His greatest wish in life was to combine the techniques of various sects and create a completely new technique that would allow him to break through his current cultivation level. But now, with only three days left, it was naturally impossible.
This obsession fueled his extreme resentment. Coupled with the corrosive influence of the Bloodthirsty Bead, he gradually began to succumb to demonic possession. And he devised a desperate, ineffective solution.
He brought the two children who had stumbled upon their fight together and chose one of them as his disciple. Initially, he chose Lin Jingyu because he could tell at a glance that Lin Jingyu had extraordinary talent and physique. However, precisely because of his extraordinary talent, he would easily attract attention, which would be a disadvantage. Therefore, he ultimately chose Zhang Xiaofan, who was considered "dull-witted."
In his mind, if the child learned his techniques and then joined the Qingyun Sect, wouldn't he be able to combine the techniques of both sects? That way, he could fulfill his wish.
He was satisfied with his idea and never considered what it meant for the child. In this world of strict sectarianism, if Zhang Xiaofan were to reveal that he possessed other magical techniques, he would basically face certain death.
Even more terrifying was that after Zhang Xiaofan memorized his techniques, kowtowed to him, and called him master, another, even more horrifying thought arose in his mind. This child had parents, a happy and fulfilling family life, and his talent was utterly unremarkable. Why would the Qingyun Sect accept him as a disciple?
This idea, like a worm killing his soul, devoured the little rationality he had left. Ultimately, it led him to make a terrifying decision. Only by making Zhang Xiaofan an orphan, forcing the Qingyun Sect to accept him, could he ensure Zhang Xiaofan's entry into the sect and the fulfillment of his wish.
And so, the massacre that night took place. The person who killed Zhang Xiaofan and Lin Jingyu's entire village wasn't the mysterious figure Zhang Xiaofan had in mind, but his beloved master. He had promised his master that he would forever keep the matter of becoming his disciple a secret. This became the root of his later tragedy. Because he never dreamed that the secret he had painstakingly kept was actually the work of his own mentor.
Lu Xuan knew Zhang Xiaofan was hiding something, but he didn't expose it. He didn't even tell Zhang Xiaofan about the murderer's identity. Because revenge is something that requires personal involvement; only in this way can one dispel the inner demons.
"The deceased is gone. Do you two still have any relatives living?"
"No, my parents are dead," Zhang Xiaofan said, and began to cry again. Lin Jingyu, who was standing next to him, jumped off the bed.
"Please, sir, accept me as your disciple."
Just like in the original novel, Lin Jingyu is indeed much smarter than Zhang Xiaofan. However, that doesn't prove he's truly superior. Lin Jingyu is the kind of genius whose brilliance is outwardly apparent, while Zhang Xiaofan is the kind whose talent is inwardly refined. He may seem dull-witted, but his hidden genius is no less than Lin Jingyu's. Simply put, Zhang Xiaofan is a character similar to Guo Jing.
Everyone thinks Guo Jing is stupid. But is he really stupid? Later in the story, he becomes a top-notch talent, whether in leading troops into battle or in martial arts. Most people are only accomplished by mastering one skill in their lifetime. Guo Jing mastered two; does that make him stupid?
Zhang Xiaofan was the same; later, he became a disciple of the Ghost King. The name of Ghost Li intimidated the entire younger generation.
Seeing Lin Jingyu's actions, Zhang Xiaofan realized what was happening. However, he hesitated. After all, he had promised his master to join the Qingyun Sect. But they were now at the Hidden Immortal Sect. He was, after all, just a ten-year-old child, and he didn't know what to do in this situation.
Lin Jingyu noticed his hesitation and quickly pulled him down to kneel. Before Zhang Xiaofan could react, Lin Jingyu had dragged him to his knees as well.
Lu Xuan smiled slightly.
"Very good, I had this idea in mind when I brought you back. Since you've agreed, then come with me."
This so-called Hidden Immortal Sect was created by Lu Xuan not long ago. After arriving in this world, Lu Xuan discovered that its laws were incomplete. He couldn't sense the subtle surveillance and oppression he felt in the world of *Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio*. Clearly, this world lacked the causal constraints of his previous existence. Therefore, he immediately decided to formally establish a sect and pass on his own lineage.
Lu Xuan cultivates for two reasons, one being to achieve immortality. After all, with such limitless opportunities, who would want to stagnate halfway through their journey? The other reason Lu Xuan pays close attention to is inheritance. His knowledge is a collection of the essence of multiple worlds. He doesn't want to be merely a passerby in each world, but rather to leave something behind.
The legacy he left behind in every world is the trace he left behind. In the previous world, he took in many disciples, though he eventually took them all with him. But let's not forget, he left behind his cave dwelling. Within the cave dwelling, most of Lu Xuan's knowledge is preserved, which can be considered another way of leaving behind a legacy.
In this world, Lu Xuan intends to formally establish his lineage. Therefore, it is natural for him to establish a sect and spread the word far and wide.
Zhang Xiaofan and Lin Jingyu followed Lu Xuan to a grand hall. On a high platform directly in front of the hall, a row of various utensils were displayed.
They are: a sword; a mirror shimmering with five kinds of light; a ball of dancing lightning; a jade talisman surrounded by some kind of mysterious symbols; a strange substance that resembles molten iron but is constantly changing; and finally, a boiling cauldron.
"Swordsmanship, Five Elements, Thunder Magic, Runes, Weapon Forging, and Alchemy. These are the main cultivation directions of our sect. Now, you can choose one as your major. Remember, trust your own heart."
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Chapter 406 Not Human??
Lin Jingyu chose sword cultivation because he had often seen disciples of the Qingyun Sect flying around in the sky since he was a child. Most of those disciples flew on swords, which made him yearn for it even more.
In contrast, Zhang Xiaofan chose the lightning technique. Perhaps the scene from that night was too deeply etched in his memory, so he subconsciously chose the lightning technique.
"Very good. Now that you have chosen your major path, then become disciples. Lin Jingyu, your sect's swordsmanship will be taught by your master's wife, Hongyu. Kneel three times, and then kneel three more times before the sword on the table. Our sect's rules do not concern themselves with these formalities."
Lin Jingyu stepped forward and kowtowed, looking slightly excited. Then it was Zhang Xiaofan's turn.
"You have chosen the path of lightning magic, which is even more difficult and complicated than sword cultivation. In our sect, only I am proficient in it. Therefore, I will personally teach you the path of lightning magic."
Zhang Xiaofan quickly stepped forward and kowtowed. In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the apprenticeship ceremony between the two was completed.
"Now that you've joined my sect, let me explain our rules. Within the Hidden Immortal Sect, I don't expect you to be chivalrous heroes, but you must not kill the innocent. Our sect seeks carefree longevity; act according to your heart and avoid doing anything you'll regret. Furthermore, respect your elders, and fellow disciples must not kill each other..."
After a lengthy explanation of the trivial rules, the two teenagers officially became disciples of Lu Xuanyin Immortal Sect.
Lu Xuan's sect wasn't large. After all, there were quite a few sects in the Central Plains of this world. Most of the large spiritual veins had already been occupied. The spiritual vein in this valley could only be considered medium-sized. Moreover, it was shrouded in mist year-round, hence its name, Misty Hidden Mountain. Furthermore, this mist contained poisonous miasma, and because it was located within a spiritual vein, this miasma had mutated, affecting cultivators. Therefore, no one had ever occupied this place.
After Lu Xuan and his group arrived, they spent considerable effort clearing away the poisonous miasma in the valley. They then established a sect gate covering over ten thousand square meters within the valley. At the same time, the surrounding poisonous miasma was transformed into a natural protective formation.
Within the sect, there are a series of pavilions, including a scripture repository, a martial arts training ground, a weapon-refining pavilion, an alchemy pavilion, and a treasure pavilion. There are also hundreds of rooms for disciples to live in.
"Our sect has just opened its gates, and we don't have many disciples yet. You two can each have your own room for now. Take your time to explore our sect today, get to know the other senior sisters, and then get some rest. You'll officially begin your cultivation tomorrow."
After Lu Xuan finished speaking, he left with Hongxiu, leaving behind two bewildered teenagers. Just then, two girls came skipping and hopping over.
"Wow, are you two Master's new disciples? When you see us, why don't you hurry up and call us Senior Sister!"
Looking at the two bizarre worlds before them, the two teenagers, their faces flushed with embarrassment, called out "Senior Sister" twice.
"That's more like it. Alright, come with us. We'll show you around our sect."
The visitors were Xiaoqing and Xiaobai, a fox demon and a snake demon, both mischievous troublemakers. Hearing that their junior brother had arrived, they quickly offered to lead them on a tour of the mountain gate. Since no one else spoke, Lu Xuan agreed.
The two boys followed their two senior sisters cautiously as they wandered around the sect. Along the way, they saw several other senior sisters. To their surprise, all of them were stunningly beautiful women. Apart from the sect leader, they were the only two men in the entire sect.
However, the sect's splendor far exceeded their expectations. The ground in most parts of the sect was paved with patterned stone slabs. A village stonemason might need two days to carve just one of these slabs, but here there were tens of thousands of them.
The medicinal herb field was planted with all sorts of herbs they had never heard of before. There were so many that just one whiff of them was enough to refresh the mind and invigorate the spirit.