The Blood Oath and the Diancai Immortal

The Primal Daoist Bihai sat high upon the master's seat, looking down upon the hall. At his sides stood a host of Primal Daoists, while below in the great hall were a group of Wanxiang Adepts and Zifu Disciples.

The disciples of the 'Black-White College' were primarily divided into three generations. Zifu Disciples and Wanxiang Adepts were considered the same generation, addressing each other as 'junior apprentice-brother' or 'senior apprentice-brother.' This was because, for any true disciple, reaching the Wanxiang Adept stage was a relatively easy matter.

Primal Daoists were a generation higher.

Immortals were the highest generation.

When disciples like Ji Ning saw Immortals, they generally addressed them as 'Grandmaster.' When they saw Primal Daoists, they addressed them as 'Uncle-Master' or something similar. Of course, if one managed to formally take an Immortal as one's master, then that specific Immortal was addressed as 'Master.' Other Immortals were still addressed as 'Grandmaster.'

Amongst cultivators, seniority in address was often determined by strength and social rapport; it was handled on a case-by-case basis.

"Everyone," Primal Daoist Bihai's voice echoed throughout the grand hall from his high seat. "Our Black-White College has two new disciples. On the left, dressed in animal pelts and somewhat small in stature, is Ji Ning."

Ji Ning was speechless.

Small in stature? That was true enough, but referring to himself as a 'youth' didn't quite fit either.

"On the right, dressed in a white robe and even smaller in stature, is Mu Northson," Primal Daoist Bihai continued.

"Even smaller?" Mu Northson blinked as well.

The hundred-plus disciples in the hall all began to chuckle, and even the Primal Daoists smiled. It was clear they were all familiar with the personality of their College Lord, 'Primal Daoist Bihai.'

Primal Daoist Bihai looked at Ji Ning and Mu Northson with a smile. "The disciples gathered here in this hall today represent only a portion of our Black-White College. Many are either in seclusion or traveling abroad. You will meet them all in time. Starting now, you are both members of the Black-White College. You must be united as fellow disciples. Mutual slaughter is absolutely forbidden."

"Yes," Ji Ning and Mu Northson acknowledged.

"Very well. Let us begin the Blood Oath of Initiation," Primal Daoist Bihai said.

Ji Ning and Mu Northson glanced at each other.

They immediately extended a finger of their right hand, allowing a single drop of fresh blood to seep out from the fingertip.

"With my heart's blood as witness, and the Heavenly Dao as my judge, I, Ji Ning (Mu Northson), willingly enter the Black-White College. As a disciple of the Black-White College, I shall obey its rules…" An ancient and mysterious aura filled the entire hall. No one spoke; only the voices of Ji Ning and Mu Northson echoed throughout the hall.

A Heavenly Dao Blood Oath!

This was an oath that could never be broken. It was the primary reason why incidents of 'betraying one's sect' were so rare throughout the entire Grand Xia Dynasty. If a disciple betrayed his sect, before the sect could even mete out punishment, the judgment of the Heavenly Dao itself would be enough to bring about the traitor's death. Of course, if the sect was in the wrong first, or if the disciple was expelled first, then the fault did not lie with the disciple.

Every single disciple was willing to take the 'Heavenly Dao Oath,' which was testament to its fairness…

After the Heavenly Dao Blood Oath was completed, Primal Daoist Bihai nodded in satisfaction. "Good. You are now formally initiated. Since you have joined, you must choose Daoist titles. Both of you, think about what titles you would like."

Ji Ning and Mu Northson both began to ponder.

Daoist titles…

Primal Daoist Bihai's Daoist title was 'Bihai.' The Fire Dragon Immortal's Daoist title was 'Fire Dragon.'

"Those who do not wish for a Daoist title may simply use their own given name," Primal Daoist Bihai said with a laugh. "Many disciples are used to their own names and aren't accustomed to a Daoist title. Using one's actual name is quite common."

"My Daoist title will be 'Twinwood,'" Mu Northson suddenly spoke up.

"Twinwood?" Primal Daoist Bihai nodded slightly, then looked towards Ji Ning on the other side. "Ji Ning, what about you?"

Ji Ning spoke slowly. "My Daoist title shall be 'Darknorth.'"

"Very well," Primal Daoist Bihai nodded. "Your Daoist titles are set. The senior masters of our Black-White College will discuss the matter, and some will choose to take you as their disciples. If you are unwilling, you may also speak up."

"Yes," Ji Ning and Mu Northson acknowledged.

Unwilling?

No way. Unless there was some old grudge, generally speaking, if a senior master made the offer, a disciple would never refuse.

"Mu Northson." Suddenly, from amidst the group of Primal Daoists at Primal Daoist Bihai's side, a white-haired, child-faced old woman spoke, looking at Mu Northson with an affectionate gaze. "I have heard that your path lies in the art of puppet-making. I, 'Qionghua,' have some experience in the art of puppets. Would you be willing to take me as your master?"

Ji Ning's heart stirred.

Qionghua?

In the intelligence booklet compiled by Beishan Baiwei, Primal Daoist Qionghua was noted as the highest authority on the art of puppets within the Black-White College.

"Disciple is willing." Mu Northson knelt down respectfully. "Your disciple pays respects to his master."

"Good." Primal Daoist Qionghua nodded with a smile.

Ji Ning, meanwhile, looked up at the assembled Primal Daoists. Who would be his master? Which one?

Yet Primal Daoist Bihai and the group of Primal Daoists all remained silent.

"Strange. Why isn't anyone taking Junior Apprentice-Brother Ji Ning as a disciple?"

"Right. None of the uncles and aunts are speaking up."

The other disciples began whispering amongst themselves.

Suddenly, Primal Daoist Bihai looked towards the entrance of the hall. A figure had already appeared in the doorway. A black-robed man with black hair walked in, his gaze sharp and commanding. The moment he strode into the hall, it was as if the entire room was plunged into darkness. Only then did the other disciples turn to look at the newcomer.

"Greetings, Grandmaster." Many of the disciples immediately spoke, while others looked bewildered, clearly not recognizing him. But they all promptly offered respectful salutes. Ji Ning and Mu Northson followed the crowd and bowed respectfully as well.

"Greetings, Uncle-Master." The Primal Daoists above also all called out in unison.

"Uncle-Master." Primal Daoist Bihai also rose.

The figure of the black-robed, black-haired man instantly became the absolute center of the entire hall, as if Heaven and Earth itself revolved around him.

"Ji Ning." The black-robed, black-haired man looked at Ji Ning. "Would you be willing to become my number one disciple?"

Ji Ning was startled.

With these words, Ji Ning immediately realized who this person was. In Beishan Baiwei's intelligence booklet, the introduction regarding the Immortals was very sparse, only a few lines. Information about Immortals was highly classified, after all, and what Beishan Baiwei had given Ji Ning was not particularly secretive. Among them, there was a brief introduction to the 'Diancai Immortal.'

The Diancai Immortal: An Earth Immortal of the Black-White College. Extremely skilled with the sword. Has no disciples under his tutelage.

Among the living Immortals of the Black-White College, the Diancai Immortal was the only one who had never taken a disciple. Upon hearing the phrase 'number one disciple,' Ji Ning knew exactly who this was.

If not now, when?

"Your disciple is willing." Ji Ning knelt directly, kowtowing respectfully. "Your disciple Ji Ning pays respects to his master."

"Good. Follow me." The Diancai Immortal's stern face cracked into a faint smile. He nodded and instructed before walking directly out of the hall.

Ji Ning immediately followed.

All the other disciples stared in astonishment. An Immortal personally taking a disciple? That was quite rare. Among the disciples of their generation, those who were taken as disciples by an Immortal upon joining were among the most monstrous talents. Those few were all labeled as 'reincarnated Immortals,' the stuff of legends.

Clouds shrouded the Diancai Immortal and Ji Ning, rapidly flying towards a manor.

They entered the manor and proceeded to a hall.

The Diancai Immortal sat directly upon a jade bed, while Ji Ning naturally stood respectfully to one side. It was clear that the Diancai Immortal was ordinarily a very stern person.

"In my life, the one I have admired most is the senior, Immortal Beixing," the Diancai Immortal said. "I once vowed that I would never take a disciple unless they had inherited Senior Beixing's Sword-Intent. Not only have you inherited the Sword-Intent, but you have also inherited the complete 'Three-Foot Sword.' Even I am completely ignorant of the final three stances."

Ji Ning listened respectfully.

Even the College Lord knew; it wasn't surprising that his master did.

"Only Bihai and a few of us Immortals know that you possess the complete 'Three-Foot Sword' inheritance," the Diancai Immortal said. "You must not reveal this yourself."

"Your disciple understands," Ji Ning said respectfully.

"As you also know, within our Black-White College, to learn the top-tier techniques and supreme divine abilities, one must exchange them for Black-White Stones." The Diancai Immortal looked at Ji Ning.

Ji Ning nodded.

The 'Black-White' booklet had recorded all of this.

To obtain the divine ability 'Heavenly Transformation,' one needed a certain number of Black-White Stones. To acquire a specific spell, one also needed Black-White Stones. Even to exchange for techniques for one's own spirit beasts, Black-White Stones were required!

Black-White Stones were the sect's rewards.

For example, raising one's comprehension to the 'Domain of the Dao' level resulted in a reward of Black-White Stones.

Reaching the Wanxiang Adept stage in strength also resulted in a reward of Black-White Stones.

Becoming a Primal Daoist also came with a reward of Black-White Stones.

Joining the Yinglong Guard was also rewarded with Black-White Stones.

… In short, the better one's performance, the more Black-White Stones the sect bestowed. Naturally, one could then learn deeper techniques within the sect.

"Has your soul reached the 'Divine Sense' level?" the Diancai Immortal asked.

Ji Ning was secretly startled. He had never revealed this.

"Able to withstand the complete inheritance of the Three-Foot Sword places an enormous burden on the soul. In past generations, almost all who obtained the complete 'Three-Foot Sword' were reincarnated Immortals whose souls had reached the 'Divine Sense' level," the Diancai Immortal explained.

Ji Ning said respectfully, "Your disciple's soul has indeed reached the Divine Sense level, but as for being a reincarnated Immortal… it seems I am not."

"You drank the Granny Meng's Soup; naturally, you would not remember your past life's memories." The Diancai Immortal shook his head. "But since your soul is this powerful, even if you aren't a reincarnated Immortal, you have encountered some great fortune."

The Diancai Immortal hesitated for a moment.

"As a new disciple, you are entitled to a basic grant of one thousand Black-White Stones."

"Your achievement of the 'Domain of the Dao' earns you a reward of one thousand Black-White Stones."

"Your soul reaching the 'Divine Sense' level earns you a reward of two thousand Black-White Stones."

"Your master may also gift you two thousand Black-White Stones. Therefore, you will have a total of six thousand Black-White Stones."

The Diancai Immortal then spoke solemnly. "Since you have inherited the 'Three-Foot Sword,' you will inevitably use it in the future. Therefore, you must go to the Canon Archive and exchange for the 'Three-Foot Sword, Upper Volume.' The 'Three-Foot Sword' is the foundational sword-art of our Black-White College. The Upper Volume alone requires a full two thousand Black-White Stones."

Ji Ning was speechless.

He had already obtained the complete Three-Foot Sword inheritance, but to conceal this fact, he still had to go exchange for the 'Upper Volume.' Two thousand Black-White Stones! So that was the real reason his master had gifted him two thousand stones.

"For your personal Ki Refining technique, remember that you must choose an 'Immortal-ranked Ki Refining Technique,'" the Diancai Immortal said. "As for other divine abilities, sword techniques, and such… you may decide for yourself."

"Go now."

"Go directly to the Canon Archive. Claim your Black-White Stones and your Primordial Liquid. Then, choose your training methods, spells, and divine abilities there," the Diancai Immortal instructed. "If you have trouble comprehending something, you may come and ask me."

"Yes." Ji Ning bowed respectfully.

He then withdrew and made his way to the Canon Archive.