The Master’s Reality Check

Within the main hall, there was no one else except a black-robed, black-haired man—the Diancai Immortal—who sat cross-legged on his jade bed.

As soon as Ji Ning stepped into the hall, he bowed respectfully. “Master.”

The Diancai Immortal nodded slightly, a trace of a smile in his eyes as he looked at Ning. “Ji Ning, I hear that yesterday you successively defeated two of your senior fellow-disciples?”

“Yes,” Ning replied. “But I suspect my senior brothers and sisters won’t let the matter rest so easily. They will likely challenge me again today, which is why I came to you, Master—I hope you can give me some guidance.”

“Mm. You are still grounded. You haven’t grown arrogant just because you defeated two Zifu disciples.”

The Diancai Immortal nodded. “All those who enter the Black-White College as formal disciples are peerless geniuses. The third-generation disciples are primarily divided into Zifu Disciples and Wanxiang Adepts.”

Ji Ning listened attentively.

“The Black-White College has over a hundred Zifu Disciple disciples and over two hundred Wanxiang Adept disciples. Why is that?” The Diancai Immortal said, “None of these disciples are at a low realm. If they wished to break through to the Wanxiang Adept level, they likely all could. The reason over a hundred remain as Zifu Disciples is twofold. First, they need to solidify their foundations and lay the groundwork for becoming Celestial Immortals. Second, they hope to reach a higher level of insight, which will give them a better chance of surviving the Three Calamities and Nine Tribulations.”

Ji Ning nodded.

The Three Calamities and Nine Tribulations… as a cultivator, Ning was of course aware of them. The power of these tribulations depended on various factors: first, time—the longer one waited, the greater the power; second, karmic merit and sin—heavy sin meant greater tribulation; third, one’s level of strength—over the same cultivation period, the tribulations of a Primal Daoist would be far more severe than those of a Wanxiang Adept…

Of course, there were many other factors as well. The power of the Three Calamities and Nine Tribulations was unpredictable; they were like a headsman’s axe hanging over every cultivator.

There was one common principle, however: the higher one’s level of insight, the more powerful one’s soul, and the more resolute one’s Dao-heart, the greater the chance of surviving the tribulations.

“Because of the Three Calamities and Nine Tribulations, and the need to forge a Celestial Immortal foundation, no one is in a hurry to break through,” the Diancai Immortal said. “Generally, newly admitted disciples will remain at the Zifu level for about ten years. Those with slightly inferior comprehension might stay for fifty or sixty years. Those with exceptionally high talent might break through after only a year or half a year.”

“Thus, Wanxiang Adept disciples are the true elite among the third-generation disciples.” The Diancai Immortal looked at Ning.

Ning nodded. He understood.

“The Wanxiang Adepts of the Black-White College are not like those of other sects. They are geniuses among Wanxiang Adepts!” said the Diancai Immortal. “Other sects might occasionally produce one or two Wanxiang Adepts who have reached the ‘Domain of the Dao’. But in the Black-White College, virtually every Wanxiang Adept disciple has reached the Domain of the Dao.”

Ji Ning was startled inwardly.

“There are even more formidable ones—those who have delved extremely deeply into one Dao, and even gained many insights into other Daos, reaching the Domain of the Dao in multiple Daos. This is the ‘Multiple Domain of the Dao’.”

“And then there are the heaven-defying ones—those who, while still at the Wanxiang level, have comprehended a complete ‘Dao’.”

Ji Ning’s expression changed.

A complete ‘Dao’?

“In other sects, generally only Celestial Immortals comprehend a complete ‘Dao’,” the Diancai Immortal said. “In the Black-White College, every Primal Daoist has comprehended a complete Dao. Even among our Wanxiang Adept disciples, the most heaven-defying and monstrous few have also comprehended a complete Dao. But Ji Ning, you need not feel ashamed. Among those geniuses who comprehended a complete Dao, two are reincarnated Immortals, and the other three have cultivated for over two hundred years. They could break through to Primal Daoist at any time.”

“As you spend more time in the Black-White College, you will come to know one of its unspoken rules: only those who have comprehended a complete ‘Dao’ will break through to become Primal Daoists.” The Diancai Immortal looked at Ning.

Ning understood completely.

The Wanxiang Adept disciples were indeed the elite. He himself, once his Zifu lake expanded and reached its limit, would likely break through to Wanxiang Adept without hesitation. Thus, those who remained at the Zifu level were, relatively speaking, the lower-middle tier among the peerless geniuses.

“Wanxiang disciples can be divided into three tiers,” the Diancai Immortal said. “The first tier: those who have only reached the Domain of the Dao.”

“The second tier: those with Multiple Domains of the Dao.”

“The third tier: those who have comprehended a complete ‘Dao’.”

The Diancai Immortal looked at Ning. “Don’t worry. Your senior fellow-disciples won’t act rashly. First, the strongest among the Zifu disciples will make a move. If even he cannot defeat you, then it will be the turn of the Wanxiang Adept disciples. But no matter what, the very top ones—those who have comprehended a complete Dao—won’t intervene. That would be bullying the weak.”

Ji Ning nodded.

“Master, how many reincarnated Immortals are there among the Wanxiang Adepts?” Ning asked curiously.

The Diancai Immortal smiled. “You disciples are always curious about reincarnated Immortals. In fact, you yourself might be one. Among the Wanxiang Adept disciples, three have been confirmed as reincarnated Immortals. Two of them have cultivated for eighty years and have comprehended a complete Dao. The third has cultivated for twenty years.”

“Now that you’ve heard all this, you should understand,” the Diancai Immortal said with a sigh. “You have only defeated two of the Zifu disciples—not even the strongest among them. Let alone the many Wanxiang Adept senior brothers and sisters.”

“This disciple understands,” Ning replied.

“Good. Show me your sword arts now,” the Diancai Immortal said. “Go ahead. You won’t damage this hall.”

“Yes.” Ning no longer hesitated. He immediately displayed his current strongest sword technique—the Three Talents Lotus Sword.

Ning held the Northsea Swords and thrust out.

The sword light split into three colors, blooming lotus flowers one after another, exceedingly beautiful. Yet within that beauty, a strand of sword-light harbored terrifying power.

“Three Talents Lotus Sword?” The Diancai Immortal laughed. “The Lesser Five Elements Sword Record—I too have studied it. The version you just executed has perhaps gained one part of its true essence.”

“One part?” Ning blinked. “Only one part?”

The Diancai Immortal shook his head. “What did you expect? The Three Talents Lotus Sword focuses on ‘Three Talents’, which requires balance! In your comprehension of the three Daos, you are clearly stronger in the Dao of Rainwater, while the other two Daos are much weaker.”

Ning was speechless.

“You have only comprehended a single Rainwater Sword Domain. Once you comprehend the other two Domains of the Dao, then the Three Talents Lotus Sword you execute will be the real one,” the Diancai Immortal said.

Ning nodded in acknowledgment. Indeed, the Three Talents Lotus Sword required balance among the three. His own insights into the Dao were completely unbalanced.

“Your insights into the Dao of Rainwater are stronger,” the Diancai Immortal said. “That being the case, I will help you revise the Three Talents Lotus Sword into a ‘New Three Talents Lotus Sword’.”

He then waved his sword-finger.

Swoosh!

A sword-light appeared in the air, and wherever it passed, lotus flowers manifested. However, in these lotuses, the green color was clearly more prominent, while the other two colors served as mere support.

…

After more than two shichen, the Diancai Immortal’s guidance finally came to an end.

“I have fully dissected and explained to you the mysteries of the New Three Talents Lotus Sword and the first stance of the ‘Three-Foot Sword’,” the Diancai Immortal said. “With your current level of insight, focus all your efforts on studying these two sword techniques. When you can successfully execute both, come find me.”

“Yes.” Ji Ning bowed in gratitude.

Truly, listening to a teacher’s guidance for an hour was worth more than a year of self-study.

He already had a vague understanding of the New Three Talents Lotus Sword. He would likely be able to execute it soon. As for executing an original Three Talents Lotus Sword with true power, he would first need to comprehend three Domains of the Dao. The combination of the three would unleash the technique’s maximum might. What he had now was merely a superficial understanding.

As for the first stance of the Three-Foot Sword… that was far too profound. The Three-Foot Sword focused more on the cultivation of the heart; the sword was also a means of cultivating the heart.

“Whoosh!”

Ning quickly boarded his boat-like magic treasure and departed from his master’s residence.

The Golden Crow hung high in the sky. On the Dao Debate Peak, the Dao Debate Hall was exceptionally lively today. Streams of light flew in from all directions—some on flying swords, some on boats, some on chains, gourds, red cloths, plantain leaves, and all sorts of peculiar magic treasures—successively entering the hall.

“Senior apprentice-brother Icezen, weren’t you out on assignment?”

“I happened to be near the Yinglong Guard post and heard that our newly enrolled junior apprentice-brother Ji Ning had just defeated two Zifu disciple junior apprentices. I was curious, so I came to take a look.”

“Many senior brothers and sisters have come today. The Black-White College hasn’t been this lively in a long time.”

The two figures chatted as they flew into the Dao Debate Hall.

At the center of the hall was the combat area, while along the spacious edges many chairs were arranged. Disciples of higher status within the sect took seats directly. Some Zifu Disciple disciples stood off to the side and chatted, not rushing to sit. After all, who knew how many senior fellow-disciples would show up today?

“Senior apprentice-brother Beishan Xuantang has come too.”

“Senior apprentice-brother Juhua is also here.”

With the appearance of each notable and highly-ranked Wanxiang Adept disciple—leaders among them—the eyes of the later-admitted junior fellow-disciples grew hot. Having entered later, they had naturally experienced fewer adventures and dangers in the outside world. Those senior brothers who had been in the sect for over a hundred years had many astonishing deeds circulating about them. The Wanxiang Adept disciples of the Black-White College often had records of fighting above their level against Primal Daoists.

“It’s Senior apprentice-brother Flamesaint.”

“Senior apprentice-brother Flamesaint!”

“Senior apprentice-brother Flamesaint has actually come!”

All the disciples already present in the Dao Debate Hall—both Zifu Disciple and Wanxiang Adept—turned to look. A bald, handsome youth in a fiery red robe stepped in barefoot. On his brow was a ‘卍’ divine rune. Wherever he walked, it was as if a sea of fire had descended; the temperature around him instantly rose.

Flamesaint!

He was an absolute leader among the third-generation disciples of the Black-White College. Although not a reincarnated Immortal, he had still comprehended a complete ‘Dao’ and could become a Primal Daoist of the college at any moment.

“Senior apprentice-brother Flamesaint.” Beishan Xuantang immediately drew close.

“Xuantang.” Flamesaint glanced at him and said calmly, “Has our newly enrolled junior apprentice-brother Ji Ning arrived yet?”

“Not yet. A junior apprentice was sent to the Northsea Peak to invite him, but he hasn’t come yet,” Beishan Xuantang replied.

Flamesaint nodded, then walked directly to one of the central stone chairs at the very front and sat down. A few fellow-disciples gathered around Senior apprentice-brother Flamesaint were also formidable figures within the sect. The other Zifu Disciple disciples could only watch from afar, as they had no relationship with him.