Chapter Seventeen: The Grand Ceremony of Enlightenment Begins!
After washing up, the two headed straight for the First Mountain, where the Grand Enlightenment Ceremony was held.
On the southern shore, several peaks rose, among which the First Mountain was the most imposing and magnificent, serving as the venue for grand events. Along the way, many disciples could be seen rushing there, their expressions filled with excitement and anticipation.
Among them were those who had already achieved Foundation Establishment and were merely going to watch the festivities, as well as labor disciples who had yet to reach Foundation Establishment but were poised to leap into the ranks of the Outer Sect. There were also a few prodigies like Zhao Xiaobai, who had entered the Outer Sect early but had not yet established their foundation, seeking that elusive perfection.
Enlightenment, as it was called, was a matter of perception—its object could be a person, a thing, a flower, or a blade of grass. All things in the world could serve as a source of enlightenment.
During the process, disciples relied not only on their own abilities but also required a trace of external assistance: the aura of Heaven’s Dao.
The reason the Grand Enlightenment Ceremony was held at the First Mountain of the southern shore was because it stood at the center of the Only Me Sect’s array and was closest to the Heavenly Dao. On this day each year, the aura of Heaven’s Dao would descend.
Disciples who sought enlightenment at this time, accompanied by the descent of Heaven’s Dao, would find their chances of success greatly increased.
Already, many disciples had hurried over, laughing and discussing the grand occasion.
“This year’s Grand Enlightenment Ceremony promises to be quite interesting.”
“Indeed, several Outer Sect prodigies of the Qi Condensation stage have been suppressing their strength, waiting for today’s explosion.”
“The Heaven’s Dao aura only descends onto our Only Me Sect once a year. Each time, countless prodigies emerge, entering the Inner Sect directly and drawing much attention. Many Inner Sect disciples even secretly watch the proceedings.”
“That’s nothing! I hear that today, even Senior Sister Yao, a true disciple, will appear!”
“Senior Sister Yao? She’s one of the sect’s top powers!”
“By the way, do you remember Wang Ran from the Outer Sect? I heard Elder Liu has set a final deadline for him. If he fails to establish his foundation this time, he’ll lose his Outer Sect status!”
“I’ve heard that too. Wang Ran is a genius, and he’s from the same hometown as Senior Brother Ye from the Inner Sect. What a pity—though his cultivation is swift, his comprehension is poor, and he still hasn’t established his foundation.”
“Heh, so not all geniuses are perfect—some are flawed.”
“Do you think he’ll succeed today?”
“I suppose even if he does, it’ll be just a one-star or two-star foundation at best.”
“A one- or two-star foundation is passable; that’s all I managed. But he’s a once-in-a-century prodigy, different from us. If he only achieves two stars, it’ll be embarrassing and invite ridicule.”
“Haha, that’s what happens when someone’s comprehension is so poor.”
As they discussed Wang Ran, their expressions turned contemptuous.
Most of them were of average talent, so seeing a genius unable to achieve enlightenment gave them a strange sense of satisfaction, as if they’d found a peculiar superiority.
There was no real difference between the north and south shores of the Only Me Sect. The southern shore was slightly larger and home to most disciples, while the northern shore was populated mainly by elders.
Still, some disciples favored by elders were privately taken as apprentices and allowed to reside on the northern shore, as were the children of elders.
At this moment, a rainbow streaked across the northern shore, light swirling around it. After a few breaths, the gale dispersed, revealing a figure within: Inner Sect prodigy Beiming Lie.
He stood astride a giant sword, roaring through the air, his face filled with aloof pride. His gaze swept coldly below, as if he cared nothing for the crowd.
“That’s Beiming Lie, the Inner Sect prodigy! That flying sword beneath him is said to be worth a thousand spirit jades and can carry people through the sky.”
“Indeed, now that’s a real prodigy. They say he can rival Senior Brother Ye Cang in the Inner Sect.”
“That man’s brilliance is truly rare.”
As the disciples exclaimed, another sword light flashed across the distant sky. It didn’t carry a grand aura, but its sword energy condensed into a force that seemed ready to pierce the heavens.
Upon the giant sword, clouds billowed, revealing a figure standing with hands behind his back.
He appeared, clad in a purple-gold robe that danced in the wind, long black hair streaming, a gentle smile upon his face. His demeanor was calm, his gaze warm and amiable, shining like the sun upon all, making others fade into obscurity.
Every movement seemed favored by heaven and earth. His eyes were as deep as the stars, his handsome, flawless features making him appear even more extraordinary.
His arrival instantly overshadowed Beiming Lie.
This was Ye Cang, the fastest Foundation Establishment cultivator in the Only Me Sect, born with a millennial sacred body, hailed as the unrivaled prodigy destined for the next year’s true disciple selection.
“Senior Brother Ye? Even he’s come!”
“Senior Brother Ye’s talent is the best in a thousand years of our Only Me Sect!”
“Even Beiming Lie pales beside Senior Brother Ye.”
“Of course, Senior Brother Ye is the most likely to become a true disciple.”
The disciples marveled at how much attention this year’s ceremony had attracted.
On another giant sword in the sky, Beiming Lie glanced sideways at Ye Cang, his expression heavy. With a cold snort, he landed atop the mountain and closed his eyes to rest.
Ye Cang ignored him, instead settling himself on a high platform atop the mountain, surveying the scene unobtrusively.
He had come here for Wang Ran.
The last time, he’d sent Enforcement Hall assassins, but they’d vanished without a trace, likely having failed. His purpose in attending the ceremony was to see whether Wang Ran had survived.
Meanwhile, Beiming Lie, though he appeared to rest, was also secretly scanning the crowd.
“My younger brother said he was wounded last night in front of the Red Bamboo Forest by an Outer Sect disciple, who even stole the formation-breaking talisman I gave him. That talisman carries my aura—if that person appears today, I’ll make sure he learns whom he can and cannot provoke!”
With a sinister gaze, Beiming Lie, too, was searching for Wang Ran.
As their thoughts diverged, a sudden lotus sword rain drifted down from heaven and earth. Looking up, everyone saw a white ribbon roaring toward them from the distant sky. In the blink of an eye, it became the figure of a stunningly beautiful woman.
Her white garment fluttered, red ribbon danced, and she was none other than the sect’s number one beauty and one of the two true disciples—Yao Jianjia.
Her appearance set the scene ablaze; even Ye Cang and Beiming Lie turned their attention.
“My god, is that Senior Sister Yao, the sect’s top female true disciple?”
“She’s breathtaking—her beauty could topple kingdoms!”
“And she walks on air! She’s at the Golden Core stage!”
She was the perfect goddess in everyone’s hearts.
Yao Jianjia didn’t linger in the air, but swept toward the ground. Her white boots touched down, and she stood there unmoving.
Yet no one dared approach within five yards of her, the intense aura inspiring awe and keeping the crowd at a distance.
In the time that followed, the number of disciples on the summit plaza grew steadily. Many prodigies arrived, along with outstanding labor and Outer Sect disciples.
Zhao Xiaobai, holding a white folding fan, radiated scholarly elegance, swaying his head as he walked—a picture of a pale-faced scholar.
“Hm? That’s the notorious Zhao Xiaobai?”
“I heard he’s the reincarnation of a killing star.”
“Best stay away from him.”
Many nearby whispered to each other and quickly cleared a path for Zhao Xiaobai.
He smiled faintly, walking over to Beiming Lie. He glanced at the spot beside him and, smiling, said, “This place is nice. You don’t mind if I sit here, do you, brother?”
Beiming Lie sized him up, startled—such murderous intent!
Especially in his eyes, which seemed ordinary at first, but closer inspection revealed fierce battle spirit.
Zhao Xiaobai, seeing Beiming Lie silent, didn’t wait for his answer and sat down regardless.
The time for the ceremony drew near, and the crowd grew anxious.
Zhao Xiaobai glanced at the sky and wondered aloud, “Strange, why haven’t Brother Wang and the little junior sister come yet? Did they oversleep?”
Just as he murmured, a commotion erupted at the entrance.
“Presenting the sect’s handsomest Brother Wang!”
“Brother Wang is the most handsome! Brother Wang is unbeatable!”
“Brother Wang is the most handsome! Brother Wang is unbeatable!”
“Make way up front, Brother Wang is here!”
In the distance, Wang Ran, dressed in a blue-and-white robe, smiled as he walked with hands behind his back, strolling leisurely. The little junior sister behind him held two bouquets, jumping and shouting encouragement, occasionally tossing handfuls of petals into the air.
The disciples stared in shock at the spectacle.
The little junior sister, like a cheerleader, danced joyfully with her bouquets, energetically chanting the slogans Wang Ran had taught her.
“The Only Me Sect’s handsomest Brother Wang is here for enlightenment today! Dear fellow disciples, please show some support, double-tap 666, send a small gift, spirit jade donations welcome—large or small, it’s the thought that counts! Come, join Brother Wang’s fan club now, membership fees at a 40% discount!”
Her pure and sweet voice stunned everyone. The dramatic entrance—fan club, background music, and special effects—left the crowd utterly astonished!
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