The Daofather's Choice

Ji Ning, Blackstone Recluse, and Mu Chuan Realperson quickly learned what had happened. Mu Chuan Realperson was calm, but Ji Ning and Blackstone Recluse could not help but feel a hint of envy.

A disciple of a Daofather! Leaving aside one’s own efforts, it also required karmic luck!

“Xiamang,” Fuhai said, puzzled. “From what you’ve said, Ji Ning here is the youngest of the three, and he won first place in the Immortal Fortunes Assembly. Blackstone is also a formation grandmaster. Why did the Daofather choose Mu Chuan Realperson instead?”

“How would I know?” The Xia Emperor shook his head.

In his heart, however, he recalled the scene of his Primaltwin paying respects to Daofather Crimsonbright.

Somewhere in the endless void outside the Three Realms, a mountain peak floated through the emptiness.

The mountain was a million li in size, covered with grand palaces. This was the cave-dwelling of the supreme being known as ‘Daofather Crimsonbright.’

“Master, these are the battle recordings of the top three young cultivators from this Immortal Fortunes Assembly.” The white-robed Xia Emperor stood respectfully to one side, presenting a scroll.

A green-haired elder sat cross-legged on a distant boulder. As he sat there, the infinite void around him became utterly stable.

The green-haired elder tapped lightly.

The scroll unfurled in midair, revealing three scenes of combat.

“Hua…” The first battle scene was activated, and the scroll displayed the fight between Ji Ning and Blackstone Recluse.

“Mm.” The green-haired elder revealed a faint smile and nodded slightly. “This little one who used formations… his attainment in the art of formations is truly impressive. If he devotes himself fully to this path, he might one day become a true grandmaster of formations. With formations alone, he has hope of overcoming the tribulation and becoming a Celestial Immortal. Worth nurturing!”

“The other one, the swordsman, is also quite good. His sword-intent is powerful enough. He should be an excellent Sword Immortal seed.” The green-haired elder praised.

The white-robed Xia Emperor said respectfully, “Master, of the top three in this Immortal Fortunes Assembly, the one who took first place is that swordsman, named Ji Ning. He has been cultivating for a mere thirty-plus years. The one who used formations, named Blackstone, placed third, and has been cultivating for over a hundred years. The final one, named Mu Chuan Realperson, came in second and has been cultivating for over three hundred years!”

“Thirty-plus years?” Daofather Crimsonbright was surprised. He nodded lightly, his eyes revealing a hint of delight. “It seems his talent in the Dao of the Sword is truly astonishing. He is worth careful nurturing.”

The white-robed Xia Emperor nodded.

Of course.

Even Lu Dongbin had long since set his eyes on the boy. Lu Dongbin was excellent at teaching disciples and had a piercingly sharp eye. He had praised Ji Ning’s talent in the Dao of the Sword long ago.

“Hua.” Daofather Crimsonbright tapped open the second scene.

It was the battle between Mu Chuan Realperson and Blackstone Recluse.

As soon as he saw it, Daofather Crimsonbright’s eyes lit up. He immediately tapped open the third scene, the battle between Ji Ning and Mu Chuan Realperson.

“Good, good, good.” Daofather Crimsonbright praised him three times.

The white-robed Xia Emperor was astonished.

Who was the Daofather praising? Ji Ning?

“Master, there was another person in this Immortal Fortunes Assembly called Slacker Realperson. He is the disciple accepted by the Black Tortoise Grand Emperor. He has been cultivating for over a hundred years. Before this, Slacker Realperson was still confused and did not know about the Black Tortoise. It was Fuhai himself who came to take Slacker Realperson to meet the Black Tortoise Grand Emperor.” The white-robed Xia Emperor added.

“Blacktortoise’s disciple?” Daofather Crimsonbright asked curiously. “Do you have an image recording?”

“Yes.” Since the Xia Emperor had mentioned Slacker Realperson, he had naturally prepared one. He offered another scroll, which recorded several battles, including the one between Mu Chuan Realperson and Slacker Realperson, which Slacker Realperson ultimately lost.

After viewing the battle scenes, Daofather Crimsonbright laughed. “Haha… That old Blacktortoise has a temperament similar to mine and the same taste. The Slacker Realperson he chose… he is indeed low-key, steady, and has an incredibly solid, flawless foundation. Although he was slower in his youth, the further he goes, the more his deep foundation will allow him to walk steadily on the path of immortality.”

“This Mu Chuan and that Slacker fellow… their cultivation routes are almost identical.” Daofather Crimsonbright nodded with emotion. “Both have perfectly solid foundations and extremely powerful Dao-hearts.”

The white-robed Xia Emperor was startled.

By the Daofather’s meaning… he seemed to favor Mu Chuan Realperson greatly.

“Daofather, so you chose Mu Chuan Realperson?” the white-robed Xia Emperor could not help but ask. “But he is the one among the top three who has cultivated the longest.”

“Remember this.” Daofather Crimsonbright said calmly, with a faint smile. “Never judge a person’s potential by their momentary brilliance. The path of immortality is endlessly long. They have only just taken their first steps. When choosing a disciple, one must see through their present selves and into their boundless future.”

“Thirty-plus years? A hundred-plus years? Three hundred-plus years? What are they in the face of the long path of immortality?” Daofather Crimsonbright said. “Slacker Realperson and Mu Chuan Realperson are both patient, unhurried, and at ease. You can tell from their fighting styles—they don’t bother with petty tricks.”

The white-robed Xia Emperor nodded.

Indeed, Slacker Realperson and Mu Chuan Realperson were extremely similar in temperament.

“Such a temperament is the best Dao-heart for a cultivator.” Daofather Crimsonbright smiled. “At least, it suits the taste of me and Blacktortoise.”

Daofather Crimsonbright was known to be a good-natured being, with a reputation for kindness.

It was a case of ‘like attracts like.’ Daofather Crimsonbright had taken a liking to Mu Chuan’s temperament. He knew very well that although the path of immortality required talent and comprehension, as one progressed to the later stages, the requirements for ‘temperament and Dao-heart’ grew even higher!

“It will be Mu Chuan.” Daofather Crimsonbright nodded. “As for the other two, they are also promising. Go find your fellow disciples and see if any are willing to take them on. The Three Realms are in turmoil now, and I might have misjudged them. Perhaps Ji Ning and Blackstone might achieve astonishing things in the future. So, make sure they are taken into our Crimsonbright lineage!”

“Yes.” The white-robed Xia Emperor nodded. “Ji Ning is a Sword Immortal; I can go find Junior Brother Evergreen. He is a Sword Immortal. As for Blackstone…” Among my many fellow disciples, there doesn’t seem to be one truly supreme in formations.”

“If you can’t find a suitable teacher, you can teach Blackstone yourself. Your attainment in formations may not be top-tier in the Three Realms, but it is more than enough to teach Blackstone.” Daofather Crimsonbright said.

The white-robed Xia Emperor nodded in acknowledgment.

In the main hall of the Celestial Heaven Hall.

Among the True Immortals and Empyrean Gods present, Lu Dongbin was the most powerful. Among the Pure Yang True Immortals of the Three Realms, he was among the highest echelon and was a peerless Sword Immortal with hope of becoming a ‘Daolord Daofather.’

The two Daofathers behind him were even leaders of the Daoist path.

Backed by two Daofathers and having even taught a Pure Yang True Immortal himself, Lu Dongbin had naturally sharp eyes. None of the others present had noticed anything special about Ji Ning, but Lu Dongbin had vaguely sensed it.

“Xiamang.” Lu Dongbin laughed. “Since Daofather Crimsonbright did not accept Ji Ning as his disciple, I will be cheeky and ask again. Ji Ning truly is a top-tier Sword Immortal seed. I am very fond of him. Could Xiamang do me a favor and let me have him? I sincerely wish to take him as my disciple.”

“Lu Dongbin.” The Xia Emperor shook his head. “Although Ji Ning was not chosen by Master, Master praised him many times. So, Lu Dongbin, don’t make things difficult for me.”

“Xiamang, he’s just a Wanxiang Adept.” The Fuhai God curled his lip. “Donghua has asked you personally. Is Donghua’s face not worth a mere Wanxiang Adept? Besides, your Crimsonbright lineage only has one Pure Yang Sword Immortal, Evergreen Immortal. That Evergreen Immortal is not the type to teach disciples. In all these years, I’ve never heard of him teaching a single Celestial Immortal.”

The corner of the Xia Emperor’s eye twitched.

“Since Donghua has spoken, Xiamang, give him some face.” The Northern Earth Immortal Elder also spoke.

Earlier, Lu Dongbin had brought it up as a joke, but was refused.

This time, he was being very serious.

Lu Dongbin was indeed well-liked, had a strong background, and solid backing. For a moment, the other True Immortals and Empyrean Gods present, except for ‘God Emperor’ who was a disciple of Daofather Crimsonbright, all chimed in to help.

“Xiamang, you know my temper. I speak directly. I am truly tempted by Ji Ning and wish to take him as my disciple. Xiamang, help me out, and I will owe you a favor. How about it?” Lu Dongbin said seriously.

The Xia Emperor was startled.

A favor from Lu Dongbin? That was not insignificant.

But Daofather Crimsonbright’s words were still fresh in his ears. Although he had not accepted Ji Ning and Blackstone as his disciples, he still favored them. Perhaps Ji Ning and Blackstone might achieve astonishing things in the future… they had to be kept within the Crimsonbright lineage.

“Lu Dongbin, it’s not that I refuse, but Master has commanded it.” The Xia Emperor shook his head. “I can’t do anything about it.”

Lu Dongbin frowned.

The Xia Emperor could tell Lu Dongbin was unhappy, but there was nothing he could do. He had to refuse.

Lu Dongbin shook his head and sighed. It seemed he was truly fated not to have Ji Ning as a disciple. He certainly wouldn’t dare to just take Ji Ning away by force—that would be a direct slap in the face to ‘Daofather Crimsonbright.’ A Daofather who had existed since the primordial chaos was not someone to be trifled with.

“That Ji Ning’s Dao-companion, Yu Wei… I rather like that little girl. I’ll take her as my disciple. Xiamang, you wouldn’t stop that, would you?” Lu Dongbin said.

“Haha, that’s a small matter. She didn’t even make the top ninety-six. Lu Dongbin, you can pick anyone you want. Take them all if you wish, it’s no trouble.” The Xia Emperor said generously. He knew Lu Dongbin was unhappy, so he spoke more freely.

Lu Dongbin nodded.

Then, his gaze turned to Yu Wei, who was standing behind Yan King, holding hands with Ji Ning and talking softly.

“Little girl, come here.” Lu Dongbin said to Yu Wei with a smile.

His voice echoed directly in Yu Wei’s ears.

“Mm?” Yu Wei was startled. She looked up and saw the Xia Emperor and the others all looking her way.

“Yu Wei, come over.” The Xia Emperor also spoke.

Confused and curious, Yu Wei rose and walked over. The scene drew the attention of the Celestial Immortals and Wanxiang Adepts present.

“Little girl.” Lu Dongbin looked at Yu Wei with a smile. “I, Lu Dongbin, wish to take you as my disciple. Are you willing?”