Chapter 25: Dao Name, North Sea

The碧海 Daoist sat high in the seat of the sect leader, looking down below, while a group of Primordial Daoists stood on either side.

Below the great hall were a crowd of Wanxiang True Men and Zifu Cultivators.

Among the disciples of the 'Black-White College', there were mainly three generations: Zifu Cultivators and Wanxiang True Men were considered the same generation, addressing each other as fellow disciples. For any disciple, becoming a Wanxiang True Man was a very easy matter.

Primordial Daoists were a higher generation.

Immortals were the highest generation.

When disciples like Ji Ning saw Immortals, they generally addressed them as 'Grandmaster'. When they saw Primordial Daoists, they addressed them as 'Uncle-Master' or 'Aunt-Master'. Of course, if one could become a disciple of an Immortal, they would address that Immortal as 'Master'. But they would still address other Immortals as 'Grandmaster'.

Generational seniority among cultivators was generally determined by strength, and they interacted on a case-by-case basis.

"Everyone," the碧海 Daoist said, seated high in the great hall, his voice echoing throughout the hall, "Our Black-White College has gained two more disciples. The one on the left, wearing animal skins and of small stature, is Ji Ning."

Ji Ning was speechless.

Small stature? True, it was not appropriate to call him a youth either.

"The one on the right, wearing a white robe and of even smaller stature, is Mu Zishuo," the碧海 Daoist said.

"Even smaller stature?" Mu Zishuo blinked his eyes as well.

The hundred-plus disciples in the hall all laughed, and the Primordial Daoists also wore smiles, clearly knowing the character of the sect leader '碧海 Daoist'.

The碧海 Daoist smiled at Ji Ning and Mu Zishuo: "Today, those in this hall are some of the disciples of our Black-White College. Many others are either in seclusion or traveling abroad. You will meet them one by one in the future. From now on, you are also members of the Black-White College. You must unite with your fellow disciples and not harm each other."

"Yes," Ji Ning and Mu Zishuo replied.

"Alright, let us begin the blood oath of initiation," the碧海 Daoist said.

Ji Ning and Mu Zishuo exchanged a glance.

They immediately extended a finger of their right hand, and a drop of fresh blood oozed from the fingertip.

"With heart's blood as witness, with the Heavenly Dao as judge, I, Ji Ning (Mu Zishuo), willingly enter the Black-White College as a disciple, abide by the rules of the Black-White College..." An aura of ancient mystery filled the entire hall. No one spoke, only the voices of Ji Ning and Mu Zishuo echoed in the hall.

The Heavenly Dao Blood Oath!

It was an absolutely inviolable great oath, and this was the reason why betrayals of the sect were rarely seen throughout the Grand Xia Dynasty. If one betrayed the sect, before the sect could punish them, the punishment of the Heavenly Dao would be enough to cause the betrayer's death. Of course, if the sect was in the wrong first and expelled the disciple first, then the disciple could not be blamed.

Since every disciple was willing to take the 'Heavenly Dao Oath', it was clearly still very fair.

...

After the Heavenly Dao Blood Oath was completed, the碧海 Daoist nodded in satisfaction: "Good, you two are now officially initiated. Since you have entered the sect, you should have Dao names. Think of a Dao name you like."

Ji Ning and Mu Zishuo both pondered.

Dao name...

For example, the碧海 Daoist's Dao name was '碧海', and the Fire Dragon Immortal's Dao name was 'Fire Dragon'.

"If you don't want to take a Dao name, you can also use your original name as your Dao name," the碧海 Daoist said with a smile. "Some disciples are used to their own names and not accustomed to Dao names, so they often use their original names."

"My Dao name will be 'Double Wood'," Mu Zishuo suddenly spoke.

"Double Wood?" The碧海 Daoist nodded lightly and looked at Ji Ning on the other side. "Ji Ning, what about you?"

Ji Ning said slowly: "My Dao name will be North Sea."

"Good," the碧海 Daoist nodded. "The Dao names are set. The senior masters of our Black-White College will discuss among themselves, and some will choose you as disciples. If you are unwilling, you can also speak up."

"Yes," Ji Ning and Mu Zishuo replied.

Unwilling?

No joke. As long as there was no enmity, generally when a senior master spoke, disciples would not refuse.

"Mu Zishuo." Among the group of Primordial Daoists beside the碧海 Daoist, an old woman with a childlike face and white hair suddenly looked at Mu Zishuo, her eyes full of affection. "I hear you follow the path of puppetry. I, Qionghua, also have some experience in puppetry. I wonder if you are willing to become my disciple."

Ji Ning's heart stirred.

Qionghua?

In the intelligence compilation of Beishan Baiwei, Daoist Qionghua was the one with the highest achievement in puppetry in the Black-White College.

"The disciple is willing." Mu Zishuo respectfully knelt down directly. "Disciple pays respects to Master."

"Mm." Daoist Qionghua nodded with a smile.

Ji Ning looked at the Primordial Daoists above. Who would be his master? Which one?

The碧海 Daoist and the group of Primordial Daoists, however, none of them spoke.

"Hmm, strange. Why hasn't anyone taken Junior Disciple Ji Ning as a disciple?"

"Right, the uncles and aunts are not saying anything."

The other disciples whispered among themselves.

Suddenly, the碧海 Daoist above looked toward the door of the hall. A figure had appeared at the door—a man in black robes with black hair walked in. His gaze was sharp and majestic. The moment he stepped into the hall, the entire hall seemed to fall into darkness. All the disciples turned to see the newcomer.

"Paying respects to Grandmaster." Many of the disciples spoke, while some were confused, clearly not recognizing him, but they immediately bowed respectfully. Ji Ning and Mu Zishuo also followed the crowd and bowed respectfully.

"Paying respects to Uncle-Master." The Primordial Daoists above also all bowed respectfully.

"Uncle-Master." Bihai Daoren also rose.

The figure of the man in black robes and black hair instantly became the core of the entire hall, as if heaven and earth revolved around him.

"Ji Ning." The black-robed, black-haired man looked at Ji Ning. "Are you willing to become my chief disciple?"

Ji Ning was startled.

At these words, Ji Ning immediately realized who this person was. The intelligence compilation by Beishan Baiwei had very little introduction to immortals, only a few lines. After all, intelligence on immortals was confidential, and what Beishan Baiwei had given him was not particularly secret. Among it, there was a brief introduction to Immortal Diancai.

Immortal Diancai: An earth immortal of the Black-White College, extremely skilled with the sword, with no disciples.

Among the living immortals of the Black-White College, Immortal Diancai was the only one who had not taken any disciples. Hearing the phrase 'chief disciple,' Ji Ning naturally knew who this was.

If not now, when?

"This disciple is willing." Ji Ning knelt directly, kowtowing respectfully. "Disciple Ji Ning pays respects to Master."

"Mm, follow me." Immortal Diancai's usually stern face showed a rare hint of a smile. He nodded and gave the instruction, then walked straight out of the hall.

Ji Ning immediately followed.

The many disciples all watched in astonishment. An immortal directly taking a disciple? This was very rare. Among the disciples of their generation, those who were taken as disciples by an immortal upon entering the sect were only the most heaven-defying few. Those few were all prodigies rumored to be 'reincarnated immortals.'

…

Clouds enveloped Immortal Diancai and Ji Ning, swiftly flying toward a mansion.

Entering the mansion, they went into the hall.

Immortal Diancai sat directly on a jade bed, while Ji Ning naturally stood respectfully to the side. It was clear that Immortal Diancai was usually a very serious person.

"In this life, the one I most revere is Senior Beishan." Immortal Diancai said, "I once said that unless one had inherited the sword intent of Senior Beishan, I would never accept them as a disciple. Not only have you inherited the sword intent, you have also obtained the complete inheritance of the 'Three-Foot Sword.' Even I am completely unaware of the last three stances."

Ji Ning listened respectfully.

Even the School Head knew; it was not surprising that his master knew as well.

"Only Bihai and a few of us immortals know that you possess the complete 'Three-Foot Sword' inheritance." Immortal Diancai said. "So you must not reveal it yourself."

"This disciple understands." Ji Ning said respectfully.

"You also know that within our Black-White College, to learn top-tier techniques and divine abilities, one must exchange them with Black-White pellets." Immortal Diancai looked at Ji Ning.

Ji Ning nodded.

The 'Black-White' booklet recorded all of this.

To obtain the divine ability 'Heavenly Earth Transformation,' one needed a certain number of Black-White pellets to exchange. To obtain a certain spell, one also needed Black-White pellets. If one wanted to exchange for techniques for their spirit beasts, that also required Black-White pellets!

Black-White pellets were the sect's rewards.

For example, if one's realm advanced to the 'Dao Domain,' Black-White pellets were bestowed.

If one's strength reached the Wanxiang Adept level, Black-White pellets were also bestowed.

Becoming a Primal Daoist also brought Black-White pellets.

If one joined the Yinglong Guard, Black-White pellets were also bestowed.

…

In short, the more outstanding one's performance, the more Black-White pellets the sect bestowed. Naturally, one could then learn deeper techniques within the sect.

"Has your soul reached the level of divine sense?" Immortal Diancai asked.

Ji Ning was surprised; he had never revealed this.

"To fully accept the complete Three-Foot Sword inheritance places a great burden on the soul. In past generations, almost all who obtained the complete 'Three-Foot Sword' were reincarnated immortals whose souls had reached the 'divine sense' level." Immortal Diancai said.

Ji Ning said respectfully, "This disciple's soul has indeed reached the divine sense level, but as for being a reincarnated immortal… this disciple seems…"

"Having drunk the Mengpo soup, you naturally do not remember your past life." Immortal Diancai shook his head. "But with such a powerful soul, even if you are not a reincarnated immortal, you have had great fortune."

Immortal Diancai pondered for a moment.

"As a new disciple, you receive a basic one thousand Black-White pellets."

"Having reached the Dao Domain, you receive a reward of one thousand Black-White pellets."

"Your soul having reached the divine sense level, you receive a reward of two thousand Black-White pellets."

"Your master can also gift you two thousand Black-White pellets. So you have a total of six thousand Black-White pellets."

Immortal Diancai then said solemnly, "Since you have inherited the 'Three-Foot Sword,' you will inevitably use it in the future. So you must go to the Scripture Depository and exchange for the first volume of the 'Three-Foot Sword.' The 'Three-Foot Sword' is the signature sword art of our Black-White College; the first volume alone requires a full two thousand Black-White pellets."

Ji Ning was speechless.

He had already obtained the complete Three-Foot Sword inheritance, but to conceal it, he still had to exchange for the first volume of the 'Three-Foot Sword.' Two thousand Black-White pellets! So that was why his master had gifted him two thousand Black-White pellets.

"For your own qi-refining technique, remember to choose an 'immortal-grade qi-refining technique.'" Immortal Diancai said. "As for other divine abilities, sword arts, and so on… decide for yourself."

"Go."

"Go directly to the Scripture Depository, collect your Black-White pellets and primal liquid. Then choose your cultivation techniques, spells, divine abilities, and so on there." Immortal Diancai said. "If you cannot comprehend something, you may come and ask me."

"Yes." Ji Ning bowed respectfully.

He then withdrew and headed to the Scripture Depository.

…