In the Mortal World, the Imperial Examination can change one’s destiny and elevate them to the upper echelons of power and nobility.
Three Hundred Years of Dynastic Changes, a reshuffling of power.
Compared to that, the path in the Immortal Sect is much more difficult.
In this world, the cultivation system for cultivators begins with the Innate stage, followed by Immortal Base, Jade Liquid Reversion Pill, Dao Pill, Nascent Soul, Dharma Phase...
However, people are born with different aptitudes.
It takes an ordinary person 120 years of accumulated True Qi to break through to the Innate stage.
But for cultivators with good aptitude, it doesn’t take that long; they basically have a hope of breaking through within a few decades. If there are resources such as pills to aid them, the time will shrink even more.
What Shui Hongyao meant by "Immortal Genius" born at the Innate stage referred to cultivators like Xu Xing with special physiques like [Bright King Body] and Human King physique. Such people make rapid progress on their Immortal Journey and are hence referred to as Immortal Geniuses.
This was because, after the collapse of the two Destinies and the prophecy of the future, Xu Xing would only stop at the Immortal Foundation Realm. Therefore, his understanding of the Master and Disciple Lineage and the Family Line within the Flying Feather Immortal Palace isn’t very clear. He only knows that the aristocratic families oppress the bottom-level cultivators, and even the Geniuses of the Sect cannot escape this. After all, fairness in the Mortal World is built on the foundation that everyone is an ordinary person. Physiologically speaking, everyone is equal, with no real distinction. But it’s different in the Immortal Sect. Even if the elders of the aristocratic families have lesser aptitude than Immortal Geniuses, cultivating long enough allows them to suppress bottom-level cultivators. Of course, this kind of competition is a struggle yet not destructive. It doesn’t turn deadly merely over disputes for resources and status. Such instances may occur, but at least superficially, they don’t.
The Celestial Messenger, Shui Hongyao, is at the Boundary Reversion Pill stage.
She belongs to the Family Line.
Her understanding of the two lineages is deeper.
"Choosing a groom by examination..."
Shui Hongyao’s lips curled into a smile. "You can also think of it that way."
After saying this, she didn’t speak anymore.
Talking too much could lead to mistakes. The person in front of her was not some inexperienced young lad but an Emperor who had successfully revolted and founded a new country. She knew her own limitations and didn’t think her cunning could outwit Xu Xing...
"I wonder which lineage the Sect Master belongs to?"
With a sigh in his heart, Xu Xing made up his mind to choose the Master and Disciple Lineage. If he hadn’t gone through all those experiences in the Mundane World before, he would have been more inclined towards the Family Line. Although entering the Family Line would involve enduring some grievances, considering the long and arduous Immortal Path, these grievances would be insignificant. If one has talent and ability, they could eventually become an elder of an aristocratic family and set the rules. Without ability, the resources of the aristocratic family could help them go further... However, at this time, he has the Bronze Ancient Mirror and doesn’t need to rely on an aristocratic family to go further. The only difference is that compared to the support of aristocratic families, his progress will be slower. But he doesn’t need to worry about this. As a Human King physique, he can enter the True lineage of the Imperial City Peak. Lingyin Peak will support him from behind. Although Lingyin Peak may not provide as many resources compared to aristocratic families, at least in the initial stages of his Dao path, his resources will not be lacking... The only thing missing is the position offered by the aristocratic families, as mentioned by Shui Hongyao.
Regarding this point, according to his guess, it was probably similar to the Nine-rank System in the Wei and Jin Dynasties. The talents of aristocratic young masters might be mediocre, but as long as they were born into a good family, they could get a high grade. However, for talented members of Commoner Families, even if they were extremely talented, they could only strive for a middle or lower grade. Perhaps the Flying Feather Immortal Palace isn’t as class-bound, but it’s likely not far off.
At this time, he was determined to choose the Master and Disciple Lineage. However, since the Family Line was clearly a better option, he needed a suitable reason for choosing the seemingly inferior Master and Disciple Lineage. And Xu Xing had already thought of this reason. The Family Line has many advantages... But coincidentally, the current Sect Master, Ren Yuanrui, comes from the Master and Disciple Lineage. In other words, choosing the Family Line ensures a high lower limit. However, while choosing the Master and Disciple Lineage might mean temporary hardship, once one progresses further, it’s like clouds parting to reveal the bright moon. Xu Xing was unsure why Sect Master Ren Yuanrui belonged to the Master and Disciple Lineage. There might be deeper reasons. However, this was the best justification for him to choose the Master and Disciple Lineage. "The young have a strong and unrestrained spirit, like a tiger with wings soaring in broad daylight." — Wang Anshi, "To Shun Boyun." With youthful spirit and soaring ambition, who could hear this and object?
"The Sect Master... is not from an aristocratic family."
After taking a serious look at Xu Xing, a trace of astonishment arose in Shui Hongyao’s heart. If someone else had said this, she would have considered it a jest. However, she knew Xu Xing’s past; becoming the Sect Master of Flying Feather Immortal Palace was indeed much more difficult than becoming the Emperor of a small mortal country. But at least, Xu Xing had already proven himself once. Hearing these words from him, no one would consider them the ramblings of an arrogant young man.
"So, you have made your choice, the first option?" she asked again.