Chapter 98: Chapter 97: Ascension Ceremony

Leaving the Ascension Ceremony venue, Lu Zhao didn’t immediately return to Guiyun Residence. He first paid a visit to the Spirit Puppet Tower.

When Lin Yuanshan saw him, a sincere smile spread across his face. "Mr. Lu, congratulations! I knew that with your expertise in puppets, you were sure to stand out!"

Lu Zhao cupped his hands in return. "Fellow Daoist Lin, you flatter me. My success this time is largely thanks to your guidance and the connections you introduced me to. I will not forget this kindness."

Lin Yuanshan waved his hand dismissively and smiled. "It was nothing, don’t mention it. You should go back and prepare. Don’t let it delay your journey tomorrow."

After bidding farewell to Lin Yuanshan, Lu Zhao walked along the somewhat deserted streets of the Marketplace. He paused for a moment, and after a brief hesitation, turned and headed in another direction.

Lu Zhao stopped in front of a small, slightly dilapidated courtyard. He raised his hand and gently knocked on the door.

A moment later, the door opened with a CREAK, revealing Zhao Xiaoshu’s face. It had lost its boyish innocence, replaced by the steady composure of a young man. Six years had passed, and his Cultivation had arduously climbed from the Qi Cultivation First Layer to the Qi Cultivation Third Layer. When he saw Lu Zhao, surprise flashed in his eyes. He immediately bowed respectfully. "Elder Lu? You... why have you come? Please, come in."

Lu Zhao waved his hand and remained at the entrance, not stepping inside. He looked at the young man who had run errands for him for many years and said calmly, "That’s not necessary. I came to let you know that I’ve passed the Bixia Sect’s Ascension Ceremony. Tomorrow, I will depart on the Sect’s Flying Ship to officially become an Outer Sect Steward of the Bixia Sect. After this... I’m afraid we’re unlikely to meet again."

"The Bixia Sect? An Outer Sect Steward?" Zhao Xiaoshu’s eyes shot open, his face a mask of shock and disbelief. That was the Bixia Sect! The Immortal Gate countless Wanderers dreamed of joining! He looked at the senior before him, a man he’d once considered unapproachably lofty, and who now had ascended to even greater heights. His lips moved, as if to speak, but in the end, no words came out. He simply lowered his head, his expression complex.

Seeing Zhao Xiaoshu’s hesitant expression, Lu Zhao paid it no mind and simply nodded. "You’re on your own now." With that, he turned to leave.

"Elder Lu! Please wait!" Zhao Xiaoshu suddenly cried out, his voice laced with urgency. He rushed in front of Lu Zhao and fell to his knees with a THUD. He kowtowed heavily three times. When he raised his head, his eyes were filled with resolve. "Elder! I... I don’t want to live this precarious, aimless life anymore! I beg you to take me in! I am willing to pledge my complete allegiance to you, to serve you hand and foot with absolute loyalty! I beg you, give me a chance to live!" The spot where his forehead had struck the ground was already faintly red.

Lu Zhao stopped and looked down at the prostrating Zhao Xiaoshu. His gaze was profound. Without moving to help him up, he asked lightly, "Why kneel? Why pledge your allegiance?"

Zhao Xiaoshu looked up, a desperate, all-or-nothing glint in his eyes. "Because I see an opportunity! You’ve entered the Bixia Sect; your future is boundless! My own aptitude is poor, so I don’t dare to dream of the Great Dao. I only wish to serve you and gain a measure of security. Perhaps... perhaps one day I too might stumble upon some good fortune! I beg you to grant me this!"

Lu Zhao fell silent for a moment before speaking slowly, "You have worked for me for many years, so we have a certain degree of trust. It’s not impossible for you to pledge your allegiance to me." His tone shifted, taking on a cold edge. "But trust requires a constraint. I will need to leave a Divine Sense Mark of mine in your Sea of Consciousness. Normally, this mark will have absolutely no effect on your cultivation or daily life; you won’t even be able to perceive its existence. It will only manifest when I will it to. If you are fortunate enough to one day break through to Late-stage Qi Cultivation, the mark will dissipate on its own. Are you willing?"

’Leave another’s mark in my Sea of Consciousness? That’s no different from placing my life in his hands!’ Zhao Xiaoshu’s body trembled, and a flicker of fear crossed his eyes. But then he thought of his bleak prospects and current hardship, of how Lu Zhao, though aloof, had never mistreated him over the years, of the golden opportunity the Bixia Sect represented... He gritted his teeth and kowtowed once more. "I am willing! Please, Elder, proceed!"

"Good." Lu Zhao said no more. Forming a sword-finger, he gently tapped the spot between Zhao Xiaoshu’s eyebrows.

No light shone from his fingertip, but a faint yet incredibly condensed stream of Power of Divine Sense flowed from it. Like the finest silken thread, it silently entered Zhao Xiaoshu’s Sea of Consciousness. There, in the deepest, most hidden corner, it gave a gentle "tap," leaving behind an exceptionally faint spiritual brand that was almost indistinguishable from Zhao Xiaoshu’s own Divine Sense signature.

With his current Divine Sense strength, coupled with the subtle control afforded by the Thousand Threads Technique, it wasn’t difficult to simulate the effect of "leaving a mark" and make Zhao Xiaoshu feel a momentary jolt of intrusion.

"The mark is set," Lu Zhao said, retracting his finger, his tone even. Then, he took two Jade Bottles from his Storage Bag and tossed them over. "One bottle of Vessel-Protecting Pills and one of Cold Jade Pills, both Tier One Lower Grade. You also have a Water Spirit Root, so these Pills should aid your Cultivation. Work for me, and you won’t be treated poorly."

Zhao Xiaoshu scrambled to catch the Pills. Feeling the lingering cool sensation between his brows and the subtle sense of a tether deep in his soul, he was filled with both awe and gratitude. He kowtowed repeatedly. "Thank you, Elder! Thank you for this generous gift! I will do my utmost and never let you down!"

Lu Zhao nodded. "Keep an eye out for a few materials for me within the Marketplace." He listed several materials needed to craft a Tier One High-Grade puppet; he was already preparing to take on that challenge. "If you have any news, send word to the Spirit Puppet Tower. I’ll visit every few months."

"In addition, pay attention to any major happenings in the Marketplace, especially any news regarding the Bixia Sect."

"Yes! I understand!" Zhao Xiaoshu answered solemnly.

Watching Zhao Xiaoshu depart while showering him with thanks, Lu Zhao turned and disappeared into the night, a barely perceptible smile touching his lips.

’This kid... looks like he really believes I could leave something substantial in his Sea of Consciousness,’ Lu Zhao thought with a private sneer.

Truly leaving a Divine Sense Brand in another’s Sea of Consciousness was an ability only a Foundation Establishment Cultivator possessed. He had merely used his superior Divine Sense, combined with the finesse of the Thousand Threads Technique, to simulate the feeling of being "marked." This, coupled with the incentive of the Pills, was simply a way to forge a strong psychological shackle in the young man’s mind.

「The next morning.」

Lu Zhao returned to yesterday’s gathering point right on time. Over twenty of the chosen candidates had already arrived early at the White Jade Plaza.

Though everyone did their best to appear calm, the excitement and anticipation were hard to conceal. Lu Zhao found an empty spot and stood there, waiting quietly.

Soon, the remaining recruits arrived one by one. When all two hundred had gathered once more, the black-robed Steward from the previous day was already there. His gaze swept over the crowd. Seeing that everyone was present, he wasted no words and declared with a grand wave of his hand:

"The hour is here! Everyone, board the ships!"

Like dormant beasts, the two enormous Bixia Sect Flying Ships once again began to slowly open their cabin doors.

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