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Cultivation Begins from Infancy - Chapter 416
🕑 Added 2025-05-28 11:01:02 +0000 UTCVolume 3 - Chapter 115: Invite Him to the Immortal Sect
“Accepting disciples again...”
Emperor Yu frowned slightly. A thousand years ago, when the Immortal Sect recruited disciples, countless exceptional talents flocked there, causing the Great Yu Divine Dynasty to gradually decline afterward.
That time, he had agreed because the opportunity was rare, and he foresaw that once the ancestral incense reached its peak, it might attract unwanted attention and competition. Sending Jiang Ziyan and other members of the royal family was a strategic move, hoping they would achieve enlightenment and return to stabilize Great Yu.
Now, they had indeed reached the Dao Law Realm and even transcended it. Upon returning, however, they could no longer remain in the mortal world. Yet another round of recruitment by the Immortal Sect would only further weaken the fortunes of Great Yu.
This time, the dynasty's prosperity might decline even more.
...
Though the calamities had subsided, and there was no war, Qin Zhenren had suffered severe injuries and could not sustain his lifespan for another thousand years.
Now, someone among the outstanding talents of Great Yu must emerge to inherit Qin Zhenren's mantle and hold the fort, or one of the current talents, like Jiang Ziyan, must stay behind to take over Qin Zhenren’s responsibilities.
As for Li Hao... Emperor Yu knew that such a true dragon could not be caged within the confines of Great Yu. Even if Li Hao wished to stay and protect the dynasty, Emperor Yu hoped he would venture into the Immortal Sect.
“If disciples must be recruited, then is there anyone among you willing to remain in the mortal world and take Qin Zhenren’s position?”
Emperor Yu asked.
Hearing this, the expressions of Jiang Ziyan and the other five shifted slightly. Jiang Baishan and the others glanced at Jiang Ziyan, who softly replied,
“Father, since the disasters of Great Yu have been resolved, while we cannot remain, we would never allow Great Yu to fall into danger again. On this trip, I have obtained some precious treasures from my master, which I can leave with Grandpa Qin to guard the dynasty.”
As she spoke, she raised her hand, summoning numerous items from a spatial realm.
“These may appear to be Sacred Heart Treasures, but they’ve been refined by incense, vastly enhancing their power. With these weapons, Grandpa Qin, who is at the Dao Law Realm, won’t be too disadvantaged against others of the same level.”
“This is a mid-tier divine ability manual, exceptionally rare. I exchanged for it after completing three missions for my sect. Grandpa Qin can secretly practice it. As long as he doesn’t flaunt it in the Land of Saints, it shouldn’t draw unwanted attention.”
“These are ten Dao Talismans, each terrifyingly powerful and capable of effects comparable to the actions of someone at the Dao Law Realm. If used simultaneously, each is equivalent to an attack from that realm.”
...
She placed all these items before Emperor Yu and said, “With these treasures, Great Yu should be safe in the mortal world.”
However, upon seeing these treasures, Emperor Yu’s face did not show joy. Instead, he gazed at his daughter and then at Jiang Baishan and the others. Through their eyes, he sensed their thoughts.
Clearly, they had already discussed and prepared everything. None of them intended to stay in the mortal world.
At this moment, Emperor Yu also realized that aside from solidifying their foundations within the Immortal Sect, the cultivation and environment there must have greatly appealed to them. They had never considered abandoning it.
After a brief silence, Emperor Yu nodded, understanding their answer.
He did not persuade or ask further. He even wondered if they would have returned at all if not for the matter of the ancestral revival.
There was no answer.
But Emperor Yu knew that human hearts could not be deeply probed. Still, in his mind, he recalled that youth sitting before the chessboard.
That carefree figure, like a gentle breeze, and the words he had once spoken, “I haven’t seen all of the mortal world yet,” carried even more weight in Emperor Yu’s heart now.
For this reason, he was even more reluctant to let Li Hao remain and delay his potential.
“Recruit disciples... then let it be so. With these treasures, as long as we don’t encounter such calamities as before, there should be no problem.”
Emperor Yu’s expression was somewhat weary as he summoned Chu Jiuyue to inform him about the recruitment by the Immortal Sect.
“You must personally go and notify that man. Tell him he must come. This is a rare opportunity. Tell him if he doesn’t come, I’ll be angry.”
Chu Jiuyue nodded quickly.
Hearing Emperor Yu’s solemn tone, as if afraid Li Hao might not attend, Jiang Ziyan and the others were surprised. Jiang Ziyan frowned and asked,
“For such an event, it holds fatal allure for exceptional talents. No one would refuse, would they?”
Emperor Yu glanced at her but said no more.
That youth was utterly different from others, so detached it was frightening...
...
As news of the recruitment spread through the Land of Saints via those returning from the Immortal Sect, Emperor Yu did not make a grand announcement. Nevertheless, the information reached the top-tier forces.
Most of the exceptional talents, who predominantly hailed from these forces, grew excited upon hearing the news and flocked toward the sacred capital, the imperial city.
...
In Liangzhou, at Tianmen Pass, Li Hao was cultivating, transforming his physical energy into Dao Force, continuously refining and tempering it into his body.
His physical body grew increasingly powerful as his strength advanced.
When Chu Jiuyue arrived at this stronghold, Li Hao was in his courtyard, painting while simultaneously infusing Dao Force into his flesh and cultivating.
Returning to this city and its small courtyard, Chu Jiuyue felt both familiar and strange. What was once a ruined city, reduced to small dirt mounds after battle, had now flourished into a bustling place.
However, the small courtyard itself had changed little, though there were fewer people within it.
Upon seeing Jiang Lichen, Chu Jiuyue was surprised and offered a respectful bow, though Jiang Lichen only glanced at him indifferently and said nothing.
“This is the matter, as explained. His Majesty instructed me to inform you—General, you must attend,” Chu Jiuyue said respectfully.
At the same time, his gaze lingered on the firewood pile in the courtyard, pondering that it must be nearing mealtime.
“The Immortal Sect? Recruiting disciples?”
Li Hao raised an eyebrow, showing little interest. If he truly wanted to join the Immortal Sect, he could activate the Sage’s mark within his sea of consciousness and summon the Saint who had previously offered to take him as a disciple.
The Saint would open a path specifically for him and accept him directly.
For now, Li Hao had no intention of entering the Immortal Sect, as matters here were not yet resolved.
However, upon further thought, perhaps it was time. He could go to the Immortal Sect, kill someone, and return.
That would prevent the person who fled back to the Immortal Sect from causing more trouble.
“By the way, how is the search for the famous paintings I asked His Majesty to gather?” Li Hao asked.
Chu Jiuyue was taken aback, not expecting Li Hao to inquire about the paintings rather than the Immortal Sect.
Glancing at the ink and brush in Li Hao’s hands, Chu Jiuyue gave a wry smile and replied, “We’ve collected quite a few. General, you may visit the imperial palace and view them at your convenience.”
“Very well.”
Li Hao nodded and said, “Thank you, Eunuch Chu. You may return. I will head over shortly.”
Chu Jiuyue nodded but hesitated briefly before glancing at the sun's position and asking, “May I linger here for a while, General?”
Li Hao raised an eyebrow, a little puzzled, but said, “Suit yourself.”
When mealtime arrived, Li Hao personally cooked. Now at the ninth stage of Culinary Dao, he took some of the blood and flesh of the Demon King he had slain earlier, carefully processed it, and cooked it into a dish so aromatic that its fragrance filled the entire courtyard.
After being refined, the meat had transformed into a meal akin to a rare, potent medicinal treasure.
Li Hao called Ren Qianqian over to eat with him.
Chu Jiuyue, who had been waiting patiently, grinned and joined them without hesitation.
Understanding his motive, Li Hao didn’t mind and generously handed him a portion.
After they finished eating, Chu Jiuyue left with a contented smile. Li Hao cleaned up the ink and brushes, then brought Ren Qianqian along. If the Immortal Sect was recruiting disciples, Ren Qianqian’s aptitude would likely place her among the top candidates.
Meanwhile, Xiyan flicked her skirt, transforming into a crimson bracelet that coiled around Li Hao’s wrist.
“Let’s go,” Li Hao said as he departed.
The Candlefire God and his wife were still undergoing their fusion, so Li Hao had to travel on foot.
Jiang Lichen followed, his eyes brimming with anticipation. “I missed my chance with the Immortal Sect before. This time, I won’t let it slip by.”
Li Hao showed no surprise at Jiang Lichen’s desire to join the Immortal Sect.
As Li Hao and his companions made their way toward the Immortal Sect, a few figures passed through a city in the Great Yu Divine Dynasty, overhearing the news.
“The Immortal Sect?”
The group exchanged glances, surprised to hear that the Immortal Sect was recruiting disciples in the Jiang family’s dynasty.
“Xuanshen, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Our Ji family must request the intervention of our Third Ancestor to establish a connection with the Immortal Sect. Even then, we can only send one Dao Seed for training every three hundred years. Now, all it takes is to be chosen,” said a woman in the group.
The young man at the center of the group was strikingly handsome. Despite his attempt to suppress it, his expression of superiority made him stand out in any crowd.
They had followed Li Hao’s trail to this place in Great Yu, traveling through many regions and hearing countless stories about him, each more astonishing than the last.
They were planning to leave Great Yu soon to bid him farewell before returning to the Ji family for seclusion. They hadn’t expected to hear such news.
“This Great Yu dynasty not only has the Merit Treasury but now even the Immortal Sect. It seems the Jiang family had planned for this long ago,” one of them remarked.
“This is a rare opportunity. We should prepare quickly. I’m not sure what the Immortal Sect’s recruitment criteria are, but we should be able to meet them. If we can’t, then no one else can.”
After a brief discussion, the group decided to inform the Ji family and encourage their younger generation to participate.
In the past, only Dao Seeds could enter the Immortal Sect. Now, things were different.
Moreover, by joining, they could seek the Ji family’s foundation and protection within the sect, easing their cultivation and development. They would undoubtedly shine and perhaps even catch up to Li Hao.
“Let’s go.”
The group left swiftly, knowing time was of the essence.
Meanwhile, Li Hao had reached the imperial capital.
As soon as he arrived at the imperial palace, he sensed several concealed yet formidable presences within it.
Chu Jiuyue had already informed him that these must be the members of the royal family who had entered the Immortal Sect a thousand years ago.
Li Hao and Ren Qianqian moved effortlessly toward the imperial palace. His status as a Celestial General granted him the privilege to bypass the imperial city’s protocols and enter directly.
“You’ve arrived.”
Emperor Yu sensed a trace of Li Hao’s deliberately revealed aura and immediately flew out from the rear hall to greet him personally.
At the same time, several divine senses extended toward them—it was Jiang Ziyan and the others.
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