Chapter 131: Selection Complete! The Azure Sound Sword Immortal Has Something to Say

Cao Xuan curled his lip. Though the words spoken by the representatives sounded pleasant, the urgency they had displayed earlier had clearly dissipated.

When Ancestor Qingmu had first asked Cao Xuan to make his choice, all six Sacred Lands had acted as if they were scrambling to claim him. Later, when Cao Xuan asked if he should complete his breakthrough in the Qingyun Cloud Cave before departing, the Jade Maiden Sect remained silent, and aside from the Ziyang Sword Sect and the Xuanhua Daoist Sect, the other three Sacred Lands did not even bother to respond.

Of course, Cao Xuan was certain that even if he chose any one of them right now, they would still accept him. However, the treatment he would receive would ultimately depend on whether he could reach the Golden Core stage before the age of thirty.

What Cao Xuan did not realize was that Sword Immortal Qingyin did not share the same reservations as the other five Sacred Lands. As long as he had grasped sword intent, she would bring him back; his sword spirit root was the bedrock of his potential. Her distant expression was merely a reflection of her concern that Cao Xuan might need to elevate his cultivation realm further to refine his spiritual aptitude.

Observing the situation, Ancestor Qingmu waved his hand, preparing to bring the apprentice-selection process to a close. After all, when the champions of the Qingyun Dharma Assembly came to see him, it was merely to determine their suitability for apprenticeship. Aside from material resources that required a token to collect from the Treasure Pavilion, other benefits—such as the status of a Qingyun Sect disciple and entry into the Qingyun Cloud Cave—were already bound to his identity token.

He saw that the six Sacred Lands were hesitant and decided not to force Cao Xuan’s hand. The Qingyun Cloud Cave was not omnipotent; while a Foundation Establishment peak cultivator was only a step away from the Golden Core stage, there were many who had been stuck at that threshold for decades. If Cao Xuan failed to reach the Golden Core stage, the Sacred Lands, despite their internal regrets, might only offer him mediocre treatment to save face. It was better, therefore, to wait until he emerged from the cloud cave. If he still hadn't broken through, he could decide then which of the six Sacred Lands might still be willing to accept him.

Furthermore, Ancestor Qingmu thought that if no one else wanted him, he might as well take Cao Xuan under his own wing. Having grasped sword intent, Cao Xuan was destined to reach the Spirit Severing stage; it was only a matter of time. Perhaps, in the future, Cao Xuan would be the one to succeed him as the pillar of the Qingyun Sect.

"In that case, Cao Xuan, you..." Ancestor Qingmu began, preparing to let Cao Xuan go and prepare, but Cao Xuan spoke up directly:

"There is no need. I choose the Xuanhua Daoist Sect!"

"Hmm?"

Qing Xuzi’s eyes lit up. Although he had hesitated earlier, he had not expected Cao Xuan to choose him directly. On the other side, Sword Immortal Qingyin grew anxious.

"Cao Xuan, have you misunderstood? Our Ziyang Sword Sect is offering you the status of a personal disciple, while the Xuanhua Daoist Sect is only offering you the status of an inner sect disciple."

She did not know that Cao Xuan had carefully considered his options and decided that he must join one of the three orthodox Sacred Lands. The Xuanhua Daoist Sect was, after all, the undisputed leader, possessing the greatest strength. Additionally, while everyone assumed Cao Xuan was a sword cultivator, he did not actually care about the path of cultivation; he cared only about attaining the Tao and immortality. In his view, the Ziyang Sword Sect, with its narrow focus, might not suit him. As for the difference in resources between a personal and an inner sect disciple, Cao Xuan believed his "Sycophant System" would easily bridge that gap. Besides, the Xuanhua Daoist Sect was home to the junior grandmaster Xian Xiangqiu, who held the highest multiplier for him—a promising prospect indeed.

Sword Immortal Qingyin pondered deeply. Seeing the confidence on Cao Xuan’s face, she suddenly understood. Yes, to a genius of the sword, what difference did it make whether he started as a personal or inner sect disciple? Once one reached a certain level of cultivation, what was meant to be his would be his. Even with the best promises, if one failed to reach the corresponding realm, those privileges would eventually be stripped away.

"Compared to that, perhaps Cao Xuan views the status of a personal disciple as a burden!" As a Void Refinement cultivator, even if she were single-minded in her devotion to the sword, her intellect was far swifter than that of a mortal. She quickly grasped the crux of the matter. "The Xuanhua Daoist Sect has Cao Xuan’s grandmaster; as Qing Xuzi said, he has someone to guide him from above. If I do not offer something substantial, like access to the Sword Cleansing Pool, I may not be able to compete with the Xuanhua Daoist Sect!"

Sword Immortal Qingyin lowered her head, her expression one of conflict.

On the other side, Qing Xuzi’s heart was also in turmoil. He looked at Cao Xuan, then at the other uninterested elders of the Sacred Lands, and suddenly felt a flicker of goodwill toward the boy. "Intentional or not, this lad has at least resolved his own crisis."

In Qing Xuzi’s view, the difference between joining now and joining after reaching the Golden Core stage was immense. If he joined now, the six Sacred Lands might soon forget this matter and stop paying him much attention, as even after his breakthrough, he would merely be a Golden Core sword cultivator. But if he waited until he had already reached the Golden Core stage to choose, everyone would realize that he was a sword cultivator who had achieved that realm in under thirty years—a true prodigy with a limitless future. Whichever sect he joined, the others would watch him with suspicion, perhaps even resorting to foul play. Strangling an enemy in the cradle was no joke, and the friction between the Sacred Lands would only intensify.

That said, there was a tacit understanding among the Sacred Lands. Since Cao Xuan had chosen to join the Xuanhua Daoist Sect now, the others would weigh the costs—was it worth risking conflict with a Sacred Land over a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator?

Qing Xuzi smiled—a rare occurrence—and stepped forward to pat Cao Xuan on the shoulder, handing him a token. "This is our Xuanhua Daoist Sect inner sect disciple token. Normally, one would need to reach the Nascent Soul stage to obtain it, but you may keep it in advance!"

"As I said before, focus on your breakthrough. Even if you do not reach the Golden Core stage within the Qingyun Cloud Cave, it does not matter. Our Xuanhua Daoist Sect has many secret realms that can assist you in your breakthrough!"

"Afterward, if you have any questions, you can seek guidance from your senior sister, Xian Xiangqiu. After all, you are fellow sect members!"

In the Qingyun Sect, Cao Xuan and Xian Xiangqiu shared a grandmaster-grandson lineage, but in the Xuanhua Daoist Sect, everything started from zero. In truth, according to the rules, Xian Xiangqiu was still a generation above Cao Xuan. Qing Xuzi only said this to heighten Cao Xuan’s anticipation; after all, how many disciples of the Sacred Lands had been captivated by that fairy? Having the chance to become fellow students—was that not a goal worth striving for? Although their current statuses were worlds apart, if Cao Xuan worked hard and improved his cultivation, he might one day truly have the chance to call her "Senior Sister."

As Qing Xuzi had said, within a Sacred Land, as long as one had the talent, one could soar to the heavens. Cao Xuan hurriedly accepted the token. Having spent his past life dealing with superiors, he bowed respectfully: "Many thanks, Elder, for the token. This junior will certainly cultivate diligently..."

Before he could finish his sentence, a crisp voice interrupted him.

"Wait!"

It was Sword Immortal Qingyin. Qing Xuzi’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"What is it? Does Sword Immortal Qingyin have something more to say?"