“In the Mt. Sumeru Holy Land, a Buddha severed his flesh to feed an eagle, in hopes of awakening the eagle’s compassion and thus saving it from the karma of killing. In the end, the Buddha was devoured by a Great Demon.”
…
Why does this book only contain gossip about other Holy Lands?
Lu Changsheng glanced at the author’s name and realized it was the Immortal Emperor Qingyang, the direct disciple of Saint Lord Lin Xuantong.
As it was someone from the Taihua Divine Mountain who wrote this book, it made sense that it only covered gossip about other Holy Lands.
One’s own people, of course, would not expose their family’s shortcomings.
Although Lu Changsheng could not glean any specific information from these Holy Land gossips, most of the incidents involved top powers of the Immortal Realm.
This book also mentioned the Demon Realm.
The Demon Realm has a terrifying entity known as the Demon Marshal, leading billions of gods and demons, and even the Holy Lands dread the Demon Marshal to some extent.
When a Holy Maiden of Yaochi was abducted to the Demon Realm, and Yaochi Holy Land couldn’t rescue her, they had no choice but to select another person from the Holy Maiden Candidates to take her place.
“Several Undeniable Facts about the Major Holy Lands” also mentions the Heavenly Court, Demon Realm, and Netherworld among other places.
Immortal Emperor Qingyang had cultivated for millions of years, and with a master who was the Saint Lord of Taihua, he had insight into many places of the Immortal Realm, and most of the recorded events were likely incidents that happened during his era.
Lu Changsheng read with great interest.
Indeed, gossip is human nature.
Lu Changsheng exchanged several hundred cultivation techniques and books and returned to Yuntai Peak contentedly.
These techniques were enough to reward for some time.
Elder Duan was already waiting on Yuntai Peak in advance, and when Lu Changsheng returned, Elder Duan respectfully said, “Daoist Changsheng, the Saint Lord has summoned you, please accompany me to the Huayang Palace on Taihua Divine Mountain.”
Huayang Palace?
Lu Changsheng knew it was the main hall of the Taihua Holy Land. What was the Saint Lord planning to do?
However, when under the eaves, one must bow one’s head. Since the Saint Lord of Taihua summoned him, Lu Changsheng had no choice but to follow Elder Duan on a Sword Flight to Huayang Palace.
Huayang Palace was situated at the peak of Taihua Divine Mountain, occupying ten thousand zhang, facing the sun and absorbing the essence of its yang energy.
Flying upwards along Taihua Divine Mountain and through the clouds, Lu Changsheng finally arrived at Huayang Palace.
“So many powerful presences…”
Lu Changsheng felt the aura of numerous powerful beings converging in Huayang Palace.
It must be that some important matter has occurred in Taihua Holy Land, hence why all the Elders and disciples have gathered at Huayang Palace.
“Elder Duan, do you know what matter the Saint Lord has convened everyone to announce?”
“I am as uninformed as you are.”
Elder Duan likewise knew nothing.
In the grand hall of Huayang Palace, hierarchy was strictly observed.
The Saint Lord sat at the highest seat, with several rows in front of him occupied by the Supreme Elders.
Following them were the Holy Sons, Holy Maidens, Holy Son Candidates, and Holy Maiden Candidates.
Below them were the ordinary Elders.
As for the disciples, they were almost lined up outside the grand hall.
Being an ordinary disciple and a Loose Cultivator who had come from outside, Lu Changsheng naturally stood at the back.
This display by Taihua Holy Land suggested there was a significant announcement to be made.
But Lu Changsheng did not care.
If it did not concern him, he stayed out of it.
The matter that the Saint Lord of Taihua was about to announce surely had nothing to do with him, right?
The members of Taihua Holy Land were also apparently clueless about the Saint Lord’s announcement, so they whispered and speculated among themselves.
“Silence.”
As the Saint Lord spoke, everyone immediately quieted down.
The Saint Lord had cultivated for tens of millions of years, had the ability to communicate with the heavens, and held a high status within the Taihua Holy Land.
“Lu Changsheng, step forward.”
As soon as the Saint Lord’s words fell, all eyes first searched, then turned uniformly towards Lu Changsheng.
Even Lu Changsheng himself was stunned.
The matter the Saint Lord was about to announce was actually related to him?
But the question was, since arriving at Taihua Holy Land, aside from exchanging a batch of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures and cultivation techniques, Lu Changsheng had not done anything to incur wrath or resentment, had he?
Those treasures and techniques were merely a drop in the ocean to Taihua Holy Land.
Lin Qinghan’s beautiful eyes shimmered with curiosity; she had no idea why her father would suddenly ask Lu Changsheng to step forward.
What on earth is going on?
Lu Changsheng was forced to come forward, trembled with fear as he was the center of attention among a group of heavyweights.
The Supreme Elders of the Taihua Divine Mountain are authentic experts at the Immortal Emperor Realm, who rarely take action outside and focus solely on their own cultivation.
Being watched by a group of old monsters who had lived for millions of years, or even tens of millions of years, one can imagine the pressure on Lu Changsheng, a Golden Immortal.
Lu Changsheng originally just wanted to be a spectator, but unexpectedly he found himself thrust into the limelight.
The Holy Son, Jiang Yu, frowned slightly.
His intuition told him that this Loose Cultivator, who had caught the attention of both the Saint Lord and the Holy Maiden, might make a name for himself.
The Saint Lord of Taihua looked at Lu Changsheng, “I intend to take you as my Direct Disciple. Are you willing?”
Wow.
A buzz went through the people of the Taihua Divine Mountain.
After Qingyang Immortal Emperor’s disappearance, millions of years had passed, and the Saint Lord of Taihua had finally decided to take on another disciple!
“I thought after the disappearance of Qingyang Immortal Emperor, the Saint Lord would not take on another disciple, but to think that the Saint Lord would take another Direct Disciple.”
“That’s not right; isn’t the real surprise that the Saint Lord would actually take an outside Loose Cultivator as a disciple? Among the younger generation of our Taihua Divine Mountain, there are countless with extremely high aptitude. How can they be inferior to an outsider?”
“What is the background of this Lu Changsheng that makes the Saint Lord value him so highly?”
The Elders and Disciples of the Taihua Divine Mountain whispered among themselves, deeply shocked.
Qingyang Immortal Emperor was once the most prideful disciple of the Saint Lord of Taihua, also the former Holy Son. However, after Qingyang Immortal Emperor disappeared without a trace, the Saint Lord did not take any more disciples.
For the Saint Lord of Taihua to take in disciples again was unprecedented.
Lin Qinghan’s eyes were full of confusion.
Her father actually wanted to take Lu Changsheng as a disciple?
If Lin Xuantong was guiding her in her cultivation, wouldn’t Lu Changsheng become her Junior Brother?
“Qingyang was my most prideful disciple, and I even married my eldest daughter to him. But he went missing without a trace, and my daughter believes it was because I sent him on a mission, causing his disappearance. She has severed ties with me. I lost a disciple and a daughter all at once. That’s why I don’t usually take disciples lightly. This time is an exception.”
The Saint Lord of Taihua looked meaningfully at Lu Changsheng and Lin Qinghan; he did not want the tragedy between his eldest disciple and his daughter to repeat itself.
Lin Qinghan’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment. How could her father even think that?
Lu Changsheng still hadn’t come to his senses.
The Saint Lord of Taihua actually wanted to take him as a disciple?
The martial artists of Taihua Divine Mountain were elites who might not even regard an Immortal Emperor highly, and yet they considered taking a Golden Immortal as a disciple.
Lu Changsheng hadn’t even shown his abilities at Taihua Divine Mountain.
The elite disciples of the Taihua Divine Mountain, even several Holy Sons and Holy Son Candidates, all envied Lu Changsheng with jealousy and hate.
With their skills, they were not qualified to be disciples of Lin Xuantong; what virtues and capabilities did Lu Changsheng have?
“This…”
Lu Changsheng was pondering what Lin Xuantong’s motive was for actively wanting to take him as a disciple.
Lu Changsheng had a Disciple Apprenticeship Simulator; he lacked neither Cultivation Techniques nor Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures. Having a mentor would mean that someone could guide his cultivation, making his efforts much more effective.
But becoming a disciple also meant that his relationship with the Taihua Divine Mountain would be much closer. If the Sect were in trouble, he would have to step forward.
Lu Changsheng had to be cautious.
“Has this guy gone mad? The Saint Lord plans to take him as a Direct Disciple, and he’s still considering it?”
The Holy Son Candidates and young geniuses of the Taihua Divine Mountain all thought that Lu Changsheng must be insane; otherwise, why would he hesitate?
This guy, he wouldn’t say no, would he?
Lin Xuantong himself started to doubt.
Lu Changsheng was the variable that he and several Ancestors considered. Thus, Lin Xuantong decided to gamble on the future, intending to bring Lu Changsheng into the Taihua Divine Mountain early. Unexpectedly, Lu Changsheng did not seem to agree.
Who exactly should be pleading with whom to take on a disciple?
Wait a moment, the more he behaves like this, the more promising he seems.
Lin Xuantong grew more appreciative of this young man.
In his eyes, Lu Changsheng and his missing eldest disciple, Qingyang Immortal Emperor, were strikingly similar; both men were so proud, exuding a confidence from their very bones.
“Let’s say I’m begging you to accept me as your master. How about that?”
Lin Xuantong missed his eldest disciple, and he was extremely tolerant towards Lu Changsheng who reminded him of his former protégé.
The people of the Taihua Divine Mountain were utterly astonished.
When had the Saint Lord ever been so humble in his demeanor?
To even request this person to become his disciple?