Chapter 76: Entering Yunfeng to explain the three gates, meeting Xijing Taoist Temple to observe Taoism

The communication between Gu Qingyuan and Sande finally ended in a simple fight. Sande, who lost the game, not only did not gain any advantage, but became even more frustrated.

After explaining in detail the key points of the Purple Mansion breakthrough, Sande decided to take Gu Qingyuan to visit the Da Dao Temple.

Gu Qingyuan was waiting for Master Xijing to be free, and out of curiosity about the three major sects, he followed fellow Taoist Sande to wander around.

"This place is Yunfeng Peak. The assessment for new disciples will be held here soon." Sande pointed to the top of the mountain. Yunfeng Peak was like a sharp sword piercing into the sky, surrounded by clouds.

Gu Qingyuan, an idler, nodded and said, "I wonder how your temple assesses new members?"

"It's simple to explain. The Cloud Peak is usually closed. On the day of receiving new disciples, the Purple Mansion True Lord will gather the clouds to form cloud steps. There are 10,000 of them. All the mortal disciples will climb the steps with their flesh bodies. This is the first level, called 'Seeking the Dao', which tests one's perseverance in seeking the Dao."

Gu Qingyuan was slightly stunned when he heard the somewhat old-fashioned test. Sande saw it and explained:
"The Cloud Stairs have restrictions, and the pressure is adjusted according to the climber's body. Every step is a step, and it is as heavy as Mount Tai. This is the bumpy road to immortality. If you don't have the perseverance to seek the truth, it is a futile climb to immortality, which is a disaster rather than a blessing."

Yes, even if you endure suffering for dozens or hundreds of years without perseverance, how can you achieve the great way?

Gu Qingyuan nodded and asked, "Then how do you pass the assessment?"

"One thousand steps is one level, and you only need to pass five levels. This first test is the most time-consuming. There is no time limit, but it can often eliminate most of the participants." Sande replied.

As he spoke, Sande led Gu Qingyuan to climb up the clouds, and they saw a cloud platform above the ten thousand steps.

"When the participants pass the first level, those who pass the fifth level will be teleported to this cloud platform. This platform has a magic array that simulates the various things in cultivating immortals. Those who enter the array will erase the spiritual light in their hearts and act with their original hearts. Listen to what they say and observe what they do. This is called 'examining the heart'."

"There is no standard for judging this level. We just observe their words and deeds and ask them questions. This will tax their body and mind. The illusion will reveal their mind and filter out those with bad intentions. It will also test their sense of proportion and experience. Otherwise, if we allow all kinds of ghosts and evil people to enter our Taoist temple, it will inevitably damage the atmosphere of our temple."

It is understandable to remove spies from other parties and disciples with bad conduct, but...

"Brother, isn't your temple afraid of eliminating a bunch of smart disciples, leaving only dull and inflexible moralists?" Gu Qingyuan asked.

For example, people like Gu Qingyuan, who have a more flexible moral bottom line, may be among those who are screened out. People with flexible minds are bound to be flexible. The more they think, the more they do, and the more mistakes they make. By then, only those with upright minds will be left in the Daoguan. In this world of cultivation where the strong prey on the weak, the atmosphere will indeed get better, but the Daoguan will easily disappear.

Sande smiled and shook his head: "Practicing is dangerous, and practitioners are even more cunning. Naturally, they can't just accept some wood into the temple. They just need to eliminate those with bad deeds to avoid disasters."

After Sande's explanation, Gu Qingyuan finally understood.

All the words and actions of the participants in the illusion were recorded, observed, and registered, and analyzed by a dedicated person in order to eliminate those who were selfish and had character flaws.

The kind of people who forget the greater good for the sake of small gains, who are ungrateful and only care about themselves, or who act radically, are lazy, greedy and cunning, bully others at the slightest temptation, and betray their teachers and ancestors, to be recruited into the sect is a disaster rather than a blessing. For the Taoist view, it is nothing more than raising an ungrateful wolf. The higher it climbs, the greater the harm it will cause.

"The person conducting the assessment is of utmost importance, so aren't you afraid of some secrets?" There are no standards in the second level, yet standards are everywhere. The role of the assessor is highlighted, and bribery is inevitable.

"In my view, the Grand Elder is in seclusion, and the matter of accepting new members is jointly assessed by the Sect Master and the powerful elders. Under the pressure of the Purple Mansion, it is easy to tell whether it is a bug or a dragon. It is inevitable that there are secrets inside. If someone really asks for help from a certain elder, or is actually related to the elder by blood, as long as the character is qualified, it can be stated clearly, but the treatment and resources will be lower than others, and the future assessment will be more strict than others.
If there is someone who can get through all the elders and still come out on top after going through all kinds of tests, then this kind of skill and mind can be called a talent and should be the backbone of our team."

There is leniency outside the law, and the framework is strict but not pedantic.

"But there is a third level?" Gu Qingyuan asked.

Sande nodded: "The first level screened out most of them, and the second level screened out a small part. The remaining ones are actually halfway through the entrance exam. The third level is for fighting. Participants need to enter the Xumi Illusionary Realm and fight against others to see their fighting ability."

"Sumeru Illusion?" Gu Qingyuan couldn't help but ask when he heard a familiar word.

"Yes, it is the Xumi Illusion Realm. This is a great magical power. The illusion is both real and illusory. Participants need to choose magic weapons before entering. Once in the realm, the essence of the magic will penetrate into the mind, and the illusory magic power will enter the body, just like a real cultivator. Although it is said that everything is empty in the illusion, the experience is still there. It can be regarded as an early comprehension of the wonders of cultivation, which is of great benefit to those who have not yet set foot in the immortal way."

Xianxia version of Battle Royale?

"Then wouldn't it be an advantage for those who have the blessing of cultivators in the clan and learn magic early on?"

"Just like you said, reincarnation is also a technical job. It is difficult to force a group of people to the same starting line. People who are born well will naturally have some advantages." Sande, the master of reincarnation technology, nodded slightly.

"But it doesn't matter. This fight is not about winning or losing, but only about the process. The best will naturally be favored, and the outstanding will be recorded. The way of immortality is about competition. Even if you win or lose temporarily, you can still come out on top. If you can't beat them, you have to admit it and work harder in the future. Of course, if you are talented and keep winning, the top ten will be rewarded, and the top three will have more resources. One step faster means every step faster." Sande explained immediately.

"Oh, Sande and his father showed their talents in this battle. They made a stunning debut, seized the initiative and overwhelmed everyone." A gentle voice came, and the two turned around and saw a sword fairy in white walking slowly towards them.

"Greetings, Uncle Master." "Greetings, Master Xijing."

They both saluted.

Xi Jing waved his hand and said, "San De, your father has come out of seclusion and has something to tell you. Go quickly. I will entertain you, little friend Gu."

"Father has come out of confinement? I'll go right away." Sande was surprised, waved to Gu Qingyuan, and flew away.

"Thinking back, I, Sande's father, and my eldest brother, Xisheng, entered the Da Dao Temple together. It was also at this third level that I saw what a genius is." Xi Jing seemed to be slow but was actually fast. He walked to the side of Gu Qingyuan with a look of admiration on his face.

Gu Qingyuan glanced at Xi Jing, who seemed to be down-to-earth but actually slightly flying in white, and asked, "Was Master Xi Sheng very strong back then?"

"Strong, incomparably strong. My elder brother and I fled here at that time and happened to catch up with the Dadao Temple's recruitment. To be honest, we took part in the recruitment test because Dadao Temple provided us with food and we wanted to fill our stomachs. Who would have thought that we would pass every difficult level and make it to the third level." Xi Jing said with some Versailles tone.

"As a result, my eldest brother won the first place just by relying on the basic skills and a golden light magic. All the immortal families, cultivation geniuses, and magic masters were defeated. It was like the scorching sun, shining all over, and the rest were reduced to dust, dominating the world." Xi Jing sighed.

"What happened next?" Gu Qingyuan couldn't help but ask as he watched his brother blowing the wind.

"Later, my elder brother was chosen by the master as his disciple, and then became a true disciple. He also crushed everyone in the sect competition two years later. Later, he showed his brilliance in the three-sect competition. He fought and won all the way, and naturally achieved the Purple Palace. On the day of his enlightenment, he killed an old demon who had been immersed in the immortal way for many years. It became a good story at the time. After that, he showed his brilliance even more. In this world, there is no one in the Purple Palace who is better than my elder brother, and there are only a few people with the same fighting power."

What a kingly protagonist this is.

Gu Qingyuan secretly complained, looking at Xi Jing, who was dressed in white clothes as white as snow: "What about you, Master Xi Jing?"

"Me?" Xi Jing was a little surprised. "I just took advantage of my elder brother's glory. I ranked second in the first life, second in the sect competition, second in the three-sect competition, and third in every competition. There's nothing much to say."

Gu Qingyuan:?

So apart from your brother, you are the strongest, right?
Gu Qingyuan originally thought that Xijing had a script about a genius older brother and a useless younger brother, in which the younger brother admired his older brother and wanted to surpass his genius older brother, but he lacked talent and had to practice silently while enduring the mocking eyes of others. Who would have thought that his vision was so narrow.

"I never thought that hundreds of years have passed in a flash. Even my master has passed away for a hundred years. The boy who used to dig for food in the soil has now achieved the Purple Palace. The world is really unpredictable," Xi Jing felt sympathetic and waved to Gu Qingyuan, "Let's go, follow me to a place."

The two climbed the clouds all the way south and came to a small hill close to the main peak.

There is not much decoration on the hill, just a small courtyard with two small thatched cottages and an old locust tree with its branches stretching out, towering like a canopy.

A few dozen meters behind the yard is a forest of locust trees, with more than a hundred of them growing in an intertwined manner. At first glance, all you can see are green leaves and new branches, gathered together, full of vitality.

The two stopped in front of the yard. The door made of old wood was a little broken, with holes caused by insects. Even the courtyard wall was a little yellow. A small blue brick path led directly to their feet, with strands of moss in the cracks between the blue bricks.

Although it is dilapidated, it is the result of the passage of time over the years. It is not actually dirty, probably because someone disturbs and wipes it frequently.

Gu Qingyuan's gaze fell on the side of the wooden door, where there stood a stone tablet with smooth edges and corners. Two words were engraved on the tablet - Guandao.

It must have been carved by Zifu, with powerful brushstrokes and sharp strokes, which is eye-catching.

Xijing walked forward and touched the stone tablet, as if brushing off dust.

"Do you know where this place is?"

"I don't know." Gu Qingyuan shook his head.

"This place is Guandao Mountain. This Guandao is the Daoguan. It is the source of our sect and also the veinline of our sect." Xi Jing touched the stone tablet, not knowing what he was thinking.

Guandao Mountain?
Gu Qingyuan's heart trembled at this title. One of the three top sects, Da Dao Guan, Guan Dao Mountain, has such a name and is called the vein of Tao. How many mysteries must be hidden inside?

Xijing didn't look at Qingyuan, but walked forward and pushed the door open with a creak.

"Come in, I'll show you around."

(End of this chapter)