Of course, even though Xu Xian's background was not simple, he had not yet awakened his memories of his past life and was just an ordinary mortal boy.
Xu Xian had long heard of Wang Xuan's great name and knew that Wang Xuan was a god-like figure. At this moment, he did not dare to breathe loudly in front of Wang Xuan and appeared as respectful as possible.
"Very well, since the reincarnation of the Ziwei Emperor has offered himself up, I naturally have no reason to refuse." Wang Xuan suppressed his excitement. He was passing on his lineage to Xu Xian, and the fortune he could reap in the future through martial arts would surely increase dramatically!
Even if Xu Xian awakens his memories of his past life later, he will already be connected with the destiny of martial arts and will definitely become a pillar of the martial arts lineage.
Seeing that Wang Xuan hadn't reacted for a long time, Li Gongfu couldn't help but say, "Master, my brother-in-law Xu Xian has extraordinary talent. He has reached the perfected acquired realm after only one year of cultivation. Please accept him as your disciple!"
As he spoke, he repeatedly winked at Xu Xian.
Upon seeing this, Xu Xian immediately bowed down and said solemnly, "Disciple Xu Xian sincerely wishes to follow the Sect Master to learn the ways of medicine and martial arts. I hope the Sect Master will accept me!"
As soon as Xu Xian bowed, Wang Xuan instantly sensed that the fortune of the Xuantian Holy Sect had increased by 30%, which was terrifying!
Wang Xuan also knew the principle of moderation; if things dragged on any longer, something unexpected might happen. It would be best to quickly take Xu Xian under his wing.
"Very well, you are indeed a young man with extraordinary talent, and you are suitable to inherit my mantle. From now on, you will be my personal disciple."
"What? A personal disciple?!" Lin Gongfu was stunned upon hearing this.
As the Xuantian Holy Sect has developed to this point, it has established a complete hierarchical system, namely, registered disciples, outer disciples, inner disciples, and personal disciples.
Ordinary people who join the Xuantian Holy Sect can only become nominal disciples and study martial arts there for three years. If they can reach the fourth level of the Acquired Realm or above within three years, they can be promoted to outer disciple; otherwise, they can only return home.
To become an inner disciple, one must reach the Innate Realm. Even though Li Gongfu was one of the earliest to follow Wang Xuan in martial arts, he only broke through to the Innate Realm last year and became an inner disciple. The entire Xuan Tian Sacred Sect only has a few hundred inner disciples, representing geniuses from all over the country who have come seeking their expertise!
As for direct disciples, there's only Xiaoqing currently, who's addressed as Senior Sister by disciples of sects like the Xuantian Holy Sect. Xu Xian, being a direct disciple of the Xuantian Holy Sect, is undoubtedly the Senior Brother; even Li Gongfu has to address him as "Senior Brother"...
Li Gongfu felt a little conflicted, but was undoubtedly extremely happy. As for Xu Xian, he was overjoyed and immediately performed the three kneelings and nine prostrations ceremony, thus establishing their master-disciple relationship.
Wang Xuan stared intently at the scene of fortune in mid-air, which was invisible to the naked eye of mortals.
Just now, at the very moment Xu Xian became a direct disciple of the Xuantian Holy Sect, the Xuantian Holy Sect's fortune surged again, doubling in value!
Wang Xuan has been in the world of the Legend of the White Snake for eleven years. Over the years, he has been slaying demons and monsters everywhere, making the Xuantian Holy Sect famous. At the same time, he has also recruited many heroes from all over the world to join the sect, making the Xuantian Holy Sect full of talents and one of the most important sects in the Jiangnan region.
But his efforts over the past eleven years have only yielded roughly the same result as taking on Xu Xian as a disciple, which truly left him speechless.
This was before Xu Xian awakened his memories as the Ziwei Emperor from his previous life, and before his fortune had fully blossomed. Otherwise, the benefits Wang Xuan would have gained would have been a hundred times greater!
"It seems that in the future, I should take the best approach when taking on disciples. As for the lower-level disciples, I can just let them follow the inner disciples to cultivate. There is no need for me to teach them personally."
In fact, Wang Xuan has rarely taken on disciples in recent years; most of his disciples have been taught by inner disciples of Li Gongfu's generation. Anyway, as the fortunes of the Xuantian Holy Sect continue to grow, the benefits for him as the sect's founder are immeasurable, so whether he personally teaches them or not makes little difference.
Given Wang Xuan's current status, accepting a personal disciple is not a matter to be taken lightly. He had only just established a master-disciple relationship with Xu Xian. Next, he would naturally hold a grand ceremony to let the world know that the Xuantian Holy Sect had gained a senior brother.
Wang Xuan simply gave the order, and soon disciples went to make arrangements, inviting Taoist and Buddhist elders and reclusive masters from the Jiangnan region to witness this apprenticeship ceremony.
It is worth mentioning that Zen Master Fahai of Jinshan Temple was also on the guest list. After receiving the invitation from the disciple of Xuantian Shengzong, the old monk felt a strange emptiness in his heart, as if something extremely important had left him.
“There must be a reason for this sudden impulse!” Fahai frowned, counted on his fingers, and suddenly couldn’t help but burst into curses. His image as a high monk, which had been established for hundreds of years, was completely destroyed. He was truly a fierce and wrathful Vajra.
"You, Wang Xuan, have a master-disciple relationship with this humble monk! You're clearly trying to steal my disciple!"
"More importantly, I can vaguely foresee that Xu Xian is born with great fortune, and my attainment of Arhatship will most likely depend on him!"
As the saying goes, obstructing someone's path is like killing their parents; Fahai had thoroughly harbored resentment towards Wang Xuan.
But there was nothing he could do about it. Since Wang Xuan had the opportunity to take Xu Xian, the reincarnation of the Ziwei Emperor, as his disciple, how could he possibly compromise or back down?
Moreover, Fahai was only at the half-step Celestial Realm, while Wang Xuan had reached the late Celestial Realm eleven years ago, and now he had even stepped into the perfect Celestial Realm.
If pushed too far, Wang Xuan could simply cover his face and beat Fahai with a club, killing him outright!
Of course, Wang Xuan would never do that unless it was absolutely necessary, because Fahai also had a powerful backer; he was a disciple of the Buddha of the Western Paradise.
Chapter 198 Snatching a Disciple
The news that the sect leader of the Xuantian Holy Sect was about to accept a personal disciple caused an instant sensation throughout Jiangnan. Not only did Taoist and Buddhist cultivators rush to witness the ceremony, but even reclusive senior masters who had lived in seclusion for many years were also alarmed.
As for ordinary martial artists, they weren't even qualified to attend the ceremony. The Xuan Tian Holy Sect only invited cultivators, at least those who had reached the Dao realm through martial arts!
The apprenticeship ceremony was held as scheduled. Wang Xuan sat high in the main hall, while Xu Xian changed into the special clothes of a direct disciple of the Xuantian Holy Sect and respectfully walked forward.
If there were someone familiar with Xu Xian here, they would immediately see that Xu Xian's spirit and energy have undergone a tremendous change compared to a few days ago!
It wasn't just because he became more confident, but also because his cultivation had broken through, reaching the Innate Realm!
Since Wang Xuan had accepted this disciple, he naturally had to give him special training. He provided Xu Xian with several days of intensive training, which finally enabled him to break through to the Innate Realm before the apprenticeship ceremony.
After a series of elaborate ceremonies, the crucial moment finally arrived. Next, witnessed by the people of the world, Xu Xian would formally become Wang Xuan's disciple.
From then on, they were recognized by the world as master and disciple. If Xu Xian were to betray his master, he would certainly be condemned by the world.
Just as Xu Xian was about to perform the formal ceremony of becoming Wang Xuan's disciple, a loud shout suddenly came from a corner of the hall: "Wait!"
The voice was like the soft chanting of Buddha, shaking people's souls. Those with lower cultivation levels were instantly stunned and couldn't come back to their senses for a long time.
Needless to say, the person who interrupted the apprenticeship ceremony was none other than Zen Master Fahai of Jinshan Temple.
"Why is Grand Master Fahai preventing me from accepting disciples?" Wang Xuan looked at Fahai calmly, his expression revealing neither joy nor anger.
"Namo Amitabha!" Fahai clasped his hands together and chanted a Buddhist prayer to Wang Xuan before solemnly saying, "This humble monk has cultivated diligently at Jin Guang Temple for many years, and my cultivation has long since reached the Vajra realm, only half a step away from the Arhat realm."
The so-called Vajra Arhats and the like are naturally Buddhist classifications of spiritual attainments.
The fourth realm of Buddhist and Taoist cultivation is the Vajra Realm, which corresponds to the Transcendent Realm in martial arts and the Immortal Realm in Taoism.
The fifth realm of Buddhist and Taoist cultivation is the Arhat realm, which corresponds to the Celestial Realm in martial arts and the Earth Immortal realm in Taoism.
Above Arhats are Bodhisattvas and Buddhas, which correspond to the supernatural powers and divine and demonic realms of martial arts, and the true immortals and golden immortals of Taoism, respectively!
Now that Fahai has revealed his cultivation level, he has already stepped one foot into the Arhat realm. If he breaks through, he could even secure a place on Mount Sumeru in the West!
Everyone present was deeply moved by his words, and felt a profound respect for Fahai. This respect stemmed entirely from his superior cultivation; it was the natural awe of the weak towards the strong.
"I never imagined that Zen Master Fahai's cultivation was so formidable. He's already on the verge of reaching the Arhat realm and is about to ascend to Mount Ling. Truly a cause for celebration!" Wang Xuan's words were calm, revealing no emotion. "Is this why you're stopping me from accepting a disciple?"
Everyone realized that although Fahai's cultivation was high, it was too impolite of him to stop others from accepting disciples for no reason.
Fahai frowned. He had deliberately revealed his cultivation level to intimidate Wang Xuan and prevent him from refusing his request. But now it seemed that this tactic wasn't working.
However, this matter concerned Fahai's future path, and Fahai would not give up no matter what. So he simply said frankly, "This humble monk will soon ascend to Mount Ling, but there is no suitable person to inherit his mantle. This is truly a great regret in this humble monk's heart."
"Now that I have seen this Xu Xian, I find that he and I have some kind of connection. He should be my disciple. I hope that Sect Leader Wang will forgive me and give this Xu Xian to me."
"What?! The Venerable Master Fahai of Jinshan Temple is actually trying to snatch the disciple of Sect Master Wang?!" The Taoist and Buddhist masters who came to observe the ceremony were immediately in an uproar.
Fahai enjoys a very high reputation among mortals and is considered the top Buddhist master in the Jiangnan region. He is a highly respected and virtuous Buddhist monk. It is unexpected that he would do such a disrespectful thing today!
Noticing the strange looks from the people around him, Fahai felt ashamed and angry, and his resentment towards Wang Xuan intensified.
Xu Xian should have been Fahai's disciple, but Wang Xuan snatched him away, forcing Fahai to abandon his dignity and snatch him back in public, which made him look down on by his fellow practitioners present.
Before Wang Xuan could speak, a man rushed out from the crowd and cursed at Fahai, "You bald monk, you are utterly heartless! Our Xu family only has Xu Xian left, and you want to force him to become a monk. Are you trying to make our Xu family line die out?"
Fahai turned his head and saw that the person who had been cursing him was a woman in her early twenties with a pretty face.
Since Fahai wanted to take Xu Xian as his disciple, he naturally inquired about Xu Xian's background and learned that Xu Xian had an older sister named Xu Jiaorong, who was most likely the woman in front of him.
“You are mistaken, benefactor. I want to take Xu Xian as my disciple so that I can guide him to comprehend the great path of Buddhism. If he can achieve enlightenment in the future, he will be able to live forever. So how can there be any talk of him having no descendants?” Fahai explained to Xu Jiaorong with great earnestness.
But Xu Jiaorong wouldn't listen to Fahai's words. She only had one younger brother, and she was counting on him to get married and have children as soon as possible to continue the Xu family line. How could she let Xu Xian become a monk?
As for achieving enlightenment and immortality? Of all the monks in the world, how many can actually cultivate to the point of immortality?
Besides, isn't Sect Master Wang, who follows the Xuantian Holy Sect, also cultivating? In the Xuantian Holy Sect, one can get married and have children; there aren't as many rules as in Buddhism. It's much better than becoming a monk.
Fahai shook his head, knowing that he couldn't reason with Xu Jiaorong, so he simply ignored her and said directly to Xu Xian, "Would you be willing to follow me and become a monk?"
Xu Xian shook his head vigorously. He was about to become the senior disciple of the Xuantian Holy Sect and reach the pinnacle of life. He had a wonderful life waiting for him to enjoy, so why would he want to become a monk?
Besides, although the apprenticeship ceremony is not yet over, he and Wang Xuan have already established their master-disciple relationship; they just lack the witness of the world.
If Xu Xian were to betray Wang Xuan at this time and become a monk under Fahai, his reputation would be completely ruined.
Betraying one's master and joining another sect is a major taboo, whether in martial arts sects or cultivation sects!
Fahai is highly respected and is about to ascend to Mount Ling, so this infamy won't affect him much, but it's something Xu Xian can't afford to bear right now.
Chapter 199 Beating up Fahai
Seeing that Fahai was about to continue persuading Xu Xian, Wang Xuan finally couldn't hold back and said with a sneer, "What a bald old monk Fahai! You dare to try to poach Xu Xian right in front of me? Do you really think I, Wang Xuan, am made of paper?"
"My Xuantian Holy Sect and your Jinshan Temple have never had any enmity, yet you have forcibly taken my disciples. Today you must give me an explanation, or I will not let this go!"
When Wang Xuan accepted Xu Xian as his disciple, he already knew that this would happen, but he still sent an invitation to Fahai, which was the result of his repeated consideration.
Even if Wang Xuan didn't send an invitation, due to the karmic ties, Fahai would definitely come looking for trouble. Since that's the case, Wang Xuan might as well be magnanimous and directly invite Fahai over.
Over the years, he has continuously slain demons and monsters, and his cultivation level has become increasingly stronger. He deliberately suppressed his cultivation to the late stage of the Transcendent Realm, which inevitably made Fahai underestimate him.
Now it's time to show my true colors with my perfected Transcendental cultivation, using Fahai as a stepping stone to thoroughly proclaim my fame to the world!
"Sect Leader Wang, are you really unwilling to part with this?" Fahai sighed, his anger barely contained. If he could, he truly didn't want to resort to force to resolve today's events, as that would severely damage his reputation.
Wang Xuan sneered repeatedly. He knew that the two of them were bound to fight today. Only by teaching Fahai a lesson could he get a brief moment of peace.
Xu Xian was certainly a trigger for their conflict, but it also involved a clash between martial arts and Buddhism!
Over the years, the martial arts taught by Wang Xuan have grown increasingly powerful, impacting the interests of both Buddhism and Taoism. If Wang Xuan were to back down today, the various sects of Taoism and Buddhism would swarm in like hungry wolves, devouring the Xuantian Holy Sect until not even bones remain!
This is not an exaggeration; it is indeed true!
Fahai and Wang Xuan stared at each other for a moment before quickly looking away, knowing that a battle was inevitable today.
"Sect Leader Wang, your Xuantian Holy Sect is rife with corruption and monstrous talents. Your other disciple is clearly a green snake spirit." Fahai's expression suddenly turned murderous as he directly pinned the blame on Wang Xuan: "Today, this humble monk will slay the demon and restore peace to the world!"
With this excuse, the story would later be that Fahai came to the scene to slay demons, rather than that he fought to steal someone else's disciple, so his behavior wouldn't be too ugly.
It must be said that Fahai's excuse was quite effective; at least all the Taoist and Buddhist masters present chose to stand by and watch, and no one stepped forward to defend Wang Xuan.
Wang Xuan sneered, "My disciple Xiaoqing is indeed a green snake, but she is not one of those evil demons! If we're going to talk about it, your Buddhist sect probably has the most demons."
There are many strange beings in Buddhism. Not to mention the Eight Heavenly Dragons, even the Buddha Mother is a peacock, a true monster!
When it comes to dark history, Buddhism has a thousand times more than Wang Xuan!
After a futile exchange of words, ultimately, strength will prevail. Wang Xuan shouted at Fahai, "Enough with the nonsense, dare you come out and fight me?"