Chapter 252 - 141: Loose Immortal, Pure Yang

Chapter 252: Chapter 141: Loose Immortal, Pure Yang

Star-picking Sect Grotto Heaven.

Hundred Feet Taoist entered the grand hall, his expression solemn.

At the head of the grand hall, Star Pointing Zhenren sat with his eyes closed, holding the Star Silk Duster and seemingly unaware of his surroundings. Only after Hundred Feet Taoist approached the foot of his seat and paid respects did the Zhenren ask faintly, "What is it?"

Hundred Feet Taoist replied, "Master, the Zhengyuan Sect delivered a congratulatory gift today, acknowledging True Form Temple’s position as one of the five major sects."

Star Pointing Zhenren’s expression remained unchanged, and he did not reply. After a few moments of silence, he asked instead, "And what of the matter I sent you to handle?"

Hundred Feet Taoist’s expression grew solemn. He replied in a low voice, "Yes. This is the secret record I procured from the Dragon Image Sect." As he spoke, he produced a jade slip from his sleeve and presented it with both hands. "It contains everything the Dragon Image Sect knows about the True Form Temple’s origins."

Only then did Star Pointing Zhenren open his eyes and nod in approval. He made no move to take the jade slip, yet he seemed to read its contents in an instant. Deep in his eyes, an imperceptible flicker of emotion stirred, and he murmured to himself, "The Tai Su Orthodox Sect?"

In that moment, numerous clues flashed through Star Pointing Zhenren’s mind, and he was already mostly convinced by the records in the jade slip.

’So he’s a Primordial Spirit True Man?’ As he recalled the boundless, brilliant light that had annihilated his Dharma body, and the Tattered Taoist who had appeared from nowhere outside the Celestial Permanence Grotto Heaven and scared him off, a shadow passed through Star Pointing Zhenren’s eyes. ’Free and unfettered, roaming the Star River?’

’No wonder Old Ghost Yang is still trying to nurture a Top-grade Golden Core, even with his calamity imminent...’

Countless thoughts raced through Star Pointing Zhenren’s mind. Finally, he closed his eyes again and said, "Hundred Feet, transmit my decree. Prepare a congratulatory gift to celebrate the True Form Temple’s ascension into the ranks of the five major sects."

Hundred Feet Taoist bowed deeply and assented in a low voice.

When Mingjing Zhenren had destroyed Star Pointing Zhenren’s Dharma body, only Xuzhuang and a few members of the Celestial Permanence Sect were present. Naturally, they were not foolish enough to spread rumors about a Grotto Heaven Zhenren, so the matter remained unknown to outsiders.

Even so, the fact that the Star-picking Sect ultimately presented a congratulatory gift meant all four sects now acknowledged the True Form Temple’s status. The news still caused a great uproar. The members of the Celestial Permanence Sect, who had already withdrawn to their own provincial lands, felt a profound bitterness—especially the high-level cultivators who knew the inside story.

But these uninteresting affairs did not capture Xuzhuang’s attention. After seeing off Zhengquan Taoist, Xuzhuang entered a brief period of focused cultivation.

From his fundamental Tai Su Taoist Technique and Daoist Swordsmanship to the Five Elements Primordial Union Art and the Five Elements Primordial Divine Light, Xuzhuang neglected nothing. He even had to send out a Dharma body to the Great Celestial Waterfall to gather and refine Celestial Purity True Sand. His cultivation schedule could only be described as intense.

Because of this, Xuzhuang did not personally receive the congratulatory gift from the Star-picking Sect, merely ordering Meng Fusheng to accept it on his behalf.

Three months later, the relocation and rebuilding of the True Form Temple were mostly complete. Under Xuzhuang’s direction, a formal ceremony was held to install the Ancestral Master Jade Statue in the grand hall.

After this, the True Form Temple finally took its first official step toward opening its doors wide in the Celestial Permanence Domain, holding a grand assembly to recruit disciples.

For a time, countless young hopefuls arrived. Some harbored dreams of cultivation, while others came with ulterior motives, all of them hoping to pass the trials and be accepted into the True Form Temple.

But for the time being, none of this concerned Xuzhuang. After the Ancestral Master Jade Statue was installed, he had finally laid down the burden of the True Form Temple and returned to his sect.

—

Within the Cloud Palace of the Profound Yellow Tai Su.

Xuzhuang was in conversation with Daochen Zhenren. As Xuzhuang recounted his experiences at the True Form Temple, Daochen Zhenren nodded with a smile and said, "The True Form Temple was a personal task I assigned to you, Junior Brother. However, the sect will not overlook the merit you’ve earned managing it after reaching the Nascent Soul realm."

"Once the sect has assessed the details of your accomplishments, you will not lack for any of the merit points and rewards you are due. The sect will also choose another suitable person to take charge in the Celestial Waterfall Realm, so you needn’t worry, Junior Brother."

Xuzhuang cupped his hands slightly at these words. "Thank you, Senior Brother Sect Leader." After a moment’s thought, he added, "There is one more thing, though I’m not sure if I should ask."

Daochen Zhenren said, "Please, speak freely, Junior Brother."

Xuzhuang nodded and asked, "As you know, Senior Brother, I obtained the Grotto Heaven technique of the Celestial Waterfall Realm this time. However, I am still considering whether to submit this technique to the Langhuan."

"Oh?" Daochen Zhenren seemed to consider this for a moment before replying, "Junior Brother, let me see this Grotto Heaven technique." He was even in the mood to joke, adding, "Of course, I would never submit it to the Langhuan first and take all the credit for myself."

"You jest, Senior Brother." Xuzhuang smiled, producing the jade slip containing the Grotto Heaven technique—a gift from Zhengquan Taoist—from his sleeve. As he handed it to Daochen Zhenren, he asked, "I heard you once had an opportunity to view a Grotto Heaven technique?"

Daochen Zhenren accepted the jade slip and shook his head. "At that time, I had not yet achieved the Primordial Spirit. It was an unorthodox, external art. Viewing it would have brought no benefit, and I feared it might instead harm my Dao Heart. It was better not to see it."

"Besides, the Dragon Image Sect wanted me to abandon my own sect to inherit the Dragon Image Grotto Heaven. How could I possibly have agreed to that?"

While they spoke, Daochen Zhenren had already scanned the Grotto Heaven technique. He shook his head and remarked in a tone that wasn’t quite praise, "Such a method... it is truly born of wild and fanciful thinking."

After a moment of contemplation, Daochen sighed. "This is an external, unorthodox path. It cannot be widely circulated. Otherwise, in the long run, I fear it will corrupt our disciples’ will to pursue the Great Dao. That would not be a good thing."

Xuzhuang frowned slightly at these words. Daochen Zhenren’s point was not without reason. Compared to the vast and ethereal Primordial Spirit Dao, the Grotto Heaven technique was practically a step-by-step process—it was far too simple.

If having access to the Grotto Heaven technique caused disciples to yearn for this easier path—neglecting the cultivation of their character, no longer striving for a Top-grade Golden Core, and losing their firm resolve in the Primordial Spirit Dao—then for the sect, it would bring more harm than good.