"Junior Brother Xu, which peak of the Inner Sect are you planning to join?"
After helping Xu Xing allocate a Cave Mansion in the Lu Shi Pavilion, Jiang Yan paused while filling out the Fish Scale Album for Xu Xing’s identity. The Vermilion Brush in his hand did not continue. "Although Biyuan Mountain can be directly assigned to you now, once the peak’s name is recorded... it will be difficult for outsiders to contest it, solidifying it as an established fact."
Even though Xu Xing had reached the Immortal Foundation Realm and had been automatically promoted to an Inner Sect Disciple, according to the Sect’s procedures, only cultivators who had joined one of the Inner Sect Peaks were truly considered part of the Inner Sect.
It was quite simple, really. At this moment, Xu Xing was comparable to a Stored Official who had passed the Imperial Examination but had yet to undergo the final evaluation by the Ministry of Personnel. Though he technically held an official post, he wasn’t yet considered a genuine official... The procedural formalities still needed to be completed.
Xu Xing pulled out a letter from his sleeve and opened it. Inside, besides some letters of friendly reminiscence, there was an Inner Sect Disciple’s Token. This token was three inches wide and seven inches long, made entirely of yellow Spiritual Jade. The Spiritual Jade was intricately hollowed out and carved in the likeness of a pagoda. The pagoda had a total of seven stories, and the words "Lingyin" were carved on the middle two.
Many Inner Sect Peaks had sent him invitations while he was in seclusion. Lingyin Peak was no different; they too had dispatched a dedicated Deacon to deliver this letter to him. As long as Xu Xing nodded, he would automatically become a disciple of Lingyin Peak.
"Lingyin Peak?" Jiang Yan looked surprised. "Junior Brother Xu, you cultivate The Eternal Green Dao Sutra, so why have you chosen to join Lingyin Peak? Lingyin Peak is known within the Sect for its focus on Buddhist cultivation..."
However, he caught himself halfway and wisely closed his mouth. One should never casually inquire about another’s Cultivation Foundation. This is one of the fundamental rules of conduct in the cultivation world.
Based on his observations, Xu Xing was a tactful person, certainly not some reckless fool. He couldn’t possibly be unaware that his primary Cultivation Method, The Eternal Green Dao Sutra, was incompatible with Lingyin Peak. There had to be a deeper reason for his decision to join Lingyin Peak.
"Lingyin Peak and I made an agreement back in the Mundane World," Xu Xing explained, seeing Jiang Yan’s hesitation. "Once I entered the Immortal Sect, I was to join Lingyin Peak first... A person should prioritize faith and righteousness, and not easily break their promises."
Upon hearing this, Xu Xing had no qualms about revealing his connection with Lingyin Peak. This was a matter that could highlight his trustworthy character. Though not something to broadcast widely or tell every person he met, it wasn’t something to be overly secretive about either.
Furthermore, while many alternative cultivation methods for The Eternal Green Dao Sutra were not difficult to acquire, only Lingyin Peak possessed the subsequent techniques for the Eight-Armed Bright King Sutra. According to what Jiang Yan had told him when he first joined the Sect, there were only three known subsequent cultivation methods for the Eight-Armed Bright King Sutra. Lingyin Peak was the only Buddhist cultivation power within the Sect. Since he already possessed the [Bright King Body], Xu Xing didn’t want his cultivation to be unbalanced. Of course, Xu Xing would not easily tell others that he possessed the Bright King Body. His Human King Physique Talent was already enough to arouse envy; adding the Bright King Body to that would likely bring more misfortune than fortune.
"I see..." Jiang Yan said with sudden understanding.
After speaking, he asked no more questions and, with his Vermilion Brush, added the word "Lingyin" before "Inner Sect Disciple Xu Xing."
"This is the formation array compass for Biyuan Mountain," Jiang Yan said, handing Xu Xing a cyan compass as they were parting. "Junior Brother Xu, you must keep it safe. When you relinquish the Cave Mansion in the future, you will need to return this formation array compass to the Sect..."
After bidding farewell to Jiang Yan, Xu Xing headed towards Lingyin Peak.
The letter Lingyin Peak had sent via the Deacon only mentioned arrangements concerning his status. There was no mention of any benefits or remuneration, a stark contrast to the invitations from other Peaks found in his Cave Mansion’s letterbox.
He didn’t think Lingyin Peak had simply forgotten. Nor did he believe Lingyin Peak was deliberately trying to slight him or give him a show of force. Such resources might seem substantial to an individual, but for a major Inner Sect peak like Lingyin Peak, they weren’t particularly significant. Therefore, Xu Xing guessed, Lingyin Peak must currently be internally discussing what kind of treatment or arrangements to offer him.
His current view of Lingyin Peak was nothing like his initial assumptions from his time in the Mortal World. Not all members of Lingyin Peak were monks with shaved heads; many cultivators wearing crane robes could be seen coming and going. Just like the seven-storied pagoda carving on the Token, Lingyin Peak itself had been fashioned into a Golden Buddha Pagoda.
The green mountain and the golden body of the pagoda seemed to merge, its structure towering as if to reach the floating clouds. Each story of the pagoda was nearly a hundred zhang high. The base story of the pagoda covered an expanse of several thousand zhang, vast and boundless. Under the sunlight, it shimmered with a dazzling golden radiance.
Upon stepping to the foot of the mountain, before Xu Xing could even take out his Token, a Little Sami approached him.
"Xuanzheng True Lord has already given instructions," the Little Sami said with a respectful gesture. "Senior Brother Xu, please follow me..."
The Little Sami bowed respectfully to Xu Xing before leading him to the first floor of the Golden Pagoda. Not only was the body of the Golden Pagoda extravagant, but even its exterior platforms and railings were carved from white Spiritual Jade. The pillars were made of golden wood so thick it would take three people with arms outstretched to encircle them. Various auspicious beasts were sculpted on the flying eaves, their surfaces intricately engraved with the patterns of spiritual arrays.
After several turns along the winding corridors, the Little Sami brought Xu Xing to a Zen Room.
As they walked, the Little Sami quietly marveled at Xu Xing’s composure. Lingyin Peak was the most lavishly adorned of all the Inner Sect Peaks. Many disciples, even those who had been in the Inner Sect for a long time, would find their eyes drawn covetously to every visible spiritual object in Lingyin Peak. After all, every external decorative piece here, fashioned from Spiritual Objects, was immensely valuable. Casually taking any single item to sell in the outside world would fetch over ten thousand Spirit Shells...