Thanks to everyone! Nearly two hundred votes yesterday, we are pulling further ahead again. Also, a quick correction on a bug: in the previous text, it was written incorrectly; Shī Ruòlán entered the sect as a third-generation direct disciple. Thanks to "Heart's Star" for the reminder.

"Our Cangsheng Dao, since we advocate for the equality of all sentient beings, naturally we must practice what we preach. Although our sect has direct disciples and true disciples, with distinctions between inner and outer, the conditions for cultivation are treated exactly the same for everyone. Even I am much the same."

Hearing this, Zong Shou was slightly surprised: "The disciples within the sect are treated equally? But if the cultivation methods they can practice are different, how can equality be achieved?"

"Who says they are different?"

Han Fang smiled, his face filled with self-pride: "Others view the sect's true ultimate techniques as treasures, kept secret and never taught. Only our Cangsheng Dao throws them wide open for anyone to learn. It depends only on one's temperament and moral character; if one gains the approval of an elder, then the teachings are open to you. As long as you can understand it, you can learn it. This was the rule established by Senior Martial Brother Xizi, and it has remained unchanged for ten thousand years. Because of this, the three main branches and six subsidiary gates of Cangsheng Dao are regarded as demonic paths, and the number of our disciples is far less than other major sects, yet we produce outstanding talents generation after generation. With the power of one lineage, we hold back the Dao, Confucian, and Buddhist schools, preventing them from running rampant."

Zong Shou was half-believing, half-doubting. He remembered that when Wei Xu passed him the two manuals, Internal Observation Profound Thunder Body Tempering Art and Great Yi Celestial Void Nether Method, he hadn't put it quite like this.

But upon closer inspection, perhaps Wei Xu had only said that these two secret sect cultivation techniques must not be passed on to outsiders.

"Those who successfully cultivate them will certainly become inner disciples of Cangsheng Dao."

That was the final sentence. At the time, he understood it to mean that one needed the qualification of an inner disciple to learn these two techniques. Thinking about it now, he guessed his senior martial brother meant that once one learned them, one gained the qualification to enter the inner sect of Cangsheng Dao.

Strictly speaking, these two Tenth-Grade Saint Spirit level techniques were indeed not for ordinary people to cultivate.

Zong Yuan had sufficient comprehension due to the power of lightning. As for Chu Xue's Weak Water, even with his guidance, she still hadn't truly begun. On one hand, they offered everything open to choose and learn until all skills were mastered. On the other hand, they kept secrets and concentrated resources to cultivate core disciples. It was hard to say which approach was superior between the two. However, the magnanimity of Xizi was truly peerless, commanding respect.

Perhaps it was because, in his previous life, he had nowhere to turn to seek knowledge everywhere. He greatly admired Cangsheng Dao's approach.

But the next moment, he heard Han Fang sigh bitterly again: "However, precisely because of this, many individuals with truly peerless talent have missed the opportunity to join Cangsheng Dao. Even geniuses like the ancient Sages are treated just like ordinary disciples in our sect.

Thus, the truly exceptional talents willing to join Cangsheng Dao have always been few. It is also thanks to our disciples' fortitude and willingness to work hard that over ten thousand years, we have not fallen into decline. I wonder, Junior Brother, do you regret your decision now?"

Zong Shou heard this and couldn't help but laugh softly, his expression serene: "I don't know what others think, but the method established by Senior Martial Brother Xizi suits me perfectly!"

Han Fang froze upon hearing this. He had expected Zong Shou to complain a few times, or at least feel displeased, and he was prepared to offer comfort to ease his mind. But the response was utterly unexpected. His expression seemed genuinely joyous, without a hint of pretense.

People with talent are mostly arrogant, believing themselves extraordinary. Someone like Zong Shou was truly as rare as a phoenix feather or a unicorn's horn.

This Junior Brother is truly a strange person!

Han Fang shook his head, briefly explained some of the rules of the Cangsheng Dome Realm, and prepared to leave. Originally, he had intended to take Shi Ruolan with him.

But when he finally saw the little girl absolutely determined to cling to Zong Shou and refuse to leave, he had no choice but to give up.

Just as his foot stepped out of the courtyard gate, Han Fang suddenly seemed to recall something and abruptly turned back: "I forgot something. Junior Brother must remember this: it is best not to inform anyone about your name being inscribed on the Profound Fate Golden Register."

Zong Shou’s eyebrows twitched as he heard this: "Junior Brother is eager to hear the details!"

"Nothing else. That Profound Fate Golden Register does more than just protect a remnant soul from annihilation; it also has the power to extend life. Do you think how I, a mere Divine Realm cultivator without any special bloodline, have managed to live from ten thousand years ago until now? And do you know? From the moment your name is inscribed on the Profound Fate Golden Register, you gain a full half again the lifespan of others?"

As Han Fang finished speaking, he gave a self-mocking smile and swept away.

Zong Shou was instantly stunned, only recovering after quite some time.

Half again? That means that at his current level, he could live for three hundred years. Could that Profound Fate Golden Register help him live to four hundred and fifty? — No wonder this object is the treasure of Cangsheng Dao!

Then, squinting, he looked up towards the sky above.

He knew that the Ancestral Hall of Cangsheng Dao was not located within this complex of buildings called 'Cangsheng Palace,' but hidden at the highest point here, a place circled by stars.

Just when he entered the Cangsheng Dome Realm earlier, he could clearly sense that something in that Ancestral Hall was faintly connected to his spirit, as if calling to him.

Could it be that Profound Fate Golden Register? No, it shouldn't be that strong. Wait. It’s that sword! The immortal sword that Senior Martial Brother called 'Refining Spirit'!

He felt a faint urge to leap up and grasp that sword in his hand. But inwardly, he felt a strange sense of dissonance. According to Senior Martial Brother Wei's explanation, this sword required at least the Divine Realm to wield it effectively.

Could his sensation actually be an illusion?

He stood there, completely lost in thought, not even noticing that Senior Martial Brother Han had long since departed.

It wasn't until a sudden clamor arose around him that Zong Shou snapped back to reality. Looking towards the gate, he saw dozens of people gathered not far away, all wearing expressions of utter strangeness.

Perhaps it was already evening, and the lectures in the Scripture Hall had ended, which was why more and more people were gathering here. And the gazes cast towards him were all identical.

Zong Shou instinctively touched his face; there seemed to be nothing unusual. Then, in the next moment, he had a sudden realization and looked at the plaque beside him: 'Jia-Character First Courtyard.'

When he first arrived, he hadn't thought much of it, but thinking about it now, perhaps this small courtyard, or perhaps the name of the courtyard, held some special significance.

He considered asking someone for an explanation, but judging by the situation, it was unlikely to succeed. Zong Shou decisively closed the courtyard gate, completely shutting out all those stares.

Then, a throbbing sensation started in his temples. He didn't know why, but after being stared at like a monkey for a moment, the eager impulse vanished without a trace.

Even the faint connection he had felt before completely disappeared.

Zong Shou couldn't help but mock himself inwardly: It really was just his illusion...

That night, they spent the entire evening cleaning. This place had clearly been uninhabited for a long time; the dust lay nearly a foot thick. Fortunately, they all possessed spiritual techniques. A sweep with a wind talisman could blow the dust away. Then, Chu Xue excitedly began taking out the beautiful furnishings from her Qiankun Pouch and arranging them everywhere.

Zong Shou felt indifferent; like Zong Yuan, he only needed a bed to rest.

But he certainly wouldn't object if life could be made more comfortable.

Most of his energy was focused on modifying the spirit array. He had already asked Han Fang: although the sect treated all disciples equally in terms of basic treatment, they did not forbid disciples from using their own money to improve their living conditions. Zong Shou decided to go all out and spread a spirit-gathering array throughout this three-section courtyard.

The daily consumption of Fourth-Grade Beast Crystals reached twenty. Naturally, such a high cost meant that the spirit-gathering power of this array reached its peak.

Instantly, boundless spiritual energy tides surged into the Dome Realm. The concentration of spiritual energy in this small courtyard reached a level almost three times higher than the normal standard before it stopped.

The spiritual energy concentration within the Dome Realm was already ten times that of the outside world. And this small courtyard now possessed the equivalent of thirty times that of Qiantian Mountain.

The most direct effect was when cultivating the Internal Observation Profound Thunder Body Tempering Art and the Great Yi Celestial Void Nether Method. Even without using elixirs for aid, the effect of cultivation overnight surpassed the usual by a significant margin of sixty percent!

Zong Shou tried cultivating for half the night, then couldn't help but sigh inwardly; the effect of cultivation within the Dome Realm was truly different.

The Hanyan Palace on the peak of Qiantian Mountain had rich spiritual energy, but its effect was barely noticeable normally.

Only the abundant spiritual energy in sacred lands like the Lingfu and the Dome Realm truly aided cultivation.

With such a treasure land, even a disciple of ordinary aptitude would likely achieve extraordinary things in the future.

When the next morning arrived, Zong Shou instructed Zong Yuan and the other three to attend to their own activities. He himself rushed eagerly toward the Second Scripture Pavilion.

He borrowed all the martial classics and Taoist texts he had long desired—over a dozen volumes—and then headed straight for the Scripture Hall where spiritual arts were taught, listening quietly.

Although they were just basics, once cross-referenced with his own learning, he felt an immediate sense of sudden enlightenment.

It was fine at the beginning, but gradually Zong Shou grew restless. At first, his fellow disciples were listening attentively, but gradually, they started whispering and moving their seats one after another.

It was as if Zong Shou was infected with a deadly poison, and they dared not approach. The occasional glances cast his way varied: some held envy, some resentment, some astonishment, some pity, and some curiosity—a mixture of everything.

Zong Shou’s heart sank slightly, then he understood. This was likely a continuation of yesterday's events.

It was a pity this was not Qiantian Mountain, and everyone around him was his fellow disciple. Otherwise, he could have simply grabbed one over to find out the reason.

The teaching here allowed a fifteen-minute break every half hour. One hall taught the basics from First to Fifth Rank. Another covered all the talismans, spiritual arts, and cultivation paths from the Sixth Rank onwards, covering the Reversion Realm to the True Form Realm.

According to Han Fang, the curriculum here cycled continuously. He was lucky that the lecturer responsible for teaching the basics of spiritual arts had only recently been invited, allowing him to start learning from the beginning.

While the lecture was ongoing, Zong Shou could concentrate, but when it ended, his heart sank, sensing the coldness and rejection in the eyes of his numerous peers.

Just as he was pondering the reason, his peripheral vision suddenly caught sight of two incredibly familiar, graceful figures.

"Yanran, Yunlan?" (To be continued)