly issuing forth, it acts without effort."